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

WISDOM.

A prolog upon Sapience [This prologue is from R.] .

The book of Wisdom is not hadde among Ebreuys; wherfore the writyng therof sowneth moost in Greke speche. This book the Jewis affermen to be of Philonys, and it is clepid the book of Wisdom, for in it the comyng of Crist, which is the wisdom of the Fader, and his passioun, opinli ben schewid.

[Here biginneth the bok of Sapience or Wysedom [From EGPY. Heere bigynneth Sapience. R. No initial rubric in the other Mss.] .]

[verse 1] Ȝe that demen the erthe [the erthe; that is, men dwellinge in erthe. C.] , loue [loueth I.] riȝtful|nesse; feele ȝe of the Lord in goodnesse, [symplenesse; that is, clen|nesse. Austyn and Lire here. C.] and seke ȝe hym in the [Om. CI.] symplenesse

of herte. [verse 2] For he is foundun of hem, that tempten not hym; forsothe he ap|perith to hem, that han feith in to hym. [verse 3] For whi weiward thouȝtis departen fro God; but preued [preued; that is, vertu ap|preued of God. vnwise men; that is, hem that synnen bi ignoraunce. Lire here. C.] vertu repreueth vnwise men. [verse 4] For whi wisdom schal not entre in to an yuel willid soule [yuel willed soule; that is, to whom malice plesith for vi|ciouse custom. suget to synnes; that is, in a man suget to fleisli vices, that maken dulnesse of vndurstond|ing. Goost of wisdom; that is autour of wisdom in the dissiple. a feyn|ed man; that is, him that sekith in vertues not truthe, but oneli apperith. without vn|durstondyng; that is, with out resoun. a cursid man, etc.; that is, a man ob|stynat in syn|nes, fro blasfe|myes and othere yuels, doon bi stiring of lippis. reynes; that is, of yuele affec|ciouns. herte; that is, of thouȝt and entent. conteyneth; that is, the Hooli Goost, that kepith alle thingis in be|ing. kunnyng of vois; that is, knowing of ech seiyng. a derk word, etc.; that is, colourid bi the semyng of hoolynesse, whanne it hath the venym of wickidnesse withynne. Lire here. C.] ; nethir schal [it schal I.] dwelle in a bodi suget to synnes. [verse 5] For|sothe the Hooli Goost of wisdom schal fle awei fro `a feyned man [feynynge thing I text. or a feyned man I marg.] , and he schal take awei hym silf fro thouȝtis, that ben with out vnderstondyng; and the man [vnwijs man I.] schal be punyschid of wyckidnesse com|ynge aboue. [verse 6] For the spirit of wisdom is benyngne, and he schal not delyuere a cursid man fro hise lippis [lippis, that is, ob|stynat V.] ; for whi God is witnesse of hise reynes, and the serchere of his herte is trewe, and the herere of his tunge. [verse 7] For whi the Spirit of the Lord hath fillid the world; and this thing, that conteyneth alle thingis, hath the kunnyng of vois. [verse 8] For [Therfor I.] this he that spekith wickid thingis, may not be hid; and doom punyschynge [and punyschynge I.] schal not passe hym. [verse 9] For whi axyng schal be in the thouȝtis of a wickid man. [verse 10] Forsothe the heryng of hise wordis schal come to God, and to the punyschyng of hise wickid|nessis; for the eere of feruent loue herith alle thingis, and the noise of grutchyngis schal not be hyd. [verse 11] Therfor kepe ȝe ȝou fro grutchyng, that profitith no thing, and fro bacbityng spare ȝe the tunge; for a derk word schal not go in to veyn; forsothe the mouth that lieth, sleeth the soule [sleeth the soule; this is vndurstondun of a dedly leesing, not of a bourdeful leesing, and profitable. in the errour of ȝoure liyf; that is, bileuynge bi this to ascape al peynefulnesse. nether gete ȝe perdicioun; that is, dampnacioun of helle. in the werkis of ȝoure hondis; that is, in sleynge ȝou bi ȝoure hondis. God made not deth; of man, whom he made myȝty to die not, bi the ȝifte of origenal riȝtfulnesse; and if man had kepte that ȝifte, he schulde haue passid with out deth to the glorie of bodi and of soule. Lire here. C.] . [verse 12] Nyle ȝe coueyte deth, in the

errour of ȝoure lijf, nether gete ȝe per|dicioun in the werkis of ȝoure hondis; [verse 13] for God made not deth, nether is [he is I.] glad in the perdicioun of lyuynge men. [verse 14] For whi God made of nouȝt alle thingis, that tho schulden be; and he made the na|ciouns of the world able to be heelid. Forwhi medecyn [medecyn, etc.; that is, remedi aȝenus wrecch|idnessis is not bi distriyng of her owne liyf. C.] of distriyng is not in tho men, nether the rewme of hellis is in erthe [the rewme of hellis is in erthe; that is, in present liyf. The lawe of helle is this, that noon may go aȝen fro synne and peyne; but in present liyf men moun be heelid fro synne bi pen|aunce, and come to glorie. riȝt|fulnesse; which is bi grace. geting of deth; that is, of helle, bi dedly synne. hondis; that is, werkis. fletiden; bi dyuerse vices. puttiden bi|heestis to it; that is, cleu|yden to vnriȝt|fulnesse with out departing, as a spouse cleueth to his spousesse. Lire here. C.] . [verse 15] For riȝtfulnesse is euerlastynge, and vndeedli; but vnriȝtfulnesse is getyng of deeth. [verse 16] Forsothe wickid men clepiden that vnriȝtfulnesse bi hondis and wordis, and thei gessiden it a frendesse [freend I.] , and flet|iden awei, and thei puttiden biheestis to it; for thei ben worthi the deth [the deth; of helle. Lire here. C.] , that ben of the part therof.

CAP. II.

[verse 1] Forsothe wickid men seiden, thenkynge anentis [at I.] hem silf not riȝtfuli, The tyme of oure lijf is litil, and with anoye; no refreisching is in the ende of a man, and noon is [ther is I.] , that is knowun, that turnede aȝen fro hellis. [verse 2] For we weren borun of nouȝt, and aftir this tyme we schulen be, as if we hadden not be; forwhi smoke [smoke; for we lyuen bi brething in and brething aȝen of the eir. a word of spar|cle; that is, kyndly heete is in oure bodi, and first and last in the herte. as soft eir; that is, the soule schal vanysche awey, as the soule of vnresonable beestis. Lire here. C.] is blowun out in oure nose thirlis, and a word of sparcle to stire oure herte. [verse 3] For oure bodi schal be quenchid aische, and the spirit schal be scaterid abrood as soft eir; and oure lijf schal passe as the step of a cloude, and it schal be departid as a myst, which is dryuun awey of the beemys of the sunne, and is greued of the heete therof. [verse 4] And oure name schal take for|ȝeting bi tyme [bi tyme; that is, bi pass|ing of tyme. Lire here. C.] ; and no man schal haue mynde of oure werkis. [verse 5] Forwhi oure tyme is the [Om. C.] passyng of a schadewe, and no turnyng aȝen of oure ende is [ther is I.] ; for it is aseelid [aseelid; bi a stoon put on the bodi of the deed man biried. Lire here. C.] , and no man turneth aȝen. [verse 6] Ther|for come ȝe, and vse we the goodis that

ben, and vse we a creature, as in ȝongthe, swiftli [swiftli; that is, as soone as we moun. Lire here. C.] . [verse 7] Fille we vs with preciouse wyn and oynementis; and the flour of tyme passe not vs. [verse 8] Corowne we vs with roosis, bifor that tho [thei I.] welewen; no medewe be, `bi which [that I.] oure letcherie passe not [not bi I.] . [verse 9] No man of vs be [be ther I.] with out part of oure letcherie; euery where leeue we the signes of glad|nesse; for this is oure part [oure part; that is, we moun no thing more bere of the goodis of this liyf. Lire here. C.] , and this is oure eritage. [verse 10] Oppresse we a pore iust man, and spare we not a widewe, nether reuerence we hoor heeris of an old man of myche tyme. [verse 11] But oure strengthe be the lawe of riȝtfulnesse [lawe of riȝt|fulnesse; that is, gesse we leeueful, what euer thing we moun do. vn|profitable; bi oure doom. Lire here. C.] ; forwhi that that is feble, is foundun vnprofitable. [verse 12] Therfor disseyue we a iust man [Therfor dis|seyue we a iust man, etc.; this is expownyd specialy of the Jewis, that ymagyneden to sle Crist, thouȝ the wise men of Jewis hadden first the knowing of Crist, as it is seid in xxj. c^o. of Math. nethe|les for he prech|ide aȝenus her vices, thei con|seyueden enuye and hatrede aȝenus him, bi whiche the knowing, whiche thei hadden of Crist, was maad derk, and thei bigun|nen to expowne weywardly the profesies of him. Lire here. C.] , for he is vnprofitable to vs, and he is contrarie to oure werkis; and he vpbreidith [vpbreidith, ether edwiteth C et ceteri.] to vs the synnes of lawe, and he defameth on vs the synnes of oure techyng. [verse 13] He biheet|ith that he hath the kunnyng of God, and he nemeth hym silf the sone of God. [verse 14] He is maad to us in to schewyng of oure thouȝtis [of oure thouȝt|is; in repreu|ynge tho, as many men diden, bi the spirit of pro|fesie. Lire here. C.] . [verse 15] He is greuouse to vs, ȝhe, to se; forwhi his lyf is vnlijk to other men, and hise weies ben chaungid. [verse 16] We ben gessid of hym to be triffleris [trifeleris; that is, men of no vertu. Lire here. C.] , and he absteyneth [withholdith I.] hym silf fro oure weies, as fro vnclenessis; and he bifore settith [biforsettith; that is, he set|tith bifor alle goodis of pre|sent liyf the goodis abedun of iust men. Lire here. C.] the laste thingis of iust men, and he hath glorie, that he hath God a [his I.] fadir. [verse 17] Ther|for se we, if hise wordis ben trewe; and asaie we, what thingis schulen come to hym; and we schulen wite, what schulen be the laste thingis of hym. [verse 18] For if he is the very sone of God, he schal vp take hym, and schal delyuere hym fro the hondis of hem that ben contrarie [contrarie to him I.] . [verse 19] Axe we hym bi dispisyng and turment, that we knowe his reuerence, and that we preue his pacience. [verse 20] Bi fouleste [most foul I.] deth con|dempne we hym; for whi biholdyng schal

be of hise wordis [of his wordis; for the Jewis bileu|yden, that whanne Crist was deed, hise wordis bifor go|inge schulden be arettid fals, but the con|trarie bifelde. Lire here. C.] . [verse 21] Thei thouȝten these thingis, and thei erriden; for whi her malice blyndide hem. [verse 22] And thei knewen not the sacramentis of God [the sacra|mentis of God; that is, priuy goodis, whiche he made redi to hem that louen him. vndistriable; that is, vndedly as to the soule, and to be dis|tried aȝenus the corrupcioun of the bodi, for it is maad of con|trarie elementis; he ȝaf the ȝifte of origenal riȝtfulnesse, bi whiche the soule myȝte kepe his bodi fro corrupcioun. to the ymage of his licnesse; for he made man able to take God, bi knowing and loue. Lire here. C.] , nethir thei hopiden the meede of riȝtfulnesse, nether thei demyden the onour of hooli soulis. [verse 23] For whi God made man vnable to be dis|tried, and God made man to the ymage of his licnesse. [verse 24] But bi enuye of the [verse 25] deuel [bi enuye of the deuel; for bi his tempta|cioun the firste fadir and modir braken Goddis comaundement, and losten ori|genal riȝtful|nesse, and en|triden into nede to die. C.] deth entride in to the world; for sothe thei suen hym, that ben of his part.

CAP. III.

[verse 1] Forsothe the soulis of iust men ben in the hond of God; and the turment of deth [of deth; that is, of helle. Lire here. C.] schal not touche hem. [verse 2] Thei sem|yden to the iȝen of vnwise men to die; and turment was demed the outgoyng of hem. [verse 3] And fro iust weie [And fro iust weie, etc.; that is, fro the weie of riȝtfulnesse, that they helden truly in this world. in to dis|triyng; bi the errour of vn|wise men. Lire here. C.] thei ȝeden in to distriyng, and that that [Om. C.] is of vs the weie of distriyng [wey of distri|yng; that is, bi the errour, that seith, that men that dien, ben distried outirli. Lire here. C.] ; but thei ben in pees. [verse 4] Thouȝ thei sufriden turmentis bifore men, the hope of hem is ful of vndeedlynesse. [verse 5] Thei weren trauelid in a fewe thingis, and thei schulen be disposid wel in many thingis; for whi God asaiede hem, and foond hem worthi to hym silf. [verse 6] He preu|ede hem as gold in a furneis, and he took hem as the offryng of brent sacrifice; and the biholdyng of hem schal be in tyme of ȝelding. [verse 7] Iust men schulen schyne, and [and thei I.] schulen renne aboute as sparclis in a place of rehed. [verse 8] Thei schulen deme na|ciouns, and [and thei I.] schulen be lordis of puplis; and the Lord of hem schal regne with outen ende. [verse 9] Thei that trusten on hym, schulen vnderstonde treuthe; and feithful men in loue schulen assente to hym; for whi ȝifte [ȝifte; of grace in present tyme. and pees; in tyme to comynge. Lire here. C.] and pees is to hise chosun men. [verse 10] But wickid men, bi tho thingis

that thei thouȝten, schulen haue punysch|yng; whiche dispisiden [dispisiden, etc.; that is, nolden do iust werkis. vnhabitable; that is, vnable to dwelle ynne. alowing; that is, excus|ing of her yuels. in the dai of knowing; that is, of ge|neral doom. of hard end|ing; that is, of hard dampn|yng to the peyne of helle. Lire here. C.] iust thing, and ȝeden awei fro the Lord. [verse 11] For he that castith awei wisdom and lore, is cursid; and the hope of wickid men is voide, and her trauels ben without fruyt, and her werkis ben vnhabitable [vnable for to dwelle I.] , and vnprofit|able. [verse 12] The wymmen of hem ben vnwitti, and the sones of hem ben ful weiward. [verse 13] The creature of hem is cursid; for whi a [the I.] womman bareyn and vndefoulid is blessid, that `knew not [hath not knowen the I.] bed in trespas; sche schal haue fruyt in the biholdyng of holy soulis. [verse 14] And a man vnmyȝti to gendre [gete I.] is blessid, that `wrouȝte not [hath not wrouȝt I.] wickidnesse bi hise hondis, nether thouȝte moost weiward thingis aȝens the Lord; for whi a chosun ȝifte of feith schal be ȝouun to hym, and a most acceptable eritage in the temple of God. [verse 15] For whi the fruyt of good trauels is gloriouse, and the roote of wisdom that fallith not doun. [verse 16] But the sones of avow|treris schulen be in distriyng, and the seed of a wickid bed schal be destried. [verse 17] And sotheli thouȝ thei schulen be of long lijf, thei schulen be arettid in to nouȝt; and the laste eelde of hem schal be withouten onour. [verse 18] And if thei ben deed swiftliere, thei schulen not haue hope, nether alow|yng in the dai of knowyng. [verse 19] Forsothe wickide naciouns ben of hard ending.

