Every work rotteth and falleth away, and the worker thereof shall depart with it. * * * * * Blessed is the man that shall meditate in wisdom, and that shall discourse by his understanding. He that considereth her ways in his heart shall also have knowledge in her secrets. Go forth after her as one that tracketh, and lie in wait in her ways. He that prieth in at her windows shall also hearken at her doors. He that lodgeth close to her house shall also fasten a nail in her walls. He shall pitch his tent nigh at hand to her, and shall lodge in a lodging where good things are. He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall rest under her branches. By her he shall be covered from heat, and shall lodge in her glory. =15= He that feareth the Lord will do this; and he that hath possession of the law shall obtain her. And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive him as a wife married in her virginity. With bread of understanding shall she feed him, and give him water of wisdom to drink. He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; and shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded. And she shall exalt him above his neighbours; and in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth. He shall inherit joy, and a crown of gladness, and an everlasting name. Foolish men shall not obtain her; and sinners shall not see her. She is far from pride; and liars shall not remember her. Praise is not comely in the mouth of a sinner; for it was not sent him from the Lord. For praise shall be spoken in wisdom; and the Lord will prosper it. * * * * * Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away; for thou shalt not do the things that he hateth. Say not thou, It is he that caused me to err; for he hath no need of a sinful man. The Lord hateth every abomination; and they that fear him love it not. He himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his own counsel. If thou wilt, thou shalt keep the commandments; and to perform faithfulness is of thine own good pleasure. He hath set fire and water before thee: thou shalt stretch forth thy hand unto whichsoever thou wilt. Before man is life and death; and whichsoever he liketh, it shall be given him. For great is the wisdom of the Lord: he is mighty in power, and beholdeth all things; And his eyes are upon them that fear him; and he will take knowledge of every work of man. He hath not commanded any man to be ungodly; and he hath not given any man licence to sin. * * * * * =16= Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons. If they multiply, delight not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them. Trust not thou in their life, neither rely on their condition: for one is better than a thousand; and to die childless than to have ungodly children.