Wisdom 15

DOUAI-RHEIMS	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 But thou, our God, art gracious and true, patient, and ordering all things in mercy.	1 But thou, O God, art gracious and true, longsuffering, and in mercy ordering all things,
2 For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy greatness: and if we sin not, we know that we are counted with thee.	2 For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will not sin, knowing that we are counted thine.
3 For to know thee is perfect justice: and to know thy justice, and thy power, is the root of immortality.	3 For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality.
4 For the invention of mischievous men hath not deceived us, nor the shadow of a picture, a fruitless labour, a graven figure with divers colours,	4 For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter's fruitless labour;
5 The sight whereof enticeth the fool to lust after it, and he loveth the lifeless figure of a dead image.	5 The sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so they desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath.
6 The lovers of evil things deserve to have no better things to trust in, both they that make them, and they that love them,and they that worship them.	6 Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they that worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to have such things to trust upon.
7 The potter also tempering soft earth, with labour fashioneth every vessel for our service, and of the same clay he maketh both vessels that are for clean uses, and likewise such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of these vessels, the potter is the judge.	7 For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel with much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise also all such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of either sort, the potter himself is the judge.
8 And of the same clay by a vain labour he maketh a god: he who a little before was made of earth himself, and a little after returneth to the same out of which he was taken, when his life which was lent him shall be called for again.	8 And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth himself, and within a little while after returneth to the same, out when his life which was lent him shall be demanded.
9 But his care is, not that he shall labour, nor that his life is short, but he striveth with the goldsmiths and silversmiths: and he endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it a glory to make vain things.	9 Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much labour, nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit things.
10 For his heart is ashes, and his hope vain earth, and his life more base than clay:	10 His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his life of less value than clay:
11 Forasmuch as he knew not his maker and him that inspired into him the soul that worketh, and that breathed into him a living spirit.	11 Forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit.
12 Yea and they have counted our life a pastime, and the business of life to be gain, and that we must be getting every way, even out of evil.	12 But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a market for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way, though it be by evil means.
13 For that man knoweth that he offendeth above all others, who of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels, and graven gods.	13 For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels and graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others.
14 But all the enemies of thy people that hold them in subjection, are foolish, and unhappy, and proud beyond measure:	14 And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very babes.
15 For they have esteemed all the idols of the heathens for gods, which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle, and as for their feet, they are slow to walk.	15 For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods: which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as for their feet, they are slow to go.
16 For man made them: and he that borroweth his own breath, fashioned them. For no man can make a god like to himself.	16 For man made them, and he that borrowed his own spirit fashioned them: but no man can make a god like unto himself.
17 For being mortal himself, he formeth a dead thing with his wicked hands. For he is better than they whom he worshippeth, because he indeed hath lived, though he were mortal, but they never.	17 For being mortal, he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands: for he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth: whereas he lived once, but they never.
18 Moreover they worship also the vilest creatures: but things without sense compared to these, are worse than they.	18 Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful: for being compared together, some are worse than others.
19 Yea, neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts. But they have fled from the praise of God, and from his blessing.	19 Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in respect of beasts: but they went without the praise of God and his blessing.