CAP. IV.

[verse 10] A [Om. Ia.] ! hou fair is chast [a chaast Ia.] generacioun [chast gene|racioun; that is, the multitude of iust men, which is chast in bodi, in refreynynge vnleueful lustis of fleisch, and also chast in soule, in eschewynge the synne of vn|feithfulnesse and of idolatrie. with clernesse; of wisdom, which is ȝouun to iust men. it is knowun; bi knowing of appreuyng; sotheli no for|ȝeting fallith in God. Lire here. C.] with clerenesse; for the mynde therof is vndeedli, for it is knowun [vnknowun A.] , both anentis God, and anentis men. [verse 2] Whanne it is present, thei suen it; and thei desiren it, whanne it hath led out [led out; that is, fro pre|sent bi kyndly deth. ouercom|ynge; the flesch, and the world, and the deuel, that ben ouercomun per|fitli of iust men in her deth. Lire here. C.] it silf, and it ouercomyng getith bi victorie the mede of batels vndefoulid, and is corouned with outen ende. [verse 3] But the many fold gendrid multitude of wickid men schal not be profitable; and plauntyngis of auoutrie [of auoutrie; that is, alle wickid men, that ben the fendis sones bi goostly auou|trie. Lire here. C.] schulen [thei schal I.] not ȝyue deepe rootis, nether

schulen sette stable stidfastnesse. [verse 4] Thouȝ thei buriounen [buriownen; that is, han prosperite in temporal good|dis. Lire here. C.] in bowis in [for a I. in a KSa.] time, thei set vnstidfastli schulen be moued of the wynd, and [and thei I.] schulen be drawun out [schulen be drawun out, etc.; that is, bi Goddis sen|tence, fallinge on hem, thei schulen be drawun out fro goodis of pre|sent liyf, in whiche thei hadden set roote. Lire here. C.] bi the roote of the greetnesse of wyndys. [verse 5] For whi bowis vnperfit schulen be brokun togidere; and the fruytis of hem ben vn|profitable, and soure to ete, and couenable to no thing. [verse 6] For whi alle sones, that ben borun of wickid men, ben witnessis [ben witnessis, etc.; for bi this that thei suen the trespassis of fadris, thei witnessen her malice. Lire here. C.] of wickidnesse aȝens fadirs and modris, in her axyng. [verse 7] But a iust man, thouȝ he be bifore ocupied [bifor occu|pied, etc.; that is, bifore that he come to ende. Lire here. C.] bi deth, schal be in re|freischyng [schal be in refreisching; that is, in reste fro wrecchid|nessis of pre|sent liyf; and so a iust man that lyueth litil tyme, is of betere condi|cioun than a wickid man, that lyueth longe, and that fallith in tribu|laciouns of bodi and of soule. worschipful; that is, worthi to be worschip|id, is not in multitude of ȝeris, but in ripenesse of vertues, which a iust man get|ith, thouȝ he be ȝong in age. the wittis of a man; iust. ben hoore; for tho ben ripe and oneste. and the age of eelde; wor|thi to be wor|schipid. is liyf without wem; whether it be schort ether long. Lire here. C.] . [verse 8] For whi worschipful eelde is not of long tyme, nether is [it is I.] rikened bi the noumbre of ȝeeris; the wittis of a [verse 9] man ben hoore, and the age of eelde is lijf withouten wem. [verse 10] He pleside God, and was maad dereworth, and he lyu|ynge among synneris was `borun ouer [translatid, or born ouer I.] [was borun ouer; that is, fro present liyf, and fro the felouschipe of wickid men, of whiche he myȝte be peirid. lest malice; that is, apertly yuele men. schulde chaunge; bi violence of turmentis. feynyng; that is, ipocritis. schulde disseyue; bi apperyng of good. of trifeling; that is, of iangling of many wordis, ourned ether faire enditid. makith derke goode thingis; for ofte it makith tho to appere yuels. contynuance of couetise, etc.; for whi the greetnesse of lust mysturneth the doom of resoun, and most in simple men, in whiche resoun is lesse strong. Lire here. C.] ; [verse 11] he was rauyschid, lest malice schulde chaunge his vnderstondyng, ethir lest feynyng schulde disseyue his soule. [verse 12] For whi disseyuyng of trifelyng makith derk goode thingis, and the [Om. I.] vnstable|nesse of coueitise turneth ouer the wit without malice. [verse 13] He was endid in schort [verse 14] tyme, and fillide many tymes; for whi his soule was plesant to God; for this thing God hastide to lede hym out fro the myddis of wickidnesses; but puplis [but puplis; that is, vnwise men. in the entrailis; that is, in the ynnere thingis of soule. Lire here. C.] sien and vndurstoden not, nether settiden siche thingis in [Om. a.] `the inwardnesses [the entrailis EHMPUVY. her hertis I.] . [verse 15] For [Om. aç.] whi [Om. I. while ç.] the grace and merci [the merci sa.] of God is on hise seyntis, and biholdyng of `Goddis coumfort [God I.] is on hise chosun men. [verse 16] For|sothe a iust man deed [a iust man deed; for the mynde of his riȝtfulnesse schewith, that wickid men ben worthi to be dampned. Lire here. C.] condempneth quyke wickid men; and ȝongthe endid swiftliere condempneth long [the long I.] lijf of an vniust man. [verse 17] For thei schulen se the ende

of a wise man [a wise man; that is, bifor takun with deth. made him lesse; in mak|ing schort his liyf. schal scorne hem; that is, schal schewe hem worthi to be scorned in deth, for thei aretten iust men foolis and woode, that putten forth hem silf to deth for riȝtfulnesse. aftir these; that is, aftir delices and onours of this liyf. with outen onour; in the power of fendis. with out vois; for thei schulen not mowe de|fende hem silf, nether excuse. fro founde|mentis; that is, fro fleisli frendis, and ertheli goodis, in whiche thei tristiden. Lire here. C.] , and thei schulen not vn|durstonde, what thing God thouȝte of hym, and whi the Lord made hym lesse. [verse 18] For thei schulen se, and schulen dispise hym; but the Lord schal scorne hem. [verse 19] And aftir these thingis thei schulen be fallynge doun withouten onour, and in dispisyng among deed men with outen ende. For he schal al to-breke hem bolnyd with out vois, and he schal moue hem fro the foundementis; and thei schulen be desolat til to the laste thing. And thei schulen be weilynge, and the mynde of hem schal perische. [verse 20] Thei schulen come ferdful in the thouȝt of her synnes; and her wickidnessis on the con|trarie side schulen lede hem ouer [schal lede hem ouer; that is, fro temporal prosperite in to euerlastinge wrecchidnesse. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. V.

[verse 1] Thanne [thanne; that is, in the tyme of doom. Lire here. C.] iust men schulen stonde in greet stidfastnesse aȝens hem that an|gwischiden [anguischen Sa.] `iust men [hem I.] , and whiche [the whiche I.] token awei her trauelis. [verse 2] Thei schulen se, and schulen [Om. I.] be disturblyd with orrible drede, and thei schulen wondre in the sudeynte of heelthe [her heelthe I.] vnhopid; and thei schulen [verse 3] weile for angwisch of spirit, and thei schulen seie, doynge penaunce [penaunce; vnfruytful, for thei schulen be out of the staat of merit, and for the pen|aunce schal not be for the of|fence of God, but for the hardnesse of turment. Lire here. C.] withynne hem silf, and weilyng for the [Om. I.] angwysch of spirit, These men it ben, whiche we hadden sum tyme in to [Om. N.] scorn, and in to licnesse of vpbreidyng [vpbreiding, ether edwityng C et ceteri.] . [verse 4] We woode men gessiden her lijf woodnesse, and the ende [verse 5] of hem with oute onour [ony honour C sec. m.] ; hou therfor ben thei rekened among the sones of God, and her part is among seyntis? [verse 6] Therfor we erriden fro the weie of treuthe, and the liȝt of riȝtfulnesse schynede not to us [schynede not to vs; thouȝ it schyneth to alle men, as myche as is of it silf, for whi Goddis stiringis to good, ben maad comynly to alle men, but summen res|seyuen tho stiringis, and othere men putten awey tho; and so tho ben not maad to hem, that is, to her profit, but more to her dampnacioun. Lire here. C.] , and the sunne of vndurstondyng roos not vp to us. [verse 7] We weren maad weri in the weie of wickidnesse and of perdicioun; and we ȝeden hard weies. [verse 8] But we knewen [knowen CHN.] not the weie of the Lord; what

profitide pride to vs, ethir what brouȝte [hath brouȝt I.] the boost of richessis to vs? [verse 9] All tho thingis passiden as schadewe, and as a messanger bifore rennynge. [verse 10] And as a schip, that passith thorou the flowynge watir, of which whanne it hath passid, it is not to fynde a step, nethir the path of the botme therof in wawys. [verse 11] Ethir as a bryd, that flieth ouer in the eir, of which [whos wey I.] no preef is foundun of the weie therof, but oneli the sown of wengis betynge liȝt wynde, and keruynge the eir by the [Om. I.] myȝt of weie, and with wyngis moued togidere it flei ouer, and aftir this no signe is foundun of the weie therof. [verse 12] Ethir as an arowe shot [sent ceteri.] out in to a place or|deyned, the eir is [Om. CV.] departid, and [Om. CV.] is [it is I.] closid aȝen anoon, that the passyng therof be not knowun. [verse 13] `So and [Riȝt so I.] we borun ceessiden anoon to be, and sotheli we myȝten schewe no signe of vertu; but we weren wastid in oure malice [malice, ether yuel willidnesse CEFGHKMQSUVYaç.] [we weren wastid in oure malice, ether yuel willid|nesse; is seid yuel firyng; that stondith in the bren|nyng of co|ueytise, wher ynne wickid men ben wast|id; for whi lecherouse men ben wastid bi the fier of fleisly coueitise, co|ueytouse men ben wastid bi the fier of co|ueitise, and proude men ben wastid bi the fier of worldly hiȝ|nesse. iust men schulen liue; in liyf glorie. anentis the Lord; of whom thei hopen to be rewardid, not of the world. anentis the hiȝeste; to whose onour thei ordeynen her dedis. the rewme of fairnesse; that is, of heuenly glorie, where no vile thing is. with his riȝt hond; in kep|ing hem in blis, that is signefied bi the riȝthond. with his hooli arm; in this is signefied the sikirnesse of blis, that may not be takun awey bi ony creature. Lire here. C.] . [verse 14] Thei that synneden, seiden siche thingis in helle. [verse 15] For the hope of a wickid man is as the flour of a brere which is takun awei of the wynd, and as smal froth which is scaterid [scaterid abrod I.] of a tempest, and as smoke which [the which I.] is spred abrood of wynd, and as the mynde of `an herborid man [a giste I.] of o dai, that passith forth. [verse 16] But iust men schulen lyue withouten ende, and the meede of hem is anentis the Lord; and the thouȝt of hem is anentis the hiȝeste. [verse 17] Therfor thei schulen take of the hond of the Lord the rewme of fairnesse, and the [a I.] diademe of comely|nesse; for he schal gouerne hem with his riȝthond, and he schal defende hem with his hooli arm. [verse 18] And his feruent loue [feruent loue; for bi feruent loue of riȝtful|nesse he goith forth, to the punysching of yuele men. C.] schal take armure, and he schal arme the creature to the venieaunce of enemyes. [verse 19] He schal clothe riȝtfulnesse for an ha|burioun, and he schal take certeyn doom [verse 20] for a [the I.] basynet; he schal take a scheeld that may not be ouercomun, equyte [equyte, ether euenesse CFGHKMNQSUVXaç. equyte, ether euenehede EPY.] ;

[verse 21] forsothe he schal whette hard wraththe [hard wraththe; that is, his ven|iaunce, which noon mai with|stonde. Lire here. C.] in to a spere, and the world schal fiȝte with him aȝens vnwitti men. [verse 22] Streiȝte sendyngis out of leytis schulen go, and as the sidis of a reynbouwe, whanne the bouwe of cloudis is crokid, thei schulen be destried; and thei schulen skippe in to a certeyn place. [verse 23] And fulle hailstones schulen be sent fro a stony wreththe [a stony wraththe; that is, of Goddis ire, that makith heuye hail stones. wexe whiyt; that semeth whiyt, whanne the see is tro|blid. The spirit of vertu; that is, strong wynd. Lire here. C.] , and the watir of the see schal wexe whijt aȝens hem, and floodis schulen renne togider harde. [verse 24] The spirit of vertu schal stonde aȝens hem, and as the whirl|yng of wind it schal departe hem; and the wickidnesse of hem schal brynge al the lond to desert, and malice schal distrye the seetis of myȝti men.

CAP. VI.

