| Chapter 1 |
1 |
Love justice, you that are the judges of the earth. Think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in simplicity of heart. --
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2 |
For he is found by them that tempt him not: and he sheweth himself to them that have faith in him. --
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3 |
For perverse thoughts seperate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise: --
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4 |
For wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell in a body subject to sins. --
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5 |
For the Holy Spirit of discipline will flee from the deceitful, and will withdraw himself from thoughts that are without understanding, and he shall not abide when iniquity cometh in. --
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6 |
For the spirit of wisdom is benevolent, and will not acquit the evil speaker from his lips: for God is witness of his reins, and he is a true searcher of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. --
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7 |
For the spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world: and that, which containeth all things, hath knowledge of the voice. --
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8 |
Therefore he that speaketh unjust things cannot be hid, neither shall the chastising judgment pass him by. --
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9 |
For inquisition shall be made into the thoughts of the ungodly: and the hearing of his words shall come to God, to the chastising of his iniquities. --
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10 |
For the ear of jealousy heareth all things, and the tumult of murmuring shall not be hid. --
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11 |
Keep yourselves therefore from murmuring, which profiteth nothing, and refrain your tongue from detraction, for an obscure speech shall not go for nought: and the mouth that belieth, killeth the soul. --
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12 |
Seek not death in the error of your life, neither procure ye destruction by the works of your hands. --
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13 |
For God made not death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living. --
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14 |
For he created all things that they might be: and he made the nations of the earth for health: and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor kingdom of hell upon the earth. --
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15 |
For justice is perpetual and immortal. --
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16 |
But the wicked with works and words have called it to them: and esteeming it a friend have fallen away, and have made a covenant with it: because they are worthy to be of the part thereof. --
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