Wisdom of Solomon 13-16

Chapter 13

Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not out of the good things that are seen know Him that is: neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the Workmaster; 2 But deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the gods which govern the world. 3 With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be gods; let them know how much better the Lord of them is: for the first author of beauty has created them. 4 But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them, how much mightier He is that made them. 5 For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures proportionably the Maker of them is seen. 6 But yet for this they are the less to be blamed: for they peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find Him. 7 For being conversant in His works they search Him diligently, and believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that are seen. 8 Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned. 9 For if they were able to know so much, that they could aim at the world; how did they not sooner find out the Lord thereof?

10 But miserable are they, and in dead things is their hope, who call them gods, which are the works of men’s hands, gold and silver, to show art in, and resemblances of beasts, or a stone good for nothing, the work of an ancient hand. 11 Now a carpenter that fells timber, after he has sawn down a tree meet for the purpose, and taken off all the bark skillfully round about, and has wrought it handsomely, and made a vessel thereof fit for the service of man’s life; 12 And after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat, has filled himself; 13 And taking the very refuse among those which served to no use, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, has carved it diligently, when he had nothing else to do, and formed it by the skill of his understanding, and fashioned it to the image of a man; 14 Or made it like some vile beast, laying it over with vermilion, and with paint coloring it red, and covering every spot therein; 15 And when he had made a convenient room for it, set it in a wall, and made it fast with iron: 16 For he provided for it that it might not fall, knowing that it was unable to help itself; for it is an image, and has need of help: 17 Then makes he prayer for his goods, for his wife and children, and is not ashamed to speak to that which has no life. 18 For health he calls upon that which is weak: for life prays to that which is dead; for aid humbly beseeches that which has least means to help: and for a good journey he asks of that which cannot set a foot forward: 19 And for gaining and getting, and for good success of his hands, asks ability to do of him, that is most unable to do anything.

Chapter 14

Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through the raging waves, calls upon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carries him. 2 For verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it by his skill. 3 But Thy providence, O Father, governs it: for Thou has made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves; 4 Showing that Thou can save from all danger: yea, though a man went to sea without art. 5 Nevertheless Thou would not that the works of Thy wisdom should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved. 6 For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governed by Thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of generation. 7 For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness comes. 8 But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he, because he made it; and it, because, being corruptible, it was called god. 9 For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful unto God. 10 For that which is made shall be punished together with him that made it. 11 Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise. 12 For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life. 13 For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be forever. 14 For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and therefore shall they come shortly to an end.

15 For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he has made an image of his child soon taken away, now honored him as a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that were under him ceremonies and sacrifices. 16 Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings. 17 Whom men could not honor in presence, because they dwelt far off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made an express image of a king whom they honored, to the end that by this their forwardness they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present. 18 Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition. 19 For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion. 20 And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honored. 21 And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and stocks the incommunicable name.

22 Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace. 23 For while they slew their children in sacrifices, or used secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites; 24 They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but either one slew another traitorously, or grieved him by adultery. 25 So that there reigned in all men without exception blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury, 26 Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness.

27 For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil. 28 For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves. 29 For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life; though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt. 30 Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both because they thought not well of God, giving heed unto idols, and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness. 31 For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is the just vengeance of sinners, that punishes always the offense of the ungodly.

Chapter 15

But Thou, O God, are gracious and true, longsuffering, and in mercy ordering all things, 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 righteousness: yea, to know Thy power is the root of immortality. 4 For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor an image spotted with divers colors, the painter’s fruitless labor; 5 The sight whereof entices fools to lust after it, and so they desire the form of a dead image, that has no breath. 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 For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashions every vessel with much labor for our service: yea, of the same clay he makes 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 employing his labors lewdly, he makes a vain god of the same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth himself, and within a little while after returns to the same, out when his life which was lent him shall be demanded. 9 Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much labor, nor that his life is short: but strives to excel goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavors to do like the workers in brass, and counts it his glory to make counterfeit things. 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 an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit. 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 this man, that of earthly matter makes brittle vessels and graven images, knows himself to offend above all others.

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 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 borrowed his own spirit fashioned them: but no man can make a god like unto himself. 17 For being mortal, he works a dead thing with wicked hands: for he himself is better than the things which he worships: whereas he lived once, but they never.

18 Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful: for being compared together, some are worse than others. 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.

Chapter 16

Therefore by the like were they punished worthily, and by the multitude of beasts tormented. 2 Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with Thine own people, Thou prepared for them meat of a strange taste, even quails to stir up their appetite: 3 To the end that they, desiring food, might for the ugly sight of the beasts sent among them loathe even that, which they must needs desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space, might be made partakers of a strange taste. 4 For it was requisite, that upon them exercising tyranny should come penury, which they could not avoid: but to these it should only be showed how their enemies were tormented.

5 For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these, and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, thy wrath endured not forever: 6 But they were troubled for a small season, that they might be admonished, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of Thy law. 7 For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw, but by Thee, that are the Savior of all. 8 And in this Thou made Thine enemies confess, that it is Thou who deliver from all evil: 9 For them the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed, neither was there found any remedy for their life: for they were worthy to be punished by such.

10 But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame: for thy mercy was ever by them, and healed them. 11 For they were pricked, that they should remember Thy words; and were quickly saved, that not falling into deep forgetfulness, they might be continually mindful of Thy goodness. 12 For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaster, that restored them to health: but Thy word, O Lord, which heals all things. 13 For Thou has power of life and death: Thou lead to the gates of hell, and bring up again. 14 A man indeed kills through his malice: and the spirit, when it is gone forth, returns not; neither the soul received up comes again.

15 But it is not possible to escape Thine hand. 16 For the ungodly, that denied to know Thee, were scourged by the strength of Thine arm: with strange rains, hails, and showers, were they persecuted, that they could not avoid, and through fire were they consumed. 17 For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force in the water, that quenches all things: for the world fights for the righteous. 18 For some time the flame was mitigated, that it might not burn up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly; but themselves might see and perceive that they were persecuted with the judgment of God. 19 And at another time it burns even in the midst of water above the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land.

20 Instead whereof Thou fed Thine own people with angels’ food, and did send them from heaven bread prepared without their labor, able to content every man’s delight, and agreeing to every taste. 21 For Thy sustenance declared Thy sweetness unto Thy children, and serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man’s liking. 22 But snow and ice endured the fire, and melted not, that they might know that fire burning in the hail, and sparkling in the rain, did destroy the fruits of the enemies. 23 But this again did even forget his own strength, that the righteous might be nourished.

24 For the creature that serves thee, who are the Maker increases his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment, and abates his strength for the benefit of such as put their trust in thee. 25 Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourishes all things, according to the desire of them that had need: 26 That Thy children, O Lord, whom Thou love, might know, that it is not the growing of fruits that nourishes man: but that it is Thy word, which preserves them that put their trust in Thee. 27 For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, soon melted away: 28 That it might be known, that we must prevent the sun to give thee thanks, and at the day-spring pray unto thee. 29 For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter’s hoar frost, and shall run away as unprofitable water.

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King James Version Bible. It was authorized by King James I. It was translated by the Church of England and was first published in 1611.

God’s words are in red letters, old and new testament, as it should be. It is in paragraph form for easy reading. With all verses numbers labeled in blue for quick reference.

The Apocrypha was in the original King James version of the Bible. It should never have been removed. At the time Jesus was on earth the old testament and the Apocrypha scriptures were studied.

All scripture is Jewish scripture, Judaism is a religion not an ethnicity. Jesus is the Savior of the Jews. He is the Head of the Church.

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

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