[verse 1] Wisdom is beter than strengthis, and a prudent man doith more than a strong man. [verse 2] Therfor, ȝe kyngis, here, and vn|durstonde [vndurstondeth I.] ; and ȝe iugis of the coostis of erthe, lerne [lerneth I.] . [verse 3] Ȝe that holden togidere multitudis, and plesen ȝou [plesen ȝou; that is, deliten in the gouernail of hem. of the Lord; whose vikeris ȝe ben in this. Lire here. C.] in the cum|penyes [verse 4] of naciouns, ȝyue [ȝiueth to ȝoure I.] eeris; forwhi power is ȝouun of the Lord to ȝou, and vertu is ȝouun of the hiȝeste, that schal axe ȝoure werkis, and schal serche thouȝtis. [verse 5] For whanne ȝe weren mynystris of his rewme, ȝe demeden not riȝtfuli, nether ȝe kepten the lawe of riȝtfulnesse, nether ȝe ȝeden bi the wille of God. [verse 6] Hidousli and soone [and soone; in deth, that tarieth not. C. hardeste doom; that is, greuouseste peyn. to a litil man; that is, to a man of litil staat, and of litil kunnyng, for sich a man synneth co|mynly bi igno|raunce. myȝty men; bi dignete of staat, and bi greetnesse of kunnyng. turmentis myȝtily; that is, greuouseste turmentis; for in as myche as the staat is hiȝere, in so myche the fal is greuousere, and worthi of more peyne. withdrawe the persoone; fro good to him, be he neuere so pore. the greetnesse of ony man; that ne he pun yschith him duly. Lire here. C.] he schal appere to ȝou; for|whi hardeste doom schal be maad in hem, that ben souereyns. [verse 7] Forsothe merci is grauntid to a litil man; but miȝti men schulen suffre turmentis miȝtili. [verse 8] For the Lord, which is lord of alle thingis, schal not withdrawe the per|soone of ony man, nether he schal drede the greetnesse of ony man; for he made the [bothe the I.] litil man and the greet man, and charge [charge, etc.; that is, puruy|aunce, for he purueyeth for ech creature, bi the couena|blete of his kynde. Lire here. C.] is to hym euenli of alle men. [verse 9] But strongere turment neiȝeth to strongere

men. [verse 10] Therfor, ȝe kyngis, these my wordis ben to you, that ȝe lerne wisdom, and that ȝe falle not doun. [verse 11] For thei that kepen riȝtfulnesse, schulen be deemed riȝtfuli; and thei, that lernen iust thingis, schulen fynde, what thei schulen answere. [verse 12] Ther|for coueite ȝe my wordis, and loue ȝe tho; and ȝe schulen haue techyng. [verse 13] Wisdom is cleer, and that schal neuer fade; and it is seyn liȝtli of hem that louen it, and it is foundun of hem that seken it. [verse 14] It bi|fore ocupieth hem that coueyten it, that it schewe it silf the formere to hem. [verse 15] He that wakith bi liȝt to it, schal not trauele; forsothe he schal fynde it sittynge nyȝ hise ȝatis. [verse 16] Therfor to thenke [to thenke; bi hooly thouȝtis. Lire here. C.] on [of CGHIKMNQRSUVXaç.] wis|dom [it S.] is parfit wit, and he that wakith for it, schal soone be sikir. [verse 17] For whi it goith aboute, and sekith men worthi to it; and in her [his S.] weies it schal schewe it silf gladli to hem, and in al puruyaunce [puruyaunce; that is, in rul|inge hem in alle thingis of man, that ben worthi to be doon. Lire here. C.] it schal meete hem. [verse 18] For whi the bigynnyng of wisdom is the verieste coueytise of lern|yng. [verse 19] Therfor the bisynesse of lernyng is loue; and loue is the kepyng of lawis therof. Sotheli the kepyng of lawis is [verse 20] perfeccioun of vncorrupcioun [vncorrup|cioun; that is, of goostly vn|corrupcioun, bi eschewing of synne. vncor|rupcioun; is clennesse fro synne. Lire here. C.] ; forsothe vncorrupcioun makith to be next to God. [verse 21] Therfor the coueitise of wisdom schal brynge to euerlastynge rewme. [verse 22] Therfor if ȝe, kyngis of the puple, deliten in seetis, and in kyngis ȝerdis, `ether regaltees [or regalies I.] , loue ȝe wisdom, that ȝe regne with outen ende. [verse 23] Alle ȝe, that ben souereyns to pu|plis, loue [loueth I.] the liȝt of wisdom. [verse 24] Sotheli what is wisdom [what is wis|dom; here the autour of this book spekith in the persoone of Salomon, that hadde double kunnyng; the firste was knowing of creaturis of this world, that may be getun bi sek|ing of resoun, and bi trauele of studie, ne|theles in party, and vnperfitli, and with er|rouris, as Ari|stotle, fa|mousere among othere filoso|foris, erride in many thingis, as of the euer|lastingenesse of the world, with out bigynnyng, and of the noumbre of vn|durstondingis, and of the blis of tho, as it is opin, in xij. of Meta|fisikis; but Sa|lomon hadde this wisdom, bi the ȝifte of God, perfitly, and sodeynly, and with out er|rour; and he hadde also kun|nyng of pro|fesie. Lire here. C.] , and hou it is maad, Y schal telle; and Y schal not hide fro ȝou the [tho I.] sacramentis [sacramentis; that is, hise priuytees schewid to me. Lire here.] of God; but fro the bi|gynnyng of birthe Y schal seke, and Y schal sette in to the liȝt the kunnyng therof, and Y schal not passe treuthe. [verse 25] And Y schal not haue weye with enuye wexynge rotun; for siche a man schal not be parcener of wisdom. [verse 26] Forsothe the multitude of wise men is the helthe of

the world; and a wijs kyng [a wiys kyng; for as an heed wel disposid ȝyueth wit, and stiring wel or|deyned to the membris, so a wiys king rul|ith hise sugetis to comyn good. Lire here. C.] is the sta|blischyng of the puple. [verse 27] Therfor take ȝe techyng bi my wordis, and it schal profite to ȝou.

CAP. VII.

[verse 1] Forsothe and Y [Om. Ia pr. m.] am a deedli man, lijk [lijk othere I.] men, and of erthli kynde of hym that was maad first, and in the wombe of the [my I.] modir Y was fourmed fleische. [verse 2] In the time of ten monethis Y was cruddid togi|dere in blood, of the seed of man, and bi acordynge delit of sleep. [verse 3] And Y was borun, and [and I I.] took comyn eir, and in lijk maner Y felle doun in to the erthe maad; and Y wepynge [weping; for a knaue child borun seith in weilinge A! and a maide child seith E! as pleyninge of the trespas of Adam and of Eue, for which thei ben borun the sones and douȝtris of ven|iaunce, and of wrecchidnesse. Lire here. C.] sente out the firste vois, lijk alle men. [verse 4] Y was nurschid in wrap|pyngis, [verse 5] and in greet bisynesses; for whi no man of kyngis [of kyngis; for thei ben borun vnmyȝty in bodi, and vn|kunnynge in the soule, and also othere men. oon entring; as to noun power and vnkun|nyng. lijk goyng out; as to angwische and nakidnesse of alle temporal thingis. Herfor; that is, for Y was borun al vn|kunnynge. Y desiride; the ȝifte of wis|dom. and wit, that is, the ȝifte of wisdom and of vndurstond|ing. was ȝouun; the spirit of wisdom, that is, the Hooli Goost, that ȝyu|eth wisdom. siluer schal be arettid as cley; that is, alle temporal thingis that ben comyn to goode men and yuele, and ben oftenere graunt|id to yuele men than to goode men, schulen be arettid of no valu, in com|parisoun of wisdom, with charite, that is ȝouun to goode men onely. Lire here. C.] hadde othere bigynnyng of birthe. [verse 6] Therfor oon entryng to lijf is to alle men, and lijk goyng out. [verse 7] Her|for Y desiride, and wit was ȝouun to me; and Y inwardli clepide, and the spirit of wisdom cam in to me. [verse 8] And Y settide wisdom bifore rewmes, and seetis; and Y seide, that richessis ben nouȝt in com|parisoun [verse 9] therof, and Y comparisonede not a preciouse stoon to it; forwhi al gold in comparisoun therof is a litil grauel, and siluer schal be arettid as cley in the siȝt therof. [verse 10] Y louyde wisdom more than helthe and fairnesse; and Y purposide to haue it for liȝt, for the liȝt therof may not be quenchid. [verse 11] Forsothe alle goodis camen togidere to me with it; and vn|noumbrable oneste is by the werkys therof. [verse 12] And Y was glad in alle thingis; for this wisdom ȝede bifore me, and Y knew not, for it is the modir of alle goodis. [verse 13] Which [The which I.] wisdom Y lernyde with out feynyng, and Y comyne [comyne it I.] without en|uye; and Y hide not the oneste therof. [verse 14] For it is tresour with out noumbre to men, and thei, that vsiden that tresour, weren maad parceneris of Goddis fren|schip, and weren preisid for the ȝiftis of kunnyng. [verse 15] Forsothe God ȝaf to me to seie

of sentence [of sentence; that is, to speke to the onour of God, and to the edifiyng of neiȝbore, bi grace ȝouun of God to me. and amendere of wise men; in encreessing hise ȝiftis to hem, for her good vss. ben in his hond; for ne|ther we moun do, nether speke, nether thenke ony good, with out him. Lire here. C.] , and to bifore take worthi thingis of these thingis that ben ȝouun to me; for he is the ledere of wisdom, and amendere of wise men. [verse 16] For whi bothe we, and oure wordis, and al wisdom, and lernyng of kunnyng of werkis ben in his hond. [verse 17] Forsothe he ȝaf to me the veri kunnyng of these thingis that ben, that Y knowe the disposicioun of the world, [verse 18] and the vertues of elementis; the bigyn|nyng, and the endyng, and the myddil of tymes; the chaungyngis of whilis, and the endyngis of tymes; the chaungyngis of maneres, and departyngis of tymes; [verse 19] the coursis of the ȝeer, and the disposi|ciouns [verse 20] of sterris; the kyndis of beestis, and the wraththis of wielde beestis; the strengthe of wyndis, and the thouȝtis of men [the thouȝtis of men; mennus thouȝtis moun be knowun certeynly onely bi Goddis reue|lacioun, but wise men knowen the thouȝtis of othere men bi coniecting, ether suppos|ing of outer|mere signes; and of this knowing spek|ith Salomon here. Lire here. C.] ; the differences of trees, and the vertues of rootis. [verse 21] And Y lernede what euer thingis ben hid and vnpurueyed; for whi wisdom, the crafti maker of alle thingis, tauȝte me. [verse 22] For in that wisdom vnmaad is the spirit of vndurstonding, hooli, many fold [hooly, many fold; that is, in ȝiftis. oon aloone; in him silf; therfor Poul seith, Oon in the same spirit worchith alle these thingis, and departith to ech man as he wole. sutil; that is, persinge alle thingis bi his vertu. mouable; in worching, for he makith men mouable and swift to sue his good stiring. manly ether curteis; in hauynge com|passioun on oure defautis. benygne; that is, wel louynge, in en|flawmynge vs to Goddis loue. more mouable, etc.; this mou|yng is seid bi licnesse, in as myche as Goddis wisdom strecchith forth to dispose alle the werkis of God, til to the leste thingis. Lire here. C.] , oon aloone, sutil, temperat, wijs, mouable, vndefoulid, cer|teyn, swete, louynge a good dede, which [the which I.] [verse 23] spirit forbedith no thing to do wel; cur|teis [manli, ether curteis C et ceteri. it is manli, ether curteis I.] , benynge, stable, sikur, hauynge al vertu, biholdynge alle thingis, and which [the which I.] takith alle spiritis able to vndurstonde, and he is clene, and sutil. [verse 24] For whi wis|dom is more mouable than alle mouable thingis; forsothe it stretchith forth euery where, for his clennesse. [verse 25] For it is a brething [For it is a brething, ether vapour; vapour is a thing reysid vp, and cometh forth of water, and is of the kynde of water; so Goddis Sone, which is seid the wisdom of the Fadir, cometh forth of him, and is of the same kynde with him. briȝtnesse of euerlastinge liȝt; for Goddis Sone is liȝt of liȝt. a myrour; in which alle thingis schynen most clerely. and ymage of his goodnesse; for it is propir of Goddis Sone, that he is the ymage of the Fadir, for whi aungels and men ben seid to ben his ymage. Lire here. C.] of Goddis vertu, and it is sum cleene comyngforth of the clerenesse of [verse 26] Almiȝti God; and therfor no defoulid thing renneth in to it. For it is briȝt|nesse of euerlastynge liȝt, and it is a myrrour with out wem of Goddis ma|ieste, and it is an ymage of his goodnesse.

[verse 27] And whanne it is oon, it may alle thingis; and it dwellith in it silf, and renulith alle thingis, and bi naciouns it berith ouer it silf in to hooli soulis; it makith the frendis of God [frendis of God; bi feith formed with charite. profetis; bi knowing aboue kynde. that dwellith with wisdom; that is, no but he be in cha|rite, for thanne God dwellith with him, and he with God. the formere; this lettre sem|eth to speke of wisdom vn|maad, without bigynnyng and ende; wisdom maad is formere than liȝt bi dignete, not bi during. Lire here. C.] and profetis. [verse 28] For God loueth no man, no [Om. I.] but hym that dwellith with wisdom. [verse 29] Forwhi this wisdom is fairere than the sunne, and is aboue al the [Om. I.] dis|posicioun of sterris; wisdom comparisound to liȝt, is foundun the formere. [verse 30] Forwhi niȝt cometh aftir that liȝt; but wysdom ouercometh malice. [verse 1] Therfor wisdom stretchith forth fro the ende til to the ende strongli, and disposith alle thingis swetly.

CAP. VIII.

