Wisdom of Solomon 1

^aLOVE righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good heart, and in simplicity of heart seek him. ²For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and ^bsheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him. ³For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise. ⁴For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin. ⁵For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and ^cremove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.

⁶For wisdom is a ^dloving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for ^eGod is witness of his reins, and a true ^fbeholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. ⁷For ^gthe Spirit of the Lord filleth ^hthe world: and that which containeth all things ⁱhath knowledge of the voice. ⁸Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it ^kpunisheth, pass by him. ⁹For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds. ¹⁰For the ear of ^ljealousy heareth all things: and the noise of ^mmurmurings is not hid. ¹¹Therefore beware of ^mmurmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from ⁿbackbiting: for ^othere is no word so secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth ^ooslayeth the soul.

^12pSeek not death in the error of your life: and ^ppull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands. ^13qFor God made not death: ^rneither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living. ¹⁴For he created all things, that they might have their being: and ^sthe generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth: ¹⁵for righteousness is immortal: ¹⁶but ^tungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to nought, and ^umade a covenant with it, because they are worthy ^xto take part with it.

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