CONTENTS
PROLOG..................................................................III
GENESIS.........................................................XXXIX
EXODI..............................................................LXXXI
LEUYTICI..........................................................CXVI
NUMERI...............................................................CXL
DEUTRONOMY............................................CLXXV
JOSHUA..............................................................CCIV
JUDICUM.....................................................CCXXIV
RUTH..............................................................CCXLV
I KINGIS.....................................................CCXLVIII
II KINGIS...................................................CCLXXVI
III KINGIS.....................................................CCXCIX
IIII KINGIS.................................................CCCXXVI
I PARALIPOMENON......................................CCCLI
II PARALIPOMENON............................CCCLXXVI
I ESDRE...............................................................CDV
II ESDRE.........................................................CDXIV
TOBIE...........................................................CDXXVI
JUDITH.......................................................CDXXXV
HESTER.........................................................CDXLVI
JOOB...............................................................CDLVII
SAUTER.....................................................CDLXXXI
PROUERBIS..............................................DXXXVIII
ECCLESIASTES..............................................DLVIII
SONGES OF SONGES.....................................DLXV
WYSEDOM.....................................................DLXIX
ECCLESIASTICUS.....................................DLXXXII
YSAIE...........................................................DCXVIII
JEREMIE...........................................................DCLX
LAMENTACIOUN..........................................DCCVI
BARUK.........................................................DCCXIII
EZECHIEL....................................................DCCXIX
DANIEL.........................................................DCCLXI
OSEE........................................................DCCLXXIX
JOEL.......................................................DCCLXXXV
AMOS.................................................DCCLXXXVIII
ABDIAS......................................................DCCXCIII
i
JONAS........................................................DCCXCIV
MYCHEE....................................................DCCXCVI
NAUM...............................................................DCCC
ABACUK........................................................DCCCII
SOFONYE.....................................................DCCCIV
AGGEY.........................................................DCCCVI
SACARIE....................................................DCCCVIII
MALACHIE.................................................DCCCXV
I MACHABEIES.......................................DCCCXVII
II MACHABEIES.....................................DCCCXLIII
MATHEU...................................................DCCCLXII
MARK................................................DCCCLXXXIX
LUKE................................................................CMVII
JOON.........................................................CMXXXVI
ROMAYNES.................................................CMLVIII
I CORINTHIS................................................CMLXX
II CORINTHIS...........................................CMLXXXI
GALATHIES........................................CMLXXXVIII
EFFESIES......................................................CMXCII
FILIPENSIS..................................................CMXCVI
COLOSENCIS..............................................CMXCIX
I TESSALONYCENSIS.........................................MII
II TESSALONYCENSIS.......................................MV
I TYMOTHE.......................................................MVII
II TYMOTHE.........................................................MX
TITE.....................................................................MXII
FILEMON..........................................................MXIV
EBREWS.............................................................MXV
DEDIS OF APOSTLIS....................................MXXIII
JAMES..................................................................MLI
I PETRE..............................................................MLIV
II PETRE...........................................................MLVII
I JOON................................................................MLIX
II JOON.............................................................MLXII
III JOON..........................................................MLXIII
JUDAS.............................................................MLXIV
APOCALIPS.....................................................MLXV
ii

PROLOG
CAP. I.
Fyue and twenty bookis of þe olde teſtament ben bookis
of feiþ, and fulli bookis of holy writ; þe firſt is Geneſis,
þe ij. is Exodi, þe iij. is Leuitici, þe iiij. is Numeri, and
þe v. is Deutronomye; and þeſe fyue ben þe bookis of
Moiſes, whiche ben clepid propurly þe lawe; þe vj.
book is Joſue, þe vij. book is Judicum, þat encloſiþ þe
ſtory of Ruth; þe viij. book, ix. x. and xj. and xij. and
xiij. ben þe foure bookis of Kyngis and twey bookis of
Paralipominon; þe xiiij. book is Eſdre, þat
comprehendeþ Neemye, and al is o bok anentis
Ebreyes, as Jerom ſeiþ, but anentis Grekis and Latyns
þeſe ben twey bookis; and þe xv. is Heſter, þe xvj. is
Joob, þe xvij. is þe Sauter; þe xviij. book, xix. and xx.
ben þe iij. bookis of Salamon; þe firſt is Prouerbis, eiþer
Parablis, þe ij. is Ecleſiaſtes, and þe iij. is Songis of
Songis; þe xxi. book, xxij. xxiij. and xxiiij. ben þe foure
grete prophetis; Iſaie is þe firſt, Jeremye is þe ij.
Ezechiel is þe iij. and Daniel is þe fourþ; þe xxv. book
is o book of xij. ſmale prophetis; Oſee `is þe firſt, Joel
`is þe ij. Amos `is þe iij. Abdie `is þe iiij. Jonas `is þe
fyueþe, and Michee `is þe vj. Naum `is þe vij. Abacuk
`is þe viij. Sofonye `is þe ix. Aggeye `is þe x. Sacharie
`is þe xi. and Malachie `is þe xij. ; and alle þeſe xij.
ſmale prophetis ben o book, and in þis ordre. And what
euer book in þe olde teſtament is `out of þeſe fyue and
twenty byfore ſeid, ſhal be ſet among apocrifa, þat is,
wiþ outen autorite of bileue; þerfore þe book of Wiſdom
and Ecleſiaſtici and Judith and Tobie be not of bileue.
Þe firſt book of Machabeies was founden write in
Ebreu, and þe ij. book of Machabeyes was writen firſt
in Grek. Jerom ſeiþ al þis ſentence in þe prologe on þe
firſt book of Kyngis. Alſo þe book of Baruc and þe
piſtle of Jeremye ben not of þe autorite of þe bible
anentis Ebreyes, ne þe preyer of Manaſſes, as Jerom
witneſſiþ, and `how mich of þe book of Heſter and of
Daniel is of autorite anentis Ebreyes, and in Ebreu
lettre, it is told in þe ſame bookis by Jerom hym ſelf;
neþeles Jerom, in ſuynge Ebreyes, comprehendiþ alle
þeſe bookis in xxij. ; for Ebreies maken oo book of þe
firſt and ij. book of Kyngis, and clepen it Samuel, and
þei maken oo book of þe iij. and iiij. book of Kyngis,
and clepen it Malachym, and þei comprehenden in oo
book þe ij. bookis of Paralipominon. But certis, litel
charge is of þis rikenyng, wheþer þe bookis of Kyngis
ben noumbred foure, as Latyns doen, eiþer tweyn, as
Ebreies doen. Alſo litel charge is, wheþer
Paralipominon be departid in ij. bookis, as Latyns vſen,
eiþer be oo book aloone, as Ebreis doen; and ſo of þe
firſt book of Eſdras and of Neemye, litel charge is,
wheþer þei ben tweyne, as Latyns and Grekis vſen,
`oþer oon aloone, as Ebreyes vſen. Neþeles it ſemeþ, þat
Latyns and Grekis han more reſon in þis rikenyng þan
III
Ebreies han, but hou euer þeſe bookis ben noumbrid,
alle þeſe ben of autorite of bileue, eiþer of criſten feiþ.
Þanne if þe firſt book of Eſdre and þe book of Neemye
ben noumbrid for tweyne, as Grekis and Latyns vſen,
and if men taken Judith for a book of holy Scripture, as
þe general congregacioun of clergie dide at þe Seyne of
Nicene, as Jerom witneſſiþ in þe prologe on Judith,
þanne in þe olde teſtament ben xxvij. bookis of bileue.
Alſo Ecleſiaſtici was writen in Ebreu, and þe book of
Wiſdom is not anentis Ebreies, but ſowneþ Grek
eloquence, and ſumme olde writers affermen, þat þe
Jew Filo made it. Þerfore as holy chirche rediþ Judith
and Tobie and þe bookis of Machabeies, but reſceyueþ
not þo among holy Scripturis, ſo þe chirche rediþ þeſe
ij. bookis Ecleſiaſtici and Sapience to edifying of þe
peple, not to conferme þe autorite of techingis of holy
chirche; Jerom ſeiþ þis pleynly in þe prologe on
Prouerbis. Alſo Jerom tranſlatide þe firſt book of Eſdre
and Neemye, and biddiþ þat no man delite in þe dremis
of þe iij. and iiij. book of Eſdre þat ben apocrifa, þat is,
not of autorite of bileue; for anentis Ebreies þe wordis
of Eſdre and of Neemye ben driuen in to o book; `and
þe bookis of þe olde teſtament, þat ben not anentis
Ebreies, and ben not of þe noumbre of holy writ, owen
to be caſt fer awey; Jerom ſeiþ þis in þe prolog of Eſdre.
And þerfore Y tranſlatide not þe þridde neiþer þe fourþe
book of Eſdre, þat ben apocrifa; but onely þe firſt, and
of Neemye, þat ben rikened for twey bookis anentis
Grekis and Latyns, and ben of autorite of bileue.
Neþeles apocrifa `ben ſeid in twey maners, as
Catholicon ſeiþ on þis word apocrifa; a book is ſeid
apocrifum, eiþer for þe autor is vnknowen, and þe
treuþe þerof is opyn; and hooly chirche reſſeyueþ ſich a
book not to preuyng of feiþ, but to lernyng of vertues;
and ſiche ben þe bookis of Judith and oþer, whiche
Seynt Jerom noumbriþ in þe prologe on Regum; eiþer a
book is ſeid apocrifum, for me doutiþ of þe treuþe
þerof; and holy chirche reſceyueþ not ſiche bookis; and
ſiche ben þe book of `þe ȝong childhed of þe Sauyour,
and þe book of þe takyng up of þe body of Seynt Marye
to heuen; Catholicon ſeiþ þis on þat word apocrifa. But
ſoþely alle þe bookis of þe newe teſtament, þat is, foure
goſpelleris, Matheu, Mark, Luk, and Jon; xij. piſtelis of
Poul, vij. ſmale piſtils, þe Dedis of Apoſtlis, and þe
Apocalips ben fulli of autorite of bileue; þerfore criſten
men and wymmen, olde and ȝonge, ſhulden ſtudie faſt
in þe newe teſtament, for it is of ful autorite, and opyn
to vndirſtonding of ſimple men, as to þe poyntis þat be
mooſt nedeful to ſaluacioun; and þe ſame ſentence is in
þe derkiſte placis of holy writ, whiche ſentence is in þe
opyn placis; and ech place of holy writ, boþe opyn and
derk, techiþ mekenes and charite; and þerfore he þat
kepiþ mekenes and charite haþ þe trewe vndirſtondyng
and perfectioun of al holi writ, as Auſtyn preuiþ in his
ſermoun of þe preyſing of charite. Þerfore no ſimple
man of wit be aferd vnmeſurabli to ſtudie in þe text of
holy writ, for whi þo ben wordis of euerlaſtyng lif, as
Petir ſeide to Criſt in þe vj. chapitre of Jon; and þe Holy
Goſt ſtirede hooly men to ſpeke and write þe wordis of
hooly writ for þe coumfort and ſaluacioun of meke
criſten men, as Petir in þe ij. piſtle in þe ende, and Poul
in xv. chapitre to Romayns witneſſen. And no clerk be
proude of þe verrey vndirſtondyng of holy writ, for whi
verrey vndirſtonding of hooly writ wiþ outen charite,
þat kepiþ Goddis heeſtis, makiþ a man depper dampned,
as James and Jheſu Criſt witneſſen; and pride and
couetiſe of clerkis is cauſe of her blindenes and ereſie,
and priueþ hem fro verrey vndirſtondyng of holy writ,
and maken hem go quyk in to helle, as Auſtyn ſeiþ on
þe Sauter, on þat word, Deſcendant in infernum
viventes.
CAP. II.
Þe old teſtament is departid in to þre parties, in to
moral comaundementis, iudicials, and cerimonyals.
Moral comaundementis techen to holde and preiſe and
cheriſhe vertues, and to fle and repreue vicis, and þeſe
comaundementis bynden euer, and han ſtrengþe, for þo
ben groundid in charite and reſon, and in lawe of kynde.
Judicials techen domes and peynes for orrible ſynnes,
and þe iudicials of Moiſes lawe weren ful iuſt and
profitable for men, for þo weren ordeined of God, þat
may not erre in his domes, and lawis, and workis.
Neþeles ſiþen Criſt was maad man, and ordeyned lawe
of mercy and of charite, and wole not þe deþ of a ſinful
man, but repentaunce and ſaluacioun, criſten men ben
not bounden to kepe þe iudicials of Moyſes lawe, þat
was endid in þe tyme of Criſtis paſſioun. But ȝit criſten
lordis þat han þe ſwerd, and ben Goddis vikers, in xiij.
co. to Romayns, moun puniſhe men, þat treſpaſſen
openly, in catel and bodyly priſoun, and ſumtyme bi
bodily deþ, whanne þe ſynne may not ellis be diſtried,
neiþer þe comynte may ellis be ſtabliſhid in pees, as þe
foure doctours and oþer latter preuen opynly by holy
writ and reſoun; but looke þat þis be don for charite and
comyn profit, wiþ mercy and compaſſioun of breþeren,
not for couetiſe, neþer pride, neiþer for veniaunce of a
mannes owne wrong. Cerymonials techen figuris and
ſacramentis of þe olde lawe, þat figureden Criſt and his
deþ, and þe miſteries of holy chirche in þe lawe of
grace; and þeſe cerimonials ceeſſiden outirly, as to
obligacioun, in þe tyme of Criſtis deþ, and ben noyful
and dampnable to men þat kepen þo, and for þat þe
goſpel is prechid and knowen generally; for if þo
cerymonyes ben kept now, þe kepers of þo knowlechen,
þat Criſt is not ȝit comen, neiþer ſuffrid deþ for
mankynde; and þis knowleching is opyn hereſie; for
whi þe treuþe and fredom of þe goſpel ſuffiſiþ to
ſaluacioun wiþ out keping of cerymonyes maad of God
in þe old lawe, and mych more wiþ out cerimonyes of
ſinful men and vnkunnynge, þat ben made in þe tyme of
Antecriſt, and of vnbyndyng of Sathanas, in xx. co. of
IV
Apocalips. Þerfore as it is opyn ereſie to ſeie, þat þe
goſpel wiþ his treuþe and fredom ſuffiſiþ not to criſten
mennes ſaluacioun wiþ outen kepyng of cerimonyes of
Goddis lawe ȝouen to Moyſes, ſo it ſemiþ opyn hereſie
to ſeie, þat þe goſpel wiþ his treuþe and fredom ſuffiſiþ
not to ſaluacioun of criſten men wiþ out kepyng of
ceremonyes and ſtatutis of ſinful men and vnkunnynge,
þat ben maad in þe tyme of Sathanas and of Antecriſt.
CAP. III.
Symple men of wit moun be edified mych to heuenly
lyuyng bi redyng and knowyng of þe olde teſtament, for
in þe bigynnyng of Geneſis þey moun knowe, hou God
made heuen and erþe and alle creaturis of nouȝt, and
made man to his owne ymage and licneſſe, and to haue
bliſſe in body and ſoule wiþ outen ende. Alſo `men
moun knowe, hou ſore God puniſhide Adam and Eue
for brekyng of his comaundement; and hou Abel pleſid
God by feiþ, mekeneſſe and charite; and hou Caym
diſpleſide hym by ſynnes, and ſpecialli by enuye,
hatrede and manquellyng. Alſo hou Noe was loued of
God, and al þe world, outaken viij. perſones, was
diſtried for ſynne; and hou for pride and oþer ſynnes
God departid many langagis, þat no man vndirſtood
oþer in þe tour of Babel; and hou feiþful and obedient
to God Abraham was, þat he ȝede out of his lond in to a
ſtraunge cuntre, and was redy to ſle his owne ſone Iſaac
at þe wille of God, and gat þerfore mich reward of God;
and hou God diſtried Sodom and Gommor, and oþer þre
cytees, for leccherye and oþer ſynnes, þat þo weren
ſunkun doun; and þe dede ſee is now where þo grete
cytees weren. Alſo hou trewe and obedient to God
weren Iſaac and Jacob and Joſeph, and hou God kepte
hem in alle perels. Al þis proces of Geneſis ſhulde ſtire
criſten men to be feiþful, and for to drede and loue God,
and in alle þingis do his wille. Alſo in Exodi men moun
knowe, hou God kept his ſimple peple in Egipt, and
encreſſide hem gretly in þat lond, vndir þe perſecucioun
and tirauntrie of Farao, and deliueride hem by many
miraclis, and puniſhid Farao and his peple wiþ ten
ſtronge veniauncis, and fedde hem meruelouſly in deſert
xl. ȝeris, where no duelling of men was bifore, and
made hem to ouercome þe ſtrong peple of Amalech.
Aftir þis God tauȝte hem wyis gouernayle, and bitook
to hem þe ten comaundementis and oþer iudicials, to
puniſhe gretly opyn grete ſynnes. Alſo þey weren ful
biſy to make a coſtlew tabernacle to þe onour of God,
by his bidding and techyng, þat figuride holi chirche
and vertues in mennes ſoulis. At þe laſte God took gret
veniaunce on hem for idolatrie, whanne þei forſoken þe
feiþ and worſhipyng of God, and onoureden ȝoten
calues bi ſtiryng of þe deuel. And þanne Moyſes was a
trewe mediatour bitwix God and þe ſinful peple, and
ſeide þus to God, for gret triſt of his mercy and
riȝtfulnes, and for gret charite to þe peple, "eiþer forȝiue
þou þis treſpas to hem, eiþer do me out of þi book in
which þou haſt writen me; " and for þis deuout preier
and greet charite of Moyſes God ſparede þe ſynful pepil,
and diſtryede not ſodeynly al þe pepil, but took hem to
mercy and grace. And þis proces of Exodi ſhulde make
men tryſty in Goddis help, and to be trewe in his loue,
and eſchewe his offence wiþ al her myȝtis. Þe iij. book
clepid Leuitici techiþ men ſacrificis due to God, and for
ſynnes of þe peple, in þe tyme of þe olde teſtament, and
þat no man vnworþi ſhulde neyȝe to þe ſeruiſe and
ſacrifice of God. Þeſe ſacrificis owen not to be kept
now, for þo figureden þe paſſioun and deþ of Criſt, and
remiſſioun of ſynnes bi þe blood and merit of Criſt, in
þe lawe of grace. Alſo þis book techiþ men to abſteyne
fro wedlok of nyȝ kyn and affynyte, wiþ ynne þe ij.
degre, and ordeyneþ peyne of deeþ for ydolatrie, and
weddyng wiþ ynne þe ij. degre of conſanguynyte and
affynite. At þe laſt þis book techiþ men to kepe Goddis
heeſtis, and for to loue her neiȝboris and to do equyte to
hem, and werkis of mercy to nedy men; and comaundiþ
iuſt weyȝtis and meſures, and domes; and forbediþ
ſtrongly ydolatrye and wicche craftis and falſe
coniouryngis; and telliþ proſperite þat ſhal come to hem
þat kepen Goddis heeſtis, and veniaunce and peyne to
hem þat breken Goddis heeſtis. And þis proces of
Leuitici ſhulde make criſten men aferd to breke Goddis
heeſtis, and ioyful to kepe þo to lyf and deþ, for reward
of God in euerlaſtyng bliſſe. Þe iiij. book clepid Numeri
telliþ þe noumbre of peple led out of Egipt, boþe of
lewid men and of preſtis and of dekenys; and how God
kept hem longe in þe orrible deſert, and puniſſhide hem
alle bi deeþ, out taken Caleph and Joſue, for grucchyng
and myſtriſte to Goddis word, and puniſſhide Marie,
Moyſes ſiſtyr, wiþ lepre, for bacbytyng of Moyſes, þe
mylde ſeruaunt of God. Alſo whanne God wolde haue
diſtryed þe peple for grucchyng aȝens hym, Moyſes
preyede wiþ al his herte for þe peple þat wolde ſtoone
hym to deeþ. Alſo God techiþ þere, þat he þat doþ ony
ſynne by pride ſhal be deed, and þat he þat brak þe
ſabot, ȝhe by gaderyng of ſtickis, ſhulde be ſtooned of
alle þe peple. Alſo God puniſſhide ſoore Chore, Dathan,
and Abyron, þat weren rebel aȝens Moyſes and Aaron,
and made diſcencioun in þe peple, ſo þat þe erþe
openyde, and deuouride hem wiþ here tabernaclis, and
al her catel, and þei ȝeden doun quyke in to helle. Ȝit
whanne þe peple grucchide aȝeyns Moyſes and Aaron,
and wolde ſle hem vniuſtly, and God killide mony
þouſendis of þe peple herfore, Moyſes bad Aaron preye,
and offre encenſe for þe peple; and ſo he ceeſſide þe
veniaunce. Alſo God techiþ þere, þat preſtis ſhulen haue
þe firſte fruytis and þe firſt boren þingis, and part of
ſacrificis and avowis and offringis; and dekenys ſhulen
haue tiþis of þe peple, and ȝiue her tiþis, þat is, þe tenþe
part of tiþis whiche þei token of þe peple, to þe hiȝeſt
preſt, and preſtis and dekenys ſhulen holde hem apayed
wiþ her ſpiritual part of tiþis and offryngis, and take no
poſſeſſioun `in þe lond of her briþeren, for God hymſelf
V
ſhal be þe part and eritage of preſtis, in þe myddys of þe
ſones of Iſrael. Alſo for Moyſes and Aaron bileueden not
fully to Goddis word, but doutiden of his byheeſt at þe
water of aȝenſeying, God ſuffride not hem for to entre
in to þe lond of byheeſt, but boþe weren deed in deſert.
Alſo in þis book ben told þe duellyngis of þe children of
Iſrael in deſert, and þe batels whiche þei hadden aȝeyns
heþen men; and of Balaam hou he was huyrid to curſe
Goddis peple, and hou God compellyd hym to bleſſe his
peple, and to ſeye profeſie of Criſt. And for þe peple of
Iſrael dide fornicacioun and idolatrie, God bad Moyſes
hange alle þe princis aȝens þe ſunne, þat þe ſtrong
veniaunce of God were turned awey fro þe peple of
Iſrael. And for as myche as Fynees þe preſt killide a
duke of Iſrael, þat dide fornicacioun wiþ an heþen
womman, and dide þis for feruent loue to God, he gat
of God euerlaſtyng preſthod for hym and his ſeed, and
turned awey Goddis wraþþe fro þe children of Iſrael.
Alſo þere is tauȝt, who ſhal be eyr of a man; and of
halydayes, and ſacrificis, and offryngis maade in þo;
and whiche avowis ſhulen be holden, and whiche not;
and of batels; and hou þe preyes ſhulden be departid
among þe peple, and what ſhulde falle to þe preſt; and
hou þe lond of byheeſt ſhulde be departid to xij. lynagis;
and dekenys ſhulden haue citees to enhabite in þo, and
þe ſubarbees to here ſheep and beeſtys; and citees of
refuyt ſhulden be ordeyned for hem þat ſhedden blood
vnwilfully, not of purpos, neiþir hatrede byfore goynge;
and he þat is gilty of mannis deeþ ſhal be ſlayn wiþ
outen ony redempcioun. Þis proces of Numeri ſhulde
ſtire criſten men for to loue here enemyes, and do good
to hem, as Moyſes and Aaron diden, and to kepe Goddis
heeſtis, and ſhede not mannis blood vniuſtly. Þe fyfþe
book clepid Deutronomye is a reherſyng and
confermyng of al þe lawe biforegoyng, and ſtyriþ men
gretly to kepe and teche Goddis heeſtis, and adde no
þing to þo, neiþer drawe awey ony þing fro þo; and firſt
it techiþ, þat wiſe men and myȝty ſhulen be maad iugis,
and deme iuſtly þe pore and þe riche; aftirward hou þe
Jewis ouercamen Seon, þe kyng of Heſebon, and token
his lond and alle þe goodis þerynne in to her owne
poſſeſſioun, and dedyn in lyk maner to Og þe kyng of
Baſan, and to his lond and goodis. Ferþermore God
comaundiþ men to kepe hiſe heeſtis, and adde no þing
þerto, neiþer drawe ony þing þer fro, and þat þey drede
and loue God of al her herte, and al her ſoule, and al her
ſtrengþe, and eſchewe ydolatrie, and ſerue and worſhipe
hym aloone; and þat þei teche Goddis heeſtis to here
ſones, and þenke on þo heeſtis in hous and weye,
ſlepynge and wakynge. Alſo God comaundiþ his peple
to eſchewe weddyngis of heþen men and wymmen to
her children, leſt þey ben drawen to idolatrye, and
bihetiþ many bleſſyngis to hem and miche encreſyng of
goodis, if þei kepen treuly hiſe comaundementis, and
þat ſtrong veniaunce and diſtryyng ſhal come on þe
Jewis, if þei doen ydolatrie, and ben vnobedient to God.
Alſo God biddiþ hem haue mynde, þat þey weldiden þe
lond of byheeſt, not for her owne riȝtfulneſſe and
ſtrengþe, but for þe ſynnes of men þat duelliden
þerynne, and for þe ooþ of God which he made to
Abraham and to oþer hooly men. And þanne God
remembriþ to hem many grete ſynnis, to make hem war
þat þei treſpaſe no more, but þat þei drede God and loue
hym in alle her hert and ſoule, kepe hiſe
comaundementis, and ſwere by his name, and loue
pilgrymes eiþer comelyngis. Eft God biddiþ hem haue
hiſe wordis in her hertis and wittis, and haue þo for a
ſingne in þe hondis, and bytwyxe her yȝen, and þat þey
teche her ſones to biþenke on þe wordis of God euere,
and þat þey write þe wordis of God on þe poſtis and
ȝatis of her hous; and telliþ and ȝiueþ his bleſſyng to
hem, if þei kepen hiſe heeſtis, and ȝiueþ his curs to hem,
if þey breken hiſe heeſtis, and worſhipen aliene goddis.
Alſo þey ſhulen diſtrye þe placis wherynne heþen men
diden ydolatrie, and diſtrye her auters, ymagis, woodis
and ydols; and þei ſhulen make her ſacrifices, and offre
her tiþis, and þe firſte fruytis, and ȝiftis and avowis in
þe place which þe Lord haþ choſe to his name, and þis
was þe temple of Jeruſalem. Alſo a prophete, eiþer a
feynere of dremys, þat `wole ſtyre men to do ydolatrye
ſhal be ſlayn, and ſo ſhal a frend eiþer citee þat doþ
idolatrye, eiþir ſtyriþ oþer men þerto. Alſo þou ſhalt
paye tiþis of alle fruytis þat growen in erþe, of whete,
of wyn, and of oyle, and þe firſt boren þingis of neet
and ſheep; and in þe þridde ȝere þou ſhalt departe an
oþir tiþe of alle þingis þat growen to þee, and kepe it
wiþ ynne þine ȝatis, to ſuſteyne þe dekene, pylgrym
ouþer comelyng, fadirles child eiþer modirles, and
wydue, þat ben wiþ ynne þy ȝatis. Alſo in þe vij. ȝeer
ſhal be remiſſioun of dette to citeſeynes and kynneſmen,
neþeles not to a pylgrym and comelyng, for he may be
compellid to paye. Outirly a nedy man and begger ſhal
not be among Goddis peple; but pore men ſhulen not
fayle in þe lond, þerfore ryche men ſhulen helpe hem
wiþ loue, and helpe hem wilfully in here nede. Þanne
God techiþ of þre grete ſolempnetees, of paſk, of þe
feeſte of woukis eiþer pentecoſt, and of þe feeſte of
tabernaclis; and þat mayſtris and iugis ſhulen be
ordeyned in alle ȝatis eiþer citees by ech lynage, to
deme þe peple by iuſt doom, and take not ȝiftis neþer
perſones. Ferþermore God techiþ, þat who euer is
conuyct by tweyne eiþir þre witneſſis, þat he haþ do
idolatrie, he ſhal be ſtoonyd, firſt by þe witneſſis, and
þanne by al þe pepil. He þat is proud and wole not
obeye to þe comaundement of þe hiȝe preſt, and to þe
doom of þe iugis, in þat þat þei techen Goddis lawe,
ſhal be deed. Þanne God techiþ, what maner kyng þe
pepil ſhal make, and what ſhal be his office. Aftirward
God techiþ, þat preſtis and dekenys, and alle þat ben of
þe ſame lynage, ſhulen `not haue part and eritage wiþ þe
reſidue pepil of Iſrael, for þey ſhulen ete þe ſacrifices of
þe Lord, and þe offringis of hym, and þei ſhulen take
VI
noon oþir þing of þe poſſeſſioun of her breþeren; for
whi God hym ſelf is her eritage. Ferþermore God
forbediþ idolatrie, and to enquere coniourers, and to
kepe dremys and chiteryng of briddis; and comaundiþ
þat no wicche neiþir enchaunter be, and þat men take
not councel at hem þat han ſpiritis in cloos, neiþir at
falſe dyuynours, neiþir axe of deede men þe trouþe.
Alſo God ſhal reiſe a profete of her breþir, þat is Criſt þe
Sauyour, and he þat haþ not hiſe wordis ſhal be
puniſhid. A profete þat wole ſpeke by pride in þe name
of God þat þing þat God bad not hym, eiþir bi þe name
of oþir goddis, ſhal be ſlayn. Alſo vj. citees of refuyt
eiþir of fraunchiſe ſhulen be, þat he þat ſleeþ a man, not
by hatrede but aȝens his wille, be ſaued, and he þat ſleeþ
a man bi hatrede and bifore caſtyng, ſhal be ſlayn wiþ
oute mercy, eiþir raunſoun. He þat is conuict to have
ſeid fals witneſſyng aȝens his broþir, ſhal haue þe ſame
peyne to which his broþir ſhulde be put, if he hadde be
gilty. Alſo preſtis ſhulen coumforte hem þat gon to iuſt
batel, to haue triſt in God, and drede not her enemyes,
and þat ferdful men, and þei þat han newly byldyd an
hous, eiþir newly plauntid a vyne, eiþir newly weddid a
wyf, and not vſid hir, go not to batel; and firſt werryours
ſhulen profre pees to a citee, and if þe citee ȝelde it ſelf,
men þer ynne ſhulen lyue vndir tribute, ellis alle men
þer ynne ſhulen be ſlayn; and þis is vndirſtonden of þo
citees þat be not ȝouen in to poſſeſſioun to þe pepil of
Iſrael. And þere is teld þe departyng of preyes, and what
trees ſhulen be kit doun in biſegynge. Alſo God techiþ
what ſhal be doon, whanne a man is founden ſlayn, and
þe ſleer is vnknowun. A child rebel to þe fadir and
modir, and þat ȝiueþ hym ſilf to glotenye, leccherye and
drunkenneſſe, ſhal be ſtoonyd of al þe citee. A man ſhal
kepe þe oxe and ſheep of his broþir, þat is ſtrayed awey,
and bringe it aȝen to his broþir, and ſo of oþer beeſtis
and of ech þing; and if þou knowiſt not, whoſe þo ben,
þou ſhalt kepe þo ſtille, tyl þi broþir ſeke and reſſeyue
þo. Who euer doþ avoutrie, ſhal be deed; if a man
defouliþ a virgyne, he ſhal wedde hir, and ȝiue l. ſiclis
of ſiluer to her fadir. Þou ſhalt not take a ſeruaunt to his
lord, which ſeruaunt fledde to þee, but he ſhal duelle
wiþ þee in a place þat pleſiþ hym. Noon hoore ſhal be
of þe douȝtris of Iſrael, neiþir a lechour of þe ſoones of
Iſrael. Þou ſhalt not leene to þi broþir for vſure. If a man
hatiþ his wife, he ſhal write and ȝiue to hir a libel of
forſakyng; but þis is forbedun of Criſt in þe goſpel of
Mt. vto. cao. and `xix cao. Whanne a man haþ take late
a wyf, he ſhal not go to batel, neiþir ony comyn office
ſhal be put on hym, but oon ȝeer he ſhal be glad wiþ his
wif, and take heede to his hous. He þat proloyneþ his
broþir, which is a fre man, and ſilliþ hym, ſhal be ſlayn.
Þou ſhalt ȝelde `at nyȝt to a pore man his weed, and in
þe ſame day þou ſhalt paye to a nedy traueylour his
huyre. Fadris ſhulen not be ſlayn for þe ſones, neiþir
ſones for þe fadris. Whanne þou repiſt corn in þe feeld,
and forȝetiſt an handful, þou ſhalt not turne aȝen to take
it, but þou ſhalt ſuffre þat a comelyng, fadirles child and
wydewe take it awey; and ſo of gaderyng of olyues and
of gaderyng of grapis. Whanne twey men ben at
debatyng, and þe wif of oon wole delyuere hir houſbond
fro þe hond of þe ſtrenger, and take hym by þe preuy
membris, ſche ſhall leeſe her hond wiþouten eny mercy.
And þere God forbediþ falſe weiȝtis and meſures, a
more and a leſſe. Alſo dekenes ſchulen pronunce and
ſeie wiþ hiȝ vois to alle þe men of Iſrael, he is curſid þat
doþ ydolatrie, eiþir brekiþ eny comaundement of God
eiþir doþ aȝens eny part of þe lawe of God; and al þe
peple ſchal ſeie, Amen. Alſo God biheetiþ greet
proſperite to his peple, if þei kepe his heeſtis, and þei
ſchulen be bleſſid in citee and in feeld, and þe fruit of
her wombe and þe fruyt of her lond ſhal be bleſſid, and
alle þingis þat perteynen to hem ſchulen be bleſſid, and
þei ſchulen haue victorie of hire enemyes, and manye
proſperites of ſoule and of bodi ſchulen bifalle to hem;
and if þei kepen not Goddis heeſtis, þei ſchulen be
curſid in cite and feeld, þe fruit of her wombe, and alle
þingis þat perteynen to hem ſchul be curſid; God ſchal
ſende hem hungir, þirſt, peſtilence, feuer and coold,
brennynge and heete, and corupt eir, til þei periſchen;
enemyes ſchulen haue victorie, and conquere hem, and
take hem preſoners; and ȝit God ſchal punyſche hem
wiþ huge veniaunce, þat alle þat heeren ben aſtonyed.
Naþeles if whanne alle þeſe veniances ben fallen on
hem, þei repenten verily in þe herte, and turne aȝen to
God, and obeyen to hiſe heeſtis in al her herte and al her
ſoule, þe Lord ſhal haue mercy on hem, and bringe hem
aȝen to hire lond fro alle folkis, among whiche þei
weren ſcaterid, and God ſchal bleſſe hem, and make
hem to be of more noumbre þan her fadris weren, and
ſchal turne alle þe curſis on her enemyes; and God ſchal
ȝeue to hem aboundaunce in alle werkis of her hondis,
and in alle þingis þat perteynen to hem. Moiſes ſpac alle
þeſe wordis to al þe puple of Iſrael, and bad hem drede
not her enemyes, for God ſchal go bifore his peple, and
ouercome her enemyes. And Moiſes ordeyned Joſue to
be ledere of þe peple bifore al þe multitude of þe ſones
of Iſrael. Moiſes wroot þis lawe and ȝaf it to preſtis, þe
ſones of Leuy, and to þe eldre men of Iſrael, and bad
hem rede þe wordis of þis lawe bifore al Iſrael, in þe
heeringe of alle men and wymmen, litel children, and
comelingis, eiþir conuerſis to þe feiþ of Jewis, þat þei
heere and lerne and dreede oure Lord God, and kepe
and fille alle þe wordis of þis lawe. Moiſes bi Goddis
comaundement wroot a greet ſong, and tauȝte it þe
children of Iſrael, þat it ſchulde be into witneſſing aȝens
hem; and Moiſes clepide togidere alle þe eldre men and
techeris, and clepide heuene and erþe into witneſſing
aȝens hem; and whanne Moiſes hadde fillid alle þe
wordis of þis greet ſong, he ſtyede into an hil, and was
deed þere, and God biryede him, and man knew not his
ſepulcre til into þis day. Criſten men ſchulde myche
reede and heere `and kunne þis book of Deutronomye
VII
þat conprehendiþ al þe lawe of Moiſes, and diſpoſiþ
men for to bileeue in Criſt, and heere and kepe his
wordis.
CAP. IV.
Þe vj. book, which is clepid Joſue, telliþ in general, þat
Joſue brouȝte þe peple into þe lond of biheeſte, and
departide it bi lott to hem; and firſt how God bihiȝte to
Joſue þat noon ſchulde mowe aȝenſtonde him and his
peple in alle þe daies of his lijf; and God bihiȝte þat
Joſue ſchulde departe bi lot to his peple þe lond of
biheeſt; and God comaundide him to kepe al þe lawe,
and bowe not fro it, but þenke þerinne bi daies and
nyȝtis, þat he kepe and do þo þingis þat ben writen
þerinne. Aftir þis Joſue ſente aſpies to bihoolde þe lond
and þe citee of Jerico; and þei entriden in to þe hous of
a comun womman Raab, and weren ſauid þere bi
counceil and helpe of þe womman. Þanne Joſue bad þe
preſtis take þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord, and
goo bifore þe peple, and þei diden ſo. And whanne þe
preſtis camen wiþ þe arke to þe brinke of Jurdan, þe
greet watir of Jurdan wente awey to þe deed ſe, and þe
hiȝere wateris ſtooden ſtille as a wal, ſo þat þe peple
paſſide bi þe drie botme, and þe preſtis ſtoodin on þe
drie erþe in þe myddis of Jurdan. Alſo Joſue bad xij.
men of xij. lynagis of Iſrael take xij. greete ſtoonis fro
þe botme of Jordan, and ſette þo in Galgalis, where þe
peple ſettide tentis in þe nyȝt aftir þe paſſage of Jurdan,
and take xij. ſtoonis of þe lond, and putte in þe myddis
of Jordan, where þe arke hadde ſtoonde; and bad þat
fadris ſchulden teche hire children, hou þei paſſiden bi
þe drie botme of Jurdan, for God driede þe watris
þeroffe, as he hadde do before in þe reed ſe, and þe
preſtis and princis and al þe peple obeyede to Joſue.
Þanne Joſue circumcide þe peple þat was vncircumcidid
xl. ȝeer in deſert, and þe peple made paaſk in þe xiiij.
day of þe monþe at euentid; and Joſue ſiȝ an aungel of
þe Lord, which aungel was prince of Goddis ooſt. Alſo
þe ſtronge wallis of Jerico felden doun at Goddis
ordynaunce, whanne þe preſtis brayeden wiþ vij.
trumpis, and alle þe peple criede an hiȝ in þe vij. day of
cumpaſſing of þe citee. And þe peple of Iſrael diſtroiede
and brente þe citee and alle þingis þerinne, outaken
Raab and þo þat weren in her hous, and outtaken gold
and ſyluer, and veſſels of bras and yroun, whiche þei
haleweden in to þe treſorie of þe Lord. Alſo for Achar
dide aȝens Goddis bidding, and took to himſelf a þing
reſerued to Goddis vs, he was ſtoonid and brent, and
alle hiſe goodis weren brent wiþ hym; and til þis
punyſching was doon on hym, `þe peple of Iſrael myȝte
not ſtoonde, but was ouercomen of hire enemyes. After
þis punyſching of Achar Joſue took þe citee of Hay, and
killede þe king and al þe peple, and diſtroiede and
brente þe citee, and hangide þe king þerof in a iebat.
Þanne Joſue bildide an auter to God in þe hill of Hebal,
and offride þeronne brent ſacrifice and peeſible
ſacrificis, and wroot þe Deutronomye of Moyſes lawe
on ſtoonis. And firſt he bleſſide þe peple of Iſrael, and
aftir þeſe þingis he redde alle þe wordis of bleſſing and
of curſing, and alle þingis þat weren writen in þe book
of lawe; he lefte noo þing vntouchid of þeſe þingis
whiche Moiſes hadde comaundid, but he declaride alle
þingis bifore al þe multitude of Iſrael, to wymmen and
litel children, and to comelyngis þat dwelliden among
hem. Alſo men of Gabaon feyneden hem to be of fer
cuntre, and bi þis fraude þei `gaten of Joſue and oþer
princis pees and lijf; and for þis fraude þei and alle hire
ſucceſſouris weren maad boonde, to bringe woode and
watir to þe ſeruiſe of þe auter and of al þe multitude of
Iſrael for euere. Alſo Joſue by Goddis help ouercam v.
greete kingis in oo day, and made hiſe princis trede on
þe neckis of þeſe kingis, and aftirward hangide þeſe
kingis in v. iebatis, and he ouercam alle þe kingis and
her peplis þat dwelliden in þe lond of biheeſt, þat weren
xxxj. kingis, and departide þe lond of biheeſt to xij.
lynagis of Iſrael bi lot, and citees of refuyt, and citees to
preſtis and dekenes to dwelle inne, as God comaundide.
Þis proceſſe of Joſue ſchulde ſtire criſtene men to haue
greet triſt in God, and dreede noo man neiþer peple, as
longe as þei ſeruen treuly Almyȝty God. Þe vij. book
clepid Judicum telliþ þat þe puple of Iſrael was reulid
wiþ iugis, eiþer domyſmen, aftir þe deeþ of Joſue, and
ſumtyme bi a womman Delbora. Whanne þe peple felde
to greete ſynnes, and ſpecialy to ydolatrie, God ſente
aduerſaries on hem þat turmentiden þe Jewis ful ſore,
and killide many þouſendis of hem, and heeld oþere
vndir tribute and greet þraldam. And whanne þe peple
repentide vereily, and criede to God wiþ al her herte, he
ſente help to hem, and reiſide a iuge þat ouercam her
enemyes, and reulide hem wel in pees and in Goddis
lawe. Þis proſces of Judicum ſchulde ſtire criſtene men
for to flee ſynne, and loue God þat doiþ ſo greet mercy
to hem þat repentyn verili. Þis book comprehendiþ þe
ſtorie of Ruth, þat was an heþene womman, and lefte
her nacoun, and ydolatrie, and bileeuede in God, and
kepte his lawe. Þerfore ſche was weddid to a noble man
of þe Jewis, and is ſet in þe genelogie eiþer kynrede of
oure Sauyour. Þis ſtory ſchulde ſtire alle men to forſake
her ſynne, and ſerue God treuly in al hire lijf, for reward
of heuenly bliſſe. Þe firſt book of Kingis telliþ, how þe
preſt Ely and his ſones weren repreued and ſlayn, for þei
gouerneden yuele Goddis peple, and for her ſynne and
necligence þe peple dide myche ſynne, and was
ouercomen of heþene men, and þe arke of God was
taken of heþene men, and þei killeden manye þouſindis
of þe Jewis; and how þe trewe chijld Samuel was a
feiþful prophete of þe Lord, and gouernede wel þe
peple in Goddis ſeruiſe and riȝtfulneſſe, and dide noon
extorcioun, neiþer took ȝiftis of eny man, neiþer
coueitide eny mannis good, but dide alle þingis in his
offis iuſtly bifore God and man. And whanne Samuel
was eeld, he ſettide his ſones iuges of Iſrael; and for þei
VIII
bowide aftir auarice, and tooken ȝiftis, and peruertiden
doom, þe peple axiden a king on hem, to greet
indignacoun of God and harm of hemſelf. Þanne Saul
þat was pore and meke, and ſouȝte þe aſſis of his fadir,
was maad king, and dide wel a lytel while, and
aftirward for his pride and coueitiſe he was repreued of
God, and pryued fro þe reume, boþe he and his kyn;
and pore Dauiþ was choſen king bi Goddis ordynaunce
for his meekneſſe, merſy, and charite. Dauiþ ſparyde
Saul his enemye, þat purſuede him to deeþ vniuſtly, and
was a traitour and blasfemere of God, and not oonly
ſparide him twyes bitaken in to his hoondis, whanne he
myȝte haue ſlayn him, and ȝit aſcapide harmles, but alſo
lettide hiſe men to ſmyte hym, whanne þei myȝten haue
ſlayn him, and ſcapid harmles. And ȝit þe wickid tyraunt
Saul purſuede him for enuye, and ſouȝte his deþ in
manye maners, and euere God kepte Dauiþ in alle
perrels, and ȝeldide peyne to Saul for his tyrauntrie and
wickidneſſe, and made him to be ſlayn of heþene men.
Þis proceſſe of þe firſte book of Kingis ſchulde ſtire
preſtis to be not necligent in her offis, neiþer to be
coueytous, and ſtyre ſeculer lordis to be meke and iuſt
to God and men. Þe ij. book of Kingis telliþ firſt, hou
Dauiþ biweylide greetly þe deþ of Saul and of Jonatas,
and of Goddis peple; and Dauiþ killede þe man of
Amalech þat killede Saul outirly, aftir þe deeþ wounde
of Saul, and brouȝte to Dauiþ þe coroune `and bye of
Saul. Aftir þis þe lynage of Juda corounnede eiþer
anoyntide Dauiþ in Ebron, þat he ſchulde reyne on þe
hous of Juda; and þanne was longe werre bytwixxe
Hiſboſeth, ſone of Saul, and bitwixe þe hous of Dauiþ;
Dauiþ encreſide euere, and waxe ſtrongere `and
ſtrongere, and þe hous of Saul dicreeſide ech day; and
Dauiþ rengnide vij. ȝeer in Ebron, and gat vj. ſones.
Alſo Dauiþ made mychel ſorewe for þe deþ of Abner,
whanne Joab hadde killid him bi treeſoun. Alſo Dauiþ
killide Baana and Rechab, þat killeden bi treeſoun
Hiſboſeth his enemye. Þanne al Iſrael cam in to Ebron,
and anoyntide Dauiþ in to king of Iſrael, and Dauiþ
regnede on Juda in Ebron vij. ȝeer and an half, and
regnede in Jeruſalem xxxiij. ȝeer on al Iſrael and Juda,
and was xxx. ȝer eeld whanne he began to rengne, and
rengnede xl. ȝeer. Aftir þis þe noble king Dauiþ hadde
twyes victorie of Filiſteis. Þanne Dauiþ took xxx.
þouſind choſen men of Iſrael to bringe to his place þe
arke of God, for reuerence and deuocioun. Dauiþ made
greet mynſtrelſye, and mekide himſelf bifore þe arke,
and ſuffride rebukinge of Mycol, þe douȝtir of Saul;
þerfore Dauiþ þouȝte to bylde an hous to þe ark of God.
Þanne God telde to Dauiþ þat his ſone ſchulde bylde þis
hous, and þe trone of þe reume of Dauiþ ſchal be ſtable
wiþouten ende; and þis is fillid in Criſt. Þanne Dauiþ
hadde victorie of many londis, and made þo tributarie to
Iſrael, and God kepte Dauiþ in alle þingis, to whiche he
ȝed forþ. And Dauiþ dide dom and riȝtfulneſſe to al his
peple, and he dide mercy and curteſie to Myfyboſeth,
ſone of Jonatas. Aftir þeſe þingis Dauiþ dwellide at
home, whanne Joab and þe ooſt wente to bateile, and `in
þis tyme Dauiþ dide auoutrie wiþ Berſabee, þe wijf of
Vrie, and procuride þe deþ of Vrie bi treſoun. Þanne
God ſente Nathan þe prophete to repreue Dauiþ of þis
ſynne, and he took meekly his repreuyng, and
knoulechide þat he ſynnede aȝens God; and God forȝaf
þe ſynne, but ſwerd and perſecuſioun ȝede neuere awey
fro his hous, for God killede þe ſone of Berſabee, and
oo ſone of Dauiþ killede anoþer, and Abſolon his ſone
roos aȝens him, and droof him out of Jeruſalem, and
ſouȝte wiþ ſtronge ooſt to ſlee him. Þanne Dauiþ ȝede
out of Jeruſalem on his feet, and ſtiȝide wiþ bare feet
into þe hiȝneſſe of þe hille of Olyuete, and wepte, and al
his peple wepte bittirly. And Dauiþ mekede him to God,
and ſeide, "Ȝif God ſeiþ to me, þou pleeſiſt not me, I am
redy, do he þat þat is good bifore himſelf. " Þanne
Semey, þat was of þe kyn of Saul, diſpiſide Dauiþ, and
clepide him a manquellere, and a man of Belial, and a
rauenour of þe rewme, and he curſide Dauiþ, and
caſtide ſtoonis and erþe aȝens Dauiþ, and aȝens alle þe
ſeruauntis of king Dauiþ; and whanne Abiſay wolde ſlee
þis curſere, Dauiþ bad him ſuffre Semey to curſe him,
and ſeide, God comaundide hym `þat he curſe Dauiþ.
And þe kyng ſeide to Abyſay and to alle his ſeruauntis,
"Loo! my ſone þat ȝede out of my wombe ſeekiþ my
lijf, þat is, to ſlee me, how myche more now þis ſone of
Gemyny; ſuffre ȝe him to curſe bi comaundement of þe
Lord; if in caas þe Lord bihoolde my turment, and ȝelde
good to me for þis curſing to day. " Aftirward Abſolon
defoulide opynly his fadris wijfes bifore al Yſrael.
Þanne Achitofel ȝaf a fel counceyl, to purſue Dauiþ in
þat nyȝt wiþ xij. þouſandis of men, and ſle him bifore
þat he were war; but þis counceil was diſtroied bi
Goddis wille, and bi a wijs counceil of Chuſy, þe frend
of Dauiþ. Þanne Abſolon gaderide al þe power of Iſrael
to make opyn werre aȝens his fadir; naþeles Dauiþ for
pite and charite comaundide þre princis of his ooſt to
kepe Abſolon alyue, þat he myȝte repente, and be ſauid.
And whanne Dauiþ knew þat Abſolon was ſlayn, he
made ſo gret ſorewe, þat almeſt he was deed, and al þe
peple was in poynt to forſake Dauiþ. Þanne for þis perel
Dauiþ lefte his moornyng, and ſat opinly in þe ȝate, to
conforte al his ooſt. After þis þe counceil of al Iſrael
cam to Dauiþ, þat þei wolde brynge him in to his
rewme worſchipfully; and Dauiþ forȝaf þe opyn treſoun
to hem þat þei hadden do bifore, and ſtiride ſwetly men
of Juda, þat weren ſpecialy his traytouris, to come and
bringe hym in to his rewme, and forȝaf her treſoun, and
he forȝaf þe ſouereyn treſoun to Amaſa, þat was of his
owne kyn, and was prince of þe ooſt of Abſalon to ſlee
Dauiþ; and Dauiþ ſwor to make þis Amaſa prince next
Joab, and forȝaf þe ſynne and curſing and treſoun to
Semey, and ſwor þat he ſhulde not dyȝe. Ȝit bifore þat
Dauiþ cam to Jeruſalem, a new debate roos bitwixe þe
men of Iſrael and þe men of Juda, for þis bringing aȝen
of þe king was not teld firſt to men of Iſrael; and bi
IX
Amaſa. Þanne þis Syba paſſide bi alle þe lynagis of
Iſrael til into Habela, and into Bethmaka, and alle
choſen men weren gaderid to him. And Joab and his
ooſt byſegeden þeſe citees, and wolde diſtroie þe greet
citee Habela, and a wijs woman of þe citee ſauid it bi
hire counceil, and made Syba to be ſlayn, and al þe
peple to be ſauid on boþe ſydis. Alſo vij. men of þe kyn
of Saul weren ſlayn of Gabaonytis, bi ſuffring of Dauiþ,
and bi counceil of God, for Saul killede wickidly þe
men of Gabaon; and for þis ſynne of Saul hungir was
maad þre ȝeer in þe daies of Dauiþ; and aftir þis
veniaunce don on þe hous of Saul, God dide merſy to þe
lond. Þanne is ſet a greet ſong of Dauiþ, which he ſpac
to God, whanne he hadde delyuered him fro þe hond of
alle his enemyes; þanne ſueþ þe noumbre of ſtronge
men of Dauiþ. At þe laſte Dauiþ for pride and aȝens þe
lawe noumbride þe peple of Iſrael, and þerfore lxx.
þouſind of men weren deed bi peſtilence. Þanne Dauiþ
repentide him ſore, and mekide him to God, and ſeide
þus, "I it am, þat ſynnede, and I dide wickidly; what han
þeſe men don þat ben ſcheep, þat is, ſymple and
innocent in compariſoun of me; I biſeche þat þin hond
be turnid aȝens me, and aȝens þe hous of my fadir. "
Þanne God ſente his profete Gad to hym, and bad him
make an auter, and offre brent ſacrifices and peeſible
ſacrifices; and God dide mercy to þe lond, and þe
veniaunce ceeſide of Iſrael. Þe proſces of þis ij. book
ouȝte to ſtire kingis and lordis to merſy and riȝtfulneſſe,
and euere to be war of ydilneſſe, þat brouȝte Dauiþ to
auoutrie and oþere myſcheues, and euere to be meeke to
God and hiſe preſtis, and ſore repente of hire myſdeedis,
and make amendis to God and men, and wilfully
forȝeue wroongis don to hem, and euere be war of pride
and extorcouns, leeſt God take veniaunce on al þe
peple, as he dide on Dauiþ and his peple, and euere to
be pacient and merſiful, as Dauiþ was, to gete
remiſſioun of ſynnes bifore don, and to gete pees, and
proſperite, and heuenly bliſſe wiþouten ende.
CAP. V.
Þe þridde book of Kingis telliþ firſt, how Adonyas,
ſone of Dauiþ, wolde haue regned, and Dauiþ in his lijf
ordeynede Salomon to be king, and he regnede bifore
þe deeþ of Dauiþ. Þanne Adonyas fledde for dreede to
þe tabernacle of God, and heeld þe corneer of þe auter,
tyl Salamon ſeide, þat if he were a good man, he
ſchulde not dye; ellis, if yuel were founden in him, he
ſchulde diȝe. Þanne Dauiþ, in þe tyme of his dyȝinge,
chargide Salamon to kepe wel Goddis lawe, and to
quyte to þe ſones of Berſellay þe trewþe and kyndneſſe
of her fadir, and to punyſche Joab for his trecherouſe
manquelling of Abner and of Amaſa in þe tyme of pees,
and to punyſche wiſely Semey for his wrſte curſing,
which he dide to Dauiþ. Aftir þeſe þingis Salamon made
Adonyas to be ſlayn, for he purpoſide gilefully to be
king. And Salamon caſtide awey Abiathar, þat he was
not þe preſt of þe Lord, and exylide him alſo, for he
aſſentide to Adonyas, and was traytour to þe king. Alſo
Salamon comaundide Joab to be ſlayn in þe tabernacle
at þe auter, for he hadde ſlayn gilefully twey princis in
pees, wiþoute wyting of Dauiþ; and þe king ordeynede
Sadoch preſt for Abiathar. Þanne þe king comaundide
Semey, þat he ſchulde not go out of Jeruſalem, and if he
paſſide þe ſtronde of Cedron, he ſchulde be deed; and
Semey acceptide þis; and for he paſſide þeſe boundis, þe
king comaundide him to be ſlayn, and ſo he was ſlayn
by comaundement of þe king. Aftir þeſe þingis þe
rewme was confermed in to þe hondis of Salamon, and
he weddide þe douȝter of Faroo, king of Egipt. Þanne
God bad Salamon axe of him, what hym lykide, and he
axide þat God ſchulde ȝeue to him wijs herte, þat he
myȝte deme his peple, and make diſcreſcyoun eiþir
departyng bitwixe good and yuel. And þis axing
pleeſide God ful myche, þerfore God ȝaf to him a wijs
herte and vndirſtondinge, in ſo myche þat noon bifore
hym was lyk hym, neiþir ſchal riſe aftir hym. Alſo God
ȝaf to him richeſſe and glorie, þat noon among kingis
was lyk him in alle daies bifore. Þanne for Salamon ȝaf
a wijs ſentenſe of dom bitwixe twey comen wymmen,
þat paſſide þe wit of comun men, þei dredden þe king,
and ſeyin þat Goddis wiſdom was in him to make dom.
Þanne is toold þe worſchipeful meyne and houſhoold of
Salamon. Aftir þeſe þingis Salamon bildide a noble
hous to himſelf, and a famouſe temple to God in
Jeruſalem. And aftir þat þe temple was fully maad, alle
þe eldre men and princis of lynagis and dukis of
meynes of þe children of Iſrael weren gaderid to king
Salamon in Jeruſalem, to bringe þe arke of God fro
Syon in to his owne place in þe temple. Þanne þe king
axide of God manye preieris, and profitis for hem þat
preieden deuoutly in þe temple, and God grauntide þo.
Aftir þeſe þingis God halewide þe temple, and
certyfiede to Salamon, þat if he kepte alle his
comaundementis, he ſhulde ſette þe trone of Salamons
rewme on Iſrael wiþouten ende; and if þe pepel of Iſrael
and her children kepen not Goddis heeſtis, but
worſchipen alyen goddis, he ſchal do awey Iſrael fro þe
face of lond which he ȝaf to hem, and God ſchal caſte
awey fro his ſiȝt þe temple which he halewide to his
name, and Iſrael ſchal be into a prouerbe and fable eiþer
tale to alle peplis, and þis hous ſchal be into enſaumple.
Aftir þis þe qwene of Saba cam to Salamon, and hadde
greet aray of men and of jewelis, and ȝaf manye jewelis
to Salamon, and he aȝeen to hire. Alſo Salamon tauȝte
hire alle þingis þat ſche hadde in hire herte, and ſche
bleſſid God and Salamon and his ſeruauntis, and ȝede
into hire lond. Þanne Salamon made manye ſcheeldis
and bokelers of gold, and made a greet trone of yuer,
and cloþide it wiþ fyn gold. Þanne king Salamon was
magnified ouer alle kyngis of erþe in richeſſis and
wiſedom, and al erþe deſyride to ſee his face, and to
heere his wiſdom, which his God hadde ȝoue in his
herte. Aftir alle þeſe þingis Salamon, whanne he was
X
þat he ſuede alyen goddis, and worſchipide hem.
Þerfore God reiſide an aduerſarie to Salamon in his lijf,
and departide his rewme in þe tyme of Roboam his
ſone, and ȝaf ten lynagis to Joroboam his ſeruaunt, and
kepte oo lynage to his ſone for þe merit of Dauiþ his
fadir. And þis departyng bifelde myche, for Roboam
forſook þe counceil of eelde and wijſe men, and ſuede
þe counceil of ȝunge men, and ſpac harde wordis to þe
peple. Þanne Roboam gaderide proudly al þe hous of
Juda, and þe lynage of Beniamyn, an c. þouſind and iiij.
ſcore þouſind of choſen men and werrouris, þat þei
ſchulden fiȝte aȝens þe hous of Iſrael, and bringe aȝen
þe rewme to Roboam, þe ſone of Salamon; but God
forbed þis werre to Roboam and al his peple, for whi
þis word of departyng of þe rewme was don of God.
Þanne Jeroboam made ij. golden caluys, and bad Iſrael
worſchipe þo, and ſtiȝe no more to Jeruſalem, and ſeide,
"Iſrael, lo! þeſe ben þi goddis, þat ledden þee out of þe
lond of Egipt; " and he made vnworþi preſtis of þe laſte
men of þe peple, þat were not of þe ſones of Leuy, and
he made templis in hiȝe placis. Alſo whanne Jeroboam
ſtood on þe auter and caſtide encenſe, a man of God
cam fro Juda bi þe word of God, and ſeide, "A ſone,
Joſias bi name, ſchal be born to þe hous of Dauiþ, and
he ſchal ſle on þis auter þe preſtis of hiȝe placis, þat
brenne now encenſe in þis autir, and he ſchal brenne
boonys of men on þis auter; " and þe prophete ȝaf þis
ſingne, þat þe auter ſchal be cleft, and þe aſche þerinne
ſchal be ſched out. Þanne Jeroboam heeld forþ his hond,
and bad take þat prophete, and his hond was drie, and
hee myȝte not drawe it aȝen, and bi preier of þe
prophete þe hond was heelid. And ſingne bifelde on þe
auter, as þe prophete ſeide; and for þat prophete eet
breed in þat place aȝens Goddis bidding, ȝhe bi diſſeit of
a fals prophete, þe trewe prophete of God was ſlayn of a
lyoun in þe wey homward. Aftir þeſe wordis Jeroboam
turnede not aȝen fro his worſte weie, but aȝenward of þe
laſte peples he made preſtis of hiȝe placis, who euere
wolde, fyllede his hond, and was maad preſt of hiȝe
placis; and for þis cauſe þe hous of Jeroboam ſynnede,
and was diſtroied, and doon awey fro þe face of erþe.
Aftir þis þe prophete Ahia, þat was blynd for eelde,
knew þe wijf of Joroboam, þat feynede hire to be anoþir
womman, and he bifore ſeide to hire, þat hire ſyk ſone
ſchulde diȝe in hir entryng in to hir hous, and þat þe
hous of Jeroboam ſchulde be diſtroied outtirly for his
ſynnes; and Iſrael ſchal be dryuen out of his good lond
for þe ſynnes of Joroboam, þat ſynnede, and made Iſrael
to do ſynne. Alſo þe peple of Juda dide ydolatrie;
þerfore þe king of Egipt took awey þe treſouris of
Goddis hous, and of þe kingis hous, and þe golden
ſcheeldis of Salamon, for whiche Roboam made
ſcheeldis of bras. And batail was bitwixe Roboam and
Jeroboam in alle daies. Þanne Abia regnede þre ȝeer on
Juda, and ȝede in alle þe ſynnes of his fadir. Aftir him
roos king Aſa in Juda, and he dide riȝtfulneſſe bifore
God, and dide awey idolatrie and ſodomytis fro þe lond,
and his herte was perfit wiþ God in alle daies. And
ſchortly amonge alle þe kingis of Iſrael was noon
feiþful to God; ſumme weren goode amonge þe kingis
of Juda; and þis figuriþ, þat among men of hooly
chirche be ſumme goode, but among eretikis is noon
good outtirly, as Jerom ſeiþ. Aftir manye yuele kingis of
Iſrael roos Acab, þe worſte of alle bifore hym, and he
weddide Jeſabel, an heþene womman, þe douȝtir of
Mechaal, king of Sydonyes, and Achab dide manyfoold
idolatrie. Þanne roos Elie þe prophete, and ſeide to
Acab, þat in þre ȝeer and an half neiþer reyn neiþer dew
ſchal be. Aftir þis þe prophete Elye hidde himſelf in þe
ſtronde of Carith, aȝens Jordan, and drank watir, and
was fed of rauenys þere, whiche brouȝten to him breed
and fleſch in þe euentid and morewtid, and aftir þat þe
ſtronde was dried up, God bad Elye go into Sarepta of
Sydoneyes, and þere he was fed of a widewe, and þe
pot of mele and `þe pot of oile failede not to þe widewe,
til God ȝaf reyn on þe erþe. Þanne Elie reiſide to lijf þe
deed chijld of a womman, at whom he was myche
ſuſteyned. And aftir manye daies God bad Elye ſchewe
him to Acab, þat God ſchulde ȝeue reyn on þe lond; and
Elie dide ſo; and greet hungir was in Samarie. Þanne
Elie apperide firſt to Abdie, þat dredde God, and fedde
an c. prophetis of God, whanne Jeſabel killide þe
prophetis of God; and Elie ſwor to Abdie bi þe Lord of
ooſtis, þat he wolde appere in þat day to Achab. Þanne
Acab axide Elye, "Wher þou art he, þat diſtrowbliſt
Iſrael? " And Elie ſeide, "Not I diſtrowblide Iſrael, but
þou and þe hous of þi fadir, þat han forſaken Goddis
heeſtis, and han ſued Baalym, han diſtroublid Iſrael. "
Aftir þis þe prophete Elie conuyctid bi an opyn myracle
viij. c. and l. prophetis of Baal of opin ydolatrie, and
killede hem alle wiþ helpe of þe peple, þat bileeuede to
God for þe greet myracle. And aftir þis God ſente greet
rayn, and Elye ran bifore Acab to þe citee Jeſrael. Aftir
þeſe þingis Elye fledde for dreede of Jeſabel, þat
manaſide to ſlee hym, and whanne he hadde fled into
diſert bi þe jurney of oo day, he axide of God to diȝe;
and whanne he ſlepte, an aungel bad hym riſe, and eete
breed baken vndir aiſchis, and drinke watir; and he ȝede
in þe ſtrengþe of þat mete xl. daies and xl. nyȝtis, til to
Oreb þe hil of God; and whanne he was hid þere in a
denne, and ſeide, þat he was left aloone a prophete of þe
Lord, and þei ſouȝten to ſlei him, God bad him go to
Damaſk, and anoynte Aſahel king on Sirie, and anoynte
Hieu king on Iſrael, and anoynte Eliſee a prophete for
him, and þeſe þre ſchulden do veniaunce on treſpaſouris,
and ſlee hem; and God lefte to himſelf vij. þouſind of
men in Iſrael, whois knees were not bowid bifore Baal.
Þanne it ſueþ how Eliſee ſuede Elie. Aftir þeſe þingis
king Acab hadde twey greete and merueilous victories
aȝens Benadab, king of Sirie, for he blasfemede God of
Iſrael. And for king Acab dide falſe merſy and killide
not þis blasfemere Benadab, whom God bitook into hiſe
hondis, God ſente a prophete to Acab, and telde þus,
XI
Nabath to be ſtonyd to deþ bi falſe witneſſe, and aſſent
of Acab, for he noolde chaunge neiþer ſille his vyner to
þe king; and whanne Acab ȝede doun to take poſſeſſioun
of þis vyner, God bad Elye meete him, and ſeie þus,
"Þou haſt ſlayn and haſt take poſſeſſioun; þe Lord ſeiþ
þeſe þingis, in þis place wherinne doggis lickiden þe
blood of Nabath, þei ſchulen licke alſo þi blood. " And
Acab ſeide to Elye, "Wher þou haſt founden me þin
enemy? " And Elye ſeide, "I haue founde, for þou art
ſeeld to do yuel in Goddis ſiȝt, þerfore God ſchal
diſtroie and ſlee ech man of þe houſe of Acab, and ȝeue
his hous as þe hous of Jeroboam, and as þe hous of
Baaſa, for Acab terride God to wraþþe, and made Yſrael
to do ſynne. Alſo doggis ſcholen ete Jeſabel in þe feeld
of Jeſrael; if Acab diȝeþ in þe citee, doggis ſcholen ete
him, if he dieþ in þe feeld, briddis of þe eir ſchulen ete
him. " Noon oþir was ſuch as Acab, þat was ſeeld to do
yuel bifore God; forwhi Jeſabel his wijf excitide him,
and he dide abomynable ydolatrie. Þanne Acab dide ful
greet penaunce, and was mekid bifore God; þerfore
God brouȝte not yn þis yuel in his daies, but in þe daies
of his ſone. In þe þridde ȝeer aftir þeſe þingis, aboute
iiij. c. prophetis of Baal counceiled Acab to make werre
aȝens þe king of Syrie for a citee clepid Ramoth of
Galaad, and bihiȝten victorie and proſperite to Acab.
But Mychee, oo prophete of God, telde to Acab in
Goddis name, þat þe ſpirit of leeſingis diſceyuede him
bi his falſe prophetis, and þat Acab ſchulde be ſlayn in
þat bateil; and ſo it bifelde in deede, but Mychee was
diſpiſid and beten of þe falſe prophetis, and was
priſonyd, purpoſid to be ſlayn of þe king, whanne he
cam aȝeen in pees; and king Joſophat, a good man, was
in þis bateile wiþ curſid Acab, but Acab was ſlayn, and
doggis lickeden his blood, and Joſophat was ſauid bi
Goddis help. Þanne roos Ocoſias, king of Iſrael, for
Acab his fadir, and Ocoſias worſchipide Baal, and
terride God to ire bi alle þingis which his fadir hadde
do. Þis proſces of þe iij. book of Kingis ſchulde ſtire
kingis and lordis, to be merſyful and pytouſe on her
ſugetis þat treſpaſen aȝens hem, and in alle þingis
eſchewe ydilneſſe, leccherie, treſoun, ydolatrie, and falſe
counceilouris and vnwyſe, and euere diſtroie ſynne, and
take counceil at hooly ſcripture and trewe prophetis,
and triſte not to falſe prophetis, be þei neuer ſo manye,
and crie faſte aȝens oon eiþer fewe trewe men.
CAP. VI.
Þe iiij. book of Kingis telliþ in general, how þe rewme
of Iſrael and þe rewme of Juda weren conquerid of
heþene men, for manye ſynnes which þei diden aȝens
God and men, and weren obſtynat, and dide not
fruytfull penance in due tyme. Firſt it telliþ in ſpecial,
hou þe wickid king Ocoſyas ſente to take counceil at
Belſabub, wher he myȝte lyue, and rekyuere of his
ſykneſſe; þerfore God ſente Elye, þe prophete, to telle to
him þat he ſchulde die, and go not doun of his bed.
Þanne þis king ſent to Elye a prince on l. men, and l.
men wiþ hym, to clepe Elye to þe king; and fijer cam
doun fro heuene, and deuouride þis prince, and l. men
þat weren wiþ him, for in ſcorn þei clepiden Elye þe
man of God; and in lyk manere fijer deuouride anoþer
prince, and l. men wiþ him; þe þridde prince and hiſe l.
þat mekeden hem to God and to þe prophete, weren
ſauid on lyue. And God bad Elie go doun wiþ hem to þe
king, and repreue him of his ſynne, and telle to þe king
himſelf, þat he ſchal die and go not doun of his bed.
Aftir þis þe prophete Elie ſchulde be rauyſchid awey fro
erþe, and Eliſee knew þis, and ſuede him in ech place til
to rauyſching; and Elie ſmoot wiþ his mantel þe watris
of Jordon, and þo weren departid þerbi, and Elie and
Elyſee ȝeden ouere bi þe drie botme þerof. Þanne Elie
was rauyſchid in a char of fijer fro Eliſee, and ſtiȝede bi
a whirlwynd in to heuene; and þe double ſpirit of Elye
reſtide on Eliſee, and wiþ þe mantel of Elye Elyſee
ſmoot twies þe watris of Jordon, and in þe ſecunde tyme
þo weren departid, and Elyſee paſſide ouere. Aftirward
Eliſee dwellide in Jerico, and heelide þe watris fro
bittirneſſe and bareyneſſe, bi putting of ſalt in þe watir.
Þanne Elyſee ſtiȝede into Betel, and as he ſtiȝede bi þe
weye, litle children ȝeden out of þe citee, and ſeiden to
him in ſcorn, "Þou ballard, ſtiȝ up! " and he curſide hem
in þe name of God, and twey beeris ȝeden out of þe
foreſt, and to-renten of hem xlij. children. After þeſe
þingis Joram, þe king of Iſrael, and Joſophat, þe king of
Juda, and alſo þe þridde king, þat was king of Edom,
weren in deſert, and hadden no watir, and weren in
poynt of periſching. Þeſe þre kingis camen to Eliſee for
helpe, and bi ſpirit of prophecie he bad hem make
dychis, and þei ſiȝen neiþer wynd neiþer reyn, and þe
botme of dychis was fillid of watris; and he bifore ſeide
þat God ſchulde bitake Moab in to þe hondis of þeſe
kingis, and þei ſchulden diſtroie citees, and feeldis, and
trees; and þus it was don in dede. Alſo Elyſee
multypliede a litil oile, and made a pore widewe fille
manye veſſels þerof, and bad hir paie her dettis bi ſum
þerof, `and þat ſche and her ſones ſchulden lyue bi þe
reſidue þerof. Aftirward Elyſee biforeſeide to a good
womman, þat herbouride him freely and largely, þat
ſche ſchulde conſceyue a ſone; and whanne Eliſee knew,
þat þis ſone was deed, he ſente his ſeruaunt Gieſi wiþ
his ſtaaf to reiſe him, and neiþer vois neiþer feeling was
in þe chijld. Þanne Elyſee entride in to a cloſet, where
þe chijld lay deed, and preiede to God, and lay on þe
chijld, and leide his mouþ to þe mouþ of þe chijld, and
hiſe hondis on þe chijldis hondis, and þe chijld ȝoxide
vij. ſiþes, and openede his iȝen; and Eliſee bitook þe
chijld qwyk to his modir. Alſo Elyſee, whanne hungir
was in Galgala, heelyde þe pot of noyful mete, bi
ſendinge in of mele, þat no more bitterneſſe was in þe
mete. Þanne Eliſee made a litil breed to ſuffice to an c.
men, and þei leften relijfs. Whanne þe king of Sirie
ſente lettris to þe king of Iſrael, þat he ſchulde cure
Naaman of his lepre, and þe king of Iſrael to-rente his
XII
Naaman knoulechide, þat noon oþer God is in al þe
erþe no but oonly þe God of Iſrael; and Eliſee took noo
ȝifte, ȝhe freely profrede and preeſide of Naaman.
Þanne Gieſy ran aftir Naaman, vnwytinge eiþer not
conſentinge his maiſtir, and made a leſing, þat Eliſee
ſente to him, þat he ſchulde ȝeue a talent of ſyluer and
double chaunging cloþis to twey ȝunge men of þe ſones
of profetis. And Naaman conſtreynede him to take þe
double þat he axide, and ordeynede twey children to
bere bifore him. But herfore Eliſee ſeide, þat þe lepre of
Naaman ſchulde cleue to Gieſi and to his ſeede
wiþouten ende; and Gieſi ȝede out fro Eliſee, and was a
meſel as ſnow. Whanne þe ſonis of prophetis ȝeden to
þe wode, to hewe doun wode to bylde placis to hem to
dwellin inne, þe irun of an axe felde doun in to watir;
and Eliſee caſtide doun þe tree, eiþer helue, and þe irun
houede, and was taken up þerbi. Whanne þe king of
Sirie ſette buſchementis preuyly aȝens þe king of Iſrael,
Eliſee warned þe king of Iſrael þerof; and whanne it was
certified to þe king of Sirie þat Eliſee telde his preuytes
to þe king of Iſrael, þe king of Sirie ſente a greet
multitude of þe ooſt to take Elyſee, and whanne þe ooſt
cumpaſide þe citee Dotaym, wherinne Elyſee was, God
made þis ooſt blynd at þe preier of Eliſee, and ſo he
ledde hem into þe myddis of Samarie, and whanne þe
king of Iſrael wolde ſlee hem, Eliſee ſeide nay, but bad
make redy a feeſte to hem, and late hem go in pees to
her lord. And whanne ful ſtrong hungre was in Samarie,
þat wymmen eetyn her owne children, oo womman
axide doom of þe king aȝens anoþer womman, þat
wolde not bi couenaunt bringe forþ hir chijld to be etyn,
whanne þei hadden eten þe chijld of þe firſt womman.
Þanne þe king, þat weeride þe heire nexte his body, to-
rente his cloþis for ſorwe, and ſwoor ſtrongly, þat in þat
day he wolde girde of þe heed of Eliſee. Eliſee
biforeknew þe comynge of þis meſſanger to do þis
deede, and bad men cloſe þe dore, and ſuffre not him
for to entre, for his lord comiþ anoon aftir him to
reuoke his ooþ and ſentence. Þanne Eliſe ſeide in
Goddis name, þat to morewe in þis tyme a buſchel of
wheete flour ſchal be for oo ſtater, þat is, a litel quantite
of moneye, as it were a peny, and twey buſchellis of
barly for oo ſtater, in þe ȝate of Samarie. And Eliſee
ſeide to a gret duk, þat bileeuede not þis word, "Þou
ſchalt ſee it wiþ þin iȝen, and ſchal not ete þerof; " and
þus it was in dede, for whanne þe ooſt of Sirie fledde by
nyȝt, for drede þat God made among hem, þei leften
alle her goodis, and fledden nakid, and coueitiden oonly
to ſaue her lyues; and whanne a buſchel of wheete flour
was ſeeld on þe morewe for oo ſtater, þe king made þat
noble duk kepere at þe ȝate, and þe cumpanye trade him
to deeþ, as Eliſee bifore ſeide. Alſo Eliſee ſpac to þe
womman whos ſone he made to lyue, and bad hir and
hir hous goo a pilgrimage eiþer ſtraunge lond, where
euere ſche fond couenable, for God ſchal bringe ſtrong
hungir on þe lond vij. ȝeer and at þe vij. ȝeeris ende þe
king reſtoride to hire alle hir þingis, and alle þe rentis of
fieldis in þe tyme of hir abſence. Benadab, king of Sirie,
ſent Aſael to Eliſee to enqueere wheþer þis king myȝte
rekeuere of his ſykneſſe; and God ſchewide to Elyſee,
þat Benadab ſchulde diȝe; and Eliſee wepte ful ſore,
whanne he ſiȝ Aſael, for God ſchewide to him þat Aſael
ſchulde be king of Sirie, and do manye yuelis to þe
children of Iſrael, brenne of her ſtrong citees, and ſlee bi
ſwerd þe ȝunge men of hem, and `hurle doun þe litel
children of hem, and kerue wymmen wiþ chijlde.
Joram, þe ſone of Joſophat, dide yuel in Goddis ſiȝt, as
þe hous of Acab dide; for þe douȝtir of Acab was his
wijf; but God nolde diſtroie Juda, for Dauiþ his
ſeruaunt, as he bihiȝte to him, to ȝeue a lanterne to him
and to hiſe ſones in alle daies. Aftir þeſe þingis Eliſee
bad oon of þe ſones of prophetis anoynte Hyeu in to
king on Iſrael, and ſey to him; "Þou ſchalt diſtroie þe
hous of Acab, and God ſchal make it as þe hous of
Jeroboam, and doggis ſchulen ete Jeſabel in þe feeld of
Jeſrael, and noon ſhall berie hir. " And Hieu killide
Joram, king of Iſrael, and Ocoſias, king of Juda, and
Jeſabel þe curſid quene; and doggis etyn þe fleſch of
Jeſabel; and hir fleſch was a tord on þe face of erþe.
Þanne Hieu made lxx. ſones of Acab to be ſlayn of hir
keperis, and nurſchers; and he killide xlij. men briþeren
of Ocoſias; and aftir þis doinge Hieu feynede hym to
worſchipe Baal more þan Acab dide, and bi þis feyning
he gaderid to gidere alle þe prophetis, and preſtis, and
ſeruauntis of Baal `in þe temple of Baal, and killide
hem alle, and caſtide out of þe temple of Baal his
ymage, and brent it, and drof it al to duſt; and diſtroiede
þe hous of Baal, and made gongis for it; and ſo Hieu
dide awey Baal `fro Iſrael. Naþeles Hieu ȝede not awey
fro þe ſynnes of Joroboam, neþer forſok golden caluis
þat weren in Betel and Dan; but for Hieu dide þis
veniaunce aȝens þe hous of Acab, God ſeide, þat his
ſones til þe iiij. generacoun ſchulen ſitte on þe trone of
Iſrael. Þanne Atalia, þe modir of Ocoſias, whanne hir
ſone was deed, killede al þe blood of þe king, and
regnide vi. ȝeer. But Joas, þe ſone of Ocoſias king, was
kept preuyly vj. ȝeer in þe temple of God, and in þe vij.
ȝeer he was maad king bi help of Joiada, þe gret preſt,
and Atalia was ſlayn. Þerfore Joiada made a boond of
pees bitwixe God, and þe king, and þe peple, þat hit
ſchulde be þe peple of God, `and bitwixe þe king and þe
peple; and þe peple diſtroiede þe auteris of Baal, and al
to-braken his ymagis, and killeden Mathan, þe preſt of
Baal, bifore þe auter. Þis Joas bigan to regne whanne he
was vij. ȝeer eld, and regnede xl. ȝeer in Jeruſalem, and
dide riȝtfulneſſe bifore God in alle þe daies in whiche
Joiada þe preſt tauȝte him. And Joas bad preſtis take al
þe money þat was offrid for priys of ſoulis, and bi free
wille, to make reperacoun of þe temple; and for preſtis
weren neclygent in þis reparacoun, Joas þe king bad þe
preſtis ȝeelde þe money to reparacoun, and take it no
more. And þe chaunceler of þe king and þe biſchop
Joiada heelden out of þe arke þe moneye, and ȝauen it
XIII
feiþ, eiþir good conſcience. For as myche as Aſael, king
of Sirie, cam wiþ his ooſt to werre aȝens Jeruſalem,
Joas, king of Juda, took alle þingis which fadris hadden
halewid, and whiche he hadde offrid and al þe ſyluer
þat myȝte be founden in þe treſouris of þe temple of
God, and in þe paleys of þe king, and ſente al to Aſael,
king of Sirie; and he ȝede awey fro Jeruſalem. Þe
ſeruauntis of Joas ſworen togidere, and killeden him,
and Amaſias his ſone regnede for hym. Joachas þe ſone
of Hieu regnede on Iſrael, and dide yuel, as Joroboam
dide. Þerfore God bitook Iſrael in to þe hondis of Aſael,
king of Sirie, and of Benadab his ſone in alle daies, þat
þere weren not left to Joachas of al þe peple of Iſrael no
but v. hundrid horſmen, and x. charis, and x. þouſind of
footmen. Þanne Joachas biſouȝte God, and he ȝaf a
ſauyour to Iſrael, and Iſrael was delyuered fro þe hond
of þe king of Sirie. Þanne Eliſee felde in to gret ſikneſſe,
bi which he was deed; and whanne Joas, king `of Iſrael,
cam to him, and wepte, Eliſee bad hym bringe a bowe
and arewis, and bad him ſette his hond on þe bowe; and
Eliſee ſettide his hondis on þe kingis hondis, and bad
him ſcheete out at þe eeſt wyndow opened; and Eliſee
ſeide, "Þis is þe arewe of Goddis helþe aȝens Sirie, `and
þou ſchalt ſmyte Sirie, in Affech, til þou waaſte it. " Efte
Eliſee bad Joas ſmyte þe erþe wiþ a darte; and whanne
he had ſmyte þries, and ſtyntide, and Eliſee was wrooþ
aȝens him, and ſeide, "If þou haddiſt ſmyte v. ſiþes,
eiþer vj. ſiþes, eiþer vij. ſiþes, þou ſchulduſt haue ſmyte
Sirie til to þe ending, but now þou ſchalt ſmyte it þries.
Eliſee diȝede, and was beried, and whanne a deed bodi
was beried in þe ſepulcre of Eliſee, `and hadde touchid
þe boonys of Elyſe, þe man lyuede aȝen, and ſtood on
his feet. Amaſias, king of Juda, regnede ix. ȝeer, and
dide riȝtfulneſſe in party, but not as Dauiþ. He killide x.
þouſind men of Edom, and for pride þerof he terride þe
king of Iſrael to werre; and Amaſias was ouercomen in
þis bateile, and þe king of Iſrael took him preſoner, and
brak þe wal of Jeruſalem bi iiij. c. cubitis; and þe king
of Iſrael took awey al þe gold and ſyluer, and alle þe
veſſelis þat were founden in Goddis hous, and in þe
treſouris of þe king, and took pleggis, and turnede aȝeen
in to Samarie. At þe laſte þe men of Amaſias
conſpireden aȝens him, and he fledde in to Lachis, and
þei ſentyn þidir, and killede hym þere, and birieden him
in Jeruſalem wiþ his fadris; and Aſarie his ſone regnede
for hym in Jeruſelem l. ȝeer He dide riȝtfulneſſe in party,
as Amaſias his fadir dide; and God ſmoot hym wiþ
leepre til into þe day of his deeþ; and Joathas his ſone
gouernede þe paleys, and deemyde þe peple of þe lond,
and euere þe kingis of Iſrael diden yuele, and ȝeden in
þe ſynnes of Jeroboam. And in þe dayes of Manahen,
king of Iſrael, Ful, þe king of Aſſiriens, took greet
tribute of him, to make Manahen ſtronge in þe rewme.
And in þe daies of Facee king of Iſrael, þat dide yuel in
Goddis ſiȝt, cam Teglath Falaſar, king of Aſſur, and took
manye placis in þe lond of Iſrael, and he took Galaad,
and Galilee, and al þe lond of Neptalym, and tranſlatide
hem into Aſſiriens. Aftir ward Acas regnede on Juda
xvj. ȝeer in Jeruſalem, and ȝede in þe weies of kingis of
Iſrael, and dide foul ydolatrie. And aftir þeſe þingis
Oſee, þe king of Iſrael, rengnede ix. ȝeer, and dide yuel,
but not as þe kingis of Iſrael þat weren bifore hym. And
þis Oſee was maad tributarie to Salmanaſar, king of
Aſſiriens, and whanne þis Oſee wolde be rebel, and paie
not tribute to Salmanaſar, he biſeegide Oſee, and
preſonyde hym, and biſegide Samarie þree ȝeer, and
took it in þe nynþe ȝeer of Oſee, and tranſlatide Iſrael
into Aſſyriens. Þanne þe ſcripture reherſiþ many grete
ſynnes of þe peple of Iſrael, for whiche þei weren
conquerid, and dryuen out of her lond. Þanne þe king of
Aſſiriens brouȝte peple fro Babiloyne, and fro manye
oþere heþene cuntreis, and ſettide hem in þe citees of
Samarie, for þe children of Iſrael; and for þis peple
dredde not God, he ſente in to hem lyouns, þat killeden
hem; þerfore þe king of Aſſiriens ſente þidir oo preſt of
Iſrael, to teche hem þe lawe of God of Iſrael, and ſo þei
worſchipiden God of Iſrael, and hire heþene goddis
togidere.
CAP. VII.
Ezechie, king of Juda, rengnide xxix. ȝeer, and dide
good bifore God bi alle þingis whiche his fadir Dauiþ
hadde do; he diſtroiede hiȝe placis, and al to-brak
ymagis, and hewyde doun wodis, and brak þe ſerpent of
braſſe; for þe children of Iſrael brente enſenſe to it; and
he hopide in God. Þerfore of alle þe kingis of Juda was
noon lyk him aftir him, but neiþer among þeſe kingis
þat weren bifore him. And in þe xiiij. ȝeer of Ezechie,
Senagerib, king of Aſſiriens, ſtiȝede to alle wallide
citees of Juda, and took þo. Þanne Ezechie ȝaf to hym al
þe ſyluer þat was founden in Goddis hous, and in þe
treſouris of þe king, for he ſchulde goo awey, and diſtrie
not Jeruſalem neiþer Judee; and for Senagerib kepte not
couenaunt, Ezechie rebellide aȝens him, in triſt of
Goddis help. Þanne Senagerib ſente Rapſaces wiþ ſtrong
ooſt to Jeruſalem, to blasfeme God, and make þe peple
ȝelde hem to him for dreede. Þanne Ezechie to-rente his
cloþis for ſorwe, and was hilid wiþ a ſak, and entride
into Goddis hous, and ſente `þe hiȝe preſt and oþere
eelde men cloþid wiþ ſakkis to þe prophete Iſaie, þat he
ſchulde preie to God aȝens þe blasfemye of Aſſyriens.
And Iſaie ſeide, in Goddis name, þat þei ſchulde not
drede of þes wordis of Aſſiriens, for God ſchal ſende a
ſpirit to Senacharib, and he ſchal here a meſſanger, and
he ſchal turne aȝen into his lond; and God ſchal caſte
hym doun bi ſwerd in his lond; and whanne Senacherib
ȝede hoom to defende his lond aȝens þe king of
Ethiopie, he ſente blasfeme lettris to Ezechie, and ſeide,
þat his God myȝte not delyuere hym fro his hondis.
Þerfore God counfortide Ezechie bi þe prophete Iſaie,
þat he ſchulde not dreede Senacherib, for Senacherib
ſchal not entre into Jeruſalem, neiþer ſende arwe into it,
XIV
neiþer ocupie it, neiþer biſeege it; but God ſchal
defende and ſaue Jeruſalem, for himſelf, and for Dauiþ
his ſeruaunt. And in þat nyȝt þe aungel of God killede in
þe tentis of Aſſiriens an c. þouſind and lxxxv. þouſind;
and in þe morewe tyde Senacherib ȝede into his lond,
and his owne ſones killiden hym in þe temple of his
God Neſtrach, while he worſchipide Neſtrach. Aftir þis
whanne Ezechie was ſyik to þe deeþ, Iſaie ſeide `to hym
in Goddis name, "Diſpoſe þin hous, for þou ſchalt diȝe
and not lyue. " And for Ezechie wepte greetly, God
curide him, and made him go into þe temple on þe
þridde day, and encreeſide xv. ȝeer to his lijf; and in
ſingne herof God made þe ſunne go bacward bi ten
grees. Aftir þis doinge þe king of Babiloyne ſente
lettris, meſſengeris, and ȝiftis to Ezechie, and bi pride he
ſchewide alle hiſe treſouris and iewelis to þe
meſſengeris. Þerfor God ſeide bi Iſaie to him, þat daies
ſchulen come, and alle þingis in þin hous ſchulen be
taken awey into Babiloyne. And Ezechie ſeide, "Þe
word of God is good; oonly pees and treuþe be in my
daies. " Aftir Ezechie Manaſſes his ſone regnede lv. ȝeer
in Jeruſalem, and dide gret yuel in Goddis ſiȝt, and
mychel ydolatrie; and þe peple of Juda was diſceyued
of Manaſſes, þat þei diden more yuel þan heþene men,
whiche God diſtroiede fro þe face of þe ſones of Iſrael.
And for Manaſſes dide þeſe worſte abomynacouns ouer
alle þingis whiche þe men of Amereys diden, and he
ſched ful myche innocent blood, til Jeruſalem was fillid
til to þe mouþ, God ſeide, þat he wolde bringe in yuelis
on Jeruſalem and Juda, þat, who euere heeriþ, boþe hiſe
eeris tyngle; and he ſchal do awey Jeruſalem, as tablis
on boord ben wont to be don awey, but God ſchal leue
remenauntis of his eritage, and bitake hem in þe hond
of her enemyes. Manaſſes diede, and was buried in þe
orcherd of his hous; and Amon his ſone regnede for
hym ij. ȝeer, and dide yuel as his fadir dide, and forſook
God, and ſeruede vnclenneſſes and ydolis, as his fadir
dide, and worſchipide þoo. And his ſeruauntis ſettiden
treſoun to him, and killeden hym in his hous; and þe
peple of þe lond killiden alle men, þat hadden conſpyrid
aȝens þe kyng Amon; and for hym þei ordeyneden Joſie
his ſone king to hem. Joſie bygan to rengne whanne he
was viij. ȝeer eeld, and rengnede xxxj. ȝer in Jeruſalem;
and he dide þat þat was pleeſaunt bifore God, and ȝede
bi alle þe weies of Dauiþ his fadir. In þe xviij. ȝeer of
Joſie he hadde beſyneſſe þat þe temple of God were
reparailid; and whanne þe book of lawe was red bifore
þe king, he to-rente hiſe cloþis, and ſente ſolempne
meſſengeris to take counceil at God for himſelf and his
reume; for he ſeide, þat greet veniaunce of God is
kynlid aȝens vs, for oure fadris herden not þe wordis of
þis book, to do al þat is writen to vs. And God ſeide bi
þe propheteſſe Olda, þe wijf of Sellum, "I ſchal bringe
yuelis on þis place, and on þe dwelleris þereof, alle þe
wordis of þe lawe whiche Joſie redde, for þey forſooken
me, and maden ſacrifice to alyen goddis; and for þou,
Joſiee, herdiſt þe wordis of þe book, and þin herte was
afeerd, and þou were meekid bifore me, and to-rentiſt þi
cloþis, and weptiſt bifore me, þerfore þou ſchalt diȝe in
pees, þat þin iȝen ſe not alle þeſe yuelis, whiche I ſchal
bringe in on þis place. " Þanne Joſie gaderide to hym
alle þe olde men of Juda and of Jeruſalem, and þe king
ſtiȝede into þe temple of God, and alle men of Juda and
alle men þat dwelliden in Jeruſalem, prophetis and
preſtis, and al þe peple ſtyede wiþ hym, and he redde to
alle men heeringe alle þe wordis of þe book of
couenaunt of þe Lord, þat was founden in þe hous of þe
Lord. And þe king ſtood on þe grees, and ſmoot
couenaunt bifore þe Lord, þat þei ſchulden go aftir þe
Lord, and kepe alle hiſe heeſtis, and witneſſingis, and
cerymonies, in al þe herte and in al þe ſoule, and þe
peple aſſentide to þe couenaunt. And þe king bad þe
biſchop and preſtis and porters caſte out of Goddis
temple alle veſſels þat weren maad to Baal, and to oþer
ydols; and he brent þo out of Jeruſalem, in þe valey of
Cedron, and bar þe duſt of þo into Bethel. And he
diſtroide ydolatrours, and þe hous of lecchours þat
weren in þe hous of God; and he diſtroide auteris and
hiȝe placis of ydols, and ymagis, and took out boonys
fro ſepulcris, and brente þo on þe autir in Bethel, þat
ſeruide to ydolatrie. Alſo Joſie dide awey alle templis of
hiȝe placis, þat weren in þe citee of Samarie, whiche þe
kingis of Iſrael hadden maad to terre þe Lord to wraþþe;
and he dide to þo as he hadde do in Bethel, and he
killide þe preſtis of hiȝe placis, whiche preſtis weren
þere ouer þe auters, and he brente mennis boonys `on
þo auters. Alſo Joſie made þe puple to make a ſolempne
paſk, and ſuch paſk was not maad fro þe daies of iugis,
and alle kingis of Iſrael and Juda, as was þis paſk maad,
in þe xviij. ȝeer of Joſie. And hee dide awey ſpiritis
ſpekinge in mennis wombis, and falſe dyuynouris, and
figuris of ydols, and vnclenneſſis, and abomynacyouns,
þat weren in þe lond of Juda and of Jeruſalem. No king
bifore him neiþer aftir him was lyk him, þat turned aȝen
to God in al his herte, and in al his ſoule, and in al his
vertu, bi al þe lawe of Moiſes. Naþeles for þe orrible
ſynnes of Juda God turnede not awey fro his ſtrong
veniaunce, but ſeide, þat he wolde take awey Juda fro
his face, as he dide awey Iſrael, and þat he wolde caſte
awey þe citee Jeruſalem whiche he chees. Þerfor Farao
Nechao, king of Egipt, killide Joſye in Magedo, and
Joachas his ſone was maad kyng for his fadir; and he
rengnede þre moneþis in Jeruſalem, and dide yuel
bifore God bi alle þingis whiche his fadris hadden do;
and þis Farao priſonyde him in Reblatha, and took
tribute of þe lond, an c. talentis of ſyluer, and oo talent
of gold; and þis Farao made king Elyachym, þe ſone of
Joſie, and turnede his name Joachym; and þis Farao
ledde Joachas in to Egipt; and Joachym dide yuele
bifore God bi alle þingis whiche his fadris hadden do.
And þis Joachym was maad ſeruaunt þre ȝeer to
Nabugodnoſor, king of Babilonie, and eft he rebellyde
XV
aȝens Nabugodnoſor, and God ſente þeuis of Caldeys,
and þeuis of Sirie, and þeuis of Moab, and þeuis of þe
ſones of Amon into Juda, þat he ſchulde diſtroie it, as he
ſpac bi his prophetis, and ſpecialy for þe ſynnes of
Manaſſes. Þis Joachym diȝede, and his ſone Joakyn
rengnide iij. moneþis in Jeruſalem, and dide yuel bifore
God, as hiſe fadris hadden do. In þat tyme þe ſeruauntis
of Nabugodnoſor ſtiȝede to Jeruſalem, and biſeegeden it.
Þanne Nabugodnoſor came to Jeruſalem to ouercome it,
and Joakyn, and his modir, and his ſeruauntis, and
princis, and chaumbirleyns ȝeden out to Nabugodnoſor,
and he tranſlatide Joakyn and his ooſt, x. þouſind, and
many crafty men in to Babiloyne; and took alle þe
treſouris of Goddis hous, and of þe kingis hous, and bet
togidere alle þe golden veſſels, whiche king Salamon
hadde maad in þe temple. And Nabugodnoſor
ordeynede Mathanye, þe broþer of Joſie, to be kinge,
and clepide hym Sedechie, and he rengnede xj. ȝeer in
Jeruſalem, and dide yuel bifore God bi alle þingis þat
Joachym hadde do; for God was wrooþ aȝens Jeruſalem
and Juda, til he caſtide hem awey fro his face. And
Sedechie ȝede awey fro þe king of Babilonye, and in þe
ix. ȝeer of Sadechie Nabugodonoſor cam wiþ al his ooſt,
and biſegide Jeruſalem til to þe xi. ȝeer of Sedechie,
and þanne þe citee was broken, and Sedechie and his
warriouris fledden bi nyȝt, and þe ooſt of Caldeys
purſuede and took him, and brouȝte him to
Nabugodonoſor in Reblatha. And Nabugodonoſor ſpac
dom wiþ Sedechie, and killide hiſe ſones bifore him,
and puttide out his iȝen, and boond him wiþ chaynes,
and brouȝte hym in to Babiloyne. Þanne Nabuſardan, þe
prince of þe ooſt, brente Goddis hous, and þe kingis
hous, and þe houſis of Jeruſalem, and diſtroiede þe
wallis of Jeruſalem in cumpas; and he tranſlatide into
Babiloine þe reſidue puple of Juda, outaken a fewe pore
men, vyntilieris and erþetilieris; and he brak alle þe
braſen veſſels and of metal in þe temple, and bare þe
metal into Babilone. Þanne Nabugodonoſor made
Godolye to be ſouereyn of þe peple left in þe lond of
Juda, and þanne alle þe dukis of knyȝtis camen to
Godolie in Maſpha, and he made an ooþ to hem, þat it
ſchulde be wel to hem, if þei wolden ſerue þe king of
Babilone. And Iſmael, þat was of þe kingis blood,
killide Godolye, and Jewis and Caldeis þat weren wiþ
him, and al þe peple of Juda and þe princis of kniȝtis
fledden into Egipte, for drede of Caldeys. At þe laſte,
Euylmeradach, king of Babilone, reiſide Joachyn fro
preſoun, and ſettide his trone aboue þe trones of oþir
kingis þat weren wiþ hym in Babilone; and Joachyn eet
euere breed in þe kingis ſiȝt of Babilone, in alle þe daies
of his lijf. Þis proſces of Godolie and þat ſueþ is teld
largeliere in þe ende of Jeremye þan heere in þe ende of
Kingis. Þis proſces of þe iiij. book of Kingis ſchulde
ſtire alle men, and namely kingis and lordis, for to hate
ſynne, as ydolatrie and coueitiſe, and brekinge of
Goddis heeſtis, for whiche þe peple of Iſrael and þe
peple of Juda was þus punſchid, and conquerid of
heþene men, and for to loue vertues and kepinge of
Goddis heeſtis, and diſtroyinge of opyn ſinnes, for
whiche manye goode kingis, as Eſechie, Joſie, and
many oþere, hadden grete þank and ſocour of God in
manye greete perels, and bliſſe of heuene wiþouten
ende. God for his mercy graunte þis bliſſe to vs! Amen.
CAP. VIII.
Þe bookis of Paralypomynon ben ful neſceſſarie to
vndirſtonde þe ſtories of þe elde teſtament, in ſo myche,
as Jerom ſeiþ, þat if eny man wiþouten þeſe bookis
wole preſume to haue þe kunnynge of hooly ſcripturis,
he ſcorne himſelf, þat is, diſſeyue eiþir make himſelf
worþi to be ſcorned; for whi þe ſtories left out in þe
bookis of Kingis be touchid in þeſe bookis, and
vnnumberable queſtiouns of þe goſpel ben declarid by
þeſe bookis. Þe firſte book of Paralypomynon telliþ in
þe bigynnynge þe generacyouns fro Adam til to Jacob,
and ſo forþ til to Dauiþ, and touchiþ ſchortly manye
ſtories of Saul, and of Dauiþ, and of Salomon, in þe
ende þerof; and how Dauiþ ordeynede preſtis and
dekyns in her offis, and how and bi what ſeruiſe þei
ſchulden ſerue God. Þe bigynnyng of þe ij. book of
Paralipomynon telliþ hou Salomon axide of God
wiſedom to deme his peple, and God ȝaf to him
wiſdom, and kunnyng, and richeſſe, and glorie, ſo þat
noon among kingis neiþer bifore neiþer aftir him was
lyk him. Þanne is toold how Salomon byldide þe temple
of Jeruſalem, and an hous to himſelf. Aftir þis þe queene
of Saba cam to Salomon, and brouȝte many precious
iewelis to him, and preuede his kunnynge and wiſdom
in many þingis. And alle þe kingis of þe erþe deſyreden
to ſee þe face of Salomon, for to here þe wiſdom of
God, which he hadde ȝoue in his herte. Aftir þis it ſueþ
hou Roboam departide þe x. lynagis fro þe hous of
Dauiþ bi his pride and harde wordis, and bi ſuynge of
þe counceil of ȝunge men; and whanne þe rewme of
Juda was confermyd to him, he forſook þe lawe of God,
and al Iſrael dide þe ſame wiþ him. Þerfore God ſente þe
king of Egipt wiþ vnnoumbrable peple on hem, and
took awey þe treſours of Goddis hous and of þe kingis
hous, and þei ſerueden þe king of Egipt, to knowe þe
dyuerſite of Goddis ſeruiſe, and of þe ſeruiſe of þe
rewme of þe londis. Aftir him regnede Abia, his ſone,
and he tretide wijſely wiþ þe peple of Iſrael, þat þei
ſchulde forſake her ſynne, and werrey not aȝens Goddis
puple and þe rewme of Juda; and for þei wolde proudly
werreye aȝens þe rewme of Juda, and aȝens þis good
counceil of Abia, he killyde of hem bi Goddis help v.
hundrid þouſynd of ſtronge men. Aftir þis counceil Abia
diȝede, and Aſa his ſone rengnede for him; and in þe
daies of Aſa þe lond was in reſte x. ȝeer; and Aſa dide
þat þat was good and pleſaunt in þe ſiȝt of God, and he
diſtroiede auteris of ydolatrie, and hiȝe placis, and he
brak ymagis, and hewyde doun wodis, and comaundide
XVI
þe peple of Juda to ſeeke þe Lord God of her fadris, and
do his lawe, and kepe alle hiſe heeſtis. He rengnide in
pees, and byldide ſtronge citees wiþ wallis, and touris,
and ȝatis, and lockis, and he hadde in his ooſt þre
hundrid þouſind of Juda, of men beringe ſcheeldis and
ſperis, and of Beniamyn ij. hundrid þouſind and lxx.
þouſind of men of armes, and of archeris. And he
ouercam þe king of Ethiopie, þat cam wiþ x. c. þouſind
men and iij. c. charris; and Aſa hadde þe victorie, for in
triſt of Goddis help he cam aȝens þis gret multitude.
Þanne þe prophete of God ſeide to Aſa and al his peple,
"Þe Lord is wiþ ȝow, for ȝe weren wiþ hym; if ȝe ſeeken
hym ȝee ſchulen fynde; and if ȝe forſaken him he ſchal
forſake ȝou; many daies ſchulen paſſe in Iſrael wiþoute
veri God, and wiþout preſt, and techere, and lawe; and
whanne þei turnen aȝen in her angwiſche, and crien to
God, and ſeekyn him, þei ſchulen fynde him. Be ȝe
confortid, and ȝoure hondis be not maad vnſtedfaſt, for
whi mede ſchal be to ȝoure werk. " And whanne Aſa
hadde herd þeſe wordis, and profecie, he was
coumfortid, and dide awey alle ydols fro al þe lond of
Juda and of Beniamyn, and fro þe citees whiche he
hadde take of Effraym. And he gaderide to gidere al þe
puple vndir him, and he entride into Jeruſalem, to make
ſtronge þe boond of pees, þat þei ſchulden ſeeke þe
Lord God of her fadris in al her herte and al her ſoule,
and he ſeide, "If eny man ſeekiþ not þe Lord God of
Iſrael, diȝe he, fro þe leeſte til to þe meeſte, fro man til
to womman. " And þei ſworen wiþ al hire herte and wiþ
al hire wille, þei ſouȝten God and founden hym, and
God ȝaf reſte to hem bi cumpas. And whanne þe king of
Iſrael werride aȝens Aza, Aſa ſente mychil gold and
ſyluer to þe king of Syrie, to helpe him, and to werreye
aȝens þe king of Iſrael, and he dide ſo. Þanne God
blamyde Aſa greetly, for he triſte in þe king of Sirie, and
not in God. "And þerfor þe ooſt of þe king of Sirie
aſcapide fro þin hond, " ſeide God, "and alſo bateiles
ſchulen riſe aȝens þee in preſent tyme. " And Aſa was
wrooþ aȝens þe prophete, þat telde þis to hym, and
puttide him in þe ſtockis; and God hadde ful gret
indingnacoun on þis þing, and killide full manye men of
þe puple in þat tyme. And in þe ende of his lijf Aſa
hadde ful greet ſykneſſe of his feet, and in his ſykneſſe
he ſouȝte not þe Lord, but triſte more in þe craft of
lechis. And Aſa diȝede, and Joſophat his ſone regnede
`for hym, and was ſtrong aȝens Iſrael. And king
Joſophat ordeynede noumbris of kniȝtis in alle wallid
citees of Juda, and ordeynede ſtrong hooldis in þe lond
of Juda, and in þe citees of Effrahym, whiche Aſa his
fadir hadde take. And þe Lord was wiþ Joſophat, and he
ȝede in þe firſte weies of Dauiþ his fadir, and he hopide
not in Baalym, but in God Almyȝty, and ȝede in his
comaundementis, and not bi þe ſynnes of Iſrael. And
God confermyde þe rewme in þe hond of Joſophat, and
he hadde ful many richeſſis and myche glorie; and
whanne his herte hadde take triſt for þe weies of þe
Lord, he dide aweye alſo hiȝe placis and woodis fro
Judea, where þe puple made offring `out of Jeruſalem
aȝens þe lawe. And Joſophat in þe iij. ȝeer of his rewme
ſente fyue of his princis, þat þei ſchulde teche in þe
citees of Juda; and he ſente ix. deknes wiþ hem, and ij.
preſtis wiþ hem, and þei hadden þe book of Goddis
lawe, and tauȝten þe peple in Juda; and þei cumpaſſiden
alle þe citees of Juda, and tauȝten al þe peple. Þerfore
þe drede of þe Lord was maad on alle rewmys of londis
þat weren bi þe cumpas of Juda, and durſten not
werreye aȝens Joſophat. And he hadde redy at his hond
xj. c. þouſind and lx. c. þouſind of kniȝtis, and men of
armys, and archers, outaken oþere whiche he `hadde ſet
in wallid citees, and in all Juda. And Filiſteyis and
Arabeyes brouȝten to Joſophat ȝiftis and tributis, and
many þouſindis of ſcheep and buckis of geet. And aftir
þis doinge Joſophat was alyed to Acab, and ȝede wiþ
hym to bateile into Ramoth of Galaad, and iiij. c.
prophetis, þat weren diſſeyued bi a ſpirit of leſing,
excitide Acab to þis werre, and bihiȝte proſperite and
victorie to him; but Mycheas, oo trewe prophete of
God, telde to Acab þat he ſchulde diȝe in þis bataile,
and ſo it was indeede; and Joſophat, þat was in mooſt
perel of þis bateile, was ſauid bi Goddis help. Aftir þis
bateil Joſophat turnede aȝeen in pees to Jeruſalem, and a
prophete of God mette him, and ſeide, "Þou helpiſt þe
wickid man, and art ioyned in frenſchip to hem þat
haten God, and þerfor þou diſſeruediſt þe wraþþe of
God, but goode werkis ben founden in þee, for þou
dideſt awey wodis fro þe lond of Juda, and madiſt redy
þin herte to ſeeke þe Lord God of þi fadris. " Þerfore
Joſophat dwellide in Jeruſalem, and eft he ȝide out to þe
peple fro Berſabe til to þe hil of Effraym, and clepide
hem aȝen to þe Lord God of her fadris; and he
ordeynede iugis of þe lond in alle ſtronge citees of Juda
bi ech place; and he comaundide þus to þe iugis, "See
ȝe, what ȝe owen to do, for ȝe vſen þe dom not of man
but of þe Lord, and what euer þing þat ȝe ſchal deme,
ſchal turne into ȝou; þe dreede of þe Lord be wiþ ȝou,
and do ȝe alle þingis wiþ diligence; for whi neiþer
wickidneſſe, neiþer taking of perſoones, neiþer coueitiſe
of ȝiftis, is anentis ȝoure Lord God. " And in Jeruſalem
Joſophat ordeynede dekenes and preſtis, and princis of
meynes of Iſrael, þat þei ſchulde deme to þe dwelleris
þerof þe doom and cauſe of God; and he comaundide to
hem and ſeide, "Þus ȝe ſchulen do in þe drede of þe
Lord feiþfully, and in a perfit herte; ech cauſe þat
comeþ to ȝou of ȝoure briþeren þat dwellen in her
citees, bitwixe kinrede and kynrede, where euere is
queſtioun eiþer doute of þe lawe of comaundement of
cerymonies of iuſtifijngis, ſchewe ȝee to hem, þat þei do
not ſynne aȝens þe Lord, and wraþþe eiþer veniaunce
come not on ȝow, and on ȝoure briþeren; þerfore do ȝe
þus and ȝe ſchule `not do ſynne; and Amarie, ȝoure preſt
and biſchop, ſchal be ſouereyn in þeſe þingis þat
perteynyn to God. " Aftir þeſe þingis þe ſones of Amon,
XVII
and þe ſones of Moab, and wiþ men of Ydume, weren
gaderid togidere to werrye aȝens Joſophat. Þanne
Joſophat ȝaf him al to beſeche God, and prechide faſting
to al Juda, and al Juda was gaderid to biſeeche þe Lord;
and Joſophat knoulechide, þat he hadde not power to
aȝenſtonde ſo greet a multitude of enemyes. Þanne God
coumfortide him and his peple bi a prophete, þat þei
ſchulde not dreede þis greet multitude of enemyes, for
God himſelf ſchulde fiȝte and ouercome her enemyes,
wiþout ſtrook of his peple; and ſo it was in dede. At þe
laſte, Joſophat made frenſchipe wiþ Ocoſie, king of
Iſrael, whois werkis weren ful yuele, and þei weren
felowis to make ſchippis, þat ſchulden go into Tarſis.
Þerfor God bi his prophete ſeide to Joſophat, "For þou
haddiſt boond of pees wiþ Ocoſie, God haþ ſmyte þi
werkis, " and þe ſchippis ben al to-broken and myȝten
not go into Tarſis. Þanne diȝede Joſophat, and Joram his
ſone rengnyde for hym. Þis Joram weddide þe douȝtir
of Acab, and killide hiſe owne briþeren, and ȝede in þe
weies of þe kingis of Iſrael, as þe hous of Acab hadde
do; and he dide ydolatrie, and made þe dwelleris of
Jeruſalem and alſo Juda to breke Goddis lawe. Þerfor
Edom and Lobna ȝeden awey fro his lordſchipe, for he
hadde forſake þe Lord God of his fadris; and þerfore
God reiſide aȝens him Filiſteys and Arabeys, þat
cooſteyen wiþ Ethiopiens, and þei diſtroieden þe lond of
Juda, and token awey al þe catel þat was founden in þe
hous of þe king, and tooken awey his wijf and ſones,
outaken Joachas þe ȝungeſte. And God ſmoot Joram wiþ
vncurable ſorewe of wombe twey ȝer, ſo þat he rotid on
erþe, and caſtide out hiſe entrailis, and diȝede in worſt
ſykneſſe. And his ſone Ocoſias rengnyde for him, and
dide yuele as þe hous of Acab, for whi his modir
excitide him to do wickidly; and þei of þe hous of Acab
weren his councelers into his deþ, and he ȝede in þe
counceil of hem. And þerfore Hieu, whanne he
diſtroyede þe hous of Acab, killide Ocoſie, and þe
prince of Juda, and þe ſones of þe briþeren of Ocoſie.
After þeſe þingis Joas waas maad king, bi þe helpe of
Joiada þe preſt, and þe curſide womman Atalia was
ſlayn. Þe preſtis and grete men of þe peple brouȝten out
of Goddis hous þe ſone of þe king, and ſettiden a coroun
on his heed, and ȝauen in his hond þe lawe to be kept,
and maden him king. And Joiada made couenaunt
bitwixen him and al þe peple and þe king, þat þei
ſchulden be þe peple of God, þat is, forſake ydolatrie,
and kepe treuly Goddis lawe. Þerfore al þe peple ȝede
into þe hous of Baal, and diſtroyeden it, and braken þe
auters and ſymylacris, eiþer ymagis of him, and þei
killeden bifore þe auteer Mathan, þe preſt of Baal. Þis
Joas dide wel in þe tyme of Joiada, and reparilide þe
temple of Jeruſalem, þat was diſtroyed bi Atalia and hir
ſones; but aftir þe deeþ of Joiada he was flaterid bi þe
princis of Juda, and þei felden to idolatrie, and forſoken
þe temple of God. And þe wraþþe of God was maad
aȝens Juda and Jeruſalem for his ſynne, and he ſente
prophetis to hem, þat þei ſchulden turne aȝen to God,
and þei nolde heere þeſe profetis. And Sacarie, þe preſt
and ſone of Joiada, repreuede hem for þis ſynne, and þei
ſtonyden hym to deþ in þe purſeynt of Goddis hous, by
comaundement of þe king. And whanne þe ȝeer was
endid þe ooſt of Syrie ſtiȝede aȝens hym, and cam in to
Juda and Jeruſalem, and killide alle þe princis of þe
peple, and ſenten al þe prey in to Damaſk to þe king.
And certis whanne a ful litil noumbre of men of Sirie
was comen, God bitook in her hondis a multitude
wiþouten ende, for þei hadden forſake þe Lord God of
her fadris, and þei vſiden ſchameful domes in Joas, and
ȝeden forþ, and leftyn him in greet ſorewis; and his
ſeruaunts riſen aȝens him for veniaunce of þe blood of
þe ſone of Joiada þe preſt, and killiden him in his bed;
and Joas was deed, and Amaſie his ſone rengnide for
him.
CAP. IX.
Amaſie dide good in party, but not in a parfit herte, and
he killide hem þat hadden ſlayn þe king his fadir, but he
killide not her ſones, as God bad in þe lawe. Þis Amaſie
foond in al Juda and Beniamyn fro xx. ȝeer and aboue,
xxx. þouſind of ȝunge men þat ȝeden out to bateile, and
heelden ſpere and ſcheeld; and he hyride of Iſrael an c.
þouſind of ful ſtronge men for an c. talentis of ſyluer, to
fiȝte aȝens þe ſones of Edom. And a man of God ſeide
to Amaſie, "A! þou king, þe ooſt of Iſrael go not out wiþ
þee, for þe Lord is not wiþ Yſrael, and wiþ alle þe ſones
of Effraym; þat if þou geſſiſt þat bateilis ſtonden in þe
ſtrengþe of ooſt, þe Lord ſchal make þee to be
ouercomen of þin enemyes; for it is propir to God for to
helpe, and `for to turne into fliȝt. " Þerfore Amaſie
departyde awey þe ooſt of Iſrael, and triſtily ledde forþ
his puple to bataile; and he hadde þe victorie, and
killide xl. þouſind of his enemyes in þis bataile. And
aftir þis victorie Amaſie worſchipide þe goddis of
Edom, and brente encenſe to hem; wherfor God was
wrooþ aȝens Amaſie, and ſente to him a prophete, þat
ſchulde ſeie to him, "Whi haſt þou worſchipid goddis
þat delyueriden not her puple fro þin hond? " Whanne
þe prophete ſpac þeſe þingis to him, he anſweride to þe
prophete, "Wher þou art a counceler of þe king? ceeſe
þou, leſt perauenture I ſlee þee. " Þerfore þe prophete
ȝede awey, and ſeide, "I woot þat þe Lord þouȝte to ſlee
þee, for þou haſt doo þis yuel, and ferþermore þou
aſſentidiſt not to my counceil:" and ſo it bifelde in
deede, for bi pride he terride þe king of Iſrael to werre,
and nolde ceeſe for heleful counceil of þe king of Iſrael.
Þerfore þe king of Iſrael ouercam þe puple of Juda, and
took Amaſie, and diſtroiede þe wal of Jeruſalem bi iiij.
c. cubitis, and took awey al þe treſour and veſſels
whiche he foond in Goddis hous, and in þe kingis hous.
And aftir þis doing Amaſie fledde out of Jeruſalem into
Lachis, for treſoun doon to him of his men; and þei
ſenten, and killiden him in Lachis. And Oſias his ſone
XVIII
regnede for him lij. ȝeer in Jeruſalem, and ſouȝte God in
þe daies of Sacarie, vndirſtondinge and ſeeinge God,
and whanne he ſouȝte God, he louyde him in alle
þingis; and God helpide him aȝens Filiſteys, and aȝens
Arabeys, and aȝens Ammonytis. And Ammonitis
payeden ȝiftis to Oſias, and his name was pupliſchid til
to þe entring of Egipt, for ofte victories. He bildide
manye touris in Jeruſalem, and alſo in wildirneſſe, for
he hadde many beeſtis, and vynes, and vyntilieris, for
he was a man ȝouen to erþe tilþe. He hadde in his ooſt
ij. þouſynd and vj. c. princes of ſtronge men, and iij. c.
þouſind `and vij. þouſind and v. c. þat weren able to
bateil, and fouȝten for þe king aȝens aduerſaries; and his
name ȝede out fer, for God `helpide him, and made him
ſtronge. But whanne he was maad ſtronge, his herte was
reiſid into his deþ, and he diſpiſide his Lord God, for he
ȝede into þe temple of God, and wolde brenne encenſe
on þe auter of encenſe, aȝens þe lawe. And whanne þe
biſchop and many noble preſtis aȝenſtodyn him, and
teldyn þe lawe þat was aȝens him, hee was wrooþ, and
helde þe cenſer, and manaſide hem; and anoon lepre
roos in his forheed bifore þe preſtis in Goddis hous.
Þanne þe preſtis puttiden him out, and he haſtide to go
out, for drede, and for he feelide anon þe veniaunce of
God. Þerfore king Oſias was leprouſe til to þe day of his
deþ, and dwellide in an hous departid. And Joathan his
ſone gouernede þe kingis hous, and deemyde þe puple
of þe lond. And Joathan rengnyde xvj. ȝeer in
Jeruſalem, and dide riȝtfulneſſe bifore God, bi alle
þingis whiche Oſias his fadir hadde do, outaken þis, þat
he entride not into þe temple of God; and ȝit þe puple
treſpaſſide. He byldide manye þingis, and fauȝt aȝens þe
king of þe ſones of Amon, and ouercam him; and þe
ſones of Amon ȝauen to hym an c. talentis of ſyluer, and
x. þouſind corus of barly, and as manye of whete; and a
corus conteyneþ xxx. buſchellis. And Joathan was maad
ſtrong, for he hadde dreſſid his weyes bifore his Lord
God, and he was deed, and Achas his ſone regnede for
hym xvj. ȝeer in Jeruſalem. Þis Acas dide not
riȝtfulneſſe in Goddis ſiȝt, but ȝede in þe weies of þe
kingis of Iſrael, and made ymagis to Baal, and dide
manyfold ydolatrie; and God bitook him in to þe hond
of þe king of Sirie, which king ſmoot Acas, and took a
gret prey of his rewme into Damaſk; and Acas was
bitaken to þe hondis of þe king of Iſrael, and was
ſmyten wiþ a greet wounde. And Facee, þe ſone of
Romelye, killide of Juda vj. ſcore þouſind in oo day,
alle þe werriouris; for þei hadden forſake þe Lord God
of her fadris; and þe ſones of Iſrael tooken of hire
briþeren of Juda ij. c. þouſind of wymmen, and of
children, and of damyſelis, and prey wiþouten ende, and
baren it in to Samarie. And Obed, þe prophete of God,
ſeide to þe men of Iſrael, þat þei hadden do greet
cruelte, and ſynned aȝens God, and bad hem lede aȝen
þe priſoneris of Juda, "for whi greet veniaunce of þe
Lord neiȝeþ to ȝou. " Þerfore þe princes of Iſrael maden
þe werriouris to forſake þe prey, and alle þingis whiche
þei hadden take; and þe princis cloþiden hem þat weren
nakid, and refreſchiden hem wiþ mete, and drinke, and
anoyntyng of oile, for traueile, and ſenten hem hoom
benyngly. Þanne king Acas ſente to þe king of Aſſiriens,
and axide help; and Ydumeys camen, and killiden
manye men of Juda, and tooken greet prey; and Filiſteys
tooken many citees of Juda, and dwelliden in þo. And
God made low þe puple of Juda for Acas þe king of
Iſrael, for he hadde maad `him nakid of help, and for he
hadde diſpiſid God. And God brouȝte aȝens him Teglath
Falaſar, þe king of Aſſiriens, þat turmentide him, and
diſtroiede, for noon aȝenſtood. Þerfore Acas ſpoilide
Goddis hous, and þe hous of kingis and of princis, and
ȝaf ȝiftis to þe king of Aſſiriens; and naþeles it profitide
no þing to him; and Acas, in þe tyme of his anguyſch,
encreſide diſpiſing aȝens God, and offride ſacrifices to
þe goddis of Damaſk, and he ſeide, "Þe goddis of Sirie
`helpen hem, whiche goddis I ſchal pleſe wiþ ſacrifices,
and þei ſchulen helpe me, " whanne aȝenward þei weren
fallyng to him, and to al Iſrael. Þerfor Acas rauyſchide
and brak alle þe veſſels of Goddis hous, and cloſide þe
ȝatis of Goddis temple, and made to him auteris in alle
corners of Jeruſalem, and in alle þe citees of Juda, to
brenne encenſe, and terride God to wraþþe. And he
diȝede, and Eſechiee his ſone rengnide for him xxix.
ȝeer in Jeruſalem; he dide þat þat was pleſaunt in
Goddis ſiȝt, bi alle þingis which Dauiþ his fadir hadde
do. And he opynede þe ȝatis of Goddis hous, in þe firſte
ȝeer of his rewme, and made preſtis and dekenes to
clenſe and halewe þe temple and auter of God, wiþ al þe
veſſels and purtenaunſis of þe temple; and he gaderide
togidere alle þe princis of þe citee, and ſtiȝide into
Goddis hous; and þei offriden vij. boolis and vij.
rammes, vij. lambren, and vij. buckis of geet, for ſynne,
for þe rewme, for þe ſentuarie, and for Juda. And he
ſeide to þe preſtis, þe ſones of Aaron, þat þei ſchulden
offre on þe auter of God, and þei diden ſo. And he
ordeynede dekenys in þe hous of God, wiþ ſymbals and
ſautrees and harpis, bi þe ordynaunce of Dauiþ, and of
Gad, þe prophete of þe king, and of Nathan þe
prophete; for it was þe comaundement of God bi þe
hond of hiſe prophetis. And dekenys ſtooden and
heelden þe orgenys of Dauiþ, and preſtis heldyn
trumpis. And Eſechie comaundide þat þei ſchulden offre
brent ſacrifices on þe auter, and whanne brent ſacrifices
weren offrid, þei bigunnen `to ſinge heryingis to God,
and to ſounne wiþ trumpis and diuerſe orgenys, whiche
Dauiþ þe king of Iſrael hadde maad redy for to ſounne.
And Eſechie and þe princis comaundiden to þe dekenys
þat þei ſchulden herie God wiþ þe wordis of Dauiþ, and
of Aſaph þe prophete. And Eſechie ſente to al Iſrael and
Juda, and wroot epiſtlis to Effraym and Manaſſes, þat
þei ſchulden come to Goddis hous in Jeruſalem, and
make paſk to þe Lord God of Iſrael. And it pleſide þe
king and al þe multitude, and þei demeden to ſende
XIX
meſſangeris into al Iſrael, fro Berſabee til to Dan, þat þei
ſchulden come and make paſk to þe Lord God `of Iſrael
in Jeruſalem. And currowris ȝeden out wiþ epiſtlis, bi
comaundement of þe king and of hiſe princes, `in to al
Iſrael and Juda, as þe king hadde comaundid, and
precheden, "Sones of Iſrael, turne ȝe aȝeen to þe Lord
God of Abraham, of Iſaac, and of Iſrael, and he ſchal
turne aȝen to þe remenauntis þat aſcapiden þe hondis of
þe king of Aſſiriens; ſerue ȝe to þe Lord God of youre
fadris, and þe wraþþe of his ſtrong veniaunce ſchal be
turned awey fro ȝou; for if ȝe turnen aȝen to þe Lord,
ȝoure briþeren and ȝoure ſones ſchulen haue merſy
bifore hire lordis, þat ledden hem priſoners, and þei
ſchulen turne aȝen into þis lond. " Þerfore currouris
ȝeden ſwiftly fro citee `in to citee, by þe lond of
Effraym and of Manaſſes `til to Sabulon, and þei
ſcorneden and bymowiden þe meſſengeris; naþeles
ſumme of Aſer and of Manaſſes and of Sabulon
aſſentiden to þe counceil, and camen in to Jeruſalem.
Goddis hond was maad in Juda, þat he ȝaf to hem oon
herte, and þei diden þe word of God bi comaundement
of þe king and of princis, and many puplis weren
gaderid in Jeruſalem, to make þe ſolempnite of paſk in
þe ij. monþe; and þei diſtroieden þe auteris þat weren in
Jeruſalem, and þei diſtroieden alle þingis in which
encenſe was offrid to ydolis, and caſtiden forþ in to þe
ſtronde of Cedron. Whanne þeſe þingis weren halewid
riȝtly, al Iſrael ȝede out, þat was founden in þe citees of
Juda, and þei braken ſymylacris, eiþer ymagis, and
hewiden doun wodis, and diſtroieden hiȝe placis and
auteris, and not oonly of al Juda and Beniamyn, but alſo
of Effraym and Manaſſes, til þei diſtroieden þoo
outtirly. And Eſechie ordeynede cumpanyes of preſtis
and of dekenis, bi her departingis, ech man in his owne
offis, as wel of preſtis as of dekenis, to brent ſacrifices
and peeſible ſacrifices, þat þei ſchulden mynyſtre and
knouleche and ſinge in þe ȝatis of þe caſtels, eiþir ooſtis,
of þe Lord. And Eſechie comaundide to þe puple to
ȝeue to preſtis and deknes her partys, þat is, þe firſte
fruytis and tiþis, þat þei myȝten ȝeue tent to þe lawe of
God. And þere is teld myche of þe paying and deeling
of tiþis and oþer hooly þingis. Þanne it ſueþ hou
Sennagerib blasfemede God of Iſrael, and hou Eſechie
counfortide þe puple aȝens his blasfemye and pride.
And Eſechie and Yſaie þe prophete preieden aȝens þe
blasfemye, and crieden til in to heuene; and God ſente
his aungel, and he killide ech ſtrong man, and werriour,
and prince of þe ooſt of `þe king of Aſſiriens, and he
turnide aȝen wiþ ſchenſchipe into his lond, and hiſe
owne ſones killiden him bi ſwerd. And God ſauide
Eſechie and þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem fro þe hond of
Senacherib, king of Aſſiriens, and fro þe hond of alle
men, and ȝaf to hem reſte bi cumpas. Aftir þeſe þingis
Eſechie was ſyk to þe deeþ, and he preiede to God, and
God herde him. And þe herte of Eſechie was reiſid to
pride, and wraþþe was maad aȝens him, and aȝens Juda,
and aȝens Jeruſalem. And aftir he was meekid, for his
herte was reyſid, boþe he and þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem
weren mekid, and þerfore þe veniaunce of God cam not
in þe daies of Eſechie. And Eſechie was ful riche and
noble, and in alle hiſe werkis he dide welſumly, what
euer þing he wolde. Naþeles in þe meſſage of princes of
Babilone, þat weren ſente to him to axe of þe grete
wondir þat bifel on erþe, God forſook him, þat he was
temptid, and alle þingis weren knowen þat weren in his
herte. Þanne diȝede Eſechie, and Manaſſes his ſone
rengnide in Jeruſalem lv. ȝeer. And Manaſſes dide yuele
bifore God, bi abomynacioun of heþen men, which God
diſtroiede bifore þe ſones of Iſrael, and he byldide hiȝe
placis, and made auteris to Baalym, and dide manyfold
ydolatrie, and ſeruede to wicche craftis, and ſette ydolis
in þe temple of God; and he diſſeyuede þe puple of Juda
and þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem, þat þei diden yuel more
þan heþene men, which þe Lord hadde diſtroied fro þe
face of þe ſones of Iſrael. And God ſpac to him and to
his puple, and þei nolden take heede; þerfore he brouȝte
on hem þe princis of þe ooſt of þe king of Aſſiriens; and
þei tooken Manaſſes, and bounden him wiþ chaynes and
gyues, and ledde him into Babilone; and aftir þat he
was angwiſchid, he preiede his Lord God, and he dide
penaunce gretly bifore þe God of his fadris, and he
preiede hertily, and biſouȝte God, and God herde his
preier, and brouȝte him aȝen in to Jeruſalem, into his
rewme. And Manaſſes knew þat þe Lord himſelf is God,
and he dide awey alien goddis, and ſymylacris, eiþer
idolis fro Goddis hous, and diſtroiede auteris whiche he
hadde maad in þe hil of Goddis hous and in Jeruſalem,
and caſtide alle out of þe citee, and he reſtoride þe
auteer of God, and offride on it ſacrificis and herying,
and comaundide þe puple of Juda to ſerue þe Lord God
of Iſrael; and naþeles þe puple offride ȝit in hiȝe placis
to her Lord God. Manaſſes diȝede, and Amon his ſone
regnide for him ij. ȝer in Jeruſalem, and he dide yuel in
Goddis ſiȝt, as Manaſſes his fadir hadde do, and offride
and ſeruede to alle idolis, which Manaſſes hadde maad;
and he reuerenſide not þe face of God, as Manaſſes
reuerenſide, and he dide many greetere treſpaſis; and
whanne his ſeruauntis hadden conſpirid aȝens him, þei
killiden him; and þe puple killide hem þat hadden ſlayn
Amon, and made Joſie his ſone king for him, and he
regnide xxxj. ȝeer in Jeruſalem. Joſie dide þat þat was
riȝtful in Goddis ſiȝt, and ȝede in þe weies of Dauiþ, his
fadir, and bowide neiþer to þe riȝt ſide neiþer to þe lift
ſide. In þe viij. ȝeer of his rewme, whanne he was ȝit a
chijld, he bigan to ſeke þe God of Dauiþ, his fadir, and
in þe xij. ȝeer, aftir þat he bigan, he clenſide Juda and
Jeruſalem fro hiȝe placis, and ymagis and ydolis. Þei
diſtroieden bifore him þe auters of Baalym, and þe
ſymylacris þat weren put aboue; he kittide doun, and
altobrak wodis and grauen ymagis, and ſcateride þe
relijfis on þe biriels of hem þat weren wont to offre.
Ferþermore he brente þe boonys of preſtis in þe auteris
XX
of idolis, and he clenſide Juda and Jeruſalem, and
diſtroiede alle ydolis in þe citees of Manaſſes and of
Effrahym and of Symeon til to Neptalym. In þe xviij.
ȝeer of his rewme, whanne þe lond and þe temple of
God was clenſid, he ſente worþi men to reparaile
Goddis hous, and ſo þei diden in deede. And Elchie, þe
gret preſt, ȝaf to Saphan, þe ſcriueyn and ſolempne
meſſenger, þe book of Goddis lawe, and he bar it to þe
king; and whanne þe king hadde herd þe wordis of þe
lawe, he to-rente hiſe cloþis, and he comaundede Elchie
and oþere grete men to goo, and preie þe Lord for þe
king, and for þe reſydues of Iſrael and of Juda, on alle
þe words of þe book of Goddis lawe; "for whi greet
veniaunce of God haþ droppid on vs, for oure fadris
kepten not þe wordis of God, þat þei diden alle þingis
þat ben writen in þis book. " Þerfore Elchie, and þei þat
weren ſent togidere of þe king, ȝeden to Olda, a
profeteſſe, þe wijf of Sellum; and God ſeide bi hir þat he
ſchal bringe in on þis place and dwelleris þerof yuelis,
and alle curſinges þat ben writen in þis book of Goddis
lawe; for þei forſoken God and ſacrificiden to alyen
goddis, to terre him to wraþfulneſſe, in alle þe werkis of
her hondis; "but for þou, king of Juda, herdiſt þe wordis
of þe book, and were meekid in Goddis ſiȝt, and weptiſt
and to-rentiſt þi cloþis, I haue herd þee, " ſeiþ God, "and
þou ſchalt be born in to þi ſepulcre in pees, and þin iȝen
ſchulen not ſee al þe yuel which Y ſchal bringe in on þis
place, and on þe dwelleris þerof. " And whanne Joſie
hadde herd þeſe wordis, he clepide togidere alle þe
eldre men of Juda and of Jeruſalem, and he ſtiȝide in to
Goddis hous, and alle men of Juda and þe dwelleris of
Jeruſalem ſtiȝiden togidere, preſtis and deknis, and al þe
puple fro þe leeſte `til to þe moſte, and in audienſe of
hem þe king redde in Goddis hous alle þe wordis of þe
book; and he ſtood in his trone, eiþir ſeete of doom, and
ſmoot boond of pees bifore God, þat he ſchulde go aftir
God, and kepe hiſe heeſtis, and witneſſingis, and
iuſtifyingis, in al his herte and al his ſoule, and do þo
þingis þat ben writen in þat book whiche he hadde red.
And he chargide gretly on þis þing alle men þat weren
founden in Jeruſalem and Beniamyn; and þe dwelleris
of Jeruſalem diden bi þe couenaunt of þe Lord God of
her fadris. Þerfore Joſie dide awey alle abomynaciouns
fro alle þe cuntreys of þe ſones of Iſrael, and made alle
men, þat weren reſidue in Iſrael, to ſerue her Lord God;
in alle þe daies of his lijf þei ȝeden not awey fro þe
Lord God of her fadris. Aftirward Joſie made paſk in
Jeruſalem, and ordeynede preſtis in hire officis, and bad
hem mynyſtre in Goddis hous, and bad dekenis ſerue
God and his puple Iſrael, and make hem redy bi hire
houſis and kinredis in þe departing of ech, as Dauiþ,
king of Iſrael, comaundide, and bad hem ſerue in þe
ſeyntuarie, bi þe meynes and cumpanyes and dekenis,
and þat þei be halewid, and offre paſk, and make redy
her briþeren þerto. And Joſie made ſuch a paſk, þat noon
was lyk in Iſrael, fro þe daies of Samuel þe prophete,
neiþir eny of þe kingis of Iſrael made paſk, as Joſie
dide, to preſtis, and dekenes, and to al Juda and Iſrael,
and to þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem; for he ȝaf to al þe
puple þat was founden in Jeruſalem in þe ſolempnite of
paſk, xxx. þouſinde lambrin `and kidis and oþere
ſcheep, and iij. þouſind of oxun. Aftir þat Joſie hadde
reparelid þe temple, Necao, king of Egipt, ſtiȝide to
fiȝte in Cartamys, and Joſie ȝede forþ aȝens him, and þe
king of Egipt ſeide to Joſie, "I come not to day aȝens
þee, but I fiȝte aȝens anoþer hous, to whiche God bad
and made me go in haſte; þerfore ceeſe, þou king of
Juda, to day aȝens God, which is wiþ me, leſt he ſle þee.
" Joſie nolde turne aȝen, but made himſelf redy to
bataile aȝens þe king of Egipt, and aſſentide not to þe
wordis of þe king of Egipt, ſpoken bi Goddis mouþ.
Þerfore Joſie was ſlayn of þe king of Egipt, and þe peple
of þe lond made Joacas his ſone king in Jeruſalem. He
regnide iij. moonþis in Jeruſalem, and þe king of Egipt
puttide him doun, and condempnide þe lond of Juda in
an c. talentis of ſyluer, and in a talent of gold, and made
Eliachym his broþir kyng for him on Juda and
Jeruſalem, and turnide his name Joachym. He regnide
xj. ȝeer in Jeruſalem, and dide yuel bifore God. Þerfore
Nabugodonoſor took him, and ledde him boundyn wiþ
chaynes into Babilone, and baar þidir þe veſſels of
Goddis temple; and Joakin his ſone rengnide for him iij.
moonþis and x. daies in Jeruſalem, and dide yuel in
Goddis ſiȝt. Þanne Nabugodonoſor ſente men þat ledden
hym into Babilone and bare out þe preciouſeſte veſſels
of Goddis hous; and Nabugodonoſor made Sedechie
king on Juda and Jeruſalem. He rengnide xj. ȝeer in
Jeruſalem, and dide yuel in Goddis ſiȝt, neiþir was
aſchamyd of þe face of Jeremye, þe prophete, þat ſpac
to him of Goddis mouþ. He brak þe ooþ maad too
Nabugodnoſor; þerfore Nabugodnoſor cam and took
hym, and ledde him and alle þe veſſels and þe treſouris
of Goddis hous and of þe king and princis into
Babilone, and killide þe puple, and diſtroiede and brente
Jeruſalem; and þe puple þat was left alyue was led into
Babilone, and ſeruede þe king and his ſones, til þe king
of Perſeys rengnide, and til l. ȝer weren fillid, bi Goddis
word ſeid bi þe mouþ of Jeremye. And Cirus, king of
Perſeys, comaundide to be prechid, ȝhe bi writinge in al
his rewme, þat Jewis ſchulden turne aȝen into Judee.
CAP. X.
Þis proces of Paralypomynon in þe j. and ij. book
ſchulde ſtire `criſtene kingis and lordis to diſtroie ſynne,
and loue vertu, and make Goddis lawe to be knowe and
kept of her puple, for heere þei mown ſe, hou ſore God
punſchide yuele kingis, þat lyueden yuele, and drowen
þe puple to idolatrie, eiþer oþer gret ſynnes, and hou
greetly God preyſide, rewardide, and cheriſchide good
kinges, þat lyueden wel, and gouernede wel þe puple in
Goddis lawe, and opin reſoun, and good conſcience.
And þouȝ kingis and lordis knewen neuere more of
XXI
hooly ſcripture þan iij. ſtories of þe ij. book of
Paralypomynon and of Regum, þat is, þe ſtorie of king
Joſophat, þe ſtorie of king Ezechie, and þe ſtorie of king
Joſie, þei myȝte lerne ſufficiently to lyue wel and
gouerne wel hire puple bi Goddis lawe, and eſchewe al
pride, and ydolatrie, and coueitiſe, and oþer ſynnes. But
alas! alas! alas! where king Jozophat ſente hiſe princis,
and dekenes, and preſtis, to ech citee of his rewme wiþ
þe book of Goddis lawe, to techen opinly Goddis lawe
to þe puple, ſumme criſtene lordis ſenden general lettris
to alle her myniſtris, and leegemen eiþir tenauntis, þat
þe pardouns of þe biſſchopis of Rome, þat ben opin
leeſingis, for þei graunten many c. ȝeeris of pardoun
aftir domes day, be prechid generaly in her rewmes and
lordſchipis, and if eny wijſe man aȝenſeiþ þe opin
errouris of anticriſt, and teche men to do her almes to
pore nedy men, to aſcape þe peynes of helle, and to
winne þe bliſſe of heuene, he be priſoned, as a man out
of criſten bileue, and traytour of God, and of criſten
kingis and lordis. And where king Ezechie made him
ful biſy to clenſe Goddis hous, and do awey al
vnclenneſſe fro þe ſentuarie, and comaundide preſtis to
offre brent ſacrifice on Goddis auteer, and ordeynede
dekenis in Goddis hous to herie God, as Dauiþ and oþer
prophetis ordeyneden, ſumme criſtene lordis in name,
and heþene in condiſcouns defoulen þe ſentuarie of
God, and bringin in ſymonient clerkis, ful of coueitiſe,
ereſie, and ypocriſie, and malice, to ſtoppe Goddis lawe,
þat it be not knowen and kept, and frely prechid; and ȝit
ſumme criſtene lordis holden many prelatis and curatis
in her courtis and in ſeculer offis aȝens Goddis lawe and
mannis opinly, and wiþholden hem fro her gooſtly offis
and helping of criſten ſoulis; and where king Joſie
prechide opinly Goddis lawe in þe temple to al þe
puple, and caſtide awey idolis, and brente þe boonis of
preſtis, þat diden idolatrie, ſumme criſten lordis in name
not in dede, preiſen and magnifien freris lettris, ful of
diſceit and leeſingis, and make hire tenauntis and meyne
to ſwere bi herte, boonis, nayles, and ſydes, and oþer
membris of Criſt, and purſuen ful cruely hem þat
wolden teche treuly and freely þe lawe of God, and
preiſen, mayntenen, and cheriſchen hem, þat prechen
fablis, leſingis, and ſynful mennis tradiciouns, eiþer
ſtatutis, and letten greetly þe goſpel to be prechid, and
holy writ to be knowen and kept. But wite þeſe vnwyſe
lordis, þat Elye þe prophete, oon aloone hadde þe
treuþe of God, and king Acab wiþ viij. c. and l. preſtis
and prophetis of Baal hadde þe falſe part; and eft
Mycheas, oon aloone prophete of God, hadde þe treuþe
aȝens iiij. c. prophetis of Baal, þat counceileden Acab
go to werre to his owne ſchenſchipe and deþ; ſo now a
fewe pore men and idiotis, in compariſoun of clerkis of
ſcole, mown haue þe treuþe of holy ſcripture aȝens
many þouſinde prelatis and religiouſe, þat ben ȝouen to
worldly pride and coueitiſe, ſymonie, ypocriſie and oþer
fleſchly ſynnes, mooſt ſiþen þeſe pore men deſiren oonly
þe treuþe and fredom of þe hooly goſpel, and of hooly
ſcripture, and accepten manis lawis and ordynauncis,
oonly in as myche as þei ben groundid in holy ſcripture,
eiþir good reſoun, and comyn prophit of criſten puple;
and worldly prelatis and feyned relygious grounden
hem on ſynful mennis ſtatutis, þat ſounnen pride and
coueitiſe, and letten þe treuþe and fredom of Goddis
lawe to be knowen and kept, and bringen criſten puple
in nedeles þarldam and greet coſt. But it is for to drede
ful ſore leſt kingis and lordis ben now in þe formere
ſynnes of Manaſſes; God graunte þat þei repenten verily
and make amendis to God and men, as he dide, in þe
ende; for þei ſetten idolis in Goddis hous, and exciten
men to idolatrie, and ſcheden innocent blood in many
maners, as Manaſſes dide. Firſt þei ſetten in her herte,
þat ſchulde be þe temple and ſpecialy chaumbre of God,
þe idole of coueitiſe, eiþer of glotonie, eiþer of pride,
eiþer of oþer greet ſynnes, for ſeint Poul ſeiþ, þat oure
bodies ben þe temple of þe Hooly Gooſt, `and eft he
ſeiþ, þat auarice is þe ſeruiſe of idolis, and eft he ſeiþ,
þat glotouns maken her bely her God; and God ſeiþ bi
Job, þat þe deuil is king ouer alle þe ſones of pride, and
Jheſu Criſt ſeiþ, þat þe deuil is prince of þis world, þat
is, as Auſtin ſeiþ, of falſe men þat dwellen in þis world.
Þanne þei þat ſetten pride, eiþer coueitiſe, eiþer
glotonie, eiþer rauyn, in her herte, ſettyn idolis of Baal,
eiþer of þe deuil, in þe temple of God. Specialy lordis
ſetten idolis in Goddis hous, whanne þei maken
vnworþi prelatis eiþer curatis in þe chirche; for whi
ſuch vnable prelatis eiþer curatis ben idolis, as God ſeiþ
in xj. c. of Zacarie to an vnable prelat, "A! þou
ſchepherde, and idole, forſakinge þe floc; " wherfor
Erchedekene in Roſarie, which is oon of þe famouſeſte
doctouris, and of þe popis lawe, writiþ þus, "an yuel
prelat is ſeid a rorynge lyoun, and a wolf rauyſching
prey; " and in þe xxxiiij. c. of Eſechiel, he is ſeid to
feede him ſelf and not þe ſcheep; alſo he is ſeid to ſeke
his owne profitis temporal, þerfore he is not of Goddis
children, as Auſtyn ſeiþ in viij. cauſe, j. queſtioun, co.
ſunt quidam, and for þis þing power ſchal be taken
awey fro him, as God ſeiþ in þe xxxiiij. c. of Ezechiel.
Alſo an yuel prelat is ſeid a wolf, as þe lawe witneſſiþ in
lxxxiij. diſtincioun co. nichil; alſo for defaute of
gouernaile he is ſeid a vnchaaſt dogge, as Auſtyn
witneſſiþ in ij. cauſe vij. queſtioun, co. qui nec; alſo he
is a crowe, eiþer a rauen, for þe blackneſſe of ſynnes, as
þe lawe witneſſiþ þere, in co. non omnis; alſo he is ſeid
fonned ſalt, not prophitable to eny þing, as þe lawe
witneſſiþ þere, in co. non omnis; alſo he is ſeid an hog,
as þe lawe witneſſiþ in xliij. diſtinctioun, in co. in
mandatis; alſo he is ſeid a cherl of cherlyſched of yuel
lijf, as þe lawe witneſſiþ in xlvij. diſtinctioun, in þe
bigynnyng; alſo he is ſeid a capoun, for he haþ þe
manere of an hen, for as a capoun crowiþ not, ſo an yuel
prelat crowiþ not in preching; alſo an yuel prelat
gendriþ not bi preching of Goddis word, neiþir he fiȝtiþ
XXII
for hiſe ſogetis; alſo as þe capoun clepiþ not hennis, ſo
an yuel prelat clepiþ not pore men to mete; alſo as a
capoun makiþ fat himſelf, ſo an yuel prelat makiþ fat
himſelf. Þerfore ſiþen he ſeekiþ plenteuouſneſſe, metis,
and richeſſis, he ſchal be put into þe fijer of helle, as
Jerom witneſſiþ on Mychee, and in þe xxxv.
diſtinctioun, co. eccleſie principes. Erchedekene writiþ
al þis in xliij. diſtinctioun, in co. ſit rector, on þe word
muti. Alſo a doumb prelat is an ydol, and not a very
prelat; a doumb prelat is not a very prelat, ſiþen he vſiþ
not þe offis of a prelat, but he haþ oonly þe licneſſe of a
prelat, as an ydol þat vſiþ not þe offis of a man is oonly
lijk a man, but it is noo man; þerfore ſuche doumbe
prelatis moun riȝtfully be ſeid ſymylacris, eiþer ydolis,
of whiche it is ſeid in þe vi. co. of Baruk, "þe trees of
hem ben maad fair of a carpenter, and þo ben araied
wiþ gold and ſyluer, and moun not ſpeke, " and þei þat
maken ſuche prelatis ben lijk hem, whiche makeris
ſchulen be dampned wiþ ſuche prelatis, bi þat word of
Dauiþ, "þei þat maken þo ben maad lijk þo. " But
marke wel, þat heþene men hadden ſymylacris of vj.
kyndis, þat is, of cley, of tree, of bras, of ſtoon, of
ſyluer, and of gold; we moun fynd þeſe vj. kyndis in
yuel prelatis; for whi ſymylacris of cley ben fleſchly
prelatis, of whiche God ſeiþ in þe ſautir, "I ſchal do hem
awey as þe cley of ſtreetis; " ſymylacris of tree ben
vnwiſe prelatis and boiſtous and wiþout wit, of which it
is ſeid in holy ſcripture, "a tree is wlappid in ſiluer; "
and þeſe ben ſeid to be maad of nouȝt in to prelatis, þes
ben beeſtis clepid chymeres, þat han a part of ech beeſt,
and ſuche ben not no but oonly in opynyoun, eiþer
ſpeche, and not in dede, neiþer in kynde; ſymylacris of
bras ben þei, þat han oonly worldly eloquence, for whi
braſſe ȝeueþ greet ſoun, in i. piſtle to Corinth. , xiij. c.
"if I ſpeke in þe langagis of men and of aungels, and I
have not charite, I am maad as bras ſounnynge; "
ſymylacris of ſtoon ben þei, þat ben broken fro
riȝtfulneſſe and vertu, for temporal ſtrengþe, þeſe
prelatis ben not þe ſtoon which is ſet into þe heed of þe
corner, but þeſe ben þe ſtoon of hirtyng and of
ſclaundre; ſymylacris of ſyluer ben þei þat ben maad bi
moneye, eiþir richeſſis, whiche prelatis ſeyn, what
wolen ȝe ȝeue to vs, and we ſchulen bitraie Criſt to ȝou;
golden ſymylacris ben þei þat ben maad oonly for
worldly nobleie, for whi gold ſingnefieþ nobley, and
þerfore þe heed of þe ymage of Nabugodonoſor was of
gold in ij. c. of Daniel. Erchedekene telliþ al þis in xliij.
diſtinctioun, co. ſit rector, on þe word mutus. Þouȝ þis
doctour of þe popis lawe be pleyn and ſcharp, he ſeiþ
treuþe ſeſonable, for þe chirche now acordiþ wiþ hooly
writ, and reſoun, and comun doctouris of holy ſcripture;
for in xi. c. of Sacariee, God clepiþ an yuel prelat an
ydol, and in Ezechiel and oþer prophetis he licneþ
tyrauntis and raueynouris to lyouns, woluis, beeris, and
oþere vnreſonable beeſtis, to diſpiſe her ſynne. Here
lordis and oþer prelatis moun ſee in party, hou perilous
it is to ordeyne yuele prelatis eiþir curatis in þe chirche,
for as ſeint Gregory ſeiþ, in i. part of Paſtoralis, ij. co.
noo man harmeþ more in þe chirche, þan he þat doþ
weiwardly, and holdiþ þe name of ordre, eiþir of
holyneſſe; and þe lawe ſeiþ de electionibus, co. nichil,
þat no þing harmeþ more þe chirche of God, þan þat
vnworþi men be taken to þe gouernaile of ſoulis; and
Groſtede ſeiþ in his ſermoun Premonitus a venerabili
patre, þat to make vnable prelatis eiþir curatis in þe
chirche of God, is to haue come to þe hiȝeſt degree of
treſpaſis; alſo in his ſermoun Dominus noſter Jheſus
Criſtus, he writeþ þus to þe pope, "he þat bitakiþ þe
cure of ſoulis to a man vnmyȝti, vnkunnynge, eiþer not
wilful to kepe duly þe ſoulis, is gilty of alle þe ſoulis,
þouȝ eny aſcapiþ, and is ſauid bi Goddis grace, and he
þat bitakiþ þe cure of ſoulis to him þat is opinly vnable
þerto, techiþ to ſette more pris bi vnreſonable beeſtis
þan by men, and for to loue more erþly þingis, þat
paſſyn ſchortly, þan everlaſtinge þingis, and more þan
þe deeþ and blood of Goddis ſone; and he þat ȝeueþ þus
þe cure of ſoulis to `vnable men, is werſe þan Eroude,
þat purſuede Criſt, and worſe þanne Jewis and heþene
men, þat crucifieden Criſt. " Groſtede ſeiþ þis pleynly,
and preueþ it opinly bifore þe pope and al his clergie;
and þei þat procuren beneficis and richeſſis to men,
haten hem to whiche þei procuren þus, as if þei
procured hem to be ſet in þe cop of þe chirche, in
whirlwijndis and greet tempeſtis. Groſtede ſeiþ þis in
his ſermoun Scriptum eſt de leuitis; and he þat is
necligent to drawe ſoulis out of þe pit of ſynne, as
myche as he may, bi þe ordre of lawe, and he þat lettiþ
him of his werk, ſleeþ þe ſoulis; and he þat ſettiþ more
prijs bi a fleſchly ſcheep þan a gooſtly ſcheep, þat is,
mannis ſoule, ſettiþ more pris bi a peny þan bi þe lijf of
Goddis ſone, which is worþ al þis world. A recheles
curat, and þat ſleeþ ſogettis bi yuel enſaumple, and
wiþdrawing of Goddis word, is worſe þan vnreſonable
beeſtis, and he is wrſe þan þe crucifieris of Criſt, for he
crucifieþ him in hiſe membris. Goode counceilouris þei
ben aloone, þat ben wijſe men, and drede God, for whi
alle coueitouſe men ben foolis, and vnwijſe men, and to
be led bi þe counceil of hem is to diſpoſe of henne cotis
bi þe counceil of foxis, and to diſpoſe of foldis of ſcheep
bi þe counceil of woluis. Groſtede ſeiþ þis in a ſermoun
Premonitus a venerabili patre. See, ȝe lordis and
prelatis, þat maken vnable curatis, for fleſchly
affeccioun and ȝiftis, and ſpecialy for pleyinge at þe
bere, and oþere vnleeful iapis, what treſoun ȝe doon to
God, and what harm to Criſtis chirche and ȝoure
auaunſeeis; ȝe maken orrible abomynacoun of
diſcoumfort ſtoonde in þe hooly place, for ȝe make
anticriſt to ſtonde at þe hiȝe auter, in þe ſtede of Criſt,
and trete þe holy ſacrament of Criſtis fleſch and his
blood ful vnworþily, and as Pariſience ſeiþ, whanne ȝe
maken a coueitouſe preſt to ſtonde at þe auter, ȝe maken
a maldworp ſtonde þere, in þe ſtede of Criſt; and
XXIII
whanne ȝe maken a fonned biſchop, þat can not and
loueþ not Goddis lawe, ſtonde mytrid at þe auter, ȝe
make an horned aſſe ſtonde at þe auter, in þe ſtede of
Criſt; and ſo of oþere vnreſonable beeſtis, as lyouns,
wluis, beeris, apis, dragouns, hoggis, horſis, doggis; and
oþere viciouſe preſtis, proude, coueitouſe, raueynouris,
wraþful, ypocritis, trecherouſe, glotenouſe, lecherouſe,
enuyouſe, and bacbiteris; and ȝe transfiguren Satanas
into an aungel of liȝt, whanne ȝe maken curatis eiþer
prelatis, þat ben contrarie to Criſt, to ocupie þe offis of
biſchop, abbot, eiþer of preſt. Lordis and prelatis, þat
han ſett ſuche idolis in Goddis hous, as Manaſſes dide,
ſue ȝe Manaſſes in very repentaunce, and making of
amendis to God and men. Alſo lordis and prelatis
exciten ſtrongly men to ydolatrie, for þei ſweren
cuſtumably nedeleſly, and ofte vnaviſily and fals, bi þe
membris of God, of Criſt, and bi ſeintis, in ſo myche þat
ech lord and greet prelat comynly makiþ to him an
ydole of ſum ſeint, whom he worſchipiþ more þan God;
for comunly þei ſweren bi oure Lady of Walſingham,
ſeint Joon Baptiſt, ſeint Edward, ſeint Thomas of
Caunterbury, and ſuch oþere ſeintis, and chargen more
þis ooþ þan þouȝ þei ſweren by þe Hooly Trinite; and in
al þis þei onoren more þeſe ſeintis þan þei onouren þe
Hooly Trinite. Þouȝ it were leeueful to ſwere bi ſeintis,
þis is ydolatrie, to charge more an ooþ maad bi ſuche
ſeintis þan bi God Almyȝty, eiþer bi þe Hooly Trinite;
naþeles Criſoſtom witneſſiþ on þe v. co. of Matheu, þat
to ſwere bi eny creature, is to do idolatrie; for as Jerom
þere, and Decrees, in xxij. cauſe, j. queſtione, co. ſi quis
per capillum, and co. next bifore, and Decretals de jure
jurando, co. et ſi Chriſtus, witneſſen pleynly, to ſwere bi
a creature is aȝens Goddis comaundement; and þerfore
Criſt in þe v. co. of Math. , comaundiþ to ſwere, not bi
heuene, neiþer bi erþe, and vndirſtondiþ bi heuene and
erþe creaturis of heuene and creaturis of erþe; and in al
þe old lawe it is not founden, where God grauntiþ to
ſwere bi eny creature, but oonly bi his owne name, eiþer
bi himſelf; and þerfore þe wiſe man ſeiþ in þe xxiij. co.
of Eccleſiaſtici "a man þat ſweriþ mychil ſchal be fillid
wiþ wickidneſſe, and veniaunce ſchal not go awey fro
his hous; " and eft he ſeiþ, "þi mouþ be not cuſtomable
to ſwering, for whi myche fallyng is in it; þe nemyng of
God be not cuſtomable in þi mouþ, " þat is, to ſwere bi
his name in veyn, eiþer fals, eiþer for an yuel ende;
"and be þou not medlid wiþ þe names of ſeintis, " þat is,
to ſwere bi ſeintis, "for þou ſchalt not be giltlees of hem.
" Here lordis and prelatis moun ſee how þei don opin
ydolatrie, whanne þei geſſen to onoure ſeintis, and hire
opin deedis of ydolatrie and blasfemye ben opin bookis
of ydolatrie `and blasfemye to hire ſugetis; þerfore, as
Gregory ſeiþ in ij. bok of Paſtrals v. co. , prelatis ben
worþi ſo many deþis, hou manye enſaumplis of
perdiſcoun þei ſenden to ſogettis, and in xxv. co. of
Numery, God bad Moiſes hange alle þe princis in
iebatis aȝens þe ſunne, for þe peple of Iſrael dide
leccherie and idolatrie bi enſaumple and ſuffraunce of
hem. Now in Engelond it is a comyn proteccioun aȝens
perſecuſcioun of prelatis and of ſumme lordis, if a man
is cuſtomable to ſwere nedeles, and fals, and vnauiſid, bi
þe boonys, nailes, and ſidis, and oþer membris of Criſt,
and to be proud and leccherous, and ſpeke not of
Goddis lawe, and repreue not ſynne aboute him; and to
abſteyne fro ooþis nedeles and vnleeueful, and to
eſchewe pride, and ſpeke onour of God and of his lawe,
and repreue ſynne bi weie of charite, is matir and cauſe
now whi prelatis and ſumme lordis ſclaundren men, and
clepen hem lollardis, eretikis, and riſeris of debate and
of treſoun aȝens þe king; now Manaſſes ſettiþ idolis
opinly in þe temple of God, and ſteriþ men gretly to do
idolatrie, and cheriſchen hem þat breken opinly Goddis
heeſtis, and punyſche hem ſoore, as heþene men eiþer
eretikis, þat biſien hem to lerne, kepe, and teche Goddis
heeſtis; þe iij. tyme lordis and prelatis boþe ſchedden
innocent blood, as Manaſſes dide, for þei waaſtyn folily
hire goodis in wakingis and pleyingis bi niȝt, and in
rere-ſoperis and oþere vanites, and taken grete and
vnmeſurable taxis of þe comyns; and leſſe lordis and
prelatis doon greet extorciouns to pore men, and taken
pore mennis goodis, and paien litil eiþer nouȝt and out
of tyme for þo. Þerfore, as Mychee þe prophete ſeiþ in
iij. c. , þei hyilden pore men, and eten her fleſch; and
Groſtede declariþ wel þis in his dicte `þat bygynneþ
þus, ſint lumbi veſtri precinti, and in þe xiij. dicte; and
God ſeiþ in þe Sautir of ſuche tirauntis, "þei deuouren
my puple as þe mete of breed. " How myche blood
lordis ſcheden in werris, for pride and coueitiſe, by
counceil of falſe prelatis, confeſſouris, and prechouris, it
paſſiþ mannis wit to telle fully in þis lijf; but of
ſcheding of blood and ſleeing of pore men, bi
wiþdrawing of almes, and in ȝeuynge it to dede ſtockis,
eiþer ſtoonis, eiþer to riche clerkis and feyned
religiouſe, were to ſpeke now, if a man hadde þe ſpirit
of gooſtly ſtrengþe. Now men knelyn, and preien, and
offren faſte to dede ymagis, þat han neiþer hungir
neiþer coold; and diſpiſen, beten, and ſleen Criſten men,
maad to þe ymage and lycneſſe of þe Holy Trynite.
What onour of God is þis to knele and offre to an
ymage, maad of ſynful mannis hondis, and to diſpiſe
and robbe þe ymage maad of Goddis hondis, þat is, a
criſten man, eiþer a criſten womman. Whanne men ȝeue
not almes to pore nedy men, but to dede ymagis, eiþer
riche clerkis, þei robbyn pore men of her due porcoun,
and needful ſuſtenaunce aſſingned to hem of God
himſelf; and whanne ſuche offereris to dede ymagis
robben pore men, þei robben Jheſu Criſt, as he ſeiþ in
xxv. co. of Math. , "þat, þat ȝe diden to oon of þeſe
leeſte of myne, ȝe diden to me, " and if þei ſchulen be
dampned þat ȝeuen not mete and drinke, and oþere
neſceſſaries to pore men, as Criſt ſeiþ, where ſchulen þei
become þat robben pore men, and ſo Jheſu Criſt himſelf;
and if þeſe tweyne, þat ȝeuen not lyflode, and þat
XXIV
robben pore men, ſchulen be dampned ſo depe in helle,
where ſchulen falſe techeris, ſtireris, and confeſſouris
bicome, þat ſtiren lordis and riche men to robbe þus
pore men, and to do þis vndir þe colour of excellent
almes and holyneſſe? But morne we ſore for þis
curſidneſſe, and preie we to God wiþ al oure herte, þat
ſiþen lordis and prelatis ſuen Manaſſes in þeſe opyn
ſynnes, God ſtire hem to ſue Manaſſes in very penaunce,
and make amendis to God and men, leſt oure reume be
conquerid of aliens, eiþer heþen men, for þeſe opyn
ſynnes and many moo.
CAP. XI.
Þe firſte book of Eſdras telliþ, how Cirus, king of
Perſeys, ȝaf lycence to Jewis to turne aȝen in to
Jeruſalem and Judee, and bylde þe temple of God in
Jeruſalem, and bad þat oþer men in his rewme ſchulden
helpe to þis bylding; and he ȝaf þe veſſels herto whiche
Nabugodnoſor hadde take awey fro Jeruſalem. Þanne is
teld þe noumbre of hem þat turnede aȝen into Judee,
vndir Joſue þe preſt, þe ſone of Joſedech, and vndir
Sorobabel, þe duyk; and hou þei bygunnen to bylde þe
auter and temple; and what letting þei hadden of
enemyes, and what coumfort of God, and of hiſe
prophetis. Þanne it is teld, what ſorwe Eſdras made, for
þe princis and preſtis and comyns token heþene
wommen to wyues aȝens þe lawe; and how þe princis
and þe puple repentiden mekely and verily, and maden
amendis to God and men. In þe book of Neemye, which
is clepid þe ij. book of Eſdras, is teld, how Neemye gat
graunt of þe king to bylde þe wallis of Jeruſalem, and
how he and oþere men, boþe preſtis and oþere, princis
and comyns, bildiden þe wallis, and ȝatis, and lockis,
and touris aboue, for defenſe aȝens enemyes; and how
þe enemyes of Jewis purpoſiden wiþ ſtrong hond to ſlee
Jewis preuely, and diſtroie hire werk. Þanne half þe part
of ȝunge men made þe werk, and half þe part was redy
to bateyle; wiþ oon hond þei maden þe werk, and wiþ
þe oþer þei helden þe ſwerd; and eche of hem þat
bildide was gird wiþ his ſwerd. Þanne it ſueþ how
Neemye, duk of þe puple, dide freely his offis, and took
noo coſtis aſſingned to þe duk, and he dide þus for þe
pouert of þe puple. Aftir þis doinge Eſdras redde in þe
book of Goddis lawe, fro þe morewitide til to noon
bifore þe multitude of men and wymmen, and dekenes
made ſilence in þe puple to here þe lawe; and Eſdras
redde in þe book of Goddis lawe fro þe firſte day `til to
þe laſte. Þanne þe children of Iſrael camyn togidere in
faſting and in ſackis, eiþer heiris, and erþe was on hem,
and þe ſeed of þe ſones of Iſrael was departid fro ech
alyen ſone, and þei ſtoden bifore þe Lord, and
knoulechiden her ſynnes, and þe wickidneſſis of hire
fadris, and þei riſiden togidere to ſtonde, and þei redden
in þe book of lawe of hire God foureſiþis in þe day, and
foureſiþis in þe nyȝt þei knoulechiden and heryeden
hire Lord God; and dekenes cryeden wiþ gret vois to
hire Lord God, and baddin þe puple riſe and bleſſe God.
Þanne ſueþ þe ſolempne confeſſioun of Eſdras, how he
knoulechide firſt þe glorious werkis of God, and
aftirward þe orrible ſynnes of al þe puple, and of hire
fadris; and þanne al þe peple made couenaunt, and ſwor
to kepe Goddis lawe, and to bie not in þe ſabat and
haliday of hem þat brouȝten viteilis to ſelle; and þei
bihiȝten to paie þe firſte fruitis to preſtis, and tiþis to þe
dekenes, and to bringe al þis to þe temple of God. At þe
laſte Neemye ſuffride neiþer Jewis neiþer ſtraungeris
ſille neiþer bie in þe ſabotis, not oonly in Jeruſalem, but
neiþer in placis nyȝ þe wallis; and he rebuykede, and
curſide, and beet men, and made hem ballid, þat token
alien wommen to be hire wyues, as of Aſotus, of Amon,
and of Moab; and chargide hem greetly in þe Lord, þat
þei ſchulden not ȝeue hire douȝtris to þe ſones of heþen
men, and take nouȝt of þe douȝtris of heþen men to hire
owne ſones, and to hem ſelf. Þis proces of Eſdras and of
Neemye ſchulde ſtyre vs to be biſy to biylde vertues in
oure ſoule, aftir turnyng aȝen fro caitifte of ſynne, and
to fiȝte aȝens temptaciouns, and byilde faſte vertues, as
þei fouȝten wiþ oon hond aȝens enemyes, and biyldeden
wiþ þe toþir hond; and we ſchulden be ful biſy to kepe
þe goſtely ſabot in goode werkis and herying of God,
ſiþen þei were ſo beſy to kepe þe figuratif ſabot. Þouȝ þe
book of Tobie is `not of bileeue, it is ful deuout ſtorie,
and profitable to þe ſymple puple, to maken hem to
kepe patience and Goddis heeſtis, to do werkis of
mercy, and teche wel hire children, and to take wyues in
þe drede of God, for loue of children, and not al for foul
luſt off body, neiþer for coueitiſe of `goodis of þis
world; and alſo children moun lerne heere bi ȝunge
Tobie to be meke and obedient, and redy to ſerue fadir
and modir in her nede. Þerfore amonge alle þe bookis
of þe elde teſtament ſymple men of wit ſchulden rede
and here ofte þis book of Tobie, to be trewe to God in
proſperite and aduerſite, and eſchewe idolatrie, glotenye
and coueitiſe, and to be pacient in tribulacoun, and go
neuere awey fro þe dreede and loue of God. Þouȝ þe
ſeene of clerkis, eiþer general gadering of clergie, haþ
take þe book of Judith among þe noumbre of hooly
ſcripturis, naþeles it is not of þe canoun eiþir feiþ of þe
bible anentis Ebreis, for þei reſſeyuen not þe autoritie of
þis book; maþeles it was writen in Caldee langage, and
is noumbrid among ſtories, as Jerom witneſſiþ on þe
prolog. But naþeles þis book comendiþ chaſtite and
abſtinence, penaunce and wideuhood of Judith, and her
loue which ſche hadde to deliuere Goddis puple fro her
enemyes, and to kepe þe feiþ and worſchiping of God
among his peple. Alſo þis book comendiþ þe feiþ and
treuþe of Achior, þat was conuertid to Goddis lawe bi
myracle of ſleeing of Olofernes, bi þe hondis of þe
widewe Judith. Þanne Judith repreuede preſtis for þei
temtide God, and conſentiden to deliuere þe citee to
enemyes, if God ſente not helpe to hem wiþinne v.
daies, and goode preſtis tooken meekly þis repreuyng of
a womman; and ſche tauȝte hem hou þei ſchulden do
XXV
treſoun to Olofernes, but we moun fauorably excuſe
hire fro deedly ſynne in þis doinge, for þe greet loue þat
ſche hadde to Goddis peple, and to ſlee Olofernes, a
blasfemyere of God, and diſtroiere of his lawe and
peple; and iuſtly God took þis veniaunce on Olofernes,
for his ſynnes and harmes don to Goddis peple, and
whiche he purpoſide to do, if he myȝte lyue longe. Of
þis proces proude werriouris ſchulden drede God, þat
made proud Olofernes to be ſlayn of a womman, and al
his greet ooſt `to be ſcaterid and diſtroied; and criſten
men ſchulden be coumfortid greetly, for to haue ful triſt
in God, and in his helpe, þat ſo myȝtily delyuerede his
puple fro ſo greet an enemy and ſtrong ooſt, wiþouten
periſching of his peple. And ſiþen Judith hadde ſo greet
preiſing for hire doinge, þat was medelid wiþ manye
ſynnes, myche more preiſing ſchulen þei haue in
heuene, wiþouten ende, þat putten forþ hem ſilf to be
martirid for Goddis cauſe, wiþ trewe meenes of
pacience and of charite. Þe book of Eſter telliþ firſt,
how þe qwene Vaſti was forſaken for hire pride, and
was departid fro mariage of king Aſſuerus, and hou
Eſter, for hire meekeneſſe, bewte, and Goddis grace was
maad qwene in þe ſtide of Vaſty. Alſo þe trewe
Mardoche, þe fadir in lawe of adopcioun of þis
womman Eſter, tauȝte hire to loue God, and kepe his
lawe, and ſche was full meke and obedient to
Mardochee, ȝhe, whanne ſche was qwene, as to hire
fadir in lawe. Þanne Aaman, of þe kinrede of Agag,
conſpyride bi ſotil malice to diſtroie al þe peple of
Jewis, in þe lond of Aſſuerus, and hadde graunt of þe
king, at his owne wille, and þe day of diſtroiyng and of
ſleeing of þe Jewis was puppliſchid þourȝ al þe rewme.
Þanne Mardochee and þe Jewis diden greet penaunce,
and maden gret ſorwe, and preieden God to helpe in þat
gret nede. And Mardochee ſente to Eſter, þat ſche
ſchulde do þe ſame, and goo to þe king, in perel of hire
lijf, to axe grace of him, and reuoking of lettris and
power grauntid to Aman, þe enemy of Jewis. And aftir
myche faſting, penaunce, and preier, Eſtir bitook hirſelf
to Goddis diſpoſicioun, and to perel of her deþ, and
entride to þe king, ȝhe, aȝens þe lawe of þe lond,
whanne ſche was not clepid, to axe mercy and help of
þe king, for hirſilf and al hire puple. And God turnede
þe feerſneſſe and cruelte of þe king to mekeneſſe, merſy,
and benyngnite aȝens Eſter, and þe peple of Jewis. And
þanne he reuokide þe power grauntid to Aaman, and
leet hange him, as he purpoſide to haue hangid þe trewe
Mardochee, and ȝaf general power to Jewis to ſlee alle
hire enemyes in his empire. Aftir þeſe þingis þe king
enhaunſide Mardochee, and made him grettiſt next þe
king, and ȝaf greet fraunchiſe and onour to þe Jewis. Þis
ſtory of Eſter ſchulde ſtire men to be trewe to God and
his lawe, and putte awey pride and enuye, and euere
triſte in God in alle perrels; and tirauntis ſchulden be
aferd to conſpire aȝens Goddis ſeruauntis, leeſt God take
veniaunce on hem, as he dide on þis man Aaman, þat
conſpiride þe deeþ and general diſtroiyng of Jewis. Þe
book of Job is ful ſotil in vndirſtonding, for Job argueþ
aȝens hiſe enemyes, þat wolden bringe hym out of
criſten feiþ, and concludiþ many errouris þat ſuen of
hire falſe bileeue and opynyon; and Job affermiþ not þat
al is ſoþ þat he ſpekiþ aȝens hiſe aduerſaries, but
concludiþ hem in hire fals bileeue, þat many errouris
ſuen þerof; and for I haue declarid in party in þe glos
hou þe harde ſentenſis of Job ſchulen be vndirſtonden,
þerfore I paſſe ouer liȝtly now. Firſt þis book telliþ þe
kyn of Job, and hiſe richeſſis, and holy lijf of him and
hiſe children; and aftirward it telliþ what tribulacoun
bifelde to Joob in his catel, in hiſe children, and in his
owne bodi, and hou paciently he ſuffride þis, and
þankide God in alle hiſe diſſeſis. Þanne his wijf, whom
þe deuel reſeruede as a ſpecial inſtrument to him, to
diſſeyue Joob by his wijf, as he diſſeyuede Adam bi
Eue, counceld him to blasfeme God, and þerbi diȝe; and
Joob repreuede hire foly, and ſeide, if we han reſſeyued
goodis of Goddis hond, whi ſuffre we not yuels, þat is,
peynes. In alle þeſe þingis Joob ſynnede not in hiſe
lippis. Þanne ſueþ þe diſputing bitwixe Joob and hiſe
freendis, almeſt til to þe ende of þe book. Job heeld
ſtrongly þe treuþe of criſten feiþ, and ſpecialy of þe
riſing aȝen of bodies at domis day; and hiſe freendis
ſeiden many treuþis, and medleden falſneſſe, and euere
purpoſiden an yuel ende and falſed, for þei helden þat
meede is ȝouen oonly in þis lijf for goode werkis, and
þat no man is punyſchid here, no but for ſynnes paſſid,
and as a man is punyſchid more þan an oþer in þis lijf,
ſo he haþ ſynned more þan anoþer man leſſe punſchid;
but al þis is fals, as Joob preuiþ, and God confermiþ in
þe ende. For whi reward of goode deedis is myche more
in þe lijf to comynge, þanne in preſent lijf, and a
vertuoſe man is punyſchid here for to haue mede in
heuene; and comunly a iuſt man haþ more tribulacoun
in þis lijf þanne a wickid man, as it is opin of Criſt, þat
ſuffride heere myche diſſeſe, and of tyrauntis þat han
proſperite in þis lijf. And þerfore Joob telde opinly hiſe
goode dedis to coumforte him aȝens diſpeir, to whiche
hiſe frendis wolden bringe him; but Joob dide þis ouer
myche, and wiþ ſum pride, and iuſtifiede himſelf ouer
myche, þat hiſe freendis conſeyueden þat he blasfemyde
God, and preuede God vnriȝtful; and of þes twey
poyntis Joob repentide in þe ende. Þanne God forȝaf to
him þis litil ſynne, and appreued his trewe ſentenſe, and
dampnede þe errour of hiſe aduerſaries. Þanne Job
preiede, and made ſacrifice for hiſe aduerſaries, and
God herde him, and dide mercy to hem; and God
addide alle þingis double, þat Joob hadde; and he hadde
xiiij. þouſind of ſcheep, and vj. þouſind of camelis, and
a þouſind ȝockis of oxen, and a þouſind femal aſſis, and
vij. ſones, and iij. douȝtris; and Joob lyuede `vij. ſcore
ȝeer aftir his turment, and ſiȝ hiſe ſones and þe ſones of
his ſones til to þe fourþe generacoun. Þis proces of Job
ſchulde ſtire men to be iuſt of lyuyng, and to be pacient
in aduerſitees, as Joob was, and to be ſtedfaſt in criſten
XXVI
enemyes, and looke aftir meede in heuene, and not in
erþe, for oure good deedis. Þe Sautir comprehendiþ al
þe elde and newe teſtament, and techiþ pleynly þe
myſteries of þe Trinite, and of Criſtis incarnacoun,
paſſioun, riſing aȝen, ſtying in to heuene, and ſending
doun of þe Holy Goſt, and preching of þe goſpel, and þe
coming of Antecriſt, and þe general dom of Criſt, and þe
glorie of choſen men to bliſſe, and þe peynes of hem þat
ſchulen be dampned in helle; and ofte reherſiþ þe ſtories
of þe elde teſtament, and bringiþ in þe keping of Goddis
heeſtis, and loue of enemyes. Noo book in þe eld
teſtament is hardere to vndirſtonding to vs Latyns, for
oure lettre diſcordiþ myche fro þe Ebreu, and many
doctouris taken litel heede to þe lettre, but al to þe
gooſtly vndirſtonding. Wel were him þat koude wel
vndirſtonde þe Sautir, and kepe it in his lyuyng, and ſeie
it deuoutly, and conuicte Jewis þerbi; for manye men
þat ſeyn it vndeuoutly, and lyuen out of charite, lyen
foule on hemſelf to God, and blasfemen hym, whanne
þei crien it ful loude to mennis eeris in þe chirche.