[verse 2] I louede this wisdom maad, and Y souȝte it out fro my ȝongthe; and Y souȝte to take it a spousesse [spousse C.] [a spousse; that is, to cleue in the thouȝtis therof, with out de|parting. Lire here. C.] to me, and Y am maad a louyere of the fairnesse therof. [verse 3] He that hath the felouschip [felouschip; bi charite. glorifieth; that is, knoulech|ith and preisith it gloriouse. Lire here. C.] of God, glo|rifieth the gentilnesse therof; but also the Lord of alle thingis louede it. [verse 4] For it is the techeresse of the lernyng of God, and cheseresse [chesister I. techeresse S sup. ras. chesere V.] of hise werkis. [verse 5] And if richessis ben coueitid in lijf, what is richere than wisdom, that worchith alle thingis? [verse 6] Sotheli if wit worchith, who is a crafti maker more than wisdom, of these thingis that ben? [verse 7] And if a man loueth riȝtfulnesse, the trauels of this wisdom han grete vertues; for it techith sobre|nesse [sobrenesse; that is, tem|peraunce. vertu; that is, goostly strengthe. Lire here. C.] , and prudence, and riȝtfulnesse, and vertu; and no thing is profitablere than these in lijf to men. And if a man de|sirith multitude [the multitude I.] of kunnyng, wisdom knowith thingis passid, and gessith of [alle A pr. m.] thingis to comynge; it kan the felnessis [felnesse CKRç. falsnessis HEPUY. falsnesse MV.] of wordis, and asoilyngis of argumentis; it kan signes and schewyngis of thingis to comynge, bifore that tho [thei N.] ben maad; and the bifallyngis of tymes and [Om. Cç.] of worldus. [verse 9] Therfor Y purposide to brynge to me this wisdom, to lyue togidere; witynge that it schal comyne with me of goodis, and spekyng [spekinge, etc.; for siche thouȝtis ben the wordis of soule.] togidere of my thouȝt, and of

myn anoi schal be. [verse 10] For this wisdom Y [anoie; to be excludid, for siche thouȝtis excluden al anoye. Lire here. C.] schal haue clerenesse at cumpenyes, and [verse 11] onour at eldre men; Y schal be foundun ȝong and scharp in doom, and in the siȝt of myȝti men Y schal be wondurful, and the faces of princes schulen worschipe me. [verse 12] Thei schulen abide me, beynge stille, and thei schulen biholde me, spekynge; and the while I speke many thingis, thei schu|len sette hondis [sette hondis, etc.; that is, hou myche euer Y drawe along a sermoun, thei schulen herkne with reuerence. Lire here. C.] on her mouth. [verse 13] Ferther|more bi this wisdom Y schal haue vnded|lynesse; and Y schal leeue euerlastynge mynde to hem, that schulen come aftir me. [verse 14] I schal dispose puplis; and naciouns schulen be suget to me. [verse 15] Hidouse kyngis herynge me schulen drede; and in mul|titude Y schal be seyn good, and strong in batel. [verse 16] Y schal entre in to myn hous [myn hous; that is, con|sience. Lire here. C.] , and Y schal reste with wisdom; for the conuersacioun [conuersa|cioun; that is, thouȝt, that cometh forth of vndurstond|ing, and cus|tom of wisdom. werkis of hondis; that is, in werkis comynge forth of wisdom. Y gat a good soule; bi clen|nesse of loue. more good; that is, encress|inge in vertues. a bodi vnde|foulid; that is, kept bi con|tynence of ma|trimonye. Lire here. C.] therof hath no bitternesse, and the dwellynge togidere therof hath noon anoye, but gladnesse and ioye. [verse 17] Y thouȝte these thingis at me, and Y re|membride in myn herte; forwhi wisdom [verse 18] is vndeedli in thouȝt, and good delityng is in the frendschipe therof; and onestee without defaute is in the werkis of hondis therof; and wisdom is in the strijf of speche therof; and greet clerenesse is in the comyning [comynge ç.] of wordis therof; Y ȝede aboute, sekinge to take wisdom to me. [verse 19] Forsothe Y was a witti child, and Y [Om. C.] gat [took I.] a good soule. [verse 20] And whanne Y was more good, Y cam to a bodi vndefoulid. [verse 21] And as Y knew, that ellis Y mai not be chaste [contynent, ether chast C et ceteri.] , no but [but if I.] God ȝyue [ȝyue it I.] , and this same thing was wisdom, to wite whos this ȝifte was; Y ȝede to the Lord, and Y bisouȝte hym, and Y seide, of alle myn entralis [myn en|trailis; that is, of al myn vndirstonding and loue. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. IX.

[verse 1] God of my fadris [God of my fadris; which thou chesidist mercifuly, as Abraham, Isaac, and Ja|cob, and spe|cialy Dauyth, my fadir, whom thou chesidist to the rewme. Lord of mer|si; that hast forȝoue to my fadir the synne of the deth [of] Vrie. that he schulde be lord; for if man hadde stonde in the staat of kynde maad, he schulde haue had ful lord|schip on crea|turis lowere than him silf. in equite; in disposinge crea|turis to that, that tho ben maad. of thi seetis; Salomon spekith of God, as of an hiȝeste iuge; aboute whom stonden wise men, and fro whom wis|dom is teld forth to lowere iugis; and in this maner Sa|lomon, as a lowere iuge, axith, that God ȝyue wisdom to him. Lire here. C.] , and Lord of merci, [verse 2] that madist alle thingis bi thi word, and ordeynedist man bi thi wisdom, that he schulde be lord of creature, which [that I.] is

[verse 3] maad of thee, that he dispose the world in equite and riȝtfulnesse, and deme doom [verse 4] in riȝt reulyng of herte; ȝyue thou to me wisdom, that stondith nyȝ thi seetis; and nyle thou repreue me fro thi children. [verse 5] For Y am thi seruaunt, and the sone of thin hand mayde; Y am a sijk man, and of litil tyme, and lesse [and lesse; that is, vnsuf|ficient. Lire here. C.] to the vndur|stondyng of doom and of lawis. [verse 6] And if ony man is perfit among the sones of men, if thi wisdom fleeth awei fro hym, he schal be rikenyd in to nouȝt. [verse 7] Forsothe thou hast chose me kyng to thi puple, [verse 8] and a iuge of thi sones and douȝtris; and thou seidist, that Y schulde bilde a tem|ple in thin holi hil, and an auter in the citee of thi dwellyng place; the licnesse of thin hooli tabernacle, which thou madist redi at the bigynnyng [at the begyn|nyng; of the goyng out of Egipt. Lire here. C.] . [verse 9] And thi wisdom is with thee, that knowith thi werkis, which [the which I.] also was present thanne, whanne thou madist the world, and wiste what was plesaunt to thin iȝen, and what was dressid in thi comaundementis. [verse 10] Sende thou that wisdom fro thin hooli heuenes, and fro the seete of thi greetnesse, that it be with me, and trauele with me; and that Y wyte what is acceptable anentis thee. [verse 11] Forwhi thilke wisdom knowith and vndir|stondith alle thingis; and it schal lede me forth in my werkis sobrely, and it schal kepe me in his power. [verse 12] And my werkis schulen be acceptable, and Y schal dispose thi puple iustli, and Y schal be worthi of the seetis of my fadir. [verse 13] For who of men mai knowe the counsel of God [may knowe the councel of God; as if he seye, noon, no but bi wisdom ȝouun of God to him. Lire here. C.] ? ether who mai thenke, what wole God? [verse 14] For whi the thouȝtis of deedli men ben dreed|ful, and oure puruyaunces ben vncerteyn. [verse 15] For whi the bodi that is corrupt, greueth the soule; and ertheli dwellyng pressith doun the wit, thenkynge many thingis. [verse 16] And of hard we gessen tho thingis, that ben in erthe; and we fynden with trauel tho thingis, that ben in biholdyng. [verse 17] But who schal serche [But who schal serche; as if he seie, no man, no but bi wis|dom ȝouun of thee. Lire here. C.] tho thingis, that ben in

heuenes? But who schal knowe thi wit, `no but [but if I.] thou ȝyue wisdom, and sende thin Hooli Spirit fro hiȝeste thingis? [verse 18] And if the pathis [if the pathis; vndurstonde thou, no man may wite, no but bi thi wis|dom and spirit schewinge. Lire here. C.] of hem, that ben in londis, ben amendid, and if men han lernyd tho thingis, that plesen thee. [verse 19] For whi, Lord, whiche euer plesiden thee fro the bigyn|nyng, weren maad hool bi wisdom.

CAP. X.

[verse 1] This wisdom `of God [Om. I.] kepte hym, that was formed first of God, the fadir of the world [of the world that is, of alle men. Lire here. C.] , whanne he aloone was maad of nouȝt. [verse 2] And `this wisdom [it I.] ledde hym out of his trespas, and ledde hym out of the sliym of erthe [the erthe S.] , and ȝaf to hym vertu to holde togider alle thingis [alle thingis; for it ȝaf to him the lordschip ouer alle lowere thingis. Lire here. C.] . [verse 3] As the vn|just man in his ire ȝede awei fro this wisdom, brotherhed perischide bi [thorew S.] the ire of manquellyng. [verse 4] For which thing whanne watir [the watir S.] dide awei the erthe [the erthe; that is, alle men dwellinge in erthe. C.] , wisdom heel|ide eft; gouernynge a [the I.] iust man bi a dis|pisable tre. [verse 5] This wisdom also in the con|sent of pride, whanne naciouns hadden reisid hem silf, knew [knew, etc.; that is, Abra|ham, whom it made to be knowun bi ap|preuyng. a iust man; that is, Loth. Lire here. C.] a iust man, and kept with out playnt to God; and this wis|dom kepte strong merci in sones. [verse 6] `This wisdom [And it I.] deliuerede a iust man fleynge fro wickid men perischinge, whanne fier cam doun in to the place of fyue cytees. [verse 7] For whiche [the whiche I.] wickid [Om. I.] men the lond smokynge is maad deseert, in to witnessyng of wei|wardnesse [witnessing of weiward|nesse; that is, of synne aȝenus kynde. in vncerteyn tyme; that is, out of comyn cours of kynde, in to witness|ing, that the dwelleris of that lond syn|neden aȝenus kynde. vnbileueful soule, etc.; that is, of Lothis wiyf, that bileuyde not to the aun|gel, comaund|inge that sche schulde not loke bihynde hir bak. Lire here. C.] , and trees hauynge fruytis in vncerteyn tyme; and the mynde of an vnbileueful soule stondynge an ymage of salt. [verse 8] For whi men passynge wisdom, not oneli fellen [felden I pass.] in this, that thei knewen not goodis, but also thei leften to men the mynde of her vnwisdom, that in these synnes, whiche thei diden, thei miȝten not be hid. [verse 9] Forsothe wisdom delyuerede hem fro sorewis, that kepen it [that kepen it; bi hooly lyuyng and de|uoute preyer. ledde forth a iust man; that is, Jacob, that was iust, and ȝede into Me|sopotamy, and fledde the ire of Isau, his brother. the rewme of God; whanne he siȝ the lad|dre, whos hiȝ|nesse touchide heuene, and the Lord fast|ned to the lad|dre, in xxviij. c^o. of Genesis, for thanne he hadde reuela|cioun of he|uenly Jerusa|lem. the kunnyng of seyntis; that is, knowing of hooly aungels, whiche he siȝ, stiynge and goinge doun bi that laddre. made hym onest in tra|uels; that is, made hym riche and no|ble, for hise trauelis, in kepinge the scheep of La|ban. fillide hise trauels; whanne bi God defend|inge hym, he ȝede awey fro Mesopotamye, with hise wyues, chil|dren, and rich|essis. helpide hym; in multipliynge flockis, that ouȝten come in to the meede of Jacob bi coue|naunt. of disseyueris; that is, of Laban and of hise sones, that ymagyn|eden to dis|seyue him, in chaunginge ofte his meed. made him onest; in mak|inge riche, in temporal and goostly rich|essis. fro enemyes; that is, Laban and hise sones, pursuynge Ja|cob, goynge awey to robbe him. a stronge batel to him; wrastlinge with the aungel. ouercome; Esau, his aduersarie. Lire here. C.] . [verse 10] Sotheli this wisdom ledde forth a iust man bi riȝtful weies, that fledde fro the ire of his bro|ther;

and it schewide to hym the rewme of God, and ȝaf to hym the kunnyng of seyntis; it made hym onest in trauels, and fillide [fulfillide I.] hise trauelis. [verse 11] It helpide hym in the fraude of disseyueris, and made hym onest. [verse 12] It kepte hym fro enemyes, and defendide hym fro dis|seyueris; and it ȝaf to him a strong ba|tel, that he shulde ouercome, and wite, that wisdom is the myȝtieste of alle. [verse 13] This wisdom forsook not a [the I.] iust man seeld [a iust man seeld; that is, Joseph, whanne hise bretheren seelden to men of Ismael. a diche; that is, to the prisoun of the king of Egipt. Lire here. C.] , [verse 14] but delyuerede hym fro synneris; and it ȝede doun with hym in to a diche; and it forsook not hym in boondis, til it brouȝte to hym the ceptre [ceptre, ether the kyngis ȝerde C et ceteri.] of the rewme, and power aȝens hem that oppressiden hym; and it schewide hem lieris, that defouliden hym [that defouliden him; in puttinge auowtrie to him. Lire here. C.] , and it ȝaf to hym euer|lastynge clerenesse. [verse 15] This wisdom dely|uerede a iust puple, and hooli [a iust puple and hooly; that is, the puple of Israel worschipinge God. fro naciouns; of Egipcians, that oppressiden it ouer greuously. Goddis wisdom entrede in to the soule of Goddis seruaunt; that is, Moises. aȝenus hidouse kyngis; that is, Farao and hise princes. the meede of her trauelis; for bi Goddis comaundement the sones of Israel goynge awey spuyliden Egipt, and axiden, bi borewing of neiȝboris, vessels of gold and of siluer, in xij. c^o. of Exodi; and this in quyting of trauels, in whiche the men of Egipt bigiliden hem vniustly. Lire here. C.] without pleynt, fro naciouns that oppressiden it. [verse 16] Wisdom [It I.] entride in to the soule of Goddis seruaunt, and he stood aȝens hidouse kyngis, in grete wondris and myraclis. [verse 17] And it ȝeldide to iust men the meede of her trauelis, and ledde hem forth in a wondurful weie; and it was to hem in hilyng of the dai, and in the liȝt of sterris bi nyȝt. [verse 18] And it `ledde ouer [translatid, ether ledde ouer CEFGHKMNPQRSUVXYaç. translatide I.] hem thorouȝ the reede see; and bar [it bar I.] hem ouer thoruȝ ful myche watir. [verse 19] But it drenchide doun the enemyes of hem in to the see; and ledde hem out fro the depthe of hellis [depthe of hellis; that is, fro the botme of the see. the spuylis, etc.; that is, of Egipciens, drenchid, and cast up to the brinke of the see. Lire here. C.] . Therfor iust men taken awei the spuylis [verse 20] of wickid men; and, Lord, thei magne|fieden in song thin hooli name, and preys|eden togidere thin hond ouercomer. [verse 21] For|whi wisdom openyde the mouth of doumbe men, and made the tungis of ȝonge chil|dren not spekynge to be wise. [verse 1] He dress|ide

the werkis of hem, in the hondis of an hooli profete.

CAP. XI.

