1 He that dreadeth God, shall do good works; and he that holdeth rightfulness [or rightwiseness], shall take it, that is, wisdom.

2 And it as a mother honoured shall meet him, and as a woman from virginity [or maidenhood] it shall take him.

3 It shall feed him with the bread of life, and of understanding; and it shall give drink to him with water of heal-ful [or wholesome] wisdom;

4 it shall be made steadfast in him, and he shall not be bowed from the evenness of rightfulness. And it shall hold him, and he shall not be shamed [or confounded];

5 and it shall enhance him at his neighbours. And in the midst of the church he [or it] shall open his mouth; and God shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom, and of under-standing, and shall clothe him with the stole of glory.

6 God shall treasure on him mirth, and full out joying; and shall inherit him with everlasting name.

7 Fond men [or fools] shall not take that wisdom, and witting men shall meet it. Fond men [or fools] shall not see it;

8 for why it goeth away far from pride, and guile [or treachery]. Men leasing-mongers [or liars] shall not be mindful thereof, and soothfast men be found therein; and shall have prosperity unto the beholding of God.

9 Praising is not fair in the mouth of a sinner, for he is not sent of the Lord.

10 For why wisdom went forth from God; forsooth praising shall stand nigh the wisdom of God, and it shall be plenteous [or abound] in a faithful mouth, and the Lord shall give it to him.

11 Say thou not, It goeth away by God; for why do thou not those things, which God hateth.

12 Say thou not, He made me for to err; for why wicked [or unpious] men be not needful to him.

13 The Lord hateth all cursedness of error, and it shall not be amiable [or loveful] to them, that dread him.

14 At [or from] the beginning God made man, and let him go in the hand of his counsel.

15 He added his commandments, and laws; if thou wilt keep the commandments, those [or they] shall keep thee, and keep pleasant faith without end.

16 He hath set [or put] to thee water and fire; dress [or put forth] thine hand to that, that thou wilt.

17 Before man is life and death, good and evil; that, that pleaseth him, shall be given to him.

18 For why the wisdom of God is much, and he is strong in power [or might], and seeth all men without ceasing.

19 The eyes of the Lord be to them, that dread him; and he knoweth all the travail [or all the work] of man.

20 He commanded not to any man to do wickedly [or unpiously]; and he gave not to any man space to do sin.