Þerfore God ȝeue grace to vs to lyue wel in charite, and
ſey it deuoutly, and vndirſtonde it treuly, and to teche it
opinly to Criſten men and Jewis, and bringe hem þerby
to oure Criſten feiþ, and brennynge charite. Þe
Prouerbis eiþer Parablis of Salamon teche men to lyue
iuſtly to God and man. Eccleſiaſtes techiþ men to
forſake and ſette at nouȝt alle goodis in þe world, and to
drede God, and kepe hiſe heeſtis. Þe Songis of Songis
techen men to ſette al hire herte in þe loue of God, and
of hire neiȝeboris, and to do al hire beſyneſſe to bringe
men to charite and ſalvacoun, bi good enſample, and
trewe preching, and wilful ſuffring of peyne and deþ, if
nede be. Prouerbis ſpeken myche of wijſedom and
keping of Goddis heeſtis, in comendinge trewe teching,
and in repreuyng fals teching, and Prouerbis treten
mychel of riȝtfulneſſe, and iuſt domes and gouernaunce,
and of punyſching of auoutrie and oþere falſeneſſis; and
comenden myche iuſt lordis and ſogetis, and repreuen
ſtrongly wrongful lordis and rebel ſogettis. Alſo
Prouerbis techen derkly þe myſteries of Criſt, and of
hooly chirche, and techen myche wijſdom and
prudence, for þe ſoule and þe body. Þerfore lordis, and
`iugis, and comuneris alſo, and namely preſtis, ſchulden
ſtodie wel þis book, and rule hemſelf þerbi, to ſaluacoun
of body and of ſoule. Eccleſiaſtes is a ful ſotil book, for
Salamon ſpekiþ in many perſones, and concludiþ her
entent and ſentence, not in appreuyng þe ſentence of
fleſchly men, þat preiſen more bodily goodis and luſtis
of þe body þan heuenly goodis and lyking of vertues,
and dampneþ many errours of worldly men, and
ſchewiþ þat al is vanite, til me come to þe drede of God,
and keeping of hiſe heeſtis. Þerfore men `moten bee wel
war hou þei vndirſtonden Salamon in þis book, þat þei
appreue noon errour, and dampne noo treuþe, for
myſconſeyuing of Salamonys wordis, and þe Hooly
Gooſtis wordis in þis book. Þe Songis of Songis
touchen derkly þe ſtaat of þe ſynagoge, fro þe gooing
out of Egipt til to Criſtis incarnacoun and paſſioun; and
þanne þo Songis touchen þe ſtaat of Criſtis chirche, and
`of þe ſynagoge in þe ende of þe world, and treetyn
hiȝly of loue to God and neiȝebore alſo; and þis book is
ſo ſotil to vndirſtonde, þat Jewis ordeyneden, þat no
man ſchulde ſtodie it, no but he were of xxx. ȝeer, and
hadde able wit to vndirſtonde þe gooſtly preuytees of
þis book; for ſum of þe book ſeemiþ to fleſchly men to
ſounne vnclene loue of leccherie, where it telliþ hiȝ
gooſtly loue, and greet preuytees of Criſt and of his
chirche. Þerfore men moten be ful wel war to conſeyue
wel þe wordis of þe Holy Gooſt in þis book, and knowe
whanne Criſt ſpekiþ to þe chirche, eiþer to þe ſynagoge,
and whanne þe ſynagoge ſpekiþ to God, and whanne þe
chirche ſpekiþ to Criſt, and whanne God ſpekiþ to
aungels, patriarkis, and prophetis, and apoſtlis, and
whanne þeſe perſones ſpeken to þe ſynagoge eiþer to þe
chirche, eiþer aȝenward. Þe book of Wijſedom, `þouȝ it
be not a book of bileeue, techiþ myche riȝtfulneſſe, and
preiſiþ wyſdom, and repreuiþ fleſchly men for hire falſe
bileeue and yuel lyuynge, and comendiþ myche iuſt
men, ſad in bileeue and vertuouſe lyuynge, and touchiþ
myche of Criſtis incarnacoun, his manheed and godheed
togidere, and dampneþ gretly idolatrie, and fals
worſchiping of idolis, and falſe goddis. `Þouȝ
Eccleſiaſtici be no book of bileeue, it techiþ myche
wiſdom and prudence `for ſoule and body, and haþ
myche þe ſentence of Prouerbis, and comaundiþ men to
þenke and ſpeke of Goddis heeſtis, and for to dreede
God, and loue him, and euere haue mynde of deþ, and
of þe greet dom, to kepe men out of ſynne, and in parfit
loue to God and man. Alſo it preiſiþ myche almes and
good preier, and repreuiþ gretly extorcouns, and wrong,
and falſe ooþis, and falſe meſuris, and falſe weyȝtis, and
al fraude, preuy and apert; at þe laſte it comendiþ goode
men, and herieþ God, þat delyuereþ fro alle perrelis. If
þis book be wel vndirſtonden, it is profitable boþe to
gooſtly gouernours and bodily lordis, and iuſtiſis and
comyns alſo. Þe Prophetis han a general prologe for
alle, and for I declaride ſumdel þe grete profetis, and in
party þe litil prophetis, and þenke ſoone to make an
ende, wiþ Goddis help, of þe glos on þe ſmale
prophetis, I þenke now to paſſe ouer wiþouten eny
tarying. Þe firſte book of Macabeis telliþ hou gret
diſtruccioun and cruelte Antioke þe noble dide aȝens þe
Jewis, and hou many þouſindis he killide of hem, þat
wolden holde Goddis lawe, and brente þe bookis of
Goddis lawe, and defoulide þe temple of Jeruſalem, and
compellide men, for drede of deþ, to do idolatrie, and
forſake God and his lawe; and he took veſſels and
treſouris in þe temple, and bar into his lond, and he
brente þe citee of Jeruſalem, and diſtroiede þe houſis
þerof and þe wallis þerof in cumpas; and he took þe
hiȝe tour of Dauiþ, and ſette men of armes þerinne to
lette men come to Jeruſalem. And þei diden mychel
harm to þe puple of Iſrael, and who euere heeld þe
XXVII
bi comaundement of Antioke þe king, and þei hangiden
children bi þe neckis, bi alle þe houſis of men of Iſrael,
and killiden hem þat circumcideden children. Þanne
roos Matatyas, þe preſt, and fledde fro Jeruſalem into
Modyn, and biweylide gretly þis diſtroying of þe puple,
of þe temple and citee, and of al þe lond; and he
aȝenſtood þe king and hiſe myniſtris, and killide þe
kingis myniſtris, þat compellide men to do idolatrie, and
he killide a man, þat dide ydolatrie, and diſtroiede þe
auter wheronne idolatrie was don. Þanne Matatias and
hiſe ſones fledden into hillis, and leften alle þingis
whiche þei hadden in þe citee, and manye men þat
ſouȝten doom and riȝtfulneſſe, and wolden kepe Goddis
lawe, camen to hem in deſert. And heþen men maden
werre on hem in ſabatis, and manye diȝeden in her
ſympilneſſe, for þei nolden make bateil in ſabatis. Þanne
manye Jewis were gaderid to him, and maden a greet
ooſt, and weren redy to fiȝte in ſabotis, and þei killeden
ſynners in greet wraþþe. And Matatias and hiſe freendis
cumpaſſiden and diſtroieden auteris, and circumcididen
alle children, whiche þei founden in þe cooſtis of Iſrael,
and þei purſueden þe children of pride; and þe werk
hadde proſperite in her hondis, and þei gaten þe lawe
fro þe hondis of heþen men and of kingis, and ȝaue not
ſtrengþe to þe ſynful man. And whanne Matatias was in
point of deeþ, he coumfortide hiſe ſones to putte hire
lyues for þe lawe of God, bi enſaumple of Abraham and
oþere hooly men bifore goyng; and he ordeynede Judas
Macabeus to be duk of bateil, and ordeynede Symount
his ſone to be fadir and preſt to hem, for he was a man
of counceil. Þanne ben teld many batels of Judas
Macabeus aȝens heþene men, and of grete victories bi
Goddis help. Þanne Judas Macabeus made frenſchipe
wiþ Romayns, for hire prudence, riȝtfulneſſe and power.
And whanne Judas was deed in bateile, þe peple
ordeynede Jonathas, his broþer, prince and duyk, for to
holde werre aȝens heþen men. Þanne ben teld many
bateiles of Jonathas, and victories whiche he hadde
aȝens heþen men. Þanne Jonatas, aftir manye victories,
ſente to renule frenſchip wiþ Romayns, and wiþ
Sparciatis, þat weren of þe kyn of Jewis; and Jonathas
and hiſe ſones weren ſlayn at þe laſte, bi treſoun of
Trifon, þat was an heþene man, and myȝty duyk. Þanne
Symount was maad duyk of þe peple, and in þe ſtede of
Judas Macabeus and of Jonatas; and he dide manye
bateiles and ſtronge, and hadde greet victories aȝens
heþene men; and Jewis hadden myche reſte vndir hym;
and he made ſtronge hooldis and citees in Juda; and he
renulide frenſchipe wiþ Romayns and Sparciatis, and
hadde myche glorie of his folc, and of heþene kingis. At
þe laſte Symount and his twey ſones weren ſlayn bi
treſoun, and Jon, his ſone, was prince of preſtis, aftir his
fadir day, and dide many bateiles aȝens heþene men. Þe
ij. book of Macabeis telliþ myche þe ſame ſentence of
þe firſt book, and haþ a fewe ſpecial poyntis, of
Elyodorus, of Eleaſarus, and of þe noble wydue and
hire vij. ſones. Eliodorus was ſent of þe heþen king to
take awey þe treſouris of þe temple of Jeruſalem, and
bere þo to þe king, and þouȝ þe treſouris weren kept for
þe lijflode of widewis and fadirles children, and ſumme
weren anoþer mannis goodis, Elyodorus wolde algate
bere al to þe king; but God made hym and his felowis
ſoore aferd, and Eliodorus was beten almeſt to þe deþ,
of a ferdful oon ſittinge on a hors, þat hadde twey ȝunge
men aboute him; and Eliodorus was caſt doun to þe
grounde, and was born out on a bere, and lay domb.
And whanne þe hiȝeſt preſt offride ſacrifice, and preiede
for þe helþe of Eliodorus, God grauntide lijf to him, and
he þankide God, and þe hiȝeſt preſt, and ȝede to þe king
and tolde to him hou it ſtood; and he witneſſide to alle
men þe grete werkis of God, whiche he hadde ſeyn wiþ
hiſe iȝen. Þanne is toold of þe curſide deedis of Jaſon þe
preſt, þat cam in by ſymonye, and wolde bringe Jewis to
idolatrie and ſodomye, and to forſake God and his lawe.
Þanne is teld of greet cruelte of Antioke, whiche he dide
aȝens þe Jewis and þe hooly place of Jeruſalem; and
God ſuffride þis for þe ſynnes of þe peple, for whi God
chees not þe folc for þe place, but þe place for þe folc.
Þanne Eleaſarus ches to diȝe a ſcharp deeþ, raþere þan
he wolde breke Goddis lawe in a litil poynt, to ete pork,
ȝhe, to feyne to ete pork. Aftir þis it ſueþ hou þe bliſſid
widewe and hire vij. ſones were martiride, for þei
nolden breke Goddis lawe, and hou gloriouſly þe bleſſid
modir coumfortid hem to take deeþ wiþ ioie for þe lawe
of God. Þis ſtorie and proces of Macabeis ſchulde ſtire
criſten men to holde Goddis lawe to lijf and deþ, and if
kniȝtis ſchulden vſe þe ſwerd aȝens eny curſide men, þei
ſchulden vſe it aȝens lordis and preſtis principaly, þat
wolen compelle men, for drede of priſoun and deþ, to
forſake þe treuþe and fredom of Criſtis goſpel; but God
for his greet mercy ȝeue very repentance to hem, þat
þus purſuen trewe men, and graunte pacience,
meekeneſſe, `and charite to hem `þat ben þus purſued!
Amen.
CAP. XII.
But it is to wite, þat holy ſcripture haþ iiij.
vndirſtondingis; literal, allegorik, moral, and anagogik.
Þe literal vndirſtonding techiþ þe þing don in deede;
and literal vndirſtonding is ground and foundament of
þre gooſtly vndirſtondingis, in ſo myche as Auſtyn, in
his piſtle to Vincent, and oþere doctouris ſeyn, oonly bi
þe literal vndirſtonding a man may argue aȝens an
aduerſarie. Allegorik is a gooſtly vndirſtonding, þat
techiþ what þing men owen for to bileeue of Criſt eiþer
of hooly chirche. Moral is a gooſtly vndirſtonding, þat
techiþ men, what vertues þei owen to ſue, and what
vices þei owen to flee. Anagogik is a gooſtly
vndirſtonding, þat techiþ men, what bliſſe þei ſchal haue
in heuene. And þeſe foure vndirſtondingis moun be
taken in þis word Jeruſalem; for whi to þe literal
vndirſtonding it ſingnefieþ an erþly citee, as Loundoun,
XXVIII
eiþer ſuch anoþer; to allegorie it ſingnefieþ hooly
chirche in erþe, þat fiȝtiþ aȝens ſynnes and fendis; to
moral vndirſtondinge it ſingnefieþ a criſten ſoule; to
anagogik it ſingnefieþ hooly chirche regnynge in bliſſe
eiþer in heuene, and þo þat ben þerinne. And þeſe þre
gooſtly vndirſtondingis ben not autentik eiþer of
beleeue, `no but þo ben groundid opynly in þe text of
holy ſcripture, in oo place oþer oþer, eiþer in opin
reſoun þat may not be diſtroied, eiþer whanne þe
goſpelris eiþer oþer apoſtlis taken allegorie of þe eelde
teſtament, and confeermyn it, as Poul in þe piſtle to
Galat. in iiij. co. preueþ, þat Sara, þe free wijf and
principal of Abraham, wiþ Iſaac hir ſone, ſingnefieþ bi
allegorie þe newe teſtament and þe ſones of biheeſte;
and Agar, þe hand mayde, wiþ hir ſone Iſmael, ſignefieþ
bi allegorie þe elde teſtament, and fleſchly men þat
ſchulen not be reſſeyued in to þe eritage of God wiþ þe
ſones of biheeſte, þat holden þe treuþe and freedom of
Criſtis goſpel wiþ endeles charite. Alſo holy ſcripture
haþ many figuratif ſpechis, and as Auſtyn ſeiþ in þe iij.
book of Criſten Teching, þat autouris of hooly ſcripture
vſiden moo figuris, þat is, mo fyguratif ſpechis, þan
gramariens moun geſſe, þat reden not þo figuris in holy
ſcripture. It is to be war in þe bigynnyng, þat we take
not to þe lettre a figuratif ſpeche, for þanne, as Poul
ſeiþ, þe lettre ſleeþ, but þe ſpirit, þat is, gooſtly
vndirſtonding, qwykeneþ; for whanne a þing which is
ſeid figuratifly is taken ſo as if it be ſeid propirly, `me
vndirſtondiþ fleſchly; and noon is clepid more
couenably þe deþ of ſoule, þan whanne vndirſtonding,
þat paſſiþ beeſtis, is maad ſoget to þe fleiſch in ſuynge
þe lettre. What euer þing in Goddis word may not be
referrid propirly to oneſte of vertues neiþer to þe treuþe
of feiþ, it is figuratyf ſpeche. Oneſtee of vertues
perteyneþ to loue God and þe neiȝebore; treuþe of feiþ
perteyneþ to knowe God and þe neiȝebore. Hooly
ſcripture comaundiþ no þing no but charite, it blamiþ no
þing no but coueitiſe; and in þat manere it enfoormeþ þe
vertues eiþer goode condiſcouns of men. Holy ſcripture
affermiþ no þing no but criſten feiþ bi þingis paſſid,
preſent, and to comynge, and alle þeſe þingis perteynen
to nurſche charite, and make it ſtrong, and to ouercome
and quenche coueitiſe. Alſo it is figuratijf ſpeche, where
þe wordis maken allegorie, eþer a derk lycneſſe, eiþer
parable, and it is fyguratyf ſpeche in i. c. of Jeremye,
"to day I have ordeyned þee on folkis and rewmys, þat
þou draw up bi þe roote, and diſtroie, and bylde, and
plaunte; " þat is, þat þou drawe out elde ſynnes, and
diſtroie circumſtaunces eiþer cauſis of þoo, and bylde
vertues, and plaunte goode werkis and cuſtomys. Alle
þingis in holy ſcripture, þat ſeemyn to vnwijſe men to
be ful of wickidneſſe aȝens a man himſelf, eiþer aȝens
his neiȝebore, ben figuratyf ſpechis, and þe preuytees,
eiþer gooſtly vndirſtondinges, ſchulden be ſouȝt out of
vs, to þe feeding eiþer keping of charite. Such a reule
ſchal be kept in figuratif ſpechis, þat ſo longe it be
turned in mynde bi diligent conſideracoun, til þe
expownyng eiþer vndirſtonding be brouȝt to þe rewme
of charite; if eny ſpeche of ſcripture ſounneþ propirly
charite, it owiþ not to be geſſid a figuratijf ſpeche; and
forbeediþ wickidneſſe, eiþer comaundiþ profyt eiþer
good doynge, it is no figuratyf ſpeche; if it ſeemiþ to
comaunde cruelte, eiþer wickidneſſe, eiþer to forbede
prophit, eiþer good doinge, it is a figuratijf ſpeche.
Criſt ſeiþ, "if ȝe eten not þe fleſch of mannis ſone and
drinke not his blood, ȝe ſchulen not have lijf in ȝou. "
Þis ſpeche ſemiþ to comaunde wickidneſſe eiþer cruelte,
þerfore it is a figuratif ſpeche, and comaundiþ men to
comune wiþ Criſtis paſſioun, and to kepe in mynde
ſweetly and profitably, þat Criſtis fleſch was woundid
and crucified for vs. Alſo whanne hooly ſcripture ſeiþ,
"if þin enemy hungriþ, feede þou hym, if he þurſtiþ,
ȝeue þou drinke to hym, " it comaundiþ benefice, eiþer
good doinge; whanne it ſeiþ, "þou ſchalt gadere togidere
coolis on his heed, " it ſeemiþ þat wickidneſſe of yuel
wille is comaundid. Þis is ſeid bi figuratijf ſpeche, þat
þou vndirſtonde, þat þe coolys of fijer ben brennynge
weylyngis, eiþer moornyngis of penaunce, bi whiche þe
pride of hym is mad hool, which ſorwiþ, þat he was
enemy of a man þat helpiþ and releuiþ his
wrecchidneſſe. Alſo þe ſame word eiþer þe ſame þing in
ſcripture is taken ſumtyme in good, and ſumtyme in
yuel, as a lyoun ſingnefieþ ſumtyme Criſt, and in anoþer
place it ſingnefieþ þe deuyl. Alſo ſour douȝ is ſet
ſumtyme in yuel, where Criſt ſeiþ, "be ȝe war of þe ſour
douȝ of Fariſees, which is ypocriſie; " ſour douȝ is ſett
alſo in good, whanne Criſt ſeiþ, "þe rewme of heuenes
is lyk ſour douȝ, " etc. And whanne not oo þing aloone
but tweyne, eiþer mo, ben feelid, eiþer vndirſtonden, bi
þe ſame wordis of ſcripture, þouȝ þat it is hid, þat he
vndirſtond þat wroot, it is no perel, if it may be preuyd
bi oþer placis of hooly ſcripture, þat ech of þo þingis
acordiþ wiþ treuþe. And in hap þe autour of ſcripture
ſeiþ þilk ſentenſe in þe ſame wordis which we wolen
vndirſtonde; and certys þe Spirit of God, þat wrouȝte
þeſe þingis bi þe autour of ſcripture, bifore ſiȝ wiþoute
doute, þat þilke ſentenſe ſchulde come to þe redere,
eiþer to þe herere, ȝhe, þe Holy Gooſt purueyde, þat
þilke ſentence, for it is groundid on trewþe, ſchulde
come to þe redere, eiþer to þe herere, for whi what
myȝte be purueyed of God largiliere and plentyuouſliere
in Goddis ſpechis, þan þat þe ſame wordis be
vndirſtonden in manye maners, whiche maners, eiþer
wordis of God, þat ben not of leſſe autorite, maken to be
preued. Auſtin in iij. book of Criſten Teching ſeiþ al þis
and myche more, in þe bigynnyng þerof. Alſo he whos
herte is ful of charite conprehendiþ, wiþouten eny
errour, þe manyfoold abundaunce and largeſt teching of
Goddis ſcripturis, for whi Poul ſeiþ, "þe fulneſſe of lawe
is charite, " and in anoþer place, "þe ende of lawe, " þat
is, þe perfeccioun, eiþer filling, of þe lawe, "is charite
of clene herte, and of good conſcience, and of feiþ not
XXIX
feyned, " and Jheſu Criſt ſeiþ, "þou ſchalt loue þi Lord
God of al þin herte, and of al þi ſoule, and of al þi
mynde, and þi neiȝebore as þi ſelf, for in þeſe twey
comaundementis hangiþ al þe lawe and prophetis. "
And as þe roote of alle yuels is coueitiſe, ſo þe roote of
alle goodis is charitee. Charite, bi which we louen God
and þe neiȝebore, holdiþ ſykirly al þe greetneſſe and
largneſſe of Goddis ſpechis. Þerefore if it is not leiſir to
ſeeke alle holy ſcriptures, to expounne alle þe
wlappingis of wordis, to perſe alle, þe preuytes of
ſcripturis, holde þou charite, where alle þingis hangen,
ſo þou ſchalt holde þat þat þou lernydiſt þere; alſo þou
ſchalt holde þat þat þou lernediſt not, for if þou knowiſt
charite, þou knowiſt ſum þing wheronne alſo þat hangiþ
þat in hap þou knowiſt not; and in þat þat þou
vndirſtondiſt in ſcripturis, charite is opin, and in þat þat
þou vndirſtondiſt not, charite is hid, þerfore he þat
hooldiþ charite in vertues, eiþer in goode condiſcouns,
hooldiþ boþe þat þat is opyn and þat þat is hid in
Goddis wordis. Auſtyn ſeiþ al þis and myche more in a
ſermoun of þe preyſing of charite. Alſo vij. reulis of
Tyconye and of Auſtyn declaren many derke þingis of
hooly ſcripturis. Þe firſt reule is of Jheſu Criſt, and of
his holy ſpirit; oo perſoone of þe heed and of þe body,
þat is, of Criſt and of holy chirche, is ſchewid to vs in
þis reule, for it is not ſeid in veyn to feiþful men, "ȝee
ben þe ſeed of Abraham, " whanne þer is oo ſeed of
Abraham, which ſeed is Criſt. Doute we not, whanne
ſcripture goiþ fro þe hed to þe body, eiþer fro þe body
to þe heed, and naþeles it goiþ not awey fro oon and þe
ſame perſone, for whi oo perſone ſpekiþ in Iſaie, "he
ſettide a myter to me as to a ſpouſe, and he onouride me
as a ſpouſeſſe wiþ an ournement. " And naþeles it is to
vndirſtonde what of þeſe tweyne acoordiþ to þe heed,
þat is, Criſt, and what acordiþ to þe body, þat is, hooly
chirche, for whi a myter acordiþ to Criſt, which is þe
ſpouſe, and an ournement acordiþ to hooly chirche,
which is þe ſpouſe of Criſt. Þe ſecunde reule, as Ticonye
ſeiþ, is of þe bodi of Criſt, which bodi is departid into
tweyne, but ceertis þis bodi of Criſt ouȝte not be clepid
ſo, for treuly it is not þe bodi of Criſt, which ſhal not be
wiþ him wiþouten ende, but it ſchal be ſeid of þe veri
bodi and of þe medlid body of Criſt, eiþer of þe veri
bodi and feyned body of Criſt; for whi ypocritis ſchulen
be ſeid to be not wiþ Criſt, not oonly wiþouten ende, but
alſo now, þouȝ þei ſeemyn to be in þe chirche of Criſt.
Wherfor þis reule myȝt be clepid þus, þat it were ſeid
of þe medlid chirche, þat is, þat conprehendiþ choſen
men to bliſſe, and alſo ipocritis, þat ſchulen be
dampned. And þis reule axiþ a waking eiþer diligent
redere; whanne it ſpekiþ of oþer men, it ſemiþ to ſpeke
now as to þe ſame men to whiche it ſpac bifore, eiþer it
ſeemiþ to ſpeke of þe ſame men, whanne it ſpekiþ of
oþere men; as if oo body be of euer eiþer, for temporal
medlyng, and for comynyng of ſacramentis. To þis reule
it perteyneþ, þat þe chirche ſeiþ in Songis, "I am blac
and fair as þe tabernaclis of Cedar, as þe ſkynnes of
Salomon; " þe chirche ſeide þat ſche is euer eiþer, for
temporal vnite wiþinne oo net of goode fiſchis and of
yuel fiſchis; for whi þe tabernaclis of Cedar parteynen
to Iſmael, þat ſchal not be eir wiþ þe ſone of þe free
wijf. Þe þridde reule is of byheeſtis and of lawe; þis
reule may be ſeid alſo of þe ſpirit and lettre; it may be
ſeid alſo of grace and of comaundement; and Tyconie
erride in ſeyinge, þat werkis ben ȝouen of God to vs for
meryt of feiþ, but feiþ it ſilf is ſo of vs, þat it is not of
God to vs. Þe iiij. reule is of al and of party, whanne
ſumm of a þing is ſet for al, eiþir aȝenward al is ſet for a
party. Þe v. reule is of tymes, and þis is bi a figure
clepid ſynodoches, whanne a part is ſet for al, eiþer al is
ſet for oo part. Oon euangeliſt ſeiþ, þat it was don aftir
viij. daies, whanne þe face of Criſt ſchynede as þe
ſunne, and anoþer goſpeler ſeide, þat it was don aftir vj.
daies; euer eiþer myȝte not be ſoþ, þat is ſeid of þe
noumbre of daies, no but he þat ſeide aftir viij. daies be
vndirſtonden to haue ſett for þe hool day þe laſt part of
þe day, ſiþen Criſt bifore ſeide it to come, and to haue
ſet for þe hool day þe firſt part of þe day, in whiche he
ſchewiþ, þat þe appering of Criſtis face was fully don;
and þat he þat ſeide aftir vj. daies, rekynede alle þe hool
daies and þe myddil daies, and noon oþer. Bi þis kynde
of ſpeche, bi which kinde al is ſingnefied by a part, þilk
queſtioun of Criſtis riſing aȝen is aſoiled; þe laſte part of
þe day, wherinne Criſt ſuffride deþ, is taken for al þe
day wiþ þe nyȝt paſſid bifore, and þe firſt part of
Sunday, in whos morewitide he roos aȝen, is taken for
al Sunday and þe nyȝt bifore goynge; and þe Sabot wiþ
þe hool nyȝt bifore goynge is al hool day and nyȝt. If
þeſe nyȝtis and daies be not taken þus, þer moun not be
iij. daies and iij. nyȝtis, in whiche he bifore ſeide, þat he
ſchulde be in þe herte of erþe. Alſo þis reule of tymes is
taken for lawful noumbris, as ben vij. x. and xij. and
ſuche moo, for ofte ſuche noumbris ben ſett for al tyme,
as þis þat Dauiþ ſeiþ, "ſeuen ſiþis in þe day I ſeide
preyſing, eiþer herying, to þee, " is noon oþir þing þan
þis, "his herying be euere in my mouþ. " Alſo bi an c.
and xliii. in Apoc. is ſingnefied þe vniuerſite, eiþer al þe
multitude, of ſeintis. Þe vi. reule is of recapitulacoun,
eiþer reherſing a þing don bifore, not in ordre, as it is
ſett; for whi ſumme þingis ben ſeid ſo, as if `þo ſuen in
þe ordre of tyme, eiþer ben teld bi contynuyng of
þingis, þat is, þat ben ioyned next togidere, whanne þe
telling is clepid aȝen preuyly to þe formere þingis, þat
weren left out; and if men vndirſtonden not ſuch ſeying
bi þis reule, þei erren; as in Geneſis it is ſeid, "God
plauntide paradys in Eden, at þe eeſt, and ſettide þere þe
man þat he foormyde, and God brouȝte forþ ȝit of erþe
ech fair tre, " etc. ; þis is ſeid bi recapitulacoun. In lyk
maner þere "þe lond was of oo lippe, " þat is, ſpeche, it
is ſeid bi recapitulacoun. Þe vij. reule is of þe deuel and
of his bodi, for he is heed of alle wickide men, þat ben
his body in a manere, and ſchulen go wiþ him in to þe
XXX
turment of euerlaſting fijer, as Criſt is þe heed of hooly
chirche, which is his body, and ſchal be wiþ hym in
rewme and glorie euerlaſtinge. Alſo þei þat haue
lykinge for to ſtudie in holy writ, ſchulen be chargid, þat
þei kunne þe kyndis and maners of ſpekingis in holy
ſcriptures; and þei þat perſeyue diligently and holde wel
in mynde, hou a þing is wont to be ſeid in holy
ſcripturis. Alſo þat is ſouereyn help and mooſt nedful,
preie þei, þat God ȝeue to hem þe veri vndirſtonding of
holy ſcripture, for þei reden in þo ſcripturis, aboute
whiche þei ben ſtudiouſe, þat God ȝeueþ wiſdom, and
kunnyng, and vndirſtonding of his face, þat is, ȝifte and
grace. Alſo if her ſtodie is don wiþ meekneſſe, and loue
of criſten lore, it is of God. Auſtyn writiþ al þis in þe iij.
book of Criſten Teching, aboute þe myddil, and in þe
ende. Iſidre, in þe j. book of Souereyn Good, touchiþ
þeſe reulis ſchortliere, but I haue hym not now, and
Lyre, in þe bigynnyng of þe bible, touchiþ more opinly
þeſe reulis, but I haue him not now, and Ardmacan, in
þe bigynnyng of his book de Queſtionibus Armenorum,
ȝeueþ many goode groundis to vndirſtonde holy
ſcripture to þe lettre, and gooſtly vndirſtonding alſo, but
I haue him not now. Alſo no þing may ſeme to be
wijſere, no þing of more eloquence, þan is hooly
ſcripture, and þe autours þerof, þat weren enſpijrid of
God. And þei ouȝten not to ſpeke in oþer manere þan
þei diden, and þe prophetis, and mooſt Amos, weren ful
eloquent, and ſeint Poul waas ful eloquent in his piſtlis.
Alſo þe autouris of hooly ſcripture ſpaken derkly, þat þe
preuyteis þerof ben hid fro vnfeiþful men, and goode
men ben exerciſid, eiþer ocupied, and þat in
expounnynge hooly ſcripture þei haue a newe grace,
diuerſe fro þe firſt autouris. Auſtin, in þe bigynnyng of
þe iiij. book of Criſten Teching. Alſo, as þe litle richeſſis
of Jewis, whiche þei baren awey fro Egipt, weren in
compariſoun of richeſſis which þei hadden aftirward in
Jeruſalem, in þe tyme of Salomon, ſo greet is þe
prophitable kunnynge of filoſoferis bookis, if it is
compariſouned to þe kunnynge of hooly ſcripturis; for
whi what euer þing a man lerniþ wiþouten hooly writ, if
þe þing lerned is veyn, it is dampned in holy writ, if it is
prophitable, it is foundid þere. And whanne a man
fyndiþ þeere alle þingis whiche he lernyde profitably in
oþer place, he ſchal fynde myche more plenteuouſly þo
þingis in hooly ſcripture, whiche he lernede neuere in
oþer place, but ben lerned oonly in þe wondirful
hiȝneſſe and in þe wondirful meekneſſe of hooly
ſcripturis. Auſtin ſeiþ þis in þe ende of ij. book of
Criſten Teching. Alſo hooly ſcripture conteyneþ al
prophitable treuþe, and alle oþere ſciencis preuyly in þe
vertu of wittis, eiþer vndirſtondingis, as wynes ben
conteyned in grapis, as ripe corn is conteyned in þe
ſeed, as bowis ben conteyned in þe rootis, and as trees
ben conteyned in þe kernels. Groſtede, in a ſermoun
Premonitus a venerabili patre. Alſo hooly ſcripture
wlatiþ ſofymys, and ſeiþ, he þat ſpekiþ ſofiſticaly, eiþer
bi ſofymys, ſchal be hatful, and he ſchal be defraudid in
ech þing, as þe wijſe man ſeiþ in xxxvij. c. of
Eccleſiaſtici. If filoſoferis, and mooſt þe diſciplis of
Plato, ſeiden eny treuþis, and prophitable to oure feiþ,
not oonly þo treuþis owen not to be dred, but alſo þo
ſchulen be calengid into oure vs, eiþir profijt, fro hem,
as fro vniuſt poſſeſſouris. And as Jewis token, bi autorite
of God, þe gold, `and ſyluer, and cloþis of Egipcyans, ſo
criſtene men owen to take þe trewe ſeyingis of
filoſoueris, for to worſchippe oo God, and of techingis
of vertues, whiche treuþis þe filoſoueris founden not,
but diggeden out of þe metals of Goddis puruyaunce,
which is ſched euery where. So dide Ciprian, þe ſwetteſt
doctour and mooſt bleſſid martir, ſo diden Lactancius,
Victorinus, and Illarie, and Greekis wiþoute noumbre.
Auſtin in ij. book of Criſten Teching. Bi þeſe reulis of
Auſtin and bi iiij. vndirſtondingis of hooly ſcripture, and
bi wijs knowing of figuratijf ſpechis, wiþ good lyuynge
and meekneſſe, and ſtodyinge of þe bible, ſymple men
moun ſumdel vndirſtonde þe text of holy writ, and
edefie myche hemſelf and oþer men; but for Goddis
loue, ȝe ſymple men, be war of pride, and veyn iangling
and chyding in wordis aȝens proude clerkis of ſcole and
veyn religious, and anſwere ȝee mekely and prudently
to enemyes of Goddis lawe, and preie ȝe hertly for hem,
þat God of his greet mercy ȝeue to hem very knowing
of ſcripturis, and meekeneſſe, and charite, and euere be
ȝe redy, what euer man techiþ eny treuþe of God, to
take þat meekely, and wiþ greet þankingis to God; and
if eny man in erþe, eiþer aungel of heuene, techiþ ȝou
þe contrarie of holy writ, eiþer eny þing aȝens reſoun
and charite, fle fro him in þat, as fro þe foul deuel of
helle, and holde ȝe ſtedfaſtly to lijf and deeþ þe treuþe
and freedom of þe hooly goſpel of Jheſu Criſt, and take
ȝe mekely mennis ſeyingis and lawis, onely in as myche
as þei acorden wiþ holy writ and good conſcience, and
noo ferþer, for lijf neiþer for deþ.
CAP. XIII.
Alſo holy ſcripture is betere knowen bi licneſſes and bi
derkneſſis; it doþ awey anoyes, and we owe to þenke
and bileeue, þat þe þing þat is writen in holy ſcripture,
ȝhe, þouȝ it be hid, eiþer not knowen, is betere and
trewere þan þat we moun vndirſtonde bi vſſelf; and
worſchipfully and heelfully þe Holy Gooſt meſuride ſo
holy ſcripturis, þat in opyn placis he ſettide remedie to
oure hungir, and in derk placis he wipte awey anoies;
for almeſt no þing is ſeyn in þo derkneſſis, which þing is
not founden ſeid ful pleynly in oþer placis. Þerfore
bifore alle þingis it is nedeful, þat a man be conuertid bi
Goddis drede, and be mylde bi pite, eiþer criſten
religioun; and þat he aȝenſie not hooly ſcripture, wher it
be vnderſtonden, þouȝ it ſmyte eny ſynnes of oure,
wheþer it be not vndirſtonden, as if we moun
vndirſtonde betere, eiþer comaunde, eiþer teche betere.
Be þe ȝifte of drede and of pitee, me comiþ to degre of
XXXI
kunnyng, for whi ech fructuous man of hooly ſcripturis
exerciſiþ himſelf in þis þing, and to fynde noon oþer
þing in þo, þan for to loue God for God himſelf, and for
to loue his neiȝebore for God. Þanne þilke drede, bi
which he þenkiþ on Goddis dom, and þilke pite, bi
which he muſt nedis bileeue and ȝeue ſtide to autorite of
holy bookis, conpelliþ hym to beweyle hymſelf, for whi
þis kunnyng of good hope makiþ a man not to auaunce
himſelf, but biweile himſelf; and bi þis affeccioun, eiþer
good wille, he geetiþ wiþ beſy preieris þe coumfort of
Goddis help, þat he be not broken bi diſpeir; and he
bigynneþ to be in þe fourþe degre of gooſtly ſtrengþe, in
whiche he hungriþ and þirſtiþ riȝtfulneſſe; þanne in þe v.
degree, þat is, in þe counceyl of mercy, he purgiþ þe
ſoule, þat makiþ noiſe and vnreſtfulneſſe of coueitiſe of
erþly þingis; and þanne he diſpiſiþ filþis of ſoule, and
louiþ God and neiȝeboris, ȝhe enemyes; bi þis he ſtiȝiþ
to þe vj. degre, where he purgiþ þe iȝe of ſoule, bi
which iȝe God may be ſeyn, as myche as he may be
ſeyn of hem þat diȝen to þis world, as myche as þei
mowen; for in ſo myche þei ſeen God in her ſoule,
þourȝ feiþ and loue, hou myche þei diȝen to þis world;
`and in as myche as þei leuyn to þis world, þei ſeen not
God; and in þis degre, wherinne a man diȝiþ to þe
world, he neiþer preferriþ, neiþer makiþ euene himſelf,
neiþer his neiȝebore, wiþ þe treuþe of hooly writ;
þerfore þis hooly man ſchal be ſo ſymple and clene of
herte, þat neiþer for pleſaunce of men he be drawe a
wey fro treuþe, neþer bi cauſe to eſchewe eny harmys of
himſelf, þat ben contrarie to þis lijf, ſuch a chiild ſtiȝiþ
to verey wiſdom, which is þe laſte and þe vij. , which he
vſiþ in pees and in reſte. Seint Auſtyn ſeiþ al þis in þe
bygynnyng of þe ij. book of Criſten Teching. Heere is a
bliſſid entring bi þeſe vij. vertues to þe kunnyng of holy
ſcripture in þis lijf, to haue here reſte of ſoule, and
aftirward ful reſte of bodi and ſoule in heuene, wiþouten
ende. Alas! what don proude and coueitouſe wrecchis at
hooly ſcripture, þat ſeeken þe world and fleſchly eeſe,
and wolen not conuerten hem fro `þeſe curſidneſſis; þei
diſſeyuen hemſelf, and þe puple þat geſſen hem wijſe
men, whanne þei ben opyn foolis; and maken hemſelf
deppere dampned, and oþer men alſo þat ſuen her folye,
and blasfemyn God. Þes worldly foolis ſchulden wite,
þat hooly lijf is a launterne to bringe a man to very
kunnynge, as Criſoſtom ſeiþ, and þe drede and loue of
God is þe bigynning and perfeccioun of kunnyng and
wijſdom; and whanne þeſe fleſchly apis and worldly
moldewerpis han neiþer þe bigynnyng of wijſdom,
neiþer deſyren it, what doon þei at hooly ſcripture, to
ſchenſchipe of hemſelf and of oþere men? As longe as
pride and `coueitiſe of worldly goodis and onouris is
rootid in her herte, þei maken omage to Satanas, and
offren to him boþe bodi and ſoule, and al her witt and
fynding. Such foolis ſchulden þenke, þat wijſedom ſchal
not entre into an yuel willid ſoule, neiþer ſchal dwelle in
a body ſoget to ſynnes; and Jheſu Criſt ſeiþ, þat þe fadir
of heuene hijdiþ þe preuytees of hooly ſcripture fro
wijſe men and prudent, `þat is wijſe men and prudent to
þe world, and in her owne ſiȝt, and ſchewiþ þo to meke
men; þerfore worldly foolis, do ȝe firſt penaunce for
ȝoure ſynnes, and forſake pride and coueitiſe, and be ȝe
meke, and drede ȝe God in alle þingis, and loue him
ouer alle oþer þingis, and ȝoure neiȝeboris as `ȝoure
ſelf; and þanne ȝe ſchulen profite in ſtodie of hooly writ.
But alas! `alas! alas! þe mooſt abomynacoun þat euer
was herd among criſten clerkis is now purpoſid in
Yngelond, bi worldly clerkis and feyned religiouſe, and
in þe cheef vniuerſitee of oure reume, as manye trewe
men tellen wiþ greet weylyng. Þis orrible and deuelis
curſedneſſe is purpoſid of Criſtis enemyes and traytouris
of alle criſten puple, þat no man ſchal lerne dyuynite,
neiþer hooly writ, no but he þat haþ doon his fourme in
art, þat is, þat haþ comenſid in art, and haþ ben regent
tweyne ȝeer aftir; þis wolde be ix. ȝeer eiþer ten bifore
þat he lerne hooly writ, aftir þat he can comunly wel his
gramer, þouȝ he haue a good witt, and traueile ful ſoore,
and haue good fynding ix. eiþer x. ȝeer aftir his gramer.
Þis ſemiþ vttirly þe deuelis purpos, þat fewe men eiþer
noon ſchulen lerne and kunne Goddis lawe; but God
ſeiþ bi Amos, on þre greete treſpaſis of Damaſk and on
þe iiij. , "I ſchal not conuerte him; " where Jerom ſeiþ,
þe firſte ſynne is to þenke yuelis, þe ij. ſynne is to
conſente to weyward þouȝtis, þe iij. ſynne is to fille in
werk, þe iiij. ſynne is to do not penaunce aftir þe ſynne,
and to pleſe himſelf in his ſynne; but Damaſk is
interpretid drinkynge blood, eiþer birling blood. Lord!
wheþer Oxunford drinke blood and birliþ blood, bi
ſleeinge of quyke men, and bi doinge of ſodomye, in
leeſinge a part of mannis blood, wherbi a chijld myte be
fourmed, deme þei þat knowen; and wher Oxunforde
drinke blood of ſynne, and ſtiriþ oþere men of þe lond
to do ſynne, bi booldneſſe off clerkis, deme þei iuſtly,
þat ſeen it at iȝe, and knowen bi experiens. Loke now
wher Oxunford is in þre orrible ſynnes and in þe fourþe,
on which God reſtiþ not til he punſche it. Sumtyme
children and ȝunge men arſiſtris weren deuout and clene
as aungels, in compariſoun of oþere, now men ſeyn þei
ben ful of pride and leccherie, wiþ diſpitouſe ooþis,
needles and falſe, and diſpiſing of Goddis heeſtis;
ſumtyme cyuylians and canoniſtris weren deuout, and ſo
biſy on her lernyng, þat þey tooken ful litil reſte of bed,
now men ſeyn þat þei ben ful of pride and nyce aray,
enuye, and coueitiſe, wiþ leccherie, glotonie and
ydilneſſe; ſumtyme dyuynys weren ful hooly and
deuout, and diſpiſiden outtirly þe world, and lyueden as
aungels in meekneſſe, clenneſſe, ſouereyn chaſtite, and
charite, and tauȝten treuly Goddis lawe in werk and
word; now men ſeyn, þei ben as deligat of hir mouþ and
wombe, and as coueitouſe as oþere worldly men, and
flateren, and maaken leeſingis in preching, to eſchewe
bodyly perſecuſcoun, and to gete benefices. Þe firſte
grete ſynne is generaly in þe vniuerſite, as men dreden
XXXII
and ſeen at iȝe; þe ij. orrible ſynne is ſodomye and
ſtrong mayntenaunce þereof, as it is knowen to many
perſones of þe reume, and at þe laſte parlement. Alas!
dyuynys, þat ſchulden paſſe oþere men in clenneſſe and
hoolyneſſe, as aungels of heuene paſſen freel men in
`vertues, ben mooſt ſclaundrid of þis curſid ſynne aȝens
kynde. Þe iij. orrible ſynne is ſymonie, and forſwering
in þe ſemble hous, þat ſchulde be an hous of riȝtfulneſſe
and hoolyneſſe, where yuelis ſchulde be redreſſid; þis
ſymonie wiþ portenauncis þereof is myche worſe and
more abomynable þan bodily ſodomye. Ȝit on þeſe þre
abomynacouns God wolde graciouſly conuerte clerkis,
if þei wolden do very penaunce, and ȝeue hem hooliche
to vertues; but on þe iiij. moſt abomynacoun purpoſid
now to letten Criſten men, ȝhe preſtis and curatis, to
lerne freely Goddis lawe, til þei han ſpendid ix. ȝeer
eiþer x. at art, þat conprehendiþ many ſtrong errouris of
heþene men aȝens Criſten bileeue, it ſeemiþ wel þat
God wole not ceeſe of veniaunce, til it and oþere ben
punſchid ſoore; for it ſeemiþ þat worldly clerkis and
feyned relygiouſe don þis, þat ſymple men of wit and of
fynding knowe not Goddis lawe, to preche it generaly
aȝens ſynnes in þe reume. But wite ȝe, worldly clerkis
and feyned relygiouſe, þat God boþe can and may, if it
lykiþ hym, ſpeede ſymple men out of þe vniuerſitee, as
myche to kunne hooly writ, as maiſtris in þe vniuerſite;
and þerfore no gret charge, þouȝ neuer man of good
wille be poiſend wiþ heþen mennis errouris ix. ȝeer
eiþer ten, but euere lyue wel and ſtodie hooly writ, bi
elde doctouris and newe, and preche treuly and freely
aȝens opin ſynnes, to his deþ. See þerfore what Jerom
ſeiþ on Amos, God bifore ſeiþ yuels to comynge, þat
men heere, and amende hemſelf, and be delyuered fro
þe perel neiȝinge, eiþer if þat þei diſpiſen, þei ben
punſchid iuſtiliere; and God, þat bifore ſeiþ peynes,
wole not punſche men þat ſynnen, but þat þei be
amendid. Jerom ſeiþ þis in þe `ende of þe j. book of
Amos. God, for his gret mercy, graunte, þat clerkis here
þe greet veniaunce manaſid of God, and amende
hemſelf treuly, þat God punſche not hem; for if þei
amenden not hemſelf, þei ben eretikis maad hard in her
ſynnes; but ſee what Jerom ſeiþ aȝens eretikis, and in
comendinge of hooly ſcripture; he ſeiþ þus on Amos,
"Eretikis þat ſeruen þe wombe and glotonye, ben clepid
riȝtfully fatteſt kyin, eiþer kyin ful of ſchenſchipe. " "We
owen to take hooly ſcripture on þre maneris; firſt, we
owen vndirſtonde it bi þe lettre, and do alle þingis þat
ben comaundid to vs þerinne; þe ij. tyme bi allegorie,
þat is, gooſtly vndirſtonding; and in þe iij. tyme bi bliſſe
`of þingis to comynge. " Jerom ſeiþ þis in þe ij. book on
Amos, and in iiij. c. of Amos. Naþeles for Lyre cam late
to me, ſee what he ſeiþ of þe vndirſtonding of holy
ſcripture; he writiþ þus on þe ij. prologe on þe bible,
"Joon ſeiþ in v. c. `of Apoc. 'I ſyȝ a book written
wiþinne and wiþouteforþ in þe hond of þe ſittere on þe
trone; ' þis book is holy ſcripture, which is ſeid writen
wiþout forþ, as to þe literal vndirſtonding, and wiþinne,
as to þe preuy and gooſtly vndirſtonding; " and in þe j.
prologe he declariþ iiij. vndirſtondingis of hooly writ in
þis manere, "Holy writ haþ þis ſpecialte, þat vndir oo
lettre it conteyneþ many vndirſtondingis, for þe
principal autour of hooly writ is God himſelf, in whos
power it is, not oonly to vſe wordis to ſingnifie a þing as
men don, but alſo he vſiþ þingis ſingnefied bi wordis to
ſingnefie oþer þingis; þerfore bi þe ſingnyfying bi
wordis is taken þe literal vndirſtonding, eiþer hiſtorial,
of holy ſcripture, and bi þe ſingnefying which is maad
bi þingis is taken þe preuy, eiþer gooſtly vndirſtonding,
which is þre maneres, allegorik, moral, eiþer
tropologik, and anogogik. If þingis ſingnefied bi wordis
ben referrid to ſingnefie þo þingis þat owen to be
bileeued in þe newe teſtament, ſo it is taken þe ſenſe of
allegorik; if þingis ben referrid to ſingnefie þo þingis
whiche we owen to do, ſo it is moral ſenſe, eiþer
tropologik; if þingis ben referrid to ſingnefie þo þingis
þat ſcholen be hopid in bliſſe to comynge, ſo it is
anagogik ſenſe. Þe lettre techiþ what is doon; allegorie
techiþ what þou owiſt for to bileeue; moral techiþ what
þou owiſt for to do; anagogic techiþ whedir þou owiſt to
go; and of þeſe iiij. ſenſis, eiþer vndirſtondingis, may be
ſet enſaumple in þis word Jeruſalem; for bi þe literal
vndirſtonding Jeruſalem ſingnefieþ a cyte, þat was
ſumtyme þe cheef citee in þe rewme of Jude, and
Jeruſalem was foundid firſt of Melchiſedech, and
aftirward it was alargid, and maad ſtrong bi Salomon; bi
moral ſenſe it ſingnefieþ a feiþful ſoule, bi which ſenſe it
is ſeid in lij. c. of Iſaie, 'riſe þou, riſe þou, ſette þou
Jeruſalem; ' bi ſenſe allegorik it ſingnefieþ þe chirche
fiȝtinge aȝens ſynnes and feendis, bi which ſenſe it is
ſeid in xxj. c. of Apoc. , 'I ſiȝ þe hooly citee newe
Jeruſalem comynge doun fro heuene, as a ſpouſe ourned
to hire houſbonde; ' bi ſence anagogik `it ſingnefieþ þe
chirche rengninge in bliſſe, bi þis ſence it is ſeid in iiij.
c. to Galat. 'þilke Jeruſalem which is aboue, which is
oure modir, is free; and as enſaumple is ſet in oo word,
ſo it might be ſet in oo reſoun, and as in oon, ſo and in
oþere. " Lire ſeiþ al þis in þe firſte prologe on þe bible.
CAP. XIV.
Naþeles alle gooſtly vndirſtondinges ſetten bifore, eiþir
requyren, þe literal vndirſtonding, as þe foundement;
wherfore as a bylding bowing awey fro þe foundement
is diſpoſid to falling, ſo a gooſtly expociſcoun, þat
diſcordiþ fro þe literal ſenſe, owiþ to be arettid
vnſeemely and vncouenable, eiþer leſſe ſeemely, and
leſſe couenable; and þerfore it is nedful to hem, þat
wolen profite in þe ſtodie of holy ſcripture, to bigynne
at þe vndirſtonding of literal ſence, mooſt ſiþen bi þe
literal ſenſe aloone, and not bi gooſtly ſencis may be
maad an argument, eiþer preef, to þe preuyng, eiþer
declaring, of a doute, as Auſtin ſeiþ in his Piſtle to
Vincent Donatiſte. Seint Iſidre, in þe firſte book of
XXXIII
Souereyn Good xx. c. ſettiþ vij. reulis to expounne
hooly ſcripture, and ſumme clepen þeſe reulis þe keies
of ſcripture, for bi þeſe rulis þe vndirſtonding of
ſcripture is openid in many þingis. Þe firſte reule is of
oure Lord Jheſu Criſt, and of his gooſtly body, which is
holy chirche, for whi for þe knytting togidere of þe
heed to þe body hooly ſcripture ſpekiþ ſumtyme of euer
eiþer vndir oo reſoun, as vndir oo perſone, and paſſiþ fro
oon to anoþir, in enſaumple in lxj. co. of Iſaie it is ſeid,
"He cloþide me wiþ cloþis of helþe, and he compaſſide
me wiþ cloþing of riȝtfulneſſe, as a ſpouſe maad fair wiþ
a coroune, and as a ſpouſeſſe ourned wiþ hire brochis; "
for whi þis þat is ſeid "as a ſpouſe, " etc. is vndirſtonden
of Criſt, and þis þat ſueþ "as a ſpouſeſſe" etc. is
vndirſtonden of holy chirche. Alſo in þe j. c. of Songis it
is ſeid, "Kiſſe he me wiþ þe coſſe of his mouþ, for þi
tetis ben betere þan wyn; " for whanne it is ſeid, "kiſſe
he me" etc. , it is þe word of þe ſpouſeſſe deſiringe to
haue þe ſpouſe; and þis þat ſueþ, "for þi tetis, " etc. is þe
word of þe ſpouſe, preiſing þe ſpouſeſſe; wherfore in
ſuch þingis, knyt ſo togidere bi reſoun biforeſeid, a
prudent redere owiþ to perſeyue what accordiþ to þe
heed, and what to þe body. Þe ij. reule is of þe very
body and of þe feyned body of oure Lord Jheſu Criſt,
for whi hooly chirche, which is þe gooſtly body of Criſt,
is a nett which is not drawen ȝit to þe brinke; þerfor it
haþ yuele men meddlid wiþ goode men til to þe doom,
in whiche þeſe ſchulen be departid fro hem, and þerfore
in holy ſcripture yuele men ben preiſid ſumtyme wiþ
goode men, wiþ whiche þei ben medlid; as in þe xj. c.
of Oſee God ſeiþ þus, "Iſrael is a chijld, and I louede
him; " and aȝenward ſumtyme goode men ben blamed
wiþ yuel men, as in j. co. of Iſaie, "An oxe knew his
lord and an aſſe knew þe cracche of his lord, but Iſrael
knew not me and my puple vndirſtood not; " and
ſumtyme in þe ſame reſoun it is expreſſid what
perteyneþ to goode men and what to yuele men, as in j.
co. of Songis it is ſeid, "I am blac but fair, ȝe douȝtris of
Jeruſalem, as þe tabernaclis of Cedar, as þe ſkynnes of
Salamon; " þeſe ben þe wordis of þe ſpouſeſſe, which
for reſoun of yuel men conteyned in þe chirche, ſeiþ, "I
am blac, " but for reſoun of goode men it addiþ, "but
fair; " and þis þat ſueþ, as for enſaumple, "as þe
tabernaclis of Cedar, " is referrid to yuele men; for whi
Cedar was þe ſone of Yſmael, as it is ſeid in xxv. co. of
Geneſis, of whom Saracenus camen forþ, and þis þat is
addid, "as þe ſkynnes of Salamon, " is referrid to goode
men. Þerfore bi Salamon here is vndirſtonden God
himſelf, bi criſten expocitouris and Ebreies; and þerfore
þe ſkynnes of Salamon ben ſeid þo wiþ which þe
tabernacle was heelid, in which tabernacle goode men
worſchipiden God. Þe iij. reule is of þe ſpirit and of þe
lettre; þis reule is expounned þus comunly, þat þe
hiſtorial, eiþer literal ſenſe, and þe myſtik, eiþer gooſtly
ſenſe, is taken vndir þe ſame lettre, for whi þe treuþe of
þe ſtorie ſchal be holden, and naþeles it ſchal be referrid
to þe gooſtly vndirſtonding. Þis reule may be
expounned alſo in anoþer manere, þat it be referrid
oonly to þe literal ſenſe, as oþere reulis ben; aboute
which þing it is to ſee, þat þe ſame lettere haþ ſum tyme
double literal ſenſe, in enſaumple in j. book of
Paralypomynon, xvij. co. , God ſeiþ to Salamon, "I
ſchal be `to him in to a fadir, and he ſchal be to me into
a ſone; " and þis to þe lettere is vndirſtonden of
Salomon, in as myche as he was þe ſone of God, bi
grace in ȝungþe, wherfore Nathan þe prophete clepide
hym, "amyable to þe Lord" in ij. book of Kingis, xij. c.
Alſo þe forſeid autorite, "I ſchal be to hym in to a fadir,
" etc. is brouȝt in of Poul in j. co. to Ebreis, as ſeid to þe
lettre of Criſt himſelf, and þis is opyn bi þis, þat Poul
bringiþ it in to preue, þat Criſt is more þan aungels; but
ſuch preuynge may not be maad bi gooſtly ſenſe, as
Auſtin ſeiþ aȝens Vincent Donatiſte; forſoþe þe forſeid
autorite was fillid to þe lettre in Salomon, naþeles leſſe
parfitly, for he was þe ſone of God oonly bi grace, but it
was fillid parfitlier in Criſt, þat was þe ſone of God bi
kinde; but naþeles euer eiþer expociſſcioun is literal
outtirly. Naþeles þe ij. expociſcoun, which is of Criſt, is
gooſtly and preuy in ſum maner, in as myche as
Salamon was þe figure of Criſt. Þe iiij. reule is of al and
of part, for whi ſcripture paſſiþ fro oon to þe toþere, and
aȝenward, as in xiij. co. of Iſaie, þe ſcripture ſpekiþ firſt
aȝens Babilone ſpecialy, whanne it is ſeid, "þe birþen of
Babilone, " and þanne þe ſcripture paſſiþ to vndirſtonde
þe word generaly of al þe world, bi þis þat ſueþ, "þe
Lord comeþ fro þe hyȝneſſe of heuene, and þe veſſels of
his ſtronge veniaunce comen, þat he diſtroie all erþe; "
aftirward þe ſcripture turneþ aȝen to ſpeke aȝens
Babilone ſpecialy, whanne it is ſeid, "Lo! I ſchal riſe on
ȝou Medeys, þat ſchul not ſeeke ſyluer; " for whi Darius
Medey, wiþ Cirus, his coſyn, took Babilone, and killide
Baltaſar, þe king of Babilone, as it is ſeid in þe v. co. of
Daniel. Þe v. reule is of tymes, which reule bifalliþ in
iiij. maners; in oo manere bi a figure clepid ſynodoches,
whanne a part of tyme is ſet for al þe tyme, as it is ſeid
in þe goſpel, þat Criſt lay þre daies in þe ſepulcre, and
naþeles þe firſte day and þe þridde weren not hool
daies. In anoþer maner þis reule bifalliþ for ſmale partys
of tyme, þat ben noumbrid ſumtyme in ſcripture, and
ſumtyme ben left out, and bi þis þe ſcripture þat ſpekiþ
of ſum noumbre of ȝeris, in manye placis, ſettiþ
ſumtyme moo ȝeris, rekenynge þe foreſeid ſmale partys,
in anoþer place it ſettiþ fewere ȝeeris, in leuyng out þe
ſmale partys. In iij. maner þis reule bifalliþ, for þat þe
rekenyng of ȝeeris bigynneþ in oo place at þe formere
terme, and in anoþer place at þe latter teerme, as in xv.
co. of Geneſis, it was ſaid to Abraham, þat his ſeed ſchal
be a pilgrym bi iiij. c. ȝeer, and in xij. co. of Exodi it is
ſeid of þis pilgrimage, þat þe dwelling of þe ſones of
Iſrael in þe lond of Egipt was of iiij. c. ȝeer and xxx. ,
for þe rekenyng of þis more noumbre bigynneþ at þe
tyme, in which it was ſeid to Abraham in xij. co. of
XXXIV
Geneſis, "go out of þi lond, " etc. , and þe rekenyng of
þe leſſe noumbre bigynneþ at þe natyuite of Iſaac, þat
was xxx. ȝeer aftir þe goinge out of Abraham fro Aran.
Þe iiij. tyme þis reule bifalliþ, for þat hooly ſcripture
ſpekiþ of þing to comynge bi þe maner of þing paſſid, as
in þe ix. co. of Iſaie, "a litil child was born to vs, " etc. ;
and þis is to ſingnefie þe certeynte of profecie, whos
bifalling of tyme to comynge is ſo certeyn, as if it were
paſſid now; and þis is for certeynte of Goddis bifore
knowing, bi whiche þe reuelacoun is maad to þe
prophete. Naþeles ſuch maner of ſpeche haþ noo place,
no but in profecie of predeſtynacoun, eiþer ful
determynyng of God; which prophecie is, whanne a
þing to comynge in noun certeyn to mannis knowing, is
ſchewid to þe prophete in þat maner, bi which it is in þe
bifore knowing of God, which bifore knowing of God
bihooldiþ ſo wiþout fayling þingis to comynge, as
þingis preſent and paſſid. But in profecie of manaaſinge,
ſuch maner of ſpeech haþ noo place, which profecie of
manaas is, whanne eny peyne worþi to be brouȝt in on a
puple, eiþer on a perſoone, is ſchewid to þe prophete,
not bi þat þat it is in þe bifore knowing of God, but bi
þe ordre of ſecunde cauſis, as bi þe yuel diſſeruyngis of
men; as is þilke prophecie of Jonas iij. co. , "Ȝit xl.
daies, and Nynyue ſchal be diſtroied; " for whi þe
ſynnes of þat citee hadden diſſeruyd þis diſtroying;
naþeles for ſuch a cauſe is chaungable, þerfore ſumtyme
þe effect, þat is, peyne manaaſid, ſueþ not, as heere, for
`Nynyuytis diden penaunce, and ſo þe Lord brouȝte not
in þe peyne manaſſid. Þe vj. reule is of recapitulacoun,
þat is, reherſing of þing don bifore, and of anticipacoun,
eiþer bifore takinge, þat is, ſetting in of þing bifore þat
it is don; for in hooly ſcripture not euere ſtories and
deedis ben writen in þe ſame ordre in whiche þoo ben
don, and þerfore whanne lattere þingis ben ſett bifore, it
is ſeid anticipacioun, eiþer byfore taking, and whanne
þe formere þingis ben ſet byhynde, it is ſeid
recapitulacoun, eiþer reherſing of þing doon bifore, as
in x. co. of Geneſis it is ſeid of þe ſones of Noe, "þe ilis
of heþene folkis in her cuntrees weren departid of þeſe
ſones of Noe, ech man bi his langage; " and wiþinne in
þe ſame x. co. it is ſeid, "þeſe ben þe ſones of Cham, in
kynredis and langagis, " and aftirward it is ſeid in xj. co.
, "þe lond was of oo langage and of þe ſame wordis; "
wherof it is opin, þat þis þat is bifore ſeid of þe
departyng of langagis, is ſeid bi anticipacoun; in lyk
maner in ij. co. of Geneſis, aftir þat Moiſes in j. co.
hadde diſcriued þe creacoun, eiþer making of nouȝt of
heuene and of erþe, and þe departing and ournyng of þe
world, he ſeide, "þeſe ben þe generacouns of heuene
and of erþe, in þe day in whiche þo weren mad; "
wherof it is opin þat þis is ſeid bi recapitulacoun, eiþer
reherſing of þing don bifore. Þe vij. reule is of þe deuil
and of his body, for as Gregori ſeiþ in þe x. Omelie,
"Certys þe deuil is heed of alle wickid men, and alle
wickide men ben membris of þis heed, " and þerfore for
þe knytting togidere of þe heed to þe membris, þe
ſcripture þat ſpekiþ of oon, paſſiþ in þe ſame knytting
togidere of reſoun to ſpeke of þe toþer, as in xiiij. co. of
Iſaie, where þe ſcripture ſpekiþ of þe king of Babilone,
þat was a membre of þe deuil, it paſſiþ to ſpeke of þe
prince of fendis, whanne it is ſeid þere, "Lucifer, þat
ryſidiſt eerly, hou feldiſt þou doun fro heuene; " and in
þe xxviij. c. of Ezechiel, where þe ſcripture ſpekiþ of þe
prince of Tire, it paſſiþ to ſpeke of þe deuil, whanne it is
addid, "þou, a ſingnet, eiþer a prente, of þe licneſſe of
God, were ful of wiſdom, and parfit in fairneſſe, in þe
delices of paradys of God. " Lyre ſeiþ al þis in þe ij.
prologe of Geneſis. Heere Lire reherſiþ þe ſentence of
ſeint Auſtyn, and of Iſidre in þeſe reulis, and declariþ
hem opinly bi holy ſcripture and reſoun, and countriþ
not Auſtin, but declareþ him ful mychel to ſymple
mennis witt; and addiþ more bi ſcripture and reſoun, þat
Auſtin touchiþ not. Þouȝ þeſe reulis eiþer keies of
ſcripture bringen men to greet vndirſtonding þerof, ȝit
men moten taken heede, what is ſeid of Criſt bi his
godheed, and what bi his manheed, for Criſt bi his
manheed, is ſeid leſſe þan þe fadir, and bi þe godheed he
is ſeid euene wiþ þe fadir; and for as myche as Criſt is
boþe God and man, we graunten þat God is deedly, and
diȝede on þe croſſe, not bi his godheed, but bi þe
manheed of Criſt, þat was ioyned in oonhed of perſone
wiþ þe godheed, and we graunte, as þe goſpel doiþ, þat
man, while he was deedly on erþe, was in heuene, for
his godheed was þere, and he alſo bi reſoun þerof. Alſo
we moun graunte wel, þat a man made heuene and erþe,
for Criſt bi his godheed, which Criſt is and was man,
dide þus. Alſo hooly ſcripture telliþ ofte þe þouȝtis of
men, and ofte þe wordis and deedis; and whanne þe
þouȝtis, and wordis, and deedis of men ben contrarie,
oo goſpeller telliþ þe þouȝtis, and anoþer telliþ þe
wrdis; and bi þis equiuocacoun, eiþer diuerſe ſpeking,
þei ben acordid, ȝhe, whanne þei ſeemen contrarie in
wordis; alſo ofte in ſtorial mateer ſcripture reherſiþ þe
comune opynyoun of men, and affirmeþ not, þat it was
ſo in dede. In þis maner þe goſpel ſeiþ, þat Joſeph was
þe fadir of Criſt, þouȝ he neuere gendride Criſt; for
Marie, Criſtis modir, was euere clene virgyne. Þus þe
goſpel ſeiþ, þat at þe biheeding of Joon Baptiſt, Eroude
was ſoory, and ȝit, as doctouris ſeyn, he was ful glad
þerof; but he feynede him ſory for þe puple, and þe
puple geſſid him ſory. Alſo þouȝ ſcripture reherſiþ, hou
hooly men lyueden, and comendiþ hem greetly, it
appreueþ not alle hire deedis, for many greete ſeyntis
erriden foule in manye poyntis; and þouȝ ſcripture telliþ
þe ſtories of yuel men and dampned, it repreuiþ not
herfore alle þingis whiche þei diden, for þouȝ þei weren
hemſilf ful curſid, þei diden many goode deedis of
kynde, and ſumtyme perauenture goode dedis of vertu,
if þei weren in grace for a tyme. At þe laſte take ȝe good
heede, whanne ſcripture ſpekiþ bi comaundement to all
men, and whanne it ȝeueþ comaundement to certeyn
XXXV
perſones of diuerſe ſtatis. In þe firſt poynt, alle men
moten do, as it ſeiþ; in þe ij. tyme, þe perſoones of
ſtaatis ſpecified moten nedis obeye; whanne ſcripture
ſpekeþ oonly bi counceil, men moun be ſauid, þouȝ þei
do not þe counceil, as ful many men and wymmen
moun be ſauid, þouȝ þei take not virginite, neiþer
contynence, neiþer ȝeuen alle her goodis to pore men,
and ȝit þeſe ben heere counceils of Jheſu Criſt in þe
goſpel.
CAP. XV.
For as myche as Criſt ſeiþ þat þe goſpel ſhal be prechid
in al þe world, and Dauiþ ſeiþ of þe poſtlis and her
preching, "þe ſoun of hem ȝede out into ech lond, and
þe wordis of hem ȝeden out into þe endis of þe world, "
and eft Dauiþ ſeiþ, "þe Lord ſchal telle in þe ſcripturis
of puplis, and of þeſe princis þat weren in it, " þat is, in
holi chirche, and as Jerom ſeiþ on þat vers, "hooly writ
is þe ſcripture of puplis, for it is maad, þat alle puples
ſchulden knowe it, " and þe princis of þe chirche, þat
weren þerinne, ben þe poſtlis, þat hadden autorite to
writen hooly writ, for bi þat ſame þat þe poſtlis writiden
her ſcripturis bi autorite, and confermynge of þe Hooly
Gooſt, it is hooly ſcripture, and feiþ of criſten men, and
þis dignite haþ noo man aftir hem, be he neuere ſo
hooly, neuer ſo kunnynge, as Jerom witneſſiþ on þat
vers. Alſo Criſt ſeiþ of þe Jewis þat crieden Oſanna to
him in þe temple, þat þouȝ þei weren ſtille ſtoonis
ſchulen crie, and bi ſtoonis he vndirſtondiþ heþen men,
þat worſhipiden ſtoonis for her goddis. And we
Engliſche men ben comen of heþen men, þerfore we
ben vndirſtonden bi þes ſtonis, þat ſchulden crie hooly
writ, and as Jewis, interpretid knowlechinge, ſingnefien
clerkis, þat ſchulden knouleche to God, bi repentaunce
of ſynnes, and bi vois of Goddis heriyng, ſo oure lewide
men, ſuynge þe corner ſton Criſt, mowen be ſingnefied
bi ſtonis, þat ben harde and abydinge in þe foundement;
for þouȝ couetouſe clerkis ben woode by ſimonie,
ereſie, and manye oþere ſynnes, and diſpiſen and
ſtoppen holi writ, as myche as þei moun, ȝit þe lewid
puple crieþ aftir holi writ, to kunne it, and kepe it, wiþ
greet coſt and peril of here lif. For þeſe reſons and
oþere, wiþ comune charite to ſaue alle men in oure
rewme, whiche God wole haue ſauid, a ſymple creature
haþ tranſlatid þe bible out of Latyn into Engliſh. Firſt,
þis ſymple creature hadde myche trauaile, wiþ diuerſe
felawis and helperis, to gedere manie elde biblis, and
oþere doctouris, and comune gloſis, and to make oo
Latyn bible ſumdel trewe; and þanne to ſtudie it of þe
newe, þe text wiþ þe gloſe, and oþere doctouris, as he
miȝte gete, and ſpeciali Lire on þe elde teſtament, þat
helpide ful myche in þis werk; þe þridde tyme to
counſeile wiþ elde gramariens, and elde dyuynis, of
harde wordis, and harde ſentencis, hou þo miȝten beſt
be vndurſtonden and tranſlatid; þe iiij. tyme to tranſlate
as cleerli as he coude to þe ſentence, and to haue manie
gode felawis and kunnynge at þe correcting of þe
tranſlacioun. Firſt it is to knowe, þat þe beſt tranſlating
is out of Latyn into Engliſh, to tranſlate aftir þe
ſentence, and not oneli aftir þe wordis, ſo þat þe
ſentence be as opin, eiþer openere, in Engliſh as in
Latyn, and go not fer fro þe lettre; and if þe lettre mai
not be ſuid in þe tranſlating, let þe ſentence euere be
hool and open, for þe wordis owen to ſerue to þe entent
and ſentence, and ellis þe wordis ben ſuperflu eiþer
falſe. In tranſlating into Engliſh, manie reſolucions
moun make þe ſentence open, as an ablatif caſe abſolute
may be reſoluid into þeſe þre wordis, wiþ couenable
verbe, þe while, for, if, as gramariens ſeyn; as þus, þe
maiſtir redinge, I ſtonde, mai be reſoluid þus, while þe
maiſtir rediþ, I ſtonde, eiþer if þe maiſtir rediþ, etc. eiþer
for þe maiſtir, etc. ; and ſumtyme it wolde acorde wel
wiþ þe ſentence to be reſoluid into whanne, eiþer into
aftirward, þus, whanne þe maiſtir red, I ſtood, `eiþer
aftir þe maiſtir red, I ſtood; and ſumtyme it mai wel be
reſoluid into a verbe of þe ſame tens, as oþere ben in þe
ſame reſoun, and into þis word et, þat is, and in Engliſh,
as þus, areſcentibus hominibus præ timore, þat is, and
men ſhulen wexe drie for drede. Alſo a participle of a
preſent tens, eiþer preterit, of actif vois, eiþir paſſif, mai
be reſoluid into a verbe of þe ſame tens, and a
coniunccioun copulatif, as þus, dicens, þat is, ſeiynge,
mai be reſoluid þus, and ſeiþ, eiþir þat ſeiþ; and þis
wole, in manie placis, make þe ſentence open, where to
Engliſſhe it aftir þe word, wolde be derk and douteful.
Alſo a relatif, which mai be reſoluid into his antecedent
wiþ a coniunccioun copulatif, as þus, which renneþ, and
he renneþ. Alſo whanne oo word is oonis ſet in a
reeſoun, it mai be ſet forþ as ofte as it is vndurſtonden,
eiþer as ofte as reeſoun and nede axen; and þis word
autem, eiþer vero, mai ſtonde for forſoþe, eiþer for but,
and þus I vſe comounli; aud ſumtyme it mai ſtonde for
and, as elde gramariens ſeyn. Alſo whanne riȝtful
conſtruccioun is lettid bi relacion, I reſolue it openli,
þus, where þis reeſoun, Dominum formidabunt
adverſarij ejus, ſhulde be Engliſſhid þus bi þe lettre, þe
Lord hiſe aduerſaries ſhulen drede, I Engliſhe it þus bi
reſolucioun, þe aduerſaries of þe Lord ſhulen drede him;
and ſo of oþere reſons þat ben like. At þe bigynnyng I
purpoſide, wiþ Goddis helpe, to make þe ſentence as
trewe and open in Engliſh as it is in Latyn, eiþer more
trewe and more open þan it is in Latyn; and I preie, for
charite and for comoun profyt of criſtene ſoulis, þat if
ony wiys man fynde ony defaute of þe truþe of
tranſlacioun, let him ſette in þe trewe ſentence and opin
of holi writ, but loke þat he examyne truli his Latyn
bible, for no doute he ſhal fynde ful manye `biblis in
Latyn ful falſe, if he loke manie, nameli newe; and þe
comune Latyn biblis han more nede to be correctid, as
manie as I haue ſeen in my lif, þan haþ þe Engliſh bible
late tranſlatid; and where þe Ebru, bi witneſſe of Jerom,
of Lire, and oþere expoſitouris diſcordiþ fro oure Latyn
biblis, I haue ſet in þe margyn, bi maner of a gloſe, what
XXXVI
Sauter bi þe laſte tranſlacioun of Jerom out of Ebru into
Latyn, but anoþer tranſlacioun of oþere men, þat hadden
myche laſſe kunnyng and holyneſſe þan Jerom hadde;
and in ful fewe bokis þe chirche rediþ þe tranſlacioun of
Jerom, as it mai be preuid bi þe propre origynals of
Jerom, whiche he gloſide. And where I haue tranſlatid
as opinli or opinliere in Engliſh as in Latyn, late wiſe
men deme, þat knowen wel boþe langagis, and knowen
wel þe ſentence of holi ſcripture. And wher I haue do
þus, or nay, ne doute, þei þat kunne wel þe ſentence of
holi writ and Engliſh togidere, and wolen trauaile, wiþ
Goddis grace, þeraboute, moun make þe bible as trewe
and as opin, ȝea, and opinliere in Engliſh þan it is in
Latyn. And no doute to a ſymple man, wiþ Goddis grace
and greet trauail, men miȝten expoune myche openliere
and ſhortliere þe bible in Engliſh, þan þe elde greete
doctouris han expounid it in Latyn, and myche
ſharpliere and groundliere þan manie late poſtillatouris,
eiþir expoſitouris, han don. But God, of his grete merci,
ȝeue to vs grace to lyue wel, and to ſeie þe truþe in
couenable manere, and acceptable to God and his puple,
and to ſpille not oure tyme, be it ſhort be it long at
Goddis ordynaunce. But ſumme, þat ſemen wiſe and
holi, ſeyn þus, if men now weren as holi as Jerom was,
þei miȝten tranſlate out of Latyn into Engliſh, as he dide
out of Ebru and out of Greek into Latyn, and ellis þei
ſhulden not tranſlate now, as hem þinkiþ, for defaute of
holyneſſe and of kunnyng. Þouȝ þis replicacioun ſeme
colourable, it haþ no good ground, neiþer reſoun, neiþir
charite, for whi þis replicacioun is more aȝens ſeynt
Jerom, and aȝens þe firſte lxx. tranſlatouris, and aȝens
holi chirche, þan aȝens ſymple men, þat tranſlaten now
into Engliſh; for ſeynt Jerom was not ſo holi as þe
apoſtlis and euangeliſtis, whos bokis he tranſlatide into
Latyn, neiþer he hadde ſo hiȝe ȝiftis of þe Holi Goſt as
þei hadden; and myche more þe lxx. tranſlatouris weren
not ſo holi as Moiſes and þe profetis, and ſpeciali Dauiþ,
neiþer þei hadden ſo greete ȝiftis of God, as Moiſes and
þe prophetis hadden. Ferþermore holi chirche appreueþ,
not oneli þe trewe tranſlacioun of meene criſtene men,
ſtidefaſt in criſtene feiþ, but alſo of open eretikis, þat
diden awei manie myſteries of Jheſu Criſt bi gileful
tranſlacioun, as Jerom witneſſiþ in oo prolog on Job,
and in þe prolog of Daniel. Myche more late þe chirche
of Engelond appreue þe trewe and hool tranſlacioun of
ſymple men, þat wolden for no good in erþe, bi here
witing and power, putte awei þe leſte truþe, ȝea, þe leſte
lettre, eiþer title, of holi writ, þat beriþ ſubſtaunce, eiþer
charge. And diſpute þei not of þe holyneſſe of men now
lyuynge in þis deadli lif, for þei kunnen not þeron, and
it is reſeruid oneli to Goddis doom. If þei knowen ony
notable defaute bi þe tranſlatouris, eiþer helpis of hem,
lete hem blame þe defaute bi charite and merci, and lete
hem neuere dampne a þing þat mai be don lefulli bi
Goddis lawe, as weeryng of a good cloþ for a tyme,
eiþer riding on an hors for a greet iourney, whanne þei
witen not wherfore it is don; for ſuche þingis moun be
don of ſymple men, wiþ as greet charite and vertu, as
ſumme, þat holden hem greete and wiſe, kunnen ride in
a gilt ſadil, eiþer vſe cuyſſyns and beddis and cloþis of
gold and of ſilk, wiþ oþere vanitees of þe world. God
graunte pite, merci, and charite, and loue of comoun
profyt, and putte awei ſuch foli domis, þat ben aȝens
reſoun and charite. Ȝit worldli clerkis axen gretli what
ſpiryt makiþ idiotis hardi to tranſlate now þe bible into
Engliſh, ſiþen þe foure greete doctouris durſten neuere
do þis? Þis replicacioun is ſo lewid, þat it nediþ noon
anſwer, no but `ſtillneſſe, eiþir curteys ſcorn; for þeſe
greete doctouris weren noon Engliſh men, neiþer þei
weren conuerſaunt among Engliſh men, neiþir in caas
þei kouden þe langage of Engliſh, but þei ceeſſiden
neuere til þei hadden holi writ in here modir tunge, of
here owne puple. For Jerom, þat was a Latyn man of
birþe, tranſlatide þe bible, boþe out of Ebru and out of
Greek, into Latyn, and expounide ful myche þerto; and
Auſtyn, and manie mo Latyns expouniden þe bible, for
manie partis, in Latyn, to Latyn men, among whiche þei
dwelliden, and Latyn was a comoun langage to here
puple aboute Rome, and biȝondis, and on þis half, as
Engliſhe is comoun langage to oure puple, and ȝit þis
day þe comoun puple in Italie ſpekiþ Latyn corrupt, as
trewe men ſeyn, þat han ben in Italie; and þe noumbre
of tranſlatouris out of Greek into Latyn paſſiþ mannis
knowing, as Auſtyn witneſſiþ in þe ij. book of Criſtene
Teching, and ſeiþ þus, "þe tranſlatouris out of Ebru into
Greek moun be noumbrid, but Latyn tranſlatouris, eiþer
þei þat tranſlatiden into Latyn, moun not be noumbrid
in ony manere. " For in þe firſte tymes of feiþ, ech man,
as a Greek book came to him, and he ſemyde to him ſilf
to haue ſum kunnyng of Greek and of Latyn, was hardi
to tranſlate; and þis þing helpide more þan lettide
vndurſtonding, if rederis ben not necligent, forwhi þe
biholding of manie bokis haþ ſhewid ofte, eiþir
declarid, ſumme `derkere ſentencis. Þis ſeiþ Auſtyn
þere. Þerfore Groſted ſeiþ, þat it was Goddis wille, þat
diuerſe men tranſlatiden, and þat diuerſe tranſlacions be
in þe chirche, for where oon ſeide derkli, oon eiþer mo
ſeiden openli. Lord God! ſiþen at þe bigynnyng of feiþ
ſo manie men tranſlatiden into Latyn, and to greet
profyt of Latyn men, lat oo ſymple creature of God
tranſlate into Engliſh, for profyt of Engliſh men; for if
worldli clerkis loken wel here croniclis and bokis, þei
ſhulden fynde, þat Bede tranſlatide þe bible, and
expounide myche in Saxon, þat was Engliſh, eiþer
comoun langage of þis lond, in his tyme; and not oneli
Bede, but alſo king Alured, þat foundide Oxenford,
tranſlatide in hiſe laſte daies þe bigynning of þe Sauter
into Saxon, and wolde more, if he hadde lyued lengere.
Alſo Frenſhe men, Beemers, and Britons han þe bible,
and oþere bokis of deuocioun and of expoſicioun,
tranſlatid in here modir langage; whi ſhulden not
Engliſh men haue þe ſame in here modir langage, I can
not wite, no but for falſneſſe and necgligence of clerkis,
XXXVII
puple to haue, and kunne, and kepe truli holi writ, to lijf
and deþ! But in tranſlating of wordis equiuok, þat is, þat
haþ manie ſignificacions vndur oo lettre, mai liȝtli be
pereil, for Auſtyn ſeiþ in þe ij. book of Criſtene Teching,
þat if equiuok wordis be not tranſlatid into þe ſenſe,
eiþer vndurſtonding, of þe autour, it is errour; as in þat
place of þe Salme, þe feet of hem ben ſwifte to ſhede
out blood, þe Greek word is equiuok to ſharp and ſwift,
and he þat tranſlatide ſharpe feet, `erride, and a book þat
haþ ſharpe feet, is fals, and mut be amendid; as þat
ſentence vnkynde ȝonge trees ſhulen not ȝeue depe
rootis, owiþ to be þus, plauntingis of auoutrie ſhulen not
ȝeue depe rootis. Auſtyn ſeiþ þis þere. Þerfore a
tranſlatour haþ greet nede to ſtudie wel þe ſentence, boþ
bifore and aftir, and loke þat ſuche equiuok wordis
acorde wiþ þe ſentence, and he haþ nede to lyue a clene
lif, and be ful deuout in preiers, and haue not his wit
ocupied about worldli þingis, þat þe Holi Spiryt, autour
of wiſdom, and kunnyng, and truþe, dreſſe him in his
werk, and ſuffre him not for to erre. Alſo þis word ex
ſignifieþ ſumtyme of, and ſumtyme it ſignifieþ bi, as
Jerom ſeiþ; and þis word enim ſignifieþ comynli
forſoþe, and, as Jerom ſeiþ, it ſignifieþ cauſe þus,
forwhi; and þis word ſecundum is taken for aftir, as
manie men ſeyn, and comynli, but it ſignifieþ wel bi,
eiþir vp, þus bi ȝoure word, eiþer vp ȝoure word. Manie
ſuch aduerbis, coniuncciouns, and prepoſiciouns ben ſet
ofte oon for anoþer, and at fre chois of autouris
ſumtyme; and now þo ſhulen be taken as it acordiþ beſt
to þe ſentence. Bi þis maner, wiþ good lyuyng and greet
trauel, men moun come to trewe and cleer tranſlating,
and trewe vndurſtonding of holi writ, ſeme it neuere ſo
hard at þe bigynnyng. God graunte to us alle grace to
kunne wel, and kepe wel holi writ, and ſuffre ioiefulli
ſum peyne for it at þe laſte!
Amen.

GENESIS
Here bigynneþ Geneſis.
CAP. I
i In þe bigynnyng God made of nouȝt heuene and erþe.
ii Forſoþe þe erþe was idel and voide, and derkneſſis
weren on þe face of depþe; and þe Spiryt of þe Lord
was borun on þe watris.
iii And God ſeide, Liȝt be maad, and lyȝt was maad.
iiii And God ſeiȝ þe lyȝt, þat it was good, and he
departide þe lyȝt fro derkneſſis; and he clepide þe lyȝt,
v dai, and þe derkneſſis, nyȝt. And þe euentid and
morwetid was maad, o daie.
vi And God ſeide, Þe firmament be maad in þe myddis
of watris, and departe watris fro watris.
vii And God made þe firmament, and departide þe
watris þat weren vndur þe firmament fro þeſe watris þat
weren on þe firmament; and it was don ſo.
viii And God clepide þe firmament, heuene. And þe
euentid and morwetid was maad, þe ſecounde dai.
ix Forſoþe God ſeide, Þe watris, þat ben vndur heuene,
be gaderid in to o place, and a drie place appere; and it
was doon ſo.
x And God clepide þe drie place, erþe; and he clepide
þe gadryngis togidere of watris, þe ſees. And God ſeiȝ
þat it was good;
xi and ſeide, Þe erþe brynge forþ greene eerbe and
makynge ſeed, and appil tre makynge fruyt bi his
kynde, whos ſeed be in it ſilf on erþe; and it was doon
ſo.
xii And þe erþe brouȝte forþ greene erbe and makynge
ſeed bi his kynde, and a tre makynge fruyt, and ech
hauynge ſeed by his kynde. And God ſeiȝ þat it was
good.
xiii And þe euentid and morwetid was maad, þe þridde
dai.
xiiii Forſoþe God ſeide, Liȝtis be maad in þe firmament
of heuene, and departe þo þe dai and niȝt; and be þo in
to ſignes, and tymes, and daies, and ȝeeris;
xv and ſhyne þo in þe firmament of heuene, and liȝtne
þo þe erþe; and it was doon ſo.
xvi And God made twei grete liȝtis, þe gretter lyȝt þat it
ſchulde be bifore to þe dai, and þe leſſe lyȝt þat it
ſchulde be bifore to þe niȝt;
xvii and God made ſterris; and ſettide þo in þe firmament
of heuene, þat þo ſchulden ſchyne on erþe,
xviii and þat þo ſchulden be bifore to þe dai and nyȝt,
and ſchulden departe lyȝt and derkneſſe. And God ſeiȝ
þat it was good.
xix And þe euentid and þe morwetid was maad, þe
fourþe dai.
XXXVIII
xx Alſo God ſeide, Þe watris brynge forþ a `crepynge
beeſte of lyuynge ſoule, and a brid fleynge aboue erþe
vndur þe firmament of heuene.
xxi And God made of nouȝt grete whallis, and ech
lyuynge ſoule and mouable, whiche þe watris han
brouȝt forþ in to her kyndis; and God made of nouȝt ech
volatile bi his kynde. And God ſeiȝ þat it was good;
xxii and bleſſide hem, and ſeide, Wexe ȝe, and be ȝe
multiplied, and fille ȝe þe watris of þe ſee, and briddis
be multiplied on erþe.
xxiii And þe euentid and þe morwetid was maad, þe
fyueþe dai.
xxiiii And God ſeide, Þe erþe brynge forþ a lyuynge ſoul
in his kynde, werk beeſtis, and `crepynge beeſtis, and
vnreſonable beeſtis of erþe, bi her kyndis; and it was
don ſo.
xxv And God made vnreſonable beeſtis of erþe bi her
kyndes, and werk beeſtis, `and ech crepynge beeſte of
erþe in his kynde. And God ſeiȝ þat it was good; and
ſeide,
xxvi Make we man to oure ymage and likneſſe, and be
he ſouereyn to þe fiſchis of þe ſee, and to þe volatilis of
heuene, and to vnreſonable beeſtis of erþe, and to ech
creature, and to ech `crepynge beeſt, which is moued in
erþe.
xxvii And God made of nouȝt a man to his ymage and
likneſſe; God made of nouȝt a man, to þe ymage of
God; God made of nouȝt hem, male and female.
xxviii And God bleſſide hem, and ſeide, Encreeſſe ȝe, and
be ȝe multiplied, and fille ȝe þe erþe, and make ȝe it
ſuget, and be ȝe lordis to fiſchis of þe ſee, and to
volatilis of heuene, and to alle lyuynge beeſtis þat ben
moued on erþe.
xxix And God ſeide, Lo! Y haue ȝoue to ȝou ech eerbe
berynge ſeed on erþe, and alle trees þat han in hem ſilf
þe ſeed of her kynde, þat þo be in to mete to ȝou;
xxx and to alle lyuynge beeſtis of erþe, and to ech brid
of heuene, and to alle þingis þat ben moued in erþe, and
in whiche is a lyuynge ſoule, þat þo haue to ete; and it
was doon ſo.
xxxi And God ſeiȝ alle þingis whiche he made, and þo
weren ful goode. And þe euentid and morwetid was
maad, þe ſixte day.
CAP. II
i Þerfor heuenes and erþe ben maad perfit, and al þe
ournement of þo.
ii And God fillide in þe ſeuenþe dai his werk which he
made; and he reſtide in þe ſeuenþe dai fro al his werk
which he hadde maad;
iii and he bleſſide þe ſeuenþe dai, and halewide it; for in
þat dai God ceeſſide of al his werk which he made of
nouȝt, þat he ſchulde make.
iiii Þeſe ben þe generaciouns of heuene and of erþe, in
þe day wherynne þe Lord God made heuene and erþe,
v and ech litil tre of erþe bifore þat it ſprong out in erþe;
and he made ech erbe of þe feeld bifore þat it
buriownede. For þe Lord God had not reyned on erþe,
and no man was þat wrouȝte erþe;
vi but a welle ſtiede out of þe erþe, and moiſtide al þe
hiȝere part of erþe.
vii Þerfor þe Lord God formede man of þe ſliym of erþe,
and breþide in to his face þe breþing of lijf; and man
was maad in to a lyuynge ſoule.
viii Forſoþe þe Lord God plauntide at þe bigynnyng
paradis of likyng, wherynne he ſettide man whom he
hadde formed.
ix And þe Lord God brouȝte forþ of þe erþe ech tre fair
in ſiȝt, and ſwete to ete; alſo he brouȝte forþ þe tre of lijf
in þe middis of paradis, and þe tre of kunnyng of good
and of yuel.
x And a ryuer ȝede out fro þe place of likyng to moyſte
paradis, which ryuer is departid fro þennus in to foure
heedis.
xi Þe name of þe o ryuer is Fyſon, þilke it is þat
cumpaſſiþ al þe lond of Euilath, where gold comeþ forþ,
xii and þe gold of þat lond is þe beſte, and þere is
foundun delium, þat is, a tree of ſpicerie, and þe ſtoon
onychyn;
xiii and þe name to þe ſecounde ryuer is Gyon, þilke it is
þat cumpaſſiþ al þe loond of Ethiopie;
xiiii forſoþe þe name of þe þridde ryuer is Tigris, þilke
goiþ aȝens Aſſiriens; ſoþeli þe fourþe ryuer is þilke
Eufrates.
xv Þerfor þe Lord God took man, and ſettide hym in
paradis of likyng, þat he ſchulde worche and kepe it.
xvi And God comaundide to hym and ſeide, Ete þou of
ech tre of paradis;
xvii forſoþe ete þou not of þe tre of kunnyng of good and
of yuel; for in what euere dai þou ſchalt ete þerof, þou
ſchalt die bi deeþ.
xviii And þe Lord God ſeide, It is not good þat a man be
aloone, make we to hym an help lijk to hym ſilf.
xix Þerfor whanne alle lyuynge beeſtis of erþe, and alle
þe volatils of heuene weren formed of erþe, þe Lord
God brouȝte þo to Adam, þat he ſchulde ſe what he
ſchulde clepe þo; for al þing þat Adam clepide of
lyuynge ſoule, þilke is þe name þerof.
xx And Adam clepide bi her names alle lyuynge þingis,
and alle volatils, and alle vnreſonable beeſtis of erþe.
Forſoþe to Adam was not foundun an helpere lijk hym.
xxi Þerfore þe Lord God ſente ſleep in to Adam, and
whanne he ſlepte, God took oon of hiſe ribbis, and
fillide fleiſch for it.
XXXIX
xxii And þe Lord God bildide þe rib which he hadde
take fro Adam in to a womman, and brouȝte hir to
Adam.
xxiii And Adam ſeide, Þis is now a boon of my boonys,
and fleiſch of my fleiſch; þis ſchal be clepid virago, `for
ſhe is takun of man.
xxiiii Wherfor a man ſchal forſake fadir and modir, and
ſchal cleue to his wijf, and þei ſchulen be tweyne in o
fleiſch.
xxv Forſoþe euer eiþir was nakid, þat is, Adam and his
wijf, and þei weren not aſchamed.
CAP. III
i But and þe ſerpent was feller þan alle lyuynge beeſtis
of erþe, whiche þe Lord God hadde maad. Which
ſerpent ſeide to þe womman, Why comaundide God to
ȝou, þat ȝe ſchulden not ete of ech tre of paradis?
ii To whom þe womman anſwerde, We eten of þe fruyt
of trees þat ben in paradis;
iii ſoþely God commaundide to vs, þat we ſchulden not
eate of þe fruyt of þe tre, which is in þe myddis of
paradijs, and þat we ſchulden not touche it, leſt
perauenture we dien.
iiii Forſoþe þe ſerpent ſeide to þe womman, ȝe ſchulen
not die bi deeþ;
v for whi God woot þat in what euere dai ȝe ſchulen ete
þerof, ȝoure iȝen ſchulen be opened, and ȝe ſchulen be
as Goddis, knowynge good and yuel.
vi Þerfore þe womman ſeiȝ þat þe tre was good, and
ſwete to ete, and fair to þe iȝen, and delitable in bi
holdyng; and ſche took of þe fruyt þerof, and eet, and
ȝaf to hir hoſebande, and he eet.
vii And þe iȝen of boþe weren openid; and whanne þei
knowen þat þei weren nakid, þei ſewden þe leeues of a
fige tre, and maden brechis to hem ſilf.
viii And whanne þei herden þe vois of þe Lord God
goynge in paradijs at þe wynd after myddai, Adam and
his wijf hidden hem fro þe face of þe Lord God in þe
middis of þe tre of paradijs.
ix And þe Lord God clepide Adam, and ſeide to hym,
Where art þou?
x And Adam ſeide, Y herde þi vois in paradijs, and Y
drede, for Y was nakid, and Y hidde me.
xi To whom þe Lord ſeide, Who forſoþe ſchewide to þee
þat þou were nakid, no but for þou haſt ete of þe tre of
which Y comaundide to þee þat þou ſchuldiſt not ete?
xii And Adam ſeide, Þe womman which þou ȝaueſt
felowe to me, ȝaf me of þe tre, and Y eet.
xiii And þe Lord ſeide to þe womman, Whi didiſt þou þis
þing? Which anſwerde, Þe ſerpent diſſeyued me, and Y
eet.
xiiii And þe Lord God ſeide to þe ſerpent, For þou didiſt
þis, þou ſchalt be curſid among alle lyuynge þingis and
vnreſonable beeſtis of erþe; þou ſchalt go on þi breſt,
and þou ſchalt ete erþe in alle daies of þi liif;
xv Y ſchal ſette enemytees bitwixe þee and þe womman,
and bitwixe þi ſeed and hir ſeed; ſche ſchal breke þin
heed, and þou ſchalt ſette aſpies to hir heele.
xvi Alſo God ſeide to þe womman, Y ſchal multiplie þi
wretchidneſſis and þi conſeyuyngis; in ſorewe þou ſchalt
bere þi children; and þou ſchalt be vndur power of þe
hoſebonde, and he ſchal be lord of þee.
xvii Soþely God ſeyde to Adam, For þou herdiſt þe voys
of þi wijf, and haſt ete of þe tree, of which Y
comaundide to þee þat þou ſchuldiſt not ete, þe erþe
ſchal be curſid in þi werk; in traueylis þou ſchalt ete
þerof in alle daies of þi lijf;
xviii it ſchal brynge forþ þornes and breris to þee, and
þou ſchalt ete eerbis of þe erþe;
xix in ſwoot of þi cheer þou ſchalt ete þi breed, til þou
turne aȝen in to þe erþe of which þou art takun; for þou
art duſt, and þou ſchalt turne aȝen in to duſt.
xx And Adam clepide þe name of his wijf Eue, for ſche
was þe moder of alle men lyuynge. And þe Lord God
made cootis of ſkynnys to Adam and Eue his wijf, and
cloþide hem; and ſeide, Lo!
xxii Adam is maad as oon of vs, and knowiþ good and
yuel; now þerfore ſe ȝe, leſt perauenture he putte his
hond, and take of þe tre of lijf, and ete, and lyue wiþ
outen ende.
xxiii And þe Lord God ſente hym out of paradijs of
likyng, þat he ſchulde worche þe erþe, of which he was
takun.
xxiiii And God caſtide out Adam, and ſettide bifore
paradis of lykyng cherubyn, and a ſwerd of flawme and
turnynge aboute to kepe þe weie of þe tre of lijf.
CAP. IIII
i Forſoþe Adam knewe Eue his wijf, which conſeyuede,
and childide Cayn, and ſeide, Y haue gete a man bi
God.
ii And efte ſche childide his broþer Abel. Forſoþe Abel
was a kepere of ſcheep, and Cayn was an erþe tilyere.
iii Soþeli it was don after many daies, þat Cayn offride
ȝiftis to þe Lord of þe fruytis of erþe;
iiii and Abel offride of þe firſt gendrid of his floc, and of
þe fatneſſe of þo. And þe Lord bihelde to Abel and to þe
ȝiftis of hym;
v ſoþeli he bihelde not to Cayn and to hiſe ȝiftis. And
Cayn was wrooþ greetli, and his cheer felde doun.
vi And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Whi art þou wrooþ, and
whi felde doun þi face?
vii Wheþer not if þou ſchalt do wel, þou ſchalt reſſeyue;
but if þou doiſt yuele, þi ſynne ſchal be preſent anoon in
þe ȝatis? but þe deſir þerof ſchal be vndur þee, and þou
ſchalt be lord þerof.
XL
viii And Cayn ſeide to Abel his broþer, Go we out. And
whanne þei weren in þe feeld, Cayn roos aȝens his
broþer Abel, and killide him.
ix And þe Lord ſeide to Cayn, Where is Abel þi broþer?
Which anſwerde, Y woot not; wheþer Y am þe kepere
of my broþir?
x And God ſeide to Cayn, What haſt þou do? þe vois of
þe blood of þi broþer crieþ to me fro erþe.
xi Now þerfor þou ſchalt be curſid on erþe, þat openyde
his mouþ, and reſſeyuede of þin hond þe blood of þi
broþir.
xii Whanne þou ſchalt worche þe erþe, it ſchal not ȝyue
his fruytis to þee; þou ſchalt be vnſtable of dwellyng
and fleynge aboute on erþe in alle þe daies of þi lijf.
xiii And Cayn ſeide to þe Lord, My wickidneſſe is more
þan þat Y diſſerue forȝyueneſſe; lo!
xiiii to dai þou caſtiſt me out fro þe face of þe erþe; and
Y ſchal be hid fro þi face, and Y ſchal be vnſtable of
dwellyng and fleynge aboute in erþe; þerfore ech man
þat ſchal fynde me ſchal ſlee me.
xv And þe Lord ſeide to hym, It ſchal not be don ſo, but
ech man þat ſchal ſlee Cayn ſhal be punyſchid
ſeuenfold. And þe Lord ſettide a ſigne in Cayn, þat ech
man þat ſchulde fynde hym ſchulde not ſlee hym.
xvi And Cayn ȝede out fro þe face of þe Lord, and
dwellide fleynge aboute in erþe, at þe eeſt cooſt of
Eden.
xvii Forſoþe Cayn knewe his wiif, which conſeyuede,
and childide Enoth; and Cayn bildide a citee, and
clepide þe name þerof of þe name of hiſe ſone Enoth.
xviii Forſoþe Enoth gendride Irad, and Irad gendride
Manyael, and Manyael gendride Matuſael, and Matuſael
gendride Lameth;
xix þat took twei wyues, þe name to o wijf was Ada, and
þe name to þe toþer was Sella.
xx And Ada gendride Jabel, þat was þe fadir of dwellers
in tentis and of ſhepherdis;
xxi and þe name of his broþer was Tubal, he was þe
fadir of ſyngeris in harpe and orgun.
xxii And Sella gendride Tubalcayn, þat was an
hamerbetere, and ſmyȝt on alle werkis of bras and of
yrun; forſoþe þe ſiſtir of Tubalcayn was Neoma.
xxiii And Lameth ſeide to his wyues Ada and Sella, Ȝe
wyues of Lameth, here my vois, and herkne my word;
for Y haue ſlayn a man bi my wounde, and a ȝong
wexynge man bi my `violent betyng;
xxiiii veniaunce ſchal be ȝouun ſeuenfold of Cayn,
forſoþe of Lameth ſeuentiſiþis ſeuenſiþis.
xxv Alſo ȝit Adam knewe his wijf, and ſche childide a
ſone, and clepide his name Seth, and ſeide, God haþ put
to me anoþer ſeed for Abel, whom Cayn killide.
xxvi Butalſo a ſone was borun to Seth, which ſone he
clepide Enos; þis Enos bigan to clepe inwardli þe name
of þe Lord.
CAP. V
i Þis is þe book of generacioun of Adam, in þe dai wher
ynne God made man of nouȝt. God made man to þe
ymage and licneſſe of God;
ii God formede hem male and female, and bleſſide hem,
and clepide þe name of hem Adam, in þe day in which
þei weren formed.
iii Forſoþe Adam lyuede an hundrid ȝeer and þretti, and
gendride a ſone to his ymage and likneſſe, and clepide
his name Seth.
iiii And þe daies of Adam after þat he gendride Seth
weren maad eiȝte hundrid ȝeer, and he gendride ſones
and douȝtris.
v And al þe tyme in which Adam lyuede was maad nyne
hundrid ȝeer and þretti, and he was deed.
vi Alſo Seth lyuede an hundrid and fyue ȝeer, and
gendride Enos.
vii And Seth lyuede aftir þat he gendride Enos eiȝte
hundrid and ſeuen ȝeer, and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
viii And alle þe daies of Seth weren maad nyne hundrid
and twelue ȝeer, and he was deed.
ix Forſoþe Enos lyuede nynti ȝeer, and gendride
Caynan;
x aftir whos birþe Enos lyuede eiȝte hundrid and fiftene
ȝeer, and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
xi And alle þe daies of Enos weren maad nyne hundrid
and fyue ȝeer, and he was deed.
xii Alſo Caynan lyuyde ſeuenti ȝeer, and gendride
Malalehel.
xiii And Caynan lyuede after þat he gendride Malalehel
eiȝte hundrid and fourti ȝeer, and gendride ſones and
douȝtris.
xiiii And alle þe dayes of Caynan weren maad nyn
hundrid and ten ȝeer, and he was deed.
xv Forſoþe Malalehel lyuede ſixti ȝeer and fyue, and
gendride Jared.
xvi And Malalehel lyuede aftir þat he gendride Jared
eiȝte hundrid and þretti ȝeer, and gendride ſones and
douȝtris.
xvii And alle þe daies of Malalehel weren maad eiȝte
hundrid nynti and fyue ȝeer, and he was deed.
xviii And Jared lyuede an hundrid and two and ſixti ȝeer,
and gendride Enoth.
xix And Jared lyuede aftir þat he gendride Enoth eiȝte
hundrid ȝeer, and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
xx And alle þe dayes of Jared weren maad nyn hundrid
and twei and ſexti ȝeer, and he was deed.
xxi Forſoþe Enoth lyuede fyue and ſixti ȝeer, and
gendride Matuſalem.
XLI
xxii And Enoth ȝede wiþ God; and Enoth lyuede after
þat he gendride Matuſalem þre hundrid ȝeer, and
gendride ſones and douȝtris.
xxiii And alle þe daies of Enoth weren maad þre
hundride and fyue and ſexti ȝeer.
xxiiii And Enoth ȝeed wiþ God, and apperide not
afterward, for God took hym awei.
xxv Alſo Matuſalem lyuede an hundrid and `fourſcoor
ȝeer and ſeuene, and gendride Lameth.
xxvi And Matuſalem lyuede after þat he gendride
Lameth ſeuene hundrid and `fourſcoor ȝeer and twei,
and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
xxvii And alle þe daies of Matuſale weren maad nyn
hundrid and nyn and ſixti ȝeer, and he was deed.
xxviii Forſoþe Lameth lyuede an hundrid and `fourſcoor
ȝeer and two, and gendride a ſone;
xxix and clepide his name Noe, and ſeide, Þis man ſchal
comforte vs of þe werkis and traueilis of oure hondis, in
þe loond which þe Lord curſide.
xxx And Lameth lyuede after þat he gendride Noe fyue
hundrid `nynti and fyue ȝeer, and gendride ſones and
douȝtris.
xxxi And alle þe daies of Lameth weren maad ſeuene
hundrid `þre ſcoor and ſeuentene ȝeer, and he was deed.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe Noe whanne he was of fyue hundrid ȝeer
gendride Sem, Cham, and Jafeth. And whanne men
bigunnen to be multiplied on erþe, and hadden gendrid
douȝtris,
ii þe ſones of God ſeiȝen þe douȝtris of men þat þei
weren faire, and token wyues to hem of alle whiche þei
hadden choſe.
iii And God ſeide, My ſpirit ſchal not dwelle in man wiþ
outen ende, for he is fleiſch; and þe daies of hym
ſchulen be an hundrid and twenti ȝeer.
iiii Soþeli giauntis weren on erþe in þo daies, forſoþe
aftir þat þe ſones of God entriden to þe douȝtris of men,
and þo douȝtris gendriden; þeſe weren myȝti of þe
world and famouſe men.
v Soþeli God ſeiȝ þat myche malice of men was in erþe,
and þat al þe þouȝt of herte was ententif to yuel in al
tyme,
vi and repentide him þat he hadde maad man in erþe;
and God was war bifore aȝens tyme to comyng, and
was touchid wiþ ſorewe of herte wiþ ynne;
vii and ſeide, Y ſchal do awei man, whom Y made of
nouȝt, fro þe face of þe erþe, fro man til to lyuynge
þingis, fro crepynge beeſte til to þe briddis of heuene;
for it repentiþ me þat Y made hem.
viii Forſoþe Noe foond grace bifore þe Lord.
ix Þeſe ben þe generaciouns of Noe. Noe was a iuſt man
and perfit in hiſe generaciouns; Noe ȝede wiþ God,
x and gendride þre ſones, Sem, Cam, and Jafeth.
xi Forſoþe þe erþe was corrupt bifore God, and was
fillid wiþ wickidnes.
xii And whanne God ſeiȝ, þat þe erþe was corrupt, for
ech fleiſch eþer man hadde corrupt his weie on erþe,
xiii he ſeide to Noe, Þe ende of al fleiſch is comen bifore
me; þe erþe is fillid wiþ wickidneſſe of þe face of hem,
and Y ſchal diſtrye hem wiþ þe erþe.
xiiii Make þou to þee a ſchip of trees hewun and planed;
þou ſchalt make dwellynge placis in þe ſchip, and þou
ſchalt anoynte it wiþ pitche wiþ ynne and wiþ outforþ.
xv And ſo þou ſchalt make it. Þe lengþe of þe ſchip ſchal
be of þre hundrid cubitis, þe brede ſchal be of fifti
cubitis, and þe hiȝneſſe þerof ſchal be of þretti cubitis.
xvi Þou ſchalt make a wyndow in þe ſchip, and þou
ſchalt ende þe hiȝneſſe þerof in a cubite; ſoþeli þou
ſchalt ſette þe dore of þe ſchip in þe ſide bineþe; þou
ſhalt make ſoleris and placis of þre chaumbris in þe
ſchip.
xvii Lo! Y ſchal brynge `watris of diluuȝe eþer greet
flood on erþe, and Y ſchal ſle ech fleiſch in which is þe
ſpirit of lijf vndir heuene, and alle þingis þat ben in
erþe, ſchulen be waſtid.
xviii And Y ſchal ſette my couenaunt of pees wiþ þee;
and þou ſchalt entre in to þe ſchip, and þy ſones, and þi
wijf, and þe wiues of þi ſones ſchulen entre wiþ þee.
xix And of alle lyuynge beeſtis of al fleiſch þou ſchalt
brynge in to þe ſchip tweyne and tweyne, of male kynde
and female, þat þei lyue wiþ þee;
xx of briddis bi her kynde, and of werk beeſtis in her
kynde, and of ech crepynge beeſte of erþe, by her
kynde; tweyne and tweyne of alle ſchulen entre wiþ
þee, þat þei moun lyue.
xxi Þerfore þou ſchalt take wiþ þee of alle metis þat
moun be etun, and þou ſchalt bere to gidre at þee, and
þo ſchulen be as well to þee as to þe beeſtis in to mete.
xxii Þerfor Noe dide alle þingis whiche God comaundide
to hym.
CAP. VII
i Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Noe, Entre þou and al þin hous
in to þe ſchip, for Y ſeiȝ þee iuſt bifore me in þis
generacioun.
ii Of alle clene lyuynge beeſtis þou ſchalt take bi ſeuene
and bi ſeuene, male and female; forſoþe of vnclene
lyuynge beeſtis þou ſchalt take bi tweyne and bi tweyne,
male and female;
iii but alſo of volatils of heuene þou ſchalt take, bi
ſeuene and bi ſeuene, male and female, þat her ſeed be
ſaued on þe face of al erþe.
iiii For ȝit and aftir ſeuene daies Y ſchal reyne on erþe
fourti daies and fourti nyȝtis, and Y ſchal do awey al
ſubſtaunce which Y made, fro þe face of erþe.
XLII
v Þerfor Noe dide alle þingis whiche þe Lord
comaundide to hym.
vi And he was of ſixe hundrid ȝeer, whanne þe watris of
þe greet flood flowiden on erþe.
vii And Noe entride in to þe ſchip, and hiſe ſones, and
hiſe wijf, and þe wyues of his ſones, entriden wiþ him
for þe watris of þe greet flood.
viii And of lyuynge beeſtis clene and vnclene, and of
briddis of heuene, and of ech beeſte which is moued on
erþe,
ix bi tweyne and bi tweyne, male and female entriden to
Noe in to þe ſchip, as þe Lord comaundide to Noe.
x And whanne ſeuene daies hadden paſſid, þe watris of
þe greet flood flowiden on erþe.
xi In þe ſixe hundrid ȝeer of þe lijf of Noe, in þe ſecunde
moneþ, in þe ſeuentenþe dai of þe moneþ, alle þe wellis
of þe greet ſee weren brokun, and þe wyndowis of
heuene weren opened,
xii and reyn was maad on erþe fourti daies and fourti
nyȝtis.
xiii In þe ende of þat dai Noe entride, and Sem, Cham,
and Japheth, hiſe ſones, his wijf, and þe wyues of hiſe
ſones, entriden wiþ hem into þe ſchip.
xiiii Þei entriden, and ech beeſte bi his kynde, and alle
werk beeſtis in her kynde, and ech beeſte which is
moued on erþe in his kynde, and ech volatil bi his
kynde; alle briddis and alle volatils entriden to Noe in
to þe ſchip,
xv bi tweyne and bi tweyne of ech fleiſch in whiche þe
ſpirit of lijf was.
xvi And þo þat entriden, entriden male and female of
ech fleiſch, as God comaundide to hym. And þe Lord
encloſide hym fro wiþ out-forþ.
xvii And þe greet flood was maad fourti daies and fourti
niȝtis on erþe, and þe watris weren multiplied, and
reiſeden þe ſchip on hiȝ fro erþe.
xviii Þe watris flowiden greetli, and filliden alle þingis in
þe face of erþe. Forſoþe þe ſchip was borun on þe
watris.
xix And þe watris hadden maiſtrie greetli on erþe, and
alle hiȝe hillis vndur alle heuene weren hilid;
xx þe watyr was hiȝere bi fiftene cubitis ouer þe hilis
whiche it hilide.
xxi And ech fleiſch was waſtid þat was moued on erþe,
of briddis, of lyuynge beeſtis, of vnreſonable beeſtis,
and of alle `reptilis þat crepen on erþe.
xxii Alle men, and alle þingis in whiche þe breþing of
lijf was in erþe, weren deed.
xxiii And God dide awei al ſubſtaunce þat was on erþe,
fro man til to beeſte, as wel a crepynge beeſte as þe
briddis of heuene; and þo weren doon awei fro erþe.
Forſoþe Noe dwellide aloone, and þei þat weren wiþ
hym in þe ſchip.
xxiiii And
þe watris of þe greet flood ouereȝeden þe erþe
an hundrid and fifti daies.
CAP. VIII
i Forſoþe þe Lord hadde mynde of Noe, and of alle
lyuynge beeſtis, and of alle werk beeſtis, þat weren wiþ
hym in þe ſchip; and brouȝte a wynd on þe erþe.
ii And watris weren decreeſſid, and þe wellis of þe ſee
weren cloſid, and þe wyndowis of heuene weren cloſid,
and reynes of heuene weren ceeſſid.
iii And watrys turneden aȝen fro erþe, and ȝeden aȝen,
and bigunnen to be decreeſſid aftir an hundrid and fifti
daies.
iiii And þe ſchip reſtide in þe ſeuenþe monþe, in þe
ſeuene and twentiþe dai of þe monþe, on þe hillis of
Armenye.
v And ſoþeli þe watrys ȝeden and decreſiden til to þe
tenþe moneþe, for in þe tenþe moneþe, in þe firſte dai
of þe moneþe, þe coppis of hillis apperiden.
vi And whanne fourti daies weren paſſid, Noe openyde
þe wyndow of þe ſchip which he hadde maad, and ſente
out a crowe,
vii which ȝede out, and turnede not aȝen til þe watris
weren dried on erþe. Alſo Noe ſente out a culuer aftir
hym, to ſe if þe watris hadden ceeſſid þanne on þe face
of erþe;
ix and whanne þe culuer foond not where hir foot
ſchulde reſte, ſche turnede aȝen to hym in to þe ſchip,
for þe watris weren on al erþe; and Noe helde forþ his
hoond, and brouȝte þe culuer takun in to þe ſchip.
x Soþeli whanne oþere ſeuene daies weren abedun
aftirward, eft he leet out a culuer fro þe ſchip;
xi and ſche cam to hym at euentid, and bare in hir mouþ
a braunche of olyue tre wiþ greene leeuys. Þerfor Noe
vndirſtood þat þe watris hadden ceeſſid on erþe;
xii and neuerþeleſſe he abood ſeuene oþere daies, and
ſente out a culuer, which turnede `no more aȝen to hym.
xiii Þerfor in þe ſixe hundrid and o ȝeer of þe lijf of Noe,
in þe firſte moneþe, in þe firſte day of þe moneþe,
watris weren decreeſſid on erþe; and Noe openede þe
roof of þe ſchip, and bihelde and ſeiȝ þat þe face of þe
erþe was dried.
xiiii In þe ſecunde moneþe, in þe ſeuene and twentiþe dai
of þe moneþe, þe erþe was maad drie.
xv Soþeli þe Lord ſpak to Noe;
xvi and ſeide, Go out of þe ſchip, þou, and þi wijf, þi
ſones, and þe wyues of þi ſones wiþ þee;
xvii and lede out wiþ þee alle lyuynge beeſtis þat ben at
þee of ech fleiſch, as wel in volatilis as in vnreſonable
beeſtis, and alle `reptils þat crepen on erþe; and entre ȝe
on þe erþe, encreeſſe ȝe, and be ȝe multiplied on erþe.
xviii Þerfor Noe ȝede out, and hiſe ſones, and his wijf,
and þe wyues of hiſe ſones wiþ hym;
XLIII
xix but alſo alle lyuynge beeſtis, and werk beeſtis, and
`reptils þat crepen on erþe, bi her kynde, ȝeden out of
þe ſchip.
xx Forſoþe Noe bildide an auter to þe Lord, and he took
of alle clene beeſtis and briddis, and offride brent
ſacrifices on þe auter.
xxi And þe Lord ſauerede þe odour of ſwetneſſe, and
ſeide to hym, Y ſchal no more curſe þe erþe for men, for
þe wit and þouȝt of mannus herte ben redi in to yuel fro
ȝong wexynge age; þerfor Y ſchal no more ſmyte ech
lyuynge ſoule as Y dide;
xxii in alle þe daies of erþe, ſeed and ripe corn, coold
and heete, ſomer and wyntir, nyȝt and dai, ſhulen not
reſte.
CAP. IX
i And God bliſſide Noe and hiſe ſones, and ſeide to hem,
Encreeſſe ȝe, and be ȝe multiplied, and fille ȝe þe erþe;
ii and ȝoure drede and tremblyng be on alle vnreſonable
beeſtis of erþe, and on alle briddis of heuene, wiþ alle
þingis þat ben moued in erþe; alle fiſchis of þe ſee ben
ȝouun to ȝoure hond.
iii And al þing which is moued and lyueþ ſchal be to ȝou
in to mete; Y haue ȝoue to ȝou alle þingis as greene
wortis,
iiii outakun þat ȝe ſchulen not ete fleiſch wiþ blood,
v for Y ſchal ſeke þe blood of ȝoure lyues of þe hoond of
alle vnreſonable beeſtis and of þe hoond of man, of þe
hoond of man and of hys broþer Y ſchal ſeke þe lijf of
man.
vi Who euere ſchediþ out mannus blood, his blood ſchal
be ſched; for man is maad to þe ymage of God.
vii Forſoþe encreeſſe ȝe, and be ȝe multiplied, and entre
ȝe on erþe, and fille ȝe it, Alſo þe Lord ſeide þes þingis
to Noe,
viii and to his ſones wiþ him, Lo!
ix Y ſchal make my couenaunt wiþ ȝou, and wiþ ȝour
ſeed after ȝou,
x and to ech lyuynge ſoule which is wiþ ȝou, as wel in
briddis as in werk beeſtis and ſmale beeſtis of erþe, and
to alle þingis þat ȝeden out of þe ſchip, and to alle
vnreſonable beeſtis of erþe.
xi Y ſchal make my couenaunt wiþ ȝou, and ech fleiſch
ſchal no more be ſlayn of þe watris of þe greet flood,
neþir þe greet flood diſtriynge al erþe ſchal be more.
xii And God ſeide, Þis is þe ſigne of boond of pees,
which Y ȝyue bitwixe me and ȝou, and to ech lyuynge
ſoule which is wiþ ȝou, in to euerlaſtynge generaciouns.
xiii Y ſchal ſette my bowe in þe cloudis, and it ſchal be a
ſigne of boond of pees bitwixe me and erþe;
xiiii and whanne Y ſchal hile heuene wiþ cloudis, my
bowe ſchal appere in þe cloudis,
xv and Y ſchal haue mynde of my boond of pees which
Y made wiþ ȝou, and wiþ ech ſoule lyuynge, þat
nurſchiþ fleiſch; and þe watris of þe greet flood ſchulen
no more be to do awey al fleiſh.
xvi And my bowe ſchal be in þe cloudis, and Y ſchal ſe
it, and Y ſchal haue mynde of euerlaſtynge boond of
pees, which is maad bitwixe God and man, and ech ſoul
lyuynge of al fleiſch which is on erþe.
xvii And God ſeide to Noe, Þis ſchal be a ſigne of boond
of pees, which Y made bitwixe me and ech fleiſch on
erþe.
xviii Þerfore þei þat ȝeden out of þe ſchip weren Noe,
Sem, Cham, and Japheth; forſoþe Cham, þilke is þe
fadir of Chanaan.
xix Þeſe þre weren þe ſones of Noe, and al þe kynde of
men was ſowun of hem on al erþe.
xx And Noe, an erþe tiliere, bigan to tile þe erþe, and he
plauntide a viner,
xxi and he drank wyn, and was drunkun; and he was
nakid, and lay in his tabernacle.
xxii And whanne Cham, þe fadir of Chanaan, hadde
ſeien þis þing, þat is, þat þe ſchameful membris of his
fadir weren maad nakid, he telde to hiſe tweye briþeren
wiþ out forþ.
xxiii And ſoþeli Sem and Jafeth puttiden a mentil on her
ſchuldris, and þei ȝeden bacward, and hileden þe
ſchameful membris of her fadir, and her faces weren
turned awei, and þei ſien not þe priuy membris of her
fadir.
xxiiii And forſoþe Noe wakide of þe wyn, and whanne
he hadde lerned what þingis his leſſe ſone hadde do to
hym,
xxv he ſeide, Curſid be þe child Canaan, he ſchal be
ſeruaunt of ſeruauntis to hiſe briþeren.
xxvi And Noe ſeide, Bleſſid be þe Lord God of Sem,
xxvii and Chanaan be þe ſeruaunt to Sem; God alarge
Jafeth, and dwelle in þe tabernaclis of Sem, and
Chanaan be ſeruaunt of hym.
xxviii Forſoþe Noe lyuede aftir þe greet flood þre
hundrid and fifti ȝeer;
xxix and alle þe daies of hym weren fillid nyn hundrid
and fifty ȝeer, and he was deed.
CAP. X
i Þeſe ben þe generaciouns of þe ſones of Noe, Sem,
Cham, and Jafeth. And ſones weren borun to hem aftir
þe greet flood.
ii Þe ſones of Jafeth weren Gomer, and Magog, and
Madai, and Jauan, and Tubal, and Moſoth, and Thiras.
iii Forſoþe þe ſones of Gomer weren Aſſeneth, and
Rifath, and Thogorma.
iiii Forſoþe þe ſones of Jauan weren Heliſa, and Tharſis,
Cethym, and Dodanym;
XLIV
v of þeſe ſones þe ylis of heþen men weren departid in
her cuntrees, ech bi his langage and meynees, in hiſe
naciouns.
vi Soþeli þe ſones of Cham weren Thus, and MEffraym,
and Futh, and Chanaan.
vii Forſoþe þe ſones of Thus weren Saba, and Euila, and
Sabatha, and Regma, and Sabatacha. Þe ſones of Regma
weren Saba, and Dadan.
viii Forſoþe Thus gendride Nemroth; he bigan to be
myȝti in erþe,
ix and he was a ſtrong huntere of men bifore þe Lord; of
hym a prouerbe ȝede out, as Nemroth, a ſtrong huntere
bifore þe Lord.
x Soþeli þe bigynnyng of his rewme was Babiloyne, and
Arach, and Archad, and Thalamye, in þe lond of
Sennaar.
xi Aſſur ȝede out of þat lond, and bildide Nynyue, `and
ſtretis of þe citee,
xii and Chale, and Reſen bitwixe Nynyue and Chale; þis
is a greet citee.
xiii And ſoþeli MEffraym gendride Ludym, and
Anamym, and Laabym, Neptuym, and Ferruſym, and
Ceſluym;
xiiii of which þe Filiſteis and Capturym camen forþ.
xv Forſoþe Chanaan gendride Sidon, his firſte gendride
ſone, Ethei, and Jebuſei,
xvi and Amorrei, Gergeſei,
xvii Euei, and Arathei,
xviii Ceney, and Aradie, Samarites, and Amathei; and
puplis of Chananeis weren ſowun abrood bi þeſe men.
xix And þe termes of Chanaan weren maad to men
comynge fro Sidon to Gerara, til to Gaſa, til þou entre
in to Sodom and Gomore, and Adama, and Seboyne, til
to Leſa.
xx Þeſe weren þe ſones of Cham, in her kynredis, and
langagis, and generaciouns, and londis, and folkis.
xxi Alſo of Sem weren borun þe fadris of alle þe ſones
of Heber, and Japhet was þe more broþer.
xxii Þe ſones of Sem weren Elam, and Aſſur, and
Arfaxath, and Lud, and Aram.
xxiii Þe ſones of Aram weren Vs, and Hul, and Gether,
and Mes.
xxiiii And ſoþeli Arfaxath gendride Sale, of whom Heber
was borun.
xxv And twei ſones weren borun to Heber, þe name to o
ſone was Faleg, for þe lond was departid in hiſe daies;
and þe name of his broþir was Jectan.
xxvi And þilke Jectan gendride Elmodad, and Salech,
xxvii and Aſamoth, Jare, and Adhuram, and Vſal,
xxviii and Deda, and Ebal, and Abymahel, Saba, and
Ofir, and Euila, and Jobab;
xxix alle þeſe weren þe ſones of Jectan.
xxx And þe habitacioun of hem was maad fro Meſſa, as
`me goiþ til to Sefar, an hil of þe eeſt.
xxxi Þeſe ben þe ſones of Sem, bi kynredis, and langagis,
and cuntrees, in her folkis.
xxxii Þeſe ben þe meynees of Noe, bi her puplis and
naciouns; folkis in erþe weren departid of þeſe aftir þe
greet flood.
CAP. XI
i Forſoþe þe lond was of o langage, and of þe ſame
ſpeche.
ii And whanne þei ȝeden forþ fro þe eeſt, þei fonden a
feeld in þe lond of Sennaar, and dwelliden þer ynne.
iii And oon ſeide to his neiȝbore, Come ȝe, and make we
tiel ſtonys, and bake we þo wiþ fier; and þei hadden tiel
for ſtonus, and pitche for morter;
iiii and ſeiden, Come ȝe, and make we to vs a citee and
tour, whos hiȝneſſe ſtretche `til to heuene; and make we
ſolempne oure name bifor þat we be departid in to alle
londis.
v Forſoþe þe Lord cam down to ſe þe citee and tour,
which þe ſones of Adam bildiden.
vi And he ſeide, Lo! þe puple is oon, and o langage is to
alle, and þei han bigunne to make þis, neþir þei ſchulen
ceeſſe of her þouȝtis, til þei fillen þo in werk; þerfor
come ȝe, go we doun,
vii and ſcheende we þere þe tunge of hem, þat ech man
here not þe voys of his neiȝbore.
viii And ſo þe Lord departide hem fro þat place in to alle
londis; and þei ceſſiden to bielde a cytee.
ix And þerfor þe name þerof was clepid Babel, for þe
langage of al erþe was confoundide þere; and fro
þennus þe Lord ſcaterede hem on þe face of alle
cuntrees.
x Þeſe ben þe generaciouns of Sem. Sem was of an
hundrid ȝeer whanne he gendride Arfaxath, twey ȝeer
aftir þe greet flood.
xi And Sem lyuede aftir þat he gendride Arfaxath fyue
hundrid ȝeer, and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
xii Forſoþe Arfaxath lyuede fyue and þretti ȝeer, and
gendride Sale;
xiii and Arfaxath lyuede aftir þat he gendride Sale þre
hundride and þre ȝeer, and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
xiiii Alſo Sale lyuede þretti ȝeer, and gendride Heber;
xv and Sale lyuede after þat he gendride Heber foure
hundrid and þre ȝeer, and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
xvi Soþeli Heber lyuede foure and þretti ȝeer, and
gendride Falech;
xvii and Heber lyuede aftir þat he gendride Falech foure
hundrid and þretti ȝeer, and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
xviii Alſo Falech lyuede þretti ȝeer, and gendride Reu;
xix and Falech lyuede aftir þat he gendride Reu two
hundrid and nyne ȝeer, and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
XLV
xx And Reu lyuede two and þretti ȝeer, and gendride
Saruch;
xxi and Reu lyuede aftir þat he gendride Saruch two
hundrid and ſeuene ȝeer, and gendride ſones and
douȝtris.
xxii Soþeli Saruch lyuede þretti ȝeer, and gendride
Nachor;
xxiii and Saruch lyuede aftir þat he gendride Nacor two
hundrid ȝeer, and gendride ſones and douȝtris.
xxiiii Forſoþe Nachor lyuede nyne and twenti ȝeer, and
gendride Thare;
xxv and Nachor lyuede after þat he gendride Thare an
hundrid and nynetene ȝeer, and gendride ſones and
douȝtris.
xxvi And Thare lyuede ſeuenti ȝeer, and gendride
Abram, and Nachor, and Aran.
xxvii Soþeli þeſe ben þe generaciouns of Thare. Thare
gendride Abram, Nachor, and Aran. Forſoþe Aran
gendride Loth;
xxviii and Aran diede bifore Thare, his fadir, in þe lond
of his natiuite, in Vr of Caldeis.
xxix Forſoþe Abram and Nachor weddiden wyues; þe
name of þe wijf of Abram was Saray, and þe name of þe
wiif of Nachor was Melcha, þe douȝter of Aran, fadir of
Melcha and fadir of Jeſcha.
xxx Soþeli Saray was bareyn, and hadde no children.
xxxi And ſo Thare took Abram, his ſone, and Loth, þe
ſone of Aran his ſone, and Saray, his douȝter in lawe, þe
wijf of Abram, his ſone, and ledde hem out of Vr of
Caldeis, þat þei ſchulen go in to þe lond of Chanaan;
and þei camen `til to Aran, and dwelliden þere.
xxxii And þe daies of Thare weren maad two hundrid
ȝeer and fyue, and he was deed in Aran.
CAP. XII
i Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Abram, Go þou out of þi
lond, and of þi kynrede, and of þe hous of þi fadir, and
come þou in to þe lond which Y ſchal ſchewe to þee;
ii and Y ſchal make þee in to a greet folk, and Y ſchal
bliſſe þee, and Y ſchal magnyfie þi name, and þou ſchalt
be bleſſid;
iii Y ſchal bleſſe hem þat bleſſen þee, and Y ſchal curſe
hem þat curſen þee; and alle kynredis of erþe ſchulen be
bleſſid in þee.
iiii And ſo Abram ȝede out, as þe Lord comaundide
hym, and Loth ȝede wiþ hym. Abram was of `þre ſcoor
ȝeer and fiftene whanne he ȝede out of Aran.
v And he took Saray, his wijf, and Loth, þe ſone of his
broþer, and al þe ſubſtaunce which þei hadden in
poſſeſſioun, and þe men whiche þei hadden bigete in
Aran; and þei ȝeden out þat þei `ſchulen go in to þe
loond of Chanaan. And whanne þey camen in to it,
vi Abram paſſide þorou þe lond til to þe place of
Sichem, and til to þe noble valey. Forſoþe Chananei
was þanne in þe lond.
vii Soþeli þe Lord apperide to Abram, and ſeide to hym,
Y ſchal ȝyue þis lond to þi ſeed. And Abram bildide
þere an auter to þe Lord, þat apperide to hym.
viii And fro þennus he paſſide forþ to þe hil Bethel, þat
was aȝens þe eeſt, and ſettide þere his tabernacle,
hauynge Bethel fro þe weſt, and Hay fro þe eeſt. And he
bildide alſo þere an auter to þe Lord, and inwardli
clepide his name.
ix And Abram ȝede goynge and goynge forþ ouer to þe
ſouþ.
x Soþeli hungur was maad in þe lond; and Abram ȝede
doun in to Egipt, to be a pilgrime þer, for hungur hadde
maiſtrie in þe lond.
xi And whanne he was nyȝ to entre in to Egipt, he ſeide
to Saray, his wijf, Y knowe þat þou art a fair womman,
xii and þat whanne Egipcians ſchulen ſe þee, þei ſchulen
ſeie, it is his wijf, and þei ſchulen ſle me, and `ſchulen
reſerue þee.
xiii Þerfor, Y biſeche þee, ſeie þou, þat þou art my ſiſtir,
þat it be wel to me for þee, and þat my lijf lyue for loue
of þee.
xiiii And ſo whanne Abram hadde entrid in to Egipt,
Egipcians ſien þe womman þat ſche was ful fair; and þe
prynces telden to Farao, and preiſeden hir anentis him;
xv and þe womman was takun vp in to þe hous of Farao.
xvi Forſoþe þei vſiden wel Abram for hir; and ſcheep,
and oxun, and aſſis, and ſeruauntis, and ſeruaunteſſis,
and ſche aſſis, and camels weren to hym.
xvii Forſoþe þe Lord beet Farao and his hous wiþ moſte
veniaunces, for Saray, þe wijf of Abram.
xviii And Farao clepide Abram, and ſeide to hym, What
is it þat þou haſt do to me? whi ſchewidiſt þou not to
me, þat ſche was þi wijf?
xix for what cauſe ſeidiſt þou, þat ſche was þi ſiſter, þat Y
ſchulde take hir in to wife to me? Now þerfor lo! þi
wiif; take þou hir, and go.
xx And Farao comaundide to men on Abram, and þei
ledden forþ hym, and his wijf, and alle þingis þat he
hadde.
CAP. XIII
i Þerfore Abram ſtiede fro Egipt, he, and his wijf, and
alle þingis þat he hadde; and Loth ſtiede wiþ hym, to þe
ſouþ cooſt.
ii Forſoþe he was ful riche in poſſeſſyoun of ſiluer and of
gold.
iii And he turnede aȝen bi þe weye in which he cam fro
þe ſouþ in to Bethel, `til to þe place, in which bifore he
hadde ſett tabernacle, bitwixe Bethel and Hay,
XLVI
iiii inþe place of þe auter which he made bifore, and
inwardli clepide þere þe name of þe Lord.
v But alſo flockis of ſcheep, and droues of oxun, and
tabernaclis weren to Loth, þat was wiþ Abram;
vi and þe lond miȝte not take hem, þat þei ſchulden
dwelle togidre, for þe catel of hem was myche, and þei
miȝten not dwelle in comyn.
vii Wherfor alſo ſtrijf was maad bitwixe þe keperis of
flockis of Abram and of Loth. Forſoþe Chananei and
Fereſei dwelliden in þat lond in þat tyme.
viii Þerfor Abram ſeide to Loth, Y biſeche, þat no ſtrijf
be bitwixe me and þee, and bitwixe my ſcheepherdis
and þi ſcheepherdis; for we ben briþeren.
ix Lo! al þe lond is bifore þee, Y biſeche, departe þou
fro me; if þou go to þe left ſide, Y ſchal holde þe riȝt
ſide; if þou cheſe þe riȝt ſide, Y ſchal go to þe left ſide.
x And ſo Loth reiſide hiſe iȝen, and ſeiȝ aboute al þe
cuntrei of Jordan, which was al moiſtid, bifor þat þe
Lord diſtriede Sodom and Gomorre, as paradis of þe
Lord, and as Egipt, as men comen in to Segor.
xi And Loth chees to him þe cuntre aboute Jordan, and
departide fro þe eeſt; and þei weren departid ech fro his
broþer.
xii Abram dwellide in þe lond of Chanaan; ſoþeli Loth
dwellide in townes aboute Jordan, and wonide in
Sodom.
xiii Forſoþe men of Sodom weren ful wickid, and
ſynneris greetly bifore þe Lord.
xiiii And þe Lord ſeide to Abram, aftir þat Loth was
departid fro him, Reiſe þin iȝen forþ riȝt, and ſe fro þe
place in which þou art now, to þe norþ and ſouþ, to þe
eeſt and weſt;
xv Y ſchal ȝyue al þe lond which þou ſeeſt to þee and to
þi ſeed, til in to wiþ outen ende.
xvi And Y ſchal make þi ſeed as þe duſt of erþe; if ony
man may noumbre þe duſt of erþe, alſo he ſchal mowe
noumbre þi ſeed.
xvii Þerfor riſe þou, and paſſe þorou þe lond in his
lengþe and breede, for Y ſchal ȝyue it to þee.
xviii Þerfor Abram, mouynge his tabernacle, cam and
dwellide biſidis þe valei of Mambre, which is in Ebron;
and he bildide þere an auter to þe Lord.
CAP. XIIII
i Forſoþe it was don in þat tyme, þat Amrafel, kyng of
Sennaar, and Ariok, kyng of Ponte, and Chodorlaomor,
kyng of Elemytis,
ii and Tadal, kyng of folkis, bigunnen batel aȝens Bara,
kyng of Sodom, and aȝens Berſa, kyng of Gomorre, and
aȝens Sennaar, kyng of Adama, and aȝens Semeber,
kyng of Seboym, and aȝens þe kyng of Bale; þilke Bale
is Segor.
iii Alle þeſe camen togidre in to þe valey of wode,
which is now þe ſee of ſalt.
iiii For in twelue ȝeer þei ſeruyden Chodorlaomor, and
in þe þrettenþe ȝeer þei departiden fro hym.
v Þerfor Chodorlaomor cam in þe fourtenþe ȝeer, and
kyngis þat weren wiþ him, and þei `han ſmyte Rafaym
in Aſtaroth Carnaym, and Suſym wiþ hem, and Emym
in Sabe Cariathaym,
vi and Choreis in þe hillis of Seir, til to þe feldi placis of
Faran, which is in wildirneſſe.
vii And þei turneden aȝen, and camen til to þe welle
Meſphath; þilke is Cades. And þei `han ſmyte al þe
cuntre of men of Amalec, and Amorrei, þat dwellide in
Aſaſon Thamar.
viii And þe kyng of Sodom, and þe king of Gomorre,
and þe kyng of Adama, and þe kyng of Seboym, alſo
and þe kyng of Bale, which is Segor, ȝeden out, and
dreſſiden ſcheltrun aȝens hem in þe valei of wode,
ix þat is, aȝens Chodorlaomor, kyng of Elamytis, and
Thadal, kyng of folkis, and Amrafel, kyng of Sennaar,
and Ariok, kyng of Ponte; foure kyngis aȝens fyue.
x Forſoþe þe valey of þe wode hadde many pittis of
pitche; and ſo þe kyng of Sodom and þe kyng of
Gomorre turneden þe backis, and felden doun þere; and
þei þat leften fledden to þe hil.
xi Soþeli þei token awei al þe catel of Sodom and
Gomorre, and alle þingis þat perteynen to mete, and
ȝeden awei;
xii alſo and þei token awey Loth and his catel, þe ſone of
þe broþer of Abram, which Loth dwellide in Sodom.
xiii And, lo! oon þat aſcapide, telde to Abram Ebrew, þat
dwellide in þe valei of Mambre of Amorrei, broþer of
Eſcol, and broþer of Aner; for þeſe maden couenaunt of
pees wiþ Abram.
xiiii And whanne Abram hadde herd þis þing, þat is,
Loth his broþir takun, he noumbride his borun
ſeruauntis maad redy þre hundrid and eiȝtene, and
purſuede hem `til to Dan.
xv And whanne his felowis weren departid, he felde on
hem in þe niȝt, and he ſmoot hem, and purſuede hem `til
to Hoba, and Fenyce, which is at þe left ſide of Damaſk.
xvi And he brouȝte aȝen al þe catel, and Loth his broþer
wiþ his catel, alſo wymmen and þe puple.
xvii Soþeli þe kyng of Sodom ȝede out in to þe metyng
of him, after þat he turnede aȝen fro ſleyng of
Chodorlaomor, and of kyngis þat weren wiþ him, in þe
valei of Sabe, which is þe valey of þe kyng.
xviii And ſoþeli Melchiſedech, kyng of Salem, brouȝte
forþ breed and wyn, for he was þe preeſt of hiȝeſte God;
xix and he bleſſide Abram, and ſeide, Bleſſid be Abram
of hiȝ God, þat made heuene and erþe of nouȝt,
XLVII
xx and bleſſid be hiȝ God, bi whom defendynge,
enemyes ben bitakun in þin hondis. And Abram ȝaf tiþis
of alle þingis to hym.
xxi Forſoþe þe kyng of Sodom ſeide to Abram, Ȝyue þou
þe men to me; take þou oþir þingis to þee.
xxii And Abram anſwerde to hym, Y reyſe myn hondis to
þe hiȝ Lord God,
xxiii Lord of heuene and of erþe, þat fro þe þrede of oof
til to þe layner of þe hoſe I ſchal not take of alle þingis
þat ben þine, leſt þou ſeie, I made Abram riche;
xxiiii out takun þeſe þingis whiche þe ȝonge men eeten,
and þe partis of men þat camen wiþ me, Aner, Eſcol,
and Mambre; þeſe men ſchulen take her partis.
CAP. XV
i And ſo whanne þeſe þingis weren don, þe word of þe
Lord was maad to Abram bi a viſioun, and ſeide,
Abram, nyle þou drede, Y am þi defender, and þi meede
is ful greet.
ii And Abram ſeide, Lord God, what ſchalt þou ȝyue to
me? Y ſchal go wiþ oute fre children, and þis Damaſk,
ſone of Elieſer, þe procuratour of myn hous, ſchal be
myn eir.
iii And Abram addide, Soþeli þou haſt not ȝoue ſeed to
me, and, lo! my borun ſeruaunt ſchal be myn eir.
iiii And anoon þe word of þe Lord was maad to hym,
and ſeide, Þis ſchal not be þin eir, but þou ſchalt haue
hym eir, þat ſchal go out of þi wombe.
v And þe Lord ledde out Abram, and ſeide to hym,
Biholde þou heuene, and noumbre þou ſterris, if þou
maiſt. And þe Lord ſeide to Abram, So þi ſeed ſchal be.
vi Abram bileuede to God, and it was arettid to hym to
riȝtfulneſſe.
vii And God ſeide to hym, Y am þe Lord, þat ladde þee
out of Vr of Caldeis, þat Y ſchulde ȝyue þis lond to þee,
and þou ſchuldiſt haue it in poſſeſſioun.
viii And Abram ſeide, Lord God, wherbi may I wite þat
Y ſchal welde it?
ix And þe Lord anſwerde, and ſeide, Take þou to me a
cow of þre ȝeer, and a geet of þre ȝeer, and a ram of þre
ȝeer, a turtle alſo, and a culuer.
x Which took alle þeſe þingis, and departide þo bi þe
myddis, and ſettide euer eiþir partis ech aȝens oþer; but
he departide not þe briddis.
xi And foulis camen doun on þe careyns, and Abram
drof hem awey.
xii And whanne þe ſunne was gon doun, drede felde on
Abram, and a greet hidouſeneſſe and derk aſaylide him.
xiii And it was ſeid to hym, Wite þou bifore knowinge,
þat þi ſeed ſchal be pilgrim foure hundrid ȝeer in a lond
not his owne, and þei ſchulen make hem ſuget to
ſeruage, and þei ſchulen turment hem;
xiiii neþeles Y ſchal deme þe folk to whom þei ſchulen
ſerue; and aftir þeſe þingis þei ſchulen go out wiþ greet
catel.
xv Forſoþe þou ſchalt go to þi fadris in pees, and ſchalt
be biried in good age.
xvi Soþeli in þe fourþe generacioun þei ſchulen turne
aȝen hidir, for þe wickidneſſes of Amoreis ben not ȝit
fillid, `til to preſent tyme.
xvii Þerfor whanne þe ſunne was gon doun, a derk myſt
was maad, and a furneis ſmokynge apperide, and a
laumpe of fier, and paſſide þorou þo departingis.
xviii In þat dai þe Lord made a couenaunt of pees wiþ
Abram, and ſeide, Y ſchal ȝyue to þi ſeed þis lond, fro
þe ryuer of Egipt til to þe greet ryuer Eufrates; Cyneis,
xix and Cyneſeis, and Cethmoneis, and Etheis,
xx and Fereſeis, and Raphaym, and Amorreis,
xxi and Cananeis, and Gergeſeis, and Jebuſeis.
CAP. XVI
i Þerfor Sarai, wijf of Abram, hadde not gendrid fre
children; but ſche hadde a ſeruaunteſſe of Egipt, Agar bi
name, and ſeide to hir hoſebonde, Lo!
ii þe Lord haþ cloſid me, þat Y ſchulde not bere child;
entre þou to my ſeruaunteſſe, if in hap Y ſchal take
children, nameli of hir. And whanne he aſſentide to hir
preiynge, ſche took Agar Egipcian,
iii hir ſeruaunteſſe, after ten ȝeer aftir þat þei begunne to
enhabite in þe lond of Chanaan, and ſche ȝaf Agar wiif
to hir hoſebonde.
iiii And Abram entride to Agar; and Agar ſeiȝ þat ſche
hadde conſeyued, and ſche diſpiſide hir ladi.
v And Saray ſeide to Abram, Þou doiſt wickidli aȝens
me; I ȝaf my ſeruaunteſſe in to þi boſum, which ſeeþ, þat
ſche conſeyuede, and diſpiſiþ me; þe Lord deme
betwixe me and þee.
vi And Abram anſwerde and ſeide to hir, Lo! þi
ſeruaunteſſe is in þin hond; vſe þou hir as `it likiþ.
Þerfor for Sarai turmentide hir, ſche fledde awei.
vii And whanne þe aungel of þe Lord hadde founde hir
biſidis a welle of watir in wilderneſſe, which welle is in
þe weie of Sur in deſeert,
viii he ſeide to hir, Fro whennus comeſt þou Agar, þe
ſeruaunteſſe of Sarai, and whidur goiſt þou? Which
anſwerde, Y fle fro þe face of Sarai my ladi.
ix And þe aungel of þe Lord ſeide to hir, Turne þou aȝen
to þi ladi, and be þou mekid vndur hir hondis.
x And eft he ſeide, Y multipliynge ſchal multiplie þi
ſeed, and it ſchal not be noumbrid for multitude.
xi And aftirward he ſeide, Lo! þou haſt conſeyued, and
þou ſchalt bere a ſone, and þou ſchalt clepe his name
Iſmael, for þe Lord haþ herd þi turment;
xii þis ſchal be a wielde man; his hond ſchal be aȝens
alle men, and þe hondis of alle men ſchulen be aȝens
XLVIII
him; and he ſchal ſette tabernaclis euene aȝens alle his
briþeren.
xiii Forſoþe Agar clepide þe name of þe Lord þat ſpak to
hir, Þou God þat ſeiȝeſt me; for ſche ſeide, Forſoþe here
Y ſeiȝ þe hynderere þingis of him þat ſiȝ me.
xiiii Þerfor ſche clepide þilke pit, þe pit of hym þat lyueþ
and ſeeþ me; þilk pit is bitwixe Cades and Barad.
xv And Agar childide a ſone to Abram, which clepide
his name Iſmael.
xvi Abram was of `eiȝti ȝeere and ſixe, whanne Agar
childide Yſmael to hym.
CAP. XVII
i Forſoþe aftir þat Abram bigan to be of nynti ȝeer and
nyne, þe Lord apperide to hym, and ſeide to him, Y am
Almyȝti God; go þou bifore me, and be þou perfit;
ii and Y ſchal ſette my couenaunt of pees bitwixe me
and þee; and Y ſchal multiplie þee ful greetli.
iii And Abram felde doun lowe on his face.
iiii And God ſeide to hym, Y am, and my couenaunt of
pees is wiþ þee, and þou ſchalt be þe fadir of many
folkis;
v and þi name ſchal no more be clepid Abram, but þou
ſchalt be clepid Abraham, for Y haue maad þee fadir of
many folkis;
vi and Y ſchal make þee to wexe ful greetli, and Y ſchal
ſette þee in folkis, and kyngis ſchulen go out of þee;
vii and Y ſchal make my couenaunt bitwixe me and þee,
and bitwixe þi ſeed after þee, in her generaciouns, bi
euerlaſtynge bond of pees, þat Y be þi God, and of þi
ſeed after þee;
viii and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee and to þi ſeed after þee þe
lond of þi pilgrymage, al þe lond of Chanaan, in to
euerlaſtynge poſſeſſioun, and Y ſchal be þe God of hem.
ix God ſeide eft to Abraham, And þerfor þou ſchalt kepe
my couenaunt, and þi ſeed after þee, in her
generaciouns.
x Þis is my couenaunt, which ȝe ſchulen kepe bitwixe
me and ȝou, and þi ſeed after þee; ech male kynde of
ȝou ſchal be circumcidid,
xi and ȝe ſchulen circumſide þe fleiſch of ȝoure mannes
ȝeerd, þat it be in to a ſigne of boond of pees bytwixe
me and ȝou.
xii A ȝong child of eiȝte daies ſchal be circumſidid in
ȝou, al male kynde in ȝoure generaciouns, as wel a
borun ſeruaunt as a ſeruaunt bouȝt ſchal be circumſidid,
and who euere is of ȝoure kynrede he ſchal be
circumſidid;
xiii and my couenaunt ſchal be in ȝoure fleiſch in to
euerlaſtynge boond of pees.
xiiii A man whos fleiſch of his ȝerde ſchal not be
circumſidid, þilke man ſchal be doon a wei fro his
puple; for he made voide my couenaunt.
xv Alſo God ſeide to Abraham, Þou ſchalt not clepe
Saray, þi wijf, Sarai, but Sara;
xvi and Y ſchal bleſſe hir, and of hir I ſchal ȝyue to þee a
ſone, whom I ſchal bleſſe, and he ſchal be in to
naciouns, and kyngis of puplis ſchulen be borun of
hym.
xvii Abraham felde doun on his face, and leiȝede in his
hert, and ſeide, Geſſiſt þou, wheþir a ſone ſchal be borun
to a man of an hundrid ȝeer, and Sara of nynti ȝeer ſchal
bere child?
xviii And he ſeide to þe Lord, Y wolde þat Iſmael lyue
bifore þee.
xix And þe Lord ſeide to Abraham, Sara, þi wijf, ſchal
bere a ſone to þee, and þou ſchalt clepe his name Yſaac,
and Y ſchal make my couenaunt to hym in to
euerlaſtynge boond of pees, and to his ſeed aftir hym;
xx alſo on Yſmael Y haue herd þee, lo! Y ſchal bleſſe
him, and Y ſchal encreeſſe, and Y ſchal multiplie him
greetli; he ſchal gendre twelue dukis, and Y ſchal make
hym in to a greet folk.
xxi Forſoþe Y ſchal make my couenaunt to Yſaac, whom
Sare ſchal childe to þee in þis tyme in þe toþer ȝeer.
xxii And whanne þe word of þe ſpekere wiþ hym was
endid, God ſtiede fro Abraham.
xxiii Forſoþe Abraham took Iſmael, his ſone, and alle þe
borun ſeruauntis of his hous, and alle which he hadde
bouȝte, alle þe malis of alle men of his hous, and
circumſidide þe fleiſch of her ȝerde, anoon in þat dai, as
þe Lord comaundide him.
xxiiii Abraham was of nynti ȝeer and nyne whanne he
circumſidide þe fleiſch of his ȝeerd,
xxv and Iſmael, his ſone, hadde fillid þrettene ȝeer in þe
tyme of his circumſicioun.
xxvi Abraham was circumſidid in þe ſame day, and
Iſmael his ſone,
xxvii and alle men of his hows, as wel borun ſeruauntis
as bouȝt and aliens, weren circumcidid togidre.
CAP. XVIII
i Forſoþe in þe valei of Mambre þe Lord apperide to
Abraham, ſittynge in þe dore of his tabernacle, in þilke
heete of þe dai.
ii And whanne he hadde reiſid his iȝen, þre men
apperiden to hym, and ſtoden nyȝ hym. And whanne he
hadde ſeyn hem, he ran fro þe dore of his tabernacle in
to þe meting of hem, and he worſchipide on erþe,
iii and ſeide, Lord, if Y haue founde grace in þin iȝen,
paſſe þou not þi ſeruaunt,
iiii but I ſchal brynge a litil watir, and ȝoure feet be
waiſchid, and reſte ȝe vndur þe tre;
v and Y ſchal ſette a muſſel of breed, and ȝoure herte be
coumfortid; aftirward ȝe ſchulen paſſe; for herfor ȝe
XLIX
bowiden to ȝoure ſeruaunt. Whiche ſeiden, Do þou as
þou haſt ſpoke.
vi Abraham haſtide in to þe tabernacle, to Sare, and
ſeide to hir, Haſt þou, meddle þou þre half buſchelis of
clene flour; and make þou looues bakun vndur aiſchis.
vii Forſoþe he ran to þe droue of beeſtis, and took þerof
a calf mooſt tendre and beſt, and ȝaf to a child, which
haſtide, and ſeþede þe calfe;
viii and he took botere, and mylk, and þe calf which he
hadde ſode, and ſettide bifore hem; forſoþe Abraham
ſtood biſidis hem vndur þe tre.
ix And whanne þei hadden ete, þei ſeiden to hym,
Where is Sare þi wijf? He anſwerde, Lo! ſche is in þe
tabernacle.
x To whom þe Lord ſeide, Y ſchal turne aȝen, and Y
ſchal come to þee in þis tyme, if Y lyue; and Sare, þi
wijf, ſchal haue a ſone. Whanne þis was herd, Sare
leiȝede bihynde þe dore of þe tabernacle.
xi Forſoþe boþe weren olde, and of greet age, and
wommans termes ceeſſiden to be maad to Sare.
xii And ſhe leiȝede, ſeiynge pryueli, after þat Y wexede
eld, and my lord is eld, ſchal Y ȝyue diligence to luſt?
xiii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Abraham, Whi leiȝeþ Sare,
þi wijf, ſeiynge, wheþer Y an eld womman ſchal bere
child verili?
xiiii wheþer ony þing is hard to God? Bi þe biheeſte Y
ſchal turne aȝen to þee in þis ſame tyme, if Y lyue; and
Sara ſchal haue a ſone.
xv Sare was aferd for drede, and denyede, ſeiynge, Y
leiȝede not. Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide, It is not ſo, but þou
leiȝediſt.
xvi Þerfor whanne þe men hadden riſen fro þennus, þei
dreſſiden þe iȝen aȝens Sodom; and Abraham ȝede to
gidre, ledynge hem forþ.
xvii And þe Lord ſeide, Wher Y mowe hele fro Abraham
what þingis Y ſchal do,
xviii ſiþen he ſchal be in to a greet folk and mooſt ſtrong,
and alle naciouns of erþe ſchulen be bleſſid in hym?
xix For Y woot þat Abraham ſchal comaunde hiſe
children, and his hows after hym, þat þei kepe þe weie
of þe Lord, and þat þei do riȝtfulneſſe and dom, þat þe
Lord bringe for Abraham alle þingis whiche he ſpak to
Abraham.
xx And ſo þe Lord ſeide, Þe cry of men of Sodom and of
men of Gomorre is multiplied, and her ſynne is
agreggid greetli; Y ſchal come doun,
xxi and ſchal ſe wheþer þei han fillid in werk þe cry þat
cam to me, þat Y wite wheþer it is not ſo.
xxii And þei turneden han fro þennus, and ȝeden to
Sodom. Abraham ſoþeli ſtood ȝit bifore þe Lord,
xxiii and neiȝede, and ſeide, Wheþer þou ſchalt leeſe a
iuſt man wiþ þe wickid man?
xxiiii if
fifti iuſt men ben in þe citee, ſchulen þei periſche
togidere, and ſchalt þou not ſpare þat place for fifti iuſt
men, if þei ben þer ynne?
xxv Fer be it fro þee þat þou do þis þing, and ſle a iuſt
man wiþ a wickid man, and þat a iuſt man be maad as a
wickid man; þis is not þin þat demeſt al erþe; þou ſchalt
not make þis doom.
xxvi And þe Lord ſeide to him, If Y ſchal fynde in
Sodom fifti iuſt men in þe myddis of þe citee, Y ſchal
forȝyue to al þe place for hem.
xxvii Abraham anſwerde and ſeide, For Y bigan onys, Y
ſchal ſpeke to my Lord, ſiþen Y am duſt and aiſche;
xxviii what if leſſe þan fifti iuſt men bi fyue ben, ſchalt
þou do a wey al þe cite for fyue and fourti? And þe
Lord ſeide, Y ſchal not do a wei, if I ſchal fynde fyue
and fourti þere.
xxix And eft Abraham ſeide to hym, But if fourti ben
þere, what ſchalt þou do? Þe Lord ſeide, Y ſchal not
ſmyte for fourti.
xxx Abraham ſeide, Lord, Y biſeche, take þou not to
indignacioun, if Y ſpeke; what if þretti be foundun
þere? Þe Lord anſwerde, Y ſchal not do, if Y ſchal fynde
þretti þere.
xxxi Abraham ſeide, For Y bigan onys, Y ſchal ſpeke to
my Lord; what if twenti be foundun þere? Þe Lord
ſeide, Y ſchal not ſle for twenti.
xxxii Abraham ſeide, Lord, Y biſeche, be þou not wrooþ,
if Y ſpeke ȝit onys; what if ten be founden þere? Þe
Lord ſeide, Y ſchal not do a wey for ten.
xxxiii Þe Lord ȝede forþ, after þat he ceeſſide to ſpeke to
Abraham, and Abraham turnede aȝen in to his place.
CAP. XIX
i And tweyne aungels camen to Sodom in þe euentide,
while Loth ſat in þe ȝatis of þe citee. And whanne he
hadde ſeyn hem, he roos, and ȝede aȝens hem, and
worſchipide lowe to erþe,
ii and ſeide, My lordis, Y biſeche, bowe ȝe in to þe hous
of ȝoure child, and dwelle ȝe þere; waiſche ȝe ȝoure
feet, and in þe morewtid ȝe ſchulen go in to ȝoure weie.
Whiche ſeiden, Nay, but we ſchulen dwelle in þe ſtreet.
iii He conſtreynede hem greetli, þat þei ſchulden turne to
hym. And whanne þei weren entrid in to his hous, he
made a feeſte, he bakide þerf breed, and þei eten.
iiii Forſoþe bifore þat þei ȝeden to ſleepe, men of þe
citee compaſſiden his hows, fro a child `til to an eld
man, al þe puple togidre;
v and þei clepiden Loth, and ſeiden to him, Where ben
þe men þat entriden to þee to nyȝt? brynge hem out
hidur, þat we `knowe hem.
vi And Loth ȝede out to hem `bihynde þe bak, and
cloſide þe dore,
L
vii and ſeide, Y biſeche, nyle ȝe, my briþeren, nyle ȝe do
þis yuel.
viii Y haue twey douȝtris, þat knewen not ȝit man; Y
ſchal lede out hem to ȝou, and mys vſe ȝe hem as it
pleſiþ ȝou, ſo þat ȝe doon noon yuel to þeſe men, for þei
entriden vndur þe ſchadewe of my roof.
ix And þei ſeiden, Go þou fro hennus. And eft þei
ſeiden, Þou entridiſt as a comelyng; wher þat þou deme?
þerfor we ſchulen turment þee more þan þeſe. And þei
diden violentli to Loth ful greetli. Þanne it was nyȝ þat
þei wolden breke þe doris; and lo!
x þe men puttiden hoond, and ledden in Loth to hem,
and þei cloſiden þe dore.
xi And þei ſmyten wiþ blyndeneſſe hem þat weren
wiþoutforþ, fro þe leeſt til to þe mooſt; ſo þat þei
myȝten not fynde þe dore.
xii Forſoþe þei ſeiden to Loth, Haſt þou here ony man of
þine, hoſebonde of þi douȝter, eþir ſones, eþir douȝtris;
lede þou out of þis citee alle men þat ben þine,
xiii for we ſchulen do a wey þis place, for þe cry of hem
encreeſſide bifor þe Lord, which ſente vs þat we leeſe
hem.
xiiii And ſo Loth ȝede out, and ſpak to þe hoſebondys of
his douȝtris, þat ſchulden take hiſe douȝtris, and ſeide,
Riſe ȝe, and go ȝe out of þis place; for þe Lord ſchal do
awey þis citee. And he was ſeyn to hem to ſpeke as
pleiynge.
xv And whanne þe morewtid was, þe aungels
conſtreyneden hym, and ſeiden, Riſe þou, and take þi
wijf, and þi twey douȝtris whiche þou haſt, leſt alſo þou
periſche to gidere in þe ſynne of þe citee.
xvi While he diſſymelide, þei token his hond, and þe
hond of his wijf, and of his twey doutris; for þe Lord
ſparide hym.
xvii And þei ledden out hym, and ſettiden wiþ out þe
citee. Þere þei ſpaken to him, and ſeiden, Saue þou þi
lijf; nyle þou biholde bihynde þi bac, neþer ſtond þou in
al þe cuntre aboute, but make þee ſaaf in þe hil; leſt alſo
þou periſche togidere.
xviii And Loth ſeide to hem, My lord, Y biſeche,
xix for þi ſeruaunt haþ founde grace bifore þee, and þou
haſt magnyfied þi grace and mercy, which þou haſt do
wiþ me, þat þou ſchuldiſt ſaue my lijf; Y may not be
ſaued in þe hil, leſt perauenture yuel take me, and Y die;
xx a litil citee is here biſidis, to which Y may fle, and Y
ſchal be ſaued þer ynne; where it is not a litil citee? and
my ſoule ſchal lyue þer ynne.
xxi And he ſeide to Loth, Lo! alſo in þis Y haue
reſſeyued þi preieris, þat Y diſtrye not þe citee, for
which þou haſt ſpoke;
xxii haſte þou, and be þou ſaued þere, for Y may not do
ony þing til þou entre þidur. Þerfor þe name of þat citee
was clepid Segor.
xxiii Þe ſunne roos on erþe, and Loth entride in to Segor.
xxiiii Þerfor þe Lord reynede on Sodom and Gomorre
brynſton and fier, fro þe Lord fro heuene,
xxv and diſtriede þeſe citees, and al þe cuntrey aboute;
he deſtriede alle enhabiters of citees, and all grene
þingis of erþe.
xxvi And his wijf lokide abac, and was turned in to an
ymage of ſalt.
xxvii Forſoþe Abraham riſynge eerly, where he ſtood
bifore wiþ þe Lord, bihelde Sodom and Gomorre,
xxviii and al þe lond of þat cuntrey; and he ſeiȝ a deed
ſparcle ſtiynge fro erþe, as þe ſmoke of a furneis.
xxix For whanne God diſtriede þe citees of þat cuntrey,
he hadde mynde of Abraham, and delyuerede Loth fro
deſtriynge of þe citees in whiche he dwellide.
xxx And Loth ſtiede fro Segor, and dwellide in þe hil,
and hiſe twey douȝtris wiþ him, for he dredde to dwelle
in Segor; and he dwellide in a denne, he and his twey
douȝtris wiþ hym.
xxxi And þe more douȝtre ſeide to þe laſſe, Oure fadre is
eld, and no man is left in erþe, þat may entre to vs, bi þe
cuſtom of al erþe;
xxxii come þou, make we him drunkun of wyn, and ſlepe
we wiþ him, þat we moun kepe ſeed of oure fadir.
xxxiii And ſo þei ȝauen to her fadir to drynke wyn in þat
nyȝt, and þe more douȝter entrede, and ſlepte wiþ hir
fadir; and he feelide not, neþir whanne þe douȝtir lay
doun, neþer whanne ſche roos.
xxxiiii And in þe toþir dai þe more douȝtir ſeide to þe
laſſe, Lo! Y ſlepte ȝiſtirdai wiþ my fadir, ȝyue we to
hym to drynk wyn alſo in þis nyȝt; and þou ſchalt ſlepe
wiþ hym, þat we ſaue ſeed of oure fadir.
xxxv And þei ȝauen to her fadir alſo in þat nyȝt to drynke
wyn, and þe leſſe douȝtir entride, and ſlepte wiþ him;
and ſoþeli he feelide not þanne whanne ſche lay doun,
neþer whanne ſche roos.
xxxvi Þerfor þe twei douȝtris of Loth conſeyuede of hir
fadir.
xxxvii And þe more douȝtre childide a ſone, and clepide
his name Moab; he is þe fadir of men of Moab `til in to
preſent dai.
xxxviii And þe leſſe douȝter childide a ſone, and clepide
his name Amon, þat is, þe ſone of my puple; he is þe
fadir of men of Amon til to day.
CAP. XX
i Abraham ȝede forþ fro þennus in to þe lond of þe ſouþ,
and dwellide bitwixe Cades and Sur, and was a pilgrym
in Geraris;
ii and he ſeide of Sare, his wijf, Sche is my ſiſtir. Þerfor
Abymalec, kyng of Gerare, ſente, and took hir.
LI
iii Soþeli God cam to Abymalec bi a ſweuene in þe nyȝt,
and ſeide to hym, Lo! þou ſchalt die, for þe wooman
which þou haſt take, for ſche haþ an hoſebond.
iiii Forſoþe Abymalech touchide not hir; and he ſeide,
Lord, wheþer þou ſchalt ſle folc vnkunnynge and iuſt?
v Wheþer he ſeide not to me, Sche is my ſiſtir, and ſche
ſeide, He is my broþer? In þe ſympleneſſe of myn herte,
and in þe clenneſſe of myn hondis Y dide þis.
vi And þe Lord ſeide to hym, And Y woot þat þou didiſt
bi ſymple herte, and þerfor Y kepte þee, leſt þou didiſt
ſynne aȝens me, and I ſuffride not þat þou touchidiſt hir;
vii now þerfor ȝelde þou þe wijf to hir hoſebonde, for he
is a profete; and he ſchal preye for þee, and þou ſchalt
lyue; ſoþeli if þou nylte ȝelde, wite þou þat þou ſchalt
die bi deeþ, þou and alle þingis þat ben þine.
viii And anoon Abynalech roos bi nyȝt, and clepide alle
his ſeruauntis, and ſpak alle þeſe wordis in þe eeris of
hem; and alle men dredden greetli.
ix Soþeli Abymalec clepide alſo Abraham, and ſeide to
hym, What haſt þou do to vs? what ſynneden we aȝens
þee, for þou haſt brouȝt in on me and on my rewme a
greuouſe ſynne? þou haſt do to vs whiche þingis þou
ouȝtiſt not do.
x And eft Abimalech axide, and ſeide, What þing ſeiȝiſt
þou, þat þou woldiſt do þis?
xi Abraham anſwerde, Y þouȝte wiþ me, and ſeide, in
hap þe drede of God is not in þis place; and þei ſchulen
ſle me for my wijf;
xii in oþer maner forſoþe and ſche is my ſiſter verili, þe
douȝter of my fadir, and not þe douȝter of my moder;
and Y weddide hir in to wijf;
xiii ſoþeli aftir þat God ladde me out of þe hous of my
fadir, Y ſeide to hir, Þou ſchalt do þis mercy wiþ me in
ech place to which we ſchulen entre; þou ſchalt ſeie, þat
Y am þi broþer.
xiiii Þerfore Abymelech took ſcheep, and oxun, and
ſeruauntis, and handmaydenes, and ȝaf to Abraham; and
he ȝeldide to him Sare, `his wijf, and ſeide, Þe lond is
bifor ȝou;
xv dwelle þou, where euere it pleſiþ þee. Forſoþe
Abymelech ſeide to Sare, Lo!
xvi Y ȝaf a þouſand platis of ſiluer to þi broþer; þis ſchal
be to þee in to hiling of iȝen to al men þat ben wiþ þee;
and whider euere þou goiſt, haue þou mynde þat þou art
takun.
xvii Soþeli for Abraham preiede, God curide
Abymelech, and his wijf, and handmaydens, and þei
childiden;
xviii for God hadde cloſid ech wombe of þe hows of
Abymelech, for Sare, þe wijf of Abraham.
CAP. XXI
i Forſoþe God viſitide Sare, as he bihiȝte, and fillide þo
þingis, þat he ſpak.
ii And ſche conſeyuede, and childide a ſone in hir eeld,
in þe tyme wherynne God biforſeide to hir.
iii And Abraham clepide þe name of his ſone, whom
Sare childide to him, Yſaac.
iiii And Abraham circumcidide hym in þe eiȝte dai, as
God comaundide to him,
v whanne he was of an hundrid ȝeer; for Yſaac was
borun in þis age of þe fadir.
vi And Sare ſeide, Þe Lord made leiȝynge to me, and
who euer ſchal here ſchal leiȝe wiþ me.
vii And eft ſche ſeide, Who ſchulde here, and bileue to
Abraham, þat Sare ſchulde ȝyue ſoukyng to a ſone,
whom ſche childide to him now an eld man?
viii Þerfor þe child encreeſſide, and was wenyd; and
Abraham made a greet feeſte in þe dai of his wenyng.
ix And whanne Sare ſeiȝ þe ſone of Agar Egipcian
pleiynge wiþ Yſaac hir ſone, ſche ſeide to Abraham,
x Caſt þou out þe handmayde and hir ſone; for þe ſone
of þe handmayde ſchal not be eir wiþ my ſone Yſaac.
xi Abraham took þis heuyli for his ſone;
xii and God ſeide to hym, Be it not ſeyn ſcharp to þee on
þe child, and on þin handmayde; alle þingis whiche
Sare ſeiþ to þee, here þou hir vois, for in Iſaac ſeed ſchal
be clepid to þee;
xiii but alſo I ſchal make þe ſone of þe handmaid in to a
greet folk, for he is þi ſeed.
xiiii And ſo Abraham roos eerli, and took breed, and a
botel of watir, and puttide on hir ſchuldre, and bitook þe
child, and lefte hir; and whanne ſche hadde go, ſche
ȝede out of þe weie in þe wildirneſſe of Berſabee.
xv And whanne þe watir in þe botel was endid, ſche
caſtide awei þe child vndur a tre þat was þere;
xvi and ſche ȝede awei, and ſche ſat euene aȝens as fer as
a bowe may caſte; for ſche ſeide, Y ſchal not ſe þe child
diynge; and ſche ſat aȝens, and reiſide hir vois, and
wepte.
xvii Forſoþe þe Lord herde þe vois of þe child, and þe
aungel of þe Lord clepide Agar fro heuene, and ſeide,
What doiſt þou, Agar? nyle þou drede, for God haþ herd
þe vois of þe child fro þe place where ynne he is.
xviii Riſe þou, and take þe child, and holde his hoond;
for Y ſchal make hym in to a greet folc.
xix And God openyde hir iȝen, and ſche ſeiȝ a pit of
watir, and ſche ȝede, and fillide þe botel, and ſche ȝaf
drynk to þe child;
xx and was wiþ him, and he encreſſide, and dwellide in
wilderneſſe, and he was maad a ȝong man an archer,
xxi and dwellide in þe deſeert of Faran; and his modir
took to him a wijf of þe lond of Egipt.
LII
xxii In þe ſame tyme Abymelech, and Ficol, prince of his
ooſt, ſeide to Abraham, God is wiþ þee in alle þingis
whiche þou doiſt;
xxiii þerfore ſwere þou bi God þat þou noye not me, and
myn eiris, and my kynrede; but bi þe merſi whych Y
dide to þee, do þou to me, and to þe lond in which þou
lyuediſt a comelyng.
xxiiii And Abraham ſeide, Y ſchal ſwere.
xxv And he blamyde Abymelech for þe pit of watir,
which hiſe ſeruauntis token awey bi violence.
xxvi And Abymelech anſwerde, I wiſte not who dide þis
þing, but alſo þou ſchewidiſt not to me, and Y herde not
outakun to dai.
xxvii And ſo Abraham took ſcheep and oxun, and ȝaf to
Abymalech, and boþe ſmyten a boond of pees.
xxviii And Abraham ſettide ſeuene ewe lambren of þe
flok aſidis half.
xxix And Abymelech ſeide to hym, What wolen þeſe
ſeuene ewe lambren to hem ſilf, whiche þou madiſt
ſtonde aſidis half?
xxx And he ſeide, Þou ſchalt take of myn hond ſeuene
ewe lambren, þat þo be in to witneſſyng to me, for Y
diggide þis pit.
xxxi Þerfor þilke place was clepid Berſabee, for euere
eiþir ſwore þere;
xxxii and þei maden boond of pees for þe pit of an ooþ.
xxxiii Forſoþe Abymelech roos, and Ficol, prince of his
chyualrie, and þei turneden aȝen in to þe lond of
Paleſtyns. Soþeli Abraham plauntide a wode in
Berſabee, and inwardli clepide þere þe name of
euerlaſtinge God;
xxxiiii and he was an erþetiliere eþer a comelynge of þe
lond of Paleſtynes in many dayes.
