1He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her, 2And she will meet him as an honourable mother, and will receive him as a wife married of a virgin. 3With the bread of life and understanding, she shall feed him, and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved. 4And she shall hold him fast, and he shall not be confounded: and she shall exalt him among his neighbours. 5And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory. 6She shall heap upon him a treasure of joy and gladness, and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name. 7But foolish men shall not obtain her, and wise men shall meet her, foolish men shall not see her: for she is far from pride and deceit. 8Lying men shall be mindful of her: but men that speak truth shall be found with her, and shall advance, even till they come to the sight of God. 9Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner: 10For wisdom came forth from God: for praise shall be with the wisdom of God, and shall abound in a faithful mouth, and the sovereign Lord will give praise unto it. 11Say not: It is through God, that she is not with me: for do not thou the things that he hateth. 12Say not: He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of wicked men. 13The Lord hateth all abomination of error, and they that fear him shall not love it. 14God made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his own counsel. 15He added his commandments and precepts. 16If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee. 17He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt. 18Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him: 19For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing. 20The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth al the work of man. 21He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin; 22For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children. Douay Rheims Version - Bishop Challoner Revision Home |