The Bible and Holy Scriptures conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. Translated according to the Ebrue and Greke, and conferred with the best translations in diuers languges. VVith moste profitable annotations vpon all the hard places, and other things of great importance as may appeare in the epistle to the reader

CHAP. XXXIX.

1 A wise man. 16 The workes of God. 24 Vnto the good good things profite but vnto the euil, euen good things are euil.

1 HE one lie that applieth his minde to the Law of the moste High, and is oc∣cupied in the meditacion thereof, seketh out the() 1.1 wisdome of all the ancient, & ex erciseth him self in the prophecies.

2 He kepeth the sayings of famous men & entreth in also to the secrets of darke sen tences.

3 He seketh out the my sterie of graue sen∣tences, and exerciseth him self in darke pa rables.

4 He shal serue amōg great men and appea∣re before the prīce he shal traueil through strange countreis: for he hathe tryed the good and the euil among men.

5 He wil giue his heart to resorte early vn∣to the Lord that made him, and to praye before the moste High, and wil open his mouth in prayer, and praie for his sinnes.

6 When the great Lord wil, he shalbe filled with the Spirit of vnderstanding, that he may powre out wise sentences, and giue thankes vnto the Lord in his prayer.

7 “ 1.2 He shal direct his coūsel, and knowledge so shal he meditate in his secrets.

8 He shal shewe for the his science and lear ning, and reioyce in the Law and couenant of the Lord.

9 Manie shal commend his vnderstanding, and his memorie shal neuer be put out, nor departe away, but his name shal continue from generacion to generacion.

10 * The congregacion shall declare his wis∣dome,* 1.3 and shewe it.

11 Thogh he be dead, he shal leaue a greater same then a thousand: and if he liue still, he shal get the same.

12 Yet wil I speake of mo things: for I am ful as the moone.

13 Hearken vnto me, ye holy children, and bring forthe frute, as the rose that is plan∣ted by the brokes of the field,

14 And giue ye a swete smell as“ 1.4 incense, and bring forth flowres as the lilie giue a smel and sing a song of praise: blesse the Lord in all his workes.

15 Giue honour vnto hys Name, and shewe forthe his praise with the songs of your lippes, and with harpes, and ye shal say af∣ter this maner,

16 * All the workes of the Lord are exceading* 1.5 good, and all his commandemēts are done* 1.6 in due season.

17 And none may say, What is this? wherfore is that? for at time conuenient they shal all be soght out at his cōmandement the wa∣ter stode as an heape, and at the worde of his mouth the waters gathered thē selues.

18 His whole fauour (appeared) by his com∣mandement, and none can diminishe that which he wil saue.

19 The workes of all fleshe are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes.

20 He seeth from euerlasting to euerlasting, and there is nothing wonderful vnto him.

21 A man nede not to say, What is this? wher∣fore is that? for he hath made all things for their owne vse.

22 His blessing shal renne ouer as the strea∣me, and moisture the earth like a flood.

23 As he hath turned the waters into saltnes, so shal the heathen fele his wrath.

24 As his waies are plaine and right vnto the iust, so are they stumbling blockes to the wicked.

25 ¶ For the good, are good thinges created from the beginning, and euill thinges for the sinners.

26 * The principal thinges for the whole vse* 1.7 of mans life is water, fyre, and yron, and salt, and meale, wheate and hony, & milke, the blood of the grape, and oyle, and clo∣thing.

27 All these things are for good to the god∣lie: but to the sinners they are turned vnto euil.

28 There be spretes that are created for vē∣geance, whiche in their rigour laye on sure strokes: in the time of destructiō thei shewe forthe their power, and accomplishe the wrath of him that made them.

29 Fyre, and haile, and famine, and death: all these are created for vengeance.

30 The teeth of wilde beastes, and the Scor∣pions, and the serpents, and the sword exe∣cute vengeance for the destruction of the wicked.

31 They shalbe glad to do his commandemēts and when nede is, they shalbe readie vpō earth: and when their houre is come they shal not ouerpasse the commandement.

32 Therefore haue I taken a good courage vnto me from the beginning, and haue thoght on these things, and haue put thē in writing.

33 * All the workes of the Lord are good, & he giueth euerie one in due season, & whē nede is:* 1.8

34 So that a man nede not to say, This is wor se then that: for in due season they are all worthie praise.

35 And therefore praise the Lord with whole heart and mouth, and blesse the Name of the Lord.

Notes

• () 1.1

  Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me.
• “ 1.2

  Or the Lord.
• * 1.3

  Chap. 44 14.
• “ 1.4

  Or, Libanus.
• * 1.5

  Gen. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  Chap. 29. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  Gene. 1. 31.