CAP. XXII
i And aftir þat þeſe þingis weren don, God aſſaiede
Abraham, and ſeide to hym, Abraham! Abraham! He
anſwerde, Y am preſent.
ii God ſeide to him, Take þi `ſone oon gendrid, whom
þou loueſt, Yſaac; and go into þe lond of viſioun, and
offre þou hym þere in to brent ſacrifice, on oon of þe
hillis whiche Y ſchal ſchewe to þee.
iii Þerfor Abraham roos bi niȝt, and ſadlide his aſſe, and
ledde wiþ hym twey ȝonge men, and Yſaac his ſone;
and whanne he hadde hewe trees in to brent ſacrifice, he
ȝede to þe place which God hadde comaundid to him.
iiii Forſoþe in þe þridde dai he reiſide hiſe iȝen, and ſeiȝ
a place afer;
v and he ſeide to hiſe children, Abide ȝe here wiþ þe
aſſe, Y and þe child ſchulen go þidur; and aftir þat we
han worſchipid, we ſchulen turne aȝen to ȝou.
vi And he took þe trees of brent ſacrifice, and puttide on
Yſaac his ſone; forſoþe he bar fier, and a ſwerd in hiſe
hondis. And whanne þei tweyne ȝeden togidere, Iſaac
ſeide to his fadir, My fadir!
vii And he anſwerde, What wolt þou, ſone? He ſeide,
Lo! fier and trees, where is þe beeſte of brent ſacrifice?
viii Abraham ſeide, My ſone, God ſchal puruey to hym
þe beeſte of brent ſacrifice.
ix Þerfor þei ȝeden to gidere, and camen to þe place
whiche God hadde ſchewid to hym, in which place
Abraham bildide an auter, and dreſſide trees a boue; and
whanne he hadde bounde to gidere Yſaac, his ſone, he
puttide Yſaac in þe auter, on þe heep of trees.
x And he helde forþ his hond, and took þe ſwerd to
ſacrifice his ſone.
xi And lo! an aungel of þe Lord criede fro heuene, and
ſeide, Abraham! Abraham!
xii Which anſwerde, I am preſent. And þe aungel ſeide to
hym, Holde þou not forþ þin honde on þe child, neþer
do þou ony þing to him; now Y haue knowe þat þou
drediſt God, and ſparidiſt not þin oon gendrid ſone for
me.
xiii Abraham reiſide hiſe iȝen, and he ſeiȝ `bihynde his
bak a ram cleuynge bi hornes among breris, which he
took, and offride brent ſacrifice for þe ſone.
xiiii And he clepide þe name of þat place, Þe Lord ſeeþ;
wherfore it is ſeyd, til to dai, Þe Lord ſchal ſee in þe hil.
xv Forſoþe þe aungel of þe Lord clepide Abraham þe
ſecounde tyme fro heuene,
xvi and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ, Y haue ſwore bi my ſilf, for
þou haſt do þis þing, and haſt not ſparid þin oon gendrid
for me,
xvii Y ſchal bleſſe þee, and Y ſchal multiplie þi ſeed as
þe ſterris of heuene, and as grauel which is in þe brynk
of þe ſee; þi ſeed ſchal gete þe ȝatis of hiſe enemyes;
xviii and alle þe folkis of erþe ſchulen be bleſſid in þi
ſeed, for þou obeiediſt to my vois.
xix Abraham turnede aȝen to hiſe children, and þei ȝeden
to Berſabee to gidere, and he dwellide þere.
xx And ſo whanne þeſe þingis weren don, it was teld to
Abraham þat alſo Melcha hadde bore ſones to Nachor
his broþer;
xxi Hus þe firſte gendrid, and Buz his broþir, and
Chamuhel þe fadir of Sireis,
xxii and Caſed, and Aſan, and Feldas,
xxiii and Jedlaf, and Batuhel, of whom Rebecca was
borun; Melcha childide þeſe eiȝte to Nachor broþer of
Abraham.
xxiiii Forſoþe his concubyn, Roma bi name, childide
Thabee, and Gaon, and Thaas, and Maacha.
CAP. XXIII
i Forſoþe Sare lyuede an hundrid and ſeuene and twenti
ȝeer,
LIII
ii and diede in þe citee of Arbee, which is Ebron, in þe
lond of Chanaan; and Abraham cam to biweyle and
biwepe hir.
iii And whanne he hadde riſe fro þe office of þe deed
bodi, he ſpak to þe ſones of Heth, and ſeide,
iiii Y am a comelyng and a pilgrym anentis ȝou; ȝyue ȝe
to me riȝt of ſepulcre wiþ ȝou, þat Y birie my deed
body.
v And þe ſones of Heth anſweriden, and ſeiden, Lord,
here þou vs;
vi þou art þe prince of God anentis vs; birie þou þi deed
bodi in oure choſun ſepulcris, and no man ſchal mow
forbede þee, þat ne þou birie þi deed bodi in þe ſepulcre
of him.
vii And Abraham roos, and worſchipide þe puple of þe
lond, þat is, þe ſones of Heth.
viii And he ſeide to hem, If it pleſiþ ȝoure ſoule þat Y
birie my deed bodi, here ȝe me, and preie ȝe for me to
Efron, þe ſone of Seor,
ix þat he ȝyue to me þe double caue, whiche he haþ in
þe vttirmoſte part of his feeld; for ſufficiaunt money
ȝyue he it to me bifore ȝou into poſſeſſioun of ſepulcre.
x Forſoþe Efron dwellide in þe myddis of þe ſones of
Heth. And Efron anſwerde to Abraham, while alle men
herden þat entriden bi þe ȝate of þat citee,
xi and ſeide, My lord, it ſchal not be doon ſo, but more
herkne þou þat þat Y ſeie; Y ȝyue to þee þe feeld, and
þe denne which is þerine, while þe ſones of my puple
ben preſent; birie þou þi deed bodi.
xii Abraham worſchipide bifor þe Lord, and bifor þe
puple of þe lond,
xiii and he ſpak to Efron, while his puple ſtood aboute, Y
biſeche, þat þou here me; Y ſchal ȝyue money for þe
feeld, reſſeyue þou it, and ſo Y ſchal birie my deed bodi
in þe feeld.
xiiii And Efron anſwerde, My lord,
xv here þou me, þe lond which þou axiſt is worþ foure
hundrid ſiclis of ſiluer, þat is þe prijs bitwixe me and
þee, but hou myche is þis? birie þou þi deed bodi.
xvi And whanne Abraham hadde herd þis, he noumbride
þe monei which Efron axide, while þe ſones of Heth
herden, foure hundrid ſiclis of ſiluer, and of preuyd
comyn monei.
xvii And þe feeld þat was ſumtyme of Efron, in which
feeld was a double denne, biholdinge to Mambre, as
wel þilke feeld as þe denne and alle þe trees þerof, in
alle termes þerof bi cumpas, was confermed to
Abraham in to poſſeſſioun,
xviii while þe ſones of Heth ſeiȝen and alle men þat
entriden bi þe ȝate of þat citee.
xix And ſo Abraham biriede Sare, his wijf, in þe double
denne of þe feeld, þat bihelde to Mambre; þis is Ebron
in þe lond of Chanaan.
xx And þe feeld, and þe denne þat was þerynne, was
confermyd of þe ſones of Heth to Abraham, in to
poſſeſſioun of ſepulcre.
CAP. XXIIII
i Forſoþe Abraham was eld, and of many daies, and þe
Lord hadde bleſſid hym in alle þingis.
ii And he ſeide to þe eldere ſeruaunt of his hows, þat
was ſouereyn on alle þingis þat he hadde, Put þou þin
hond vndur myn hipe,
iii þat Y coniure þee bi þe Lord God of heuene and of
erþe, þat þou take not a wijf to my ſone of þe douȝtris
of Chanaan, among whiche Y dwelle;
iiii but þat þou go to my lond and kynrede, and þerof
take a wijf to my ſone Yſaac.
v Þe ſeruaunt aunſwerde, If þe womman nyle come wiþ
me in to þis lond, wheþer Y owe lede aȝen þi ſone to þe
place, fro which þou ȝediſt out?
vi Abraham ſeide, Be war, leſt ony tyme þou lede aȝen
þidur my ſone;
vii þe Lord of heuene þat took me fro þe hows of my
fadir, and fro þe lond of my birþe, which ſpak to me,
and ſwoor, and ſeide, Y ſchal ȝyue þis lond to þi ſeed, he
ſchal ſende his aungel bifore þee, and þou ſchalt take fro
þennus a wijf to my ſone; forſoþe if þe womman nyle
ſue þee,
viii þou ſchalt not be holdun bi þe ooþ; neþeles lede not
aȝen my ſone þidur.
ix Þerfore þe ſeruaunt puttide his hond vndur þe hipe of
Abraham, his lord, and ſwoor to him on þis word.
x And he took ten camels of þe floc of his lord, and ȝede
forþ, and bar wiþ him of alle þe goodis of his lord; and
he ȝede forþ, and cam to Meſopotanye, to þe citee of
Nachor.
xi And whanne he hadde maad þe camels to reſte wiþ
out þe citee, biſidis þe pit of watir, in þe euentid, in þat
tyme in which wymmen ben wont to go out to drawe
watir,
xii he ſeide, Lord God of my lord Abraham, Y biſeche,
meete wiþ me to dai, and do merſi wiþ my lord
Abraham.
xiii Lo! Y ſtonde nyȝ þe welle of watir, and þe douȝtris
of enhabiters of þis citee ſchulen go out to drawe watir;
xiiii þerfor þe damyſel to which Y ſchal ſeie, Bowe doun
þi watir pot þat Y drynke, and ſchal anſwere, Drynke
þou, but alſo Y ſchal ȝyue drynke to þi camels, þilke it
is which þou haſt maad redi to þi ſeruaunt Yſaac; and bi
þis Y ſchal vndirſtonde þat þou haſt do merſi wiþ my
lord Abraham.
xv And he hadde not ȝit fillid þe wordis wiþ ynne hym
ſilf, and lo! Rebecca, þe douȝtir of Batuel, ſone of
Melcha, wijf of Nachor, broþir of Abraham, ȝede out,
hauynge a watir pot in hir ſchuldre;
LIV
xvi a damyſel ful comeli, and faireſte virgyn, and
vnknowun of man. Soþeli ſche cam doun to þe welle,
and fillide þe watir pot, and turnide aȝen.
xvii And þe ſeruaunt mette hir, and ſeide, Ȝyue þou to
me a litil of þe watir of þi pot to drynke.
xviii Which anſwerde, Drynke þou, my lord. And anoon
ſche dide doun þe watir pot on hir ſchuldre, and ȝaf
drynk to hym.
xix And whanne he hadde drunke, ſche addide, But alſo
Y ſchal drawe watir to þi camelis, til alle drynken.
xx And ſche helde out þe watir pot in trouȝis, and ran
aȝen to þe pit, to drawe watir, and ſche ȝaf watir drawun
to alle þe camels.
xxi Soþeli he bihelde hir priueli, and wolde wite wheþer
þe Lord hadde ſped his wei, eþir nay.
xxii Þerfor after þat þe camels drunken, þe man brouȝte
forþ goldun eere ryngis, weiynge twei ſiclis, and as
many bies of þe arm, in þe weiȝte of ten ſiclis.
xxiii And he ſeide to hir, Whos douȝter art þou? ſchewe
þou to me, is ony place in þe hows of þi fadir to dwelle?
xxiiii Which anſwerde, Y am þe douȝter of Batuel, ſone
of Nachor, whom Melcha childide to him.
xxv And ſche addide, ſeiynge, Alſo ful myche of
prouendre and of hey is at vs, and a large place to
dwelle.
xxvi Þe man bowide hym ſilf,
xxvii and worſchipide þe Lord, and ſeide, Bleſſid be þe
Lord God of my lord Abraham, which God took not
aweie his merſy and treuþe fro my lord, and ledde me bi
riȝt weie in to þe hous of þe broþer of my lord.
xxviii And ſo þe dameſel ran, and telde in þe hous of hir
modir alle þingis whiche ſche hadde herd.
xxix Soþeli Rebecca hadde a broþir, Laban bi name,
whiche ȝede out haſtili to þe man, where he was wiþ out
forþ.
xxx And whanne he hadde ſeyn þe eere ryngis and byes
of þe arm in þe hondis of his ſiſter, and hadde herd alle
þe wordis of hir tellynge, þe man ſpak to me þeſe
þingis, he cam to þe man þat ſtood biſidis þe camels,
and nyȝ þe welle of watir,
xxxi and ſeide to him, Entre þou, þe bleſſid of þe Lord;
whi ſtondiſt þou wiþ outforþ? I haue maad redi þe
hows, and a place to þi camels.
xxxii And he brouȝte hym in to þe ynne, and unſadlide
þe camels, and ȝaf prouendre, and hey, and watir to
waiſche þe feet of camels, and of men þat camen wiþ
hym.
xxxiii And breed was ſet forþ in his ſiȝt, which ſeide, Y
ſchal not ete til Y ſpeke my wordis. He anſwerde to þe
man, Speke þou.
xxxiiii And þe man ſeide, Y am þe ſeruaunt of Abraham,
xxxv and þe Lord haþ bleſſid my lord greetli, and he is
maad greet; and God ȝaf to hym ſcheep, and oxun,
ſiluer, and gold, ſeruauntis, and handmaides, camels,
and aſſis.
xxxvi And Sare, `þe wijf of my lord, childide a ſone to
my lord in his eelde, and he ȝaf alle þingis þat he hadde
to þat ſone.
xxxvii And my lord chargide me greetli, and ſeide, Þou
ſchalt not take to my ſone a wijf of þe douȝtris of
Canaan, in whos lond Y dwelle,
xxxviii but þou ſchalt go to þe hous of my fadir, and of
myn kynrede þou ſchalt take a wijf to my ſone.
xxxix Forſoþe Y anſwerde to my lord, What if þe
womman nyle come wiþ me?
xl He ſeide, Þe Lord in whoſe ſiȝt Y go, ſchal ſende his
aungel wiþ þee, and he ſchal dreſſe þi weie; and þou
ſchalt take a wijf to my ſone of my kynrede, and of my
fadris hows.
xli Þou ſchalt be innocent fro my curs, whanne þou
comeſt to my kyneſmen, and þei ȝyuen not `þe
womman to þee.
xlii Þerfor Y cam to day to þe welle of watir, and Y
ſeide, Lord God of my lord Abraham, if þou haſt dreſſid
my weie in which Y go now, lo!
xliii Y ſtonde biſidis þe welle of watir, and þe maide þat
ſchal go out to drawe watir heriþ me, ȝyue þou to me a
litil of water to drynke of þi pot,
xliiii and ſeiþ to me, And þou drynke, and Y ſchal drawe
watir to þi camels, þilke is þe womman which þe Lord
haþ maad redi to þe ſone of my lord.
xlv While Y turnede in þouȝte þeſe þingis wiþ me,
Rebecca apperide, comynge wiþ a pot which ſche bare
in þe ſchuldre; and ſche ȝede doun to þe welle, and
drowe watir. And Y ſeide to hir, Ȝyue þou a litil to me to
drynke; and ſche haſtide,
xlvi and dide doun þe pot of þe ſchuldre, and ſeide to
me, And þou drynke, and Y ſchal ȝyue drynke to þi
camels; Y drank, and watride þe camels.
xlvii And Y axide hir, and ſeide, Whos douȝtir art þou?
Which anſwerde, Y am þe douȝtir of Batuel, ſone of
Nachor, whom Melcha childide to him. And ſo Y
hangide eere ryngis to ourne hir face, and Y puttide bies
of þe arm in hir hondis,
xlviii and lowliche Y worſchipide þe Lord, and Y bleſſid
þe Lord God of my lord Abraham, which God ledde me
bi riȝt weie, þat Y ſchulde take þe douȝtir of þe broþir of
my lord to his ſone.
xlix Wherfor if ȝe don mercy and treuþe wiþ `my lord,
ſchewe ȝe to me; ellis if oþir þing pleſiþ, alſo ſeie ȝe þis,
þat Y go to þe riȝt ſide eþir to þe left ſide.
l Laban and Batuel anſweriden, Þe word is gon out of þe
Lord; we moun not ſpeke ony oþer þing wiþ þee wiþout
his pleſaunce.
li Lo! Rebecca is bifore þee; take þou hir, and go forþ,
and be ſche wijf of þe ſone of þi lord, as þe Lord ſpak.
LV
lii And whanne þe child of Abraham hadde herd þis, he
felde doun, and worſchipide þe Lord in erþe.
liii And whanne veſſels of ſiluer, and of gold, and cloþis
weren brouȝt forþ, he ȝaf þo to Rebecca for ȝifte, and he
ȝaf ȝiftis to hir briþeren, and modir.
liiii And whanne a feeſte was maad, þei eeten and
drunken to gider, and dwelliden þere. Forſoþe þe child
roos eerli, and ſpak, Delyuere ȝe me, þat Y go to my
lord.
lv Hir briþeren and modir anſwerden, Þe dameſele
dwelle nameli ten daies at vs, and aftirward ſche ſchal
go forþ.
lvi Þe child ſeide, Nyle ȝe holde me, for þe Lord haþ
dreſſid my weie; delyuere ȝe me, þat I go to my lord.
lvii And þei ſeiden, Clepe we þe damyſele, and axe we
hir wille.
lviii And whanne ſche was clepid, and cam, þei axiden,
Wolt þou go wiþ þis man?
lix And ſche ſeide, Y ſchal go. Þerfor þey delyueriden
hir, and hir nurſe, and þe ſeruaunt of Abraham, and hiſe
felowis, and wiſchiden proſperitees to her ſiſter,
lx and ſeiden, Þou art oure ſiſter, encreeſſe þou in to a
þouſand þouſandis, and þi ſeed gete þe ȝatis of hiſe
enemyes.
lxi Þerfor Rebecca and hir dameſels ſtieden on þe
camels, and ſueden þe man, which turnede aȝen haſteli
to his lord.
lxii In þat tyme Yſaac walkide bi þe weie þat lediþ to þe
pit, whos name is of hym þat lyueþ and ſeeþ; for he
dwellide in þe ſouþ lond.
lxiii And he ȝede out to þenke in þe feeld, for þe dai was
`bowid þanne; and whanne he hadde reiſid þe iȝen, he
ſeiȝ camels comynge afer.
lxiiii And whanne Yſaac was ſeyn, Rebecca liȝte doun of
þe camel,
lxv and ſeide to þe child, Who is þat man þat comeþ bi
þe feeld in to þe metyng of vs? And þe child ſeide to
hir, He is my lord. And ſche took ſoone a mentil, and
hilide hir.
lxvi Forſoþe þe ſeruaunt tolde to his lord Yſaac alle
þingis whiche he hadde do;
lxvii which Yſaac ledde hir in to þe tabernacle of Sare,
his modir, and took hir to wijf; and ſo myche he louede
hir, þat he temperide þe ſorewe which bifelde of þe
deeþ of þe modir.
CAP. XXV
i Forſoþe Abraham weddide anoþer wijf, Ceture bi
name,
ii which childide to him Samram, and Jexan, and
Madan, and Madian, and Jeſboth, and Sue.
iii Alſo Jexan gendride Saba and Dadan. Forſoþe þe
ſones of Dadan weren Aſurym, and Lathuſym, and
Laomym.
iiii And ſoþeli of Madian was borun Efa, and Ofer, and
Enoth, and Abida, and Heldaa; alle þeſe weren þe ſones
of Cethure.
v And Abraham ȝaf alle þingis whiche he hadde in
poſſeſſioun to Iſaac;
vi ſoþeli he ȝaf ȝiftis to þe ſones of concubyns; and
Abraham, while he lyuede ȝit, departide hem fro Yſaac,
his ſone, to þe eeſt cooſt.
vii Forſoþe þe daies of lijf of Abraham weren an hundrid
and `fyue and ſeuenti ȝeer;
viii and he failide, and diede in good eelde, and of greet
age, and ful of daies, and he was gaderid to his puple.
ix And Yſaac and Iſmael, his ſones, birieden him in þe
double denne, which is ſet in þe feeld of Efron, ſone of
Seor Ethei,
x euene aȝens Mambre, which denne he bouȝte of þe
ſones of Heth; and he was biried þere, and Sare his wijf.
xi And aftir þe deeþ of Abraham God bleſſide Iſaac his
ſone, which dwellide biſidis þe pit bi name of hym þat
lyueþ and ſeeþ.
xii Þeſe ben þe generaciouns of Iſmael, ſone of
Abraham, whom Agar Egipcian, ſeruaunteſſe of Sare,
childide to Abraham;
xiii and þeſe ben þe names of þe ſones of Iſmael, in her
names and generaciouns. Þe firſte gendride of Iſmael
was Nabaioth, aftirward Cedar, and Abdeel, and
Mabſan,
xiiii and Maſma, and Duma, and Maſſa,
xv and Adad, and Thema, and Ithur, and Nafir, and
Cedma.
xvi Þeſe weren þe ſones of Iſmael, and þeſe weren names
by caſtels and townes of hem, twelue princes of her
lynagis.
xvii And þe ȝeeris of lijf of Iſmael weren maad an
hundrid and ſeuene and þretti, and he failide, and diede,
and was put to his puple.
xviii Forſoþe he enhabitide fro Euila til to Sur, þat
biholdiþ Egipt, as me entriþ in to Aſſiriens; he diede
bifore alle his briþeren.
xix Alſo þeſe ben þe generaciouns of Yſaac ſone of
Abraham. Abraham gendride Iſaac,
xx and whanne Iſaac was of fourti ȝeer, he weddide a
wijf, Rebecca, douȝter of Batuel, of Sirie of
Meſopotanye, þe ſiſtir of Laban.
xxi And Iſaac biſouȝte þe Lord for his wijf, for ſche was
bareyn; and þe Lord herde him, and ȝaf conſeiuyng to
Rebecca.
xxii But þe litle children weren hurtlid togidre in hir
wombe; and ſche ſeide, If it was ſo to comynge to me,
LVI
what nede was it to conſeyue? And ſche ȝede and axide
counſel of þe Lord,
xxiii which anſwerde, and ſeide, Twei folkis ben in þi
wombe, and twei puplis ſchulen be departid fro þi
wombe, and a puple ſchal ouercome a puple, and þe
more ſchal ſerue þe leſſe.
xxiiii Þanne þe tyme of childberyng cam, and lo! twei
children weren foundun in hir wombe.
xxv He þat ȝede out firſt was reed, and al rouȝ in þe
manere of a ſkyn; and his name was clepid Eſau.
xxvi Anoon þe toþir ȝede out, and helde wiþ þe hond þe
heele of þe broþer; and þerfore he clepide him Jacob.
Iſaac was ſixti ȝeer eeld, whanne þe litle children weren
borun.
xxvii And whanne þei weren woxun, Eſau was maad a
man kunnynge of huntyng, and a man erþe tilier;
forſoþe Jacob was a ſymple man, and dwellide in
tabernaclis.
xxviii Iſaac louyde Eſau, for he eet of þe huntyng of
Eſau; and Rebecca louyde Jacob.
xxix Soþeli Jacob ſeþide potage; and whanne Eſau cam
weri fro þe feld,
xxx he ſeide to Jacob, Ȝyue þou to me of þis reed ſeþing,
for Y am ful weri; for which cauſe his name was clepid
Edom.
xxxi And Jacob ſeide to him, Sille to me þe riȝt of þe firſt
gendrid childe.
xxxii He anſwerde, Lo! Y die, what ſchulen þe firſte
gendrid þingis profite to me?
xxxiii Jacob ſeide, þerfor ſwere þou to me. Þerfor Eſau
ſwoor, and ſelde þe firſte gendrid þingis.
xxxiiii And ſo whanne he hadde take breed and potage,
Eſau eet and drank, and ȝede forþ, and chargide litil þat
he hadde ſeld þe riȝt of þe firſte gendrid child.
CAP. XXVI
i Forſoþe for hungur roos on þe lond, aftir þilke
bareyneſſe þat bifelde in þe daies of Abraham, Iſaac
ȝede forþ to Abymelech, kyng of Paleſtyns, in Gerara.
ii And þe Lord apperide to hym, and ſeide, Go not doun
in to Egipt, but reſte þou in þe lond which Y ſchal ſeie
to þee,
iii and be þou a pilgrym þer ynne; and Y ſchal be wiþ
þee, and Y ſchal bleſſe þee; for Y ſchal ȝyue alle þeſe
cuntrees to þee and to þi ſeed, and Y ſchal fille þe ooþ
which Y bihiȝte to Abraham, þi fadir.
iiii And Y ſchal multiplie þi ſeed as þe ſterris of heuene,
and Y ſchal ȝyue alle þeſe þingis to þin eyris, and alle
folkis of erþe ſchulen be bleſſid in þi ſeed, for Abraham
obeide to my vois,
v and kepte `my preceptis and comaundementis, and
kepte cerymonyes and lawis.
vi And ſo Yſaac dwellide in Geraris.
vii And whanne he was axid of men of þat place of his
wijf, he anſwarde, Sche is my ſiſtir; for he dredde to
knowleche þat ſche was felouſchipid to hym in
matrymonye, and geſſide leſt peraduenture þei wolden
ſle him for þe fairneſſe of hir.
viii And whanne ful many daies weren paſſid, and he
dwellide þere, Abymelech, kyng of Paleſtyns, bihelde bi
a wyndow, and ſeiȝ hym pleiynge wiþ Rebecca, his
wijf.
ix And whanne Iſaac was clepid, þe kyng ſeide, It is
opyn, þat ſche is þi wijf; whi liediſt þou, þat ſche was þi
ſiſtir? Iſaac anſwerde, Y dredde, leſt Y ſchulde die for
hir.
x And Abymelech ſeide, Whi haſt þou diſſeyued vs?
Sum man of þe puple myȝte do letcherie wiþ þi wijf,
and þou haddiſt brouȝt in greuous ſynne on vs. And þe
kyng comaundide to al þe puple,
xi and ſeide, He þat touchiþ þe wijf of þis man ſchal die
bi deeþ.
xii Forſoþe Iſaac ſowide in þat lond, and he foond an
hundrid fold in þat ȝeer; and þe Lord bleſſide hym.
xiii And þe man was maad riche, and he ȝede profitynge
and encreeſſynge til he was maad ful greet.
xiiii Alſo he hadde poſſeſſioun of ſcheep and grete
beeſtis, and ful myche of meyne. For þis þing Paleſtyns
hadden enuye to hym,
xv and þei ſtoppiden in þat tyme and filliden wiþ erþe
alle þe pittis whiche þe ſeruauntis of Abraham his fadir
hadden diggid,
xvi in ſo myche þat Abymelech him ſilf ſeide to Yſaac,
Go þou awei fro vs, for þou art maad greetly myȝtier
þan we.
xvii And he ȝede awei, þat he ſchulde come to þe ſtronde
of Gerare, and dwelle þere.
xviii And he diggide eft oþer pittis, whiche þe ſeruauntis
of Abraham his fadir hadden diggid, and whiche þe
Filiſteis hadden ſtoppid ſumtyme, whanne Abraham was
deed; and he clepide þo pittis bi þe ſame names, bi
whiche his fadir hadde clepid bifore.
xix Þei diggiden in þe ſtronde, and þei founden wellynge
watir.
xx But alſo ſtrijf of ſcheepherdis of Gerare was þere
aȝens þe ſcheepherdis of Iſaac, and þei ſeiden, Þe watir
is oure; wherfor of þat þat bifelde he clepide þe name of
þe pit fals chaleng.
xxi And þei diggiden anoþir, and þei ſtryueden alſo for
þat, and Yſaac clepide þat pit enemytes.
xxii And he ȝede forþ fro þennus, and diggide anoþer
pit, for which þei ſtryueden not, þerfor he clepid þe
name of þat pit largeneſſe; and ſeide, Now God haþ
alargid vs, and haþ maad to encreeſſe on erþe.
xxiii Forſoþe he ſtiede fro þat place in to Berſabee,
LVII
xxiiii where þe Lord God apperide to him in þat nyȝt;
and ſeide, Y am God of Abraham, þi fadir; nyle þou
drede, for Y am wiþ þee, and Y ſchal bleſſe þee, and Y
ſchal multiplie þi ſeed for my ſeruaunt Abraham.
xxv And ſo Yſaac bildide þer an auter to þe Lord; and
whanne þe name of þe Lord was inwardli clepid, he
ſtretchide forþ a tabernacle; and he comaundide hiſe
ſeruauntis þat þei ſchulden digge pittis.
xxvi And whanne Abymelech, and Ochoſat, hiſe frendis,
and Ficol, duk of knyȝtis, hadden come fro Geraris to
þat place,
xxvii Iſaac ſpak to hem, What camen ȝe to me, a man
whom ȝe hatiden, and puttiden awei fro ȝou?
xxviii Whiche anſweriden, We ſeiȝen þat God is wiþ þee,
and þerfor we ſeiden now, An ooþ be bitwixe vs, and
make we a couenaunt of pees,
xxix þat þou do not ony yuel to vs, as we touchiden `not
ony þing of þine, neþir diden þat þat hirtide þee, but
wiþ pees we leften þee encreſſid bi þe bleſſyng of þe
Lord.
xxx Þerfor Iſaac made a feeſte to hem; and after mete
and drynk þei riſen eerli,
xxxi and ſworen ech to oþer; and Iſaac lefte hem peiſibli
in to her place.
xxxii Lo! forſoþe in þat dai þe ſeruauntis of Yſaac
camen, tellynge to him of þe pit which þei hadden
diggid, and ſeiden, We han foundun watir.
xxxiii Wherfor Yſaac clepide þat pit abundaunce; and þe
name of þe citee was ſet Berſabee til in to preſent dai.
xxxiiii Eſau forſoþe fourti ȝeer eld weddide twei wyues,
Judith, þe douȝtir of Beeri Ethei, and Bethſamath, þe
douȝter of Elon, of þe ſame place;
xxxv whiche boþe offendiden þe ſoule of Iſaac and of
Rebecca.
CAP. XXVII
i Forſoþe Iſaac wexe eld, and hiſe iȝen daſewiden, and
he miȝte not ſe. And he clepide Eſau, his more ſone, and
ſeide to hym, My ſone! Which anſwerde, Y am preſent.
ii To whom þe fadir ſeide, Þou ſeeſt þat Y haue woxun
eld, and Y knowe not þe dai of my deeþ.
iii Take þin armeres, `arewe caas, and a bowe, and go
out; and whanne þou haſt take ony þing bi huntyng,
iiii make to me a ſeew þerof, as þou knowiſt þat Y wole,
and brynge þat Y ete, and my ſoule bleſſe þee bifore þat
Y die.
v And whanne Rebecca hadde herd þis þing, and he
hadde go in to þe feeld to fille þe comaundment of þe
fadir,
vi ſche ſeide to hir ſone Jacob, Y herde þi fadir ſpekynge
wiþ Eſau, þi broþir, and ſeiynge to him, Brynge þou me
of þin huntyng,
vii and make þow metis, þat Y ete, and þat Y bleſſe þee
bifor þe Lord bifor þat Y die.
viii Now þerfor, my ſone, aſſent to my counſels,
ix and go to þe floc, and brynge to me tweyne þe beſte
kidis, þat Y make metis of þo to þi fadir, whiche he etiþ
gladli;
x and þat whanne þow haſt brouȝt in þo metis, and he
haþ ete, he bleſſe þee bifore þat he die.
xi To whom Jacob anſwerde, Þou knowiſt þat Eſau my
broþer is an heeri man, and Y am ſmeþe; if my fadir
`touchiþ and feeliþ me,
xii Y drede leſt he geſſe þat Y wolde ſcorne him, and leſt
he brynge in curſyng on me for bleſſyng.
xiii To whom þe modir ſeide, My ſone, þis curſyng be in
me; oonly here þou my vois, and go, and brynge þat þat
Y ſeide.
xiiii He ȝede, and brouȝte, and ȝaf to his modir. Sche
made redi metis, as ſche knewe þat his fadir wolde,
xv and ſche cloþide Jacob in ful goode cloþis of Eſau,
whiche ſche hadde at home anentis hir ſilf.
xvi And ſche `compaſſide þe hondis wiþ litle ſkynnys of
kiddis, and kyuerede þe `nakide þingis of þe necke;
xvii and ſche ȝaf ſeew, and bitook þe loouys whiche ſche
hadde bake.
xviii And whanne þeſe weren brouȝt in, he ſeide, My
fadir! And he anſwerde, Y here; who art þou, my ſone?
xix And Jacob ſeide, Y am Eſau, þi firſt gendrid ſone. Y
haue do to þee as þou comaundiſt to me; riſe þou, ſitte,
and ete of myn huntyng, þat þi ſoule bleſſe me.
xx Eft Yſaac ſeide to his ſone, My ſone, hou miȝtiſt þou
fynde ſo ſoone? Which anſwerde, It was Goddis wille,
þat þis þat Y wolde ſchulde come ſoone to me.
xxi And Iſaac ſeide, My ſone, come þou hidir, þat Y
touche þee, and þat Y preue wher þou art my ſone Eſau,
eþir nay.
xxii He neiȝede to þe fadir; and whanne he hadde feelid
hym, Iſaac ſeide, Soþeli þe vois is þe vois of Jacob, but
þe hondis ben þe hondis of Eſau.
xxiii And Iſaac knew not Jacob, for þe heery hondis
expreſſiden þe licneſſe of þe more ſone.
xxiiii Þerfor Iſaac bleſſide him, and ſeide, Art þou my
ſone Eſau? Jacob anſwerde, Y am.
xxv And Iſaac ſeide, My ſone, brynge þou to me metis of
þin huntyng, þat my ſoule bleſſe þee. And whanne Iſaac
hadde ete þeſe metis brouȝt, Jacob brouȝte alſo wyn to
Iſaac, and whanne þis was drunkun,
xxvi Iſaac ſeide to him, My ſone, come þou hidir, and
ȝyue to me a cos.
xxvii Jacob neiȝede, and kiſſide hym; and anoon as Iſaac
feelide þe odour of hiſe cloþis, he bleſſide him, and
ſeide, Lo! þe odour of my ſone as þe odour of a `feeld
ful which þe Lord haþ bleſſid.
LVIII
xxviii God ȝyue to þee of þe dewe of heuene, and of þe
fatneſſe of erþe, aboundaunce of whete, and of wyn, and
of oile;
xxix and puplis ſerue þee, and lynagis worſchipe þee; be
þou lord of þi briþeren, and þe ſones of þi modir be
bowid bifor þee; be he curſid þat curſiþ þee, and he þat
bleſſiþ þee, be fillid wiþ bleſſyngis.
xxx Vnneþis Iſaac hadde fillid þe word, and whanne
Jacob was gon out,
xxxi Eſau cam, and brouȝte in metis ſodun of þe huntyng
to þe fadir, and ſeide, My fadir, riſe þou, and ete of þe
huntyng of þi ſone, þat þi ſoule bleſſe me.
xxxii And Iſaac ſeide, Who forſoþe art þou? Which
anſwerde, Y am Eſau, þi firſte gendrid ſone.
xxxiii Iſaac dredde bi a greet aſtonying; and he wondride
more, þan it mai be bileued, and ſeide, Who þerfor is he
which a while ago brouȝte to me huntyng takun, and Y
eet of alle þingis bifor þat þou cameſt; and Y bleſſide
him? and he ſchal be bleſſid.
xxxiiii Whanne þe wordis of þe fadir weren herd, Eſau
rorid wiþ a greet cry, and was aſtonyed, and ſeide, My
fadir, bleſſe þou alſo me.
xxxv Which ſeide, Þy broþer cam prudentli, and took þi
bleſſyng.
xxxvi And Eſau addide, Juſtli his name is clepid Jacob,
for lo! he ſupplauntide me anoþer tyme; bifor he took
awei `my firſte gendride þingis, and now þe ſecounde
tyme he rauyſchide priueli my bleſſyng. And eft he ſeide
to þe fadir, Wher þou haſt not reſerued a bleſſyng alſo to
me?
xxxvii Yſaac anſweride, Y haue maad him þi lord, and Y
haue maad ſuget alle hiſe briþeren to his ſeruage; Y
haue ſtabliſchid him in whete, and wyn, and oile; and,
my ſone, what ſchal Y do to þee aftir þeſe þingis?
xxxviii To whom Eſau ſaide, Fadir, wher þou haſt oneli o
bleſſyng? Y biſeche þat alſo þou bleſſe me. And whanne
Eſau wepte wiþ greet ȝellyng,
xxxix Iſaac was ſtirid, and ſeide to hym, Þi bleſſyng ſchal
be in þe fatneſſe of erþe, and in þe dew of heuene fro
aboue;
xl þou ſchalt lyue bi ſwerd, and þou ſchalt ſerue þi
broþir, and tyme ſchal come whanne þou ſchalt ſhake
awei, and vnbynde his ȝok fro þi nollis.
xli Þerfor Eſau hatide euer Jacob for þe bleſſyng bi
which þe fadir hadde bleſſid hym; and Eſau ſeide in his
herte, Þe daies of morenyng of my fadir ſchulen come,
and Y ſchal ſle Jacob, my broþir.
xlii Þeſe þingis weren teld to Rebecca, and ſche ſente,
and clepide hir ſone Jacob, and ſeide to hym, Lo ! Eſau,
þi broþir, manaaſiþ to ſle þee;
xliii now þerfor, my ſone, here þou my vois, and riſe
þou, and fle to Laban, my broþer, in Aran;
xliiii and
þou ſchalt dwelle wiþ hym a fewe daies, til þe
woodneſſe of þi broþer reſte,
xlv and his indignacioun ceeſſe, and til he forȝite þo
þingis whiche þou haſt don aȝens hym. Aftirward Y
ſchal ſende, and Y ſchal brynge þee fro þennus hidir.
Whi ſchal Y be maad ſoneles of euer eiþir ſone in o dai?
xlvi And Rebecca ſeide to Iſaac, It anoieþ me of my lijf
for þe douȝtris of Heth; if Jacob takiþ a wijf of þe
kynrede of þis lond, Y nyle lyue.
CAP. XXVIII
i And ſo Iſaac clepide Jacob, and bleſſide hym, and
comaundide to hym, and ſeide, Nyle þou take a wijf of
þe kyn of Canaan; but go þou,
ii and walke forþ in to Meſopotanye of Sirie, to þe hows
of Batuel, fadir of þi modir, and take to þee of þennus a
wijf of þe douȝtris of Laban, þin vncle.
iii Soþeli Almyȝti God bleſſe þee, and make þee to
encreeſſe, and multiplie þee, þat þou be in to
cumpanyes of puplis;
iiii and God ȝyue to þee þe bleſſyngis of Abraham, and
to þi ſeed aftir þee, þat þou welde þe lond of þi
pilgrymage, which he bihiȝte to þi grauntſir.
v And whanne Yſaac hadde left hym, he ȝede forþ, and
cam in to Meſopotanye of Sirie, to Laban, þe ſone of
Batuel of Sirie, þe broþer of Rebecca, his modir.
vi Forſoþe Eſau ſeiȝ þat his fadir hadde bleſſid Jacob,
and hadde ſent him in to Meſopotanye of Sirie, þat he
ſchulde wedde a wijf of þennus, and þat aftir þe
bleſſyng he comaundide to Jacob, and ſeide, Þou ſchalt
not take a wijf of þe douȝtris of Canaan;
vii and þat Jacob obeiede to his fadir `and modir, and
ȝede in to Sirie;
viii alſo Eſau preuyde þat his fadir bihelde not gladli þe
douȝtris of Canaan.
ix And he ȝede to Iſmael, and weddide a wijf, wiþ out
þeſe whiche he hadde bifore, Melech, þe douȝter of
Iſmael, ſone of Abraham, þe ſiſtir of Nabaioth.
x Þerfor Jacob ȝede out of Berſabee, and ȝede to Aran.
xi And whanne he hadde come to ſum place, and wolde
reſte þer inne aftir þe goynge doun of þe ſunne, he took
of þe ſtoonus þat laien þer, and he puttide vndur his
heed, and ſlepte in þe ſame place.
xii And he ſeiȝe in ſleep a laddir ſtondynge on þe erþe,
and þe cop þer of touchinge heuene; and he ſeiȝ Goddis
aungels ſtiynge vp and goynge doun þer bi,
xiii and þe Lord faſtned to þe laddir, ſeiynge to hym, Y
am þe Lord God of Abraham, þi fadir, and God of Iſaac;
Y ſchal ȝyue to þee and to þi ſeed þe lond in which þou
ſlepiſt.
xiiii And þi ſeed ſchal be as þe duſt of erþe, þou ſchalt be
alargid to þe eeſt, and weſt, and norþ, and ſouþ; and alle
lynagis of erþe ſchulen be bleſſid in þee and in þi ſeed.
LIX
xv And Y ſchal be þi kepere, whidur euer þou ſchalt go;
and Y ſchal lede þee aȝen in to þis lond, and Y ſchal not
leeue no but Y ſchal fil alle þingis whiche Y ſeide.
xvi And whanne Jacob hadde wakyd of ſleep, he ſeide,
Verili þe Lord is in þis place, and Y wiſte not.
xvii And he ſeide dredynge, Hou worſchipful is þis
place! Here is noon oþer þing no but þe hows of God,
and þe ȝate of heuene.
xviii Þerfor Jacob roos eerli, and took þe ſtoon which he
hadde put vndur his heed, and reiſide in to a title, and
helde oile aboue.
xix And he clepide þe name of þat citee Bethel, which
was clepid Luſa bifore.
xx Alſo he auowide a vow, and ſeide, If God is wiþ me,
and kepiþ me in þe weie in which Y go, and ȝyueþ to
me looues to ete, and cloþis to be cloþid,
xxi and Y turne aȝen in proſperite to þe hows of my
fadir, þe Lord ſchal be in to God to me.
xxii And þis ſtoon, which Y reiſide in to a title, ſchal be
clepid þe hows of God, and Y ſchal offre tiþis to þee of
alle þingis whiche þou ſchalt ȝyue to me.
CAP. XXIX
i Þerfor Jacob paſſide forþ, and cam in to þe eeſt lond;
ii and ſeiȝ a pit in þe feeld, and þre flockis of ſcheep
reſtynge biſidis it, for whi ſcheep weren watrid þerof,
and þe mouþ þerof was cloſid wiþ a greet ſtoon.
iii And þe cuſtom was þat whanne alle ſcheep weren
gaderid togidere, þei ſchulden turne awei þe ſtoon, and
whanne þe flockis weren fillid þei ſchulden put it eft on
þe mouþ of þe pit.
iiii And Jacob ſeide to þe ſcheepherdis, Briþren, of
whennus ben ȝe? Whiche anſweriden, Of Aran.
v And he axide hem and ſeide, Wher ȝe knowen Laban,
þe ſone of Nachor? Þei ſeiden, We knowen.
vi Jacob ſeide, Is he hool? Þei ſeiden, He is in good
ſtaat; and lo! Rachel, his douȝtir, comeþ wiþ his flok.
vii And Jacob ſeide, Ȝit myche of þe dai is to come, and
it is not tyme þat þe flockis be led aȝen to þe fooldis;
ſoþeli ȝyue ȝe drynk to þe ſcheep, and ſo lede ȝe hem
aȝen to mete.
viii Whiche anſweriden, We moun not til alle ſcheep be
gederid to gidere, and til we remouen þe ſtoon fro þe
mouþ of þe pit to watir þe flockis.
ix Ȝit þei ſpaken, and lo! Rachel cam wiþ þe ſcheep of
hir fadir.
x And whanne Jacob ſeiȝ hir, and knewe þe douȝtir of
his modris broþir, and þe ſcheep of Laban his vncle, he
remeuyde þe ſtoon wiþ which þe pit was cloſid;
xi and whanne þe flok was watrid, he kiſſide hir, and he
wepte wiþ `vois reiſid.
xii And he ſchewide to hir þat he was þe broþir of hir
fadir, and þe ſone of Rebecca; and ſche haſtide, and
telde to hir fadir.
xiii And whanne he hadde herd, þat Jacob, þe ſone of his
ſiſtir, cam, he ran aȝens hym, and he biclippide Jacob
and kiſſide hym, and ledde in to his hows. Forſoþe
whanne þe cauſis of þe iurney weren herd,
xiiii Laban anſweride, Þou art my boon and my fleiſch.
And aftir þat þe daies of o moneþ weren fillid, Laban
ſeide to him,
xv `Wheþir for þou art my broþir, þou ſchalt ſerue me
frely? ſeie þou what mede þou ſchalt take.
xvi Forſoþe Laban hadde twei douȝtris, þe name of þe
more was Lya, ſoþeli þe leſſe was clepid Rachel;
xvii but Lya was blere iȝed, Rachel was of fair face, and
ſemeli in ſiȝt.
xviii And Jacob louede Rachel, and ſeide, Y ſchal ſerue
þee ſeuene ȝeer for Rachel þi leſſe douȝtir.
xix Laban anſweride, It is betere þat Y ȝyue hir to þee
þan to anoþir man; dwelle þou at me.
xx Þerfor Jacob ſeruyde ſeuene ȝeer for Rachel; and þe
daies ſemyden fewe to hym for þe greetneſſe of loue.
xxi And he ſeide to Laban, Ȝyue þou my wijf to me, for
þe tyme is fillid þat Y entre to hir.
xxii And whanne many cumpenyes of freendis weren
clepid to þe feeſte, he made weddyngis,
xxiii and in þe euentid Laban brouȝte in to hym Lya his
douȝtir,
xxiiii and ȝaf an handmaide, Selfa bi name, to þe douȝter.
And whanne Jacob hadde entrid to hir bi cuſtom,
whanne þe morewtid was maad, he ſeiȝ Lya,
xxv and ſeide to his wyues fadir, What is it þat þou
woldiſt do? wher Y ſeruede not þee for Rachel? whi haſt
þou diſſeyued me?
xxvi Laban anſwerde, It is not cuſtom in oure place þat
we ȝyue firſt þe `leſſe douȝtris to weddyngis;
xxvii fille þou þe wouke of daies of þis couplyng, and Y
ſchal ȝyue to þee alſo þis Rachel, for þe werk in which
þou ſchalt ſerue me bi oþere ſeuene ȝeer.
xxviii Jacob aſſentide to þe couenaunt, and whanne þe
wouke was paſſid,
xxix he weddide Rachel, to whom þe fadir hadde ȝoue
Bala ſeruaunteſſe.
xxx And at þe laſte he vſide þe weddyngis deſirid, and
ſettide þe loue of þe `wijf ſuynge bifore þe former; and
he ſeruede at Laban ſeuene oþere ȝeer.
xxxi Forſoþe þe Lord ſeiȝ þat he diſpiſide Lya, and
openyde hir wombe while þe ſiſtir dwellide bareyn.
xxxii And Lia childide a ſone conſeyued, and clepide his
name Ruben, and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiȝ my mekeneſſe;
now myn hoſebonde ſchal loue me.
LX
xxxiii And eft ſche conſeyuede, `and childide a ſone, and
ſeide, For þe Lord ſeiȝ þat Y was diſpiſid, he ȝaf alſo þis
ſone to me; and ſche clepide his name Symeon.
xxxiiii And ſche conſeyuede þe þridde tyme, and childide
anoþir ſone, and ſhe ſeide alſo, Now myn hoſebonde
ſchal be couplid to me, for Y childide þre ſones to him;
and þerfor ſche clepide his name Leuy.
xxxv Þe fourþe tyme ſche conſeyuede, and childide a
ſone, and ſeide, Now I ſchal knouleche to þe Lord; and
herfor ſhe clepide his name Judas; and ceeſſide to
childe.
CAP. XXX
i Forſoþe Rachel ſeiȝ, þat ſche was vnfruytful, and
hadde enuye to þe ſiſter, and ſeide to hir hoſebonde,
Ȝyue þou fre children to me, ellis Y ſchal die.
ii To whom Jacob was wrooþ, and anſwerde, Wher Y
am for God, which haue priued þee fro þe fruyt of þi
wombe?
iii And ſche ſeide, Y haue `a ſeruaunteſſe Bala, entre þou
to hir þat ſhe childe on my knees, and þat Y haue ſones
of hir.
iiii And ſche ȝaf to hym Bala in to matrimony;
v and whanne þe hoſebonde hadde entrid to hir, ſche
conſeyuede, and childide a ſone.
vi And Rachel ſeide, þe Lord demede to me, and herde
my preier, and ȝaf a ſone to me; and þerfor ſche clepide
his name Dan.
vii And eft Bala conſeyuede, and childide anoþir ſone,
viii for whom Rachel ſeide, Þe Lord haþ maad me lijk to
my ſiſtir, and Y wexide ſtrong; and ſche clepide hym
Neptalym.
ix Lya feelide þat ſche ceeſſide to bere child, and ſche
ȝaf Selfa, hir handmayde, to þe hoſebonde.
x And whanne Selfa aftir conſeyuyng childide a ſone,
Lya ſeide, Bleſſidly;
xi and þerfor ſche clepide his name Gad.
xii Alſo Selfa childide anoþir ſone,
xiii and Lia ſeide, Þis is for my blis, for alle wymmen
ſchulen ſeie me bleſſid; þerfor ſche clepide hym Aſer.
xiiii Forſoþe Ruben ȝede out in to þe feeld in þe tyme of
wheete herueſt, and foond mandragis, whiche he
brouȝte to Lya, his modir. And Rachel ſeide, Ȝyue þou
to me a part of þe mandragis of þi ſone.
xv Lya anſweride, Wheþer it ſemeþ litil to þee, þat þou
haſt rauyſchid þe hoſebonde fro me, no but þou take alſo
þe mandragis of my ſone? Rachel ſeide, Þe hoſebonde
ſleepe wiþ þee in þis nyȝt for þe mandragis of þi ſone.
xvi And whanne Jacob cam aȝen fro þe feeld at euentid,
Lya ȝede out in to his comyng, and ſeide, Þou ſhalt entre
to me, for Y haue hired þee wiþ hire for þe mandragis
of my ſone. He ſlepte wiþ hir in þat nyȝt;
xvii and God herde hir preiers, and ſche conſeyuede, and
childide þe fyueþe ſone;
xviii and ſeide, God ȝaf meede to me, for Y ȝaf myn
handmayde to myn hoſebond; and ſche clepide his name
Iſacar.
xix Eft Lia conſeyuede, and childide þe ſixte ſone,
xx and ſeide, Þe Lord haþ maad me riche wiþ a good
dower, alſo in þis tyme myn hoſebonde ſchal be wiþ me,
for Y childide ſixe ſones to hym; and þerfore ſche
clepide his name Sabulon.
xxi Aftir whom ſche childide a douȝter, Dyna bi name.
xxii Alſo þe Lord hadde mynde on Rachel, and herde hir,
and openyde hir wombe.
xxiii And ſche conſeyuede, and childide a ſone, and
ſeide, God haþ take a wey my ſchenſchipe; and ſche
clepid his name Joſeph,
xxiiii and ſeide, Þe Lord ȝyue to me anoþer ſone.
xxv Soþeli whanne Joſeph was borun, Jacob ſeide to his
wyues fadir, Delyuere þou me, þat Y turne aȝen in to
my cuntrey and to my lond.
xxvi Ȝyue þou to me my wyues and fre children for
whiche Y ſeruede þee, þat Y go; forſoþe þou knowiſt þe
ſeruyce bi which Y ſeruede þee.
xxvii Laban ſeide to hym, Fynde Y grace in þi ſiȝt, Y
haue lerned bi experience þat God bleſſide me for þee;
xxviii ordeyne þou þe meede which Y ſchal ȝyue to þee.
xxix And he anſweride, Þou wooſt hou Y ſeruede þee,
and hou greet þi poſſeſſioun was in myn hondis;
xxx þou haddiſt litil bifore þat Y cam to þee, and now
þou art maad riche, and þe Lord bleſſide þee at myn
entryng; þerfor it is iuſt þat Y purueye ſum tyme alſo to
myn hows.
xxxi And Laban ſeide, What ſchal Y ȝyue to þee? And
Jacob ſeide, Y wole no þing but if þou doiſt þat þat Y
axe, eft Y ſchal fede and kepe þi ſcheep.
xxxii Cumpaſſe þou alle þi flockis, and departe þou alle
diuerſe ſcheep and of ſpottid flees, and what euer þing
ſchal be dun, and ſpottid, and dyuerſe, as wel in ſcheep
as in geet, it ſchal be my mede.
xxxiii And my riȝtfulneſſe ſchal anſwere to me to
morewe, whanne þe tyme of couenaunt ſchal come
bifor þee; and alle þat ben not dyuerſe and ſpottid and
dunne, as well in ſheep as in geet, ſchulen repreue me of
þefte.
xxxiiii And Laban ſeide, Y haue acceptable þat þat þou
axiſt.
xxxv And he departide in þat dai þe geet, and ſcheep,
geet buckis, and rammes, dyuerſe and ſpottid. Soþely he
bitook al þe flok of o coloure, þat is, of white and of
blak flees in þe hond of hiſe ſones;
xxxvi and he ſettide þe ſpace of weie of þre daies bitwixe
hiſe ſones and þe hoſebonde of hiſe douȝtris, þat fedde
oþere flockiſ’ of hym.
LXI
xxxvii Þerfor Jacob took greene ȝerdis of popeleris, and
of almoundis, and of planes, and in parti dide awei þe
rynde of þo, and whanne þe ryndis weren `drawun a
wei, whitneſſe apperide in þeſe þat weren maad bare;
ſoþely þo þat weren hoole dwelliden grene, and bi þis
maner þe coloure was maad dyuerſe.
xxxviii And Jacob puttide þo ȝerdis in þe trowis, where
þe watir was held out, þat whanne þe flockis ſchulden
come to drynke, þei ſchulden haue þe ȝerdis bifor þe
iȝen, and ſchulden conſeyue in þe ſiȝt of þe ȝerdis.
xxxix And it was doon þat in þilke heete of riding þe
ſheep ſchulde biholde þe ȝerdis, and þat þei ſchulden
brynge forþ ſpotti beeſtis, and dyuerſe, and biſpreynt
wiþ dyuerſe colour.
xl And Jacob departide þe floc, and puttide þe ȝerdis in
þe trowis bifor þe iȝen of þe rammys. Soþeli alle þe
white and blake weren Labans; ſoþeli þe oþere weren
Jacobis; for þe flockis weren departid bytwixe hem ſilf.
xli Þerfor whanne þe ſcheep weren ridun in þe firſte
tyme, Jacob puttide þe ȝerdis in þe `trouȝis of watir
bifor þe iȝen of rammys and of ſcheep, þat þei ſchulden
conſeyue in þe ſiȝt of þo ȝerdis.
xlii Forſoþe whanne þe late medlyng and þe laſte
conſeyuyng weren, Jacob puttide not þo ȝerdis; and þo
þat weren late, weren maad Labans, and þo þat weren
of þe firſte tyme weren Jacobis.
xliii And he was maad ful riche, and hadde many
flockis, handmaydis, and ſeruauntis, camels, and aſſis.
CAP. XXXI
i Aftir þat Jacob herde þe wordis of þe ſones of Laban,
þat ſeiden, Jacob haþ take awei alle þingis þat weren
oure fadris, and of his catel Jacob is maad riche, and
noble.
ii Alſo Jacob perſeyuede þe face of Laban, þat it was not
aȝens hym as ȝiſtirdai, and þe þridde dai agoon,
iii mooſt for þe Lord ſeide to hym, Turne aȝen into þe
lond of þi fadris, and to þi generacioun, and Y ſhal be
wiþ þee.
iiii He ſente, and clepide Rachel, and Lya, in to þe feeld,
where he kepte flockis, and he ſeide to hem,
v Y ſe þe face of ȝoure fadir, þat it is not aȝens me as
`ȝiſterdai and þe þridde dai agoon; but God of my fadir
was wiþ me.
vi And ȝe witen þat wiþ alle my ſtrengþis Y ſeruede
ȝoure fadir;
vii but and ȝoure fadir diſſeyuyde me, and chaungide my
meede ten ſiþis; and neþeles God ſuffride not hym to
anoye me.
viii If he ſeide ony tyme, Dyuerſe colourid ſheep ſchulen
be þi medis, alle ſheep brouȝten forþ dyuerſe colourid
lambren; forſoþe whanne he ſeide aȝenward, Þou ſhalte
take alle white for mede, alle þe flockis brouȝten forþ
white beeſtis;
ix and God took a wey þe ſubſtaunce of ȝoure fadir, and
ȝaf to me.
x For aftir þat þe tyme of conſeyuyng of ſheep cam, Y
reiſide myn iȝen, and ſeiȝ in ſleep malis dyuerſe, and
ſpotti, and of dyuerſe colouris, ſtiynge on femalis.
xi And þe aungel of þe Lord ſeide to me in ſleep, Jacob!
and Y anſweride, Y am redy.
xii Which ſeide, Reiſe þin iȝen, and ſe alle malis dyuerſe,
byſpreynt, and ſpotti, ſtiynge on femalis; for Y ſeiȝ alle
þingis whiche Laban dide to þee;
xiii Y am God of Bethel, where þou anoyntidiſt a ſtoon,
and madiſt auow to me. Now þerefor riſe þou, and go
out of þis lond, and turne aȝen in to þe lond of þi birþe.
xiiii And Rachel and Lya anſweriden, Wher we han ony
þing reſidue in þe catels, and eritage of oure fadir?
xv Wher he `arettide not vs as aliens, and ſelde, and eet
oure prijs?
xvi But God took awei þe richeſſis of oure fadir, and ȝaf
þo to vs, and to oure ſones; wherfor do þou alle þingis
whiche God haþ comaundide to þee.
xvii Forſoþe Jacob roos, and puttide hiſe fre children and
wyues on camels, and ȝede forþ;
xviii and he took al his catel, flockis, and what euer þing
he hadde gete in Meſopotanye, and ȝede to Iſaac, his
fadir, into þe lond of Canaan.
xix In þat tyme Laban ȝede to ſchere ſcheep, and Rachel
ſtal þe idols of hir fadir.
xx And Jacob nolde knouleche to þe fadir of his wijf,
þat he wolde fle;
xxi and whanne he hadde go, as wel he as alle þingis þat
weren of his riȝt, and whanne he hadde paſſid þe water,
and he ȝede aȝens þe hil of Galaad,
xxii it was teld to Laban, in þe þridde dai, þat Jacob
fledde.
xxiii And Laban took his briþeren, and purſuede hym
ſeuene daies, and took hym in þe hil of Galaad.
xxiiii And Laban ſeiȝ in ſleep þe Lord ſeiynge to him, Be
war þat þou ſpeke not ony þing ſharpli aȝens Jacob.
xxv And þanne Jacob hadde ſtretchid forþ þe tabernacle
in þe hil; and whanne he hadde ſued Jacob wiþ his
briþeren, `he ſettide tente in þe ſame hil of Galaad; and
he ſeide to Jacob,
xxvi Whi haſt þou do ſo, þat þe while I wiſte not þou
woldiſt dryue awey my douȝtris as caitifs by ſwerd?
xxvii Whi woldiſt þou fle þe while Y wiſte not, neþer
woldiſt ſhewe to me, þat Y ſhulde ſue þee wiþ ioie, and
ſongis, and tympans, and harpis?
xxviii Þou ſuffridiſt not þat Y ſchulde kiſſe my ſones and
douȝtris; þou haſt wrouȝt folili.
xxix And now ſoþeli myn hond mai ȝelde yuel to þee,
but þe God of þi fadir ſeide to me ȝiſterdai, Be war þat
þou ſpeke not ony harder þing wiþ Jacob.
LXII
xxx Suppoſe, if þou coueitediſt to go to þi kyneſmen, and
þe hows of þi fadir was in deſir to þee, whi haſt þou
ſtole my goddis?
xxxi Jacob anſweride, Þat Y ȝede forþ while þou wiſtiſt
not, Y dredde leſt þou woldiſt take awey þi douȝtris
violentli;
xxxii ſoþeli þat þou repreueſt me of þefte, at whom euer
þou fyndiſt þi goddis, be he ſlayn bifor oure briþeren;
ſeke þou, what euer þing of þine þou fyndiſt at me, and
take awei. Jacob ſeide þeſe þingis, and wiſte not þat
Rachel ſtal þe idols.
xxxiii And ſo Laban entride into þe tabernacle of Jacob,
and of Lya, and of euer eiþir meyne, and foond not; and
whanne Laban hadde entrid in to þe tente of Rachel,
xxxiiii ſche haſtide, and hidde þe idols vndur þe
ſtrewyngis of þe camel, and ſat aboue. And ſche ſeide to
Laban, ſekynge al þe tente and fyndynge no þing,
xxxv My lord, be not wrooþ þat Y may not riſe bifore
þee, for it bifelde now to me bi þe cuſtom of wymmen;
ſo þe biſyneſſe of þe ſekere was ſcorned.
xxxvi And Jacob bolnyde, and ſeide wiþ ſtrijf, For what
cauſe of me, and for what ſynne of me, haſt þou come ſo
ferſly aftir me,
xxxvii and haſt ſouȝt al `þe portenaunce of myn hous?
What `haſt þou founde of al þe catel of þin hows? Putte
þou here bifore my briþeren and þi briþeren, and deme
þei betwixe me and þee.
xxxviii Was I wiþ þee herfore twenti ȝeer? Þi ſheep and
geet weren not bareyn, Y eet not þe rammes of þi flok,
xxxix neþer Y ſchewide to þee ony þing takun of a
beeſte; Y ȝeldide al harm; what euer þing periſchide bi
þefte, þou axidiſt of me;
xl Y was angwiſchid in dai and nyȝt wiþ heete and froſt,
and ſleep fledde fro myn iȝen;
xli ſo Y ſeruede þee bi twenti ȝeer in þin hows, fourtene
ȝeer for þi douȝtris, and ſixe ȝeer for þi flockis; and þou
chaungidiſt my mede ten ſiþis.
xlii If God of my fadir Abraham, and þe drede of Iſaac
hadde not helpid me, perauenture now þou haddiſt left
me nakid; þe Lord bihelde my turmentyng and þe
traueyl of myn hondis, and repreuyde þee ȝiſtirdai.
xliii Laban anſweride hym, Þe douȝtris, and þi ſones, and
flockis, and alle þingis whiche þou ſeeſt, ben myne,
what mai Y do to my ſones, and to þe ſones of ſones?
xliiii Þerfor come þou, and make we boond of pees, þat
it be witneſſyng bitwixe me, and þee.
xlv And ſo Jacob took a ſtoon, and reiſide it in to a ſigne,
and ſeide to hiſe briþeren,
xlvi Brynge ȝe ſtoonus; whiche gadriden, and maden an
heep, and eten on it.
xlvii And Laban clepide it þe heep of wittneſſe, and
Jacob clepide it þe heep of witneſſyng; euer eiþir
clepide bi þe proprete of his langage.
xlviii And Laban ſeide, Þis heep ſchal be witneſſe
bytwixe me and þee to day, and herfor þe name þerof
was clepid Galaad, þat is, þe heep of witneſſe.
xlix And Laban addide, Þe Lord biholde, and deme
bitwixe vs, whanne we ſchulen go awei fro ȝow;
l if þou ſchalt turmente my douȝtris, and if þou ſchal
brynge yn oþere wyues on hem, noon is witneſſe of
oure word, outakun God, whiche is preſent, and
biholdiþ.
li And eft he ſeide to Jacob, Lo! þis heep, and ſtoon,
whiche Y reiſide bitwixe me and þee, ſchal be witneſſe;
lii ſoþeli þis heep, and ſtoon be in to witneſſyng, forſoþe
if Y ſchal paſſe it, and go to þee, eþer þou ſhalt paſſe,
and þenke yuel to me.
liii God of Abraham, and God of Nachor, God of þe
fadir of hem, deme bitwixe vs. Þerfor Jacob ſwoor by
þe drede of his fadir Yſaac;
liiii and whanne ſlayn ſacrifices weren offrid in þe hil, he
clepyde his briþeren to ete breed, and whanne þei
hadden ete, þei dwelliden þere.
lv Forſoþe Laban roos bi nyȝt, and kiſſide his ſones, and
douȝtris, and bleſſide hem, and turnede aȝen in to his
place.
CAP. XXXII
i Forſoþe Jacob wente forþ in þe weie in which he
began, and þe aungels of þe Lord metten him.
ii And whanne he hadde ſeyn hem, he ſeide, Þeſe ben þe
caſtels of God; and he clepide þe name of þat place
Manaym, þat is, caſtels.
iii Soþeli Jacob ſente bifore him alſo meſſangeris to
Eſau, his broþer, in to þe lond of Seir, in þe cuntrey of
Edom;
iiii and comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Þus ſpeke ȝe to
my lord Eſau, Þi broþir Jacob ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y was a
pilgrym at Laban, `and Y was `til in to preſent dai;
v Y haue oxun, and aſſis, and ſcheep, and ſeruauntis, and
hand maydis, and Y ſende now a meſſage to my lord,
þat Y fynde grace in þi ſiȝt.
vi And þe meſſageris turneden aȝen to Jacob, and ſeiden,
We camen to Eſau, þi broþer, and lo! he haſtiþ in to þi
comyng, wiþ foure hundrid men.
vii Jacob dredde greetli, and he was aferd, and departide
þe puple þat was wiþ hym, and he departide þe flockis,
and ſcheep, and oxun, and camels, in to twei
cumpenyes;
viii and ſeide, If Eſau ſchal come to o cumpeny, and
ſchal ſmyte it, þe toþir cumpeny which is reſidue ſchal
be ſaued.
ix And Jacob ſeide, A! God of my fadir Abraham, and
God of my fadir Iſaac, A! Lord, þat ſeidiſt to me, Turne
þou aȝen in to þi lond, and in to þe place of þi birþe,
and Y ſchal do wel to þee,
LXIII
x Y am leſſe þan alle þi merciful doyngis, and þan þi
treuþe which þou haſt fillid to þi ſeruaunt; wiþ my ſtaf
Y paſſide þis Jordan, and now Y go aȝen wiþ twei
cumpanyes;
xi delyuere þou me fro þe hond of my broþir Eſau, for Y
drede him greetli, leſt he come and ſle þe modris wiþ þe
ſones.
xii Þou ſpakiſt þat þou ſchuldiſt do wel to me, and
ſhuldiſt alarge my ſeed as þe grauel of þe ſee, þat mai
not be noumbrid for mychilneſſe.
xiii And whanne Jacob hadde ſlept þere in þat nyȝt, he
departide of þo þingis whiche he hadde ȝiftis to Eſau,
his broþir,
xiiii two hundrid geet, and twenti buckis of geet, two
hundrid ſcheep, and twenti rammys,
xv camels fulle wiþ her foolis þretti, fourti kyen, and
twenti boolis, twenti ſche aſſis, and ten foolis of hem.
xvi And he ſente bi þe hondis of his ſeruauntis alle
flockis bi hem ſilf; and he ſeide to hiſe children, Go ȝe
bifore me, and a ſpace be betwixe flok and flok.
xvii And he comaundide to þe formere, and ſeide, If þou
ſchalt mete my broþir Eſau, and he ſchal axe þee, whos
man þou art, eþer whidir þou goiſt, eþer whos ben þeſe
þingis whiche þou ſueſt,
xviii þou ſchalt anſwere, Of þi ſeruaunt Jacob, he haþ
ſent ȝiftis to his lord Eſau, and he comeþ aftir vs.
xix In lijk maner, he ȝaf comaundementis to þe
ſecounde, and to þe þridde, and to alle þat ſueden
flockis; and ſeide, Speke ȝe bi þe ſame wordis to Eſau,
xx whanne ȝe fynden hym, and ȝe ſchulen adde, Alſo
Jacob hym ſilf þi ſeruaunt ſueþ oure weie. For Jacob
ſeide, Y ſchal pleſe Eſau wiþ ȝiftis þat goon bifore, and
aftirward Y ſchal ſe hym; in hap he ſchal be mercyful to
me.
xxi And ſo þe ȝiftis ȝeden bifore hym; ſoþeli he dwellide
in þat nyȝt in þe tentis.
xxii And whanne Jacob hadde ariſe auyſſeli, he took hiſe
twei wyues, and ſo many ſeruaunteſſis wiþ enleuen
ſones, and paſſide þe forþe of Jaboth.
xxiii And whanne alle þingis þat perteyneden to hym
weren led ouer, he dwellide aloone, and, lo!
xxiiii a man wraſtlide wiþ him til to þe morwetid.
xxv And whanne þe man ſeiȝ þat he miȝte not ouercome
Jacob, he touchide þe ſenewe of Jacobis hipe, and it
driede anoon.
xxvi And he ſeide to Jacob, Leeue þou me, for þe
morewtid ſtieþ now. Jacob anſweride, Y ſchal not leeue
þee, no but þou bleſſe me.
xxvii Þerfore he ſeide, What name is to þee? He
anſweride, Jacob.
xxviii And þe man ſeide, Þi name ſchal no more be
clepid Jacob, but Iſrael; for if þou were ſtrong aȝens
God, hou miche more ſchalt þou haue power aȝens men.
xxix Jacob axide him, Seie þou to me bi what name þou
art clepid? He anſwerde, Whi axiſt þou my name,
whiche is wondirful? And he bleſſide Jacob in þe ſame
place.
xxx And Jacob clepide þe name of þat place Fanuel, and
ſeide, Y ſiȝ þe Lord face to face, and my lijf is maad
ſaaf.
xxxi And anoon þe ſunne roos to hym, aftir þat he
paſſide Fanuel; forſoþe he haltide in þe foot.
xxxii For which cauſe þe ſones of Iſrael eten not `til in to
preſent day þe ſenewe, þat driede in þe hipe of Jacob;
for þe man touchide þe ſenewe of Jacobs hipe, and it
driede.
CAP. XXXIII
i Forſoþe Jacob reiſide hiſe iȝen, and ſeiȝ Eſau comynge,
and foure hundrid men wiþ hym; and he departide þe
ſones of Lia, and of Rachel, and of boþe ſeruaunteſſis.
ii And he puttide euer eiþer handmaide, and þe fre
children of hem, in þe bigynnyng; ſoþeli he puttide Lia,
and her ſones, in þe ſecounde place; forſoþe he puttide
Rachel and Joſeph þe laſte.
iii And Jacob ȝede bifore, and worſchipide lowli to erþe
ſeuenſiþis, til his broþir neiȝede.
iiii And ſo Eſau ran aȝens his broþir, and collide hym,
and Eſau helde his necke, and kiſſide, and wepte.
v And whanne þe iȝen weren reiſid, he ſeiȝ þe wymmen,
and þe litle children of hem, and ſeide, What wolen þeſe
to hem ſilf? and wher þei pertenen to þee? Jacob
anſweride, Þei ben þe litle children, whiche God haþ
ȝoue to me, þi ſeruaunt.
vi And þe handmaydis and her ſones neiȝeden, and
weren bowid.
vii Alſo Lya neiȝede wiþ hir fre children; and whanne
þei hadden worſchipid in lijk maner, Joſeph and Rachel
þe laſte worſchipeden.
viii And Eſau ſeide, What ben þeſe cumpanyes, whiche
Y mette? Jacob anſwerde, Þat Y ſchulde fynde grace
bifore my lord.
ix And he ſeide, My broþer, Y haue ful many þingis, þi
þingis be to þee.
x And Jacob ſeide, Y biſeche, nyle þou ſo, but if Y foond
grace in þin iȝen, take þou a litil ȝifte of myn hondis;
for Y ſeiȝ ſo þi face as I ſeiȝ þe cheer of God;
xi be þou merciful to me, and reſſeyue þe bleſſyng which
Y brouȝte to þee, and which bleſſyng God ȝyuynge alle
þingis ȝaf to me. Vnneþis, while þe broþir compellide,
xii he reſſeyuede, and ſeide, Go we to gidere, and Y ſchal
be felowe of þi weie.
xiii And Jacob ſeide, My lord, þou knowiſt þat Y haue
litle children tendre, and ſcheep, and kien wiþ calue wiþ
me, and if Y ſchal make hem for to trauele more in
goynge, alle þe flockis ſchulen die in o dai;
LXIV
xiiii my lord go bifore his ſeruaunt, and Y ſchal ſue litil
and litil hiſe ſteppis, as I ſhal ſe þat my litle children
mown, til Y come to my lord, in to Seir.
xv Eſau anſweride, Y preie þee, þat of þe puple which is
wiþ me, nameli felowis of þi weie dwelle. Jacob ſeide,
It is no nede; Y haue nede to þis o þing oneli, þat Y
fynde grace in þi ſiȝt, my lord.
xvi And ſo Eſau turnede aȝen in þat dai in þe weie bi
which he cam, in to Seir.
xvii And Jacob cam in to Sochot, where whanne he
hadde bildid an hows, and hadde ſet tentis, he clepide
þe name of þat place Sochot, þat is, tabernaclis.
xviii And Jacob paſſide in to Salem, a citee of Sichimis,
whiche is in þe lond of Canaan, aftir þat he turnede
aȝen fro Meſopotanye of Sirie, and he dwellide beſidis
þe citee.
xix And he bouȝte for an hundrid lambren a part of þe
feeld, in which he ſettide tabernaclis, of þe ſones of
Emor, fadir of Sichem.
xx And whanne he hadde reiſid an auter þere, he
inwardly clepide on it þe ſtrongeſte God of Iſrael.
CAP. XXXIIII
i Forſoþe Dyna, þe douȝtir of Lya, ȝede out to ſe þe
wymmen of þat cuntrey.
ii And whanne Sichem, þe ſone of Emor Euey, þe prince
of þat lond, hadde ſeyn hir, he louede hir, and
rauyſchide, and ſclepte wiþ hir, and oppreſſide þe virgyn
bi violence.
iii And his ſoule was boundun faſte wiþ hir, and he
pleſide hir ſory wiþ flateringis.
iiii And he ȝede to Emor,
v his fadir, and ſeide, Take to me þis damyſel a wijf.
And whanne Jacob hadde herd þis þing, while þe ſones
weren abſent, and ocupied in þe fedyng of ſcheep, he
was ſtille, til þei camen aȝen.
vi Soþeli whanne Emor, þe fadir of Sichem, was gon
out, `þat he ſchulde ſpeke to Jacob, lo!
vii hiſe ſones camen fro þe feeld. And whanne þis þing
þat bifelde was herd, þei weren wrooþe greetli; for he
wrouȝte a foul þing in Iſrael, and he hadde do a þing
vnleueful in þe defoulyng of þe douȝter of Jacob.
viii And ſo Emor ſpak to hem, Þe ſoule of my ſone
Sichem cleuyde to ȝoure douȝtir, ȝeue ȝe hir a wijf to
hym,
ix and ioyne we weddyngis to gidere; ȝyue ȝe ȝoure
douȝtris to vs,
x and take ȝe oure douȝtris, and dwelle ȝe wiþ vs; þe
lond is in ȝoure power, tile ȝe, make ȝe marchaundiſe,
and welde ȝe it.
xi But alſo Sichem ſeide to þe fadir and briþeren of hir,
Fynde Y grace bifor ȝou, and what euer þingis ȝe
ordeynen Y ſchal ȝyue;
xii encreeſſe ȝe þe dower, and axe ȝe ȝiftis, Y ſchal ȝyue
wilfull þat þat ȝe axen; oonli ȝyue ȝe þis damyſele a wijf
to me.
xiii Þe ſones of Jacob anſweriden in gile to Sichem and
his fadir, and weren feerſe for þe defoulyng of
maidenhod of þe ſiſtir,
xiiii We moun not do þis þat ȝe axen, neþer we moun
ȝyue oure ſiſtir to a man vncircumcidid, which þing is
vnleueful and abhomynable anentis vs.
xv But in þis we ſchulen mowe be boundun in pees, if ȝe
wole be lijk vs, and ech of male kynde be circumcidid
in ȝou,
xvi þanne we ſchulen ȝyue and take togidre oure douȝtris
and ȝoure; and we ſchulen dwelle wiþ ȝou, and we
ſchulen be o puple.
xvii Forſoþe if ȝe nylen be circumcidid, we ſchulen take
oure douȝtir, and ſchulen go a wei.
xviii Þe profryng of hem pleſide Emor and Sichem,
xix his ſone, and þe ȝong wexynge man dilaiede not, þat
ne he fillide anoon þat þat was axid, for he louede þe
damyſele greetli, and he was noble in al `þe hous of his
fadir.
xx And þei entriden in to þe ȝate of þe citee, and ſpaken
to þe puple,
xxi Þeſe men ben peſible, and wolen dwelle wiþ vs;
make þei marchaundie in þe loond, and tile þei it, which
is large and brood, and haþ nede to tileris; we ſchulen
take her douȝtris to wyues, and we ſchulen ȝyue oure
douȝtris to hem.
xxii O þing is, for which ſo greet good is dilaied; if we
circumciden oure malis, and ſuen þe cuſtom of þe folc,
xxiii boþe her ſubſtaunce, and ſcheep, and alle þingis
which þei welden, ſchulen be oure; oneli aſſente we in
þis, þat we dwelle to gidere, and make o puple.
xxiiii And alle men aſſentiden, and alle malis weren
circumcidid.
xxv And lo! in þe þridde day, whanne þe ſorewe of
woundis was mooſt greuous, twei ſones of acob,
Symeon and Leuy, briþeren of Dyna, token ſwerdis, and
entriden in to þe citee booldeli; and whanne alle malis
weren ſlayn,
xxvi þei killiden Emor and Sichem togidere, and token
Dyna, her ſiſtir, fro þe hous of Sichem.
xxvii And whanne þei weren goon out, oþere ſones of
Jacob felden in on þe ſlayn men, and rifeliden þe citee
for þe veniaunce of defoulyng of a virgyn.
xxviii And þei waſtiden þe ſcheep of þo men, and droues
of oxun, and aſſis, and alle þingis þat weren in howſis
and feeldis,
xxix and ledden priſoneris þe litle children, and wyues of
þo men.
xxx And whanne þeſe þingis weren don hardili, Jacob
ſeide to Symeon and Leuy, Ȝe han troblid me, and han
LXV
maad me hateful to Cananeis and Fereſeis, dwellers of
þis lond; we ben fewe, þei ſchulen be gaderid to gidere
and ſchulen ſle me, and Y ſchal be don a wey and myn
hous.
xxxi Symeon and Leuy anſweriden, Wheþer þei ouȝten
myſuſe oure ſiſtir as an hoore?
CAP. XXXV
i Yn þe mene tyme þe Lord ſpak to Jacob, Ryſe þou, and
ſtie to Bethel, and dwelle þou þere, and make þou an
auter to þe Lord, þat apperide to þee whanne þou
fleddiſt Eſau, þi broþer.
ii Forſoþe Jacob ſeide, whanne al his hous was clepid to
gidere, Caſte ȝe a wei alien goddis, þat ben `in þe
myddis of ȝou, and be ȝe clenſid, and chaunge ȝe ȝoure
cloþis;
iii riſe ȝe, and ſtie we into Bethel, þat we make þere an
auter to þe Lord, which herde me in þe dai of my
tribulacioun, and was felowe of my weie.
iiii Þerfor þei ȝauen to hym alle alien goddis which þei
hadden, and eere ryngis, þat weren in `þe eeris of hem;
and he deluyde þo vndur a `tre, clepid therubynte,
which is bihynde þe citee of Sichem.
v And whanne þei ȝeden, drede aſſailide alle men by
cumpas of þe citee, and þei weren not hardi to purſue
hem goynge a wei.
vi Þerfor Jacob cam to Luſa, which is in þe lond of
Canaan, bi `ſire name Bethel, he and al his puple wiþ
hym.
vii And he bildide þere an auter to þe Lord, and clepide
þe name of þat place Þe hows of God, for God apperide
þere to hym, whanne he fledde his broþir.
viii Delbora, þe nuriſche of Rebecca, diede in þe ſame
tyme, and ſche was biried at þe roote of Bethel, vndir an
ook, and þe name of þe place was clepid Þe ook of
wepyng.
ix Forſoþe God apperide eft to Jacob, aftir þat he
turnede aȝen fro Meſopotanye of Sirie, and cam into
Bethel, and bleſſide hym,
x and ſeide, Þou ſchalt no more be clepid Jacob, but
Iſrael ſchal be þi name. And God clepide hym Iſrael,
and ſeide to hym,
xi Y am God Almyȝti, encreeſſe þou, and be þou
multiplied, folkis and puplis of naciouns ſchulen be of
þee, kyngis ſchulen go out of þi leendis;
xii and Y ſhal ȝyue to þee, and to þi ſeed after þee, þe
lond which Y ȝaf to Abraham, and Yſaac.
xiii And God departide fro hym.
xiiii Forſoþe Jacob reiſide a title eþer memorial of
ſtoonys, in þe place where ynne God ſpak to hym, and
he ſacrifiede þer onne fletynge ſacrifices, and ſchedde
out oile,
xv and clepide þe name of þat place Bethel.
xvi Forſoþe Jacob ȝede out fro þennus, and cam in þe
bigynnynge of ſomer to þe lond þat lediþ to Effrata; in
which lond whanne Rachel trauelide in child beryng,
xvii ſche bigan to be in perel for þe hardneſſe of
childberyng; and þe medewijf ſeide to hir, Nyle þou
drede, for þou ſchalt haue alſo þis ſone.
xviii Forſoþe while þe ſoule ȝede out for ſorew, and deeþ
neiȝede þanne, ſhe clepide þe name of hir ſone
Bennony, þat is, þe ſone of my ſorewe; forſoþe þe fadir
clepide hym Beniamyn, þat is þe ſone of þe riȝt ſide.
xix Þerfor Rachel diede, and was biriede in þe weie þat
lediþ to Effrata, þis is Bethleem.
xx And Jacob bildide a title on þe ſepulcre of hir; þis is
þe title of biriel of Rachel `til into preſent dai.
xxi Jacob ȝede fro þennus, and ſettide tabernacle ouer þe
tour of þe flok.
xxii And while he dwellide in þat cuntrei, Ruben ȝede,
and ſlepte wiþ Bala, þe ſecundarie wijf of his fadir,
which þing was not hid fro hym. Forſoþe þe ſones of
Jacob weren twelue;
xxiii þe ſones of Lia weren, þe firſte gendrid Ruben, and
Symeon, and Leuy, and Judas, and Iſachar, and
Zabulon;
xxiiii þe ſones of Rachel weren, Joſeph and Beniamyn;
xxv þe ſones of Bala, handmayde of Rachel, weren Dan,
and Neptalym;
xxvi þe ſones of Zelfa, handmayde of Lya, weren Gad,
and Aſer. Þeſe weren þe ſones of Jacob, þat weren borun
to hym in Meſopotanye of Sirie.
xxvii Alſo Jacob came to Iſaac, his fadir, in to Manbre, a
citee Arabee, þis is Ebron, in which Manbre Abraham
`and Iſaac was a pylgrym.
xxviii And þe daies of Iſaac weren fillid an hundrid and
foure ſcoore of ȝeris;
xxix and he was waſtid in age, and diede, and he was put
to his puple, and was eeld, and ful of daies; and Eſau
and Jacob his ſones birieden hym.
CAP. XXXVI
i Forſoþe þeſe ben þe generaciouns of Eſau; he is Edom.
ii Eſau took wyues of þe douȝtris of Canaan, Ada, þe
douȝtir of Elom Ethey, and Oolibama, þe douȝter of
Ana, ſone of Sebeon Euey; alſo Bathſemath,
iii þe douȝtir of Iſmael, þe ſiſtir of Nabioth.
iiii Forſoþe Ada childide Elifath; Bathſemath childide
Rahuel; Oolibama childide Hieus,
v and Hielon, and Chore. Þeſe weren þe ſones of Eſau,
þat weren borun to hym in þe lond of Canaan.
vi Soþeli Eſau took hiſe wyues, and ſones, and douȝtris,
and ech ſoule of his hows, and catel, and ſcheep, and
alle þingis whiche he `myȝte haue in þe lond of Canaan,
and ȝede into anoþir cuntrey, and departide fro his
broþer Jacob; for þei weren ful riche,
LXVI
vii and þei miȝten not dwelle to gidere, and þe erþe of
her pilgrymage ſuſteynede not hem, for þe multitude of
flockis.
viii And Eſau dwellide in þe hil of Seir; he is Edom.
ix Forſoþe þeſe weren þe generaciouns of Eſau, fader of
Edom,
x in þe hil of Seir, and þeſe weren þe names of hiſe
ſones. Elifath, ſone of Ada, `wijf of Eſau; alſo Rahuel
ſone of Bathſemath, `wijf of hym.
xi And þe ſones of Elifath weren, Theman, Emath,
Sephu, and Gathan, and Ceneth, and Chore.
xii Forſoþe Tanna was þe ſecundarie wijf of Elifath,
`ſone of Eſau, whiche Tanna childide to hym Amalech.
Þeſe weren þe ſones of Ada, `wijf of Eſau.
xiii Forſoþe þe ſones of Rahuel weren, Naath, and Zara,
and Semna, and Meza. Þeſe weren þe ſones of
Bathſemath, `wijf of Eſau.
xiiii And þeſe weren þe ſones of Oolibama, douȝter of
Ana, ſone of Sebeon, `wijf of Eſau, whiche ſche
childide to hym; Hieus, and Hielon, and Chore.
xv Þeſe weren þe dukis of þe ſones of Eſau; þe ſones of
Elifath firſt gendrid of Eſau, duk Theman, duyk Omar,
xvi duk Sephua, duyk Ceneth, duyk Chore, duyk
Dathan, duyk Amalech. Þeſe weren þe ſones of Eliphat,
in þe lond of Edom, and þeſe weren þe ſones of Ada.
xvii Alſo þeſe weren þe ſones of Rahuel, `ſone of Eſau,
duyk Naath, duyk Zara, duyk Senna, duyk Meza;
forſoþe þeſe duykis weren of Rahuel in þe lond of
Edom. Þeſe weren þe ſones of Bathſamath, `wijf of
Eſau.
xviii Forſoþe þeſe weren þe ſones of Oolibama, `wijf of
Eſau; duyk Hieus, duyk Hielon, duyk Chore; þeſe weren
duykis of Oolibama, douȝtir of Ana, `wijf of Eſau.
xix Þeſe weren þe ſones of Eſau, and þei weren duykis of
hem; he is Edom.
xx Þeſe weren þe ſones of Seir Horrei, enhabiteris of þe
lond; Jothan, and Sobal, and Sebeon,
xxi and Anam, and Diſon, and Eſer, and Diſan; þeſe
duikis weren of Horrey, ſone of Seir, in þe lond of
Edom.
xxii Forſoþe þe ſones of Jothan weren maad, Horrey, and
Theman; ſoþeli þe ſiſtir of Jothan was Tanna.
xxiii And þeſe weren þe ſones of Sobal; Aluan, and
Maneeth, and Ebal, Sephi, and Onam.
xxiiii And þeſe weren þe ſones of Sebeon; Achaia, and
Ana; þis is Ana þat foonde hoote watris in wildirneſſe,
whanne he kepte þe aſſis of Sebeon, his fadir;
xxv and he hadde a ſone Diſan, and a douȝtir Oolibama.
xxvi And þeſe weren þe ſones of Diſan; Amadan, and
Jeſban, and Jethran, and Charan.
xxvii Alſo þeſe weren þe ſones of Heſer; Baalan, and
Zeuan, and Acham.
xxviii And Diſan hadde ſones, Hus, and Haran.
xxix Þeſe weren þe duykis of Horreis; duyk Jothan, duyk
Sobal, duyk Sebeon, duyk Ana, duyk Diſon, duyk
Heſer, duik Diſan;
xxx þeſe weren þe duykis of Horreis, þat weren lordis in
þe lond of Seir.
xxxi Forſoþe kyngis þat regneden in þe lond of Edom,
bifore þat þe ſones of Iſrael hadden a kyng, weren þeſe;
xxxii Balach, þe ſone of Beor, and þe name of his citee
was Deneba.
xxxiii Forſoþe Balach diede, and Jobab, ſone of Sara of
Boſra, regnede for hym.
xxxiiii And whanne Jobab was deed, Huſam of þe lond
of Themayns regnede for hym.
xxxv And whanne he was deed, Adad, þe ſone of Badadi,
þat ſmoot Madian in þe lond of Moab, and þe name of
his citee was Abyuth, `regnede for him.
xxxvi And whanne Adad was deed, Semla of Maſeracha
regnede for hym.
xxxvii And whanne he was deed, Saul of þe flood
Robooth ragnede for hym.
xxxviii And whanne he was deed, Balanam, þe ſone of
Achobor, was ſucceſſour in to þe rewme.
xxxix And whanne þis was deed, Adad regnede for hym,
and þe name of þe citee of Adad was Phau, and þe
name of his wijf was clepid Meezabel, þe douȝter of
Mathrect, douȝter of Meſaab.
xl Þerfor þeſe weren þe names of duykis of Eſau, in her
kynredis, and places, and names; duyk Thanna, duyk
Alua,
xli duyk Jetech, duyk Oolibama, duyk Ela,
xlii duyk Phinon, duyk Ceneth, duik Theman,
xliii duyk Mabſar, duyk Madiel, duyk Iram; þeſe weren
þe duykis of Edom, dwelleris in þe lond of hys
lordſchip; he was Eſau, þe fadir of Ydumeis.
CAP. XXXVII
i Forſoþe Jacob dwellide in þe lond of Canaan, in which
his fadir was a pilgrym; and þeſe weren þe
generaciouns of hym.
ii Joſeph whanne he was of ſixtene ȝeer, ȝit a child,
kepte a flok wiþ hiſe briþeren, and was wiþ þe ſones of
Bala and Zelfa, wyues of his fadir; and he accuſide his
briþeren at þe fadir of `þe worſte ſynne.
iii Forſoþe Iſrael louyde Joſeph ouer alle hiſe ſones, for
he hadde gendrid hym in eelde; and he made to Joſeph a
cote of many colours.
iiii Forſoþe hiſe briþeren ſien þat he was loued of þe
fader more þan alle, and þei hatiden hym, and myȝten
not ſpeke ony þing peſibli to hym.
v And it bifelde þat he telde to hiſe briþeren a ſweuene
ſeyn, which cauſe was `þe ſeed of more hatrede.
vi And Joſeph ſeide to his briþeren, Here ȝe þe ſweuene
which Y ſeiȝ,
LXVII
vii Y geſſide þat we bounden to gidere handfuls, and þat
as myn handful roos, and ſtood, and þat ȝoure handfuls
ſtoden aboute and worſchipiden myn handful.
viii Hiſe briþeren anſwerden, Wheþer þou ſhalt be oure
kyng, eþir we ſhulen be maad ſuget to þi lordſchip?
Þerfor þis cauſe of ſweuenys and wordis mynyſtride þe
nurſchyng of enuye, and of hatrede.
ix Alſo Joſeph ſeiȝ anoþer ſweuene, which he telde to þe
briþeren, and ſeide, Y ſeiȝ bi a ſweuene þat as þe ſunne,
and moone, and enleuen ſterris worſchipiden me.
x And whanne he hadde teld þis ſweuene to his fadir,
and briþeren, his fadir blamyde him, and ſeide, What
wole þis ſweuene to it ſilf which þou haſt ſeyn? Wheþer
Y and þi modir, and þi briþeren, ſchulen worſchipe þee
on erþe?
xi Þerfor hiſe briþeren hadden enuye to hym. Forſoþe þe
fadir bihelde pryuely þe þing,
xii and whanne his briþeren dwelliden in Sichem, aboute
flockis of þe fadir `to be kept,
xiii Iſrael ſeide to Joſeph, Þi briþeren kepen ſcheep in
Sichymys; come þou, Y ſchal ſende þee to hem.
xiiii And whanne Joſeph anſwerde, Y am redi, Iſrael
ſeide, Go þou, and ſe wheþer alle þingis ben eſi anentis
þi briþeren, and ſcheep; and telle þou to me what is
doon. He was ſent fro þe valey of Ebron, and cam into
Sichem;
xv and a man foond hym errynge in þe feeld, and `þe
man axide, what he ſouȝte.
xvi And he anſwerde, Y ſeke my briþeren, ſchewe þou to
me where þei kepten flockis.
xvii And þe man ſeide to hym, Þei ȝeden awei fro þis
place; forſoþe Y herde hem ſeiynge, Go we into
Dothaym. And Joſeph ȝede aftir his briþeren, and foond
hem in Dothaym.
xviii And whanne þei hadden ſeyn hym afer, bifor þat he
neiȝede to hem,
xix þei þouȝten to ſle hym, and ſpaken to gidere, Lo! þe
dremere comeþ, come ȝe,
xx ſle we hym, and ſende we into an eld ſiſterne, and we
ſchulen ſeie, A wielde beeſte ful wickid haþ deuourid
hym; and þanne it ſchal appere what hiſe dremes
profiten to hym.
xxi Soþeli Ruben herde þis, and enforſide to delyuere
hym fro her hondis,
xxii and ſeide, Sle we not þe lijf of hym, neþer ſchede
we out his blood, but caſte ȝe hym into an eeld ciſterne,
which is in þe wildirneſſe, and kepe ȝe ȝoure hondis
gilteles. Forſoþe he ſeide þis, willynge to delyuere hym
fro her hondis, and to ȝelde to his fadir.
xxiii Þerfor anoon as Joſeph cam to hiſe briþeren, þei
diſpuyliden hym of þe coote, doun to þe heele, and of
many colours, and ſenten into þe eeld ciſterne,
xxiiii þat hadde no water.
xxv And þei ſaten `to ete breed; and þei ſien þat
Iſmaelitis weigoers camen fro Galaad, and þat her
camels baren ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries, and `roſyn, and
ſtacten, into Egipt.
xxvi Þerfor Judas ſeide to hiſe briþeren, What ſchal it
profite to vs, if we ſchulen ſle oure broþer, and ſchulen
hide his blood?
xxvii It is betere þat he be ſeeld to Iſmalitis, and oure
hondis be not defoulid, for he is oure broþer and fleiſch.
Þe briþeren aſſentiden to þeſe wordis;
xxviii and whanne marchauntis of Madian paſſiden forþ,
þei drowen hym out of þe ciſterne, and ſeelden hym to
Iſmaelitis, for þriȝtti platis of ſiluer; whiche ledden hym
in to Egipt.
xxix And Ruben turnede aȝen to þe ciſterne, and foond
not þe child;
xxx and he to-rente his cloſis, and he ȝede to hiſe
briþeren, and ſeide, Þe child apperiþ not, and whidir
ſchal Y go?
xxxi Forſoþe þei token his coote, and dippiden in þe
blood of a kide, which þei hadden ſlayn; and ſenten men
þat baren to þe fadir,
xxxii and ſeiden, We han founde þis coote, ſe, wheþer it
is þe coote of þi ſone, eþer nai.
xxxiii And whanne þe fader hadde knowe it, he ſeide, It
is þe coote of my ſone, a wielde beeſte ful wickid haþ
ete hym, a beeſte haþ deuourid Joſeph.
xxxiiii And he to-rente his cloþis, and he was cloþid wiþ
an heire, and biweilide his ſone in myche tyme.
xxxv Soþely whanne hiſe fre children weren gaderid to
gidere, þat þei ſchulden peeſe þe ſorewe of þe fadir, he
nolde take counfort, but ſeide, Y ſchal go doun in to
helle, and ſchal biweile my ſone. And þe while Jacob
contynude in wepyng,
xxxvi Madianytis ſeelden Joſeph into Egipt to Putifar,
chaſt `and oneſt ſeruaunt of Farao, maiſtir of þe
chyualrie.
CAP. XXXVIII
i Yn þe ſame tyme Judas ȝede doun fro his briþeren, and
turnede to a man of Odolla, Hiram bi name;
ii and he ſiȝ þer a douȝtir of a man of Canaan, Sue bi
name. And whanne he hadde takun hir to wijf,
iii he entride to hir, and ſche conſeyuede, and childide a
ſone, and clepide his name Her.
iiii And eft whanne a child was conſeyued, ſche nemyde
þe child borun Onam.
v And ſche childide þe þridde ſone, whom ſche clepide
Cela, and whanne he was borun, ſche ceeſſide to bere
child more.
vi Forſoþe Judas ȝaf a wijf, `Thamar bi name, to his
firſte gendrid ſone Her.
LXVIII
vii And Her, þe firſte gendrid ſone of Judas, was
weiward in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, and þerfor he was ſlayn
of þe Lord.
viii Þerfor Judas ſeide to Onam, his ſone, Entre þou to þe
wijf of þi broþir, and be þou felouſchipid to hir, þat þou
reiſe ſeed to þi broþir.
ix And he wiſte þat ſones ſchulden not be borun to him,
`and he entride to þe wijf of his broþer, and ſchedde
ſeed in to þe erþe, leſt þe fre children ſchulden be borun
bi þe name of þe broþer;
x and þerfor þe Lord ſmoot hym, for he dide
abhomynable þing.
xi Wherfor Judas ſeide to Thamar, `wijf of his ſone, Be
þou widewe in þe hous of þi fadir, til Sela my ſone
wexe, for he dredde leſt alſo he ſchulde die as hiſe
briþeren. And ſche ȝede, and dwellide in þe hous of hir
fadir.
xii Forſoþe whanne many ȝeeris weren paſſid, þe douȝter
of Sue, `þe wijf of Juda, diede, and whanne coumfort
was takun aftir morenyng, he ſtiede to þe ſchereris of
hiſe ſcheep, he and Iras of Odolla, þat was kepere of þe
floc, ſtieden in to Thampnas.
xiii And it was teld to Thamar, þat `þe fadir of hir
hoſebonde ſtiede to Thampnas, to ſchere ſcheep.
xiiii And ſche dide awei þe cloþis of widewehod, and
ſche took a roket, and whanne þe cloþinge was
chaungid, ſche ſat in þe weilot þat lediþ to Tampna; for
Sela hadde woxe, and ſche hadde not take hym to
hoſebonde.
xv And whanne Judas hadde ſeyn hir, he ſuppoſide hir to
be an hoore, for ſche hadde hilid hir face, leſt ſche were
knowun.
xvi And Judas entride to hir, and ſeide, Suffre me þat Y
ligge wiþ þee; for he wiſte not þat ſche was þe wijf of
his ſone. And whanne ſche anſweride, What ſchalt þou
ȝyue to me, þat þou ligge bi me?
xvii he ſeide, Y ſchal ſende to þee a kide of þe flockis.
And eft whanne ſche ſeide, Y ſchal ſuffre þat þat þou
wolt, if þou ſchalt ȝyue to me a wed, til þou ſendiſt þat
þat þou bihetiſt.
xviii Judas ſeide, What wolt þou þat be ȝouun to þee for
a wed? She anſweride, Þi ryng, and þi bie of þe arm,
and þe ſtaaf which þou holdiſt in þe hond. Þerfor þe
womman conſeyuide at o liggyng bi, and ſche roos, and
ȝede;
xix and whanne þe clooþ was `put awei which ſche
hadde take, ſche was cloþid in þe cloþis of widewhod.
xx Forſoþe Judas ſente a kide bi his ſcheepherde of
Odolla, þat he ſchulde reſſeyue þe wed which he hadde
ȝoue to þe womman; and whanne he hadde not founde
hir,
xxi he axide men of þat place, Where is þe womman þat
ſat in þe weie lot? And whanne alle men anſweriden, An
hoore was not in þis place; he turnede aȝen to Judas,
xxii and ſeide to hym, Y foond not hir, but alſo men of
þat place ſeiden to me, þat an hoore ſat neuere þere.
xxiii Judas ſeide, Haue ſche to hir ſilf, certis ſche may not
repreue vs of a leeſyng; Y ſente þe kyde which Y
bihiȝte, and þou foundiſt not hir.
xxiiii Lo! ſoþeli aftir þre moneþis þei telden to Judas,
and ſeiden, Thamar, `wijf of þi ſone, haþ do
fornycacioun, and hir womb ſemeþ to wexe greet. Judas
ſeide, Brynge ȝe hir forþ, þat ſche be brent.
xxv And whanne ſche was led to peyne, ſche ſente to `þe
fadir of hir hoſebonde, and ſeide, Y haue conſeyued of
þe man, whoſe þeſe þingis ben; knowe þou whoſe is þe
ryng, and bie of þe arm, and ſtaf?
xxvi And whanne þe ȝiftis weren knowun, he ſeide, Sche
is more iuſt þan Y, for Y ȝaf not hir to Sela, my ſone;
neþeles Judas knewe hir no more fleiſchli.
xxvii Soþeli whanne þe childberyng neiȝede, twei
chyldren apperiden in þe wombe, and in þat birþe of
children, oon brouȝte forþ þe hond, in which þe
mydwijf boond a reed þreed,
xxviii and ſeide, Þis ſchal go out `þe formere.
xxix Soþeli while he wiþdrowe þe hond, þe toþer ȝede
out, and þe womman ſeide, Whi was þe ſkyn in which
þe child lay in þe wombe departid for þee? And for þis
cauſe ſche clepide his name Fares.
xxx Afterward his broþir ȝede out, in whos hond was þe
reed þreed, whom ſche clepide Zaram.
CAP. XXXIX
i Þerfor Joſeph was led in to Egipt, and Putifar, `chaſt
and oneſt ſeruaunt of Farao, prince of þe ooſt, a man of
Egipt, bouȝte hym of þe hondis of Iſmaelitis, of which
he was brouȝt.
ii And þe Lord was wiþ hym, and he was a man doynge
wiþ proſperite in alle þingis. And Joſeph dwellide in `þe
hows of his lord,
iii which knew beſt þat þe Lord was wiþ Joſeph, and þat
alle þingis whiche he dide, weren dreſſid of þe Lord in
`þe hond of hym.
iiii And Joſeph foond grace bifor his lord, and
`mynyſtride to hym, of whom Joſeph was maad
ſouereyn of alle þingis, and gouernede þe hows bitaken
to hym, and alle þingis þat weren bitakun to hym.
v And þe Lord bleſſide þe `hows of Egipcian for Joſeph,
and multipliede al his catel, as wel in howſis as in
feeldis;
vi neþer he knew ony oþer þing no but `breed which he
eet. Forſoþe Joſeph was fair in face, and ſchapli in ſiȝt.
vii And ſo aftir many daies þe ladi caſtide hir iȝen in to
Joſeph, and ſeide, Slepe þou wiþ me;
viii which aſſentide not to þe vnleueful werk, and ſeide
to hir, Lo! while alle þingis ben bitakun to me, my lord
woot not what he haþ in his hows,
LXIX
ix neþer ony þing is, which is not in my power, eþer
which `he haþ not bitake to me, outakun þee, which art
his wijf; how þerfor may Y do þis yuel, and do ſynne
aȝens my lord?
x Þei ſpaken ſiche wordis `bi alle daies, and þe womman
was diſeſeful to þe ȝong waxynge man, and he forſook
auoutrie.
xi Forſoþe it bifelde in a dai, þat Joſeph entride in to þe
hows, and dide ſum werk wiþ out witneſſis.
xii And ſche took `þe hem of his clooþ, and ſche ſeide,
Slepe þou wiþ me; and he lefte þe mentil in hir hoond,
and he fledde, and ȝede out.
xiii And whanne þe womman hadde ſeyn þe clooþ in hir
hondis, and þat ſche was diſpiſid,
xiiii ſche clepide to hir þe men of hir hows, and ſeide to
hem, Lo! my lord haþ brouȝt in an Ebrew man, þat he
ſchulde ſcorn vs; he entride to me to do leccherie wiþ
me, and whanne Y criede, and he herde my vois,
xv he lefte þe mentil which Y helde, and he fledde out.
xvi Þerfor in to þe preuyng of trouþe, ſche ſchewide þe
mantil, holdun to þe hoſebonde turnynge aȝen hoom.
xvii And ſhe ſeide, Þe Ebrew ſeruaunt, whom þou
brouȝtiſt, entride to me to ſcorne me; and whanne he ſiȝ
me crye,
xviii he lefte þe mentil which Y helde, and he fledde out.
xix And whanne þeſe þingis weren herd, þe lord
bileuyde ouer myche to þe wordis of þe wijf, and was
ful wrooþ;
xx and he bitook Joſeph in to priſoun, where þe bounden
men of þe kyng weren kept, and he was cloſid þere.
xxi Forſoþe þe Lord was wiþ Joſeph, and hadde mercy
on hym, and ȝaf grace to hym in þe ſiȝt of þe prince of
þe priſoun,
xxii which bitook in þe hond of Joſeph alle priſoneris þat
weren holdun in kepyng, and what euer þing was doon,
it was vndur Joſeph, neþir þe prince knewe ony þing,
xxiii for alle þingis weren bitakun to Joſeph; for þe Lord
was wiþ hym, and dreſſide alle his werkis.
CAP. XL
i Whanne þeſe þingis weren doon ſo, it bifelde þat twei
geldyngis, þe boteler and þe baker `of þe kyng of Egipt,
ſynneden to her lord.
ii And Farao was wrooþ aȝens hem, for þe toon was
`ſouereyn to boteleris, þe toþer was `ſouereyn to
bakeris.
iii And he ſente hem in to þe priſoun of þe prince of
knyȝtis, in which alſo Joſeph was boundun.
iiii And þe keper of þe priſoun bitook hem to Joſeph,
which alſo `mynyſtride to hem. Sumdel of tyme paſſide,
and þei weren hooldun in kepyng, and boþe ſien a
dreem in o nyȝt,
v bi couenable expownyng to hem.
vi And whanne Joſeph hadde entrid to hem eerli, and
hadde ſeyn hem ſori,
vii he axide hem, and ſeide, Whi is ȝoure `face ſoriere to
dai þan it ys wont?
viii Whiche anſweriden, We ſeiȝen a dreem, and `noon is
þat expowneþ to vs. And Joſeph ſeide to hem, Wheþer
expownyng is not of God? Telle ȝe to me what ȝe han
ſeyn.
ix Þe `ſouereyn of boteleris telde firſt his dreem; Y ſeiȝ
þat a vyne bifore me,
x in which weren þre ſiouns, wexide litil and litil in to
buriounnyngis, and þat aftir flouris grapys wexiden
ripe,
xi and þe cuppe of Farao was in myn hond; þerfor Y
took þe grapis, and preſſide out in to þe cuppe which Y
helde, and Y ȝaf drynk to Farao.
xii Joſeph anſwerde, Þis is þe expownyng of þe dreem;
þre ſiouns ben ȝit þre daies,
xiii aftir whiche Farao ſchal haue mynde of þi ſeruyce,
and he ſchal reſtore þee in to þe firſte degree, and þou
ſchal ȝyue to hym þe cuppe, bi þin office, as þou were
wont to do bifore.
xiiii Oneli haue þou mynde on me, whanne it is wel to
þee, and þou ſchalt do merci wiþ me, þat þou make
ſuggeſtioun to Farao, þat he lede me out of þis priſoun;
xv for þeefli Y am takun awei fro þe lond of Ebrews,
and here Y am ſent innocent in to priſoun.
xvi Þe `maiſter of bakeris ſeiȝe þat Joſeph hadde
expowned prudentli þe dreem, and he ſeide, And Y ſeiȝ
a dreem, þat Y hadde þre panyeris of mele on myn
heed,
xvii and Y geſſide þat Y bar in o panyere, þat was
heiȝere, alle metis þat ben maad bi craft of bakers, and
þat briddis eeten þerof.
xviii Joſeph anſwerde, Þis is þe expownyng of þe dreem;
þre panyeris ben ȝit þre daies,
xix aftir whiche Farao ſchal take awei þin heed, and he
ſchal hange þee in a cros, and briddis ſchulen todrawe
þi fleiſchis.
xx Fro þennus þe þridde dai was þe dai of birþe of
Farao, which made a greet feeſte to hiſe children, and
hadde mynde among metis on þe maiſtir `of boteleris,
and on þe prince of bakeris;
xxi and he reſtoride þe oon in to his place, þat he ſchulde
dreſſe cuppe to `þe kyng,
xxii and he hangide `þe toþir in a gebat, þat þe treuþe of
`þe expownere ſchulde be preued.
xxiii And neþeles whanne proſperitees bifelden, þe
`ſouereyn of boteleris forȝat `his expownere.
CAP. XLI
i Aftir twei ȝeer Farao ſeiȝ a dreem; he geſſide þat he
ſtood on a flood,
LXX
ii fro which ſeuene faire kiyn and ful fatte ſtieden, and
weren fed in þe places of mareis;
iii and oþere ſeuene, foule and leene, camen out of þe
flood, and weren fed in þilk brenke of þe watir, in grene
places;
iiii and þo deuoureden þilke kien of whiche þe fairneſſe
and comelyneſſe of bodies was wondurful.
v Farao wakide, and ſlepte eft, and ſeiȝ anoþer dreem;
ſeuen eeris of corn ful and faire camen forþ in o ſtalke,
vi and oþere as many eeris of corn, þinne and ſmytun
wiþ corrupcioun of brennynge wynd,
vii camen forþ, deuourynge al þe faireneſſe of þe firſte.
Farao wakide aftir reſte,
viii and whanne morewtid was maad, he was aferd bi
inward drede, and he ſente to alle þe expowneris of
Egipt, and to alle wiſe men; and whanne þei weren
clepid, he telde þe dreem, and noon was þat
expownede.
ix Þanne at þe laſte þe maiſtir `of boteleris biþouȝte, and
ſeide, Y knowleche my ſynne;
x þe kyng was wrooþ to hiſe ſeruauntis, and comaundide
me and þe maiſter `of bakeris to be caſt doun in to þe
priſoun of þe prince of knyȝtis,
xi where we boþe ſaien a dreem in o nyȝt,
biforeſchewynge of þingis to comynge.
xii An Ebrew child, ſeruaunt of þe ſame duk of knyȝtis
was þere, to whom we telden þe dremes,
xiii and herden what euer þing þe bifallyng of þing
preuede afterward; for Y am reſtorid to myn office, and
he was hangid in a cros.
xiiii Anoon at þe comaundement of þe kyng þei polliden
Joſeph led out of priſoun, and whanne `þe clooþ was
chaungid, þei brouȝten Joſeph to þe kyng.
xv To whom þe kyng ſeide, Y ſeiȝe dremes, and noon is
þat expowneþ þo þingis þat Y ſeiȝ, I haue herd þat þou
expowneſt mooſt prudentli.
xvi Joſeph anſwerde, Wiþ out me, God ſchal anſwere
proſperitees to Farao.
xvii Þerfor Farao telde þat þat he ſeiȝ; Y geſſide þat Y
ſtood on þe brenke of þe flood,
xviii and ſeuene kiyn, ful faire and wiþ fleiſchis able to
etyng, ſtieden fro þe watir, whiche kiyn gaderiden grene
ſeggis in þe paſture of þe marreis;
xix and lo! ſeuene oþere kiyn, ſo foule and leene, ſueden
þeſe, þat Y ſeiȝ neuere ſiche in þe lond of Egipt;
xx and whanne þe formere kien weren deuourid and
waſtid, þo ſecounde ȝauen no ſteppe of fulneſſe,
xxi but weren ſlowe bi lijk leeneſſe and paleneſſe. I
wakide, and eft Y was oppreſſid bi ſleep, and Y ſeiȝ a
dreem;
xxii ſeuene eeris of corn, ful and faireſte, camen forþ in o
ſtalke,
xxiii and oþere ſeuene, þinne and ſmytun wiþ
`corrupcioun of brennynge wynd, camen forþ of þe
ſtobil,
xxiiii whiche deuouriden þe faireneſſe of þe formere;
xxv Y telde þe dreem to expowneris, and no man is þat
expowneþ. Joſeph anſwerde, Þe dreem of þe king is
oon; God ſchewide to Farao what þingis he ſchal do.
xxvi Seuene faire kiyn, and ſeuene ful eeris of corn, ben
ſeuene ȝeeris of plentee, and þo comprehenden þe ſame
ſtrengþe of dreem;
xxvii and ſeuene kiyn þinne and leene, þat ſtieden aftir
þo, and ſeuene þinne eeris of corn and ſmytun wiþ
brennynge wynd, ben ſeuene ȝeer of hungur to
comynge,
xxviii whiche ſchulen be fillid bi þis ordre.
xxix Lo! ſeuene ȝeer of greet plentee in al þe lond of
Egipt ſchulen come,
xxx and ſeuene oþre ȝeer of ſo greet bareyneſſe ſchulen
ſue þo, þat al þe abundaunce bifore be ȝouun to
forȝetyng; for þe hungur ſchal waſte al þe lond,
xxxi and þe greetneſſe of pouert ſchal leeſe þe greetneſſe
of plentee.
xxxii Forſoþe þis þat þou ſiȝeſt þe ſecunde tyme a dreem,
perteynynge to þe ſame þing, is a `ſchewyng of ſadneſſe,
for þe word of God ſchal be doon, and ſchal be fillid ful
ſwiftli.
xxxiii Now þerfor puruey þe kyng a wijs man and a redi,
and make þe kyng hym ſouereyn to þe lond of Egipt,
xxxiiii which man ordeyne gouernouris bi alle cuntreis,
and gadere he in to bernys þe fyueþe part of fruytis bi
ſeuene ȝeer of plentee,
xxxv þat ſchulen come now; and al þe wheete be kept
vndur þe power of Farao, and be it kept in citees,
xxxvi and be it maad redi to þe hungur to comynge of
ſeuene ȝeer þat ſchal oppreſſe Egipt, and þe lond be not
waſtid bi pouert.
xxxvii Þe counſel pleſide Farao,
xxxviii and alle his mynyſtris, and he ſpak to hem, Wher
we moun fynde ſich a man which is ful of Goddis ſpirit?
xxxix Þerfor Farao ſeide to Joſeph, For God haþ ſchewid
to þee alle þingis whiche þou haſt ſpoke, wher Y mai
fynde a wiſere man and lijk þee?
xl Þerfor þou ſchalt be ouer myn hous, and al þe puple
ſchal obeie to þe comaundement of þi mouþ; Y ſchal
paſſe þee onely by o trone of þe rewme.
xli And eft Farao ſeide to Joſeph, Lo! Y haue ordeyned
þee on al þe lond of Egipt.
xlii And Farao took þe ryng fro his hond, and ȝaf it in þe
hond of Joſeph, and he cloþide Joſeph wiþ a ſtoole of
bijs, and puttide a goldun wreþe aboute þe necke;
xliii and Farao made Joſeph to `ſtie on his ſecounde
chare, while a bidele criede, þat alle men ſchulden knele
LXXI
bifore hym, and ſchulden knowe þat he was ſouereyn of
al þe lond of Egipt.
xliiii And þe kyng ſeide to Joſeph, Y am Farao, wiþout þi
comaundement no man ſhal ſtire hond eþer foot in al þe
lond of Egipt.
xlv And he turnede þe name of Joſeph, and clepide him
bi Egipcian langage, þe ſauȝour of þe world; and he ȝaf
to Joſeph a wijf, Aſenech, þe douȝter of Potifar, preeſt of
Heliopoleos. And ſo Joſeph ȝede out to þe lond of Egipt.
xlvi Forſoþe Joſeph was of þretti ȝeer, whanne he ſtood
in þe ſiȝt of kyng Farao, and cumpaſſide alle þe cuntreis
of Egipt.
xlvii And þe plente of ſeuene ȝeer cam, and ripe corn
weren bounden into handfuls, and weren gaderid into
þe bernys of Egipt,
xlviii alſo al þe aboundaunce of cornes weren kept in alle
citeis,
xlix and ſo greet aboundaunce was of wheete, þat it was
maad euene to þe grauel of þe ſee, and þe plente paſſide
meſure.
l Soþeli twei ſones were born to Joſeph bifor þat þe
hungur came, whiche Aſenech, douȝtir of Putifar, preeſt
of Heliopoleos, childide to hym.
li And he clepide þe name of þe firſte gendrid ſone,
Manaſſes, and ſeide, God haþ maad me to forȝete alle
my traueilis, and þe hous of my fadir;
lii and he clepide þe name of þe ſecunde ſone Effraym,
and ſeide, God haþ maad me to encreeſſe in þe lond of
my pouert.
liii Þerfor whanne ſeuene ȝeer of plentee þat weren in
Egipt weren paſſid,
liiii ſeuene ȝeer of pouert bigunnen to come, whiche
Joſeph bifore ſeide, and hungur hadde þe maiſtri in al þe
world; alſo hungur was in al þe lond of Egipt;
lv and whanne þat lond hungride, þe puple criede to
Farao, and axide metis; to whiche he anſweride, Go ȝe
to Joſeph, and do ȝe what euer þing he ſeiþ to ȝou.
lvi Forſoþe hungur encreeſſide ech dai in al þe lond, and
Joſeph openyde alle þe bernys, and ſeelde to Egipcians,
for alſo hungur oppreſſide hem;
lvii and alle prouynces camen in to Egipt to bie metis,
and to abate þe yuel of nedyneſſe.
CAP. XLII
i Forſoþe Jacob herde þat foodis weren ſeeld in Egipt,
and he ſeide to hiſe ſones, Whi ben ȝe necgligent?
ii Y herde þat wheete is ſeeld in Egipt, go ȝe doun, and
bie ȝe neceſſaries to vs, þat we moun lyue, and be not
waſtid bi nedyneſſe.
iii Þerfor ten briþeren of Joſeph ȝeden doun to bie
wheete in Egipt,
iiii and Beniamyn was wiþholdun of Jacob at hoome,
þat ſeide to hiſe briþeren, Leſt perauenture in þe weie he
ſuffre ony yuel.
v Soþeli þei entriden in to þe lond of Egipt, wiþ oþere
men þat ȝeden to bie; forſoþe hungur was in þe lond of
Canaan.
vi And Joſeph was prince of Egipt, and at his wille
whetis weren ſeeld to puplis. And whanne hiſe briþeren
hadden worſchipid hym,
vii and he hadde knowe hem, he ſpak hardere as to
aliens, and axide hem, Fro whennus camen ȝe? Whiche
anſweriden, Fro þe lond of Canaan, þat we bie
neceſſaries to lyiflode.
viii And neþeles he knewe þe briþeren, and he was not
knowun of hem,
ix and he biþouȝte on þe dremys whiche he ſeiȝ
ſumtyme. And he ſeide to hem, Ȝe ben aſpieris, ȝe
camen to ſe þe feblere þingis of þe lond.
x Whiche ſeiden, Lord, it is not ſo, but þi ſeruauntis
camen to bie metis;
xi alle we ben þe ſones of o man, we comen peſible, and
þi ſeruauntis ymaginen not ony yuel.
xii To `whiche he anſweride, It is in oþer maner, ȝe
camen to ſe þe feble þingis of þe lond.
xiii And þei ſeiden, `We twelue briþeren, þi ſeruauntis,
ben ſones of o man in þe lond of Canaan; þe leeſte is
wiþ oure fadir, an oþer is not `on erþe.
xiiii Þis it is, he ſeide, þat Y ſpak to ȝou,
xv ȝe ben aſpieris, riȝt now Y ſchal take experience of
ȝou, bi þe helþe of Farao ȝe ſchulen not go fro hennus,
til ȝoure leeſte broþer come; ſende ȝe oon of ȝou,
xvi þat he brynge hym, forſoþe ȝe ſchulen be in boondis,
til þo þingis þat ȝe ſeiden ben preued, wheþer þo ben
falſe eþer trewe; ellis, bi þe helþe of Farao, ȝe ben
aſpieris.
xvii Þerfor he bitook hem to kepyng þre daies; ſoþeli in
þe þridde dai,
xviii whanne þei weren led out of priſoun, he ſeide, Do
ȝe þat þat Y ſeide, and ȝe ſchulen lyue, for Y drede God;
xix if ȝe ben peſible, o broþer of ȝou be boundun in
priſoun; forſoþe go ȝe, and bere wheetis, whiche ȝe
bouȝten,
xx in to ȝoure houſis, and brynge ȝe ȝoure leeſte broþer
to me, þat Y may preue ȝoure wordis, and ȝe die not.
Þei diden as he ſeide,
xxi and þei ſpaken togidere, Skilfuli we ſuffren þeſe
þingis, for we ſynneden aȝens oure broþer, and we
ſeiȝen þe anguyſch of his ſoule, while he preiede vs, and
we herden not; herfore þis tribulacioun comeþ on vs.
xxii Of which oon, Ruben, ſeide, Wheþer Y ſeide not to
ȝow, Nyle ȝe do ſynne aȝens þe child, and ȝe herden not
me? lo! his blood is ſouȝt.
LXXII
xxiii Soþeli þei wiſten not þat Joſeph vndirſtood, for he
ſpak to hem by interpretour.
xxiiii And he turnede awei hym ſilf a litil and wepte; and
he turnede aȝen, and ſpak to hem.
xxv And he took Symeon, and boond hym, while þei
weren preſent; and he comaundide þe mynyſtris, þat þei
ſchulden fille her ſackis wiþ wheete, and þat þei
ſchulden putte þe money `of alle in her baggis, and ouer
þis ȝyue metis in þe weie; whiche diden ſo.
xxvi And þei `baren wetis on her aſſis, and ȝeden forþ,
xxvii and whanne þe ſak of oon was opened þat he
ſchulde ȝyue meete to þe werk beeſte in þe yn, he
bihelde þe money in þe mouþ of þe bagge,
xxviii and ſeide to his briþeren, My monei is ȝoldun to
me, lo! it is had in þe bagge; and þei weren aſtonyed,
and troblid, and ſeiden togidere, What þing is þis þat
God haþ doon to us.
xxix And þei camen to Jacob, her fadir, in þe loond of
Canaan, and telden to hym alle þingis þat bifelden to
hem, and ſeiden,
xxx Þe lord of þe lond ſpak harde to vs, and geſſide þat
we weren aſpieris of þe prouynce;
xxxi to whom we anſweriden, We ben peſible, neþer we
purpoſen ony treſouns;
xxxii we ben twelue briþeren, gendrid of o fadir, oon is
not `on erþe, þe leeſte dwelliþ wiþ þe fadir in þe lond of
Canaan.
xxxiii And he ſeide to vs, Þus Y ſchal preue þat ȝe ben
peſible; leeffe ȝe o broþer of ȝou wiþ me, and take ȝe
metis nedeful to ȝoure houſis, and go ȝe, and brynge ȝe
to me ȝoure leeſte broþer,
xxxiiii þat Y wite þat ȝe ben not aſpieris, and þat ȝe moun
reſſeyue þis broþer which is holdun in boondis, and þat
fro þennus forþ ȝe haue licence to bie what þingis ȝe
wolen.
xxxv While þeſe þingis weren ſeide, whanne alle
ſchedden out wheetis, þei founden money boundun in
`þe mouþ of ſackis. And whanne alle togidere weren
aferd,
xxxvi þe fadir Jacob ſeide, Ȝe han maad me to be wiþ out
children; Joſeph is not alyue, Symeon is holdun in
bondis, ȝe ſchulen take a wey fro me Beniamyn; alle
þeſe yuels felden in me.
xxxvii To whom Ruben anſweride, Sle þou my twei
ſones, if Y ſhal not brynge hym aȝen to þee; take þou
hym in myn hond, and Y ſchal reſtore hym to þee.
xxxviii And Jacob ſeide, My ſone ſchal not go doun wiþ
ȝou; his broþer is deed, he aloone is left; if ony
aduerſite ſchal bifalle `to hym in þe lond to which ȝe
ſchulen go, ȝe ſchulen lede forþ myn hoore heeris wiþ
ſorewe to hellis.
CAP. XLIII
i In þe meene tyme hungur oppreſſide greetli al þe lond;
ii and whanne þe meetis weren waſtid, whiche þei
brouȝten fro Egipt, Jacob ſeide to hiſe ſones, Turne ȝe
aȝen, and bie ȝe a litil of meetis to vs.
iii Judas anſweride, Þe ilke man denounſide to vs vndir
witneſſyng of an ooþ, and ſeide, Ȝe ſchulen not ſe my
face, if ȝe ſchulen not brynge wiþ ȝou ȝoure leeſte
broþer;
iiii þerfor if þou wolt ſende hym wiþ vs, we ſchulen go
to gidere, and we ſchulen bie neceſſaries to þee;
v ellis if þou wolt not, we ſchulen not go; for as we
ſeiden ofte, þe man denounſide to vs, and ſeide, Ȝe
ſchulen not ſe my face wiþ out ȝoure leeſte broþer.
vi Forſoþe Iſrael ſeide to hem, Ȝe diden þis in to my
wretchidneſſe, þat ȝe ſchewiden to hym, þat ȝe hadden
alſo anoþer broþer.
vii And þei anſweriden, Þe man axide vs bi ordre oure
generacioun, if þe fadir lyuede, if we hadden a broþer;
and we anſweriden ſuyngli to hym, bi þat þat he axide;
wheþer we myȝten wite þat he wolde ſeie, Brynge ȝe
ȝoure broþir wiþ ȝou?
viii And Judas ſeide to his fadir, Sende þe child wiþ me,
þat we go, and moun lyue, leſt we dien, and oure litle
children;
ix Y take þe child, require þou hym of myn hoond; if Y
ſchal not brynge aȝen, and bitake hym to þee, Y ſchal be
gilti of ſynne aȝens þee in al tyme;
x if delai hadde not be, we hadden come now anoþir
tyme.
xi Þerfor Iſrael, `þe fadir of hem, ſeide to hem, If it is
nede ſo, do ȝe þat þat ȝe wolen; `take ȝe of þe beſte
fruytis of þe lond in ȝoure veſſelis, and `bere ȝe ȝiftis to
þe man, a litil of gumme, and of hony, and of ſtorax,
and of mirre, and of therebynte, and of alemaundis;
xii and `bere ȝe wiþ ȝou double money, and `bere ȝe
aȝen þat money which ȝe founden in baggis, leſt
perauenture it be doon bi errour;
xiii but alſo take ȝe ȝoure broþer, and go ȝe to þe man;
xiiii forſoþe my God Almyȝti mak him peſible to ȝou,
and ſende he aȝen ȝoure broþer, whom he holdiþ in
boondis, and þis Beniamyn; forſoþe Y ſchal be as maad
bare wiþout ſones.
xv Þerfor þe men token ȝiftis, and double monei, and
Beniamyn; and þei ȝeden doun in to Egipt, and ſtoden
bifore Joſeph.
xvi And whanne he hadde ſeyn `hem and Beniamyn
togidere, he comaundide þe diſpendere of his hows, and
ſeide, Lede þeſe men in to þe hous, and ſle beeſtis, and
make a feeſte; for þei ſchulen ete wiþ me to dai.
xvii He dide as it was comaundid, and ledde þe men in
to þe hows;
LXXIII
xviii and þere þei weren aferd, and ſeiden to gidere, We
ben brouȝt in for þe monei which we baren aȝen bifore
in oure ſackis, þat he putte chalenge `in to vs, and make
ſuget bi violence to ſeruage boþe vs and oure aſſis.
xix Wherfor þei neiȝeden in þe `ȝatis, and ſpaken to þe
diſpendere,
xx Lord, we preien þat þou here vs; we camen doun now
bifore þat we ſchulden bie metis;
xxi whanne þo weren bouȝt, whanne we camen to þe
ynne, we openeden oure baggis, and we founden money
in þe mouþ of ſackis, which money we han brouȝt aȝen
now in þe ſame weiȝte;
xxii but alſo we han brouȝt oþer ſiluer, þat we bie þo
þingis þat ben nedeful to vs; it is not in oure conſcience,
who puttide þe money in oure purſis.
xxiii And he anſwerde, Pees be to ȝou, nyle ȝe drede;
ȝoure God and God of ȝoure fadir ȝaf to ȝou treſouris in
ȝoure baggis; for I haue þe monei preued, which ȝe
ȝauen to me. And he ledde out Symeon to hem;
xxiiii and whanne þei weren brouȝt in to þe hows, he
brouȝte watir, and þei waiſchiden her feet, and he ȝaf
`meetis to her aſſis.
xxv Soþeli þei maden redi ȝiftis til Joſeph entride at myd
day, for þei hadden herd þat þei ſchulden ete breed þere.
xxvi Þerfor Joſeph entride in to his hows, and þei
offriden ȝiftis to hym, and helden in þe hondis, and
worſchipiden lowe to erþe.
xxvii And he grette hem aȝen mekeli; and he axide hem,
and ſeide, Wheþer ȝoure fadir, þe elde man, is ſaaf, of
whom ȝe ſeiden to me? lyueþ he ȝit?
xxviii Whiche anſweriden, He is hool, þi ſeruaunt oure
fadir lyueþ ȝit; and þei weren bowid, and worſchipiden
hym.
xxix Forſoþe Joſeph reyſide hiſe iȝen, and ſiȝ Beniamyn
his broþer of þe ſame wombe, and ſeide, Is þis ȝoure
litil broþer, of whom ȝe ſeiden to me? And eft Joſeph
ſeide, My ſone, God haue merci of þee.
xxx And Joſeph haſtide in to þe hous, for his entrailis
weren moued on his broþer, and teeris braſten out, and
he entride into a cloſet, and wepte.
xxxi And eft whanne þe face was waiſchun, he ȝede out,
and refreynede hym ſilf, and ſeide, Sette ȝe looues.
xxxii `And whanne þo weren ſet to Joſeph by hym ſilf,
and to þe briþeren bi hem ſilf, and to Egipcyans þat
eeten to gidre by hem ſilf; for it is vnleueful to
Egipcians to ete wiþ Ebrewis, and þei geſſen ſich a
feeſte vnhooli.
xxxiii Þerfor þei ſaten bifore hym, þe firſte gendrid bi þe
rite of his firſte gendryng, and þe leeſte bi his age; and
þei wondriden greetli,
xxxiiii whanne þe partis weren takun whiche þei hadden
reſſeyued of him, and þe more part cam to Beniamyn, ſo
þat it paſſide in fyue partis; and þei drunken, and weren
fillid wiþ him.
CAP. XLIIII
i Forſoþe Joſeph comaundid þe diſpendere of his hous,
and ſeide, Fille þou her ſackis wiþ wheete, as myche as
þo moun take, and putte þou þe money of ech in þe
hiȝneſſe of þe ſak;
ii forſoþe put þou in þe mouþ of þe ſak of þe ȝongere my
ſilueren cuppe, and þe prijs of wheete which he ȝaf; and
it was doon ſo.
iii And whanne þe morewtid roos, þei weren delyuered
wiþ her aſſis.
iiii And now þei hadden go out of þe citee, and hadden
go forþ a litil; þanne Joſeph ſeide, whanne þe diſpendere
of his hous was clepid, Riſe þou, purſue þe men, and
ſeye þou whanne þei ben takun, Whi han ȝe ȝolde yuel
for good?
v Þe cuppe, which ȝe han ſtole, is þilk in which my lord
drynkiþ, and in which he is wont to dyuyne; ȝe han do a
ful wickid þing.
vi He dide as Joſeph comaundid, and whanne þei weren
takun, he ſpak bi ordre.
vii Whiche anſweriden, Whi ſpekiþ oure lord ſo, þat þi
ſeruauntis han do ſo greet treſpas?
viii We brouȝten aȝen to þee fro þe lond of Chanaan þe
monei which we founden in þe hiȝneſſe of ſackis, and
hou is it ſuynge þat we han ſtole fro `þe hows of þi lord
gold eþer ſiluer?
ix At whom euere of þi ſeruauntis þis þat þou ſekiſt is
foundun, die he, and we ſchulen be ſeruauntis of my
lord.
x Which ſeide to hem, Be it doon bi ȝoure ſentence; at
whom it is foundun, be he my ſeruaunt; forſoþe ȝe
ſchulen be gilteles.
xi And ſo þei diden doun haſtili þe ſackis on erþe, and
alle openyden þo whiche he ſouȝte;
xii and bigan at þe more til to þe leeſte, and foond þe
cuppe in `þe ſak of Beniamyn.
xiii And whanne þei hadden `to-rent her cloþis, and
hadden chargid eft þe aſſis, þei turneden aȝen in to þe
citee.
xiiii And Judas entride `þe firſte wiþ briþren to Joſeph;
for he hadde not go ȝit fro þe place; and alle felden
togidere on erþe bifore hym.
xv To whiche he ſeide, Whi wolden ȝe do ſo? wheþer ȝe
witen not, þat noon is lijk me in þe kunnyng of
dyuinyng?
xvi To whom Judas ſeide, What ſchulen we anſwere to
my lord, eþer what ſchulen we ſpeke, eþer moun iuſtli
aȝenſeie? God haþ founde þe wickidneſſe of þi
ſeruauntis; lo! alle we ben þe ſeruauntis of my lord,
boþe we and he at whom þe cuppe is foundun.
LXXIV
xvii Joſeph anſweride, Fer be it fro me, þat Y do ſo; he
be my ſeruaunt þat ſtal þe cuppe; forſoþe go ȝe fre to
ȝoure fadir.
xviii Soþeli Judas neiȝede neer, and ſeide triſtili, My
lord, Y preye, þi ſeruaunt ſpeke a word in þin eeris, and
be þou not wrooþ to þi ſeruaunt; for aftir Farao þou art
my lord.
xix Þou axidiſt firſt þi ſeruauntis, Han ȝe a fadir, eþer a
broþer?
xx And we anſweriden to þee, my lord, An eld fadir is to
vs, and a litil child þat was borun in his eelde, whos
broþer of þe ſame wombe is deed, and his modir haþ
hym aloone; forſoþe his fadir loueþ hym tendirli.
xxi And þou ſeidiſt to þi ſeruauntis, Brynge ȝe hym to
me, and Y ſchal ſette myn iȝen on hym.
xxii We maden ſuggeſtioun to þee, my lord, þe child may
not forſake his fadir; for if he ſchal leeue þe fadir, he
ſchal die.
xxiii And þou ſeidiſt to þi ſeruauntis, If ȝoure leeſte
broþer ſchal not come wiþ ȝou, ȝe ſchulen no more ſe
my face.
xxiiii Þerfor whanne we hadden ſtied to þi ſeruaunt, oure
fadir, we telden to hym alle þingis whiche my lord ſpak;
and oure fadir ſeide,
xxv Turne ȝe aȝen, and bie ȝe to ȝou a litil of wheete;
xxvi to whom we ſeiden, We moun not go; if oure leeſte
broþer ſchal go doun wiþ vs, we ſchulen go forþ
togidere; ellis, if he is abſent, we doren not ſe þe `face
of þe lord.
xxvii To whiche þingis þe fadir anſweride, Ȝe witen þat
my wiif childide twei ſones to me;
xxviii oon ȝede out, and ȝe ſeiden, a beeſte deuouride
hym, and hidir to he apperiþ not;
xxix if ȝe taken alſo þis ſone, and ony þing bifalliþ to
hym in þe weye, ȝe ſchulen lede forþ myn hoor heeris
wiþ morenyng to hellis.
xxx Þerfor if Y entre to þi ſeruaunt, oure fadir, and þe
child faile, ſiþen his lijf hangiþ of þe lijf of þe child,
xxxi and he ſe þat þe child is not wiþ vs, he ſchal die,
and þi ſeruauntis ſchulen lede forþ hiſe hoor heeris wiþ
ſorewe to hellis.
xxxii Be Y propirli þi ſeruaunt, which reſſeyuede þis
child on my feiþ, and bihiȝte, and ſeide, If Y ſchal not
brynge aȝen hym, Y ſchal be gilti of ſynne aȝens my
fadir in al tyme;
xxxiii and ſo Y ſchal dwelle þi ſeruaunt for þe child in to
þe ſeruyce of my lord, and þe child ſtie wiþ hiſe
briþeren;
xxxiiii for Y may not go aȝen to my fadir, if þe child is
abſent, leſt Y ſtonde a witneſſe of þe wretchidneſſe þat
ſchal oppreſſe my fadir.
CAP. XLV
i Joſeph myȝte no lengere abſteyne hym ſilf, while many
men ſtoden bifore; wherfor he comaundide þat alle men
ſchulden go out, and þat noon alien were preſent in þe
knowyng of Joſeph and hiſe briþeren.
ii And Joſeph reiſide þe vois wiþ wepyng, which
Egipcians herden, and al þe hows of Farao.
iii And he ſeide to hiſe briþeren, Y am Joſeph; lyueþ my
fadir ȝit? Þe briþren myȝten not anſwere, and weren
agaſt bi ful myche drede.
iiii To whiche he ſeide mekeli, Neiȝe ȝe to me. And
whanne þei hadden neiȝed nyȝ, he ſeide, Y am Joſeph
ȝoure broþer, whom ȝe ſelden in to Egipt;
v nyle ȝe drede, neþer ſeme it to be hard to ȝou, þat ȝe
ſeelden me in to þeſe cuntreis; for God haþ ſent me
bifore ȝou in to Egipt for ȝoure helþe.
vi For it is twei ȝeer þat hungur bigan `to be in þe lond,
ȝit fyue ȝeer ſuen, in whiche me ſchal not mow ere,
neþer repe;
vii and God bifor ſente me, þat ȝe be reſerued on erþe,
and moun haue metis to lyue.
viii Y was ſent hidur not bi ȝoure counſel, but bi Goddis
wille, which made me as þe fadir of Farao, and þe lord
of al his hows, and prince in al þe lond of Egipt.
ix Haſte ȝe, and `ſtie ȝe to my fadir, and ȝe ſchulen ſeie
to hym, Þi ſone Joſeph ſendiþ þeſe þingis; God haþ
maad me lord of al þe lond of Egipt; come doun to me,
and tarie not, and dwelle in þe lond of Geſſen;
x and þou ſchalt be biſidis me, þou, and þi ſones, and þe
ſones of þi ſones, þi ſcheep, and þi grete beeſtis, and alle
þingis whiche þou weldiſt,
xi and þere Y ſchal fede þee; for ȝit fyue ȝeer of hungur
ben reſidue, leſt boþe þou periſche, and þin hows, and
alle þingis whiche þou weldiſt.
xii Lo! ȝoure iȝen, and þe iȝen of my broþer Beniamyn
ſeen, þat my mouþ ſpekiþ to ȝou;
xiii telle ȝe to my fadir al my glorie, and alle þingis
whiche ȝe ſien in Egipt; haſte ȝe, and brynge ȝe hym to
me.
xiiii And whanne he hadde biclippid, and hadde feld in
to þe necke of Beniamyn, his broþer, he wepte, þe while
alſo Benjamin wepte in lijk maner on þe necke of
Joſeph.
xv And Joſeph kiſſide alle hiſe briþeren, and wepte on
alle; aftir whiche þingis þei weren hardi to ſpeke to
hym.
xvi And it was herd, and puppliſchid bi famouſe word in
þe halle of þe kyng, Þe briþeren of Joſeph ben comun.
And Farao ioiede, and al his meynee;
xvii and Farao ſeide to Joſeph, þat he ſchulde comaunde
hiſe briþeren, and `ſeie, Charge ȝoure beeſtis, and go ȝe
in to þe lond of Canaan,
LXXV
xviii and take ȝe fro þennus ȝoure fadir, and kynrede, and
come ȝe to me; and Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou alle þe goodis of
Egipt, þat ȝe ete þe merow of þe lond.
xix Comaunde þou alſo, þat þei take waynes of þe lond
of Egipt to þe cariage of her litle children, and wyues,
and ſeie þou, `Take ȝe ȝoure fadir, and haſte ȝe comynge
ſoone,
xx neþer leeue ȝe ony þing of þe purtenaunce of ȝoure
hows, for alle þe richeſſis of Egipt ſchulen be ȝoure.
xxi Þe ſones of Iſrael diden, as it was comaundid to hem;
to whiche Joſeph ȝaf waynes, bi þe comaundement of
Farao, and metis in þe weie;
xxii and he comaundide twei ſtoolis to be brouȝt forþ to
ech; forſoþe he ȝaf to Beniamyn þre hundrid platis of
ſiluer, wiþ fyue þe beſte ſtoolis;
xxiii and ſente to his fadir ſo myche of ſiluer, and of
clooþis, and he addide to hem ten male aſſis, þat
ſchulden bere of alle richeſſis of Egipt, and ſo many
femal aſſis, berynge wheete and looues in þe weie.
xxiiii Þerfor he lefte hiſe briþeren, and ſeide to hem
goynge forþ, Be ȝe not wrooþ in þe weie.
xxv Whiche ſtieden fro Egipt, and camen in to þe lond of
Canaan, to her fadir Jacob;
xxvi and telden to hym, and ſeiden, Joſeph, þi ſone,
lyueþ, and he is lord in al þe lond of Egipt. And whanne
þis was herd, Jacob wakide as of a greuouſe ſleep;
neþeles he bileuyde not to hem.
xxvii Þei telden aȝenward al þe ordre of þe þing; and
whanne Jacob hadde ſeyn þe waynes, and alle þingis
whiche Joſeph hadde ſent, his ſpirit lyuede aȝen,
xxviii and he ſeide, It ſuffiſiþ to me, if Joſeph my ſone
lyueþ ȝit, Y ſchal go and `Y ſchal ſe hym bifore þat Y
die.
CAP. XLVI
i And Iſrael ȝede forþ wiþ alle þingis þat he hadde, and
he cam to þe pit of ooþ; and whanne ſacrifices weren
ſlayn þere to God of his fadir Iſaac,
ii he herde God bi a viſioun in þat nyȝt clepynge hym,
`and ſeiynge to hym, Jacob! Jacob! To whom he
anſweride, Lo! Y am preſent.
iii God ſeide to hym, Y am þe ſtrongeſte God of þi fadir;
nyle þou drede, go doun in to Egipt, for Y ſchal make
þee þere in to a greet folk;
iiii Y ſchal go doun þidir wiþ þee, and Y ſchal brynge
þee turnynge aȝen fro þennus, and Joſeph ſchal ſette his
hond on þin iȝen.
v Jacob roos fro þe pit of ooþ, and þe ſones token him,
wiþ her litle children, and wyues, in þe waynes whiche
Farao hadde ſent to bere þe eld man,
vi and alle þingis whiche he weldide in þe lond of
Canaan; and he cam in to Egipt wiþ his ſeed,
vii hiſe ſones, and her ſones, and douȝtris, and al þe
generacioun togidere.
viii Forſoþe þes ben þe names of þe ſones of Iſrael, þat
entriden in to Egipte; he wiþ hiſe fre children. Þe firſte
gendrid Ruben;
ix þe ſones of Ruben, Enoch, and Fallu, and Eſrom, and
Carmi.
x Þe ſones of Symeon, Jemuhel, and Jamyn, and Ahoth,
and Jachyn, and Sab, and Saber, and Saul, þe ſone of a
womman of Canaan.
xi Þe ſones of Leuy, Gerſon, Caath, and Merarie.
xii Þe ſones of Juda, Her and Onam, and Sela, and Fares,
and Zara. Forſoþe Her and Onam dieden in þe lond of
Canaan; and þe ſones of Fares weren borun, Eſrom, and
Amul.
xiii Þe ſones of Iſacar, Thola, and Fua, and Jobab, and
Semron.
xiiii Þe ſones of Zabulon, Sared, and Thelom, and Jahel.
xv Þeſe ben þe ſones of Lia, whiche ſche childide in
Meſopotanye of Sirie, wiþ Dyna, hir douȝter; alle þe
ſoules of hiſe ſones and douȝtris, þre and þretti.
xvi Þe ſones of Gad, Sefion, and Aggi, Suny, and
Heſebon, Heri, and Arodi, and Areli.
xvii Þe ſones of Aſer, Jamne, and Jeſua, and Jeſui, and
Beria; and Sara, þe ſiſter of hem. Þe ſones of Beria,
Heber and Melchiel.
xviii Þeſe weren þe ſones of Zelfa, whom Laban ȝaf to
Lia, his douȝter, and Jacob gendryde þeſe ſixtene
perſones.
xix Þe ſones of Rachel, `wijf of Jacob, weren Joſeph and
Beniamyn.
xx And ſones weren borun to Joſeph in þe loond of
Egipt, Manaſſes and Effraym, whiche Aſenech, `douȝtir
of Putifar, preeſt of Helipoleos, childide to hym.
xxi Þe ſones of Beniamin weren Bela, and Becor, and
Aſbel, Gera, and Naaman, and Jechi, `Ros, and Mofym,
and Ofym, and Ared.
xxii Þeſe weren þe ſones of Rachel, whiche Jacob
gendride; alle þe perſones weren fouretene.
xxiii Þe ſone of Dan, Vſym.
xxiiii Þe ſones of Neptalym, Jaſiel, and Guny, and Jeſer,
and Salem.
xxv Þeſe weren `þe ſones of Bala, whom Laban ȝaf to
Rachel his douȝtir.
xxvi And Jacob gendride þeſe; alle þe ſoules weren
ſeuene. And alle þe men þat entriden wiþ Jacob in to
Egipt, and ȝeden out of his þiy, wiþ out `þe wyues of his
ſones, weren ſixti and ſixe.
xxvii Forſoþe þe ſones of Joſeph, þat weren borun to
hym in `þe loond of Egipt, weren two men. Alle þe
ſoulis of `þe hows of Jacob, þat entriden in to Egipt,
weren ſeuenti.
LXXVI
xxviii Forſoþe Jacob ſente Judas bifore hym to Joſeph,
þat he ſchulde telle to hym, and he ſchulde `come in to
Geſſen.
xxix And whanne Jacob hadde come þidir, Joſeph ſtiede
in his chare to mete his fadir at þe ſame place. And he
ſiȝ Jacob, and felde on `his necke, and wepte bitwixe
collyngis.
xxx And þe fadir ſeide to Joſeph, Now Y ſchal die ioiful,
for Y ſiȝ þi face, and Y leeue þee lyuynge.
xxxi And Joſeph ſpak to hiſe briþren, and to al `þe hows
of his fadir, I ſchal ſtie, and `Y ſchal telle to Farao, and
Y ſchal ſeie to hym, My briþeren, and þe hows of my
fadir, þat weren in þe lond of Canaan, ben comun to
me,
xxxii and þei ben men kepers of ſcheep, and han
biſyneſſe of flockis to be fed; þei brouȝten wiþ hem her
ſcheep and grete beeſtis, and alle þingis whiche þei
miȝten haue.
xxxiii And whanne Farao ſchal clepe ȝou, and ſchal ſeie,
What is ȝoure werk? ȝe ſchulen anſwere, We ben þi
ſeruauntis, men ſcheepherdis, fro oure childhed til in to
preſent tyme, boþe we and oure fadris. Soþeli ȝe ſchulen
ſeye þeſe þingis, þat ȝe moun dwelle in þe lond of
Geſſen, for Egipcians wlaten alle keperis of ſcheep.
CAP. XLVII
i Þerfor Joſeph entride, and telde to Farao, and ſeide,
My fadir and breþren, þe ſcheep and grete beeſtis of
hem, and alle þingis whiche þei welden, camen fro þe
lond of Canaan; and lo! þei ſtonden in þe lond of
Geſſen.
ii And he ordeynede fyue, þe laſte men of hiſe briþeren,
bifore þe kyng,
iii whiche he axide, What werk han ȝe? Þei anſweriden,
We þi ſeruauntis ben kepers of ſcheep, boþe we and
oure faderis;
iiii we camen in to þi lond to be pilgrymys, for noo gras
is to þe flockis of þi ſeruauntis; hungur wexiþ greuouſe
in þe lond of Canaan, and we axen þat þou comaunde
vs þi ſeruauntis to be in þe lond of Geſſen.
v And ſo þe kyng ſeide to Joſeph, Þi fadir and þi
briþeren camen to þee;
vi þe lond of Egipt is in þi ſiȝt, make þou hem to dwelle
in þe beſte place, and ȝyue þou to hem þe lond of
Geſſen; þat if þou wooſt þat witti men ben in hem,
ordeyne þou hem mayſtris of my beeſtis.
vii After þeſe þingis Joſeph brouȝte in his fader to þe
king, and ſettide him bifor þe king, which bleſſide þe
king;
viii and he was axid of þe king, Hou many ben þe daies
of þe ȝeeris of þi lijf?
ix And he anſweride, Þe daies of pilgrymage of my lijf,
ben feewe and yuele, of an hundrid and þretti ȝeer, and
þo `camen not til to þe daies of my fadris, in whiche þei
weren pilgryms.
x And whanne he hadde bleſſid þe kyng, he ȝede out.
xi Forſoþe Joſeph ȝaf to hiſe fadir and briþeren
poſſeſſioun in Egipt, in Ramaſſes, þe beſte ſoile of erþe,
as Farao comaundide;
xii and he fedde hem, and al þe hows of his fadir, and
ȝaf metis to alle.
xiii For breed failide in al þe world, and hungur
oppreſſide þe lond, mooſt of Egipt and of Canaan;
xiiii of whiche londis he gaderide al þe money for þe
ſillyng of wheete, and brouȝte it in to þe `treſorie of þe
kyng.
xv And whanne prijs failide to þe bieris, al Egipt cam to
Joſeph, and ſeide, Ȝyue þou `looues to vs; whi ſhulen
we die bifore þee, while monei failiþ?
xvi To whiche he anſweride, Brynge ȝe ȝoure beeſtis,
and Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou metis for þo, if ȝe han not prijs.
xvii And whanne þei hadden brouȝt þo, he ȝaf to hem
metis for horſis, and ſcheep, and oxun, and aſſis; and he
ſuſteynede hem in þat ȝeer for þe chaungyng of beeſtis.
xviii And þei camen in þe ſecunde ȝeer, and ſeiden to
hym, We helen not fro oure lord, þat þe while monei
failiþ, alſo beeſtis failiden togidere, neþer it is hid fro
þee, þat wiþ out bodies and lond we han no þing;
xix whi þerfor ſchulen we die, while þou ſeeſt? boþe we
and oure lond ſchulen be þine, bie þou vs in to þe
kyngis ſeruage, and ȝyue þou ſeedis, leſt þe while þe
tiliere periſchiþ, þe lond be turned in to wildirneſſe.
xx Þerfor Joſeph bouȝte al þe lond of Egipt, while all
men ſeelden her poſſeſſiouns, for þe greetneſſe of
hungur;
xxi and he made it and alle puplis þerof ſuget to Farao,
fro þe laſte termes of Egipt til to þe laſte endis þerof,
xxii outakun þe lond of preeſtis, þat was ȝouun of þe
kyng to hem, to whiche preeſtis alſo metis weren ȝouun
of þe comun bernys, and þerfor þei weren not compellid
to ſille her poſſeſſiouns.
xxiii Þerfor Joſeph ſeide to þe puplis, Lo! as ȝe ſeen,
Farao weldiþ boþe ȝou and ȝoure lond; take ȝe ſeedis,
and `ſowe ȝe feeldis,
xxiiii þat ȝe moun haue fruytis; ȝe ſchulen ȝyue þe fifþe
part to þe kyng; Y ſuffre to ȝou þe foure reſidue partis in
to ſeed and in to meetis, to ȝou, and to ȝoure fre
children.
xxv Whiche anſweriden, Oure helþe is in þin hond; oneli
oure God biholde vs, and we ſchulen ioifuli ſerue þe
kyng.
xxvi For þat tyme til in to preſent dai, in al þe lond of
Egipt, þe fyueþe part is paied to þe kyngis, and it is
maad as in to a lawe, wiþ out þe lond of preeſtis, þat
was fre fro þis condicioun.
LXXVII
xxvii ÞerforIſrael dwellide in Egipt, þat is, in þe lond of
Jeſſen, and weldide it; and he was encreeſſid and
multiplied ful mych.
xxviii And he lyuede þerynne ſixtene ȝeer; and alle þe
daies of his lijf weren maad of an hundrid and ſeuene
and fourti ȝeer.
xxix And whanne he ſeiȝ þe dai of deeþ nyȝe, he clepide
his ſone Joſeph, and ſeide to hym, If Y haue founde
grace in þi ſiȝt; putte þin hond vndur myn hipe, and þou
ſchal do merci and treuþe to me, þat þou birie not me in
Egipt;
xxx but `Y ſchal ſlepe wiþ my fadris, and take þou awey
me fro þis lond, and birie in þe ſepulcre of my grettere.
To whom Joſeph anſweride, Y ſchal do þat þat þou
comaundiſt.
xxxi And Iſrael ſeide, Þerfor ſwere þou to me; and
whanne Joſeph ſwoor, Iſrael turnede to þe heed of þe
bed, and worſchipide God.
CAP. XLVIII
i And ſo whanne þeſe þingis weren don, it was teld to
Joſeph, þat his fadir was ſijk. And he took hiſe twei
ſones, Manaſſes and Effraym, and he diſpoſide to go.
ii And it was ſeid to þe elde man, Lo! þi ſone Joſeph
comeþ to þee; which was coumfortid, and ſat in þe bed.
iii And whanne Joſeph entride to hym, he ſeide, Almyȝti
God apperide to me in Luza, which is in þe lond of
Canaan, and bleſſide me,
iiii and ſeide, Y ſchal encreeſſe and multiplie þee, and Y
ſchal make þee in to cumpanyes of puplis, and Y ſchal
ȝyue to þee þis lond, and to þi ſeed aftir þee, in to
euerlaſtinge poſſeſſioun.
v Þerfor þi twei ſones, þat ben borun to þee in þe lond of
Egipt bifore þat Y cam hidir to þee, ſchulen be myne,
Effraym and Manaſſes as Ruben and Symeon ſchulen be
arettid to me;
vi forſoþe þe oþere whiche þou ſchalt gendre aftir hem
ſchulen be þine; and þei ſchulen be clepid bi þe name of
her briþeren in her poſſeſſiouns.
vii Forſoþe whanne Y cam fro Meſopotamye, Rachel
was deed to me in þe lond of Canaan, in þilke weie; and
it was þe bigynnyng of ſomer; and Y entride in to
Effrata, and beriede hir biſidis þe weie of Effrata, which
bi anoþir name is clepid Bethleem.
viii Forſoþe Jacob ſeiȝ þe ſones of Joſeph, and ſeide to
him, Who ben þeſe?
ix He anſweride, Þei ben my ſones, whiche God ȝaf to
me in þis place. Jacob ſeide, Brynge hem to me þat Y
bleſſe hem.
x For `þe iȝen of Iſrael, daſewiden for greet eelde, and
he myȝte not ſe clereli; and he kiſſide and collide þo
children ioyned to hym, and ſeide to his ſone,
xi Y am not defraudid of þi ſiȝt; ferþermore God
ſchewide to me þi ſeed.
xii And whanne Joſeph hadde take hem fro `þe fadris
lappe, he worſchipide lowe to erþe.
xiii And he ſette Effraym on his riȝt ſide, þat is, on þe lift
ſide of Iſrael; forſoþe he ſettide Manaſſes in his lift ſide,
þat is, on þe riȝt ſide of þe fadir; and he ioynede boþe to
hym.
xiiii Which helde forþ þe riȝt hond, and ſettide on `þe
heed of Effraym, þe leſſe broþir; ſoþeli he ſettide þe left
hond on `þe heed of Manaſſes, þat was þe more þury
birþe. Jacob chaungide `þe hondes,
xv and bleſſide his ſone Joſeph, and ſeide, God, in whos
ſiȝt my fadris Abraham and Iſaac ȝeden; God, þat fediþ
me fro my ȝong wexynge age til in to preſent day;
xvi þe aungel þat delyuerede me fro alle yuelis, bleſſe
þes children, and my name be clepid on hem, and þe
names of my fadris Abraham and Yſaac; and wexe þei
in multitude on erþe.
xvii Forſoþe Joſeph ſeiȝ þat his fadir hadde ſet þe riȝt
hond on þe heed of Effraym, and took heuyli, and he
enforſide to reiſe þe fadris hond takun fro þe heed of
Effraym, and to bere `ouer on `þe heed of Manaſſes.
xviii And he ſeide to þe fadir, Fadir, it acordiþ not ſo; for
þis is þe firſte gendrid; ſette þi riȝt hond on þe heed `of
hym.
xix Which forſook and ſeide, Y woot, my ſone, Y woot;
and ſoþeli þis child ſchal be in to puplis, and he ſchal be
multiplied; but his ȝonger broþer ſchal be more þan he,
and `his ſeed ſchal encreeſſe in to folkis.
xx And he bleſſide hem in þat tyme, and ſeide, Iſrael
ſchal be bleſſid in þee, Joſeph, and it ſchal be ſeid, God
do to þee as to Effraym and as to Manaſſes. And he
ſettide Effraym bifore Manaſſes;
xxi and ſeide to Joſeph, his ſone, Lo! Y die, and God
ſchal be wiþ ȝou, and ſchal lede ȝou aȝen to þe lond of
ȝoure fadris;
xxii Y ȝyue to þee o part ouer þi briþeren which Y took
fro þe hand of Amorei, in my ſwerd and bowe.
CAP. XLIX
i Forſoþe Jacob clepide hiſe ſones, and ſeide to hem, Be
ȝe gaderid þat Y telle what þingis ſchulen come to ȝou
in þe laſte daies;
ii be ȝe gaderid, `and here, ȝe ſones of Jacob, here ȝe
Iſrael ȝoure fadir.
iii Ruben, my firſte gendrid ſone, þou art my ſtrengþe
and þe bigynnyng of my ſorewe; þou ouȝtiſt to be þe
former in ȝiftis, þe more in lordſchip;
iiii þou art ſched out as watir; wexe þou not, for þou
ſtiediſt on þe bed of þi fader, and defoulidiſt his bed.
v Symeon and Leuy, briþeren, fiȝtynge veſſils of
wickidneſſe;
LXXVIII
vi my ſoule come not in to þe councel of hem, and my
glorie be not in þe congregacioun of hem; for in her
woodneſſe þei killiden a man, and in her wille þei
myneden þe wal;
vii curſide be þe woodneſſe of hem, for it is obſtynat,
and þe indignacioun of hem for it is hard; Y ſchal
departe hem in Jacob, and I ſchal ſcatere hem in Iſrael.
viii Judas, þi briþeren ſchulen preiſe þee, þin hondis
ſchulen be in þe nollis of þin enemyes; þe ſones of þi
fadir ſchulen worſchipe þee.
ix `A whelp of lioun `is Judas; my ſone þou ſtiediſt to
prey; þou reſtidiſt, and haſt leyn as a lioun, and as a
lioneſſe who ſchal reiſe hym?
x Þe ſeptre ſchal not be takun awey fro Juda, and a duyk
of his hipe, til he come þat ſchal be ſent, and he ſchal be
abiding of heþene men;
xi and he ſchal tye his colt at þe vyner, and his femal
aſſe at þe vyne; A! my ſone, he ſchal waiſche his ſtoole
in wyn, and his mentil in þe blood of grape;
xii hiſe iȝen ben fairere þan wyn, and hiſe teeþ ben
whittere þan mylk.
xiii Zabulon ſchal dwelle in þe brenk of þe ſee, and in þe
ſtondyng of ſchipis; and ſchal ſtretche til to Sydon.
xiiii Iſachar, a ſtrong aſſe,
xv liggynge bitwixe termes, ſeiȝ reſte, þat it was good
and ſeiȝ þe lond þat it was beſt, and he vndirſettide his
ſchuldre to bere, and he was maad ſeruynge to tributis.
xvi Dan ſchal deme his puple, as alſo anoþer lynage in
Iſrael.
xvii Dan be maad a ſerpent in þe weie, and ceraſtes in þe
paþ, and bite þe feet of an hors, þat þe `ſtiere þerof falle
bacward; Lord,
xviii Y ſchal abide þin helþe.
xix Gad ſchal be gird, and ſchal fiȝte bifor hym, and he
ſchal be gird bihynde.
xx Aſer his breed ſchal be plenteuouſe, and he ſchal ȝyue
delicis to kyngis.
xxi Neptalym ſchal be an hert ſent out, and ȝyuynge
ſpechis of faireneſſe.
xxii Joſeph, a ſone encreeſſynge, `a ſone encreſinge, and
fair in biholdyng; douȝtris runnen aboute on þe wal,
xxiii but hiſe briþren wraþþeden hym, and chidden, and
þei hadden dartis, and hadden enuye to hym.
xxiiii His bowe ſat in þe ſtronge, and þe boondis of his
armes, and hondis weren vnboundun bi þe hond of þe
myȝti of Jacob; of hym a ſcheepherd ȝede out, þe ſtoon
of Iſrael.
xxv God of þi fadir ſchal be þin helpere, and Almyȝti
God ſchal bleſſe þee wiþ bleſſyngis of heuene fro aboue,
and wiþ bleſſyngis of þe ſee liggynge bineþe, wiþ
bleſſyngis of tetis, and of wombe;
xxvi þe bleſſyngis of þi fadir ben coumfortid, þe
bleſſyngis of his fadris, til þe deſire of euerlaſtynge
hillis cam; bleſſyngis ben maad in þe heed of Joſeph,
and in þe nol of Nazarei among his briþeren.
xxvii Beniamyn, a rauyſchynge wolf, ſchal ete prey eerly,
and in þe euentid he ſchal departe ſpuylis.
xxviii Alle þeſe weren in twelue kynredis of Iſrael; her
fadir ſpak þeſe þingys to hem, and bleſſide hem alle by
propre bleſſyngis,
xxix and comaundide hem, and ſeide, Y am gaderid to
my puple, birie ȝe me wiþ my fadris in þe double
denne, which is in þe lond of Efron Ethei, aȝens
Manbre,
xxx in þe lond of Canaan, which denne Abraham bouȝte
wiþ þe feeld of Efron Ethei, in to poſſeſſioun of
ſepulcre.
xxxi Þere þei birieden hym, and Sare his wijf, alſo Yſaac
was biried þere wiþ Rebecca his wijf; þere alſo Lia
liggiþ biried.
xxxii And whanne þe comaundementis weren endid, bi
whiche he tauȝte þe ſones, he gaderide hiſe feet on þe
bed, and diede, and he was put to his puple.
CAP. L
i Which þing Joſeph ſeiȝ, and felde on `þe face of þe
fader, and wepte, and kiſte hym;
ii and he comaundide hiſe ſeruauntis, lechis, þat þei
ſchulden anoynte þe fadir wiþ ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries.
iii While þei `filliden þe comaundementis, fourti daies
paſſiden, for þis was þe cuſtom of deed bodies anoyntid;
and Egipt biwepte hym ſeuenti daies.
iiii And whanne þe tyme of weiling was fillid, Joſeph
ſpak to þe meyne of Farao, If Y haue founde grace in
ȝoure ſiȝt, ſpeke ȝe in þe eeris of Farao; for my fadir
chargide me,
v and ſeide, Lo! Y die, þou ſchalt birie me in my
ſepulcre which Y diggide to me in þe lond of Canaan;
þerfor Y ſchal ſtie þat Y birie my fadir, and Y ſchal turne
aȝen.
vi And Farao ſeide to hym, Stie, and birie þi fader, as
þou art chargid.
vii And whanne `he ſtiede, alle þe elde men of `þe hous
of Farao ȝeden wiþ him, and alle þe grettere men in
birþe of þe lond of Egipt; þe hous of Joſeph wiþ her
briþeren,
viii wiþout litle children, and flockis, and grete beeſtis,
whiche þei leften in þe lond of Geſſen, ȝeden wiþ him.
ix And he hadde charis, and horſmen, and felouſchip,
and cumpany was maad not litil.
x And þei camen to þe cornfloor of Adad, which is ſet
ouer Jordan, where þei maden þe ſeruice of þe deed
bodi, wiþ greet weilyng and ſtrong, and fillide ſeuen
daies.
xi And whanne þe dwellers of þe lond of Canaan
hadden ſeyn þis, þei ſeiden, Þis is a greet weiling to
LXXIX
Egipcians; and þerfor þei clepiden þe name of þat place
þe weilyng of Egipt.
xii Þerfor þe ſones of Jacob diden, as he hadde
comaundid to hem;
xiii and þei baren hym in to þe lond of Canaan, and þei
birieden hym in þe double denne, which denne wiþ þe
feeld Abraham hadde bouȝt of Effron Ethei, aȝens þe
face of Mambre, into poſſeſſioun of ſepulcre.
xiiii And Joſeph turnede aȝen in to Egipt wiþ hiſe
briþeren and al þe felouſchipe, whanne þe fadir was
biried.
xv And whanne þe fadir was deed, þe briþeren of Joſeph
dredden, and ſpaken togidere, leſt perauenture he be
myndeful of þe wrong which he ſuffride, and ȝelde to vs
al þe yuel, þat we diden.
xvi And þei ſenten to hym, and ſeiden, Þi fadir
comaundide to vs,
xvii bifore þat he diede, þat we ſchulden ſeie to þee þeſe
þingis bi hiſe wordis; Y beſeche, þat þou forȝete þe
wickidneſſe of þi briþeren, and þe ſynne, and malice
which þei hauntiden aȝens þee; alſo we preien, þat þou
forȝyue þis wickidneſſe to þi fadir, þe ſeruaunt of God.
Whanne þeſe þingis weren herd, Joſeph wepte.
xviii And hiſe briþeren camen to hym, and worſchipiden
lowe to erþe, and ſeiden, We ben þi ſeruauntis.
xix To whiche he anſweride, Nyle ȝe drede; wheþer we
moun aȝenſtonde Goddis wille?
xx Ȝe þouȝten yuel of me, and God turnede it in to good,
þat he ſchulde enhaunſe me, as ȝe ſeen in preſent tyme,
and þat he ſchulde make ſaaf many puplis;
xxi nyle ȝe drede, Y ſchal fede ȝou and ȝoure litle
children. And he coumfortide hem, and ſpak ſwetli, and
liȝtly;
xxii and he dwellide in Egipt, wiþ al þe hows of his
fadir. And he lyuyde an hundrid ȝeer, and he ſeiȝ þe
ſones of Effraym til to þe þridde generacioun; alſo þe
ſones of Machir, ſon of Manaſſes, weren borun in þe
knees of Joſeph.
xxiii Whanne þeſe þingis weren don, Joſeph ſpak to hiſe
briþren, Aftir my deeþ God ſchal viſite ȝou, and he ſchal
make to ſtie fro þis lond to þe loond which he ſwoor to
Abraham, Yſaac, and Jacob.
xxiiii And whanne he hadde chargid hem, and hadde
ſeid, God ſchal viſite ȝou, bere ȝe out wiþ ȝou my
boonus fro þis place,
xxv he diede, whanne an hundrid and ten ȝeeris of his
lijf weren fillid; and he was anoyntid wiþ ſwete
ſmellynge ſpiceries, and was kept in a beere in Egipt.
Here endiþ Geneſis, and here bigynneþ Exodi.

EXODI
Here bigynneþ þe book of Exodi.
CAP. I
i Þeſe ben þe names of þe ſones of Iſrael, þat entriden
into Egipt wiþ Jacob; alle entriden wiþ her houſis;
ii Ruben, Symeon,
iii Leuy, Judas, Iſachar, Zabulon, and Benjamin,
iiii Dan, and Neptalim, Gad, and Aſer.
v Þerfor alle þe ſoules of hem þat ȝeden out of `þe hipe
of Jacob weren ſeuenti and fyue.
vi Forſoþe Joſeph was in Egipt; and whanne he was
deed, and alle hiſe briþren, and al his kynrede,
vii þe ſones of Iſrael encreeſſiden, and weren multiplied
as buriounnyng, and þei weren maad ſtrong greetli, and
filliden þe lond.
viii A newe kyng, þat knewe not Joſeph, roos in þe
meene tyme on Egipt, and ſeide to his puple, Lo!
ix þe puple of þe ſones of Iſrael is myche, and ſtrongere
þan we;
x come ȝe, wiſeli oppreſſe we it, leſt perauenture it be
multiplied; and leſt, if batel riſiþ aȝens vs, it be addid to
oure enemyes, and go out of þe lond, whanne we ben
ouercomun.
xi And ſo he made maiſtris of werkis ſouereyns to hem,
þat þei ſchulden turmente hem wiþ chargis. And þei
maden citees of tabernaclis to Farao, Fiton, and
Rameſſes.
xii And bi hou myche þei oppreſſiden hem, bi ſo myche
þei weren multiplied, and encreeſſiden more.
xiii And Egipcians hatiden þe ſones of Iſrael, and
turmentiden, and ſcorneden hem;
xiiii and brouȝten her lijf to bitterneſſe bi hard werkis of
cley and to tijl ſtoon, and bi al ſeruage, bi which þei
weren oppreſſid in þe werkis of erþe.
xv Forſoþe þe kyng of Egipt ſeide to þe mydwyues of
Ebrews, of whiche oon was clepid Sefora, þe toþer Fua;
xvi and he commaundide to hem, Whanne ȝe ſchulen do
þe office of medewyues to Ebrew wymmen, and þe
tyme of childberyng ſchal come, if it is a knaue child,
ſle ȝe him; if it is a womman, kepe ȝe.
xvii Forſoþe þe medewyues dredden God, and diden not
bi þe comaundement of þe kyng of Egipt, but kepten
knaue children.
xviii To whiche clepid to hym þe kyng ſeide, What is þis
þing which ȝe wolden do, þat ȝe wolden kepe þe
children?
xix Whiche anſweriden, Ebrew wymmen ben not as þe
wymmen of Egipt, for þei han kunnyng of þe craft of
medewijf, and childen bifore þat we comen to hem.
xx Þerfor God dide wel to medewyues; and þe puple
encreeſſide, and was coumfortid greetli.
LXXX
xxi And for þe mydewyues dredden God, he bildide
`houſis to hem.
xxii Þerfor Farao comaundide al his puple, and ſeide,
What euer þing of male kynde is borun to Ebrewis,
`caſte ȝe into þe flood; what euer þing of wymmen
kynde, kepe ȝe.
CAP. II
i Aftir þeſe þingis a man of `þe hows of Leuy ȝede out,
and took a wijf of his kyn,
ii which conſeyuede, and childide a ſone. And ſche ſeiȝ
hym wel farynge, and hidde him bi þre moneþis.
iii And whanne ſche myȝte not hele, þanne ſche took a
`leep of ſegge, and bawmede it wiþ tar and pitch, and
puttide þe ȝong child wiþ ynne, and puttide hym forþ in
a `place of ſpier of þe brenke of þe flood,
iiii þe while his ſiſtir ſtood afer, and bihelde þe bifalling
of þe þing.
v Lo! forſoþe þe douȝtir of Farao cam doun to be
waiſchun in þe flood, and hir damyſels walkiden bi þe
brenke of þe flood. And whanne ſche hadde ſeyn a leep
in þe `place of ſpier, ſche ſente oon of hir ſeruaunteſſis,
vi and ſche openyde þe leep brouȝt to hir, and ſeiȝ a litil
child wepynge þer ynne. And ſche hadde mercy on þe
child, and ſeide, It is of þe ȝonge children of Ebrews.
vii To whom þe `ſiſter of þe child ſeide, Wolt þou þat Y
go, and clepe to þee an Ebrew womman, þat may
nuriſche þe ȝong child?
viii She anſweride, Go þou. Þe damyſel ȝede, and
clepide þe `modir of þe child.
ix To whom `þe douȝtir of Farao ſpak, and ſeide, Take
þou þis child, and nuriſche to me; Y ſchal ȝyue to þee þi
mede. Þe womman took, and nuriſchide þe child, and
bitook hym woxun to `þe douȝtir of Farao,
x whom ſche purchaſide `in to þe place of ſone; and ſche
clepide his name Moiſes, and ſeide, For Y took hym fro
þe watir.
xi In þo daies, aftir þat Moiſes encreeſſide, he ȝede out
to hiſe briþeren, and ſeiȝ þe turment of hem, and a man
Egipcian ſmytynge `oon of Ebrews, hiſe briþeren.
xii And whanne he hadde biholdun hidur and þidir, and
hadde ſeyn, þat no man was preſent, he killide þe
Egipcian, and hidde in ſoond.
xiii And he ȝede out in anoþer dai, and ſeiȝ tweyne
Ebrews chidynge, and he ſeide to hym þat dide wrong,
Whi ſmytiſt þou þi broþer?
xiiii Which anſweride, Who ordeynede þee prince, eþer
iuge on vs? Wheþer þou wolt ſle me, as þou killidiſt
ȝiſterdai þe Egipcian? Moiſes dredde, and ſeide, Hou is
þis word maad opun?
xv And Farao herde þis word, and ſouȝte to ſle Moyſes,
which fledde fro his ſiȝt, and dwellide in þe lond of
Madian, and ſat biſidis a pit.
xvi Forſoþe ſeuene douȝtris weren to þe preeſt of
Madian, þat camen to drawe watir; and whanne þe
trouȝis weren fillid, þei coueitiden to watere `þe flockis
of her fadir.
xvii Scheepherdis camen aboue, and dreuen hem awei;
and Moiſes roos, and defendide þe dameſelis; and he
watride `þe ſcheep of hem.
xviii And whanne þei hadden turned aȝen to Jetro, her
fadir, he ſeide to hem, Whi camen ȝe ſwiftliere þan ȝe
weren wont?
xix Þei anſweriden, A man of Egipt delyuerede vs fro þe
hond of ſcheepherdis; ferþermore and he drow watir
wiþ vs, and ȝaf drynk to þe ſcheep.
xx And he ſeide, Where is þat man? whi leften ȝe þe
man? clepe ȝe hym, þat he ete breed.
xxi Þerfor Moiſes ſwoor, þat he wolde dwelle wiþ Jetro;
and he took a wijf, Sefora, `þe douȝter of Jetro.
xxii And ſche childide a ſone to hym, whom he clepide
Gerſan, and ſeide, Y was a comelyng in an alyen lond.
Forſoþe ſche childide an oþir ſone, whom he clepide
Eliezer, and ſeide, For God of my fadir is myn helpere,
and delyuerede me fro þe hond of Farao.
xxiii Forſoþe aftir myche tyme þe kyng of Egipt diede,
and þe ſones of Iſrael inwardli weiliden for werkis, and
crieden, and þe cry of hem for werkis ſtiede to God.
xxiiii And he herde þe weilyng of hem, and he hadde
mynde of þe boond of pees, which he hadde maad wiþ
Abraham, Yſaac, and Jacob; and he bihelde þe ſones of
Iſrael,
xxv and knewe hem.
CAP. III
i Forſoþe Moiſes kepte þe ſcheep of Jetro, `his wyues
fadir, preeſt of Madian; and whanne he hadde dryue þe
floc to þe ynnere partis of deſeert, he cam to Oreb, þe
hil of God.
ii Forſoþe þe Lord apperide to hym in þe flawme of fier
fro þe myddis of þe buyſch, and he ſeiȝ þat þe buyſch
brente, and was not forbrent.
iii Þerfor Moyſes ſeide, Y ſchal go and ſchal ſe þis greet
ſiȝt, whi þe buyſch is not forbrent.
iiii Soþeli þe Lord ſeiȝ þat Moiſes ȝede to ſe, and he
clepide Moiſes fro þe myddis of þe buyſch, and ſeide,
Moyſes! Moiſes! Which anſweride, Y am preſent.
v And þe Lord ſeide, Neiȝe þou not hidur, but vnbynde
þou þe ſcho of þi feet, for þe place in which þou ſtondiſt
is hooli lond.
vi And þe Lord ſeide, Y am God of þi fadir, God of
Abraham, and God of Iſaac, and God of Jacob. Moiſes
hidde his face, for he durſte not biholde aȝens God.
vii To whom þe Lord ſeide, Y ſeiȝ þe affliccion of my
puple in Egipt, and Y herde þe cry þerof, for þe
hardneſſe of hem þat ben ſouereyns of werkis.
