of the lowly.. Seek not, out the things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength. But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence; for it is not neediul for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret. Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed unto thee than men understand. For many are deceived by their own vain opinion and an evil suspicion hath overthrown their judgement. Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that thou hast not. Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; be not overwise in doing thy business; and boast not thyself in the time of thy distress, Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself, and wanteth bread. My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, and give it honour according to the dignity thereof. Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight. Proverbs. By humility, and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; an before honour is humility. Surely he scorneth the scorners but he giveth grace unto the lowly. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search their own glory is not glory. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, aud stand not in the place of great men: for better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. On Pride, Covetousness, and Envy. Ecclesiasticus. Why is earth and ashes proud? Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity. The beginning of pride is when one departeth from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker. The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead. The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place. In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness hath taken root in him. The envious man hath a wicked eye; he turneth away his face, and despiseth men. A covetous man's eye is not satisfied with his portion; and the iniquity of the wicked drieth up his soul. A wicked eye envieth his bread, and he is a niggard at his table. There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man: for such an one setteth his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels. Envy and wrath shorten the life, and carefulness bringeth age before the time. Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie wait for them. Pride VOL. I. Y was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are born of a woman. Proverbs. There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes and their eyelids are lifted up. An high look and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked is sin. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. A sound heart is the life of the flesh but envy the rottenness of the bones. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? On Truth. Ecclesiasticus. In no wise speak against the truth; but be abashed of the error of thine ignorance. Devise not a lie against thy brother; neither do the like to thy friend. Use not to make any manner of lie for the custom thereof is not good. A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught. The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him. Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord shall fight for thee. Proverbs. A The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and in struction, and understanding. A righteous man hateth lying but a wicked man is loathsome, |