Wisdom of Solomon

15:1 But thou O God, art gracious and true: long suffering, and in mercy ordering all things.

15:1 But thou, O God, art gracious and true, longsuffering, and in mercy ordering all things,

15:2 For if we sinne we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will not sinne, knowing that we are counted thine.

15:2 For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will not sin, knowing that we are counted thine.

15:3 For to know thee is perfect righteousnesse: yea to know thy power is the roote of immortality.

15:3 For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality.

15:4 For neither did the mischieuous inuention of men deceiue vs: nor an image spotted with diuers colours, the painters fruitlesse labour.

15:4 For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter's fruitless labour;

15:5 The sight wherof entiseth fooles to lust after it, and so they desire the forme of a dead image that hath no breath.

15:5 The sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so they desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath.

15:6 Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they that worship them, are louers of euill things, and are worthy to haue such things to trust vpon.

15:6 Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they that worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to have such things to trust upon.

15:7 For the potter tempering soft earth fashioneth, euery vessell with much labour for our seruice: yea of the same clay hee maketh both the vessels that serue for cleane vses: and likewise also all such as serue to the contrary: but what is the vse of either sort, the potter himselfe is the iudge.

15:7 For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel with much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise also all such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of either sort, the potter himself is the judge.

15:8 And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vaine God of the same clay, euen he which a little before was made of earth himselfe, and within a little while after returneth to the same out of the which he was taken: when his life which was lent him shall be demanded.

15:8 And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth himself, and within a little while after returneth to the same, out when his life which was lent him shall be demanded.

15:9 Notwithstanding his care is, not that hee shall haue much labour, nor that his life is short: but striueth to excel goldsmiths, and siluersmiths, and endeuoureth to doe like the workers in brasse, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit things.

15:9 Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much labour, nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit things.

15:10 His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile then earth, and his life of lesse value then clay:

15:10 His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his life of less value than clay:

15:11 Forasmuch as hee knew not his maker, and him that inspired into him an actiue soule, and breathed in a liuing spirit.

15:11 Forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit.

15:12 But they counted our life a pastime, & our time here a market for gaine: for, say they, we must be getting euery way, though it be by euil meanes.

15:12 But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a market for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way, though it be by evil means.

15:13 For this man that of earthly matter maketh brickle vessels, and grauen images, knoweth himselfe to offend aboue all others.

15:13 For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels and graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others.

15:14 And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in subiection are most foolish and are more miserable then very babes.

15:14 And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very babes.

15:15 For they counted all the idoles of the heathen to be gods: which neither haue the vse of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor eares to heare, nor fingers of hands to handle, and as for their feete they are slow to goe.

15:15 For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods: which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as for their feet, they are slow to go.

15:16 For man made them, and he that borrowed his owne spirit fashioned them, but no man can make a god like vnto himselfe.

15:16 For man made them, and he that borrowed his own spirit fashioned them: but no man can make a god like unto himself.

15:17 For being mortall he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands: for hee himselfe is better then the things which he worshippeth: whereas he liued [once], but they neuer.

15:17 For being mortal, he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands: for he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth: whereas he lived once, but they never.

15:18 Yea they worshipped those beasts also that are most hatefull: for being compared together, some are worse then others.

15:18 Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful: for being compared together, some are worse than others.

15:19 Neither are they beautifull, so much, as to bee desired in respect of beasts, but they went without the praise of God and his blessing.

15:19 Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in respect of beasts: but they went without the praise of God and his blessing.