LXXXI
viii And Y knew þe ſorewe of þe puple, and Y cam down
to delyuere it fro þe hondis of Egipcians, and lede out
of þat lond in to a good lond and brood, into a lond þat
flowiþ wiþ milk and hony, to þe places of Cananey, and
of Ethei, of Amorrey, and of Fereſei, of Euey, and of
Jebuſei.
ix Þerfor þe cry of þe ſones of Iſrael cam to me, and Y
ſeiȝ þe turment of hem, bi which þei ben oppreſſid of
Egipcians.
x But come þou, I ſchal ſende þee to Farao, þat þou lede
out my puple, þe ſones of Iſrael, fro Egipt.
xi And Moiſes ſeide to hym, Who am Y, þat Y go to
Farao, and lede out þe ſones of Iſrael fro Egipt?
xii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Y ſchal be wiþ þee, and
þou ſchalt haue þis ſigne, þat Y haue ſent þee, whanne
þou haſt led out my puple fro Egipt, þou ſchalt offre to
God on þis hil.
xiii Moiſes ſeide to God, Lo! Y ſchal go to þe ſones of
Iſrael, and Y ſchal ſeie to hem, God of ȝoure fadris ſente
me to ȝou; if þei ſchulen ſeie to me, what is his name,
what ſchal Y ſeie to hem?
xiiii Þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Y am þat am. Þe Lord
ſeide, Þus þou ſchalt ſeie to þe ſones of Iſrael, He þat is
ſente me to ȝou.
xv And eft God ſeide to Moiſes, Þou ſchalt ſeie þeſe
þingis to þe ſones of Iſrael, Þe Lord God of ȝoure fadris,
God of Abraham, and God of Iſaac, and God of Jacob,
ſente me to ȝou; þis name is to me wiþ outen ende, and
þis is my memorial in generacioun and in to
generacioun.
xvi Go þou, gadere þou þe eldere men, þat is, iugis, of
Iſrael, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord God of ȝoure
fadris apperide to me, God of Abraham, and God of
Yſaac, and God of Jacob, and ſeide, Y viſitynge haue
viſitid ȝou, and Y ſeiȝ alle þingis þat bifelden to ȝou in
Egipt;
xvii and Y ſeide, þat Y lede out ȝou fro þe affliccioun of
Egipt in to þe lond of Cananey, and of Ethei, and of
Amorrei, and of Ferezei and of Euei, and of Jebuſei, to
þe lond flowynge wiþ mylk and hony.
xviii And þei ſchulen here þi vois; and þou ſchalt entre,
and þe eldere men of Iſrael to þe kyng of Egipt, and þou
ſchalt ſeie to hym, Þe Lord God of Ebrews clepide vs;
we ſchulen go þe weie of þre daies in to wildirneſſe, þat
we offre to oure Lord God.
xix But Y woot, þat þe kyng of Egipt ſchal not delyuere
ȝou þat ȝe go, but bi ſtrong hond;
xx for Y ſchal holde forþe myn hond, and I ſchal ſmyte
Egipt in alle my marueils, whiche Y ſchal do in þe
myddis of hem; aftir þeſe þingis he ſchal delyuere ȝou.
xxi And Y ſchal ȝyue grace to þis puple bifore
Egipcians, and whanne ȝe ſchulen go out, ȝe ſchulen not
go out voide;
xxii buta womman ſchal axe of hir neiȝboreſſe and of
her hooſteeſſe ſiluerne veſſelis, and goldun, and cloþis,
and ȝe ſchulen putte þo on ȝoure ſones and douȝtris, and
ȝe ſchulen make nakid Egipt.
CAP. IIII
i Moyſes anſweride, and ſeide, Þe comyns ſchulen not
bileue to me, neþer þei ſchulen here my vois; but þei
ſchulen ſeie, Þe Lord apperide not to þee.
ii Þerfor þe Lord ſeide to hym, What is þis þat þou
holdiſt in þin hond? Moiſes anſweride, A ȝerde.
iii And þe Lord ſeide, Caſte it forþ into erþe; and he
caſtide forþ, and it was turned in to a ſerpent, ſo þat
Moiſes fledde.
iiii And þe Lord ſeide, Holde forþ þin hond, and take þe
tail þerof; he ſtretchide forþ, and helde, and it was
turned in to a ȝerde.
v And þe Lord ſeide, Þat þei bileue, þat þe Lord God of
þi fadris apperide to þee, God of Abraham, and God of
Iſaac, and God of Jacob.
vi And þe Lord ſeide eft, Putte þin hond in to þi boſum;
and whanne he hadde put it in to þe boſum, he brouȝte
forþ it leprouſe, at þe licneſſe of ſnow.
vii Þe Lord ſeide, Wiþdrawe þin hond in to þi boſum; he
wiþdrow, and brouȝte forþ eft, and it was lijc þe toþer
fleiſch.
viii Þe Lord ſeide, If þei ſchulen not bileue to þee, neþer
ſchulen here þe word of þe formere ſigne, þei ſchulen
bileue to þe word of þe ſigne ſuynge;
ix þat if þei bileuen not ſoþeli to þeſe twei ſignes, neþer
heren þi vois, take þou watir of þe flood, and ſchedde
out it on þe drie lond, and what euer þing þou ſchalt
drawe vp of þe flood, it ſchal be turned in to blood.
x Moiſes ſeide, Lord, Y biſeche, Y am `not eloquent fro
ȝiſtirdai and þe þridde dai ago; and ſiþen þou haſt
ſpokun to þi ſeruaunt, Y am of more lettid and ſlowere
tunge.
xi Þe Lord ſeide to hym, Who made þe mouþ of man,
eþer who made a doumb man and `deef, ſeynge and
blynd? wheþer not Y?
xii Þerfor go þou, and Y ſchal be in þi mouþ, and Y ſchal
teche þee what þou ſchalt ſpeke.
xiii And he ſeide, Lord, Y biſeche, ſende þou whom þou
ſchalt ſende.
xiiii And þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens Moiſes, and ſeide, Y
woot, þat Aaron, þi broþer, of þe lynage of Leuy, is
eloquent; lo! he ſchal go out in to þi comyng, and he
ſchal ſe þee, and ſchal be glad in herte.
xv Speke þou to hym, and putte þou my wordis in his
mouþ, and Y ſchal be in þi mouþ, and in þe mouþ of
hym; and Y ſchal ſchewe to ȝou what ȝe owen to do.
LXXXII
xvi He ſchal ſpeke for þee to þe puple, and he ſchal be þi
mouþ; forſoþe þou ſchalt be to him in þeſe þingis, þat
perteynen to God.
xvii Alſo take þou þis ȝerde in þin hond, in which þou
ſchalt do myraclis.
xviii Moiſes ȝede, and turnede aȝen to Jetro, his wyues
fadir, and ſeide to hym, Y ſchal go, and turne aȝen to my
briþeren in to Egipt, þat Y ſe, wheþer þei lyuen ȝit. To
whom Jetro ſeide, Go þou in pees.
xix Þerfor þe Lord ſeide to Moyſes in Madian, Go þou,
and turne aȝen into Egipt; for alle þei ben deed þat
ſouȝten þi lijf.
xx Moiſes took his wijf, and hiſe ſones, and puttide hem
on an aſſe, and he turnede aȝen in to Egipt, and bar þe
ȝerde of God in his hond.
xxi And þe Lord ſeide to hym turnynge aȝen in to Egipt,
Se, þat þou do alle wondris, whiche Y haue put in þin
hond, bifore Farao; Y ſchal make hard his herte, and he
ſchal not delyuere þe puple; and þou ſchalt ſeie to hym,
xxii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, My firſte gendrid ſone is
Iſrael;
xxiii Y ſeide to þee, delyuere þou my ſone, þat he ſerue
me, and þou noldiſt delyuere hym; lo! Y ſchal ſle þi
firſte gendrid ſone.
xxiiii And whanne Moiſes was in þe weie, in an yn, þe
Lord cam to him, and wolde ſle hym.
xxv Sefora took anoon a mooſt ſcharp ſtoon, and
circumcidide þe ȝerde of hir ſone; and ſche towchide
`þe feet of Moiſes, and ſeide, Þou art an hoſebonde of
bloodis to me.
xxvi And he lefte hym, aftir þat ſche hadde ſeid, Þou art
an hoſebonde of bloodis to me for circumciſioun.
xxvii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Aaron, Go þou in to þe
comyng of Moiſes in to deſeert; which ȝede aȝens
Moiſes in to þe hil of God, and kiſſide him.
xxviii And Moiſes telde to Aaron alle þe wordis of þe
Lord, for whiche he hadde ſent Moiſes; and `he telde þe
myraclis, whiche þe Lord hadde comaundid.
xxix And þei camen togidere, and gaderiden alle þe
eldere men of þe ſones of Iſrael.
xxx And Aaron ſpak alle þe wordis, whiche þe Lord
hadde ſeid to Moiſes, and he dide þe ſignes bifore þe
puple;
xxxi and þe puple bileuede; and þei herden, þat þe Lord
hadde viſitid þe ſones of Iſrael, and þat he hadde
biholde þe turment of hem; and þei worſchipiden lowe.
CAP. V
i Aftir þeſe þingis Moiſes and Aaron entriden, and
ſeiden to Farao, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Delyuere þou my puple, þat it make ſacrifice to me in
deſeert.
ii And he anſweride, Who is þe Lord, þat Y here his
vois, and delyuere Iſrael? I knowe not þe Lord, and Y
ſchal not delyuere Iſrael.
iii Þei ſeiden, God of Ebrews clepide vs, þat we go þe
weie of þre daies in to wildirneſſe, and þat we make
ſacrifice to oure Lord God, leſt perauenture peſtilence,
eþer ſwerd, bifalle to vs.
iiii Þe kyng of Egipt ſeide to hem, Moiſes and Aaron,
whi ſtiren ȝe þe puple fro her werkis? Go ȝe to ȝoure
chargis.
v And Farao ſeide, Þe puple of þe loond is myche; ȝe
ſeen þat þe cumpany haþ encreeſſid; hou myche more
ſchal it encreeſſe, if ȝe ſchulen ȝyue to hem reſte fro
werkis.
vi Þerfor Farao comaundide in þat dai to þe maiſtris of
werkis, and to rente gadereris of þe puple,
vii and ſeide, Ȝe ſchulen no more ȝyue ſtre to þe puple,
to make tijl ſtoonys as bifore; but go þei, and gedere
ſtobil;
viii and ȝe ſchulen ſette on hem þe meſure of tijl ſtoonys,
which þei maden bifore, neþer ȝe ſchulen abate ony
þing; for þei ben idil, and þerfor þei crien, and ſeien, Go
we, and make we ſacrifice to oure God;
ix be þei oppreſſid bi werkis, and fille þei þo, þat þei
aſſente not to þe falſe wordis.
x Þerfor þe maiſtris of þe workis and þe rente gadereris
ȝeden out to þe puple, and ſeiden, Þus ſeiþ Farao, Y
ȝyue not to ȝou ſtre;
xi go ȝe, and gadere, if ȝe moun fynde ony where; neþer
ony þing ſchal be decreeſſid of ȝoure werk.
xii And þe puple was ſcaterid bi al þe lond of Egipt to
gadre ſtre.
xiii And þe mayſtris of werkis weren biſi, and ſeiden,
Fille ȝe ȝoure werk ech dai, as ȝe weren wont to do,
whanne þe ſtre was ȝouun to ȝou.
xiiii And þei, þat weren maiſtris of þe werkis of þe ſones
of Iſrael, weren betun of þe rent gadereris of Farao, þat
ſeiden, Whi filliden ȝe not þe meſure of tijl ſtoonus, as
bifore, neþer ȝiſtirdai neþir to dai?
xv And þe ſouereyns of þe ſonys of Iſrael camen, and
crieden to Farao, and ſeiden, Whi doiſt þou ſo aȝens þi
ſeruauntis?
xvi Stre is not ȝouun to vs, and tijl ſtoonus ben
comaundid in lijk manere. Lo! we þi ſeruauntis ben
betun wiþ ſcourgis, and it is doon vniuſtli aȝens þi
puple.
xvii Farao ſeide, Ȝe ȝyuen tent to idilneſſe, and þerfor ȝe
ſeien, Go we, and make we ſacrifice to þe Lord;
xviii þerfor go ȝe, and worche; ſtre ſchal not be ȝouun to
ȝou, and ȝe ſchulen ȝelde þe cuſtomable noumbre of tijl
ſtoonus.
LXXXIII
xix And þe ſouereyns of þe children of Iſrael ſien hem
ſilf in yuel, for it was ſeid to hem, No þing ſchal be
decreeſſid of tijl ſtoonus bi alle daies.
xx And þei `camen to Moiſes and Aaron, þat ſtoden
euene aȝens, and þei `ȝeden out fro Farao,
xxi and ſeiden to `Moiſes and Aaron, Þe Lord ſe, and
deme, for ȝe han maad oure odour to ſtynke bifore
Farao and hiſe ſeruauntis; and ȝe han ȝoue to hym a
ſwerd, þat he ſchulde ſle vs.
xxii And Moiſes turnede aȝen to þe Lord, and ſeide,
Lord, whi haſt þou turmentid þis puple? why ſentiſt þou
me?
xxiii For ſiþen Y entride to Farao, þat Y ſchulde ſpeke in
þi name, þou haſt turmentid þi puple, and haſt not
delyuered hem.
CAP. VI
i And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Now þou ſchalt ſe, what
þingis Y ſchal do to Farao; for bi ſtrong hond he ſchal
delyuere hem, and in myȝti hond he ſchal caſte hem out
of his lond.
ii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
iii and ſeide, Y am þe Lord, þat apperide to Abraham,
and to Iſaac, and to Jacob in Almyȝti God; and Y
ſchewide not to hem my greet name Adonai;
iiii and Y made couenaunt wiþ hem, þat Y ſchulde ȝyue
to hem þe lond of Canaan, þe lond of her pilgrymage, in
which þei weren comelyngis.
v Y herde þe weilyng of þe ſones of Iſrael, in which þe
Egipcians oppreſſeden hem, and Y hadde mynde of my
couenaunt.
vi Þerfor ſeie þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, Y am þe Lord,
þat ſchal lede out ȝou of þe priſoun of Egipcians; and Y
ſchal delyuere fro ſeruage; and Y ſchal aȝen bie in `an
hiȝ arm, and in grete domes;
vii and Y ſchal take ȝou to me in to a puple, and Y ſchal
be ȝoure God; and ȝe ſchulen wite, for Y am ȝoure Lord
God, `which haue led ȝou out of þe priſoun of
Egipcians,
viii and haue led ȝou in to þe lond, on which Y reiſide
myn hond, þat Y ſchulde ȝyue it to Abraham, and to
Yſaac, and to Jacob; and Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou þat lond to
be weldid; I þe Lord.
ix Þerfor Moiſes telde alle þingis to þe ſones of Irael,
whiche aſſentide not to hym for þe angwiſch of ſpirit,
and for þe hardeſt werk.
x And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xi and ſeide, Entre þou, and ſpeke to Farao, kyng of
Egipt, þat he delyuere þe children of Iſrael fro his lond.
xii Moiſes anſweride bifore þe Lord, Lo! þe children of
Iſrael here not me, and hou ſchal Farao here, mooſt
ſiþen Y am vncircumcidid in lippis?
xiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and to Aaron, and ȝaf
comaundementis to þe ſones of Iſrael, and to Farao,
kyng of Egipt, þat þei ſchulden lede out þe ſones of
Iſrael fro þe lond of Egipt.
xiiii Þeſe ben þe princis of houſis bi her meynees. Þe
ſones of Ruben, þe firſte gendrid of Iſrael, Enoch, and
Fallu, Eſrom, and Charmy; þeſe ben þe kynredis of
Ruben.
xv Þe ſones of Symeon, Jamuel, and Jamyn, and Aod,
and Jachym, and Soer, and Saul, þe ſone of a womman
of Canaan; þeſe ben þe kynretis of Symeon.
xvi And þeſe ben þe names of þe ſones of Leuy by her
kynredis, Gerſon, and Caath, and Merary. Forſoþe þe
ȝeeris of lijf of Leuy weren an hundrid and ſeuene and
þretti.
xvii Þe ſones of Gerſon, Lobny and Semei, bi her
kynredis.
xviii Þe ſones of Caath, Amram, and Iſuar, and Hebron,
and Oziel; and þe ȝeeris of lijf of Caath weren an
hundrid and þre and þretti.
xix Þe ſones of Merari weren Mooli and Muſi. Þeſe
weren þe kynredis of Leuy bi her meynees.
xx Forſoþe Amram took a wijf, Jocabed, douȝtir of his
fadris broþer, and ſche childide to hym Aaron, and
Moiſes, and Marie; and þe ȝeeris of lijf of Amram
weren an hundred and ſeuene and þretti.
xxi Alſo þe ſones of Iſuar weren Chore, and Nafeg, and
Zechry.
xxii Alſo þe ſones of Oziel weren Miſael, and Eliſaphan,
and Sechery.
xxiii Soþeli Aaron took a wijf, Elizabeth, þe douȝtir of
Amynadab, þe ſiſtir of Naaſon, and ſche childide to hym
Nadab, and Abyu, and Eleazar, and Ythamar.
xxiiii Alſo þe ſones of Chore weren Aſer, and Elcana, and
Abiaſab; þes weren þe kinredis of Chore.
xxv And ſoþeli Eleazar, ſone of Aaron, took a wijf of þe
douȝtris of Phatiel, and ſche childide Fynees to hym.
Þeſe ben þe princis of þe meynees of Leuy bi her
kynredis.
xxvi Þis is Aaron and Moiſes, to whiche þe Lord
comaundide, þat þei ſchulden lede out of þe lond of
Egipt þe ſones of Iſrael by her cumpanyes;
xxvii þeſe it ben, þat ſpeken to Pharao king of Egipt, þat
þei lede þe ſones of Iſrael out of Egipt;
xxviii þis is Moiſes and Aaron, in þe dai in which þe
Lord ſpak to Moiſes in þe lond of Egipt.
xxix And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Y am þe
Lord; ſpek þou to Farao, kyng of Egipt, alle þingis
whiche Y ſpeke to þee.
xxx And Moiſes ſeide bifore þe Lord, Lo! Y am
vncircumcidid in lippis; hou ſchal Farao here me?
LXXXIV
CAP. VII
i And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Lo! Y haue maad þee þe
god of Farao; and Aaron, þi broþer, ſchal be þi
prophete.
ii Þou ſchalt ſpeke to Aaron alle þingis whiche Y
comaunde to þee, and he ſchal ſpeke to Farao, þat he
delyuere þe ſones of Iſrael fro his hond.
iii But Y ſchal make hard his herte, and Y ſchal multiplie
my ſignes and merueils in þe lond of Egipt, and he ſchal
not here ȝou;
iiii and Y ſchal ſende myn hond on Egipt, and Y ſchal
lede out myn ooſt, and my puple, þe ſones of Iſrael, fro
þe lond of Egipt bi mooſte domes;
v and Egipcians ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, which
haue holde forþ myn hond on Egipt, and haue led out of
þe myddis of hem þe ſones of Iſrael.
vi And ſo Moiſes dide and Aaron; as þe Lord
comaundide, ſo þei diden.
vii Forſoþe Moyſes was of foureſcoor ȝeer, and Aaron
was of foureſcoor ȝeer and þre, whanne þei ſpaken to
Farao.
viii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes and to Aaron,
ix Whanne Farao ſchal ſeie to ȝou, Schewe ȝe ſignes to
vs, þou ſchalt ſeie to Aaron, Take þi ȝerde, and caſte
forþ it before Farao, and be it turned into a ſerpent.
x And ſo Moiſes and Aaron entriden to Farao, and diden
as þe Lord comaundide; and Aaron took þe ȝeerde, and
caſtide forþ bifore Farao and hiſe ſeruauntis, which
ȝerde was turned in to a ſerpent.
xi Forſoþe Farao clepide wiſe men, and witchis, and þei
alſo diden bi enchauntementis of Egipt, and bi ſumme
priuy þingis in lijk maner;
xii and alle caſtiden forþ her ȝerdis, whiche weren
turned in to dragouns; but þe ȝerde of Aaron deuouride
`þe ȝerdis of hem.
xiii And þe herte of Farao was maad hard, and he herde
not hem, as þe Lord comaundide.
xiiii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moyſes, Þe herte of Farao
is maad greuouſe, he nyle delyuere þe puple;
xv go þou to hym eerli; lo! he ſchal go out to þe watris,
and þou ſchalt ſtonde in þe comyng of hym on þe
brynke of þe flood; and þou ſchalt take in þin honde þe
ȝerde, þat was turned into a dragoun,
xvi and þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Þe Lord God of Ebrews
ſente me to þee, and ſeide, Delyuere þou my puple, þat
it make ſacrifice to me in deſert; til to preſent time þou
noldiſt here.
xvii Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, In þis þou ſchalt
wite, þat Y am þe Lord; lo! Y ſchal ſmyte wiþ þe ȝerde,
which is in myn hond, þe watir of þe flood, and it ſchal
be turned in to blood;
xviii and þe fiſchis þat ben in þe flood ſchulen die; and
þe watris ſchulen wexe rotun, and Egipcians drynkynge
þe watir of þe flood ſchulen be turmentid.
xix Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Seie þou to Aaron,
Take þi ȝerde, and holde forþ þin hond on þe watris of
Egipt, and on þe flodis of hem, and on þe ſtremys `of
hem, and on þe mareis, and alle lakis of watris, þat þo
be turned in to blood; and blood be in al þe lond of
Egipt, as wel in veſſils of tree as of ſtoon.
xx And Moiſes and Aaron diden ſo, as þe Lord
comaundide; and Aaron reiſide þe ȝerde, and ſmoot þe
watir of þe flood bifore Farao and hiſe ſeruauntis, which
watir was turned in to blood;
xxi and fiſchis, þat weren in þe flood, dieden; and þe
flood was rotun, and Egipcians myȝten not drynke þe
water of þe flood; and blood was in al þe lond of Egipt.
xxii And þe witchis of Egipcians diden in lijk maner by
her enchauntementis; and þe herte of Farao was maad
hard, and he herde not hem, as þe Lord comaundide.
xxiii And he turnede awei hym ſilf, and entride in to his
hows, neþir he took it to herte, ȝhe, in þis tyme.
xxiiii Forſoþe alle Egipcians diggiden watir `bi þe
cumpas of þe flood, to drinke; for þei myȝten not
drynke of þe `watir of þe flood.
xxv And ſeuene daies weren fillid, aftir þat þe Lord
ſmoot þe flood.
CAP. VIII
i Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Entre þou to Farao, and
þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Delyuere þou my puple, þat it make ſacrifice to me;
ſoþeli if þou nylt delyuere, lo!
ii Y ſchal ſmyte alle þi termys wiþ paddoks;
iii and þe flood ſchal buyle out paddokis, þat ſchulen
ſtie, and ſchulen entre in to þin hows, and in to þe cloſet
of þi bed, and on þi bed, and in to `þe hous of þi
ſeruauntis, and in to þi puple, and in to þin ouenes, and
in to þe relyues of þi metis;
iiii and þe paddoks ſchulen entre to þee, and to þi puple,
and to alle þi ſeruauntis.
v And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Seie þou to Aaron, Hold
forþ þin hond on þe floodis, and on þe ſtreemes, and
mareis; and bryng out paddoks on þe lond of Egipt.
vi And Aaron helde forþ þe hond on þe watris of Egipt;
and paddoks ſtieden, and hileden þe lond of Egipt.
vii Forſoþe and þe witchis diden in lijk maner bi her
enchauntementis; and þei brouȝten forþ paddoks on þe
lond of Egipt.
viii Forſoþe Farao clepide Moiſes and Aaron, and ſeide
to hem, Preie ȝe þe Lord, þat he do a wei þe paddoks
fro me, and fro my puple; and Y ſchal delyuere þe
puple, þat it make ſacrifice to þe Lord.
LXXXV
ix And Moiſes ſeide to Farao, Ordeyne þou a tyme to
me, whanne Y ſchal preie for þee, and for þi ſeruauntis,
and for þi puple, þat þe paddokis be dryuun awei fro
þee, and fro þin hows, and fro þi ſeruauntis, and fro þi
puple; and dwelle oneli in þe flood.
x And he anſweride, To morewe. And Moiſes ſeide, Y
ſchal do bi þi word, þat þou wite, þat noon is as oure
Lord God; and þe paddoks ſchulen go awei fro þee,
xi and fro þin hous, and fro þi children, and fro þi
ſeruauntis, and fro þi puple; and þo ſchulen dwelle oneli
in þe flood.
xii And Moiſes and Aaron ȝeden out fro Farao. And
Moiſes criede to þe Lord, for þe biheeſt of paddoks,
which he hadde ſeid to Farao.
xiii And þe Lord dide bi þe word of Moiſes; and þe
paddoks weren deed fro houſis, and fro townes, and fro
feeldis;
xiiii and þei gaderiden þo in to grete heepis, and þe lond
was rotun.
xv Soþeli Farao ſeiȝ þat reſte was ȝouun, and he made
greuous his herte, and herde not hem, as þe Lord
comaundide.
xvi And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Spek þou to Aaron,
Holde forþ þi ȝerde, and ſmyte þe duſt of erþe, and litle
flies, eþer gnattis, be in al þe lond of Egipt.
xvii And þei diden ſo; and Aaron helde forþ þe hond,
and helde þe ȝerde, and ſmoot þe duſte of erþe; and
gnattis weren maad in men, and in werk beeſtis; al þe
duſt of erþe was turned in to gnattis bi al þe lond of
Egipt.
xviii And witchis diden in lijk maner bi her
enchauntementis, þat þei ſchulden brynge forþ gnattis,
and þei miȝten not; and gnattis weren as wel in men as
in werk beeſtis.
xix And þe witchis ſeiden to Farao, Þis is þe fyngur of
God. And þe herte of Farao was maad hard, and he
herde not hem, as þe Lord comaundide.
xx And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Riſe þou eerli, and
ſtonde bifore Farao, for he ſchal go out to þe watris; and
þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Delyuere þou my puple, þat it make ſacrifice to me;
xxi þat if þou ſchalt not delyuere þe puple, lo! Y ſchal
ſende in to þee, and in to þi ſeruauntis, and in to þi
puple, and in to þin houſis, al þe kynde of flies; and þe
houſis of Egipcians ſchulen be fillid wiþ flies of dyuerſe
kyndis, and al þe lond in which þei ſchulen be.
xxii And in þat dai Y ſchal make wondurful þe lond of
Geſſen, in which my puple is, þat flies be not þere; and
þat þou wite þat Y am þe Lord in þe myddis of erþe;
xxiii and Y ſchal ſette departyng bitwixe my puple and þi
puple; þis ſigne ſchal be to morewe.
xxiiii And þe Lord dide ſo. And a mooſt greuouſe flie
cam in to þe hows of Farao, and of hiſe ſeruauntis, and
in to al þe lond of Egipt; and þe lond was corrupt of
ſiche flies.
xxv And Farao clepide Moiſes and Aaron, and ſeide to
hem, Go ȝe, make ȝe ſacrifice to `ȝoure Lord God in þis
lond.
xxvi And Moiſes ſeide, It may not be ſo, for `we ſchulen
offre to oure God þe abhomynaciouns of Egipcians; þat
if we ſchulen ſle bifore Egipcians þo þingis whiche þei
worſchipen, þei ſchulen `ouerleie vs wiþ ſtoonus.
xxvii We ſchulen go þe weie of þre daies in to
wildirneſſe, and we ſchulen make ſacrifice to oure Lord
God, as he comaundide vs.
xxviii And Farao ſeide, Y ſchal delyuere ȝou, þat ȝe make
ſacrifice to `ȝoure Lord God in deſeert; neþeles go ȝe
not ferþere; preie ȝe for me.
xxix And Moiſes ſeide, Y ſchal go out fro þee, and Y
ſchal preie þe Lord; and þe fli ſchal go awei fro Farao,
and fro hiſe ſeruauntis, and puple to morewe; neþeles
nyle þou more diſſeyue me, þat þou delyuere not þe
puple to make ſacrifice to þe Lord.
xxx And Moiſes ȝede out fro Farao, and preiede þe Lord,
whiche dide bi þe word of Moyſes,
xxxi and took awei flies fro Farao, and fro hiſe
ſeruauntis, and puple; noon lefte, `ſoþeli neþer oon.
xxxii And þe herte of Farao was maad hard, ſo þat he
delyueride not þe puple, ſoþli neþir in þis tyme.
CAP. IX
i Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Entre þou to Farao,
and ſpeke þou to hym, Þe Lord God of Ebrews ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Delyuere þou my puple, þat it make ſacrifice to
me;
ii þat if þou forſakiſt ȝit, and wiþholdiſt hem, lo!
iii myn hond ſchal be on þi feeldis, on horſis, and aſſis,
and camels, and oxun, and ſcheep, a peſtilence ful
greuous;
iiii and þe Lord ſchal make a merueilous þing bitwixe þe
poſſeſſiouns of Iſrael and þe poſſeſſiouns of Egipcians,
þat outirli no þing periſche of þeſe þingis þat perteynen
to þe ſones of Iſrael.
v And þe Lord ordeinede a tyme, and ſeide, To morewe
þe Lord ſchal do þis word in þe lond.
vi Þerfor þe Lord made þis word in þe toþer dai, and alle
þe lyuynge beeſtis of Egipcians weren deed; forſoþe
outirli no þing periſchide of þe beeſtis of þe ſones of
Iſrael.
vii And Farao ſente to ſe, neþer ony þing was deed of
þeſe þingis whiche Iſrael weldide; and þe herte of Farao
was maad greuouſe, and he delyuerede not þe puple.
viii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes and Aaron, Take ȝe þe
hondis ful of aſkis of þe chymeney, and Moiſes ſprynge
it in to heuene bifore Farao;
LXXXVI
ix and be þere duſt on al þe lond of Egipt; for whi
botchis ſchulen be in men and in werk beeſtis, and
bolnynge bladdris ſchulen be in al þe lond of Egipt.
x And þei token aſkis of þe chymney, and ſtoden bifore
Farao; and Moiſes ſpreynt it into heuene; and woundis
of bolnynge bladdris weren maad in men, and in werk
beeſtis;
xi and þe witchis myȝten not ſtonde bifor Moiſes, for
woundis þat weren in hem, and in al þe lond of Egipt.
xii And þe Lord made hard þe herte of Farao, and he
herde not hem, as þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes.
xiii Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Riſe þou eerli, and
ſtonde bifore Farao, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Þe Lord
God of Ebrews ſeþ þeſe þingis, Delyuere þou my puple,
þat it make ſacrifice to me;
xiiii for in þis tyme Y ſchal ſende alle my veniauncis on
þin herte, and on þi ſeruauntis, and on þi puple, þat þou
wite, þat noon is lijk me in al erþe.
xv For now Y ſchal holde forþ þe hond, and Y ſchal
ſmyte þee and þi puple wiþ peſtilence, and þou ſchalt
periſche fro erþe;
xvi forſoþe herfor Y haue ſet þee, þat Y ſchewe my
ſtrengþe in þee, and þat my name be teld in ech lond.
xvii Ȝit þou wiþholdiſt my puple, and nylt delyuere it?
xviii Lo! to morewe in þis ſame our Y ſchal reyne ful
myche hail, which maner hail was not in Egipt, fro þe
dai in which it was foundid, til in to preſent tyme.
xix Þerfor ſende þou `riȝt now, and gadere þi werk
beeſtis, and alle þingis whiche þou haſt in þe feeld; for
men and werk beeſtis and alle þingis þat ben in feeldis
wiþ outforþ, and ben not gaderid fro þe feeldis, and
haile falle on þo, ſchulen die.
xx He þat dredde `þe Lordis word, of þe ſeruauntis of
Farao, made his ſeruauntis and werk beeſtis fle in to
houſis;
xxi ſoþeli he þat diſpiſide þe `Lordis word, lefte his
ſeruauntis and werk beeſtis in þe feeldis.
xxii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Holde forþ þin hond in
to heuene, þat hail be maad in al þe lond of Egipt, on
men, and on werk beeſtis, and on ech eerbe of þe feeld
in þe lond of Egipt.
xxiii And Moiſes held forþ þe ȝerde in to heuene; and þe
Lord ȝaf þundris, and hail, and leitis rennynge aboute
on þe lond; and þe Lord reynede hail on þe lond of
Egipt;
xxiiii and hail and fier meddlid togidere weren borun
forþ; and it was of ſo myche greetneſſe, how greet
apperide neuere bifore in al þe lond of Egipt, ſiþen þilke
puple was maad.
xxv And þe hail ſmoot in þe lond of Egipt alle þingis þat
weren in þe feeldis, fro man til to werk beeſte; and þe
hail ſmoot al þe eerbe of þe feeld, and brak al þe flex of
þe cuntrey;
xxvi oonli þe hail felde not in þe lond of Geſſen, where
þe ſones of Iſrael weren.
xxvii And Farao ſente, and clepide Moiſes and Aaron,
and ſeide to hem, Y haue ſynned alſo now; þe Lord is
iuſt, Y and my puple ben wickid;
xxviii preye ȝe þe Lord, þat þe þundris and hail of God
ceeſſe, and Y ſchal delyuere ȝou, and dwelle ȝe no more
here.
xxix Moyſes ſeide, Whanne Y ſchal go out of þe citee, Y
ſchal holde forþ myn hondis to þe Lord, and leitis and
þundris ſchulen ceeſſe, and hail ſchal not be, þat þou
wite, þat þe lond is þe Lordis;
xxx forſoþe Y knowe, þat þou and þi ſeruauntis dreden
not ȝit þe Lord.
xxxi Þerfor þe flex and barli was hirt, for þe barli was
greene, and þe flex hadde buriounned þanne knoppis;
xxxii forſoþe wheete and beenys weren not hirt, for þo
weren late.
xxxiii And Moyſes ȝede out fro Farao, and fro þe citee,
and helde forþ þe hondis to þe Lord, and þundris and
hail ceeſſiden, and reyn droppide no more on þe erþe.
xxxiiii Soþeli Farao ſiȝ þat þe reyn hadde ceeſſid, and þe
hail, and þundris, and he encreeſſide ſynne;
xxxv and þe herte of hym and of hiſe ſeruauntis was
maad greuouſe, and his herte was maad hard greetli;
neþir he lefte þe ſones of Iſrael, as þe Lord comaundide
bi `þe hond of Moiſes.
CAP. X
i And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Entre þou to Farao, for Y
haue maad hard þe herte of hym, and of hiſe ſeruauntis,
þat Y do þeſe ſignes `of me in hym;
ii and þat þou telle in þe eeris of þi ſone and of `þi ſones
ſones, how ofte Y al to-brak Egipcians, and dide ſignes
in hem; and þat ȝe wyte þat Y am þe Lord.
iii Þerfore Moiſes and Aaron entriden to Farao, and
ſeiden to hym, Þe Lord God of Ebrews ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
How long `nylt þou be maad ſuget to me? Delyuere þou
my puple, þat it make ſacrifice to me; ellis ſoþeli if þou
aȝenſtondiſt,
iiii and nylt delyuere it, lo! Y ſchal brynge in to morewe
a locuſte in to þi cooſtis,
v which ſchal hile þe hiȝere part of erþe, neþer ony þing
þerof ſchal appere, but þat, þat was `reſidue to þe hail
ſchal be etun; for it ſchal gnawe alle þe trees þat
buriounnen in feeldis;
vi and þo ſchulen fille þin howſis, and þe howſis of þi
ſeruauntis, and of alle Egipcians, hou greet þi fadris and
grauntſiris ſien not, ſiþen þei weren borun on erþe, til in
to preſent dai. And Moiſes turnede awei hym ſilf, and
ȝede out fro Farao.
vii Forſoþe þe ſeruauntis of Farao ſeiden to hym, Hou
longe ſchulen we ſuffre þis ſclaundre? Delyuere þe men,
LXXXVII
þat þei make ſacrifice to `her Lord God; ſeeſt þou not
þat Egipt periſchide?
viii And þei aȝen clepiden Moiſes and Aaron to Farao,
and he ſeide to hem, Go ȝe, and make ȝe ſacrifice to
`ȝoure Lord God; whiche ben þei, þat ſchulen go?
ix Moiſes ſeide, We ſchulen go wiþ oure litle children
and eldre, and wiþ ſones, and douȝtris, wiþ ſcheep, and
grete beeſtis; for it is þe ſolempnyte of `oure Lord God.
x And Farao anſweride, So þe Lord be wiþ ȝou; hou
þerfor ſchal Y delyuere ȝou and ȝoure litle children? to
whom is it doute, þat ȝe þenken worſt?
xi It ſchal `not be ſo; but go ȝe men oneli, and make ȝe
ſacrifice to þe Lord; for alſo ȝe axiden þis. And anoon
þei weren caſt out fro þe ſiȝt of Farao.
xii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Holde forþ þi hond
on þe lond of Egipt, to a locuſt, þat it ſtie on þe lond,
and deuoure al þe eerbe which is reſidue to þe hail.
xiii And Moiſes helde forþe þe ȝerde on þe lond of
Egipt, and þe Lord brouȝte in a brennynge wynd al þat
dai and niȝt; and whanne þe morewtid was maad, þe
brennynge wynd reiſide locuſtis, whiche ſtieden on al þe
lond of Egipt,
xiiii and ſaten in alle þe cooſtis of Egipcians; `and þe
locuſtis weren vnnoumbrable, and ſuche weren not
bifore þat tyme, neþer ſchulen come aftirward.
xv And þo hiliden al þe face of þe erþe, and waſtiden
alle þingis; þerfor þe eerbe of þe erþe was deuourid,
and what euere of applis was in trees, whiche þe hail
hadde left, `it was deuourid; and outirli no green þing
was left in trees and in eerbis of erþe, in al Egipt.
xvi Wherfor Farao haſtide, and clepide Moiſes and
Aaron, and ſeide to hem, Y haue ſynned aȝens ȝoure
Lord God, and aȝens ȝow;
xvii but now forȝyue ȝe þe ſynne to me; alſo in þis tyme
preie ȝe ȝoure Lord God, þat he take awey fro me þis
deeþ.
xviii And Moiſes ȝede out of þe ſiȝt of Farao, and preiede
þe Lord;
xix which made a mooſt ſtrong wynd to blowe fro þe
weſt, and took, and caſtide þe locuſt in to þe reed ſee;
`noon dwellide, ſoþeli neþer oon, in alle þe cooſtis of
Egipt.
xx And þe Lord made hard þe herte of Farao, and he
lefte not þe ſones of Iſrael.
xxi Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Holde forþ þin
hond in to heuene, and derkneſſis be on þe lond of
Egipt, ſo þicke þat þo moun be gropid.
xxii And Moiſes helde forþ þe hond in to heuene, and
orrible derkneſſis weren maad in al þe lond of Egipt;
xxiii in þre daies no man ſeiȝ his broþer, neþer mouede
him ſilf fro þat place in which he was. Whereuer þe
ſones of Iſrael dwelliden, lyȝt was.
xxiiii And Farao clepide Moiſes and Aaron, and ſeide to
hem, Go ȝe, make ȝe ſacrifice to þe Lord; oneli ȝoure
ſcheep and grete beeſtis dwelle ſtille; ȝoure litle children
go wiþ ȝou.
xxv Moiſes ſeide, Alſo þou ſchalt ȝyue to vs offryngis
and brent ſacrifices, whiche we ſchulen offre to `oure
Lord God;
xxvi alle þe flockis ſchulen go wiþ vs, for `a cle ſchal not
dwelle of þo þingis, þat ben nedeful in to þe
worſchipyng of `oure Lord God, mooſt ſiþen we witen
not what owiþ to be offrid, til we comen to þat place.
xxvii Forſoþe þe Lord made hard þe herte of Farao, and
he nolde delyuere hem.
xxviii And Farao ſeide to Moiſes, Go awei fro me, and ȝe
war þat þou ſe no more my face; in whateuer dai þou
ſchalt appere to me, þou ſchalt die.
xxix Moyſes anſweride, Be it doon ſo, as þou haſt
ſpokun; I ſchal no more ſe þi face.
CAP. XI
i And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Ȝit Y ſchal touche Farao
and Egipt wiþ o veniaunce, and after þeſe þingis he
ſchal delyuere ȝou, and ſchal conſtreyne ȝou to go out.
ii Þerfor þou ſchalt ſeie to al þe puple, þat a man axe of
his freend, and a womman of hir neiȝboreſſe, ſilueren
veſſels and goldun, and cloþis;
iii forſoþe þe Lord ſchal ȝyue grace to his puple bifor
Egipcians. And Moiſes was a ful greet man in þe lond
of Egipt, bifore þe ſeruauntis of Farao and al þe puple;
iiii and he ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, At mydnyȝt Y
ſchal entre in to Egipt;
v and ech firſte gendrid þing in þe lond of Egipcians
ſchal die, fro þe firſte gendrid of Farao, þat ſittiþ in þe
trone of hym, til to þe firſte gendrid of þe handmayde,
which is at þe querne; and alle þe firſte gendrid of
beeſtis ſchulen die;
vi and greet cry ſchal be in al þe lond of Egipt, which
maner cry was not bifore, neþer ſchal be aftirward.
vii Forſoþe at alle þe children of Iſrael a dogge ſchal not
make priuy noiſe, fro man til to beeſte; þat ȝe wite bi
how greet myracle þe Lord departiþ Egipcians and
Iſrael.
viii And alle þeſe þi ſeruauntis ſchulen come doun to me,
and þei ſchulen preye me, and ſchulen ſeie, Go out þou,
and al þe puple which is ſuget to þee; aftir þeſe þingis
we ſchulen go out.
ix And Moyſes was ful wrooþ, and ȝede out fro Farao.
Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Farao ſchal not here
ȝou, þat many ſignes be maad in þe lond of Egipt.
x Soþeli Moiſes and Aaron maden alle ſignes and
wondris, þat ben writun, bifor Farao; and þe Lord made
hard þe herte of Farao, neþer he delyuerede þe ſones of
Iſrael fro his lond.
LXXXVIII
CAP. XII
i Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes and Aaron in þe lond of
Egipt,
ii Þis moneþe, þe bigynnyng of moneþis to ȝou, ſchal be
þe firſte in þe moneþis of þe ȝeer.
iii Speke ȝe to al þe cumpanye of þe ſones of Iſrael, and
ſeie ȝe to hem, In þe tenþe dai of þis moneþe ech man
take a lomb by hiſe meynees and houſis;
iiii but if þe noumbre is leſſe, þat it may not ſuffice to ete
þe lomb, he ſchal take his neiȝbore, which is ioyned to
his hows, bi þe noumbre of ſoulis, þat moun ſuffice to
þe etyng of þe lomb.
v Forſoþe þe lomb ſchal be a male of o ȝeer, wiþout
wem; bi which cuſtom ȝe ſchulen take alſo a kide;
vi and ȝe ſchulen kepe hym til to þe fouretenþe dai of
þis moneþe; and al þe multitude of þe ſones of Iſrael
ſchal offre hym at euentid.
vii And þei ſchulen take of his blood, and ſchulen put on
euer eiþer poſt, and in lyntels, `eþer hiȝer þreſchfoldis,
of þe houſis, in whiche þei ſchulen ete hym;
viii and in þat niȝt þei ſchulen ete fleiſchis, rooſtid wiþ
fier, and þerf looues, wiþ letuſis of þe feeld.
ix Ȝe ſchulen not ete þerof ony raw þing, neþer ſodun in
watir, but rooſtid oneli by fier; ȝe ſchulen deuoure þe
heed wiþ feet and entrailis þerof;
x neþer ony þing þerof ſchal abide til þe morewtid; if
ony þing is reſidue, ȝe ſchulen brenne in þe fier.
xi Forſoþe þus ȝe ſchulen ete hym; ȝe ſchulen girde
ȝoure reynes, and ȝe ſchulen haue ſchoon in þe feet, and
ȝe ſchulen holde ſtauys in hondis, and ȝe ſchulen ete
haſtili; for it is faſe, þat is, þe paſſyng of þe Lord.
xii And Y ſchal paſſe þorou þe lond of Egipt in þat niȝt,
and Y ſchal ſmyte al þe firſte gendrid þing in þe lond of
Egipt, fro man til to beeſte; and Y þe Lord ſchal make
domes in alle þe goddis of Egipt.
xiii Forſoþe blood ſchal be to ȝou in to ſigne, in þe houſis
in whiche ȝe ſchulen be; and Y ſchal ſe þe blood, and Y
ſchal paſſe ȝou; neþer a wounde diſtriynge ſchal be in
ȝou, whanne Y ſchal ſmyte þe lond of Egipt.
xiiii Forſoþe ȝe ſchulen haue þis dai in to mynde, and `ȝe
ſchulen make it ſolempne to þe Lord in ȝoure
generaciouns bi euerlaſtynge worſchipyng.
xv In ſeuene daies ȝe ſchulen ete þerf breed; in þe firſte
dai no þing diȝt wiþ ſour douȝ ſchal be in ȝoure houſis;
who euer ſchal ete ony þing diȝt wiþ ſour douȝ, fro þe
firſte dai til þe ſeuenþe dai, þat ſoule ſchal periſche fro
Iſrael.
xvi Þe firſte day ſchal be hooli and ſolempne, and þe
ſeuenþe dai ſchal be worſchipful bi þe ſame halewyng;
ȝe ſchulen not do ony werk in þo daies, outakun þeſe
þingis þat perteynen to mete;
xvii and ȝe ſchulen kepe þerf breed. For in þat ſame dai
Y ſchal lede out of þe lond of Egipt ȝoure ooſt; and ȝe
ſchulen kepe þis dai in ȝoure generaciouns bi
euerlaſtynge cuſtom.
xviii In þe firſt moneþe, in þe fouretenþe dai of þe
moneþe, at euentid, ȝe ſchulen ete þerf breed, til to þe
oon and twentiþe dai of þe ſame moneþe at euentid.
xix In ſeuene dayes no þing `diȝt wiþ ſour douȝ ſchal be
foundun in ȝoure houſis; if ony etiþ ony þing diȝt wiþ
ſour dow, his ſoule ſchal periſche fro þe cumpeny of
Iſrael, as wel of comelyngis, as of hem þat ben borun in
þe lond.
xx Ȝe ſchulen not ete ony þing diȝt wiþ ſour dow, and ȝe
ſchulen ete þerf breed in alle ȝoure dwellyng placis.
xxi Forſoþe Moiſes clepide alle þe eldre men of þe ſones
of Iſrael, and ſeide to hem, Go ȝe, and take a beeſte by
ȝoure meynees, and offre ȝe faſe; and dippe ȝe a bundel
of iſope,
xxii in þe blood which `is in þe þreisfold, and ſprynge ȝe
þerof þe lyntel, and euer eiþer poſt; noon of ȝou ſchal
go out at þe dore of his hows til þe morewtid.
xxiii For þe Lord ſchal paſſe ſmytynge Egipcians; and
whanne he ſchal ſe þe blood in þe lyntel, and in euer
eiþer poſt, he ſchal paſſe þe dore of þe hows; and he
ſchal not ſuffre þe ſmytere to entre in to ȝoure houſis,
and to hirte.
xxiiii Kepe þou þis word; it ſchal be a lawful þing to þee
and to þi ſones til in to wiþ outen ende.
xxv And whanne ȝe ſchulen entre in to þe lond which þe
Lord ſchal ȝyue to ȝou, as he bihiȝte, ȝe ſchulen kepe
þeſe cerymonyes;
xxvi and whanne ȝoure ſones ſchulen ſeie to ȝou, What is
þis religioun? ȝe ſchulen ſeie to hem,
xxvii It is þe ſacrifice of þe paſſyng of þe Lord, whanne
he paſſide ouer þe houſis of þe ſones of Iſrael in Egipt,
and ſmoot Egipcians, and delyueride oure houſis. And
þe puple was bowid, and worſchipide.
xxviii And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden out, and diden as þe
Lord comaundide to Moiſes and to Aaron.
xxix Forſoþe it was doon in þe myddis of þe nyȝt, þe
Lord ſmoot al þe firſte gendrid þing in þe lond of Egipt,
fro þe firſte gendrid of Farao, þat ſat in þe trone of hym,
til to þe firſt gendrid of þe caitif womman, þat was in þe
priſoun, and alle þe firſt gendrid of beeſtis.
xxx And Farao roos in þe nyȝt, and alle hiſe ſeruauntis,
and al Egipt; and a greet cry was maad in Egipt, for
noon hows was, in which a deed man lay not.
xxxi And whanne Moiſes and Aaron weren clepid in þe
nyȝt, Farao ſeide, Riſe ȝe, go ȝe out fro my puple, boþe
ȝe and þe ſones of Iſrael; go ȝe, offre ȝe to þe Lord, as
ȝe ſeien;
xxxii take ȝe ȝoure ſcheep and greete beeſtis, as ȝe
axiden; and go ȝe, and bleſſe ȝe me.
xxxiii And Egipcians conſtreyneden þe puple to go out of
þe lond ſwiftli, and ſeiden, All we ſchulen die!
LXXXIX
xxxiiii Þerfor þe puple took meele ſpreynd togidere, bifor
þat it was diȝt wiþ ſour douȝ; and boond in mentils, and
puttide on her ſchuldris.
xxxv And þe ſones of Iſrael diden as þe Lord
comaundide to Moiſes; and þei axiden of Egipcians
ſiluerne veſſelis and goldun, and ful myche clooþ.
xxxvi Forſoþe þe Lord ȝaf grace to þe puple bifor
Egipcians, þat þe Egipcians lenten to hem; and þei
maden bare Egipcians.
xxxvii And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden forþ fro Ramaſſes in
to Socoth, almeſt ſixe hundrid þouſind of foot men, wiþ
out litle children and wymmen;
xxxviii but alſo comyn puple of malis and femalis
vnnoumbrable ſtieden wiþ hem; ſcheep, and oxun, and
ful many beeſtis of diuerſe kynde, ſtieden wiþ hem.
xxxix And þei bakiden meele, which ſpreynd to gidere `a
while ago þei token fro Egipt, and maden þerf looues
bakun vnder þe aiſchis; for þe looues miȝten not be diȝt
wiþ ſour dow, for Egipcians compelliden to go out, and
ſuffriden not to make ony tariyng, neþer it was leiſer to
make ony ſeew.
xl Forſoþe þe dwellyng of þe ſones of Iſrael, bi which
þei dwelliden in Egipt, was of foure hundrid and þretti
ȝeer;
xli and whanne þo weren fillid, al þe ooſt of þe Lord
ȝede out of þe lond of Egipt in þe ſame dai.
xlii Þis nyȝt is worþi to be kept in þe worſchipyng of þe
Lord, whanne he ladde hem out of þe lond of Egipt; alle
þe ſones of Iſrael owen to kepe þis in her generaciouns.
xliii Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes and Aaron, Þis is þe
religioun of faſe; ech alien ſchal not ete þerof;
xliiii ſoþeli ech ſeruaunt bouȝt ſchal be circumcidid, and
ſo he ſchal ete;
xlv a comelyng and hirid man ſchulen not ete þerof;
xlvi it ſchal be etun in oon hows; neþer ȝe ſchulen bere
out of þe fleiſchis þerof; neþer ȝe ſchulen breke a boon
þerof.
xlvii Ech company of þe ſones of Iſrael ſchal make þat
faſe;
xlviii þat if ony pilgrym wole paſſe into ȝoure feiþ and
worſchipyng, and make faſe of þe Lord, ech male kynde
of hym ſchal be circumcidid bifore, and þanne he ſchal
make lawfuli, and he ſchal be to gidere as a man borun
of þe lond; forſoþe if ony man is not circumcidid, he
ſchal not ete þerof.
xlix Þe ſame lawe ſchal be to a man borun of þe lond,
and to a comelyng, þat takiþ ȝoure feiþ, which is a
pilgrym anentis ȝou.
l And alle þe ſones of Iſrael diden as þe Lord
comaundide to Moiſes and Aaron.
li And in þe ſame dai þe Lord ladde out of `þe lond of
Egipt þe ſones of Iſrael, bi her cumpanies.
CAP. XIII
i Alſo þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
ii Halewe þou to me ech firſte gendrid þing þat openeþ
þe wombe among þe ſones of Iſrael, as wel of men as of
beeſtis, for whi alle ben myn.
iii And Moiſes ſeide to þe puple, Haue ȝe mynde of þis
dai, in which ȝe ȝeden out of Egipt, and of þe hows of
ſeruage, for in ſtrong hond þe Lord ledde ȝou out of þis
place, þat ȝe ete not breed diȝt wiþ ſour dow.
iiii To dai ȝe gon out, in þe moneþe of new fruytis;
v and whanne þe Lord haþ led þee in to þe lond of
Cananey, and of Ethei, and of Amorrei, and of Euei, and
of Jebuſei, which lond he ſwoor to þi fadris, þat he
ſchulde ȝyue to þee, a lond flowynge wiþ mylk and
hony, þou ſchalt halowe þis cuſtom of holy þingis in þis
moneþe.
vi In ſeuene daies þou ſchalt ete þerf looues, and þe
ſolempnete of þe Lord ſchal be in þe ſeuenþe dai;
vii ȝe ſchulen ete þerf looues ſeuene daies, no þing diȝt
wiþ ſour dow ſchal appere at þee, neþer in alle þi
cooſtis.
viii And þou ſchalt telle to þi ſone in þat dai, and ſchalt
ſeie, Þis it is þat þe Lord dide to me, whanne Y ȝede out
of Egipt.
ix And it ſchal be as a ſigne in þin hond, and as a
memorial before þin iȝen, and þat þe lawe of þe Lord be
euere in þi mouþ; for in a ſtrong hond þe Lord ledde þee
out of Egipt, and of þe hows of ſeruage.
x Þou ſchalt kepe ſiche a worſchipyng in tyme ordeined,
`fro daies in to daies.
xi And whanne þe Lord haþ brouȝt þee in to þe lond of
Cananey, as he ſwoor to þee, and to þi fadris, and haþ
ȝoue it to þee,
xii þou ſchalt departe to þe Lord al þe þing þat openeþ
þe wombe, and þat þat is þe firſte in þi beeſtis; what
euer þing þou haſt of male kynde, þou ſchalt halewe to
þe Lord.
xiii Þou ſchalt chaunge þe firſte gendrid of an aſſe for a
ſcheep, þat if þou aȝen bieſt not, þou ſchalt ſle; forſoþe
þou ſchalt aȝen bie wiþ prijs al þe firſte gendrid of man
of þi ſones.
xiiii And whanne þi ſone ſchal axe þee to morewe, and
ſeie, What is þis? þou ſchalt anſwere to hym, In a ſtrong
hond þe Lord ladde vs out of þe lond of Egipt, of þe
hows of ſeruage; for whanne Farao was maad hard,
xv and nolde delyuere vs, þe Lord killide alle þe firſte
gendrid þing in þe lond of Egipt, fro þe firſte gendrid of
man til to þe firſte gendrid of beeſtis; þerfor Y offre to
þe Lord al þing of male kynde þat openeþ þe wombe,
and Y aȝen bie alle þe firſte gendrid þingis of my ſones.
xvi Þerfor it ſchal be as a ſigne in þin hond, and as a þing
hangid for mynde bifore þin iȝen, for in a ſtrong hond
þe Lord ledde vs out of Egipt.
XC
xvii Þerfor whanne Farao hadde ſent out þe puple, God
ledde not hem out bi þe weie of `þe lond of Filiſteis,
which is niȝ; and arettid leſt perauenture it wolde
repente þe puple, if he had ſeyn batelis riſe aȝens hym,
and `þe puple wolde turn aȝen in to Egipt;
xviii but God ledde aboute by þe weie of deſeert, which
weie is biſidis þe reed ſee. And þe ſones of Iſrael weren
armed, and ſtieden fro þe lond of Egipte.
xix And Moiſes took þe boonus of Joſeph wiþ hym, for
he hadde chargid þe ſones of Iſrael, and hadde ſeid, God
ſchal viſite ȝou, and bere ȝe out `fro hennus my boonus
wiþ ȝou.
xx And þei ȝeden forþ fro Socoth, and ſettiden tentis in
Etham, in þe laſte endis of wildirneſſe.
xxi Forſoþe þe Lord ȝede bifore hem to ſchewe þe weie,
bi dai in a piler of clowde, and bi nyȝt in a piler of fier,
þat he ſchulde be ledere of þe weie in euer eiþer time;
xxii þe piler of clowde failide neuere bi dai, neþer þe
piler of fier bi niȝt, bifor þe puple.
CAP. XIIII
i Forſoþe þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Speke þou
to þe ſones of Iſrael;
ii turne þei aȝen, and ſette þei tentis euene aȝens
Fiayroth, which is bitwixe Magdalum and þe ſee, aȝens
Beelſefon; in þe ſiȝt þerof ȝe ſchulen ſette tentis ouer þe
ſee.
iii And Farao ſchal ſeie on þe ſones of Iſrael, Þei ben
maad ſtreit in þe lond, þe deſeert haþ cloſid hem to
gidere.
iiii And Y ſchal make hard his herte, and he ſchal purſue
ȝou, and Y ſchal be glorified in Farao, and in al his ooſt;
and Egipcians ſchulen wite þat Y am þe Lord; and þei
diden ſo.
v And it was teld to þe kyng of Egipcians, þat þe puple
hadde fled; and þe herte of Farao and of hiſe ſeruauntis
was chaungid on þe puple, and þei ſeiden, What wolden
we do, þat we leften Iſrael, þat it ſchulde not ſerue us?
vi Þerfor Farao ioynede þe chare, and took wiþ him al
his puple;
vii and he took ſixe hundrid choſyn charis, and what
euer þing of charis was in Egipt, and duykis of al þe
ooſt.
viii And þe Lord made hard `þe herte of Farao, kyng of
Egipt, and he purſuede þe ſones of Iſrael; and þei weren
go out in an hiȝ hond.
ix And whanne Egipcians purſueden þe ſteppis of þe
ſones of Iſrael bifor goynge, þei founden hem in tentis
on þe ſee; al þe chyualrye and charis of Farao, and al þe
ooſt weren in Fiayroth, aȝens Beelſefon.
x And whanne Farao hadde neiȝed þe ſones of Iſrael,
reiſiden her iȝen, and þei ſien Egipcians bihynde hem,
and dredden greetli; and þei crieden to þe Lord,
xi and ſeiden to Moiſes, In hap ſepulcris weren not in
Egipt, þerfor þou haſt take vs awei, þat we ſchulen die
in wildirneſſe? what woldiſt þou do þis, þat þou leddiſt
vs out of Egipt?
xii Wheþer þis is not þe word which we ſpaken to þee in
Egipt, `and ſeiden, Go awei fro vs, þat we ſerue
Egipcians? for it is myche betere to ſerue hem, þan to
die in wildirneſſe.
xiii And Moiſes ſeide to þe puple, Nyle ȝe drede, ſtonde
ȝe, and `ſe ȝe þe grete werkys of God, whiche he ſchal
do to dai; for ȝe ſchulen no more ſe Egipcians, whiche
ȝe ſeen now, til in to wiþ outen ende;
xiiii þe Lord ſchal fiȝte for ȝou, and ȝe ſchulen be ſtille.
xv And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, What crieſt þou to me?
Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, þat þei go forþ; forſoþe
reiſe þou þi ȝerde,
xvi and ſtretche forþ þin hond on þe ſee, and departe þou
it, þat þe ſones of Iſrael go in þe myddis of þe ſee, by
drie place.
xvii Forſoþe Y ſchal make hard þe herte of Egipcians,
þat þei purſue ȝou, and Y ſchal be glorified in Farao,
and in al þe ooſt of hym, and in þe charis, and in þe
knyȝtis of hym;
xviii and Egipcians ſchulen wite þat Y am þe Lord God,
whanne Y ſchal be glorified in Farao, and in þe charis,
and in þe knyȝtis of hym.
xix And þe aungel of þe Lord, þat ȝede bifore þe caſtellis
of Iſrael, took hym ſilf, and ȝede bihynde hem; and þe
piler of cloude ȝede to gidir wiþ hym, and lefte þe
formere þingis aftir þe bak,
xx and ſtood bitwixe þe `caſtels of Egipcians and caſtels
of Iſrael; and þe cloude was derk toward Egipcians, and
liȝtnynge `þe nyȝt toward `þe children of Iſrael, ſo þat in
al þe tyme of þe niȝt þei miȝten not neiȝ togidere to hem
ſilf.
xxi And whanne Moiſes hadde ſtretchid forþ þe hond on
þe ſee, þe Lord took it awei, þe while a greet wynde and
brennynge blew in al þe niȝt, and turnede in to
dryeneſſe; and þe watir was departid.
xxii And þe ſones of Iſrael entriden by þe myddis of þe
drye ſee; for þe watir was as a wal at þe riȝt ſide and left
ſide of hem.
xxiii And Egipcians purſueden, and entriden aftir hem, al
þe ridyng of Farao, hiſe charis, and knyȝtis, bi þe
myddis of þe ſee.
xxiiii And þe wakyng of þe morewtid cam þanne, and lo!
þe Lord bihelde on þe caſtels of Egipcians, bi a piler of
fier, and of cloude, and killide þe ooſt of hem; and he
deſtriede þe wheelis of charis,
xxv and þo weren borun in to þe depþe. Þerfor Egipcians
ſeiden, Fle we Iſrael; for þe Lord fiȝtiþ for hem aȝenus
vs.
XCI
xxvi And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Holde forþ þin hond
on þe ſee, þat þe watris turne aȝen to Egipcians, on þe
charis, and knyȝtis of hem.
xxvii And whanne Moiſes hadde hold forþ þe hoond
aȝens þe ſee, it turnede aȝen firſt in þe morewtid to þe
formere place; and whanne Egipcians fledden, þe watris
camen aȝen, and þe Lord wlappide hem in þe myddis of
þe floodis.
xxviii And þe watris turneden aȝen, and hiliden þe
charis, and knyȝtis of al þe ooſt of Farao, which ſueden,
and entriden in to þe ſee; ſoþeli not oon of hem was
alyue.
xxix Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden þorouȝ þe myddis
of þe drye ſee, and þe watris weren to hem as for a wal,
on þe riȝt ſide and left ſide.
xxx And in þat dai þe Lord delyuerede Iſrael fro þe hond
of Egipcians, and þei ſien Egipcians deed on þe brynke
of þe ſee,
xxxi and þei ſeiȝen þe greet hond which þe Lord hadde
vſid aȝens hem; and þe puple dredde þe Lord, and þei
bileueden to þe Lord, and to Moiſes his ſeruaunt.
CAP. XV
i Þanne Moiſes ſong, and þe ſones of Iſrael, þis ſong to
þe Lord; and þei ſeiden, Synge we to þe Lord, for he is
magnefied gloriouſli; he caſtide doun þe hors and þe
ſtiere in to þe ſee.
ii My ſtrengþe and my preiſyng is þe Lord; and he is
maad to me in to heelþe. Þis is my God, and Y ſchal
glorifie hym; þe God of my fadir, and Y ſchal enhaunſe
hym.
iii Þe Lord is as a man fiȝter, his name is Almiȝti;
iiii he caſtide doun in to þe ſee þe charis of Farao, and
his ooſt. Hiſe choſun princis weren drenchid in þe reed
ſee;
v þe depe watris hiliden hem; þei ȝeden doun in to þe
depþe as a ſtoon.
vi Lord, þi riȝthond is magnyfied in ſtrengþe; Lord, þi
riȝthond ſmoot þe enemye.
vii And in þe mychilneſſe of þi glorie þou haſt put doun
alle myn aduerſaries; þou ſentiſt þin ire, þat deuouride
hem as ſtobil.
viii And watris weren gaderid in þe ſpirit of þi
woodneſſe; flowinge watir ſtood, depe watris weren
gaderid in þe middis of þe ſee.
ix Þe enemy ſeide, Y ſchal purſue, and Y ſchal take; Y
ſchal departe ſpuylis, my ſoule ſchal be fillid. I ſchal
drawe out my ſwerde; myn hond ſchal ſle hem.
x Þi ſpirit blew, and þe ſee hilide hem; þei weren
drenchid as leed in grete watris.
xi Lord, who is lijk þee in ſtronge men, who is lijk þee?
þou art greet doere in hoolyneſſe; ferdful, and preiſable,
and doynge myraclis.
xii Þou heldiſt forþ þin hond, and þe erþe deuouride
hem;
xiii þou were ledere in þi merci to þy puple, which þou
aȝen bouȝtiſt; and þou haſt bore hym in þi ſtrengþe to
þin holi dwellyng place.
xiiii Puplis ſtieden, and weren wrooþe; ſorewis helden þe
dwelleris of Filiſtiym.
xv Þanne þe pryncis of Edom weren diſturblid;
tremblyng held þe ſtronge men of Moab.
xvi Alle þe dwelleris of Canaan `weren ſtarke; inward
drede falle on hem, and outward drede in þe greetneſſe
of þin arm. Be þei maad vnmouable as a ſtoon, til þi
puple paſſe, Lord; til þis þi puple paſſe, whom þou
weldidiſt.
xvii Þou ſchalt brynge hem in, and þou ſchalt plaunte in
þe hil of þin eritage; in þe mooſt ſtidefaſt dwellyng
place which þou haſt wrouȝt, Lord; Lord, þi ſeyntuarie,
which þin hondis made ſtidefaſt.
xviii Þe Lord ſchal `regne in to þe world and ferþere.
xix Forſoþe Farao, `a ridere, entride wiþ his charis and
knyȝtis in to þe ſee, and þe Lord brouȝte þe watris of þe
ſe on hem; ſoþeli þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden bi þe drie
place, in þe myddis of þe ſee.
xx Þerfore Marie, profeteſſe, þe `ſiſtir of Aaron, took a
tympan in hir hond, and alle þe wymmen ȝeden out aftir
hyr wiþ tympans and cumpanyes;
xxi to whiche ſche ſong bifore, and ſeide, Synge we to þe
Lord, for he is magnyfied gloriouſli; he caſtide doun in
to þe ſee þe hors and þe ſtiere of hym.
xxii Forſoþe Moiſes took Iſrael fro þe reed ſee, and þei
ȝeden out in to þe deſeert of Sur, and þei ȝeden þre daies
bi þe wildirneſſe, and þei founden not watir.
xxiii And þei camen in to Marath, and þei miȝten not
drynk þe watris of Marath, for þo weren bittere;
wherfor and he puttide a couenable name to þe place,
and clepide it Mara, þat is, bitterneſſe.
xxiiii And þe puple grutchide aȝens Moiſes, and ſeide,
What ſchulen we drynke?
xxv And Moiſes criede to þe Lord, which ſchewide to
hym a tre; and whanne he hadde put þat tre in to watris,
þo weren turned in to ſwetneſſe. Þere þe Lord
ordeynede comaundementis and domes to þe puple, and
þere he aſayede þe puple,
xxvi and ſeide, If þou ſchalt here þe vois of þi Lord God,
and ſchalt do þat þat is riȝtful byfore hym, and ſchalt
obeie to his comaundementis, and ſchalt kepe alle hiſe
heeſtis, Y ſchal not brynge yn on þee al þe ſykneſſe,
which Y puttide in Egipt, for Y am þi Lord Sauȝour.
CAP. XVI
i Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael camen in to Helym, where
weren twelue wellis of watris, and ſeuenti palm trees,
and þei ſettiden tentis biſidis þe watris. And þei ȝeden
XCII
forþ fro Helym, and al þe multitude of þe ſones of Iſrael
cam in to deſeert of Syn, which is bitwixe Helym and
Synai, in þe fifteneþe dai of þe ſecunde moneþe aftir þat
þei ȝeden out of þe lond of Egipt.
ii And al þe congregacioun of þe ſones of Iſrael
grutchide aȝens Moiſes, and aȝens Aaron, in þe
wildirneſſe.
iii And þe ſones of Iſrael ſeiden to hem, We wolden þat
we hadden be deed bi þe `hoond of þe Lord in þe lond
of Egipt, whanne we ſaten on þe `pottis of fleiſch, and
eeten looues in plentee; whi leden ȝe vs in to þis deſeert,
þat ȝe ſchulden ſle al þe multitude wiþ hungur?
iiii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Lo! Y ſchal reyne to
ȝou looues fro heuene; þe puple go out, þat it gadere þo
þingis þat ſufficen bi ech day; þat Y aſaie þe puple,
wheþir it goiþ in my lawe, eþer nai.
v Soþeli in þe ſixte dai make þei redi þat þat þei ſchulen
bere yn, and be it double ouer þat þei weren wont to
gadere bi ech dai.
vi And Moiſes and Aaron ſeiden to alle þe ſones of
Iſrael, At euentid ȝe ſchulen wite þat þe Lord ledde ȝou
out of þe lond of Egipt;
vii and in þe morewetid ȝe ſchulen ſe þe glorie of þe
Lord; for Y herde ȝoure grutchyng aȝens þe Lord; ſoþeli
what ben we, for ȝe grutchen aȝens us?
viii And Moiſes ſeide, Þe Lord ſchal ȝyue to ȝou at
euentid fleiſchis to ete, and looues in þe morewetid in
plentee, for he herde ȝoure grutchyngis, bi which ȝe
grutchiden aȝens hym; for whi, what ben we? ȝoure
grutchyng is not aȝens vs but aȝens þe Lord.
ix And Moiſes ſeide to Aaron, Seie þou to al þe
congregacioun of þe ſones of Iſrael, Neiȝe ȝe bifore þe
Lord, for he herde ȝoure grutchyng.
x And whanne Aaron ſpak to al þe cumpeny of þe ſones
of Iſrael, þei bihelden to þe wildirneſſe, and lo! þe glorie
of þe Lord apperide in a cloude.
xi Forſoþe þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xii and ſeide, Y herde þe grutchyngis of þe ſones of
Iſrael; ſpek þou to hem, At euentid ȝe ſchulen ete
fleiſchis, and in þe morewtid ȝe ſchulen be fillid wiþ
looues, and ȝe ſchulen wite þat Y am `ȝoure Lord God.
xiii Þerfor euentid was maad, and `curlewes ſtieden and
hiliden þe caſtels; and in þe morewtid deew cam bi þe
face of þe caſtels.
xiiii And whanne it hadde hilid þe erþe, a litil þing, and
as powned wiþ a peſtel, in þe licneſſe of an hoorfroſt on
erþe, apperide in þe wildirneſſe.
xv And whanne þe ſones of Iſrael hadden ſeyn þat, þei
ſeiden to gidere, Man hu? which ſignyfieþ, what is þis?
for þei wiſten not what it was. To whiche Moiſes ſeide,
Þis is þe breed, which þe Lord haþ ȝoue to ȝou to ete.
xvi Þis is þe word which þe Lord comaundide, Ech man
gadere þerof as myche as ſuffiſiþ to be etun, gomor bi
ech heed, bi þe noumbre of ȝoure ſoulis þat dwellen in
þe tabernacle, ſo ȝe ſchulen take.
xvii And þe ſones of Iſrael diden ſo, and þei gaderiden
oon more, anoþer leſſe;
xviii and þei metiden at þe meſure gomor; neþir he þat
gaderide more had more, neþir he þat made redi leſſe
fond leſſe, but alle gaderiden bi þat þat þei myȝten ete.
xix And Moiſes ſeide to hem, Noon leeue þerof in to þe
morewtid; whiche herden not him,
xx but ſumme of hem leften til to þe morewtid, and it
bigan to buyle wiþ wormes, and it was rotun; and
Moiſes was wrooþ aȝens hem.
xxi Forſoþe alle gaderiden in þe morewtid as myche as
`miȝte ſuffice to be eten; and whanne þe ſunne was
hoot, it was moltun.
xxii Soþeli in þe ſixte dai þei gaderiden double metis, þat
is, `twei gomor by ech man. Forſoþe alle þe princis of
þe multitude camen, and telden to Moiſes, which ſeide
to hem,
xxiii Þis it is þat þe Lord ſpak, Þe reſte of þe ſabot is
halewid to þe Lord, do ȝe what euer þing ſchal be
wrouȝt to morewe, and ſeþe ȝe þo þingis þat ſchulen be
ſodun; ſoþeli what euer þing is reſidue, kepe ȝe til in to
þe morewe.
xxiiii And þei diden ſo as Moiſes comaundide, and it was
not rotun, neþer a worm was foundun þer ynne.
xxv And Moiſes ſeide, Ete ȝe þat in þis dai, for it is þe
ſabat of þe Lord, it ſchal not be foundun to dai in þe
feeld; gadere ȝe in ſixe daies,
xxvi forſoþe þe ſabat of þe Lord is in þe ſeuenþe dai,
þerfor it ſchal not be foundun.
xxvii Þe ſeuenþe dai cam, and ſumme of þe puple ȝeden
out `to gadire, and þei founden not.
xxviii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Hou long `nylen
ȝe kepe my comaundementis, and my lawe?
xxix Se ȝe þat þe Lord ȝaf to ȝou þe ſabat, and for þis he
ȝaf to ȝou in þe ſixte dai double meetis; ech man dwelle
at him ſilf, noon go out of his place in þe ſeuenþe dai.
xxx And þe puple kepte ſabat in þe ſeuenþe dai.
xxxi And þe hous of Iſrael clepide þe name þerof man,
which was whijt as þe ſeed of coriandre, and þe taaſt
þerof was as of flour wiþ hony.
xxxii Forſoþe Moiſes ſeide, Þis is þe word which þe Lord
comaundide, Fille þou a gomor þerof, and be it kept in
to generaciouns to comynge aftirward, þat þei knowe þe
breed bi which Y fedde ȝou in þe wildirneſſe, whanne ȝe
weren led out of þe lond of Egipt.
xxxiii And Moiſes ſeide to Aaron, Take þou o veſſel, and
putte þerinne man, as myche as gomor mai take, and
putte bifore þe Lord, to be kept in to ȝoure
generaciouns,
xxxiiii as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes; and Aaron
puttide þat to be kept in þe tabernacle.
XCIII
xxxv Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael eeten manna in fourti
ȝeer, til þei camen in to þe lond abitable; þei weren fed
wiþ þis mete til þei touchiden þe endis of þe lond of
Canaan.
xxxvi Forſoþe gomor is þe tenþe part of efy.
CAP. XVII
i Þerfor al þe multitude of þe ſones of Iſrael ȝede forþ
fro þe deſeert of Syn, bi her dwellyngis, bi þe word of
þe Lord, and ſettiden tentis in Rafidym, where was not
watir to þe puple to drynke.
ii Whiche puple chidde aȝens Moiſes, and ſeide, Ȝyue
þou water to vs, þat we drynke. To whiche Moiſes
anſweride, What chiden ȝe aȝens me, and whi tempten
ȝe þe Lord?
iii Þerfor þe puple þriſtide þere for þe ſcarſneſſe of watir,
and grutchiden aȝens Moiſes, and ſeide, Whi madiſt þou
vs to go out of Egipt, to ſle vs, and oure fre children,
and beeſtis, for þriſt?
iiii Forſoþe Moiſes criede to þe Lord, and ſeide, What
ſchal Y do to þis puple? ȝit a litil, alſo it ſchal ſtone me.
v Þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Go þou bifore þe puple, and
take wiþ þee of þe eldre men of Iſrael, and take in þin
hond þe ȝerde, `bi which þou haſt ſmyte þe flood, and
go; lo!
vi Y ſchal ſtonde þere before þee, aboue þe ſtoon of
Oreb, and þou ſchalt ſmyte þe ſtoon, and water ſchal go
out þerof, þat þe puple drynke. Moiſes dide ſo byfore þe
eldere men of Iſrael;
vii and he clepide þe name of þat place Temptacioun, for
þe chidyng of þe ſones of Iſrael, and for þei temptiden
þe Lord, and ſeiden, Wheþer þe Lord is in vs, eþer nay?
viii Forſoþe Amalech cam, and fauȝt aȝens Iſrael in
Rafidym.
ix And Moiſes ſeide to Joſue, Cheſe þou men, and go
out, and fiȝte to morewe aȝens men of Amalech; lo! Y
ſchal ſtonde in þe cop of þe hil, and Y ſchal haue `þe
ȝerde of God in myn hond.
x Joſue dide as Moiſes ſpak, and fauȝt aȝens Amalech.
Forſoþe Moiſes, and Aaron, and Hur ſtieden on þe cop
of þe hil;
xi and whanne Moiſes reiſide þe hondis, Iſrael ouercam;
forſoþe if he let down a litil, Amalech ouercam.
xii Soþeli `þe hondis of Moiſes weren heuy, þerfor þei
token a ſtoon, and puttide vndir hym, in which ſtoon he
ſat. Forſoþe Aaron and Hur ſuſteyneden hiſe hondis, on
euer eiþir ſide; and it was don, þat hiſe hondis weren not
maad weri, til to þe goyng down of þe ſunne.
xiii And Joſue droof a wey Amalech and his puple, in
`þe mouþ of ſwerd, þat is, bi þe ſcharpneſſe of þe ſwerd.
xiiii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Wryte þou þis in a
book, for mynde, and take in þe eeris of Joſue; for Y
ſchal do a wei þe mynde of Amalech fro vndur heuene.
xv And Moiſes bildide an auter, and clepide þe name
þerof Þe Lord myn enhaunſere,
xvi and ſeide, For þe hond of þe Lord aloone, and þe
bateil of God ſchal be aȝens Amalech, fro generacioun
in to generacioun.
CAP. XVIII
i And whanne Jetro, þe preſt of Madian, `þe alye of
Moiſes, hadde herd alle þingis which God hadde do to
Moiſes, and to Iſrael his puple, for þe Lord hadde led
Iſrael out of þe lond of Egipt,
ii he took Sefora, `þe wijf of Moiſes, whom he hadde
ſent aȝen,
iii and hiſe twei ſones, of which oon was clepid Gerſan,
for þe fadir ſeide, Y was a comelyng in alien lond,
iiii forſoþe þe toþer was clepid Eliezer, for Moiſes ſeide,
God of my fadir is myn helpere, and he delyuerede me
fro þe ſwerd of Farao.
v Þerfor Jetro, `alie of Moiſes, cam, and þe ſones of
Moiſes and his wijf camen to Moiſes, in to deſeert,
where Jetro ſettide tentis biſidis þe hil of God;
vi and ſente to Moiſes, and ſeide, Y Jetro, þin alie, come
to þee, and þi wijf, and þi twei ſones wiþ hir.
vii And Moiſes ȝede out into þe comyng of his alie, and
worſchipide, and kiſte hym, and þei gretten hem ſilf to
gidere wiþ peſible wordis.
viii And whanne he hadde entrid in to þe tabernacle,
Moiſes tolde to `his alie alle þingis whiche God hadde
do to Farao, and to Egipcians, for Iſrael, and he tolde al
þe trauel which bifelle to hem in þe weie, of which þe
Lord delyuerede hem.
ix And Jetro was glad on alle þe goodis whiche þe Lord
hadde do to Iſrael, for he delyuerede Iſrael fro þe hond
of Egipcians.
x And Jetro ſeide, Bleſſid be `þe Lord, þat delyuerede
ȝou fro þe hond of Egipcians, and fro `þe hond of
Farao, which Lord delyuered his puple fro þe hond of
Egipt;
xi now Y knowe þat þe Lord is greet aboue alle goddis,
for `þei diden proudli aȝens hem.
xii Þerfor Jetro, `alie of Moiſes, offride brent ſacrifices
and offryngis to God; and Aaron, and alle þe eldere
men of Iſrael, camen to ete breed wiþ hym bifore God.
xiii Forſoþe in þe toþer dai Moiſes ſat þat he ſchulde
deme þe puple, þat ſtood niȝ Moiſes, fro þe morewtid til
to euentid.
xiiii And whanne `his alie hadde ſeyn þis, þat is, alle
þingis `whiche he dide in þe puple, he ſeide, What is þis
þat þou doiſt in þe puple? whi ſittiſt þou aloone, and al
þe puple abidiþ fro þe morewtid til to euentid?
xv To whom Moiſes anſweride, Þe puple comeþ to me,
and axiþ þe ſentence of God;
XCIV
xvi and whanne ony ſtrijf bifalliþ to hem, þei comen to
me, þat Y deme bitwixe hem, and ſchewe `þe
comaundementis of God, and hiſe lawis.
xvii And Jetro ſeide, Þou doiſt a þing not good,
xviii þou art waſtid wiþ a fonned trauel, boþe þou and
þis puple which is wiþ þee; þe werk is a boue þi
ſtrengþis, þou aloone maiſt not ſuffre it.
xix But here þou my wordis and counſeils, and þe Lord
ſchal be wiþ þee; be þou to þe puple in þeſe þingis þat
perteynen to God, þat þou telle þe þingis þat ben ſeid to
þe puple;
xx and ſchewe to þe puple þe cerymonyes, and cuſtom
of worſchipyng, and þe weie bi which `þei owen to go,
and þe werk which `þei owen to do.
xxi Forſoþe puruey þou of al þe puple myȝti men, and
dredynge God, in whiche is treuþe, and whiche haten
auarice; and ordeyne þou of hem tribunes, and
centuriouns, and quinquagenaries, and deenys,
xxii whiche ſchulen deme þe puple in al tyme; ſoþeli
what euer þing is grettere, telle þei to þee, and deme þei
ooneli leſſe þingis, and be it eſiere to þee, whanne þe
burþun is departid in to oþere men.
xxiii If þou ſchalt do þis, þou ſchalt fille þe
comaundement of God, and þou ſchalt mowe bere hiſe
comaundementis; and al þis puple ſchal turne aȝen wiþ
pees to her places.
xxiiii And whanne þeſe þingis weren herd, Moiſes dide
alle þingis whiche Jetro counſelide.
xxv And whanne noble men of al Iſrael weren choſun
Moiſes ordeynede hem princis of þe puple, tribunes,
and centuriouns, and quinquagenaries, and denes,
xxvi whiche demeden þe puple in al tyme; forſoþe,
whateuer þing was hardere, þei telden to Moiſes, and
þei demeden eſiere þingis oneli.
xxvii And Moiſes lefte `his alie, which turnede aȝen, and
ȝede in to his lond.
CAP. XIX
i In þe þridde moneþe of þe goyng `of Iſrael out of þe
lond of Egipt, in þis dai þei camen in to þe wildirneſſe
of Synai;
ii for þei ȝeden forþ fro Rafidym, and camen til in to
deſeert of Synai, and ſettiden tentis in þe ſame place;
and þere Iſrael ſettide tentis, euen aȝens þe hil.
iii Forſoþe Moiſes ſtiede in to þe hil to God; and þe Lord
clepide hym fro þe mount, and ſeide, Þou ſchalt ſeie
þeſe þingis to þe hows of Jacob, and þou ſchalt telle to
þe ſones of Iſrael,
iiii Ȝe ſilf han ſeyn what þingis Y haue do to Egipcians,
how Y bar ȝou on þe wengis of eglis, and took to me.
v Þerfor if ȝe ſchulen here my vois, and ſchulen kepe my
couenaunt, ȝe ſchulen be to me in to a ſpecialte of alle
puplis; for al þe lond is myn;
vi and ȝe ſchulen be to me in to a rewme of preeſthod,
and `ȝe ſchulen be an hooli folk; þeſe ben þe wordis
whiche þou ſchalt ſpeke to þe ſones of Iſrael.
vii Moyſes cam, and whanne þe gretter men in birþe of
þe puple weren clepid to gidere, he expownede alle þe
wordis whiche þe Lord comaundide.
viii And alle þe puple anſweride to gidere, We ſchulen
do alle þingis whiche þe Lord ſpak. And whanne Moiſes
hadde teld þe wordis of þe puple to þe Lord,
ix þe Lord ſeide to hym, Riȝt now Y ſchal come to þee
in a derkneſſe of a cloude, þat þe puple here me
ſpekynge to þee, and bileue to þee wiþouten ende.
Þerfor Moiſes telde þe wordis of þe puple to þe Lord,
x which ſeide to Moiſes, Go þou to þe puple, and make
hem holi to dai and to morewe, and waiſche þei her
cloþis,
xi and be þei redi in to þe þridde dai; for in þe þridde dai
þe Lord ſchal come doun bifore al þe puple on þe hil of
Synai.
xii And þou ſchalt ſette termes to þe puple, bi cumpas;
and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Be ȝe war, þat ȝe `ſtie not in
to þe hil, neþer touche ȝe þe endis þerof; ech man þat
ſchal touche þe hil, ſchal die bi deeþ.
xiii Hondis ſchulen not touche hym, but he ſchal be
oppreſſid wiþ ſtoonus, eþir he ſhall be perſid wiþ dartis;
wheþer it ſchal be a beeſt, eþir a man, it ſchal not lyue;
whanne a clarioun ſchal bigynne to ſowne, þanne `ſtie
þei in to þe hil.
xiiii And Moiſes cam doun fro þe hil to þe puple, and
halewide it; and whanne þei hadden waiſchun her
cloþis,
xv he ſeide to hem, Be ȝe redi in to þe þridde dai, neiȝe
ȝe not to ȝoure wyues.
xvi And now þe þridde day was comun, and þe
morewetid was cleer; and, lo! þundris bigunnen to be
herd, and leitis to ſchyne, and a mooſt þicke cloude to
hile þe mounteyn; and `þe ſownyng of a clarioun made
noiſe ful greetli, and þe puple dredde, þat was in þe
caſtels.
xvii And whanne Moiſes hadde led hem out in to þe
comyng of God, fro þe place of caſtels, þei ſtoden at þe
rootis of þe hil.
xviii Forſoþe al þe hil of Synai ſmokide, for þe Lord
hadde come doun þeronne in fier; and ſmoke ſtiede
þerof as of a furneis, and al þe hil was ferdful;
xix and þe `ſown of a clarioun encreeſſide litil and litil,
and was holdun forþ lengere. Moiſes ſpak, and þe Lord
anſweride to hym,
xx and þe Lord cam doun on þe hil of Synay, in þilke
cop of þe hil, and clepide Moiſes to þe cop þerof. And
whanne he hadde ſtied þidur,
XCV
xxi þe Lord ſeide to hym, Go þou doun, and witneſſe þou
to þe puple, leſt perauenture it wole paſſe þe termes to ſe
þe Lord, and ful greet multitude þerof periſche;
xxii alſo preeſtis, þat neiȝen to þe Lord, be halewid, leſt
Y ſmyte hem.
xxiii And Moiſes ſeide to þe Lord, Þe comyn puple may
not ſtie in to þe hil of Synai; for þou haſt witneſſid, and
haſt comaundid, ſeiȝinge, Sette þou termes aboute þe
hil, and halewe it.
xxiiii To whom þe Lord ſeide, Go þou doun, and þou
ſchalt ſtie, and Aaron wiþ þee; forſoþe þe preeſtis and þe
puple paſſe not þe termes, neþir ſtie þei to þe Lord, leſt
perauenture he ſle hem.
xxv Moiſes ȝede doun to þe puple, and telde alle þingis
to hem.
CAP. XX
i And þe Lord ſpak alle þeſe wordis, Y am þi Lord God,
ii þat ladde þee out of þe lond of Egipt, fro þe hous of
ſeruage.
iii Þou ſchalt not haue alien goddis bifore me.
iiii Þou ſchalt not make to þee a grauun ymage, neþir
ony licneſſe of þing which is in heuene aboue, and
which is in erþe byneþe, neþer of þo þingis, þat ben in
watris vndur erþe; þou ſchalt not `herie þo,
v neþer `þou ſchalt worſchipe; for Y am þi Lord God, a
ſtronge gelouſe louyere; and Y viſite þe wickidneſſe of
fadris in to þe þridde and þe fourþe generacioun of hem
þat haten me,
vi and Y do mercy in to `a þouſynde, to hem þat louen
me, and kepen myn heeſtis.
vii Þou ſchalt not take in veyn þe name of þi Lord God,
for þe Lord ſchal not haue hym giltles, þat takiþ in veyn
þe name of his Lord God.
viii Haue þou mynde, þat þou halowe þe `dai of þe ſabat;
ix in ſixe daies þou ſchalt worche and ſchalt do alle þi
werkis;
x forſoþe in þe ſeuenþe day is þe ſabat of þi Lord God;
þou ſchalt not do ony werk, þou, and þi ſone, and þi
douȝtir, and þi ſeruaunt, and þin handmaide, þi werk
beeſte, and þe comelyng which is wiþynne þi ȝatis;
xi for in ſixe dayes God made heuene and erþe, þe ſee,
and alle þingis þat ben in þo, and reſtide in þe ſeuenþe
dai; herfor þe Lord bleſſide þe `dai of þe ſabat, and
halewide it.
xii Onoure þi fadir and þi moder, þat þou be long lyuyng
on þe lond, which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee.
xiii Þou ſchalt not ſle.
xiiii Þou ſchalt `do no letcherie.
xv Þou ſchalt `do no þeft.
xvi Þou ſchalt not ſpeke fals witneſſyng aȝens þi
neiȝbore.
xvii Þou ſchalt not coueyte `þe hous of þi neiȝbore,
neþer þou ſchalt deſyre his wijf, not ſeruaunt, not
handmaide, not oxe, not aſſe, neþer alle þingis þat ben
hiſe.
xviii Forſoþe al þe puple herde voices, and ſiȝ laumpis,
and þe ſowne of a clarioun, and þe hil ſmokynge; and
þei weren afeerd, and ſchakun wiþ inward drede, and
ſtoden afer,
xix and ſeiden to Moiſes, Speke þou to vs, and we
ſchulen here; þe Lord ſpeke not to vs, leſt perauenture
we dien.
xx And Moiſes ſeide to þe puple, Nyle ȝe drede, for God
cam to proue ȝou, and þat his drede ſchulde be in ȝou,
and þat ȝe ſchulden not do ſynne.
xxi And þe puple ſtood afer; forſoþe Moiſes neiȝede to
þe derkneſſe, wherynne God was.
xxii And þe Lord ſeide ferþermore to Moiſes, Þou ſchalt
ſeie þeſe þingis to þe ſones of Iſrael, Ȝe ſeiȝen þat fro
heuene Y ſpak to ȝou;
xxiii ȝe ſchulen not make goddis of ſiluer, neþir ȝe
ſchulen make to ȝou goddis of gold.
xxiiii Ȝe ſchulen make an auter of erþe to me, and ȝe
ſchulen offre þeronne ȝoure brent ſacrifices, and peſible
ſacrifices, ȝoure ſcheep, and oxun, in ech place in which
þe mynde of my name ſchal be; Y ſchal come to þee,
and Y ſchal bleſſe þee.
xxv Þat if þou ſchalt make an auter of ſtoon to me, þou
ſchalt not bilde it of ſtoonys hewun; for if þou ſchalt
reiſe þi knyif þeronne, it ſchal be `polluted, eþer
defoulid.
xxvi Þou ſchalt not ſtye bi grees to myn auter, leſt þi filþe
be ſchewid.
CAP. XXI
i Þeſe ben þe domes, whiche þou ſchalt ſette forþ to
hem.
ii If þou bieſt an Ebrew ſeruaunt, he ſchal ſerue þee ſixe
ȝeer; in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer he ſchal go out fre,
iii wiþ out prijs; wiþ what maner clooþ he entride, wiþ
ſiche clooþ go he out; if he entride hauynge a wijf, and
þe wijf ſchal go out to gidere.
iiii But if þe lord of þe ſeruaunt ȝaf a wijf to hym, and
ſche childide ſones and douȝtris, þe womman and hir
children ſchulen be hir lordis; ſoþeli þe ſeruaunt ſchal
go out wiþ his owne clooþ.
v Þat if þe ſeruaunt ſeiþ, Y loue my lord, and wijf, and
children, Y ſchal not go out fre;
vi þe lord brynge hym to goddis, þat is, iugis; and he
ſchal be ſet to þe dore, and poſtis; and þe lord ſchal
perſe his eere wiþ a nal, and he ſchal be ſeruaunt to hym
til in to þe world.
vii If ony man ſilliþ his douȝter in to ſeruaunteſſe, ſche
ſchal not go out as handmaidis weren wont to go out;
XCVI
viii if ſche diſpleſiþ in þe iȝen of hir lord, to whom ſche
was bitakun, he ſchal delyuere hir; ſoþeli he ſchal not
haue power to ſille hir to an alien puple, if he forſakiþ
hir.
ix Forſoþe if he weddiþ hir to his ſonne, he ſchal do to
hir `bi þe cuſtom of douȝtris;
x þat if he takiþ anoþer womman to hym, he ſchal
puruey to þe damyſele weddingis, and cloþis, and he
ſchal not denye þe prijs of chaſtite.
xi If he doiþ not þeſe þre, ſche ſchal go out freli wiþout
money.
xii He þat ſmytiþ a man, and wole ſle, die bi deeþ;
xiii forſoþe if a man ſettide not aſpies, but God `bitook
hym in to hiſe hondis, Y ſchal ordeyne a place to þee,
whidur he owiþ to fle.
xiiii If ony man ſleeþ his neiȝbore bi biforecaſtyng, and
bi aſpies, drawe þou hym awey fro myn auter, þat he
die.
xv He þat ſmytiþ his fadir, eþer modir, die by deeþ.
xvi He þat curſiþ his fadir, eþer modir, die bi deeþ.
xvii He þat ſteliþ a man, and ſilliþ hym, if he is conuyt of
þe gilt, die bi deeþ.
xviii If men chiden, and þe toþer ſmyte his neiȝbore wiþ
a ſtoon, eþer wiþ þe fiſt, and he is not deed, but liggiþ in
þe bed,
xix if he riſiþ, and goiþ forþ on his ſtaf, he þat ſmoot
ſchal be innocent; ſo neþeles þat he reſtore hiſe trauelis,
and coſtis in lechis.
xx He þat ſmytiþ his ſeruaunt, eþer handmayde, wiþ a
ȝerde, and þei ben deed in hiſe hondis, ſchal be gilti of
cryme.
xxi Soþeli if þe ſeruaunt ouerlyueþ o dai, eþer tweyne,
he ſchal not be ſuget to peyne, `þat is of deeþ, for þe
ſeruaunt is his catel.
xxii If men chiden, and a man ſmytiþ a womman wiþ
childe, and ſoþeli makiþ þe child deed borun, but þe
womman ouerlyueþ, he ſchal be ſuget to þe harm, as
myche as þe `hoſebonde of þe womman axiþ, and þe
iugis demen.
xxiii But if þe deeþ of hir ſueþ,
xxiiii he ſchal ȝelde lijf for lijf, iȝe for iȝe, tooþ for tooþ,
hond for hond, foot for foot,
xxv brennyng for brennyng, wounde `wiþ ſchedyng of
blood for wounde `wiþ ſchedyng of blood, `a wan
wounde for a wan wounde.
xxvi If a man ſmytiþ þe iȝe of his ſeruaunt, eþir of
handmaide, and makiþ hem oon iȝed, he ſchal delyuere
hem fre for `þe iȝe which he puttide out.
xxvii Alſo if he ſmytiþ out a tooþ fro his ſeruaunt, eþir
handmaide, in lijk maner he ſchal delyuere hem fre.
xxviii If an oxe ſmytiþ wiþ horn a man, eþer a womman,
and þei ben deed, þe oxe ſchal be oppreſſid wiþ ſtoonus,
and hiſe fleiſchis ſchulen not be etun, and þe lord of þe
oxe ſchal be innocent.
xxix Þat if þe oxe was `a pultere wiþ horn fro ȝiſterdai
and þe þridde dai ago, and men warneden `þe lord of
hym, neþer þe lord cloſide hym, and he ſleeþ a man,
eþir womman, boþe þe oxe ſchal be oppreſſid wiþ
ſtoonus, and þei ſchulen ſle `þe lord of hym;
xxx þat if prijs is put to þe lord, he ſchal ȝyue for his lijf
what euer he is axide.
xxxi And if he ſmytiþ wiþ horn a ſon, and a douȝtir, he
ſchal be ſuget to lijk ſentence.
xxxii If þe oxe aſailiþ a ſeruaunt, and handmaide, þe lord
of þe oxe ſchal ȝyue þretti ſiclis of ſiluer to `his lord;
forſoþe þe oxe ſchal be oppreſſid wiþ ſtoonus.
xxxiii If ony man openeþ a ciſterne, and diggiþ, and hiliþ
it not, and an oxe eþer aſſe falliþ in to it,
xxxiiii þe lord of þe ciſterne ſchal ȝelde þe prijs of þe
werk beeſtis; forſoþe þat þat is deed ſchal be his.
xxxv If anoþer mannus oxe woundiþ þe oxe of anoþer
man, and he is deed, þei ſchulen ſille þe quyke oxe, and
þei ſchulen departe þe prijs; forſoþe þei ſchulen departe
bitwixe hem þe karkeis of þe deed oxe.
xxxvi Forſoþe if his lord wiſte, þat þe oxe was a puttere
fro ȝiſtirdai and þe þridde dai ago, and kepte not him, he
ſchal ȝelde oxe for oxe, and he ſchal take þe hool
carkeys.
CAP. XXII
i If ony man ſteliþ a ſcheep, eþer oxe, and ſleeþ, eþer
ſilliþ, he ſchal reſtore fiue oxen for oon oxe, and foure
ſcheep for o ſcheep.
ii And if a nyȝt þeef brekynge an hows, eþer
vndurmynynge, is foundun, and is deed bi a wounde
takun, þe ſmytere ſchal not be gilti of blood;
iii þat if he dide þis whanne þe ſunne was ryſun, he dide
man ſleyng, and he ſchal die. If a þeef haþ not þat, þat
he ſchal ȝelde for þefte, he ſchal be ſeeld;
iiii if þat þing þat he ſtaal, is foundun quyk at hym, eþer
oxe, eþer aſſe, eþer ſcheep, he ſchal reſtore þe double.
v If a man harmeþ a feeld, eþir vyner, and ſuffriþ his
beeſte, þat it waaſte oþere mennus þingis, he ſchal
reſtore for þe valu of harm, `what euer beſte þing he haþ
in his feeld, eþir vyner.
vi If fier goiþ out, and fyndiþ eeris of corn, and catchiþ
heepis of corn, eþir cornes ſtondynge in feeldis, he þat
kyndlide þe fier ſchal ȝeelde þe harm.
vii If a man bitakiþ in to kepyng monei to a freend, eþer
a veſſel `in to keping, and it is takun awey bi þefte fro
hym þat reſſeyuede, if þe þeef is foundun, he ſchal
reſtore þe double.
viii If þe þeef is hid, þe lord of þe hows ſchal be brouȝt
to goddis, `þat is, iugis, and he ſchal ſwere, þat he helde
not forþ þe hond in to `þe þing of his neiȝbore,
XCVII
ix to `do fraude; as wel in oxe, as in aſſe, and in ſcheep,
and in clooþ; and what euer þing may brynge in harm,
þe cauſe of euer eiþir ſchal come to goddis, and if þei
demen, he ſchal reſtore þe double to his neiȝbore.
x If ony man bitakiþ to his neiȝbore oxe, aſſe, ſcheep,
and al werk beeſte to kepyng, and it is deed, eþer is
maad feble, eþir is takun of enemyes, and no man ſeeþ
þis,
xi an ooþ ſchal be in þe myddis, þat he helde not forþ þe
hond to þe `þing of his neiȝbore; and þe lord ſchal
reſſeyue þe ooþ, and he ſchal not be compellid to ȝelde.
xii Þat if it is takun awei bi þefte, he ſchal reſtore þe
harm to þe lord;
xiii if it is etun of a beeſte, he ſchal brynge to þe lord þat
þat is ſlayn, and he ſchal not reſtore.
xiiii He þat axiþ of his neiȝbore ony þing of þeſe bi
borewyng, and it is feblid, eþer deed, while þe lord is
not preſent, he ſchal be conſtreyned to ȝelde; þat if þe
lord is in preſence,
xv he ſchal not reſtore, mooſt if it cam hirid, for þe
meede of his werk.
xvi If a man diſſeyueþ a virgyn not ȝit weddid, and ſlepiþ
wiþ hir, he ſchal ȝyue dower to hir, and ſchal haue hir
wijf.
xvii If þe fadir of þe virgyn nyle ȝyue, he ſchal ȝelde
money, bi þe maner of dower, which virgyns weren
wont to take.
xviii Þou ſchalt not ſuffre witchis to lyue.
xix He þat doiþ letcherie wiþ a beeſte, die by deeþ.
xx He þat offriþ to goddis, out takun to þe Lord aloone,
be he ſlayn.
xxi Þou ſchalt not make ſory a comelyng, neþer þou
ſchalt turmente hym; for alſo ȝe weren comelyngis in þe
lond of Egipt.
xxii Ȝe ſchulen not anoye a widewe, and a fadirles eþir
modirles child.
xxiii If ȝe hirten hem, þei ſchulen crye to me, and Y ſchal
here þe cry of hem,
xxiiii and my greet veniaunce ſchal haue indignacioun,
and Y ſchal ſmyte ȝou wiþ ſwerd, and ȝoure wyues
ſchulen be widewis, and ȝoure ſones ſchulen be fadirles.
xxv If þou ȝyueſt money to loone to my pore puple, þat
dwelliþ wiþ þee, þou ſchalt not conſtreyne hym, as an
extorſioner doiþ, neþer þou ſchalt oppreſſe hym by
vſuris.
xxvi If þou takiſt of þi neiȝbore `a wed a clooþ, þou
ſchalt ȝelde to hym bifore þe goyng doun of þe ſunne;
xxvii for þat aloone is þe clooþing of his fleiſch, wiþ
which he is hilid, neþer he haþ anoþer, in which he
ſlepiþ; if he crieþ to me, Y ſchal here hym; for Y am
mercyful.
xxviii Þou ſchalt not bacbyte goddis, and þou ſchalt not
curſe þe prince of þi puple.
xxix Þou ſchalt not tarye to offre to þe Lord þi tiþis, and
firſte fruytis. Þou ſchalt ȝyue to me þe firſte gendrid of
þi ſones;
xxx alſo of oxen, and of ſcheep þou ſchalt do in lijk
maner; ſeuene daies be he wiþ his modir, in þe eiȝtiþe
dai þou ſchalt ȝelde hym to me.
xxxi Ȝe ſchulen be holi men to me; ȝe ſchulen not ete
fleiſch which is bifore taaſtid of beeſtis, but ȝe ſchulen
caſte forþ to houndis.
CAP. XXIII
i Þou ſchalt not reſſeyue a vois of leeſyng, neþer þou
ſchalt ioyne þin hond, þat þou ſeie fals witneſſyng for a
wickid man.
ii Þou ſchalt not ſue þe cumpanye to do yuel, neþer þou
ſchalt aſcente to þe ſentence of ful many men in doom,
þat þou go awey fro treuþe.
iii Alſo þou ſchalt not haue mercy of a pore man in a
`cauſe, eþir doom.
iiii If þou meetiſt `þe oxe of þin enemye, eþir þe aſſe
errynge, lede þou aȝen to hym.
v If þou ſeeſt þat þe aſſe of hym þat hatiþ þee liggyþ
vndir a burþun, þou ſchalt not paſſe, but þou ſchalt reiſe
wiþ hym.
vi Þou ſchalt not bowe in þe doom of a pore man.
vii Þou ſchalt fle a leſyng. Þou ſchalt not ſle an innocent
man, and iuſt; for Y am aduerſarie to a wickid man.
viii Take þou not ȝiftis, þat blynden alſo prudent men,
and deſtryen þe wordys of iuſt men.
ix Þou ſchalt not be diſeſeful to a pilgrym, for ȝe knowen
þe ſoulis of comelyngis, for alſo ȝe weren pilgryms in
þe lond of Egipt.
x Sixe ȝeer þou ſchalt ſowe þi lond, and þou ſchalt gadre
fruytis þerof;
xi forſoþe in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer þou ſchalt leeue it, and
ſchalt make to reſte, þat þe pore men of þi puple ete,
and what euer is reſidue, þe beeſtis of þe feeld ete; ſo
þou ſchalt do in þi vyner, and in place of olyue trees.
xii Sixe dayes þou ſchalt worche, in þe ſeuenþe dai þou
ſchalt ceeſſe, þat þin oxe and aſſe reſte, and þe ſone of
þin handmaide, and þe comelyng be refreiſchid.
xiii Kepe ȝe alle þingis, whiche Y ſeide to ȝou; and ȝe
ſchulen not ſwere bi þe name of alien goddis, neþer it
ſchal be herd of ȝoure mouþ.
xiiii In þre tymes bi alle ȝeeris ȝe ſchulen halewe feeſtis
to me.
xv Þou ſchalt kepe þe ſolempnyte of þerf looues; ſeuene
daies þou ſchalt ete þerf breed, as Y comaundide to þee,
in þe tyme of moneþe of newe þingis, whanne þou
ȝediſt out of Egipt; þou ſchalt not appere voide in my
ſiȝt.
xvi And þou ſchalt kepe þe ſolempnete of þe moneþe of
þe firſte þingis of þi werk, what euer þingis þou haſt
XCVIII
ſowe in þe feeld. Alſo þou ſchalt kepe þe ſolempnyte in
þe goyng out of þe ȝeer, whanne þou haſt gaderid all þi
fruytis of þe feeld.
xvii Þries in þe ȝeer al þi male kynde ſchal appere bifore
þi Lord God.
xviii Þou ſchalt not offre þe blood of þi ſlayn ſacrifice on
ſour douȝ; neþer þe fatneſſe of my ſolempnete ſchal
dwelle til to þe morewtid.
xix Þou ſchalt bere þe firſte þingis of þe fruytis of þi
lond in to þe hows of þi Lord God. Þou ſchalt not ſeþe a
kide in þe mylke of his modir.
xx Lo! Y ſchal ſende myn aungel, þat ſchal go bifore
þee, and ſchal kepe in þe weie, and ſchal lede to þe
place which Y haue maad redi to þee.
xxi Take þou hede to hym, and here þou his vois, neþer
geſſe þou hym to be diſpiſid; for he ſchal not forȝyue,
whanne þou ſynneſt, and my name is in him.
xxii For if þou hereſt his vois, and doiſt alle þingis
whiche Y ſpeke, Y ſchal be enemy to þin enemyes, and
Y ſchal turment hem, þat turmenten þee;
xxiii and myn aungel ſchal go bifore þee, and he ſchal
lede yn þee to Amorrei, and Ethei, and Ferezei, and
Cananey, and Euey, and Jebuſei, whiche Y ſchal breke.
xxiiii Þou ſchalt not onoure `þe goddis of hem, neþer þou
ſchalt worſchipe hem; þou ſchalt not do þe werkis of
hem, but þou ſchalt deſtrie þe goddis, and þou ſchalt
breke þe ymagis of hem.
xxv And ȝe ſchulen ſerue to ȝoure Lord God, þat Y bleſſe
þi looues, and watris, and do awei ſikeneſſe fro þe
myddis of þee;
xxvi neiþir a womman vnfruytful, neiþer bareyn, ſchal
be in þi lond; Y ſchal fille þe noumbre of þi daies.
xxvii Y ſchal ſende my drede in to þi biforgoyng, and Y
ſchal ſle al þe puple, to which þou ſchalt entre, and Y
ſchal turne þe backis of alle þin enemyes bifore þee;
xxviii and Y ſchal ſende out bifore ſcrabrouns, þat
ſchulen dryue awei Euey, and Cananey, and Ethei,
bifore þat þou entre.
xxix Y ſchal not caſte hem out fro þi face in o ȝeer, leſt
þe lond be turned in to wildirneſſe, and beeſtis encreeſſe
aȝens þee;
xxx litil and litil I ſchal caſte hem out fro þi ſiȝt, til þou
be encreeſſid, and welde þe loond.
xxxi Forſoþe Y ſchal ſette þi termys fro þe reed ſee til to
þe ſee of Paleſtyns, and fro deſert til to þe flood. Y ſchal
ȝyue to ȝoure hondis þe dwelleris of þe lond, and Y
ſchal caſte hem out fro ȝoure ſiȝt;
xxxii þou ſchalt not make boond of pees wiþ hem, neþir
wiþ `þe goddis of hem.
xxxiii Dwelle þei not in þi lond, leſt perauenture þei
make þee to do ſynne aȝens me, yf þou ſerueſt her
goddis, which þing certis ſchal be to þee in to ſclaundir.
CAP. XXIIII
i Alſo he ſeide to Moiſes, `Stie þou to þe Lord, þou, and
Aaron, and Nadab, and Abyu, and ſeuenti eldere men of
Iſrael; and ȝe ſchulen worſchipe afer,
ii and Moiſes aloone ſtie to þe Lord, and þei ſchulen not
neiȝe, neþer þe puple ſchal ſtie wiþ hym.
iii Þerfore Moiſes cam, and telde to þe puple alle þe
wordis and domes of þe Lord; and al þe puple
anſweride wiþ o vois, We ſchulen do alle þe wordis of
þe Lord, whiche he ſpak.
iiii Forſoþe Moiſes wroot alle þe wordis of þe Lord; and
he roos eerli, and bildide an auter to þe Lord at þe rootis
of þe hil, and he bildide twelue titlis bi twelue lynagis
of Iſrael.
v And he ſente ȝonge men of þe ſones of Iſrael, and þei
offriden brent ſacrifices, and `þei offriden peſible
ſacrifices `to þe Lord, twelue calues.
vi And ſo Moiſes took half þe part of þe blood, and ſente
in to grete cuppis; forſoþe he ſchedde þe reſidue part on
þe auter.
vii And he took þe book of þe boond of pees, and redde,
while þe puple herde; whiche ſeiden, We ſchulen do alle
þingis which þe Lord ſpak, and we ſchulen be obedient.
viii Forſoþe he took, and ſprengide `þe blood on þe
puple, and ſeide, Þis is þe blood of þe boond of pees,
which þe Lord couenauntide wiþ ȝow on alle þeſe
wordis.
ix And Moiſes, and Aaron, and Nadab, and Abyu, and
ſeuenti of þe eldere men of Iſrael ſtieden,
x and ſeiȝen God of Iſrael, vndur hiſe feet, as þe werk of
ſafire ſtoon, and as heuene whanne it is cleer.
xi And he ſente not his hond on hem of þe ſones of
Iſrael, þat hadden go fer awei; and þei ſien God, and
eeten and drunkun.
xii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, `Stie þou to me in to
þe hil, and be þou þere, and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee tablis of
ſtoon, and þe lawe, and comaundementis, whiche Y
haue write, þat þou teche þe children of Iſrael.
xiii Moiſes and Joſue his mynyſtre riſen, and Moiſes
ſtiede in to þe hil of God,
xiiii and ſeide to þe eldere men, Abide ȝe here, til we
turnen aȝen to ȝou; ȝe han Aaron and Hur wiþ ȝou, if
ony þing of queſtioun is maad, ȝe ſchulen telle to hem.
xv And whanne Moiſes hadde ſtied,
xvi a cloude hilide þe hil, and þe glorie of þe Lord
dwellide on Synai, and kyueride it wiþ a cloude ſixe
daies; forſoþe in þe ſeuenþe dai þe Lord clepide hym fro
þe myddis of þe cloude; forſoþe þe licneſſe of glorie of
þe Lord
xvii was as fier brennynge on þe cop of þe hil in þe ſiȝt
of þe ſones of Iſrael.
XCIX
xviii AndMoiſes entride into þe myddis of þe cloude,
and ſtiede in to þe hil, and he was þere fourti daies and
fourti nyȝtis.
CAP. XXV
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Speke þou to
þe ſones of Iſrael,
ii þat þei take to me þe firſte fruytis; of ech man þat
offriþ wilfuli, ȝe ſchulen take þo.
iii Forſoþe þeſe þingis it ben, whiche ȝe ſchulen take,
gold, and ſiluer, and bras, iacynt,
iiii and purpur, and reed ſilk twies died, and bijs, heeris
of geet, and `ſkynnes of weþeris maad reed,
v and ſkynnes of iacynt,
vi and trees of Sechym, and oile to liȝtis to be ordeyned,
ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries in to oynement, and encenſis
of good odour,
vii onochym ſtoonys, and gemmes to ourne ephod, and
þe racional.
viii And þei ſchulen make a ſeyntuarie to me, and Y
ſchal dwelle in þe myddis of hem, bi al þe licneſſe of þe
tabernacle,
ix which Y ſchal ſchewe to þee, and of alle þe veſſels of
ournyng þerof.
x And þus ȝe ſchulen make it; ioyne ȝe to gidere an arke
of þe trees of Sechym, whos lengþe haue twey cubitis
and an half, þe broodneſſe haue a cubit and half, þe
hiȝneſſe haue `in lijk maner a cubit and half.
xi And þou ſchalt ouergilde it wiþ clenneſte gold wiþ
ynne and wiþ out forþ; and þou ſchalt make a goldun
crowne aboue `bi cumpas,
xii and foure goldun cerclis, whiche þou ſchalt ſette bi
foure corneris of þe arke; twei ceerclis be in o ſyde, and
twei cerclis in þe toþer ſide.
xiii Alſo þou ſchalt make barris of þe trees of Sechym,
and þou ſchalt hile þo wiþ gold,
xiiii and þou ſchalt brynge yn bi þe cerclis þat ben in þe
ſidis of þe arke,
xv þat it be borun in þo, whiche ſchulen euere be in þe
ceerclis, neþer ſchulen ony tyme be drawun out of þoo.
xvi And þou ſchalt putte in to þe arke þe witneſſing,
which Y ſchal ȝyue to þee.
xvii And þou ſchalt make a propiciatorie of clenneſte
gold; `þat is a table hilinge þe arke; þe lengþe þerof
ſchal holde twei cubitis and an half, þe broodneſſe ſchal
holde a cubit and half.
xviii Alſo þou ſchalt make on euer eiþir ſide of `Goddis
anſweryng place twei cherubyns of gold, and betun out
wiþ hamer;
xix o cherub be in o ſyde of `Goddis anſweryng place,
and þe toþer in þe toþer ſide;
xx hele þei euer eiþer ſide of þe propiciatorie, and holde
þei forþ wyngis, and hile þei `Goddis anſweryng place;
and biholde þei hem ſilf to gidere, while þe faces ben
turned in to þe propiciatorie, wiþ which þe arke of þe
Lord ſchal be hilid,
xxi in which arke þou ſchalt putte þe `witneſſyng, which
Y ſchal ȝyue to þee.
xxii Fro þennus Y ſchal comaunde, and ſchal ſpeke to
þee aboue þe propiciatorie, þat is, fro þe myddis of twei
cherubyns, þat ſchulen be on þe arke of witneſſyng, alle
þingis whiche Y ſchal comaunde `bi þee to þe ſones of
Iſrael.
xxiii Alſo þou ſchalt make a boord of þe trees of
Sechym, hauinge twei cubitis of lengþe, and a cubit in
broodneſſe, and a cubit and half in hiȝeneſſe.
xxiiii And þou ſchalt ouergilde þe bord wiþ pureſt gold,
and þou ſchalt make to it a goldun brynke `bi cumpas;
xxv and `þou ſchalt make to þat brynke a coroun raſid
bitwixe foure fyngris hiȝ, and `þou ſchalt make on þat
anoþer lytil goldun coroun.
xxvi And þou ſchalt make redi foure goldun cerclis, and
þou ſchalt put þoo in foure corners of þe ſame boord, bi
alle feet.
xxvii Vndur þe coroun ſchulen be goldun cerclis, þat þe
barris be put þorou þo, and þat þe boord may be borun.
xxviii Þou ſchalt make þo barris of þe trees of Sechym,
and þou ſchalt cumpas wiþ gold to bere þe boord.
xxix And þou ſchalt make redi veſſels of vynegre, and
viols, cenceris, and cuppis of pureſte gold, in whiche
fletynge ſacrifices ſchulen be offrid.
xxx And þou ſchalt ſette on þe boord looues of
propoſicioun, in my ſiȝt euere.
xxxi And þou ſchalt make a candilſtike `betun forþ wiþ
hamer, of clenneſte gold, and þou ſchalt make þe ſchaft
þerof, and ȝerdis, cuppis, and litle rundelis, and lilies
comynge forþ þerof.
xxxii Sixe ȝerdis ſchulen go out of þe ſidis, þre of o ſide,
and þre of þe toþer.
xxxiii Þre cuppis as in þe maner of a note bi ech ȝerde,
and litle rundelis to gidere, and a lilie, and in lijk maner
þre cuppis at þe licneſſe of a note in þe toþer, and litle
rundelis togidere, and a lilie; þis ſchal be þe werk of
ſixe ȝerdis, þat ſchulen be brouȝt forþ of þe ſchaft.
xxxiiii Forſoþe in þilke candilſtik e ſchulen be foure
cuppis in þe maner of a note, and litle rundels and lilies
by ech cuppe;
xxxv and litle rundelis ſchulen be vndir twey ȝerdis bi
þre places, whiche ȝerdis to gidere ben maad ſixe,
comynge forþ of o ſchaft; and þerfor þe litle rundelis
and ȝerdis
xxxvi þerof ſchulen be alle betun out wiþ hamer, of
clenneſte gold.
xxxvii And þou ſchalt make ſeuene lanternes, and þou
ſchalt ſette þo on þe candilſtike, þat þo ſchyne euene
aȝens.
C
xxxviii Alſotongis to `do out þe ſnottis, and where þo
þingis, þat ben ſnottid out, ben quenchid, be maad of
clenneſte gold.
xxxix Al þe weiȝt of þe candilſtike wiþ alle hiſe veſſelis
ſchal haue a talent of clenneſt gold.
xl Biholde þou, and make bi þe ſaumpler, which ys
ſchewide to þee in þe hil.
CAP. XXVI
i Forſoþe þe tabernacle ſchal be maad þus; þou ſchalt
make ten curtyns of bijs foldyd aȝen, and of iacynt, of
purpur, and of reed ſilk twies died, dyuerſid bi broidery
werk.
ii Þe lengþe of o curteyn ſchal haue eiȝte and twenti
cubitis, þe broodneſſe ſchal be of foure cubitis; alle
tentis ſchulen be maad of o meſure.
iii Fyue curtyns ſchulen be ioyned to hem ſilf to gidere,
and oþere fiue cleue to gidere bi lijk boond.
iiii Þou ſchalt make handels of iacynt in þe ſidis, and
hiȝneſſis of curtyns, þat þo moun be couplid to gidere.
v A curteyn ſchal haue fyfti handlis in euer eiþir part, ſo
ſet yn, þat `an handle come aȝen an handle, and þe toon
may be ſchappid to þe toþir.
vi And þou ſchalt make fifti goldun ryngis, bi whiche þe
`veilis of curteyns ſchulen be ioyned, þat o tabernacle
be maad.
vii Alſo þou ſchalt make enleuene ſaies to kyuere þe
hilyng of þe tabernacle;
viii þe lengþe of o ſay ſchal haue þretti cubitis, and þe
breed ſchal haue foure cubitis; euene meſure ſchal be of
alle ſaies.
ix Of which þou ſchalt ioyne fyue by hem ſilf, and þou
ſchalt couple ſixe to hem ſilf togidere, ſo þat þou double
þe ſixte ſay in þe frount of þe roof.
x And þou ſchalt make fifti handles in þe hemme of o
ſay, þat it may be ioyned wiþ þe toþer; and `þou ſchalt
make fifti handles in þe hemme of þe toþir ſay, þat it be
couplid wiþ þe toþir;
xi þou ſchalt make fifti faſtnyngis of bras, bi whiche þe
handles ſchulen be ioyned to gidere, þat oon hylyng be
maad of alle.
xii Soþeli þat þat is reſidue in þe ſaies, þat ben maad redi
to þe hilyng, þat is, o ſai whych is more, of þe myddis
þerof þou ſchalt hile þe hyndrere part of þe tabernacle;
and a cubit ſchal hange on o part,
xiii and þe toþer cubit on þe toþer part, which cubit is
more in þe lengþe of ſaies, and ſchal hile euer eiþer ſyde
of þe tabernacle.
xiiii And þou ſchalt make anoþer hilyng to þe roof, of
`ſkynnes of weþeres maad reed, and ouer þis þou ſchalt
make eft anoþir hilyng of `ſkynnes of iacynt.
xv Alſo þou ſchalt make ſtondynge tablis of þe
tabernacle, of þe trees of Sechym,
xvi whiche tablis ſchulen haue ech bi hem ſilf ten cubitis
in lengþe, and in brede a cubit and half.
xvii Forſoþe twei dentyngis ſchulen be in þe ſidis of a
table, bi which a table ſchal be ioyned to anoþer table;
and in þis maner alle þe tablis ſchulen be maad redi.
xviii Of whiche tablis twenti ſchulen be in þe myddai
ſide, þat goiþ to þe ſouþ;
xix to whiche tablis þou ſchalt ȝete fourti ſilueren
foundementis, þat twei foundementis be ſet vndir ech
table, bi twei corneris.
xx In þe ſecounde ſide of þe tabernacle, þat goiþ to þe
norþ, ſchulen be twenti tablis, hauynge fourti ſilueren
foundementis; twei foundementis ſchulen be ſet vndir
ech table.
xxi Soþeli at þe weſt cooſt of þe tabernacle þou ſchalt
make ſixe tablis;
xxii and eft þou ſchalt make tweine oþere tablis,
xxiii þat ſchulen be reiſid in þe corneris `bihynde þe bak
of þe taberancle;
xxiiii and þe tablis ſchulen be ioyned to hem ſilf fro
byneþe til to aboue, and o ioynyng ſchal wiþholde alle
þe tablis. And lijk ioynyng ſchal be kept to þe twei
tablis, þat ſchulen be ſet in þe corneris,
xxv and þo ſchulen be eiȝte tablis to gidere; þe ſiluerne
foundementis of þo ſchulen be ſixtene, while twei
foundementis ben rikenyd bi o table.
xxvi Þou ſchalt make alſo fyue barris of `trees of
Sechym, to holde togidere þe tablis in o ſide of þe
tabernacle,
xxvii and fyue oþere barris in þe toþer ſide, and of þe
ſame noumbre at þe weſt cooſt;
xxviii whiche barris ſchulen be put þorou þe myddil
tablis fro þe toon ende til to þe toþir.
xxix And þou ſchalt ouergilde þo tablis, and þou ſchalt
ȝete goldun ryngis in þo, bi whiche ryngis, þe barris
ſchulen holde togidere þe werk of tablis, whyche barris
þou ſchalt hile wiþ goldun platis.
xxx And þou ſchalt reiſe þe tabernacle, bi þe ſaumpler
þat was ſchewid to þee in þe hil.
xxxi Þou ſchalt make alſo a veil of iacynt, and purpur,
and of reed ſilk twies died, and of bijs foldid aȝen bi
broideri werk, and wouun to gidere bi fair dyuerſite;
xxxii which veil þou ſchalt hange bifor foure pileris of
`þe trees of Sechym; and ſoþeli þo pileris ſchulen be
ouergildid; and þo ſchulen haue goldun heedis, but
foundementis of ſiluer.
xxxiii Forſoþe þe veil ſchal be ſet in bi þe cerclis, wiþ
ynne which veil þou ſchalt ſette þe arke of witneſſyng,
wherbi þe ſeyntuarye and þe ſeyntuaries of ſeyntuarie
ſchulen be departid.
xxxiiii And þou ſchalt ſette þe propiciatorie on þe arke of
witneſſyng, in to þe hooli of hooli þingis;
CI
xxxv and þou ſchalt ſette a boord wiþ out þe veil, and
aȝens þe boord `þou ſchalt ſette þe candilſtike in þe ſouþ
ſide of þe tabernacle; for þe bord ſchal ſtonde in þe norþ
ſide.
xxxvi Þou ſchalt make alſo a tente in þe entryng of þe
tabernacle, of iacynt, and purpur, and of reed ſelk twies
died, and of bijs foldid aȝen bi broidery werk.
xxxvii And þou ſchalt ouergilde fyue pileris of `trees of
Sechym, bifor whiche pileris þe tente ſchal be led, of
whiche pileris þe heedis ſchulen be of gold, and þe
foundementis of bras.
CAP. XXVII
i Alſo þou ſchalt make an auter of þe trees of Sechym,
which ſchal haue fyue cubitis in lengþe, and ſo many in
brede, þat is, ſqware, and þre cubitis in heiȝþe.
ii Forſoþe hornes ſchulen be bi foure corneris þerof; and
þou ſchalt hile it wiþ bras.
iii And þou ſchalt make in to þe vſis of þe auter pannes,
to reſſeyue aiſchis, and tongis, and fleiſch hookis, and
reſettis of fyris; þou ſchalt make alle veſſilis of bras.
iiii And þou ſchalt make a braſun gridele in þe maner of
a net, and bi four corneris þerof ſchulen be foure braſun
ryngis,
v whiche þou ſchalt putte vndur þe yrun panne of þe
auter; and þe gridele ſchal be til to þe myddis of þe
auter.
vi And þou ſchalt make twey barris of þe auter, of þe
trees of Sechym, whiche barris þou ſchalt hile wiþ platis
of bras;
vii and þou ſchalt lede yn `þe barris bi þe cerclis, and þo
ſchulen be on euer eiþir ſide of þe auter, to bere.
viii Þou ſchalt make þat auter not maſſif, but voide, and
holowe wiþ ynne, as it was ſchewid to þee in þe hil.
ix Alſo þou ſchalt make a large ſtreet of þe tabernacle,
`in þe maner of a chirche ȝeerd, in whos mydday cooſt
aȝens þe ſouþ ſchulen be tentis of bijs foldid aȝen; o ſide
ſchal holde an hundrid cubitis in lengþe,
x and twenti pileris, wiþ ſo many braſun foundementis,
whiche pileris ſchulen haue ſilueren heedis wiþ her
grauyngis.
xi In lijk maner in þe norþ ſide, bi þe lengþe, ſchulen be
tentis of an hundrid cubitis, twenti pileris, and braſun
foundementis of þe ſame noumbre; and þe heedis of þo
pileris wiþ her grauyngis ſchulen be of ſiluer.
xii Forſoþe in þe breede of þe large ſtreet, þat biholdiþ to
þe weſt, ſchulen be tentis bi fifti cubitis, and ten pileris
ſchulen be, and ſo many foundementis.
xiii In þat breede of þe large ſtreet, þat biholdiþ to þe
eeſt, ſchulen be fifti cubitis,
xiiii in whiche þe tentis of fiftene cubitis ſchulen be
aſſigned to o ſide, and þre pileris, and ſo many
foundementis;
xv and in þe toþer ſide ſchulen be tentis holdynge fiftene
cubitis, and þre pileris, and ſo many foundementis.
xvi Forſoþe in þe entryng of þe `greet ſtrete ſchal be
maad a tente of twenti cubitis, of iacynt, and purpur,
and of reed ſelk twies died, and of bijs foldid aȝen bi
broideri werk; it ſchal haue four pileris, wiþ ſo many
foundementis.
xvii Alle þe pileris of þe grete ſtreet bi cumpas ſchulen
be cloþid wiþ platis of ſiluer, wiþ hedis of ſiluer, and
wiþ foundementis of bras.
xviii Þe greet ſtreet ſchal ocupie an hundrid cubitis in
lengþe, fifti in breede; þe hiȝeneſſe of þe tente ſchal be
of fiue cubitis; and it ſchal be maad of bijs foldid aȝen;
and it ſchal haue braſun foundementis.
xix Þou ſchalt make of bras alle þe veſſelis of þe
tabernacle, in to alle vſis and cerymonyes, as wel ſtakis
þerof, as of þe greet ſtreet.
xx Comaunde þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, þat þei brynge to
þee þe clenneſte oile of `þe trees of olyues, and powned
wiþ a peſtel, þat a lanterne
xxi brenne euere in þe tabernacle of witneſſyng wiþ out
þe veil, which is hangid in þe tabernacle of witneſſyng;
and Aaron and hiſe ſones ſchulen ſette it, þat it ſchyne
bifore þe Lord til þe morewtid; it ſchal be euerlaſtynge
worſchiping bi her ſucceſſiouns of þe ſones of Iſrael.
CAP. XXVIII
i Alſo applie þou to þee Aaron, þi broþer, wiþ hiſe ſones,
fro þe myddis of þe ſones of Iſrael, þat Aaron, Nadab,
and Abyu, Eleazar, and Ythamar, be ſet in preeſthod to
me.
ii And þou ſchalt make an hooli clooþ to Aaron, þi
broþer, in to glorie and faireneſſe.
iii And þou ſchalt ſpeke to alle wiſe men in herte,
whiche Y haue fillid wiþ þe ſpirit of prudence, þat þei
make cloþis to Aaron, in whiche he ſchal be halewid,
and ſchal mynyſtre to me.
iiii Forſoþe þeſe ſchulen be þe cloþis, whiche þei ſchulen
make; `þei ſchulen make racional, and a clooþ on þe
ſchuldris, a coote, and a ſtreyt lynnun clooþ, a mytre,
and a girdil; hooli clooþis to Aaron, þi broþer, and to
hiſe ſones, þat þei be ſet in preeſthod to me.
v And þei ſchulen take gold, and iacynt, and purpur, and
`reed ſelk twies died, and bijs;
vi forſoþe þei ſchulen make þe clooþ on þe ſchuldris of
gold, and of iacynt, and purpur, and of `reed ſelk twies
died, and of bijs foldid aȝen, bi broyderi werk of
dyuerſe colours.
vii It ſchal haue twey hemmes ioyned in euer eiþer ſide
of hiȝneſſis, þat þo go aȝen in to oon.
viii Þilke weuyng, and al dyuerſite of þe werk ſchal be of
gold, and iacynt, and purpur, and of `reed ſelk twies
died, and bijs foldis aȝen.
CII
ix And þou ſchalt take twei ſtoonys of onychym, and
þou ſchalt graue in þo þe names of þe ſones of Iſrael,
x ſixe names in o ſtoon, and ſixe oþere in þe toþer ſtoon,
bi þe ordre of her birþe;
xi bi þe werk of a grauere, and bi þe peyntyng of a man
þat ourneþ wiþ gemmes þou ſchalt graue þo ſtoonys,
wiþ þe names of þe ſones of Iſrael; and þou ſchalt
encloſe and cumpaſſe in gold.
xii And þou ſchalt ſette þo ſtoonus in euer eiþer ſide of
þe cloþ on þe ſchuldris, a memorial to þe ſones of Iſrael;
and Aaron ſchal bere þe names of hem bifor þe Lord on
euer eiþer ſchuldre, for remembryng.
xiii And þou ſchalt make hookis of gold,
xiiii and twey litil chaynes of clenneſte gold, cleuynge to
hem ſilf togidere, whiche litil chaynes þou ſchalt ſette in
þe hookis.
xv Alſo þou ſchalt make þe racional of doom by werk of
dyuerſe colours, bi þe weuyng of þe cloþ on þe
ſchuldre, of gold, iacynt, and purpur, of `reed ſilk twies
died, and of bijs foldid aȝen.
xvi It ſchal be foure cornerid, and double; it ſchal haue
þe meſure of a pawme of þe hond, as wel in lengþe, as
in breede.
xvii And þou ſchalt ſette þer ynne foure ordris of
ſtoonys; in þe firſte ordre ſchal be þe ſtoon ſardius, and
topazyus, and ſmaragdus;
xviii in þe ſecunde ordre ſchal be charbuncle, ſafir, and
iaſpis; in þe þridde ordre ſchal be ligurie,
xix achates, and ametiſte;
xx in þe fourþe ordre ſchal be criſolitus, onochyn, and
berille; þo ſchulen be cloſid in gold, bi her ordris,
xxi and ſchulen haue þe names of þe ſones of Iſrael: þo
ſchulen be grauen wiþ twelue names; al ſtonus bi hem
ſilf, wiþ þe names of þe ſones `of Iſrael bi hem ſilf, bi
twelue lynagis.
xxii Þou ſchalt make in þe racional chaynes cleuynge to
hem ſilf togidere of pureſte gold,
xxiii and þou ſchalt make twei goldun ryngis, whiche
þou ſchalt ſette in euer eiþer hiȝneſſe of racional.
xxiiii And þou ſchalt ioyne þe goldun chaynes wiþ þe
ryngis þat ben in þe brynkis þerof,
xxv and þou ſchalt couple þe `laſt þingis of þo chaynes
to twey hookis in euer eiþer ſide of þe `cloþ on þe
ſchuldur, þat biholdiþ þe racional.
xxvi And þou ſchalt make twei goldun ryngis, whiche
þou ſchalt ſette in þe hiȝneſſes of þe racional, and in þe
hemmes of þe cloþ on þe ſchuldur, þat ben euene aȝens,
and biholden þe lattere þingis þerof.
xxvii Alſo and þou ſchalt make tweyne oþere goldun
ryngis, þat ſchulen be ſet in euer eiþer ſide of þe clooþ
on þe ſchuldur byneþe, þat biholdiþ aȝens þe face of þe
lowere ioynyng, þat it may be ſet couenabli wiþ þe
`cloþ on þe ſchuldre.
xxviii And þe racional be boundun bi hiſe ryngis wiþ þe
ryngis of þe `cloþ on þe ſchuldre, wiþ a lace of iacynt,
þat þe ioyning maad craftili dwelle, and þat þe racional
and `cloþ on þe ſchuldre moun not be departid ech fro
oþer.
xxix And Aaron ſchal bere þe names of þe ſones of Iſrael
in þe racional of doom on his breſt, whanne he entriþ in
to þe ſeyntuarie, a memorial bifor þe Lord wiþ outen
ende.
xxx Forſoþe þou ſchalt ſette in þe racional of doom,
techyng, and treuþe, whiche ſchulen be in þe breſt of
Aaron, whanne he entriþ bifor þe Lord, and he ſchal
bere þe doom of þe ſones of Iſrael in his breſt in þe ſiȝt
of þe Lord euere.
xxxi And þou ſchalt make þe coote of þe `cloþ on þe
ſchuldre al of iacynt,
xxxii in whos myddil aboue ſchal be an hood, and a
wouun hemme `bi cumpas þerof, as it is wont to be don
in þe hemmes of cloþis, leſt it be brokun liȝtli.
xxxiii Forſoþe byneþe at þe feet of þe ſame coote, bi
cumpas, þou ſchalt make as `piyn applis, of iacynt, and
purpur, of `reed ſelk twies died, and of biis foldid aȝen;
while ſmale bellis ben medlid in þe myddis,
xxxiiii ſo þat a litil `belle of gold be and a `piyn appil,
and eft anoþer litel belle of gold and a `pyn appil.
xxxv And Aaron ſchal be cloþid wiþ þat coote in þe
office of ſeruyce, þat ſown be herd, whanne he entriþ in
to þe ſeyntuarie, and goiþ out, in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord; and
þat he die not.
xxxvi And þou ſchalt make a plate of pureſte gold, in
which þou ſchalt graue bi þe werk of a grauere, þe holi
to þe Lord.
xxxvii And þou ſchalt bynde þat plate wiþ a lace of
iacynt, and it ſchal be on þe mytre,
xxxviii and ſchal neiȝe þe forheed of þe biſchop. And
Aaron ſchal bere þe wickidneſſis of hem whiche þe
ſones of Iſrael `offeriden, and halewiden in alle her
ȝiftis and fre ȝiftis; forſoþe þe plate ſchal euere be in
`his forhed, þat þe Lord be pleſid to him.
xxxix And þou ſchalt bynde þe coot of biis, and þe myter
of bijs, and þou ſchalt make alſo a girdil, `bi werk of
broiderye.
xl Forſoþe þou ſchalt make redi to `þe ſones of Aaron
linnun cootis, and girdlis, and mytris, in to glorie and
fairneſſe.
xli And þou ſchalt cloþe Aaron, þi broþer, wiþ alle þeſe,
and hiſe ſones wiþ hym. And þou ſchalt ſacre þe hondis
of alle; and þou ſchalt halewe hem, þat þei be ſet in
preeſthood to me.
xlii Alſo þou ſchalt make lynnun brechis, þat þei hile þe
fleiſch of her filþe fro þe reynes `til to þe hipis.
xliii And Aaron and hiſe ſones ſchulen vſe þo, whanne
þei ſchulen entre in to þe tabernacle of witneſſyng, eþer
CIII
whanne þei neiȝen to þe auter, þat þei mynyſtren in þe
ſeyntuarie, leſt þei ben gilti of wickidneſſe, and dien; it
ſchal be a lawful þing euerlaſtynge to Aaron, and to his
ſeed after hym.
CAP. XXIX
i But alſo þou ſchalt do þis, þat þei be ſacrid to me in
preeſthod; take þou a calf of þe droue, and twei rammes
wiþ out wem,
ii and þerf looues, and a cake wiþ out ſour dow, whiche
be ſpreynt to gidere wiþ oile, and þerf paaſt ſodun in
watir, `bawmed, eþer fried, wiþ oile; þou ſchalt make
alle þingis of whete flour,
iii and þou ſchalt offre þo put in a panyere. Forſoþe þou
ſchal preſente þe calfe,
iiii and twey rammes, and Aaron and his ſones, at þe
dore of tabernacle of witneſſyng; and whanne þou haſt
waiſche þe fadir and þe ſones in watir,
v þou ſchalt cloþe Aaron wiþ hiſe cloþis, þat is, þe
lynnen cloþ, `and coote, and þe cloþ on þe ſchuldris,
`and þe racional, which þou ſchalt bynde wiþ a girdil.
vi And þou ſchalt ſette þe mytre on his heed, and þe
hooli plate on þe mytre,
vii and þou ſchalt ſchede þe oile of anoyntyng on his
heed; and bi þis cuſtom he ſchal be ſacrid.
viii Alſo þou ſchalt preſente hiſe ſones, and þou ſchalt
cloþe wiþ lynnun cootis,
ix and þou ſchalt girde Aaron and hiſe ſones wiþ a girdil;
and þou ſchalt ſette mytris on hem; and þei ſchulen be
my preeſtis bi euerlaſtynge religioun. After þat þou haſt
halewid `þe hondis of hem,
x alſo þou ſchalt preſente þe calf bifore þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng; and Aaron and hiſe ſones ſchulen ſette
hondis `on þe heed þerof;
xi and þou ſchalt ſle it in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, biſidis þe
dore of þe tabernacle of witneſſyng.
xii And þou ſchalt take þe blood of þe calf, and ſchalt
putte wiþ þi fyngur on þe corneris of þe auter. Forſoþe
þou ſchalt ſchede þe `toþir blood biſidis þe foundement
þerof.
xiii And þou ſchalt take al þe fatneſſe þat hiliþ þe
entrailis, and þe calle of þe mawe, and twey kidneris,
and þe fatneſſe which is on hem; and þou ſchalt offere
encenſe on þe auter.
xiiii Forſoþe þou ſchalt brenne wiþ out þe caſtels þe
`fleiſchis of þe calf, and þe ſkyn, and þe dung, for it is
for ſynne.
xv Alſo þou ſchalt take a ram, on whos heed Aaron and
hiſe ſones ſchulen ſette hondis;
xvi and whanne þou haſt ſlayn þat ram, þou ſchalt take
of `his blood, and ſchalt ſchede aboute þe auter.
xvii Forſoþe þou ſchalt kitte þilk ram in to ſmale gobetis,
and þou ſchalt putte hiſe entrailis waiſchun, and feet on
þe fleiſchis koruun, and on his heed;
xviii and þou ſchalt offre al þe ram in to encence on þe
auter; it is an offryng to þe Lord, þe ſwetteſt odour of þe
ſlayn ſacrifice of þe Lord.
xix And þou ſchalt take þe toþir ram, on whos heed
Aaron and hiſe ſones ſchulen ſette hondis;
xx and whanne þou haſt offrid þat ram, þou ſchalt take
of his blood, and ſchalt `putte on þe laſt part of þe riȝt
eere of Aaron, and of hiſe ſones, and on þe þombis of
her hond; and of her riȝt foot; and þou ſchalt ſchede þe
blood on þe auter, `bi cumpas.
xxi And whanne þou haſt take of þe blood, which is on
þe auter, and of oile of anoynting, þou ſchalt ſprenge
Aaron and hiſe cloþis, þe ſones and her cloþis. And
whanne þei and þe cloþis ben ſacrid,
xxii þou ſchalt take þe ynnere fatneſſe of þe ram, and þe
tayl, and þe fatneſſe þat hiliþ þe entrailis, and þe calle of
þe mawe, and twey kideneris, and þe fatneſſe þat is on
þo; and þou ſchalt take þe riȝt ſchuldur, for it is þe ram
of conſecracioun;
xxiii and þou ſchalt take a tendur cake of o loof, ſpreynd
wiþ oile, paaſt ſodun in watir, and after fried in oile, of
þe panyer of þerf looues, which is ſet in `þe ſiȝt of þe
Lord.
xxiiii And þou ſchalt putte alle `þingis on þe hondis of
Aaron and of hiſe ſones, and ſchalt halewe hem, and
reiſe bifor þe Lord.
xxv And þou ſchalt take alle þingis fro `þe hondis of
hem, and ſchalt brenne on þe autir, in to brent ſacrifice,
`ſwettiſt odour in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, for it is þe offryng
of þe Lord.
xxvi Alſo þou ſchalt take þe breſt of þe ram, bi which
Aaron was halewid, and þou ſchalt halewe it reiſid bifor
þe Lord; and it ſchal turne in to þi part.
xxvii And þou ſchalt halewe alſo þe breſt ſacrid, and þe
ſchuldur which þou departidiſt fro þe ram,
xxviii bi which Aaron was halewid, and hiſe ſones; and
þo ſchulen turne in to þe part of Aaron, and of hiſe
ſones, bi euerlaſtinge riȝt, of þe ſones of Iſrael; for þo
ben þe firſte þingis, and þe bigynnyngis of þe peſible
ſacrifices of hem, whiche þei offren to þe Lord.
xxix Forſoþe þe ſones of Aaron ſchulen haue aftir hym
þe hooli cloþ, which Aaron ſchal vſe, þat þei be
anoyntid þer ynne, and her hondis be ſacrid.
xxx `Þilke, þat of hiſe ſones ſchal be maad biſchop for
hym, ſchal vſe þat cloþ ſeuene daies, and which ſone
ſchal entre in to þe tabernacle of witneſſyng, þat he
mynyſtre in þe ſeyntuarie.
xxxi Soþeli þou ſchalt take þe ram of conſecracioun, and
þou ſchalt ſeþe hiſe fleiſchis in þe hooli place,
CIV
xxxii whiche fleiſchis Aaron and his ſones ſchulen ete,
and þei ſchulen ete þe looues, þat ben in þe panyere, in
þe porche of þe tabernacle of witneſſyng,
xxxiii þat it be a pleaſaunt ſacrifice, and þat þe hondis of
þe offreris be halewid. An alien ſchal not ete of þo, for
þo ben hooli.
xxxiiii Þat if ony þing leeueþ of þe fleiſchis halewid, eþer
of þe looues, til þe morewtid, þou ſchalt brenne þe relifs
by fier, þou ſchulen not be etun, for þo ben halewid.
xxxv Þou ſchalt do on Aaron, and hiſe ſones, alle þingis
whiche I comaunde to þee. Seuene daies þou ſchalt
ſacre `þe hondis of hem,
xxxvi and þou ſchalt offre a calf for ſynne bi ech day to
clenſe; and þou ſchalt clenſe þe auter, whanne þou haſt
offrid þe ſacrifice of clenſyng, and þou ſchalt anoynte
þe auter in to halewyng.
xxxvii Seuene daies þou ſhalt clenſe and halewe þe auter,
and it ſchal be þe hooli of hooli þingis; ech man þat
ſchal touche it ſchal be halewid.
xxxviii Þis it is, þat þou ſchalt do in þe auter, twei
lambren of o ȝeer contynueli bi ech dai,
xxxix o lomb in þe morewtid, and þe toþir in þe euentid;
xl `þou ſchalt do in o lomb þe tenþe part of flour ſpreynt
wiþ oyle, powned, þat ſchal haue a meſure, þe fourþe
part of hyn, and wyn of þe ſame meſure, to make
ſacrifice.
xli Soþeli þou ſchalt offre þe toþer lomb at euentid, bi þe
cuſtom of þe offryng at þe morewtid, and bi þo þingis,
whiche we ſeiden, in to þe odour of ſwetneſſe;
xlii it is a ſacrifice to þe Lord bi euerlaſtynge offryng in
to ȝoure generaciouns, at þe dore of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng bifor þe Lord, where Y ſchal ordeyne þat Y
ſpeke to þee;
xliiii and þere Y ſchal comaunde to þe ſones of Iſrael;
and þe auter ſchal be halewid in my glorie. Y ſchal
halewe alſo þe tabernacle of witneſſyng wiþ þe auter,
and Aaron wiþ hiſe ſones, þat þei be ſet in preſthod to
me.
xlv And Y ſchal dwelle in þe myddis of þe ſones of
Iſrael, and Y ſchal be God to hem;
xlvi and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am her Lord God, which
ledde hem out of þe lond of Egipt, þat Y ſchulde dwelle
among hem; for Y am her Lord God.
CAP. XXX
i Alſo þou ſchalt make an auter of þe trees of Sechym,
to brenne encenſe;
ii and þe auter ſchal haue a cubit of lengþe, and anoþer
cubit of brede, þat is foure cornerid, and twei cubitis in
heiȝþe; corneris ſchulen come forþ of þe auter.
iii And þou ſchalt cloþe it wiþ clenneſt gold, as wel þe
gridil þerof, as þe wallis and corneris bi cumpas þerof;
and þou ſchalt make to þe auter a litil goldun coroun,
iiii `bicumpas, and twei goldun ſerclis vndur þe coroun
by alle ſidis, þat barris be put in to þe ſerclis, and þe
auter be borun.
v Alſo þou ſchalt make þo barris of þe trees of Sechym,
and þou ſchalt ouergilde;
vi and þou ſchalt ſette þe auter aȝens þe veil, which veil
hangiþ bifor þe ark of witneſſyng bifor þe propiciatorie,
bi which þe witneſſyng is hilid, where Y ſchal ſpeke to
þee.
vii And Aaron ſchal brenne þeronne encenſe ſmellynge
ſwetly eerli; whanne he ſchal araye þe lanternes, he
ſchal brenne it;
viii and whanne he ſettiþ þe lanternes at euentid, he ſchal
brenne euerlaſtynge encenſe bifor þe Lord, in to ȝoure
generaciouns.
ix Ȝe ſchulen not offre þeronne encenſe of oþer makyng,
neþir offryng, and ſlayn ſacrifice, neþer ȝe ſchulen offre
fletynge offryngis þereonne.
x And Aaron ſchal preie on þe corneres þerof onis bi þe
ȝeer, in þe blood which is offrid for ſynne, and he ſchal
pleſe þeronne in ȝoure generaciouns; it ſchal be þe hooli
of hooli þingis to þe Lord.
xi And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xii and ſeide, Whanne þou ſchalt take þe ſumme of þe
ſones of Iſrael, alle bi hem ſilf ſchulen ȝyue `bi þe
noumbre prijs for her ſoulis to þe Lord, and veniaunce
ſchal not be in hem, whanne þei ben noumbrid.
xiii Soþeli ech þat paſſiþ to þe name, ſchal ȝyue þis, half
a ſicle bi þe meſure of þe temple; a ſicle haþ twenti
halpens; þe myddil part of a cicle ſchal be offrid to þe
Lord.
xiiii He þat is hadde in noumbre, fro twenti ȝeer and
aboue,
xv ſchal ȝyue prijs; a riche man ſchal not adde to þe
myddil of cicle, and a pore man ſchal no þing abate.
xvi And þou ſchalt bitake in to vſis of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng þe money takun, which is gaderid of þe
ſones of Iſrael, þat it be þe mynde of hem bifor þe Lord,
and he ſchal be merciful to `þe ſoulis of hem.
xvii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xviii and ſeide, Alſo þou ſchalt make a greet veſſil of bras
wiþ his foundement to waiſche, and þou ſchalt ſette it
bitwixe þe tabernacle of witneſſyng and þe auter `of
brent ſacrifices; and whanne watir is put þerynne,
xix Aaron and hiſe ſones ſchulen waiſche þerynne her
hondis and feet,
xx whanne þei ſchulen entre in to þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, and whanne þei ſchulen neiȝe to þe auter þat
þei offre þerynne encenſe to þe Lord,
xxi leſt perauenture þei dien; it ſchal be a lawful þing
euerlaſtinge to hym and to his ſeed bi ſucceſſiouns.
xxii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
CV
xxiii and ſeide, Take to þee ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries, of
þe firſte and choſun myrre, fyue hundrid ſiclis; and of
canel þe half, þat is, twei hundrid and fifti ſiclis;
xxiiii in lijk maner of calamy twei hundrid and fifti ſiclis;
alſo of caſia fyue hundrid ſiclis, in þe weiȝte of
ſeyntuarie; oile of olyue trees, þe meſure hyn;
xxv and þou ſchalt make þe hooly oile of anoyntyng, an
oynement maad bi þe werk of a `makere of oynement.
xxvi And þou ſchal anoynte þerof þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, and þe ark of teſtament, and þe boord wiþ
hiſe veſſels,
xxvii þe candilſtike, and þe purtenaunces þerof, þe
auteris of encenſe,
xxviii and of brent ſacrifice, and al þe purtenaunce, þat
perteyneþ to þe ournyng of þo.
xxix And þou ſchalt halewe alle þingis, and þo ſchulen
be þe hooli of holi þingis; he þat ſchal touche þo, ſchal
be halewid.
xxx Þou ſchalt anoynte Aaron, and hiſe ſones, and þou
ſchalt halewe hem, þat þei be ſet in preſthod to me.
xxxi And þou ſchalt ſeie to þe ſones of Iſrael, Þis oile of
anoyntyng ſchal be hooli to me in to ȝoure
generaciouns.
xxxii Þe fleiſch of man ſchal not be anoyntid þerof, and
bi þe makyng þerof ȝe ſchulen not make anoþer, for it is
halewid, and it ſchal be hooli to ȝou.
xxxiii What euer man makiþ ſich oile, and ȝyueþ þerof to
an alien, he ſchal be `deſtried fro his puple.
xxxiiii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Take to þee
ſwete ſmellynge ſpyceries, ſtacten, and onyca, galban of
good odour, and pureſte encenſe, alle ſchulen be of
euene weiȝte.
xxxv And þou ſchal make encence, maad by werk of
oynement makere, meddlid diligentli, and pure, and
mooſt worþi of halewyng.
xxxvi And whanne þou haſt powned alle þingis in to
ſmalleſte poudre, þou ſchalt putte þerof bifor þe
tabernacle of witneſſyng, in which place Y ſchal appere
to þee; encenſe ſchal be to ȝou þe hooli of hooli þingis.
xxxvii Ȝe ſchulen not make ſiche a makyng in to ȝoure
vſis, for it is hooli to þe Lord.
xxxviii What euer man makiþ a lijk þing, þat he vſe þe
odour þerof, he ſchal periſche fro his puple.
CAP. XXXI
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moyſes, `and ſeide, Lo!
ii Y haue clepid Beſeleel bi name, þe ſone of Hury, ſone
of Hur, of þe lynage of Juda;
iii and Y haue fillid hym wiþ þe ſpirit of God, wiþ
wiſdom, and vndirſtondyng, and kunnyng in al werk,
iiii to fynde out what euer þing may be maad ſuteli, of
gold, and ſiluer, and bras, and marbil,
v and gemmes, and dyuerſite of trees.
vi And Y haue ȝoue to hym a felowe, Ooliab, þe ſone of
Achiſameth, of þe kynrede of Dan; and Y haue put in
`þe herte of hem þe wiſdom of ech lerned man, þat þei
make alle þingis, whiche Y comaundide to þee;
vii þe tabernacle of boond of pees, and þe arke of
witneſſyng, and þe propiciatorie, eþer table, which is
þeronne, and alle þe veſſels of þe tabernacle;
viii alſo þe bord, and veſſels þerof, þe clenneſte
candilſtike wiþ hiſe veſſels, and þe auteris of encence,
ix and of brent ſacrifice, and alle þe veſſels of hem; þe
greet `waiſchyng veſſel wiþ his foundement;
x hooli cloþis in ſeruyce to Aaron preſt, and to hiſe
ſones, þat þei be ſet in her office in hooli þingis;
xi þe oile of anoyntyng, and encence of ſwete ſmellynge
ſpiceryes in þe ſeyntuarie; þei ſchulen make alle þingis
whiche Y comaundide to þee.
xii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, `and ſeide, Speke þou to
þe ſones of Iſrael,
xiii and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Se ȝe þat ȝe kepe my
ſabat, for it is a ſigne bytwixe me and ȝou in ȝoure
generaciouns; þat ȝe wite, þat Y am þe Lord, which
halewe ȝou.
xiiii Kepe ȝe my ſabat, for it is hooli to ȝou; he þat
defouliþ it, ſchal die bi deeþ, þe ſoule of hym, þat doiþ
werk in þe ſabat, ſchal periſche fro þe myddis of his
puple.
xv Sixe daies ȝe ſchulen do werk; in þe ſeuenþe dai is
ſabat, hooli reſte to þe Lord; ech man þat doiþ werk in
þis dai ſchal die.
xvi Þe ſones of Iſrael kepe ſabat, and halewe it in her
generaciouns;
xvii it is a couenaunt euerlaſtinge bitwixe me and þe
ſones of Iſrael, and it is `a ſigne euerlaſtynge; for in ſixe
daies God made heuene and erþe, and in þe ſeuenþe day
he ceeſſid of werk.
xviii And whanne ſiche wordis weren fillid, þe Lord ȝaf
to Moiſes, in þe hil of Synay, twei ſtonun tablis of
witneſſyng, writun wiþ þe fyngur of God.
CAP. XXXII
i Forſoþe þe puple ſiȝ, þat Moiſes made tariyng to come
doun fro þe hil, and it was gaderid aȝens Aaron, and
ſeide, Riſe þou, and make goddis to vs, þat ſchulen go
bifore vs, for we witen not what bifelde to þis Moiſes,
þat ladde vs out of þe lond of Egipt.
ii And Aaron ſeide to hem, Take ȝe þe goldun eere
ryngis fro þe eeris of ȝoure wyues, and of ſones and
douȝtris, and brynge ȝe to me.
iii Þe puple dide þo þingis, þat he comaundide, and
brouȝte eere ryngis to Aaron;
iiii and whanne he hadde take þo, he formede bi `werk
of ȝetyng, and made of þo a ȝotun calf. And þei ſeiden,
CVI
Iſrael, þeſe ben þi goddis, þat ladde þee out of þe lond
of Egipt.
v And whanne Aaron had ſeyn þis þing, he bildide an
auter bifore hym, and he criede bi þe vois of a criere,
and ſeide, To morewe is þe ſolempnete of þe Lord.
vi And þei ryſen eerli, and offeriden brent ſacrifyces,
and peſible ſacrifices; and þe puple ſat to ete and
drynke, and þei riſen to pley.
vii Forſoþe þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Go þou,
go doun, þi puple haþ ſynned, `whom þou leddiſt out of
þe lond of Egipt.
viii Þei ȝeden awei ſoone fro þe weie which þou
ſchewidſt to hem, and þei maden to hem a ȝotun calf,
and worſchipyden it, and þei offeriden ſacrifices to it,
and ſeiden, Iſrael, þeſe ben þi goddis, þat ledden þee out
of þe lond of Egipt.
ix And eft þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Y ſe, þat þis puple is
of hard nol;
x ſuffre þou me, þat my woodneſſe be wrooþ aȝens hem,
and þat Y do awey hem; and Y ſchal make þee in to a
greet folk.
xi Forſoþe Moiſes preiede `his Lord God, and ſeide,
Lord, whi is þi veniaunce wrooþ aȝens þi puple, whom
þou leddiſt out of þe lond of Egipt in greet ſtrengþe and
in ſtronge hond?
xii Y biſeche, þat Egipcians ſeie not, he ledde hem out
felli, `þat he ſchulde ſle in þe hillis, and to do awei fro
erþe, þin ire ceeſſe, and be þou quemeful on þe
wickidneſſe of þi puple.
xiii Haue þou mynde of Abraham, of Yſaac, and of
Iſrael, þi ſeruauntis, to whiche þou haſt ſwore bi þi ſilf,
and ſeidiſt, Y ſchal multiplie ȝoure ſeed as þe ſterris of
heuene, and Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝoure ſeed al þis lond of
which Y ſpak, and ȝe ſchulen welde it euere.
xiiii And þe Lord was pleſid, þat he dide not þe yuel
which he ſpak aȝens his puple.
xv And Moiſes turnede aȝen fro þe hil, and bar in his
hond twei tablis of witneſſyng, writun in euer eiþer ſide,
xvi and maad bi þe werk of God; and þe writyng of God
was grauun in tablis.
xvii Forſoþe Joſue herde þe noiſe of þe puple criynge,
and ſeide to Moyſes, Ȝellyng of fiȝtyng is herd in þe
caſtels.
xviii To whom Moiſes anſweride, It is not cry of men
exitynge to batel, neþer þe cry of men compellynge to
fleyng, but Y here þe vois of ſyngeris.
xix And whanne he hadde neiȝid to þe caſtels, he ſiȝ þe
calf, and dauncis; and he was wrooþ greetli, and
`caſtide forþ þe tablis fro þe hond, and brak þo at þe
rootis of þe hil.
xx And he took þe calf, which þei hadden maad, and
brente, and brak `til to poudur, which he ſpreynte in to
watir, and ȝaf þerof drynke to þe ſones of Iſrael.
xxi And Moiſes ſeide to Aaron, What dide þis puple to
þee, þat þou brouȝtiſt in on hym þe gretteſte ſynne?
xxii To whom he anſweride, My lord, be not wrooþ, for
þou knowiſt þis puple, þat it is enclynaunt to yuel;
xxiii þei ſeiden to me, Make þou goddis to vs, þat
ſchulen go bifore vs, for we witen not, what bifelde to
þis Moiſes, þat ladde vs out of þe lond of Egipt.
xxiiii To whiche Y ſeide, Who of ȝou haþ gold? Þei
token, and ȝauen to me, and Y caſtide it forþ in to þe
fier, and þis calf ȝede out.
xxv Þerfor Moyſes ſiȝ þe puple, þat it was maad bare; for
Aaron hadde ſpuylid it for þe ſchenſchip of filþe, and
hadde maad þe puple nakid among enemyes.
xxvi And Moiſes ſtood in þe ȝate of þe caſtels, and ſeide,
If ony man is of þe Lord, be he ioyned to me; and alle
þe ſones of Leuy weren gaderid to hym.
xxvii To whiche he ſeide, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, A man putte ſwerd on his hipe, go ȝe, and `go ȝe
aȝen fro ȝate `til to ȝate bi þe myddil of þe caſtels, and
ech man ſle his broþer, freend, and neiȝbore.
xxviii Þe ſones of Leuy diden bi þe word of Moiſes, and
as þre and twenti þouſynd of men felden doun in þat
day.
xxix And Moiſes ſeide, Ȝe han halewid ȝoure hondis to
dai to þe Lord, ech man in his ſone, and broþer, þat
bleſſyng be ȝouun to ȝou.
xxx Soþeli whanne `þe toþer day was maad, Moiſes ſpak
to þe puple, Ȝe han ſynned þe mooſt ſynne; Y ſchal ſtie
to þe Lord, if in ony maner Y ſchal mowe biſeche hym
for ȝoure felony.
xxxi And he turnede aȝen to þe Lord, and ſeide, Lord, Y
biſeche, þis puple haþ ſynned a greet ſynne, and þei han
maad goldun goddis to hem; eþir forȝyue þou þis gilt to
hem,
xxxii eþer if þou doiſt not, do awey me fro þi book,
which þou haſt write.
xxxiii To whom þe Lord anſweride, Y ſchal do awey fro
my book hym þat ſynneþ aȝens me;
xxxiiii forſoþe go þou, and lede þis puple, whydur Y ſpak
to þee; myn aungel ſchal go bifore þee; forſoþe in þe
day of veniaunce Y ſchal viſite alſo þis ſynne of hem.
xxxv Þerfor þe Lord ſmoot þe puple for þe gilt of þe calf,
which calf Aaron made.
CAP. XXXIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moyſes, and ſeide, Go and ſtie fro
þis place, þou, and þe puple, whom þou leddiſt out of þe
lond of Egipt, in to þe lond, which Y haue ſwore to
Abraham, and to Yſaac, and to Jacob, `and Y ſeide, Y
ſchal ȝyue it to þi ſeed.
ii And Y ſchal ſende þi bifore goere an aungel, þat Y
caſte out Cananey, and Amorei, and Ethei, and Ferezei,
and Euey, and Jebuſey;
CVII
iii and þat þou entre in to þe lond flowynge wiþ mylk
and hony; for Y ſchal not ſtye wiþ þee, for `þou art a
puple of hard nol, leſt perauenture Y leeſe þee in þe
weie.
iiii Þe puple herde þis worſte word, and morenyde, and
noon was cloþid wiþ his ournyng bi cuſtom.
v And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Spek þou to þe ſones of
Iſrael, Þou art a puple of hard nol; onys Y ſchal ſtie in
þe myddis of þee, and Y ſchal do awey þee; riȝt now
putte awei þin ournyng, þat Y wite, what Y ſchal do to
þee.
vi Þerfor þe ſones of Iſrael puttiden awey her ournyng
fro þe hil of Oreb.
vii And Moiſes took þe tabernacle, and ſettide fer wiþ
out þe caſtels, and he clepide þe name þerof þe
tabernacle of boond of pees. And al þe puple þat hadde
ony queſtioun, ȝede out to þe tabernacle of boond of
pees, wiþ out þe caſtels.
viii And whanne Moiſes ȝede out to þe tabernacle, al þe
puple roos, and ech man ſtood in þe dore of his tente,
and þei bihelden `þe bak of Moiſes, til he entride in to
þe tente.
ix Soþeli whanne he entride in to þe tabernacle of boond
of pees, a piler of cloude cam doun, and ſtood at þe
dore; and þe Lord ſpak wiþ Moiſes,
x while alle men ſien þat þe piler of cloude ſtood at þe
`dore of tabernacle; and þei ſtoden, and worſchipiden bi
þe dores of her tabernaclis.
xi Forſoþe þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes face to face, as a man
is wont to ſpeke to his freend; and whanne he turnede
aȝen in to `þe caſtels, Joſue, his mynyſtre, þe ſone of
Nun, a child, ȝede not awey fro þe tabernacle.
xii Forſoþe Moiſes ſeide to þe Lord, Þou comaundiſt, þat
Y lede out þis puple, and þou `ſchewiſt not to me,
whom þou ſchalt ſende wiþ me, `moſt ſiþen þou ſeidiſt,
Y knewe þee bi name, and þou haſt founde grace bifore
me.
xiii Þerfore if Y haue founde grace in þi ſiȝt, ſchewe þi
face to me, þat Y knowe þee, and fynde grace bifor þin
iȝen; biholde þi puple, and þis folk.
xiiii And God ſeide, My face ſchal go bifor þee, and Y
ſchal ȝyue reſte to þee.
xv And Moiſes ſeide, If þi ſilf ſchalt not go bifore, `lede
not vs out of þis place;
xvi for in what þing moun we wite, Y and þi puple, þat
we han founde grace in þi ſiȝt, if þou ſchalt not go wiþ
vs, þat we be glorified of alle puplis þat dwellen on
erþe?
xvii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Y ſchal do alſo þis
word, which þou haſt ſpoke; for þou haſt founde grace
bifor me, and Y knewe þi ſilf bi name.
xviii And Moiſes ſeide, Schewe þou þi glorie to me.
xix God anſweride, Y ſchal ſchewe al good to þee, and Y
ſchal clepe in þe `name of þe Lord bifor þee, and Y
ſchal do merci to whom Y wole, and Y ſchal be merciful
on whom it pleſiþ to me.
xx And eft God ſeide, Þou maiſt not ſe my face, for a
man ſchal not ſe me, and ſchal lyue.
xxi And eft God ſeide, A place is anentis me, and þou
ſchalt ſtonde on a ſtoon;
xxii and whanne my glorie ſchal paſſe, Y ſchal ſette þee
in þe hoole of þe ſtoon, and Y ſchal kyuere wiþ my riȝt
hond, til Y paſſe; and Y ſchal take awey myn hond,
xxiii and þou ſchalt ſe myn hyndrere partis, forſoþe þou
mayſt not ſe my face.
CAP. XXXIIII
i And aftirward God ſeide, Hewe to þee twey tablis of
ſtoon at þe licneſſe of þe formere, and Y ſchal write on
þo tablis þilke wordis, whiche þe tablis, þat þou `haſt
broke, hadden.
ii Be þou redi in þe morewtid, þat þou ſtie anoon in to
þe hil of Synai; and þou ſchalt ſtonde wiþ me on þe cop
of þe hil;
iii no man ſtie wiþ þee, neþer ony man be ſeyn bi al þe
hil, and oxun and ſcheep be not fed aȝens `þe hil.
iiii Þerfor Moiſes hewide twey tablis of ſtoon, whiche
manere tablis weren bifore, and he roos bi nyȝt, and
ſtiede in to þe hil of Synay, as þe Lord comaundide to
hym; and he bar wiþ hym þe tablis.
v And whanne þe Lord hadde come doun bi a cloude,
Moiſes ſtood wiþ hym, and clepide inwardli `þe name
of þe Lord;
vi and whanne þe Lord paſſide bifore hym, he ſeide,
Lordſchipere, Lord God, mercyful, and pitouſe, pacient,
and of myche merſiful doyng, and ſoþefaſt,
vii which kepiſt couenaunt and mercy in to `a þouſande,
which doiſt awey wickidneſſe, and treſpaſſis, and
ſynnes, and noon bi hym ſilf is innocent anentis þee,
which ȝeldiſt þe wickidneſſe of fadris to ſones and to
ſones of ſones, into þe þridde and fourþe generacioun.
viii And haſtili Moiſes was bowid low `in to erþe, and
worſchipide,
ix and ſeide, Lord, if Y haue founde grace in þi ſiȝt, Y
biſeche þat þou go wiþ vs, for þe puple is of hard nol,
and þat þou do awey oure wickidneſſes and ſynnes, and
welde vs.
x Þe Lord anſweride, Y ſchal make couenaunt, and in
ſiȝt of alle men Y ſchal make ſignes, þat weren neuer
ſeyn on erþe, neþer in ony folkis, þat þis puple, in whos
myddis þou art, ſe þe ferdful werk of þe Lord, which Y
ſchal make.
xi Kepe þou alle þingis, whiche Y comaundide to þee to
dai; I my ſilf ſchal caſte out bifor þi face Amorrey, and
Cananey, and Ethei, and Ferezei, and Euey, and Jebuſei.
CVIII
xii Be war, leſt ony tyme þou ioyne frendſchipis wiþ þe
dwelleris of þat lond, whiche frenſchipis be in to fallyng
to þee.
xiii But alſo diſtrie þou `þe auteris of hem, breke þe
ymagis, and kitte doun þe woodis;
xiiii `nyl þou worſchipe an alien God; `þe Lord a gelous
louyere is his name, God is a feruent louyere;
xv make þou not couenaunt wiþ þe men of þo cuntreis,
leſt whanne þei han do fornycacioun wiþ her goddis,
and han worſchipid þe ſymylacris of hem, ony man
clepe þee, þat þou ete of þingis offrid to an ydol.
xvi Neþer þou ſchalt take a wyif of her douȝtris to þi
ſones, leſt aftir þat þo douȝtris han do fornycacioun, þei
make alſo þi ſones to do fornicacioun in to her goddis.
xvii Þou ſchalt not make to þee ȝotun goddis.
xviii Þou ſchalt kepe þe ſolempynyte of þerf looues;
ſeuene daies þou ſchalt ete þerf looues, as Y
comaundide to þee, in þe time of þe moneþe of newe
fruytis; for in þe moneþe of veer tyme þou ȝediſt out of
Egipt.
xix Al þing of male kynde þat openeþ þe wombe ſchal
be myn, of alle lyuynge beeſtis, as wel of oxun, as of
ſcheep, it ſchal be myn.
xx Þou ſchalt aȝenbie wiþ a ſcheep þe firſte gendrid of
an aſſe, ellis if þou ȝyueſt not prijs þerfor, it ſchal be
ſlayn. Þou ſchalt aȝenbie þe firſte gendrid of þi ſones;
neþer þou ſchalt appere voide in my ſiȝt.
xxi Sixe daies þou ſchalt worche, þe ſeuenþe day þou
ſchalt ceeſſe to ere and repe.
xxii Þou ſchalt make to þee þe ſolempnyte of woukis in
þe firſte þingis of fruytis of þi ripe corn of wheete, and
þe ſolempnyte, whanne alle þingis ben gadrid in to
bernes, whanne þe tyme `of ȝeer comeþ aȝen.
xxiii Ech male kynde of þee ſchal appere in þre tymes of
þe ȝeer in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord Almyȝti, þi God of Iſrael.
xxiiii For whanne Y ſchal take awei folkis fro þi face,
and Y ſchal alarge þi termes, noon ſchal ſette treſouns to
þi lond, while þou ſtieſt and apperiſt in þe ſiȝt of þi Lord
God, þries in þe ȝeer.
xxv Þou ſchalt not offre on ſour dow þe blood of my
ſacrifice, neþir ony þing of þe ſlayn ſacrifice of þe
ſolempnyte of faſe ſchal abide in þe morewtid.
xxvi Þou ſchalt offre in þe hows of þi Lord God þe firſte
of þe fruytis of þi lond. Þou ſchalt not ſeþe a kide in þe
mylk of his modir.
xxvii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Write þou þeſe
wordis, bi whiche Y ſmoot a boond of pees, boþe wiþ
þee and wiþ Iſrael.
xxviii Þerfor Moiſes was þere wiþ þe Lord bi fourti daies
and bi fourti nyȝtis, he eet not breed, and drank not
watir; and he wroot in tablys ten wordis of þe boond of
pees.
xxix And whanne Moiſes cam doun fro þe hil of Synai,
he helde twei tablis of witneſſyng, and he wiſte not þat
his face was horned of þe felouſchipe of Goddis word.
xxx Forſoþe Aaron and þe ſones of Iſrael ſien Moiſes
face horned,
xxxi and þei dredden to neiȝe niȝ, and þei weren clepid
of hym, `and þei turneden aȝen, as wel Aaron as þe
princis of þe ſynagoge; and after þat Moiſes ſpak, þei
camen to hym,
xxxii ȝhe alle þe ſones of Iſrael; to whiche Moiſes
comaundide alle þingis, whiche he hadde herd of þe
Lord in þe hil of Synai.
xxxiii And whanne þe wordis weren fillid, he puttide a
veil on his face;
xxxiiii and he entride to þe Lord, and ſpak wiþ hym, and
dide awey þat veil, til he ȝede out; and þanne he ſpak to
þe ſones of Iſrael alle þingis, þat weren comaundid to
hym;
xxxv whiche ſien þat þe face of Moyſes goynge out was
horned, but eft he hilide his face, if ony tyme he ſpak to
hem.
CAP. XXXV
i Þerfor whanne al þe cumpanye of þe ſones of Iſrael
was gaderid, Moiſes ſeide to hem, Þeſe þingis it ben,
whiche þe Lord comaundide to be doon.
ii Sixe daies ȝe ſchulen do werk, þe ſeuenþe dai ſchal be
hooli to ȝou, þe ſabat and reſte of þe Lord; he þat doiþ
werk in þe ſabat ſchal be ſlayn.
iii Ȝe ſchulen not kyndle fier in alle ȝoure dwellyng
places bi þe `dai of ſabat.
iiii And Moiſes ſeide to al þe cumpeny of þe ſones of
Iſrael, Þis is þe word which þe Lord comaundide, and
ſeide,
v Departe ȝe at ȝou þe firſte fruytis to þe Lord; ech
wilful man and of redi wille offre þo to þe Lord, gold,
and ſiluer, and bras,
vi and iacynct, and purpur, and reed ſelk twies died, and
bijs, heeris of geet,
vii and ſkynnys of rammes maad reed, and of iacynt,
viii trees of Sechym, and oile to liȝtis to be ordeyned,
and þat þe oynement be maad, and encenſe mooſt ſwete,
ix ſtoonus of onochyn and gemmes, to þe ournyng of þe
`cloþ on þe ſchuldris, and of þe racional.
x Who euer of ȝou is wijs, come he, and make þat, þat
þe Lord comaundide,
xi þat is, þe tabernacle, and þe roof þerof, and þe hilyng;
ryngis, and bildyngis of tablis, wiþ barris, ſtakis, and
foundementis;
xii þe arke, and barris; þe propiciatorie, and þe veil,
which is hangid byfore it;
xiii þe bord wiþ barris, and veſſelis, and wiþ looues of
ſettyng forþ;
CIX
xiiii þe candilſtike to ſuſteyne liȝtis, þe veſſelis, and
lanternes þerof, and oile to þe nurſchyngis of fyris; þe
auter of encenſe, and þe barris;
xv þe oile of anoyntyng, and encenſe of ſwete ſmellynge
ſpiceries; þe tente at þe dore of þe tabernacle;
xvi þe auter of brent ſacrifice, and his braſun gridele,
wiþ hiſe barris, and veſſels; þe `greet waiſchyng veſſel,
and `his foundement;
xvii þe curteyns of þe large ſtreet, wiþ pileris and
foundementis; þe tente in þe doris of þe porche;
xviii þe ſtakis of þe tabernacle and of þe large ſtreet, wiþ
her coordis;
xix þe cloþis, whoſe vſs is in `þe ſeruyce of ſeyntuarie;
þe cloþis of Aaron biſchop, and of hiſe ſones, þat þei be
ſet in preeſthod to me.
xx And al þe multitude of þe ſones of Iſrael ȝede out of
`þe ſiȝt of Moiſes,
xxi and offride wiþ mooſt redi ſoule and deuout þe firſte
þingis to þe Lord, to make þe werk of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, what euer was nedeful to þe ournyng, and
to hooli cloþis.
xxii Men and wymmen ȝauen bies of þe armes, and
eeryngis, ryngis, and ournementis of `þe arm niȝ þe
hond; ech goldun veſſel was departid in to þe ȝiftis of þe
Lord.
xxiii If ony man hadde iacynt, and purpur, and `reed ſelk
twies died, bijs, and þe heeris of geet, ſkynnes of
rammes maad reed, and of iacynt,
xxiiii metals of ſiluer, and of bras, þei offeryden to þe
Lord, and trees of Sechym in to dyuerſe vſis.
xxv But alſo wymmen tauȝt ȝauen þo þingis, whiche þei
hadden ſpunne, iacynt, purpur, and vermyloun,
xxvi and bijs, and þe heeris of geet; and ȝauen alle þingis
by her owne fre wille.
xxvii Forſoþe princes offeriden ſtoonys of onychyn and
iemmes, to þe `cloþ on þe ſchuldris, and to þe racional,
and ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries,
xxviii and oyle to þe liȝtis to be ordeyned, and to make
redi oynement, and to make þe encenſe of ſwettiſt
odour.
xxix Alle men and wymmen offeriden ȝiftis wiþ deuout
ſoule, þat þe werkis ſchulden be maad, whiche þe Lord
comaundide bi þe hond of Moyſes; alle þe ſones of
Iſrael halewiden wilful þingis to þe Lord.
xxx And Moiſes ſeide to þe ſones of Iſrael, Lo! þe Lord
haþ clepid Beſeleel bi name, þe ſone of Hury, ſone of
Hur, of þe lynage of Juda;
xxxi and þe Lord haþ fillid hym wiþ þe ſpirit of God, of
wiſdom, and of vndurſtondyng, and of kunnyng, and
wiþ al doctryn,
xxxii to fynde out and to make werk in gold, and ſiluer,
and bras, and in ſtoonys to be grauun,
xxxiii andin werk of carpentrie; what euer þing may be
foundun craftili, þe Lord ȝaf in his herte; and þe Lord
clepide Ooliab, þe ſone of Achymaſech, of þe lynage of
Dan; þe Lord tauȝte boþe `wiþ wiſdom, þat þei make þe
werkis of carpenter, of ſteynour, and of broiderere, of
iacynt, and purpur, and of `reed ſelk, and of bijs, and þat
þei make alle þingis, and fynde alle newe þingis.
