| Chapter 1 |
1 |
Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him. |
2 |
For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him. |
3 |
For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise. |
4 |
For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin. |
5 |
For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in. |
6 |
For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. |
7 |
For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice. |
8 |
Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him. |
9 |
For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds. |
10 |
For the ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid. |
11 |
Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth slayeth the soul. |
12 |
Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands. |
13 |
For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living. |
14 |
For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth: |
15 |
(For righteousness is immortal:) |
16 |
But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to nought, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it. |
