Apocrypha (Deuterocanonical books: Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, Maccabees, ...)

But for that they did not hurt them now, of whom they had been wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon for that they had been enemies.

Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain them honourably.

For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world.

And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water.

Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer.

So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous, and destruction of the enemies.

For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries, by the same thou didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called.

For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise.

But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that were bewailed.

The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and like as the king, so suffered the common person.

So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death; neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.

For whereas they would not believe any thing by reason of the enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God.

For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course,

Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction,

And brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth.

Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for.

And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death.

For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted.

Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath endured not long.

For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant.

So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers.

For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living.

For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon the daidem.

Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.

As for the ungodly, wrath came upon them without mercy unto the end: for he knew before what they would do;

How that having given them leave to depart, and sent them hastily away, they would repent and pursue them.

For whilst they were yet mourning and making lamentation at the graves of the dead, they added another foolish device, and pursued them as fugitives, whom they had intreated to be gone.

For the destiny, whereof they were worthy, drew them unto this end, and made them forget the things that had already happened, that they might fulfil the punishment which was wanting to their torments:

And that thy people might pass a wonderful way: but they might find a strange death.

For the whole creature in his proper kind was fashioned again anew, serving the peculiar commandments that were given unto them, that thy children might be kept without hurt:

As namely, a cloud shadowing the camp; and where water stood before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red sea a way without impediment; and out of the violent stream a green field:

Wherethrough all the people went that were defended with thy hand, seeing thy marvellous strange wonders.

For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them.

For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while they sojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes.

But afterwards they saw a new generation of fowls, when, being led with their appetite, they asked delicate meats.

For quails came up unto them from the sea for their contentment.

And punishments came upon the sinners not without former signs by the force of thunders: for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness, insomuch as they used a more hard and hateful behaviour toward strangers.

For the Sodomites did not receive those, whom they knew not when they came: but these brought friends into bondage, that had well deserved of them.

And not only so, but peradventure some respect shall be had of those, because they used strangers not friendly:

But these very grievously afflicted them, whom they had received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the same laws with them.

Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compassed about with horrible great darkness, every one sought the passage of his own doors.

For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony, like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the tune, and yet are always sounds; which may well be perceived by the sight of the things that have been done.

For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things, that before swam in the water, now went upon the ground.

The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue: and the water forgat his own quenching nature.

On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of the corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither melted they the icy kind of heavenly meat that was of nature apt to melt.

For in all things, O Lord, thou didst magnify thy people, and glorify them, neither didst thou lightly regard them: but didst assist them in every time and place.

All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever.

Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?

Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?

Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.

To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels?

[Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?]

There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.

He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.

She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.

The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.

The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life.

Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.

To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.

She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.

To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits.

She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.

The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.

Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.

The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.

The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.

A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.

A patient man will bear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.

He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.

For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight.

Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.

Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.

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.

My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.

Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.

Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end.

Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.

For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.

Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him.

Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest ye fall.

Ye that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward shall not fail.

Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy.

Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?

For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.

Woe be to fearful hearts, and faint hands, and the sinner that goeth two ways!

Woe unto him that is fainthearted! for he believeth not; therefore shall he not be defended.

Woe unto you that have lost patience! and what will ye do when the Lord shall visit you?

They that fear the Lord will not disobey his Word; and they that love him will keep his ways.

They that fear the Lord will seek that which is well, pleasing unto him; and they that love him shall be filled with the law.

They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in his sight,

Saying, We will fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men: for as his majesty is, so is his mercy.

Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.

For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.

Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:

And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.

Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.

He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.