CAP. XXXVI
i Þerfor Beſeleel, and Ooliab, and ech wijs man, to
whiche þe Lord ȝaf wiſdom and vndurſtondyng, þat þei
kouden worche crafteli, maden þingis þat weren nedeful
in to vſis of ſeyntuarie, and whiche þe Lord comaundide
to be maad.
ii And whanne Moiſes hadde clepid hem, and ech lerned
man, to whom þe Lord hadde ȝoue wiſdom and
kunnyng, and whiche profriden hem bi her wille to
make werk,
iii he bitook to hem alle þe ȝiftis of þe ſones of Iſrael.
And whanne þei weren biſi in þe werk ech dai, þe puple
offride auowis eerli.
iiii Wherfor þe werkmen weren compellid to come,
v and þei ſeiden to Moiſes, Þe puple offriþ more þan is
nedeful.
vi Þerfor Moiſes comaundide to be cried bi þe vois of a
criere, Neþer man neþer womman offre more ony þing
in þe werk of ſeyntuarie; and ſo it was ceeſſid fro ȝiftis
to be offrid, for þe þingis offrid ſufficiden,
vii and weren ouer abundant.
viii And alle wiſe men in herte to fille þe werk of þe
tabernacle maden ten curteyns of bijs foldid aȝen, and
of iacynct, and purpur, and of reed ſelk twies died, bi
dyuerſe werk, and bi þe craft of many colouris.
ix Of whiche curteyns oon hadde in lengþe eiȝte and
twenti cubitis, and foure cubitis in breede; o meſure was
of alle curteyns.
x And he ioynede fyue curteyns oon to anoþir, and he
couplide oþere fyue to hem ſilf to gidere;
xi and he made handlis of iacynt in þe hemme of o
curteyn on euer eiþer ſide,
xii and in lijk maner in þe hemme of þe toþer curteyn,
þat þe handlis ſchulen comen to gidere aȝens hem ſilf,
and ſchulen be ioyned togider;
xiii wherfor he ȝettide alſo fifti goldun ſerclis, þat
ſchulen `bite þe handlis of curteyns; and o tabernacle
was maad.
xiiii `He made alſo enleuene ſaies of þe heeris of geet, to
hile þe roof of þe tabernacle;
xv o ſaie hadde þretti cubitis in lengþe, foure cubitis in
breede; alle þe ſaies weren of o meſure;
xvi of whiche ſaies he ioynede fyue bi hem ſilf, and ſixe
oþere bi hem ſilf.
CX
xvii And he made fifti handlis in þe hemme of o ſay, and
fifti in þe hemme of þe toþer ſay, þat þo ſchulden be
ioyned to hem ſilf to gidere; and he made fifti bokelis of
bras bi whiche
xviii þe roof was faſtned to gidere, þat oon hilyng were
maad of alle þe ſaies.
xix He made alſo an hilyng of þe tabernacle of þe
ſkynnes of rammes maad reed, and anoþer veil aboue of
ſkynnes of iacynt.
xx He made alſo ſtondynge tablis of þe tabernacle of þe
trees of Sechym;
xxi þe lengþe of o table was of ten cubitis, and þe breede
helde o cubit and an half.
xxii Twey dentyngis weren bi ech table, þat þe oon
ſchulde be ioyned to þe toþer; ſo he made in al þe tablis
of þe tabernacle.
xxiii Of whiche tablis twenti weren at þe mydday cooſt
aȝens þe ſouþ,
xxiiii wiþ fourti foundementis of ſiluer; twey
foundementis weren ſet vndur o table on euer eiþer ſide
of þe corneris, where þe dentyngis of þe ſidis weren
endid in þe corneris.
xxv And at þe cooſt of þe tabernacle þat biholdiþ to þe
norþ he made twenti tablis,
xxvi wiþ fourti foundementis of ſiluer, twei
foundementis bi ech table.
xxvii Forſoþe aȝens þe weſt he made ſixe tablis,
xxviii and tweyne oþere tablis bi ech corner of þe
tabernacle bihinde,
xxix whiche weren ioyned fro byneþe til to aboue, and
weren borun in to o ioynyng to gidere; ſo he made on
euer eiþer part bi þe corneris,
xxx þat þo weren eiȝte tablis to gidere, and hadden
ſixtene foundementis of ſiluer, þat is, twei foundementis
vndur ech table.
xxxi He made alſo barris of þe trees of Sechym, fyue
barris to holde to gidere þe tablis of o ſide of þe
tabernacle,
xxxii and fyue oþere barris to ſchappe to gidere þe tablis
of þe toþer ſide; and wiþout þeſe, he made fyue oþere
barris at þe weſt cooſt of þe tabernacle aȝens þe ſee.
xxxiii He made alſo anoþer barre, þat ſchulde come bi þe
myddil tables fro corner til to corner.
xxxiiii Forſoþe he ouergildide þo wallis of tablis, and
ȝetide þe ſiluerne foundementis `of þo, and he made þe
goldun ſerclis `of þo, bi whiche þe barris myȝten be
brouȝt in, and be hilide þe ſame barris wiþ goldun
platis.
xxxv He made alſo a veil dyuerſe and departid, of iacynt,
and purpur, and reed ſelk, and bijs foldid aȝen bi werk
of broiderie.
xxxvi He made alſo foure pileris of `þe trees of Sechym,
whyche pileris wiþ þe heedis he ouergildide, and ȝetide
þe ſiluerne foundementis `of þo.
xxxvii He made alſo in þe entryng of þe tabernacle a tent
of iacynt, and purpur, and reed ſelk `and bijs foldid aȝen
bi þe werk of a broydreie.
xxxviii And he made fyue pileris wiþ her heedis, whiche
he hilide wiþ gold, and he ȝetide þe braſun
foundementis `of þo, whiche he hilide wiþ gold.
CAP. XXXVII
i Forſoþe Beſeleel made alſo an arke of þe trees of
Sechym, hauynge twey cubitis and an half in lengþe,
and a cubit and an half in breede; forſoþe þe hiȝneſſe
was of o cubit and an half; and he cloþide þe arke wiþ
pureſt gold, wiþ ynne and wiþout forþ.
ii And he made to it a goldun coroun `bi cumpas,
iii and ȝetide foure goldun ryngis, bi foure corneris
þerof, twey ryngis in o ſide, and twei ryngis in þe toþer
ſide.
iiii And he made barris of þe trees of Sechym, whiche
barris he cloþide wiþ gold,
v and whiche barris he putte into þe ryngis þat weren in
þe ſidis of þe arke, to bere it.
vi He made alſo a propiciatorie, þat is, Goddis
anſweryng place, of pureſte gold, of twei cubitis and an
half in lengþe, and of o cubit and an half in breede.
vii Alſo he made twei cherubyns of gold, betun out wiþ
hamer, whiche he ſettide on euer eiþir ſide of þe
propiciatorie,
viii o cherub in þe hiȝneſſe of o part, and þe toþer cherub
in þe hiȝneſſe of þe toþir part; twei cherubyns, oon in
ech hiȝneſſe of þe propiciatorie, ſtretchynge out þe
wengis,
ix and hilynge þe propiciatorie, and biholdynge hem ſilf
togidere and þat.
x He made alſo a boord of `þe trees of Sechym, in þe
lengþe of twey cubitis, and in þe breede of o cubit,
whiche boord hadde `a cubit and an half in heiȝþe.
xi And he cumpaſide þe boord wiþ clenneſte gold, and
made to it a goldun brynke bi cumpas;
xii and he made to þat brynke a goldun coroun, raſid
bitwixe of foure fyngris; and on þe ſame coroun he
made anoþir goldun coroun.
xiii Alſo he ȝetide foure goldun ſerclis whiche he ſettide
in foure corneris,
xiiii bi alle þe feet of þe boord aȝens þe coroun, and he
puttide barris in to þe ſerclis, þat þe `boord may be
borun.
xv And he made þo barris of þe trees of Sechym, and
cumpaſſide þo wiþ gold.
xvi And he made veſſelis to dyuerſe vſis of þe boord,
veſſels of vynegre, violis, and litle cuppis, and cenſeris
CXI
of pure gold, in whiche þe fletynge ſacrifices ſchulen be
offrid.
xvii And he made a candilſtike, betun out wiþ hamer, of
clenneſte gold, of whos barre ȝerdis, cuppis, and litle
rundelis and lilies camen forþ;
xviii ſixe in euer eiþir ſide, þre ȝerdis on o ſide, and þre
on þe toþer ſide; þre cuppis in þe maner of a note bi ech
ȝerde, and litle rundels to gidere, and lilies;
xix and þre cuppis at þe licneſſe of a note in þe toþer
ȝerde, and litle rundels to gidere, and lilies; forſoþe þe
werk of ſixe ſchaftis, þat camen forþ of þe `ſtok of þe
candilſtike, was euene.
xx Soþeli in þat barre weren foure cuppis, in þe maner
of a note, and litle rundels and lilies weren bi alle
cuppis;
xxi and litle rundels vndur twei ſchaftis, bi þre placis,
whiche to gidre be maad ſixe ſchaftis comynge forþ of o
barre;
xxii þerfor and þe litle rundels, and ſchaftis þerof, weren
alle betun out wiþ hamer, of pureſte gold.
xxiii He made alſo ſeuene lanternes, wiþ her `ſnytyng
tongis, and þe veſſels where `þo þingis, þat ben ſnytid
out, ben quenchid, of clenneſt gold.
xxiiii Þe candilſtike wiþ alle his veſſels weiȝede a talent
of gold.
xxv He made alſo þe auter of encenſe, of trees of
Sechym, hauynge a cubit bi ſquare, and twei cubitis in
heiȝþe, of whos corneris camen forþ hornes.
xxvi And he cloþide it wiþ clenneſte gold, and þe
gridele, and wallis, and hornes;
xxvii and he made to it a litil goldun coroun bi cumpas,
and twei goldun ryngis vndur þe coroun, bi ech ſyde,
þat barris be put in to þo, and þe auter mow be borun.
xxviii Forſoþe he made þo barris of þe trees of Sechym,
and hilide wiþ goldun platis.
xxix He made alſo oile to þe oynement of halewyng, and
encenſe of ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries, mooſt clene, bi þe
werk of `a makere of oynement.
CAP. XXXVIII
i He made alſo þe auter of brent ſacrifice of þe trees of
Sechym, of fyue cubitis bi ſquare, and of þre cubitis in
heiȝþe;
ii whoſe hornes camen forþ of þe corneris, and he hilide
it wiþ platis of bras.
iii And in to vſis þerof he made redi of bras dyuerſe
veſſels, caudruns, tongis, fleiſchhokis, hokis, and
`reſſeittis of firis.
iiii He made alſo þe braſun gridile þerof, `bi þe maner of
a net, and a `panne for colis vndur it, in þe myddis of þe
auter.
v And he ȝetide foure ryngis, by ſo many endis of þe
gridile, to putte in þe barris to bere;
vi and he made þo ſame barris of þe trees of Sechym,
and hilide wiþ platis of bras.
vii And ledde in to þe ſerclis þat ſtonden forþ in þe ſidis
of þe auter. Forſoþe þilke auter was not ſad, but holowe
of þe bildyngis of tablis, and voide wiþ ynne.
viii He made alſo a `greet waiſchyng veſſel of bras, wiþ
his foundement, of þe myrours of wymmen þat wakiden
in þe `greet ſtreet of þe tabernacle.
ix And he made þe greet ſtreet, in whoſe ſouþ cooſt
weren tentis of bijs foldid aȝen, of an hundrid cubitis,
twenti braſun pilers wiþ her foundementis,
x þe heedis of pilers, and al þe grauyng of þe werk,
weren of ſiluer;
xi euenli at þe norþ cooſt þe tentis, pilers, and
foundementis and heedis of pilers, weren of þe ſame
meſure, and werk, and metal.
xii Forſoþe in þat cooſt þat biholdiþ þe weſt weren tentis
of fyfty cubitis, ten braſun pilers wiþ her foundementis,
and þe `heedis of pilers, and al þe grauyng of werk,
weren of ſiluer.
xiii Soþeli aȝens þe eeſt he made redi tentis of fifti
cubitis,
xiiii of whiche tentis o ſide helde fiftene cubitis of þre
pilers wiþ her foundementis; and in þe toþer ſide,
xv for he made þe entryng of þe tabernacle bitwixe euer
eiþer, weren tentis euenli of fiftene cubitis, þre pilers,
and ſo many foundementis.
xvi Bijs foldid aȝen hilide alle þe tentis of þe greet ſtreet.
xvii Þe foundementis of pilers weren of bras; forſoþe þe
heedis of þo pilers, wiþ alle her grauyngis, weren of
ſiluer; but alſo he cloþide wiþ ſiluer þo pilers of þe greet
ſtreet.
xviii And in þe entryng þerof he made a tente, bi `werk
of broiderie, of iacynt, purpur, vermyloun, and of bijs
foldid aȝen, which tente hadde twenti cubitis in lengþe,
and þe heiȝþe was of fyue cubitis, bi þe meſure which
alle þe tentis of þe greet ſtreet hadden.
xix Forſoþe þe pylers in þe entryng weren foure, wiþ
braſun foundementis, and þe heedis of þo pilers and
grauyngis weren of ſiluer;
xx and he made braſun ſtakis of þe tabernacle, and of þe
greet ſtreet, bi cumpas.
xxi Þeſe ben þe inſtrumentis of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, þat ben noumbrid, bi þe comaundement of
Moiſes, in þe cerymonyes of Leuytis, bi þe hond of
Ithamar, ſone of Aaron, preeſt.
xxii Whiche inſtrumentis Beſeleel, ſone of Huri, ſone of
Hur, of þe lynage of Juda, fillide; for þe Lord
comaundide bi Moiſes,
xxiii while Ooliab, ſone of Achyſameth, of þe lynage of
Dan, was ioyned felowe to hym, and he hym ſilf was a
noble crafti man of trees, and a tapeſere and a broderere
of iacynt, purpur, vermyloun and bijs.
CXII
xxiiii Alþe gold þat was ſpendid in þe werk of
ſeyntuarie, and þat was offrid in ȝiftis, was of `nyne and
twenti talentis, and of ſeuene hundrid and þretti ſiclis, at
þe meſure of ſeyntuarie.
xxv Forſoþe it was offrid of hem þat paſſiden to noumbre
fro twenti ȝeer and aboue, of ſixe hundrid and þre
þouſand, and fyue hundrid and fifty of armed men.
xxvi Ferþermore, an hundrid talentis of ſiluer weren, of
whiche þe foundementis of þe ſeyntuarie weren ȝotun
togidere, and of þe entryng, where þe veil hangiþ;
xxvii an hundrid foundementis weren maad of an
hundrid talentis, and for ech foundement was ordeyned
o talent.
xxviii Forſoþe of a þouſynde ſeuene hundrid and `þre
ſcoor and fiftene ſiclis he made þe heedis of pilers, and
he `cloþide þo ſame pilers wiþ ſiluer.
xxix Alſo of bras weren offrid `þre ſcoor and twelue
þouſynde talentis, and foure hundrid ſiclis ouer.
xxx Of whiche þe foundementis in þe entryng of þe
tabernacle of witneſſyng weren ȝotun, and þe braſun
auter, wiþ his gridele, and al þe veſſels þat perteynen to
þe vſs þerof,
xxxi and þe foundementis of þe greet ſtreet, as wel in þe
cumpas, as in þe entryng þerof, and þe ſtakis of þe
tabernacle, and of þe greet ſtreet bi cumpas.
CAP. XXXIX
i Forſoþe of iacynt, and purpur, vermyloun, and bijs, he
made cloþis, in whiche Aaron was cloþid, whanne he
mynyſtride in hooli þingis, as þe Lord comaundide to
Moiſes.
ii Þerfor he made þe `cloþ on þe ſchuldris of gold,
iacynt, and purpur, and of reed ſelk twies died,
iii and of bijs foldid aȝen, bi werk of broiderie; alſo he
kittide þinne goldun platis, and made þinne in to
þreedis, þat þo moun be foldid aȝen, wiþ þe warp of þe
formere colouris;
iiii and he made tweyne hemmes couplid to hem ſilf to
gidere, in euer eiþer ſide of þe endis; and `he made a
girdil of þe ſame colouris,
v as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
vi And he made redi twei `ſtonys of onychyn, boundun
and cloſid in gold, and grauun bi þe craft of worchere in
iemmys, wiþ þe names of þe ſones of Iſrael; ſixe names
in o ſtoon, and ſixe in þe toþer ſtoon, bi þe ordre of her
birþe.
vii And he ſettide þo ſtoonus in þe ſidis of þe `clooþ on
þe ſchuldris, in to a memorial of þe ſones of Iſrael, as þe
Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
viii He made alſo þe racional, `by werk of broiderie, bi
þe werk of þe `cloþ on þe ſchuldris, of gold, iacynt,
purpur, and reed ſelk twies died, and of biis foldid aȝen;
he made þe racional foure cornerid,
ix double, of þe meſure of foure fyngris.
x And ſettide þereynne foure ordris of iemmes; in þe
firſte ordre was ſardius, topazius, ſmaragdus; in þe
ſecounde was carbuncle,
xi ſafir, iaſpis;
xii in þe þridde ordre was ligurie, achates, ametiſte;
xiii in þe fourþe ordre was criſolite, onochyn, and
berille, cumpaſſid and encloſid wiþ gold, bi her ordris.
xiiii And þo twelue ſtonys weren grauyn wiþ twelue
names, of þe lynage of Iſrael, alle ſtonys bi hem ſilf, bi
þe names of alle lynagis bi hem ſilf.
xv Þei maden alſo in þe racional litle chaynes, cleuynge
to hem ſilf togidre,
xvi of pureſte gold, and tweyne hokys, and ſo many
ryngis of gold. Forſoþe þei ſettiden þe ryngis on euer
eiþer ſide of þe racional,
xvii of whiche ryngis twei goldun chaynes hangiden,
whiche þei ſettiden in þe hokis, þat ſtonden forþ in þe
corneris of þe `cloþ on þe ſchuldris.
xviii Þeſe acordiden ſo to hem ſilf, boþe bifore and
bihynde, þat þe `cloþ on þe ſchuldris, and þe racional,
xix weren knyt togidere, faſtned to þe girdil, and couplid
ful ſtrongli wiþ ryngis, whiche ryngis a lace of iacynt
ioynede togidere, leſt þo weren looſe, and `fletiden
doun, and weren moued ech from oþer, as þe Lord
comaundide to Moiſes.
xx Þei maden alſo `a coote on þe ſchuldris, al of iacynt;
xxi and þe hood in þe hiȝere part, aboute þe myddis, and
a wouun hemme, bi þe cumpas of þe hood;
xxii forſoþe byneþe at þe feet piyn applis of iacynt, and
purpur, and vermyloun, and biys foldid aȝen;
xxiii and litle bellis of pureſte gold, whiche þei ſettiden
bitwixe pum garnadis, in þe `loweſt part of þe coote, bi
cumpas;
xxiiii a goldun litle belle, and a piyn apple; wiþ whiche
þe biſchop ȝede ourned, whanne he `was ſet in ſeruyce,
as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
xxv Þei maden alſo cootis of bijs, bi wouun werk, to
Aaron and to hiſe ſones,
xxvi and mytres wiþ ſmale corouns of biys,
xxvii and lynnun cloþis of bijs;
xxviii forſoþe a girdil of bijs foldid aȝen, of iacynt,
purpur, and vermyloun, departid bi craft of broyderie,
as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
xxix Þei maden alſo a plate of hooli worſchipyng, of
pureſte gold, and þei writeden þerynne bi werk of a
worchere in iemmes, Þe hooli of þe Lord.
xxx And þei bounden it wiþ þe mytre bi a lace of iacynt,
as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
xxxi Þerfor al þe werk of þe tabernacle, and þe hilyng of
þe witneſſyng, was parformed; and þe ſones of Iſrael
diden alle þingis whiche þe Lord comaundide to
Moiſes.
CXIII
xxxii And þei offeriden þe tabernacle, and þe roof, and al
þe purtenaunce, ryngis, tablis, barris, pileris, and
foundementis;
xxxiii þe hilyng of `ſkynnes of rammes, maad reed, and
anoþer hilyng of ſkynnys of iacynt;
xxxiiii þe veil, þe arke, barris, propiciatorie;
xxxv þe boord wiþ veſſels, and wiþ þe looues of ſettyng
forþ;
xxxvi þe candilſtike, lanternes, and þe purtenauncis of
þo, wiþ oile;
xxxvii þe goldun auter, and oynement, and encenſe of
ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries;
xxxviii and þe tente in þe entryng of þe tabernacle;
xxxix þe braſun auter, gridile, barris, and alle veſſels
þerof; þe `greet waiſchyng veſſel, wiþ his foundement;
þe tentis of þe greet ſtreet, and þe pilers wiþ her
foundementis;
xl þe tente in þe entring of þe greet ſtreet, and þe
coordis, and ſtakis þerof. No þing of þe veſſels failide,
þat weren comaundid to be maad in to þe ſeruyce of þe
tabernacle, and in to þe roof of þe boond of pees.
xli Alſo þe ſones of Iſrael offriden þe cloþis whiche þe
preſtis, þat is, Aaron and hiſe ſones, vſen in þe
ſeyntuarie,
xlii as þe Lord comaundide.
xliii And aftir þat Moiſes ſiȝ alle þo þingis fillid, he
bleſſide hem.
CAP. XL
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, `and ſeide,
ii In þe firſte moneþe, in þe firſte dai of þe moneþe, þou
ſchalt reiſe þe tabernacle of witneſſyng.
iii And þou ſchalt ſette þe arke þerynne, and þou ſchalt
leeue a veil bifore it.
iiii And whanne þe bord is borun yn, þou ſchalt ſette þer
onne þo þingis, þat ben comaundid iuſtli. Þe candilſtike
ſchal ſtonde wiþ hiſe lanternes,
v and þe goldun auter, where ynne encenſe is brent bifor
þe arke of witneſſyng. Þou ſchalt ſette a tente in þe
entryng of þe tabernacle;
vi and bifor it þe auter of brent ſacrifice,
vii þe `waiſchyng veſſel bitwixe þe auter and þe
tabernacle, which `waiſchyng veſſel þou ſchalt fille wiþ
water.
viii And þou ſchalt cumpas þe greet ſtreet, and þe
entryng þer of wiþ tentis.
ix And whanne þou haſt take oyle of anoyntyng, þou
ſchalt anoynte þe tabernacle, wiþ hiſe veſſels, þat þo be
halewid;
x þe auter of brent ſacrifice, and alle veſſels þer of; þe
`waiſchyng veſſel,
xi wiþ his foundement. Þou ſchalt anoynte alle þingis xxxii a cloude hilide þe tabernacle of witneſſyng, and þe
wiþ þe oile of anoyntyng, þat þo be hooli of hooli glorie of þe Lord fillide it;
þingis. xxxiii neþer Moyſes myȝte entre in to þe tabernacle of þe
xii And þou ſchalt preſent Aaron and hiſe ſones to þe boond of pees, while þe cloude hilide alle þingis, and þe
dore of þe tabernacle of witneſſyng; maieſte of þe Lord ſchynede, for þe cloude hilide alle
xiii and, whanne þei ben `waiſchid in water, þou ſchalt þingis.
cloþe hem wiþ hooli cloþis, þat þei mynyſtre to me, and xxxiiii If ony tyme þe cloude lefte þe tabernacle, þe ſones
þat þe anoyntyng of hem profite in to euerlaſtynge of Iſrael ȝeden forþ bi her cumpanyes;
preeſthod. xxxv if þe cloude hangide aboue, þei dwelliden in þe
xiiii And Moiſes dide alle þingis whiche þe Lord ſame place;
comaundide. xxxvi for þe cloude of þe Lord reſtide on þe tabernacle bi
xv Þerfor in þe firſte moneþe of þe ſecunde ȝeer, in þe dai, and fier in þe nyȝt, in þe ſiȝt of þe puplis of Iſrael,
firſte dai of þe moneþe, þe tabernacle was ſet. bi alle her dwellyngis.
xvi And Moiſes reiſide it, and ſettide þe tablis, and
Here endiþ Exodi.
foundementis, and barris, and he ordeynede pilers;
xvii and `ſpredde abrood þe roof on þe tabernacle, and
puttide an hilyng aboue, as þe Lord comaundide.
xviii He puttide alſo þe witneſſyng in þe arke, and he
ſettide barris wiþ ynne, and Goddis anſweryng place
aboue.
xix And whanne he hadde brouȝt þe arke in to þe
tabernacle, he hangide a veil bifor it, þat he ſchulde fille
þe comaundement of þe Lord.
xx He ſettide alſo þe boord in þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, at þe norþ cooſt, wiþout þe veil,
xxi and he ordeynede þe looues of ſettyng forþ bifore, as
þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
xxii He ſettide alſo þe candilſtike in þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, euene aȝens þe boord,
xxiii in þe ſouþ ſide, and ſettide lanternes bi ordre, bi þe
comaundement of þe Lord.
xxiiii He puttide alſo þe goldun auter vndur þe roof of
witneſſyng,
xxv aȝens þe veil, and he brente þeronne encenſe of
ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries, as þe Lord comaundide to
Moiſes.
xxvi He ſettide alſo a tente in þe entryng of þe
tabernacle,
xxvii and þe auter of brent ſacrifice in þe porche of þe
witneſſyng, and he offride þerynne brent ſacrifice, and
ſacrifices, as þe Lord comaundide.
xxviii Alſo he ordeynede þe `waiſchyng veſſel, bitwixe
þe tabernacle of witneſſyng and þe auter, and fillide it
wiþ watir.
xxix And Moiſes, and Aaron, and his ſones, waiſchiden
her hondis and feet,
xxx whanne þei entriden into þe roof of boond of pees,
and neiȝeden to þe auter, as þe Lord comaundide to
Moiſes.
xxxi He reiſide alſo þe greet ſtreet, bi þe cumpas of þe
tabernacle and of þe auter, and ſettyde a tente in þe
entryng þerof. Aftir þat alle þingis weren perfitli maad,

CXIV

LEUYTICI
Here bigynneþ Leuytici.
CAP. I
i Forſoþe þe Lord clepide Moyſes, and ſpak to him fro
þe tabernacle of witneſſyng, `and ſeide,
ii Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, and þou ſchalt ſeie to
hem, A man of ȝou, þat offriþ to þe Lord a ſacrifice of
beeſtis, þat is, of oxun and of ſcheep, and offriþ ſlayn
ſacrifices, if his offryng is brent ſacrifice,
iii and of þe droue of oxun, he ſchal offre a male beeſte
wiþout wem at þe dore of þe tabernacle of witneſſyng,
to make þe Lord pleſid to hym.
iiii And he ſchal ſette hondis on þe heed of þe ſacrifice,
and it ſchal be acceptable, and profityng in to clenſyng
of hym.
v And he ſchal offre a calf bifor þe Lord, and þe ſones of
Aaron, preeſtis, ſchulen offre þe blood þer of, and þei
ſchulen ſchede bi þe cumpas of þe auter, which is bifor
þe dore of þe tabernacle.
vi And whanne þe ſkyn of þe ſacrifice is drawun awei,
þei ſchulen kitte þe membris in to gobetis;
vii and þei ſchulen put vndur in þe auter fier, and þei
ſchulen make an heep of wode bifore; and þei ſchulen
ordeyne aboue
viii `þe trees þo þingis þat ben kit, þat is, þe heed, and
alle þingis þat cleuen to þe mawe,
ix whanne þe entrailis and feet ben waiſchid wiþ watir;
and þe preeſt ſchal brenne þo on þe auter, in to brent
ſacrifice, and ſwete odour to þe Lord.
x Þat if þe offryng is of litle beeſtis, a brent ſacrifice of
ſcheep, eþir of geet, he ſchal offre a male beeſte wiþ out
wem,
xi and he ſchal offre at þe ſide of þe auter þat biholdiþ to
þe norþ, bifore þe Lord. Soþeli þe ſones of Aaron
ſchulen ſchede þe blood þerof on þe auter `bi cumpas,
xii and þei ſchulen departe þe membris, þe heed, and
alle þingis þat cleuen to þe mawe, and þei ſchulen putte
on þe trees, vndur whiche þe fier ſchal be ſet;
xiii ſoþeli þei ſchulen waiſche in watir þe entrailis and
feet; and þe preeſt ſchal brenne alle þingis offrid on þe
auter, in to brent ſacrifice, and ſwetteſt odour to þe
Lord.
xiiii Forſoþe if þe offryng of brent ſacrifice to þe Lord is
of briddis, of turtlis, and of culuer briddis,
xv þe preeſt ſchal offre it at þe auter; and whanne þe
heed is wriþun to þe necke, and þe place of þe wounde
is brokun, he ſchal make þe blood renne doun on þe
brenke of þe auter.
xvi Soþeli he ſchal caſte forþ þe litil bladdir of þe þrote,
and feþeris biſidis þe auter, at þe eeſt cooſt, in þe place
in which þe aiſchis ben wont to be ſched out;
CXV
xvii and he ſchal breke þe wyngis þerof, and he ſchal not
kerue, neþer he ſchal departe it wiþ yrun; and he ſchal
brenne it on þe auter, whanne fier is ſet vndur þe trees;
it is a brent ſacrifice, and an offryng of ſwete odour to
þe Lord.
CAP. II
i Whanne a ſoule offriþ an offryng of ſacrifice to þe
Lord, flour of wheete ſchal be his offring. And he ſchal
ſchede oile þer onne,
ii and he ſchal putte encenſe, and he ſchal bere to þe
ſones of Aaron, preeſt, of whiche ſones oon ſchal take
an handful of `flour of whete, and of oile, and alle þe
encenſe; and he ſchal putte a memorial on þe auter, in to
ſwetteſt odour to þe Lord.
iii Forſoþe þat þat `is reſidue of þe ſacrifice ſchal be
Aarons and hiſe ſones, þe hooli of hooli þingis of
offryngis to þe Lord.
iiii Forſoþe whanne þou offriſt a ſacrifice bakun in an
ouene of whete flour, þat is, loouys wiþout ſour dow,
ſpreynd wiþ oile, and þerf breed ſodun in watir,
bawmed wiþ oile;
v if þin offryng is `of a friyng panne, of wheete flour
ſpreynd wiþ oile and wiþout ſour dow,
vi þou ſchalt departe it in ſmale partis, and þou ſchalt
ſchede oile þer onne.
vii Ellis if þe ſacrifice is of a gridele, euenli þe whete
flour ſchal be ſpreynd wiþ oile;
viii which whete flour þou ſchalt offre to þe Lord, and
ſchalt bitake in þe hondis of þe preeſt.
ix And whanne he haþ offrid it, he ſchal take a memorial
of þe ſacrifice, and he ſchal brenne it on þe auter, in to
`odour of ſwetneſſe to þe Lord.
x Soþeli what euer þing `is reſidue, it ſchal be Aarons
and hiſe ſones, þe hooly of hooli þingis of þe offryngis
to þe Lord.
xi Ech offryng which is offrid to þe Lord, ſchal be
wiþout ſour dow, neþer ony þing of ſour dow, and of
hony, ſchal be brent in þe ſacrifice of þe Lord.
xii Ȝe ſchulen offre oneli þe firſte fruytis of þo, and
ȝiftis; ſoþeli þo ſchulen not be put on þe auter, in to
odour of ſwetneſſe.
xiii Whateuer þing of ſacrifice þou ſchalt offre, þou
ſchalt make it ſauery wiþ ſalt, neþer þou ſchalt take
awey þe ſalt of þe boond of pees of þi God fro þi
ſacrifice; in ech offryng þou ſchalt offre ſalt.
xiiii Forſoþe if þou offriſt a ȝifte of þe firſte þingis of þi
fruytis to þe Lord, of `eeris of corn ȝit grene, þou ſchalt
ſeenge þo in fier, and þou ſchalt breke in þe maner of
ſeedis; and ſo þou ſchalt offre þi firſte fruytis to þe Lord,
xv and þou ſchalt ſchede oyle þeronne, and ſchalt putte
encenſe, for it is þe offryng of þe Lord.
xvi Of which þe preeſt ſchal brenne, in to mynde of þe
ȝifte, a part of þe `ſeedis brokun, and of oyle, and al þe
encenſe.
CAP. III
i Þat if his offryng is a ſacrifice of peſible þingis, and he
wole offre of oxun, he ſchal offre bifore þe Lord a male,
eþer a female, wiþout wem.
ii And he ſchal ſette hond on þe heed of his ſacrifice, þat
ſchal be offrid in þe entryng of þe tabernacle; and þe
ſones of Aaron preeſt ſchulen ſchede þe blood bi þe
cumpas of þe auter.
iii And þei ſchulen offre of þe ſacrifice of peſible þingis
in to offryng to þe Lord, þe fatneſſe þat hiliþ þe
entrailis, and what euer þing of fatneſſe is wiþ ynne;
iiii þei ſchulen offre twey kydeneris, wiþ þe fatneſſe bi
which þe guttis clepid ylyon ben hilid, and þe calle of
þe lyuer wiþ þe litle reynes.
v And þei ſchulen brenne þo on þe auter, in to brent
ſacrifice, whanne fier is put vndur þe trees, in to offryng
of ſwetteſt odour to þe Lord.
vi Soþeli if his offryng is of ſcheep, and a ſacrifice of
peſible þingis, wheþer he offriþ a male eþer a female,
þo ſchulen be wiþout wem.
vii If he offriþ a lombe bifor þe Lord,
viii he ſchal ſette his hond on þe heed of his ſacrifice, þat
ſchal be offrid in þe porche of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng; and þe ſones of Aaron ſchulen ſchede þe
blood þerof bi `þe cumpas of þe auter.
ix And þei ſchulen offre of þe ſacrifice of peſible þingis
a ſacrifice to þe Lord, þe innere fatneſſe,
x and al þe tail wiþ þe reynes, and þe fatneſſe þat hiliþ
þe wombe, and alle þe entrailis, and euer eiþir litil
reyne, wiþ þe fatneſſe which is biſidis þe `guttis clepid
ylion, and þe calle of þe mawe, wiþ þe litle reynes.
xi And þe preeſt ſchal brenne þo on þe auter, in to þe
fedyng of fier, and of þe offryng to þe Lord.
xii If his offryng is a geet, and he offriþ it to þe Lord,
xiii he ſchal ſette his hond on þe heed þerof, and he ſchal
offre it in to þe entryng of þe tabernacle of witneſſyng;
and þe ſones of Aaron ſchulen ſchede þe blood þerof bi
þe cumpas of þe auter.
xiiii And þei ſchulen take þerof, in to `þe fedyng of þe
Lordis fier, þe fatneſſe þat hiliþ þe wombe, and þat hiliþ
alle þe entrailis,
xv and twei litle reynes wiþ þe calle which is on þo
biſidis ilion, and þe fatneſſe of þe mawe, wiþ þe entrails
þat cleuen to þe litle reynes.
xvi And þe preeſt ſchal brenne þo on þe auter, in to þe
fedyng of fier, and of ſwetteſt odour; al þe fatneſſe ſchal
be þe Lordis,
CXVI
xvii byeuerlaſtynge riȝt in generaciouns, and in alle
ȝoure dwellyng placis, neþer in ony maner ȝe ſchulen
ete blood, neþir fatneſſe.
CAP. IIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Speke þou to
þe ſones of Iſrael,
ii Whanne a ſoule haþ do ſynne bi ignoraunce, and haþ
do ony þing of alle comaundementis `of þe Lord,
whiche he comaundide þat þo ſchulen not be don; if a
preeſt which is anoyntid,
iii haþ do ſynne, makynge þe puple to treſpaſſe, he ſchal
offre for his ſynne a calf wiþout wem to þe Lord.
iiii And he ſchal brynge it to þe dore of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, bifor þe Lord, and he ſchal ſette hond on þe
heed þerof, and he ſchal offre it to þe Lord.
v And he ſchal take vp of þe blood `of þe calf, and ſchal
brynge it in to þe tabernacle of witneſſyng.
vi And whanne he haþ dippid þe fyngir in to þe blood,
he ſchal ſprenge it ſeuen ſiþis bifor þe Lord, aȝens þe
veil of þe ſeyntuarie.
vii And he ſchal putte of þe ſame blood on þe corners of
þe auter of encenſe mooſt acceptable to þe Lord, which
auter is in þe tabernacle of witneſſyng; ſoþeli he ſchal
ſchede al þe `toþer blood in to þe foundement of þe
auter of brent ſacrifice in þe entryng of þe tabernacle.
viii And he ſchal offre for ſynne þe ynnere fatneſſe of þe
calf, as well it þat hiliþ þe entrails, as alle þingis þat ben
wiþ ynne,
ix twei litle reynes, and þe calle, which is on þo biſidis
ilion, and þe fatneſſe of þe mawe,
x wiþ þe litle reines, as it is offrid of þe calf of þe
ſacrifice of peſible þingis; and he ſchal brenne þo on þe
auter of brent ſacrifice.
xi Soþeli he ſchal bere out of þe caſtels þe ſkyn, and alle
þe fleiſchis, wiþ þe heed, and feet, and entrails,
xii and dung, and þe `reſidue bodi in to a clene place,
where aiſchis ben wont to be ſched out; and he ſchal
brenne þo on þe heep of trees, whiche ſchulen be brent
in þe place of aiſchis ſched out.
xiii Þat if al þe cumpeny of þe ſones of Iſrael knowiþ
not, and doiþ by vnkunnyng þat þat is aȝens þe
comaundement of þe Lord,
xiiii and aftirward vndirſtondiþ his ſynne, it ſchal offre a
calf for ſynne, and it ſchal brynge þe calf to þe dore of
þe tabernacle.
xv And þe eldere men of þe puple ſchulen ſette hondis
on þe heed þerof bifor þe Lord; and whanne þe calf is
offrid in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord,
xvi þe preeſt which is anoyntid ſchal bere ynne of his
blood in to þe tabernacle of witneſſyng;
xvii and whanne þe fyngur `is dippid, he ſchal ſprenge
ſeuen ſiþis aȝens þe veil.
xviii And he ſchal putte of þe ſame blood in þe hornes of
þe auter, which is bifor þe Lord in þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng; ſoþeli he ſchal ſchede þe `reſidue blood
biſidis þe foundement of þe auter of brent ſacrifice,
which is in þe dore of tabernacle of witneſſyng.
xix And he ſchal take al þe fatneſſe þerof, and ſchal
brenne it on þe auter;
xx and ſo he ſchal do alſo of þis calf, as he dide alſo
bifor; and whanne þe preſt ſchal preye for hem, þe Lord
ſchal be merciful.
xxi Forſoþe he ſchal bere out þilke calf, and ſchal brenne
it, as alſo þe formere calf, for it is for þe ſynne of þe
multitude.
xxii If þe prince ſynneþ, and doiþ bi ignoraunce o þing
of many, which is forbodun in þe lawe of þe Lord,
xxiii and aftirward vndirſtondiþ his ſynne, he ſchal offre
to þe Lord a ſacrifice, a `buk of geet, `þat haþ no wem;
xxiiii and he ſchal ſette his hond on þe heed þerof. And
whanne he haþ offrid it in þe place, where brent
ſacrifice is wont to be ſlayn, bifor þe Lord, for it is for
ſynne;
xxv þe preeſt ſchal dippe þe fyngur in þe blood of
ſacrifice for ſynne, and he ſchal touche þe corneris of þe
auter of brent ſacrifice, and he ſchal ſchede þe `reſidue
blood at þe foundement þerof.
xxvi Soþeli þe preeſt ſchal brenne þe innere fatneſſe
aboue þe auter, as it is wont to be doon in þe ſacrifice of
peſible þingis, and þe preeſt ſchal preye for hym, and
for his ſynne, and it ſchal be forȝouun to hym.
xxvii Þat if a ſoule of þe puple of þe lond ſynneþ bi
ignoraunce, þat he do ony þing of þeſe þat ben forbodun
in þe lawe of þe Lord, and treſpaſſiþ,
xxviii and knowiþ his ſynne, he ſchal offre a geet wiþout
wem;
xxix and he ſchal ſette hond on þe heed of þe ſacrifice
which is for ſynne, and he ſchal offre it in þe place of
brent ſacrifice.
xxx And þe preeſt ſchal take of þe blood on his fyngur,
and he ſchal touche þe hornes of þe auter of brent
ſacryfice, and he ſchal ſchede þe reſidue at þe
foundement þerof.
xxxi Soþeli he ſchal take a wei al þe ynnere fatneſſe, as it
is wont to be don a wei of þe ſacrifices of peſible þingis,
and he ſchal brenne it on þe auter, in to odour of
ſwetneſſe to þe Lord; and þe preeſt ſchal preye for hym,
and it ſchal be forȝouun to hym.
xxxii Soþeli if he offriþ of litle beeſtis a ſacrifice for
ſynne, þat is,
xxxiii a ſcheep wiþout wem, he ſchal putte þe hond on þe
heed þerof, and he ſchal offre it in þe place where þe
beeſt of brent ſacrifices ben wont to be ſlayn.
xxxiiii And þe preeſt ſchal take of þe blood þerof in his
fyngur, and he ſchal touche þe hornes of þe autir of
CXVII
brent ſacrifice, and he ſchal ſchede þe reſidue at þe
foundement þerof.
xxxv And he ſchal do awey al þe ynnere fatneſſe as þe
innere fatneſſe of þe ram which is offrid for peſible
þingis, is wont to be don a wei, and he ſchal brenne it
on þe auter of encenſe of þe Lord; and þe preeſt ſchal
preye for hym, and for his ſynne, and it ſchal be
forȝouun to hym.
CAP. V
i If a ſoule ſynneþ, and hereþ þe vois of a ſwerere, and is
witneſſe, `for eþer he ſiȝ, eþer `is witynge, if he ſchewiþ
not, he ſchal bere his ſynne.
ii A perſone þat touchiþ ony vnclene þing, eþer which is
ſlayn of a beeſte, eþer is deed bi it ſilf, eþer touchiþ ony
oþer crepynge beeſte, and forȝetiþ his vnclenneſſe, he is
gilti, and treſpaſſiþ.
iii And if he touchiþ ony þing of þe vnclenneſſe of man,
bi al þe vnclenneſſe bi which he is wont to be defoulid,
and he forȝetiþ, and knowiþ afterward, he ſchal be ſuget
to treſpas.
iiii A ſoule þat ſweriþ, and bryngiþ forþ wiþ hiſe lippis,
þat it ſchulde do eþer yuel, eþer wel, and doiþ not, and
confermeþ þe ſame þing wiþ an ooþ, eþir wiþ a word,
and forȝetiþ, and aftirward vndirſtondiþ his treſpas, do it
penaunce for ſynne,
v and offre it of þe flockis a femal lomb, eþir a goet;
vi and þe preeſt ſchal preie for hym, and for his ſynne.
vii But if he may not offre a beeſte, offre he twei turtlis,
eþir `briddis of culuers to þe Lord, oon for ſynne, and
þe toþer in to brent ſacrifice.
viii And he ſchal ȝyue þo to þe preeſt, which ſchal offre
þe firſte for ſynne, and ſchal folde aȝen þe heed þerof to
þe wengis, ſo þat it cleue to þe necke, and be not
`brokyn outirli.
ix And þe preeſt ſchal ſprynge þe wal of þe auter, of þe
blood þerof; ſoþeli what euer `is reſidue, he ſchal make
to droppe doun at þe `foundement of þe auter, for it is
for ſynne.
x Soþeli he ſchal brenne þe toþer brid in to brent
ſacrifice, as it is wont to be doon; and þe preeſt ſchal
preie for hym, and for his ſynne, and it ſchal be
forȝouun to hym.
xi Þat if his hond mai not offre twei turtlis, eþir twei
`briddis of culueris, he ſchal offre for his ſynne þe tenþe
part of ephi of wheete flour; he ſchal not putte oile `in
to it, neþer he ſchal putte ony þing of encenſe, for it is
for ſynne.
xii And he ſchal ȝyue it to þe preeſt, which preeſt ſchal
take vp an handful þerof, and ſchal brenne on þe auter,
in to mynde of hym þat offeride,
xiii and þe preeſt ſchal preie for hym, and ſchal clenſe;
forſoþe he ſchal haue þe toþer part in ȝifte.
xiiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xv and ſeide, If a ſoule brekiþ cerymonyes bi errour, and
ſynneþ in þeſe þingis þat ben halewid to þe Lord, it
ſchal offre for his treſpas a ram wiþout wem of þe
flockis, þat may be bouȝt for twey ſiclis, bi þe weiȝte of
þe ſeyntuarie.
xvi And he ſchal reſtore þat harm þat he dide, and he
ſchal putte þe fyueþe part aboue, and ſchal ȝyue to þe
preeſt, which preeſt ſchal preye for hym, and offre þe
ram, and it ſchal be forȝouun to hym.
xvii A ſoule þat ſynneþ bi ignoraunce, and doiþ oon of
þeſe þingis þat ben forbodun in þe lawe of þe Lord, and
is gilti of ſynne, and vndirſtondiþ his wickidneſſe,
xviii it ſchal offre to þe preeſt a ram wiþout wem of þe
flockis, bi þe meſure of eſtymacioun of ſynne; and þe
preeſt ſchal preye for hym, for he dide vnwytynge, and
it ſchal be forȝouun to him,
xix for by errour he treſpaſſide aȝens þe Lord.
CAP. VI
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
ii and ſeide, A ſoule þat ſynneþ, and diſpiſiþ þe Lord, and
denyeþ to his neiȝbore a þing bitakun to kepyng, þat
was bitakun to his feiþ, eþir takiþ maiſterfuli a þing bi
violence, eþer makiþ fals chaleng,
iii eþer fyndiþ a þing loſt, and denyeþ ferþermore and
forſweriþ, and doþ ony oþer þing of manye in whiche
þingis men ben wont to do ſynne,
iiii `if it is conuict of þe gilt,
v it ſchal ȝelde hool alle þingis whiche it wolde gete bi
fraude, and ferþermore þe fyueþe part to þe lord, to
whom it dide harm.
vi Soþeli for his ſynne it ſchal offre a ram vnwemmed of
þe floc, and it ſchal ȝyue þat ram to þe preeſt, bi þe valu
and meſure of þe treſpas;
vii and þe preeſt ſchal preie for hym bifor þe Lord, and it
ſchal be forȝouun to hym, for alle þingis whiche he
ſynnede in doyng.
viii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
ix Comaunde þou to Aaron, and to hiſe ſones, Þis is þe
lawe of brent ſacrifice; it ſchal be brent in þe auter al
nyȝt til þe morewe; fier þat is ȝouun fro heuene ſchal be
of þe ſame auter.
x Þe preeſt ſchal be cloþid wiþ a coote, and `pryuy
lynnun cloþis; and he ſchal take awei þe aiſchis, which
þe fier deuourynge brente, and he ſchal putte biſidis þe
auter;
xi and he ſchal be ſpuylid of þe formere cloþis, and he
ſchal be cloþid wiþ oþer, and ſchal bere aiſchis out of þe
caſtels, and in a mooſt clene place he ſchal make þo to
be waſtid til to a deed ſparcle.
xii Forſoþe fier ſchal brenne euere in þe auter, which fier
þe preeſt ſchal nuriſche, puttynge trees vndur, in þe
morewtid bi ech dai; and whanne brent ſacrifice is put
CXVIII
aboue, þe preeſt ſchal brenne þe ynnere fatneſſis of
peſible þingis.
xiii Þis is euerlaſtynge fier, þat ſchal neuer faile in þe
auter.
xiiii Þis is þe lawe of ſacrifice, and of fletynge offryngis,
whiche `þe ſones of Aaron ſchulen offre bifore þe Lord,
and bifor þe auter.
xv Þe preeſt ſchal take an handful of wheete flour, which
is ſpreynd wiþ oile, and al þe encenſe which is put on þe
wheete flour, and he ſchal brenne it in þe auter, in to
mynde of ſwettiſt odour to þe Lord.
xvi Forſoþe Aaron wiþ hiſe ſones ſchal ete þe toþer part
of wheete flour, wiþout ſour dow; and he ſchal ete in þe
hooli place of þe greet ſtreet of þe tabernacle.
xvii Soþeli herfor it ſchal not be `diȝt wiþ ſour dow, for a
part þerof is offrid in to encenſe of þe Lord; it ſchal be
hooli `of þe noumbre of holi þingis, as for ſynne and for
treſpas.
xviii Malis oonli of þe kynrede of Aaron ſchulen ete it; it
is a lawful þing and euerlaſtynge in ȝoure generaciouns,
of þe ſacrifice of þe Lord; ech man þat touchiþ þo ſchal
be halewyd.
xix And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xx and ſeide, Þis is þe offryng of Aaron, and of hiſe
ſones, which þei owen offre to þe Lord in þe day of her
anoyntyng; þei ſchulen offre þe tenþe part of ephi of
wheete flour, in euerlaſtynge ſacrifice, þe myddis þerof
in þe morewtid, and þe myddis þerof in þe euentid;
xxi which ſchal be ſpreynt wiþ oile in þe friyng panne,
and ſchal be fried.
xxii Soþeli þe preeſt which is ſucceſſour to þe fadir `bi
riȝt, ſchal offre it hoot, in to ſweteſte odour to þe Lord;
and al it ſchal be brent in þe auter.
xxiii For al þe ſacrifice of preeſtis ſchal be waſtid wiþ
fier, neþer ony man ſchal ete þerof.
xxiiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
xxv Spek þou to Aaron and to hiſe ſones, Þis is þe lawe
of ſacrifice for ſynne; it ſchal be offrid bifor þe Lord, in
þe place where brent ſacrifice is offrid; it is hooli `of þe
noumbre of hooli þingis.
xxvi Þe preeſt þat offriþ it, ſchal ete it in þe hooli place,
in þe greet ſtreet of þe tabernacle.
xxvii What euer þing ſchal touche þe fleiſchis þerof, it
ſchal be halewid; if a cloþ is biſpreynt of þe blood
þerof, it ſchal be waiſchun in þe hooli place.
xxviii Soþeli þe erþun veſſel, in which it is ſodun, ſchal
be brokun; þat if þe veſſel is of bras, it ſchal be ſcourid,
and `ſchal be waiſchun wiþ watir.
xxix Ech male of preeſtis kyn ſchal ete of þe fleiſchis
þerof; for it is hooli `of þe noumbre of hooli þingis.
xxx Soþeli þe ſacrifice which is ſlayn for ſynne, whos
blood is borun in to þe tabernacle of witneſſyng to
clenſe in þe ſeyntuarie, ſchal not be etun, but it ſchal be
brent in fier.
CAP. VII
i And þis is þe lawe of ſacrifice for treſpas; it is hooli `of
þe noumbre of hooli þingis.
ii Þerfor where brent ſacrifice is offrid, alſo þe ſacrifice
for treſpas ſchal be ſlayn; þe blood þerof ſchal be ſched
bi þe cumpas of þe auter.
iii Þei ſchulen offre þe tail þerof, and þe fatneſſe þat
hiliþ þe entrailis,
iiii þe twei litle reynes, and þe fatneſſe which is biſidis
ilioun, and þe calle of þe mawe, wiþ þe litle reynes.
v And þe preeſt ſchal brenne þo on þe auter; it is encenſe
of þe Lord, for treſpas.
vi Ech male of þe preeſtis kyn ſchal ete þeſe fleiſchis in
þe hooli place, for it is hooli `of þe noumbre of hooli
þingis.
vii As a ſacrifice is offrid for ſynne, ſo and for treſpas, o
lawe ſchal be of euer eiþir ſacrifice; it ſchal perteyne to
þe preeſt, þat offriþ it.
viii Þe preeſt þat offriþ þe beeſte of brent ſacrifice, ſchal
haue þe ſkyn þerof.
ix And ech ſacrifice of wheete flour, which is bakun in
an ouene, and what euer is maad redi in a gridile, eþir in
a friyng panne, it ſchal be þat preeſtis, of whom it is
offrid,
x wheþer it is ſpreynt wiþ oile, eþir is drye. To alle þe
ſones of Aaron euene meſure ſchal be departyd, `to ech
`bi hem ſilf.
xi Þis is þe lawe of `þe ſacrifice of peſible þingis, which
is offrid to þe Lord.
xii If þe offryng is for doyng of þankyngis, þei ſchulen
offre looues wiþout ſour dow ſpreynt wiþ oile, and `þerf
looues ſodun in watir, þat ben anoyntid wiþ oile; and
þei ſchulen offre wheete flour bakun, and þinne looues
ſpreynt to gidere wiþ þe medlyng of oile.
xiii Alſo þei ſchulen offre `looues diȝt wiþ ſour dow, wiþ
þe ſacrifice of þankyngis which is offrid for peſible
þingis;
xiiii of whiche o loof ſchal be offrid to þe Lord for þe
firſte fruytis, and it ſchal be þe preeſtis þat ſchal ſchede
þe blood of þe ſacrifice,
xv whoſe fleiſchis ſchulen be etun in þe ſame dai, neþer
ony þing of þo ſchal dwelle til þe morewtid.
xvi If a man offriþ a ſacrifice bi a vow, eþir bi fre wille,
it ſchal be etun in lijk maner in þe ſame dai; but alſo if
ony þing dwelliþ `in to þe morew, it is leueful to ete it;
xvii ſoþeli fier ſchal waaſte, whateuer þing þe þridde day
ſchal fynde.
xviii If ony man etiþ in þe þridde dai of þe fleiſchis of
ſacrifice of peſible þingis, his offryng ſchal be maad
voide, neþir it ſchal profite to þe offerere; but raþer
CXIX
whateuer ſoule defouliþ hym ſilf wiþ ſuche mete, he
ſchal be gilti of `brekyng of þe lawe.
xix Fleiſch þat touchiþ ony vnclene þing, ſchal not be
etun, but it ſchal be brent bi fier; he þat is clene, ſchal
ete it.
xx A pollutid ſoule, þat etiþ of þe fleiſchis of þe ſacrifice
of peſible þingis, which is offrid to þe Lord, ſchal
periſche fro hiſe puplis.
xxi And he þat touchiþ vnclenneſſe of man, eþer of
beeſte, eþer of alle þing þat may defoule, and etiþ of
ſuche fleiſchis, ſchal periſche fro hiſe puplis.
xxii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xxiii and ſeide, Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, Ȝe
ſchulen not ete þe ynnere fatneſſe of a ſcheep, of an oxe,
and of a geet;
xxiiii ȝe ſchulen haue in to dyuerſe vſis þe ynnere fatneſſe
of a carkeis deed by it ſilf, and of þat beeſte which is
takun of a rauenus beeſte.
xxv If ony man etiþ þe ynnere fatneſſe, þat owiþ to be
offrid in to encenſe of þe Lord, he ſchal periſche fro his
puple.
xxvi Alſo ȝe ſchulen not take in mete þe blood of ony
beeſte, as wel of briddis as of beeſtis;
xxvii ech man þat etiþ blood ſchal periſche fro his puplis.
xxviii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xxix and ſeide, Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, He þat
offriþ a ſacrifice of peſible þingis to þe Lord, offre
togidere alſo a ſacrifice, þat is, fletynge offryngis þerof.
xxx He ſchal holde in þe hondis þe ynnere fatneſſe of þe
ſacrifice, and þe breſt; and whanne he haþ halewid boþe
offrid to þe Lord, he ſchal ȝyue to þe preeſt,
xxxi which ſchal brenne þe ynnere fatneſſe on þe auter;
ſoþeli þe breſt ſchal be Aarons and hiſe ſones;
xxxii and þe riȝt ſchuldur of þe ſacrifices of peſible
þingis ſchal turne in to þe firſte fruytis of þe preeſt.
xxxiii He þat of Aarons ſones offriþ þe blood, and þe
ynnere fatneſſe, ſchal haue alſo þe riȝt ſchuldur in his
porcioun.
xxxiiii For Y haue take fro þe ſones of Iſrael þe breſt of
reiſyng, and þe ſchuldur of departyng, of þe peſible
ſacrifices `of hem, and Y haue ȝoue to Aaron þe preeſt
and to hiſe ſones, bi euerlaſtynge lawe, of al þe puple of
Iſrael.
xxxv Þis is þe anoyntyng of Aaron, and of hiſe ſones, in
þe cerymonyes of þe Lord, in þe dai where ynne Moiſes
offride hem þat þei ſchulden be ſet in preeſthod,
xxxvi and whiche þingis þe Lord comaundide to be
ȝouun to hem of þe ſones of Iſrael, bi euerlaſtynge
religioun in her generaciouns.
xxxvii Þis is þe lawe of brent ſacrifice, and of ſacrifice
for ſynne, and for treſpas, and for halewyng, and for þe
ſacrifices of peſible þingis;
xxxviii whichlawe þe Lord ordeynede to Moiſes in þe hil
of Synay, whanne he comaundide to þe ſones of Iſrael
þat þei ſchulden offre her offryngis to þe Lord, in þe
deſeert of Synay.
CAP. VIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Take þou
Aaron wiþ hiſe ſones,
ii `þe cloþes of hem, and þe oile of anoyntyng, a calf for
ſynne, twei rammes, a panyere wiþ þerf looues;
iii and þou ſchalt gedere al þe cumpanye to þe dore of
þe tabernacle.
iiii Moiſes dide as þe Lord comaundide; and whanne al
þe company was gaderid bifor þe ȝatis of þe tabernacle,
he ſeide,
v Þis is þe word which þe Lord comaundid to be don.
vi And anoon Moiſes offride Aaron and hiſe ſones; and
whanne he hadde waiſchun hem,
vii he cloþide þe biſchop wiþ a lynnun ſchirte, `and
girdide `þe biſchop wiþ a girdil, and cloþide wiþ a coote
of iacynt, and `puttide þe cloþ on þe ſchuldris aboue,
viii which cloþ on þe ſchuldris he boond wiþ a girdil,
and `dreſſide to þe racional, wherynne doctryn and
truþe was.
ix And Moiſes hilide þe heed wiþ a mytre, and `ſettide
þeronne, aȝens þe forhed, þe goldun plate halewid in
halewyng, as þe Lord comaundide to hym.
x He took alſo þe oile of anoyntyng, wiþ which he
anoyntide þe tabernacle wiþ al his purtenaunce;
xi and whanne he hadde halewid and hadde ſpreynt þe
auter ſeuen ſiþes, he anoyntide it, and halewide wiþ oile
alle þe veſſels þerof, and þe `greet waiſchyng veſſel wiþ
his foundement.
xii Which oile he ſchedde on `þe heed of Aaron, and
anoyntide hym, and halewide.
xiii And he cloþide wiþ lynnun cootis, and girdide wiþ
girdils `his ſones offrid, and ſettide on mytris, as þe
Lord comaundide.
xiiii He offeride alſo a calf for ſynne; and whanne Aaron
and hiſe ſones hadden put her hondis on `þat calf,
xv he offride it, and drow up blood; and whanne þe
fyngur was dippid, he touchide þe corneris of þe auter
bi cumpas; whanne þe auter was clenſid and halewid, he
ſchedde þe `reſidue blood at þe `foundement þerof.
xvi Soþeli he brent on þe auter þe ynnere fatneſſe þat
was on þe entrails, and þe calle of þe mawe, and þe twei
litle reynes wiþ her litle fatneſſis;
xvii and he brente wiþout þe caſtels þe calf, wiþ þe ſkyn,
fleiſchis, and dung, as þe Lord comaundide.
xviii He offride alſo a ram in to brent ſacrifice; and
whanne Aaron and hiſe ſones hadden ſet her hondis on
þe heed þerof,
CXX
xix he offride it, and ſchedde þe blood þerof bi þe
cumpas of þe auter.
xx And he kittide þilke ram in to gobetis, and brente wiþ
fier þe heed þerof, and membris,
xxi and ynnere fatneſſe, whanne þe entrails and feet
weren waiſchun bifore; and he brente al þe ram togidere
on þe auter, for it was þe brent ſacrifice of ſwettiſte
odour to þe Lord, as þe Lord comaundide to hym.
xxii He offride alſo þe ſecounde ram, in to þe halewyng
of preeſtis; and Aaron and hiſe ſones puttiden her hondis
on þe heed þerof.
xxiii And whanne Moiſes hadde offrid þe ram, he took of
þe blood, and touchide þe laſte part of þe riȝt eere of
Aaron, and þe þombe of his riȝt hond, in lijk maner and
of þe foot.
xxiiii He offride alſo `þe ſones of Aaron. And whanne he
hadde touchid of þe blood of þe ram offrid þe laſte part
of `þe riȝt eeris of alle, and `þe þombis of þe riȝt hond
and foot, he ſchedde þe `toþir blood on þe auter bi
cumpas.
xxv Soþeli he departide þe ynnere fatneſſe, and þe taile,
and al þe fatneſſe þat hiliþ þe entrails, and þe calle of þe
mawe, and þe twey reynes wiþ her fatneſſis and wiþ þe
riȝt ſchuldur.
xxvi Forſoþe he took of þe panyere of þerf looues, þat
was bifor þe Lord, looues wiþout ſour dow, and a cake
ſpreynt wiþ oile, and he puttide looues firſt ſodun in
watir and aftirward fried in oile on þe ynnere fatneſſe,
and þe riȝt ſchuldur; and bitook alle þingis togidere to
Aaron,
xxvii and to hiſe ſones. And aftir þat þei `reiſiden þo
bifore þe Lord,
xxviii eft `he brente þo takun of her hondis, on þe auter
of brent ſacrifice, for it was þe offryng of halewyng, in
to þe odour of ſwetneſſe of ſacrifice `into his part to þe
Lord.
xxix He took alſo þe breſt of þe ram of conſecracioun in
to his part, and reiſide it bifor þe Lord, as þe Lord
comaundide to hym.
xxx And he took þe oynement, and blood þat was in þe
auter, and `ſpreynte on Aaron, and hiſe cloþis, and on
`þe ſones of hym, and on her cloþis.
xxxi And whanne he hadde halewid hem in her cloþing,
he comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Sethe ȝe fleiſchis
bifor þe `ȝatis of þe tabernacle, and þere ete ȝe þo; alſo
ete ȝe þe looues of halewyng, þat ben put in þe panyere,
as God comaundide to me, `and ſeide, Aaron and hiſe
ſones ſchulen ete þo looues;
xxxii ſoþeli whateuer þing is reſidue of þe fleiſch and
looues, fier ſchal waſte.
xxxiii Alſo ȝe ſchulen not go out of þe dore of þe
tabernacle in ſeuene daies, til to þe day in which þe
tyme of ȝoure halewyng ſchal be fillid; for þe halewyng
is endid in ſeuene dayes,
xxxiiii asit is doon in preſent tyme, þat þe riȝtfulneſſe of
ſacrifice were fillid.
xxxv Ȝe ſchulen dwelle dai and nyȝt in þe tabernacle,
and ȝe ſchulen kepe þe kepyngis of þe Lord, þat ȝe die
not; for ſo it is comaundid to me.
xxxvi And Aaron and hiſe ſones diden alle þingis, whiche
þe Lord ſpak bi þe hond of Moiſes.
CAP. IX
i Forſoþe whanne þe eiȝtiþe dai was maad, Moiſes
clepide Aaron, and hiſe ſones, and þe grettere men in
birþe of Iſrael;
ii and he ſeide to Aaron, Take þou of þe droue a calf for
ſynne, and a ram `in to brent ſacrifice, euer eiþer wiþ
oute wem, and offre þo bifor þe Lord.
iii And þou ſchalt ſpeke to þe ſones of Iſrael, Take ȝe a
buk of geet for ſynne, and a calf, and a lomb of o ȝeer
and wiþ out wem,
iiii in to brent ſacrifice, an oxe and a ram for peſible
þingis; and offre ȝe þo bifor þe Lord, and offre ȝe whete
flour ſpreynt wiþ oile in þe ſacrifice of ech; for to dai þe
Lord ſchal appere to ȝou.
v Þerfor þei token alle þingis, whiche Moiſes
comaundide, to þe dore of þe tabernacle, where,
whanne al þe multitude ſtood,
vi Moiſes ſeide, Þis is þe word, which þe Lord
comaundide, do ȝe, and his glorie ſchal appere to ȝou.
vii And Moiſes ſeide to Aaron, Neiȝe þou to þe auter,
and offre þou for þi ſynne; offre þou brent ſacrifice, and
preye for þee, and for þe puple; and whanne þou haſt
ſlayn þe ſacrifice of þe puple, preye þou for hem, as þe
Lord comaundide.
viii And anoon Aaron neiȝede to þe auter, and offride a
calf for his ſynne;
ix whos blood hiſe ſones offriden to him, in which blood
he dippide þe fyngur, and touchide þe hornes of þe
auter, and ſchedde þe reſidue at þe foundement þerof;
x and he brente on þe auter þe ynnere fatneſſe, and litle
reynes, and þe calle of þe mawe, as þe Lord
comaundide to Moiſes.
xi Forſoþe he brente bi fier wiþout þe caſtels þe fleiſchis
and ſkyn þerof.
xii And he offride þe beeſte of brent ſacrifice, and hiſe
ſones offriden to hym þe blood þerof, which he ſchedde
bi þe cumpas of þe auter;
xiii þei offriden alſo þilke ſacrifice kit in to gobetis, wiþ
þe heed, and alle membris; and he brente bi fier alle
þeſe þingis on þe auter,
xiiii whanne þe entrailis and feet weren waiſchun bifor
wiþ watir.
xv And he offride and killide a buk of geet, for þe ſynne
of þe puple; and whanne þe auter was clenſid,
xvi he made brent ſacrifice,
CXXI
xvii and addide in to þe ſacrifice fletynge offryngis þat
ben offrid togidere; and he brente þo on þe auter,
wiþout cerymonyes of brent ſacrifice of þe morewtid.
xviii He offride alſo an oxe, and a ram, peſible ſacrifices
of þe puple; and hiſe ſones offriden to hym þe blood,
which he ſchedde bi þe cumpas of þe auter.
xix Forſoþe þei puttiden on þe breſtis þe ynnere fatneſſe
of þe oxe, and þe tail of þe ram, and þe litle reynes wiþ
her fatneſſis, and þe calle of þe mawe.
xx And whanne þe ynnere fatneſſis weren brent in þe
auter,
xxi Aaron departide þe breſtis, and þe riȝt ſchuldris of
þo, and reiſide bifor þe Lord, as Moiſes comaundide.
xxii And he ſtreiȝte forþ hondis to þe puple, and bleſſide
it; and ſo whanne þe ſacrifices for ſynne, and brent
ſacrifices, and peſible ſacrifices, weren fillid, he cam
doun.
xxiii Soþeli Moyſes and Aaron entriden in to þe
tabernacle of witneſſyng, and ȝeden out aftirward, and
bleſſiden þe puple; and þe glorie of þe Lord apperide to
al þe multitude.
xxiiii And lo! fier ȝede out fro þe Lord, and deuouride þe
brent ſacrifice, and þe ynnere fatneſſes þat weren on þe
auter; and whanne þe cumpanyes hadden ſeyn þis þing,
þei preiſeden þe Lord, `and felden on her faces.
CAP. X
i And whanne Nadab and Abyu, þe ſones of Aaron,
hadden take cenſeris, þei puttiden fier and encenſe
aboue, and offriden bifor þe Lord alien fier, which þing
was not comaundid to hem.
ii And fier ȝede out fro þe Lord, and deuouride hem, and
þei weren deed bifor þe Lord.
iii And Moiſes ſeide to Aaron, Þis þing it is which þe
Lord ſpak, Y ſchal be halewid in hem þat neiȝen to me,
and Y ſchal be glorified in þe ſiȝt of al þe puple; which
þing Aaron herde, and was ſtille.
iiii Soþeli whanne Moiſes hadde clepid Myſael and
Eliſaphan, þe ſones of Oziel, broþer of Aaron’s fadir, he
ſeide to hem, Go ȝe, and take awey ȝoure briþeren fro
þe ſiȝt of ſeyntuarie, and bere ȝe out of þe caſtels.
v And anoon þei ȝeden, and token hem, as þei laien
cloþid wiþ lynnun cootis, and caſtiden out, as it was
comaundid to hem.
vi And Moiſes ſpak to Aaron, and to Eliaſar and Ithamar,
þe ſones of Aaron, Nyle ȝe make nakid ȝoure heedis,
and nyle ȝe reende cloþis, leſt perauenture ȝe dien, and
indignacioun riſe on al þe cumpany; ȝoure briþeren and
all þe hows of Iſrael byweile þe brennyng which þe
Lord reiſide.
vii But ȝe ſchulen not go out of þe ȝatis of þe tabernacle,
ellis ȝe ſchulen periſche; for þe oile of hooli anoyntyng
is on ȝou. Whiche diden alle þingis bi þe
comaundement of Moiſes.
viii Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Aaron,
ix Þou and þi ſones ſchulen not drynke wyn, and al þing
þat may make drunkun, whanne ȝe ſchulen entre in to
þe tabernacle of witneſſing, leſt ȝe dien; for it is
euerlaſtynge comaundement in to ȝoure generaciouns,
x þat ȝe haue kunnyng to make doom bytwixe hooli
þing and vnhooli, bitwixe pollutid þing and cleene;
xi and þat ȝe teche þe ſones of Iſrael alle my lawful
þingis, whiche þe Lord ſpak to hem bi þe hond of
Moyſes.
xii And Moiſes ſpak to Aaron, and to Eliazar and
Ythamar, hiſe ſones, þat weren reſidue, Take ȝe þe
ſacrifice þat lefte of þe offryng of þe Lord, and ete ȝe it
wiþ out ſour dow, biſidis þe auter, for it is hooli `of þe
noumbre of hooli þingis.
xiii Soþeli ȝe ſchulen ete in þe hooli place þat þat is
ȝouun to þee and to þi ſones, of þe offryngis of þe Lord,
as it is comaundid to me Alſo þou,
xiiii and þi ſones, and þi douȝtris wiþ þee, ſchulen ete in
þe clenneſte place þe breſt which is offrid, and þe
ſchuldur which is departid; for þo ben kept to þee and to
þi fre ſones, of þe heelful ſacrifices of þe ſones of Iſrael;
xv for þei reiſeden bifor þe Lord þe ſchuldur and breſt,
and þe ynnere fatneſſis þat ben brent in þe auter; and
perteynen þo to þee, and to þi ſones, bi euerlaſtynge
lawe, as þe Lord comaundide.
xvi Among þeſe þingis whanne Moiſes ſouȝte þe `buk of
geet þat was offrid for ſynne, he foond it brent, and he
was wrooþ aȝens Eliazar and Ythamar, `þe ſones of
Aaron þat weren left.
xvii And he ſeide, Whi eten not ȝe þe ſacrifice for ſynne
in þe hooli place, which ſacrifice is hooli `of þe
noumbre of hooli þingis, and is ȝouun to ȝou, þat ȝe
bere þe wickydneſſe of þe multitude, and preye for it in
þe ſiȝt of þe Lord;
xviii mooſt ſiþen of þe blood þerof is not borun yn wiþ
ynne hooli þingis, and ȝe ouȝten ete it in þe ſeyntuarie,
as it is comaundid to me?
xix And Aaron anſweride, Sacrifice for ſynne, and brent
ſacrifice is offrid to dai bifor þe Lord; ſoþeli þis þat þou
ſeeſt, bifelde to me; how myȝte Y ete it, eþer pleſe God
in cerymonyes wiþ ſoreuful ſoule?
xx And whanne Moiſes hadde herd þis, he reſſeyuede
ſatisfaccioun.
CAP. XI
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and Aaron, and ſeide,
ii Seie ȝe to þe ſones of Iſrael, Kepe ȝe alle þingis
whiche Y wroot to ȝou, þat Y be ȝoure God. Þeſe ben þe
beeſtis, whiche ȝe ſchulen ete, of alle lyuynge beeſtis of
erþe;
iii ȝe ſchulen ete `al þing among beeſtis þat haþ a clee
departid, and chewiþ code;
CXXII
iiii ſoþeliwhat euer þing chewiþ code, and haþ a clee,
but departiþ not it, as a camel and oþere beeſtis doon, ȝe
ſchulen not ete it, and ȝe ſchulen arette among vnclene
þingis.
v A cirogrille, which chewiþ code, and departiþ not þe
clee, is vnclene; and an hare,
vi for alſo he chewiþ code, but departiþ not þe clee;
vii and a ſwiyn, þat chewiþ not code, þouȝ he departiþ
þe clee.
viii Ȝe ſchulen not ete þe fleiſchis of þeſe, neþer ȝe
ſchulen touche þe deed bodies, for þo ben vnclene to
ȝou.
ix Alſo þeſe þingis ben þat ben gendrid in watris, and is
leueful to ete;
x ȝe ſchulen ete al þing þat haþ fynnes and ſcalis, as wel
in þe ſee, as in floodis and ſtondynge watris; ſoþeli what
euer þing of þo þat ben moued and lyuen in watris, haþ
not fynnes and ſcalis, ſchal be abhominable, and
wlatſum to ȝou;
xi ȝe ſchulen not ete þe fleiſchis of þo, and ȝe ſchulen
eſchewe þe bodies deed bi hem ſilf.
xii Alle þingis in watris þat han not fynnes and ſcalis,
ſchulen be pollutid,
xiii Þeſe þingis ben of foulis whiche ȝe ſchulen not ete,
and ſchulen be eſchewid of ȝou; an egle, and a grippe,
aliete, and a kyte, and a vultur by his kynde;
xiiii and al of `rauyns kynde bi his licneſſe;
xv a ſtrucioun,
xvi and nyȝt crowe, a lare, and an hauke bi his kinde;
xvii an owle, and dippere, and ibis;
xviii a ſwan and cormoraunt, and a pellican;
xix a fawcun, a iay bi his kynde; a leepwynke, and a
reremows.
xx Al þing of foulis þat goiþ on foure feet, ſchal be
abhomynable to ȝou;
xxi ſoþeli what euer þing goiþ on foure feet, but haþ
lengere hipis bihynde, bi whiche it ſkippiþ on þe erþe,
ȝe ſchulen ete;
xxii as is a bruke in his kynde, and acatus, and
opymacus, and a locuſte, alle bi her kynde.
xxiii Forſoþe what euer þing of briddis haþ foure feet
oneli, it ſchal be abhomynable to ȝou;
xxiiii and who euer touchiþ her bodies deed bi hem ſilf,
ſchal be defoulid, and `ſchal be vnclene `til to euentid;
xxv and if it is nede, þat he bere ony deed þing of þeſe,
he ſchal waiſche his cloþis, and he ſchal be vnclene til
to þe goyng doun of þe ſunne.
xxvi Soþeli ech beeſte þat haþ a clee, but departiþ not it,
neþer chewiþ code, ſchal be vnclene; and what euer
þing touchiþ it, ſchal be defoulid.
xxvii Þat þat goiþ on hondis, of alle beeſtis þat gon on
foure feet, ſchal be vnclene; he, þat touchiþ her bodies
deed bi hem ſilf, ſchal be defoulid `til to euentid;
xxviii and he, þat beriþ ſiche deed bodies, ſchal waiſche
hiſe cloþis, and he ſchal be vnclene `til to euentid; for
alle þeſe þingis ben vnclene to ȝou.
xxix Alſo þeſe þingis ſchulen be arettid among defoulid
þingis, of þeſe þat ben moued on erþe; a weſele, and
mows, and a cocodrille, `alle bi her kynde;
xxx mygal, camelion, and ſtellio, and lacerta, and a
maldewerp.
xxxi Alle þeſe ben vnclene; he þat touchiþ her bodies
deed bi hem ſilf, ſchal be vnclene `til to euentid;
xxxii and þat þing ſchal be defoulid, on which ony þing
of her bodies deed bi hem ſilf falliþ, as wel a veſſel of
tree, and a cloþ, as ſkynnes `and heiris; and in what euer
þing werk is maad, it ſchal be dippid in watir, and þo
þingis ſchulen be defoulid `til to euentid, and ſo
aftirward þo ſchulen be clenſid.
xxxiii Soþeli a veſſel of erþe, in which ony þing of þeſe
falliþ wiþ ynne, ſchal be defoulid, and þerfor it ſchal be
brokun.
xxxiiii Ech mete, which ȝe ſchulen ete, ſchal be vnclene,
if water is ſched þereon; and ech fletynge þing, which is
drunkun of ech veſſel, `where ynne vnclene þingis
bifelden, ſchal be vnclene;
xxxv and what euer þing of ſiche deed bodies bi hem ſilf
felde þeronne, it ſchal be vnclene, wheþer furneiſis, eþir
veſſels of þre feet, þo ſchulen be deſtried, and ſchulen be
vnclene.
xxxvi Soþeli wellis and ciſternes, and al þe
congregacioun of watris, ſchal be clene. He þat touchiþ
her bodi deed bi it ſilf, ſchal be defoulid.
xxxvii If it falliþ on ſeed, it ſchal not defoule þe ſeed;
xxxviii ſoþeli if ony man ſchediþ ſeed wiþ watir, and
aftirward þe watir is touchid wiþ deed bodies bi hem
ſilf, it ſchal be defoulid anoon.
xxxix If a beeſte is deed, which it is leueful to ȝou to ete,
he þat touchiþ þe deed bodi þerof ſchal be vnclene `til
to euentid; and he þat etiþ þerof ony þing,
xl eþir beriþ, ſchal waiſche his cloþis, and ſchal be
vnclene `til to euentid.
xli Al þing þat crepiþ on erþe, ſchal be abhomynable,
neþer ſchal be takun in to mete.
xlii `What euer þing goiþ on þe breſt and foure feet, and
haþ many feet, eþir drawun bi þe erþe, ȝe ſchulen not
ete, for it is abhomynable.
xliii Nyle ȝe defoule ȝoure ſoulis, neþer touche ȝe ony
þing of þo, leſt ȝe ben vnclene;
xliiii for Y am ȝoure Lord God; be ȝe hooli, for Y am
hooli. Defoule ȝe not ȝoure ſoulis in ech crepynge
`beeſte which is moued on erþe; for Y am þe Lord,
CXXIII
xlv þat ladde ȝou out of þe lond of Egipt, þat Y ſchulde
be to ȝou in to God; ȝe ſchulen be hooli, for Y am hooli.
xlvi Þis is þe lawe of lyuynge beeſtes, and of foulis, and
of ech lyuynge ſoule which is moued in watir, and
crepiþ in erþe;
xlvii þat ȝe knowe differences of clene þing and vnclene,
and þat ȝe wite what ȝe ſchulen ete, and what ȝe owen
forſake.
CAP. XII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, `and ſeide, Speke þou to
þe ſones of Iſrael,
ii and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, If a womman, whanne ſche
haþ reſſeyued ſeed, childiþ a knaue child, ſche ſchal be
vnclene bi ſeuene daies bi þe daies of departyng of
corrupt blood, þat renneþ bi moneþis;
iii and þe ȝong child ſchal be circumſidid in þe eiȝtiþe
dai.
iiii Soþeli ſche ſchal dwelle þre and þretti daies in þe
blood of hir purifiyng; ſche ſchal not touche ony hooli
þing, neþir ſche ſchal entre in to þe ſeyntuarie, til þe
daies of her clenſing be fillid.
v Soþeli if ſche childiþ a female, ſche ſchal be vnclene
twei woukis, bi þe cuſtom of flowyng of vnclene blood,
and `þre ſcoor and ſixe daies ſche ſchal dwelle in þe
blood of her clenſyng.
vi And whanne þe daies of hir clenſyng, for a ſone, eþer
for a douȝtir, ben fillid, ſche ſchal brynge a lomb of o
ȝeer in to brent ſacrifice, and a `bryd of a culuer, eþir a
turtle, for ſynne, to þe dore of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng;
vii and ſche ſchal ȝyue to þe preeſt, which ſchal offre þo
bifor þe Lord, and ſchal preye for hir, and ſo ſche ſchal
be clenſid fro þe fowyng of hir blood. Þis is þe lawe of
a womman childynge a male, eþir a female.
viii Þat if hir hond fyndiþ not, neþir may offre a lomb,
ſche ſchal take twei turtlis, eþir twei `briddis of
culueres, oon in to brent ſacrifice, and þe toþer for
ſynne; and þe preeſt ſchal preye for hir, and ſo ſche ſchal
be clenſid.
CAP. XIII
i Þe Lord ſpak to Moyſes and Aaron, and ſeide,
ii A man in whos ſkyn and fleiſch ryſiþ dyuerſe colour,
eþer whelke, eþir as `ſum ſchynynge þing, þat is, a
wounde of lepre, he ſchal be brouȝt to Aaron preeſt,
eþer to oon `who euer of hiſe ſones;
iii and whanne he ſeeþ lepre in þe ſkyn, and þe heeris
chaungide in to whijte colour, and þat ſpice of lepre
lowere þan þe toþer ſkyn and fleiſch, it is a wounde of
lepre, and he ſchal be departid at þe `doom of þe preeſt.
iiii Soþeli if ſchynyng whijtneſſe is in þe ſkyn, neþir is
lower þan þe toþer fleiſch, and þe heeris ben of þe
formere colour, þe preeſt ſchal cloſe hym ſeuene daies;
v and ſchal biholde hym in þe ſeuenþe dai, and ſoþeli if
þe lepre wexiþ not ferþer, neþir paſſiþ þe formere
termes in þe fleiſch, eft þe preeſt ſchal cloſe hym aȝen
ſeuene oþer daies;
vi and ſchal biholde in þe ſeuenþe day, if þe lepre is
derkere, and wexiþ not in þe fleiſch, þe preeſt ſchal
clenſe hym, for it is a ſcabbe; and þe man ſchal waiſche
hiſe cloþis, and he ſchal be clene.
vii Þat if þe lepre wexiþ eft, aftir þat he is ſeyn of þe
preeſt, and is ȝoldun to clenneſſe, he ſchal be brouȝt to
þe preeſt, and ſchal be demed of vnclenneſſe.
viii If þe wounde of lepre is in man, he ſchal be brouȝt to
þe preeſt, and he ſchal ſe þe man;
ix and whanne whijt colour is in þe fleiſch, and
chaungiþ þe ſiȝt of heeris, and þilke fleiſch apperiþ
quyk,
x it ſchal be demid eldeſt lepre, and growun to þe ſkyn;
þerfor þe preeſt ſchal defoule hym,
xi and he ſchal not cloſe eft, for it is of opyn
vnclenneſſe.
xii But if lepre rennynge about in þe ſkyn `flouriþ out,
and hiliþ al þe fleiſch, fro þe heed til to þe feet, what
euer þing falliþ vndur þe ſiȝt of iȝen; þe preeſt ſchal
biholde hym,
xiii and ſchal deme `þat he is holdun wiþ clenneſte lepre,
for all þe ſkyn is turned in to whijtneſſe, and þerfor þe
man ſchal be cleene.
xiiii Soþeli whanne quyk fleiſch apperiþ in hym,
xv þanne he ſchal be defoulid bi þe doom of þe preeſt,
and he ſchal be arettid among vncleene men; for quyk
fleiſch is vnclene, if it is ſpreynt wiþ lepre.
xvi Þat if þe fleiſch is turned eft in to whijtneſſe, and
hiliþ al þe man,
xvii þe preeſt ſchal biholde hym, and ſchal deme, þat he
is cleene.
xviii Fleiſch and ſkyn, in which a botche is bred,
xix and is heelid, and `a ſtep of wounde apperiþ whijt,
eþir `ſum deel reed, `in þe place of þe botche, þe man
ſchal be brouȝt to þe preeſt;
xx and whanne þe preeſt ſeeþ þe place of lepre lowere
þan þe toþer fleiſch, and þe heeris turned in to
whijtneſſe, þe preeſt ſchal defoule hym; for þe wounde
of lepre is bred in þe botche.
xxi Þat if þe heer is of þe former colour, and þe ſigne of
wounde is ſumdeel derk, and is not lowere þan þe `nyȝ
fleiſch, þe preeſt ſchal cloſe þe man ſeuene daies;
xxii and ſoþeli, if it wexiþ, þe preeſt ſchal deme þe man
of lepre;
xxiii forſoþe if it ſtondiþ in his place, it is a ſigne of
botche, and þe man ſchal be cleene.
xxiiii Fleiſch and ſkyn, which þe fier haþ brent, and is
heelid, and haþ a whijt eþir reed `ſigne of wounde,
CXXIV
xxv þe preeſt ſchal biholde it, and lo! if it is turned in to
whijtneſſe, and þe place þerof is lowere þan þe toþir
ſkyn, þe preeſt ſchal defoule þe man, for a wounde of
lepre is bred in þe `ſigne of wounde.
xxvi Þat if þe colour of heeris is not chaungid, neþer þe
wounde is lowere þan þe toþer fleiſch, and þilke ſpice
of lepre is ſumdeel derk, þe preeſt ſchal cloſe þe man bi
ſeuene daies;
xxvii and in þe ſeuenþe dai he ſchal biholde; if þe lepre
wexiþ in þe fleiſch, þe preeſt ſchal defoule þe man;
xxviii ellis if þe whijtneſſe ſtondiþ in his place, and is not
cleer ynow, it is a wounde of brennyng, and þerfor þe
man ſchal be clenſid, for it is a ſigne of brennyng.
xxix A man eþir womman, in whos heed eþer beerd
lepre buriounneþ, þe preeſt ſchal ſe hem;
xxx and if þe place is lowere þan þe toþir fleiſch, and þe
heer is whijt, `and is ſotilere, `eþer ſmallere, þan it is
wont, þe preeſt ſchal defoule hem, for it is lepre of þe
heed, and of þe beerd.
xxxi Ellis if he ſeeþ þe place of wem euene wiþ þe nyȝ
fleiſch, and ſeeþ þe here blak, þe preeſt ſchal cloſe hem
bi ſeuene daies, and ſchal ſe in þe ſeuenþe dai;
xxxii if þe wem waxiþ not, and þe heer is of his colour,
and þe place of wounde is euene wiþ þe toþer fleiſch,
xxxiii þe man ſchal be ſchauun, wiþout þe place of wem,
and he ſchal be cloſid eft bi ſeuene oþere daies.
xxxiiii If in þe ſeuenþe day þe wounde is ſeyn to haue
ſtonde in his place, neþer is lowere þan þe toþer fleiſch,
þe preeſt ſchal clenſe þe man; and whanne his cloþis
ben waiſchun, he ſchal be cleene.
xxxv Ellis if aftir þe clenſyng a ſpotte wexiþ eft in þe
ſkyn,
xxxvi þe preeſt ſchal no more enquere, wheþer þe heer is
chaungid in to whijt colour, for apeertli he is vncleene.
xxxvii Soþeli if þe ſpotte ſtondiþ, and þe heeris ben
blake, knowe þe preeſt þat þe man is heelid, and triſtili
`pronounce he þe man cleene.
xxxviii A man eþir a womman, in whos ſkyn whijtneſſe
apperiþ, þe preeſt ſchal biholde hem;
xxxix if he perſeyueþ, þat whijtneſſe `ſum deel derk
ſchyneþ in þe ſkyn, wite he, þat it is no lepre, but a
ſpotte of whijt colour, and þat þe man is cleene.
xl A man of whos heed heeris fleten awei, is calu, and
clene;
xli and if heeris fallen fro þe forheed, he is ballid,
xlii and is cleene; ellis if in þe ballidneſſe bifore, eþer in
þe ballidneſſe bihynde, whijt eþer reed colour is bred,
and þe preeſt ſeeþ þis,
xliii he ſchal condempne þe man wiþout doute of lepre,
which is bred in þe ballidneſſe.
xliiii Þerfor whoeuer is defoulid wiþ lepre, and is
departid at þe doom of þe preeſt,
xlv he ſchal haue hiſe cloþis vnſewid, bareheed, þe mouþ
hilid wiþ a cloþ, he ſchal crye hym ſilf defoulid, and
viyl;
xlvi in al tyme in which he is lepre and vnclene, he ſchal
dwelle aloone wiþout þe caſtels.
xlvii A wollun cloþ, eþir lynnun, þat haþ lepre in þe
warp,
xlviii eþir oof, eþir certis a ſkyn, eþer what euer þing is
maad of ſkiyn,
xlix if it is corrupt wiþ a whijt ſpotte, eþir reed, it ſchal
be arettid lepre, and it ſchal be ſchewid to þe preeſt;
l which ſchal cloſe it biholden bi ſeuene daies.
li And eft he ſchal biholde in þe ſeuenþe dai, and if he
perſeyueþ, þat it wexide, it ſchal be contynuel lepre; he
ſchal deme þe cloþ defoulid, and al þing in which it is
foundun;
lii and þerfor þe cloþ ſchal be brent in flawmes.
liii Þat if he ſeeþ þat þe ſpotte wexide not, he ſchal
comaunde,
liiii and þei ſchulen waiſche þat þing wherynne þe lepre
is, and he ſchal cloſe it aȝen bi ſeuene oþere daies;
lv and whanne he ſeeþ þe formere face not turned aȝen,
neþeles þat neþer þe lepre wexede, he ſchal deme þat
þing vnclene, and he ſchal brenne it in fier, for lepre is
ſched in þe ouer part of þe cloþ, eþer þorouȝ al.
lvi Ellis if þe `place of lepre is derkere, aftir þat þe cloþ
is waiſchun, he ſchal breke awey þat place, and ſchal
departe fro þe hool.
lvii Þat if fleynge lepre and vnſtidefaſt apperiþ
ferþermore in þeſe places, þat weren vnwemmed bifore,
it owiþ be brent in fier; if it ceeſſiþ,
lviii he ſchal waiſche þe ſecounde tyme þo þingis þat ben
cleene, and þo ſchulen be cleene.
lix Þis is þe lawe of lepre of cloþ, wollun and lynnun, of
warp and of oof, and of al purtenaunce of ſkiyn, hou it
owiþ to be clenſyd, eþir `to be defoulid.
CAP. XIIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Þis is þe
cuſtom of a leprouſe man,
ii whanne he ſchal be clenſid. He ſchal be brouȝt to þe
preeſt,
iii which preeſt ſchal go out of þe caſtels, and whanne he
ſchal fynde þat þe lepre is clenſid,
iiii he ſchal comaunde to þe man which is clenſid, þat he
offre for hym ſilf twei quyke ſparewis, whiche it is
leueful to ete, and a `tree of cedre, and vermylyoun, and
iſope.
v And þe preeſt ſchal comaunde þat oon of þe ſparewes
be offrid in `a veſſel of erþe,
vi on quyke watris; ſoþeli he ſchal dippe þe toþer
ſparewe quyk wiþ þe `tre of cedre, and wiþ a reed þreed
and yſope, in þe blood of þe ſparewe offrid,
CXXV
vii wiþ which he ſchal ſprenge ſeuenſiþis hym þat ſchal
be clenſid, þat he be purgid riȝtfuli; and he ſchal
delyuere þe quyk ſparewe, þat it fle in to þe feeld.
viii And whanne þe man haþ waiſche hiſe cloþis, he
ſchal ſchaue alle þe heeris of þe bodi, and he ſchal be
waiſchun in watir, and he ſchal be clenſid, and he ſchal
entre in to þe caſtels; ſo oneli þat he dwelle wiþout his
tabernacle bi ſeuene daies;
ix and þat in þe ſeuenþe dai he ſchaue þe heeris of þe
heed, and þe beerd, and brewis, and þe heeris of al þe
bodi. And whanne þe cloþis and bodi ben waiſchun,
x eft in þe eiȝetiþe dai he ſchal take twei lambren wiþout
wem, and a ſcheep of o ȝeer wiþout wem, and þre
dymes of wheete flour, in to ſacrifice, which be ſpreynte
wiþ oile, and bi it ſilf a ſextarie of oyle.
xi And whanne þe preeſt, þat purgiþ þe man, haþ ſet
hym and alle hiſe þingis bifor þe Lord, in þe dore of þe
tabernacle of witneſſyng, he ſchal take a lomb,
xii and ſchal offre it for treſpas, and ſchal offre þe
ſextarie of oyle; and whanne alle þingis ben offrid bifor
þe Lord,
xiii he ſchal offre þe lomb, where þe ſacrifice for ſynne
and þe brent ſacrifice is wont to be offrid, þat is, in þe
hooli place; for as for ſynne ſo and for treſpas þe
offryng perteyneþ to þe preeſt; it is hooli of þe noumbre
of hooli þingis.
xiiii And þe preeſt ſchal take of þe blood of ſacrifice
which is offrid for treſpas, and ſchal putte on þe laſte
part of þe riȝt eere `of hym which is clenſid, and on þe
þumbis of þe riȝt hond and foot.
xv And he ſchal putte of þe ſextarie of oyle in to his left
hond,
xvi and he ſchal dippe þe riȝt fyngur þerynne, and ſchal
ſprynge ſeuenſiþis bifor þe Lord.
xvii Soþeli he ſchal ſchede þat þat is reſidue of þe oile in
þe left hond, on þe laſte part of þe riȝt eere `of hym
which is clenſid, and on þe þombis of þe riȝt hond and
foot, and on þe blood which is ſched for treſpas,
xviii and on þe heed `of hym.
xix And þe preeſt ſchal preye for hym bifor þe Lord, and
ſchal make ſacrifice for ſynne; þanne he ſchal offre
brent ſacrifice,
xx and ſchal putte it in þe auter wiþ hiſe fletynge
ſacrifices, and þe man ſchal be clenſid riȝtfuli.
xxi Þat if he is pore, and his hoond may not fynde þo
þingis þat ben ſeid, he ſchal take for treſpas a lomb to
offryng, þat þe preeſt preie for him, and þe tenþe part of
wheete flour ſpreynt togidire wiþ oile in to ſacrifice, and
a ſextarie of oile,
xxii and twei turtlis, eþir twei `briddis of culueris, of
whiche oon be for ſynne, and þe toþir in to brent
ſacrifice;
xxiii and he ſchal offre þo in þe eiȝtþe dai of his clenſyng
to þe preeſt, at þe dore of tabernacle of witneſſyng bifor
þe Lord.
xxiiii And þe preeſt ſchal take þe lomb for treſpas, and þe
ſextarie of oile, and ſchal reiſe togidere;
xxv and whanne þe lomb is offrid, he ſchal putte of þe
blood þerof on þe laſte part of þe riȝt eere `of hym þat is
clenſid, and on þe þumbis of his riȝt hond and foot.
xxvi Soþeli þe preeſt putte þe part of oile in to his left
hond,
xxvii in which he ſchal dippe þe fyngur of þe riȝt hond,
and ſchal ſprynge ſeuenſiþes aȝens þe Lord;
xxviii and þe preeſt ſchal touche þe laſte part of þe riȝt
eere `of hym þat is clenſid, and þe þombe of þe riȝt
hond and foot, in þe place of blood which is ſched out
for treſpas.
xxix Soþeli he ſchal putte þe toþer part of oile, which is
in þe left hond, on þe `heed of þe man clenſid, þat he
pleſe þe Lord for hym.
xxx And he ſchal offre a turtle, eþir a culuer brid,
xxxi oon for treſpas, and þe toþir in to brent ſacrifice,
wiþ her fletynge offryngis.
xxxii Þis is þe ſacrifice of a leprouſe man, þat may not
haue alle þingis in to þe clenſyng of hym ſilf.
xxxiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and Aaron, and ſeide,
xxxiiii Whanne ȝe han entrid in to þe lond of Canaan,
which lond Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou in to poſſeſſioun, if þe
wounde of lepre is in þe houſis,
xxxv he ſchal go, whos þe hous is, `and ſchal telle to þe
preeſt, and ſchal ſeie, It ſemeþ to me, þat as a wound of
lepre is in myn hous.
xxxvi And þe preeſt ſchal comaunde, `þat þei bere out of
þe hous alle þingis bifore þat he entre in to it, `and me
ſe where it be lepre, leſt alle þingis þat ben in þe hows,
be maad vnclene; and þe preeſt ſchal entre aftirward, þat
he ſe þe lepre of þe hows.
xxxvii And whanne he ſeeþ in þe wallis þerof as litle
valeis `foule bi paleneſſe, eþir bi reedneſſe, and lowere
þan þe toþer hiȝere part,
xxxviii he ſchal go out at þe dore of þe hows, and anoon
he ſchal cloſe it bi ſeuene daies.
xxxix And he ſchal turne aȝen in þe ſeuenþe day, and
ſchal ſe it; if he fyndiþ þat þe lepre encreeſſide,
xl he ſchal comaunde þat þe ſtoonys be caſt out, in
whyche þe lepre is, and þat þo ſtonys be caſt out of þe
citee in an vncleene place.
xli Soþeli he ſchal comaunde þat þilke hows be raſid wiþ
ynne bi cumpas, and þat þe duſt of þe raſyng be ſpreynt
wiþout þe citee, in an vnclene place,
xlii and þat oþere ſtoonys be put aȝen for þeſe, þat ben
takun awey, and þat þe hows be daubid wiþ oþir morter.
xliii But if aftir þat þe ſtoonus ben takun awey, and þe
duſt is borun out,
CXXVI
xliiii and oþere erþe is daubid, þe preeſt entriþ, and ſeeþ
þe lepre turned aȝen, and þe wallis ſpreynt wiþ ſpottis,
þe lepre is ſtidfaſtly dwellynge, and þe hows is vnclene;
xlv which hows þei ſchulen deſtrye anoon, and þei
ſchulen caſte out of þe citee, in an vnclene place, þe
ſtoonys þerof, and þe trees, and al þe duſt.
xlvi He þat entriþ in to þe hous, whanne it is ſchit, ſchal
be vnclene `til to euentid,
xlvii and he þat ſlepiþ and etiþ ony þing þerynne, ſchal
waiſche hiſe cloþis.
xlviii Þat if þe preeſt entriþ, and ſeeþ þat þe lepre
encreeſſide not in þe hows, aftir þat it was daubid þe
ſecounde tyme, he ſchal clenſe it; for heelþe is ȝoldun.
xlix And in þe clenſyng þerof he ſchal take twey
ſparewis, and `a tre of cedre, and `a reed þreed, and
iſope.
l And whanne o ſparewe is offrid in a veſſel of erþe, on
quyk watris,
li he ſchal take þe `tre of cedre, and yſope, and reed
þreed, and þe quyk ſparewe, and he ſchal dippe alle
þingis in þe blood of þe ſparewe offrid, and in lyuynge
watris;
lii and he ſchal ſprynge þe hows ſeuen ſiþis; and he ſchal
clenſe it as wel in þe blood of þe ſparewe as in lyuynge
watris, and in þe quyk ſparewe, and in þe `tre of cedre,
and in yſope, and `reed þreed.
liii And whanne he haþ left þe ſparewe to fle in to þe
feeld frely, he ſchal preye for þe hows, and it ſchal be
clenſid riȝtfuli.
liiii Þis is þe lawe of al lepre,
lv and of ſmytyng, of lepre of cloþis, and of houſis,
lvi of ſyngne of wounde, and of litle whelkis brekynge
out, of ſpotte ſchynynge, and in colours chaungid in to
dyuerſe ſpices,
lvii þat it may be wiſt, what is cleene, eþer uncleene.
CAP. XV
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and Aaron, `and ſeide,
ii Speke ȝe to þe ſones of Iſrael, and ſeie ȝe to hem, A
man þat ſuffriþ þe rennyng out of ſeed, ſchal be
vncleene;
iii and þanne he ſchal be demed to be ſuget to þis vice,
whanne bi alle momentis foul vmour `eþir moyſture
cleueþ to his fleiſch, and growiþ togidere.
iiii Ech bed in which he ſlepiþ ſchal be vncleene, and
where euer he ſittiþ.
v If ony man touchiþ his bed, he ſchal waiſche his
cloþis, and he ſchal be waiſchun in watir, and ſchal be
vncleene `til to euentid.
vi If a man ſittiþ where he ſatt, alſo þilke man ſchal
waiſche hiſe cloþis, and he ſchal be waiſchun in watir,
and ſchal be vnclene `til to euentid.
vii He þat touchiþ hiſe fleiſchis, ſchal waiſche hiſe
cloþis, and he ſchal be waiſchun in watir, and ſchal be
vncleene `til to euentid.
viii If ſich a man caſtiþ out ſpetyng on hym þat is cleene,
he ſchal waiſche his cloþis, and he ſchal be waiſchun in
watir, and ſchal be vncleene `til to euentid.
ix Þe ſadil on which he ſittiþ,
x ſchal be vncleene; and ech man þat touchiþ what euer
þing is vndur hym þat ſuffriþ þe fletyng out of ſeed,
ſchal be defoulid `til to euentid. He þat beriþ ony of
þeſe þingis, ſchal waiſche hiſe cloþis, and he ſchal be
waiſchun in watir, and ſchal be vncleene `til to euentid.
xi Ech man, whom he þat is ſuch touchiþ wiþ hondis not
waiſchun bifore, ſchal waiſche hiſe cloþis, and he ſchal
be waiſchun in watir, and ſchal be vncleene `til to
euentid.
xii `A veſſel of erþe which he touchiþ, ſchal be brokun;
but a `veſſel of tre ſchal be waiſchun in watir.
xiii If he þat ſuffriþ ſich a paſſioun, is heelid, he ſchal
noumbre ſeuene daies aftir his clenſyng, and whanne þe
cloþis and al `þe bodi ben waiſchun in lyuynge watris,
he ſchal be clene.
xiiii Forſoþe in þe eiȝtþe dai he ſchal take twei turtlis,
eþir twei `briddis of a culuer, and he ſchal come in þe
`ſiȝt of þe Lord at þe dore of tabernacle of witneſſyng,
and ſchal ȝyue þo to þe preeſt;
xv and þe preeſt ſchal make oon for ſynne, and þe toþer
in to brent ſacrifice; and þe preeſt ſchal preye for hym
bifor þe Lord, þat he be clenſid fro þe fletyng out of his
ſeed.
xvi A man fro whom þe ſeed of letcherie, `eþir of
fleiſchli couplyng, goiþ out, ſchal waiſche in watir al his
bodi, and he ſchal be vncleene `til to euentid.
xvii He ſchal waiſche in watir þe cloþ `and ſkyn which
he haþ, and it ſchal be unclene `til to euentid.
xviii Þe womman wiþ which he `is couplid fleiſchli,
ſchal be waiſchun in watir, and ſchal be vncleene `til to
euentid.
xix A womman þat ſuffriþ þe fletyng out of blood,
whanne þe moneþ comeþ aȝen, ſchal be departid bi
ſeuene daies; ech man þat touchiþ hir ſchal be vncleene
`til to euentid,
xx and þe place in which ſche ſlepiþ eþer ſittiþ in þe
daies of hir departyng, ſchal be defoulid.
xxi He þat touchiþ her bed, ſchal waiſche hiſe cloþis, and
he ſchal be waiſchun in watir, and ſchal be vncleene `til
to euentid.
xxii Who euer touchiþ ony veſſel on which ſche ſittiþ, he
ſchal waiſche hiſe cloþis, and he ſchal be waiſchun in
watir, and ſchal be defoulid `til to euentid.
xxiii If a man is couplid fleiſchli wiþ hir in þe tyme of
blood þat renneþ bi moneþis, he ſchal be vncleene bi
CXXVII
ſeuene daies, and ech bed in which he ſlepiþ ſchal be
defoulid.
xxiiii A womman þat ſuffriþ in many daies þe `fletyng
out of blood, not in þe tyme of moneþis, eþir which
womman ceeſſiþ not to flete out blood aftir þe blood of
moneþis, ſchal be vncleene as longe as ſche `ſchal be
ſuget to þis paſſioun, as if ſche is in þe tyme of moneþis.
xxv Ech bed in which ſche ſlepiþ, and `veſſel in which
ſche ſittiþ, ſchal be defoulid.
xxvi Who euer touchiþ hir ſchal waiſche his cloþis, and
he ſchal be waiſchun in watir, and ſchal be vncleene `til
to euentid.
xxvii If þe blood ſtondiþ, and ceeſſiþ to flete out, ſche
ſchal noumbre ſeuene daies of hir clenſyng,
xxviii and in þe eiȝtþe dai ſche ſchal offre for hir ſilf to þe
preeſt twei turtlis, eþir twei `briddis of culueris, at þe
dore of þe tabernacle of witneſſyng;
xxix and þe preeſt ſchal make oon for ſynne, and þe toþir
in to brent ſacrifice; and þe preeſt ſchal preye for hir
bifor þe Lord, and for þe fletyng out of hir vnclenneſſe.
xxx Þerfor ȝe ſchulen teche þe ſones of Iſrael, þat þei
eſchewe vnclenneſſis, and þat þei die not for her filþis,
whanne þei defoulen my tabernacle which is among
hem.
xxxi Þis is þe lawe of hym þat ſuffriþ fletyng out of ſeed,
and which is defoulid wiþ fleiſchly couplyng,
xxxii and of a womman which is departid in þe tymes of
moneþis, eþir which flowiþ out in contynuel blood, and
of þe man þat ſlepiþ wiþ hir.
CAP. XVI
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, aftir þe deeþ of þe twei
ſones of Aaron, whanne þei offriden alien fier, and
weren ſlayn, and comaundide to hym,
ii and ſeide, Speke þou to Aaron, þi broþer, þat he entre
not in al tyme in to þe ſeyntuarie, which is wiþ ynne þe
veil bifor þe propiciatorie, bi which þe arke is hilid, þat
he die not; for Y ſchal appere in a cloude on Goddis
anſweryng place;
iii `no but he do þeſe þingis bifore. He ſchal offer a calf
for ſynne, and a ram in to brent ſacrifice;
iiii he ſchal be cloþid wiþ a lynnun coote, he ſchal hide
þe ſchamefaſt membris wiþ pryuy lynnun cloþis; he
ſchal be gird wiþ a lynnun girdil, he ſchal putte a lynnun
mytre on his heed; for þeſe cloþis ben hooli, wiþ
whiche alle he ſchal be cloþid, whanne he is waiſchun.
v And he ſchal take of al þe multitude of þe ſones of
Iſrael twei kidis for ſynne, and o ram in to brent
ſacrifice;
vi and whanne he offriþ a calf, and preieþ for hym,
vii and for his hows, he ſchal make twei `buckis of geet
to ſtonde bifor þe Lord, in þe dore of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng;
viii and he ſchal ſende `on euer eiþir, o lot to þe Lord,
and anoþer lot to þe goot þat ſchal be ſent out.
ix Whos lot goiþ out to þe Lord, he ſchal offre it for
ſynne;
x ſoþeli whos lot goiþ out in to goot þat ſchal be ſent
out, he ſchal ſette hym quyk bifor þe Lord, þat he ſende
preyers `on hym, and ſende hym out in to wildirneſſe.
xi Whanne þeſe þingis ben doon riȝtfuli, he ſchal offre
þe calf, and `he ſchal preye for hym ſilf, and for his
hows, and ſchal offre þe calf.
xii And whanne he haþ take þe cenſeer, which he haþ
fillid of þe coolis of þe auter, and `he haþ take in hond
þe `ſwete ſmellynge ſpicery maad into encenſe, he ſchal
entre ouer þe veil in to þe hooli þingis;
xiii þat whanne ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries ben put on þe
fier, þe cloude and `vapour of þo hile Goddis anſweryng
place, which is on þe witneſſyng, and he die not.
xiiii Alſo he ſchal take of þe `blood of þe calf, and he
ſchal ſprenge ſeuenſiþis wiþ þe fyngur aȝens `þe
propiciatorie, `to þe eeſt.
xv And whanne he haþ ſlayn þe `buk of geet, for ſynne
of þe puple, he ſchal brynge in þe blood þerof wiþ ynne
þe veil, as it is comaundid of þe `blood of þe calf, þat
he ſprynge euene aȝens Goddis anſweryng place,
xvi and he ſchal clenſe þe ſeyntuarie fro vnclenneſſis of
þe ſones of Iſrael, and fro her treſpaſſyngis, and alle
ſynnes. Bi þis cuſtom he ſchal do in þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, which is ſet among hem, in þe myddis of
partis of þe abitacioun `of hem.
xvii No man be in þe tabernacle, whanne þe biſchop
ſchal entre in to þe ſeyntuarie, þat he preye for hym ſilf,
and for his hows, and for al þe cumpeny of Iſrael, til he
go out of þe tabernacle.
xviii Soþeli whanne he haþ go out to þe auter which is
bifor þe Lord, preye he for hym ſilf, and ſchede he on
þe hornes þerof, bi cumpas, þe blood `þat is takun of þe
calf, and of þe `buk of geet;
xix and ſprynge he ſeuenſiþis wiþ þe fyngur, and clenſe
he, and halewe þe autir fro vnclenneſſis of þe ſones of
Iſrael.
xx Aftir þat he haþ clenſid þe ſeyntuarie, and tabernacle,
and auter, þanne offre he þe lyuynge `buc of geet;
xxi and whanne euer eiþir hond is ſet on þe heed þerof,
knowleche þe preeſt alle þe wickidneſſis of þe ſones of
Iſrael, and alle þe treſpaſſis and ſynnes `of hem, whiche
þe preeſt ſchal wiſche to þe heed þerof, and ſchal ſende
hym out in to deſeert bi a man maad redi.
xxii And whanne þe `buc of geet haþ bore alle þe
wickidneſſis `of hem in to a deſeert lond,
xxiii and is left `in deſeert, Aaron ſchal turn aȝen in to þe
tabernacle of witneſſyng; and whanne þe cloþis ben put
of, in whiche he was cloþid bifore, whanne he entrid in
to þe ſeyntuarie of God, and ben left þere,
CXXVIII
xxiiii heſchal waiſche his fleiſch in þe hooli place, and
he ſchal be cloþid in his owen cloþis, and aftir þat he
haþ go out, and haþ offrid þe brent ſacrifice of hym ſilf,
and of þe puple, he ſchal preye as wel for hym ſilf, as
for þe puple;
xxv and he ſchal brenne on þe auter þe innere fatneſſe
which is offrid for ſynne.
xxvi Soþeli he þat leet go þe `buk of geet able to be ſent
out, ſchal waiſche hiſe cloþis and bodi wiþ water, and ſo
he ſchal entre in to þe caſtels.
xxvii Forſoþe þei ſchulen bere out of þe caſtels þe calf
and `buk of geet, þat weren offrid for ſynne, and whos
blood was brouȝt in to þe ſeyntuarie, þat þe clenſyng
were fillid; and þei ſchulen brenne bi fier as well þe
ſkynnys, as þe fleiſchis and dung of þo.
xxviii And who euer brenneþ þo, ſchal waiſche hiſe
cloþis and fleiſch in watir, and ſo he ſchal entre in to þe
caſtels.
xxix And þis ſchal be to ȝou a lawful þing euerlaſtynge;
in þe ſeuenþe moneþe, in þe tenþe dai of þe moneþe, ȝe
ſchulen turment ȝoure ſoulis, and ȝe ſchulen not do ony
werk, neþir a man borun in þe lond, neþer a comelyng
which is a pilgrym among ȝou.
xxx Þe delyueryng fro ſynne, and þe clenſyng of ȝou
ſchal be in þis dai, ȝe ſchulen be clenſid bifore þe Lord
fro alle ȝoure ſynnes;
xxxi for it is ſabat of reſtyng, and ȝe ſchulen turment
ȝoure ſoulis bi euerlaſtynge religioun.
xxxii Soþeli þe preeſt ſchal clenſe, which is anoyntid,
and whos hondis ben halewid, þat he be ſet in preeſthod
for his fadir; and he ſchal be cloþid in a lynnun ſtoole,
and in hooli cloþis,
xxxiii and he ſchal clenſe þe ſeyntuarie, and þe tabernacle
of witneſſyng, and þe auter, and þe preeſtis, and al þe
puple.
xxxiiii And þis ſchal be to ȝou a lawful þing euerlaſtynge,
þat ȝe preye for þe ſones of Iſrael, and for alle þe ſynnes
`of hem, onys in þe ȝeer. Þerfor he dide, as þe Lord
comaundide to Moiſes.
CAP. XVII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Speke þou to
Aaron,
ii and to hiſe ſones, and to alle þe ſones of Iſrael, and
ſeie þou to hem, Þis is þe word which þe Lord
comaundide,
iii and ſeide, Ech man of þe hows of Iſrael ſchal be gilti
of blood, if he ſleeþ an oxe, eþer a ſcheep, eþir a geet in
þe caſtels, eþir out of þe caſtels,
iiii and offriþ not an offryng to þe Lord at þe dore of þe
tabernacle; as he ſchedde mannus blood, ſo he ſchal
periſche fro þe myddis of his puple.
v Þerfor þe ſones of Iſrael owen to offre her ſacrifices to
þe preeſt, whiche þei ſleen in þe feeld, þat þo be
halewid to þe Lord, bifor þe dore of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, and þat þei offre þo peſible ſacrifices to þe
Lord.
vi And þe preeſt ſchal ſchede þe blood on þe auter of þe
Lord, at þe dore of þe tabernacle of witneſſyng; and he
ſchal brenne þe ynnere fatneſſe in to odour of ſwetneſſe
to þe Lord.
vii And þei ſchulen no more offre her ſacrifices to
fendis, wiþ whiche þei diden fornycacioun; it ſchal be a
lawful þing euerlaſtynge to hem, and to þe aftircomeris
`of hem.
viii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, A man of þe hows of
Iſrael, and of þe comelyngis þat ben pilgryms among
ȝou, þat offriþ a brent ſacrifice, eþir a ſlayn ſacrifice,
ix and bryngiþ it not to þe dore of þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, þat it be offrid to þe Lord, ſchal periſche fro
his puple.
x If ony man of þe ſones of Iſrael, and of comelyngis þat
ben pilgryms among ȝou, etiþ blood, Y ſchal ſette faſte
my face aȝens `þe ſoule of hym, and Y ſchal leeſe hym
fro his puple;
xi for þe lijf of fleiſch is in blood, and Y ȝaf þat blood to
ȝou, þat ȝe clenſe on myn auter `for ȝoure ſoulis, and þat
þe blood be for þe ſynne of ſoule.
xii Þerfor Y ſeide to þe ſones of Iſrael, Ech lyuynge man
of ȝou ſchal not ete blood, neþir of þe comelyngis þat
ben pilgryms among ȝou.
xiii What euer man of þe ſones of Iſrael, and of þe
comelyngis þat ben pilgryms anentis ȝou, takiþ a wielde
beeſte, eþir a brid, whiche it is leueful to ete, wheþer bi
huntyng, wheþer bi haukyng, ſchede þe blood þerof,
and hile it wiþ erþe;
xiiii for þe lijf of ech fleiſch is in blood. Wherfor Y ſeide
to þe ſones of Iſrael, Ȝe ſchulen not ete þe blood of ony
fleiſch, for þe lijf of fleiſch is in blood, and who euer
etiþ blood, ſchal periſche.
xv A man þat etiþ a þing deed bi it ſilf, eþir takun of a
beeſte, as wel of men borun in þe lond, as of
comelyngis, he ſchal waiſche hiſe cloþis and hym ſilf in
watir, and he ſchal be `defoulid til to euentid; and by þis
ordre he ſchal be maad cleene; þat if he waiſchiþ not his
cloþis,
xvi eþer his bodi, he ſchal bere his wickidneſſe.
CAP. XVIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Speke þou to
þe ſones of Iſrael,
ii and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Y am ȝoure Lord God;
iii ȝe ſchulen not do by þe cuſtom of þe lond of Egipt, in
which ȝe dwelliden; ȝe ſchulen not do bi þe cuſtom of
þe cuntrei of Canaan, `to which Y ſchal brynge ȝou yn,
neþir ȝe ſchulen go in þe lawful þingis of hem.
CXXIX
iiii Ȝe ſchulen do my domes, and ȝe ſchulen kepe myn
heeſtis, and ȝe ſchulen go in þo; Y am ȝoure Lord God.
v Kepe ȝe my lawis and domes, whiche a man `ſchal do,
and ſchal lyue in þo; Y am ȝoure Lord God.
vi Ech man ſchal not neiȝ to þe nyȝ womman of his
blood, þat he ſchewe `þe filþe of hir; Y am þe Lord.
vii Þou ſchalt not diſkyuere þe filþe of þi fadir and þe
filþe of þi modir; ſche is þi modir, þou ſchalt not ſchewe
hir filþe.
viii Þou ſchalt not vnhile þe filþe of þe wijf of þi fadir,
for it is þe filþe of þi fadir.
ix Þou ſchalt not ſchewe þe filþe of þi ſiſtir, of fadir
`eþer of modir, which ſiſter is gendrid at hoome eþer
wiþout forþ.
x Þou ſchalt not ſchewe þe filþe of þe douȝter of þi ſone,
eþer of neece of þi douȝter, for it is þi filþe.
xi Þou ſchalt not ſchewe þe filþe of þe douȝter of þe wijf
of þi fadir, which ſche childide to þi fadir, and is þi ſiſtir.
xii Þou ſchalt not opene þe filþe of þe `ſiſter of þi fadir,
for ſche is þe fleiſch of þi fadir.
xiii Þou ſchalt not ſchewe þe filþe of þe ſiſtir of þi modir,
for ſche is þe fleiſch of þi modir.
xiiii Þou ſchalt not ſhewe þe filþe of þe broþir of þi fadir,
neþir þou ſchalt neiȝe to his wijf, which is ioyned to þee
bi affinyte.
xv Þou ſchalt not ſchewe þe filþe of þi ſones wijf, for
ſche is þe wijf of þi ſone, neþer þou ſchalt diſkiuere hir
ſchenſchip; and no man take his broþeris wijf.
xvi Þou ſchalt not ſchewe þe filþe of `þe wijf of þi
broþer, for it is þe filþe of þi broþir.
xvii Þou ſchalt not ſchewe þe filþe of þi wijf, and of hir
douȝter; þou ſchalt not take þe douȝtir of hir ſone, and
þe douȝtir of hir douȝter, þat þou ſchewe hir ſchenſchip;
þei ben þe fleiſch of hir, and ſiche letcherie is inceſt.
xviii Þou ſchalt not take `þe ſiſter of þi wijf, in to
concubynage of hir, neþir þou ſchalt ſchewe `þe filþe of
hir, while þi wijf lyueþ ȝit.
xix Þou ſchalt not neiȝe to a womman þat ſuffriþ
rennyng of blood of moneþe, neþir þou ſchalt ſchewe
hir filþe.
xx Þou ſchalt not do letcherie wiþ `þe wijf of þi
neiȝbore, neþer þou ſchalt be defoulid wiþ medlyng of
ſeed.
xxi Þou ſchalt not ȝyue of þi ſeed, þat it be offrid to þe
idol Moloch, neþer þou ſchalt defoule þe name of þi
God; Y am þe Lord.
xxii Þou ſchalt not be medlid wiþ a man bi letcherie of
womman, for it is abhomynacioun.
xxiii Þou ſchalt not do letcherie wiþ ony beeſte, neþir
þou ſchalt be defoulid wiþ it. A womman ſchal not ligge
vnder a beeſte, neþer ſchal be medlid þerwiþ, for it is
greet ſynne.
xxiiii Be ȝe not defoulid in alle þeſe þingis, in whiche
alle `folkis, eþer heþen men, ben defoulid, whiche
folkis Y ſchal caſte out bifor ȝoure ſiȝt,
xxv of whiche þe lond is defoulid, of which lond Y ſchal
vyſyte þe grete ſynnes, þat it ſpewe out hiſe dwellers.
xxvi Kepe ȝe my lawful þingis and domes, þat ȝe do not
of alle þeſe abhomynaciouns, as wel a man borun in þe
lond as a comelyng which is a pilgrym at ȝou.
xxvii For þe dwellers of þe lond, þat weren bifor ȝou,
diden alle þeſe abhomynaciouns, and defouliden þat
lond.
xxviii Þerfor be ȝe war, leſt it caſte out viliche alſo ȝou in
lijk manere, whanne ȝe han do lijk ſynnes, as it caſtide
out vileche þe folk, þat was bifor ȝou.
xxix Ech man þat doiþ ony þing of þeſe
abhomynaciouns, ſchal periſche fro þe myddis of his
puple.
xxx Kepe ȝe myn heeſtis; nyle ȝe do þo þingis, whiche
þei þat weren bifor ȝou diden, and be ȝe not defoulid in
þo; Y am ȝoure Lord God.
CAP. XIX
i Þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
ii Speke þou to al þe cumpenye of þe ſones of Iſrael, and
þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Be ȝe hooli, for Y am hooli,
ȝoure Lord God.
iii Ech man drede his fadir and his modir. Kepe ȝe my
ſabatis; Y am ȝoure Lord God.
iiii Nyle ȝe be turned to ydols, neþer ȝe ſchulen make to
ȝou ȝotun goddis; Y am ȝoure Lord God.
v If ȝe offren a ſacrifice of peſible þingis to þe Lord, þat
it be quemeful,
vi ȝe ſchulen ete it in þat day, in which it is offrid, and in
þe toþer dai; ſoþeli what euer þing is reſidue in to þe
þridde dai, ȝe ſchulen brenne in fier.
vii If ony man etiþ þerof aftir twei daes, he ſchal be
vnhooli, and gilti of vnfeiþfulnes `eþer wickidneſſe; and
he ſchal bere his wickidneſſe,
viii for he defoulide þe hooli þing of þe Lord, and his
ſoule ſchal periſche fro his puple.
ix Whanne þou ſchalt repe þe fruytis of þi lond, þou
ſchalt not kitte `til to þe ground þe corn of þe lond,
neþer þou ſchalt gadere þe eeris of corn þat ben left;
x neþir in þi vyner þou ſchalt gadere reyſyns and
greynes fallynge doun, but þou ſchalt leeue to be
gaderid of pore men and pilgryms; Y am ȝoure Lord
God.
xi Ȝe ſchulen not do þefte. Ȝe ſchulen not lye, and no
man diſſeyue his neiȝbour.
xii Þou ſchalt not forſwere in my name, neþir þou ſchalt
defoule þe name of þi God; Y am þe Lord.
CXXX
xiii Þou ſchalt not make fals chalenge to þi neiȝbore,
neþir þou ſchalt oppreſſe hym bi violence. Þe werk of
þin hirid man ſchal not dwelle at þee til þe morewtid.
xiiii Þou ſchalt not curſe a deef man, neþer þou ſchalt
ſette an hurtyng bifor a blynd man; but þou ſchalt drede
þi Lord God, for Y am þe Lord.
xv Þou ſchalt not do þat, þat is wickid, neþer þou ſchalt
deme vniuſtli; biholde þou not þe perſoone of a pore
man, neþir onoure þou þe face of a myȝti man; deme
þou iuſtli to þi neiȝbore.
xvi Þou ſchalt not be a ſclaunderere, neþer a priuey
bacbitere in þe puplis; þou ſchalt not ſtonde aȝens þe
blood of þi neiȝbore; Y am þe Lord.
xvii Þou ſchalt not hate þi broþir in þin herte, but repreue
hym opynly, leſt þou haue ſynne on hym.
xviii Þou ſchalt not ſeke veniaunce, neþer þou ſchalt be
myndeful of þe wrong of þi cyteſeyns; þou ſchalt loue
þi freend as þi ſilf; Y am þe Lord.
xix Kepe ȝe my lawis. Þou ſchalt not make þi beeſtis to
gendre wiþ þe lyuynge beeſtis of anoþer kynde. Þou
ſchalt not ſowe þe feeld wiþ dyuerſe ſede. Þou ſchalt not
be cloþid in a cloþ, which is wouun of twei þingis.
xx If a man ſlepiþ wiþ a womman by fleiſchly knowyng
of ſeed, which womman is an `hand maide, ȝe, a noble
womman of kyn, and neþeles is not aȝenbouȝt bi prijs,
neþir rewardid wiþ fredom, boþe ſchulen be betun, and
þei ſchulen not die, for ſche was not fre.
xxi Soþeli þe man for his treſpas ſchal offre a ram to þe
Lord, at þe dore of þe tabernacle of witneſſyng;
xxii and þe preeſt ſchal preye for hym, and for his
treſpas, bifor þe Lord; and þe Lord ſchal be merciful to
hym, and þe ſynne ſchal be forȝouun.
xxiii Whanne ȝe han entrid in to þe lond of biheeſt, and
han plauntid þerynne appil trees, ȝe ſchulen do awei þe
firſte flouris; þe applis whiche þo trees bryngen forþ,
ſchulen be vncleene to ȝou, neþir ȝe ſchulen ete of þo.
xxiiii Forſoþe in þe fourþe ȝeer al þe fruyt of þo trees
ſchal be `halewid preiſeful to þe Lord;
xxv forſoþe in þe fifþe ȝeer ȝe ſchulen ete fruytis, and
ſchulen gadere applis, whiche þo trees bryngen forþ; Y
am ȝoure Lord God.
xxvi Ȝe ſchulen not ete fleiſch wiþ blood. Ȝe ſchulen not
make veyn diuynyng, neþer ȝe ſchulen kepe dremes;
xxvii neþer ȝe ſchulen clippe þe heer in round, neþer ȝe
ſchulen ſchaue þe beerd;
xxviii and on deed men ȝe ſchulen not kitte ȝoure
fleiſchis, neþer ȝe ſchulen make to ȝou ony fyguris, eþer
markis in ȝoure fleiſch; Y am þe Lord.
xxix Sette þou not þi douȝtir to do leccherie for hire, and
þe lond be defoulid, and be fillid wiþ ſynne.
xxx Kepe ȝe my ſabatis, and drede ȝe my ſeyntuarie; Y
`am þe Lord.
xxxi Bowe ȝe not to aſtronomyers, neþer axe ȝe ony þing
of fals dyuynours, þat ȝe be defoulid bi hem; Y am
ȝoure Lord God.
xxxii Riſe þou bifor an hoor heed, and onoure þou þe
perſoone of an eld man, and drede þou þi Lord God; Y
am þe Lord.
xxxiii If a comelyng enhabitiþ in ȝoure lond, and dwelliþ
among ȝou, diſpiſe ȝe not hym,
xxxiiii but be he among ȝou as a man borun in þe lond;
and ȝe ſchulen loue hym as ȝou ſilf, for alſo ȝe weren
comelyngis in þe lond of Egipt; Y am ȝoure Lord God.
xxxv Nyle ȝe do ony wickid þing in doom, in reule, in
weiȝte, and in meſure; þe balance be iuſt,
xxxvi and þe weiȝtis be euene, þe buſchel be iuſt, and þe
ſextarie be euene; Y am ȝoure Lord God, þat ladde ȝou
out of þe lond of Egipt.
xxxvii Kepe ȝe alle myn heeſtis, and alle domes, and do
ȝe þo; Y am þe Lord.
CAP. XX
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
ii Speke þou þeſe þingis to þe ſones of Iſrael, If eny man
of þe ſones of Iſrael, and of þe comelyngis þat dwellen
in Iſrael, ȝyueþ of his ſeed to þe ydol Moloch, die he bi
deeþ; þe puple of þe lond ſchal ſtone him.
iii And Y ſchal ſette faſte my face aȝens hym, and Y
ſchal kitte awei him fro þe myddis of my puple, for he
ȝaf of his ſeed to Moloch, and defoulide my ſeyntuarie,
and defoulide myn hooli name.
iiii Þat if þe puple of þe lond is necgligent, and as litil
chargynge myn heeſte, and ſuffriþ þe man þat ȝaf of his
ſeed to Moloch, neþer wole ſle hym, Y ſchal ſette my
face on þat man,
v and his kynrede, and Y ſchal kitte doun hym, and alle
þat conſentiden to him, þat þei ſchulden do
fornycacioun wiþ Moloch, fro þe myddis of her puple.
vi If a man bowiþ to aſtronomyers, and falſe dyuynours,
and doiþ fornycacioun wiþ hem, Y ſchal ſette my face
aȝens hym, and Y ſchal ſle hym fro þe mydis of hys
puple.
vii Be ȝe halewid, and be ȝe hooli, for Y am hooli, ȝoure
Lord God.
viii Kepe ȝe myn heeſtis, and do ȝe þo, for Y am þe Lord
þat halewe ȝou.
ix He þat curſiþ his fadir, eþer modir, die bi deeþ; if a
man curſiþ fadir and modir, his blood be on hym.
x If a man doiþ leccherie wiþ `þe wijf of anoþer man,
and doiþ auowtrie wiþ `þe wijf of his neiȝbore, boþe
auowter and auowtreſſe die bi deeþ.
xi If a man ſlepiþ wiþ hys ſtepdamme, and ſchewiþ `þe
ſchenſchip of his fadir, boþe die bi deeþ; her blood be
on hem.
CXXXI
xii If ony man ſlepiþ wiþ `his ſones wijf, euer eiþer die,
for þei han wrouȝt greet ſynne; her blood be on hem.
xiii If a man ſlepiþ wiþ a man, bi letcherie of a
womman, euer eiþer haþ wrouȝt vnleueful þing, die þei
bi deeþ; her blood be on hem.
xiiii He þat weddiþ ouer his wijf hir moder, haþ wrouȝt
greet ſynne; he ſchal be brent quyk wiþ hem, and ſo
greet vnleueful doynge ſchal not dwelle in þe myddis of
ȝou.
xv He þat doiþ letcherie wiþ a greet beeſte, eþir a litil
beeſte die bi deeþ, alſo ſle ȝe þe beeſte.
xvi A womman þat liggiþ vndur ony beeſte, be ſlayn
togidere wiþ it; þe blood `of hem be on hem.
xvii He þat takiþ his ſiſtir `þe douȝtir of his fadir, eþer þe
douȝter of his modir, and ſeeþ hir filþe, and ſche ſeeþ þe
ſchenſchip of þe broþir, þei han wrouȝt an vnleueful
þing, boþe ſchulen be ſlayn in þe ſiȝt of her puple; for
þei ſchewiden togidere her filþe, and þei ſchulen bere
her wickidneſſe.
xviii If a man doiþ fleiſchly knowyng wiþ a womman in
þe flux of moneþe, and ſchewiþ hir filþe, and ſche
openeþ þe welle of hir blood, boþe ſchulen be ſlayn fro
þe myddis of her puple.
xix Þou ſchalt not diſkyuere þe filþe of þi modris ſiſtir,
and of þi fadris ſiſtir; he, þat doiþ þis, ſchal `make nakid
þe ſchenſchip of his fleiſch, and boþe ſchulen bere her
wickidneſſe.
xx He þat doiþ fleiſchli knowyng wiþ þe wijf of `his
fadris broþer, eþer of his modris broþer, and ſchewiþ þe
filþe of his kyn, boþe ſchulen bere her ſynne, þei
ſchulen die wiþout fre children.
xxi He þat weddiþ `þe wijf of his broþer, doiþ an
vnleueful þing; he ſchewide `þe filþe of his broþer, he
ſchal be wiþout fre children.
xxii Kepe ȝe my lawis and my domes, and do ȝe þo, leſt
þe lond, in to which ȝe ſchulen entre and dwelle, caſte
out viliche alſo ȝou.
xxiii Nyle ȝe go in þe lawful þingis of naciouns, whiche
Y ſchal caſte out bifor ȝou, for þei diden alle þeſe
þingis, and Y hadde abhomynacioun of hem.
xxiiii Forſoþe Y ſpeke to ȝou, Welde ȝe `þe lond of hem,
which Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou in to eritage, þe lond
flowynge wiþ mylk and hony; Y am ȝoure Lord God,
þat departide ȝou fro oþere puplis.
xxv Þerfor alſo ȝe departe a cleene beeſte fro vnclene,
and a cleene brid fro vncleene, leſt ȝe defoule ȝoure
ſoulis in a beeſte, and in briddis, and in alle þingis þat
ben moued in erþe, and whiche þingis Y ſchewide to
ȝou to be defoulid.
xxvi Ȝe ſchulen be hooli to me, for `Y am þe hooli Lord,
and Y departide ȝou fro oþere puplis, þat ȝe ſchulen be
myne.
xxvii A man eþir a womman, in which is an vncleene
ſpirit ſpekynge in þe `wombe, eþir `a ſpirit of fals
dyuynyng, die þei bi deeþ; men ſchulen oppreſſe hem bi
ſtoonus; her blood be on hem.
CAP. XXI
i And þe Lord ſeide to Moyſes, Speke þou to preeſtis, þe
ſones of Aaron, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, A preeſt be
not defoulid in þe deed men of hiſe citeſeyns,
ii no but oneli in kyneſmen and niȝ of blood, þat is, on
fadir and modir, and ſone and douȝter,
iii and broþer and ſiſter, virgyn, which is not weddid to
man;
iiii but neþer he ſchal be defoulid in þe prince of his
puple.
v Preeſtis ſchulen not ſchaue þe heed, neþer beerd, neþer
þei ſchulen make keruyngis in her fleiſchis; þei ſchulen
be hooli to her God,
vi and þei ſchulen not defoule his name; for þei offren
encenſe of þe Lord, and þe looues of her God, and
þerfore þei ſchulen be hooli.
vii A preeſt ſchal not wedde a wijf a corrupt womman,
and a `foul hoore, neþer he ſchal wedde `hir þat is
forſakun of þe hoſebonde, for he is halewid to his God,
viii and offriþ þe looues of ſettyng forþ; þerfor be he
hooly, for `Y am þe hooli Lord þat halewiþ ȝou.
ix If þe `doutir of a preeſt is takun in defoulyng of
virgynite, and defouliþ þe name of hir fadir, ſche ſchal
be brent in flawmes.
x Þe biſchop, þat is þe mooſt preeſt among hiſe briþeren,
on whoſe heed þe oile of anoyntyng is ſched, and whoſe
hondis ben ſacrid in preeſthod, and he is cloþid in hooli
cloþis, ſchal not diſkyuere his heed, he ſchal not tere
hiſe cloþis,
xi and outirli he ſchal not entre to ony deed man; and he
ſchal not be defoulid on his fadir and modir,
xii neþer he ſchal go out of hooli þingis, leſt he defoule
þe ſeyntuarie of þe Lord, for þe oile of hooli anoyntyng
of his God is on hym; Y am þe Lord.
xiii He ſchal wedde a wijf virgyn;
xiiii he ſchal not take a widewe, and forſakun, and a foul
womman, and hoore, but a dameſele of his puple;
xv medle he not þe generacioun of his kyn to þe comyn
puple of his folk, for Y am þe Lord, þat `halewe hym.
xvi And þe Lord ſpak to Moyſes,
xvii and ſeide, Speke þou to Aaron; a man of þi ſeed, bi
meynes, þat haþ a wem, ſchal not offre breed to his
God,
xviii neþir ſchal neiȝ to his ſeruyce;
xix if he is blind; if he is crokid; if he is eþer of litil, eþer
of greet, and wrong noſe; if he is `of brokun foot, eþir
hond;
CXXXII
xx if he haþ a botche; eþer if he is blereiȝed; if he haþ
whijt colour in þe iȝe, þat lettiþ þe ſiȝt; if he haþ
contynuel ſcabbe; if he haþ a drye ſcabbe in þe bodi;
eþir `is brokun `in þe pryuy membris.
xxi Ech man of þe ſeed of Aaron preeſt, which man haþ
a wem, ſchal not neiȝe to offre ſacrifices to þe Lord,
neþer `to offre looues to his God;
xxii neþeles he ſchal ete þe looues þat ben offrid in þe
ſeyntuarie,
xxiii ſo oneli þat he entre not wiþ ynne þe veil; he ſchal
not neiȝe to þe auter, for he haþ a wem, and he ſchal not
defoule my ſeyntuarie; Y am þe Lord þat halewe hem.
xxiiii Þerfor Moiſes ſpak to Aaron, and to hiſe ſones, and
to al Iſrael, alle þingis þat weren comaundid to hym.
CAP. XXII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Speke þou to
Aaron and to hiſe ſones,
ii þat þei ȝe war of þeſe þingis of þe ſones of Iſrael,
whiche þingis ben halewid; and þat þey defoule not þe
name of þingis halewid to me, whiche þingis þei offren;
Y am þe Lord.
iii Seie þou to hem, and to þe aftir comeris of hem, Ech
man of ȝoure kynrede, `which man neiȝeþ to þo þingis
þat ben halewid, and whiche þingis þe ſones of Iſrael
offreden to þe Lord, in `which man is vnclenneſſe, ſchal
periſche bifor þe Lord; Y am þe Lord.
iiii A man of þe ſeed of Aaron, `which man is leprouſe,
eþir ſuffriþ `fletyng out of ſeed, ſchal not ete of þeſe
þingis, þat ben halewid to me, til he be heelid. He þat
touchiþ an vncleene þing on a deed bodi, and fro whom
þe ſeed as of leccherie goiþ out, and which touchiþ a
crepynge beeſte,
v and what euer vncleene þing, whos touchyng is foul,
vi ſchal be vncleene `til to euentid, and he ſchal not ete
þeſe þingis, þat ben halewid to me; but whanne he haþ
waiſche his fleiſch in watir,
vii and þe ſunne haþ go doun, þanne he ſchal be clenſid,
and ſchal ete halewid þingis, for it is his mete.
viii He ſchal not ete a þing deed bi it ſilf, and takun of a
beeſte, neþir he ſchal be defoulid in þo; Y am þe Lord.
ix Þei ſchulen kepe myn heeſtis, þat þei be not ſuget to
ſynne, and die in þe ſeyntuarye, whanne þei han
defoulid it; Y am þe Lord þat halewe ȝou.
x Ech alien ſchal not ete of þingis halewid; þe hyne
which is a ſtraunger, and þe hirid man of þe preeſt,
ſchulen not ete of þo. Soþeli þeſe ſeruauntis,
xi whom þe preeſt haþ bouȝt, and which is a borun
ſeruaunt of his hows, ſchulen ete of þo.
xii If þe `douȝter of þe preeſt is weddid to ony of þe
puple, ſche ſchal not ete of þeſe þingis þat ben halewid,
and of þe firſte fruytis;
xiii ſoþeli if ſche is a widewe, eþer forſakun, and turneþ
aȝen wiþ out fre children to `þe hows of hir fadir, ſche
ſchal be ſuſteyned bi þe metis of hir fadir, as a damyſel
was wont; ech alien haþ not power to ete of þo.
xiiii He þat etiþ bi ignoraunce of halewid þingis, ſchal
adde þe fyueþe part wiþ þat þat he eet, and `ſchal ȝyue
to þe preeſt in ſeyntuarie,
xv and þei ſchulen not defoule þe halewid þingis of þe
ſones of Iſrael, whiche þei offren to þe Lord,
xvi leſt perauenture þei ſuffren þe wickidneſſe of her
treſpas, whanne þei han ete halewid þingis; Y am þe
Lord þat `halewe hem. Þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and
ſeide, Speke þou to Aaron and to hiſe ſones, and to alle
þe ſones of Iſrael, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, A man of
þe hous of Iſrael and of comelyngis þat dwellen at hem,
which offriþ his offryng to þe Lord, and eþir paieþ
avowis, eþir offriþ bi his fre wille, what euer þing he
offriþ in to brent ſacrifice of þe Lord, þat it be offrid bi
ȝou,
xix it ſchal be a male wiþout wem, of oxen, and of
ſcheep, and of geet; if it haþ a wem,
xx ȝe ſchulen not offre, neþer it ſchal be acceptable.
xxi A man þat offriþ a ſacrifice of peſyble þingis to þe
Lord, and eþir paieþ auowis, eþir offriþ bi fre wille, as
wel of oxun as of ſcheep, he ſchal offre a beeſte wiþout
wem, þat it be acceptable; ech wem ſchal not be þer
ynne.
xxii If it is blynd, if it is brokun, if it haþ a ſcar, if it haþ
whelkis, eþer ſcabbe, eþir drie ſcabbe, ȝe ſchulen not
offre þo beeſtis to þe Lord, neþer ȝe ſchulen brenne of
þo beeſtis on þe auter of þe Lord.
xxiii A man may offre wilfuli an oxe and ſcheep, whanne
þe eere and tail ben kit of; but avow may not be paied
of þeſe beeſtis.
xxiiii Ȝe ſchulen not offre to þe Lord ony beeſte, whoſe
priuy membris ben brokun, eþir briſid, eþer kit, and
takun awey, and outerli ȝe ſchulen not do þeſe þingis in
ȝoure lond.
xxv Of `þe hond of an alien ȝe ſchulen not offre looues
to ȝoure God, and what euer oþer þing he wole ȝyue, for
alle þingis ben corrupt and defoulid; ȝe ſchulen not
reſſeyue þo.
xxvi And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xxvii and ſeide, Whanne an oxe, ſcheep and goet ben
brouȝt forþ `of þe modris wombe, in ſeuene daies þo
ſchulen be vnder `þe tete of her modir; ſoþeli in þe eiȝte
dai, and fro þennus forþ, þo moun be offrid to þe Lord,
xxviii wheþer þilke is a cow, wheþer `þilke is a ſcheep;
þo ſchulen not be offrid in o dai wiþ her fruytis.
xxix If ȝe offren to þe Lord a ſacrifice for þe doyng of
þankyngis, þat it mai be pleſaunt,
CXXXIII
xxx ȝe ſchulen ete it in þe ſame dai in which it is offrid;
ony þing ſchal not leeue in þe morewtid of þe toþer dai;
Y am þe Lord.
xxxi Kepe ȝe myn heeſtis, and do ȝe þo; Y am þe Lord.
xxxii Defoule ȝe not myn hooli name, þat Y be halewid
in þe myddis of þe ſones of Iſrael; Y am þe Lord, þat
halewe ȝou, and ledde ȝou out of þe lond of Egipt,
xxxiii þat Y ſchulde be to ȝou in to God; Y am þe Lord.
CAP. XXIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and ſeide, Speke þou to þe
ſones of Iſrael,
ii and þou ſchalt ſeye to hem, Þeſe ben þe feries of þe
Lord, whiche ȝe ſchulen clepe hooli.
iii Sixe daies ȝe ſchulen do werk, þe ſeuenþe dai ſchal be
clepid hooli, for it is þe reſte of ſabat; ȝe ſchulen not do
ony werk þer ynne; it is þe ſabat of þe Lord in alle ȝoure
abitaciouns.
iiii Þeſe ben þe hooli feries of þe Lord, whiche ȝe owen
to halewe in her tymes.
v In þe firſte moneþe, in þe fourtenþe dai of þe moneþe,
at euentid, is paſk of þe Lord;
vi and in þe fiftenþe dai of þis moneþe is þe ſolempnyte
of þerf looues of þe Lord; ſeuene daies ȝe ſchulen ete
þerf looues;
vii þe firſte dai ſchal be mooſt ſolempne and hooli to
ȝou; ȝe ſchulen not do ony `ſeruyle werk þer ynne,
viii but ȝe ſchulen offre ſacrifice in fier to þe Lord ſeuene
daies; ſoþeli þe ſeuenþe dai ſchal be more ſolempne and
hooliere, `þat is, `þan þe formere daies goynge bitwixe,
and ȝe ſchulen not do ony ſeruyle werk þer ynne.
ix And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and ſeide,
x Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, and þou ſchalt ſeye to
hem, Whanne ȝe han entrid in to þe lond which Y ſchal
ȝyue to ȝou, and han rope corn, ȝe ſchulen bere handfuls
of eeris of corn, þe firſte fruytis of ȝoure rype corn, to
þe preeſt;
xi and þe preeſt ſchal reiſe a bundel bifor þe Lord, þat it
be acceptable for ȝou, in þe toþer dai of ſabat, þat is, of
paſk; and þe preeſt ſchal halewe þat bundel;
xii and in þe ſame dai, wher ynne þe handful is halewid,
a lomb of o ȝeer wiþout wem ſchal be ſlayn in to brent
ſacrifice of þe Lord;
xiii and fletynge offryngis ſchulen be offrid þer wiþ,
twei tenþe partis of wheete flour ſpreynt to gidere wiþ
oile, in to encenſe of þe Lord, and ſwettiſt odour, and
fletynge offryngis of wyn, þe fourþe part of hyn.
xiiii Ȝe ſchulen not ete a loof, neþer a cake, neþer
podagis of þe corn, `til to þe dai in which ȝe ſchulen
offre þerof to ȝoure God; it is a comaundement
euerlaſtynge in ȝoure generaciouns, and alle dwellyng
placis.
xv Þerfor ȝe ſchulen noumbre fro þe toþer dai of ſabat,
in which ȝe offriden handfullis of firſte fruytis,
xvi ſeuene fulle woukis, til to þe toþir day of fillyng of
þe ſeuenþe wouk, þat is, fifti dayes; and ſo ȝe ſchulen
xvii offre newe ſacrifice to þe Lord of alle ȝoure
dwelling placis, twei looues of þe firſte fruytis, of twei
tenþe partis of flour, `diȝt wiþ ſoure dow, whiche looues
ȝe ſchulen bake in to þe firſte fruytis to þe Lord.
xviii And ȝe ſchulen offre wiþ þe looues ſeuene lambren
of o ȝeer wiþ out wem, and o calf of þe droue, and twey
rammes, and þeſe ſchulen be in brent ſacrifice, wiþ her
fletynge offryngis, in to ſwetteſt odour to þe Lord.
xix Ȝe ſchulen make alſo a buk of geet for ſynne, and
twey lambren of o ȝeer, ſacrificis of peſible þingis.
xx And whanne þe preeſt haþ reiſid þo, wiþ þe looues of
firſte fruytys bifor þe Lord, þo ſchulen falle in to his vſs.
xxi And ȝe ſchulen clepe þis dai moſt ſolempne, and
mooſt hooli; ȝe ſchulen not do þer ynne ony ſeruyle
werk; it ſchal be a lawful þing euerlaſtynge in alle ȝoure
dwellyngis, and generaciouns.
xxii Forſoþe aftir þat ȝe han rope þe corn of ȝoure lond,
ȝe ſchulen not kitte it `til to þe ground, neþer ȝe ſchulen
gadere þe `eeris of corn abidynge, but ȝe ſchulen leeue
þo to pore men and pilgrymys; Y am `ȝoure Lord God.
xxiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
xxiiii Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, In þe ſeuenþe
moneþe, in þe firſte day of þe moneþe, ſchal be ſabat
memorial to ȝow, ſownynge wiþ trumpis, and it ſchal be
clepid hooli;
xxv ȝe ſchulen not do ony ſeruyle werk þer ynne, and ȝe
ſchulen offre brent ſacrifice to þe Lord.
xxvi And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, In þe tenþe
day of þis ſeuenþe moneþe,
xxvii þe day of clenſyngis ſchal be mooſt ſolempne, and
it ſchal be clepid hooli; and ȝe ſchulen turmente ȝoure
ſoulis to God, and ȝe ſchulen offre brent ſacrifice to þe
Lord;
xxviii ȝe ſchulen not do ony werk in þe tyme of þis day,
for it is þe day of þe clenſyng, þat ȝoure Lord God be
merciful to ȝou.
xxix Ech `man which is not tourmentid in þis day, ſchal
periſche fro his puplis,
xxx and Y ſchal do a way fro his puple þat man þat doiþ
eny þing of werk in þat dai;
xxxi þerfor ȝe ſchulen not do ony þing of werk in þat dai;
it ſchal be a lawful þing euerlaſtynge to ȝou in alle ȝoure
generaciouns and abitaciouns;
xxxii it is þe ſabat of reſtyng. Ȝe ſchulen turmente ȝoure
ſoulis fro þe nynþe day of þe moneþe; fro euentid `til to
euentid ȝe ſchulen halewe ȝoure ſabatis.
xxxiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
CXXXIV
xxxiiii and ſeide, Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, Fro þe
fiftenþe day of þis ſeuenþe moneþe ſchulen be þe feries
of tabernaclis, in ſeuene daies to þe Lord;
xxxv þe firſte dai ſchal be clepid mooſt ſolempne and
mooſt hooli, ȝe ſchulen not do ony ſeruyle werk þer
ynne;
xxxvi and in ſeuene daies ȝe ſchulen offre brent ſacrifices
to þe Lord, and þe eiȝþe dai ſchal be mooſt ſolempne
and mooſt hooli; and ȝe ſchulen offre brent ſacrifice to
þe Lord, for it is þe day of cumpany, and of gaderyng;
ȝe ſchulen not do ony ſeruyle werk þer ynne.
xxxvii Þeſe ben þe feries of þe Lord, whiche ȝe ſchulen
clepe mooſt ſolempne and mooſt hooli; and in þo ȝe
ſchulen offre offryngis to þe Lord, brent ſacrifices, and
fletynge offeryngis, bi þe cuſtom of ech day,
xxxviii outakun þe ſabatis of þe Lord, and ȝoure ȝiftys,
and whiche ȝe offren bi avow, eþer whiche ȝe ȝyuen bi
fre wille to þe Lord.
xxxix Þerfor fro þe fiftenþe day of þe ſeuenþe moneþe,
whanne ȝe han gaderid alle þe fruytis of ȝoure lond, ȝe
ſchulen halewe þe feries of þe Lord ſeuene daies; in þe
firſte day and þe eiȝte ſchal be ſabat, þat is, reſte.
xl And ȝe ſchulen take to ȝou in þe firſte day fruytis of
þe faireſte tree, and braunchis of palm trees, and
braunchis of a `tree of þicke boowis, and ſalewis of þe
rennynge ſtreem, and ȝe ſchulen be glad bifor ȝoure
Lord God;
xli and ȝe ſchulen halewe his ſolempnyte ſeuene daies bi
þe ȝeer; it ſchal be a lawful þing euerlaſtynge in ȝoure
generaciouns. In þe ſeuenþe moneþe ȝe ſchulen halewe
feeſtis,
xlii and ȝe ſchulen dwelle in ſchadewynge placis ſeuene
daies; ech man þat is of þe kyn of Iſrael, ſchal dwelle in
tabernaclis, þat ȝoure aftercomers lerne,
xliii þat Y made þe ſones of Iſrael to dwelle in
tabernaculis, whanne Y ledde hem out of þe lond of
Egipt; Y am ȝoure Lord God.
xliiii And Moiſes ſpak of þe ſolempnytees of þe Lord to
þe ſones of Iſrael.
CAP. XXIIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Comaunde þou
to þe ſones of Iſrael,
ii þat þei brynge to þee oile of olyues, pureſte oile, and
briȝt, to þe lanternes to be ordeyned contynueli wiþ out
þe veil of witneſſyng,
iii in þe tabernacle of boond of pees; and Aaron ſchal
araye þo lanternes fro euentid `til to euentid bifor þe
Lord, bi religioun and cuſtom euerlaſtynge in ȝoure
generaciouns;
iiii þo ſchulen be ſet euere on a clenneſte candilſtike in
þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
v Alſo þou ſchalt take wheete flour, and þou ſchalt bake
þerof twelue looues, which ſchulen haue ech bi hem ſilf
twei tenþe partis,
vi of whiche þou ſchalt ſette ſexe on euer eiþir ſide, on a
clenneſte boord bifor þe Lord;
vii and þou ſchalt ſette clereſte encenſe on þo looues, þat
þe looues be in to mynde of offryng of þe Lord;
viii bi ech ſabat þo ſchulen be chaungid bifor þe Lord,
and ſchulen be takun of þe ſones of Iſrael bi
euerlaſtynge boond of pees;
ix and þo ſchulen be Aarons and hiſe ſones, þat þei ete
þo in þe hooli place, for it is hooli of þe noumbre of
hooli þingis, of þe ſacrifices of þe Lord, bi euerlaſtynge
lawe.
x Lo! forſoþe þe ſone of a womman of Iſrael, whom ſche
childide of a man Egipcian, ȝede out among þe ſones of
Iſrael, and chidde in þe caſtels wiþ a man of Iſrael,
xi and whanne he hadde blasfemyd þe name of þe Lord,
and hadde curſid þe Lord, he was brouȝt to Moiſes;
forſoþe his modir was clepid Salumyth, þe douȝtir of
Dabry, of þe lynage of Dan;
xii and þei ſenten hym to priſoun, til þei wiſten what þe
Lord comaundide.
xiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and ſeide,
xiiii Lede out þe blasfemere wiþout þe caſtels, and alle
men þat herden, ſette her hondis on his heed, and al þe
puple ſtone hym.
xv And þou ſchalt ſpeke to þe ſones of Iſrael, A man þat
curſiþ his God,
xvi ſchal bere his ſynne, and he þat blasfemeþ þe name
of þe Lord, die bi deeþ; al þe multitude of þe puple
ſchal oppreſſe hym wiþ ſtoonus, wheþer he þat
blasfemede þe name of þe Lord is a citeſeyn, wheþer a
pilgrym, die he bi deeþ.
xvii He þat ſmytiþ and ſleeþ a man, die bi deeþ;
xviii he þat ſmytiþ a beeſte, ȝelde oon in his ſtide, þat is,
lijf for lijf.
xix If a man ȝyueþ a wem to ony of hiſe citeſeyns, as he
dide, ſo be it don to him;
xx he ſchal reſtore brekyng for brekyng, iȝe for iȝe, tooþ
for tooþ; what maner wem he ȝaf, he ſchal be compellid
to ſuffre ſich a wem.
xxi He þat ſmytiþ werk beeſte, ȝeelde anoþer; he þat
ſmytiþ a man, ſchal be punyſchid.
xxii Euene doom be among ȝou, wheþer a pilgrym eþir a
citeſeyn ſynneþ, for Y am ȝoure Lord God.
xxiii And Moyſes ſpak to þe ſones of Iſrael, and þei
brouȝten forþ out of þe caſtels hym þat blasfemede, and
oppreſſiden wiþ ſtoonus. And þe ſones of Iſrael diden, as
þe Lord comaundide to Moyſes.
CAP. XXV
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes in þe hil of Synai,
CXXXV
ii and ſeide, Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, and þou
ſchalt ſeye to hem, Whanne ȝe han entrid in to þe lond
which Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou, `þe erþe kepe þe ſabat of þe
Lord;
iii ſixe ȝeeris þou ſchalt ſowe þi feeld, and ſixe ȝeeris
þou ſchalt kitte þi vyner, and þou ſchalt gadere þe
fruytis þer of;
iiii forſoþe in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer ſchal be ſabat of þe erþe of
þe reſtyng of þe Lord;
v þou ſchalt not ſowe þe feeld, and þou ſchalt not kitte
þe vyner, þou ſchalt not repe þo þingis whiche þe erþe
bryngiþ forþ `bi fre wille, and þou ſchalt not gadere þe
grapis of þi firſte fruytis, as vyndage; for it is þe ȝeer of
reſtyng of þe lond; but þo ſchulen be to ȝou in to mete,
vi to þee, and to þi ſeruaunt, to þin handmaide, and to
þin hirid man, and to þe comelyng which is a pilgrym at
þee; alle þingis þat `comen forþ,
vii ſchulen ȝyue mete to þi werk beeſtis and ſmale
beeſtis.
viii Alſo þou ſchalt noumbre to þee ſeuene woukis of
ȝeeris, þat is, ſeuene ſiþes ſeuene, whiche togidere
maken nyn and fourti ȝeer;
ix and þou ſchalt ſowne wiþ a clarioun in þe ſeuenþe
moneþe, in þe tenþe dai of þe moneþe, in þe tyme of
propiciacioun, `þat is, merci, in al ȝoure lond.
x And þou ſchalt halewe þe fiftiþe ȝeer, and þou ſchalt
clepe remiſſioun to alle þe dwellers of þi lond; for þilke
ȝeer is iubilee; a man ſchal turne aȝen to hys poſſeſſioun,
and ech man ſchal go aȝen to þe firſte meynee,
xi for it is iubilee, and þe fiftiþe ȝeer. Ȝe ſchulen not
ſowe, neþer ȝe ſchulen repe þingis, þat comen forþ freli
in þe feeld, and ȝe ſchulen not gadere þe firſte fruytis of
vyndage, for þe halewyng of iubilee;
xii but anoon ȝe ſchulen ete þingis takun awey;
xiii in þe ȝeer of iubilee alle men go aȝen to her
poſſeſſiouns.
xiiii Whanne þou ſchalt ſille ony þing to þi citeſeyn, eþer
ſchalt bie of hym, make þou not ſory þi broþer, but bi þe
noumbre of `ȝeeris of iubile þou ſchalt bie of him,
xv and bi þe rekenyng of fruytis he ſchal ſille to þee.
xvi Bi as myche as mo ȝeeris dwellen after þe iubilee, by
ſo myche alſo þe prijs ſchal encreeſſe, and bi as myche
as þou noumbriſt leſſe of tyme, bi ſo myche and þe
biyng ſchal coſt leſſe; for he ſchal ſille to þee þe time of
fruytis.
xvii Nyle ȝe turment men of ȝoure lynagis, but ech man
drede his God; for Y am ȝoure Lord God.
xviii Do ȝe my comaundementis, and kepe ȝe my domes,
and fille ȝe þo, þat ȝe moun dwelle in his lond wiþout
ony drede,
xix and þat þe erþe brynge forþ hiſe fruytis to ȝou,
whiche ȝe ſchulen ete `til to fulneſſe, and drede not þe
aſſailyng of ony man.
xx Þat if ȝe ſeien, what ſchulen we ete in þe ſeuenþe
ȝeer, if we ſowen not, neþer gaderen oure fruytis?
xxi Y ſchal ȝyue my bleſſyng to ȝou in þe ſixte ȝeer, and
it ſchal make fruytis of þree ȝeer;
xxii and ȝe ſchulen ſowe in þe eiȝte ȝeer, and ȝe ſchulen
ete elde fruytis `til to þe nynþe ȝeer; til newe þingis
comen forþ ȝe ſchulen ete þe elde þingis.
xxiii Alſo þe lond ſchal not be ſeeld `in to wiþ outen
ende, for it is myn, and ȝe ben my comelyngis and
tenauntis;
xxiiii wherfor al þe cuntre of ȝoure poſſeſſioun ſchal be
ſeeld vndur þe condicioun of aȝenbiyng.
xxv If þi broþer is maad pore, and ſilliþ his litil
poſſeſſioun, and his nyȝ kyneſman wole, he may aȝenbie
þat þat he ſeelde;
xxvi ſoþeli if he haþ no nyȝ kyneſman, and he may fynde
prijs to aȝenbie,
xxvii þe fruytis ſchulen be rekynyd fro þat tyme in which
he ſeelde, and he ſchal ȝelde `þat þat is reſidue to þe
biere, and he ſchal reſſeyue ſo his poſſeſſioun.
xxviii Þat if his hond fynde not, þat he ȝelde þe prijs, þe
biere ſchal haue þat þat he bouȝte, `til to þe ȝeer of
iubilee; for in þat ȝeer ech ſillyng ſchal go aȝen to þe
lord, and to þe firſte weldere.
xxix He þat ſilliþ his hows, wiþ ynne þe wallis of a citee,
ſchal haue licence to aȝenbie til o ȝeer be fillid;
xxx if he aȝenbieþ not, and þe ſercle of þe ȝeer is paſſid,
þe biere ſchal welde it, and his eiris `in to wiþ outen
ende, and it ſchal not mow be aȝenbouȝt, ȝe, in þe
iubilee.
xxxi Forſoþe if þe hows is in a town `þat haþ not wallis,
it ſchal be ſeeld bi þe lawe of feeldis; ſoþeli if it is not
aȝenbouȝt in þe iubilee, it ſchal turne aȝen to `his lord.
xxxii Þe howſis of dekenes, þat ben in citees, moun euer
be aȝenbouȝt; if þo ben not aȝenbouȝt,
xxxiii þo ſchulen turne aȝen in þe iubilee `to þe lordis;
for þe `howſis of þe citees of dekenes ben for
poſſeſſiouns among þe ſones of Iſrael;
xxxiiii forſoþe þe ſuburbabis of hem ſchulen not be ſeeld,
for it is euerlaſtynge poſſeſſioun.
xxxv If þi broþer is maad pore, and feble in power, and
þou reſſeyueſt hym as a comelyng and pilgrym, and he
lyueþ wiþ þee,
xxxvi take þou not vſuris of hym, neþer more þan þou
haſt ȝoue; drede þou þi God, þat þi broþir mai lyue
anentis þee.
xxxvii Þou ſchalt not ȝyue to hym þi money to vſure, and
þou ſchalt not axe ouer `aboundaunce, eþer encrees
ouer of fruytis;
xxxviii Y am ȝoure Lord God, þat ladde ȝou out of þe
lond of Egipt, þat Y ſchulde ȝyue to ȝou þe lond of
Canaan, and þat Y ſchulde be ȝoure God.
CXXXVI
xxxix If þi broþer compellid bi pouert ſilliþ hym ſilf to
þee, þou ſchalt not oppreſſe hym bi ſeruage of
ſeruauntis,
xl but he ſchal be as an hirid man and tenaunt; `til to þe
ȝeer of iubilee he ſchal worche at þee,
xli and aftirward he ſchal go out wiþ his fre children,
and he ſchal turne aȝen to þe kynrede, and to `þe
poſſeſſioun of his fadris.
xlii For þei ben my ſeruauntis, and Y ledde hem out of
þe lond of Egipt; þei ſchulen not be ſeeld bi þe
condicioun of ſeruauntis;
xliii turmente þou not hem bi þi power, but drede þou þi
Lord.
xliiii A ſeruaunt and handmaide be to ȝou of naciouns þat
ben in ȝoure cumpas,
xlv and of comelyngis þat ben pilgrimys at ȝou, eþer þei
þat ben borun of hem in ȝoure lond; ȝe ſchulen haue
þeſe ſeruauntis,
xlvi and bi riȝt of eritage ȝe ſchulen `ſende ouer to aftir
comeris, and ȝe ſchulen welde wiþ outen ende; ſoþely
oppreſſe ȝe not bi power ȝoure briþeren, þe ſones of
Iſrael.
xlvii If þe hond of a comelyng and of a pilgrim wexiþ
ſtrong at ȝou, and þi broþer is maad pore, and ſilliþ hym
ſilf to hym,
xlviii eþer to ony of his kyn, he may be aȝenbouȝt aftir
þe ſillyng; he þat wole of hiſe briþeren, aȝenbie hym;
boþe `þe broþer of fadir,
xlix and þe ſone of `þe fadris broþer, and kyneſman, and
alye. Ellis if alſo he ſchal mow, he ſchal aȝenbie hym
ſilf,
l while þe ȝeeris ben rykenid oneli fro þe tyme of his
ſillyng `til in to þe ȝeer of iubylee; and while þe money,
for which he was ſeeld, is rikenyd bi þe noumbre of
ȝeeris, and while þe hire of an hirid man is rikenyd.
li If mo ȝeeris ben þat dwellen `til to þe iubilee, bi þeſe
ȝeeris he ſchal ȝelde alſo þe prijs; if fewe ȝeeris ben,
lii he ſchal ſette rikenyng wiþ hym bi þe noumbre of
ȝeeris;
liii and he ſchal ȝeelde to þe biere þat þat is reſidue of
ȝeeris, while þo ȝeeris, bi whiche he ſeruyde bifore, ben
rikenyd for hiris; he ſchal not turmente `þat Ebreu
violentli in þi ſiȝt.
liiii Þat if he may not be aȝenbouȝt bi þis, he ſchal go out
wiþ his free children in þe ` ȝeer of iubilee; for þe ſones
of Iſrael ben myn ſeruauntis,
lv whiche Y ledde out of þe lond of Egipt.
CAP. XXVI
i Y am ȝoure Lord God; ȝe ſchulen not make to ȝou an
ydol, and a grauun ymage, neþer ȝe ſchulen reiſe titlis,
neþer ȝe ſchulen ſette a noble ſtoon in ȝoure lond, þat ȝe
worſchipe it; for Y am ȝoure Lord God.
ii Kepe ȝe my ſabatis, and drede ȝe at my ſeyntuarie; Y
am þe Lord.
iii If ȝe gon in myn heeſtis, and kepen my
comaundementis, and doon þo, Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou
reynes in her tymes,
iiii and þe erþe ſchal brynge forþ his fruyt, and trees
ſchulen be fillid wiþ applis;
v þe þreſchyng of ripe cornes ſchal take vyndage, and
vyndage ſchal occupie ſeed, and ȝe ſchulen ete ȝoure
breed in fulneſſe, and ȝe ſchulen dwelle in ȝoure lond
wiþout drede.
vi Y ſchal ȝyue pees in ȝoure cooſtis; ȝe ſchulen ſlepe,
and noon ſchal be þat ſchal make ȝou aferd; Y ſchal do
awei yuel beeſtis fro ȝou, and a ſwerd ſchal not paſſe bi
ȝoure termes.
vii Ȝe ſchulen purſue ȝoure enemyes, and þei ſchulen
falle bifor ȝou;
viii fyue of ȝoure men ſchulen purſue an hundrid aliens,
and an hundrid of ȝou ſchulen purſue ten þouſande;
ȝoure enemyes ſchulen falle bi ſwerd in ȝoure ſiȝt.
ix Y ſchal biholde ȝou, and Y ſchal make ȝou to
encreeſſe; ȝe ſchulen be multiplied; and Y ſchal make
ſtedfaſt my couenaunt wiþ ȝou;
x ȝe ſchulen ete þe eldeſt of elde þingis, and ȝe ſchulen
caſte forþ elde þingis, whanne newe þingis ſchulen
come aboue;
xi Y ſchal ſette my tabernacle in þe myddis of ȝou, and
my ſoule ſchal not caſte ȝou awey;
xii Y ſchal go among ȝou, and Y ſchal be ȝoure God, and
ȝe ſchulen be a puple to me.
xiii Y am ȝoure Lord God, þat ledde ȝou out of þe lond
of Egipcians, þat ȝe ſchulden not ſerue hem, and which
haue broke þe chaynes of ȝoure nollis, þat ȝe ſchulde go
vpriȝt.
xiiii Þat if ȝe heren not me, neþer doon alle myn heeſtis,
xv and if ȝe forſaken my lawis, and deſpiſen my domes,
þat ȝe doon not þo þingis þat ben ordeyned of me, and
þat ȝe brengen my couenaunt to auoydyng, alſo Y ſchal
do þeſe þingis to ȝou;
xvi Y ſchal viſyte ȝou ſwiftly in nedyneſſe and brennyng,
which ſchal turment ȝoure iȝen, and ſchal waſte ȝoure
lyues; in veyn ȝe ſchulen ſowe ſeed, þat ſchal be
deuourid of enemyes;
xvii Y ſchal ſette my face aȝens ȝou, and ȝe ſchulen falle
bifor ȝoure enemyes, and ȝe ſchulen be ſugetis to hem
þat haten ȝou; ȝe ſchulen fle, while no man purſueþ.
xviii But if neþer ſo ȝe obeyen to me, Y ſchal adde ȝoure
chaſtiſyngis ſeuenfold for ȝoure ſynnes;
xix and Y ſchal al tobreke þe pride of ȝoure hardneſſe,
and Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou heuene aboue as of yrun, and þe
erþe as bras;
xx ȝoure trauel ſchal be waſtid in veyn, neþer þe erþe
ſchal brynge forþ fruyt, neþir trees ſchulen ȝyue applis.
CXXXVII
xxi If ȝe goon contrarie to me, neþer wolen here me, Y
ſchal adde ȝoure woundis til in to ſeuenfold for ȝoure
ſynnes;
xxii Y ſchal ſende out in to ȝou cruel beeſtis of þe feeld,
þat ſchulen waſte ȝou and ȝoure beeſtis, and ſchulen
brynge alle þingis to fewneſſe, and ȝoure weies ſchulen
be forſakun.
xxiii Þat if neþer ſo ȝe wolen reſſeyue doctryn, but goon
contrarie to me,
xxiiii alſo Y ſchal go aduerſarie aȝens ȝou, and Y ſchal
ſmyte ȝou ſeuen ſiþis for ȝoure ſynnes;
xxv and Y ſchal brynge yn on ȝou þe ſwerd, vengere of
my boond of pees; and whanne ȝe fleen in to citees, Y
ſchal ſende peſtilence in þe myddis of ȝou, and ȝe
ſchulen be bitakun in þe hondis of enemyes,
xxvi aftir þat Y haue broke þe ſtaf of ȝoure breed, ſo þat
ten wymmen bake looues in oon ouene, and ȝelde þo
looues at weiȝte; and ȝe ſchulen ete, and ȝe ſchulen not
be fillid.
xxvii But if neþir bi þeſe þingis ȝe heren me, but goon
aȝens me,
xxviii and Y ſchal go aȝens ȝou in contrarie woodneſſe,
and Y ſchal chaſtiſe ȝou bi ſeuene veniaunces for ȝoure
ſynnes,
xxix ſo þat ȝe ete þe fleiſchis of ȝoure ſones, and of ȝoure
douȝtris;
xxx Y ſchal deſtrie ȝoure hiȝe þingis, and Y ſchal breke
ȝoure ſymylacris; ȝe ſchulen falle bitwixe þe fallyngis
of ȝour ydols, and my ſoule ſchal haue ȝou
abhomynable,
xxxi in ſo myche þat Y turne ȝoure citees in to
wildirneſſe, and make ȝoure ſeyntuaries forſakun, neþer
Y ſchal reſſeyue more þe ſwetteſt odour;
xxxii and Y ſchal deſtrye ȝoure lond, and ȝoure enemyes
ſchulen be aſtonyed þeronne, whanne þei ſchulen be
enhabiters þerof;
xxxiii forſoþe Y ſchal ſcatere ȝou in to folkis, eþer heþen
men, and Y ſchal drawe out of þe ſcheþe þe ſwerd aftir
ȝou, and ȝoure lond ſchal be forſakun, and ȝoure citees
ſchulen be caſt doun.
xxxiiii Þanne `hiſe ſabatis ſchulen pleſe þe erþe, in alle þe
daies of his wildirneſſe; whanne ȝe ben in þe lond of
enemyes,
xxxv it ſchal `kepe ſabat, and ſchal reſte in þe ſabatis of
his wildirneſſe, for it reſtide not in ȝoure ſabatis, whanne
ȝe dwelliden þerynne.
xxxvi And Y ſchal ȝyue drede in `þe hertis of hem,
whiche ſchulen abide of ȝou, in þe cuntreis of enemyes;
þe ſown of a leef fleynge ſchal make hem aferd, and ſo
þei ſchulen fle it as a ſwerd; þei ſchulen falle, while
noon purſueþ,
xxxvii and alle ſchulen falle on her briþeren, as fleynge
bateils; no man of ȝou ſchal be hardi to aȝenſtonde
enemyes;
xxxviii ȝe ſchulen periſche among heþen men, and þe
lond of enemyes ſchal waaſte ȝou.
xxxix Þat if ſumme of þeſe Jewes dwellen, þei ſchulen
faile in her wickidneſſis, in þe lond of her enemyes, and
þei ſchulen be turmentid for þe ſynne of her fadris,
xl and for her owne ſynnes, til þei knoulechen her
wickidneſſes, and han mynde of her yuels, bi whiche
þei treſpaſſiden aȝens me, and ȝeden contrarie to me.
xli Þerfor and Y ſchal go aȝens hem, and Y ſchal brynge
hem in to þe lond of enemyes, til þe vncircumcidid
ſoule of hem be aſchamed; þanne þei ſchulen preie for
her wickidneſſes,
xlii and Y ſchal haue mynde of my boond of pees, which
Y couenauntide wiþ Jacob, Yſaac, and Abraham; alſo Y
ſchal be myndeful of þe lond,
xliii which, whanne it is left of hem, ſchal pleſe to it ſilf
in `his ſabatis, and ſchal ſuffre wildirneſſe for hem;
forſoþe þei ſchulen preye for her ſynnes, for þei caſtiden
awey my domes, and deſpyſeden my lawis;
xliiii neþeles, ȝhe, whanne þei weren in `þe lond of
enemyes, Y caſtide not hem awey outirli, neþer Y
diſpiſide hem, ſo þat þei weren waſtid, and þat Y made
voide my couenaunt wiþ hem; for Y am þe Lord God of
hem.
xlv And Y ſchal haue mynde of my formere boond of
pees, whanne Y ledde hem out of þe lond of Egipt, in þe
ſiȝt of heþene men, þat Y ſchulde be her God; Y am þe
Lord God. Þeſe ben þe comaundementis, and domes,
and lawis, whiche þe Lord ȝaf bitwixe hym ſilf and
bitwixe þe ſones of Iſrael, in þe hil of Synay, bi þe hond
of Moiſes.
CAP. XXVII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and ſeide, Speke þou to þe
ſones of Iſrael,
ii and þou ſchalt ſeye to hem, A man þat makiþ avow,
and bihetiþ his ſoule to God, ſchal ȝyue þe priys vndur
valu, eþer preiſyng.
iii If it is a male, fro þe twentiþe ȝeer `til to þe ſixtiþe
ȝeer, he ſchal ȝyue fifti ſiclis of ſiluer, at þe meſure of
ſeyntuarie, if it is a womman,
iiii ſche ſchal ȝyue þretti ſiclis;
v forſoþe fro þe fifþe ȝeer `til to þe twentiþe ȝeer, a male
ſchal ȝyue twenti cyclis, a womman ſchal ȝyue ten
ciclis;
vi fro o moneþe `til to þe fifþe ȝeer, fyue ciclis ſchulen
be ȝouun for a male, þre ciclis for a womman;
vii a male of ſixti ȝeer and ouer ſchal ȝyue fiftene ciclis,
a womman ſchal ȝyue ten cyclis.
