Wisdom of Solomon

14:1 Againe, one preparing himselfe to saile, and about to passe through the raging waues, calleth vpon a piece of wood more rotten then the vesell that carieth him.

14:1 Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carrieth him.

14:2 For verely desire of gaine deuised that, and the workeman built it by his skill:

14:2 For verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it by his skill.

14:3 But thy prouidence, O Father, gouerneth it: for thou hast made a way in the Sea, and a safe path in the waues:

14:3 But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves;

14:4 Shewing that thou canst saue from all danger: yea though a man went to Sea without arte.

14:4 Shewing that thou canst save from all danger: yea, though a man went to sea without art.

14:5 Neuerthelesse thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisedome should be idle, and therefore doe men commit their liues to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weake vessell, are saued.

14:5 Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisdom should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved.

14:6 For in the old time also when the proud gyants perished, the hope of the world gouerned by thy hand, escaped in a weake vessell, and left to all ages a seed of generation.

14:6 For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of generation.

14:7 For blessed is the wood, whereby righteousnesse commeth.

14:7 For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh.

14:8 But that which is made with hands, is cursed, aswell it, as hee that made it: he, because he made it, and it, because being corruptible it was called God.

14:8 But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he, because he made it; and it, because, being corruptible, it was called god.

14:9 For the vngodly and his vngodlines are both alike hatefull vnto God.

14:9 For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful unto God.

14:10 For that which is made, shall bee punished together with him that made it.

14:10 For that which is made shall be punished together with him that made it.

14:11 Therfore euen vpon the idoles of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an abomination and stumbling blocks to the soules of men, and a snare to the feet of the vnwise.

14:11 Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise.

14:12 For the deuising of idoles was the beginning of [spiritual] fornication, and the inuention of them the corruption of life.

14:12 For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life.

14:13 For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be for euer.

14:13 For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be for ever.

14:14 For by the vaine glory of men they entred into the world, and therefore shall they come shortly to an end.

14:14 For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and therefore shall they come shortly to an end.

14:15 For a father afflicted with vntimely mourning, when he hath made an image of his childe soone taken away, now honoured him as a god, which was then a dead man, and deliuered to those that were vnder him, ceremonies and sacrifices.

14:15 For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath made an image of his child soon taken away, now honoured him as a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that were under him ceremonies and sacrifices.

14:16 Thus in processe of time an vngodly custome growen strong, was kept as a law, and grauen images were worshipped by the commandements of kings,

14:16 Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings.

14:17 Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt farre off, they tooke the counterfeit of his visage from farre, and made an expresse image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that by this their forwardnes, they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present.

14:17 Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made an express image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that by this their forwardness they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present.

14:18 Also the singular diligence of the artificer did helpe to set forward the ignorant to more superstition.

14:18 Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition.

14:19 For he peraduenture willing to please one in authoritie, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion.

14:19 For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion.

14:20 And so the multitude allured by the grace of the worke, tooke him now for a god, which a litle before was but honoured as a man.

14:20 And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured.

14:21 And this was an occasion to deceiue the world: for men seruing either calamitie or tyrannie, did ascribe vnto stones, and stockes, the incommunicable Name.

14:21 And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and stocks the incommunicable name.

14:22 Moreouer this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God, but whereas they liued in the great warre of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace.

14:22 Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace.

14:23 For whilest they slew their children in sacrifices, or vsed secret ceremonies, or made reuellings of strange rites

14:23 For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, or used secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites;

14:24 They kept neither liues nor mariages any longer vndefiled: but either one slew another traiterously, or grieued him by adulterie:

14:24 They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but either one slew another traiterously, or grieved him by adultery.

14:25 So that there reigned in all men without exception, blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, vnfaithfulnesse, tumults, periurie,

14:25 So that there reigned in all men without exception blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury,

14:26 Disquieting of good men, forgetfulnesse of good turnes, defiling of soules, changing of kinde, disorder in mariages, adulterie, and shameles vncleannesse.

14:26 Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness.

14:27 For the worshipping of idoles not to be named, is the beginning, the cause, and the end of all euill.

14:27 For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil.

14:28 For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesie lies, or liue vniustly, or else lightly forsweare themselues.

14:28 For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves.

14:29 For insomuch as their trust is in idoles which haue no life, though they sweare falsly, yet they looke not to bee hurt.

14:29 For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life; though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt.

14:30 Howbeit for both causes shal they be iustly punished: both because they thought not well of God, giuing heed vnto idols, and also vniustly swore in deceit, despising holinesse.

14:30 Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both because they thought not well of God, giving heed unto idols, and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness.

14:31 For it is not the power of them by whom they sweare: but it is the iust vengeance of sinners, that punisheth alwayes the offence of the vngodly.

14:31 For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is the just vengeance of sinners, that punisheth always the offence of the ungodly.