[verse 2] Thei maden iourney bi desertis, that weren not enhabitid; and thei maden litle housis [housis, ether hulkis CEFGHKMNPQRSUVXYa. housis, or cotis X sec. m. marg. housis, either helkis ç.] in desert places. [verse 3] Thei stoden aȝens kyngis, and vengiden hem of ene|myes. [verse 4] Thei thirstiden, and thei inwardli clepiden thee; and watir of a ful hiȝ stoon was ȝouun to hem, and reste of thirst was ȝouun to hem of an hard stoon. [verse 5] For bi whiche thingis the enemyes of hem suf|friden peynes, for defaute of her drink, and the sones of Israel weren glad, [verse 6] whanne thei hadden plentee; bi these thingis, whanne these [this C.] failiden to tho [thilke I.] enemyes, it was don wel with hem [with hem; that is, with the children of Israel. C.] . [verse 7] For sotheli for the welle of euerlastynge flood, thou ȝauest mannus blood to vniust men. [verse 8] And whanne thei weren maad lesse, in the leding awei of ȝonge children slayn, thou ȝauest sudeynli plenteuouse watir to hem; [verse 9] and schewidist bi the thirst, that was thanne, hou thou woldist enhaunse thi seruauntis, and woldist sle the aduersa|ries of hem. [verse 10] For whanne thei weren asaied, sotheli thei token chastisyng with merci; thei wisten, hou wickid men demed with ire, schulden suffre turmentis. [verse 11] So|theli thou amonestynge [monestynge CGHKMQSUVXaç.] as a fadir, pre|uedist [preuedist, etc.; that is, thi trewe ser|uauntis. condempned|ist; that is, thyn aduer|saries hardid in her synne. C.] these men; but thou as an hard kyng axynge condempnedist hem. [verse 12] For whi men absent and men present weren turmentid in lijk maner. [verse 13] For whi double anoye hadde take hem, and weilyng with the mynde of thingis passid. [verse 14] Sotheli whanne thei herden, that it was don wel with hem silf bi her turmentis, thei bi|thouȝten on the Lord, and wondriden on the ende of the out goyng. [verse 15] For at the ende of the bifallyng, thei worschipiden him, whom thei scorneden cast out in schrewid puttyng forth; and thou didist

not in lijk maner to iust men. [verse 16] Forsothe [Sothly I.] for vnwise thouȝtis the wickidnessis of hem weren punyschid; for summen err|ynge worschipiden doumbe serpentis, and superflu beestis, thou sentist in to hem a multitude of doumbe beestis, in to ven|iaunce; [verse 17] that thei schulden wite, that bi what thingis a man synneth, he is tur|mentid also bi these [these same I.] thingis. [verse 18] For whi thin hond almyȝti, that made the world of mater vnseyn, was not vnmyȝti to sende in to hem a multitude of beeris, ether [verse 19] hardi liouns, ether beestis of newe kynde ful of ire, and vnknowun beestis, ether beestis frothinge heete of firis, ethir bryng|ynge forth the odour of smoke, ethir send|ynge [verse 20] out [of E.] fro the iȝen hidouse sparclis; of whiche [the whiche I.] beestis not oneli the hirtyng myȝte distrie hem, but also the siȝt myȝte sle bi drede. [verse 21] For whi and with oute these beestis thei myȝten be slayn bi o spirit, and suffre persecucioun of tho [thilke I.] her owne dedis, and be scaterid by the spirit of thi vertu. But and [also I.] thou hast disposid alle thingis in mesure, and in noumbre, and [verse 22] in weiȝte; for it was left euere to thee aloone to mow do myche; and who schal aȝenstonde the vertu of thin arm? [verse 23] For as the tunge of a balaunce, so is the world bifore thee; and as a drope of dew rys|ynge bifore the liȝt, that cometh doun in to erthe. [verse 24] And thou hast merci of alle thingis, for thou maist alle thingis; and thou dissymelist [ether for|berist X sec. m. marg.] the synnes of men, for penaunce. [verse 25] For thou louest alle thingis that ben, and thou hatist no thing of tho, that thou madist; for thou not hat|ynge ony thing ordeynedist, ether madist. [verse 26] But hou myȝte ony thing dwelle, `no but [but if I.] thou woldist? ether hou schulde a thing be kept, that were not clepid of thee? [verse 27] But, Lord, that [thou I.] louest soulis, thou sparist alle thingis; for tho thingis ben thine.

CAP. XII.

[verse 1] Lord, hou good, and hou swete is thi [verse 2] Spirit in alle thingis; and therfor [and therfor; that is, for thi goodnesse. chastisidist bi partis; that is, punyschist cur|teisly, and bi dyuerse tymes, and not togi|dere in takinge hem awey fro lyf, that they haue tyme to do penaunce. spekist to hem; sumtyme bi ynward ster|ing, sumtyme bi trauel of bodi, that ȝyueth vndir|stonding. of thyn hooly lond; that is, of Judee, which is seid hooly, for Goddis wor|schiping throof there in the tyme of the elde testa|ment; and the mysterie of Crist was fillid there in the tyme of the newe testa|ment. hateful; that is, orible synnes. Lire here. C.] thou chastisist bi partis these men that erren; and thou monestist, of whiche thingis thei synnen, and thou spekist to hem, that whanne thei han forsake malice, thei bi|leue in thee, Lord. [verse 3] For thou woldist leese [fordo I.] thilke elde dwelleris of thin hooli lond, [verse 4] whiche thou wlatidist; for thei diden werkis hateful to thee, bi medicynes [bi medecynes, etc.; that is, bi wicchecraftis, and false dy|uynyngis, and sacrifices offrid to fendis. Lire here. C.] , [verse 5] and vniust sacrifices; and the slears of her sones, with out merci, and eteris of entrailis of men, and deuowreris of blood; and bi the hondis of oure fadris thou woldist leese fro thi myddil sacrament [myddil sacra|ment; that is, fro Judee. Lire here. C.] [verse 6] fadris and modris, autours of soulis [of soulis, etc.; that is, of her children, desti|tute of du help. Lire here. C.] vn|helpid; [verse 7] that oure fadris schulden take the worthi pilgrymage of Goddis children, which is to thee the derewortheste [dereworste C.] lond of alle. [verse 8] But also thou sparidist these as men, and thou sentist waspis, the bifore goeris of thin oost, that tho schulden de|strie hem litil and litil. [verse 9] Not for thou were vnmyȝti to make wickid men suget [verse 10] to iust men in batel [ether to distrie at oonys, bi cruel beestis, ether bi an hard word A sec. m. marg.] ; but thou demydist [dyuydist C.] bi partis, and ȝauest place [places S.] to penaunce, and wistist, that the nacioun of hem was weiward, and her malice was kyndli [was kindeli; that is, maad hard bi long custum, which is a maner kynde. Lire here. C.] , and that her thouȝt myȝte not be chaungid [myȝte not be chaungid; this is not outirli noun|power; but in party, for as longe as a man lyueth, he may turne aȝen to good; but this nounpower is in parti, for siche men moun turne aȝen with hardnesse, for the custom of synne enclynynge bi maner of kynde: wherfor in v. book of Metafisikis, a thing is seid impossible in o maner, which thing is hard, as it is seid also in comyn speche of a man, seynge yuele, that he may not se. at the bigynnyng; in ix. c^o. of Genesis, Cursid be Canaan; he schal be seruaunt of seruauntis. Lire here. C.] with outen ende. [verse 11] For it was a cursid seed at the bigynnyng. And thou not dredynge ony man, ȝauest forȝyuenesse to the synnes of hem [men S.] . [verse 12] For whi who schal seie to thee, What hast thou do? ether who schal stonde aȝens thi doom? ethir who schal come in thi siȝt, to be auen|gere of wickid men? ether who schal arette to thee, if naciouns perischen, whiche thou madist? [verse 13] For whi noon other than thou is God, to whom is charge of

alle thingis, that thou schewe, that thou demest doom not vniustli. [verse 14] Nether king nether tiraunt in thi siȝt schulen enquere of these men, whiche thou hast lost. [verse 15] Ther|for sithen thou art iust, thou disposist iustli alle thingis; also, fadir, thou con|dempnest [thou con|dempnest; that is, punyschist sum tyme, to preuyng of his pacience, it is opyn of seynt Joob. owith not to be punischid; in biholdinge his innocence. gessist; that is, suffrist to be gessid. thi vertu; that is, thi power. Lire here. C.] hym, that owith not to be punyschid, and thou gessist hym a straunger fro thi vertu. [verse 16] For whi thi vertu is the bigynnyng of riȝtfulnesse; and for this, that thou art lord of alle men, thou makist thee to spare alle men. [verse 17] For thou, that art not bileued to be per|fit in vertu, schewist [thou shewedist S.] vertu; and thou ledist ouer [thou ledist ouer; that is, suffrist to be led ouer fro synne in to synne. in hardy|nesse; for by this that they knowen not God, they syn|nen hardili. reuerence; not punysch|ynge synnes anoon, but abidinge to penaunce. to mow; that is, punysche synnes. Lire here. C.] these [Om. S.] men, that knowen [knewen CEGHKNPSXYaç.] not thee, in hardynesse. [verse 18] But thou, lord of vertu, demest with pesiblenesse, and dis|posist vs with greet reuerence; for it is suget to thee to mow, whanne thou wolt. [verse 19] Forsothe thou hast tauȝt thi puple bi siche werkis, that it bihoueth a iuge to be iust, and benygne [benygne, ether merciful C et ceteri.] ; and thou madist thi sones of good hope, for thou demest, and ȝyuest place to penaunce in synnes. [verse 20] For if thou turmentidist the enemyes of thi seruauntis, and men due to deth with so greet per|seyuyng [ethir tentifnesse X sec. m. marg.] , and delyueridist, and ȝauest tyme and place, bi which thei myȝten [verse 21] be chaungid fro malice; with hou greet diligence demest thou thi sones, to whos fadris thou ȝauest othis and couenauntis of good biheestis? [verse 22] Therfor whanne thou ȝyuest chastisyng [chastising; that is, betist vs, to oure amending. Lire here. C.] to vs, thou betist many fold oure enemyes, that we demynge thenke thi goodnesse [thenke thi goodnesse; that is, whanne we punyschen othere men, that we do this myldely, bi saumple of thi goodnesse. demed of vs; that is, peyne is ȝouun to vs. thi mercy; turnyng aȝen to thee, bi pe|naunce. Lire here. C.] ; and whanne it is demyd of vs, that we hope thi merci. [verse 23] Wher|for and to hem, that lyueden vnwiseli, and vniustli in her lijf, thou ȝauest souereyn turmentis, bi these thingis whiche thei worschipiden. [verse 24] For thei erriden ful longe in the weie of errour, and gessiden goddis [to be goddis I.] these thingis that ben superflu in beestis [superflu in beestis; that is, vnprofitable to men, but more noyeful. Lire here. C.] , and lyueden bi custom of ȝonge children vnwitti. [verse 25] For this thing thou ȝauest doom, [verse 26] in to scorn, as to children vnwitti; but

thei, that weren not amendid bi scorn|yngis and blamyngis, feeliden the worthi doom [worthi doom; that is, euer|lastinge peyne. heuyly; that is, vnpaciently. Lire here. C.] of God. [verse 27] For thei baren heuyli in these thingis, whiche thei suffriden, in whiche thingis thei suffrynge hadden in|dignacioun; thei seynge hym, whom thei denyeden sum tyme hem to knowe, knewen hym veri God, bi these thingis whiche thei gessiden goddis among hem, whanne tho weren destried; for which thing and the ende of her condempnacioun [condempna|cioun, etc.; that is, euer|lastinge peyne schal come on hem in the final doom, whanne thei schulen be tur|mentid in body and soule, in the peyne of helle. Lire here. C.] schal come on hem.

CAP. XIII.

[verse 1] Forsothe alle men ben veyn [ben veyn; that is, voide of truthe. the kunnyng of God; these ben idolatrours, that wanten the kunyng of veri God. him that is; good, ether bi kynde ether beyng. Lire here. C.] , in whiche the kunnyng of God is not; and of these thingis that ben seyn goode, thei myȝten not vndurstonde him, that is, and thei perseyuynge the werkis knewen not, who [verse 2] was the worchere; but thei gessiden goddis [gessiden goddis; that is, thei bileu|yden, that tho weren goddis, gouernynge the world. Lire here. C.] gouernours of the world, ethir the fier, ether the wynd, ethir the eir maad swift, ether the cumpas of sterris, ether ful myche watir, ethir the sunne [verse 3] and moone; and if thei delitiden in the fairnesse of tho thingis, and gessiden tho [hem I.] goddis, wite thei [wite thei; as if he seide, thei ouȝten wite this anoon. fairere; for his fairenesse passith with outen ende. for the gen|drere of fair|nesse; that is, God, autour of al fairenesse. made alle these thingis; and bi suyng of re|soun the fair|nesse of tho thingis is bifore in him, more excelently with out noumbre. Lire here. C.] , hou myche the lord of tho [thilke thingis I.] is fairere than tho; for whi the gendrere of fairnesse made alle these thingis. [verse 4] Ethir if thei wondriden on the vertu and werkis of tho thingis, vndur|stonde thei [vndurstonde thei; that is, thei owen to vndurstonde. Lire here. C.] of tho, that he that made [verse 5] these thingis, is strongere than tho; for bi the greetnesse of fairnesse and of crea|ture the creatour of these thingis myȝte be seyn knowyngli [knowyngli, ether myȝte be knowun bi hise werkis V.] . [verse 6] But netheles ȝit in these men [in these men; that worschip|iden excelent creaturis, as the sunne and moone, for goddis. is lesse playnt; than in hem that worschipiden serpentis, and vile beestis. Lire here. C.] is lesse playnt; for thei erren, in hap sekynge God, and willynge to fynde. [verse 7] For whanne thei lyuen in hise werkis, thei seken, and holden for a soth, that tho thingis ben goode, that ben seyn. [verse 8] Eft sotheli it owith not to [Om. I.] be forȝouun to these men. [verse 9] For if thei miȝten wite

so myche, that thei miȝten gesse the world [gesse the world; that is, knowe the or|dre of creaturis. Lire here. C.] , hou founden thei not liȝtliere the lord therof? [verse 10] forsothe thei ben cursid, and the hope of hem [the hope of hem, etc.; for noon hope is of her helthe, as long as thei ben siche. werkis of mennus hondis; for whi idols as to the figure, ether schap, ben maad bi craft, but the mater is thing of kynde; as gold, and sil|uer, and othere thingis, wherof tho ben maad. the werk of an eeld hond; for whi idols maad of eld tyme weren had in more reuerence; wherfor and summe symple Cristen men doen more re|uerence to summe elde ymagis of the crucifix, that ben seid maad of Nycodeme. Lire here. C. to conuersa|cioun of liyf; that is, to mannus profit, to whos liyf many vessels of tre ben nede|ful. vsith the re|lifs; that is, the hewingis of this werk, to get mete. Lire here. C.] is among deed men, that clepiden goddis the werkis of mennus hondis, gold, and siluer, the fyndyng of craft, and licnessis of beestis, ether a stoon vnprofitable, the werk of an eld hond. [verse 11] Ethir if ony crafti man, a carpenter, hew|ith doun of the wode a streiȝt tre, and rasith awei perfitli al the riynde therof, and vsith his craft diligentli, and makith a vessel ful profitable in to conuersacioun [verse 12] of lijf‡; sotheli he vsith the relifs of this werk to the makyng redi of mete; [verse 13] and the residue [residue, or the leuing I.] of these thingis, which he makith to no werk, a crokid tre, and ful of knottis, he graueth diligentli bi his voidnesse [bi his void|nesse; that is, maad of hym bi his grauyng. Lire here. C.] , and bi the kunnyng of his craft he figurith it, and licneth it to the [verse 14] ymage of a man, ether makith it lijk to sum of beestis, and anoyntith with reed colour, and makith the colour therof rodi with peynture, and anoyntith eche spotte [verse 15] which [that I.] is in it, and makith to it a worthi dwellyng place, and settith it in the wal, [verse 16] and he fastneth it with irun, lest per|auenture it falle doun; and he purueyeth for it, and woot, that it may not helpe it silf; for it is an ymage, and help is nede|ful therto. [verse 17] And he makith auowe [makith a|uow; to the idol, that it here him. and enquer|ith; that is, axith of the idol richessis, and sones, and weddingis of sones. Lire here. C.] , and enquerith of his catel, and of hise sones, and of weddyngis; he is not aschamed to speke with hym, that is with out soule; [verse 18] and sotheli for helthe he bisechith a thing vnmyȝti, and for lijf he preieth a thing with out lijf, and he clepith an vnpro|fitable thing in to help. [verse 19] And for iourney he axith of that thing, that mai not go; and of getyng, and of worchyng, and of bifallyng of alle thingis he axith of hym, which is vnprofitable in alle thingis.