CXXXVIII
viii If it is a pore man, and may not ȝelde þe valu, he
ſchal ſtonde bifor þe preeſt, and as myche as þe preeſt
preiſiþ, and ſeeþ þat þe pore man may ȝelde, ſo myche
he ſchal ȝyue.
ix Forſoþe if ony man avowiþ a beeſte, þat may be offrid
to þe Lord, it ſchal be hooli,
x and ſchal not mow be chaungid, þat is, neþir a betere
for `an yuel, neþer `a worſe for a good; and if he
chaungiþ it, boþe þat, þat is chaungid, and þat, for
which it is chaungid, ſchal be halewid to þe Lord.
xi Soþeli if ony man avowiþ an vncleene beeſte, þat may
not be offrid to þe Lord, it ſchal be brouȝt bifor þe
preeſt,
xii and þe preeſt ſchal deme wheþer it is good eþer yuel,
and ſchal ſette þe prijs;
xiii which prijs if he þat offriþ wole ȝyue, he ſchal adde
þe fifþe part ouer þe valu.
xiiii If a man avowiþ his hows, and halewiþ it to þe
Lord, þe preeſt ſchal biholde, `wheþer it is good eþer
yuel, and bi þe prijs, which is ordeyned of hym, it ſchal
be ſeld;
xv ſoþeli if he þat avowide wole aȝen-bie it, he ſchal
ȝyue þe fifþe part of þe valu aboue, and he ſchal haue
þe hows.
xvi Þat if he avowiþ þe feeld of his poſſeſſioun, and
halewiþ to þe Lord, þe prijs ſchal be demed bi þe
meſure of ſeed; if þe feeld is ſowun wiþ þritti buyſchels
of barli, it ſchal be ſeeld for fifti ſiclys of ſiluer.
xvii If he auowiþ þe feeld anoon for þe ȝeer of þe iubilee
bigynnynge, as myche as it may be worþ, bi ſo myche it
ſchal be preiſid;
xviii but if it be after `ſum part of tyme, þe preeſt ſchal
rykene þe money bi þe noumbre of ȝeeris þat ben
reſidue `til to þe iubilee, and it ſchal be wiþdrawun of
þe prijs.
xix Þat if he þat avowide wole aȝenbie þe feeld, he ſchal
adde þe fyueþe part of þe money preiſid, and he ſchal
welde it;
xx but if he nyle aȝenbie, but it is ſeeld to ony oþir man,
he þat avowide ſchal `no more mowe aȝenbie it;
xxi for whanne þe dai of iubilee comeþ, it ſchal be
halewid to þe Lord, and þe poſſeſſioun halewid
perteyneþ to þe riȝt of preeſtis.
xxii If þe feeld is bouȝt, and is not of þe poſſeſſioun of
grettere men,
xxiii and is halewid to þe Lord, þe preeſt ſchal determyne
þe prijs bi þe noumbre of ȝeeris `til to þe iubilee, and he
þat avowide þe feeld ſchal ȝyue þe prijs to þe Lord;
xxiiii forſoþe in þe iubilee it ſchal turne aȝen to þe
formere lord þat ſeelde it, and `haue he in to þe eritage
of his poſſeſſioun.
xxv `Ech preiſyng ſchal be peiſid bi þe ſicle of
ſeyntuarie; a ſicle haþ twenti halpens.
xxvi No man may halewe and avowe þe firſte gendrid
þingis þat perteynen to þe Lord, wheþer it is oxe,
wheþer ſcheep, þo ben þe Lordis part.
xxvii Þat if þe beeſte is vncleene, he þat offride ſchal
aȝenbie by his valu, and he ſchal adde þe fyueþe part of
prijs; if he nyle aȝenbie, it ſchal be ſeeld to anoþer man,
as myche euer as it is `ſet at valu.
xxviii Al þing which is halewid to þe Lord, wheþer it is
man, wheþer beeſte, wheþer feeld, it ſchal not be ſeeld,
neþer it ſchal mow be aȝenbouȝt; whateuer þing is
halewid onys, it ſchal be hooli of þe noumbre of hooli
þingis to þe Lord,
xxix and ech halewyng which is offrid of man, ſchal not
be aȝenbouȝt, but it ſchal die bi deeþ.
xxx Alle þe tiþis of erþe, wheþer of fruytis, wheþer of
applis of trees, ben þe Lordis part, and ben halewid to
hym;
xxxi ſoþeli if ony man wole aȝenbie hiſe tiþis, he ſchal
adde þe fyueþe part of þo; of alle tiþis,
xxxii of ſcheep, and of oxen, and of geet, þat paſſen
vndur þe `ȝerde of ſcheepherde, whateuer þing comeþ
to þe tenþe part, it ſchal be halewid to þe Lord;
xxxiii it ſchal not be choſun, neþer good, neþer yuel;
neþir it ſchal be chaungid for anoþer; if ony man
chaungiþ, boþe þat, þat is chaungid, and þat, for which
it is chaungid, ſchal be halewid to þe Lord, and it ſchal
not be aȝenbouȝt.
xxxiiii Þeſe ben þe comaundementis whiche þe Lord
comaundide to Moiſes, and to þe ſones of Iſrael, in þe
hil of Synay.
Here eendiþ þe book of Leuitici, and here bygynneþ
þe book of Numerij.

CXXXIX

NUMERI
Here bigynneþ þe boke of Numeri.
CAP. I
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes in þe deſeert of Synay, in
þe tabernacle of þe boond of pees, in þe firſte day of þe
ſecounde moneþe, in þe toþer ȝeer of her goyng out of
Egipt,
ii and ſeide, Take ȝe `þe ſumme of al þe congregacioun
of þe ſones of Iſrael, bi her kynredis, and howſis, and
`þe names of alle bi hem ſilf, what
iii euer þing is of male kynde fro þe twentiþe ȝeere and
aboue, of alle þe ſtronge men of Iſrael; and þou and
Aaron ſchulen noumbre hem bi her cumpanies.
iiii And þe princes of lynagis and of houſis, in her
kynredis, ſchulen be wiþ ȝou,
v of whiche princes þeſe ben þe names; of Ruben,
Eliſur, þe ſone of Sedeur;
vi of Symeon, Salamyel, þe ſone of Suri Sadday;
vii of Juda, Naaſon, þe ſone of Amynadab; of Yſacar,
viii Nathanael, þe ſone of Suar;
ix of Zabulon, Eliab, þe ſone of Elon; ſoþeli of þe ſones
of Joſeph,
x of Effraym, Eliſama, þe ſone of Amyud; of Manaſſes,
Gamaliel þe ſone of Phaduſſur;
xi of Beniamyn, Abidan, þe ſone of Gedeon;
xii of Dan, Aiezer, þe ſone of Amyſadday;
xiii of Aſer, Fegiel, þe ſone of Ochran;
xiiii of Gad, Eliſaphan, þe ſone of Duel;
xv of Neptalym, Hayra, þe ſone of Henam.
xvi Þeſe weren þe nobleſt princes of þe multitude, bi her
lynagis, and kynredis, and þe heedis of þe ooſt of Iſrael,
xvii whiche pryncis Moiſes and Aaron token, wiþ al þe
multitude of þe comyn puple.
xviii And þei gaderiden in þe firſte dai of þe ſecounde
moneþe, and telden hem bi kynredis, and houſis, and
meynees, and heedis, and names of alle by hem ſilf, fro
þe twentiþe ȝeer and aboue,
xix as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
xx And of Ruben þe firſte gendrid of Iſrael weren
noumbrid, in þe deſeert of Synai, bi her generaciouns,
and meynees, and houſis, and bi þe names of alle
heedis, al þing þat is of male kynde, fro `þe twentiþe
ȝeer and aboue, of men goynge forþ to batel,
xxi ſixe and fourti þouſynd and fyue hundrid.
xxii Of þe ſones of Symeon, bi her generaciouns, and
meynees, and houſis of her kyneredis, weren noumbrid,
bi þe names and heedis of alle, al þat is of male kynde,
fro `þe twentiþe ȝeer and aboue, of men goynge forþ to
batel,
xxiii nyn and fifty þouſand and þre hundrid.
CXL
xxiiii Of þe ſones of Gad, by generaciouns, and meynees,
and houſis of her kynredis, weren noumbrid, bi þe
names of alle, fro twenti ȝeer and aboue, alle men þat
ȝeden forþ to batels,
xxv fyue and fourti þouſand ſixe hundrid and fifti.
xxvi Of þe ſones of Juda, bi generaciouns, and meynees,
and houſis of her kynredis, by þe names of alle, fro `þe
twentiþe ȝeer and aboue, alle men þat miȝten go to
batels,
xxvii weren noumbrid foure and ſeuenti þouſand and ſixe
hundrid.
xxviii Of þe ſones of Yſacar, bi generaciouns, and
meynees, and houſis of her kynredis, bi þe names of
alle, fro `þe twentiþe ȝeer and aboue, alle men þat ȝeden
forþ to batels,
xxix weren noumbrid foure and fifti þouſande and foure
hundrid.
xxx Of þe ſones of Zabulon, bi generaciouns, and
meynees, and houſis of her kynredis, weren noumbrid,
bi þe names of alle, fro `þe twentiþe ȝeer and aboue,
alle men þat myȝten go forþ to batels,
xxxi ſeuene and fifti þouſynde and foure hundrid.
xxxii Of þe ſones of Joſeph, of þe ſones of Effraym, bi
generaciouns, and meynees, and houſis of her kynredis,
weren noumbrid, bi þe names of alle, fro `þe twentiþe
ȝeer and aboue, alle men þat myȝten go forþ to batels,
xxxiii fourti þouſynde and fyue hundrid.
xxxiiii Forſoþe of þe ſones of Manaſſes, bi generaciouns,
and meynees, and houſis of her kynredis, weren
noumbrid, bi þe names of alle, fro þe twentiþe ȝeer and
aboue, alle men þat myȝten go forþ to batels,
xxxv two and þretti þouſynd and two hundrid.
xxxvi Of þe ſones of Beniamyn, bi generaciouns, and
meynees, and houſis of her kynredis, weren noumbrid,
bi þe names of alle, fro twenti ȝeer and aboue, alle men
þat miȝten go forþ to batels,
xxxvii fyue and þretti þouſinde and foure hundrid.
xxxviii Of þe ſones of Dan, bi generaciouns, and
meynees, and houſis of her kynredis, weren noumbrid,
bi þe names of alle, fro `þe twentiþe ȝere and aboue,
alle men þat myȝten go forþ to batels,
xxxix two and ſixti þouſynde and ſeuene hundrid.
xl Of þe ſones of Aſer, bi generaciouns, and meynees,
and houſis of her kynredis, weren noumbrid, bi þe
names of alle, fro `þe twentiþe ȝeer and aboue, alle men
þat myȝten go forþ to batels,
xli fourti þouſynde and a þouſynde and fyue hundrid.
xlii Of þe ſones of Neptalym, bi generaciouns, and
meynees, and houſis of her kynredis, weren noumbrid,
bi þe names of alle, fro `þe twentiþe ȝeer and aboue,
alle men þat myȝten go forþ to batels,
xliii þre and fifty þouſynde and foure hundrid.
xliiii Þeſe men it ben, whiche Moiſes and Aaron and þe
twelue princes of Iſrael noumbriden, alle bi þe houſis
`of her kynredis.
xlv And alle men of þe ſones of Iſrael bi her houſis, and
meynees, fro `þe twentiþe ȝeer and aboue, þat myȝten
go forþ to batels, weren togidere
xlvi ſixe hundrid þouſynde and þre þouſynde of men,
fyue hundred and fifti.
xlvii Soþeli þe dekenes in þe lynage of her meynes
weren not noumbrid wiþ hem.
xlviii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, `Nyle þou
noumbre þe lynage of Leuy,
xlix neþer ſette þou þe ſumme of hem wiþ þe ſones of
Iſrael;
l but þou ſchalt ordeyne hem on þe tabernacle of
witneſſing, and on alle þe veſſels þerof, and what euer
þing perteyneþ to cerymonyes eþer ſacrifices. Þei
ſchulen bere þe tabernacle, and alle purtenaunces þerof,
and þei ſchulen be in ſeruyce, and ſchulen ſette tentis bi
þe cumpas of þe tabernacle.
li Whanne me ſchal go, þe dekenes ſchulen do doun þe
tabernacle; whanne þe tentis ſchulen be ſette, þei
ſchulen `reiſe þe tabernacle. Who euer of ſtraungeris
neiȝeþ, he ſchal be ſlayn.
lii Soþeli þe ſones of Iſrael ſchulen ſette tentis, ech man
bi cumpenyes, and gaderyngis, and his ooſt;
liii forſoþe þe dekenes ſchulen ſette tentis bi þe cumpas
of þe tabernacle, leſt indignacioun be maad on þe
multitude of þe ſones of Iſrael; and þei ſchulen wake in
þe kepyngis of þe `tabernacle of witneſſyng.
liiii Þerfor þe ſones of Iſrael diden bi alle þingis whiche
þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
CAP. II
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and to Aaron, and ſeide,
Alle men of þe ſones of Iſrael ſchulen ſette tentis bi þe
cumpenyes, ſignes, and baneris, and houſis of her
kynredis, bi þe cumpas of þe tabernacle of boond of
pees.
iii At þe eſt Judas ſchal ſette tentis, bi þe cumpenyes of
his ooſt; and Naaſon, þe ſone of Amynadab, ſchal be
prince of þe ſones of Juda;
iiii and al þe ſumme of fiȝteris of his kynrede, foure and
ſeuenty þouſynde and ſixe hundrid.
v Men of þe lynage of Yſachar ſettiden tentis byſydis
hym, of whiche þe prince was Nathanael, þe ſone of
Suar;
vi and al þe noumbre of hiſe fiȝteris, foure and fifti
þouſynde and foure hundrid.
vii Eliab, þe ſone of Elon, was prince of þe lynage of
Zabulon;
viii al þe ooſt of fiȝteris of his kynrede, ſeuene and fifti
þouſynde and foure hundrid.
CXLI
ix Alle þat weren noumbrid in þe caſtels of Judas, weren
an hundrid þouſynde `foure ſcoore þouſynde and ſixe
and foure hundrid; and þei ſchulen go out þe firſte bi
her cumpanyes.
x In þe caſtels of þe ſones of Ruben, at þe ſouþ cooſt,
Eliſur, þe ſone of Sedeur, ſchal be prince; and al þe ooſt
of hiſe fiȝteris,
xi þat weren noumbrid, ſixe and fourti þouſynde and
fyue hundrid.
xii Men of þe lynage of Symeon ſettiden tentis biſidis
hym, of whiche þe prince was Salamyhel, þe ſone of
Suriſaddai; and al þe ooſt of hiſe fiȝteris,
xiii þat weren noumbrid, nyne and fifty þouſynde and
þre hundrid.
xiiii Eliaſaph, ſone of Duel, was prince in þe lynage of
Gad; and al þe ooſt of his fiȝteris,
xv þat weren noumbrid, fyue and fourti þouſynde ſixe
hundrid and fifti.
xvi Alle þat weren noumbrid in þe caſtels of Ruben, an
hundrid þouſynde fifty þouſinde and a þouſinde foure
hundrid and fifty; þei ſchulen go forþ in þe ſecounde
place bi her cumpenyes.
xvii Soþeli þe tabernacle of witneſſyng ſchal be reiſid bi
þe offices of dekenes, and bi þe cumpenyes `of hem; as
it ſchal be reiſid, ſo and it ſchal be takun doun; alle
ſchulen go forþ bi her places and ordris.
xviii Þe caſtels of þe ſones of Effraym ſchulen be at þe
weſt cooſt, of whiche þe prince was Eliſama, þe ſone of
Amyud;
xix and al þe ooſt of his fiȝteris, þat weren noumbrid,
fourti þouſynde and fyue hundrid.
xx And wiþ hem was þe lynage of `þe ſones of
Manaſſes, of whiche þe prince was Gamaliel, þe ſone of
Fadaſſur;
xxi al þe ooſt of hiſe fiȝteris, þat weren noumbrid, two
and þretti þouſande and two hundrid.
xxii In þe lynage of þe ſones of Beniamyn þe prince was
Abidan, þe ſone of Gedeon;
xxiii and al þe ooſt of hiſe fiȝteris, þat weren noumbrid,
fyue and þretti þouſynde and foure hundrid.
xxiiii Alle þat weren noumbrid in þe caſtels of Effraym
weren an hundrid þouſynde and eiȝte þouſynde and oon
hundrid; þei ſchulen go forþ `þe þridde bi her
cumpenyes.
xxv At þe `part of þe norþ þe ſones of Dan ſettiden
tentis, of whiche þe prince was Abiezer, þe ſone of
Amyſaddai;
xxvi al þe ooſt of hiſe fiȝteris, þat weren noumbrid, two
and ſixti þouſynde and ſeuene hundrid.
xxvii Men of þe lynage of Aſer ſettiden tentis biſidis
hym, of whiche þe prince was Fegiel, þe ſone of
Ochran;
xxviii and al þe ooſt of hiſe fiȝteris, þat weren noumbrid,
fourti þouſynde `and a þouſynde and fyue hundrid.
xxix Of þe lynage of þe ſones of Neptalym þe prince was
Ahira, þe ſone of Henam; and al þe ooſt of hiſe fiȝteris,
xxx þre and fifti þouſynde and foure hundrid.
xxxi Alle þat weren noumbrid in þe caſtels of Dan weren
an hundrid þouſynde ſeuene and fifti þouſynde and ſixe
hundrid; þei ſchulen go forþ þe laſte.
xxxii Þis is þe noumbre of þe ſones of Iſrael, bi þe houſis
of her kynredis, and bi cumpenyes of þe ooſt departid,
ſixe hundrid þouſynde þre þouſynde fyue hundrid and
fifti.
xxxiii Soþeli þe dekenes weren not noumbrid among þe
ſones of Iſrael; for God comaundide ſo to Moiſes.
xxxiiii And þe ſones of Iſrael diden bi alle þingis whiche
þe Lord comaundide; þei ſettiden tentis bi her
cumpenyes, and ȝeden forþ bi þe meynees, and houſis
of her fadris.
CAP. III
i Þeſe ben þe generaciouns of Aaron and of Moiſes, in
þe dai in which þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, in þe hil of
Synay.
ii And þeſe ben þe names of `þe ſones of Aaron; his firſt
gendrid, Nadab; aftirward, Abyu, and Eleazar, and
Ythamar; þeſe ben þe names of `Aarons ſones,
iii preeſtis, þat weren anoyntid, and whos hondis weren
fillid and halewid, þat þei ſchulden `be ſet in preeſthod.
iiii Nadab and Abyu, whanne þei offeriden alien fier in
þe `ſiȝt of þe Lord, in þe deſeert of Synay, weren deed
wiþout fre children; and Eleazar and Ythamar `weren
ſet in preeſthod bifor Aaron hir fadir.
v And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
vi `and ſeide, `Preſente þou þe lynage of Leuy, and make
to ſtonde in þe ſiȝt of Aaron, preeſt, þat þei mynyſtre to
hym;
vii and wake, and þat þei kepe what euer þing perteyneþ
to þe religioun of multitude, bifor þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng;
viii and þat þei kepe þe veſſels of þe tabernacle, and
ſerue in þe ſeruyce þerof.
ix And þou ſchalt ȝyue bi fre ȝifte þe Leuytis to Aaron
and hiſe ſones, to whiche þei ben ȝouun of þe ſones of
Iſrael.
x Soþeli þou ſchalt ordeyne Aaron and hiſe ſones on þe
religioun of preeſthod; a ſtraungere, þat neiȝeþ for to
mynyſtre, and ſchal die.
xi And þe Lord ſpak to Moyſes, `and ſeide,
xii Y haue take þe Leuytis of þe ſones of Iſrael for ech
firſte gendrid þing þat openeþ þe womb in þe ſones of
Iſrael; and þe Leuytis ſchulen be myne,
xiii for ech firſte gendrid þing is myn; ſiþen Y ſmoot þe
firſte gendrid in þe lond of Egipt, Y halewide to me
CXLII
what euer þing is borun firſt in Iſrael; fro man `til to
beeſt þei ben myne; Y am þe Lord.
xiiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes in þe deſeert
xv of Synay, and ſeide, Noumbre þou þe ſones of Leuy
bi `þe houſis of her fadris, and bi meynees, ech male fro
o moneþe and aboue.
xvi Moiſes noumbride, as þe Lord comaundide.
xvii And þe ſones of Leuy weren foundun, bi her names,
Gerſon, and Caath, and Merary;
xviii þe ſones of Gerſon weren Lebny, and Semey;
xix þe ſones of Caath weren Amram, and Jeſſaar,
Hebron, and Oziel;
xx and þe ſones of Merari weren Mooly, and Muſi.
xxi Of Gerſon weren twei meynees, of Lebny, and of
Semei;
xxii of whiche þe puple of male kynde was noumbrid,
fro o moneþe and aboue, ſeuene þouſynde and fyue
hundrid.
xxiii Þeſe ſchulen ſette tentis aftir þe tabernacle at þe
weſt,
xxiiii vndur þe prince Eliaſaph, þe ſone of Jahel.
xxv And þei ſchulen haue kepyngis in þe tabernacle of
boond of pees, þe tabernacle it ſilf, and þe hilyng þerof,
þe tente which is drawun bifor þe ȝatis of þe hilyng of
þe witneſſyng of boond of pees;
xxvi and þe curteyns of þe greet ſtreet, alſo þe tente
which is hangid in þe entryng of þe greet ſtreet of þe
tabernacle, and what euer þing perteyneþ to þe cuſtom
of þe auter, þe cordis of þe tabernacle, and al þe
purtenaunce þerof.
xxvii Þe kynrede of Caath ſchal haue þe puplis of
Amram, and of Jeſſaar, and of Ebron, and of Oziel;
xxviii þeſe ben þe meynees of Caathitis, noumbrid bi her
names, alle of male kynde, fro o moneþe and aboue,
eiȝte þouſynde and ſixe hundrid.
xxix Þei ſchulen haue kepyngis of þe ſeyntuarie, and
ſchulen ſette tentis at þe ſouþ cooſt;
xxx and `þe prince of hem ſchal be Eliſaphan, þe ſone of
Oziel.
xxxi And þei ſchulen kepe þe arke, and þe boord, and þe
candilſtike, þe auters, and veſſelis of þe ſeyntuarie in
whiche it is mynyſtrid, and þe veil, and al ſich
purtenaunce.
xxxii Soþeli þe prince of princis of Leuytis ſchal be
Eleazar, þe ſone of Aaron, preeſt; and he ſchal be on þe
keperis of þe kepyng of þe ſeyntuarie.
xxxiii And ſoþeli of Merary ſchulen be þe puplis of
Mooli, and of Muſi,
xxxiiii noumbrid bi her names, alle of male kynde fro o
moneþe and aboue, ſixe þouſynde and two hundrid;
xxxv `þe prince of hem ſchal be Suriel, þe ſone of
Abiahiel; þei ſchulen ſette tentis in þe norþ cooſt.
xxxvi And vndur `þe kepyng of hem ſchulen be þe tablis
of þe tabernacle, and þe barris, and þe pileris, and `þe
foundementis of þo, and alle þingis þat perteynen to
ſich ournyng,
xxxvii and þe pileris of þe greet ſtreet bi cumpas, wiþ her
foundementis, and þe ſtakis wiþ coordis.
xxxviii Forſoþe Moiſes and Aaron wiþ hiſe ſones ſchulen
ſette tentis bifor þe tabernacle of boond of pees, þat is,
at þe eeſt cooſt, and ſchulen haue þe keping of þe
ſeyntuarie, in þe myddis of þe ſones of Iſrael; what euer
alien neiȝeþ, he ſchal die.
xxxix Alle þe Leuytis, whiche Moiſes and Aaron
noumbriden, bi comaundement of þe Lord, bi her
meynees, in male kynde, fro o moneþe and aboue, were
two and twenti þouſynd.
xl And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Noumbre þou þe firſte
gendrid children of male kynde of þe ſones of Iſrael, fro
o moneþe and aboue; and þou ſchalt haue þe ſumme of
hem; and
xli þou ſchalt take Leuytis to me for alle þe firſte gendrid
of þe ſones of Iſrael; Y am þe Lord; and þou ſchalt take
`þe beeſtis of hem for alle þe firſte gendrid of þe ſones
of Iſrael.
xlii And as þe Lord comaundide, Moiſes noumbride þe
firſte gendrid children of þe ſones of Iſrael; and þe
males weren bi her names,
xliii fro o moneþe and aboue, two and twenti þouſynde
two hundrid and ſeuenti and þre.
xliiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
xlv Take þou Leuytis for þe firſte gendrid children of þe
ſones of Iſrael, and þe beeſtis of Leuytis for þe beeſtis of
hem, and þe Leuytis ſchulen be myne; Y am þe Lord.
xlvi Forſoþe in þe prijs of two hundrid ſeuenti and þre,
þat paſſen þe noumbre of `Leuytis, of þe firſte gendrid
children of þe ſones of Iſrael,
xlvii þou ſchalt take fyue ciclis bi ech heed, at þe meſure
of ſeyntuarie; a ſicle haþ xx. halpens;
xlviii and þou ſchalt ȝyue þe money to Aaron and to hiſe
ſones, þe prijs of hem þat ben aboue.
xlix Þerfor Moiſes took þe money of hem þat weren
aboue, and whiche þei hadden aȝenbouȝt of þe Leuytis,
for þe firſte gendrid of þe ſones of Iſrael,
l a þouſand þre hundrid ſixti and fyue of ſiclis, bi þe
weiȝte of ſeyntuarie;
li and he ȝaf þat money to Aaron and to hiſe ſones, bi þe
word which þe Lord comaundide to hym.
CAP. IIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and to Aaron,
ii and ſeide, Take þou þe ſumme of þe ſones of Caath,
fro þe myddis of Leuytis,
CXLIII
iii bi her houſis and meynees, fro þe þrettiþe ȝeer and
aboue `til to þe fiftiþe ȝeer, of alle þat entren, þat þei
ſtonde and mynyſtre in þe tabernacle of boond of pees.
iiii Þis is þe religioun of þe ſones of Caath; Aaron and
his ſones ſchulen entren in to þe tabernacle of boond of
pees, and in to þe hooli of hooli þingis,
v whanne þe tentis ſchulen be moued; and þei ſchulen
do doun þe veil þat hangiþ bifore þe ȝatis, and þei
ſchulen wlappe in it þe arke of witneſſyng;
vi and þei ſchulen hile eft wiþ a veil of `ſkynnys of
iacynt, and þei ſchulen ſtretche forþ aboue a mentil al of
iacynt, and þei ſchulen putte in barris `on þe ſchuldris of
þe bereris.
vii Alſo þei ſchulen wlappe þe boord of propoſicioun in
a mentil of iacynt, and þei ſchulen putte þerwiþ
cenceris, and morteris of gold, litil cuppis, and grete
cuppis to fletyng ſacrifices `to be ſched; looues ſchulen
euere be in þe boord.
viii And þei ſchulen ſtrecche forþ aboue a reed mentil,
which þei ſchulen hile eft wiþ an hilyng of `ſkynnes of
iacynt, and þei ſchulen putte yn barris.
ix Þei ſchulen take alſo a mentil of iacynt wiþ which þei
ſchulen hile þe candilſtike, wiþ hiſe lanternes, and
tongis, and ſnytels, and alle þe `veſſels of oile þat ben
nedeful to þe lanternes to be ordeyned;
x and on alle þingis þei ſchulen putte an hilyng of
`ſkynnys of iacynt, and þei ſchulen putte in barris.
xi Alſo and þei ſchulen wlappe þe goldun auter in a
clooþ of iacynt; and þei ſchulen ſtretche forþ aboue an
hilyng of `ſkynnys of iacynt, and þei ſchulen putte in
barris.
xii Þei ſchulen wlappe in a mentil of iacynt alle þe
veſſels in whiche it is mynyſtrid in þe ſeyntuarie, and
þei ſchulen ſtrecche forþ aboue an hilyng of `ſkynnys of
iacynt, and þei ſchulen putte yn barris.
xiii But alſo þei ſchulen clenſe þe auter fro aiſche, and
þei ſchulen wlappe it in a clooþ of purpur.
xiiii And þei ſchulen putte wiþ it alle veſſels whiche þei
vſen in þe ſeruyce þerof, þat is, reſſettis of firis, tongis,
and fleiſchokis, hokis, and cenſeris, eþer pannys of
coolis; þei ſchulen hile alle þe veſſels of þe auter
togidere in a veil of `ſkynnes of iacynt, and þei ſchulen
putte in barris.
xv And whanne Aaron and hiſe ſones han wlappid þe
ſeyntuarie, and alle veſſels þerof, in þe mouyng of
tentis, þanne þe ſones of Caath ſchulen entre, þat þei
bere þe þingis wlappid, and touche not þe veſſels of þe
ſeyntuarie, leſt þei dien.
xvi Þes ben þe birþuns of þe ſones of Caath, in þe
tabernacle of boond of pees, on whiche Eleazar, þe ſone
of Aaron, preeſt, ſchal be; to whois cure `þe oile
perteyneþ to ordeyne lanternes, and þe encenſe which is
maad bi craft, and þe ſacrifice which is offrid euere, and
þe oile of anoyntyng, and what euere þing perteyneþ to
þe ournyng of þe tabernacle, and of alle veſſels þat ben
in þe ſeyntuarie.
xvii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and to Aaron, and ſeide,
xviii Nyle ȝe leeſe þe puple of Caath fro þe myddis of
Leuytis;
xix but do ȝe þis þing to hem, þat þei lyue, and die not,
if þei touchen þe hooli of hooli þingis. Aaron and hiſe
ſones ſchulen entre, and þei ſchulen diſpoſe þe werkis of
alle men, and þei ſchulen departe `what who owiþ to
bere.
xx Oþere men ſe not bi ony curiouſte þo þingis þat ben
in þe ſeyntuarie, bifore þat þo ben wlappid; ellis þei
ſchulen die.
xxi And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xxii and ſeide, Take þou þe ſumme alſo of þe ſones of
Gerſon, bi her houſis, and meynees, and kynredis;
noumbre þou
xxiii fro þretti ȝeer and aboue `til to fifti ȝeer alle þat
entren and mynyſtren in þe tabernacle of boond of pees.
xxiiii Þis is þe office of þe ſones of Gerſonytis, þat þei
bere þe curteyns of þe tabernacle, and þe roof of þe
boond of pees, an oþer hilyng,
xxv and a veil of iacynt aboue alle þingis, and þe tente
which hangiþ in þe entryng of þe tabernacle of þe
boond of pees;
xxvi and þe curteyns of þe greet ſtreet, and þe veil in þe
entryng, `which veil is bifor þe tabernacle.
xxvii Whanne Aaron comaundiþ and hiſe ſones, þe ſones
of Gerſon ſchulen bere alle þingis þat perteynen to þe
auter, þe coordis, and veſſels of ſeruyce; and alle
ſchulen wite, to what charge þei owen to be boundun.
xxviii Þis is þe office of þe meynee of Gerſonytis, in þe
tabernacle of boond of pees; and þei ſchulen be vndur
þe hond of Ythamar, þe ſone of Aaron, preeſt.
xxix Alſo þou ſchalt noumbre þe ſones of Merary, bi þe
meynees and houſis of her fadris,
xxx fro þretti ȝeer and aboue `til to fifti ȝeer, alle þat
entren to þe office of her ſeruice, and to þe ournyng of
þe boond of pees of witneſſyng.
xxxi Þeſe ben `þe chargis of hem; þei ſchulen bere þe
tablis of þe tabernacle, and þe barris þerof, þe pilers and
her foundementis; alſo þe pilers of þe greet ſtreet bi
cumpas,
xxxii wiþ her foundementis, and her ſtakis, and coordis;
þei ſchulen take alle inſtrumentis and purtenaunce at
noumbre, and ſo þei ſchulen bere.
xxxiii Þis is þe office of `þe meynee of Meraritis, and þe
ſeruyce in þe tabernacle of boond of pees; and þei
ſchulen be vndur þe hond of Ythamar, þe ſone of Aaron,
preeſt.
xxxiiii Þerfor Moiſes and Aaron and þe princes of þe
ſynagoge noumbriden þe ſones of Caath, bi þe kynredis
and houſis of her fadris,
CXLIV
xxxv fro þretti ȝeer and aboue `til to þe fiftiþe ȝeer, alle
þat entren to þe ſeruyce of þe tabernacle of boond of
pees;
xxxvi and þei weren foundun two þouſynde ſeuene
hundrid and fifti.
xxxvii Þis is þe noumbre of þe puple of Caath, which
entriþ in to þe tabernacle of boond of pees; Moiſes and
Aaron noumbriden þeſe, bi þe word of þe Lord, bi þe
hond of Moiſes.
xxxviii And þe ſones of Gerſon weren noumbrid, bi þe
kyneredis and houſis of her fadris,
xxxix fro þretti ȝeer and aboue `til to `þe fiftiþe ȝeer, alle
þat entren þat þei mynyſtre in þe tabernacle of boond of
pees;
xl and þei weren foundun two þouſynde ſixe hundrid
and þretti.
xli Þis is þe puple of Gerſonytis, which Moiſes and
Aaron noumbriden, bi þe `word of þe Lord.
xlii And þe ſones of Merary weren noumbrid, bi þe
kynredis and houſis of her fadris,
xliii fro þrettiþe ȝeer and aboue `til to `þe fiftiþe ȝere,
alle þat entren to fille þe cuſtoms, eþer ſeruices, of þe
tabernacle of boond of pees;
xliiii `and þei weren foundun þre þouſynde and two
hundrid.
xlv Þis is þe noumbre of þe ſones of Merari, whiche
Moyſes and Aaron noumbriden, bi `þe comaundement
of þe Lord, bi þe hoond of Moiſes.
xlvi Alle þat weren noumbrid of Leuytis, and whiche
Moyſes and Aaron and þe princes of Iſrael maden to be
noumbrid, bi þe kynredis and houſis of her fadris,
xlvii fro þretti ȝeer and aboue `til to `þe fiftiþe ȝeer, and
entriden to þe ſeruyce of þe tabernacle, and to bere
chargis,
xlviii weren togidere eiȝte þouſynde fyue hundrid and
foure ſcoor.
xlix By þe `word of þe Lord Moiſes noumbride hem, ech
man bi his office and hiſe chargis, as þe Lord
comaundide to hym.
CAP. V
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Comaunde þou
to þe ſones of Iſrael,
ii þat þei caſte out of þe caſtels ech leprouſe man, and
þat fletiþ out ſeed, and is defoulid on a deed bodi; caſte
ȝe out of þe caſtels,
iii as wel a male as a female, leſt þei defoulen þo,
whanne þei dwellen wiþ ȝou.
iiii And þe ſones of Iſrael diden ſo; and þei caſtiden hem
out of þe caſtels, as þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes.
v And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
vi and ſeide, Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, Whanne a
man eþir a womman han do of alle ſynnes þat ben wont
to falle to men, and han broke bi necgligence þe
`comaundement of þe Lord,
vii and han treſpaſſid, þei ſchulen knowleche her ſynne,
and þei ſchulen ȝelde þilke heed, and þe fyueþe part
aboue, to hym aȝens whom þei ſynneden.
viii But if noon is þat ſchal reſſeyue þei ſchulen ȝyue to
þe Lord, and it ſchal be þe preeſtis part, outakun þe ram
which is offrid for clenſyng, þat it be a quemeful
ſacrifice.
ix Alſo alle þe firſte fruytis, whiche þe ſones of Iſrael
offren, perteynen to þe preeſt;
x and what euer þing is offrid of ech man in þe
ſeyntuarie, and is ȝouun to þe `hondis of þe preeſt, it
ſchal be þe preeſtis part.
xi And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xii and ſeide, Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, and þou
ſchalt ſeie to hem, If `þe wijf of a man haþ errid, and
haþ diſpiſid þe hoſebonde,
xiii and haþ ſlept wiþ anoþer man, and þe hoſebonde
may not take eþer preue þis, but þe auowtrye is hid, and
may not be preuyd bi witneſſis, for ſche is not foundun
in leccherie;
xiiii if þe ſpirit of gelouſie ſtiriþ þe houſebonde aȝens his
wijf, which is eþer defoulid, eþir is apechid bi fals
ſuſpecioun,
xv þe man ſchal brynge hir to þe preeſt, and he ſchal
offre an offryng for hir `þe tenþe part of a meſure clepid
ſatum of barli meele; he ſchal not ſchede oyle þer onne,
neþir he ſchal putte encenſe, for it is þe ſacrifice of
gelouſie, and an offryng enquerynge auowtrye.
xvi Þerfor þe preeſt ſchal offre hir, and ſchal ſette bifore
þe Lord;
xvii and he ſchal take holi watir in `a veſſel of erþe, and
he ſchal putte in to it a litil of þe erþe of þe pawment of
þe tabernacle.
xviii And whanne þe womman ſtondiþ in þe ſiȝt of þe
Lord, he ſchal diſkyuere hir heed, and he ſchal putte `on
þe hondis of hir þe ſacrifice of remembryng, and þe
offryng of gelouſie. Soþeli he ſchal holde mooſt bittir
watris, in whiche he gaderide togidere curſis wiþ
curſyng.
xix And he ſchal conioure hir, and ſchal ſeie, If an alien
man ſlepte not wiþ þee, and if þou art not defoulid in þe
forſakyng þe bed of þe hoſebonde, þeſe bittereſte watris
ſchulen not anoye þee, in to whiche Y haue gaderid
togidere curſis;
xx ellis if þou bowidſt awei fro þin hoſebonde, and art
defoulid, and haſt leyn wiþ anoþer man,
xxi þou ſchalt be ſuget to þeſe curſyngys; þe Lord ȝyue
þee in to curſyng, and in to enſaumple of alle men in his
puple; `þe Lord make þin hipe to wexe rotun, and þi
wombe ſwelle, and be brokun;
CXLV
xxii curſid watris entre in to þi wombe, and while þe
wombe ſwelliþ, þin hipe wexe rotun. And þe womman
ſchal anſwere, Amen! amen!
xxiii And þe preeſt ſchal write þes curſis in a litil book,
and he ſchal do awey þo curſis wiþ bittereſte watris, in
to whiche he gaderide curſis,
xxiiii and he ſchal ȝyue to hir to drynke. And whanne
ſche haþ drunke þo watris,
xxv þe preeſt ſchal take of hir hond þe ſacrifice of
gelouſie, and he ſchal reiſe it bifor þe Lord, and he ſchal
putte on þe auter;
xxvi ſo oneli þat he take bifore an handful of ſacrifice `of
þat þat is offrid, and brenne on þe auter, and ſo ȝyue
drynke to þe womman þe mooſt bittere watris.
xxvii And whanne ſche haþ drunke þo watris, if ſche is
defoulid, and is gilti of auowtrie, for þe hoſebonde is
diſpiſid, þe watris of curſyng ſchulen paſſe þorouȝ hir,
and while þe wombe is bolnyd, þe hipe ſchal wexe
rotun, and þe womman ſchal be in to curſyng and in to
enſaumple to al þe puple.
xxviii Þat if ſche is not pollutid, ſche ſchal be harmeles,
and ſchal brynge forþ fre children.
xxix Þis is þe lawe of gelouſie, if a womman bowiþ awei
fro hir hoſebonde, and is defoulid,
xxx and þe hoſebonde is ſtirid wiþ þe ſpirit of gelouſȝe,
and bryngiþ hir in to þe `ſiȝt of þe Lord, and þe preeſt
doiþ to hir bi alle þingis þat ben writun, þe hoſebonde
ſchal be wiþ out ſynne,
xxxi and ſche ſchal reſſeyue hir wickidneſſe.
CAP. VI
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and ſeide, Speke þou to þe
ſones of Iſrael,
ii and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Whanne a man eþer a
womman makiþ auow, þat þei be halewid, and þei
wolen halewe hem ſilf to þe Lord,
iii þei ſchulen abſteyne fro wyn and fro al þing þat may
make drunkun; þei ſchulen not drynke vynegre of wyn,
and of ony oþer drynkyng, and what euer þing is preſſid
out of þe grape; þei ſchulen not ete freiſch grapis and
drie,
iiii alle dayes in whiche þei ben halewid bi a vow to þe
Lord; þei ſchulen not ete what euer þing may be of þe
vyner, fro a grape dried `til to þe draf.
v In al tyme of his departyng a raſour ſchal not paſſe on
his heed, `til to þe day fillid in which he is halewid to
þe Lord; he ſchal be hooli while þe heer of his heed
`ſchal wexe.
vi In al þe tyme of his halewing he ſchal not entre on a
deed bodi,
vii and ſoþeli he ſchal not be defoulid on þe deed bodi of
fadir and of moder, of broþir and of ſiſtir, for þe
halewyng of his God is on his heed;
viii ech dai of his departyng ſchal be hooli to þe Lord.
ix But if ony man is deed ſudeynly bifore hym, þe heed
of his halewyng ſchal be defoulid, which he ſchal
ſchaue anoon in þe ſame dai of his clenſyng, and eft in
þe ſeuenþe dai;
x forſoþe in þe eiȝte dai he ſchal offre twei turtlis, eþer
twei `briddis of a culuer, to þe preeſt, in þe entryng of
þe boond of pees of witneſſyng.
xi And þe preeſt ſchal make oon for ſynne, and þe toþir
in to brent ſacrifice; and þe preeſt ſchal preie for hym,
for he ſynnede on a deed bodi, and he ſchal halewe his
heed in þat dai.
xii And he ſchal halewe to þe Lord þe daies of his
departyng, and he ſchal offre a lomb of o ȝeer for ſynne,
ſo neþeles þat þe formere daies be maad voide, for his
halewyng is defoulid.
xiii Þis is þe lawe of conſecracioun. Whanne þe daies
ſchulen be fillid, whiche he determynede by a vow, þe
preeſt ſchal brynge hym to þe dore of þe tabernacle of
boond of pees, and ſchal offre his offryng to þe Lord,
xiiii a lomb of o ȝeer wiþ out wem, in to brent ſacrifice,
and a ſcheep of o ȝeer wiþ outen wem, for ſynne, and a
ram wiþ out wem, a peſible ſacrifice;
xv alſo a panyere of þeerf looues, þat ben ſpreynt
togidere wiþ oile, and cakis ſodun in watir, and aftir
anoyntid wiþ oile, wiþ out ſourdow, and fletyng
ſacrifices of alle bi hem ſilf;
xvi whiche þe preeſt ſchal offre bifor þe Lord, and ſchal
make as wel for ſynne as in to brent ſacrifice.
xvii Soþeli he ſchal offre þe ram a peſible ſacrifice to þe
Lord, and he ſchal offre togidere a panyere of þerf
looues and fletyng ſacryfices, þat ben due bi cuſtom.
xviii Þanne þe Nazarei ſchal be ſchauun fro þe heer of
his conſecracioun, bifor þe doore of þe tabernacle of
boond of pees; and þe preeſt ſchal take hiſe heeris, and
ſchal putte on þe fier, which is put vndur þe ſacrifice of
peſible þingis.
xix And he ſchal take þe ſchuldur ſodun of þe ram, and o
`cake of breed wiþ out ſourdow fro þe panyere, and o
þeerf caak firſt ſodun in watir and aftirward fried in
oile, and he ſchal bitake in þe hondis of þe Nazarei, aftir
þat his heed is ſchauun.
xx And þe preeſt ſchal reiſe in þe `ſiȝt of þe Lord þe
þingis takun eft of hym. And þe þingis halewid ſchulen
be þe preeſtis part, as þe breſt which is comaundid to be
departid, and þe hipe. Aftir þeſe þingis þe Naſarey may
drynke wyn.
xxi Þis is þe lawe of þe Naſarei, whanne he haþ avowyd
his offryng to þe Lord in þe tyme of his conſecracioun,
outakun þeſe þingis whiche his hond fyndiþ. By þis þat
he avowide in ſoule, ſo he ſchal do, to þe perfeccioun of
his halewyng.
xxii And þe Lord ſpak to Moyſes and ſeide,
CXLVI
xxiii Speke þou to Aaron and to hiſe ſones, Þus ȝe
ſchulen bleſſe þe ſones of Iſrael, and ȝe ſchulen ſeie to
hem,
xxiiii Þe Lord bleſſe þee, and kepe þee;
xxv þe Lord ſchewe his face to þee, and haue mercy on
þee;
xxvi þe Lord turne his cheer to þee, and ȝyue pees to
þee.
xxvii Þei ſchulen clepe inwardli my name on þe ſones of
Iſrael, and Y ſchal bleſſe hem.
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe it was don in þe dai in which Moiſes fillide þe
tabernacle, and reiſide it, and anoyntide and halewide
wiþ alle `hiſe veſſels, þe auter in lijk maner and þe
veſſels þerof.
ii And þe princes of Iſrael, and þe heedis of meynees þat
weren bi alle lynagis, `þe ſouereyns of hem þat weren
noumbrid,
iii offeriden ȝiftis bifor þe Lord, ſixe waynes hylid wiþ
twelue oxun; twei duykis offeriden o wayn, and ech
offeride oon oxe. And þei offeriden þo waynes `in þe
ſiȝt of þe tabernacle.
iiii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes,
v Take þou of hem, þat þo ſerue in þe ſeruice of þe
tabernacle, and bitake þou þo to dekenes bi þe ordre of
her ſeruice.
vi And ſo whanne Moiſes hadde take þe waynes, and þe
oxun, he bitook þo to þe dekenes.
vii He ȝaf twei waynes and foure oxun to þe ſones of
Gerſon, bi þat þat þei hadden nedeful.
viii He ȝaf four oþer waynes and eiȝte oxun to þe ſones
of Merari, bi her offices and religioun, vnder þe hond of
Ythamar, þe ſone of Aaron, preeſt.
ix Forſoþe he ȝaf not waynes and oxun to þe ſones of
Caath, for þei ſeruen in þe ſeyntuarye, and beren chargis
wiþ her owne ſchuldris.
x Þerfor þe duykis offeriden, in þe halewyng of þe auter,
in þe dai in which it was anoyntid, her offryng to þe
Lord, bifore þe auter.
xi And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Alle dukis bi hemſilf
offre ȝiftis, bi alle daies bi hem ſilf, in to þe halewyng
of þe auter.
xii Naaſon, þe ſone of Amynadab, of þe lynage of Juda,
offeride his offryng in þe firſte day;
xiii and a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue enſenſe and ſiche
þingis, in þe weiȝte of an hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a viol
of ſiluere, hauynge ſeuenti ſiclis bi þe weiȝt of þe
ſeyntuarie, `weren þer ynne, euer eiþir ful of flour
ſpreynt togidere wiþ oile, in to ſacrifice;
xiiii a morter, of ten goldun ſiclis, ful of encence.
xv He offride an oxe of þe droue, and a ram, and a lomb
of o ȝeer, in to brent ſacrifice;
xvi and a `buk of geet, for ſynne.
xvii And he offeride in þe ſacrifice of peſible þingis,
tweyne oxun, fyue rammys, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue
lambren of o ȝeer. Þis is þe offryng of Naaſon, þe ſone
of Amynadab.
xviii In þe ſecounde dai Nathanael, þe ſone of Suar, duyk
of þe lynage of Iſachar,
xix offeride a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſiche
þingis, peiſynge an hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a ſiluerne
viole, hauynge ſeuenti ſyclis bi þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie,
euer eiþer ful of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oile, in to
ſacrifice;
xx a goldun morter, hauynge ten ſiclis, ful of encenſe;
xxi an oxe of þe droue, and a ram, and a lomb of o ȝeer,
in to brent ſacrifice;
xxii and a `buc of geet, for ſynne.
xxiii And in þe ſacrifice of peſible þingis he offride
tweyne oxun, and fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet,
fyue lambren of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offryng of Nathanael
þe ſone of Suar.
xxiiii In þe þridde dai Eliab, þe ſone of Elon, prince of þe
ſones of Zabulon,
xxv offeride a ſiluerne veſſel to `preue encence and ſiche
þingis, peiſynge an hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a ſiluerne
viol, hauynge ſeuenti ſiclis at þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie,
euer eiþir ful of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oile, in to
ſacrifice; a goldun morter,
xxvi peiſynge ten ſiclis, ful of encenſe;
xxvii an oxe of þe droue, and a ram, and a lomb of o
ȝeer, in to brent ſacrifice; and a buc of geet, for ſynne.
xxviii And in ſacrifice of peſible þingis he offride tweyne
oxen, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue lambren
of o ȝeer.
xxix Þis is þe offryng of Eliab, þe ſone of Helon.
xxx In þe fourþe dai Heliſur, þe ſone of Sedeur, þe prince
of þe ſones of Ruben,
xxxi offride a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſiche
þingis, peiſynge an hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a ſiluerne
viol, hauynge ſeuenti ſyclis at þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie,
euer eiþir ful of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oile, in to
ſacrifice;
xxxii a goldun morter peiſynge ten ſiclis, ful of encenſe;
xxxiii an oxe of þe drooue, and a ram, and a lomb of o
ȝeer in to brent ſacrifice,
xxxiiii and a `buc of geet, for ſynne.
xxxv And in to ſacrifice of peſible þingis he offride
tweyne oxun, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue
lambren of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offryng of Eliſur, þe ſone
of Sedeur.
xxxvi In þe fyueþe dai Salamyhel, þe ſone of Suriſaddai,
þe prince of þe ſones of Symeon,
xxxvii offeride a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue encenſe and
ſiche þingis, peyſynge an hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a
CXLVII
ſiluerne viol, hauynge ſeuenti ſiclis at þe weiȝte of
ſeyntuarie, euer eiþer ful of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ
oile, in to ſacrifice;
xxxviii a goldun morter, peiſynge ten ſiclis, ful of
encenſe;
xxxix an oxe of þe drooue, and a ram, and a lomb of o
ȝeer, in to brent ſacrifice;
xl and a `bucke of geet, for ſynne.
xli And in to ſacrifice of peſible þingis he offeride
tweyne oxun, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue
lambren of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offring of Salamyhel, þe
ſone of Suriſaddai.
xlii In þe ſixte day Eliſaphat, þe ſone of Duel, þe prince
of þe ſones of Gad,
xliii offride a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſich
þingis, peiſynge an hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a ſiluerne
viol, hauynge ſeuenti ſiclis at þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie,
euer eiþir ful of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oile in to
ſacrifice;
xliiii a goldun morter, peiſynge ten ſiclis, ful of encenſe;
xlv an oxe of þe droue, and a ram, and a lomb of o ȝeer,
in to brent ſacrifice;
xlvi and a `buc of geet, for ſynne.
xlvii And in to ſacrifice of peſible þingis he offride twei
oxun, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue lambren
of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offryng of Eliſaphat, þe ſone of
Duel.
xlviii In þe ſeuenþe dai Eliſama, þe ſone of Amyud, þe
prince of þe ſones of Effraym,
xlix offride a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſiche
þingis, peiſynge an hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a ſiluerne
viol, hauynge ſeuenti ſiclis at þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie,
euer eiþer ful of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oyle, in to
ſacrifice; a goldun morter,
l peiſynge ten ſiclis, ful of encenſe;
li an oxe of þe drooue, and a ram, and a lomb of o ȝeer,
in to
lii brent ſacrifice; and a `buc of geet, for ſynne.
liii And in to ſacrifices of peſible þingis he offride
tweyne oxun, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue
lambren of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offryng of Eliſama, þe
ſone of Amyud.
liiii In þe eiȝtþe dai Gamaliel, þe ſone of Faduſſur, þe
prince of þe ſones of Manaſſes,
lv offride a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſiche
þingis, peiſynge an hundrid and þretti ſyclis, a ſiluerne
viole, hauynge ſeuenti ſiclis at þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie,
euer eiþir ful of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oile, in to
ſacrifice; a goldun morter,
lvi peiſynge ten ſiclis, ful of encenſe;
lvii an oxe of þe drooue, and a ram, and a lomb of o
ȝeer, in to brent
lviii ſacrifice; and a `buc of geet, for ſynne.
lix And in to ſacrificis of peſible þingis he offride
tweyne oxun, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue
lambren of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offryng of Gamaliel, þe
ſone of Faduſſur.
lx In þe nynþe dai Abidan, þe ſone of Gedeon, þe prince
of þe ſones of Beniamyn,
lxi offeride a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſiche
þingis, peiſynge an hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a ſiluerne
viol, hauynge ſeuenti ſiclis at þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie,
euer eiþir ful of flour ſprent togidere wiþ oile, in to
ſacrifice;
lxii a goldun morter, peiſynge ten ſiclis, ful of encenſe;
an oxe of þe drooue,
lxiii and a ram, and a lomb of o ȝeer in to brent ſacrifice;
lxiiii and a `buc of geet, for ſynne.
lxv And in to ſacrifice of peſible þingis he offride
tweyne oxun, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue
lambren of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offryng of Abidan, þe
ſone of Gedeon.
lxvi In þe tenþe dai Abiezer, þe ſone of Amyſaddai, þe
prince of þe ſones of Dan,
lxvii offride a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſiche
þingis, peiſynge an hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a ſiluerne
viol, hauynge ſeuenti ſiclis at þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie,
euer eþir ful of flour ſpreynt to gidere wiþ oile in to
ſacrifice;
lxviii a goldun morter, peiſynge ten ſiclis, ful of encenſe;
lxix an oxe of þe drooue, and a ram, and a lomb of o
ȝeer, in to brent ſacrifice;
lxx and a `buc of geet, for ſynne.
lxxi And in to ſacrifices of peſible þingis he offride
tweyne oxun, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue
lambren of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offryng of Abiezer, þe
ſone of Amyſaddai.
lxxii In þe enleuenþe dai Phegiel, þe ſone of Ocran,
lxxiii þe prince of þe ſones of Aſer, offride a ſiluerne
veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſiche þingis, peiſynge an
hundrid and þretti ſiclis, a ſiluerne viol, hauynge ſeuenti
ſiclis at þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie, euer eiþer ful of flour
ſpreynt to gidere wiþ oile, in to ſacrifice;
lxxiiii a goldun morter, peiſynge ten ciclis, ful of
encenſe;
lxxv an oxe of þe drooue, and a ram, and a lomb of o
ȝeer, in to brent ſacrifice;
lxxvi and a `bucke of geet, for ſynne.
lxxvii And in to ſacrifices of peſyble þingis he offride
tweyne oxun, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue
lambren of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offryng of Phegiel, þe
ſone of Ochran.
lxxviii In þe twelueþe dai Ahira, þe ſone of Enan, þe
prince of þe ſones of Neptalym,
lxxix offride a ſiluerne veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſiche
þingis, peiſynge an hundrid and þetti ſiclis, a ſiluerne
CXLVIII
viol, hauynge ſeuenti ſiclis at þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie,
euer eiþir ful of flour ſpreynt to gidere wiþ oile, in to
ſacrifice;
lxxx a goldun morter, peiſynge ten ſiclis, ful of encenſe;
lxxxi an oxe of þe drooue, and a ram, and a lomb of o
ȝeer, in to brent ſacrifice;
lxxxii and a `buc of geet, for ſynne.
lxxxiii And in to ſacrifices of peſible þingis he offride
tweyne oxun, fyue rammes, fyue `buckis of geet, fyue
lambren of o ȝeer. Þis was þe offryng of Haira, þe ſone
of Henan.
lxxxiiii Þeſe þingis weren offrid of þe ſones of Iſrael, in
þe halewyng of þe auter, in þe dai in which it was
halewid; ſiluerne veſſels `to preue, encenſe and ſiche
þingis twelue, ſiluerne viols twelue, goldun morteris
twelue;
lxxxv ſo þat o veſſel `to preue encenſe and ſiche þingis
hadde an hundrid and þretti ſiclis `of ſiluer, and o viol
hadde ſeuenti ſiclis, þat is, in comyn, two þouſynde and
foure hundrid ſiclis of alle þe `veſſels of ſiluer, bi þe
weiȝte of ſeyntuarie;
lxxxvi goldun morteris twelue, ful of encenſe, peiſynge
ten ſiclis bi þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie, þat is to gidere an
hundrid and twenti ſiclis of gold;
lxxxvii oxun of þe drooue in to brent ſacrifice twelue,
twelue rammes, twelue lambren of o ȝeer, and þe
fletynge ſacryfices `of þo, twelue `buckis of geet for
ſynne;
lxxxviii þe ſacrifices of peſible þingis, foure and twenti
oxun, ſexty rammes, ſexti `buckis of geet, ſixti lambren
of o ȝeer. Þeſe þingis weren offrid in þe halewyng of þe
auter, whanne it was anoyntid.
lxxxix And whanne Moyſes entride in to þe tabernacle of
boond of pees, `to axe counſel `of Goddis anſweryng
place, he herde þe vois of God ſpekynge to hym fro `þe
propiciatorie, which was on þe arke of witneſſyng,
bitwixe twei cherubyns, fro whennus alſo God ſpak to
Moiſes.
CAP. VIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Speke þou to
Aaron,
ii and þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Whanne þou haſt ſett
ſeuene launternes, þe candilſtike be reiſid in þe ſouþ
part; þerfor comaunde þou þis, þat þe lanternes biholde
euene aȝens þe norþ to þe boord of looues of `ſettyng
forþ, þo ſchulen ſchyne aȝenus þat part which þe
candilſtike biholdiþ.
iii And Aaron dide, and puttide lanternes on þe
candilſtike, as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
iiii Soþeli þis was þe makyng of þe candilſtike; it was of
gold betun out wiþ hameris, as wel þe myddil ſtok as
alle þingis þat camen forþ of euer eiþir ſide of þe
ȝeerdis; bi þe ſaumple `whych þe Lord ſchewide to
Moiſes, ſo he wrouȝte þe candilſtike.
v And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
vi and ſeide, Take þou Leuytis fro þe myddis of þe ſones
of Iſrael;
vii and þou ſchalt clenſe hem bi þis cuſtom. Be þei
ſpreynt wiþ watir of clenſyng, and ſchaue þei alle þe
heeris of her fleiſch. And whanne þei han waiſche her
cloþis and ben clenſid, take þei an oxe of drooues,
viii and þe fletyng ſacrifice þerof, flour ſpreynt to gidere
wiþ oile; forſoþe þou ſchalt take anoþer oxe of þe
drooue for ſynne;
ix and þou ſchalt preſent þe Leuytis bifor þe tabernacle
of boond of pees, whanne al þe multitude of þe ſones of
Iſrael is clepid togidere.
x And whanne þe Leuytis ben bifor þe Lord, þe ſones of
Iſrael ſchulen ſette her hondis on hem;
xi and Aaron ſchal offre þe Leuytis in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord,
a ȝifte of þe ſones of Iſrael, þat þei ſerue in þe ſeruice
`of hym.
xii Alſo þe Leuytis ſchulen ſette her hondis on þe heedis
of þe oxun, of whiche oxun þou ſchalt make oon for
ſynne, and þe toþer in to brent ſacrifice of þe Lord, þat
þou preye for hem.
xiii And þou ſchalt ordeyne þe Leuytis in þe ſiȝt of
Aaron, and of hiſe ſones, and þou ſchalt ſacre hem offrid
to þe Lord;
xiiii and þou ſchalt departe hem fro þe myddis of þe
ſones of Iſrael, þat þei be myne.
xv And aftirward entre þei in to þe tabernacle of boond
of pees, þat þei ſerue me; and ſo þou ſchalt clenſe and
ſchalt halewe hem, in to an offryng of þe Lord, for bi
fre ȝifte þei ben ȝouun to me of þe ſones of Iſrael.
xvi Y haue take hem for þe firſte gendrid þingis þat
openen ech wombe in Iſrael;
xvii for alle þe firſte gendrid þingis of þe ſones of Iſrael
ben myne, as wel of men as of beeſtis, fro þe dai in
which Y ſmoot ech firſte gendrid þing in þe loond of
Egipt, Y halewide hem to me.
xviii And Y took þe Leuytis for alle þe firſte gendrid
children of þe ſones of Iſrael;
xix and Y ȝaf hem bi fre ȝifte to Aaron and hiſe ſones,
fro þe myddis of þe puple, þat þei ſerue me for Iſrael, in
þe tabernacle of boond of pees, and þat þei preie for
hem, leſt veniaunce be in þe puple, if þei ben hardi to
neiȝe to þe ſeyntuarye.
xx And Moiſes and Aaron, and al þe multitude of þe
ſones of Iſrael, diden on þe Leuitis þo þingis þat þe
Lord comaundide to Moyſes.
xxi And þei weren clenſid, and þei waiſchiden her
cloþis; and Aaron reiſide hem in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, and
preiede for hem,
CXLIX
xxii þat þei ſchulen be clenſid, and ſchulden entre to her
offices in to þe tabernacle of boond of pees, bifor Aaron
and hiſe ſones; as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes of þe
Leuytis, ſo it was don.
xxiii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Þis is lawe
of Leuytis;
xxiiii fro fyue and twentiþe ȝeer and aboue þei ſchulen
entre, for to mynyſtre in þe tabernacle of boond of pees;
xxv and whanne þei han fillid þe fiftiþe ȝeer of age, þei
ſchulen ceeſſe to ſerue.
xxvi And þei ſchulen be þe mynyſtris of her breþeren in
þe tabernacle of boond of pees, þat þei kepe þo þingis
þat ben bitakun to hem; ſoþely þei ſchulen not do þo
werkis; þus þou ſchalt diſpoſe Leuytis in her kepyngis.
CAP. IX
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, in þe deſeert of Synay, in
þe ſecounde ȝeer aftir þat þei ȝeden out of þe lond of
Egipt, in þe firſte moneþ,
ii and ſeide, Þe ſones of Iſrael make paſk in his tyme,
iii in þe fourtenþe day of þis moneþe, at þe euentid, bi
alle þe cerymonyes and iuſtifiyngis þerof.
iiii And Moiſes comaundide to þe ſones of Iſrael, þat þei
ſchulden make paſk;
v whiche maden in his tyme, in þe fourtenþe dai of þe
moneþe, at euentid, in þe hil of Synai; bi alle þingis
whiche þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes, þe ſones of
Iſrael diden.
vi Lo! forſoþe ſummen vncleene on þe ſoule of man, þat
myȝten not make paſk in þat dai, neiȝiden to Moiſes and
Aaron,
vii and ſeiden to hem, We ben vncleene `on þe ſoule of
man; whi ben we defraudid, þat we moun not offre an
offryng to þe Lord in his tyme, among þe ſones of
Iſrael?
viii To whiche Moiſes anſweride, Stonde ȝe, þat Y take
counſeil, what þe Lord comaundiþ of ȝou.
ix And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
x Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, A man of ȝoure folk
which is vncleene `on þe ſoule, eþer in þe weie fer,
make he paſk to þe Lord in þe ſecounde moneþe,
xi in þe fourtenþe dai of þe moneþe, at euentid; wiþ þerf
looues and letuſis of þe feeld he ſchal ete it.
xii Þei ſchulen not leeue ony þing þerof til þe morewtid,
and þei ſchulen not breke a boon þerof; þei ſchulen kepe
al þe cuſtom of paſk.
xiii Forſoþe if ony man is boþe cleene, and is not in þe
weie, and neþeles made not paſk, þilke man ſchal be
diſtried fro hiſe puplis, for he offeride not ſacrifice to þe
Lord in his tyme; he ſchal bere his ſynne.
xiiii Alſo if a pilgrym and comelyng is anentis ȝou, make
he paſk to þe Lord, bi þe cerymonyes and iuſtifiyngis
þerof; þe ſame comaundement ſchal be anentis ȝou, as
wel to a comelyng as to a man borun in þe loond.
xv Þerfore in þe dai in which þe tabernacle was reiſid, a
cloude hilide it; ſoþeli as þe licneſſe of fier was on þe
tente fro euentid til þe morewtid.
xvi Þus it was don continueli, a cloude hilide it bi dai,
and as þe licneſſe of fier bi nyȝt.
xvii And whanne þe cloude þat hilide þe tabernacle was
takun awei, þanne þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden forþ, and in
þe place where þe cloude ſtood, þere þei ſettiden tentis.
xviii At þe comaundement of þe Lord þei ȝeden forþ,
and at his comaundement þei ſettiden þe tabernacle. In
alle daies in whiche þe cloude ſtood on þe tabernacle,
þei dwelliden in þe ſame place.
xix And if it bifelde þat it dwellide in myche tyme on þe
tabernacle, þe ſones of Iſrael weren in þe watchis of þe
Lord, and þei ȝeden not forþ,
xx in hou many euer daies þe cloude was on þe
tabernacle. At þe comaundement of þe Lord þei reiſiden
tentis, and at his comaundement þei diden doun.
xxi If þe cloude was fro euentid `til to þe morewtid, and
anoon in þe morewtid hadde left, þei ȝeden forþ; and if
aftir a dai and nyȝt it hadde go awei, þei ſcateriden,
`eþer diden doun, tentis.
xxii Wheþer in two moneþis, eþer in o moneþe, eþer in
lengere tyme, `þe cloude hadde be on þe tabernacle, þe
ſones of Iſrael dwelliden in þe ſame place, and ȝeden
not forþ; but anoon as it hadde go awey, þei moueden
tentis.
xxiii Bi þe word of þe Lord þei ſettiden tentis, and bi his
word þei wenten forþ; and þei weren in þe watchis of
þe Lord, bi his comaundement, bi þe hond of Moyſes.
CAP. X
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
ii Make to þee twei ſiluerne trumpis betun out wiþ
hameris, bi whiche þou maiſt clepe togidere þe
multitude, whanne þe tentis ſchulen be moued.
iii And whanne þou ſchalt ſowne wiþ trumpis, al þe
cumpeny ſchal be gaderid to þee at þe dore of þe
tabernacle of þe boond of pees.
iiii If þou ſchalt ſowne onys, þe princes and þe heedis of
þe multitude of Iſrael ſchulen come to þee;
v but if a lengere and departid trumpyng ſchal ſowne,
þei þat ben at þe eeſt cooſt ſchulen moue tentis firſt.
vi Forſoþe in þe ſecounde ſown and lijk noiſe of þe
trumpe þei þat dwellen at þe ſouþ ſchulen reiſe tentis;
and bi þis maner oþere men ſchulen do, whanne þe
trumpis ſchulen ſowne in to goyng forþ.
vii Forſoþe whanne þe puple ſchal be gederid to gidere,
ſymple cry of trumpis ſchal be, and þo ſchulen not
ſowne departyngli.
CL
viii Þe ſones of Aaron preeſt ſchulen ſowne wiþ trumpis,
and þis ſchal be a lawful þing euerlaſtynge in ȝoure
generaciouns.
ix If ȝe ſchulen go out of ȝoure lond to batel aȝens
enemyes þat fiȝten aȝens ȝou, ȝe ſchulen crye wiþ
trumpis ſownynge, and þe biþenkyng of ȝou ſchal be
bifor ȝoure Lord God, þat ȝe be delyuered fro þe hondis
of ȝoure enemyes.
x If ony tyme ȝe ſchulen haue a feeſte, and halidaies,
and calendis, ȝe ſchulen ſynge in trumpis on brent
ſacrifices and peſible ſacrifices, þat þo be to ȝou in to
remembryng of ȝoure God; Y am ȝoure Lord God.
xi In þe ſecounde ȝeer, in þe ſecounde moneþe, in þe
twentiþe dai of þe moneþe, þe cloude was reiſid fro þe
tabernacle of boond of pees.
xii And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden forþ bi her cumpenyes
fro deſeert of Synay; and þe cloude reſtide in þe
wildirneſſe of Faran.
xiii And þe ſones of Juda bi her cumpenyes, of whiche
þe prince was Naaſon, þe ſone of Amynadab, moueden
firſt tentis,
xiiii bi þe Lordis comaundement maad in þe hond of
Moiſes.
xv In þe lynage of þe ſones of Yſacar þe prince was
Nathanael, þe ſone of Suar.
xvi In þe lynage of Sabulon þe prince was Heliab, þe
ſone of Helon.
xvii And þe tabernacle was takun doun, which þe ſones
of Gerſon and of Merary baren, and `ȝeden out.
xviii And þe ſones of Ruben ȝeden forþ bi her
cumpenyes and ordre, of whiche þe prince was Heliſur,
þe ſone of Sedeur.
xix Forſoþe in þe lynage of þe ſones of Symeon þe
prince was Salamyel, þe ſone of Suriſaddai.
xx Soþeli in þe lynage of Gad þe prince was
Heliſaphath, þe ſone of Duel.
xxi And þe ſones of Caath ȝeden forþ, and baren þe
ſeyntuarie; ſo longe þe tabernacle was borun, til þei
camen to þe place of reiſyng þerof.
xxii Alſo þe ſones of Effraym, bi her cumpanyes,
moueden tentis, in whos ooſt þe prince was Eliſama, þe
ſone of Amyud.
xxiii Forſoþe in þe lynage of þe ſones of Manaſſes þe
prince was Gamaliel, þe ſone of Phaduſſur.
xxiiii And in þe lynage of Beniamyn þe duk was Abidan,
þe ſone of Gedeon.
xxv Þe ſones of Dan, bi her cumpenyes, ȝeden forþ þe
laſte of alle tentis, in whos ooſt þe prince was Aizer, þe
ſone of Amyſaddai.
xxvi Soþeli in þe lynage of þe ſones of Aſer þe prince
was Phegiel, þe ſone of Ochran.
xxvii And in þe lynage of þe ſones of Neptalym þe
prince was Haira, þe ſone of Henan.
xxviii Þeſe ben þe caſtels and þe goinges forþ of þe ſones
of Iſrael, bi her cumpenyes, whanne þei ȝeden out.
xxix And Moiſes ſeide to Heliab, þe ſone of Raguel, of
Madian, his alie `eþir fadir of his wijf, We goon forþ to
þe place which þe Lord ſchal ȝyue to vs; come þou wiþ
vs, þat we do wel to þee, for þe Lord bihiȝte goode
þingis to Iſrael.
xxx To whom he anſweride, Y ſchal not go wiþ þee, but
Y ſchal turne aȝen in to my lond, in which Y was borun.
xxxi And Moiſes ſeide, Nyle þou forſake vs, for þou
knowiſt in whiche places we owen to ſette tentis, and
þou ſchalt be oure ledere;
xxxii and whanne þou ſchalt come wiþ vs, what euer
þing ſchal be þe beſte of þe richeſſis whiche þe Lord
ſchal ȝyue to vs, we ſchulen ȝyue to þee.
xxxiii And þerfor þei ȝeden forþ fro þe hil of þe Lord þe
weie of þre daies; and þe arke of boond of pees of þe
Lord ȝede bifor hem, bi þre daies, and purueyde þe
place of tentis.
xxxiiii And þe cloude of þe Lord was on hem bi day,
whanne þei ȝeden.
xxxv And whanne þe arke was reiſid, Moiſes ſeide, Ryſe
þou, Lord, and þin enemyes be ſcaterid, and þei þat
haten þee, fle fro þi face;
xxxvi forſoþe whanne þe arke was put doun, he ſeide,
Lord, turne aȝen to þe multitude of þe ooſt of Iſrael.
CAP. XI
i Yn þe meene tyme þe grutchyng of þe puple, as of
men ſorewynge for trauel, roos aȝens þe Lord. And
whanne Moiſes hadde herd þis þing, he was wrooþ; and
þe fier of þe Lord was kyndelid on hem, and deuouride
þe laſte part of þe tentis.
ii And whanne þe puple hadde cried to Moiſes, Moiſes
preiede þe Lord, and þe fier was quenchid.
iii And he clepid þe name of þat place Brennyng, for þe
fier of þe Lord was kyndlid aȝens hem.
iiii And þe comyn puple of `malis and femalis, þat
hadde ſtied wiþ hem, brent wiþ deſire of fleiſchis, and
ſat, and wepte wiþ þe ſones of Iſrael ioyned togidere to
hem, and ſeide, Who ſchal ȝyue to vs fleiſchis to ete?
v We þenken on þe fiſchis whiche we eten in Egipt freli;
gourdis, and melouns, and lekis, and oyniouns, and
garlekis comen in to mynde `to vs;
vi oure ſoule is drie; oure iȝen byholden noon oþer þing
`no but manna.
vii Forſoþe manna was as þe ſeed of coriaundre, of þe
colour of bdellyum, which is whijt and briȝt as criſtal.
viii And þe puple ȝede aboute, and gaderide it, and brak
wiþ a queerne ſtoon, eþer pownede in a morter, and
ſeþide in a pot; and made þerof litle cakis of þe ſauour,
as of breed maad wiþ oile.
CLI
ix And whanne dew cam doun in þe niȝt on þe tentis,
alſo manna cam doun togidere.
x Þerfor Moiſes herde þe puple wepynge bi meynees,
and `alle bi hem ſilf bi þe doris of her tentis; and þe
woodneſſe of þe Lord was wrooþ greetli, but alſo þe
þing was ſeyn vnſuffrable to Moiſes.
xi And he ſeide to þe Lord, Whi haſt þou turmentid þi
ſeruaunt? whi fynde Y not grace bifor þee? and whi haſt
þou put on me þe burþun of al þis puple?
xii wheþir Y conſeyuede al þis multitude, eþir gendride
it, þat þou ſeie to me, Bere þou hem in þi boſum as a
nuriſe is wont to bere a litil ȝong child, and bere þou in
to þe lond for which þou haſt ſwore to þe fadris `of
hem.
xiii wherof ben fleiſchis to me, þat Y `ȝyue to ſo greet
multitude? Þei wepen bifore me, and ſeyn, `Ȝyue þou
fleiſchis to vs þat we ete;
xiiii I mai not aloone ſuffre al þis puple, for it is greuouſe
to me.
xv If in oþer maner it ſemeþ to þee, Y biſeche þat þou ſle
me, and þat Y fynde grace in þin iȝen, þat Y be not
punyſchid bi ſo grete yuelis.
xvi And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Gadere þou to me
ſeuenti men of þe eldre men of Iſrael, whiche þou
knowiſt, `þat þei ben þe elde men and maiſtris of þe
puple; and þou ſchalt lede hem to þe dore of þe
tabernacle of boond of pees, and þou ſchalt make to
ſtonde þere wiþ þee,
xvii þat Y come doun, and ſpeke to þee; and Y ſchal take
awey of þi ſpirit, and Y ſchal ȝyue to hem, þat þei
ſuſteyne wiþ þee þe birþun of þe puple, and not þou
aloone be greuyd.
xviii And þou ſchalt ſeie to þe puple, Be ȝe halewid; to
morew ȝe ſchulen ete fleiſchis; for Y herde ȝou ſeie,
Who ſchal ȝyue to vs þe metis of fleiſchis? it was wel to
vs in Egipt; þat þe Lord ȝyue `fleiſchis to ȝou,
xix and þat ȝe ete not o dai, eþir tweyne, eþir fyue, eþir
ten, ſoþeli neþer twenti,
xx but `til to a moneþe of daies, til it go out bi ȝoure
noſeþirlis, and turne in to wlatyng; for ȝe han put awei
þe Lord, which is in þe myddis of ȝou, and ȝe wepten
bifor hym, and ſeiden, Whi ȝeden we out of Egipt?
xxi And Moiſes ſeide to þe Lord, Sixe hundrid þouſynde
of foot men ben of þis puple, and þou ſeiſt, Y ſchal ȝyue
to hem `mete of fleiſchis an hool moneþe.
xxii Wheþer þe multitude of ſcheep and of oxun ſchal be
ſlayn, þat it may ſuffice to mete, eþir alle þe fiſchis of
þe ſee ſchulen be gaderid to gidere, þat þo fille hem?
xxiii To whom þe Lord anſweride, Wheþer þe `hond of
þe Lord is vnmyȝti? riȝt now þou ſchalt ſe, wher my
word ſchal be fillid in werk.
xxiiii Þerfor Moiſes cam, and telde to þe puple þe wordis
of þe Lord; and he gaderide ſeuenti men of þe eldere of
Iſrael, whiche he made ſtonde aboute þe tabernacle.
xxv And þe Lord cam doun bi a cloude, and ſpak to
Moiſes, and took a weye of þe ſpirit þat was in Moiſes,
and ȝaf to þe ſeuenti men; and whanne þe ſpirit hadde
reſtid in hem, þei profeſieden, and ceeſſiden not
`aftirward.
xxvi Forſoþe twei men dwelliden ſtille in þe tentis, of
whiche men oon was clepid Heldad, and þe toþir
Medad, on whiche þe ſpirit reſtide; for alſo þei weren
deſcryued, and þei ȝeden not out to þe tabernacle.
xxvii And whanne þei profeſieden in þe tentis, a child
ran, and teld to Moiſes, and ſeide, Heldad and Medad
profecien in þe tentis.
xxviii Anoon Joſue, þe ſone of Nun, þe `mynyſtre of
Moiſes, and choſun of manye, ſeide, My lord Moiſes,
forbede þou hem.
xxix And he ſeide, What haſt þou enuye for me? who
ȝyueþ þat al þe puple profeſie, and þat God ȝyue his
ſpirit to hem?
xxx And Moiſes turnede aȝen, and þe eldre men in birþe
of Iſrael in to þe tentis.
xxxi Forſoþe a wynde ȝede forþ fro þe Lord, and took
curlewis, and bar ouer þe ſee, and lefte in to þe tentis, in
þe iurney, as myche as mai be parformed in o day, bi
ech part of þe tentis bi cumpas; and þo flowen in þe eir
bi twei cubitis in `hiȝneſſe ouer þe erþe.
xxxii Þerfor þe puple roos in al þat dai and nyȝt and in to
þe toþir dai, and gaderide þe multitude of curlewis; he
þat gaderide litil, gaderide ten `meſuris clepid chorus;
`and o chorus conteyneþ ten buſchels; and þei drieden
þo curlewis bi þe cumpas of þe tentis.
xxxiii Ȝit `fleiſchis weren in þe teeþ `of hem, and ſiche
mete failide not; and lo! þe woodneſſe of þe Lord was
reiſid aȝens þe puple, and ſmoot it wiþ a ful greet
veniaunce.
xxxiiii And þilke place was clepid Þe ſepulcris of
coueitiſe, for þere þei birieden þe puple þat deſiride
fleiſchis. Soþeli þei ȝeden `out of þe ſepulcris of
coueitiſe, and camen in to Aſſeroth, and dwelliden þere.
CAP. XII
i And Marie ſpak and Aaron aȝens Moiſes, for his wijf a
womman of Ethiope,
ii and ſeiden, Wheþir God ſpak oneli by Moiſes? wheþir
he ſpak not alſo to vs in lijk maner? And whanne þe
Lord hadde herd þis, he was wrooþ greetli;
iii for Moiſes was þe myldeſt man, ouer alle men þat
dwelliden in erþe.
iiii And anoon þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and to Aaron and
to Marye, Go out ȝe þre aloone to þe tabernacle of
boond of pees. And whanne þei weren gon yn,
CLII
v þe Lord cam doun in a piler of cloude, and he ſtood in
þe entryng of þe tabernacle, and clepide Aaron and
Marie.
vi And whanne þei hadden go, he ſeide to hem, Here ȝe
my wordis; if ony among ȝou is a profete of þe Lord, Y
ſchal appere to hym in reuelacioun, eþir Y ſchal ſpeke to
hym bi `a dreem.
vii And he ſeide, And my ſeruaunt Moiſes is not ſiche,
which is mooſt feiþful in al myn hows;
viii for Y ſpeke to hym mouþ to mouþ, and he ſeeþ God
opynli, and not bi derke ſpechis and figuris. Why þerfor
dredden ȝe not to bacbite `eþer depraue my ſeruaunt
Moiſes?
ix And þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens hem, and he wente a
wei.
x And þe cloude ȝede awei, þat was on þe tabernacle
and lo! Marie apperide whijt wiþ lepre as ſnow. And
whanne Aaron biheelde hir, and ſiȝ hir biſpreynd wiþ
lepre,
xi he ſeide to Moiſes, My lord, Y beſeche, putte þou not
þis ſynne on vs,
xii which we diden folili, þat þis womman be not maad
as deed, and as a deed borun þing which is caſt out of
þe `wombe of his modir; lo! now þe half of hir fleiſch is
deuourid wiþ lepre.
xiii And Moiſes criede to þe Lord, and ſeide, Lord, Y
biſeche, heele þou hir.
xiiii To whom þe Lord anſwerid, If hir fadir hadde ſpet in
to hir face, where ſche ouȝte not to be fillid wiþ ſchame,
nameli in ſeuene daies? Þerfor be ſche departid out of
þe tentis bi ſeuen daies, and aftirward ſche ſchal be
clepid aȝen.
xv And ſo Marie was excludid out of þe tentis bi ſeuene
daies; and þe puple was not mouyd fro þat place, til
Marie was clepid aȝen.
CAP. XIII
i And þe puple ȝede forþ fro Aſſeroth, whanne þe tentis
weren ſet in þe deſeert of Pharan.
ii And þere þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
iii and ſeide, Sende þou men þat ſchulen biholde þe lond
of Canaan, which Y ſchal ȝyue to þe ſones of Iſrael, of
ech lynage o man of þe princes.
iiii Moiſes dide þat þat þe Lord comaundide, and ſente
fro þe deſeert of Pharan princes, men of whiche þeſe
ben þe names.
v Of þe lynage of Ruben, Semmya, þe ſone of Zectur.
vi Of þe lynage of Symeon, Saphat, þe ſone of Hury.
vii Of þe lynage of Juda, Caleph, þe ſone of Jephone.
viii Of þe lynage of Iſachar, Igal, þe ſone of Joſeph.
ix Of þe lynage of Effraym, Oſee, þe ſone of Nun.
x Of þe lynage of Beniamyn, Phalti, þe ſone of Raphu.
xi Of þe lynage of Zabulon, Gediel, þe ſone of Sodi.
xii Of þe lynage of Joſeph, of þe gouernaunce of
Manaſſes, Gaddi, þe ſone of Suſy.
xiii Of þe lynage of Dan, Amyel, þe ſone of Gemalli.
xiiii Of þe lynage of Aſer, Sur, þe ſone of Mychael.
xv Of þe lynage of Neptalym, Nabdi, þe ſone of Napſi.
xvi Of þe lynage of Gad, Guel, þe ſone of Machi.
xvii Þeſe ben þe names of men, which Moiſes ſente to
biholde þe lond of Canaan; and he clepide Oſee, þe ſone
of Nun, Joſue.
xviii Þerfor Moiſes ſente hem to biholde þe lond of
Canaan, and ſeide to hem, `Stie ȝe bi þe ſouþ cooſt; and
whanne ȝe comen to þe hillis,
xix biholde ȝe þe lond, what maner lond it is; and
biholde ȝe þe puple which is þe dwellere þerof, wheþer
it is ſtrong, eþir feble, `wheþer þei ben fewe in
noumbre, eþer manye;
xx wheþer þat lond is good, eþir yuel; what maner citees
ben, wallid, eþer wiþout wallis;
xxi wheþer þe lond is fat, eþer bareyn, `wheþer it is ful
of woodis, eþir wiþout trees. Be ȝe coumfortid, and
`brynge ȝe to vs of þe fruytis of þat lond. Soþeli þe
tyme was, whanne grapis firſt ripe myȝten be etun
þanne.
xxii And whanne þei hadden ſtied, þei aſpieden þe lond,
fro þe deſeert of Syn `til to Rohob, as men entryþ to
Emath.
xxiii And þei ſtieden to þe ſouþ, and camen in to Ebron,
where Achyman, and Siſai, and Tholmai, þe ſones of
Enach, weren; for Hebron was maad bi ſeuen ȝeer bifor
Thamnys, þe citee of Egipt.
xxiiii And þei ȝeden til to þe ſtronde of cluſtre, and
kittiden doun a ſioun wiþ his grape, which twei men
baren in a barre; alſo þei token of pumgarnadis, and of
þe figis of þat place which is clepid Neheleſcol,
xxv þat is, þe ſtronde of grape, for þe ſones of Iſrael
baren a cluſtre fro þennus.
xxvi And þe aſpieris of þe lond, whanne þei hadden
cumpaſſid al þe cuntrey, after fourti daies camen to
Moiſes and Aaron,
xxvii and to al þe cumpany of þe ſones of Iſrael, in to þe
deſeert of Pharan which is in Cades. And `þe aſpieris
ſpaken to hem, and ſchewiden þe fruytis of þe lond to al
þe multitude, and telden,
xxviii and ſeiden, We camen to þe lond, to which þou
ſenteſt vs, which lond treuli flowiþ wiþ mylk and hony,
as it may be knowun bi þeſe fruytis;
xxix but it haþ ſtrongeſte inhabiteris, and grete cytees,
and wallid; we ſien þere þe kynrede of Anachym;
Amalech dwelliþ in þe ſouþ;
xxx Ethei, and Jebuſei, and Amorey dwellen in þe hilli
placis; forſoþe Cananey dwelliþ biſidis þe ſee, and
biſidis þe floodis of Jordan.
CLIII
xxxi Among þes þingis Caleph peeſide þe grutchyng of
þe puple, þat was maad aȝens Moiſes, and ſeide, `Stie
we, and welde we þe lond, for we moun gete it.
xxxii Forſoþe oþer aſpieris, þat weren wiþ hym, ſeiden,
We moun not ſtie to þis puple, for it is ſtrongere þan we.
xxxiii And þei deprauyden þe lond which þei hadden
biholde, anentis þe ſones of Iſrael, and ſeiden, Þe lond
which we cumpaſſiden deuouriþ hiſe dwelleris; þe puple
which we bihelden is of large ſtature; þere we ſyen
ſumme wondris aȝens kynde,
xxxiiii of þe ſones of Enach, of þe kynde of geauntis, to
whiche we weren compariſound, and weren ſeien as
locuſtis.
CAP. XIIII
i Þerfor al þe cumpeny criede, and wepte in þat nyȝt,
ii and alle þe ſones of Iſrael grutchiden aȝens Moiſes and
Aaron, and ſeiden,
iii We wolden þat we hadden be deed in Egipt, and not
in þis waaſt wildirneſſe; we wolden þat we periſchen,
and þat þe Lord lede vs not in to þis lond, leſt we fallen
bi ſwerd, and oure wyues and fre children ben led
priſoneris; wheþer it is not betere to turne aȝen in to
Egipt?
iiii And þei ſeiden oon to anoþer, Ordeyne we a duyk to
vs, and turne we aȝen in to Egipt.
v And whanne þis was herd, Moiſes and Aaron felden
lowe to erþe, bifor al þe multitude of þe ſones of Iſrael.
vi And ſoþeli Joſue, þe ſone of Nun, and Caleph, þe ſone
of Jephone, whiche alſo cumpaſſiden þe lond, to renten
her cloþis,
vii and ſpaken to al þe multitude of þe ſones of Iſrael, Þe
lond which we cumpaſſiden is ful good;
viii if þe Lord is merciful to vs, he ſchal lede vs in to it,
and ſchal ȝyue `to vs þe lond flowynge wiþ mylk and
hony.
ix Nyle ȝe be rebel aȝens þe Lord, neþer drede ȝe þe
puple of þis lond, for we moun deuoure hem ſo as
breed; al her help paſſide awei fro hem, þe Lord is wiþ
vs, nyle ȝe drede.
x And whanne al þe multitude criede, and wolde
oppreſſe hem wiþ ſtonys, þe glorie of þe Lord apperide
on þe roof of þe boond of pees, while alle þe ſones of
Iſrael ſien.
xi And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Hou long ſchal þis
puple bacbite me? Hou longe ſchulen þei not bileue to
me in alle `ſignes, whiche Y haue do bifor hem?
xii Þerfor Y ſchal ſmyte hem wiþ peſtilence, and Y ſchal
waſte hem; forſoþe Y ſchal make þee prince on a greet
folk, and ſtrongere þan is þis.
xiii And Moiſes ſeide to þe Lord, Egipcians `here not,
fro whos myddil þou leddiſt out þis puple,
xiiii and þe dwelleris of þis loond, whiche herden þat
þou, Lord, art in þis puple, and art ſeyn face to face, and
þat þi cloude defendiþ hem, and þat þou goiſt bifore
hem in a pilere of cloude bi dai,
xv and in a piler of fier bi nyȝt, þat þou haſt ſlayn ſo
greet a multitude as o man,
xvi and ſeie þei, He myȝte not brynge þis puple in to þe
lond for whiche he ſwoor, þerfor he killide hem in
wildirneſſe;
xvii þerfor þe ſtrengþe of þe Lord be magnified, as þou
haſt ſwore. And Moiſes ſeide,
xviii Lord pacient, and of myche mercy, doynge awei
wickidneſſe and treſpaſſis, and leeuynge no man vngilti,
which viſitiſt þe ſynnes of fadris in to ſones in to þe
þridde and fourþe generacioun, Y biſeche,
xix forȝyue þou þe ſynne of þis þi puple, aftir þe
greetneſſe of þi merci, as þou were merciful to men
goynge out of Egipt `til to þis place.
xx And þe Lord ſeide, Y haue forȝouun to hem, bi þi
word.
xxi Y lyue; and þe glorie of þe Lord ſchal be fillid in al
erþe;
xxii neþeles alle men þat ſien my mageſte, and my
ſignes, whiche Y dide in Egipt and in þe wildirneſſe,
and temptiden me now bi ten ſiþis, and obeieden not to
my vois,
xxiii ſchulen not ſe þe lond for which Y ſwore to her
fadris, neþir ony of hem þat bacbitide me, ſchal ſe it.
xxiiii Y ſchal lede my ſeruaunt Caleph, þat was ful of
anoþir ſpirit, and ſuede me, in to þis lond, which he
cumpaſſide, and his ſeed ſchal welde it.
xxv For Amalech and Cananei dwellen in þe valeis, to
morewe moue ȝe tentis, and turne ȝe aȝen in to
wildirneſſe bi þe weie of þe reed ſee.
xxvi And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and to Aaron, and
ſeide,
xxvii Hou long grutchiþ þis werſte multitude aȝens me?
Y haue herd þe pleyntis of þe ſones of Iſrael.
xxviii Þerfor ſeie þou to hem, Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord; as ȝe
ſpaken while Y herde, ſo Y ſchal do to ȝou;
xxix ȝoure careyns ſchulen ligge in þis wildirneſſe. Alle
ȝe þat ben noumbrid, fro twenti ȝeer and aboue, and
grutchiden aȝens me,
xxx ſchulen not entre in to þe lond, on which Y reiſide
myn hond, þat Y ſchulde make ȝou to dwelle outakun
Caleph, þe ſone of Jephone, and Joſue, þe ſone of Nun.
xxxi Forſoþe Y ſchal lede in ȝoure litle children, of
whiche ȝe ſeiden þat þei ſchulden be preyes `eþir
raueyns to enemyes, þat þei ſe þe lond which diſpleſide
ȝou.
xxxii Forſoþe ȝoure careyns ſchulen ligge in þe
wildirneſſe;
CLIV
xxxiii ȝoure ſones ſchulen be walkeris aboute in þe
deſeert bi fourti ȝeer, and þei ſchulen bere ȝoure
fornycacioun, til þe careyns of þe fadris ben waſtid in
þe deſeert,
xxxiiii by þe noumbre of fourti daies, in whiche ȝe
bihelden þe loond; a ȝeer ſchal be arettid for a dai, and
bi fourti ȝeer ȝe ſchulen reſſeyue ȝoure wickidneſſe, and
ȝe ſchulen knowe my veniaunce.
xxxv For as Y ſpak, ſo Y ſchal do to al þis werſte
multitude, þat roos to gidere aȝens me; it ſchal faile, and
ſchal die in þis wildirneſſe.
xxxvi Þerfor alle þe men whyche Moiſes hadde ſent to
ſee þe lond, and whiche turniden aȝen, and maden al þe
multitude to grutche aȝens hym, and depraueden þe
lond, þat it was yuel,
xxxvii weren deed, and ſmytun in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
xxxviii Soþeli Joſue, þe ſone of Nun, and Caleph, þe ſone
of Jephone, lyueden, of alle men þat ȝeden to ſe þe
lond.
xxxix And Moiſes ſpak alle þeſe wordis to alle þe ſones
of Iſrael, and þe puple mourenyde gretli.
xl And, lo! þei riſeden in þe morewtid firſt, and `ſtieden
in to þe cop of þe hil, and ſeiden, We ben redi to ſtie to
þe place, of which þe Lord ſpak, for we ſynneden.
xli To whiche Moiſes ſeide, Whi paſſen ȝe þe word of þe
Lord, þat ſchal not bifalle to ȝou in to proſperite?
xlii Nyle ȝe ſtie, for þe Lord is not wiþ ȝou, leſt ȝe fallen
bifor ȝoure enemyes.
xliii Amalech and Cananei ben bifor ȝou, bi þe ſwerd of
whiche ȝe ſchulen falle, for ȝe nolden aſſente to þe
Lord, neþer þe Lord ſchal be wiþ ȝou.
xliiii And þei weren maad derk, and ſtieden in to þe cop
of þe hil; forſoþe þe ark of þe teſtament of þe Lord and
Moiſes ȝeden not awey fro þe tentis.
xlv And Amalech cam doun, and Chananei, þat
dwelliden in þe hil, and he ſmoot hem, and kittide doun,
and purſuede hem til Horma.
CAP. XV
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide, Speke þou to
þe ſones of Iſrael,
ii and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Whanne ȝe han entrid in to
þe lond of ȝoure abitacioun which Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou,
iii and ȝe make an offryng to þe Lord in to brent
ſacrifice, eþer a peſible ſacrifice, and ȝe payen auowis,
eþir offren ȝiftis bi fre wille, eþir in ȝoure ſolempnytees
ȝe brennen odour of ſwetneſſe to þe Lord, of oxun, eþer
of ſcheep;
iiii who euer offriþ þe ſlayn ſacrifice, ſchal offre a
ſacrifice of flour, þe tenþe part of ephi, ſpreynt togidere
wiþ oile, which oil ſchal haue a meſure þe fourþe part of
hyn;
v and he ſchal ȝyue wyn to fletynge ſacrifices to be
ſched, of þe ſame meſure, in to brent ſacrifice, and ſlayn
ſacrifice.
vi Bi ech loomb and ram ſchal be þe ſacrifice of flour, of
twey tenþe partis, which ſchal be ſpreynt togidere wiþ
oile, of þe þridde part of hyn;
vii and he ſchal offre wyn to þe fletynge ſacrifice, of þe
þridde part of þe ſame meſure, in to odour of ſwetneſſe
to þe Lord.
viii Forſoþe whanne þou makiſt a brent ſacrifice, eþir an
offryng of oxun, þat þou fille avow, eþir peſible
ſacrifice, þou ſchalt ȝyue,
ix bi ech oxe, þre tenþe partis of flour, ſpreynt togidere
wiþ oile, which ſchal haue þe half of meſure of hyn;
x and þou ſchalt ȝyue wyn to fletynge ſacrifices to be
ſched, of þe ſame meſure, in to offryng of þe ſwetteſt
odour to þe Lord.
xi So ȝe ſchulen do bi ech oxe, and ram,
xii and lomb, and kide;
xiii as wel men borun in þe lond,
xiiii as pilgrymys, ſchulen offre ſacrifices bi þe ſame
cuſtom;
xv o comaundement and doom ſchal be, as wel to ȝou as
to comelyngis of þe lond.
xvi And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
xvii and ſeide, Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, and þou
ſchalt ſeie to hem,
xviii Whanne ȝe comen in to þe lond which Y ſchal ȝyue
to ȝou,
xix and `ȝe eten of þe looues of þat cuntrey, ȝe
xx ſchulen departe þe firſte fruytis of ȝoure metis to þe
Lord; as ȝe ſchulen departe þe firſte fruytis of corn
flooris,
xxi ſo ȝe ſchulen ȝyue þe firſte fruytis alſo of ſewis to þe
Lord.
xxii Þat if bi ignoraunce ȝe paſſen ony of þo þingis
whiche þe Lord ſpak to Moyſes,
xxiii and comaundide bi hym to ȝou, fro þe dai in which
he bigan to comaunde,
xxiiii and ouer, and þe multitude haþ forȝete to do, it
ſchal offre a calf of þe drooue, brent ſacrifice in to
ſwettiſt odour to þe Lord, and þe ſacrificis þerof, and
fletynge offryngis, as þe cerymonyes þerof axen; and it
ſchal offre a `buc of geet for ſynne.
xxv And þe preeſt ſchal preie for al þe multitude of þe
ſones of Iſrael, and it ſchal be forȝouun to hem, for þei
ſynneden not wilfuli. And neuerþeleſſe þei ſchulen offre
encenſe to þe Lord for hemſilf, and for her ſynne and
errour;
xxvi and it ſchal be forȝouun to al þe puple of þe ſones of
Iſrael, and to comelyngis þat ben pilgryms among hem,
for it is þe ſynne of al þe multitude bi ignoraunce.
CLV
xxvii Þat if a ſoule ſynneþ vnwityngli, it ſchal offre a
geet of o ȝeer for his ſynne; and þe preeſt ſchal preye for
þat ſoule, for it ſynnede vnwityngli bifor þe Lord;
xxviii and þe preeſt ſchal gete forȝyueneſſe to it, and
ſynne ſchal be forȝouun to it.
xxix As wel to men borun in þe lond as to comelyngis, o
lawe ſchal be of alle þat ſynnen vnwityngli.
xxx Forſoþe a man þat doiþ ony ſynne bi pride, ſchal
periſche fro his puple, wheþer he be a citeſeyn, eþir a
pilgrym, for he was rebel aȝens þe Lord;
xxxi for he diſpiſide þe word of þe Lord, and made voide
his comaundement; þerfor he ſchal be doon awei, and
ſchal bere his owne wickidnes.
xxxii Forſoþe it was doon, whanne þe ſones of Iſrael
weren in wildirneſſe, and hadde founde a man
gaderynge woode in þe `day of ſabat,
xxxiii þei brouȝten hym to Moiſes, and to Aaron, and to
al þe multitude; whiche cloſiden hym in to priſoun,
xxxiiii and wiſten not what þei ſchulden do of hym.
xxxv And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Þis man die bi deeþ;
al þe cumpeny oppreſſe hym wiþ ſtoonus wiþ out þe
tentis.
xxxvi And whanne þei hadden led hym wiþ out forþ, þei
oppreſſiden him wiþ ſtoonus, and he was deed, as þe
Lord comaundide.
xxxvii Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes,
xxxviii Speke þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, and þou ſchalt
ſeye to hem, þat þei make to hem hemmes bi foure
corneris of mentils, and ſette laces of iacynct `in þo;
xxxix and whanne þei ſeen þoo, haue þei mynde of alle
comaundementis of þe Lord, leſt þei ſuen her þouȝtis
and iȝen, doynge fornycacioun bi dyuerſe þingis;
xl but more be þei myndeful of þe `Lordis heeſtis, and
do þei þo, and be þei hooli to her God.
xli Y am ȝoure Lord God, which ledde ȝou out of þe
lond of Egipt, þat Y ſchulde be ȝoure God.
CAP. XVI
i Lo! forſoþe Chore, þe ſone of Iſuar, ſone of Caath, ſone
of Leuy, and Dathan and Abiron, þe ſones of Heliab,
and Hon, þe ſone of Pheleph, of þe ſones of Ruben,
ryſen aȝens Moiſes,
ii and oþere of þe ſones of Iſrael, two hundryd men and
fifti, prynces of þe ſynagoge, and whiche weren clepid
bi names in þe tyme of counſel.
iii And whanne `þei hadden ſtonde aȝens Moiſes and
Aaron, þei ſeiden, Suffice it to ȝou, for al þe multitude
is of hooly men, and þe Lord is in hem; whi ben ȝe
reiſid on þe puple of þe Lord?
iiii And whanne Moiſes hadde herd þis, he felde lowe on
þe face.
v And he ſpak to Chore, and to al þe multitude; he ſeide,
Eerli þe Lord ſchal make knowun whiche perteynen to
hym, and he ſchal applie to hym hooli men; and þei
whiche he haþ choſe, ſchulen neiȝe to hym.
vi Þerfor do ȝe þis þing; ech man take his cencere, þou
Chore, and al þi counſel;
vii and to morewe whanne fier is takun vp, putte ȝe
encenſe aboue bifor þe Lord, and whom euer þe Lord
cheſiþ, he ſchal be hooli. Ȝe ſones of Leuy ben myche
reiſid.
viii And eft Moiſes ſeide to Chore, Ȝe ſones of Leuy,
here.
ix Wheþer it is litil to ȝou, þat God of Iſrael departide
ȝou fro al þe puple, and ioynede ȝou to hym ſilf, þat ȝe
ſchulden ſerue hym in þe ſeruyce of tabernacle, and þat
ȝe ſchulden ſtonde bifor þe multitude of puple, and
ſchulden ſerue hym?
x Made he þerfor þee and alle þi breþeren þe ſones of
Leuy to neiȝ to hym ſilf, þat ȝe chalenge to ȝou alſo
preeſthod,
xi and al þi gaderyng togidere ſtonde aȝens þe Lord? For
whi what is Aaron, þat ȝe grutchen aȝens hym?
xii Þerfor Moiſes ſente to clepe Dathan and Abiron, þe
ſones of Heliab; whiche anſweriden, We comen not.
xiii Wheþir is it litil to þee, þat þou leddiſt vs out of þe
lond þat flowide wiþ mylk and hony, to ſle vs in þe
deſeert, no but alſo þou be lord of vs?
xiiii Verili þou haſt bronyt vs in to þe lond þat flowiþ
wiþ ſtreemys of mylk and hony, and haſt ȝoue to vs
poſſeſſioun of feeldis, and of vyneris; wheþir alſo þou
wolt putte out oure iȝen?
xv We comen not. And Moiſes was wrooþ greetli, and
ſeide to þe Lord, Biholde þou not þe ſacrifices of hem;
þou woſt þat Y took neuere of hem, ȝhe, a litil aſſe,
neþir Y turmentide ony of hem.
xvi And Moiſes ſeide to Chore, Þou and al þi
congregacioun ſtonde aſidis half bifor þe Lord, and
Aaron to morewe bi hym ſilf.
xvii Take ȝe alle bi ȝou ſilf ȝoure cenſeris, and putte ȝe
encenſe in þo, and offre ȝe to þe Lord, tweyn hundrid
and fifti cenſeris; and Aaron holde his cenſer.
xviii And whanne þei hadden do þis, while Moiſes and
Aaron ſtoden,
xix and þei hadden gaderid al þe multitude to þe `dore of
þe tabernacle aȝens hem, þe glorie of þe Lord apperide
to alle.
xx And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and Aaron,
xxi and ſeide, Be ȝe departid fro þe myddis of þis
congregacioun, þat Y leeſe hem ſodeynli.
xxii Whiche felden lowe on þe face, and ſeiden,
Strongeſte God of þe ſpiritis of al fleiſch, wheþir `þin
yre ſchal be fers aȝens alle men, for o man ſynneþ?
xxiii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes,
xxiiii Comaunde þou to al þe puple, þat it be departid fro
þe tabernaclis of Chore, and of Dathan, and of Abiron.
CLVI
xxv And Moiſes roos, and ȝede to Dathan and Abiron;
and while þe eldre men of Iſrael ſueden hym,
xxvi he ſeide to þe cumpeny, Go ȝe awey fro þe
tabernaclis of wickid men, and nyle ȝe touche þo þingis
þat parteynen to hem, leſt ȝe ben wlappid in þe ſynnes
of hem.
xxvii And whanne þei hadden gon awei fro þe tentis `of
hem bi þe cumpas, Dathan and Abiron ȝeden out, and
ſtoden in þe entryng of her tentis, wiþ wyues, and fre
children, and al þe multitude.
xxviii And Moiſes ſeide, In þis ȝe ſchulen wite þat þe
Lord ſente me, þat Y ſchulde do alle þingis whiche ȝe
ſeen, and Y brouȝte not forþ þo of myn owne herte.
xxix If þei periſchen bi cuſtomable deeþ of men, and
wounde viſite hem, bi which alſo oþere men ben wont
to be viſitid,
xxx þe Lord ſente not me; but if þe Lord doiþ a newe
þing, þat þe erþe opene his mouþ, and ſwolewe hem,
and alle þingis þat perteynen to hem, and þei goen doun
quyke in to helle, ȝe ſchulen wite þat þei blasfemeden
þe Lord.
xxxi Þerfor anoon as he ceſſide to ſpeke, þe erþe was
brokun vndur her feet,
xxxii and þe erþe openyde his mouþ, and deuowride
hem, wiþ her tabernaclis, and al þe catel `of hem;
xxxiii and þei ȝeden doun quike in to helle, and weren
hilid wiþ erþe, and periſchiden fro þe myddis of þe
multitude.
xxxiiii And ſoþeli al Iſrael þat ſtood bi þe cumpas, fledde
fro þe cry of men periſchinge, and ſeide, Leſt
perauenture þe erþe ſwolewe alſo vs.
xxxv But alſo fier ȝede out fro þe Lord, and killide tweyn
hundrid and fifti men þat offriden encenſe.
xxxvi And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
xxxvii Comaunde þou to Eleaſar, ſone of Aaron, preeſt,
þat he take þe cenſeris þat liggen in þe brennyng, and
þat he ſchatere þe fier hidur and þidur; for þo ben
halewid in þe deþis of ſynneris;
xxxviii and þat he bringe forþ þo in to platis, and naile to
þe auter, for encenſe is offrid in þo to þe Lord, and þo
ben halewid, þat þe ſonis of Iſrael ſe þo for a ſigne and
memorial.
xxxix Þerfor Eleazar, preeſt, took þe braſun ſenſeris, in
whiche cenſeris þei whiche þe brennyng deuouride
hadden offrid, and he `brouȝt forþ þo in to platis, and
nailide to þe auter;
xl þat þe ſones of Iſrael ſchulden haue þingis aftirward,
bi whiche þei ſchulden remembre, leſt ony alien, and
which is not of þe ſeed of Aaron, neiȝ to offre encenſe
to þe Lord, leſt he ſuffre, as Chore ſufferide, and al his
multitude, while þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes.
xli Forſoþe al þe multitude of þe ſones of Iſrael
grutchide in þe dai ſuynge aȝens Moiſes and Aaron, and
ſeide, Ȝe han ſlayn þe puple of þe Lord.
xlii And whanne diſcenſioun roos,
xliii and noiſe encreſſide, Moiſes and Aaron fledden to
þe tabernacle of þe boond of pees; and aftir þat þei
entriden in to it, a cloude hilide þe tabernacle, and þe
glorie of þe Lord apperide.
xliiii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes and to Aaron,
xlv Go ȝe awey fro þe myddis of þis multitude, alſo now
Y ſchal do awey hem. And whanne þei laien in þe erþe,
Moiſes ſeide to Aaron,
xlvi Take þe cenſer, and whanne fyer is takun vp of þe
auter, caſte encenſe aboue, and go ſoone to þe puple, þat
þou preye for hem; for now ire is gon out fro þe Lord,
and þe wounde is feers.
xlvii And whanne Aaron hadde do þis, and hadde runne
to þe myddis of þe multitude, which þe brennynge
waſtid þanne, he offeride encenſe;
xlviii and he ſtood bytwixe þe deed men and lyuynge,
and biſouȝte for þe puple, and þe wounde ceeſſide.
xlix Soþeli þei þat weren ſmytun weren fourtene
þouſynde of men and ſeuene hundrid, wiþ outen hem
þat periſchiden in þe diſcencioun of Chore.
l And Aaron turnyde aȝen to Moyſes, to þe dore of þe
tabernacle of boond of pees, aftir þat þe periſchyng
reſtide.
CAP. XVII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, `and ſeide, Speke þou to
þe ſones of Iſrael,
ii and take þou ȝerdis, bi her kynredis, bi ech kynrede o
ȝeerde, take þou of alle þe princes of þe lynagis twelue
ȝerdis; and þou ſchalt write þe name of each lynage
aboue his ȝerde;
iii forſoþe þe name of Aaron ſchal be in þe lynage of
Leuy, and o ȝerde ſchal conteyne alle þe meynees of
hem.
iiii And þou ſchalt putte þo ȝerdis in þe tabernacle of
boond of pees, bifor þe witneſſyng, where Y ſchal ſpeke
to þee; þe ȝerde of hym ſchal buriowne, whom Y ſchal
cheſe of hem;
v and Y ſchal refreyne fro me þe playnyngis of þe ſones
of Iſrael, bi whiche þei grutchen aȝens ȝou.
vi And Moyſes ſpak to þe ſones of Iſrael; and alle
princes ȝauen to hym ȝerdis, bi alle lynagis; and þe
ȝerdis weren twelue, wiþout þe ȝerde of Aaron.
vii And whanne Moiſes hadde put þo ȝerdis bifor þe
Lord, in þe tabernacle of witneſſyng, he ȝede aȝen in þe
day ſuynge,
viii and founde þat þe ȝerde of Aaron, `in þe hows of
Leuy, buriounnede; and whanne knoppis weren greet,
CLVII
þe bloſſoms `hadden broke out, whiche weren alargid in
leeuys, and weren fourmed in to alemaundis.
ix Þerfor Moyſes brouȝte forþ alle þe ȝerdis fro þe ſiȝt of
þe Lord to al þe ſones of Iſrael; and þei ſien, and
reſſeyueden ech his ȝerde.
x And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Bere aȝen þe ȝerde of
Aaron in to þe tabernacle of witneſſyng, þat it be kept
þere in to `þe ſigne of þe rebel ſones of Iſrael, and þat
her `playntis reſte fro me, leſt þei dien.
xi And Moiſes dide, as þe Lord comaundide.
xii Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael ſeiden to Moiſes, Lo! we
ben waſtid, alle we periſchiden;
xiii who euer neiȝeþ to þe tabernacle of þe Lord, he
dieþ; wheþir we ſchulen be doon awei alle `til to deeþ?
CAP. XVIII
i And þe Lord ſeide to Aaron, Þou, and þi ſones, and þe
hows of þi fadir wiþ þee, ſchulen bere þe wickidneſſe of
þe ſeyntuarie; and þou and þi ſones togidere ſchulen
ſuffre þe ſynnes of ȝoure preeſthod.
ii But alſo take þou wiþ þee þi briþeren of þe lynage of
Leuy, and þe power of þi fadir, and be þei redi, þat þei
mynyſtre to þee. Forſoþe þou and þi ſones ſchulen
mynyſtre in þe tabernacle of witneſſyng;
iii and þe dekenes ſchulen wake at þi comaundementis,
and at alle werkis of þe tabernacle; ſo oneli þat þei neiȝe
not to þe veſſels of ſeyntuarie, and to þe autir, leſt boþe
þei dien, and ȝe periſchen togidere.
iiii Forſoþe be þei wiþ þee, and wake þei in þe kepyngis
of þe tabernacle, and in alle þe cerymonyes þerof. An
alien ſchal not be meddlid wiþ ȝou.
v Wake ȝe in þe kepyng of þe ſeyntuarie, and in þe
ſeruyce of þe auter, leſt indignacioun riſe on þe ſones of
Iſrael.
vi Lo! Y haue ȝouun `to ȝou ȝoure briþeren, dekenes, fro
þe myddis of þe ſones of Iſrael, and Y haue ȝoue a fre
ȝifte to þe Lord, þat þei ſerue in þe ſeruyces of his
tabernacle.
vii Forſoþe þou and þi ſones, kepe ȝoure preeſthod; and
alle þingis þat perteynen to þe ournyng of þe auter, and
ben wiþ ynne þe veil, ſchulen be mynyſtrid bi preeſtis;
if ony ſtraunger neiȝeþ, he ſchal be ſlayn.
viii Þe Lord ſpak to Aaron, Lo! Y haue ȝoue to þee þe
kepyng of my firſte fruytis; Y haue ȝoue to þee and to þi
ſones alle þingis, þat ben halewid of þe ſones of Iſrael,
for preeſtis office euerlaſtynge lawful þingis.
ix Þerfor þou ſchalt take þeſe þingis of þo þingis þat ben
halewid, and ben offrid to þe Lord; ech offryng, and
ſacrifice, and what euer þing is ȝoldun to me for ſynne
and for treſpas, and comeþ in to hooli of hooli þingis,
ſchal be þin and þi ſones.
x Þou ſchalt ete it in þe ſeyntuarie; malis oneli ſchulen
ete þerof, for it is halewid to þe Lord.
xi Forſoþe Y haue ȝoue to þee, and to þi ſones and
douȝtris, bi euerlaſtynge riȝt, þe firſte fruytis whiche þe
ſones of Iſrael a vowen and offren; he þat is clene in þin
hous, ſchal ete þo.
xii Y ȝaf to þee al þe merowe of oile, and of wyn, and of
wheete, what euer þing of þe firſte fruytis þei ſchulen
offre to þe Lord.
xiii Alle þe bigynnyngis of fruytis whiche þe erþe
bryngiþ forþ, and ben brouȝt to þe Lord, ſchulen falle in
to þin vſis; he þat is cleene in þin hous, ſchal ete of þo.
xiiii Al þing which þe ſones of Iſrael ȝelden bi avow,
ſchal be þin.
xv What euer þing `ſchal breke out firſt of þe wombe of
al fleiſch, which fleiſch þei offren to þe Lord, wheþer it
is of men, eþir of beeſtis, it ſchal be of þi riȝt; ſo oneli
þat þou take prijs for þe firſte gendrid child of man, and
þat þou make ech beeſte which is vncleene to be bouȝt
aȝen;
xvi whos aȝenbiyng ſchal be aftir o moneþe, for fyue
ſiclis of ſiluer, bi þe weiȝte of ſeyntuarie; a ſicle haþ xx.
halpens.
xvii Forſoþe þou ſchalt not make þe firſte gendrid of oxe,
and of ſcheep, and of goet, to be aȝen bouȝt, for þo ben
halewid to þe Lord; oneli þou ſchalt ſchede þe blood of
þo on þe auter, and þou ſchalt brenne þe ynnere fatneſſe
in to ſwettiſt odour to þe Lord.
xviii Forſoþe þe fleiſchis ſchulen falle in to þin vſs, as þe
breſt halewid and þe riȝt ſchuldur, ſchulen be þine.
xix Y ȝaf to þe and to þi ſones and douȝtris, bi
euerlaſtynge riȝt, alle þe firſte fruytis of ſeyntuarie,
whiche þe ſones of Iſrael offren to þe Lord; it is
euerlaſtynge couenant of ſalt bifor þe Lord, to þee, and
to þi ſones.
xx And þe Lord ſeide to Aaron, Ȝe ſchulen not welde
ony þing in þe lond of hem, neþer ȝe ſchulen haue part
among hem; Y am þi part and erytage, in þe myddis of
þe ſones of Iſrael.
xxi Forſoþe Y ȝaf to þe ſones of Leuy alle þe tiþis of
Iſrael in to poſſeſſioun, for þe ſeruyce bi whyche þei
ſeruen me in þe tabernacle of boond of pees;
xxii þat þe ſones of Iſrael neiȝe no more to þe `tabernacle
of boond of pees, neþer do dedli ſynne.
xxiii To þe ſones aloone of Leuy, ſeruynge me in þe
tabernacle, and berynge þe `ſynnes of þe puple, it ſchal
be a lawful þing euerlaſtynge in ȝoure generaciouns.
xxiiii Þei ſchulen welde noon oþer þing, and þei ſchulen
be apeied wiþ þe offryng of tiþis, whiche Y departide in
to vſis and neceſſaries of hem.
xxv And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and ſeide,
xxvi Comaunde þou, and denounſe to þe dekenes,
Whanne ȝe han take tiþis of þe ſones of Iſrael, whiche Y
ȝaf to ȝou, offre ȝe þe firſte fruytis of þo to þe Lord, þat
is, þe tenþe part of þe dyme,
CLVIII
xxvii þat it be arettid to ȝou in to offryng of þe firſte
fruytis, as wel of corn flooris as of preſſis;
xxviii and of alle þingis of whiche ȝe taken tiþis, offre ȝe
þe firſte fruytis to þe Lord, and ȝyue ȝe to Aaron, preeſt.
xxix Alle þingis whiche ȝe ſchulen offre of tiþis, and
ſchulen departe in to þe ȝiftis of þe Lord, ſchulen be þe
beſte, and alle choſun þingis.
xxx And þou ſchalt ſeye to hem, If ȝe offren to þe Lord
alle þe clere and betere þingis of tiþis, it ſchal be arettid
to ȝou, as if ȝe ȝauen þe firſte fruitis of þe corn floor and
preſſe.
xxxi And ȝe ſchulen ete þo tiþis in alle ȝoure placis, as
wel ȝe as ȝoure meynees, for it is þe prijs for þe ſeruyce,
in whiche ȝe ſeruen in þe tabernacle of witneſſyng.
xxxii And ȝe ſchulen not do ſynne on þis þing, `and
reſſerue noble þingis and fat to ȝou, leſt ȝe defoulen þe
offryngis of þe ſones of Iſrael, and ȝe dien.
CAP. XIX
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and to Aaron,
ii and ſeide, Þis is þe religioun of ſacrifice, which þe
Lord ordeynede. Comaunde þou to þe ſones of Iſrael,
þat þei brynge to þee a reed cow of hool age, in which
is no wem, neþer ſche haþ bore ȝok.
iii And ȝe ſchulen bitake hir to Eleazar, preeſt, which
ſchal offre `þe cow, led out of þe tentis, in þe ſiȝt of alle
men.
iiii And he ſchal dippe his fyngur in þe blood þerof, and
ſchal ſprynge ſeuene ſiþis aȝens þe ȝatis of þe
tabernacle.
v And he ſchal brenne þat cow, while alle men ſien; and
he ſchal ȝyue as wel þe ſkyn and fleiſchis þerof as þe
blood and dung to flawme.
vi Alſo þe preeſt ſchal `ſende a tre of cedre, and yſope,
and reed þreed died twies, into þe flawme þat deuouriþ
þe cow.
vii And þanne at þe laſte, whanne hiſe cloþis `and bodi
ben waiſchun, he ſchal entre in to þe tentis, and he ſchal
be defoulid `til to euentid.
viii But alſo he þat brente þe cow, ſchal waiſche hiſe
cloþis, and bodi, and he ſchal be vncleene `til to
euentid.
ix Forſoþe a cleene man ſchal gadere þe aiſchis of þe
cow, and ſchal ſchede out þo wiþ out þe tentis, in a
place mooſt cleene, þat þo be to þe multitude of þe
ſones of Iſrael in to keping, and in to watir of
ſpryngyng; for þe cow is brent for ſynne.
x And whanne he þat bar þe aiſchis of þe cow, haþ
waiſche hiſe cloþis, he ſchal be vncleene `til to euentid.
And þe ſones of Iſrael, and comelyngis þat dwellen
among hem, ſchulen haue þis hooli bi euerlaſtynge
lawe.
xi He þat touchiþ a deed bodi of man, and is vncleene
for þis bi ſeuene daies,
xii ſchal be ſpreynt of þis watir in þe þridde, and in þe
ſeuenþe dai; and ſo he ſchal be clenſid. If he is not
ſpreynt in þe þridde dai, he ſchal not mow be clenſid in
þe ſeuenþe dai.
xiii Ech þat touchiþ þe deed bodi bi it ſilf of mannus
ſoule, and is not ſpreynt wiþ þis medlyng, defouliþ þe
`tabernacle of þe Lord, and he ſchal periſche fro Iſrael;
for he is not ſpreynt wiþ þe wateris of clenſyng, he ſchal
be vncleene, and his filþe ſchal dwelle on hym.
xiiii Þis is þe lawe of a man þat dieþ in þe tabernacle;
alle þat entren in to his tente, and alle veſſels þat ben
þere, ſchulen be defoulid bi ſeuene daies.
xv A veſſel þat haþ not an hilyng, neþir a byndyng
aboue, ſchal be vncleene.
xvi If ony man touchiþ þe deed bodi of man ſlayn in þe
feeld, eþer deed bi hym ſilf, eþer a boon, eþer þe
ſepulcre `of hym, he ſchal be vncleene bi ſeuene daies.
xvii And þei ſchulen take `of þe aiſchis of þe brennyng,
and of þe ſynne, and þei ſchulen ſende quyk watris in to
a veſſel on þo aiſchis;
xviii in whiche whanne `a cleene man haþ dippid yſope,
he ſchal ſpreynge þerof þe tente, and al þe purtenaunce
of howſhold, and men defoulid bi ſich defoulyng.
xix And in þis maner a cleene man ſchal clenſe an
vncleene, in þe þridde and in þe ſeuenþe dai; and he
ſchal be clenſid in þe ſeuenþe dai. And he ſchal waiſche
hym ſilf, and hiſe cloþis, and he ſchal be vncleene `til to
euentid.
xx If ony man is not clenſid bi þis cuſtom, þe ſoule of
hym ſchal periſche fro þe myddis of þe chirche; for he
defouliþ þe `ſeyntuarie of þe Lord, and is not ſpreynt
wiþ þe watir of clenſyng.
xxi Þis comaundement ſchal be a lawful þing
euerlaſtynge. Alſo he þat ſchal ſprenge þe watris ſchal
waiſche his cloþis; ech man þat touchiþ þe watris of
clenſyng, ſchal be vncleene `til to euentid.
xxii What euer þing an vncleene man touchiþ, he ſchal
make it vncleene; and a ſoule þat touchiþ ony of þeſe
þingis `defoulid ſo, ſchal be vncleene `til to euentid.
CAP. XX
i And þe ſones of Iſrael and al þe multitude camen in to
þe deſeert of Syn, in þe firſte moneþe. And þe puple
dwellide in Cades; and Marie was deed þere, and biried
in þe ſame place.
ii And whanne þe puple hadde nede to watir, þei ȝeden
togidere aȝens Moiſes and Aaron; and þei weren turned
in to diſſenſioun,
iii and ſeiden, We wolden þat we hadden periſchid
among oure briþeren bifor þe Lord.
CLIX
iiii Whi han ȝe led out þe chirche of þe Lord in to
wildirneſſe, þat boþe we and oure beeſtis die?
v Whi han ȝe maad vs to ſtie from Egipt, and han brouȝt
vs in to þis werſte place, which may not be ſowun,
which neþer bryngiþ forþ fige tre, neþer vineris, neþer
pumgranatis, ferþermore and haþ not watir to drynke?
vi And whanne þe multitude was left, Moiſes and Aaron
entriden in to þe tabernacle of boond of pees, and
felden lowe to erþe, and crieden to God, and ſeiden,
Lord God, here þe cry of þis puple, and opene to hem þi
treſour, a welle of quyk watir, þat whanne þei ben fillid,
þe grutchyng of hem ceeſſe. And þe glorie of þe Lord
apperide on hem;
vii and þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
viii and ſeide, Take þe ȝerde, and gadere þe puple, þou,
and Aaron þi broþer; and ſpeke ȝe to þe ſtoon bifore
hem, and it ſchal ȝyue watris. And whanne þou haſt led
watir out of þe ſtoon, al þe multitude ſchal drynke, and
þe beeſtis þerof `ſchulden drynke.
ix Þerfor Moiſes took þe ȝerde þat was in þe `ſiȝt of þe
Lord, as þe Lord comaundide to hym,
x whanne þe multitude was gaderid bifor þe ſtoon; and
he ſeide to hem, Here ȝe, rebel and vnbileueful; wheþer
we moun brynge out of þis ſtoon watir to ȝou?
xi And whanne Moiſes hadde reiſid þe hond, and hadde
ſmyte þe flynt twies wiþ þe ȝerde, largeſte watris ȝeden
out, ſo þat þe puple drank, and þe beeſtis drunken.
xii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes and to Aaron, For ȝe
bileueden not to me, þat ȝe ſchulden halewe me bifor þe
ſones of Iſrael, ȝe ſchulen not lede þeſe puples in to þe
lond which Y ſchal ȝyue to hem.
xiii Þis is þe watir of aȝenſeiyng; þere þe ſones of Iſrael
ſtryueden aȝens þe Lord, and he was halewid in hem.
xiiii In þe meene tyme Moiſes ſente meſſangeres fro
Cades to þe kyng of Edom, whiche ſeiden, Iſrael þi
broþer ſendiþ þeſe þinges. Þou knowiſt al þe trauel þat
took vs,
xv hou oure fadris ȝeden doun in to Egipt, and we
dwelliden þere myche tyme, and Egipcians turmentiden
vs and oure fadris; and hou we crieden to þe Lord,
xvi and he herde vs, and ſente an aungel þat ledde vs out
of Egipt. And lo! we ben ſet in þe citee of Cades, which
is in þi laſte cooſtis,
xvii and we biſechen þat it be leueful to vs to paſſe þorou
þi lond; we ſchulen not go bi feeldis, neþer bi vyneris,
neþer we ſchulen drynke watris of þi pittis; but we
ſchulen go in þe comyn weie, and we ſchulen not bowe
to þe riȝt ſide, neþer to þe left ſide, til we paſſen þi
termes.
xviii To whom Edom anſweride, Ȝe ſchulen not paſſe bi
me, ellis Y ſchal be armed, and come aȝens þee.
xix And þe ſones of Iſrael ſeiden, We ſchulen go bi þe
weie comynli vſid, and if we and oure beeſtis drynken
þi watris, we ſchulen ȝyue þat þat is iuſt; noon hardneſſe
ſchal be in prijs, onely paſſe we ſwiftli.
xx And he anſweride, Ȝe ſchulen not paſſe. And anoon
he ȝede out aȝens Iſrael, wiþ a multitude wiþout
noumbre, and `ſtrong hond,
xxi neþer he wolde aſſente to Iſrael biſechynge, þat he
ſchulde graunte paſſage bi hiſe cooſtis. Wherfor Iſrael
turnede awey fro hym.
xxii And whanne þei hadden moued tentis fro Cades, þei
camen in to þe hil of Hor, which is in þe endis of þe
lond of Edom;
xxiii where þe Lord ſpak to Moyſes and ſeide, Aaron go
to his puples;
xxiiii for he ſchal not entre in to þe lond which Y ȝaf to
þe ſones of Iſrael, for he was vnbileueful to my mouþ,
at þe watris of aȝenſeiyng.
xxv Take þou Aaron, and his ſone wiþ hym, and þou
ſchalt lede hem in to þe hil of Hor;
xxvi and whanne þou haſt maad nakid þe fadir of his
cloþ, þou ſchalt cloþe `wiþ it Eleazar, his ſone, and
Aaron ſchal be gederid, and ſchal die þere.
xxvii Moiſes dide as þe Lord comaundide; and þei
ſtieden in to þe hil of Hor, bifor al þe multitude.
xxviii And whanne he hadde maad nakid Aaron of hiſe
cloþis, he cloþide wiþ þo Eleazar, his ſone.
xxix Soþeli whanne Aaron was deed in þe `cop of þe hil,
Moiſes cam doun wiþ Eleazar.
xxx Soþeli al þe multitude ſiȝ þat Aaron was deed, and
wepte on hym þretti daies, bi alle her meyneſs.
CAP. XXI
i And whanne Chananei, þe kyng of Arad, þat dwellide
at þe ſouþ, hadde herd þis, þat is, þat Iſrael cam bi þe
weye of aſpieris, he fauȝt aȝens hem; and Chananei was
ouercomere and ledde pray of Iſrael.
ii And Iſrael bounde hym ſylf bi avow to þe Lord, and
ſeide, If þou ſchalt bitake þis puple in myn hond, Y
ſchal do awei `þe citees þerof.
iii And þe Lord herde þe preieris of Iſrael, and bitook þe
Chananey; and Iſrael killid hym, and diſtruyede hiſe
citees; and clepide þe name of þat place Horma, þat is,
curſyng, `eþir hangyng up.
iiii `Forſoþe þei ȝeden forþ alſo fro þe hil of Hor, bi þe
weie þat lediþ to þe reed ſee, þat þei ſchulden cumpaſſe
þe lond of Edom; and it bigan to anoye þe puple, of þe
weie and trauel.
v And þe puple ſpak aȝens þe Lord and Moiſes, and
ſeide, Whi leddiſt þou vs out of Egipt, þat we ſchulden
die in wildirneſſe? breed failiþ, watris ben not; oure
ſoule wlatiþ now on þis `meete mooſt lyȝt.
vi Wherfor þe Lord ſente `firid ſerpentis in to þe puple;
at þe woundis of whiche ſerpentis, and þe deþis of ful
many men,
CLX
vii þei camen to Moyſes, and ſeiden, We ſynneden, for
we ſpaken aȝens þe Lord and þee; preie þou, þat he take
awey fro vs þe ſerpentis.
viii And Moiſes preiede for þe puple; and þe Lord ſeide
to hym, Make þou a ſerpent of bras, and ſette þou it for
a ſigne; he þat is ſmytun and biholdiþ it, ſchal lyue.
ix Þerfor Moyſes made a ſerpent of bras, and ſettide for
a ſigne; and men ſmytun and biholdynge it, weren
heelid.
x And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden forþ,
xi and ſettiden tentis in Oboth; fro whennus þei ȝeden
forþ, and ſettiden tentis in Neabarym, in þe wildirneſſe,
þat biholdiþ Moab, aȝens þe eeſt cooſt.
xii And þei moueden fro þennus, and camen to þe
ſtronde of Zareth;
xiii which þei leften, and ſettiden tentis aȝens Arnon,
which is in þe deſeert, and apperiþ in þe cooſtis of
Amorrei. Forſoþe Arnon is þe terme of Moab, and
departiþ Moabitis and Ammoreis.
xiiii Wherfor it is ſeid in þe book of batels of þe Lord,
As he dide in þe reed ſee, ſo he ſchal do in þe ſtrondis of
Arnon;
xv þe harde rochis of þe ſtrondis weren bowid, þat þo
ſchulen reſte in Arnon, and ſchulden ligge in þe cooſtis
of Moabitis.
xvi Fro þat place þe pit apperide, of which þe Lord ſpak
to Moyſes, Gadere þou þe puple, and Y ſchal ȝyue watir
to it.
xvii Þanne Iſrael ſoong þis ſong, Þe pit ſtie;
xviii þei ſungen togidere, Þe pit which þe princes
diggiden, and þe duykis of þe multitude maden redi, in
þe ȝyuere of þe lawe, and in her ſtauys. And þei ȝeden
forþ fro þe wildirneſſe to Mathana,
xix fro Mathana to Naaliel, fro Naaliel in to Bamoth;
xx Bamoth is a valey in þe cuntrey of Moab, in þe cop
of Phaſga, þat biholdiþ aȝens þe deſeert.
xxi Forſoþe Iſrael ſente meſſangeris to Seon, kyng of
Ammorreis, and ſeide,
xxii Y biſeche þat it be leueful to me to paſſe þorou þi
loond; we ſchulen not bowe in to þe feeldis and vyneris;
we ſchulen not drynke watris of pittis; we ſchulen go in
þe kyngis weie, til we paſſen þi termes.
xxiii Which nolde graunte þat Iſrael ſchulde paſſe þury
hiſe cooſtis, but raþer, whanne þe ooſt was gaderid, he
ȝede out aȝens Iſrael, in to deſeert. And he cam in to
Yaſa, and fauȝt aȝens Iſrael;
xxiiii of whom he was ſmytun in þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd,
and his lond was weldid fro Arnon `til to Jeboth and `þe
ſones of Amon; for þe termes of Amonytis weren
holdun bi ſtrong help.
xxv Þerfor Iſrael took alle `þe citees of hym, and
dwelliden in þe citees of Amorrei, þat is, in Eſebon, and
hiſe townes.
xxvi Þe citee of Eſebon was Seons, kyng of Ammorei,
which Seon fauȝt aȝens þe kyng of Moab, and took al
þe lond þat was of his lordſchip, `til to Arnon.
xxvii Þerfor it is ſeid in prouerbe, Come ȝe in to Eſebon,
be it bildid, and maad þe citee of Seon;
xxviii fier ȝede out of Eſebon, flawme ȝede out of þe
citee `eþir greet caſtel of Seon, and deuouryde Ar of
Moabitis, and þe dwelleris of þe `hiȝe places of Arnon.
xxix Moab, wo to þee! þou, puple of Chamos,
periſchidiſt; it ȝaf þe ſones þerof in to fliȝt, and þe
douȝtris in to caitifte to Seon, kyng of Ammoreis;
xxx þe ȝok of hem periſchide, fro Eſebon `til to Dibon;
þe wery men camen in to Jophe, and `til to Medaba.
xxxi And ſo Iſrael dwellide in þe lond of Ammorrey.
xxxii And Moiſes ſente men þat ſchulden aſpie Jaſer,
whos `townes þei token, and weldiden þe dwelleris.
xxxiii And þei turniden hem ſilf, and ſtieden bi þe weie
of Baſan. And Og, þe kyng of Baſan, wiþ al his puple
cam aȝens hem, to fiȝte in Edray.
xxxiiii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Drede þou not hym,
for Y haue bitake hym, and al his loond, and puple, in
þin hoond; and þou ſchalt do to hym as þou didiſt to
Seon, kyng of Ammorreis, þe dwellere of Eſebon.
xxxv Þerfor þei ſmytiden `boþe hym wiþ hiſe ſones and
al his puple, `til to deeþ; and þei weldiden `þe lond of
hym.
CAP. XXII
i And þei ȝeden forþ, and ſettiden tentis in þe feeldi
places of Moab, where Jerico is ſet ouer Jordan.
ii Forſoþe Balach, þe ſone of Sephor, ſiȝ alle þingis
whiche Iſrael hadde do to Ammorrei,
iii and þat men of Moab `hadden dred Iſrael, and miȝten
not bere þe aſſailing of him.
iiii And he ſeide to þe grettere men in birþe of Madian,
So þis puple ſchal do a wei alle men þat dwellen in oure
cooſtis, as an oxe is wont to do awei an eerbe `til to þe
rootis. Forſoþe he, `þat is, Balaac, was kyng in þat tyme
in Moab.
v Þerfor he ſente meſſangeris to Balaam, þe ſone of
Beor, a fals diuynour, þat dwellide on þe flood of þe
lond of þe ſones of Amon, þat þei ſchulden clepe hym,
and ſchulden ſeie, Lo! a puple ȝede out of Egipt, `which
puple hilide þe face of erþe, and ſittiþ aȝens me.
vi Þerfor come þou, and curſe þis puple, which is
ſtrongere þan Y, if in ony maner Y may ſmyte and dryue
hym out of my lond; for Y knowe, þat he is bliſſid
whom þou bliſſiſt, and he is curſid whom þou haſt
curſid.
vii Þe eldere men of Moab and þe grettere men in birþe
of Madian ȝeden forþ, hauynge in hondis þe prijs of fals
dyuynyng; and whanne þei hadden come to Balaam,
CLXI
and hadden teld to hym alle þe wordis of Balaach, he
anſweride,
viii Dwelle ȝe here to nyȝt, and Y ſchal anſwere what
euer þing þe Lord ſchal ſeie to me. Soþeli while þei
dwelliden at Balaam, God cam, and ſeide to hym,
ix What wolen þeſe men at þee `to hem ſilf?
x Balaam anſweride, Balaach, þe ſone of Sephor, kyng
of Moabitis, ſente to me, and ſeide, Lo!
xi a puple which is gon out of Egipt hilide þe face of
erþe; come þou, and curſe hem, if in ony maner Y may
fiȝte, and dryue hym awey.
xii And God ſeide to Balaam, Nyle þou go wiþ hem,
neþer curſe þou þe puple, for it is bleſſid.
xiii Which Balaam roos eerli, and ſeide to þe princes, Go
ȝe in to ȝoure lond, for God forbeed me to come wiþ
ȝou.
xiiii Þe princes turneden aȝen, and ſeiden to Balaach,
Balaam nolde come wiþ vs.
xv Eft Balaach ſente many mo and noblere men, þan he
hadde ſent bifore;
xvi whiche ſeiden, whanne þei hadden come to Balaam,
Balaach, þe ſone of Sephor, ſeiþ þus, Tarye þou not to
come to me, redi to onoure þee;
xvii and what euer þing þou wolt, Y ſchal ȝyue to þee;
come þou, and curſe þis puple.
xviii Balaam anſweride, Þouȝ Balaach ſchal ȝyue to me
his howsful of ſiluer and of gold, Y ſchal not mowe
chaunge þe word of my God, þat Y ſpeke eþir more eþir
leſſe.
xix Y biſeche, þat ȝe dwelle here alſo in þis nyȝt, þat Y
may wite what þe Lord ſchal anſwere eft to me.
xx Þerfor þe Lord cam to Balaam in þe nyȝt, and ſeide to
hym, If þeſe men comen to clepe þee, riſe þou, and go
wiþ hem, ſo oneli þat þou do þat þat Y ſchal comaunde
to þee.
xxi Balaam roos eerli, and whanne his femal aſſe was
ſadelid, he ȝede forþ wiþ hem.
xxii And God was wrooþ. And þe `aungel of þe Lord
ſtood in þe weie aȝens Balam, þat ſat on þe femal aſſe,
and hadde twei children wiþ hym.
xxiii Þe femal aſſe ſiȝ þe aungel ſtondynge in þe weie,
wiþ ſwerd drawun, and `turnede a wei hir ſilf fro þe
weie, and ȝede bi þe feeld. And whanne Balaam beet
hir, and wolde lede aȝen to þe paþ,
xxiiii þe aungel ſtood in þe ſtreitneſſis of twei wallis, wiþ
whiche þe vyneris weren cumpaſſid.
xxv And þe femal aſſe ſiȝ þe aungel, and ioynede hir ſilf
to þe wal, and hurtlide þe foot of þe ſittere; and he beet
eft `þe aſſe.
xxvi And neuer þe leſſe þe aungel ȝede to þe ſtreit place,
where me `myȝte not go out of þe weie, neþer to þe riȝt
ſide neþer to þe left ſide, and ſtood aȝens hym.
xxvii And whanne þe femal aſſe ſiȝ þe aungel ſtondynge,
ſche felde doun vndir þe feet of þe ſittere, which was
wrooþ ful greetli, and beet hir ſidis wiþ a ſtaaf.
xxviii And þe Lord openyde þe `mouþ of þe femal aſſe,
and ſche ſpak, What haue Y doon to þee? whi ſmytiſt
þou me, lo! now þe þridde tyme?
xxix Balaam anſweride, For þou haſt diſſerued, and haſt
ſcornyd me; Y wolde þat Y hadde a ſwerd to ſle þee.
xxx And þe femal aſſe ſeide, Wheþer Y am not þi beeſte
on which þou were wont to ſitte euere til in to þis
preſent dai? ſeie þou, what lijk þing Y dide euere to
þee? And he ſeide, Neuere.
xxxi Anoon þe Lord openyde `þe iȝen of Balaam, and he
ſiȝ þe aungel ſtondynge in þe weie, holdynge a drawun
ſwerd in þe hoond; and Balaam worſchipide hym lowli
in to erþe.
xxxii To whom þe aungel ſeide, Whi `betiſt þou þi femal
aſſe `þe þridde tyme? Y cam to be aduerſarie to þee, for
þi weie is weiward, and contrarye to me;
xxxiii and if þe femal aſſe hadde not bowid a wey fro þe
weie, and ȝoue place to aȝenſtondere, Y hadde ſlayn
þee, and ſche ſchulde lyue.
xxxiiii Balaam ſeide, Y ſynnede, not witynge þat þou
ſtodiſt aȝens me; and now, if it diſpleſiþ þee þat Y go, Y
ſchal turne aȝen.
xxxv Þe aungel ſeide, Go þou wiþ þeſe men, but ȝe war
þat þou ſpeke not oþer þing þan Y ſchal comaunde to
þee. Þerfor Balaam ȝede wiþ þe princes.
xxxvi And whanne Balaach hadde herde þis, he ȝede out
in to þe comyng of hym, in þe citee of Moabitis, whiche
is ſet in þe laſte cooſtis of Arnon.
xxxvii And he ſeide to Balaam, Y ſente meſſangeris to
clepe þee; whi cameſt þou not anoon to me? wheþir for
Y may not ȝelde meede to þi comyng?
xxxviii To whom Balaam anſweride, Lo! Y am preſent,
wheþir Y ſchal mow ſpeke oþer þing þan þat, þat God
ſchal putte in my mouþ?
xxxix Þerfor þei ȝeden forþ to gidere, and camen in to a
citee, which was in þe laſte cooſt of `his rewme.
xl And whanne Balaach hadde ſlayn ſcheep and oxun,
he ſente ȝiftis to Balaam and þe princes þat weren wiþ
hym.
xli Forſoþe whanne þe morewtid was maad, Balaach
ledde Balaam to þe hiȝe placis of Baal, and he bihelde
þe laſte part of þe puple, `þat is, al þe ooſt til to þe laſte
part.
CAP. XXIII
i And Balaam ſeide to Balaach, Bilde þou here to me
ſeuene auteris, and make redi ſo many caluys, and
rammes of þe ſame noumbre.
ii And whanne he hadde do bi þe word of Balaam, þei
puttiden a calf and a ram to gidere on þe auter.
CLXII
iii And Balaam ſeide to Balaach, Stond þou a litil while
biſidis þi brent ſacrifice, while Y go, if in hap þe Lord
meete me; and Y ſchal `ſpeke to þee what euer þing he
ſchal comaunde.
iiii And whanne he hadde go ſwiftli, God cam to hym;
and Balaam ſpak to hym, and ſeide, Y reiſide ſeuene
auteris, and Y puttide a calf and a ram aboue.
v Forſoþe þe Lord `puttide a word in his mouþ, and
ſeide, Turne aȝen to Balaach, and þou ſchalt ſpeke þeſe
þingis.
vi He turnede aȝen, and fond Balach ſtondynge biſidis
his brent ſacrifice, and alle þe princes of Moabitis.
vii And whanne his parable `was takun, he ſeide,
Balaach, þe kyng of Moabitis, brouȝte me fro Aran, fro
þe `hillis of þe eeſt; and he ſeide, Come þou and curſe
Jacob; haaſte þou, and greetli curſe þou Iſrael.
viii How ſchal Y curſe whom God curſid not? bi what
reſoun ſchal Y `haue abhomynable whom God `haþ not
abhomynable?
ix Fro þe hiȝeſte flyntis Y ſchal ſe hym, and fro litle
hillis Y ſchal biholde hym; þe puple ſchal dwelle
aloone, and it ſchal not be arettid among heþene men.
x Who may noumbre þe duſt, þat is, kynrede, of Jacob,
and knowe þe noumbre of þe generacioun of Iſrael? My
lijf die in þe deeþ of iuſt men, and my laſte þingis be
maad lijk hem!
xi And Balaach ſeide to Balaam, What is þis þat þou
doiſt? Y clepide þee, þat þou ſchuldiſt curſe myn
enemyes, and aȝenward þou bleſſiſt hem.
xii To whom Balaam anſweride, Wheþer Y may ſpeke
oþir þing no but þat þat þe Lord comaundiþ?
xiii Þerfor Balaach ſeide to Balaam, Come wiþ me in to
anoþir place, fro whennus þou ſe a part of Iſrael, and
mayſt not ſe al; fro þennus curſe þou hym.
xiiii And whanne he hadde led Balaam in to an hiȝ place,
on þe cop of þe hil of Phaſga, he bildide ſeuene auteris
to Balaam, and whanne calues and rammes weren put
aboue,
xv he ſeide to Balaach, Stonde here biſidis þi brent
ſacrifice, while Y go.
xvi And whanne þe Lord hadde `come to him, and hadde
put `a word in his mouþ, he ſeide, Turne aȝen to Balach,
and þou ſchalt ſeie þeſe þingis to hym.
xvii He turnyde aȝen, and foond Balach ſtondynge
biſidis his brent ſacrifice, and þe princis of Moabitis wiþ
hym. To whom Balach ſeide, What ſpak þe Lord?
xviii And whanne his parable `was takun, he ſeide,
Stonde, Balach, and herkene; here, þou ſone of Sephor.
God is not `as a man,
xix þat he lye, neþir he is as þe ſone of a man, þat he be
chaungid; þerfor he ſeide, and ſchal he not do? he ſpak,
and ſchal he not fulfille?
xx Y am brouȝt to bleſſe, Y may not forbede bleſſyng.
xxi Noon idol is in Jacob, neþir ſymylacre is ſeyn in
Iſrael; his Lord God is wiþ hym, and þe ſown of victorie
of kyng is in hym.
xxii Þe Lord God ledde hym out of Egipt, whos ſtrengþe
is lijk an vnicorn;
xxiii fals tellyng bi chiteryng of bryddis, `eþir idolatrie,
is not in Jacob, neþir fals dyuynyng is in Iſrael. In his
tymes it ſchal be ſeide to Jacob and Iſrael, What þe Lord
haþ wrought!
xxiiii Lo! þe puple ſchal riſe to gidere as a lioneſſe, and
ſchal be reiſid as a lioun; þe lioun ſchal not reſte, til he
deuoure prey, and drynke þe blood of hem þat ben
ſlayn.
xxv And Balach ſeide to Balaam, Neþer curſe þou, neþer
bleſſe þou hym.
xxvi And he ſeide, Wheþer Y ſeide not to þee, þat what
euer þing þat God comaundide to me, Y wolde do þis?
xxvii And Balach ſeide to hym, Come, and Y ſchal lede
þee to an oþer place, if in hap it pleſiþ God þat fro
þennus þou curſe hym.
xxviii And whanne Balaach hadde led hym out on þe
`cop of þe hil of Phegor, þat biholdiþ þe wildirneſſe,
xxix Balaam ſeide to hym, Bilde here ſeuene auteris to
me, and make redi ſo many caluys, and rammes of þe
ſame noumbre.
xxx Balaach dide as Balaam ſeide, and he puttide caluys
and rammes, bi alle auteris.
CAP. XXIIII
i And whanne Balaam ſiȝ þat it pleſide þe Lord þat he
ſchulde bleſſe Iſrael, he ȝede not as he `hadde go bifore,
`þat he ſchulde ſeke fals dyuynyng `bi chiteryng of
briddis, but he dreſſide his face aȝens þe deſert,
ii and reiſide iȝen, and ſiȝ Iſrael dwellynge in tentis bi
hiſe lynagis. And whanne þe Spirit of God felde on
hym, and whanne a parable was takun,
iii he ſeide, Balaam, þe ſone of Beor, ſeide, a man whois
iȝe is ſtoppid ſeide,
iiii þe herere of Goddis wordis ſeide, which bihelde þe
reuelacioun of almyȝti God, which falliþ doun, and hiſe
iȝen ben openyd ſo, Hou faire ben þi tabernaclis,
v Jacob, and þi tentis, Iſrael!
vi as valeys ful of woodis, and moiſte gardyns biſidis
floodis, as tabernaclis whiche þe Lord haþ ſet, as cedris
biſidis watris;
vii watir ſchal flowe of his bokat, and his ſeed ſchal be in
to many watris, `þat is, puplis. Þe kyng of hym ſchal be
takun a wei for Agag, and þe rewme of hym ſchal be
doon awai.
viii God ledde hym out of Egipt, whos ſtrengþe is lijk an
vnicorn; þei ſchulen deuoure heþene men, enemyes `of
hym, þat is, of Iſrael; and þei ſchulen breke þe boonus
of hem, and ſchulen perſe wiþ arowis.
CLXIII
ix He reſtide and ſlepte as a lyoun, and as a lioneſſe,
whom no man ſchal dore reiſe. He þat bleſſiþ þee, ſchal
be bleſſid; he þat curſiþ, ſchal
x be arettid in to curſyng And Balaach was wrooþ aȝens
Balaam, and ſeide, whanne þe hondis weren wrungun to
gidere, I clepide þee to curſe myn enemyes, whiche
aȝenward þou haſt bleſſid þries.
xi Turne aȝen to þi place; forſoþe Y demede to onoure
þee greetli, but þe Lord priuyde þee fro onour diſpoſid.
xii Balaam anſweride to Balaach, Wheþir Y ſeide not to
þi meſſangeris, whiche þou ſentiſt to me,
xiii Þouȝ Balaach ſchal ȝyue to me his hows ful of ſiluer
and of gold, Y ſchal not mow paſſe þe word of my Lord
God, þat Y brynge forþ of myn herte ony þing, eþir of
good eþir of yuel, but what euer þing þe Lord ſchal ſeie,
Y ſchal ſpeke þis?
xiiii Neþeles Y ſchal go to my puple, and Y ſchal ȝyue
counſel to þee, what þi puple ſchal do in þe laſte tyme to
þis puple.
xv Þerfor whanne a parable was takun, he ſeide eft,
Balaam, þe ſone of Beor ſeide, a man whos iȝe is
ſtoppid,
xvi ſeide, þe herere of Goddis wordis ſeide, which
knowiþ þe doctrine of þe hiȝeſte, and ſeeþ þe
reuelacioun of almiȝti God, which falliþ doun and haþ
opyn iȝen,
xvii Y ſchal ſe hym, but not now; Y ſchal biholde hym,
but not nyȝ; a ſterre ſchal be borun of Jacob, and a ȝerde
ſchal riſe of Iſrael; and he ſchal ſmyte þe duykis of
Moab, and he ſchal waſte alle þe ſones of Seth; and
Ydumye ſchal be hys poſſeſſioun,
xviii þe eritage of Seir ſchal bifalle to his enemyes;
forſoþe Iſrael ſchal do ſtrongli, of Jacob ſchal be he þat
ſchal be lord,
xix and ſchal leeſe þe relikis of þe citee.
xx And whanne he hadde ſeyn Amalech, he took a
parable, and ſeide, Amalech is þe bigynning of heþene
men, whos laſte þingis ſchulen be loſt.
xxi Alſo `he ſiȝ Cyney, and whanne a parable was takun,
he ſeide, Forſoþe þi dwellyng place is ſtrong, but if þou
ſchalt ſette þi neſt in a ſtoon,
xxii and ſchalt be choſun of þe generacioun of Cyn, hou
longe ſchalt þou mow dwelle? forſoþe Aſſur ſchal take
þee.
xxiii And whanne a parable was takun, he ſpak eft, Alas!
who ſchal lyue, whanne þe Lord ſchal make þes þingis?
xxiiii Þei ſchulen come in grete ſchippis fro Ytalie, þei
ſchulen ouercome Aſſiries, and þei ſchulen diſtrie
Ebrews, and at þe laſt alſo þei hem ſilf ſchulen periſche.
xxv And Balaam roos, and turnide aȝen in to his place;
and Balaach ȝede aȝen bi þe weye in which he cam.
CAP. XXV
i Forſoþe in þat tyme Iſrael dwellide in Sechym; and þe
puple dide fornycacioun wiþ þe douȝtris of Moab;
ii whiche douȝtris clepiden hem to her ſacrifices, and þei
eten, and worſchipiden þe goddis of þo douȝtris;
iii and Iſrael made ſacrifice to Belphegor. And þe Lord
was wrooþ,
iiii and ſeide to Moiſes, Take þou alle þe princes of þe
puple, and hange hem aȝens þe ſunne in iebatis, þat my
wodneſſe, `þat is ſtronge veniaunce, be turned awai fro
Iſrael.
v And Moiſes ſeide to þe iugis of Iſrael, Ech man ſle his
neiȝboris, þat maden ſacrifice to Belphagor.
vi And, lo! oon of þe ſones of Iſrael entride bifor his
briþeren to `an hoore of Madian, in þe ſiȝt of Moiſes,
and al þe cumpeny of þe ſones of Iſrael, whiche wepten
bifor þe ȝatis of þe tabernacle.
vii And whanne Phynees, þe ſone of Eleazar, ſone of
Aaron, preeſt, hadde ſeyn þis, he roos fro þe myddis of
þe multitude; and whanne he hadde take a ſwerd,
viii he entride aftir þe man of Iſrael in to þe `hoore hows,
and ſtikide þorou boþ togidere, þat is, þe man and þe
womman, in þe places of gendryng. And þe veniaunce
ceeſſide fro þe ſones of Iſrael,
ix and foure and twenti þouſand of men weren ſlayn.
x And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes,
xi Fynees, þe ſone of Eleazar, ſone of Aaron, preeſt,
turnede away myn yre fro þe ſones of Iſrael; for he was
ſtirid aȝens hem bi my feruent loue, þat Y my ſilf
ſchulde not do awai þe ſones of Iſrael in my greet hete,
`eþer ſtrong veniaunce.
xii Þerfor ſpeke þou to hym, Lo! Y ȝyue to hym þe pees
of my couenaunt,
xiii and it ſchal be an euerlaſtynge couenaunt of
preeſthod, as wel to hym ſilf as to his ſeed; for he
louyde feruentli for his God, and he clenſide þe greet
treſpas of þe ſones of Iſrael.
xiiii Forſoþe þe name of þe man of Iſrael, þat was ſlayn
wiþ þe womman of Madian, was Zambri, þe ſone of
Salu, duyk of þe kynrede and lynage of Symeon.
xv Forſoþe þe womman of Madian þat was ſlayn
togidere, was clepid Cobri, þe douȝter of Sur, þe
nobleſte prince of Madianytis.
xvi And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes and ſeide,
xvii `Madianytis feele ȝou enemyes, and ſmyte ȝe hem;
xviii for alſo þei diden enemyliche aȝens ȝou, and
diſſeyueden þorow treſouns, bi þe idol of Phegor, and bi
`þe douȝter of Corbri, duyk of Madian, her ſiſter, which
douȝter was ſleyn in þe dai of veniaunce, for þe
ſacrilege of Phegor.
CLXIV
CAP. XXVI
i Aftir þat þe blood of gilti men was ſched out, þe Lord
ſeide to Moiſes and to Eleaſar,
ii preeſt, ſone of Aaron, Noumbre ȝe al þe ſumme of þe
ſones of Iſrael, fro twenti ȝeer and aboue, bi her houſis,
and kynredis, alle men þat mowen go forþ to batels.
iii And ſo Moiſes and Eleaſar, preeſt, ſpaken in þe feeldi
places of Moab, ouer Jordan, aȝens Jerico, to hem þat
weren of twenti ȝeer and aboue,
iiii as þe Lord comaundide; of whiche þis is þe
noumbre.
v Ruben, þe firſte gendrid of Iſrael; þe ſone of hym was
Enoch, of whom was þe meynee of Enochitis; and
Phallu, of whom þe meynee of Phalluytis; and Eſrom,
vi of whom þe meynee of Eſromytis; and Charmy, of
whom þe meynee of Charmytis.
vii Þes weren þe meynees of þe generacioun of Ruben,
of whiche meynees þe noumbre was foundun þre and
fourti þouſand ſeuene hundrid and þretti.
viii Þe ſone of Phallu was Heliab;
ix þe ſones of hym weren Namuel, and Dathan and
Abiron. `Þeſe weren Dathan and Abiron, prynces of þe
puple, þat riſeden aȝens Moiſes and Aaron, in þe rebelte
of Chore, whanne þei rebelliden aȝens þe Lord;
x and þe erþe openyde his mouþ, and deuouride Chore,
while ful many men dieden, whanne þe fier brente two
hundrid men and fifti; and a greet myracle was maad,
xi þat whanne Chore periſchide, hiſe ſones periſchiden
not.
xii Þe ſones of Symeon bi her kynredis; Namuel, of hym
was þe meynee of Namuelitis; Jamyn, of hym was þe
meynee of Jamynytis; Jachin, of hym was þe meynee of
Jachynytis;
xiii Zare, of hym þe meynee of Zarenytis; Saul, of hym
þe meynee of Saulitis.
xiiii Þeſe weren þe meynees of Symeon, of whiche all þe
noumbre was two and twenti þouſynde and two
hundrid.
xv Þe ſones of Gad bi her kynredis; Sephon, of hym þe
meynee of Sephonytis; Aggi, of hym þe meynee of
Aggitis; Sumy, of hym þe meynee of Sumytis;
xvi Ozny, of hym þe meynee of Oznytis; Heri, of hym
þe meynee of Hereytis;
xvii Arod, of hym þe meynee of Aroditis; Ariel, of hym
þe meynee of Arielitis.
xviii Þeſe weren þe meynees of Gad, of whiche al þe
noumbre was fourti þouſynde and fyue hundrid.
xix Þe ſones of Juda weren Her and Onan, whiche boþe
weren deed in þe lond of Canaan.
xx And þe ſones of Juda weren bi her kynredis; Sela, of
whom þe meynee of Selaitis; Phares, of whom þe
meynee of Phareſitis; Zare, of whom þe meynee of
Zareitis.
xxi Soþeli þe ſones of Phares weren Eſrom, of whom þe
meynee of Eſromytis; and Amul, of whom þe meynee
of Amulitis.
xxii Þeſe weren þe meynees of Juda, of whiche al þe
noumbre was ſeuenty þouſynde and fyue hundrid.
xxiii Þe ſones of Iſachar bi her kynredis; Thola, of whom
þe meynee of Tholaitis; Phua, of whom þe meynee of
Phuitis;
xxiiii Jaſub, of whom þe meynee of Jaſubitis; Semran, of
whom þe meynee of Semranytis.
xxv Þeſe weren þe kynredis of Iſachar, of whiche þe
noumbre was foure and ſixti þouſynd and þree hundrid.
xxvi Þe ſones of Zabulon bi her kinredis; Sarad, of
whom þe meynee of Sareditis; Helon, of whom þe
meynee of Helonytis; Jalel, of whom þe meynee of
Jalelitis.
xxvii Þeſe weren þe kynredis of Zabulon, of whiche þe
noumbre was ſixti þouſynde and fyue hundrid.
xxviii Þe ſones of Joſeph bi her kynredis weren Manaſſes
and Effraym.
xxix Of Manaſſes was borun Machir, of whom þe
meynee of Machiritis. Machir gendride Galaad, of
whom þe meynee of Galaditis.
xxx Galaad hadde ſones; Hizezer, of whom þe meynee
of Hizezeritis; and Helech, of whom þe meynee of
Helechitis;
xxxi and Ariel, of whom þe meynee of Arielitis; and
Sechem, of whom þe meynee of Sechemytis;
xxxii and Semyda, of whom þe meynee of Semydaitis;
and Epher, of whom þe meynee of Epheritis.
xxxiii Forſoþe Epher was þe fadir of Salphath, þat hadde
not ſones, but oneli douȝtris; of whiche þeſe weren þe
names; Maala, and Noha, and Egla, and Melcha, and
Therſa.
xxxiiii Þeſe weren þe meynees of Manaſſe, and þe
noumbre of hem was two and fifty þouſynde and ſeuene
hundrid.
xxxv Forſoþe þe ſones of Effraym bi her kynredis weren
þeſe; Suthala, of whom þe meynee of Suthalaitis;
Bether, of whom þe meynee of Betherytis; Tehen, of
whom þe meynee of Thehenytis.
xxxvi Forſoþe þe ſone of Suthala was Heram, of whom
þe meynee of Heramytis.
xxxvii Þeſe weren þe kynredis `of þe ſones of Effraym,
of whiche þe noumbre was two and þretti þouſynde and
fyue hundrid.
xxxviii Þeſe weren þe ſones of Joſeph, bi her meynees. Þe
ſones of Beniamyn in her kynredis; Bale, of whom þe
meynee of Baleytis; Azbel, of whom þe meynee of
Azbelitis; Ahiram, of whom þe meynee of Ahiramitis;
xxxix Suphan, of whom þe meynee of Suphanitis;
Huphan, of whom þe meynee of Huphanitis.
CLXV
xl Þe ſones of Bale, Hered and Noeman; of Hered, þe
meyne of Hereditis; of Noeman, þe meynee of
Noemanitis.
xli Þes weren þe ſones of Beniamyn bi her kynredis, of
whiche þe noumbre was fyue and fourti þouſynde and
ſixe hundrid.
xlii Þe ſones of Dan bi her kynredis; Suphan, of whom
þe meynee of Suphanytis. Þeſe weren þe kynredis of
Dan bi her meynees;
xliii alle weren Suphanytis, of whiche þe noumbre was
foure and ſixti þouſynde and foure hundrid.
xliiii Þe ſones of Aſer bi her kynredis; Jemma, of whom
þe meynee of Jemmaytis; Jeſuy, of whom þe meynee of
Jeſuytis; Brie, of whom þe meynee of Brieitis.
xlv Þe ſones of Brie; Haber, of whom þe meynee of
Haberitis; and Melchiel, of whom þe meynee of
Melchielitis.
xlvi Soþeli þe name of `þe douȝtir of Azer was Zara.
xlvii Þeſe weren þe kynredis of þe ſones of Aſer, and þe
noumbre of hem was foure and fifti þouſynde and foure
hundrid.
xlviii Þe ſones of Neptalym bi her kynredis; Jeſehel, of
whom þe meynee of Jeſelitis; Guny, of whom þe
meynee of Gunytis;
xlix Jeſer, of whom þe meynee of Jeſerytis; Sellem, of
whom þe meynee of Sellemytis.
l Þes weren þe kynredis of þe ſones of Neptalym bi her
meynees, of whiche þe noumbre was fyue and fourti
þouſynde and foure hundrid.
li Þis is þe ſumme of þe ſones of Iſrael, þat weren
noumbrid, ſixe hundrid þouſynde and a þouſynde ſeuene
hundrid and þretti.
lii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, and ſeide,
liii Þe lond ſchal be departid to þeſe, bi þe noumbre of
names in to her poſſeſſiouns;
liiii þou ſchalt ȝyue þe grettere part to mo men, and þe
leſſe part to fewere men; poſſeſſioun ſchal be ȝouun to
alle bi hem ſilf, as þei ben noumbrid now;
lv ſo oneli þat lot departe þe lond to lynagis and
meynees.
lvi What euer þing bifalliþ bi lot, eþir mo eþer fewere
men take þis.
lvii Alſo þis is þe noumbre of þe ſones of Leuy bi her
meynees; Gerſon, of whom þe meynee of Gerſonytis;
Caath, of whom þe meynee of Caathitis; Merary, of
whom þe meynee of Meraritis.
lviii Þeſe weren þe meynees of Leuy; þe meynee of
Lobny, þe meynee of Ebron, þe meynee of Mooli, þe
meynee of Muſi, þe meynee of Chori. And ſoþeli Caath
gendride Amram,
lix which hadde a wijf, Jocabeth, douȝter of Leuy, which
douȝter was borun to hym in Egipt. Þis Jocabeth
gendride to hir hoſebonde `Amram ſones, Aaron, and
Moyſes, and Marie, `þe ſiſter of hem.
lx Nadab, and Abyu, and Eleazar, and Ithamar weren
bigetun of Aaron;
lxi of whiche Nadab and Abyu weren deed, whanne þei
hadden offrid alien fier bifor þe Lord.
lxii And alle þat weren noumbrid weren þre and twenti
þouſynde of male kynde, fro o moneþe and aboue,
whiche weren not noumbrid among þe ſones of Iſrael,
neþer poſſeſſioun was ȝouun to hem wiþ oþir men.
lxiii Þis is þe noumbre of þe ſones of Iſrael, þat weren
diſcryued of Moiſes and Eleaſar, preeſt, in þe feeldi
places of Moab, ouer Jordan, aȝen Jerico;
lxiiii among whiche noon of hem was þat weren
noumbrid bifor of Moiſes and Aaron, in þe deſeert of
Synay;
lxv for þe Lord bifore ſeide, þat alle ſchulden die in `þe
wildirneſſe; and noon of hem dwellide, no but Caleph,
`þe ſone of Jephone, and Joſue, þe ſone of Nun.
CAP. XXVII
i Forſoþe þe douȝtris of Salphaat, ſone of Epher, ſone of
Galaad, ſone of Machir, ſone of Manaſſes, þat was `þe
ſone of Joſeph, neiȝeden; of whiche douȝtris þeſe ben þe
names; Maala, and Noha, and Egla, and Melcha, and
Therſa.
ii And þei ſtoden bifore Moiſes, and Eleazar, preeſt, and
alle þe princes of þe puple, at þe dore of tabernacle of
boond of pees; and ſeiden,
iii Oure fadir was deed in þe deſeert, neþer he was in þe
rebelte, þat was reiſid aȝens þe Lord, vndur Chore, but
he was deed in his ſynne; he hadde no male ſones. Whi
is `þe name of hym takun awei fro his meynee, for he
haþ no ſone? Ȝif ȝe poſſeſſioun to vs among `þe
kyneſmen of oure fadir.
iiii And Moiſes telde `þe cauſe of hem to þe doom of þe
Lord;
v which ſeide to Moyſes, Þe douȝtris of Salphaath axen
a iuſt þing; ȝyue þou poſſeſſioun to hem among `þe
kynnyſmen of her fadir,
vi and be þei ſucceſſouris to hym in to eritage.
vii Forſoþe þou ſchalt ſpeke þeſe þingis to þe ſons of
Iſrael,
viii Whanne a man is deed wiþ out ſone, þe eritage ſchal
go to his douȝter;
ix if he haþ not a douȝter, he ſchal haue eiris his
briþeren;
x þat and if briþeren ben not, ȝe ſchulen ȝyue þe eritage
to `þe briþeren of his fadir;
xi forſoþe if he haþ no briþeren of his fadir, þe eritage
ſchal be ȝouun to hem þat ben next to hym. And þis
ſchal be hooli, `þat is, ſtidefaſt, bi euerlaſtynge lawe to
þe ſones of Iſrael, as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
CLXVI
xii Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Stie þou in to þis hil of
Aberym, and biholde þou fro þennus þe lond, which Y
ſchal ȝyue to þe ſones of Iſrael.
xiii And whanne þou haſt ſeyn it, alſo þou ſchalt go to þi
puple, as þi broþer Aaron ȝede;
xiiii for þou offenddidiſt me in þe deſeert of Syn, in þe
aȝen ſeiyng of þe multitude, neþer woldiſt halewe me
bifor it, on þe watris. Þeſe ben þe watris of aȝen ſeiyng,
in Cades, of þe deſeert of Syn.
xv To whom Moiſes anſweryde,
xvi Þe Lord God of ſpiritis of al fleiſch puruey a man,
þat be on þis multitude,
xvii and may go out, and entre bifor hem, and lede hem
out, and lede hem yn, leſt þe `puple of þe Lord be as
ſcheep wiþ out ſchepherde.
xviii And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Take þou Joſue, þe ſone
of Nun, a man in whom þe ſpyrit of God is, and ſet þin
hond on hym; and he ſchal ſtonde bifore Eleazar,
xix preeſt, and bifore al þe multitude.
xx And þou ſchalt ȝyue to hym comaundementis, in þe
ſiȝt of alle men, and a part of þi glorie, þat al þe
ſynagoge of þe ſones of Iſrael here hym.
xxi If ony þing ſchal be worþi to be do for þis man,
Eleaſar, preeſt, ſchal counſeil þe Lord; he ſchal go out,
and ſchal go yn, at þe word of Eleazar; he, and alle þe
ſones of Iſrael wiþ him, and þe toþer multitude.
xxii Moiſes dide as þe Lord comaundide, and whanne he
hadde take Joſue, he ſettide hym bifore Eleazar, preeſt,
and bifore al þe multitude of þe puple;
xxiii and whanne he hadde ſet hondis on his heed, he
reherſide alle þingis whiche þe Lord comaundide.
CAP. XXVIII
i Alſo þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Comaunde þou to þe
ſones of Iſrael, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem,
ii Offre ȝe bi her tymes myn offryng, and looues, and
encenſe of ſwettiſt odour.
iii Þeſe ben þe ſacrificis whiche ȝe owen to offre; twey
lambren of o ȝeer, wiþ out wem, ech dai in to
euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice.
iiii Ȝe ſchulen offre oon eerli, and þe toþer at euentid.
v `Ȝe ſchulen offre þe tenþe part of ephi `of floure,
`which be ſpreynt wiþ pureſte oile, and haue þe fourþe
part of hyn.
vi It is continuel brent ſacrifice, which ȝe offriden in þe
hil of Synai, in to `odour of ſwettiſte encenſe to þe Lord.
vii And ȝe ſchulen offre þe fourþe part of hyn of wyn, bi
ech lomb, in þe ſeyntuarie of þe Lord.
viii And ȝe ſchulen offre in lijk maner þe toþer lomb at
euentid, bi al þe cuſtom of þe morewe ſacrifice, and of
moiſt ſacrifices þerof, an offryng of ſwettiſt odour to þe
Lord.
ix Forſoþe in þe `dai of ſabat ȝe ſchulen offre twey
lambren of o ȝeer, wiþout wem, and twei tenþe partis of
flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oile, in ſacrifice, `and ȝe
ſchulen offre moiſte ſacrificis þat ben ſched bi cuſtom,
x bi alle ſabatis, in to euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice.
xi Forſoþe in calendis, þat is, in þe bigynnyngis of
moneþis, ȝe ſchulen offre brent ſacrifice to þe Lord,
tweyne calues of þe droue, o ram, ſeuene lambren of o
ȝeer, wiþout wem,
xii and þre tenþe partis of flour ſpreynt to gidere wiþ
oile, in ſacrifice, bi ech calf, and twey tenþe partis of
flour ſpreynt to gidere wiþ oile, bi ech ram;
xiii and þe tenþe part of `a dyme of flour of oile in
ſacrifice, bi ech lomb; it is brent ſacrifice of `ſwetiſt
odour, and of encenſe to þe Lord.
xiiii Forſoþe þe moiſte ſacrifices of wyn, þat ſchulen be
ſched bi alle ſlayn ſacrificis, ſchulen be þeſe; þe half
part of hyn bi ech calf, þe þridde part bi a ram, þe
fourþe part bi a lomb; þis ſchal be brent ſacrifices bi ech
moneþe, þat comen oon aftir anoþir while þe ȝeer
turneþ.
xv Alſo a `buc of geet ſchal be offrid to þe Lord for
ſynnes, in to euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, wiþ his moiſte
offryngis.
xvi Forſoþe in þe firſte moneþe, in þe fouretenþe dai of
þe moneþe, ſchal be phaſe, `þat is, paſk `eþir paſſyng, of
þe Lord;
xvii and in þe fiftenþe day ſchal be þe ſolempnyte of þe
þerf looues. Bi ſeuene daies ȝe ſchulen ete þerf looues;
xviii of whiche þe firſte dai ſchal be worſchipful and
hooli; ȝe ſchulen not do ony ſeruyle werk þerynne.
xix And ȝe ſchulen offre brent ſacrifice to þe Lord, twey
calues, o ram, ſeuene lambren of o ȝeer, wiþout wem;
xx and þe ſacrifices of ech bi itſilf of flour, which be
ſpreynt to gidere wiþ oile, þre tenþe partis bi ech calf,
xxi and twey tenþe partis bi a ram, and þe tenþe part of
`a dyme bi ech lomb, þat is, bi ſeuene lambren.
xxii `And ȝe ſchulen offre o `buc of geet for ſynne, þat
clenſyng be maad for ȝou,
xxiii outakun þe brent ſacrifice of þe morewtid, which ȝe
ſchulen offre euere.
xxiiii So ȝe ſchulen do bi ech dai of ſeuene daies, into þe
nurſchyng of fier, and in to ſwettiſt odour to þe Lord,
þat ſchal riſe of þe brent ſacrifice, and of moiſte
ſacrifices of ech.
xxv Alſo þe ſeuenþe day ſchal be mooſt ſolempne and
hooli to ȝou; ȝe ſchulen not do ony ſeruyle werk þer
ynne.
xxvi Alſo þe dai of þe firſte fruytis, whanne ȝe ſchulen
offre newe fruitis to þe Lord, whanne þe wokis ſchulen
be fillyd, ſchal be worſchipful and hooli; ȝe ſchulen not
do ony ſeruyle werk þer ynne.
CLXVII
xxvii And ȝe ſchulen offre brent ſacrifice to þe Lord, in
to `ſwettiſte odour; twey calues of þe droue, o ram, and
ſeuene lambren of o ȝeer, wiþ out wem;
xxviii and in þe ſacrifices of þo ȝe ſchulen offre þre tenþe
partis of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oile, bi ech calf, twei
tenþe partis bi rammes,
xxix þe tenþe parte of `a dyme bi þe lambren, whiche
ben to gidere, ſeuene lambren. `And ȝe ſchulen offre a
`buc of geet, which is offrid for clenſyng, outakun brent
ſacrifice euerlaſtynge, and þe moiſte ſacrifices þerof;
xxxi ȝe ſchulen offre alle þingis wiþ out wem, wiþ her
moyſte ſacrifices.
