1   Blessed is the man ^note that hath not fallen with the worde of his mouth, ∧ is not pricked with the conscience of sinne.

2   Happy is he that hath no heauinesse in his minde, and is not fallen from his hope in the Lorde.

3   It becommeth not a couetous man and a nygarde to be riche: and what should an enuious man do with money?

4   He that with all his carefulnesse heapeth together vnrighteously, gathereth for other folkes, and another man shall make good cheare with his goodes.

5   He that is wicked vnto him selfe, howe should he be good vnto other men? how can such one haue any pleasure of his goodes.

6   There is nothing worse then when one disfauoureth him selfe: and this is a rewarde of his wickednesse. B   

7   If he do any good, he doth it not knowing therof and against his will, and at the last he declareth his vngraciousnesse.

8   A nygarde hath a wicked eye, he turneth away his face, and despiseth men.

9    ^noteA couetous mans eye hath neuer enough in the portion of wickednesse, vntill the time that he wyther away, and haue lost his owne soule.

10    ^noteA wicked eye enuieth bread, and there is scarcenesse vpon his table.

11   My sonne, do good to thy selfe of that thou hast, and geue the Lorde his due offeringes.

12   Remember that death tarieth not, and how that the ^note graue is not shewed vnto thee: for the couenaunt of this world shall dye the death.

13    ^noteDo good vnto thy friende before thou dye, and according to thy abilitie reache out thyne hande ∧ geue vnto the poore.

14   Be not disapoynted of the good day, and let not the portion of the good desire ouerpasse thee.

15   Shalt thou not leaue thy trauayles and labours vnto other men? In the deuiding of the heritage geue and take, and sanctifie thy soule.

16   Worke thou righteousnes before thy death: for in the hell there is no meate to finde.

17    ^noteAll fleshe shall fade away lyke a garment, and lyke a florishing leafe in a greene tree.

18   Some growe, some are cast downe, euen so is the generation of fleshe and blood: one commeth to an ende, another is borne, and this is the condition of all times, thou shalt dye the death.

19   All transitorie thinges shal fayle at the last, ∧ the worker therof shal go withal.

20   Euery chosen worke shalbe iustified, and he that medled withall shall haue honour therin. C   

21   Blessed is the man that kepeth hym in wysdome, and exerciseth him selfe in vnderstanding, and with discretion shall thinke vpon the sore knowledge of God,

22   Whiche considereth the wayes of wysdome in his heart, hath vnderstanding in her secretes,

23   Goeth after her as one that seketh her out, and continueth in her ways,

24   He loketh in at her windowes, ∧ hearkeneth at her doores,

25   He taketh his rest beside her house, and fasteneth his stake in her walles: he shal pitche his tent nye vnto her hand, and in his tent shall good thinges rest for euermore.

26   He shal set his children vnder her couering, ∧ shall dwell vnder her braunches.

27   Under her couering shall he be defended from her heate, and in the glorie shal he rest.

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