1   Be not for a frend made an enemie to thy neighbour: for the euil man shal inherite reproch and contumelie, and euerie sinner enuious and duble tongued.

2   Extol not thyself in the cogitation of thy soule as it were a bul: lest perhaps thy strength be quashed,

3   and it eate thy leaues, and destroy thy fruites, and thou be leaft as a drie tree in the wildernes.

4   For a wicked soule shal destroy him that hath it, and it geueth him to be a ioy to his enemies, and shal lead him into the lot of the impious.

5    ^noteA sweete word multiplieth frends, & appeaseth enemies, and a gratious tongue in a good man aboundeth.

6   Let there be manie at peace with thee, and let one of a thousand be thy counseler.

7   If thou possesse a frend, in tentation possesse him, and not easely credite him.

8   For he is a frend according to his owne time, and wil not abide in the day of tribulation.

9   And there is a frend that is turned to emnitie: and there is a frend that wil disclose hatred, and reproches.

10   And there is a frend companion at the table, and he wil not abide in the day of necessitie.

11   A frend if he continew stedfast, shal be to thee as an equal, and in them of thy houshold shal deale confidently:

12   if he humble himself

against thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt haue frendshippe of one accord for good.

13   Be seperated from thine enemies, & take heede of thy frends.

14   A faithful frend, is a strong protection: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.

15   To a faythful frend there is no comparison, and there is no poyse of gold and siluer able to counteruaile the goodnes of his fidelitie.

16   A faythful frend, is the medecine of life & immortalitie: & they that feare our Lord, shal finde him.

17   He that feareth God, shal likewise haue good frendshipe: because according to him shal his frend be.

18   Sonne, from thy youth receiue doctrine, and euen to thy hoare heares thou shalt finde wisdom.

19   As he that ploweth, and that soweth, goe to her, and expect her good fruites.

20   For in her worke thou shalt labour a litle, and shalt quickly eate of her generation.

21   How exceding sharpe is wisdom to the vnlerned men, and the vnwise wil not continew in her.

22   As the vertue of a stone she shal be a probation in them, and they wil not stay to cast her forth.

23   For ^note the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest to manie, but to whom she is knowen, she contineweth euen to the sight of God.

24   Heare my sonne, and take counsel of vnderstanding, and cast not away my counsel.

25   Thrust thy foote into her fetters, and thy necke into her cheynes:

26   put vnder thy shoulder, and carie her, and be not wearie of her bands.

27   With al thy minde goe to her, and with al thy strength keepe her wayes.

28   Search her out, and she shal be made manifest to thee, and hauing obteyned her, forsake her not:

29   for in the later end, thou shalt finde rest in her, and she shal be turned vnto delectation.

30   And her fetters shal be to thee for a protection of strength, and foundation of powre, & her cheynes for a stole of glorie:

31   For the beautie of life is in her, and her bands are a healthful bynding.

32   Thou shalt put on her a stole of glorie, and as a crowne of gratulation thou shalt set her vpon thee.

33   Sonne, if thou attend to me, thou shalt learne: and if thou wilt applie thy minde, thou shalt be wise.

34   If thou wilt incline thine eare, thou shalt receiue doctrine: and if thou loue to heare, thou shalt be wise.

35   Stand in the multitude of wise ancients, and be ioyned to their wisdom from thy hart, that thou maist heare al the narration of God, and the prayse may not escape thee.

36   And if thou see a wise man, watch after him, and let thy foote weare the steppes of his

doores.

27   Haue thy cogitation in the precepts of God, and in his commandements most of al be dayly conuersant: and he wil geue thee hart, and the desire of wisdom shal be geuen thee.

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