CAP. XXIX
i Forſoþe þe firſte dai of þe ſeuenþe moneþe ſchal be
hooli, and worſchipful to ȝou; ȝe ſchulen not do ony
ſeruyle werk þer ynne, for it is þe day of ſownyng, and
of trumpis.
ii And ȝe ſchulen offre brent ſacrifice, in to ſwetteſt
odour to þe Lord, o calf of þe droue, o ram, and ſeuene
lambren of o ȝeer, wiþ out wem;
iii and in þe ſacrificis of þo `ȝe ſchulen offre þre tenþe
partis of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oile, bi ech calfe,
twey tenþe partis bi a ram,
iiii o tenþe part bi a lomb, whiche togidere ben ſeuen
lambren.
v And `ȝe ſchulen offre a `buc of geet, which is offrid
for ſynne, in to þe clenſyng of þe puple,
vi wiþ out þe brent ſacrifice of kalendis, wiþ hiſe
ſacrifices, and wiþout euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, wiþ
cuſtomable fletynge offryngis; and bi þe ſame
cerymonyes ȝe ſchulen offre encenſe in to ſwettiſte
odour to þe Lord.
vii Alſo þe tenþe dai of þis ſeuenþe moneþe ſchal be
hooli and worſchipful to ȝou, and ȝe ſchulen turmente
ȝoure ſoulis; ȝe ſchulen not do ony ſeruyle werk þer
ynne.
viii And ȝe ſchulen offre brent ſacrifice to þe Lord, in to
ſwettiſte odour; o calf of þe droue, o ram, ſeuene
lambren of o ȝeer wiþ out wem.
ix And in þe ſacrifices of þo `ȝe ſchulen offre þre tenþe
partis of flour ſpreynt togidere wiþ oyle, bi ech calf,
twey tenþe partis bi a ram,
x þe tenþe part of a dyme bi each lomb, þat ben togidere
ſeuene lambren.
xi And ȝe ſchulen offre a `buc of geet for ſynne, wiþ out
þeſe þingis þat ben wont to be offrid for ſynne in to
clenſyng, and `ȝe ſchulen offre euerlaſtinge brent
ſacrifice in ſacrifice, and fletinge offryngis of þo.
xii Forſoþe in þe fiftenþe dai of þis ſeuenþe moneþe, þat
ſchal be hooli and worſchipful to ȝou, ȝe ſchulen not do
ony ſeruyle werk, but ȝe ſchulen halewe ſolempnyte to
þe Lord in ſeuene daies; and ȝe ſchulen offre brent
ſacrifice,
xiii in to ſwetiſte odour to þe Lord, þrettene calues of þe
droue, twey rammes, fouretene lambren of o ȝeer, wiþ
out wem.
xiiii And in þe moiſte ſacrifices of þo `ȝe ſchulen offre
þre tenþe partis of flour ſpreynt to gidere wiþ oile bi ech
calf, þat ben togidere þrettene calues, and ȝe ſchulen
offre twei tenþe partis to twei rammes togidere, þat is, o
tenþe part to o ram, and `ȝe ſchulen offre þe tenþe part
of `a
xv dyme to ech lomb, whiche ben to gidere fourteene
lambren.
xvi And ȝe ſchulen offre a `buc of geet for ſynne, wiþ
out euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, and `wiþ out þe
ſacrifice and moiſte offryng þerof.
xvii In þe toþer dai ȝe ſchulen offre twelue calues of þe
droue, twei rammes, fouretene lambren of o ȝeer wiþout
wem.
xviii And ȝe ſchulen halewe riȝtfuli ſacrifices, and moiſte
offryngis of alle, bi calues, and rammes, and lambren.
xix And `ȝe ſchulen offre a `buc of geet for ſynne, wiþ
out euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, and `wiþ out þe
ſacrifice and moiſt offryng þerof.
xx In þe þridde dai ȝe ſchulen offre euleuen calues, twei
rammes, fourtene lambren of o ȝeer, wiþout wem.
xxi And ȝe ſchulen halewe riȝtfuli þe ſacrifices, and
moiſte offryngis of alle, bi þe caluys, and rammes, and
lambren.
xxii And ȝe ſchulen offre a `buk of geet for ſynne, wiþ
out euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, and wiþ out þe ſacrifice
and moiſte offryng þerof.
xxiii In þe fourþe day ȝe ſchulen offre ten calues, twey
rammes, fourtene lambren of o ȝeer wiþ oute wem.
xxiiii And ȝe ſchulen halewe riȝtfuli þe ſacrifices, and
moiſte offryngis of alle, bi þe calues, and rammes, and
lambren.
xxv And ȝe ſchulen offre a `buk of geet for ſynne, wiþ
out euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, and `wiþ out þe
ſacrifice and moiſte offryng þerof.
xxvi In þe fyueþe dai ȝe ſchulen offre nyne calues, twei
rammes, fourtene lambren of o ȝeer, wiþ oute wem.
xxvii And ȝe ſchulen halewe riȝtfuli þe ſacrifices, and
moiſte offryngis `of alle, bi þe calues, and rammes, and
lambren.
xxviii And `ȝe ſchulen offre a `buc of geet for ſynne, wiþ
out euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, and `wiþ out þe
ſacrifice and moiſte offryng þerof.
xxix In þe ſixte dai ȝe ſchulen offre eiȝt calues, and twei
rammes, fourtene lambren of o ȝeer wiþ out wem.
xxx And ȝe ſchulen halewe riȝtfuli þe ſacrifices, and
moiſte offryngis `of alle, bi þe calues, and rammes, and
lambren.
CLXVIII
xxxi And ȝe ſchulen offre a `buk of geet for ſynne, wiþ
out euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, and `wiþ out þe
ſacrifice and moiſte offryng þerof.
xxxii In þe ſeuenþe dai ȝe ſchulen offre ſeuene calues,
twei rammes, fourtene lambren `of o ȝeer wiþ out wem.
xxxiii And ȝe ſchulen halewe riȝtfuli þe ſacrifices, and
moiſte offryngis `of alle, bi þe calues, and rammes, and
lambren.
xxxiiii And `ȝe ſchulen offre a `buc of geet for ſynne, wiþ
out euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, and `wiþ out þe
ſacrifice and moiſte offryng þerof.
xxxv In þe eiȝþe dai, which is mooſt ſolempne `eþer
hooli; ȝe ſchulen not do ony ſeruyle werk,
xxxvi and ȝe ſchulen offre brent ſacrifice in to ſwetteſt
odour to þe Lord, o calf, o ram, ſeuene lambren of o
ȝeer wiþ out wem.
xxxvii And ȝe ſchulen halewe riȝtfuli þe ſacrifices and
moiſte offryngis `of alle, bi þe calues, and rammes, and
lambren.
xxxviii `And ȝe ſchulen offre a `buc of geet for ſynne,
wiþ out euerlaſtynge brent ſacrifice, and `wiþ out þe
ſacrifice, and moiſte offryng þerof.
xxxix Ȝe ſchulen offre þeſe þingis to þe Lord, in ȝoure
ſolempnytees, wiþ out avowis, and wilful offryngis, in
brent ſacrifice, in ſacrifice, in moiſt offryng, and in
peeſible ſacrifices.
CAP. XXX
i And Moiſes telde to þe ſones of Iſrael alle þingis
whiche þe Lord comaundide to hym.
ii And he ſpak to þe princes of þe lynagis of þe ſones of
Iſrael, Þis is þe word, which þe Lord comaundide, If
ony of men makiþ a vowe to þe Lord,
iii eþir byndiþ hym ſilf bi an ooþ, he ſchal not make
voide his word, but he ſchal fille al þing which he
bihiȝte.
iiii If a womman which is in þe hows of hir fadir, and is
ȝit in þe age of a damyſel, `þat is, not ȝit weddid,
avowiþ ony þing, eþir byndiþ hir ſilf bi an ooþ, `if þe
fadir knowiþ þe avow, which ſche bihiȝte, and þe ooþ bi
which ſche boond hir ſoule, and he is ſtille, ſche ſchal be
gilti of þe ooþ, þat is, boundun bi þe ooþ;
v what euer þing ſche bihiȝte and ſwoor, ſche ſchall fille
in werk.
vi Forſoþe if þe fadir aȝenſeide anoon as he herde, boþe
þe vowis and `ooþis of hir ſchulen be voide, and ſche
ſchal not be holdun boundun to þe biheeſte, for þe fadir
aȝenſeide.
vii If ſche haþ an hoſebonde, and avowiþ ony þing, and a
word goynge out of hir mouþ onys byndiþ hir ſoule wiþ
an ooþ,
viii in what dai þe hoſebonde heriþ, and aȝenſeiþ not,
ſche ſchal be gilti `of avow; ſche ſchal ȝelde, what euer
þing ſche bihiȝte.
ix But if þe hoſebonde heriþ, and anoon aȝenſeiþ, and
makiþ void alle hir biheeſtis, and wordis bi whiche ſche
boond hir ſoule, þe Lord ſchal be merciful to hir.
x A widewe, and a womman forſakun of hir hoſebonde,
ſchulen ȝelde, what euer þing þei avowen.
xi Whanne a wijf in `þe hous of hir hoſebonde byndiþ
hir ſilf bi a vow and an ooþ,
xii if þe hoſebonde heriþ, and is ſtille and aȝenſeiþ not þe
biheeſt, ſche ſchal ȝelde, what euer þing ſche bihiȝte.
xiii Soþeli if þe hoſebonde aȝenſeide anoon, ſche ſchal
not be holdun gilti of biheeſt, for þe hoſebonde
aȝenſeide, and þe Lord ſchal be merciful to hir.
xiiii If ſche avowiþ, and byndiþ hir ſilf bi an ooþ, þat
ſche turmente hir ſoule bi faſtyng, eþir bi abſtynence of
oþere þingis, it ſchal be in þe doom of þe hoſebonde,
þat ſche do, eþer do not.
xv Þat if þe hoſebonde heriþ, and is ſtille, and delaieþ þe
ſentence in þe toþer dai, ſche ſchal ȝelde what euer þing
ſche avowide and bihiȝte, for he was ſtille, anoon as he
herde.
xvi Forſoþe if þe hoſebonde aȝenſeide aftir þat he wiſte,
he ſchal bere his wickidneſſe. Þeſe ben þe lawis, which
þe Lord ordeynede to Moyſes bitwixe þe hoſebonde and
þe wijf, bitwixe þe fadir and þe douȝtir, which is ȝit in
þe age of a damyſel, `þat is, not ȝit maried, `eþer which
dwelliþ in `þe hows of þe fadir.
CAP. XXXI
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moyſes, and ſeide,
ii Venge þou firſte þe ſones of Iſrael of Madianytis, and
ſo þou ſchalt be gaderid to þi puple.
iii And anoon Moiſes ſeide, Arme ȝe men of ȝou to batel,
þat moun take of Madianytis þe veniaunce of þe Lord.
iiii Of ech lynage be choſun a þouſynde men of Iſrael,
þat ſchulen be ſent to batel.
v And of ech lynage þei ȝauen a þouſynde, þat is twelue
þouſynde of men, redi to batel;
vi whiche Moiſes ſente wiþ Fynees, þe ſone of Eleazar,
preeſt. And he bitook to hem hooli veſſelis, and trumpis
to make ſown.
vii And whanne þei hadden fouȝt aȝens Madianytis, and
hadden ouercome, þei killiden alle þe malis,
viii and `þe kyngis of hem, Euy, and Reem, and Sur, and
Hur, and Rebe, fyue princes of `þe folc of hem. Alſo þei
killiden bi ſwerd Balaam, þe ſone of Beor.
ix And þei token þe wymmen of hem, and þe litle
children, and alle beeſtis, and al purtenaunce of
howſhold; what euer þei myȝten haue, þei ſpuyleden;
x flawme brente as wel citees, as litle townes and
caſtels.
CLXIX
xi And þey token pray, and alle þingis whiche þei
hadden take, as wel of men as of beeſtis, and þei
brouȝten to Moyſes,
xii and to Eleazar, preeſt, and to al þe multitude of þe
ſones of Iſrael. Forſoþe þei baren oþere `þingis
perteynynge to vſs, to þe caſtels in þe feldi places of
Moab biſidis Jordan, aȝens Jericho.
xiii Moiſes and Eleazar, preeſt, and alle þe princes of þe
ſynagoge, ȝeden out in to þe comyng of hem, wiþ out þe
caſtels, `þat is, of þe tabernacle.
xiiii And Moiſes was wrooþ to þe princes of þe ooſt, to
tribunes, and centuriouns, þat camen fro batel; and he
ſeide, Whi reſerueden ȝe wymmen?
xv
xvi wheþer it be not þeſe þat diſſeyueden þe ſones of
Iſrael, at þe ſuggeſtioun of Balaam, and maden ȝou to do
treſpas aȝens þe Lord, on þe ſynne of Phegor, wherfor
alſo þe puple was ſlayn?
xvii And þerfor ſle ȝe alle men, what euer þing is of
male kynde, and litle children; and ſtrangle ȝe þe
wymmen þat knew men fleiſchli;
xviii forſoþe reſerue ȝe to ȝou dameſels, and alle
wymmen virgyns,
xix and dwelle ȝe wiþ out þe caſtels in ſeuene daies. He
þat ſleeþ a man, eþer touchiþ a ſlayn man, ſchal be
clenſid in þe þridde and þe ſeuenþe dai;
xx and of al þe pray, wheþer it is clooþ, eþer veſſel, and
ony þing maad redi in to þingis perteynynge to vſs, of
þe ſkynnys and heeris of geet, and `of tre, it ſchal be
clenſid.
xxi And Eleazar, preeſt, ſpak þus to þe men of þe ooſt
þat fouȝten, Þis is þe comaundement of þe lawe, which
þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes,
xxii Þe gold, and ſiluer, and bras, and yrun, and tiyn, and
leed, and al þing þat may paſſe by flawme, ſchal be
purgid bi fier;
xxiii ſoþeli what euer þing may not ſuffre fier, ſchal be
halewid bi þe watir of clenſyng.
xxiiii And ȝe ſchulen waiſche ȝoure cloþis in þe ſeuenþe
dai, and ȝe ſchulen be clenſid; and aftirward ȝe ſchulen
entre in to þe caſtels `of þe tabernacle.
xxv And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Take ȝe þe ſumme of
þo þingis þat ben takun, fro man `til to beeſte,
xxvi þou, and Eleazar, preeſt, and alle þe princes of þe
comyn puple.
xxvii And þou ſchalt departe euenli þe prey bytwixe hem
þat fouȝten and ȝeden out to batel, and bitwixe al þe
multitude.
xxviii And þou ſchalt departe a part to þe Lord, of hem
þat fouȝten, and weren in batel, `o ſoule of fiue hundrid,
as wel of men, as of oxun, and of aſſis, and of ſcheep.
xxix And þou ſchalt ȝyue `þat part to Eleazar, preeſt, for
þo ben þe firſte fruytis of þe Lord.
xxx Alſo of þe myddil part of þe ſones of Iſrael, þou
ſchalt take þe fiftiþe heed of men, and of oxun, and of
aſſis, and of ſcheep, and of alle lyuynge beeſtis; and þou
ſchalt ȝyue þo to þe dekenes, þat waken in þe kepyngis
of þe tabernacle of þe Lord.
xxxi And Moyſes and Eleazar diden, as þe Lord
comaundide.
xxxii Forſoþe þe prey which þe ooſt hadde take, was ſixe
hundrid fyue and ſeuenti þouſynde of ſcheep,
xxxiii of oxun two and ſeuenti þouſynde, of aſſis ſixti
þouſynde and a þouſynde;
xxxiiii
xxxv þe ſoules of perſones of femal kynde, þat knewen
not fleiſchli men, two and þretti þouſynde.
xxxvi And þe myddil part was ȝouun to hem þat weren in
þe batel, of ſcheep þre hundrid ſeuene and þretti
þouſynde and fyue hundrid;
xxxvii of whiche ſixe hundrid fyue and ſeuenti ſcheep
weren noumbrid in to þe part of þe Lord;
xxxviii and of ſixe and þretti þouſynde oxun,
xxxix two and ſeuenti oxun, and of þretti þouſynde aſſis
and fyue hundryd, oon and ſixti aſſis;
xl of ſixtene þouſynde perſoones of men, twei and þretti
perſoones bifelden in to þe `part of þe Lord.
xli And Moiſes bitook þe noumbre of þe firſte fruytis of
þe Lord to Eleazar, preeſt, as it was comaundid to hym,
xlii of þe myddil part of þe ſones of Iſrael, which he
departide to hem þat weren in batel.
xliii And of þe myddil part þat bifelde to þe toþer
multitude, þat is, of þre hundrid ſeuene and þretti
þouſynde ſcheep and fyue hundrid,
xliiii and of ſixe and þretti þouſynde oxun,
xlv and of þretti þouſynde aſſis and fyue hundrid, and of
ſixtene þouſynde wymmen,
xlvi Moyſes took þe fyftiþe heed,
xlvii and ȝaf to þe dekenes, þat wakiden in þe tabernacle
of þe Lord, as þe Lord comaundide.
xlviii And whanne þe princes of þe ooſt, and þe tribunes
and centuriouns hadden neiȝed to Moiſes,
xlix þei ſeiden, We þi ſeruauntis han teld þe noumbre of
fiȝters, whiche we hadden vndur oure hoond, and ſoþeli
not oon failide;
l for which cauſe we offren `in þe fre ȝiftis of þe Lord,
alle bi vs ſilf, þat þat we myȝten fynde of gold in þe
pray, girdelis for `þe myddil of wymmen, and bies of þe
armes, and ryngis, and ournementis of þe arm nyȝ þe
hond, and bies of þe neckis of wymmen, þat þou preye
þe Lord for vs.
li And Moiſes and Eleazar, preeſt, token al þe gold in
dyuerſe ſpices,
lii `eþer kyndis, bi þe weiȝte of þe ſeyntuarye, ſixtene
þouſynde ſeuene hundrid and fifti ſiclis, of þe tribunes,
and centuriouns.
CLXX
liii For þat þat ech man rauyſchide in þe prey, was his
owne;
liiii and þei baren þe gold taken in to þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, in to þe mynde of þe ſones of Iſrael, bifor þe
Lord.
CAP. XXXII
i Forſoþe þe ſones of Ruben and of Gad hadden many
beeſtis, and catel wiþ out noumbre was to hem, in werk
beeſtis. And whanne þei hadden ſeyn Jazer and Galaad,
couenable londis to beeſtis to be fed,
ii þei camen to Moyſes and Eleazar, preeſt, and to þe
princes of þe multitude, and ſeiden,
iii Aſtaroth, and Dibon, and Jacer, and Nemra, Eſebon,
and Eleale, and Sabam,
iiii and Nebo, and Beon, þe lond which þe Lord ſmoot in
þe ſiȝt of þe ſones of Iſrael, is of mooſt plenteuous
cuntrey to þe paſture of beeſtis; and we þi ſeruauntis han
ful many beeſtis;
v and we preyen, if we han founde grace bifor þee, þat
þou ȝyue to vs þi ſeruauntis þat cuntrey in to
poſſeſſioun, and make not vs to paſſe Jordan.
vi To whiche Moiſes anſweride, Wheþer ȝoure briþeren
ſchulen go to batel, and ȝe ſchulen ſitte here?
vii Whi peruerten ȝe þe ſoulis of Iſrael, þat þei doren not
paſſe in to þe place, which þe Lord ſchal ȝyue to hem?
viii Wheþer ȝoure fadris diden not ſo, whanne Y ſente
fro Cades Barne to aſpie þe lond,
ix and whanne þei camen to þe valey of Cluſtre, whanne
al þe cuntrey was cumpaſſid, þei peruertiden þe herte of
þe ſones of Iſrael, þat þei entriden not in to þe cooſtis,
whiche þe Lord ȝaf to hem.
x And þe Lord was wrooþ, and ſwoor,
xi ſeiynge, Þes men þat ſtieden fro Egipt, fro twenti ȝeer
and aboue, ſchulen not ſe þe lond which Y bihiȝte vndur
an ooþ to Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, and nolden ſue
me,
xii outakun Caleph, Cenezei, þe ſone of Jephone, and
Joſue, þe ſone of Nun; þeſe tweyne filliden my wille.
xiii And þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens Iſrael, and ledde hym
aboute þe deſeert bi fourti ȝeer, til al þe generacioun
was waſtid, þat hadde do yuel in þe `ſiȝt of þe Lord.
xiiii And Moyſes ſeide, Lo! ȝe encreſſyngis, and nurreis,
`eþer nurſchid children, of ſynful men, han ryſe for
ȝoure fadris, þat ȝe ſchulden encreeſſe þe ſtrong
veniaunce of þe Lord aȝens Iſrael.
xv Þat if ȝe nylen ſue þe Lord, in `þe wildirneſſe he ſchal
forſake þe puple, and ȝe ſchulen be cauſe of þe deeþ of
alle men.
xvi And þei neiȝiden nyȝ, and ſeiden, We ſchulen make
foldis of ſcheep, and þe ſtablis of beeſtis, and we
ſchulen make ſtrengþid citees to oure litle children.
xvii Forſoþe we vs ſilf ſchulen be armed `to defence, and
ſchulen be gird `wiþ armeris to aſailyng, and ſchulen go
to batel bifor þe ſones of Iſrael, til we bryngen hem in to
her places; oure litle children and what euer þing we
moun haue, ſchulen be in ſtrengþid cytees, for þe
treſouns of þe dwelleris.
xviii We ſchulen not turne aȝen in to oure houſis, til þe
ſones of Iſrael welden her eritage;
xix and we ſchulen not axe ony þing ouer Jordan, for we
han now oure poſſeſſioun in þe eeſt cooſt þerof.
xx To whiche Moiſes ſeide, If ȝe doen þat, þat ȝe
biheten, be ȝe maad redi, and go ȝe to batel bifor þe
Lord;
xxi and ech man fiȝtere be armed, and paſſe Jordan, til
þe Lord diſtrye hiſe enemyes,
xxii and al þe lond be maad ſuget to hym; þanne ȝe
ſchulen be giltles anentis God, and anentis Iſrael, and ȝe
ſchulen holde þe cuntreys, whiche ȝe wolen, bifor þe
Lord.
xxiii But if ȝe doon not þat, þat ȝe ſeien, it is not doute to
ony man, þat ne ȝe ſynnen aȝens God; and wite ȝe, þat
ȝoure ſynne ſchal take ȝou.
xxiiii Þerfor bilde ȝe citees to ȝoure litle children, and
foldis and ſtablis to ſcheep, and to beeſtis; and fille ȝe
þat, þat ȝe bihiȝten.
xxv And þe ſones of Gad and of Ruben ſeiden to Moiſes,
We ben þi ſeruauntis; we ſchulen do þat, þat oure lord
comaundiþ.
xxvi We ſchulen leeue oure litle children, and wymmen,
and ſcheep, and beeſtis in þe citees of Galaad;
xxvii forſoþe alle we þi ſeruauntis ſchulen go redi to
batel, as þou, lord, ſpekiſt.
xxviii Þerfor Moyſes comaundide to Eleazar, preeſt, and
to Joſue, þe ſone of Nun, and to þe princes of meynees,
bi þe lynagis of Iſrael, and ſeide to hem,
xxix If þe ſones of Gad, and þe ſones of Ruben goen alle
armed wiþ ȝou, to batel bifor þe Lord, and þe lond be
maad ſuget to ȝou, ȝyue ȝe to hem Galaad in to
poſſeſſioun;
xxx but if þei nylen paſſe wiþ ȝou in to þe lond of
Chanaan, take þei places to dwelle among ȝou.
xxxi And þe ſones of Gad and þe ſones of Ruben
anſweriden, As þe Lord ſpak to hiſe ſeruauntis, ſo we
ſchulen do;
xxxii we ſchulen go armed bifor þe Lord, in to þe lond of
Chanaan, and we knowlechen, þat we han take now
poſſeſſioun ouer Jordan.
xxxiii And ſo Moiſes ȝaf to þe ſones of Gad and of
Ruben, and to half þe lynage of Manaſſes, ſone of
Joſeph, þe rewme of Seon, kyng of Ammorey, and þe
rewme of Og, kyng of Baſan, and `þe lond of hem, wiþ
her citees, bi cumpas.
CLXXI
xxxiiii Þerforþe ſones of Gad bildiden Dibon, and
Aſtaroth, and Aroer,
xxxv and Roth-Sophan, and Jazer, and Jebaa,
xxxvi and Beeth-Nemra, and Betharan, ſtrengid citees;
and foldis to her beeſtis.
xxxvii Forſoþe þe ſones of Ruben bildiden Eſebon, and
Eleale, and Cariathiarym, and Nabo,
xxxviii and Balmeon, whanne þe names weren turned,
and þei bildiden Sabama; and puttiden names to þe
citees, whiche þei hadden bildid.
xxxix Forſoþe þe ſones of Machir, ſone of Manaſſes,
ȝeden in to Galaad, and diſtrieden it, and killiden
Ammorei, enhabitere þerof.
xl Þerfor Moiſes ȝaf þe lond of Galaad to Machir, ſone
of Manaſſes, which Machir dwellide þer ynne.
xli Forſoþe Jair, þe ſone of Manaſſes, ȝede, and
occupiede þe townes þerof, whiche he clepide
Anochiair, þat is, þe townes of Jair.
xlii Alſo Nobe ȝede, and took Canath, wiþ hiſe townes,
and clepide it, bi his name, Nobe.
CAP. XXXIII
i Þeſe ben þe dwellyngis of þe ſones of Iſrael, þat ȝeden
out of þe lond of Egipt, bi her cumpenyes, in þe hond of
Moiſes and of Aaron;
ii whiche dwellyngis Moiſes diſcriuede bi þe places of
tentis, þat weren chaungid bi comaundement of þe
Lord.
iii Þerfor þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden forþ in `an hiȝ hond fro
Rameſſes, in þe firſte moneþe, in þe fiftenþe dai of þe
firſte moneþe, in þe toþer dai of paſk, while alle
Egipcians ſien,
iiii and birieden þe firſte gendrid children, whiche þe
Lord hadde ſlayn; for þe Lord hadde take veniaunce
alſo on þe goddis `of hem.
v `Þe ſones of Iſrael ſettiden tentis in Socoth,
vi and fro Sochoth þei camen into Etham, which is in þe
laſte cooſtis of `þe wildirneſſe; fro þennus þei ȝeden out,
vii and camen aȝens Phiayroth, whiche biholdiþ
Beelſephon, and ſettiden tentis bifor Magdalun.
viii And þei ȝeden forþ fro Phiairoth, and paſſiden bi þe
myddil ſee in to þe wildirneſſe, and þei ȝeden þre daies
bi þe deſeert of Ethan, and ſettiden tentis in Mara.
ix And þei ȝeden forþ fro Mara, and camen in to Helym,
where weren twelue wellis of watir, and ſeuenti palm
trees; and þere þei ſettiden tentis.
x But alſo þei ȝeden out fro þennus, and ſettiden tentis
on þe Reed See. And þei ȝeden forþ fro þe Reed See,
xi and ſettiden tentis in þe deſeert of Syn,
xii fro whennus þei ȝeden out, and camen in to Depheca.
xiii And þei ȝeden forþ fro Depheca, and ſettiden tentis
in Haluys.
xiiii And þei ȝeden forþ fro Haluys, and ſettiden tentis in
Raphidyn, where watir failide to `þe puple to drinke.
xv And þei ȝeden forþ fro Raphidyn, and ſettiden tentis
in þe deſeert of Synai.
xvi But alſo þei ȝeden out of þe wildirneſſe of Synay,
and camen to þe Sepulcris of Coueitiſe.
xvii And þei ȝeden forþ fro þe Sepulcris of Coueytiſe,
and ſettiden tentis in Aſſeroth.
xviii And fro Aſſeroth þei camen in to Rethma.
xix And þei ȝeden forþ fro Rethma, and ſettiden tentis in
Remon Phares;
xx fro whennus þei ȝeden forþ, and camen in to
Lemphna.
xxi And fro Lemphna þei ſettiden tentis in Reſſa.
xxii And þei ȝeden out fro Reſſa, and camen into
Celatha; fro whennus þei ȝeden forþ, and ſettiden tentis
in þe hil of Sepher.
xxiiii Þei ȝeden out fro þe hil of Sepher, and camen in to
Arada;
xxv fro þennus þei ȝeden forþ, and ſettiden tentis in
Maceloth.
xxvi And þei ȝeden forþ fro Maceloth, and camen in to
Caath.
xxvii Fro Caath þei ſettiden tentis in Thare;
xxviii fro whennus þei ȝeden out, and ſettiden tentis in
Methcha.
xxix And fro Methcha þei ſettiden tentis in Eſmona.
xxx And þei ȝeden forþ fro Aſmona, and camen in to
Moſeroth;
xxxi and fro Moſeroth þei ſettiden tentis in Benalachan.
xxxii And þei ȝeden forþ fro Benalachan, and camen in
to þe hil of Galgad;
xxxiii fro whennus þei ȝeden forþ, and ſettiden tentis in
Jethebacha.
xxxiiii And fro Jethebacha þei camen in to Ebrona.
xxxv And þei ȝeden out fro Ebrona, and ſettiden tentis in
Aſiongaber;
xxxvi fro þennus þei ȝeden forþ, and camen in to deſeert
of Syn; þis is Cades.
xxxvii And þei ȝeden fro Cades, and þei ſettiden tentis in
þe hil of Hor, in þe laſte cooſtis of þe lond of Edom.
xxxviii And Aaron, þe preeſt, ſtiede in to þe hil of Hor,
for þe Lord comaundide, and þere he was deed, in þe
fourti ȝeer of þe goyng out of þe ſones of Iſrael fro
Egipt, in þe fyueþe moneþe, in þe firſte dai of þe
moneþe;
xxxix whanne he was of an hundrid and þre and twenti
ȝeer.
xl And Chanaan, kyng of Arad, þat dwellide at þe ſouþ,
in þe lond of Canaan, herde þat þe ſones of Iſrael
camen.
CLXXII
xli And þei ȝeden forþ fro þe hil of Hor, and ſettiden
tentis in Salmona;
xlii fro þennus þei ȝeden forþ, and camen in to Phynon.
xliii And þei ȝeden forþ fro Phynon, and ſettiden tentis in
Oboth.
xliiii And fro Oboth þei camen in to Neabarym, `þat is,
into þe wildirneſſe of Abarym, which is in þe endis of
Moabitis.
xlv And þei ȝeden forþ fro Neabarym, and þei ſettiden
tentis in Dibon of Gad;
xlvi fro whennus þei ȝeden forþ, and ſettiden tentis in
Helmon of Deblathaym.
xlvii And þei ȝeden out fro Helmon of Deblathaym, and
camen to þe hillis of Abarym, aȝens Nabo.
xlviii And þei ȝeden forþ fro þe hillis of Abarym, and
paſſiden to þe feeldi places of Moab, ouer Jordan, aȝens
Jericho.
xlix And þere þei ſettiden tentis, fro Bethſymon `til to
Belſathym, in þe pleynere places of Moabitis,
l where þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
li Comaunde þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, and ſeie þou to
hem, Whanne ȝe han paſſid Jordan, and han entrid in to
þe lond of Canaan,
lii diſtrie ȝe alle þe dwelleris of þat cuntrey; breke ȝe þe
titlis, `þat is, auteris, and dryue ȝe to poudre þe ymagis,
and diſtrie ȝe alle heiȝ þingis,
liii and clenſe ȝe þe lond, and alle men dwellynge
þereynne. For Y ȝaf to
liiii ȝou þat lond into poſſeſſioun whiche ȝe ſchulen
departe to ȝou bi lot; to mo men ȝe ſchulen ȝyue largere
lond, and to fewere men ſtreytere lond, as lot falliþ to
alle men, ſo eritage ſchal be ȝouun; poſſeſſioun ſchal be
departid bi lynagis and meynees.
lv But if ȝe nylen ſle þe dwelleris of þe lond, þei, þat
abiden, ſchulen be to ȝou as nailes in þe iȝen, and ſperis
in þe ſidis, `þat is, deedli aduerſaries; and þei ſchulen be
aduerſaries to ȝou in þe lond of ȝoure abitacioun;
lvi and what euer þing Y þouȝte to do `to hem, Y ſchal
do to ȝou.
CAP. XXXIIII
i And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes,
ii and ſeide, Comaunde þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, and
þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Whanne ȝe han entrid in to þe
lond of Canaan, and it bifelde in to poſſeſſioun `to ȝou
bi lot, it ſchal be endid bi þeſe endis.
iii Þe ſouþ part ſchal bigynne at þe wildirneſſe of Syn,
which is biſidis Edom, and it ſchal haue termes aȝens þe
eeſt,
iiii þe ſaltiſte ſee, whiche termes ſchulen cumpaſſe þe
ſouþ cooſt bi þe `ſtiynge of Scorpioun, `þat is, of an hil
clepid Scorpioun, ſo þat þo paſſe in to Senna, and come
to þe ſouþ, `til to Cades Barne; fro whennus þe cooſtis
ſchulen go out to þe town, Abdar bi name, and ſchulen
ſtrecche forþ `til to Aſemona;
v and þe terme ſchal go bi cumpas fro Aſſemona `til to
þe ſtronde of Egipt, and it ſchal be endid bi þe brynke of
þe grete ſee.
vi Forſoþe þe weſt cooſt ſchal bigynne at þe greet ſee,
and ſchal be cloſid bi þat ende.
vii Soþeli at þe norþ cooſt, þe termes ſchulen bigynne at
þe greet ſee, and ſchulen come `til to þe hiȝeſte hil,
viii fro which þo ſchulen come in to Emath, `til to þe
termes of Sedada;
ix and þe cooſtis ſchulen go `til to Ephrona, and þe town
of Enan. Þeſe ſchulen be þe termes in þe norþ part.
x Fro þennus þei ſchulen mete cooſtis aȝens þe eeſt
cooſt, fro þe town Henan `til to Sephama;
xi and fro Sephama termes ſchulen go doun in to
Reblatha, aȝens þe welle `of Daphnyn; fro þennus þo
ſchulen come aȝens þe eeſt to þe ſe of Cenereth;
xii and þo ſchulen ſtrecche forþ `til to Jordan, and at þe
laſte þo ſchulen be cloſid wiþ þe ſalteſte ſee. Ȝe ſchulen
haue þis lond bi hiſe cooſtis `in cumpas.
xiii And Moiſes comaundide to þe ſones of Iſrael, and
ſeide, Þis ſchal be þe lond which ȝe ſchulen welde bi lot,
and which þe Lord comaundide to be ȝouun to nyne
lynagis and to þe half lynage;
xiiii for þe lynage of þe ſones of Ruben, bi her meynees,
and þe lynage of þe ſones of Gad, bi kynrede and
noumbre, and half þe lynage of Manaſſes,
xv þat is, twey lynagis and an half, han take her part
ouer Jordan, aȝens Jerico, at þe eeſt cooſt.
xvi And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes,
xvii Þeſe ben þe `names of men þat ſchulen departe þe
lond to ȝou, Eleazar, preeſt, and Joſue, þe ſone of Nun,
and of each lynage, o prynce;
xviii of whiche þeſe ben þe names, of þe lynage of Juda,
xix Caleph, þe ſone of Jephone;
xx of þe lynage of Symeon, Samuhel, þe ſone of
Amyud;
xxi of þe lynage of Beniamyn, Heliad, ſone of Caſſelon;
xxii of þe lynage of þe ſones of Dan, Bochi, ſone of
Jogli; of þe ſones of Joſeph,
xxiii of þe lynage of Manaſſes, Hamyel, ſone of Ephoth;
xxiiii of þe lynage of Effraym, Camuhel, ſone of
Septhan;
xxv of þe lynage of Zabulon, Eliſaphan, ſone of Pharnat;
xxvi of þe lynage of Iſacar, duyk Phaltiel, þe ſone of
Ozan; of þe lynage of Azer,
xxvii Abyud, þe ſone of Salomy;
xxviii of þe lynage of Neptalym, Fedahel, þe ſone of
Amyud.
CLXXIII
xxix Þeſemen it ben, to whiche þe Lord comaundide, þat
þei ſchulden departe to þe ſones of Iſrael þe lond of
Chanaan.
CAP. XXXV
i And þe Lord ſpak þeſe þingis to Moiſes, in þe feeldi
places of Moab, aboue Jordan,
ii aȝens Jericho, Comaunde þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, þat
þei ȝyue to dekenes of her poſſeſſiouns,
iii citees to dwelle, and þe ſuburbabis of þo bi cumpas,
þat þei dwelle in `þe citees, and þe ſuburbabis be to
beeſtis, and `werk beeſtis;
iiii whiche ſuburbabis ſchulen be ſtrecchid forþ fro þe
wallis of citees wiþ outforþ `bi cumpas, in þe ſpace of a
þouſynde paacis;
v aȝens þe eeſt ſchulen be two þouſynde cubitis, and
aȝens þe ſouþ in lijk manere ſchulen be two þouſynde
cubitis, and at þe ſee þat biholdiþ to þe weſt ſchal be þe
ſame meſure, and þe norþ cooſt ſchal be endid bi euene
terme. And þe citees ſchulen be in þe myddis, and þe
ſuburbabis wiþ outforþ.
vi Forſoþe of þo citees whiche ȝe ſchulen ȝyue to
dekenes, ſixe ſchulen be departid in to helpis of
fugityues, `eþer of fleynge men, þat he þat ſchedde
blood, fle to þo; and outakun þeſe ſixe, ȝe ſchulen ȝyue
to dekenes oþere two and fourti citees,
vii þat is, togidere eiȝte and fourti, wiþ her ſurburbabis.
viii And þo citees þat ſchulen be ȝouun of þe
poſſeſſiouns of ſones of Iſrael, ſchulen be takun awey,
mo fro hem þat han more, and fewere `ſchulen be takun
awey fro hem þat han leſſe, alle bi hem ſilf ſchulen ȝyue
bi þe meſure of her eritage, citees to dekenes.
ix Þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes,
x Spek þou to þe ſones of Iſrael, and þou ſchalt ſeie to
hem, Whanne ȝe han paſſid Jordan, in þe lond of
Canaan,
xi deme ȝe whiche citees owen to be in to þe helpis of
fugityues, whiche not wilfuli han ſched blood.
xii In whiche whanne þe fleere haþ fled, þe kyneſman of
hym þat is ſlayn, ſchal not mow ſle hym, til he ſtonde in
þe ſiȝt of þe multitude, and þe cauſe of hym be demed.
xiii Forſoþe of þo citees þat ben departid to þe helpis of
fugityues,
xiiii þre ſchulen be ouer Jordan, and þre in þe lond of
Canaan;
xv as wel to þe ſones of Iſrael as to comelyngis and
pilgryms; þat he fle to þo citees, þat ſchedde blood not
wilfuli.
xvi If ony man ſmytiþ a man wiþ yrun, and he þat is
ſmytun is deed, `þe ſmyter ſchal be gilti of manſleyng,
and he ſchal die.
xvii If he caſtiþ a ſtoon, and a man is deed bi þe ſtrook,
he ſchal be punyſchid in lijk maner.
xviii If a man ſmytun wiþ a ſtaf dieþ, he ſchal be vengid
bi `þe blood of þe ſmytere.
xix Þe niȝ kyneſman of hym þat is ſlayn ſchal ſle þe
manſleere; anoon as he takiþ hym, `þat is, þe
manquellere, he ſchal ſle hym.
xx If bi haterede a man hurtliþ, `eþir ſchoufiþ, `a man,
eþir caſtiþ ony þing in to hym bi aſpiyngis,
xxi eþer whanne he was enemy, ſmoot wiþ hond, and he
is deed, þe ſmytere ſchal be gilti of manſleyng. Þe
kyneſman `of him þat is ſlayn, anoon as he findiþ him,
`þat is, þe ſleere, ſchal ſle hym.
xxii Þat if bi ſudeyn caas, and wiþout hatrede and
enemytees,
xxiii he doiþ ony þing of þeſe;
xxiiii and þis is preued in heryng `of þe puple, and þe
queſtioun of blood is diſcuſſid bitwixe þe ſmytere and
þe kyneſman,
xxv þe innocent ſchal be delyuered fro þe hond of þe
vengere, and bi ſentence of iugis he ſchal be led aȝen in
to þe citee, to which he fledde, and he ſchal dwelle þere,
til þe grete preeſt die, which is anoyntid wiþ oile.
xxvi If þe ſleere is foundun wiþ out þe cooſtis `of þe
citees þat ben aſigned to exilid men,
xxvii and is ſlayn of him þat is vengere, he þat ſleeþ him,
`þat is, þe exilid man, ſchal be wiþ out gilt;
xxviii for þe exilid man ouȝte ſitte in þe citee `til to þe
`deþ of þe biſchop; forſoþe aftir þat þilke biſchop is
deed, þe manſleere ſchal turne aȝen in to his lond.
xxix Þeſe ſchulen be euerlaſtynge and lawful þingis in
alle ȝoure dwellyngis.
xxx A manſleere ſchal be punyſchid vndur witneſſis; no
man ſchal `be dampned at þe witneſſyng of o man.
xxxi Ȝe ſchulen not take prijs of him which is gilti of
blood, anoon and he ſchal die.
xxxii Men exilid, and fugityues, ſchulen not mow turne
aȝen in ony maner in to her citees, bifore þe deeþ of þe
biſchop, leſt ȝe defoulen þe lond of ȝoure abitacioun,
xxxiii which is defoulid bi þe blood of innocent men; and
it may not be clenſid in oþer maner, no but bi þe blood
of hym, þat ſchedde þe blood of anoþir man.
xxxiiii And ſo ȝoure poſſeſſioun ſchal be clenſid, for Y
ſchal dwelle wiþ ȝou; for Y am þe Lord, þat dwelle
among þe ſones of Iſrael.
CAP. XXXVI
i Forſoþe and þe princes of þe meynees of Galaad ſone
of Machir, ſone of Manaſſes, of þe generacioun of þe
ſones of Joſeph, neiȝiden, and ſpaken to Moiſes bifor þe
princes of Iſrael,
ii and ſeiden, Þe Lord comaundide to þee oure lord, þat
þou ſchuldiſt departe þe lond bi lot to þe ſones of Iſrael,
and þat þou ſchuldiſt ȝyue to þe douȝtris of Salphaat,
oure broþir, poſſeſſioun due to þe fadir.
CLXXIV
iii And if men of anoþir lynage ſchulen take to wyues
þeſe douȝtris, her poſſeſſioun ſchal ſue, and it ſchal be
tranſlatid to anoþir lynage, and ſchal be decreeſſid fro
oure eritage;
iiii and ſo it ſchal be doon, þat whanne þe iubilee, þat is,
þe fiftiþe ȝeer of remyſſioun, comeþ, þe departyng of
lottis be ſchent, and þat þe poſſeſſioun of oþere men
paſſe to oþere men.
v Moiſes anſweride to þe ſones of Iſrael, and ſeide, for
þe Lord comaundide, Þe lynage of þe ſones of Joſeph
ſpak riȝtfuli,
vi and þis lawe is denounſid of þe Lord on þe douȝtris of
Salphaat; be þei weddid to whiche men þei wolen, oneli
to þe men of her lynage;
vii leſt þe poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Joſeph be meddlid
fro lynage in to lynage. For alle men ſchulen wedde
wyues of her lynage and kynrede;
viii and alle wymmen ſchulen take hoſebondis of þe
ſame lynage, þat þe erytage dwelle in meynees,
ix and lynagis be not meddlid to hem ſilf, but dwelle ſo,
x as þo ben departid of þe Lord. And þe douȝtris of
Salphaat diden, as it was comaundid to hem.
xi And Maala, and Therſa, and Egla, and Melcha, and
Noha, weren weddid to þe ſones of her fadris broþer,
xii of þe meynee of Manaaſſes, þat was `þe ſone of
Joſeph, and þe poſſeſſioun þat was ȝouun to hem,
dwellide in þe lynage and meynee of her fadir.
xiii Þeſe ben þe comaundementis and domes, whiche þe
Lord comaundide, bi þe hond of Moyſes, to þe ſones of
Iſrael, in þe feeldi places of Moab, aboue Jordan, aȝens
Jericho.
Here eendiþ þe book of Numery, and bigynneþ þe
book of Deutronomy.

DEUTRONOMY
Here bigynneþ Deutronomy.
CAP. I
i Þeſe ben þe wordis whiche Moyſes ſpak to al Iſrael
ouer Jordan, in þe wildirneſſe of þe feeld, aȝens þe reed
ſee, bitwix Pharan and Tophel and Laban and Aſſeroth,
where is ful myche gold,
ii by enleuene daies fro Oreb bi þe weie of þe hil of
Seir, til to Cades Barne.
iii In þe fortiþe ȝeer, in þe enleuenþ moneþe, in þe firſte
dai of þe moneþe, Moiſes ſpak to þe ſones of Iſrael alle
þingis whiche þe Lord commandide to hym þat he
ſchulde ſeie to hem,
iiii after þat he ſmoot Seon, kyng of Ammorreis, þat
dwellide in Eſebon, and Og, þe kyng of Baſan, þat
dwelide in Aſſeroth and in Edray, ouer Jordan, in þe
lond of Moab.
v And Moyſes bigan to declare þe lawe, and to ſeie,
vi Oure Lord God ſpak to vs in Oreb, and ſeide, It
ſuffiſiþ to ȝou þat ȝe han dwellid in þis hil;
vii turne ȝe aȝen, and come ȝe to þe hil of Amorreis, and
to oþere placis þat ben next it; to places of feeldis, and
of hillis, and to lowere places aȝens þe ſouþ, and biſidis
þe brenke of þe ſee, to þe lond of Cananeys, and of
Liban, `til to þe greet flood Eufrates.
viii Lo, `he ſeiþ, Y haue ȝoue to ȝou; entre ȝe, and `welde
ȝe `þat lond on which þe Lord ſwoor to ȝoure fadrys,
Abraham, Yſaac, and Jacob, þat he ſchulde ȝyue it to
hem, and to her ſeed after hem.
ix And Y ſeide to ȝou in þat time, Y may not aloone
ſuſteyne ȝou, for ȝoure Lord God haþ multiplied ȝou,
x and ȝe ben ful many to dai, as þe ſterris of heuene;
xi þe Lord God of ȝoure fadris adde to þis noumbre
many þouſyndis, and bleſſe ȝou, as he ſpak.
xii Y may not aloone ſuſteyne ȝoure cauſis, and birþun,
and ſtryues; ȝyue ȝe of ȝou men wiſe `in dyuyn þingis,
xiii and witti `in mennus þingis worþi to be don, whoſe
conuerſacioun is preued in ȝoure lynagis, þat Y ſette
hem princes to ȝou.
xiiii Þanne ȝe anſweriden to me, Þe þing is good which
þou wolt do.
xv And Y took of ȝoure lynagis men wiſe and noble, `in
vertues and kyn; and Y ordeynede hem princis,
tribunes, and centuryouns, and quynquagenaries, and
denys, whiche ſchulden teche ȝou all þingis.
xvi And Y comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Here ȝe hem,
and deme ȝe þat þat is iuſt, wheþer he be a citeſeyn,
wheþer a pilgrym.
xvii No difference ſchal be of perſones; ȝe ſchulen here
ſo a litil man, `þat is, pore, as a greet man, neþer ȝe
ſchulen take þe perſoone of ony man, for it is þe doom
CLXXV
of God. Þat if ony þing ſemeþ hard to ȝou, telle ȝe to
me, and Y ſchal here.
xviii And Y comaundide alle þingis whiche ȝe ouȝten to
do.
xix Forſoþe we ȝeden forþ fro Oreb, and paſſiden bi a
feerdful deſeert, and grettiſte wildirneſſe, which ȝe ſien,
bi þe weye of þe hil of Ammorrey, as oure Lord God
comaundide to vs. And whanne we hadden come in to
Cades Barne,
xx Y ſeide to ȝou, Ȝe ben comen to þe hil of Ammorrey,
which ȝoure Lord God ſchal ȝyue to ȝou;
xxi ſe þou þe lond which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee;
`ſtie þou, and welde it, as oure Lord God ſpak to þi
fadris; `nyle þou drede, neþer `drede þou in herte ony
þing.
xxii And alle ȝe neiȝiden to me, and ȝe ſeiden, Sende we
men, þat ſchulen biholde þe lond, and telle to vs bi what
weye we owen ſtie, and to whiche citees we owen to go.
xxiii And whanne þe word pleſide to me, Y ſente of ȝou
twelue men, of ech lynage oon.
xxiiii And whanne þei hadden go, and hadden ſtied in to
þe hilli places, þei camen `til to þe valei of Cluſtre; and
whanne þei hadden biholde þe lond,
xxv þei token of þe fruytis þerof, to ſchewe þe plentee,
and brouȝten `to vs, and ſeiden, Þe lond is good which
oure Lord God ſchal ȝyue to vs.
xxvi And ȝe `nolden ſtie, but ȝe weren vnbileueful to þe
word of oure Lord God.
xxvii And ȝe grutchiden in ȝoure tabernaclis, and ȝe
ſeiden, Þe Lord hatiþ vs, and herfor he ledde vs out of
þe lond of Egipt, þat he ſchulde bitake vs in þe hond of
Ammorey, and ſchulde do awei vs.
xxviii Whidur ſchulen we ſtie? þe meſſangeris maden
aferd oure herte, and ſeiden, A grettiſte multitude is, and
largere in ſtature þan we; þe citees ben greete, and
wallid `til to þe heuene; we ſien þere þe ſones of
Enachym, þat is, giauntis.
xxix And Y ſeide to ȝou, `Nyle ȝe drede `wiþ ynne, neþer
`drede wiþoutforþ; þe Lord God hym ſilf,
xxx which is ȝoure ledere, ſchal fiȝte for ȝou, as he dide
in Egipt, while alle men ſien.
xxxi And ȝe ſien in þe wildirneſſe, þi Lord God bar þee,
as a man is wont to bere his litil ſone, in al þe weie bi
which ȝe ȝeden til ȝe camen to þis place.
xxxii And ſoþeli neþer ſo ȝe bileueden to ȝoure Lord
God, þat ȝede bifor ȝou in þe weie,
xxxiii and meſuride þe place in which ȝe ouȝten to ſette
tentis, and ſchewide in nyȝt þe weie to ȝou bi fier, and
in dai bi a piler of cloude.
xxxiiii And whanne þe Lord hadde herd þe vois of ȝoure
wordis, he was wrooþ,
xxxv and ſwoor, and ſeide, Noon of þe men of þis werſte
generacioun ſchal ſe þe good lond, which Y bihiȝte
vndur an ooþ to ȝoure fadris,
xxxvi outakun Caleph, þe ſone of Jephone; for he ſchal ſe
it, and Y ſchal ȝyue to hym þe lond on which he trad,
and to hiſe ſones, for he ſuede þe Lord.
xxxvii Neþer þe indignacioun aȝens þe puple is
wondirful, ſiþen þe Lord was wrooþ alſo to me for ȝou,
and ſeide,
xxxviii Neþer þou ſchalt entre þidur, but Joſue, þe ſone of
Nun, þi mynyſtre, he ſchal entre for þee; excyte and
ſtrengþe þou him, and he ſchal departe þe lond bi lot to
Iſrael.
xxxix Ȝoure litle children, of whiche ȝe ſeiden, þat þei
ſchulden be led priſoneris, and þe ſones þat kunnen not
to dai þe diuerſite of good and of yuel, þei ſchulen
entre; and Y ſchal ȝyue to hem þe lond, and þei ſchulen
welde it.
xl Soþeli turne ȝe aȝen, and go ȝe in to þe wildirneſſe, bi
þe weie of þe Reed See.
xli And ȝe anſweriden to me, We ſynneden to þe Lord;
we ſchulen ſtie, and we ſchulen fiȝte, as oure Lord God
comaundide. And whanne ȝe weren arayed wiþ armeris,
and ȝeden `into þe hil, þe Lord ſeide to me,
xlii Seie þou to hem, `Nyle ȝe ſtye, neþer fiȝte ȝe, for Y
am not wiþ ȝou, leſt ȝe fallen bifor ȝoure enemyes.
xliii Y ſpak, and ȝe herden not; but ȝe `weren aduerſaries
to þe comaundement of þe Lord, and bolnden wiþ
prijde, and ſtieden in to þe hil.
xliiii Þerfor Ammorrey ȝede out, þat dwellide in þe hillis,
and he cam aȝens ȝou, and purſuede ȝou, as bees ben
wont to purſue, and killide fro Seir til Horma. And
whanne ȝe turneden aȝen,
xlv and wepten bifor þe Lord, he herde not ȝou, neþer
wolde aſente to ȝoure vois;
xlvi þerfor ȝe ſaten in Cades Barne bi myche tyme.
CAP. II
i And we ȝeden forþ fro þennus, and camen in to þe
wildirneſſe þat lediþ to þe Reed See, as þe Lord ſeide to
me; and we cumpaſſiden þe hil of Seir in long tyme.
ii And þe Lord ſeide to me, It ſufficiþ to ȝou to cumpaſſe
þis hil;
iii go ȝe aȝens þe norþ.
iiii And comaunde þou to þe puple, and ſeie, Ȝe ſchulen
paſſe bi þe termes of ȝoure briþeren, þe ſones of Eſau,
þat dwellen in Seir, and þei ſchulen drede ȝou.
v Þerfor ſe ȝe diligentli, þat ȝe be not moued aȝens hem;
for Y ſchal not ȝyue to ȝou of þe land `of hem as myche
as þe ſteppe of o foot may trede, for Y ȝaf þe hil of Seir
in to þe poſſeſſioun of Eſau.
vi Ȝe ſchulden bie of hem metis for money, and ȝe
ſchulen ete; ȝe ſchulden drawe, and drynke watir bouȝt.
CLXXVI
vii Þi Lord God bleſſide þee in al þe werk of þin hondis;
he knewe þi weye, hou þou paſſidiſt þis moſte
wildirneſſe, bi fourti ȝeer; and þi Lord God dwellide
wiþ þee, and no þing failide to þee.
viii And whanne we hadden paſſid bi oure briþeren, þe
ſones of Eſau, þat dwelliden in Seir, bi þe weie of þe
feeld of Elath, and of Aſiongaber, we camen to þe weie
þat lediþ in to deſeert of Moab.
ix And þe Lord ſeide to me, Fiȝte þou not aȝens
Moabitis, neþer bigyn þou batel aȝens hem, for Y ſchal
not ȝyue to þee ony þing of þe lond `of hem, for Y ȝaf
Ar in to poſſeſſioun to `þe ſones of Loth.
x Emyn, `þat is, griſeful men, weren firſt dwelleris
þerof, a greet puple, and ſtrong, and ſo hiȝ, þat þei
weren bileued as giantis,
xi of þe generacioun of Enachym, and þei weren lijk þe
ſones of Enachym; forſoþe Moabitis clepen hem Emyn.
xii Forſoþe Horreis dwelliden bifore in Seir, and whanne
þei weren put out, and weren doon awey, `þe ſones of
Eſau dwelliden þere, as Iſrael dide in þe lond of his
poſſeſſioun, which þe Lord ȝaf to hym.
xiii Þerfor we riſeden, þat we ſchulden paſſe þe ſtronde
of Zared, and camen to it.
xiiii Soþeli þe tyme in whiche we ȝeden fro Cades Barne
`til to þe paſſynge of þe ſtronde of Zared, was of eiȝte
and þretti ȝeer, til al þe generacioun of `men fiȝteris was
waſtid fro `þe caſtels, as þe Lord hadde ſwore; whos
hond was aȝens hem,
xv þat þei ſchulden periſche fro þe myddis of `þe caſtels.
xvi Forſoþe after þat alle þe fiȝteris felden doun,
xvii þe Lord ſpak to me, and ſeide,
xviii Þou ſchalt paſſe to dai þe termes of Moab,
xix þe cytee, Ar bi name, and þou ſchalt neiȝ in þe nyȝ
cooſt of þe ſones of Amon; be þou war þat þou fiȝte not
aȝens hem, neþer be moued to batel; for Y ſchal not
ȝyue to þee of þe lond of þe ſones of Amon, for Y ȝaf it
to þe `ſones of Loth in to poſſeſſioun.
xx It is arettid þe lond of giauntis, and giauntis
enhabitiden þerynne ſumtyme, whiche giauntis
Amonytis clepen Zonym;
xxi a myche puple and greet, and of noble lengþe, as
Enachym, whiche þe Lord dide awey fro þe face of
hem,
xxii and made hem to dwelle for `þo giauntis, as he dide
to þe ſones of Eſau, þat dwellen in Seire, `and dide awai
Horreis, and ȝaf to hem þe lond `of Horreis, which `þe
ſones of Eſau welden `til in to preſent tyme.
xxiii Alſo men of Capadocie puttiden out Eueys, þat
dwelliden in Aſſeryn, `til to Gaza; which ȝeden out fro
Capadocie, and diden awey Eueis, and dwelliden for
hem.
xxiiii Riſe ȝe, and `paſſe ȝe þe ſtronde of Arnon; lo! Y
haue bitake in `þin hond Seon, king of Eſebon, of
Amorreis; and his lond bigynne þou `to welde, and
ſmyte þou batel aȝens him.
xxv To dai Y ſchal bigynne to ſende þi drede and
ſtrengþe in to puplis þat dwellen vndir al heuene, þat
whanne þi name is herd, þei drede, and tremble bi þe
maner of wymmen trauelynge of child, and `be holdun
wiþ ſorewe.
xxvi Þerfor Y ſente meſſangeris fro þe wildirneſſe of
Cademoch to Seon, kyng of Eſebon; and Y ſeide wiþ
peſible wordis,
xxvii We ſchulen paſſe þorou þi lond, we ſchulen go in
þe comyn weie; we ſchulen not bowe neþer to þe riȝt
ſide, neþer to þe left ſide.
xxviii Sille þow metis `to vs for prijs, þat we ete; ȝif þow
watir for money, and ſo we ſchulen drynke. Oneli it is
þat þou graunte paſſage to vs,
xxix as þe ſones of Eſau diden, þat dwellen in Seir, and
as Moabitis diden, þat dwellen in Ar, til we comen to
Jordan, and paſſen to þe lond which oure Lord God
ſchal ȝyue to vs.
xxx And Seon, kyng of Eſebon, nolde ȝyue paſſage `to
vs; for þi Lord God made hard his ſpirit, and made ſad
in yuel `þe herte of hym, þat he ſchulde be bitakun in to
þin hondis, as þou ſeeſt now.
xxxi And þe Lord ſeide to me, Lo, Y bigan to bitake to
þee Seon, and his lond; bigynne þou to welde it.
xxxii And Seon ȝede out aȝens vs wiþ al his puple to
batel in Jaſa.
xxxiii And oure Lord God bitook hym to vs, and we han
ſmyte hym wiþ hiſe ſones, and al his puple.
xxxiiii And we token in þat tyme alle þe citees, whanne
þe dwelleris of þo citees, men, and wymmen, and
children weren ſlayn; we leften not in hem ony þing,
xxxv outakun beeſtis þat camen in to þe part of men
takynge prey, and outakun ſpuylis of þe cytees whiche
we tokun.
xxxvi Fro Aroer, which is on þe brenke of þe ſtronde of
Arnon, fro þe toun which is ſet in þe valey, `til to
Galaad, no town was eþer citee, þat aſcapide oure
hondis.
xxxvii Oure Lord God bitook alle to vs; outakun þe lond
of þe ſones of Amon, to which lond we neiȝiden not,
and outakun alle þingis þat liggen to þe ſtronde of
Jeboth, and outakun þe citees of þe munteyns, and alle
places fro whiche oure Lord God forbeed vs.
CAP. III
i And ſo we turneden, and ſtieden bi þe weie of Baſan;
and Og, þe kyng of Baſan, ȝede out aȝens vs wiþ his
puple, to fiȝte in Edrai.
ii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Drede þou not hym, for he is
bitakun in þin hond, wiþ al his puple, and his lond; and
þou ſchalt do to hym, as þou didiſt to Seon, kyng of
Ammoreis, þat dwellide in Eſebon.
CLXXVII
iii Þerfor oure Lord God bitook in oure hondis alſo Og,
kyng of Baſan, and al his puple; and we han ſmyte hym
`til to deeþ,
iiii and waſtiden alle þe citees `of him in o tyme; no
town was þat aſcapide vs; `we deſtrieden ſixti citees, al
þe cuntrei of Argob, of þe rewme of Og in Baſan.
v Alle þe citees weren ſtrengþid wiþ hiȝeſt wallis, and
wiþ ȝatis and barris; wiþ out townes vnnoumbrable, þat
hadden not wallis.
vi And we diden awey þilke men, as we diden to Seon,
kyng of Eſebon; and we loſten ech citee, and men, and
wymmen, and litle children;
vii forſoþe we token bi prey beeſtis, and þe ſpuylis of
citees.
viii And we token in þat tyme þe lond fro þe hond of
twey kyngis of Ammorreis, þat weren biȝonde Jordan,
fro þe ſtronde of Arnon `til to þe hil of Hermon,
ix `which hil Sidonyes clepen Sarion, and Ammorreis
clepen Sanyr.
x We tooken alle þe citees þat weren ſet in þe pleyn, and
al þe lond of Galaad, and of Baſan, `til to Selcha and
Edray, citees of þe rewme of Og, in Baſan.
xi For Og aloone, kyng of Baſan, was left of þe
generacioun of giauntis; and his yrun bed is ſchewid,
which is in Rabath, of þe ſones of Amon, and haþ nyne
cubitis of lengþe, and foure cubitis of breede, at þe
meſure of a cubit of mannus hond.
xii And we weldiden in þat tyme þe lond, fro Aroer,
which is on þe `brynke of þe ſtronde of Arnon, `til to þe
myddil paart of þe hil of Galaad; and Y ȝaf þe citees `of
hym to Ruben and Gad.
xiii Forſoþe Y ȝaf þe toþer part of Galaad, and al Baſan,
of þe rewme of Og, to þe half lynage of Manaſſes, and
al þe cuntrei of Argob. Al Baſan was clepid þe lond of
giauntis.
xiiii Jair, `ſone of Manaſſes, weldide al þe cuntrey of
Argob, `til to þe lond of Geſuri and of Machati; and he
clepide bi his name Baſan Anothiair, þat is, þe townes
of Jair, til in to preſent dai.
xv Alſo Y ȝaf Galaad to Machir; and to þe lynagis of
Ruben and of Gad Y ȝaf þe lond of Galaad, `til to þe
ſtrond of Arnon, þe myddil of þe ſtronde,
xvi and of þe endis `til to þe ſtronde of Jeboth, which is
þe terme of `þe ſones of Amon.
xvii And Y ȝaf þe pleyn of þe wilderneſſe `til to Jordan,
and þe termes of Cenereth `til to þe ſee of deſeert,
which ſee is mooſt ſalt, at þe rotis of þe hil of Phaſga,
aȝens þe eeſt.
xviii And Y comaundide to ȝou in þat tyme, and ſeide,
Ȝoure Lord God ȝyueþ to ȝou þis lond in to erytage;
xix alle ȝe ſtronge men, wiþout wyues and litle children
and beeſtis, be maad redi, and `go ȝe bifor ȝoure
briþren, þe ſones of Iſrael. For Y knowe þat ȝe han
many beeſtis, and þo ſchulen dwelle in citees whiche Y
ȝaf to ȝou,
xx til þe Lord ȝyue reſte to ȝoure briþren, as he ȝaf to
ȝou, and til þei alſo welden þe lond `which þe Lord
ſchal ȝyue to hem biȝonde Jordan; þanne ech man ſchal
turne aȝen in to his poſſeſſioun which Y ȝaf to ȝou.
xxi Alſo Y comaundid to Joſue in þat tyme, and ſeide,
Þin iȝen ſien what þingis ȝoure Lord God dide to þeſe
twei kyngis; ſo he ſchal do to alle rewmes, to whiche
þou ſchalt go; drede þou not hem.
xxii And Y preiede þe Lord in þat tyme,
xxiii and ſeide, Lord God, þou haſt bigunne to ſchewe to
þi ſeruaunt þi greetneſſe, and ſtrongeſte hond,
xxiiii for noon oþer God is eþer in heuene, eþer in erþe,
þat mai do þi werkis, and may be compariſound to þi
ſtrengþe.
xxv Þerfor Y ſchal paſſe, and ſchal ſe þis beeſte lond
biȝende Jordan, and þis noble hil and Liban.
xxvi And þe Lord was wrooþ to me for ȝou, neþir he
herde me, but ſeide to me, It ſuffiſiþ to þee; ſpeke þou
no more of þis þing to me.
xxvii `Stye þou in to þe hiȝneſſe of Phaſga, and caſte
aboute þin iȝen to þe weſt, and norþ, and ſouþ, and eeſt,
and biholde, for þou ſchalt not paſſe þis Jordan.
xxviii Comaunde þou to Joſue, and ſtrengþe þou and
coumforte hym; for he ſchal go bifore þis puple, and he
ſchal departe to hem þe lond, which þou ſchalt ſe.
xxix And we dwelliden in þe valey aȝens þe temple of
Phegor.
CAP. IIII
i And now, þou Iſrael, here þe comaundementis and
domes whiche Y teche þee, þat þou do þo, and lyue, and
þat þow entre and welde þe lond which þe Lord God of
ȝoure fadris ſchal ȝyue to ȝou.
ii Ȝe ſchulen not adde to þe word which Y ſpeke to ȝou,
neþer ȝe ſchulen take awei `fro it; kepe ȝe þe
comaundementis of ȝoure Lord God, which Y
comaunde to ȝou.
iii Ȝoure iȝen ſien alle þingis whiche þe Lord dide aȝens
Belphegor; how he alto brak alle þe worſchiperis `of
hym fro þe myddis of ȝou.
iiii Forſoþe ȝe þat cleuen to ȝoure Lord God lyuen alle
`til in to preſent day.
v Ȝe witen þat Y tauȝte ȝou þe comaundementis and
riȝtfulneſſis, as my Lord God comaundide to me; ſo ȝe
ſchulen do þo in þe lond whiche ȝe ſchulen welde,
vi and ȝe ſchulen kepe, and ſchulen fille in werk. For þis
is ȝoure wiſdom and vndurſtondyng bifor puplis, þat
alle men here þeſe comaundementis, and ſeie, Lo! a
wiſe puple and vnderſtondynge! a greet folk!
vii Noon oþer nacioun is ſo greet, `not in noumbre eþer
in bodili quantite, but in dignite, þat haþ Goddis
CLXXVIII
neiȝynge to it ſilf, as oure God is redi to alle oure
biſechyngis.
viii For whi what oþer folk is ſo noble, þat it haþ
cerymonyes and iuſt domes, and al þe lawe which Y
ſchal `ſette forþ to dai bifor ȝoure iȝen?
ix Þerfor kepe þi ſilf, and þi ſoule biſili; forȝete þou not
þe wordis whiche þin iȝen ſien, and falle þo not doun
fro þin herte, in alle þe daies of þi lijf. Þou ſchalt teche
þo þi ſones and þi ſones ſones.
x Telle þou þe day in which þou ſtodiſt bifor þi Lord
God in Oreb, whanne þe Lord ſpak to me, and ſeide,
Gadere þou þe puple to me, þat it here my wordis, and
lerne for to drede me in al tyme in which it lyueþ in
erþe, and teche hiſe ſones.
xi And ȝe neiȝiden to þe `roote of þe hille, þat brente `til
to heuene; and derkneſſis, and cloude, and myiſt weren
þerynne.
xii And þe Lord ſpak to ȝou fro þe myddis of fier; ȝe
herden þe vois of hiſe wordis, and outirli ȝe ſien no
fourme.
xiii And he ſchewide to ȝou his couenaunt, which he
comaundide, þat ȝe ſchulden do, and `he ſchewide ten
wordis, whiche he wroot in two tablis of ſtoon.
xiiii And he comaundide to me in þat tyme, þat Y
ſchulde teche ȝou cerymonyes and domes, whiche ȝe
owen to do in þe lond whiche ȝe ſchulen welde.
xv Þerfor kepe ȝe biſili ȝoure ſoulis; ȝe ſien not ony
licneſſe in þe dai in which þe Lord ſpak to ȝou in Oreb,
fro þe myddis of þe fier;
xvi leſt perauenture ȝe be diſſeyued and make to ȝou a
grauun licneſſe, eþer an ymage of male, eþer of female;
xvii a licneſſe of alle beeſtis þat ben on erþe, eþer of
bridis fleynge vndur heuene,
xviii and of crepynge beeſtis þat ben moued in erþe, eþer
of fiſchis þat dwellen vndur þe erþe in watris; leſt
perauenture,
xix whanne þin iȝen ben reiſid to heuene, þou ſe þe
ſonne, and moone, and alle þe ſterris of heuene, and be
diſſeyued bi errour, and worſchipe þo, `bi outermer
reuerence, and onour, `bi ynner reuerence, `þo þingis
whiche þi Lord God made of nouȝt, in to ſeruyce to alle
folkis þat ben vndur heuene.
xx Forſoþe þe Lord took ȝou, and ledde out of þe yrun
furneys of Egipt, þat he ſchulde haue a puple of eritage,
as it is in `preſent dai.
xxi And þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens me for ȝoure wordis,
and ſwoor þat Y ſchulde not paſſe Jordan, and ſchulde
not entre in to þe beeſte lond, which he ſchal ȝyue to
ȝou.
xxii Lo! Y die in þis erþe; Y ſchal not paſſe Jordan; ȝe
ſchulen paſſe, and ſchulen welde þe noble lond.
xxiii Be þou war, leſt ony tyme þou forȝete þe couenaunt
of þi Lord God, which he made wiþ þee, and leſt þou
make to þee a grauun licneſs of þo þingis whiche þe
Lord forbeed to make.
xxiiii For þi Lord God is fier waſtynge; `God, a feruent
louyere.
xxv If ȝe gendren ſones, and ſones of ſones, and ȝe
dwellen in þe lond, and ȝe be diſceyued, and make to
ȝou ony licneſſe, and doen yuel bifor ȝoure Lord God,
þat ȝe terren hym to greet wraþe,
xxvi Y clepe witneſſes to dai heuene and erþe, `þat is,
ech reſonable creature beynge in heuene and in erþe, þat
ȝe ſchulen periſche ſoone fro þe lond, which ȝe ſchulen
welde, whanne ȝe han paſſid Jordan; ȝe ſchulen not
dwelle long tyme þerynne, but þe Lord ſchal do awey
ȝou,
xxvii and ſchal ſcatere `in to alle heþen men, and ȝe
ſchulen leeue fewe among naciouns, to whiche þe Lord
ſchal lede ȝou.
xxviii And þere ȝe ſchulen ſerue to goddis, þat ben maad
bi `þe hond of men, to a tre and a ſtoon, þat `ſeen not,
neþer heren, neþer eten, neþer ſmellen.
xxix And whanne þou haſt ſouȝt þere þi Lord God, þou
ſchalt fynde hym; if neþeles þou ſekiſt wiþ al þe herte,
and wiþ al þe tribulacioun of þi ſoule.
xxx Aftir þat alle þingis han founde þee, þat ben
biforſeid, forſoþe in þe laſte tyme, þou ſchalt turne aȝen
to þi Lord God, and þou ſchalt here his vois.
xxxi For þi Lord God is merciful God; he ſchal not
forſake þee, neþir he ſchal do awey outirli, neþir he
ſchal forȝete þe couenaunt, in which he ſwoor to þi
fadris.
xxxii Axe þou of elde daies þat weren bifor þee, fro þe
day in which þi Lord God made of nouȝt man on erþe,
axe þou fro þat oon ende of heuene `til to þe toþer ende
þerof, if ſich a þing was doon ony tyme, eþer if it was
euere knowun,
xxxiii þat a puple herde þe vois of God ſpekynge fro þe
myddis of þe fier, as þou herdiſt, and ſieſt;
xxxiiii if God `dide, þat he entride, and took to him ſilf a
folc fro þe middis of naciouns, bi temptaciouns,
myraclis, and grete wondris, bi batel, and ſtrong hond,
and arm holdun forþ, and orrible ſiȝtis, bi alle þingis
whiche ȝoure Lord God dide for ȝou in Egipt, `while
þin iȝen ſien;
xxxv þat þou ſchuldiſt wite, þat þe Lord hym ſilf is God,
and noon oþer is, outakun oon.
xxxvi Fro heuene he made þee to here his vois, þat he
ſchulde teche þee; and in erþe he ſchewide to þee his
grettiſte fier, and þou herdiſt þe wordis `of hym fro þe
myddis of þe fier;
xxxvii for he louyde þi fadris, and chees her ſeed aftir
hem. And he ledde þee out of Egipt, and ȝede bifore in
his greet vertu,
xxxviii þat he ſchulde do awei grettiſte naciouns, and
ſtrongere þan þou, in þin entryng, and þat he ſchulde
CLXXIX
lede þee ynne, and ſchulde ȝyue to þee þe lond `of hem
in to poſſeſſioun, as þou ſeeſt in `preſent day.
xxxix Þerfor wite þou to dai, and þenke in þin herte, þat
þe Lord him ſilfe is God in heuene aboue, and in erþe
byneþe, and noon oþer is.
xl Kepe þou hiſe heeſtis, and comaundementis, whiche
Y comaunde to þee, þat it be wel to þee, and to þi ſones
after þee, and þat þou dwelle mych tyme on þe lond,
which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee.
xli Þanne Moiſes departide þre citees biȝende Jordan at
þe eeſt cooſt,
xlii þat he fle to þo, þat ſleeþ his neighbore not wilfuli,
and was not enemy bifore oon and `þe toþer dai, and þat
he mai fle to ſumme of þeſe citees;
xliii Boſor in þe wildirneſſe, which is ſet in þe feeldi
lond, of þe lynage of Ruben; and Ramoth in Galaad,
which is in þe lynage of Gad; and Golan in Baſan,
which is in þe lynage of Manaſſes.
xliiii Þis is þe lawe which Moiſes `ſettide forþ bifor þe
ſones of Iſrael,
xlv and þeſe ben þe witneſſyngis, and cerymonyes, and
domes, whiche he ſpak to þe ſones of Iſrael, whanne þei
ȝeden out of Egipt,
xlvi biȝende Jordan, in þe valey aȝens þe temple of
Phegor, in þe lond of Seon, kyng of Ammorreis, þat
dwellide in Eſebon, whom Moiſes killide. And þe ſones
of Iſrael ȝeden out of Egipt, and weldiden `þe lond of
him,
xlvii and þe lond of Og, kyng of Baſan, twei kyngis of
Ammoreis, þat weren biȝende Jordan, at þe ryſyng of þe
ſunne;
xlviii fro Aroer which is ſet on þe brenke of þe ſtronde of
Arnon, `til to þe hil of Seon, which is Hermon;
xlix þei weldiden al þe pleyn biȝende Jordan, at þe eeſt
cooſt, `til to þe ſee of wildirneſſe, and `til to þe rootis of
þe hil of Phaſga.
CAP. V
i And Moiſes clepide al Iſrael, and ſeide to hym, Here,
þou Iſrael, þe cerymonyes and domes, whiche Y ſpeke
to dai in ȝoure eeris; lerne ȝe þo, and `fille ȝe in werk.
ii Oure Lord God made a boond of pees wiþ vs in Oreb;
iii he made not couenaunt, `þat is, of lawe writun, wiþ
oure fadris, but wiþ vs þat ben preſent, and lyuen.
iiii Face to face he ſpak to vs in þe hil, fro þe myddis of
þe fier.
v Y was recouncelere and mediatour bitwixe God and
ȝou in þat tyme, þat Y ſchulde telle to ȝou þe wordis `of
hym, for ȝe dredden þe fier, and `ſtieden not in to þe hil.
And `þe Lord ſeide,
vi Y am þi Lord God, þat ladde þee out of þe lond of
Egipt, fro þe hows of ſeruage.
vii Þou ſchalt not haue alien Goddis in my ſiȝt.
viii Þou ſchalt not make to þee a grauun ymage, neþer a
licneſſe of alle þingis þat ben in heuene aboue, and þat
ben in erþe byneþe, and þat lyuen in watris vndur erþe;
ix þou ſchalt not herie þo, `and þou ſchalt not worſchipe
þo; for Y am þi Lord God, `God a feruent louyer; and Y
ȝelde þe wickidneſſe of fadris, in to ſones in to þe
þridde and þe fourþe generacioun to hem þat haten me,
x and Y do merſy in to many þouſyndis to hem þat louen
me, and kepen myn heeſtis.
xi Þou ſchalt not myſtake þe name of þi Lord God in
veyn, for he ſchal not be vnpunyſchid, þat takiþ þe
name of God on a veyn þing.
xii Kepe þou þe `day of ſabat þat þou halewe it, as þi
Lord God comaundide to þee.
xiii In ſixe daies þou ſchalt worche, and þou ſchalt do
alle þi werkis;
xiiii þe ſevenþe day is `of ſabat, þat is þe reſte of þi Lord
God. Þou ſchalt not do þerynne ony þing of werk; þou,
and þi ſone, and douȝter, ſeruaunt, and handmaide, and
oxe, and aſſe, and `al þi werk beeſte, and þe pilgrym
which is wiþ ynne þi ȝatis; þat þi ſeruaunt reſte and þin
handmaide, as alſo þou.
xv Biþenke þou, þat alſo þou ſeruediſt in Egipt, and þi
Lord God ledde þee out fro þennus, in a ſtrong hond,
and arm holdun forþ; þerfor he comaundide to þee, þat
þou ſchuldiſt kepe þe `dai of ſabat.
xvi Onoure þi fadir and þi modir, as þi Lord God
comaundide to þee, þat þou lyue in long tyme, and þat
it be wel to þee, in þe lond which þi Lord God ſchal
ȝyue to þee.
xvii Þou ſchalt not ſle.
xviii Þou ſchalt not do letcherie.
xix And þou ſchalt not do þefte.
xx Þou ſchalt not ſpeke fals witneſſyng aȝens þi
neiȝbore.
xxi Þou ſchalt not coueite `þe wijf of þi neiȝbore, not
hows, not feeld, not ſeruaunt, not handmayde, not oxe,
not aſſe, and alle þingis þat ben hiſe.
xxii Þe Lord ſpak þeſe wordis to al ȝoure multitude, in þe
hil, fro þe myddis of fier and of cloude and of myiſt,
wiþ greet vois, and addide no þing more; and he wroot
þo wordis in two tablis of ſtoon, whiche he ȝaf to me.
xxiii Forſoþe after þat ȝe herden þe vois fro þe myddis of
þe derkneſſis, and ſien þe hil brenne, alle ȝe princis of
lynagis, and þe grettere men in birþe, neiȝiden to me,
and ſeiden, Lo!
xxiiii oure Lord God ſchewide to vs his maieſte and
greetneſſe; we herden his vois fro þe myddis of fier, and
we preueden to day þat a man lyuede, `while God ſpak
wiþ man.
xxv Whi þerfor ſchulen we die, and ſchal þis gretteſte
fier deuoure vs? For if we heren more þe vois of oure
Lord God, we ſchulen die.
CLXXX
xxvi What is ech man, þat he here þe vois of God
lyuynge, þat ſpekiþ fro þe myddis of fier, as we herden,
and þat he may lyue?
xxvii Raþere neiȝe þou, and here þou alle þingis whiche
oure Lord God ſchal ſeie to þee; and þou ſchalt ſpeke to
vs, and we ſchulen here, and ſchulen do þo wordis.
xxviii And whanne þe Lord hadde herd þis, he ſeide to
me, Y herde þe vois of þe wordis of þis puple, whiche
þei ſpaken to þee; þei ſpaken wel alle þingis.
xxix Who ſchal ȝyue `þat þei haue ſiche ſoule, þat þei
drede me, and kepe alle my comaundementis in al
tyme, þat it be wel to hem and to þe ſones `of hem, wiþ
outen ende?
xxx Go þou, and ſeye to hem, Turne ȝe aȝen in to ȝoure
tentis.
xxxi Soþeli ſtonde þou here wiþ me, and Y ſchal ſpeke to
þee alle comaundementis, and cerymonyes, and domes,
whiche þou ſchalt teche hem, þat þei do þo in þe lond
which Y ſchal ȝyue to hem in to poſſeſſioun.
xxxii Þerfor kepe ȝe, and `do ȝe þo þingis, whiche þe
Lord God comaundide to ȝou; ȝe ſchulen not bowe
awey, neþer to þe riȝt ſide neþer to þe left ſide,
xxxiii but ȝe ſchulen go bi þe weie whiche ȝoure Lord
God comaundide, þat ȝe lyue, and þat it be wel to ȝou,
and þat ȝoure daies be lengþid in þe lond of ȝoure
poſſeſſioun.
CAP. VI
i Þeſe ben þe comaundementis, and cerymonyes, and
domes, whiche ȝoure Lord God comaundide þat Y
ſchulde teche ȝou, and þat ȝe do þo in þe lond to which
ȝe paſſen ouer to welde;
ii þat þou drede þi Lord God, and kepe alle hiſe
comaundementis, and heeſtis, whiche Y comaunde to
þee, and to þi ſones, and ſones of ſones, in alle þe daies
of þi lijf, þat þi daies be lengþid.
iii Þou Iſrael, here, and kepe, þat þou do þo þingis
whiche þe Lord comaundide to þee, and þat it be wel to
þee, and þou be multiplied more, as þe Lord God of þi
fadris bihiȝte, to ȝyue to þee a lond flowynge wiþ mylk
and hony.
iiii Þou Iſrael, here, þi Lord God is o God.
v Þou ſchalt loue þi Lord God of al þin herte, and of al
þi ſoule, and of al þi ſtrengþe.
vi And þeſe wordis whiche Y comaunde to þee to dai,
ſchulen be in þin herte;
vii and þou ſchalt telle þo to þi ſones, and þou ſchalt
þenke on þo, ſittynge in þin hows, and goynge in þe
weie, ſlepynge, and ryſinge.
viii And þou ſchalt bynde þo as a ſigne in þin hond; and
þo ſchulen be, and ſchulen be moued bifor þin iȝen; and
þou ſchalt write þo in þe lyntel,
ix and in þe doris of þin hows.
x And whanne þi Lord God haþ brouȝt þee in to þe lond,
for which he ſwoor to þi fadris, to Abraham, Iſaac, and
Jacob, and haþ ȝoue to þee grete citees, and beeſte,
whiche þou bildidiſt not,
xi houſis fulle of alle richeſſis, whiche þou madiſt not,
and ciſternes, which þou diggediſt not, `places of vynes,
and `places of olyues, whiche þou plauntidiſt not,
xii and þou haſt ete, and art fillid,
xiii ȝe war diligentli, leſt þou forȝete þe Lord, þat ladde
þee out of þe lond of Egipt, fro þe hows of ſeruage. Þou
ſchalt drede þi Lord God, and þou ſchalt ſerue hym
aloone, `bi ſeruyce due to God onely, and þou ſchalt
ſwere bi his name.
xiiii Ȝe ſchulen not go aftir alien goddis, of alle heþen
men þat ben `in ȝoure cumpas;
xv for God is a feruent louyere, þi Lord God is in þe
myddis of þee, leſt ony tyme þe `ſtrong veniaunce of þi
Lord God be wrooþ aȝens þee, and do awei þee fro `þe
face of þe erþe.
xvi Þou ſchalt not tempte þi Lord God, as þou temptidiſt
in þe place of temptyng.
xvii Kepe þou þe comaundementis of þi Lord God, and
þe witneſſyngis, and cerymonyes, whiche he
comaundide to þee;
xviii and do þou þat þat is pleſaunt and good in þe ſiȝt of
þe Lord, þat it be wel to þee, and þat þou entre, and
welde þe beſte lond, of which þe Lord ſwoor to þi
fadris,
xix þat he ſchulde do awey alle þin enemyes bifor þee,
as he ſpak.
xx And whanne þi ſone ſchal axe þee to morewe, þat is,
in tyme comyng, and ſchal ſeie, What wolen þeſe
witneſſyngis, and cerymonyes, and domes to hem ſilf,
whiche oure Lord God comaundide to vs?
xxi þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, We weren `ſeruauntis of
Farao in Egipt, and þe Lord ledde vs out of Egipt, in
ſtrong hond;
xxii and he dide myraclis, and grete wondris, and werſte,
`þat is, mooſt peyneful veniaunces, in Egipt, aȝens
Farao and al his hows, in oure ſiȝt.
xxiii And he ledde vs out þerof, þat he ſchulde ȝyue to vs
led yn, þe lond of which he ſwoor to oure fadris.
xxiiii And þe Lord comaundide to vs, þat we do alle þeſe
lawful þingis, and drede oure Lord God, þat it be wel to
vs in alle þe daies of oure lijf, as it is to dai.
xxv And he ſchal be merciful to vs, if we ſchulen do and
kepe alle hiſe heeſtis, bifor oure Lord God, as he
comaundide to vs.
CAP. VII
i Whanne þi Lord God haþ lad þee in to þe lond, in to
which þou ſchalt entre to welde, and haþ do awey many
folkis bifor þee, Ethei, and Gergeſei, and Ammorrey,
CLXXXI
Canenei, and Pherezei, Euey, and Jebuſei; ſeuene folkis,
of myche gretter noumbre þan þou art, and ſtrengere
þan þou;
ii and þi Lord God haþ bitake hem to þee, þou ſchalt
ſmyte hem `til to deeþ, þou ſchalt not make `wiþ hem a
boond of pees, neþer þou ſchalt haue merci on hem,
iii neþer þou ſchalt felowſchipe mariagis wiþ him; þou
ſchalt not ȝyue þi douȝter to þe ſone `of hym, neþer þou
ſchalt take his douȝtir to þi ſone;
iiii for ſche ſchal diſceyue þi ſone, þat he ſue not me, and
þat he ſerue more alien goddis; and þe ſtrong veniaunce
of þe Lord ſchal be wrooþ, and ſchal do awei þee ſoone.
v But raþer þou ſchalt do þeſe þingis to hem; deſtrie ȝe
þe auteris `of hem, and breke ȝe ymagis `of metal, and
kitte ȝe doun wodis, and brenne ȝe grauun ymagis.
vi For þou art an hooli puple to þi Lord God; þi Lord
God chees þee, þat þou be a ſpecial puple to hym, of
alle puplis þat ben on erþe.
vii Not for ȝe ouercamen in noumbre alle folkis, þe Lord
is ioyned to ȝou, and chees ȝow, ſiþen ȝe ben fewere þan
alle puplis;
viii but for þe Lord louede ȝou, and kepte þe ooþ which
he ſwoor to ȝoure fadris; and he ledde ȝou out in ſtrong
hond, and aȝen bouȝte ȝou fro þe hows of ſeruage, fro
`þe hows of Farao, kyng of Egipt.
ix And þou ſchalt wite, þat þi Lord God hym ſilf is a
ſtrong God, and feiþful, and kepiþ couenaunt and merſi
to hem þat louen hym, and to hem þat kepen hiſe
comaundementis, in to a þouſynde generaciouns;
x and ȝeldiþ anoon to hem þat haten hym, ſo þat he
deſtrie hem, and differr no lengere; reſtorynge anoon to
hem þat þat þei diſſeruen.
xi Þerfor kepe þou þe comaundementis, and
cerymonyes, and domes, whiche Y comaunde to þee to
dai, þat þou do.
xii If aftir þat þou heriſt þeſe domes, þou kepiſt, and
doiſt þo, þi Lord God ſchal kepe to þee couenaunt, and
merſi, which he ſwoor to þi fadris.
xiii And he ſchal loue þee, and ſchal multiplie þee, and
he ſchal bleſſe þe fruyt of þi wombe, and þe fruyt of þi
lond, þi wheete, and vindage, oile, and droues of
beeſtis, and þe flockis of þi ſcheep, on þe lond for
which he ſwoor to þi fadris, þat he ſchulde ȝyue it to
þee.
xiiii Þou ſchalt be bleſſid among alle puplis; noon bareyn
of euer eiþir kynde ſchal be at þee, as well in men, as in
þi flockis.
xv Þe Lord ſchal do awei fro þee all ache, `eþer ſorewe;
and he ſchal not brynge to þee þe worſte ſikneſſis of
Egipt, whiche þou knewiſt, but to alle þin enemyes.
xvi And þou ſchalt `deuoure, þat is, diſtrie, alle puplis,
whiche þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee; þin iȝe ſchal not
ſpare hem, neþir þou ſchalt ſerue þe goddis `of hem, leſt
þei ben in to þe fallyng of þee.
xvii If þou ſeiſt in þin herte, Þeſe folkis ben mo þan Y,
hou may Y do awei hem?
xviii `nyle þou drede, but haue þou mynde, what þingis
þi Lord God dide to Farao, and alle Egipcians;
xix `he dide þe gretteſte veniaunces, whiche þin iȝen
ſien, and miraclis and grete wondris, and þe ſtrong
hond, and arm `holdun forþ, þat þi Lord God ſchulde
lede þee out; ſo he ſchal do to alle puplis whiche þou
drediſt.
xx Ferþermore and þi Lord God ſchal ſende venemouſe
flies in to hem, til he do awei, and deſtrye alle men, þat
fledden þee, and þei ſchulen not mowe be hid.
xxi Þou ſchalt not drede hem, for þi Lord is in þe myddis
of þee, grete God, and ferdful.
xxii He hym ſilf ſchal waſte þeſe naciouns in þi ſiȝt, litil
and litil, and bi partis; þou ſchalt not mow do awey `þo
naciouns togidere, leſt perauenture beeſtis of erþe be
multiplied aȝens þee;
xxiii and þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue hem in þi ſiȝt, and he
ſchal ſle hem, til þei be doon awey outerly.
xxiiii And he ſchal bitake þe kyngis `of hem in to þin
hondis, and þou ſchalt deſtrie þe names `of hem vndur
heuene; noon ſchal mow aȝenſtonde þee, til þou al to-
breke hem.
xxv Þou ſchalt brenne in fier þe grauun ymagis `of hem;
þou ſchalt not coueite þe ſiluer and gold, of whiche þo
ymagis ben maad, neþer þou ſchalt take of þo ony þing
to þee, leſt þou offende þerfor, for it is abhominacioun
of þi Lord God.
xxvi Neþer þou ſchalt brynge ony þing of þe idol in to
þin hous, leſt þou be maad curſid, as alſo þat idol is; þou
ſchalt wlate it as filþe, and þou ſchalt haue it as
defoulyng, and filþis of abhomynacioun, for it is curſid.
CAP. VIII
i Be þou war diligentli, þat þou do ech comaundement
which Y comaunde to þee to dai, þat ȝe moun lyue, and
be multiplied, and þat ȝe entre, and welde þe lond, for
which þe Lord ſwoor to ȝoure fadris.
ii And þou ſchalt haue mynde of al þe weie, bi which þi
Lord God ledde þee by fourti ȝeer, bi deſeert, þat he
ſchulde turmente, and ſchulde tempte þee; and þat þo
þingis þat weren tretid in `þi ſoule ſchulden be knowun,
wheþer þou woldiſt kepe hiſe comaundementis, eþir
nay.
iii And he turmentide þee wiþ nedyneſſe, and he ȝaf to
þee meete, manna which þou knewiſt not, and þi fadris
`knewen not, þat he ſchulde ſchewe to þee, þat a man
lyueþ not in breed aloone, but in ech word þat comeþ
`out of þe Lordis mouþ, `þat is, bi manna, þat cam
down `at þe heeſt of þe Lord.
iiii Þi cloþ, bi which þou were hilid, failide not for
eldneſſe, and þi foot was not brokun underneþe, lo!
CLXXXII
v þe fourtiþ ȝeer is; þat þou þenke in þin herte, for as a
man techiþ his ſone,
vi ſo þi Lord God tauȝte þee, þat þou kepe þe
comaundementis of þi Lord God, and go in hiſe weies,
and drede hym.
vii For þi Lord God ſchal lede þee in to a good lond, in
to þe lond of ryueris, and of `ſtondynge watris, and of
wellis, in whos feeldis and mounteyns þe depþis of
floodis breken out;
viii in to þe lond of wheete, of barli, and of vyneris, in
which lond fige trees, and pumgranadis, and `olyue
trees comen forþ; in to þe lond of oile, and of hony;
ix where þow ſchalt ete þi breed wiþ out nedyneſſe, and
ſchalt vſe þe aboundaunce of alle þingis; of which lond
þe ſtonys ben yrun, and metals of tyn ben diggid of þe
hillis þerof;
x þat whanne þou haſt ete, and art fillid, þou bleſſe þi
Lord God for þe beſte lond which he ȝaf to þee.
xi Þerfor kepe þou, and ȝe war, leſt ony tyme þou forȝete
þi Lord God, and diſpiſe hiſe comaundementis, and
domes, and cerymonyes, whiche Y comaunde to þee to
dai;
xii leſt aftir þat þou haſt ete, and art fillid, haſt bildid
faire houſis, and haſt dwellid in þo,
xiii and haſt droues of oxun, and flockis of ſcheep, and
plente of ſiluer, and of gold, and of alle þingis, þine
herte be reiſid,
xiiii and þenke not on þi Lord God, þat ledde þee out of
þe lond of Egipt, and fro þe hous of ſeruage,
xv and was þi ledere in þe greet wildirneſſe and ferdful,
in which was a ſerpent brenninge wiþ blaſt, and
ſcorpioun, and dipſas, and outirli no `watris; which Lord
ledde out ſtremes of þe hardeſte ſtoon,
xvi and fedde þee wiþ manna in þe wildirneſſe, which
manna þi fadris knewen not. And after þat þe Lord
turmentid þee, and preuede, at þe laſt he hadd merſi on
þee,
xvii leſt þou woldiſt ſeie in þin herte, My ſtrengþe, and
þe myȝt of myn hond ȝaf alle þeſe þingis to me.
xviii But þenke þou on þi Lord God, þat he ȝaf ſtrengþis
to þee, þat he ſchulde fille his couenaunt, of whiche he
ſwoor to þi fadris, as preſent dai ſchewiþ.
xix Forſoþe if þou forȝetiſt þi Lord God, and ſueſt aliene
goddis, and worſchipiſt hem `in herte, and onouriſt `wiþ
outforþ, lo! now Y biforſeie to þee, þat þou ſchalt
periſche outerli;
xx as heþen men periſchiden, whiche þe Lord dide awei
in þin entryng, ſo and ȝe ſchulen periſche, if ȝe ſchulen
be vnobedient to þe vois of ȝoure Lord God.
CAP. IX
i Here þou, Iſrael; þou ſchalt paſſe Jordan to dai, þat þou
welde mooſte naciouns, and ſtrengere þan þou; grete
citees, and wallid `til to heuene;
ii a greet puple, and hiȝ; þe ſones of Enachym, whiche
þi ſilf `ſieſt, and herdiſt, whiche no man may aȝenſtonde
in þe contrarie part.
iii Þerfor þou ſchalt wite to dai, þat þi Lord God hym ſilf
ſchal paſſe bifor þee; he is a fier deuourynge and
waſtynge, þat ſchal al to breke hem, and ſchal do awei,
and deſtrie bifor þi face ſwiftli, as he ſpak to þee.
iiii Seie þou not in þin herte, whanne þi Lord God haþ
do hem awey in þi ſiȝt, For my riȝtfulneſſe þe Lord
brouȝte me yn, þat Y ſchulde welde þis lond; ſiþen þeſe
naciouns ben doon awey for her wickidneſſis.
v For not for þi riȝtfulneſſis, and equyte of þin herte þou
ſchalt entre þat þou welde þe lond `of hem; but for þei
diden wickidli, þei weren doon awey, whanne þou
entridiſt, and þat þe Lord ſchulde fille his word which
he bihiȝte vndur an ooþ to þi fadris, to Abraham, Iſaac,
and Jacob.
vi Þerfor wite þou þat not for þi riȝtfulneſſes þi Lord
God ȝaf to þee þis beſte lond in to poſſeſſioun, ſiþen þou
art a puple of hardeſte nol.
vii Haue þou mynde, and forȝete not, hou in þe
wildirneſſe þou terridiſt þi Lord God to greet wraþþe;
fro þat dai in which þou ȝediſt out of Egipt `til to þis
place, þou ſtriuediſt euere aȝens þe Lord.
viii For whi alſo in Oreb þou terridiſt hym, and he was
wrooþ, and wolde do þee awei, whanne Y ſtiede in to þe
hil,
ix þat Y ſchulde take two tablis of ſtoon, þe tablis of
couenaunt which þe Lord made wiþ ȝou, and Y
continuede in þe hil fourti daies and nyȝtis, and Y eet
not breed, and Y drank not watir.
x And þe Lord ȝaf to me, twey tablis of ſtoon, euer eiþer
wrytun wiþ Goddis fyngur, and conteynynge alle þe
wordis whiche he ſpak to ȝou in þe hil, fro þe myddis of
þe fier, whanne þe cumpany of puple was gaderid
togidere.
xi And whanne fourti daies and ſo many nyȝtis hadden
paſſid, þe Lord ȝaf to me twei tablis of ſtoon, tablis of
boond of pees;
xii and he ſeide to me, Riſe þou, and go doun for hennys
ſoone, for þi puple, which þou leddiſt out of Egipt, han
forſake ſwiftli þe weie which þou ſchewidiſt to hem, and
þei han maad to hem a ȝotun calf.
xiii And eft þe Lord ſeide to me, `Y ſe þat þis puple is of
hard nol;
xiiii ſuffre þou me, þat I alto breke hym, and do awey þe
name `of hym fro vndur heuene; and Y ſchal ordeyne
þee on a folk which is grettere and ſtrongere þan þis
folk.
CLXXXIII
xv And whanne Y cam doun fro þe hil brennynge, and
helde wiþ euer eiþer hond twei tablis of boond of pees,
and Y ſeiȝ,
xvi þat ȝe hadde ſynned to ȝoure Lord God, and hadden
maad to ȝou a ȝotun calf, and hadden forſake ſwiftli þe
weie of God which he ſchewide to ȝou,
xvii Y caſtide doun þe tablis fro myn hondis, and brak þo
tablis in ȝoure ſiȝt.
xviii And Y felde doun bifor þe Lord as `biforto, in
fourti daies and fourti nyȝtis, and Y eet not breed, `and
drank not watir, for alle ȝoure ſynnes whiche ȝe diden
aȝens þe Lord, and terriden hym to `greet wraþþe;
xix for Y dredde þe indignacioun and yre of hym, by
which he was ſtirid aȝens ȝou, and wolde do ȝou awey.
And þe Lord herde me alſo in þis tyme.
xx Alſo þe Lord was wrooþ greteli aȝens Aaron, and
wolde alto breke hym, and Y preiede in lijk maner for
hym.
xxi `Forſoþe Y took ȝoure ſynne which ȝe maden, þat is,
þe calf, and brente it in fier, and Y alto brak in gobetis,
and droof outerli in to duſt, and caſtide forþ in to þe
ſtronde, þat cam doun fro þe hil.
xxii Alſo in þe brennyng, and in þe temptacioun at þe
watris of aȝenſeiyng, and in þe Sepulcris of Coueytiſe,
ȝe terriden þe Lord;
xxiii and whanne Y ſente ȝou fro Cades Barne, and ſeide,
`Stye ȝe, and welde þe lond which Y ȝaf to ȝou, and ȝe
diſpiſiden þe comaundement of ȝoure Lord God, and ȝe
bileueden not to him, neþer ȝe wolden here his vois;
xxiiii but euere ȝe weren rebel, fro þe day in which Y
bigan to knowe ȝou.
xxv And Y lay byfore þe Lord fourti daies and fourti
nyȝtis, in whiche Y biſouȝte hym mekeli, þat he ſchulde
not `do awey ȝou, as he manaaſſide.
xxvi And Y preiede, and ſeide, Lord God, diſtrye not þi
puple, and þin eritage, which þou `aȝen bouȝtiſt in þi
greetneſſe, which þou leddiſt out of Egipt in ſtrong
hond.
xxvii Haue þou mynde of þi ſeruauntis, of Abraham,
Iſaac, and Jacob; biholde þou not þe hardneſſe of þis
puple, and þe wickidneſſe, and þe ſynne þerof,
xxviii leſt perauenture þe dwelleris of þe lond, out of
which þou leddiſt vs, ſeien, Þe Lord myȝte not bryng
hem in to þe lond which he bihiȝte to hem, and he
hatide hem; þerfor he ledde hem out þat he ſchulde ſle
hem in wildirneſſe;
xxix and þei ben þi puple and þin eritage, which þou
leddiſt out in þi greet ſtrengþe, and in þin arm holdun
forþ.
CAP. X
i In þat tyme þe Lord ſeide to me, Hewe þou twei tablis
of ſtoon to þee, as þe formere weren; and ſtie þou to me
`in to þe hil. And þou ſchalt make an arke,
ii `eþer a cofere, of tree, and Y ſchal write in þe tablis,
þe wordis þat weren in þeſe tablis whiche þou brakiſt
bifore; and þou ſchalt putte þo tablis in to þe arke.
iii Þerfor Y made an ark of þe trees of Sechim, and
whanne Y hadde hewe twei tablis of ſtoon, at þe licneſſe
of þe formere tablis, Y ſtiede in to þe hil, and hadde þe
tablis in þe hondis.
iiii And he wroot in þe tablis, bi þat þat he `hadde writun
bifore, ten wordis, whiche þe Lord ſpak to ȝou in þe hil,
fro þe myddis of þe fyer, whanne þe puple was gaderid,
and he ȝaf þe tablis to me.
v And Y turnide aȝen fro þe hil, and cam doun, and
puttide þe tablis in to þe arke which Y hadde maad,
`whiche tablis ben þere hidur to, as þe Lord
comaundide to me.
vi Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael moueden tentis fro Beroth
of þe ſones of Jachan in to Moſera, where Aaron was
deed, and biried, for whom his ſone Eleazar was ſet in
preeſthod.
vii Fro þennus þei camen in to Galgad; fro which place
þei ȝeden forþ, and ſettiden tentis in Jehabatha, in þe
lond of watris and of ſtrondis.
viii In þat tyme Y departide þe lynage of Leuy, þat it
ſchulde bere þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord, and
ſchulde ſtonde bifor hym in ſeruyce, and ſchulde bleſſe
in his name til in to preſent dai.
ix For which þing Leuy hadde not part, neþer poſſeſſion
wiþ hiſe briþren, for þe Lord hym ſilf is his poſſeſſioun,
as þi Lord God bihiȝte to hym.
x Forſoþe Y ſtood in þe hil as bifore, fourti daies and
fourti niȝtis, and þe Lord herde me alſo in þis tyme, and
nolde leeſe þee.
xi And he ſeide to me, Go þou, and go bifor þis puple,
þat it entre, and welde þe lond which Y ſwoor to her
fadris, þat Y ſchulde ȝeue to hem.
xii And now, Iſrael, what axiþ þi Lord God of þee, no
but þat þou drede þi Lord, and go in hiſe weies, and þat
þou loue hym, and ſerue þi Lord God in al þin herte,
and in al þi ſoule;
xiii and þat þou kepe þe comaundementis of þi Lord
God, and þe cerymonyes of hym, whiche Y comaunde
to þee to dai, þat it be wel to þee.
xiiii Lo! heuene is of þi Lord God, and heuene of
heuene; þe erþe and alle þingis þat ben þer ynne ben
hiſe;
xv and neþeles þe Lord was glued to þi fadris, and
louede hem, and he chees her ſeed after hem, and ȝou of
alle folkis, as it is preued to dai.
CLXXXIV
xvi Þerfor circumcide ȝe þe prepucie, `eþir vnclenneſſe,
of ȝoure herte, and no more make ȝe harde ȝoure nol.
xvii For ȝoure Lord God hym ſilf is God of goddis, and
Lord of lordis, `God greet, and miȝti, and feerdful,
which takiþ not perſoone, neþer ȝiftis.
xviii He makiþ doom to þe fadirles, and modirles, and to
þe widewe; he loueþ a pilgrym, and ȝyueþ to hym
lyiflode and cloþing.
xix And þerfor `loue ȝe pilgryms, for alſo ȝe weren
comelyngis in þe lond of Egipt.
xx Þou ſchalt drede þi Lord God, and þou ſchalt ſerue
hym aloone, and þou ſchalt cleue to hym, and þou ſchalt
ſwere in his name.
xxi He is þi preiſyng, and þi God, þat made to þee þeſe
grete dedis, and ferdful, whiche þin iȝen ſiȝen.
xxii In ſeuenti men þi fadris ȝeden doun in to Egipt, and
lo! now þi Lord God haþ multiplied þee as þe ſterris of
heuene.
CAP. XI
i Þerfor loue þi Lord God, and kepe þou hiſe
comaundementis and cerymonyes, domes and heeſtis, in
al tyme.
ii Knowe ȝe to day þo þingis whiche ȝoure ſones
knowen not, `whiche ſones ſien not þe doctryn of ȝoure
Lord God, hiſe grete dedis, and ſtrong hond, and `arm
holdun forþ,
iii myraclis and werkis, whiche he dide `in þe myddis of
Egipt to Farao, kyng, and to al `þe lond of hym, and to
al þe ooſt of Egipcians,
iiii and to horſis, and carris; hou þe watris of þe reed ſee
hiliden hem, whanne þei purſueden ȝou, and þe Lord
`dide awei hem `til in to `preſent dai;
v and whiche þingis þe Lord dide to ȝou in wilderneſſe,
til ȝe camen to þis place;
vi and to Dathan and Abiron, `þe ſones of Heliab, þat
was `þe ſone of Ruben, whiche þe erþe ſwolewide,
whanne his mouþ was openyd, wiþ `þe houſis and
tabernaclis, and al þe catel `of hem which þei hadden,
in þe myddis of Iſrael.
vii Ȝoure iȝen ſien alle þe grete werkis of þe Lord,
viii whiche he dide, þat ȝe kepe alle hiſe heeſtis whiche
Y comaunde to dai to ȝou, and þat ȝe moun entre, and
welde þe lond,
ix to which ȝe ſchulen entre, and ȝe lyue þerynne in
myche time; which lond, flowynge wiþ mylk and hony,
þe Lord bihiȝte vndur an ooþ to ȝoure fadris and to `þe
ſeed of hem.
x For þe lond, to which þou ſchalt entre to welde, is not
as þe lond of Egipt, `out of which þou ȝediſt, where
whanne þe ſeed is caſt in þe maner of gardyns, moiſt
waters ben led;
xi but it is hilli, and feldi, and abidiþ reynes fro heuene,
xii which lond þi Lord God biholdiþ, and hiſe iȝen ben
þerynne, fro þe bigynnyng of þe ȝeer `til to þe ende
þerof.
xiii Þerfor if ȝe ſchulen obeie to myn heeſtis whiche Y
comaunde to dai to ȝou, þat ȝe loue ȝoure Lord God,
and ſerue hym in al ȝoure herte, and in al ȝoure ſoule;
xiiii he ſchal ȝyue to ȝoure lond reyn tymeful and late,
þat ȝe gadere wheete, and wyn, and oile,
xv hey of þe feeldis to feede beeſtis, þat ȝe boþe ete and
be fillid.
xvi Be ȝe war, leſt perauenture ȝoure herte be diſſeyued,
and ȝe go awei fro þe Lord, and ſerue alien goddis, and
worſchipe hem;
xvii and þe Lord be wrooþ, and cloſe heuene, and reynes
come not doun, neþer þe erþe ȝyue his fruyt, and ȝe
periſche ſwiftli fro þe beſte lond which þe Lord ſchal
ȝyue to ȝou.
xviii Putte ȝe þes wordis in ȝoure hertes and ſoules, and
honge ȝe `þo wordis for a ſigne in þe hondis, and ſette
ȝe bitwixe ȝoure iȝen.
xix Teche ȝoure ſones, þat þei þenke on þo wordis,
whanne þou ſittiſt in þin hows, and goiſt in þe weie, and
lyggiſt doun, and riſiſt.
xx Þou ſchalt write þo wordis on þe poſtis, and ȝatis of
þin hous,
xxi þat þe daies of þee and of þi ſones be multiplied in
þe lond which þe Lord ſwoor to þi fadris, þat he ſchulde
ȝyue to hem, as long as heuene is aboue erþe.
xxii For if ȝe kepen þe heeſtis whiche Y comaunde to
ȝou, and ȝe do þo, þat ȝe loue ȝoure Lord God, and go
in alle hiſe weies,
xxiii and cleue to hym, þe Lord ſchal deſtrie alle þeſe
heþen men bifor ȝoure face, and ȝe ſchulen welde þo
folkis þat ben grettere and ſtrongere þan ȝe.
xxiiii Ech place which ȝoure foot ſchal trede, ſchal be
ȝoure; fro þe deſeert, and fro þe Liban, and fro þe greet
flood Eufrates `til to þe weſt ſee, ſchulen be ȝoure
termes.
xxv Noon ſchal ſtonde aȝens ȝou; ȝoure Lord God ſchal
ȝiue ȝoure outward drede and inward drede on ech lond
which ȝe ſchulen trede, as he ſpak to ȝou.
xxvi Lo! Y ſette forþ in ȝoure ſiȝt to day bliſſyng and
curſyng;
xxvii bleſſyng, if ȝe obeien to þe heeſtis of ȝoure Lord
God, whiche Y comaunde to ȝou to dai;
xxviii curſyng, if ȝe heren not þe heeſtis of ȝoure Lord
God, but goen awei fro þe weie which Y ſchewe now to
ȝou, and goen after alien goddis whiche ȝe knowen not.
xxix Soþeli whanne þi Lord God haþ brouȝt þee in to þe
lond, to which to enhabite þou goiſt, þou ſchalt ſette
bleſſyng on þe hil Gariſym, curſyng on þe hil Hebal,
whiche hillis ben biȝende Jordan,
CLXXXV
xxx aftirþe weie þat goiþ to þe goyng doun of þe ſunne,
in þe lond of Cananey, þat dwelliþ in þe feeldi places
aȝens Galgala, which is biſidis þe valey goynge and
entrynge fer.
xxxi For ȝe ſchulen paſſe Jordan, þat ȝe welde þe lond
which ȝoure Lord God ſchal ȝyue to ȝou, and þat ȝe
haue and welde þat lond.
xxxii Þerfor ſe ȝe, `þat ȝe fille þe cerymonyes and domes,
whiche I ſchal ſette to dai in ȝoure ſiȝt.
CAP. XII
i Þeſe ben þe heeſtis and domes, whiche ȝe owen to do,
in þe lond which þe Lord God of þi fadrys ſchal ȝyue to
þee, þat þou welde it, in alle daies in whiche þou ſchalt
go on erþe.
ii Diſtrie ȝe alle þe places wherynne heþen men whiche
ȝe ſchulen welde, worſchipiden her goddis, on hiȝ
mounteyns, and litle hillis, and vndur ech tre ful of
bowis.
iii Diſtrie ȝe `þe auteris of hem, and `breke ȝe þe
ymagis; brenne ȝe þe wodis wiþ fier, and al to breke ȝe
þe idolis; deſtrie ȝe `þe names of hem fro þe places.
iiii Ȝe ſchulen not do ſo to ȝoure Lord God;
v but ȝe ſchulen come to þe place which ȝoure Lord God
chees of alle ȝoure lynagis, þat he putte his name þere,
and dwelle þerynne;
vi and ȝe ſchulen come, and ſchulen offre in þat place
ȝoure brent ſacrifices, and ſlayn ſacrifices, þe dymes,
and firſte fruytis of ȝoure hondis, and avowis and ȝiftis,
þe firſte gendrid þingis of oxun, and of ſcheep.
vii And ȝe and ȝoure houſis ſchulen ete þere in þe ſiȝt of
ȝoure Lord God; and ȝe ſchulen be glad in alle þingis to
whiche ȝe putten hond, in whiche ȝoure Lord God
bleſſide ȝou.
viii Ȝe ſchulen not do þere þo þingis whiche we don here
to dai, ech man þat ſemeþ riȝtful to `hym ſilf.
ix For `til in to preſent tyme ȝe camen not to reſte and
poſſeſſioun, which þe Lord God ſchal ȝyue to ȝou.
x Ȝe ſchulen paſſe Jordan, and ȝe ſchulen dwelle in þe
lond which ȝoure Lord God ſchal ȝyue to ȝou, þat ȝe
reſte fro alle enemyes `bi cumpas, and dwelle wiþout
ony drede.
xi In þe place which ȝoure Lord God chees þat his name
be þerynne. Þidur ȝe ſchulen bere alle þingis, whiche Y
comaunde, brent ſacrifices, and ſacrifices, and þe
dymes, and firſte fruytis of ȝoure hondis, and what
euere is þe beſte in ȝiftis, whiche ȝe auowiden to þe
Lord.
xii Þer ȝe ſchulen ete bifor ȝoure Lord God, ȝe, and
ȝoure ſones and douȝtris, ȝoure ſeruauntis, and
ſeruaunteſſis, and þe dekenes, þat dwellen in ȝoure
citees; for þei han not oþer part and poſſeſſioun among
ȝou.
xiii Be þou war leſt þou offre þi brent ſacrifices in ech
place which þou ſeeſt,
xiiii but in þat place which þe Lord chees in oon of þi
lynagis þou ſchalt offre ſacrifices, and ſchalt do what
euer þingis Y comaunde to þee.
xv Forſoþe if þou wolt ete, and þe etyng of fleiſchis
delitiþ þee, ſle þou, and ete, bi þe bleſſyng of þi Lord
God, which he ȝaf to þee in þi citees, wheþer it is
vnclene, `þat is, ſpottid eþer wemmed and feble, eþer
clene, `þat is, hool in membris and wiþ out wem, which
is leueful to be offrid, þou ſchalt ete as a capret and
hert; oneli wiþout etyng of blood,
xvi which þou ſchalt ſchede out as watir on þe erþe.
xvii Þou ſchalt not mowe ete in þi citees þe tiþis of þi
wheete, wyn, and oile, þe firſte gendrid þingis of
droues, and of ſcheep, and alle þingis whiche þou haſt
avowid and wolt offre bi fre wille, and þe firſte fruytis
of þin hondis;
xviii but þou ſchalt ete þo bifor þi Lord God, in þe place
which þi Lord God chees, þou, and þi ſone, and douȝter,
ſeruaunt, and ſeruaunteſſe, and þe dekene þat dwelliþ in
þi citees; and þou ſchalt be glad, and ſchalt be fillid
bifor þi Lord God in alle þingis to whiche þou holdiſt
forþ þin hond.
xix Be þou war leſt þou forſake þe dekene in al tyme, `in
which þou lyueſt in erþe.
xx Whanne þi Lord God haþ alargid þi termes, as he
ſpak to þee, and þou wolt ete fleiſchis, whiche þi ſoule
deſiriþ,
xxi forſoþe if þe place is fer, which þi Lord God chees,
þat his name be þere, þou ſchalt ſle of þin oxun, and
ſcheep, whiche þou haſt, as `þe Lord comaundide to
þee; and þou ſchalt ete in þi citees as it pleſiþ þee.
xxii As a capret and hert is etun, ſo þou ſchalt ete þo;
boþe a cleene man and vncleene ſchulen ete þerof in
comyn.
xxiii Oneli eſchewe þou þis, þat þou ete not blood; for þe
blood `of þo beeſtis is for þe lijf, and þerfor þou owiſt
not ete þe lijf wiþ fleiſchis,
xxiiii but þou ſchalt ſchede as watir `þe blood on þe erþe,
xxv þat it be wel to þee, and to þi ſones after þee,
whanne þou haſt do þat, þat pleſiþ in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
xxvi Soþeli þou ſchalt take þat þat þou `auowidiſt, and
halewidiſt to þe Lord, and þou ſchalt come to þe place
which þe Lord chees;
xxvii and þou ſchalt offre þin offryngis, fleiſchis, and
blood, on þe auter of þi Lord God; þou ſchalt ſchede in
þe auter þe blood of ſacrifices; forſoþe þou ſchalt ete þe
fleiſchis.
xxviii Kepe þou and here alle þingis whiche Y comaunde
to þee, þat it be wel to þee, and to þi ſones after þee,
wiþ outen ende, whanne þou haſt do þat, þat is good
and pleſaunt in þe ſiȝt of þi Lord God.
CLXXXVI
xxix Whanne þi Lord God haþ diſtryed bifor þi face
folkis, to whiche þou ſchalt entre to welde, and þou haſt
weldid þo folkis, and haſt dwellid in `þe lond of hem,
xxx be þou war leſt þou ſue hem, aftir þat þei ben
diſtried, whanne þou entriſt, and þou ſeke `þe
cerymonyes of hem, and ſeie, As þeſe folkis
worſchipyden her goddis, ſo and Y ſchal worſchipe.
xxxi Þou ſchalt not do in lijk manere to þi Lord God; for
þei diden to her goddis alle abhomynaciouns whiche þe
Lord wlatiþ, and offriden her ſones and douȝtris, and
brenten wiþ fier.
xxxii Do þou to þe Lord þis þing oneli which Y
comaunde to þee, neþir adde þou ony þing, neþer abate.
CAP. XIII
i If a prophete riſiþ in þe myddis of þee, eþir he þat ſeiþ
hym ſilf to haue ſeyn a dreem, and he biforſeiþ a ſigne
and a wondur to comynge aftir,
ii and þis þat he ſpak bifalliþ, and he ſeiþ to þee, Go we,
and ſue alien goddis, whiche þou knowiſt not, and ſerue
we hem,
iii þou ſchalt not here þe wordis of þat prophete, eþer of
dremere; for ȝoure Lord God aſſaieþ ȝou, þat he wite
opynli wheþer ȝe louen hym eþer nay, in al ȝoure herte,
and in al ȝoure ſoule.
iiii Sue ȝe ȝoure Lord, and `drede ȝe hym; kepe ȝe his
comaundementis, and here ȝe `þe vois of hym; ȝe
ſchulen ſerue hym, and ȝe ſchulen cleue to hym.
v Forſoþe þilke prophete, eþer þe feynere of dremes,
ſchal be ſlayn; for he ſpak þat he ſchulde turne ȝou awei
fro ȝoure Lord God, þat ladde ȝou out of þe lond of
Egipt, and aȝenbouȝte ȝou fro þe hous of ſeruage, þat
`þilke prophete ſchulde make þee to erre fro þe weie
which þi Lord God comaundide to þee; and þou ſchalt
do awey yuel fro þe myddis of þee.
vi If þi broþir, þe ſone of þi modir, eþer þi ſone, eþir þi
douȝter, eþer þe wijf which is in þi boſum, eþir þi
freend whom þou loueſt as þi ſoule, wole counſele þee,
and ſeiþ priueli, Go we and ſerue alien goddis, whiche
þou knowiſt not,
vii and þi fadris, of alle þe folkis `in cumpas, þat ben niȝ
eþer fer, fro þe bigynnyng `til to þe ende of þe lond,
viii aſſente þou not to hym, neþer here þou, neþer þin
iȝen ſpare hym, þat þou haue mercy,
ix and hide hym, but anoon þou ſchalt ſle hym. Þin hond
be fyrſt on him and aftir þee al þe puple putte to hond.
x He ſchal be oppreſſid wiþ ſtoonus, and `ſchal be ſlayn;
for he wolde drawe þee awei fro þi Lord God, þat ledde
þee out of þe lond of Egipt, fro þe hous of ſeruage,
xi þat al Iſrael here and drede, and do no more ony þing
lijk þis þing.
xii If þou heriſt ony men ſeiynge in oon of þi citees,
whiche þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee to enhabite,
xiii Þe ſones of Belial ȝeden out fro þe myddis of þee,
and turneden awei þe dwelleris of þe citee, and ſeiden,
Go we, and ſerue alien goddis whiche ȝe knowen not,
xiiii enquere þou biſili, and whanne þe treuþe of þe þing
is biholdun diligentli, if þou fyndiſt þat þis þing is
certeyn, which is ſeid, and þat þis abhominacioun is
doon in werk,
xv anoon þou ſchalt ſmyte þe dwelleris of þat citee bi þe
ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, and þou ſchalt `do it awey, and
alle þingis þat ben þer ynne, `til to beeſtis.
xvi Alſo what euer þing of purtenaunce of houſhold is,
þou ſchalt gadere in þe myddis of þe ſtretis þerof, and
þou ſchalt brenne wiþ þat citee, ſo þat þou waſte alle
þingis to þi Lord God, and it be a biriel euerlaſtynge; it
ſchal no more be bildid.
xvii And no þing of þat curſyng ſchal cleue in þin hond,
þat þe Lord be turned awei fro þe yre of his ſtrong
veniaunce, and haue mercy on þee, and multiplie þee,
as he ſwoor to þi fadris.
xviii Whanne þou haſt herd þe vois of þi Lord God, þou
ſchalt kepe alle hiſe heeſtis whiche Y comaunde to þee
to day, þat þou do þat þat is pleſaunt in þe ſiȝt of þi Lord
God.
CAP. XIIII
i Be ȝe þe ſones of ȝoure Lord God; ȝe ſchulen not kitte
ȝou, neþer ȝe ſchulen make ballidneſſe,
ii on a deed man, for þou art an hooli puple to þi Lord
God, and he chees þee þat þou be to hym in to a ſpecial
puple, of alle folkis þat ben on erþe.
iii Ete ȝe not þo þingis þat ben vncleene.
iiii Þis is a beeſte which ȝe ſchulen ete; an oxe, and a
ſcheep, and a goet, an hert,
v a capret, a `wielde oxe, tregelafun, `þat is, a beeſte in
parti lijk `a buk of geet, and in parti liik an hert, a
figarde, an oſtrich, a camelioun, `þat is, a beeſte lijk in
þe heed to a camel, and haþ white ſpottis in þe bodi as a
parde, and `is lijk an hors in þe necke, and in þe feet is
lijc a `wilde oxe, and a parde.
vi Ȝe ſchulen ete ech beeſte þat departiþ þe clee `in to
twei partis, and chewiþ code.
vii Soþeli ȝe ſchulen not ete þeſe beeſtis, of þeſe þat
chewen code, and departen not þe clee; a camel, an
hare, and a cirogrille, `þat is, a beeſte ful of prickis, and
is more þan an irchoun; for þo chewen code, and
departen not þe clee, þo ſchulen be vncleene to ȝou;
viii alſo a ſwyn, for it departiþ þe clee, and chewiþ not
code, ſchal be vncleene; ȝe ſchulen not ete þe fleiſchis
of þo, and ȝe ſchulen not touche þe deed bodies.
ix Ȝe ſchulen ete þeſe þingis, of alle þat dwellen in
watris; ete ȝe þo þingis þat han fynnes and ſcalis;
x ete ȝe not þo þingis þat ben wiþ out fynnes and ſcalis,
for þo ben vncleene.
CLXXXVII
xi Ete ȝe alle clene briddis;
xii ete ȝe not vncleene briddis, þat is, an egle, and a
gripe,
xiii and an aliete, ixon, `þat is, a whijt brid leſſe þan a
vultur, and is of þe `kynde of vultris, and a vultur, and a
kite bi his kynde,
xiiii and al þing of rauenys kynde,
xv and a ſtrucioun, and a nyȝt crowe, and a lare,
xvi and an hauk bi his kynde, a fawcun,
xvii and a ſwan, and a ſiconye, and a dippere, a
purſirioun, and a reremous, a cormeraunt,
xviii and a caladrie, alle in her kynde; alſo a lapwynke
and a backe.
xix And al þing þat crepiþ, and haþ fynnes, ſchal be
vncleene, and ſchal not be etun.
xx Ete ȝe al þing þat is cleene; ſoþeli what euer þing is
deed bi it ſilf, ete ȝe not þerof.
xxi Ȝyue þou to þe pilgrym which is wiþ ynne þi ȝatis,
þat he ete, eþer ſille þou to hym, for þou art þe hooli
puple of þi Lord God. Þou ſchalt not ſeþe a kyde in `þe
mylk of his modir.
xxii Þou ſchalt departe þe tenþe part of alle þi fruytis þat
comen forþ in þe lond bi ech ȝeer;
xxiii and þou ſchal ete in þe ſiȝt of þi Lord God, in þe
place which he chees, þat his name be clepid þerynne;
þou ſchalt offre þe tiþe of þi wheete, wyn, and oile, and
þe firſte gendryd þingis of þi droues, and ſcheep, þat
þou lerne to drede þi Lord God in al tyme.
xxiiii Soþeli whanne þe wei is lengere, and þe place
which þi Lord God chees is fer, and he haþ bleſſid þee,
and þou maiſt not bere alle þeſe þingis to þat place,
xxv þou ſchalt ſille alle þingis, and ſchalt turne in to
prijs, and þou ſchalt bere in þin hond, and þou ſchalt go
to þe place which þi Lord God chees;
xxvi and þou ſchalt bie of þe ſame money what euer þing
pleſiþ to þee, eþir of droues, eþer of ſcheep; alſo þou
ſchalt bie wyn, and ſidur, and al þing þat þi ſoule
deſiriþ; and þou ſchalt ete bifor þi Lord God, and þou
ſchalt make feeſte,
xxvii þou, and þin hows, and þe dekene which is
wiþynne þi ȝatis; be þou war leſt þou forſake hym, for
he haþ not oþer part in poſſeſſioun.
xxviii In þe þridde ȝeer þou ſchalt departe anoþer dyme
of alle þingis þat growen to þee in þat ȝeer, and þou
ſchalt kepe wiþynne þi ȝatis.
xxix And þe dekene ſchal come, whych haþ noon oþer
part neþer poſſeſſioun wiþ þee, and þe pilgrym, and þe
fadirles, eþer modirles child, and widue, þat ben
wiþynne þi ȝatis, `ſchulen come, and ſchulen ete, and be
fillid, þat þi Lord God bleſſe þee, in alle werkis of þin
hondis whiche þou ſchalt do.
CAP. XV
i In þe ſeuenþe ȝeer þou ſchalt make remyſſioun,
ii þat ſchal be fillid bi þis ordre. To whom ony þing is
`dettid, eþir owid of his freend, eþer neiȝbore, and
broþer, he ſchal not mowe axe, for it is þe ȝeer of
remyſſioun of þe Lord.
iii Þou ſchalt axe of a pilgrym and comelyng; þou haſt
not power to axe of a citeſeyn and neiȝbore;
iiii and outerli a nedi man and begger ſchal not be
among ȝou, þat þi Lord God bleſſe þee, in þe lond
which he ſchal ȝyue to þee in to þe poſſeſſioun.
v If neþeles þou ſchalt here þe vois of þi Lord God, and
ſchalt kepe alle þingis whiche he comaundide, and
whiche Y comaunde to dai to þee, he ſchal bleſſe þee, as
he bihiȝte.
vi Þou ſchalt leene to many folkis, and þou ſchalt not
take borewyng of ony man; þou ſchalt be lord of ful
many naciouns, and no man ſchal be lord of þee.
vii If oon of þi briþeren þat dwellen wiþ ynne þe ȝatis of
þi citee, in þe lond which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to
þee, comeþ to pouert, þou ſchalt not make hard þin
herte, neþer þou ſchalt `drawe to gydere þe hond,
viii but þou ſchalt opene it to þe pore man, and þou
ſchalt `ȝyue loone to which þou ſieſt hym haue nede.
ix Be þou war leſt perauenture wickid þouȝt crepe
priueli to þee, and þou ſeie in þin herte, Þe ſeuenþe ȝeer
of remyſſioun neiȝeþ; and þou turne awey þe iȝen fro þi
pore broþer, and þou nyle ȝyue to hym þe loone þat he
axiþ; leſt he crie aȝens þee to þe Lord, and it be maad to
þee in to ſynne.
x But þou ſchalt ȝyue to hym, and þou ſchalt `not do ony
þing falſly in releuynge `hiſe nedis, þat þi Lord God
bleſſe þee in al tyme, and in alle þingis to whiche þou
ſchalt ſette to hond.
xi Pore men ſchulen not faile in þe lond of `þin
habitacioun; þerfor Y comaunde to þee, þat þou opene
þe hond to þi broþer nedi and pore, þat lyuen wiþ þee in
þe lond.
xii Whanne þi broþir an Ebrew man, eþir an Ebrew
womman, is ſeeld to þee, and haþ ſerued þee ſixe ȝeer,
in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer þou ſchalt delyuere hym fre.
xiii And þou ſchalt not ſuffre hym go awey voide, to
whom þou haſt ȝyue fredom;
xiiii but þou ſchalt ȝyue lijflode in þe weye, of flockis,
and of cornfloor, and of þi preſſour, in whiche þi Lord
God haþ bleſſid þee.
xv Haue þou mynde þat alſo þou ſeruediſt in þe lond of
Egipt, and þi Lord God delyurede þee, `eþer made þee
free, and þerfor Y comaunde now to þee.
xvi Forſoþe if `þe ſeruaunt ſeiþ, Y nyle go out, for he
loueþ þee, and þin hows, and feeliþ þat it is wel to hym
at þee, þou ſchalt take `a nal,
CLXXXVIII
xvii and þou ſchalt peerſe his eere in þe ȝate of þin hous,
and he ſchal ſerue þee til in to þe world, `þat is til to þe
iubilee, eþir fiftiþe ȝeer; alſo þou ſchalt do in lijk maner
to þe handmayde.
xviii Þou ſchalt not turne awei fro hem þin iȝen, whanne
þou ſchalt delyure hem fre, for bi þe hire of an hirid
man þei ſerueden þee bi ſixe ȝeer; þat þi Lord God
bleſſe þee, in alle þe werkis whiche þou doiſt.
xix Of þe firſt gendrid þingis þat ben borun in þi droues,
and ſcheep, what euer is of male kynde, þou ſchalt
halewe to þi Lord God. Þou ſchalt not worche in þe
firſte gendrid þing `of oxe, and þou ſchalt not clippe þe
firſte gendrid þinges of ſcheep.
xx Þou ſchalt ete þo bi alle ȝeeris in þe ſiȝt of þi Lord
God, þou, and þin hows, in þe place `which þe Lord
chees.
xxi Soþeli if it haþ a wem, eþir is crokid, eþir is blynd,
eþir is foul, eþir feble in ony part, it ſchal not be offrid
to þi Lord God;
xxii but þou ſchalt ete it wiþ ynne þe ȝatis of þi citee,
boþe a cleene man and vncleene ſchulen ete þo in lijk
maner, as a capret and an hert.
xxiii Onely þou ſchalt kepe þis, þat þou ete not þe blood
of þo, but ſchede out as watir in to erþe.
CAP. XVI
i Kepe þou þe moneþe of newe fruytis, and of þe
bigynnyng of ſomer, þat þou make paſk to þi Lord God;
for in þis moneþe þi Lord God ledde þee out of Egipt in
þe nyȝt.
ii And þou ſchalt offre paſk to þi Lord God, of ſcheep
and of oxun, in þe place which þi Lord God chees, þat
his name dwelle þere.
iii Þou ſchalt not ete `þer ynne breed `diȝt wiþ ſourdouȝ;
in ſeuene daies þou ſchalt ete breed of affliccioun, wiþ
out ſourdouȝ, for in drede þou ȝediſt out of Egipt, þat
þou haue mynde of þe dai of þi goyng out of Egipt, in
alle þe daies of þi lijf.
iiii No þing `diȝt wiþ ſourdouȝ ſchal appere in alle þi
termes by ſeuene daies, and of þe fleiſchis of þat þat is
offrid in þe euentid, ſchal not dwelle in þe firſte dai in
þe morewtid.
v Þou ſchalt not mow offre paſk in ech of þi citees
whiche þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee,
vi but in þe place which þi Lord God chees, þat his
name dwelle þere; þou ſchalt offre paſk in þe euentid, at
þe goyng doun of þe ſunne, whanne þou ȝediſt out of
Egipt.
vii And þou ſchalt ſeþe, and ete, in þe place which þi
Lord God haþ choſe, and þou ſchalt riſe in þe morewtid
of þe ſecunde dai, and þou ſchalt go in to þi tabernaclis.
viii Bi ſixe daies þou ſchalt ete þerf breed; and in þe
ſeuenþe dai, for it is þe gaderyng of þi Lord God, þou
ſchalt not do werk.
ix Þou ſchalt noumbre to þee ſeuene woukis, fro þat dai
in which þou ſettidiſt a ſikil in to þe corn;
x and þou ſchalt halewe þe feeſte dai of woukis to þi
Lord God, a wilful offryng of þyn hond, which þou
ſchalt offre by þe bleſſing of þi Lord God.
xi And þou ſchalt ete bifore þi Lord God, þou, and þi
ſone, and þi douȝtir, and þi ſeruaunt, and þin
handmayde, and þe dekene which is wiþ ynne þi ȝatis,
and þe comelynge, and þe fadirles eþir modirles child,
and þe widue, þat dwellen wiþ ȝou, in þe place `which
þi Lord God chees þat his name dwelle þere.
xii And þou ſchalt haue mynde for þou were ſeruaunt in
Egipt, and þou ſchalt kepe and do þo þingis þat ben
comaundid.
xiii And þou ſchalt halewe þe ſolempnytee of tabernaclis
bi ſeuene daies, whanne þou haſt gaderid þi fruytis of þe
cornfloor, and preſſour.
xiiii And þou ſchalt ete in þi feeſte dai, þou, and þi ſone,
and douȝtir, and þi ſeruaunt, and handmayde, alſo þe
dekene, and comelyng, and þe fadirles eþer modirles
child, and þe widewe, þat ben wiþ ynne þi ȝatis,
`ſchulen ete.
xv Bi ſeuene daies þou ſchalt halewe feeſtis to þi Lord
God, in þe place which þe Lord chees; and þi Lord God
ſchal bleſſe þee, in alle þi fruytis, and in al þe werk of
þin hondis, and þou ſchalt be in gladneſſe.
xvi In þre tymes bi þe ȝeer al þi male kynde ſchal appere
in þe ſiȝt of þi Lord, in þe place which he chees, in þe
ſolempnyte of þerf looues, and in þe ſolempnyte of
woukis, and in þe ſolempnyte of tabernaclis. A man
ſchal not appere voide bifor þe Lord;
xvii but ech man ſchal offre vpe þis þat he haþ, bi þe
bleſſyng of his Lord God, which he ȝaf to `þat man.
xviii Þou ſchalt ordeyne `iugis, and mayſtris, in alle þi
ȝatis whiche þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee, bi ech of þi
lynagis, þat þei deme þe puple bi iuſt doom,
xix and bowe not in `to þe toþer part for fauour, eþir
ȝifte `aȝens equete. Þou ſchalt not take perſoone neþer
ȝiftis, for whi ȝiftis blynden þe iȝen of wiſe men, `and
chaungen þe wordis of iuſt men.
xx Þou ſchalt purſue iuſtli þat þat is iuſt, þat þou lyue
and welde þe lond which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee.
xxi Þou ſchalt not plaunte a wode, and ech tre bi þe auter
of þi Lord God;
xxii neþer þou ſchalt make to þee, and ordeyne an
ymage; whiche þingis þi Lord God hatiþ.
CAP. XVII
i Þou ſchalt not offre to þi Lord God an oxe and a
ſcheep in which is a wem, eþer ony þing of vice, for it
is abhominacioun to þi Lord God.
ii And whanne a man eþer a womman, þat doon yuel in
þe ſiȝte of þi Lord God, ben foundun at þee, wiþ ynne
CLXXXIX
oon of þi ȝatis whiche þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee,
and þei breken þe couenaunt of God,
iii þat þei go and ſerue alien goddis, and worſchipe hem,
þe ſunne, and moone, and al þe knyȝthod of heuene,
whiche þingis Y comaundide not;
iiii and þis is teld to þee, and þou heriſt, and `enqueriſt
diligentli, and fyndiſt þat it is ſoþ, and abhomynacioun
is doon in Iſrael;
v þou ſchalt lede out þe man and þe womman, þat diden
a mooſt curſid þing, to þe ȝatis of þy citee, and þei
ſchulen be oppreſſid wiþ ſtoonus.
vi He þat ſchal be ſlayn, ſchal periſche in þe mouþ of
tweyne, eþir of þre witneſſis; no man be ſlayn, for o
man ſeiþ witneſſyng aȝens hym.
vii Þe hond of witneſſis ſchal firſt ſle hym, and þe laſt
hond of þe toþir puple ſchal be ſent, þat þou do awei
yuel fro þe myddis of þee.
viii If þou perſeyueſt, þat hard and douteful doom is at
þee, bitwixe blood and blood, cauſe and cauſe, lepre and
not lepre, and þou ſeeſt þat þe wordis of iugis wiþ ynne
þi ȝatis ben dyuerſe; riſe þou, and ſtie to þe place which
þi Lord God haþ chooſe;
ix and þou ſchalt come to þe preeſtis of þe kyn of Leuy,
and to þe iuge which is in þat tyme, and þou ſchalt axe
of hem, whiche ſchulen ſchewe to þee þe treuþe of
doom.
x And þou ſchalt do, what euer þing þei ſeien, þat ben
ſouereyns in þe place which þe Lord chees, and techen
þee bi þe lawe of þe Lord;
xi þou ſchalt ſue þe ſentence of hem; þou ſchalt not
bowe to þe riȝt ſide, eþer to þe lefte.
xii Forſoþe þat man ſchal die, which is proud, and nyle
obeie to þe comaundement of þe preeſt, `þat mynyſtriþ
in þat tyme to þi Lord God, and to þe ſentence of iuge,
and þou ſchalt do awei yuel fro þe myddis of Iſrael;
xiii and al þe puple ſchal here, and drede, þat no man fro
þennus forþ bolne wiþ pride.
xiiii Whanne þou haſt entrid in to þe lond, which þi Lord
God ſchal ȝyue to þee, and weldiſt it, and dwelliſt
þerynne, and ſeiſt, Y ſchal ordeyne a kyng on me, as alle
naciouns `bi cumpas han;
xv þou ſchalt ordeyne hym, whom þi Lord God cheſiþ of
þe noumbre of þi breþren. Þou ſchalt not mow make
king a man of anoþir folk, which man is not þi broþer.
xvi And whanne þe king is ordeyned, he ſchal not
multiplie horſis to hym, neþir he ſchal lede aȝen þe
puple in to Egipt, neþir he ſchal be reiſid bi þe noumbre
of knyȝtis, mooſt ſiþen þe Lord comaundide to ȝou, þat
ȝe turne no more aȝen bi þe ſame weie.
xvii Þe kyng ſchal not haue ful many wyues, þat drawen
his ſoule `to ouer myche fleiſchlyneſſe, neþer `he ſchal
haue grete burþuns of ſiluer and of gold.
xviii Forſoþeafter þat he haþ ſete in þe trone of his
rewme, he ſchal write to himſilf þe deuteronomy of þis
lawe in a `volym eþer book, and he ſchal take `a
ſaumpler at preeſtis of `þe kyn of Leuy;
xix and he ſchal haue it wiþ hym, and he ſchal rede it in
alle þe daies of his lijf, þat he lerne to drede his Lord
God, and to kepe hiſe wordis and cerymonyes, þat ben
comaundid in þe lawe;
xx neþer his herte be reiſid in to pride on hiſe briþren,
neþer bowe he in to þe riȝt ſide, eþer left ſide, þat he
regne long tyme, he and hiſe ſones on Iſrael.
CAP. XVIII
i Preeſtis and dekenes, and alle men þat ben of þe ſame
lynage, ſchulen `not haue part and eritage wiþ þe toþer
puple of Iſrael, for þei ſchulen ete þe ſacrifices of þe
Lord, and þe offryngis of hym;
ii and þei ſchulen not take ony oþir þing of þe
poſſeſſioun of her briþeren; for þe Lord hym ſilf is þe
`eritage of hem, as he ſpak to hem.
iii Þis ſchal be þe doom of preeſtis of þe puple, and of
hem þat offren ſacrifices; wheþer `þei offren an oxe,
eþer a ſcheep, þei ſchulen ȝyue to þe preeſt þe ſchuldre,
and þe paunche, þe firſte fruytis of wheete,
iiii and of wyn, and of oile, and a part of wollis of þe
ſcheryng of ſcheep.
v For þi Lord God chees hym of alle þi lynagis, þat he
ſtonde and mynyſtre to `þe name of þe Lord, he and hiſe
ſones, wiþ outen ende.
vi If a dekene goiþ out of oon of þi citees of al Iſrael, in
which he dwelliþ, `and wole come and deſiriþ þe place
which þe Lord chees,
vii he ſchal mynyſtre in þe name of his Lord God as alle
hiſe briþeren dekenes, þat ſchulen ſtonde in þat tyme
byfore þe Lord.
viii He ſchal take þe ſame part of meetis, `which and
oþere dekenes ſchulen take; outakun þat þat is due to
hym in his citee, bi `ſucceſſioun eþir eritage `of fadir.
ix Whanne þou haſt entrid in to þe lond which þi Lord
God ſchal ȝyue to þee, be þou war leſt þou wole ſue
abhomynaciouns of þo folkis;
x noon be foundun in þee þat clenſiþ his ſone, eþer his
douȝtir, `and lediþ bi þe fier, eþir þat axiþ queſtiouns of
dyuynouris `þat dyuynen aboute þe auteris, and þat
takeþ hede to dremes and chiteryng of bryddis; neþir
ony wicche be,
xi neþir an enchauntere, `þat is, þat diſſeyueþ mennus
iȝen þat a þing ſeme þat is not; neþer a man take counſel
at hem þat han a feend ſpekynge `in þe wombe, neþer
take counſel at falſe dyuynouris neþir ſeke of deed men
þe treuþe.
xii For þe Lord haþ abhomynacioun of alle þeſe þingis,
and for ſiche wickidneſſis he ſchal do awei hem in þin
entryng.
CXC
xiii Þou ſchalt be perfit and wiþout filþe, wiþ þi Lord
God.
xiiii Þeſe heþen men, `þe lond of whiche þou ſchalt
welde, heren hem þat worchen bi chiteryng of briddis,
and falſe dyuynouris; forſoþe þou art tauȝt in oþer
maner of þi Lord God.
xv Þi Lord God ſchal reiſe a prophete of þi folk and of þi
briþeren as me, þou ſchalt here hym;
xvi as þou axidiſt of þi Lord God in Oreb, whanne þe
cumpany was gaderid, and þou ſeidiſt, Y ſchal no more
here þe vois of my Lord God, and Y ſchal no more ſe
`þis grettiſte fier, leſt Y die.
xvii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Þei ſpaken wel alle þingis.
xviii Y ſchal reiſe to hem a prophete, lijk þee, of þe
myddis of her briþeren, and Y ſchal putte my wordis in
his mouþ, and he ſchal ſpeke to hem alle þingis, whiche
I ſchal comaunde to him.
xix Forſoþe Y ſchal be vengere of `þat man, þat nyle
here þe wordis `of hym, whiche he ſchal ſpeke in my
name.
xx `Soþeli a prophete `ſchal be ſlayn, which is
biſchrewid wiþ pride, and wole ſpeke in my name þo
þingis, whiche Y comaundide not to hym, þat he
ſchulde ſeie, eþir bi þe name of alien goddis.
xxi Þat if þou anſweriſt bi pryuy þouȝt, Hou may Y
vndirſtonde þe word, which þe Lord ſpak not? þou
ſchalt haue þis ſigne,
xxii `Þe Lord ſpak not þis þing which þilke prophete
biforſeid in þe name of þe Lord, `and it bifalliþ not, but
`þe prophete feynede bi þe pride of his ſoule, and þerfor
þou ſchalt not drede hym.
CAP. XIX
i Whanne þi Lord God haþ diſtried þe folkis, whoſe lond
he ſchal ȝyue to þee, and þou haſt weldid it, and haſt
dwellid in þe citees and houſis þerof;
ii þou ſchalt departe þre citees to þee `in þe myddis of
þe lond which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee into
poſſeſſioun.
iii Þou ſchalt make redi diligentli þe weye, and þou
ſchalt departe euenly in to þre partis al þe prouynce of
þi lond, þat he þat is exilid for manſleyng, haue `of nyȝ
whidur he may aſcape.
iiii Þis ſchal be þe lawe of a manſleere fleynge, whos lijf
ſchal be kept. If a man ſmytiþ vnwityngli his neiȝbore,
and which is preuyd to haue not had ony hatered aȝens
hym ȝiſtirdai and þe þridde dai agoon,
v but to haue go ſympli wiþ hym in to þe wode to hewe
doun trees, and in þe fellyng doun of trees þe axe fleeþ
fro þe hond, and þe yrun ſlidiþ fro þe helue, and ſmytiþ,
and ſleeþ his freend; þis man ſchal flee to oon of þe
forſeid citees, and ſchal lyue;
vi leſt perauenture þe next kyneſman of hym, whos
blood is ſched out, be prickid wiþ ſorewe, and `purſue,
and take hym, if þe weie is lengere, and ſmyte `þe lijf of
hym which is not gilti of deeþ; for it is ſchewid þat he
hadde not ony hatered bifore aȝens hym þat is ſlayn.
vii Þerfor Y comaunde to þee, þat þou departe þre citees
of euene ſpace bitwixe hem ſilf.
viii Forſoþe whanne þi Lord God haþ alargid þi termes,
as he ſwoor to þi fadris, and haþ ȝoue to þee al þe lond
which he bihiȝte to hem; if neþeles þou kepiſt hiſe
comaundementis,
ix and doiſt þo þingis whiche Y comaunde to þee to day,
þat þou loue þi Lord God, and go in hiſe weies in al
tyme, þou ſchalt adde to þee þre oþere citees, and þou
ſchalt double þe noumbre of þe forſeid citees,
x þat gilteles blood be not ſched out in þe myddis of þe
lond which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee to haue in
poſſeſſioun, leſt þou be gilti of blood.
xi Forſoþe if ony man hatiþ his neiȝbore, and ſettiþ
aſpies, `eþer treſouns, to his lijf, and riſiþ, and ſmytiþ
him, and he is deed, and he fleeþ to oon of þe forſeid
citees,
xii þe eldere men of þat citee ſchulen ſende, and `þei
ſchulen take hym fro þe place of refuyt; and þei ſchulen
bitake hym in to þe hond of þe nexte kyneſman of hym,
whos blood is ſched out,
xiii and he ſchal die, and þou ſchalt not haue mercy on
hym; and þou ſchalt do awey gilti blood fro Iſrael, þat it
be wel to þee.
xiiii Þou ſchalt not take, and turne ouer þe termes of þi
neiȝbore, which þe formere men ſettiden in þi
poſſeſſioun, which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee in þe
lond, `which lond þou ſchalt take `to be weldid.
xv O witneſſe ſchal not ſtonde aȝens ony man, what euer
þing it is of ſynne and of wickidneſſe; but ech word
ſchal ſtonde in þe mouþ of tweyne eþir of þre witneſſis.
xvi If a fals witneſſe ſtondiþ aȝens a man, and accuſiþ
hym of brekyng of þe lawe, boþe,
xvii of whiche þe cauſe is, ſchulen ſtonde bifor þe Lord,
in þe ſiȝt of preeſtis, and of iugis, þat ben in þo daies.
xviii And whanne þei ſekynge mooſt diligentli han
founde þat þe fals witneſſe ſeide a leeſyng aȝens his
broþir,
xix þei ſchulen ȝelde to hym, as he þouȝte to do to his
broþer; and þou ſchalt do awey yuel fro þe myddis of
þee, þat oþere men here,
xx and haue drede, and be no more hardi to do ſiche
þingis.
xxi Þou ſchalt not haue mercy on hym, but þou ſchalt
axe lijf for lijf, iȝe for iȝe, tooþ for tooþ, hond for hond,
foot for foot.
CXCI
CAP. XX
i If þou goiſt out to batel aȝens þin enemyes, and ſeeſt
multitude of knyȝtis, and charis, and grettere multitude
of þe aduerſarie ooſt þan þou haſt, þou ſchalt not drede
hem; for þi Lord God is wiþ þee, þat ledde þee out of þe
lond of Egipt.
ii Soþeli whanne þe batel neiȝeþ now, þe preeſt ſchal
ſtonde bifor þe ſcheltrun, and þus he ſchal ſpeke to þe
puple,
iii Þou, Iſrael, here to dai, ȝe han batel aȝens ȝoure
enemyes; ȝoure herte drede not, `nyle ȝe drede; nyle ȝe
ȝyue ſtede, drede ȝe not hem;
iiii for ȝoure Lord God is in þe myddis of ȝou, and he
ſchal fiȝte for ȝou aȝens aduerſaries, þat he delyuere ȝou
fro perel.
v `Alſo þe duykis ſchulen crie bi alle cumpanyes, `while
þe ooſt ſchal here, Who is a man þat bildide a newe
hows, and halewide not it? go he and turne aȝen into his
hows, leſt perauenture he die in batel, and anoþer man
halewe it.
vi Who is a man þat plauntide a vyner, and not ȝit made
it to be comyn, and of which it is leeueful to alle men to
ete? go he, and turne aȝen in to his hows, leſt
perauenture he die in batel, and anoþir man be ſet in his
office.
vii Who is a man þat ſpowſide a wijf, and `took not hir
`bi fleiſchli knowyng? go he, and turne aȝen in to his
hows, leſt perauenture he die in batel, and anoþir man
take hir.
viii Whanne þeſe þingis ben ſeid, þei ſchulen adde oþere
þingis, and ſchulen ſpeke to þe peple, Who is a ferdful
man, and of gaſtful herte? go he, and turne aȝen in to
his hows, leſt he make `þe hertis of his briþeren for to
drede, as he is agaſt bi drede.
ix And whanne þe duykis of þe ooſt ben ſtille, and han
maad ende of ſpeking, ech `of þe princis and
cheuenteyns of þe ooſt ſchal make redie his cumpeneyes
to batel.
x If ony tyme þou ſchalt go to a citee to ouercome it,
firſt þou ſchalt profire pees to it.
xi If þe citee reſſeyueþ, and openeþ to þee þe ȝatis, al þe
puple þat is þer ynne ſchal be ſaued, and ſchal ſerue þee
vndur tribut.
xii Soþeli if þey nylen make boond of pees, and
bigynnen batel aȝens þee, þou ſchalt fiȝte aȝens it.
xiii And whanne þi Lord God haþ bitake it in þin hond,
þou ſchalt ſmyte bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd al þing of
male kynde which is þer ynne,
xiiii wiþ out wymmen, and ȝonge children, beeſtis and
oþere þingis þat ben in þe citee. Þou ſchalt departe al þe
prey to þe ooſt, and þou ſchalt ete of þe ſpuylis of þin
enemyes, whiche ſpuylis þi Lord God ȝaf to þee.
xv Þus þou ſchalt do to alle þe citees, þat ben ful fer fro
þee, and ben not of þeſe citees which þou ſchalt take in
to poſſeſſioun.
xvi Soþeli of þeſe citees þat ſchulen be ȝouun to þee, þou
ſchalt not ſuffre eny to lyue,
xvii but þou ſchalt ſle bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd; þat is to
ſeie, Ethei, and Ammorrey, and Cananei, Ferezei, Euey,
and Jebuſei, as `þi Lord God comaundide to þee;
xviii leſt perauenture þei techen ȝou to do alle
abhomynaciouns, whiche þei wrouȝten to her goddis,
and ȝe doon ſynne aȝens ȝoure Lord God.
xix Whanne þou haſt biſegid a citee `in myche tyme, and
haſt cumpaſſid wiþ ſtrengþingis þat þou ouercome it,
þou ſchalt not kitte doun trees, of whiche `me may ete,
neþer þou ſchalt waſte þe cuntrey `bi cumpas wiþ axis;
for it is `a tree, and not man, neþer it may encreſſe þe
noumbre of fiȝteris aȝens þee.
xx Forſoþe if onye ben not appil trees, but `of þe feeld,
and ben able in to oþere vſis, kitte doun, and make þou
engynes, til þou take þe citee þat fiȝtiþ aȝens þee.
CAP. XXI
i Whanne þe careyn of a man ſlayn is foundun in þe
lond which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee, and `þe gilti
of ſleyng is vnknowun,
ii þe grettere men in birþe and þi iugis ſchulen go out,
and ſchulen mete fro þe place of þe careyn þe ſpaces of
alle citees `bi cumpas;
iii and þe eldre men of þat citee, `which þei ſeen to be
neer þan oþere, ſchulen take of þe droue a cow calf, þat
`drow not ȝok, neþer kittide þe erþe wiþ a ſchar;
iiii and þei ſchulen lede þat cow calf to a ſcharp `valey,
and ful of ſtoonys, þat was neuere erid, neþer reſſeyuede
ſeed; and in þat valey þei ſchulen kitte þe heed of þe
cow calf.
v And þe preeſtis, þe ſones of Leuy, ſchulen neiȝe,
whiche þi Lord God chees, þat þei mynyſtre to hym,
and bleſſe in his name, and al þe cauſe hange at `þe
word of hem; and what euer þing is cleene eþir
vncleene, be demed.
vi And þe grettere men in birþe of þat citee ſchulen
come to þe ſlayn man, and þei ſchulen waiſche her
hondis on þe cow calf, þat was ſlayn in þe valei;
vii and þei ſchulen ſeie, Oure hondis ſchedden not out
þis blood, neþer oure iȝen ſien.
viii Lord, be mercyful to þi puple Iſrael, whom þou
`aȝen brouȝtiſt, and arette þou not innocent blood in þe
myddis of þi puple Iſrael. And þe gilt of blood ſchal be
don awey fro hem.
ix Forſoþe þou ſchalt be alien fro þe blood of þe
innocent which is ſched, whanne þou haſt do þat þat þe
Lord comaundide.
CXCII
x If þou goiſt out to batel aȝens þin enemyes, þat þi Lord
God bitakiþ hem in þin hond, and þou lediſt priſoneris,
xi and þou ſeeſt in þe noumbre of priſounneris a fair
womman, and þou loueſt hir, and wole haue hir to wijf,
xii þou ſchalt brynge hir in to þin hows; `which
womman ſchal ſchaue þe heer, and ſchal kitte þe nailes
aboute, and ſche ſchal putte awei þe clooþ,
xiii wher ynne ſche was takun, and ſche ſchal ſitte in þin
hows, and ſchal biwepe hir fadir and modir o moneþe;
and aftirward þou ſchalt entre to hir, and ſchalt ſleepe
wiþ hir, and ſche ſchal be þi wijf.
xiiii But if aftirward ſche ſittiþ not in þi ſoule, `þat is,
pleſiþ not þi wille, þou ſchalt delyuere hir fre, neþir þou
ſchalt mowe ſille hir for money, neþer oppreſſe bi
power, for þou `madiſt hir lowe.
xv If a man haþ twey wyues, oon loued, and `þe toþir
hateful, and he gendriþ of hir fre children, and þe ſone
of þe hateful wijf is þe firſte gendrid,
xvi and þe man wole departe þe catel bitwixe hiſe ſones,
he ſchal not mowe make þe ſone of þe loued wijf þe
firſte gendrid, and ſette bifor þe ſone of þe hateful wijf,
xvii but he ſchal knowe þe ſone of þe hateful wijf þe
firſte gendrid, and he ſchal ȝyue to þat ſone alle þingis
double of þo þingis þat he haþ; for þis ſone is þe
begynnyng of his fre children, and þe firſte gendrid
þingis ben due to hym.
xviii If a man gendriþ a ſone rebel, and ouerþewert,
which heriþ not þe comaundement of fadir and modir,
and he is chaſtiſid,
xix and diſpiſiþ to obei, þei ſchulen take hym, and
ſchulen lede to þe eldre men of þat citee, and to þe ȝate
of doom;
xx and þei ſchulen ſeie to hem, Þis oure ſone is
ouerþewert and rebel; he diſpiſiþ to here oure
moneſtyngis, `eþir heeſtis, he ȝyueþ tent to glotonyes,
and letcherie, and feeſtis.
xxi Þe puple of þe citee ſchal oppreſſe hym wiþ ſtoonus,
and he ſchal die, þat ȝe do awei yuel fro þe myddis of
ȝou, and þat al Iſrael here, and drede.
xxii Whanne a man doiþ a ſynne which is worþi to be
punyſchid bi deeþ, and he is demed to deeþ, and is
hangid in a iebat,
xxiii his careyn ſchal not dwelle in þe tre, but it ſchal be
biried in þe ſame dai; for he þat hangiþ in þe cros is
curſid of God, and þou ſchalt not defoule þi lond which
þi Lord God ȝaf þee in to poſſeſſioun.
CAP. XXII
i Þou ſchalt not ſe `þi broþeris oxe, eþir ſcheep, errynge,
and ſchalt paſſe, but þou ſchalt brynge aȝen to þi broþer.
ii And if þi broþer is not nyȝ, neþer þou knowiſt hym,
þou ſchalt lede þo beeſtis in to þin hows, and þo ſchulen
be at þee, as long as þi broþer ſekiþ þo, and til he
reſſeyue hem.
iii In lijk maner þou ſchalt do of `þe aſſe, and clooþ, and
of ech þing of þi broþer, þat was loſt; if þou fyndiſt it,
be þou not necgligent as of an alien þing.
iiii If þou ſeeſt þat þe aſſe, eþir oxe of þi broþir felde in
þe weye, þou ſchalt not diſpiſe, but þou ſchalt `reiſe wiþ
hym.
v A womman ſchal not be cloþid in a mannys clooþ,
neþer a man ſchal vſe a wommannys cloþ; for he þat
doiþ þes þingis is abhomynable bifor God. If þou goiſt
in þe weie,
vi and fyndiſt a `neſt of a brid in a tree, eþir in þe erþe,
and fyndiſt þe modir ſittynge on þe briddis eþir eyrun,
þou ſchalt not holde þe modir wiþ `þe children, but þou
ſchalt ſuffre `þe modir go,
vii and ſchalt holde þe ſones takun, þat it be wel to þee,
and þou lyue in long tyme. Whanne þou bildiſt a newe
hows,
viii þou ſchalt make a wal of þe roof bi cumpas, leſt
blood be ſched out in þin hows, and þou be gilti, if
anoþer man ſlidiþ, and falle in to a dich.
ix Þou ſchalt not ſowe þi vyner `of anoþer ſeed, leſt boþe
þe ſeed which þou haſt ſowe, and þo þingis þat `comen
forþ of þe vyner, ben halewid togidere.
x Þou ſchalt not ere wiþ an oxe and aſſe togidere.
xi Þou ſchalt not be cloþid in a cloþ, which is wouun
togidir of wolle and `of flex.
xii Þou ſchalt make litle cordis bi foure corneris in þe
hemmys of þi mentil, `wiþ which þou art hilid.
xiii If a man weddiþ a wijf, and aftirward hatiþ hir,
xiiii and ſekiþ occaſiouns bi which he `ſchal forſake hir,
and puttiþ aȝens hir `þe werſte name, and ſeiþ, Y haue
take þis wijf, and Y entride to hir, and Y foond not hir
virgyn; þe fadir and modir of hir ſchulen take
xv hir, and þei ſchulen bere wiþ hem þe ſignes of her
virgynyte to þe eldre men of þe citee, þat ben in þe ȝate;
xvi and þe fadir ſchal ſeie, Y ȝaf my douȝtir wijf to þis
man, and for he hatiþ hir, he puttiþ to hir `þe werſte
name,
xvii þat he ſeye, Y foond not þi douȝtir virgyn; and lo!
þeſe ben þe ſignes of virgynyte of my douȝtir; þei
ſchulen ſprede forþ a cloþ bifor þe eldre men of þe
citee. And þe eldere men of þat citee ſchulen
xviii take þe man, and ſchulen bete hym,
xix and ferþermore þei ſchulen condempne hym in an
hundrid ſiclis of ſiluer, whiche he ſchal ȝyue to þe `fadir
of þe damyſel, for he diffamide þe werſte name on a
virgyn of Iſrael; and he ſchal haue hir wijf, and he ſchal
not mowe forſake hir, in al `þe tyme of his lijf.
xx Þat if it is ſoþ, þat he puttiþ aȝens hir, and virgynyte
is not foundun in þe damyſel, þei ſchulen caſte hir `out
of `þe ȝatis of
CXCIII
xxi þe hous of hir fadir; and men of þat citee ſchulen
oppreſſe hir wiþ ſtoonys, and ſche ſchal die, for ſche
dide vnleueful þing in Iſrael, þat ſche dide fornycacioun
in `þe hows of hir fadir; and þou ſchalt do awey yuel fro
þe myddis of þee.
xxii If a man ſlepiþ wiþ `þe wijf of anoþer man, euer
eiþir ſchal die, þat is, auowter and auowtreſſe; and þou
ſchalt do awey yuel fro Iſrael.
xxiii If a man ſpouſiþ a damyſel virgyn, and a man
fyndiþ hir in þe citee, and doiþ letcherie wiþ hir,
xxiiii þou ſchalt lede euer eiþir to þe ȝate of þat citee, and
þei ſchulen be oppreſſid wiþ ſtoonus; þe damyſel ſchal
be ſtonyd, for ſche criede not, whanne ſche was in þe
citee; þe man ſchal `be ſtonyd, for he `made low þe wijf
of his neiȝbore; and þou ſchalt do awei yuel fro þe
myddis of þee.
xxv Forſoþe if a man fyndiþ in þe feeld a `damyſel,
which is ſpouſid, and he takiþ, and doiþ letcherie wiþ
hir, he aloone ſchal die;
xxvi þe damyſel ſchal ſuffre no þing of yuel, neþir is gilti
of deeþ; for as a þeef riſiþ aȝens his broþir, and ſleeþ
`his lijf, ſo and þe damyſel ſuffride; ſche was aloone in
þe feeld,
xxvii ſche criede, and noon was preſent, þat ſchulde
delyuer hir.
xxviii If a man fyndiþ a damyſel virgyn þat haþ no
ſpowſe, and takiþ, and doiþ letcherie wiþ hir, and þe
þing comeþ to þe doom,
xxix he þat ſlepte wiþ hir ſchal ȝyue to `þe fadir of þe
damyſel fifti ſiclis of ſiluer, and he ſchal haue hir wijf,
for he `made hir low; he ſchal not mow forſake hir, in
alle þe daies of his lijf.
xxx A man ſchal not take `þe wijf of his fadir, neþir he
ſchal ſchewe `þe hilyng of hir.
CAP. XXIII
i A geldyng whanne hiſe ſtoonys ben brokun, eþir kit
awey, and his ȝerde is kit awei, ſchal not entre in to þe
chirche of þe Lord.
ii A child borun of hordom ſchal not entre in to þe
chirche of þe Lord, `til to þe tenþe generacioun.
iii Ammonytis and Moabitis, ȝhe aftir þe tenþe
generacioun, ſchulen not entre into þe `chirche of þe
Lord wiþ outen ende;
iiii for þei nolden come to ȝou wiþ breed and watir in þe
weie, whanne ȝe ȝeden out of Egipt; and for þei hireden
aȝens þee Balaam, þe ſone of Beor, fro Meſopotanye of
Sirye, þat he ſchulde curſe þee;
v and þi Lord God nolde here Balaam, and God turnede
`þe curſyng of Balaam in to þi bleſſyng, for he louyde
þee.
vi Þou ſchalt not make pees wiþ hem, neþir þou ſchalt
ſeke goodis to hem, in alle þe daies of þi lijf in to wiþ
outen ende.
vii Þou ſchalt not `haue abhomynacioun of a man of
Ydumye, for he is þi broþir, neþir of a man of Egipt, for
þou were a comelyng in þe lond of hym.
viii Þei þat ben borun of hem, ſchulen entre in þe þridde
generacioun in to þe `chirche of þe Lord.
ix Whanne þou ſchalt go out `in to batel aȝens þin
enemyes, þou ſchalt kepe þee fro al yuel þing.
x If a man is among ȝou, which is defoulid in `ſleep of
nyȝt, he ſchal go out of `þe caſtels;
xi and he ſchal not turne aȝen bifore þat he be waiſchun
in watir at euentid, and aftir þe goyng doun of þe ſunne
he ſchal go aȝen in to þe caſtels.
xii Þou ſchalt haue a place wiþout þe caſtels, to which
þou ſchalt go out to nedeful þingis of kynde;
xiii and þou ſchalt bere a litil ſtake in þe girdil; and
whanne þou haſt ſete, þou ſchalt digge `bi cumpas, and
`þou ſchalt hile wiþ erþe þingis `defied out,
xiiii where þou art releuyd. For þi Lord God goeþ in þe
myddis of caſtels, þat he diliuere þee, and bitake þin
enemyes to þee, þat þi caſtels be hooli, and no þing of
filþe appere in þo, leſt he forſake þee.
xv Þou ſchalt not bitake a ſeruaunt to his lord, which
ſeruaunt fleeþ to þee;
xvi he ſchal dwelle wiþ þee in þe place þat pleſiþ hym,
and he ſchal reſte in oon of þi citees; and make þou not
hym ſori.
xvii Noon hoore ſchal be of þe douȝtris of Iſrael, neþer a
letchour of þe ſones of Iſrael.
xviii Þou ſchalt not offre þe hire of `an hoore hows,
neþer þe prijs of a dogge, in þe hows of þi Lord God,
what euer þing it is þat þou haſt avowid; for euer eiþir is
abhomynacioun bifor þi Lord God.
xix Þou ſchalt not leene to þi broþir to vſure money,
neiþer fruytis,
xx neþir ony oþir þing, but to an alien. Forſoþe þou
ſchalt leene to þi broþir wiþout vſure þat þat he nediþ,
þat þi Lord God bleſſe þee in al þi werk, in þe lond to
which þou ſchalt entre to welde.
xxi Whanne þou makiſt auow to þi Lord God, þou ſchalt
not tarie to ȝelde, for þi Lord God ſchal `requyre, eþer
axe, þat; and if þou tarieſt, it ſchal be arretid to þee in to
ſynne.
xxii If þou `nylt bihete, þou ſchalt be wiþ out ſynne.
xxiii Forſoþe þou ſchalt kepe, and `do þat þat ȝede out
onys of þi lippis, as þou bihiȝtiſt to þi Lord God, and
haſt ſpoke wiþ þin owne wille and þi mouþ.
xxiiii If þou entriſt in to þe vynere of þi neiȝbore, ete þou
grapis, as myche as pleſiþ þee; but bere þou not out wiþ
þee.
CXCIV
xxv Ifþou entriſt in to `þe corn of þi freend, þou ſchalt
breke `eeris of corn, and frote togidere wiþ `þe hond;
but þou ſchalt not repe wiþ a ſikil.
CAP. XXIIII
i If a man takiþ a wijf, and haþ hir, and ſche fyndiþ not
grace bifor hiſe iȝen for ſum vilite, he ſchal write a
`libel, eþir litil book, of forſakyng, and he ſchal ȝyue in
`þe hond of hir, and he ſchal delyuere hir fro his hows.
ii And whanne ſche goiþ out, and weddiþ anoþir
hoſebonde,
iii and he alſo hatiþ hir, and ȝyueþ to hir a `litil booke of
forſakyng, and delyuereþ hir fro his hows, eþir certis he
is deed,
iiii þe formere hoſebonde ſchal not mow reſſeyue hir in
to wijf, for ſche is defoulid, and maad abhomynable
bifore þe Lord; leſt þou make þi lond to do ſynne, which
lond þi Lord God ȝaf to þee to welde.
v Whanne a man haþ take late a wijf, he ſchal not go
forþ to batel, neþir ony þing of comyn nede ſchal be
enioyned to hym, but he ſchal ȝyue tent wiþ out blame
to his hows, þat he be glad in o ȝeer wiþ his wijf.
vi Þou ſchalt not take in þe ſtide of wed þe lowere and
þe hiȝere queerne ſtoon of þi broþir, for he puttide his
lijf to þee.
vii If a man is takun, `þat is, conuyct in doom, biſili
aſpiynge to ſtele his broþir of þe ſones of Iſrael, and
whanne he haþ ſeeld hym, takiþ priys, he ſchal be ſlayn;
and þou ſchalt do awey yuel fro þe myddis of þee.
viii Kepe þou diligentli, leſt þou renne in to þe ſijkneſſe
of lepre, but þou ſchalt do what euer þingis þe preeſtis
of þe kyn of Leuy techen þee, bi þat þat Y comaundide
to hem, and `fille þou diligentli.
ix Haue ȝe mynde what þingis ȝoure Lord God dide to
Marie, in þe weie, whanne ȝe ȝede `out of Egipt.
x Whanne þou ſchalt axe of þi neiȝebore ony þing which
he owiþ to þee, þou ſchalt not entre in to his hows, þat
þou take awei a wed;
xi but þou ſchalt ſtonde wiþ out forþ, and he ſchal
brynge forþ þat þat he haþ.
xii Soþeli if he is pore, þe wed ſchal not dwelle bi nyȝt
at þee,
xiii but anoon þou ſchalt ȝelde to hym bifor þe goyng
doun of þe ſunne, þat he ſlepe in his cloþ, and bleſſe
þee, and þou haue riȝtfulneſſe bifor þi Lord God.
xiiii Þou ſchalt not denye þe hire of þi broþer nedi and
pore, eþir of þe comelyng þat dwelliþ wiþ þee in þi
lond, and is wiþ ynne þi ȝatis;
xv but in þe ſame dai þou ſchalt ȝelde to hym þe prijs of
his trauel, bifor þe goyng doun of þe ſunne, for he is
pore, and ſuſteyneþ þerof his lijf; leſt he crye aȝens þee
to þe Lord, and it be arettid to þee into ſynne.
xvi Þe fadris ſchulen not be ſlayn for þe ſones, neþer þe
ſones for þe fadris, but ech man ſchal die for hys owne
ſynne.
xvii Þou ſchalt not `peruerte, eþir waiwardli turne, þe
doom of þe comelyng, and of fadirles eþir modirles;
neþir þou ſchalt take awei in þe ſtide of wed þe cloþ of
a widewe.
xviii Haue þou mynde, þat þou ſeruediſt in Egipt, and þi
Lord God delyuerede þee fro þennus; þerfor Y
comaunde to þee þat þou do þis þing.
xix Whanne þou repiſt corn in þe feeld, and forȝetiſt, and
leeueſt a repe, þou ſchalt not turne aȝen to take it, but
þou ſchalt ſuffre þat a comelyng, and fadirles, eþir
modirles, and a widewe take awei, þat þi Lord God
bleſſe þee in al þe werk of þin hondis.
xx If þou gaderiſt fruytis of olyues, what euer þing
leeueþ in trees, þou ſchalt not turne aȝen to gadere, but
þou ſchalt leeue to a comelyng, fadirles, eþer modirles,
and to a widewe.
xxi If þou gaderiſt grapis of þe vyner, þou ſchalt not
gadere raiſyns þat leeuen, but þo ſchulen falle in to þe
vſis of þe comelyng, of þe fadirles, eþir modirles, and
of þe wydewe.
xxii Haue þou mynde þat alſo þou ſeruediſt in Egipt, and
þerfor Y comaunde to þee, þat þou do þis þing.
CAP. XXV
i If cauſe is bitwixe ony men, and þei axen iugis, þei
ſchulen ȝyue þe victorie of riȝtfulneſſe to him, whom
þei perſeyuen to be iuſt, þei ſchulen condempne hym of
wickidneſſe, whom þei perſeyuen to be wickid.
ii Soþeli if þei ſeen hym þat ſynnede, worþi of betyngis,
þei ſchulen caſte him doun, and make to be betun bifor
hem; alſo þe maner of betyngis ſchal be for þe meſure
of ſynne,
iii ſo oneli þat þo paſſe not þe noumbre of fourti, leſt þi
broþer be to-rent viliche bifore þin iȝen, and go awei.
iiii Þou ſchalt not bynde þe `mouþ of þe oxe tredynge þi
fruytis in þe corn floor.
v Whanne briþeren dwellen to gidere, and oon of hem is
deed wiþ out fre children, þe wijf of þe deed broþer
ſchal not be weddid to anoþir man, but his broþir ſchal
take hir, and ſchal reiſe ſeed of his broþer.
vi And he ſchal clepe þe firſte gendrid ſone `of hir bi þe
name `of hym, `þat is, of þe deed broþir, þat his name
be not don awei fro Iſrael.
vii Forſoþe if he nyle take þe wijf of his broþer, which is
due to hym bi lawe, þe womman ſchal go to þe ȝate of
þe citee; and ſche ſchal axe þe grettere men in birþe,
and ſche ſchal ſeie, `Þe broþer of myn hoſebonde nyle
reiſe ſeed of his broþer in Iſrael, neþir wole take me in
to mariage.
viii And anoon þei ſchulen make hym to be clepid, and
þei ſchulen axe. If he anſweriþ, Y nyle take hir to wijf;
CXCV
ix þe womman ſchal go to hym bifor þe eldre men of
Iſrael, and ſche ſchal take awei þe ſchoo, and ſche ſchal
ſpete in to his face, and ſchal ſeie, So it ſchal be doon to
þe man, þat bildiþ not `þe hows of his broþer;
x and `þe name of hym ſchal be clepid in Iſrael, Þe hows
of þe man vnſchood.
xi If twei men han ſtrijf bitwixe hem ſilf, and oon
bigynneþ to ſtryue aȝens anoþer, and þe wijf of `þe
toþer man wole delyuere hir hoſebonde fro þe hond of
þe ſtrongere man, and puttiþ hond, and `takiþ þe
ſchamefaſt membris `of hym,
xii þou ſchalt kitte awei `þe hond of hir, neþer þou ſchalt
be bowid on hir bi ony mercy.
xiii Þou ſchalt not haue in þe bagge dyuerſe weiȝtis,
xiiii a grettere and a leſſe, neþer a buyſchel more and
leſſe ſchal be in þin hows.
xv Þou ſchalt haue a iuſt weiȝte and trewe, and an euene
buyſchel `and trewe ſchal be to þee, þat þou lyue in
myche tyme on þe lond which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue
to þee.
xvi For þe Lord ſchal haue hym abhomynable þat doiþ
þeſe þingis, and he wlatiþ, `eþir curſiþ, al vnriȝtfulneſſe.
xvii Haue þou mynde what þingis Amalech dide to þee
in þe weie, whanne þou ȝediſt out of Egipt;
xviii hou he cam to þee, and killide þe laſte men of þin
ooſt, þat ſaten wery, whanne þou were diſeſid wiþ
hungur and trauel, and he dredde not God.
xix Þerfor whanne þi Lord God haþ ȝoue reſte to þee,
and haþ maad ſuget alle naciouns `bi cumpas, in þe lond
which he bihiȝte to þee, þou ſchalt do awei `þe name of
hym vndur heuene; be þou war leſt þou forȝete.