CAP. XIV.

[verse 1] Eft an other man thenkynge to seile in schip [a ship S.] , and bigynnynge to make iournei thorouȝ ferse wawis [watris C.] , inwardli clepith [he clepith I.] a tre [a tre; that is, an idol of tre. frelere than the tre; that is, the schip. thou fadir; of heuene. gouernest; the seiling of men, but thilke idol doith not this. Lire here. C.] frelere [more freel I.] than the tre that berith hym. [verse 2] For whi couetise to gete money foond that idol; and a crafti man made it bi his wisdom. [verse 3] But thou, fadir, gouernest bi puruyaunce, for thou ȝauest weie in the see, and a most stidfast path among [verse 4] wawis; schewynge that thou art miȝti to make hool of alle thingis, ȝhe, if a man [verse 5] goith to the see with out schip; but that the werkis of thi wisdom [werkis of thi wisdom, etc.; God made low|ere creaturis for man, and therfor if tho seruede not to the nedis of man, tho schulden seme to be veyn as to this, in hise profitis; so|thely these pro|fitis ben maad bi seiling, bi which mar|chauntis carien tho thingis, that ben plen|teouse in o lond, to an other, where is scarsite of siche thingis; and thus the nedynessis of londis ben re|leeuyd. But at the bigynnyng; that is, in the firste age of the world, that duride fro A|dam til to the grete flood. the hope of the world; that is, Noe, and his wiyf, and hise sones, and her wyues. seed of birthe; for whi man|kynde was multiplied bi him and hise sones, aftir the greet flood. Lire here. C.] schulden not be voide, for this thing men bitaken her lyues, ȝhe, to a litil tre, and thei passen the see, and ben delyuered bi a schip. [verse 6] But at the bigynnyng, whanne proude giauntis perischiden, the hope of the world fledde to a schip, and sente efte seed of birthe to the world, which [which; schip. the tre; that is, thilke schip maad of trees. Lire here. C.] was gouerned bi thin hond. [verse 7] For whi blessid is the tree, bi which riȝtfulnesse was maad. [verse 8] But the idol which is maad bi hond is cursid, bothe it, and he that made it, for sotheli he wrouȝte grete trespas; sotheli that idol, whanne it was freel, was nemyd God. [verse 9] Forsothe in lijk maner the wickid man [the wickid man; that is, the maker of an idol, and the idol maad of him. that is maad; that is, the deuel, that was worschipid in the idol, and ȝaf answeris there sum tyme. to the idolis of naciouns; that is, to fendis dwelling in idolis. not be biholding; that is, of Goddis mersi, for whi the synne of fendis may not be forȝouun. the creaturis of God; that is, fendis maad of God, as to the kynde. ben maad in to hatrede; for her synne, which is not of God autour, but of defaute of fre wille. and in to temptacioun; for thei that ben caste doun fro heuene, studien to lette men fro her helthe. and in to a trappe to the feet of vnwise men; that ben ouercomun bi temptaciouns of fendis, but to wise men, that aȝenstonden manly; siche temptaciouns ben not in to a trappe, but more in to victorie and in to a coroun. Lire here. C.] and his wickid|nesse ben hateful to God. [verse 10] For whi that that is maad schal suffre turmentis, with hym that made it [Om. CEF pr. m. GHMNPQRSUVXYaç.] . [verse 11] For this thing and to the idols of naciouns schal not be biholdyng; for the creaturis of God ben maad in to hatrede, and in to tempta|cioun to the soule of men, and in to a trappe to the feet of vnwise men. [verse 12] For the bigynnyng of fornycacioun [of fornycacioun; that is, idolatrie, which is goostly fornicacioun. corrupcioun of liyf; that is, of goostli liyf, that stondith in onyng to God, which onyng is brokun bi idol|atrie. the voidnesse of men; that is, defaute of her wisdom. Lire here. C.] is the sek|yng out of idols, and the fynding of tho

idols is the corrupcioun of lijf. [verse 13] Forsothe tho weren not at the bigynnyng, nethir tho schulen be with out ende. [verse 14] For whi the voidnesse of men foond these idols in to the world; and therfor the ende of tho is foundun schort [in schort C.] . [verse 15] For whi the fadir makinge sorewe with bittir morenyng, made soone to hym an ymage [an ymage; that is, bifor the deth of the fadir. hooli thingis; to be ȝouun to the ymage. Lire here. C.] of the sone `that was [Om. FIKSa.] rauyschid; and bigan to wor|schipe hym now as a god, that was deed thanne as a man; and he ordeynede hooli thingis and sacrifices among hise seru|auntis. [verse 16] Aftirward in tyme comynge bi|twixe [bitwene I.] , whanne the wickid custom was strong, this errour was kept as a lawe, and ymagis weren worschipid bi lordschip of tirauntis. [verse 17] The figure of hem was brouȝt fro fer, whiche the men miȝten not onoure in opyn, for thei weren fer; and thei maden an opyn ymage of the kyng, whom thei wolden onoure; that bi her bisynesse thei schulden worschipe hym as present, that was absent. [verse 18] Forsothe the noble diligence of a crafti man brouȝte in also hem, that knewen not, to the wor|schipyng [wurship S.] of thes kyngis [thingis I.] . [verse 19] For he will|ynge more to plese that [the a.] kyng, that took hym [took him; that is, chees him to make an ymage to the king. a licnesse; that is, ymage. in to betere; in makinge the king fairere. Lire here. C.] , trauelide perfitli [more perfitli A pr. m.] bi his craft, to make a [Om. S.] licnesse in to betere. [verse 20] Sotheli the multitude of men, disseyued bi the fairnesse of werk, gessiden hym now a god, that was onourid as a man bifore that tyme. [verse 21] And this was the disseit of mannys lijf; for whi men seruynge greetli, ethir to affeccioun, ethir to kyngis, puttiden to stoonys and trees the name that mai not be comynyd. [verse 22] And it suffiside [may not be comynyd; that is, the name of Godhed, that may not be ȝouun bi truthe and kynde, no but to God aloone; netheles it is comynyd bi name and licnesse to hooly men. Lire here. C.] not, that thei erriden aboute the kunnyng of God; but also thei lyuynge in greet batel of vnkunnyng, clepen so many and so grete yuels pees. [verse 23] For ethir thei sle|ynge her sones in sacrifice, ethir makynge derk sacrifices, ethir hauynge wakyngis [verse 24] ful of woodnesse, kepen now nether cleene

lijf, nether cleene weddyngis; but also o man sleeth another man bi enuye, ethir doynge auowtrie makith sory his neiȝbore. [verse 25] And alle thingis ben medlid [medlid; that is, schent, and put out of ordre of resoun. Lire here. C.] togidere, blood [blood; in wounding of the neiȝbore. feynyng; that is, ipocrisie. corrupcioun; that is, defoul|ing of virgyns. noyse; in stiring of dissencioun. chaunging of birthe; that is, synne of Sodom. vnstidfastnesse of weddingis; bi which summen chaungiden to|gidere her owne wyues. Lire here. C.] , mansleyng, thefte, and feynyng, corrupcioun, vnfeithfulnesse, disturblyng, [verse 26] and forsweryng, noise, forȝetyng of goodis of the Lord, defoulyng of soulis, chaung|yng of birthe, vnstidfastnesse of wed|dyngis, vnordeyning of letcherie and of vnchastite. [verse 27] For whi the worschipyng of cursid idols is the cause, and the bigyn|nyng, and the ende of al yuel. [verse 28] For whi ethir thei wexen woode, while thei ben glad; ether certis thei profecien false thingis, ethir thei lyuen vniustli, ethir thei forsweren soone. [verse 29] For the [Om. I.] while thei tristen in idols, that ben with out soule, thei sweren yuele, and hopen not, that thei schulen be anoyed. [verse 30] Therfor euer eithir [Therfor euer either; that is, it is iust, that thei ben pun|ischid for euer eithir synne, that is for idol|atrie, and for swering. Lire here. C.] schulen come to hem worthili; for thei demeden yuele of God, and ȝauen tent to idols, and thei sworen vniustli in an idol, and thei [Om. CV.] dispisiden riȝtfulnesse. [verse 31] For whi an ooth is not vertu [an ooth is not vertu; that is, an ooth owith not to be de|sirid as good bi it silf, but it is to vse it onely in nede; to the stidefastnesse of truthe and of feithfulnesse among men. going forth euere; that is, wexith and is encreessid. in to the brek|ing of iust thingis; that is, of Goddis heestis, that ben iust; for no thing no but iust may come forth of God. Lire here. C.] , but the peyne of synneris goith forth euere, in to the breking of iust thingis.

CAP. XV.

[verse 1] Forsothe thou, oure God, art swete, and trewe, and pacient, and disposist alle thingis in merci. [verse 2] For if we synnen, we ben thin, and knowen thi greetnesse; and if we synnen not [synnen not; dedly, for whi venyal synne may not be eschewid hool|liche. ben acountid; that is, bothe in noumbre and merit, with chosun men, for whi venyal synne doith not awey grace. to know thee; bi feith, formed with charite. and vertu; that is, bi parformyng in werk. in to errour; of idolatrie, and Philo, autour of this book, spekith here for his tyme; for bifor the caitifte of Babiloyne, the Jewis dide nmyche idolatrie. ȝyueth couetise, etc.; that is, drawith his soule to do reuerence to the idol. louyeris of yuels; that is, of idols. tho that ben con|trarie; that is, vessels to serue to vnonest vsis. he that was maad; that is, the pottere. Lire here. C.] , we witen, that we ben acountid at thee. [verse 3] For whi to knowe thee, is parfit riȝtfulnesse; and to kunne thi riȝtfulnesse and vertu, is the root of vndedlynesse. [verse 4] Forsothe the thenkyng out of yuel craft of men brouȝte not vs in to errour, nether the schadewe of peynture trauel without fruyt, an ymage gravun bi [verse 5] dyuerse colours; whos biholdyng ȝyueth coueytise to an vnwise man, and he lou|eth

the licnesse of a deed ymage with out soule. [verse 6] The louyers of yuels ben worthi the deeth, that han hope in siche; and thei that maken tho, and thei that louen, and thei that worschipen ben worthi the deth. [verse 7] But also a pottere, thristynge neische erthe, bi greet trauel makith ech vessel to oure vsis; and of the same clei he makith vessels that ben clene to vss, and in lijk maner tho that ben contrarie to these; forsothe what vss is of these vessels, the pottere is iuge. [verse 8] And he that was maad of erthe a litil bifore [bifore to CEFHKMNPQRSUVXYaç.] , makith a god of the same clei with veyn trauel; and the pottere, axid to ȝelde the dette of soule [the soule I.] which he hadde, ledith hym silf aftir a litil tyme to the erthe, fro whennus he was takun. [verse 9] But he hath care, not for he schal trauele, nether for his lijf is schort, but he stryueth with gold smythis and sil|uer [siluerne C.] smythis; but also he sueth [he sueth; in makinge idols of erthe liyk tho of bras. settith bifore glorie; of his craft, for the multitude of men renneth to him to haue idols. superflu thingis; that is, idols of no priys, ether litil, in compa|risoun of othere. Lire here. C.] worcheris of bras, and settith bifore glorie; for he makith superflu thingis. [verse 10] For the herte of hym [the herte of him; that is, of the pottere. is aische; bi loue, for Austyn seith, If thou louest erthe, thou art erthe; but this pot|tere settith al his bisynesse to the formyng of erthe; and if the erthe were priued fro meddling of wa|ter, it schulde be dryuun in to dust, ether in to aische; wherfor the herte of a pottere is seid aische. superflu erthe; wher he mak|ith idols. is his hope; for he hopith to lyue herof. and his liyf is vilere than cley; which liyf is ordeyned to the wynnyng of cley, as to the ende, and to the ende betere; than these thingis, that ben to the ende Lire here. C.] is aische, and superflu erthe is his hope, and his lijf is vilere than clei. [verse 11] For he knew not God, that made him, and that enspiride a soule to hym; and he loueth tho thingis whiche he hath wrouȝt [hath wrouȝt; that is, idols.] ; and he knew not God, that blowide in hym a spirit of lijf. [verse 12] But thei gessiden fleischli delityng to be oure lijf, and the conuersacioun of lijf to be maad to wynnyng [wynnyng, ether coueitise C et ceteri.] , and that it bihoueth to gete on ech side, ȝhe, of yuel. [verse 13] Forsothe this man that makith freele vessels, and grauun ymagis of the mater of erthe, woot§ that he trespassith aboue alle men. [verse 14] Forsothe, Lord, alle vnwise men and cursid ben proude ouer the mesure of her soule, and ben enemyes of thi puple, and vpbreyden [edwiten CFGHIMNOPQRSUVXYa. comaunden, ether edwiten K.] [verse 15] it; for thei gessiden alle the idols of naciouns to be goddis, that han nethir [But thei; that is, the forseid idolatrouris. Lire here. C.] siȝt of iȝen to se, nethir nose thirlis to [woot; that is, owith to wite. aboue alle; makeris of idols. vnwise men; that ben idolatrouris, and erren fro veri blis. proude, etc.; that is, presumen of hem silf, more than they moun do. Lire here. C.]

perseyue a spirit, ethir wynd, nether eeris to here, nethir fyngris of hondis to touche, but also her feet ben slowe to go. [verse 16] For whi a man made tho, and he that borewide a spirit, made tho; forwhi no man mai make a god lijk hym silf. [verse 17] For sithen he is deedli, bi wickid hondis he makith a deed idol; for he is betere than these goddis, whiche he worschipith; for so|theli he liuyde, whanne he was deedli, but thei lyueden neuere. [verse 18] But also moost wretchid men worschipen beestis; for whi vnresonable beestis, comparisound to these men, ben worse than thei. [verse 19] But nether bi siȝt ony man mai of these beestis biholde goodis; forsothe thei han dryue awei the heriyng [dryue awei the heriyng, etc.; and ȝaue it to vnreson|able beestis. his blessing; that is, the ȝifte of his grace. Lire here. C.] of God, and his blessyng.

