Bible Text & Cross-references:
The miseries of the life of man are relieved by the grace
of God and his fear.
1 Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children
of Adam, from the day of their coming out of their mother's womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all.
2 Their thoughts and fears of the heart, their imagination of things
to come, and the day of their end:
3 From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled
in earth and ashes:
4 From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that
is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger and strife,
5 And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth
his knowledge.
6 A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in
the day of keeping watch.
7 He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in
the day of battle. In the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear:
8 Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners
are sevenfold more.
9 *Moreover, death and bloodshed, strife and sword, oppressions, famine,
and affliction, and scourges:
10 All these things are created for the wicked, *and for their sakes
came the flood.
11 *All things that are of the earth shall return to the earth again,
**and all waters shall return to the sea.
12 All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out, and fidelity shall
stand for ever.
13 The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall
pass away a noise like a great thunder in rain.
14 While he openeth his hands, he shall rejoice: but transgressors shall
pine away in the end.
15 The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches,
and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.
16 The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall
be pulled up before all grass.
17 Grace is like a paradise in blessings, and mercy remaineth for ever.
18 The life of a labourer, that is content with what he hath, shall be
sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treasure.
19 Children, and the building of a city, shall establish a name; but
a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.
20 Wine and music rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above
them both.
21 The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue
is above them both.
22 Thy eye desireth favour and beauty, but more than these green sown
fields.
23 A friend and companion meeting together, in season; but above them
both, is a wife with her husband.
24 Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver
more than they.
25 Gold and silver make the feet stand sure, but wise counsel is above
them both.
26 Riches and strength lift up the heart, but above these is the fear
of the Lord.
27 There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek
for help.
28 The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, and they have
covered it above all glory.
29 My son, in thy life-time be not indigent; for it is better to die
than to want.
30 The life of him that looketh toward another man's table, is not to
be counted a life: for he feedeth his soul with another man's meat.
31 But a man well instructed and taught, will look to himself.
32 Begging will be sweet in the mouth of the unwise, but in his belly
there shall burn a fire.
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*
9: Ecclesiasticus xxxix. 35. and 36.
10: Genesis vii. 10.
11: Ecclesiasticus xli. 13. --- ** Ecclesiastes i. 7.