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

6 For 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. 7 For gthe Spirit of the Lord filleth hthe world: and that which * containeth all things ihath knowledge of the voice. 8 Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it kpunisheth, pass by him. 9 For 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. 10 For the ear of ljealousy heareth all things: and the noise of mmurmurings is not hid. 11 Therefore 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.

12 pSeek not death in the error of your life: and ppull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands. 13 qFor God made not death: rneither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living. 14 For 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: 15 for righteousness is immortal: 16 but 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.