CAP. XVI.

[verse 1] For these thingis [these thingis; that is, the for|seid idolatries. thei; that is, Egipcians, idolatrouris. Lire here. C.] , and thingis lijk these, thei suffriden turmentis worthili, and thei weren destried bi multitude of beestis. [verse 2] For whiche [the whiche I.] turmentis [For which turmentis; that is, in the stide of turmentis doon to Egip|cians. coueytise of her delityng; that is, delitable men coueitid of hem, in xj. c^o. of Numery. thei coueit|inge mete; that is, Egipcians, coueytinge mete to her nursching. turned awey fro nedeful co|ueiting; that is, of nedeful mete, hauynge hidousnesse to ete metis de|foulid and venemyd. sent to hem; that is, for pad|dokis and venemouse flies, defoulinge and venemynge the metis of Egip|cians. Lire here. C.] thou dis|posidist wel thi puple, to whiche thou ȝauest coueitise of her delityng a new sauour, makynge redi mete to hem a cur|lew [a curlew; that is, a mul|titude of cur|lewis. Lire here. C.] . [verse 3] That sotheli thei coueitynge mete, weren turned awei, ȝhe, fro nedeful coueit|yng, for tho thingis that weren schewid, and sent to hem; but these men [these men; that is, Ebreys. Lire here. C.] maad pore in schort tyme, tastiden newe mete. [verse 4] For sotheli it bihofte perischyng to come on hem with outen excusyng [excusing; that is, with outen remedy. on hem; that is, Ebreis, bitun of ser|pentis, in xxj. c^o. of Numery. Lire here. C.] , vsynge ti|rauntri; but to schewe oneli to [Om. A pr. m. C.] these Ebries, hou her enemyes weren destried. [verse 5] Forsothe whanne the feers ire of beestis cam on hem, thei weren destried bi the bityngis of weiward serpentis. [verse 6] But, Lord, thin ire dwellide not with outen ende; but thei weren troblid in schort time to amendyng, and hadden a signe of helthe, to remembryng [to remem|bryng; that is, that thei smytun and heelid, schulden be myndeful of thyn heestis, and do tho. Lire here. C.] of the comaundement of thi lawe. [verse 7] For he that was conuertid, was heelid not bi that that he siȝ, but bi thee, sauyour of alle men. [verse 8] Forsothe in this thou schewidist to oure enemyes, that thou

it art, that delyuerist fro al yuel. [verse 9] For|sothe the bityngis of locustis and of flies killiden hem [killiden hem; that is, Egip|cians. Lire here. C.] , and heelthe of her lijf was not foundun; for thei weren worthi to be destried of siche thingis. [verse 10] But nether the teeth of dragouns, nethir of venemouse beestis ouercamen thi children; for whi thi merci cam, and heelide hem. [verse 11] For thei weren turmentid in mynde [in mynde; that is, that they schulden be myndeful of thyn heestis. Lire here. C.] of thi wordis, and thei weren heelid swiftli; lest thei fallynge in to deep forȝetyng of God, miȝten not vse thin help. [verse 12] For nethir eerbe, nethir plastere heelide hem; but, Lord, thi word, that heelith alle thingis. [verse 13] Lord, thou art, that hast power of lijf and of deth; and ledist forth to the ȝatis of deth [ȝatis of deth; that is, of bodili deth; but he ledith not to the ȝatis of goostly deth, for he is not autour of synne, but man, bi defaute of his fre wille, is au|tour of synne. sleeth his soule bi malice; of dedly synne; the soule is vn|dedly bi deth of kynde. gon out; of the bodi. it schal not turne aȝen; bi weye of kynde. resseyued; that is, depart|id fro the bodi. impossible to ascape thyn hond; for whi the soulis of iust men ben resseyued in the hond of Goddis mersi, but the soulis of syn|neris ben res|seyued in the hond of his riȝt|fulnesse, ether iust punysch|ing. Lire here. C.] , and ledist aȝen. [verse 14] But sotheli a man sleeth his soule bi malice; and whanne the spirit is goen out, it schal not turne aȝen, nether the bodi schal aȝen clepe the soule, [verse 15] which is resseyued; but it is vnpossible [impossible I.] to ascape thin hond. [verse 16] Forwhi wickid men, denying to knowe thee, weren tur|mentid bi strengthe [the strengthe I.] of thin arm; thei suffriden persecusioun bi newe watris, and hailis, and reines, and weren wastid bi fier. [verse 17] For whi that was wondurful, the fier hadde more miȝt in the watir, that quenchith alle thingis; for whi the world was veniere [the world was veniere, etc.; that is, creature of the world. of iust men; that is, of E|breys turment|id of Egipcians vniustly. Lire here. C.] of iust men. [verse 18] For whi sum tyme the fier was mylde, lest the beestis schulden be brent, that weren sent to wickid men [wickid men; that is, Egip|cians. Lire here. C.] ; but that thei seynge [thei seynge; that beestis noyful to hem weren not brent, and that beestis profit|able to hem, as weren oxis and werk beestis, weren wastid with the same fier. of God; to whom the creature obeyeth at his wille. with mete of aungels; that is, that cam doun bi the seruyce of aungels, that eten not bodily mete. hauynge al deliting; for it saueride to goode men, as eche man wolde. thi catel; that is, the richessis of thi goodnesse. Lire here. C.] schulden wite, that thei suffren persecu|cioun bi the doom of God. [verse 19] And sum tyme the fier brente an hiȝ on ech side in the water, aboue the vertu of fier, to destrie the wickid nacioun of the lond. [verse 20] For whiche thingis [For whiche thingis; that is, for the forseid turmentis of Egipcians. Lire here. C.] thou nurischidist thi puple with mete of aungels, and thou ȝauest fro heuene breed maad redi to hem, with out trauel; hauynge al delityng in it silf, and the swetnesse of al sauour.

[verse 21] For thou schewidist thi catel, and thi swetnesse, which thou hast, to sones; and the breed seruynge to the wille of eche man [to the wille of ech man; be|ynge of the noumbre of goode men, for it was vnsauery mete to wickid men. Lire here. C.] , was turned to that, that ech man wolde. [verse 22] Forsothe snow and iys suffriden the miȝt of fier, and meltiden not; that thei schulden wite, that fier brennynge, in hail and reyn leytynge, destryede the fruytis of enemyes. [verse 23] Sotheli eft this was wondirful, also fier forȝat his vertu [fier forȝat his vertu; in the chymeney of thre children, in iij. c^o. of Danyel, and fier hurtide not the beestis of Ebreys, in the lond of Gessen. Lire here. C.] , that iust men schulden be nurschid. [verse 24] For whi the creature seruynge to thee the makere, wexith whijt in to turment aȝens vniust men, and is maad liȝtere to do wel, for hem that tristen in thee. [verse 25] For this thing and alle thingis transfigurid [transfigurid; that is, chaung|id fro the pro|perte of her kynde. Lire here. C.] thanne [thanne, that is, chaungid fro the properte of her kynde V.] seruyden to thi grace, nurischere of alle thingis, to the wille of hem, that ben de|sirid [verse 26] of thee; that, Lord, thi sones schulden wite, whiche thou louedist, that not the fruytis of birthe [fruytis of birthe; that is, not onely fruytis com|ynge forth of erthe. Lire here. C.] feeden men, but thi word kepeth hem, that bileuen in thee. [verse 27] For whi that that miȝte not [that that miȝte not, etc.; that is, manna that was hardid at the fire, and meltide at the heete of the sunne. thi blessyng; that is, to ga|dere manna. Lire here. C.] be distried of fier, meltide anoon as it was maad hoot [verse 28] of a litil beem of the sunne; that it were knowun to alle men, that it bihoueth to come bifore the sunne to thi blessing, and to worschipe thee at the risyng of the liȝt [liȝt, that is, sunne V.] . [verse 29] Forsothe the hope of an vnkynde man schal melte awei as iys of wyntir, and [and it I.] schal perische as superflu watir.

CAP. XVII.

[verse 1] Forsothe, Lord, thi domes ben greet, and thi wordis [thi wordis; that is, dedis maad bi thi word. vnlerned soulis; that is, men not louynge truthe. Lire here. C.] moun not be fulli teld out; vnlerned soulis erriden for these. [verse 2] For the while wickid men holden for stid|fast, that thei moun be lordis of hooli nacioun, thei weren feterid with boondis of derknessis, and of long niȝt, and weren closid vndur rooues; and thei fugityues weren suget [sugetis A sec. m.] to euerlastinge puruyaunce. [verse 3] And the while thei gessen hem to be hid

in derk synnes, thei weren scaterid bi derk hidyng of forȝetyng, dredynge hid|ousli, and disturblid with ful greet won|dryng. [verse 4] For the denne that withhelde hem, kepte not with out drede; for whi sown comynge doun disturblide hem, and soreu|ful persoones apperynge to hem, ȝauen drede to hem. [verse 5] And sotheli no myȝt of fier myȝte ȝyue liȝt to hem, and the cleer flawmes of sterris myȝten not liȝtne that hidouse nyȝt. [verse 6] Sotheli sodeyn fier [sudeyn fier; that is, apper|yng at a mo|ment, not to coumfort of hem, but more to discoumfort. C.] ful of drede apperide to hem; and thei weren smytun with the drede of that face, that was not seyn, and gessiden tho thingis to be worse, that weren seyn. [verse 7] And scornes [And scornes; that is, scorn of the wicchis of Farao, neiȝ|ede to the for|seid yuels. and the glorie of wisdom, etc.; that is, wisdom, of which the wicchis hadden glorie, was chastisid with dispit, for they weren smytun with othere men, so that they myȝten not helpe hem silf, nether othere men. of wondris aȝenus kynde; for thei weren customable to siche wondris. passing of beestis, etc.; for whi drede mak|ith to forme ymage of ferd|ful thingis bi a litil noyse, as he that dredith myche, bileueth that enemyes comen, bi the sowne of leeuys, ether ony sich thing. Lire here. C.] of whitche craft weren leid to, and the glorie of wisdom was chastisyng with dispisyng. [verse 8] For thei, that bihiȝten hem silf to putte awei dredis and disturb|lyngis fro a sijk soule, weren ful with scorn, and weren sijk for drede. [verse 9] For whi thouȝ no thing of the wondris aȝens kynde disturblide hem, thei weren mouyd bi the passyng of beestis, and bi the hiss|yng of eddris, and [and thei I.] trembliden, and pe|rischiden; and denyeden, that thei sien the eyr, which a man myȝte not ascape bi ony resoun; for whi worste thingis bifore ocupien ofte, while the conscience repreu|eth. [verse 10] For sithen wickidnesse is dreedful [wickidnesse is dredeful; for it makith men dredeful. Lire here. C.] , it is ȝouun in to condempnacioun of alle men; for whi a conscience disturblid pre|sumeth [presumeth; that is, bi for|gessing grete yuels to com|ynge on it silf. of presump|cioun; that is, encressing of gessing of peyne neiȝinge. abidyng; that is, lesse hope of help is in the soule of him that dredith. grettere; for he bileueth, that more yuels schulen come. Lire here. C.] euere wickid thingis. [verse 11] For whi drede is no thing, no [Om. I.] but help of pre|sumpcioun, and schewyng of thouȝt of helpis. [verse 12] And the while lesse abydyng is fro with ynne, it gessith gretter power of that cause, of which it ȝyueth turment. [verse 13] Forsothe thei, that camen in to a myȝti niȝt [in to a miȝti nyȝt; that is, in to thicke derknessis, that ben seid a myȝty nyȝt bi long duryng, that is, of thre dayes, and bi thicknesse, for which thei myȝten not stire hem silf fro her place. fro loweste; that is, fro erthe and water, fro whiche stieden smokis, makinge greet the eir. fro hiȝeste; that is, fro thickenesse of cloudis, lettinge the liȝtnyng of the eir. slepynge; Egipcians, that slepten sum deel in tho thre dayes, suffriden anoon ferdful dremys, in so myche that summe of hem dieden. bi leding ouer; that is, bi departing of the soule fro the body. Lire here. C.] , and comynge aboue fro loweste thingis, and fro hiȝeste thingis, thei slepynge the [verse 14] same sleep, weren hurlid sum tyme bi

drede of wondris aȝens kynde, sum tyme the soulis failiden bi ledyng ouer; for why sudeyn drede and vnhopid, cam on hem. [verse 15] Afterward if ony of hem hadde fel doun, he was kept closid in prisoun, with [verse 16] out yrun; for if ony cheerl [ony cheerl; where euere ony man was ocupied in feeld, ether in hows, whanne the derknessis camen on hem, he dwellide there thre dayes. Lire here. C.] was, ethir scheepherd, ethir a [Om. I.] werk man of feeldis, and was bifore ocupied, he suffride nede that miȝte not be ascapid. [verse 17] For whi alle men weren boundun togidere bi o chayne of derknessis; ether a wynd hissynge, ether swete sown of briddis bitwixe the thicke bowis of trees, ethir the feersnesse [verse 18] of watir rennynge doun greetli, ethir a strong soun of stoonys cast doun, ethir the rennyng vnseyn of beestis pleiynge, ethir the strong vois of beestis lowynge, ethir ecco [ether ecco; that is, a soun foldid aȝen. Lire here. C. that is, a vois reboundynge aȝen. V. that is, a soun sownyng aȝen. K.] sownynge aȝen fro hiȝeste hillis, maden hem failynge for drede. [verse 19] Forsothe al the world [al the world, etc.; out of the place of Egip|cians. liȝtned; in so myche, that no man was lettid fro hise werkis. ymage, etc.; for it fyguride the derknessis of helle, in to which thei dis|serueden to go, for her synnes. Lire here. C.] was liȝtned with cleer liȝt, and was [it was I.] not [Om. I.] withholdun in werkis lettid. [verse 20] But a greuouse niȝt, the ymage of derknessis, that was to comyng on hem, was set on hem aloone; therfor thei weren greuousere to hem silf than the derknessis.

CAP. XVIII.

[verse 1] But ful greet liȝt was [ther was I.] to thin hooli seruauntis, and sotheli enemyes herden the vois [the vois; that is, of Ebreys. Lire here. C.] of hem, but thei sien not the figure, ethir schap; and for also thei [thei, that is, Ebreis V.] suffriden not bi the same thingis, thei magnefieden thee. [verse 2] And for thei weren hirt bifore [hirt bifor; that is, of E|gipcians, bi harde trauelis, in i. c^o. of Ex|odi. not hirt; in X. veniaunces, as Egipcians weren. Lire here. C.] , thei diden thankyngis to thee, for thei weren not hirt; and that dif|ference schulde be bitwixe hem and Egip|cians, thei axiden thee, God. [verse 3] For which thing thei [thei; that is, Egipcians. Lire here. C.] hadden a brennynge piler of fier, the ledere of vnknowun weie; and thou ȝauest the sunne, with out hirtyng of good herbore. [verse 4] Forsothe thei weren wor|thi to wante liȝt, and to suffre the prisoun of derknessis, whiche helden thi sones enclosid [enclosid; and suffriden not hem go out of Egipt, to make sacrifice to the Lord. Lire here. C.] ; bi whiche sones the vncorrupt

lijt of lawe bigan to be ȝouun to the world. [verse 5] Whanne thei thouȝten to sle the ȝonge children of iust men; and whanne o sone was put forth, and delyuered, thou tokist [tokist; fro present liyf. Lire here. C.] awei the multitude of sones [sones, the firste gendrid V.] [of sones; that is, of the firste gendride of Egipt. leding ouer; that is, in the leding of Ebreys out of Egipt. lostist hem; that is, Egip|cians, fadris of the children slayn. whiche othis; that is, to God|dis affermyngis maad to hem and to her fa|dris. Lire here. C.] , for the ledyng ouer of hem [hem, that is, Ebreis out of Egipt V.] , and thou lost|ist hem togidere in strong watir. [verse 6] For|sothe thilke nyȝt was knowun bifore of oure fadris, that thei witynge verili to whiche othis thei bileuyden, schulden be more paciente. [verse 7] Forsothe helthe of iust men was resseyued verili of thi puple, `and also [but C et ceteri.] distriyng of vniust men. [verse 8] For as thou hirtidist [hurtist S.] oure aduersaries, so thou excitidist also vs, and magnefiedist vs. [verse 9] For whi iust children of goode men [iust children of goode men, etc.; that is, Ebreys, the sones of patri|arkis. disposiden, etc.; that is, resseyueden acordingly. the lawe of riȝtfulnesse; ȝouun in the hil of Synay. to resseyue goodis and yuels; that is, disposide to res|seyue paciently, for the loue of God, prosperites and aduersites sent, and to be sent, bi Goddis wille. heriyngis; in prosperites and aduersites. to the fadir of alle; that is, to God. weilyng of bi|weperis; that is, which wepten for the sleyng of ȝonge chil|dren. Lire here. C.] maden sacrifice priueli, and disposiden the lawe of riȝtfulnesse in to acordyng; thei disposiden iust men to resseyue goodis and yuels in lijk maner, and sungen heriyngis to the fadir of alle men. [verse 10] But vnsemeli vois of enemyes sownede, and wepeful weilyng of bi|weperis of ȝonge children was herd. [verse 11] For|sothe the seruaunt was turmentid bi lijk peyne with the lord; and a man of the puple suffride thingis lijk the kyng. [verse 12] Therfor in lijk maner alle men bi o name of deth hadden deed men vnnoumbrable, for nether quyke men suffiseden to birie; for whi the nacioun of hem, that was clerere than othere, was destried in o mo|ment. [verse 13] Forsothe of alle Egipcians men not bileuynge [men not bi|leuyng; to God and to Moyses. for benefices; ȝouun in the doing awei of veniaunces; for whanne the veniaunces weren doon awey, they turneden aȝen to her hard|nesse in synne. bihiȝten hem; that is, knoulechen Moises and Ebreys. to be the puple of God; for thanne thei leeten hem go, as the seruauntis of God; ether Egipcians bihyȝten hem silf to be Goddis puple; bi this, that thei obeyeden to Goddis heeste, of the sendynge out of Ebreys. Lire here. C.] for benefices, bihiȝten hem thanne to be Goddis puple, whanne the distriyng of the firste gendryd thingis was first. [verse 14] Forsothe whanne alle thingis helden restful silence, and the nyȝt hadde the [verse 15] myddil weie in his cours, Lord, thi word almyȝti [Lord, thi word almyȝti; that is, thi comaundement of the sleyng of the first gendrid thingis. swerd beringe; that is, fillinge. Lire here. C.] comynge swiftli fro heuene, cam [verse 16] fro the kyngis seetis; a scharp swerd ber|ynge thi comaundement not feyned, cam

forth, ouercomere in to the myddil of the lond of destriyng; and it stood, and fillide alle thingis with deeth, and it stood in erthe, and stretchide forth til to heuene. [verse 17] Thanne anoon [Thanne anoon; that is, next bifore. yuele dremes; to bi|for figure the forseid sleing of the firste gen|drid children. Lire here. C.] the siȝtis of yuel dremes disturbliden hem, and dredis not hopid camen aboue. [verse 18] And another man cast forth half quyk in an other place, schewide for what cause of deth he diede. [verse 19] For whi siȝtis that disturbliden hem, bifore warn|eden these thingis, that thei schulden perische not vnwityngli, why thei suf|friden yuels. [verse 20] Forsothe temptacioun of deth [temptacioun of deth; that is, punyschid bi deth. and; is set here for that is. mouyng togidere of dissencioun, reisid by Choree and hise felowis. a man with|out playnt; that is, Aaron lyuynge feith|fuli anentis God, and iustly anentis the neiȝbore. for the puplis; diynge. aȝen stood ire; in plesinge God bi his preyer. ouercam cum|penyes; that is, witnessis of disturblinge the puple. Lire here. C.] touchide thanne also iust men, and mouyng togidere of multitude was maad in desert; but thin ire dwellide not longe. [verse 21] For a man without pleynt hastide to biseche for puplis, and he brouȝte forth preier the scheld of his seruyce, and he aleggide preier bi encence, and aȝen stood ire; and he settide an ende to the nede [to the nede; that is, to deth. Lire here. C.] , and schewide that he was thi seruaunt. [verse 22] Forsothe he ouercam cumpenyes, not bi vertu of bodi, nether bi armure of power; but he remembride the othis, and the tes|tament of fadris, and bi word [and bi word; of dyuout preyer. him that trauel|ide him silf; that is, the brennyng brennynge the puple, of whos brennyng Aa|ron was tra|uelid. Lire here. C.] he made hym suget, that trauelide hym silf. [verse 23] For whanne deed men fellen doun bi heepis, ech on other, he stood bitwixe `deed men and lyuynge [the deede and the quyke I.] , and kittide [kitte I.] awei the feers|nesse of brennyng, and departide that weie, that ledde to quyke men. [verse 24] For whi al the world was [the world was; bi signe|fiyng ether fi|gure. grete thingis of fadris; that is, the names of xij. lynagis. magneficence; that is, thyn hiȝ name tetra|gramaton. Lire here. C.] in the cloth lastynge to the heelis, which he hadde; and the grete thingis of fadris weren grauun in foure ordris of stoonys; and, Lord, thi magnyficence [magnyficence, that is, thin hiȝ name tetragramaton V.] was writun in the dia|deme of his heed. [verse 25] Forsothe he that dis|triede, ȝaf stide to these thingis, and dredde these thingis; for whi the temptacioun aloone was sufficient to ire [was sufficient to ire; that is, temptacioun of dissencioun mouyd, was sufficient cause of Goddis veniaunce aȝenus al the puple; nobut the bischop hadde plesid. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. XIX.

[verse 1] Forsothe ire with out merci cam on wickid men til [Om. A sec. m.] in to the laste [to the laste; that is, til to the drenching of hem. Lire here. C.] ; forwhi God bifore knew also the thingis to com|ynge of hem. [verse 2] For whanne thei weren turned, and hadden suffrid, that thei schulden lede out hem [lede out hem; that is, Ebreys that Egipcians wolden sende the sones of Israel out of Egipt. repenting, etc.; that is, Egipcians re|pentide of the sending out of the puple of Israel. Lire here. C.] , and hadden bifor sent hem with greet bysynesse, the dedis of repentyng sueden hem. [verse 3] For thei hau|ynge ȝit morenyng bitwixe the hondis, and thei biwepynge at the sepulcris of deed men, token to hem anothir thouȝt of vnkunnyng [vnkunnyng; that is, of led|ing aȝen of Ebreys. worthi nede; that is, deth, that schulde be ȝouun to hem iustly in the reed see. Lire here. C.] ; and thei pursueden tho Ebreis, as fleeris awei, whiche thei prei|ynge hadden sent forth. [verse 4] For whi worthi nede ledde hem to this ende, and thei losten remembryng of these thingis, that hadden bifeld [bifalle I.] , that punyschyng schulde fille tho thingis, that failiden of tur|mentis, [verse 5] and that sotheli thi puple schulde passe wondurfuli; forsothe that thei schulden fynde a newe deth. [verse 6] For whi ech creature seruynge to thin heestis, was refourmed [was refourm|ed; that is, to obeye to God, of whom ech creature is maad. Lire here. C.] to his kynde at the bigyn|nyng, that thi children schulden be kept vnhirt. [verse 7] For whi a cloude bischadewide the castels of hem, and drie erthe apperide in watir that was bifore; and a weie with out letting apperide in the reed see, and a feeld buriownynge fro ful greet depthe [greet depthe; that is, the botme of the see was dried, at the maner of a feeld buriownynge. Lire here. C.] ; [verse 8] bi which feeld al the nacioun passide, that was hilid with thin hond; forsothe thei sien thi merueilis and wondris. [verse 9] For thei as horsis deuouriden mete [deuouriden mete; that is, token the ar|muris of Egip|cians, whiche thei sien deed on the brinke of the see. Lire here. C.] , and as lam|bren thei maden ful out ioye, magnefiynge thee, Lord, that delyueredist hem. [verse 10] For thei weren myndeful ȝit of tho thingis, that weren don in the dwellyng of hem among Egipcians; hou the lond brouȝte forth flies, for the nacioun of beestis, and the flood brouȝte forth multitude of pad|dokis, for fischis. [verse 11] Forsothe at the last

thei sien a newe creature of briddis, whanne thei weren led bi coueitise, and axiden metis of feeste. [verse 12] For in the spek|ynge to [in the spek|ing to, etc.; that is, at the axing of hem, bi her desir. a curlu; that is, a greet mul|titude of cur|lewis. Lire here. C.] of her desir, a [the I.] curlew stiede to hem fro the see; and diseesis camen on synneris, and not with out preuyngis of tho thingis, that weren don bifor bi the [Om. I.] feersnesse of floodis. For thei suffriden iust|li, [verse 13] bi [aftir I.] her wickidnessis; for thei ordeyneden more abhomynable vnospitalite. Sotheli summe resseyueden not vnknowun come|lyngis; sotheli othere token good men her|borid [verse 14] in to thraldom. And not oneli thei diden these thingis, but sotheli also an|other biholding of hem was, that thei aȝens her wille [aȝenus her wille; that is, with hardnesse of cheer and of wordis. resseyueden straungeris; to herbore, as it bifallith sum|tyme, that thei that ȝyuen almes, seyen so many dis|pisingis to the axeris, that thei sillen to dere to hem. Lire here. C.] resseyueden straungeris. [verse 15] Forsothe thei that vsiden the same or|dynaunces [thei that vsiden the same ordenaunces; that is, Egip|cians, that vsiden orde|naunces aȝenus the good of ospitalite. that resseyu|eden with glad|nesse; that is, Ebreys resseyu|ynge straun|geris gladly. with blynd|nesse; thre dayes in derk|nessis, that myȝten be gropid. as they; that is, Sodomytis. in the ȝatis of the iust man; that is, of Loth. Lire here. C.] , turmentiden with cruelest sorewis hem, that resseyueden with glad|nesse. [verse 16] Forsothe thei weren smytun with blyndnesse, as thei in the ȝatis of the iust man, whanne thei weren hilid with su|deyne derknessis; ech man souȝte the passyng of his dore. [verse 17] Forsothe while ele|mentis ben turned in to hem silf, as the sown of maner is chaungid in orgun, and alle thingis kepen her sown [kepen her sown; that is, bi the disposi|cioun of him that makith melodie, so the doyng of creature was chaungid, in the punysch|yng of Egip|cians, bi dispo|sicioun of the creatour. Lire here. C.] ; wherfor it mai be gessid of that certeyn siȝt. [verse 18] Beestis of the feeld [beestis of the feeld; that is, beestis dwellinge in feeldis, as oxis and werk beestis. weren turned; not bi substaunce, but bi goyng, that is, Ebreys with her beestis ȝeden thorou the depthe of the see, which is the dwelling of fischis. Lire here. C.] weren turned in to beestis of watir; what euer weren swymmynge thingis [swymmynge thingis; as it is opyn of paddokis, entringe in to the housis of Egipcians. fier and water hadden power; in brennyng strongly, aboue his kyndly vertu. flawmes of corruptible beestis; that is, of eddris and draguns, brethinge out fier. disesiden not the fleischis, of the sones of Israel. goynge togidere; bi desert, wher ynne was a serpent brennynge bi blast, in viij. c^o. of Deutronome, that is, many siche serpentis weren there. Lire here. C.] , ȝeden in the lond. [verse 19] Fier in watir hadde power aboue his vertu; and water forȝat the kynde quenchynge. [verse 20] Aȝenward flawmes of corruptible beestis disesiden not the fleischis of Ebreis goynge togi|dere; nethir departiden that good mete, that was departid liȝtly as iys. Forsothe, Lord, thou magnefiedist thi puple in alle thingis, and onouridist; and dispisidist

not, and helpidist hem in ech tyme and in ech place [Here endith the book of Wisdom, and here bigynneth the book of Ecclesiastici. CFHSXa. Here endith the book of Wysdom, and bigynneth a prolog on Ecclesiastici. G. Here endith the book of Wisdom, and bigynneth Ecclesiasticus. HU. Heere endith the book of Wisdom, and bigynnith the book of Ecclesiasticus. INQ. Here endith the booc of Sapiens or Wisdom; se now the prolog of the booc of Ecclesiastici. K. Here endith the book of Wisdom, and here bigynneth the book of Ecclesiastici, that tretith also of wisdom and prudence in many degrees of the world. M. Heere eendith Sapience, and bigynneth the prolog upon the book of Ecclesiastici. R. Here endith Sapiens, and bigyn[neth] the book of Ecclesiasticus. V. No final rubric in AEPY.] .