CAP. XXVI
i And whanne þou haſt entrid in to þe lond which þi
Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee to welde, and þou haſt gete
it, and haſt dwellid þerynne,
ii þou ſchalt take þe firſte fruytis of alle þi fruytis, and
þou ſchalt putte in a panyere; and þou ſchalt go to þe
place which þi Lord God chees, þat his name be
inwardly clepid þere.
iii And þou ſchalt go to þe preeſt, þat ſchal be in þo
daies, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Y knowleche to dai
bifor þi Lord God, þat Y entride in to þe lond, for which
he ſwoor to oure fadris, þat he ſchulde ȝyue it to vs.
iiii And þe preeſt ſchal take þe panyere of þin hond, and
ſchal ſette bifor þe auter of þi Lord God.
v And þou ſchalt ſpeke in þe ſiȝt of þi Lord God, Sirus
purſuede my fadir, `which fadir ȝede doun in to Egipt,
and was a pilgrym þere in feweſte noumbre; and he
encreeſſide in to a greet folk, and ſtrong, and of
multitude wiþout noumbre.
vi And Egipcians turmentiden vs, and purſueden, and
puttiden greuouſeſte birþuns.
vii And we crieden to þe Lord God of oure fadris, which
herde vs, and bihelde oure mekeneſſe, and trauel, and
angwiſchis;
viii and he ledde vs out of Egipt in myȝti hond, and arm
holdun forþ, in grete drede, in myraclis, and grete
wondris,
ix and ledde vs in to þis place; and ȝaf to vs a lond
flowynge wiþ mylk and hony.
x And þerfor Y offre now to þee þe fyrſte fruytis of þe
fruitis of þe lond which þe Lord ȝaf to me. And þou
ſchalt leeue þo in þe ſiȝt of þi Lord God. And whanne þi
Lord God is worchipid,
xi þou ſchalt ete in alle þe goodis whiche þi Lord God
ȝaf to þee and to þin hows, þou, and þe dekene, and þe
comelyng which is wiþ þee.
xii Whanne þou haſt fillid þe tiþe of alle þi fruytis, in þe
þridde ȝeer of tiþis, þou ſchalt ȝyue to þe dekene, and to
þe comelyng, and to þe fadirles, eþer modirles child,
and to widewe, þat þei ete wiþ ynne þi ȝatis, and be
fillid.
xiii And þou ſchalt ſpeke in þe ſiȝt of þi Lord God, Y
haue take awai þat þat is halewid of myn hows, and Y
ȝaf it to þe dekene, and to þe comelyng, to þe fadirles,
eþir modirles child, and to þe widewe, as þou
comaundidiſt to me; Y paſſide not þi comaundementis,
Y forȝat not þin heeſt.
xiiii Y ete not of þo þingis in my morenyng, neþer Y
departide þo in ony vnclenneſſe, neþir Y ſpendide of þo
ony þing in biriyng of deed body, `þat is, in makynge
feeſtis þerof in biryynge of deed men. Y obeiede to þe
vois of my Lord God, and Y dide alle þingis as þou
comaundidiſt to me.
xv Bihold þou fro þi ſeyntuarie, fro þe hiȝ dwellyng
place of heuene, and bleſſe þou þi puple Iſrael, and þe
lond which þou haſt ȝoue to vs, as þou `haſt ſwoore to
oure fadris; þe lond flowynge wiþ mylk and hony.
xvi To dai þi Lord God comaundide to þee, þat þou do
þeſe comaundementis and domes, þat þou kepe and fille
of al þin herte, and of al þi ſoule.
xvii Þou haſt choſe þe Lord to day, þat he be God to þee,
and þou go in hiſe weies, and þou kepe hiſe
cerymonyes, and heeſtis, and domes, and obeie to his
comaundement.
xviii Lo! þe Lord chees þee to day, þat þou be a ſpecial
puple to hym, as he ſpak to þee, and þat þou kepe alle
hiſe comaundementis;
xix and he ſchal make þee hiȝere þan alle folkis, whiche
he made in to his preiſyng, and name, and glorie; þat
þou be an holi puple of þi Lord God, as he ſpak to þee.
CAP. XXVII
i Forſoþe Moyſes comaundide, and þe eldre men, to þe
puple of Iſrael, and ſeiden, Kepe ȝe ech `comaundement
which Y comaunde to ȝou to dai.
CXCVI
ii And whanne ȝe han paſſid Jordan, in to þe lond which
þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee, þou ſchalt reyſe grete
ſtoonus, and þou ſchalt make þo pleyn wiþ chalk,
iii þat þou mow write in þo alle þe wordis of þis lawe,
whanne Jordan is paſſid, þat þou entre in to þe lond
which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to þee, þe lond flowynge
wiþ mylke and hony, as he ſwoor to þi fadris.
iiii Þerfor whanne þou haſt paſſid Jordan, reiſe þou þe
ſtonus whiche Y comaunde to dai to þee, in þe hil of
Hebal; and þou ſchalt make þo pleyn wiþ chalk.
v And þere þou ſchalt bilde an auter to þi Lord God, of
ſtoonys whiche yrun touchide not,
vi and of ſtonys vnformed and vnpoliſchid; and þou
ſchalt offre þeron brent ſacrifices to þi Lord God; and
þou ſchalt offre peſible ſacrifices,
vii and þou ſchalt ete þere, and þou ſchalt make feeſte
bifor þi Lord God.
viii And þou ſchalt write pleynli and clereli on þe
ſtoonys alle þe wordis of þis lawe.
ix And Moiſes and þe preeſtis of þe kynde of Leuy
ſeiden to al Iſrael, Iſrael, perſeyue þou, and here; to day
þou art maad þe puple of þi Lord God;
x þou ſchalt here his vois, and þou ſchalt do `þe
comaundementis, and riȝtfulneſſis, whiche Y comaunde
to þee to dai.
xi And Moiſes comaundide to þe puple in þat day,
xii and ſeide, Þeſe men ſchulen ſtonde on þe hil of
Garizym to bleſſe þe Lord, whanne Jordan `is paſſid;
Symeon, Leuy, Judas, Iſachar, Joſeph, and Benjamyn.
xiii And euene aȝens þeſe men ſchulen ſtonde in þe hil of
Hebal to curſe, Ruben, Gad, and Aſer, Zabulon, Dan,
and Neptalym.
xiiii And þe dekenes ſchulen pronounce, and ſchulen ſeie
`wiþ hiȝ vois to alle þe men of Iſrael,
xv Curſid is þe man þat makiþ a grauun ymage and
ȝotun togidere, abhomynacioun of þe Lord, þe werk of
`hondis of crafti men, and ſchal ſette it in priuey place;
and al þe puple ſchal anſwere, and ſchal ſeie, Amen!
xvi He is curſid þat onoureþ not his fadir and modir; and
al þe puple ſchal ſeie, Amen!
xvii Curſid is he þat `beriþ ouer þe termes of his
neiȝbore; and al þe puple ſchal ſeie, Amen!
xviii Curſid is he þat makiþ a blynde man to erre in þe
weie; and al þe puple ſchal ſeie, Amen!
xix He is curſid þat peruertiþ þe doom of a comelyng, of
a fadirles, eþir modirles child, and of a widewe; and al
þe puple ſchal ſeie, Amen!
xx Curſid is he þat ſlepiþ wiþ `þe wijf of his fadir, and
ſchewiþ þe hiling of his bed; and al þe puple ſchal ſeie,
Amen!
xxi Curſid is he þat ſlepiþ wiþ ony beeſte; and al þe
puple ſchal ſeie, Amen!
xxii Curſid is he þat ſlepiþ wiþ his ſiſtir, þe douȝtir of his
fadir, eþir of his modir; and al þe puple ſchal ſeie,
Amen!
xxiii Curſid is he þat ſlepiþ wiþ his wyues modir; and al
þe puple ſchal ſeye, Amen!
xxiiii Curſid is he þat ſleeþ pryueli his neiȝbore; and al
þe puple ſchal ſeie, Amen!
xxv Curſid is he þat ſlepiþ wiþ `þe wijf of his neiȝbore;
and al þe puple ſchal ſeie, Amen!
xxvi Curſid is he þat takiþ ȝiftis, þat he ſmyte þe lijf of
innocent blood; and al þe puple ſchal ſeie, Amen!
xxvii Curſid is he þat dwelliþ not in þe wordis of þis
lawe, neþir `parfourmeþ þo in werk; and al þe puple
ſchal ſeie, Amen!
CAP. XXVIII
i Forſoþe if þou heriſt þe vois of þi Lord God, þat þou
do and kepe alle hiſe comaundementis, whiche Y
comaunde to þee to dai, þi Lord God ſchal make þe
hiȝere þan alle folkis þat lyuen in erþe.
ii And alle þeſe bleſſyngis ſchulen come on þee, and
ſchulen take þee; if neþeles þou heriſt hiſe
comaundementis.
iii Þou ſchalt be bleſſid in citee, and bleſſid in feeld;
iiii bleſſid ſchal be þe fruyt of þi wombe, and þe fruyt of
þi lond, and þe fruit of þi beeſtis; `bleſſid ſchulen be þe
flockis of þi grete beeſtis, and þe fooldis of þi ſcheep;
v bleſſid ſchulen be þi bernes, and `bleſſid ſchulen be `þi
relifs;
vi þou ſchalt be bleſſid entrynge, and goynge out.
vii Þe Lord ſchal ȝyue þin enemyes fallynge in þi ſiȝt,
þat ſchulen riſe aȝens þee; bi o weie þei ſchulen come
aȝens þee, and by ſeuene weies þei ſchulen fle fro þi
face.
viii Þe Lord ſchal ſende out bleſſyng on þi celeris, and on
alle þe werkis of þin hondis; and he ſchal bleſſe þee in
þe lond which þou haſt take.
ix Þe Lord ſchal reiſe þee to hym ſilf in to an hooli
puple, as he ſwoor to þee, if þou kepiſt þe heeſtis of þi
Lord God, and goiſt in his weies.
x And alle þe puples of londis ſchulen ſe, þat þe name of
þe Lord is inwardli clepid on þee, and þei ſchulen drede
þee.
xi Þe Lord ſchal make þee to be plenteuouſe in alle
goodis, in fruyt of þi wombe, and in fruyt of þi beeſtis,
in þe fruyt of þi lond, which þe Lord ſwoor to þi fadris,
þat he ſchulde ȝyue to þee.
xii Þe Lord ſchal opene his beſte treſour, heuene, þat he
ȝyue reyn to þi lond in his tyme; and he ſchal bleſſe alle
þe werkis of þin hondis; and þou ſchalt leene to many
folkis, and of no man þou ſchalt take borewyng.
xiii Þe Lord God ſchal ſette þee in to þe heed, and not in
to þe tail, and euere þou ſchalt be aboue, and not
CXCVII
byneþe; if neþeles þou heriſt þe comaundementis of þi
Lord God, whiche Y comaunde to þee to day, and
kepiſt,
xiiii and doiſt, and bowiſt not awey fro þo, neþer to þe
riȝt ſide neþer to þe lefte ſide, neþer ſueſt alien goddis,
neþir worſchipiſt hem.
xv Þat if þou nylt here þe vois of þi Lord God, þat þou
kepe and do alle hiſe heeſtis, and cerymonyes, whiche Y
comaunde to þee to day, alle þeſe curſyngis ſchulen
come on þee, and ſchulen take þee.
xvi Þou ſchalt be curſid in citee, curſid in feeld.
xvii Curſid `ſchal be þi berne, and curſid ſchulen be þi
relifs.
xviii Curſid ſchal be þe fruit of þi wombe, and þe fruyt of
þi lond; `curſid ſchulen be þe drooues of þin oxun, and
þe flockis of þi ſcheep.
xix Þou ſchalt be curſid goynge in, and `þou ſchalt be
curſid goynge out.
xx Þe Lord ſchal ſende on þee hungur, and þurſt, and
blamyng in to alle þi werkis whiche þou ſchalt do, til he
al to-breke þee, and leeſe ſwiftli, for þi werſte
fyndyngis, in whiche þou haſt forſake me.
xxi Þe Lord ioyne peſtilence to þee, til he waaſte þee fro
þe lond, to which þou ſchalt entre to welde.
xxii Þe Lord ſmyte þee wiþ nedyneſſe, feuyr, and coold,
brennynge, and heete, and wiþ corrupt eir, and ruſt; and
purſue þee til þou periſche.
xxiii Heuene which is aboue þee be braſun; and þe erþe
which þou trediſt be yrun.
xxiiii Þe Lord ȝyue duſt for reyn to þi lond, and ayſche
come doun fro heuene on þee, til þou be al to-brokun.
xxv Þe Lord ȝyue þee fallynge bifor þin enemyes; bi o
weie go þou aȝens hem, and bi ſeuene weies fle þou,
and be þou ſcaterid bi alle þe rewmes of erþe;
xxvi and þi deed bodi be in to mete to alle volatils of
heuene, and to beeſtis of erþe, and noon be þat dryue
hem awai.
xxvii Þe Lord ſmyte þee wiþ þe botche of Egipt, and `þe
Lord ſmyte þe part of bodi wherbi `ordures ben voyded;
alſo `þe Lord ſmyte þee wiþ ſcabbe, and ȝicchyng, ſo þat
þou mayſt not be curid.
xxviii Þe Lord ſmyte þee wiþ madneſſe, and blyndneſſe,
and woodneſſe of þouȝt;
xxix and grope þou in mydday, as a blynd man is wont
to grope in derkneſſis; and dreſſe he not þi weies; in al
tyme ſuffre þou fals chaleng, and be þou oppreſſid bi
violence, neþir haue þou ony þat ſchal delyuere þee.
xxx Take þou a wijf, and anoþir man ſleepe wiþ hir;
bilde þou an hows, and dwelle þou not þer ynne;
plaunte þou a vyner, and gadere þou not grapis þerof.
xxxi Þin oxe be offrid bifor þee, and ete þou not þerof;
þin aſſe be rauyſchid in þi ſiȝt, and be not ȝoldun to þee;
þi ſcheep be ȝouun to þin enemyes, and noon be þat
helpe þee.
xxxii Þi ſones and þi douȝtris be ȝouun to anoþer puple,
`while þin iȝen ſeen, and failen at þe ſiȝt of hem al day;
and no ſtrengþe be in þin hond.
xxxiii A puple whom þou knowiſt not ete þe fruytis of þi
lond, and alle þi trauels; and euere be þou ſuffrynge fals
calengis, and be þou oppreſſid in alle daies,
xxxiiii and wondrynge at þe ferdfulneſſe of þo þingis
whiche þin iȝen ſchulen ſe.
xxxv Þe Lord ſmyte þee wiþ þe worſte botche in þe
knees, and in þe hyndere partes of þe leg; and þou mow
not be heelid fro þe ſole of þe foot `til to þe top.
xxxvi And þe Lord ſchal lede þee, and þi kyng, whom
þou ſchalt ordeyne on þee, in to a folc which þou
knowiſt not, þou, and þi fadris; and þou ſchalt ſerue þere
to alien goddis, to a tre, and ſtoon.
xxxvii And þou ſchalt be loſt in to prouerbe, and fable to
alle puplis, to whiche þe Lord ſchal brynge þee yn.
xxxviii Þou ſchalt caſte myche ſeed in to þe erþe, and þou
ſchalt gadere litil; for locuſtis ſchulen deuoure alle
þingis.
xxxix Þou ſchalt plaunte, and ſchalt digge a vyner, and
þou ſchalt not drynke wyn, neþer þou ſchalt gadere
þerof ony þing; for it ſchal be waſtid wiþ wormes.
xl Þou ſchalt haue olyue trees in alle þi termes, and þou
ſchalt not be anoyntid wiþ oile; for þo ſchulen falle
doun, and ſchulen periſche.
xli Þou ſchalt gendre ſones and douȝtris, and þou ſchalt
not vſe hem; for þei ſchulen be led in to caitifte.
xlii Ruſt ſchal waaſte alle þi trees and fruytis of þi lond.
xliii A comelyng, þat dwelliþ wiþ þee in þe lond, ſchal
ſtie on þee, and he ſchal be þe hiȝere; forſoþe þou ſchalt
go doun, and ſchalt be þe lowere.
xliiii He ſchal leene to þee, and þou ſchalt not leene to
hym; he ſchal be in to þe heed, and þou ſchalt be in to
þe tail.
xlv And alle þeſe curſyngis ſchulen come on þee, and
ſchulen purſue, and ſchulen take þee, til þou periſche;
for þou herdiſt not þe vois of þi Lord God, neþer kepiſt
hiſe comaundementis and cerymonyes, whiche he
comaundide to þee.
xlvi And ſignes, and grete wondris ſchulen be in þee, and
in þi ſeed, til in to wiþouten ende;
xlvii for þou ſeruediſt not þi Lord God in þe ioye and
gladneſſe of herte, for þe abundaunce of alle þingis.
xlviii Þou ſchalt ſerue þin enemye, whom God ſchal
ſende to þee in hungur, and þirſt, and nakidneſſe, and in
pouert of alle þingis; and he ſchal putte an yrun ȝok on
þi nol, til he al to-breke þee.
xlix Þe Lord ſchal brynge on þee a folk fro fer place, and
fro þe laſte endis of erþe, in to þe licneſſe of an egle
CXCVIII
fleynge wiþ bire, of which folc þou maiſt not
vnderſtonde þe langage;
l a folk mooſt greedi axere, þat ſchal not ȝyue reuerence
to an elde man, neþir haue mercy on a litil child.
li And ſchal deuoure þe fruyt of þi beeſtis, and þe fruytis
of þi lond, til þou periſchiſt, and ſchal not leeue to þee
wheete, wyn, and oile, droues of oxun, and flockis of
ſcheep,
lii til he leeſe þee, and al to-breke in alle þi citees, and til
þi ſadde and hiȝe wallis be diſtried, in whiche þou
haddiſt truſt in al þi lond. Þou ſchalt be biſegid wiþynne
þi ȝatis in al þi lond, which þi Lord God ſchal ȝyue to
þee.
liii And þou ſchalt ete þe fruyt of þi wombe, and þe
fleiſchis of þi ſones, and of þi douȝtris, whiche þi Lord
God ſchal ȝyue to þee, in þe angwiſch and diſtriyng, bi
which þin enemye ſchal oppreſſe þee.
liiii A man delicat of lijf, and `ful letcherouſe, ſchal haue
enuye to his broþer, and wijf þat liggiþ in his boſum,
lv leſt he ȝyue to hem of þe fleiſchis of hiſe ſones whiche
he ſchal ete; for he haþ noon oþer þing in biſeging and
pouert, bi which þin enemyes ſchulen waaſte þee wiþ
ynne alle þi ȝatis.
lvi A tendur womman and delicat, þat myȝte not go on
þe erþe, neþer ſet a ſtep of foot, for moſt ſoftneſſe and
tendirneſſe, ſchal haue enuye to hir hoſebonde þat liggiþ
in hir boſum, on þe fleiſchis of ſone and douȝter,
lvii and on þe filþe of ſkynnes, wherynne þe child is
wlappid in þe wombe, þat gon out of þe myddis of hir
`ſcharis, eþir hipe bonys, and on fre children þat ben
borun in þe ſame our. Þei ſchulen ete `þo children
priueli, for þe ſcarſete of alle þingis in biſegyng and
diſtriyng, bi which þin enemy ſchal oppreſſe þee wiþ
ynne þi ȝatis.
lviii No but þou ſchalt kepe and do alle þe wordis of þis
lawe, þat ben writun in þis volym, `eþer book, and
ſchalt drede his gloriouſe name and ferdful, þat is þi
Lord God,
lix þe Lord ſchal encreeſe þi woundis, and þe woundis of
þi ſeed; grete woundis and contynuel, ſikeneſſis worſte
and euerleſtinge.
lx And he ſchal turne in to þee alle þe turmentyngis of
Egipt, whiche þou dreddiſt, and þo ſchulen cleue to þee.
lxi Ferþermore þe Lord ſchal brynge on þee alſo alle þe
ſorewis and woundis, þat ben not writun in þe volym of
þis lawe, til he al to-breke þee.
lxii And ȝe ſchulen dwelle fewe in noumbre, þat weren
bifore as þe ſterris of heuene for multitude, for þou
herdiſt not þe vois of þi Lord God.
lxiii And as þe Lord was glad bifore on ȝou, and dide
wel to ȝou, and multipliede ȝou; ſo he ſchal be glad,
`and ſchal leeſe, and diſtrie ȝou, þat ȝe be takun awei fro
þe lond, to which þou ſchalt entre to welde.
lxiiii ÞeLord ſchal leeſe þee in to alle puplis, fro þe
hiȝneſſe of erþe `til to þe termes þerof; and þou ſchalt
ſerue þere to alien goddis, whiche þou knowiſt not, and
þi fadris `knowen not, to trees and ſtoonys.
lxv Alſo þou ſchalt not reſte in þo folkis, neþer reſt ſchal
be to þe ſtep of þi foot. For þe Lord ſchal ȝyue to þee
þere a ferdful herte, and iȝen failynge, and lijf waaſtyd
wiþ morenyng.
lxvi And þi lijf ſchal be as hangynge bifore þee; þou
ſchalt drede in nyȝt and dai, and þou ſchal not bileue to
þi lijf.
lxvii In þe morewtid þou ſchalt ſeie, Who ſchal ȝyue þe
euentid to me? and in þe euentid `þou ſchalt ſeie, Who
ſchal ȝyue þe morewtid to me? for þe drede of þin herte,
bi which þou ſchalt be maad aferd, and for þo þingis
whiche þou ſchalt ſee wiþ þin iȝen.
lxviii Þe Lord ſchal lede þee aȝen bi ſchipis in to Egipt,
by þe weie of which he ſeide to þee, þat þou ſchuldiſt no
more ſe it. Þere þou ſchalt be ſeeld to þin enemyes, in to
ſeruauntis and `hand maidis; and noon ſchal be þat ſchal
delyuere þee.
CAP. XXIX
i Þeſe ben þe wordis of boond of pees, which þe Lord
comaundide to Moyſes, þat he ſchulde ſmyte wiþ þe
ſones of Iſrael in þe lond of Moab, outakun þat bond of
pees, which he couenauntide wiþ hem in Oreb.
ii And Moiſes clepid al Iſrael, and ſeide to hem, Ȝe ſien
alle þingis whiche þe Lord dide bifor ȝou in þe lond of
Egipt, to Farao and alle hiſe ſeruauntis, and to al his
lond;
iii þe greet temptaciouns whiche þin iȝen ſien, `þo
ſignes, and grete wondris.
iiii And þe Lord ȝaf not to ȝou an herte vndurſtondynge,
and iȝen ſeynge, and eeris þat moun here, til in to
preſent dai.
v He ledde ȝou bi fourti ȝeer þoruy deſeert; ȝoure cloþis
weren not brokun, neþer þe ſchoon of ȝoure feet weren
waaſtid bi eldneſſe;
vi ȝe eetun not breed, ȝe drunken not wyn and ſidur, þat
ȝe ſchulden wite þat he is ȝoure Lord God.
vii And ȝe camen to þis place; and Seon, þe kyng of
Eſebon ȝede out, and Og, þe kyng of Baſan, and camen
to us to batel. And we han ſmyte hem,
viii and we token awey þe lond `of hem, and we ȝauen
`þe lond to poſſeſſioun, to Ruben, and to Gad, and to þe
half lynage of Manaſſes.
ix Þerfor kepe ȝe þe wordis of þis couenaunt, and fille ȝe
þo, þat ȝe vndirſtonde all þingis whiche ȝe ſchulen do.
x Alle ȝe ſtonden to day bifor ȝoure Lord God, ȝoure
princes, and lynagis, and þe grettere men in birþe, and
techeris, al þe puple of Iſrael,
CXCIX
xi fre children, and ȝoure wyues, and comelyngis þat
dwellen wiþ þee in caſtels, outakun þe heweris of
ſtonus, and outakun hem þat beren watris;
xii þat þou go in þe boond of pees of þi Lord God, and
in þe ooþ which þi Lord God ſmytiþ wiþ þee,
xiii þat he reiſe þee in to a puple to hym ſilf, and þat he
be þi Lord God, as he ſpak to þee, and as he ſwoor to þi
fadris, to Abraham, Yſaac, and Jacob.
xiiii And not to ȝou aloone Y ſmyte þis loond of pees,
and conferme þeſe oþis,
xv but to alle men, preſent and abſent.
xvi For ȝe witen hou we dwelliden in þe lond of Egipt,
and how we paſſiden bi þe myddis of naciouns; whiche
ȝe paſſiden,
xvii and ſiȝen abhomynaciouns and filþis, þat is, idols
`of hem, tre and ſtoon, ſiluer and gold, whiche þei
worſchipiden.
xviii Leſt perauenture among ȝou be man eþer womman,
meyne eþer lynage, whos herte is turned away to dai fro
ȝoure Lord God, þat he go, and ſerue þe goddis of þo
folkis; and a roote buriounnynge galle and bitterneſſe be
among ȝou;
xix and whanne he haþ herd þe wordis of þis ooþ, he
bleſſe hym ſilf in his herte, and ſeie, Pees ſchal be to me,
and Y ſchal go in þe ſchrewidneſſe of myn herte; and
leſt þe drunkun take þe þirſti,
xx and þe Lord forgyue not to hym, but þanne ful greetli
his ſtrong veniaunce be feers, and þe feruour aȝens þat
man, and alle þe curſis þat ben writun in þis book `ſitte
on hym; and `þe Lord do away his name vndur heuene,
xxi and waaſte hym in to perdicioun fro alle þe lynagis
of Iſrael, bi þe curſis þat ben conteyned in þe book of
þis lawe and of boond of pees.
xxii And þe generacioun ſuynge ſchal ſeie, and þe ſones
þat ſchulen be borun aftirward, and pilgrimys þat
ſchulen come fro fer, ſeynge þe veniauncis of þat lond,
and þe ſikeneſſis bi whiche þe Lord turmentide þat lond,
xxiii brennynge `þat lond wiþ brymſton and heete of þe
ſunne, ſo þat it be no more ſowun, neþer bringe forþ ony
grene þing, in to enſaumple of deſtriyng of Sodom and
of Gommorre, of Adama and of Seboym, whiche þe
Lord deſtriede in his ire and ſtronge veniaunce.
xxiiii And alle folkis ſchulen ſeie, Whi dide þe Lord ſo to
þis lond? What is þe greet ire of his ſtronge veniaunce?
xxv and þei ſchulen anſwere, For þei forſoken þe
couenaunt of þe Lord, whiche he couenauntide wiþ her
fadris, whanne he ledde hem out of þe lond of Egipt,
xxvi and þei ſerueden alien goddis, and worſchipiden
hem, whiche þei knewen not, and to whiche þei weren
not ȝouun;
xxvii þerfor þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord was wrooþ
aȝens þis lond, þat he brouȝte yn on it alle þe curſis þat
ben writun in þis book;
xxviii andhe caſtide hem out of her lond, in ire and
ſtrong veniaunce, and in gretteſte indignacioun; and he
caſtide forþ in to an alien lond, as it is preued to dai.
xxix Þingis ben hid of oure Lord God, `þat is, in his
biforknowing, whiche þingis ben ſchewid to us, and to
oure ſones wiþ outen ende, þat we do alle þe wordis of
þis lawe.
CAP. XXX
i Þerfor whanne alle þeſe wordis comen on þee, bleſſyng
eþer curſing, which Y ſettide forþ in þi ſiȝt, and þou art
led bi repentaunce of þin herte among alle folkis, in to
whiche þi Lord God haþ ſcaterid þee,
ii and turneſt aȝen to hym, and obeieſt to hiſe
comaundementis, as Y comaundide to þee to dai, wiþ þi
ſones, in al þin herte and in al þi ſoule,
iii þi Lord God ſchal lede þee aȝen fro þi caitifte, and
ſchal haue mercy on þee, and eft he ſchal gadre þee
from alle puplis, in to whiche he ſcateride þe bifore.
iiii If þou art ſcaterid to þe endis of heuene, fro þennus
þi Lord God ſchal wiþdrawe þee;
v and he ſchal take and ſchal bringe þee in to þe lond
which þi fadris weldiden; and þou ſchalt holde it, and
he ſchal bleſſe þee, and ſchal make þee to be of more
noumbre þan þi fadris weren.
vi Þi Lord God ſchal circumcide þin herte, and þe herte
of þi ſeed, þat þou loue þi Lord God in al þin herte and
in al þi ſoule, and maiſt liue.
vii Forſoþe þe Lord ſchal turne alle þeſe curſyngis on þin
enemyes, and on hem þat haten and purſuen þee.
viii Soþeli þou ſchalt turne aȝen, and ſchalt here þe vois
of þi Lord God, and ſchalt do alle þe heeſtis whiche Y
comaunde to þee to dai;
ix and þi Lord God ſchal make þee to be plenteuouſe, in
alle þe workis of þin hondis, in þe children of þi
wombe, and in þe fruyt of þi beeſtis, in abundaunce of
þi lond, and in largeneſſe of alle þingis. For þe Lord
ſchal turne aȝen, þat he haue ioye on þee in alle goodis,
as he ioyede in þi fadris;
x if neþeles þou heriſt þe voys of þi Lord God, and
kepiſt hiſe heeſtis and cerymonys, þat ben writun in þis
lawe, and þou turne aȝen to þi Lord God in al þin herte,
and in al þi ſoule.
xi Þis comaundement whiche Y comaunde to þee to day,
xii is not aboue þee, neþir is ſet fer, neþir is ſet in
heuene, þat þou maiſt ſeie, Who of vs may ſtie to
heuene, þat he brynge it to vs, and we here, and fille in
werk?
xiii neþer it is ſet biȝende þe ſee, `þat þou pleyne, and
ſeye, Who of vs may paſſe ouer þe ſee, and brynge it til
to vs, þat we moun here and do þat þat is comaundid?
xiiii But þe word is ful nyȝ þee, in þi mouþ and in þin
herte, þat þou do it.
CC
xv Biholde þou, þat to day Y haue ſet forþ in þi ſiȝt lijf
and good, and aȝenward deeþ and yuel;
xvi þat þou loue þi Lord God, and go in hiſe weies, and
kepe hiſe heeſtis, and cerymonyes, and domes; and þat
þou lyue, and he multiplie þee, and bleſſe þee in þe lond
to which þou ſchalt entre to welde.
xvii But if þin herte is turned awey, and þou nylt here,
and þou art diſſeyued bi errour, and worſchipiſt alien
goddis,
xviii and ſerueſt hem, Y biforſeie to þee to dai, þat þou
ſchalt periſche, and ſchalt dwelle litil tyme in þe lond to
which þou ſchalt entre to welde, whanne þou ſchalt
paſſe Jordan.
xix Y clepe to day heuene and erþe witneſſes, þat is,
aungels and men, þat Y haue ſet forþ to ȝou lijf and
deeþ, good and yuel, bleſſyng and curſyng; þerfor cheſe
þou lijf, þat boþe þou lyue and þi ſeed,
xx and þat þou loue þi Lord God, and obeie to his vois,
and cleue to hym, for he is þi lijf, and þe lengþe of þi
daies; þat þou dwelle in þe lond, for which þe Lord
ſwoor to þi fadris, to Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, þat he
ſchulde ȝyue it to hem.
CAP. XXXI
i And ſo Moiſes ȝede, and ſpak alle þeſe wordis to al
Iſrael,
ii and ſeide to hem, Y am to dai of an hundrid and twenti
ȝeer, Y may no ferþere go out and go yn, mooſt ſiþen
alſo þe Lord ſeide to me, Þou ſchalt not paſſe þis Jordan.
iii Þerfor þi Lord God ſchal paſſe bifore þee; he ſchal do
awei þeſe folkis in þi ſiȝt, and þou ſchalt welde hem;
and þis Joſue ſchal go bifor þee, as þe Lord ſpak.
iiii And þe Lord ſchal do to hem as he dide to Seon, and
Og kyng of Ammorreis, and to `þe lond of hem; and he
ſchal do hem awey.
v Þerfor whanne þe Lord haþ bitake to ȝou alſo hem, ȝe
ſchulen do in lijk maner to hem, as Y comaundide to
ȝou.
vi Do ȝe manli, and be ȝe coumfortid; nyle ȝe drede in
herte, neþir drede ȝe at þe ſiȝt of hem, for þi Lord God
hym ſilf is þi ledere, and he ſchal not leeue, neþer ſchal
forſake þee.
vii And Moyſes clepid Joſue, and ſeide to hym bifor al
þe multitude of þe ſones of Iſrael, Be þou coumfortid,
and be þou ſtrong; for þou ſchalt lede þis puple in to þe
lond which þe Lord ſwoor þat he ſchal ȝyue to `þe fadris
of hem; and þou ſchalt departe it bi lot.
viii And þe Lord hym ſilf whiche is ȝoure ledere, ſchal
be wiþ þee, he ſchal not leeue, neþer ſchal forſake þee;
nyle þou drede, neþer drede þou in herte.
ix Þerfor Moyſes wroot þis lawe, and bitook it to þe
preeſtis, ſones of Leuy, þat baren þe arke of þe bond of
pees of þe Lord, and to alle þe eldere men of Iſrael.
x And Moyſes comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Aftir
ſeuen ȝeer, in þe ȝeer of remyſſioun, in þe ſolempnete of
tabernaclis,
xi whanne alle men of Iſrael ſchulen come togidere, þat
þei appere in þe ſiȝt of her Lord God, in þe place `which
þe Lord chees, þou ſchalt rede þe wordis of þis lawe
bifor al Iſrael,
xii while þei heren, and while al þe puple is gaderid to
gidere, as wel to men, as to wymmen, to litle children,
and comelyngis þat ben wiþ ynne þi ȝatis; þat þei here,
and lerne, and drede ȝoure Lord God, and kepe and fille
alle þe wordis of þis lawe;
xiii alſo þat þe ſones of hem, þat now knowen not, moun
here, and þat þei drede her Lord God in alle daies in
whiche þei lyuen in þe lond to whiche ȝe ſchulen go to
gete, whanne Jordan is paſſid.
xiiii And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Lo! þe daies of þi
deeþ ben nyȝ; clepe þou Joſue, and ſtonde ȝe in þe
tabernacle of witneſſyng, þat Y comaunde to hym.
Þerfor Moiſes and Joſue ȝeden, and ſtooden in þe
tabernacle of witneſſyng;
xv and þe Lord apperide þere in a pilere of cloude, þat
ſtood in þe entryng of þe tabernacle.
xvi And þe Lord ſeide to Moiſes, Lo! þou ſchalt ſlepe
wiþ þi fadris, and þis puple ſchal riſe, and ſchal do
fornycacioun aftir alien goddis in þe lond, to which
lond it ſchal entre, þat it dwelle þer ynne; þere it ſchal
forſake me, and ſchal make void þe boond of pees,
which Y couenauntide wiþ it.
xvii And my ſtrong veniaunce ſchal be wrooþ aȝens þat
puple in þat dai, and Y ſchal forſake it, and Y ſchal hide
my face fro it, and it ſchal be in to deuouryng; alle yuels
and turmentyngis ſchulen fynde it, ſo þat it ſeie in þat
dai, Verili for þe Lord is not wiþ me, þeſe yuelis han
founde me.
xviii Forſoþe Y ſchal hide, and ſchal hile `my face in þat
dai, for alle þe yuels `whiche it dide, for it ſuede alien
goddis.
xix Now þerfor write ȝe to ȝou þis ſong, and `teche ȝe þe
ſones of Iſrael, þat þei holde it in mynde, and ſynge bi
mouþ; and þat þis ſong be to me for a witneſſyng among
þe ſones of Iſrael.
xx For Y ſchal lede hym in to þe lond, for which Y
ſwoor to hiſe fadris, flowynge wiþ mylk and hony; and
whanne þei han ete, and ben fillid, and ben maad fat,
þei ſchulen turne to alien goddis, and þei ſchulen ſerue
hem; and þei ſchulen bacbite me, and ſchulen make
voide my couenaunt.
xxi Aftir þat many yuels and turmentyngis han founde
hym, þis ſong ſchal anſwere hym for witneſſing, which
ſong no forȝetyng ſchal do awey fro þe mouþ of þi ſeed.
For Y knowe þe þouȝtis þerof to day, what þingis it
ſchal do, bifore þat Y bringe it in to þe lond which Y
bihiȝte to it.
CCI
xxii Þerfor Moiſes wroot þe ſong, and tauȝte þe ſones of
Iſrael.
xxiii And þe Lord comaundide to Joſue, þe ſone of Nun,
and ſeide, Be þou coumfortid, and be þou ſtrong; for
þou ſchalt lede þe ſones of Iſrael in to þe lond which Y
bihiȝte, and Y ſchal be wiþ þee.
xxiiii Þerfor aftir þat Moiſes wroot þe wordis of þis lawe
in a book, and fillide,
xxv he comaundide to Leuytis þat baren þe ark of boond
of pees of þe Lord,
xxvi and ſeide, Take ȝe þis book, and putte ȝe it in þe ſide
of þe arke of boond of pees of ȝoure Lord God, þat it be
þere aȝens þee in to witneſſyng.
xxvii For Y knowe þi ſtryuyng, and þin hardeſt nol; ȝit
while Y lyuede and entride wiþ ȝou, ȝe diden euere
ſtryuyngli aȝens þe Lord; hou myche more whanne Y
ſchal be deed.
xxviii Gadere ȝe to me all þe grettere men in birþe, and
techeris, bi ȝoure lynagis, and Y ſchal ſpeke to hem,
herynge þeſe wordis, and Y ſchal clepe aȝens hem
heuene and erþe.
xxix For Y knowe, þat aftir my deeþ ȝe ſchulen do
wickidli, and ſchulen bowe awei ſoone fro þe weie
which Y comaundide to ȝou; and yuels ſchulen come to
ȝou in þe laſte tyme, whanne ȝe `han do yuel in þe ſiȝt
of þe Lord, þat ȝe terre hym to ire bi þe werkis of ȝoure
hondis.
xxx Þerfor while al þe cumpeny of þe ſones of Iſrael
herde, Moiſes ſpak þe wordis of þis ſong, and fillide `til
to þe ende.
CAP. XXXII
i Ȝe heuenes, here what þingis Y ſchal ſpeke; þe erþe
here þe wordis of my mouþ.
ii My techyng wexe togidere as reyn; my ſpeche flete
out as dew, as lytil reyn on eerbe, and as dropis on gras.
iii For Y ſchal inwardli clepe þe name of þe Lord; ȝyue
ȝe glorie to oure God.
iiii Þe werkis of God ben perfit, and alle hiſe weies ben
domes; God is feiþful, and wiþout ony wickidneſſe;
God is iuſt and riȝtful.
v Þei ſynneden aȝens hym, and not hiſe ſones in filþis,
`þat is, of idolatrie; ſchrewid and waiward generacioun.
vi Wheþer þou ȝeldiſt þeſe þingis to þe Lord, þou fonned
puple and vnwijs? Wheþer he is not þi fadir, þat
weldide þee, and made, `and made þee of nouȝt?
vii Haue þou minde of elde daies, þenke þou alle
generaciouns; axe þi fadir, and he ſchal telle to þee, axe
þi grettere men, and þei ſchulen ſeie to þee.
viii Whanne þe hiȝeſte departide folkis, whanne he
departide þe ſones of Adam, he ordeynede þe termes of
puplis bi þe noumbre of þe ſones of Iſrael.
ix Forſoþe þe part of þe Lord is his puple; Jacob is þe
litil part of his eritage.
x Þe Lord foond hym in a deſeert lond, `þat is, priued of
Goddis religioun, in þe place of orrour `eþir
hidouſneſſe, and of waſt wildirneſſe; þe Lord ledde hym
aboute, and tauȝte hym, and kepte as þe apple of his iȝe.
xi As an egle ſtirynge his briddis to fle, and fleynge on
hem, he ſpredde forþ his wyngis, and took hem, and bar
in hiſe ſchuldris.
xii Þe Lord aloone was his ledere, and noon alien god
was wiþ hym.
xiii Þe Lord ordeynede hym on an hiȝ lond, þat he
ſchulde ete þe fruytis of feeldis, þat he ſchulde ſouke
hony of a ſtoon, and oile of þe hardeſte roche;
xiiii botere of þe droue, and mylke of ſcheep, wiþ þe
fatneſſe of lambren and of rammes, of þe ſones of
Baſan; and þat he ſchulde ete kydis wiþ þe merowe of
wheete, and ſchulde drynke þe cleereſte blood of grape.
xv Þe louede puple was `maad fat, and kikide aȝen;
maad fat wiþoutforþ, maad fat wiþ ynne, and alargid;
he forſook God his makere, and ȝede awei fro `God his
helþe.
xvi Þei terriden hym to ire in alien goddis, and þei
excitiden to wraþfulneſſe in abhomynaciouns.
xvii Þei offriden to feendis, and not to God, to goddis
whiche þei knewen not, newe goddis, and freiſche
camen, whiche `þe fadris of hem worſchipiden not.
xviii Þou haſt forſake God þat gendride þee, and þou haſt
forȝete `þi Lord creatour.
xix Þe Lord ſiȝ, and was ſtirid to wraþfulneſſe; for hiſe
ſones and douȝtris terriden hym.
xx And þe Lord ſeide, Y ſchal hyde my face fro hem,
and Y ſchal biholde `þe laſte þingis of hem; for it is a
waiward generacioun, and vnfeiþful ſones.
xxi Þei terriden me in hym þat was not God, and þei
`terriden to ire in her vanytees; and Y ſchal terre hem in
hym, þat is not a puple, and Y ſchal terre hem `to yre in
a fonned folk.
xxii Fier, þat is, peyne maad redi to hem, is kyndlid in
my ſtronge veniaunce, and it ſchal brenne `til to þe laſte
þingis of helle; and it ſchal deuoure þe lond wiþ his
fruyt, and it ſchal brenne þe foundementis of hillis.
xxiii Y ſchal gadere `yuels on hem, and Y ſchal fille myn
arewis in hem.
xxiiii Þei ſchulen be waaſtid wiþ hungur, and briddis
ſchulen deuoure hem wiþ bitteriſte bityng; Y ſchal ſende
in to hem þe teeþ of beeſtis, wiþ þe woodneſſe of
wormes drawynge on erþe, and of ſerpentis.
xxv Swerd wiþ outforþ and drede wiþ ynne ſchal waaſte
hem; a ȝong man and a virgyn togidre, a ſoukynge child
wiþ an elde man.
xxvi And Y ſeide, Where ben þei? Y ſchal make þe
mynde of hem to ceeſſe of men.
CCII
xxvii But Y delayede for þe yre of enemyes, leſt
perauenture `þe enemyes of hem ſhulden be proude, and
ſeie, Oure hiȝ hond, and not þe Lord, dide alle þeſe
þingis.
xxviii It is a folk wiþ out counſel, and wiþ out prudence;
xxix Y wolde þat þei ſaueriden, and `vnderſtoden, and
purueiden þe laſte þingis.
xxx How purſuede oon of enemyes a þouſynde of Jewis,
and tweyne dryuen awey ten þouſynde? Wheþer not
þerfore for her God ſelde hem, and þe Lord cloſide hem
togidere?
xxxi For oure God is not as þe goddis of hem, and oure
enemyes ben iugis.
xxxii Þe vyner of hem is of þe vyner of Sodom, and of
þe ſubarbis of Gomorre; þe grape of hem is þe grape of
galle, and þe cluſtre is moſt bittir.
xxxiii Þe galle of dragouns is þe wyn of hem, and þe
venym of eddris, þat may not be heelid.
xxxiiii Wheþer þeſe þingis ben not hid at me, and ben
ſeelid in myn treſouris?
xxxv Veniaunce is myn, and Y ſchal ȝelde to hem in
tyme, þat þe foot of hem ſlide; þe dai of perdicioun is
nyȝ, and tymes haſten to be preſent.
xxxvi Þe Lord ſchal deme his puple, and he ſchal do
merci in hiſe ſeruauntis; þe puple ſchal ſe þat þe hond of
fiȝteres is ſijk, and alſo men cloſid failiden, and þe
reſidues ben waaſtid.
xxxvii And þei ſchulen ſeie, Where ben `þe goddis of
hem, in whiche þei hadden truſt?
xxxviii Of whos ſacrifices þei eeten fatneſſis, and
drunkun þe wyn of fletynge ſacrifices, riſe þei and helpe
ȝou, and defende þei ȝou in nede.
xxxix Se ȝe þat Y am aloone, and noon oþer God is
outakun me; Y ſchal ſle, and Y ſchal make to lyue; Y
ſchal ſmyte, and Y ſchal make hool; and noon is þat
may delyuere fro myn hond.
xl And Y ſchal reiſe myn hond to heuene, and Y ſchal
ſeie, Y lyue wiþ outen ende.
xli If Y ſchal whette my ſwerd as leit, and myn hond
ſchal take doom, Y ſchal ȝelde veniaunce to myn
enemyes, and Y ſchal quyte to hem þat haten me.
xlii Y ſchal fille myn arewis wiþ blood, and my ſwerd
ſchal deuoure fleiſchis of þe blood of hem þat ben ſlayn,
and of þe caitifte of þe heed of enemyes maad nakid.
xliii Folkis, preiſe ȝe þe puplis of hym, for he ſchal venie
þe blood of hiſe ſeruauntis, and he ſchal ȝelde veniaunce
in to þe enemyes of hem; and he ſchal be merciful to þe
lond of his puple.
xliiii Þerfor Moiſes cam, and ſpak alle þe wordis of þis
ſong in þe eeris of þe puple; boþe he and Joſue, þe ſone
of Nun.
xlv And `he fillide alle þeſe wordis, and ſpak to alle
Iſrael, and ſeide to hem,
xlvi Putte ȝe ȝoure hertis in to alle þe wordis whiche Y
witneſſe to ȝou to day, þat ȝe comaunde to ȝoure ſones,
to kepe, and do þo, and to fulfille alle þingis þat ben
writun in þe book of þis lawe;
xlvii for not in veyn þo ben comaundid to ȝou, but þat
alle men ſchulden lyue in þo; whiche wordis ȝe ſchulen
do, and ſchulen contynue in long tyme in þe lond, to
which ȝe ſchulen entre to welde, whanne Jordan is
paſſid.
xlviii And þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes in þe ſame day,
xlix and ſeide, Stie þou in to þis hil Abirym, þat is,
paſſyng, in to þe hil of Nebo, which is in þe lond of
Moab, aȝens Jerico; and ſe þou þe lond of Canaan,
which Y ſchal ȝyue to þe ſones of Iſrael to holde, and
die þou in þe hil.
l In to which hil þou ſchalt ſtie, and ſchalt be ioyned to
þi puplis, as Aaron, þi broþer, was deed in þe hil of Hor,
and was put to his puplis.
li For ȝe treſpaſſiden aȝens me, in þe myddis of þe ſones
of Iſrael, at þe Watris of Aȝenſeiyng, in Cades of deſeert
of Syn; and ȝe halewiden not me among þe ſones of
Iſrael.
lii Aȝenward þou ſchalt ſe þe lond, and ſchalt not entre
in to it, which Y ſchal ȝyue to þe ſones of Iſrael.
CAP. XXXIII
i Þis is þe bleſſing, bi which Moiſes, þe man of God,
bleſſide þe ſones of Iſrael bifor his deeþ;
ii and ſeide, Þe Lord cam fro Syna, and he roos to us fro
Seir; he apperide fro þe hil of Pharan, and þouſandis of
ſeyntis wiþ hym; a lawe of fier in his riȝthond.
iii He louede puplis; alle ſeyntis ben in his hond, and þei
þat neiȝen to hiſe feet ſchulen take of his doctryn.
iiii Moiſis comaundide lawe `to vs, eritage of þe
multitude of Jacob.
v And þe king ſchal be at þe mooſt riȝtful, whanne
princes of þe puple ſchulen be gaderid togidere wiþ þe
lynagis of Iſrael.
vi Ruben lyue, and die not, and be he litil in noumbre.
vii Þis is þe bleſſyng of Juda; Lord, here þou þe vois of
Juda, and brynge in hym to his puple; hiſe hondis
ſchulen fiȝte for hym, and þe helpere of hym ſchal be
aȝens hiſe aduerſaries.
viii Alſo he ſeide to Leuy, Þi perfeccioun and þi techyng
is of an hooly man, whom þou preuediſt in temptacioun,
and demediſt at þe Watris of Aȝenſeiynge;
ix which Leuy ſeide to his fadir and to his modir, Y
knowe not ȝou, and to hiſe briþeren, Y knowe not hem;
and knewen not her ſones. Þeſe kepten þi ſpeche, and
þeſe kepten þi couenaunt; A!
x Jacob, þei kepten þi domes, and `þou, Iſrael, þei
kepten þi lawe; þei ſchulen putte encenſe in þi ſtrong
veniaunce, and brent ſacrifice on þin auter.
CCIII
xi Lord, bleſſe þou þe ſtrengþe of hym, and reſſeyue þou
þe werkis of his hondis; ſmyte þou þe backis of hiſe
enemyes, and þei þat haten hym, riſe not.
xii And he ſeide to Benjamyn, Þe mooſt loued of þe
Lord ſchal dwelle triſtili in hym, `þat is, in þe Lord; he
ſchal dwelle al day as in a chaumbur, and he ſchal reſte
bitwixe þe ſchuldris of hym.
xiii Alſo he ſeide to Joſeph, `His lond is of þe Lordis
bleſſyng; of þe applis of heuene, and of þe dewe, and of
watir liggynge byneþe;
xiiii of þe applis of fruytis of þe ſunne and moone; of þe
coppe of elde munteyns,
xv and of þe applis of euerlaſtynge litle hillis;
xvi and of þe fruytis of þe lond, and of þe fulneſſe þerof.
Þe bleſſyng of hym þat apperide in þe buſch come on þe
heed of Joſeph, and on þe cop of Nazarey, `þat is, hooli,
among hiſe briþeren.
xvii As þe firſt gendrid of a bole is þe feirneſſe of hym;
þe hornes of an vnicorn ben þe hornes of hym; in þo he
ſchal wyndewe folkis, `til to þe termes of erþe. Þeſe ben
þe multitudis of Effraym, and þeſe ben þe þouſyndis of
Manaſſes.
xviii And he ſeide to Zabulon, Zabulon, be þou glad in þi
goyng out, and, Yſacar, in þi tabernaclis.
xix Þei ſchulen clepe puplis to þe hil, þere þei ſchulen
offre ſacrifices of riȝtfulneſſe; whiche ſchulen ſouke þe
flowing of þe ſee as mylk, and hid treſours of grauel.
xx And he ſeide to Gad, Gad is bleſſid in broodneſſe; he
reſtide as a lioun, and he took þe arm and þe nol.
xxi And he ſiȝ his prinſhed, þat `þe techere was kept in
his part; which Gad was wiþ þe princes of þe puple, and
dide þe riȝtfulneſſes of þe Lord, and his doom wiþ
Iſrael.
xxii Alſo he ſeide to Dan, Dan, a whelp of a lioun, ſchal
flowe largeli fro Baſan.
xxiii And he ſeide to Neptalym, Neptalym ſchal vſe
abundaunce, and he ſchal be ful wiþ bleſſyngis of þe
Lord; and he ſchal welde þe ſee and þe ſouþ.
xxiiii Alſo he ſeide to Aſer, Aſer, be bleſſid in ſones, and
pleſe he hiſe briþeren; dippe he his foot in oile.
xxv Yrun and bras þe ſcho of hym; as þe dai of þi ȝouþe
ſo and þin eelde.
xxvi Noon oþer god is as þe God of þe mooſt riȝtful, þat
is, `as þe God `of þe puple of Iſrael, gouerned bi mooſt
riȝtful lawe; þe ſtiere of heuene is þin helpere; cloudis
rennen aboute bi þe glorie of hym.
xxvii His dwellynge place is aboue, and armes
euerlaſtynge ben byneþe; he ſchal caſte out fro þi face
þe enemy, and he ſchal ſeie, Be þou al to-brokun.
xxviii Iſrael ſchal dwelle truſtili and aloone; þe iȝe of
Jacob in þe lond of whete, and of wyn; and heuenes
ſchulen be derk wiþ dew.
xxix Bleſſedart þou, Iſrael; þou puple þat art ſaued in þe
Lord, who is lijk þee? Þe ſcheld of þin help and þe
ſwerd of þi glorie is þi God; þin enemyes ſchulen denye
þee, and þou ſchalt trede her neckis.

CAP. XXXIIII
i Þerfor Moyſes ſtiede fro þe feeldi places of Moab on
þe hil of Nebo, in to þe cop of Faſga, aȝens Gerico. And
þe Lord ſchewide to hym al þe lond of Galaad `til to
Dan,
ii and al Neptalym, and þe lond of Effraym and of
Manaſſes, and al þe lond of Juda, `til to þe laſte ſee; and
þe ſouþ part,
iii and þe breede of þe feeld of Jerico, of þe citee of
Palmes `til to Segor.
iiii And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Þis is þe lond for which Y
ſwoor to Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob; and Y ſeide, Y
ſchal ȝyue it to þi ſeed; þou haſt ſeyn it wiþ þin iȝen, and
þou ſchalt not paſſe `to it.
v And Moyſes, þe ſeruaunt of þe Lord, was deed þere, in
þe lond of Moab, `for þe Lord comaundide.
vi And þe Lord biriede hym in a valey of þe lond of
Moab, aȝens Fegor, and no man knewe his ſepulcre `til
in to preſent day.
vii Moiſes was of an hundrid and twenti ȝeer whanne he
diede; his iȝe daſewide not, neþir hiſe teeþ weren ſtirid.
viii And þe ſones of Iſrael biwepten hym þretti daies in
þe feeldi places of Moab; and þe daies of weilyng of
men `bymorenynge Moiſes weren fillid.
ix Forſoþe Joſue, þe ſone of Nun, was fillid wiþ `þe
ſpyrit of wiſdom, for Moiſes ſettide hiſe hondis on hym;
and þe ſones of Iſrael obeieden to Joſue, and diden as þe
Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
x And `a profete roos no more in Iſrael `as Moiſes,
whom þe Lord knewe face to face,
xi in alle myraclis, and grete wondris, whiche þe Lord
ſente bi hym, þat he ſchulde do in þe lond of Egipt to
Farao, and alle hiſe ſeruauntis, and to al þe lond `of
hym,
xii and al ſtrong hond, and þe `grete merueylis, whiche
Moyſes dide bifor al Iſrael.
Here endiþ Deutronomy, and here bigynneþ þe book
of Joſue.

CCIV

JOSHUA
Here bigynneþ þe book of Joſue.
CAP. I
i And it was doon aftir þe deeþ of Moyſes, ſeruaunt of
þe Lord, þat þe Lord ſpak to Joſue, ſone of Nun, þe
mynyſtre of Moyſes, and ſeide to hym, Moiſes, my
ſeruaunt, is deed;
ii riſe þou, and paſſe þis Jordan, þou, and al þe puple
wiþ þee, in to þe lond which Y ſchal ȝyue to þe ſones of
Iſrael.
iii Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou ech place which þe ſtep of ȝoure
foot ſchal trede, as Y ſpak to Moyſes,
iiii fro þe deſeert and Liban til to þe greet flood Eufrates;
al þe lond of Etheis, `til to þe greet ſee aȝens þe goyng
doun of þe ſunne, ſchal be ȝoure terme.
v Noon ſchal mow aȝenſtonde ȝou in alle þe daies of þi
lijf; as Y was wiþ Moiſes, ſo Y ſchal be wiþ þee; Y ſchal
not leeue, neþer Y ſchal forſake þee.
vi Be þou coumfortid, and be þou ſtrong; for þou ſchalt
departe bi lot to þis puple þe lond, for which Y ſwoor to
þi fadris, þat Y ſchulde ȝyue it to hem.
vii Þerfor be þou coumfortid, and be þou ful ſtrong, þat
þou kepe and do al þe lawe, which Moyſes, my
ſeruaunt, comaundide to þee; bowe þou not fro it to þe
riȝt ſide, eþer to þe left ſide, þat þou vndirſtonde alle
þingis whiche þou doiſt.
viii Þe book of þis lawe departe not fro þi mouþ, but þou
ſchalt þenke þerynne in daies and nyȝtis, þat þou kepe
and do alle þingis þat ben writun þerynne; þanne þou
ſchalt dreſſe þi weie, and ſchalt vndirſtonde it.
ix Lo! Y comaunde to þee; be þou coumfortid, and be
þou ſtrong; nyle þou drede `wiþoutforþ, and nyle þou
drede wiþynne; for þi Lord God is wiþ þee in alle
þingis, to whiche þou gooſt.
x And Joſue comaundide to þe princis of þe puple, and
ſeide, Paſſe ȝe þoruy þe myddis of þe caſtels; and
comaunde `ȝe to þe puple, and ſeie ȝe, Make ȝe redi
metis to ȝou,
xi for after þe þridde dai ȝe ſchulen paſſe Jordan, and ȝe
ſchulen entre to welde þe lond, which ȝoure Lord God
ſchal ȝyue to ȝou.
xii Alſo he ſeide to men of Ruben, and `to men of Gad,
and to þe half lynage of Manaſſes, Haue ȝe mynde of þe
word which Moiſes,
xiii þe `ſeruaunt of þe Lord, comaundide to ȝou, and
ſeide, Ȝoure Lord God haþ ȝoue to ȝou reſte and al þe
lond;
xiiii ȝoure wyues and ȝoure ſones and beeſtis ſchulen
dwelle in þe lond which Moiſes ȝaf to ȝou biȝende
Jordan; but paſſe ȝe armed, `alle ſtrong in hond, bifor
ȝoure briþeren; and fiȝte ȝe for hem,
CCV
xv til þe Lord ȝyue reſte to ȝoure briþeren, as `he ȝaf alſo
to ȝou, and `til alſo þei welden þe lond which ȝoure
Lord God ſchal ȝyue to hem; and ſo turne ȝe aȝen in to
þe lond of ȝoure poſſeſſioun, and ȝe ſchulen dwelle in
þat lond which Moiſes, `ſeruaunt of þe Lord, ȝaf to ȝou
ouer Jordan, aȝens þe `ryſyng of þe ſunne.
xvi And þei anſweriden to Joſue, and ſeiden, We ſchulen
do alle þingis whiche þou comaundidiſt to vs, and we
ſchulen go, whidir euer þou ſendiſt vs;
xvii as we obeieden in alle þingis to Moiſes, ſo we
ſchulen obeie alſo to þee; oneli þi Lord God be wiþ þee,
as he was wiþ Moyſes.
xviii Die he þat aȝenſeiþ þi mouþ, and obeieþ not to alle
þi wordis, whiche þou comaundiſt to hym; oneli be þou
coumfortid, and do þou manli.
CAP. II
i Þerfor Joſue, þe ſone of Nun, ſente fro Sethym twei
men, aſpieris in hiddlis, and ſeide to hem, Go ȝe, and
biholde ȝe þe lond, and þe citee of Jerico. Whiche
ȝeden, and entriden into þe hous of a womman hoore,
`Raab bi name, and reſtiden at hir.
ii And it was teld, `and ſeid to þe kyng of Jerico, Lo!
men of þe ſones of Iſrael entriden hidir bi nyȝt, to aſpie
þe lond.
iii Þerfor þe kyng of Jerico ſente to Raab þe hoore, and
ſeide, Brynge out þe men, þat camen to þee, and
entriden in to þin hous; for þei ben aſpieris, and þei
camen to biholde al þe lond.
iiii And þe womman took þe men, and hidde hem, and
ſeide, Y knowleche, þei camen to me, but Y wiſte not of
whenus þei weren;
v and whanne þe ȝate was cloſid in derkneſſis, and þei
ȝeden out to gidire, Y noot whidur þei ȝeden; purſue ȝe
ſoone, and ȝe ſchulen take hem.
vi Forſoþe ſche made þe men to ſtie in to þe ſoler of hir
hows, and hilide hem wiþ ſtobil of flex, þat was þere.
vii Soþeli þei, þat weren ſent, ſueden hem bi þe weie þat
lediþ to þe fordis of Jordan; and whanne þei weren
goon out, anoon þe ȝate was cloſid.
viii Þei þat weren hid, ſlepten not ȝit, and lo! þe
womman ſtiede to hem, and ſeide,
ix Y knowe þat þe Lord haþ bitake to ȝou þis lond; for
ȝoure feerdfulneſſe felde in to vs, and alle þe dwelleris
of þe lond `weren ſike.
x We herden, þat þe Lord driede þe watris of þe Reed
See at ȝoure entryng, whanne ȝe ȝeden out of Egipt; and
what þingis ȝe diden to twei kyngis of Ammorreis, þat
weren biȝende Jordan, to Seon and Og, whiche ȝe
killiden;
xi and we herden þeſe þingis, and we dredden, and oure
herte `was ſike, and ſpirit dwellide not in vs at ȝoure
entryng; for ȝoure Lord God hym ſilf is God in heuene
aboue, and in erþe byneþe.
xii Now þerfor ſwere ȝe to me bi þe Lord God, þat as Y
dide merci wiþ ȝou, ſo and ȝe do wiþ þe hows of my
fadir; and ȝyue ȝe to me a veri ſigne,
xiii þat ȝe ſaue my fadir and modir, and my briþeren and
ſiſtris, and alle þingis þat ben herne, and dilyuere oure
lyues fro deeþ.
xiiii Whiche anſweriden to hir, Oure lijf be for ȝou in to
deeþ, if neþeles þou bitraieſt not vs; and whanne þe
Lord haþ bitake to vs þe lond, we ſchulen do mercy and
treuþe in þee.
xv Þerfor ſche let hem doun fro þe wyndow bi a corde;
for hir hows cleuyde to þe wal.
xvi And ſche ſeide to hem, Stie ȝe to þe hilli places, leſt
perauenture men turnynge aȝen meete ȝou; and be ȝe
hidde þere þree daies, til þei comen aȝen; and ſo ȝe
ſchulen go bi ȝoure weie.
xvii Whiche ſeiden to hir, We ſchulen be giltles of þis
ooþ, bi which þou haſt chargid vs,
xviii if, whanne we entren in to þe lond, þis reed corde is
not a ſigne, and þou byndiſt it not in þe wyndow, bi
which þou lettiſt vs doun; and þou gaderiſt not in to þi
hows þi fadir and modir, and briþeren, and al þi
kynrede; þe blood of hym ſchal be on his heed,
xix þat goiþ out at þe dore of þin hows, and we ſchulen
be alien, þat is, giltles; forſoþe þe blood of alle men þat
ben in þe hows wiþ þee, ſchal turne in to oure heed, if
ony man touchiþ hem.
xx `Þat if þou wolt betraie vs, and brynge forþ in to þe
myddis þis word, we ſchulen be cleene of þis ooþ, bi
which þou haſt chargid vs.
xxi And ſche anſweride, As ȝe han ſpoke, ſo be it doon.
And ſche lefte hem, þat þei ſchulden go, and ſche
hangide a reed corde in her wyndow.
xxii Soþeli þei ȝeden, and camen to þe hilli places, and
dwelliden þere þree daies, til þei turneden aȝen þat
purſueden; for þei ſouȝten bi ech weie, and founden not
hem.
xxiii And whanne þe ſekeris entriden in to þe citee, þe
ſpieris turneden aȝen, and camen doun fro þe hille; and
whanne þei hadde paſſid Jordan, þei camen to Joſue, þe
ſone of Nun;
xxiiii and þei telden to hym alle þingis þat bifelden to
hem, and ſeiden, Þe Lord haþ bitake al þe lond in to
oure hondis, and alle þe dwelleris þereof ben caſten
doun bi drede.
CAP. III
i Þerfor Joſue roos bi nyȝt, and mouede tentis; and þei
ȝeden out of Sechym, and camen to Jordan, he and alle
þe ſones of Iſrael, and dwelliden þere þre daies.
ii And whanne þo daies weren paſſid, crieris ȝeden
þorouȝ þe myddis of tentis,
CCVI
iii and bigunnen to crie, Whanne ȝe ſeen þe arke of
boond of pees of ȝoure Lord God, and þe preeſtis of þe
generacioun of Leuy berynge it, alſo riſe ȝe, and ſue þe
biforgoeris;
iiii and a ſpace of twey þouſynde cubitis be bitwixe ȝou
and þe arke, þat ȝe moun ſe fer, and knowe bi what weie
ȝe ſchulen entre, for ȝe `ȝeden not bifore bi it; and be ȝe
war, þat ȝe neiȝe not to þe arke.
v And Joſue ſeide to þe puple, Be ȝe halewid, for to
morew þe Lord ſchal make merueilis among ȝou.
vi And Joſue ſeide to þe preeſtis, Take ȝe þe arke of þe
boond of pees `of þe Lord, and go ȝe bifor þe puple.
Whiche filliden þe heeſtis, and tooken þe arke, and
ȝeden bifor hem.
vii And þe Lord ſeide to Joſue, To dai Y ſchal bigynne to
enhaunſe þee bifor al Iſrael, þat þei wite, þat as Y was
wiþ Moiſes, ſo Y am alſo wiþ þee.
viii Forſoþe comaunde þou to preeſtis, þat beren þe arke
of bond of pees, and ſeie þou to hem, Whanne ȝe han
entrid in to a part of þe watir of Jordan, ſtonde ȝe
þerynne.
ix And Joſue ſeide to þe ſones of Iſrael, Neiȝe ȝe hidur,
and here ȝe þe word of ȝoure Lord God.
x And eft he ſeide, In þis ȝe ſchulen wite þat þe Lord
God lyuynge is in þe myddis of ȝou; and he ſchal diſtrye
in ȝoure ſiȝt Cananey, Ethei, Euey, and Fereſei, and
Gergeſei, and Jebuſei, and Amorrei.
xi Lo! þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord of al erþe
ſchal go bifor ȝou þorouȝ Jordan.
xii Make ȝe redi twelue men of þe twelue lynagis of
Iſrael, bi ech lynage o man.
xiii And whanne þe preeſtis, þat beren þe arke of boond
of pees of þe Lord God of al erþe, han ſet þe ſteppis of
her feet in þe watris of Jordan, þe watris þat ben lowere
ſchulen renne doun, and ſchulen faile; forſoþe þe watris
þat comen fro aboue ſchulen ſtonde togidere in o gobet.
xiiii Þerfor þe puple ȝede out of her tabernaclis to paſſe
Jordan; and þe preeſtis þat baren þe arke of boond of
pees ȝeden bifor þe puple.
xv And whanne þe preeſtis entriden in to Jordan, and her
feet weren dippid in þe part of watir; forſoþe Jordan
`hadde fillid þe brynkis of his trow in þe tyme of `ripe
corn;
xvi þe watris ȝeden doun, and ſtoden in o place, and
wexiden grete at þe licneſſe of an hil, and apperiden fer
fro þe citee þat was clepid Edom, `til to þe place of
Sarthan; ſoþeli þe watris þat weren lowere ȝeden doun
in to þe ſee of wildirneſſe, which is now clepid þe deed
ſee, `til þe watris failiden outirli.
xvii Forſoþe þe puple ȝede þorouȝ Jordan; and þe
preeſtis, þat baren þe arke of þe boond of pees of þe
Lord, ſtoden gird on þe drie erþe in þe myddis of
Jordan, and al þe puple paſſide þorouȝ þe drie trow.
CAP. IIII
i And whanne þei weren paſſid ouer, þe Lord ſeide to
Joſue,
ii Cheſe þou twelue men,
iii by ech lynage o man, and comaunde þou to hem, þat
þei take fro þe myddis of þe trow of Jordan, where þe
`feet of preeſtis ſtoden, twelue hardiſte ſtoonys; whiche
þou ſchalt ſette in þe place of caſtels, where ȝe ſchulen
ſette tentis in þis nyȝt.
iiii And Joſue clepide twelue men, whiche he hadde
choſe of þe ſones of Iſrael, of ech lynage o man;
v and he ſeide to hem, Go ȝe bifore þe arke of ȝoure
Lord God to þe myddis of Jordan, and bere ȝe fro
þennus in ȝoure ſchuldris ech man o ſtoon, bi þe
noumbre of þe ſones of Iſrael,
vi þat it be a ſigne bitwixe ȝou. And whanne ȝoure ſones
ſchulen axe ȝou to morewe, þat is, in tyme `to comynge,
and ſchulen ſeie, What wolen þeſe ſtonus `to hem ſilf?
vii ȝe ſchulen anſwere to hem, Þe watris of Jordan
failiden bifor þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord,
whanne þe arke paſſide Jordan; þerfor þeſe ſtoonus ben
ſet in to mynde of þe ſones of Iſrael, til in to wiþouten
ende.
viii Þerfor þe ſones of Iſrael diden as Joſue comaundide
to hem, and baren fro þe myddis of þe trow of Jordan
twelue ſtoonys, as þe Lord comaundide to hem, bi þe
noumbre of þe ſones of Iſrael, `til to þe place in which
þei ſettiden tentis; and þere þei puttiden þo ſtonys.
ix Alſo Joſue puttide oþire twelue ſtoonys in þe myddis
of þe trow of Jordan, where þe preeſtis ſtoden, þat baren
þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord; and þo ſtoonys ben
þere `til in to preſent dai.
x Forſoþe þe preeſtis, þat baren þe arke, ſtoden in þe
myddis of Jordan, til alle þingis weren fillid, whiche þe
Lord comaundide, þat Joſue ſchulde ſpeke to þe puple,
as Moiſes hadde ſeide to hym. And þe puple haſtide, and
paſſide.
xi And whanne alle men hadden paſſid, alſo þe arke of
þe Lord paſſide, and þe preeſtis ȝeden bifor þe puple.
xii Alſo þe ſones of Ruben, and of Gad, and half þe
lynage of Manaſſe, ȝeden armed bifor þe ſones of Iſrael,
as Moyſes comaundide to hem.
xiii And fourti þouſynde of fiȝters ȝeden bi her
cumpanyes and gaderyngis on þe pleyn and feeldi
places of þe citee of Jerico.
xiiii In þat day þe Lord magnyfiede Joſue bifor al Iſrael,
þat þei ſchulden drede hym, as þei dreden Moiſes, while
he lyuede ȝit.
xv And þe Lord ſeide to Joſue,
xvi Comaunde þou to þe preeſtis þat beren þe arke of
boond of pees, þat þei ſtie fro Jordan.
xvii And Joſue comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Stie ȝe fro
Jordan.
CCVII
xviii And whanne þei hadden ſtied, berynge þe arke of
boond of pees of þe Lord, and hadde bigunne to trede
on þe drie erþe, þe watris turneden aȝen in to her trowe,
and flowiden, as þo weren wont before.
xix Forſoþe þe puple ſtiede fro Jordan in þe tenþe dai of
þe firſte moneþe, and þei ſettiden tentis in Galgalis,
aȝens þe eeſt cooſt of þe citee of Jerico.
xx Alſo Joſue puttide in Galgalis þe twelue ſtonys,
whiche þei hadden take fro þe trow of Jordan.
xxi And he ſeide to þe ſones of Iſrael, Whanne ȝoure
ſones ſchulen axe to morewe her fadris, and ſchulen ſeie
to hem, What wolen þeſe ſtoonys `to hem ſilf?
xxii ȝe ſchulen teche hem, and ȝe ſchulen ſeie, We
paſſiden þis Jordan bi þe drie botme,
xxiii for oure Lord God driede þe watris þerof in oure
ſiȝt, til we paſſiden,
xxiiii as he dide bifore in þe Reed See, which he driede
while we paſſiden,
xxv þat alle þe puplis of londis lurne þe ſtrongeſte hond
of þe Lord, þat alſo ȝe drede ȝoure Lord God in al tyme.
CAP. V
i Þerfor aftir þat alle kyngis of Ammorreys herden, þat
dwelliden ouer Jordan at þe weſt cooſt, and alle þe
kyngis of Canaan, þat weldiden nyȝ places of þe greet
ſee, þat þe Lord hadden dried þe flowyngis of Jordan
bifor þe ſones of Iſrael, til þei paſſiden, þe herte of hem
was failid, and ſpirit dwellide not in hem, dredynge þe
entring of þe ſones of Iſrael.
ii In þat tyme þe Lord ſeide to Joſue, Make to þee
knyues of ſtoon, and circumſide þou þe ſones of Iſrael,
in þe ſecunde tyme.
iii Joſue dide þo þingis whiche þe Lord comaundide,
and he circumſide þe ſones of Iſrael in þe `hil of
prepucies.
iiii Soþeli þis is þe cauſe of þe ſecunde circumciſioun; al
þe puple of male kynde, þat ȝede out of Egipt, alle men
fiȝteris, weren deed in deſeert bi þe lengeſte cumpaſſis
of weie,
v whiche alle weren circumſidid. Soþeli þe puple
vi þat was borun in deſeert bi fourti ȝeer, in þe weie of
broddeſte wildirneſſe, was vncircumſidid til þei weren
waaſtid, þat herden not þe `vois of þe Lord, and to
whiche he ſwoor bifore, þat he ſchulde ſchewe to hem
þe lond flowynge wiþ mylk and hony.
vii Þe ſones of hem camen aftirward in to þe place of
fadris, and þei weren circumſidid of Joſue; whiche, as
þei weren borun, weren in prepucie, neþer ony man
hadde circumſidid hem in þe weie.
viii Forſoþe aftir þat alle weren circumſidid, þei
dwelliden in þe ſame place of tentis, til þei weren
heelid.
ix And þe Lord ſeide to Joſue, To dai Y haue take awei
fro ȝou þe ſchenſchip of Egipt. And þe name of þat
place was clepid Galgala, `til in to preſent dai.
x And þe ſones of Iſrael dwelliden in Galgalis, and
maden paſk in þe fourtenþe dai of þe moneþe at
euentide, in þe feeldi places of Jerico;
xi and `þei eten of þe fruytis of þe lond `in þe toþir day,
þerf looues, and potage of þe ſame ȝeer, `eþer cornys
ſeengid and frotid in þe hond.
xii And manna failide aftir þat þei eten of þe fruytis of
þe lond; and þe ſones of Iſrael vſiden no more þat mete,
but þei eten of þe fruytis of preſent ȝeer of þe lond of
Canaan.
xiii Soþely whanne Joſue was in þe feeld of þe cite of
Jerico, he reiſide þe iȝen, and ſiȝ a man ſtondynge aȝens
hym, and holdynge a drawun ſwerd; and Joſue ȝede out
to hym, and ſeide, Art þou oure, eþir `of aduerſaries?
xiiii To whom he anſweride, Nay, but Y am prince of þe
`hooſt of þe Lord, and now Y come.
xv Joſue felde lowe to erþe, and worſchipide, and ſeide,
What ſpekiþ my Lord to his ſeruaunt?
xvi He ſeide, Vnlace þi ſchoo fro þi feet, for þe place, in
which þou ſtondiſt, is hooli. And Joſue dide, as it was
comaundid to hym.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe Jerico was cloſid and wardid, for þe drede of
þe ſones of Iſrael, and no man durſte entre, eþir go out.
ii And þe Lord ſeide to Joſue, Lo! Y ȝaf in to þin hondis
Jerico, and þe king þerof, and alle ſtrong men.
iii Alle ȝe fiȝteris, cumpaſſe þe citee onys bi þe day; ſo
ȝe ſchulen do in ſixe daies.
iiii Forſoþe in þe ſeuenþe dai þe preeſtis ſchulen take
ſeuene clariouns, of whiche `þe vſs is in iubile; and þei
ſchulen go bifor þe arke of boond of pees; and ſeuen
ſiþes ȝe ſchulen cumpaſſe þe citee, and þe preeſtis
ſchulen trumpe wiþ clariouns.
v And whanne þe vois of þe trumpe ſchal ſowne lengere,
and more bi whiles, and ſchal ſowne in ȝoure eeris, al þe
puple ſchal crie togidere wiþ gretteſte cry; and þe wallis
of þe citee ſchulen falle alle doun, and alle men ſchulen
entre bi þe place, aȝens which þei ſtonden.
vi Þerfor Joſue, þe ſone of Nun, clepide preeſtis, and
ſeide to hem, Take ȝe þe ark of boond of pees, and
ſeuene oþere preeſtis take ſeuene clariouns of iubile
ȝeeris, and go þei bifor þe arke of þe Lord.
vii Alſo Joſue ſeide to þe puple, Go ȝe, and cumpaſſe ȝe
þe citee, and go ȝe armed bifor þe arke of þe Lord.
viii And whanne Joſue hadde endid þe wordis, and
ſeuene preeſtis trumpiden wiþ ſeuen clariouns bifor þe
arke of boond of pees of þe Lord,
CCVIII
ix and al þe puple armed ȝede bifore, þe toþir comyn
puple of fiȝteris ſuede þe arke, and alle þingis ſowneden
wiþ clariouns.
x Soþeli Joſue comaundide to þe puple, and ſeide, Ȝe
ſchulen not crye, neþir ȝoure vois ſchal be herd, neþir
ony word ſchal go out of ȝoure mouþ, til þe dai come,
in which Y ſchal ſeie to ȝou, Crye ȝe, and make ȝe
noyſe.
xi Þerfor þe arke of þe Lord cumpaſſide þe citee onys bi
day, and turnede aȝen in to þe caſtels, and dwellide
þere.
xii Þerfor while Joſue roos bi nyȝt, preeſtis tooken þe
arke of þe Lord;
xiii and ſeuene of þe preeſtis token ſeuen clariouns, of
whiche `þe vſs is in iubilee, and ȝeden bifor þe arke of
þe Lord, `and ȝeden, and trumpiden; and þe puple ȝede
armed bifor hem. Soþeli þe toþer comyn puple ſuede þe
arke, and ſownede wiþ clariouns.
xiiii And þei cumpaſſiden þe citee in þe ſecunde dai
onys, and turneden aȝen in to þe caſtels; ſo þei dyden in
ſixe daies.
xv Soþeli in þe ſeuenþe dai þei riſiden eerli, and
cumpaſſiden þe citee, as it was diſpoſid, ſeuen ſiþis.
xvi And whanne in þe ſeuenþe cumpas preeſtis
ſowneden wiþ clariouns, Joſue ſeide to al Iſrael, Crie ȝe,
for þe Lord haþ bitake þe citee to vs;
xvii and þis citee be curſid, eþir diſtried, and alle þingis
þat ben þerynne be halewid to þe Lord. Raab þe hoor
aloone lyue, wiþ alle men þat ben wiþ hir in þe hows;
for ſche hidde þe meſſangeris whiche we ſenten.
xviii Forſoþe be ȝe war, leſt ȝe touchen ony þing of þeſe
þat ben comaundid to ȝou, and ȝe ben gilti of
treſpaſſyng; and alle þe caſtels of Iſrael be vndur ſynne,
and be troblid.
xix Soþeli what euer þing is of gold, and of ſiluer, and of
braſun veſſels, and of yrun, be halewid to þe Lord, and
be kept in hiſe treſoris.
xx Þerfor while al þe puple criede, and þe trumpis
ſowneden, aftir þat þe ſowne ſownede in þe eeris of þe
multitude, þe walles felden doun anoon; and ech man
ſtiede bi þe place þat was aȝens hym. And þei token þe
citee,
xxi and killiden alle þingis þat weren þerynne, fro man
`til to womman, fro ȝong child `til to eld man; alſo þei
ſmytiden bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, oxun, and ſcheep,
and aſſis.
xxii Forſoþe Joſue ſeide to twei men, þat weren ſent
aſpieris, Entre ȝe in to þe hows of þe womman hoore,
and brynge ȝe forþ hir, and alle þingis þat ben herne, as
ȝe maden ſtedfaſt to hir bi an ooþ.
xxiii And þe ȝonge men entriden, and ledden out Raab,
and her fadir, and modir, and briþeren, and al þe
purtenaunce of houſhold, and þe kynrede `of hir; and
maden to dwelle wiþout þe caſtels of Iſrael.
xxiiii Soþeliþei brenten þe citee, and alle þingis þat
weren foundun þerynne, wiþout gold, and ſiluer, and
braſun veſſelis, and yrun, which þei halewiden in to þe
`treſerie of þe Lord.
xxv Soþeli Joſue made Raab þe hoore to lyue, and `þe
hows of hir fadir, and alle þingis þat ſche hadde; and þei
dwelliden in þe myddis of Iſrael, `til in to preſent dai;
for ſche hidde þe meſſangeris, whiche he ſente to aſſpie
Jerico. In þat tyme Joſue preiede hertli,
xxvi and ſeide, Curſid bifor þe Lord be þe man, þat reiſiþ
and bildiþ þe citee of Jerico! Leie he þe foundementis
þerof in his firſte gendrid ſone, and putte he þe ȝatis
þerof in þe laſte of fre children.
xxvii Þerfor þe Lord was wiþ Joſue, and his name was
puppliſchid in ech lond.
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael braken `þe comaundement,
and myſtoken of þe halewid þing; for Achar, þe ſon of
Charmy, ſone of Zabdi, ſone of Zare, of þe lynage of
Juda, toke ſum þing of þe halewid þing; and þe Lord
was wrooþ aȝens þe ſones of Iſrael.
ii And whanne Joſue ſente men fro Jerico aȝens Hai,
which is biſidis Bethauen, at þe eeſt cooſt of þe citee
Bethel, he ſeide to hem, Stie ȝe, and aſpie ȝe þe lond.
Whiche filliden `þe comaundementis, and aſpieden
Hay;
iii and þei turneden aȝen, and ſeiden to hym, `Not al þe
puple ſtie, but twey eþer þre þouſynde of men go, and
do awei þe citee; whi ſchal al þe puple be trauelid in
veyn aȝens feweſte enemyes?
iiii Þerfor þre þouſynde of fiȝteris ſtieden, whiche
turneden þe backis anoon,
v and weren ſmytun of þe men of Hay; and ſixe and
þretti men of hem `felden doun; and aduerſaries
purſueden hem fro þe ȝate til to Saberym; and þei felden
doun fleynge bi lowe places. And þe herte of þe puple
dredde, and was maad vnſtidefaſt at þe licneſſe of watir.
vi Soþeli Joſue torente hiſe cloþis, and felde lowe to þe
erþe bifor þe arke of þe Lord, `til to euentid, as wel he,
as alle þe elde men of Iſrael; and þei caſtiden powdir on
her heedis.
vii And Joſue ſeide, Alas! alas! Lord God, what woldiſt
þou lede þis puple ouer þe flood Jordan, þat þou
ſchuldiſt bitake vs in þe hond of Ammorrey, and ſchulde
leeſe vs? Y wolde, þat as we bygunnen, we hadden
dwellid biȝondis Jordan.
viii My Lord God, what ſchal Y ſeie, ſeynge Iſrael
turnynge þe backis to hiſe enemyes?
ix Cananeys, and alle dwelleris of þe lond ſchulen here,
and þei ſchulen be gaderid togidere, and ſchulen
cumpas vs, and ſchulen do awei oure name fro erþe;
and what ſchalt þou do to þi grete name?
CCIX
x And þe Lord ſeide to Joſue, Riſe þou; whi liggiſt þou
low in þe erþe?
xi Iſrael ſynnede, and brak my couenaunt; and þei token
of þe halewid þing, and þei han ſtole, and lieden, and
hidden among her veſſels.
xii And Iſrael may not ſtonde bifore hiſe enemyes, and
Iſrael ſchal fle hem, for it is defoulid wiþ curſyng; Y
ſchal no more be wiþ ȝou, til ȝe al to breke hym which
is gilti of þis treſpas.
xiii Riſe þou, halewe þe puple, and ſeie þou to hem, Be
ȝe halewid aȝens to morewe; for þe Lord God of Iſrael
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, A! Iſrael! curſyng is in þe myddis of
þee; þou ſchalt not mowe ſtonde bifor þin enemyes, til
he þat is defoulyd bi þis treſpas, be doon awei fro þee.
xiiii And ȝe ſchulen come eerli, alle men bi ȝoure
lynagis; and whateuer lynage þe lot ſchal fynde, it ſchal
come bi hiſe meynees; and þe meynee ſchal come bi
houſis, and þe hous ſchal come bi men.
xv And whoeuer ſchal be takun wiþ þis treſpas, he ſchal
be brent bi fier wiþ al his catel, for he brak þe
couenaunt of þe Lord, and dide vnleueful þing in Iſrael.
xvi Þerfor Joſue roos eerly, and ſettide in ordre Iſrael, bi
hiſe lynagis; and þe lynage of Juda was foundun;
xvii and whanne þat lynage was brouȝt forþ bi hiſe
meynees, þe meyne of Zare was foundun. And Joſue
brouȝte forþ it bi men, eþir houſis, and foond Zabdi;
xviii whos hows he departide in to alle men bi hemſilf;
and he foond Achar, þe ſone of Charmy, ſone of Zabdi,
ſone of Zare, of þe lynage of Juda.
xix And he ſeide to Achar, My ſone, ȝyue þou glorie to
þe Lord God of Iſrael, and knowleche þou, and ſchew to
me what þou haſt do; hide þou not.
xx And Achar anſweryde to Joſue, and ſeide to hym,
Verily, Y ſynnede bifor þe Lord God of Iſrael, and Y
dide `ſo and ſo;
xxi for among þe ſpuylis Y ſiȝ a reed mentil ful good,
and two hundrid ſiclis of ſiluer, and a goldun reule of
fifti ſiclis; and Y coueytide, and took awei, and hidde in
þe erþe, aȝens þe myddis of my tabernacle; and Y hilide
þe ſiluer wiþ erþe doluun.
xxii Þerfor Joſue ſente mynyſtris, whyche runnen to his
tabernacle, and foundun alle þingis hid in þe ſame
place, and þe ſiluer togidere; and þei token awei fro þe
tente,
xxiii and brouȝten `þo þingis to Joſue, and to alle þe
ſones of Iſrael; and þei caſtiden forþ bifor þe Lord.
xxiiii Þerfor Joſue took Achar, þe ſone of Zare, and þe
ſiluer, and þe mentil, and þe goldun reule, and hiſe
ſones, and douȝtris, oxun, aſſis, and ſcheep, and þe
tabernacle `it ſilf, and al þe purtenaunce of houſehold,
and al Iſrael wiþ Joſue; and þei ledden hem to þe valei
of Achar;
xxv where Joſue ſeide, For þou diſturblidiſt vs, þe Lord
ſchal diſturble þee in þis dai. And al Iſrael ſtonyde hym;
and alle þingis þat weren hiſe, weren waſtid bi fier.
xxvi And þei gaderiden on hym a greet heep of ſtoonys,
whiche dwellen til in to preſent day. And þe ſtrong
veniaunce of þe Lord was turned awei fro hem; and þe
name of þat place was clepid þe valey of Achar `til to
day.
CAP. VIII
i Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Joſue, Neþer drede þou
`wiþoutforþ, `neþer drede þou wiþynne; take wiþ þee al
þe multitude of fiȝteris, and riſe þou, and ſtie in to þe
citee of Hay; lo, Y haue bitake in þin hond þe king
þerof, and þe puple, and þe citee, and þe lond.
ii And þou ſchalt do to þe citee of Hay, and to þe king
þerof, as þou didiſt to Gerico, and to þe king þerof;
ſoþeli ȝe ſchulen take to ȝou þe prey, and alle lyuynge
beeſtis; ſette þou `aſpies, eþir buyſchementis, to þe citee
bihynde it.
iii And Joſue roos, and al þe ooſt of fiȝteris wiþ hym, to
ſtie in to Hay; and bi nyȝte he ſente þretti choſen
þouſynde of ſtronge men;
iiii and comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Sette ȝe
buyſchementis bihynde þe citee, and go ȝe not ferþere;
and alle ȝe ſchulen be redi;
v forſoþe Y, and þe toþir multitude which is wiþ me,
ſchulen come on þe contrarie ſide aȝens þe citee; and
whanne þei ſchulen go out aȝens vs, as we diden bifore,
we ſchulen fle, and turne þe backis,
vi til þei purſuen, and ben drawun away ferþir fro þe
citee; for þei ſchulen geſſe, þat we ſchulen fle as bifore.
vii Þerfor while we ſchulen fle, and þei purſue, ȝe
ſchulen ryſe fro þe buyſchementis, and ſchulen waſte þe
citee; and ȝoure Lord God ſchal bitake it in to ȝoure
hondis.
viii And whanne ȝe han take it, `brenne ȝe it; `ſo ȝe
ſchulen do alle þingis, as Y comaundide.
ix And Joſue lefte hem, and þei ȝeden to þe place of
buyſchementis, and ſaten bitwixe Bethel and Hay, at þe
weſt cooſt of þe citee of Hay. Forſoþe Joſue dwellide `in
þat nyȝt in þe myddis of þe puple.
x And he roos eerli, and noumbride felowis, and ſtiede
wiþ þe eldere in þe frount of þe ooſt, and was cumpaſſid
wiþ þe helpe of fiȝteris.
xi And whanne þei hadden come, and hadden ſtied aȝens
þe citee, þei ſtoden at þe norþ cooſt of þe citee, bitwixe
which citee and hem þe valei was in þe myddis.
xii `Soþeli he hadde choſe fyue þouſynde men, and
hadde ſette in buyſchementis bitwixe Bethauen and
Hay, in þe weſt part of þe ſame citee.
xiii Soþeli al þe toþir ooſt dreſſide ſcheltroun to þe norþ,
ſo þat þe laſte men of þe multitude touchiden þe weſt
CCX
cooſt of þe citee. Þerfor Joſue ȝede in þat nyȝt, and ſtood
in þe myddis of þe valei;
xiiii and whanne þe kyng of Hai had ſeyn þat, he haſtide
eerli, and ȝede out wiþ al þe ooſt of þe citee, and he
dreſſide ſcheltrun aȝens þe deſeert; and wiſte not þat
buyſchementis weren hid bihinde þe bak.
xv Forſoþe Joſue and al þe multitude `of Iſrael ȝauen
place, feynynge drede, and fleynge bi þe weie of
wildirneſſe; and þei crieden togidere,
xvi and excitiden hem ſilf togidere, and purſueden hem.
And whanne þei hadden go awey fro þe citee,
xvii and ſoþely not oon hadde left in þe citee of Hai and
Bethauen, þat `purſuede not Iſrael, and þei leften þe
citees opyn, as þei hadden broke out,
xviii þe Lord ſeide to Joſue, `Reiſe þou þe ſcheeld which
is in þin hond, aȝens þe citee of Hay; for Y ſchal ȝyue it
to þee.
xix And whanne he hadde reiſid þe ſcheld aȝens þe citee,
buyſchementis, þat weren hid, riſeden anoon; and þei
ȝeden to þe citee, and token, and brenten it.
xx Forſoþe þe men of þe citee, þat purſueden Joſue,
bihelden, and ſiȝen þe ſmoke of þe citee ſtie `til to
heuene; and þei myȝten no more fle hidur and þidur;
moſt ſiþen þei þat hadden feyned fliȝt, and ȝeden to
wildirneſſe, wiþſtoden ſtronglieſte `aȝens þe purſueris.
xxi And Joſue ſiȝ, and al Iſrael, þat þe citee was takun,
and þe ſmoke of þe citee ſtiede; and he turnede aȝen,
and ſmoot þe men of Hay.
xxii Soþeli alſo þei þat hadden take and brent þe citee,
ȝeden out of þe cytee aȝens her men, and bigunnen to
ſmyte þe myddil men of enemyes; and whanne
aduerſaries weren ſlayn `on euer eþir part, ſo þat no man
of ſo greet multitude was ſauyd,
xxiii þei tokun alſo þe kyng of Hay lyuynge, and
brouȝten to Joſue.
xxiiii Þerfor, whanne alle men weren ſlayn, þat
purſueden Iſrael goynge to deſeert, and felden bi ſwerd
in þe ſame place, þe ſones of Iſrael turneden aȝen, and
ſmytiden þe citee.
xxv Forſoþe þei þat `felden doun in þe ſame dai, fro man
`til to womman, weren twelue þouſynde of men, alle
men of þe citee of Hay.
xxvi Soþeli Joſue wiþdrow not þe hond, which he hadde
dreſſid an hiȝ holdynge `þe ſcheld, til alle þe dwelleris
of Hay weren ſlayn.
xxvii Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael departiden to hem ſilf þe
werk beeſtis, and þe preye of þe citee, as þe Lord
comaundide to Joſue;
xxviii which brente þe citee, and made it an euerlaſtynge
biriel.
xxix And he hangide þe king þerof in a iebat, `til to þe
euentid and þe goynge doun of þe ſunne. And Joſue
comaundide, and þei puttiden doun his deed bodi fro þe
cros; and þei `caſtiden forþ him in þilke entryng of þe
citee, and gaderiden on hym a greet heep of ſtoonus,
which heep dwelliþ `til in to preſent dai.
xxx Þanne Joſue bildide an auter to þe Lord God of
Iſrael in þe hil of Hebal,
xxxi as Moiſes, þe `ſeruaunt of þe Lord, comaundide to
þe ſones of Iſrael, and it is writun in þe book of Moiſes
lawe, an auter of ſtoonys vnpoliſchid, whiche yrun
touchide not. And he offride þeron brent ſacrifice to þe
Lord, and he offride peſible ſacrifices;
xxxii and he wroot on þe ſtoonys þe Deutronomye of
Moiſes lawe, `which he hadde declarid bifor þe ſones of
Iſrael.
xxxiii Soþeli al þe puple, and þe grettere men in birþe,
and þe duykis, and iugis ſtoden on `euer eiþer ſide of þe
arke, in þe ſiȝt of preeſtis and dekenes, þat baren þe arke
of boond of pees of þe Lord; as a comeling, ſo and a
man borun in þe lond; þe mydil part of hem ſtood
biſidis þe hil Garaſym, and þe myddil part ſtood biſidis
þe hil Hebal, as Moiſes, þe `ſeruaunt of þe Lord,
comaundide. And firſt `ſoþeli he bleſſide þe puple of
Iſrael.
xxxiiii Aftir þeſe þingis he redde alle þe wordis of
bleſſyng and of curſyng, and alle þingis þat weren
writun in þe book of lawe.
xxxv He lefte no þing vntouchid of þeſe þingis þat
Moiſes comaundide; but he declaride alle þingis bifor al
þe multitude of Iſrael, to wymmen, and litle children,
and to comelyngis þat dwelliden among hem.
CAP. IX
i And whanne þeſe þingis weren herd, alle þe kyngis
biȝende Jordan, þat lyueden in þe hilly places, and in
`þe feeldi places, in þe cooſtis of þe ſee, and in þe
brynke of þe greet ſee, and þei þat dwellen biſidis
Liban, Ethei, and Ammorrei, Cananei, and Fereſey,
Euey, and Jebuſey,
ii weren gaderid togidere to fiȝte aȝens Joſue and Iſrael,
wiþ o wille, and þe ſame ſentence.
iii And þei þat dwelten in Gabaon, herden alle þingis
whiche Joſue hadde do to Jerico, and to Hay; and þei
þouȝten felli,
iiii and token to hem ſilf metis, and puttyden elde ſackis
on aſſis, and wyn botels brokun and ſewid, and ful elde
ſchoon,
v whiche weren ſewid togidere wiþ patchis, to `þe
ſchewyng of eldeneſſe; and þei weren cloþid wiþ elde
cloþis; alſo looues, whiche þei baren for lijflode in þe
weie, weren harde and brokun in to gobetis.
vi And þei ȝeden to Joſue, þat dwellide þanne in tentis in
Galgala; and þei ſeiden to hym, and to al Iſrael togidere,
We comen fro a fer lond, and coueyten to make pees
wiþ ȝou. And þe men of Iſrael anſweriden to hem,
CCXI
vii and ſeiden, Leſt perauenture ȝe dwellen in þe lond,
which is due to vs bi eritage, and we moun not make
bond of pees wiþ ȝou.
viii And þei ſeiden to Joſue, We ben þi ſeruauntis. To
whiche Joſue ſeide, What men ben ȝe, and fro whennus
camen ȝe?
ix Þei anſweriden, Þi ſeruauntis camen fro a ful fer lond
in þe name of þi Lord God, for we herden þe fame of
his power, alle þingis whiche he dide in Egipt,
x and to twei kyngis of Ammorreis biȝendis Jordan; to
Seon king of Eſebon, and to Og kyng of Baſan, þat
weren in Aſtroth.
xi And þe eldere men and alle þe dwelleris of oure lond
ſeiden to vs, Take ȝe metis in ȝoure hondis, for lengeſte
weie; and go ȝe to hem, and ſeie ȝe, We ben ȝoure
ſeruauntis; make ȝe boond of pees wiþ vs.
xii And we token hoote looues, whanne we ȝeden out of
oure houſis to come to ȝou; now þo ben maad drye and
brokun, for greet eldeneſſe;
xiii we filliden newe botels of wyn; now þo ben brokun
and vndoon; þe cloþis and ſchoon, wiþ whiche we ben
cloþid, and whiche we han `in þe feet, ben brokun and
almoſt waſtid, fro þe lengþe of lengere weie.
xiiii Þerfor `þe ſones of Iſrael token of þe metis of hem,
and þei axiden not `þe mouþ of þe Lord.
xv And Joſue made pees wiþ hem. And whanne þe
boond of pees was maad, he bihiȝte, þat þei ſchulden
not be ſlayn; and þe princes of þe multitude ſworen to
hem.
xvi Forſoþe aftir þre daies of þe boond of pees maad, þei
herden, þat þei dwelliden in nyȝ place, and þat þei
ſchulden be among hem.
xvii And þe ſones of Iſrael mouyden tentis, and camen in
þe þridde dai in to þe citees of hem, of whiche citees
þeſe ben þe names; Gabaon, and Caphira, and Beroth,
and Cariathiarym.
xviii And þei ſmytiden not hem, for þe princis of þe
multitude hadden ſwore to hem in þe name of þe Lord
God of Iſrael. Þerfor al þe comyn puple grutchide aȝens
þe princis of Iſrael;
xix whiche anſweriden to hem, We ſworen to hem in þe
name of þe Lord God of Iſrael, and þerfor we moun not
touche hem;
xx but we ſchulen do þis þing to hem, ſoþeli be þei
reſerued þat þei lyue, leſt þe ire of þe Lord be ſtirid
aȝens vs, if we forſweren to hem;
xxi but ſo lyue þei, þat þei hewe trees, and bere watris,
in to þe vſis of al þe multitude. And while þei ſpaken
þeſe þingis,
xxii Joſue clepide Gabonytis, and ſeide to hem, Whi
wolden ȝe diſſeyue vs bi fraude, `þat ȝe ſeiden, We
dwellen ful fer fro ȝou, ſiþen ȝe ben in þe myddis of vs?
xxiii Þerforȝe ſchulen be `vndur curſyng, and noon ſchal
faile of ȝoure generacioun, hewynge trees and berynge
watris, in to þe hows of my God.
xxiiii Whiche anſweryden, It was told to vs þi ſeruauntis,
þat þi Lord God bihiȝte to Moiſes, his ſeruaunt, þat he
ſchulde bitake to ȝou al þe lond, and ſchulde leeſe alle
þe dwelleris þerof; þerfor we dredden greetli, and
purueiden to oure lyues, and weren compellid bi ȝoure
drede, and we token þis counſel.
xxv `Now forſoþe we ben in `þin hond; do þou to vs þat,
þat ſemeþ riȝtful and good to þee.
xxvi Þerfor Joſue dide, as he ſeide, and delyuerede hem
fro þe hondis of þe ſones of Iſrael, þat þei ſchulden not
be ſlayn.
xxvii And in þat dai Joſue demyde hem to be in to þe
ſeruyce of al þe puple, and of þe auter of þe Lord, and
to hewe trees, and to bere watris, `til in to preſent tyme,
in þe place which þe Lord hadde choſe.
CAP. X
i And whanne Adonyſedech, kyng of Jeruſalem, hadde
herde þeſe þingis, þat is, þat Joſue hadde take Hai, and
hadde deſtried it; for as Joſue hadde do to Jerico and to
þe kyng þerof, ſo he dide to Hay, and to þe kyng þerof;
and þat Gabaonytis hadden fled to Iſrael, and weren
boundun in pees wiþ hem,
ii Adonyſedech dredde greetli; for Gabaon was a greet
citee, and oon of þe kyngis citees, and grettere þan þe
citee of Hai, and alle þe fiȝteris þerof weren moſt
ſtronge.
iii Þerfor Adonyſedech, kyng of Jeruſalem, ſente to
Ocham, kyng of Ebron, and to Pharam, kyng of
Herymoth, and to Japhie, kyng of Lachis, and to Dabir,
kyng of Eglon, and ſeide,
iiii Stie ȝe to me, and helpe ȝe, þat we fiȝte aȝens
Gabaon, for it was ȝoldun to Joſue, and to þe ſones of
Iſrael.
v Þerfor fyue kyngis of Ammorreis, þe kyng of
Jeruſalem, þe kyng of Ebron, þe kyng of Herymoth, þe
kyng of Lachis, þe kyng of Eglon, weren gaderid, and
ſtieden togidere wiþ her ooſtis; and ſettiden tentis aȝens
Gabaon, and fouȝten aȝens it.
vi Soþeli þe dwelleris of þe citee of Gabaon, `þat weren
biſegid, ſenten to Joſue, þat dwellide þan in tentis at
Galgala, and ſeide to hym, Wiþdrawe not þin hondis fro
þe help of þi ſeruauntis; `ſtie þou ſoone, and delyuere
vs, and helpe þou; for alle þe kyngis of Amorreis, þat
dwelliden in þe hilli places, camen togidere aȝens vs.
vii And Joſue ſtiede fro Galgala, and al þe ooſt of fiȝters,
`þe ſtrengeſte men, `wiþ hym.
viii And þe Lord ſeide to Joſue, Drede þou not hem, for
Y ȝaf hem in to þin hondis; noon of hem ſchal mow
aȝenſtonde þee.
CCXII
ix Þerfor Joſue felde ſodenli on hem, and ſtiede in al þe
nyȝt fro Galgala;
x and þe Lord `diſturblide hem fro þe face of Iſrael, and
al to-brak wiþ greet veniaunce in Gabaon. And Joſue
purſuede hem bi þe weie of þe ſtiyng of Betheron, and
ſmoot `til to Azecha and Maceda.
xi And whanne þei fledden þe ſones of Iſrael, and weren
in þe goyng doun of Betheron, þe Lord ſente grete
ſtoonus on hem fro heuene, til to Azecha; and many mo
weren deed bi þe `ſtoonys of hail, þan þei whiche þe
ſones of Iſrael `ſmytiden bi ſwerd.
xii Þanne Joſue ſpak to þe Lord, in þe dai in which he
bitook Amorrey in þe ſiȝt of þe ſones of Iſrael; and Joſue
ſeide bifore hem, Sunne, be þou not mouyd aȝens
Gabaon, and þe moone aȝens þe valei of Hailon.
xiii And þe ſunne and þe moone ſtoden, til þe folc of
God vengide it ſilf of hiſe enemyes. Wheþer þis is not
writun in þe book of iuſt men? And ſo þe ſunne ſtood in
þe myddis of heuene, and haſtide not to go doun in þe
ſpace of o dai; ſo long a dai was not bifore and
aftirward;
xiiii for þe Lord obeiede to þe vois of man, and fauȝt for
Iſrael.
xv And Joſue turnede aȝen, wiþ al Iſrael, in to þe tentis
of Galgala.
xvi Forſoþe fyue kyngis fledden, and hidden hem ſilf in
þe denne of þe citee of Maceda.
xvii And it was teld to Joſue, þat fyue kyngis weren
foundun hid in þe denne of þe citee of Maceda.
xviii Which Joſue comaundide to felowis, and ſeide,
Walewe ȝe grete ſtoonus to þe `mouþ of þe denne, and
putte ȝe witti men, þat ſchulen kepe þe cloſid kyngis;
ſoþeli nyle ȝe ſtonde,
xix but purſue ȝe þe enemyes, and ſlee ȝe alle þe laſte of
fleeris; and ſuffre ȝe not hem entre in to þe ſtrengþis of
her citees, whiche enemyes ȝoure Lord God bitook in to
ȝoure hondis.
xx Þerfor whanne þe aduerſaries weren betun wiþ greet
veniaunce, and weren almoſt waſtid `til to deeþ, þei þat
myȝten fle Iſrael, entriden in to þe ſtrengþid citees.
xxi And al þe ooſt turnede aȝen hoole, and in hoole
noumbre to Joſue, in to Maceda, where þe tentis weren
þanne; and no man was hardi to grutche, `eþer to make
priuy noiſe, aȝens þe ſones of Iſrael.
xxii And Joſue comaundide, and ſeide, Opene ȝe þe
`mouþ of þe denne, and brynge forþ to me þe fyue
kyngis þat ben hid þerynne.
xxiii And þe mynyſtris diden, as it was comaundid to
hem; and þei brouȝten forþ to Joſue fyue kyngis fro þe
denne; þe kyng of Jeruſalem, þe kyng of Ebron, þe kyng
of Herymoth, þe kyng of Lachis, þe kyng of Eglon.
xxiiii And whanne þei weren led out to Joſue, he clepide
alle þe men of Iſrael, and ſeide to þe princes of þe ooſt,
þat weren wiþ hym, Go ȝe, and ſette ȝoure feet on þe
neckis of þeſe kyngis. And whanne þei hadden go, and
trediden þe neckis of `þe kyngis ſuget `to her feet,
xxv eft Joſue ſeide to hem, Nyle ȝe drede, neþir `drede ȝe
wiþ ynne, be ȝe coumfortid, and be ȝe ſtronge; for þe
Lord ſchal do ſo to alle ȝoure enemyes, aȝens whiche ȝe
ſchulen fiȝte.
xxvi And Joſue ſmoot, and killide hem, and hangide on
fyue trees; and þei weren hangid `til to euentid.
xxvii And whanne þe ſunne ȝede doun, he comaundide to
felowis, þat þei ſchulden put hem doun fro þe iebatis;
and whanne þei weren put doun, þei `caſtiden forþ hem
in to þe denne, in which þei weren hid; and þei puttiden
grete ſtoonus on þe mouþ þerof, whiche ſtoonus
dwellen `til to preſent tyme.
xxviii In þe ſame dai Joſue took alſo Maceda, and ſmoot
bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, and killide þe kyng þerof,
and alle þe dwelleris þerof; he lefte not þerynne,
nameli, litle relikis; and he dide to þe kyng of Maceda
as he hadde do to þe kyng of Jerico.
xxix Forſoþe Joſue paſſide wiþ al Iſrael fro Maceda in to
Lempna, and fauȝt aȝens it,
xxx which þe Lord bitook, wiþ þe kyng þerof, in þe
hond of Iſrael; and þei ſmytiden þe citee bi þe
ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, and alle þe dwelleris þerof, and
leften not ony relikis þerynne; and þei diden to þe kyng
of Lempna as þei hadden do to þe kyng of Jerico.
xxxi Fro Lempna he paſſide wiþ al Iſrael in to Lachis;
and whanne þe ooſt was diſpoſid bi cumpas, he fauȝt
aȝens it.
xxxii And þe Lord bitook Lachis in þe hond of þe ſones
of Iſrael; and he took it in þe toþir dai, and ſmoot bi þe
ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, and ech man, þat was þerynne, as
he hadde do to Lempna.
xxxiii In þat time Yram, kyng of Gazar, ſtiede to helpe
Lachis; whom Joſue ſmoot, wiþ al his puple, til to deeþ.
xxxiiii And he paſſide fro Lachis in to Eglon,
xxxv and cumpaſſide, and ouercam it in þe ſame dai; and
he ſmoot bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd alle men þat weren
þerynne, bi alle þingis whiche he hadde do to Lachis.
xxxvi Alſo he ſtiede wiþ al Iſrael fro Eglon in to Ebron,
and fauȝt aȝens it,
xxxvii and took, and ſmoot bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd;
and þe kyng þerof, and alle citees of þat cuntrey, and
alle men þat dwelliden þerynne; he lefte not ony relikis
þerynne; as he hadde do to Eglon ſo he dide alſo to
Ebron, and waſtide bi ſwerd alle þingis þat weren
þerynne.
xxxviii Fro þennus he turnyde in to Dabir, and took it,
and waſtide;
xxxix and he ſmoot bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd þe kyng
þerof, and alle tounnes `bi cumpas; he lefte not ony
relikis þerynne; as he hadde do to Ebron, and to
CCXIII
Lempna, and to `þe kyngis of þo, ſo he dide to Dabir,
and to þe kyng þerof.
xl And ſo Joſue ſmoot al þe `lond of þe hillis, and of þe
ſouþ, and `of þe feeld, and Aſedoch wiþ her kyngis; he
lefte not þerynne ony relikis, but he killide al þing þat
myȝte breþe, as þe Lord God of Iſrael comaundide to
hym;
xli fro Cades Barne `til to Gazan, and al þe lond of
Jeſſon, `til to Gabaon Joſue took,
xlii and waſtide wiþ o ferſneſſe alle þe kyngis, and
`cuntreis of hem; for þe Lord God of Iſrael fauȝt for
hym.
xliii And he turnede aȝen wiþ al Iſrael to þe place of
tentis in Galgala.
CAP. XI
i And whanne Jabyn, kyng of Aſor, hadde herd þeſe
þingis, he ſente to Jobab, kyng of Madian, and to þe
kyng of Semeron, and to þe kyng of Acſaph; forſoþe to
þe kyngis of þe norþ,
ii þat dwelliden in þe hilli places, and in þe pleyn aȝens
þe ſouþ of Seneroth, and in þe feeldi places, and
cuntreis of Dor, biſidis þe ſee,
iii and `to Cananei fro þe eeſt and weſt, and to
Ammorrey, and Ethei, and Fereſei, and Jebuſei, in þe
`hilli places, and to Euey, þat dwellide at þe rootis of
Hermon, in þe lond of Maſpha.
iiii And alle ȝeden out wiþ her cumpanyes, a ful myche
puple, as þe grauel which is in þe `brynk of þe ſee, and
horſis, and charis, of greet multitude.
v And alle þeſe kyngis camen togidere at þe watris of
Meron, to fiȝte aȝens Iſrael.
vi And þe Lord ſeyde to Joſue, Drede þou not hem, for
to morewe, in þis ſame our, Y ſchal bitake alle þeſe men
to be woundid in þe ſiȝt of Iſrael; þou ſchalt hoxe `þe
horſis of hem, and þou ſchalt brenne `þe charis bi fier.
vii And Joſue cam, and al his ooſt wiþ hym, aȝens hem
ſodenli, at þe watris of Meron, `and felden on hem.
viii And þe Lord bitook hem in to þe hondis of Iſrael;
whiche ſmytiden hem, `þat is, þe heþen kyngis and her
ooſtes, and purſueden `til to grete Sidon, and þe watris
of Maſerophoth, and to þe feeld of Maſpha, which is at
þe eeſt part þerof. Joſue ſmoot ſo alle men, þat he lefte
no relikis of hem;
ix and he dide as þe Lord comaundide to hym; he
hoxide `þe horſis of hem, and brente þe charis.
x And he turnede aȝen anoon, and took Aſor, and `ſmoot
bi ſwerd þe kyng þerof; for Aſor helde bi eld tyme þe
prinſehed among alle þeſe rewmes.
xi And `he ſmoot alle perſoones þat dwelliden þere, he
lefte not ony relikys þerynne, but he waſtide alle þingis
`til to deeþ; alſo he diſtriede þilke citee bi brennyng.
xii And he took alle `citees bi cumpas, and `þe kyngis of
hem, and ſmoot, and dide awei, as Moiſes, þe `ſeruaunt
of þe Lord,
xiii comaundide to hym, wiþout citees þat weren ſet in
þe grete hillis, and in litle hillis; and Iſrael brente þe
oþere citees; flawme waſtide oneli o citee, Aſor, þe
ſtrongeſte.
xiiii And þe ſones of Iſrael departiden to hem ſilf al þe
prei, and werk beeſtis of þeſe citees, whanne alle men
weren ſlayn.
xv As þe Lord comaundide to his ſeruaunt Moiſes, ſo
Moiſes comaundide to Joſue, and `he fillide alle þingis;
he paſſide not of alle comaundementis, `neþer o word
ſoþeli, which þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes.
xvi And ſo Joſue took al þe `lond of þe hillis, and of þe
ſouþ, þe lond of Goſen, and þe pleyn, and þe weſt cooſt,
and þe hil of Iſrael, and þe feeldi places þerof;
xvii and þe part of þe hil þat ſtieþ to Seir `til to Baalgath,
bi þe pleyn of Liban vndur þe hil of Hermon; Joſue
took, and ſmoot, and killide alle þe kyngis of þo places.
xviii Joſue fauȝt myche tyme aȝens þeſe kyngis;
xix `no citee was, which bitook not it ſilf to þe ſones of
Iſrael, out takun Euey þat dwellide in Gabaon; he took
alle bi batel.
xx For it was þe ſentence of þe Lord, þat `þe hertis of
hem ſchulde be maad hard, and þat þei ſchulden fiȝte
aȝens Iſrael, and ſchulden falle, and ſchulden not
diſſerue ony mercy, and ſchulden periſche, as þe Lord
comaundide to Moiſes.
xxi Joſue cam in þat tyme, and killide Enachym, þat is,
giauntis, fro þe `hilli placis of Ebron, and of Dabir, and
of Anab, and fro al þe hil of Juda, and of Iſrael, and dide
awei `þe citees of hem.
xxii He lefte not ony man of þe generacioun of Enachim
in þe lond of þe ſones of Iſrael, wiþout þe citees of
Gaſa, and Geth, and Azotus, in whiche aloone þei weren
left.
xxiii Þerfor Joſue took al þe lond, as þe Lord ſpak to
Moyſes, and he ȝaf it in to poſſeſſioun to þe ſones of
Iſrael, bi her partis and lynagis; and þe lond reſtide fro
batels.
CAP. XII
i Þeſe ben þe kyngis whiche þe ſones of Iſrael han
ſmyte, and weldiden `þe lond of hem, biȝende Jordan, at
þe `riſyng of þe ſunne, fro þe ſtronde of Arnon `til to þe
hil of Hermon, and al þe eeſt cooſt þat biholdiþ þe
wildirneſſe.
ii Seon, þe kyng of Amorreis, þat dwellide in Eſebon,
was lord fro Aroer, which is ſet on þe brenke of þe
ſtronde of Arnon, and of þe myddil part in þe valey, and
of half Galaad, til to þe ſtronde of Jaboth, which is þe
terme of þe ſones of Amon, and fro þe wildirneſſe `til to
þe ſee of Ceneroth,
CCXIV
iii aȝens þe eeſt, and `til to þe ſee of deſeert, which is þe
ſaltiſt ſee at þe eeſt cooſt, bi þe weie þat lediþ to
Betheſſymoth, and fro þe ſouþ part þat liggiþ vndur
Aſſedoch, `til to Phaſga.
iiii Þe terme of Og, kyng of Baſan, of þe relikis of
Raphaym, `þat is, giauntis, þat dwelliden in Aſtoroth
and in Edraym, and he was lord in þe hil of Hermon,
and in Salacha, and in al Baſan, `til to þe termes of
Geſſuri and Machati,
v and of þe half part of Galaad, and to þe terme of Seon,
kyng of Eſebon.
vi Moyſes, þe `ſeruaunt of þe Lord, and þe ſones of
Iſrael `ſmytiden hem; and Moiſes ȝaf `þe lond of hem in
to poſſeſſioun to Rubenytis and `to Gadditis and to half
þe lynage of Manaaſſes.
vii Þeſe ben þe kyngis of þe lond, whiche Joſue and þe
ſones of Iſrael ſmytiden biȝende Jordan, at þe weſt cooſt,
fro Algad in þe feeld of Liban, `til to þe hil whos part
ſtieþ in to Seir; and Joſue ȝaf it in to poſſeſſioun to þe
lynagis of Iſrael, to ech his owne part,
viii as wel in `hilli placis as in pleyn and feeldi placis; in
Aſſeroth, and in wildirneſſe, and in þe ſouþ was Ethei,
and Ammorrei, Cananie, and Phereſei, Euey, and
Jebuſei.
ix Þe kyng of Jerico oon; þe kyng of Hai, which is at þe
ſide of Bethel, oon;
x þe kyng of Jeruſalem, oon; þe kyng of Ebron, oon;
xi þe kyng of Herymoth, oon; þe kyng of Lachis, oon;
þe kyng of Eglon, oon;
xii þe kyng of Gazer, oon;
xiii þe kyng of Dabir, oon; þe kyng of Gader, oon;
xiiii þe kyng of Herma, oon;
xv þe kyng of Hedreth, oon; þe kyng of Lempna, oon;
þe kyng of Odollam, oon;
xvi þe kyng of Maceda, oon; þe kyng of Bethel, oon;
xvii þe kyng of Thaphua, oon;
xviii þe kyng of Affer, oon; þe kyng of Affeth, oon; þe
kyng of Saron, oon; þe kyng of Madon, oon;
xix þe king of Aſor, oon;
xx þe kyng of Semeron, oon; þe kyng of Axaph, oon;
xxi þe kyng of Thenach, oon; þe kyng of Magedo, oon;
þe kyng of Cetes, oon;
xxii þe kyng of Jachanaem of Carmele, oon;
xxiii þe kyng of Dor and of þe prouince of Dor, oon; þe
kyng of folkis of Galgal, oon;
xxiiii þe kyng of Therſa, oon; alle þe kyngis, oon and
þretti.
CAP. XIII
i Joſue was eld and of greet age; and þe Lord ſeide to
him, Þou haſt woxe eld, and art of long tyme; and
largeſte lond is left, which is not ȝit departid bi lot;
ii þat is, al Galile, Filiſtiym, and al Geſſuri,
iii fro þe troblid flood þat moiſtiþ Egipt, `til to þe termes
of Acaron aȝenus þe norþ; þe lond of Chanaan, which is
departid `in to fyue litle kyngis of Filiſtym, of Gaza,
and of Azotus, of Aſcolon, of Geth, and of Accaron.
iiii Forſoþe at þe ſouþ ben Eueis, al þe lond of Canaan,
and Maara of Sidonyes, `til to Affetha, and to þe termes
of Amorrei, and þe cooſtis of hym;
v and þe cuntrei of Liban aȝens þe eeſt, fro Baalgath,
vndur þe hil of Hermon, til þou entriſt into Emath,
vi of alle men þat dwelliden in þe hil, fro þe Liban `til to
þe watris of Maſſerephoth, and alle men of Sidon; Y
am, þat ſchal do awei hem fro þe face of þe ſones of
Iſrael; þerfor come it in to þe part of eritage of Iſrael, as
Y comaundide to þee.
vii And þou now departe þe lond in to poſſeſſioun to þe
nyne lynagis, and to þe half lynage of Manaſſes,
viii wiþ which lynage Ruben and Gad weldiden þe lond,
which lond Moiſes, þe `ſeruaunt of þe Lord, ȝaf to hem
biȝende þe flowyngis of Jordan, at þe eeſt cooſt;
ix fro Aroer, which is ſet in þe brynke of þe ſtronde of
Arnon, in þe middis of þe valei, and alle þe feeldi
places of Medaba,
x `til to Dibon, and alle þe citees of Seon, kyng of
Amorreis, þat regnyde in Eſebon, `til to þe termes of þe
ſones of Amon,
xi and of Galaad, and to þe termes of Geſſuri, and of
Machati, and al þe hil of Hermon, and al Baſan, `til to
Salecha;
xii al þe rewme of Og in Baſan, þat regnede in Aſtoroth,
and in Edraym; `he was of þe relikis of Rafaym, `þat is,
of giauntis; and Moiſes ſmoot hem and dide awey hem.
xiii And þe ſones of Iſrael nolden deſtrye Geſſurri and
Machati; and þei dwelliden in þe myddis of Iſrael, `til in
to preſent dai.
xiiii Soþeli he ȝaf not poſſeſſioun to þe lynage of Leuy,
but ſacrifices, and ſlayn ſacrifices of þe Lord God of
Iſrael; þat is `his eritage, as God ſpak to hym.
xv Þerfor Moiſes ȝaf poſſeſſioun to þe lynage of þe ſones
of Ruben, bi her kynredis;
xvi and `þe term of hem was fro Aroer, which is ſet in þe
brenke of þe ſtronde of Arnon, and in þe myddil valei of
þe ſame ſtronde, al þe pleyn þat lediþ to Medaba,
xvii and Eſebon, and alle þe townes of þo, þat ben in þe
feeldi places; and Dibon, and Baal Bamoth, and þe citee
of Baal Meon,
xviii and Geſa, and Sedymoth, and Mephe,
xix and Cariathaym, and Sabana, and Sarathaphar, in þe
hil of þe valey of Betheroeth,
xx and of Aſedoch, Phaſca, and Bethaiſſymoth;
xxi alle þe feeldi citees, and alle þe rewmes of Seon,
kyng of Amorrey, þat regnede in Eſebon, whom Moyſes
ſmoot, wiþ hiſe princes, Madian, Euey and Recten, and
CCXV
Sur, and Hur, and Rebee, duykis of Seon, enhabiters of
þe lond.
xxii And þe ſones of Iſrael killiden bi ſwerd Balaam, þe
fals diuynour, þe ſone of Beor, wiþ oþere men ſlayn.
xxiii And þe terme of þe ſones of Ruben was maad þe
flood of Jordan; þis is þe poſſeſſioun of Rubenytis bi her
kynredis of citees and of townes.
xxiiii And Moiſes ȝaf to þe lynage of Gad, and to þe
ſones þerof, bi her kynredis, poſſeſſioun, of which þis is
departyng;
xxv he ȝaf þe termes of Jazer, and alle þe citees of
Galaad, and þe half part of þe lond of þe ſones of
Amon, `til to Aroer which is aȝens Tabba;
xxvi and fro Eſebon `til to Ramoth of Maſphe, and
Bethamyn, and Manayn, `til to þe termes of Dabir;
xxvii and in þe valei he ȝaf Betharan, and Bethneuar, and
Socoth, and Saphan, þe toþer part of þe rewme of Seon,
kyng of Eſebon; and þe ende of þis is Jordan, `til to þe
laſte part of þe ſee of Cenereth ouer Jordan, at þe eeſt
cooſt.
xxviii Þis is þe poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Gad, bi her
meynees, þe citees and townes of þo.
xxix He ȝaf alſo poſſeſſioun to þe half lynage of
Manaſſes, and to hiſe ſones, bi her kynredis,
xxx of which poſſeſſioun þis is þe bigynnyng; he ȝaf
Ammaym, and al Baſan, and alle þe rewmes of Og,
kyng of Baſan, and alle þe townes of Jair, þat ben in
Baſan, ſixti citees;
xxxi and half þe part of Galaad, and Aſtoroth, and Edray,
þe citees of þe rewme of Og, kyng of Baſan; to þe ſones
of Machir, ſones of Manaſſes, and to half þe part of þe
ſones of Machir, bi her kynredis.
xxxii Moiſes departide þis poſſeſſioun in þe feeldi placis
of Moab ouer Jordan, aȝens Jericho, at þe eeſt cooſt.
xxxiii Forſoþe he ȝaf not poſſeſſioun to þe lynage of
Leuy; for þe Lord God himſelf of Iſrael is þe poſſeſſioun
of Leuy, as þe Lord ſpak to hym.
CAP. XIIII
i Þis `þing it is, which þe ſones of Iſrael weldiden in þe
lond of Canaan, which lond Eleazar þe preeſt, and
Joſue, þe ſone of Nun, and þe princes of meynees bi þe
lynagis of Iſrael ȝauen to hem,
ii and departiden alle þingis bi lot, as þe Lord
comaundide in þe hond of Moiſes, to nyne lynagis and
þe half lynage.
iii For Moiſes hadde ȝoue to `þe twey lynagis and to þe
half lynage `poſſeſſioun ouer Jordan; wiþout þe Leuytis,
þat token no þing of þe lond among her briþeren;
iiii but þe ſones of Joſeph weren departid in to twei
lynagis, of Manaſſes and of Effraym, and `weren eiris in
to þe place of hem. And `þe Leuytis token noon oþer
part in þe lond, no but citees to dwelle, and þe ſubarbis
of þo to werke beeſtis and her ſcheep to be fed.
v As þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes, ſo þe ſones of
Iſrael diden, and departiden þe lond.
vi And ſo þe ſones of Juda neiȝiden to Joſue in Galgalis;
and Caleph, þe ſone of Jephone, of Ceneth, ſpak to him,
Þou knowiſt, what þe Lord ſpak to Moiſes, þe man of
God, of me and of þee in Cades Barne.
vii Y was of fourti ȝeer, whanne Moiſes, `ſeruaunt of þe
Lord, ſente me fro Cades Barne, þat Y ſchulde biholde
þe lond, and Y teelde to hym þat, þat ſemyde ſoþ to me.
viii Forſoþe my briþeren, þat ſtieden wiþ me,
diſcoumfortiden þe herte of þe puple, and neuerþeles Y
ſuede my Lord God.
ix And Moiſes ſwoor in þat dai, and ſeide, Þe lond,
which þi foot trad, ſchal be þi poſſeſſioun, and of þi
ſones wiþouten ende; for þou ſuediſt þi Lord God.
x Soþeli þe Lord grauntide lijf to me, as he bihiȝte, `til
in to preſent dai. Fourti ȝeer and fyue ben, ſiþen þe Lord
ſpak þis word to Moiſes, whanne Iſrael ȝede bi þe
wildirneſſe. To dai Y am of `foure ſcoor ȝeer and fyue,
xi and Y am as myȝti, as Y was myȝti in þat time,
whanne Y was ſent to aſpie; þe ſtrengþe `of þat tyme
dwelliþ ſtabli in me `til to dai, as wel to fiȝte, as to go.
xii Þerfor ȝyue þou to me þis hil, which þe Lord bihiȝte
to me, while alſo þou herdiſt, in which hil ben
Enachym, and grete `citees, and ſtrengþid; if in hap þe
Lord is wiþ me, and Y mai do hem awei, as he bihiȝte
to me.
xiii And Joſue bleſſide hym, and ȝaf to hym Ebron in to
poſſeſſioun.
xiiii And fro þat tyme Ebron was to Caleph, ſone of
Jephone, of Cenez, `til in to preſent dai; for he ſuede þe
Lord God of Iſrael.
xv Þe name of Ebron was clepid bifore Cariatharbe.
Adam, þe gretteſte, was ſet þere in þe lond of Enachym;
and þe lond ceeſſide fro batels.
CAP. XV
i Þerfor þis was þe part of þe ſones of Juda, bi her
kynredis; fro þe terme of Edom `til to deſeert of Syn
aȝens þe ſouþ, and `til to þe laſte part of þe ſouþ cooſt,
ii þe bigynnyng þerof fro þe hiȝneſſe of þe ſaltiſt ſee, and
fro þe arm þerof, þat biholdiþ to þe ſouþ.
iii And it goiþ out aȝens þe ſtiyng of Scorpioun, and
paſſiþ in to Syna; and it ſtieþ in to Cades Barne, and
comeþ in to Ephron, and it ſtieþ to Daran, and
cumpaſſiþ Cariacaa;
iiii and fro þennus it paſſiþ in to Aſemona, and comeþ to
þe ſtronde of Egipt; and þe termes þerof ſchulen be þe
greet ſee; þis ſchal be þe ende of þe ſouþ cooſt.
v Soþeli fro þe eeſt þe bigynnyng ſchal be þe ſaltiſte ſee,
`til to þe laſte partis of Jordan, and þo partis, þat
CCXVI
biholden þe norþ, fro þe arm of þe ſee `til to þe ſame
flood of Jordan.
vi And þe terme ſtieþ in to Bethaegla, and paſſiþ fro þe
norþ in to Betharaba; and it ſtieþ to þe ſtoon of Boen,
vii ſone of Ruben, and goiþ `til to þe termes of Debera,
fro þe valei of Achar aȝens þe norþ; and it biholdiþ
Galgala, which is `on þe contrarie part of þe ſtiyng of
Adomyn, fro þe ſouþ part of þe ſtronde; and it paſſiþ þe
watris, þat ben clepid þe welle of þe ſunne; and þe
outgoyngis þerof ſchulen be to þe welle of Rogel.
viii And it ſtieþ bi þe valei of þe ſone of Ennon, bi þe
ſide of Jebuſei, at þe ſouþ; þis is Jeruſalem; and fro
þennus it reiſiþ it ſilf to þe cop of þe hil, which is aȝens
Jehennon at þe weſt, in þe hiȝneſſe of þe valei of
Raphaym, aȝens þe norþ;
ix and it paſſiþ fro þe `cop of þe hil til to þe wel of þe
watir Nepthoa, and comeþ `til to þe tounes of þe hil of
Ephron; and it is bowid in to Baala, which is
Cariathiarym, þat is, þe citee of woodis;
x and it cumpaſſiþ fro Baala aȝens þe weſt, `til to þe hil
of Seir, and it paſſiþ bi þe ſide of þe hil Jarym to þe norþ
in Selbon, and goiþ doun in to Bethſamys; and it paſſiþ
in to Thanna,
xi and comeþ aȝens þe partis of þe norþ bi þe ſide of
Accaron; and it is bowid to Secrona, and paſſiþ þe hil of
Baala; and it comeþ in to Gebneel, and it is cloſid wiþ
þe ende of þe grete ſee, aȝens þe weſt.
xii Þeſe ben þe termes of þe ſones of Juda, bi cumpas in
her meynees.
xiii Soþeli Joſue ȝaf to Caleph, ſone of Jephone, part in
þe myddis of þe ſones of Juda, as þe Lord comaundide
to hym, Cariatharbe, of þe fadir of Enach; þilke is
Ebron.
xiiii And Caleph dide awei fro it þre ſones of Enach,
Siſai, and Achyman, and Tholmai, of þe generacioun of
Enach.
xv And Caleph ſtiede fro þennus, and cam to þe
dwelleris of Dabir, þat was clepid bifore Cariathſepher,
þat is, þe citee of lettris.
xvi And Caleph ſeide, Y ſchal ȝyue Axa, my douȝter,
wijf to hym þat ſchal ſmyte Cariathſepher, and ſchal
take it.
xvii And Othynyel, ſone of Ceneth, þe ȝongere broþer of
Caleph, took þat citee; and Caleph ȝaf Axa, his douȝtir,
wijf to hym.
xviii And whanne `ſche ȝede togidere, hir hoſebonde
counſeilide hir, þat ſche ſchulde axe of hir fadir a feeld;
and ſche ſiȝyide, as ſche ſat on þe aſſe;
xix `to whom Caleph ſeide, What haſt þou? And ſche
anſweride, Ȝyue þou bleſſyng to me; þou haſt ȝoue to
me þe ſouþ lond and drye; ioyne þou alſo þe moiſt lond.
And Caleph ȝaf to hir þe moiſt lond, aboue and byneþe.
xx Þis is þe poſſeſſioun of þe lynage of þe ſones of Juda,
bi her meynees.
xxi And þe citees weren fro þe laſte partis of þe ſones of
Juda, biſidis þe termes of Edom, fro þe ſouþ; Capſahel,
and Edel, and Jagur, Ectyna,
xxii and Dymona, Edada,
xxiii and Cades, and Alor,
xxiiii and Jethnan, and Ipheth, and Thelon,
xxv and Balaoth, and Aſor, Nobua, and Cariath, Effron;
xxvi þis is Aſſeromam; Same,
xxvii and Molida, and Aſer, Gabda, and Aſſemoth,
xxviii Bethfelech, and Aſertual, and Berſabee,
xxix and Baiohia, and Baala, and Hymeſen,
xxx and Betholad, and Exul, and Herma,
xxxi and Sichelech, and Meacdemana, and Senſena,
xxxii Lebeoth, and Selymetem Remmoth; alle `þe citees,
nyn and þretti, and þe townes `of þo.
xxxiii Soþeli in þe feeldi places, Eſcoal, and Sama,
xxxiiii and Aſena, and Azanoe, and Engannem, and
Taphua,
xxxv and Enaym, and Jecemoth, Adulam, Socco, and
Azecha, and Sarym,
xxxvi Adytaym, and Gedam, and Giderothaym; fourtene
citees, and `þe townes of þo;
xxxvii Sanam, and Aſeba, and Magdalgad,
xxxviii Delen, and Melcha, Bethel, Lachis,
xxxix and Baſchat, and Eſglon,
xl Eſbon, and Leemas,
xli and Cethlis, and Gideroth, and Bethdagon, and
Neuma, and Maceda; ſixtene citees, and `þe townes of
þo; `Jambane,
xlii and Ether, and Aſam,
xliii Jepta, and Jeſua,
xliiii and Neſib, and Ceila, and Azib, and Mareza, nyn
citees, and `þe townes of þo;
xlv `Accaron wiþ hiſe townes and vilagis;
xlvi fro Accaron til to þe ſee, alle þingis þat gon to
Azotus, and þe townes þerof;
xlvii Azotus wiþ hiſe townes and vilagis; Gaza wiþ hiſe
townes and villagis, til to þe ſtronde of Egipt; and þe
grete ſee is þe terme þerof;
xlviii and in þe hil, Samyr,
xlix and Jeccher, and Socco, and Edema, Cariath Senna;
l þis is Dabir; Anab, and Iſchemo,
li and Ammygoſen, and Olom, and Gilo, enleuene
`citees, and þe townes of þo;
lii `Arab, and Roma,
liii and Eſaam, and Amum,
liiii and Bethfaſua, and Afecha, Ammacha, and
Cariatharbe; þis is Ebron; and Sior, nyn citees, and `þe
townes of þo;
lv `Maon, and Hermen, and Ziph, and Jothae,
lvi Zerahel, and Zocadamer, and Anoe, and Chaym,
CCXVII
lvii Gabaa, and Kanna, ten citees, and `þe citees of þo;
lviii `Alul,and Bethſur,
lix and Jodor, Mareth, and Bethanoth, and Bethecen,
ſixe citees, and þe townes of þo;
lx Cariathbaal; þis is Cariathiarym, þe citee of woodis;
and Rebda, twei citees, and `þe townes of þo;
lxi in deſeert, `Betharaba, Medyn, and Siriacha, Nepſan,
lxii and þe citee of ſalt, and Engaddi, ſixe citees, and `þe
townes of þo; `þe citees weren togidere an hundrid and
fiftene.
lxiii Soþeli þe ſones of Juda myȝten not do awei Jebuſei,
þe dwellere of Jeruſalem; and Jebuſei dwellide wiþ þe
ſones of Juda in Jeruſalem `til in to preſent day.
CAP. XVI
i And þe lot, `eþir part, of þe ſones of Joſeph felde fro
Jordan aȝens Jerico, and at þe watris þerof, fro þe eeſt;
is þe wildirneſſe, þat ſtieþ fro Jerico to þe hil of Bethel,
ii and it goiþ out fro Bethel `in to Luzan, and paſſiþ þe
terme of Architaroth,
iii and it goiþ doun to þe weſt, biſidis þe terme of Jefleti,
`til to þe termes of þe lowere Bethoron, and of Gazer;
and þe cuntrees þerof ben endid wiþ þe greet ſee,
iiii whiche cuntreis Manaſſes and Effraym, þe ſones of
Joſeph, weldiden.
v And þe terme of þe ſones of Effraym, bi her meynees,
and `þe poſſeſſioun of hem was maad aȝens þe eeſt,
Accarothaddar `til to þe hiȝere Bethoron.
vi And þe cooſtis goon out in to þe ſee; ſoþeli
Mathmetath biholdiþ þe norþ, and cumpaſſiþ þe termes
aȝens þe eeſt in Tharnarſelo,
vii and paſſiþ fro þe ſtronde of Janee; and it goiþ doun
fro Janee in to Atharoth and Noathara, and comeþ in to
Jerico; and it goiþ out to Jordan fro Taphua,
viii and paſſiþ aȝens þe ſee in to þe valey of `þe place of
rehedis; and þe goyngis out þerof ben to þe ſalteſte ſee.
Þis is þe poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Effraym, bi her
meynees;
ix and citees and þe townes of þo ben departid to þe
ſones of Effraym, in þe myddis of þe poſſeſſioun of þe
ſones of Manaſſes.
x And þe ſones of Effraym killiden not Cananey, þat
dwellide in Gazer; and Cananey dwellide tributarie in
þe myddis of Effraym til in to þis day.
CAP. XVII
i Forſoþe lot felde in to þe lynage of Manaſſe, for he is
þe firſte gendrid ſone of Joſeph; lot felde to Machir, þe
firſte gendrid ſone of Manaſſes, to þe fadir of Galaad,
þat was a werriour, and he hadde poſſeſſioun Galaad
and Baſan.
ii And lot felde to þe oþere of þe ſones of Manaſſes, bi
her meynees; to þe ſones of Abiezer, and to þe ſones of
Heleth, and to þe ſones of Heſriel, and to þe ſones of
Sichen, and to þe ſones of Epher, and to þe ſones of
Semyda; þeſe ben þe ſones of Manaſſe, ſone of Joſeph,
þe male children, bi her meynees.
iii Soþeli to Salphaat, þe ſone of Epher, ſone of Galaad,
ſone of Machir, ſone of Manaſſes, weren not ſones, but
douȝtris aloone; of whiche þeſe ben þe names, Maala,
and Noa, and Eegla, and Melcha, and Therſa.
iiii And þei camen in þe ſiȝt of Eleazar, preeſt, and of
Joſue, ſone of Nun, and of þe princes, and ſeiden, Þe
Lord comaundide bi þe hond of Moiſes, þat poſſeſſioun
ſhould be ȝouun to vs in þe myddis of oure briþeren.
And Joſue ȝaf to hem poſſeſſioun, bi comaundement of
þe Lord, in þe myddis of þe briþeren of her fadir.
v And ten cordis, `þat is, londis meſurid bi ten cordis,
felden to Manaſſes, wiþout þe lond of Galaad and of
Baſan biȝende Jordan;
vi for þe douȝtris of Manaſſes weldiden eritage in þe
myddis of þe ſones of hym. Soþeli þe lond of Galaad
felde in to þe part of þe ſones of Manaſſes, þat weren
reſidue.
vii And þe terme of Manaſſes was fro Azer
Machynathath, þat biholdeþ Sichem, and goiþ out to þe
riȝt ſide, biſidis þe dwelleris of þe welle Taphue;
viii for þe lond of Thaphue, which is biſidis þe terme of
Manaſſes, and of þe ſones of Effraym, felde in þe lot of
Manaſſes.
ix And þe terme of þe valey of place of rehedis goiþ
doun in þe ſouþ of þe ſtronde of þe citees of Effraym,
þat ben in þe myddis of þe citees of Manaſſes. Þe terme
of Manaſſes is fro þe norþ of þe ſtronde, and þe goyng
out þerof goiþ to þe ſee;
x ſo þat þe poſſeſſioun of Effraym is fro þe ſouþ, and þe
poſſeſſioun of Manaſſes fro þe norþ, and þe ſee cloſiþ
euer eiþer; and þo ben ioyned to hem ſilf in þe linage of
Aſer fro þe norþ, and in þe lynage of Iſachar fro þe eeſt.
xi And þe eritage of Manaſſes was in Iſachar and in Aſer,
Berſan, and þe townes þerof, and Jeblaan, wiþ hiſe
townes, and þe dwellers of Dor, wiþ her citees; and þe
dwelleris of Endor, wiþ her townes, and alſo þe
dwelleris of Thanath, wiþ her townes, and þe dwelleris
of Maiedo, wiþ her townes, and þe þridde part of þe
citee Nophet.
xii And þe ſones of Manaſſes miȝten not diſtrie þeſe
citees, but Cananei bigan to dwelle in þis lond.
xiii Soþeli aftir þat þe ſones of Iſrael weren ſtronge, þei
maden ſuget Cananeis, and maden tributaries to hem
ſilf, and killiden not Cananeis.
xiiii And þe ſones of Joſeph ſpaken to Joſue, and ſeiden,
Whi haſt þou ȝoue to me lond in to poſſeſſioun of o lot
and part, ſiþen Y am of ſo greet multitude, and þe Lord
haþ bleſſide me, `þat is, haþ alargid me in children?
xv To whiche Joſue ſeide, If þou art myche puple, ſtie
þou into þe wode, and kitte doun to þee ſpaces in þe
CCXVIII
lond of Fereſei, and of Raphaym, for þe poſſeſſioun of
þe hil of Effraym is ſtreiȝt to þee.
xvi To whom þe ſones of Joſeph anſwerden, We moun
not ſtie to þe hilli places, ſiþen Cananeis, þat dwellen in
þe `lond of þe feeld, vſen ironne charis; in which lond
Berſan, wiþ hiſe townes, and Jeſrael, weldynge þe
myddil valey, ben ſet.
xvii And Joſue ſeide to þe hows of Joſeph, and of
Effraym, and of Manaſſes, Þou art myche puple, and of
greet ſtrengþe; þou ſchalt not haue o lot,
xviii but þou ſchalt paſſe to þe hil, and þou ſchalt kitte
doun to þee; and þou ſchalt clenſe ſpaces to dwelle. And
þou ſchalt mow go forþ ferþere, whanne þou haſt
diſtried Cananei, whom þou ſeiſt to haue irone charis,
and to be mooſt ſtrong.
CAP. XVIII
i And alle þe ſones of Iſrael weren gaderid in Silo, and
þere þei `ſettiden faſte þe tabernacle of witneſſing; and
þe lond was ſuget to hem.
ii Soþeli ſeuene linagis of þe ſones of Iſrael dwelliden,
þat hadden not ȝit takun her poſſeſſiouns.
iii To whiche Joſue ſeide, Hou longe faden ȝe `bi
cowardiſe, `eþir ſlouþe, and entren not to welde þe lond,
which þe Lord God of ȝoure fadris ȝaf to ȝou?
iiii Cheſe ȝe of ech lynage þre men, þat Y ſende hem,
and þei go, and cumpaſſe þe lond; and þat þei diſcryue
`þe lond bi þe noumbre of ech multitude, and brynge to
me þat, þat ȝe han diſcriued.
v Departe ȝe þe lond to ȝou in to ſeuene partis; Judas be
in hiſe termes at þe ſouþ cooſt, and `þe hows of Joſeph
at þe norþ;
vi diſcryue ȝe `þe myddil lond bitwixe hem in to ſeuene
partis; and þanne ȝe ſchulen come to me, þat Y ſende lot
to ȝou here bifor ȝoure Lord God;
vii for þe part of Leuytis is not among ȝou, but þe
preeſthod of þe Lord, þis is þe eritage `of hem. Forſoþe
Gad, and Ruben, and þe half lynage of Manaſſes hadden
take now her poſſeſſiouns ouer Jordan, at þe eeſt cooſt,
whiche poſſeſſiouns Moiſes, þe `ſeruaunt of þe Lord, ȝaf
to hem.
viii And whanne þe men hadden riſe to go, to diſcryue
þe lond, Joſue comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Cumpaſſe
ȝe þe lond, and diſcryue it, and turne aȝen to me, þat Y
ſende lot to ȝou here in Silo, bifore ȝoure Lord God.
ix And ſo þei ȝeden, and cumpaſſiden þat lond, and
departiden `in to ſeuene partis, writynge in a book; and
þei turneden aȝen to Joſue, in to þe caſtels in Silo.
x Which Joſue ſente lottis bifor þe Lord God in Silo, and
departide þe lond to þe ſones of Iſrael, in to ſeuene
partis.
xi And þe firſte lot of þe ſones of Beniamyn, bi her
meynees, ſtiede, þat þei ſchulden welde þe lond bitwixe
þe ſones of Juda and þe ſones of Joſeph.
xii And þe terme of hem was aȝens þe norþ fro Jordan,
and paſſide bi þe ſide of Jerico of þe norþ cooſt; and it
ſtiede fro þennus aȝens þe weſt to þe hilli places, and it
cam to þe wildirneſſe of Bethauen;
xiii and it paſſide biſidis Luza to þe ſouþ; þilke is Bethel;
and it goiþ doun in to Aſtoroth Adar, in to þe hil which
is at þe ſouþ of lowere Betheron; and is bowid,
xiiii and cumpaſſiþ aȝens þe ſee, at þe ſouþ of þe hil þat
biholdiþ Betheron aȝens þe norþ; and þe outgoyngis
þerof ben in to Cariathbaal, which is clepid alſo
Cariathiarym, þe citee of þe ſones of Juda; þis is þe
greet cooſt aȝens þe ſee, at þe weſt.
xv Soþeli fro þe ſouþ, bi þe part of Cariathiarym, þe
terme goiþ out aȝens þe ſee, and comeþ til to þe wel of
watris of Nepthoa;
xvi and it goiþ doun in to þe part of þe hil þat biholdiþ
þe valei of þe ſones of Ennon, and is aȝens þe norþ
cooſt, in þe laſte part of þe valey of Raphaym; and
Jehennon, þat is, þe valei of Ennon, goiþ doun bi þe ſide
of Jebuſei, at þe ſouþ, and comeþ to þe welle of Rogel,
xvii and paſſiþ to þe norþ, and goiþ out to Emſemes, þat
is, þe welle of þe ſunne,
xviii and paſſiþ to þe litle hillis þat ben aȝens þe ſtiyng of
Adomyn; and it goiþ doun to Taben Boen, þat is, þe
ſtoon of Boen, ſone of Ruben, and paſſide bi þe ſide of
þe norþ to þe feeldi places; and it goiþ doun in to þe
pleyn,
xix and paſſiþ forþ aȝens þe norþ to Bethagala; and þe
outgoyngis þerof ben aȝens þe arm of þe ſalteſte ſee, fro
þe norþ, in þe ende of Jordan at þe ſouþ cooſt,
xx which is þe terme þerof fro þe eeſt. Þis is þe
poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Beniamyn, bi her termes in
cumpas, and bi her meynees;
xxi and þe citees þerof weren Jerico, and Bethagla, and
þe valei of Caſis,
xxii Betharacha, and Samaraym,
xxiii and Bethel, and Anym, and Affara,
xxiiii and Offira, þe toun of Heſmona, and Offym, and
Gabee, twelue citees, and `þe townes of þo;
xxv Gabaon, and Rama,
xxvi and Beroth, and Meſphe, and Caphera, and
Ammoſa,
xxvii and Recem, Jarephel, and Tharela,
xxviii and Sela, Heleph, and Jebus, which is Jeruſalem,
Gabaath, and Cariath, fouretene citees and `þe townes
of þo; þis is þe poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Beniamyn, bi
her meynees.
CAP. XIX
i And þe ſecounde lot of þe ſones of Symeon ȝede out,
bi her meynees; and þe eritage of hem,
ii in þe myddis of poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Juda, was
Berſabee, and Sabee,
CCXIX
iii and Melada, and Aſerſua, Bala,
iiii and Aſem, and Betholaad, Bethularma, and Siceleth,
v and Bethmarchaboth, and Aſerſua,
vi and Bethelebaoth, and Saroem, þrettene citees, and
`þe townes of þo;
vii Aym, and Remmon, and Athar, and Aſam, foure
citees, and `þe townes of þo; alle þe townes bi cumpas
of þeſe citees,
viii `til to Balath Brameth, aȝens þe ſouþ cooſt, weren
ſeuentene citees. Þis is þe eritage of þe ſones of
Symeon, bi her meynees,
ix in þe poſſeſſioun and part of þe ſones of Juda, for it
was more; and þerfor þe ſones of Symeon hadden
poſſeſſioun in þe myddis of þe eritage þerof.
x And þe þridde lot of þe ſones of Zabulon felde, bi her
meynees; and þe terme of poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of
Zabulon was maad `til to Sarith;
xi and it ſtieþ fro þe ſee, and Medala; and it comeþ in to
Debbaſeth, `til to þe ſtronde which is aȝens Jecenam;
xii and it turneþ aȝen fro Sarith, aȝens þe eeſt, in to þe
cooſtis of Sechelech Tabor; and goiþ out to Daberth;
and it ſtieþ aȝens Jaſie;
xiii and fro þennus it paſſiþ to þe eeſt cooſt to Gethefer,
and Thacaſym; and it goiþ out in to Remmon, Amphar,
and Noa; and cumpaſſiþ to þe norþ, and Nachon;
xiiii and þe goyngis out þerof ben þe valei of Jeptael,
xv and Cathel, and Neamai, and Semrom, and Jedaba,
and Bethleem, twelue citees, and `þe townes of þo.
xvi Þis is þe eritage of þe lynage of þe ſones of Zabulon,
bi her meynees, and þe citees and `townes of þo.
xvii Þe fourþe lot ȝede out to Iſacar, bi hiſe meynees; and
þe eritage þerof was Jezrael,
xviii and Caſſeloth,
xix and Symen, and Affraym, and Seon,
xx and Anaarath, and Cabith, and Ceſion, Hames,
xxi and Ramech, and Enganym, and Enadda, and
Bethfeſes.
xxii And þe terme þerof comeþ `til to Tabor, and
Seeſyma, and Hethſemes; and þe outgoyngis þerof
weren Jordan, ſixtene citees, and `þe townes of þo.
xxiii Þis is þe poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Yſachar, bi her
meynees, þe citees and þe townes of þo.
xxiiii And þe fiueþe lot felde to þe lynage of þe ſones of
Aſer, by her meynees;
xxv and þe terme of hem was Alchat, and Adi, and
Bethen,
xxvi and Meſaph, and Elmelech, and Amaad, and Meſſal;
and it comeþ `til to Carmel of þe ſee, and Sior, and
Labanath; and it turneþ aȝen,
xxvii aȝens þe eeſt, to Bethdagan; and paſſiþ `til to
Zabulon, and to þe valei of Jeptael, aȝens þe norþ, in
Bethemeth, and Neyel; and it goiþ out to þe left ſide to
Gabul,
xxviii and Acran, and Roob, and Omynon, and Chane,
`til to grete Sidon;
xxix and it turneþ aȝen in to Horma, `til to þe ſtrongeſte
citee Tire, and `til to Oſſam; and þe outgoyngis þerof
ſchulen be in to þe ſee, fro þe part of Aczyma,
xxx and Affeth, and Roob; two and twenti citees, and `þe
townes of þo.
xxxi Þis is þe poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Aſer, bi her
meynees, `þe citees, and `townes of þo.
xxxii Þe ſixte lot of þe ſones of Neptalym felde, bi her
meynees;
xxxiii and þe terme bigan of Heleth, and Helon, and
Sannaira, and Adarny, `which is Neceb, and Jebnael, `til
to Letum; and þe outgoyng of hem til to Jordan;
xxxiiii and þe terme turneþ aȝen, aȝens þe weſt, in to
Arnoth of Thabor; and fro þennus it goiþ out in to
Hucota, and paſſiþ in to Zabulon, aȝens þe ſouþ, and in
to Aſor, aȝens þe weſt, and in to Juda, at Jordan, aȝens
þe riſyng of þe ſunne;
xxxv of þe ſtrongeſte citee Aſſydym, Ser, and Amraath,
xxxvi and Rechath, Cenereth, and Edema,
xxxvii and Arama, Aſor, and Cedes, and Edrai,
xxxviii Naſon, and Jeron, and Magdael, Horem, and
Bethanath, and Bethſemes; nyntene citees, and `þe
townes of þo.
xxxix Þis is þe poſſeſſioun of þe lynage of þe ſones of
Neptalym, bi her meynees, þe citees, and þe townes of
þo.
xl Þe ſeuenþe lot ȝede out to þe lynage of þe ſones of
Dan, bi her meynees;
xli and þe terme of þe poſſeſſioun þerof was Saraa, and
Aſcahol, and Darſemes, þat is, þe citee of þe ſunne,
xlii Selenym, and Hailon, and Jethala,
xliii Helom, and Thenna, and Acrom,
xliiii Helthecem, Jebtom, and Baalath, Lud,
xlv and Benebarach, and `Jethremmon, and Ihercon,
xlvi and Arecon, wiþ þe terme þat biholdiþ Joppen,
xlvii and is cloſid wiþ þat ende. And þe ſones of Dan
ſtieden, and fouȝten aȝens Leſem; and þei token it, and
ſmytiden it bi þe ſcharpnes of ſwerd, and hadden in
poſſeſſioun, and dwelliden þerynne; and þei clepiden þe
name þerof Leſan Dan, by þe name of Dan, her fadir.
xlviii Þis is þe poſſeſſioun of þe lynage of Dan, bi her
meynees, þe citees, and townes of þo.
xlix And whanne þei hadden fillid to departe þe lond bi
lot to alle men bi her lynagis, þe ſones of Iſrael ȝauen
poſſeſſioun to Joſue, ſone of Nun,
l in þe myddis of hem, bi þe comaundement of þe Lord,
þe citee which he axide, Thannath Sara, in þe hil of
Effraym; and he bildide þe citee, and dwellide þerynne.
CCXX
li Þeſeben þe poſſeſſiouns whiche Eleazar, preeſt, and
Joſue, ſone of Nun, and þe princis of meynees, and of
þe lynagis of þe ſones of Iſrael, departiden bi lot in Silo,
bifor þe Lord, at þe dore of tabernacle of witneſſing,
and departiden þe lond.
CAP. XX
i And þe Lord ſpak to Joſue, and ſeide, Spek þou to þe
ſones of Iſrael, and ſeie þou to hem,
ii Departe ȝe þe citees of fugytyues, `eþer of men exilid
for vnwilful ſchedyng of blood, of whiche citees Y ſpak
to ȝou bi þe hond of Moiſes,
iii þat whoeuer ſleeþ vnwytyngli a man, fle to þo citees;
iiii þat whanne he haþ fled to oon of þeſe citees, he may
aſcape þe ire of þe neiȝbore, which is veniere of blood.
And he ſchal ſtonde bifor þe ȝatis of þe citee, and he
ſchal ſpeke to þe eldre men of þat citee þo þingis þat
ſchulen preue hym innocent; and ſo þei ſchulen reſeyue
hym, and ſchulen ȝyue to hym place to dwelle.
v And whanne þe vengere of blood purſueþ hym, þei
ſchulen not bitake hym in to þe hondis of þe vengere;
for vnwityngli he killide his neiȝbore, and is not preued
his enemy bifor þe ſecounde dai eþir þe þridde dai.
vi And he ſchal dwelle in þat citee, til he ſtonde bifor þe
doom, and ȝelde cauſe of his dede. And he þat killide a
man, dwelle `in þat citee, til þe grete preeſt die, which is
in þat tyme; þanne þe manſleere ſchal turne aȝen, and he
ſchal entre in to his citee and hows, `fro which he
fledde.
vii And þei ordeyneden Cedes in Galilee, of þe hil of
Neptalym, and Sichem in þe hil of Effraym, and
Cariatharbe, þilke is Ebron, in þe hil of Juda.
viii And biȝende Jordan, aȝens þe eeſt cooſt of Jerico, þei
ordeyneden Boſor, which is ſet in þe feeldi wildirneſſe
of þe lynage of Ruben, and Ramoth in Galaad, of þe
lynage of Gad, and Gaulon in Baſan, of þe lynage of
Manaſſes.
ix Þeſe citees weren ordeyned to alle þe ſones of Iſrael,
and to comelyngis þat dwellen among hem, þat he þat
killide vnwityngli a man, ſchulde fle to þo citees; and
he ſchulde not die in þe hond of neiȝbore, coueitynge to
venge þe blood ſched out, til he ſtood bifor þe puple, to
declare his cauſe.
CAP. XXI
i And þe princes of meynees of Leuy neiȝiden to
Eleazar, preeſt, and to Joſue, ſone of Nun, and to þe
duykis of kynredis, bi alle þe lynagis of þe ſones of
Iſrael;
ii and þe Leuytis ſpaken to hem in Sylo, of þe lond of
Canaan, and ſeiden, Þe Lord comaundide bi þe honde of
Moiſes, þat citees ſchulden be ȝouun to vs to dwelle
ynne, and þe ſubarbis of þo to werk beeſtis to be fed.
iii And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝauen `of her poſſeſſiouns, bi
comaundement of þe Lord, citees and þe ſubarbis of þo.
iiii And þe lot ȝede out in to þe meynee of Caath, of þe
ſones of Aaron, preeſt, of þe lynages of Juda, and of
Symeon, and of Beniamyn, þrettene citees;
v and to þe oþere of þe ſones of Caath, þat is, to dekenes
þat weren left, of þe lynagis of Effraym, and of Dan,
and of þe half lynage of Manaſſe, ten citees.
vi Soþeli lot ȝede out to þe ſones of Gerſon, þat þei
ſchulden take of þe lynagis of Iſachar, and of Aſer, and
of Neptalym, and of þe half lynage of Manaſſes `in
Baſan, þrettene citees in noumbre;
vii and to þe ſones of Merari, bi her meynees, of þe
lynagis of Ruben, and of Gad, and of Zabulon, twelue
citees.
viii And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝauen to dekenes cytees, and
þe ſubarbis `of þo, as þe Lord comaundide bi þe hond of
Moiſes; and alle ȝauen bi lot.
ix Of þe lynagis of þe ſones of Juda, and of Symeon,
Joſue ȝaf citees;
x to þe ſones of Aaron, bi þe meynees of Caath, of þe
kyn of Leuy, of whiche citees þeſe ben þe names; for þe
firſte lot ȝede out to hem;
xi Cariatharbe, of þe fadir of Enach, which is clepid
Ebron, in þe hil of Juda, and þe ſubarbis þerof bi
cumpas;
xii ſoþeli he hadde ȝoue þe feeldis and townes þerof to
Caleph, ſone of Jephone, to haue in poſſeſſioun.
xiii Þerfor Joſue ȝaf to þe ſones of Aaron, preeſt, Ebron,
a citee of refuyt, and þe ſubarbis `of it, and Lebnam wiþ
hiſe ſubarbis,
xiiii and Jether, and Yſchymon,
xv and Elon, and Dabir, and Ayn, and Lethan,
xvi and Bethſames, wiþ her ſubarbis; nyne citees, of twei
lynagis, as it is ſeid.
xvii Soþeli of þe lynage of þe ſones of Beniamyn, he ȝaf
Gabaon, and Gabee, and Anatoth, and Almon, wiþ her
ſubarbis;
xviii `foure citees.
xix Alle þe citees togidere of þe ſones of Aaron, preeſt,
weren þrettene, wiþ her ſubarbis.
xx Forſoþe to `þe oþere, bi þe meynees of þe ſones of
Caath, of þe kyn of Leuy, þis poſſeſſioun was ȝouun;
xxi of þe lynage of Effraym, þe citee of refuyt, Sichen,
wiþ hiſe ſubarbis, in þe hil of Effraym, and Gazer,
xxii and Sebſam, and Bethoron, wiþ her ſubarbis;
xxiii `foure citees; alſo of þe lynage of Dan, Helthece,
and Gebethon, and Haialon,
xxiiii and Gethremmon, wiþ her ſubarbis;
xxv `foure citees; ſoþeli of þe half lynage of Manaſſes,
Thanach, and Gethremon, wiþ her ſubarbis; `twei citees.
CCXXI
xxvi Alle þe citees ten, and þe ſubarbis `of þo weren
ȝouun to þe ſones of Caath, of þe lowere degree.
xxvii Alſo to þe ſones of Gerſon, of þe kyn of Leuy,
Joſue ȝaf of þe half lynage of Manaſſes, citees of refuyt,
Gaulon in Baſan, and Boſra, wiþ her ſubarbis, `twei
citees.
xxviii Forſoþe of þe lynage of Iſachar, he ȝaf Ceſion, and
Daberath,
xxix and Jerimoth, and Engannym, wiþ her ſubarbis;
`foure citees.
xxx Of þe lynage of Aſer, he ȝaf Maſal, and Abdon,
xxxi and Elecath, and Roob, wiþ her ſubarbis; `foure
citees.
xxxii Alſo of þe lynage of Neptalym, `he ȝaf þe citee of
refuyt, Cedes in Galile, and Amodor, and Carthan, wiþ
her ſubarbis; `þre citees.
xxxiii Alle þe citees of þe meynees of Gerſon weren
þrettene, wiþ her ſubarbis.
xxxiiii Soþeli to þe ſones of Merary, dekenes of þe
lowere degree, bi her meynees, was ȝouun Getheran, of
þe linage of Zabulon, and Charcha, and Demna, and
Nalol;
xxxv `foure citees, wiþ her ſubarbis.
xxxvi And of þe lynage of Gad, he ȝaf þe citee of refuyt,
Ramoth in Galaad, and Manaym, and Eſebon, and Jaſer;
`foure citees, wiþ her ſubarbis.
xxxvii And of þe lynage of Ruben, biȝende Jordan, aȝens
Jerico, he ȝaf `þe citee of refuyt, Boſor in þe wildirneſſe
of Myſor, and Jazer, and Jecſon, and Maſpha; `foure
citees, wiþ her ſubarbis.
xxxviii Alle þe citees of Merary, bi her meynees and
kynredis, weren twelue.
xxxix And ſo alle þe citees of Leuytis, in þe myddis of
poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Iſrael, weren eiȝte and fourti,
wiþ her ſubarbis;
xl and alle citees weren departid by meynees.
xli And þe Lord ȝaf to Iſrael al þe lond which he ſwoor
hym ſilf to ȝyue to þe fadris `of hem, and þei hadden it
in poſſeſſioun, and dwelliden þerynne.
xlii And pees was ȝouun of hym in to alle naciouns `by
cumpas; and noon of enemyes was hardi to wiþſtonde
hem, but alle weren dryuen in to þe lordſchip `of hem.
xliii Forſoþe neþer o word, which he bihiȝte him ſilf to
ȝyue to hem, was voide, but alle wordis weren fillid in
werkis.
CAP. XXII
i In þe ſame tyme Joſue clepide men of Ruben, and men
of Gad, and half þe lynage of Manaſſes,
ii and ſeide to hem, Ȝe han do alle þingis whiche
Moiſes, `ſeruaunt of þe Lord, comaundide to ȝou, alſo
ȝe obeieden to me in alle þingis;
iii neþer ȝe han lefte ȝoure briþeren in mych tyme til in
to preſent dai, and ȝe kepten þe comaundement of ȝoure
Lord God.
iiii Þerfor for ȝoure Lord God ȝaf reſte and pees to ȝoure
briþeren, as he bihiȝte, turne ȝe aȝen, and go ȝe in to
ȝoure tabernaclis, and in to þe loond of ȝoure
poſſeſſioun, which lond Moyſes, þe `ſeruaunt of þe
Lord, ȝaf to ȝou biȝende Jordan;
v ſo onely þat ȝe kepe biſili, and fille in werk þe
comaundement and lawe, `which lawe Moiſes, þe
`ſeruaunt of þe Lord, comaundide to ȝou; þat ȝe loue
ȝoure Lord God, and go in alle hiſe weies, and kepe hiſe
heeſtis, and cleue to hym and ſerue him in al ȝoure
herte, and in al ȝoure ſoule.
vi And Joſue bleſſide hem, and lefte hem, whiche
turneden aȝen in to her tabernaclis.
vii Soþeli Moyſes hadde ȝoue poſſeſſioun in Baſan to þe
half lynage of Manaſſes; and þerfor to þe half lynage
þat lefte Joſue ȝaf part among her oþere briþeren
biȝendis Jordan, at þe weſt cooſt þerof. And whanne
Joſue leet hem go in to her tabernaclis, and hadde
bleſſid hem,
viii he ſeyde to hem, Wiþ myche catel and richeſſis turne
ȝe aȝen to ȝoure ſeetis; wiþ ſiluer and gold, and bras,
and yrun, and myche cloþing; departe ȝe þe prey of
enemyes wiþ ȝoure briþeren.
ix And þe ſones of Ruben, and þe ſones of Gad, and
`half þe lynage of Manaſſes turneden aȝen, and ȝeden
fro þe ſones of Iſrael fro Silo, which is ſet in þe lond of
Canaan, þat þei ſchulden entre in to Galaad, þe lond of
her poſſeſſioun, which þei gaten bi `comaundement of
þe Lord in þe hond of Moiſes.
x And whanne þei hadden come to þe litle hillis of
Jordan, in to þe lond of Canaan, þei bildiden biſidis
Jordan an auter of greetneſſe ouer comyn meſure.
xi And whanne þe ſones of Iſrael hadden herd þis, and
certeyn meſſangeris hadden teld to hem, þat þe ſones of
Ruben, and of Gad, and þe half lynage of Manaſſes
hadden bildid an auter in þe lond of Canaan, on þe
heepis of Jordan, aȝens þe ſones of Iſrael,
xii alle camen togidir in Silo, þat þei ſchulden ſtie, and
fiȝte aȝens hem.
xiii And in þe meene tyme þei ſenten to hem in to þe
lond of Galaad, Fynees, preeſt,
xiiii þe ſone of Eleazar, and ten princes wiþ hym; of ech
lynage o prince.
xv Whiche camen to þe ſones of Ruben, and of Gad, and
of þe half lynage of Manaſſes, in to þe lond of Galaad,
and ſeiden to hem,
xvi Al þe puple of þe Lord ſendiþ þeſe þingis; What is
þis treſpaſſyng? Whi han ȝe forſake þe Lord God of
Iſrael, and han bildid a curſid auter, and han go awei fro
þe worſchiping of hym?
CCXXII
xvii Wheþer it is litil to ȝou þat ȝe ſynneden in Belfegor,
and þe wem of þis treſpas dwelliþ in ȝou til in to preſent
dai, and many of þe puple felden doun?
xviii And to day ȝe han forſake þe Lord, and to morewe,
þat is, in tyme to comynge, þe ire of hym ſchal be feers
aȝens al Iſrael.
xix Þat if ȝe geſſen, þat þe lond of ȝoure poſſeſſioun is
vncleene, paſſe to þe lond, `in which þe tabernacle of þe
Lord is, and dwelle ȝe among vs, oneli þat ȝe go not
awei fro þe Lord, and fro oure felouſchipe, bi an auter
bildid outakun þe auter of oure Lord God.
xx Wheþer not Achar, þe ſone of Zare, paſſide þe
comaundement of þe Lord, and his ire felde on al þe
puple of Iſrael? And he was o man; and we wolden þat
he aloone hadde periſchid in his treſpas.
xxi And þe ſones of Ruben, and of Gad, and of half þe
lynage of Manaſſes, anſweriden to þe princes of þe
meſſage of Iſrael,
xxii Þe ſtrongeſte Lord God hym ſilf of Iſrael knowiþ,
and Iſrael ſchal vndirſtonde togidere; if we bildiden þis
auter for entent of treſpaſſyng, `þat is, of ydolatrye, he
kepe not vs, but punyſche in preſent time;
xxiii and if we diden bi þat mynde, þat we ſchulden putte
þeronne brent ſacrifice, and ſacrifice, and peſible
ſacrifices, he ſeke, and deme;
xxiiii and not more `bi þat þouȝt and tretyng þat we
ſeiden, Ȝoure ſones ſchulen ſeie `to morew to oure
ſones, What is to ȝou and to þe Lord God of Iſrael? Ȝe
ſones of Ruben,
xxv and ȝe ſones of Gad, þe Lord haþ ſet a terme, þe
flood Jordan, bitwixe vs and ȝou; and þerfor ȝe han not
part in þe Lord; and bi þis occaſioun ȝoure ſones
ſchulen turne awei oure ſones fro þe drede of þe Lord.
Þerfor we geſſiden betere,
xxvi and ſeiden, Bilde we an auter to vs, not in to brent
ſacrifices, neþir to ſacrifices to be offrid,
xxvii but in to witneſſyng bitwixe vs and ȝou, and
bitwixe oure children and ȝoure generacioun, þat we
ſerue þe Lord, and þat it be of oure riȝt to offre brent
ſacrifices, and ſacrifices, and peſible ſacrifices; and þat
ȝoure ſones ſeie not to morewe to oure ſones, No part in
þe Lord is to ȝou.
xxviii And if `ȝoure ſones wolen ſeie þis, `oure ſones
ſchulen anſwere hem, Lo! þe auter of þe Lord, which
oure fadris maden, not in to brent ſacrifices, neþer in to
ſacrifice, but in to oure and ȝour witneſſing euerlaſtinge.
xxix Fer be þis treſpas fro vs, þat we go awei fro þe
Lord, and forſake hiſe ſteppis, bi an auter bildid to brent
ſacrifices, and ſacrifices, and ſacrifices of preiſyng to be
offrid, outakun þe auter of oure `Lord God, which is
bildid bifore his tabernacle.
xxx And whanne þeſe þingis weren herd, Fynees, preeſt,
and þe princes of meſſage of Iſrael, þat weren wiþ hym,
weren pleſyd; and þei reſſeyueden gladli þe wordis of
þe ſones of Ruben, and of Gad, and of þe half lynage of
Manaſſes.
xxxi And Finees, preeſt, þe ſone of Eleazar, ſeide to hem,
Now we wyten, þat þe Lord is wiþ ȝou; for ȝe ben alien
fro þis treſpaſſyng, and ȝe han delyuered þe ſones of
Iſrael fro þe hond, `þat is, punyſchyng, of þe Lord.
xxxii And Fynees turnede aȝen wiþ þe princes fro þe
ſones of Ruben and of Gad, fro þe lond of Galaad to þe
cooſt of Canaan, to þe ſones of Iſrael; and he telde to
hem.
xxxiii And þe word pleſide to alle men herynge; and þe
ſones of Iſrael preiſiden God, and ſeiden, þat no more
`þei ſchulden ſtie aȝens hem, and fiȝte, and do awei þe
lond of her poſſeſſioun.
xxxiiii And þe ſones of Ruben and þe ſones of Gad
clepiden þe auter, which þei hadden bildid, Oure
Witneſſyng, þat þe Lord hym ſilf is God.
CAP. XXIII
i Forſoþe whanne myche tyme was paſſid after þat þe
Lord had ȝoue pees to Iſrael, for alle naciouns `in
cumpas weren ſuget; and whanne Joſue was þanne of
long lijf, and `of ful eld age, Joſue clepide al Iſrael,
ii and þe grettere men in birþe, and þe princes, and
dukis, and maiſtris, and ſeide to hem, Y `wexide elde,
and Y am of grettere age;
iii and ȝe ſeen alle þingis whiche ȝoure Lord God haþ do
to alle naciouns `bi cumpas, hou he fauȝt for ȝou.
iiii And now for he departide to ȝou bi lot al þe lond, fro
þe eeſt part of Jordan `til to þe grete ſee, and many
naciouns ben left ȝit,
v ȝoure Lord God `ſchal diſtrie hem, and ſchal take awei
fro ȝoure face; and ȝe ſchulen welde þe lond, as he
bihiȝte to ȝou.
vi Oneli be ȝe coumfortid, and be ȝe biſy, þat ȝe kepe
alle þingis þat ben writun in þe book of Moiſes lawe,
and bowe not awei fro þo, neþer to þe riȝt ſide neþer to
þe left ſide,
vii leſt aftir þat ȝe han entrid to þe heþene men, þat
ſchulen be among ȝou, ȝe ſwere in þe name of `þe
goddis of hem, and ȝe ſerue þo goddis, and worſchipe
hem.
viii But cleue ȝe to ȝoure Lord God, which þing ȝe han
do `til in to þis dai;
ix and þanne þe Lord God ſchal do awei in ȝoure ſiȝt
grete folkis, and ſtrongeſte; and noon ſchal mow
aȝenſtonde ȝou.
x Oon of ȝou ſchal purſue a þouſynde men of enemyes,
for ȝoure Lord God ſchal fiȝte for ȝou, as he bihiȝte.
xi Be ȝe war bifore mooſt diligentli of þis þing oneli, þat
ȝe loue ȝoure Lord God.
CCXXIII
xii Þat if ȝe wolen cleue to þe errouris of þeſe folkis þat
dwellen among ȝou, and wolen medle mariagis wiþ
hem, and couple frenſchipis,
xiii wite ȝe riȝt now, þat `ȝoure Lord God ſchal not do
awei hem bifor ȝoure face, but þei ſchulen be to ȝou in
to a dich, and a ſnare, and in to hirtyng of ȝoure ſide,
and in to ſtakis in ȝoure iȝen, til ȝoure Lord God take
awei ȝou, and diſtrie fro þis beſte loond, which he ȝaf to
ȝou.
xiiii Lo! Y entre to dai in to þe weye of al erþe; and ȝe
ſchulen knowe `wiþ al ſoule, þat of al wordis whiche þe
Lord bihiȝte hym ſilf to ȝyue to ȝou, not oon paſſide in
veyn.
xv Þerfor as he fillide in werk þat, þat he bihiȝte, and
alle þingis bifelden `bi proſperite, ſo he ſchal brynge on
ȝou whateuer þing of yuelis he manaaſſide, til he take
awei ȝou, and diſtrie fro þis beſte lond, which he ȝaf to
ȝou.
xvi For ȝe braken þe couenaunt of `ȝoure Lord God,
which he made wiþ ȝou, and ſerueden alien goddis, and
worſchipeden hem, ſone and ſwiftli þe ſtrong veniaunce
of þe Lord ſchal riſe `on to ȝou; and ȝe ſchulen be takun
awei fro þis beſte lond, which he ȝaf to ȝou.
CAP. XXIIII
i And Joſue gaderide alle þe lynagis of Iſrael in to
Sechem; and he clepide þe grettere men in birþe, and þe
princes, and iugis, and maiſtris; and þei ſtoden in þe ſiȝt
of þe Lord.
ii And he ſpak þus to þe puple, Þe Lord God of Iſrael
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝoure fadris dwelliden at þe bigynnyng
biȝende þe flood Eufrates, Thare, þe fadir of Abraham,
and Nachor, and þei ſerueden alien goddis.
iii Þerfor Y took ȝoure fadir Abraham fro þe cooſtis of
Meſopotanye, and Y brouȝte hym in to þe lond of
Canaan; and Y multipliede `þe ſeed of hym,
iiii and Y ȝaf Iſaac to hym; and eft Y ȝaf to Iſaac, Jacob,
and Eſau, of whiche Y ȝaf to Eſau þe hil of Seir, to
`haue in poſſeſſioun; forſoþe Jacob and hiſe ſones ȝeden
doun in to Egipt.
v And Y ſente Moiſes and Aaron, and Y ſmoot Egipt wiþ
many ſignes and wondris,
vi and Y ledde ȝou and ȝoure fadris out of Egipt. And ȝe
camen to þe ſee, and Egipcians purſueden ȝoure fadris
wiþ charis, and multitude of knyȝtis, `til to þe Reed See.
vii Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael crieden to þe Lord, and he
ſettide derkneſſis bitwixe ȝou and Egipcians; and he
brouȝte þe ſee on hem, and hilide hem. Ȝoure iȝen ſien
alle þingis, whiche Y dide in Egipt. And ȝe dwelliden in
wildirneſſe in myche tyme.
viii And Y brouȝte ȝou in to þe lond of Ammorrei, þat
dwellide biȝende Jordan; and whanne þei fouȝten aȝens
ȝou, Y bitook hem in to ȝoure hondis, and ȝe hadden in
poſſeſſioun `þe lond of hem, and ȝe killiden hem.
ix Soþeli Balach, þe ſone of Sephor, þe king of Moab,
roos, and fauȝt aȝens Iſrael; and he ſente, and clepide
Balaam, þe ſone of Beor, þat he ſchulde curſe ȝou.
x And Y nolde here hym, but aȝenward bi hym Y
bleſſide ȝou, and delyuerede ȝou fro hiſe hondis.
xi And ȝe paſſiden Jordan, and camen to Jerico; and men
of þat citee fouȝten aȝens ȝou, Ammorrei, and Fereſei,
and Cananei, Ethei, and Gergeſei, and Euei, and
Jebuſei; and Y bitook hem in to ȝoure hondis.
xii And Y ſente flies wiþ venemouſe tongis bifor ȝou,
and Y caſtide hem out of her places; Y kyllide twei
kyngis of Ammorreis, not in þi ſwerd and bowe.
xiii And Y ȝaf to ȝou þe lond in which ȝe traueiliden not,
and citees whiche ȝe bildiden not, þat ȝe ſchulden
dwelle in þo, and vyneris, and places of olyue trees,
whiche ȝe plauntiden not.
xiiii Now þerfor drede ȝe þe Lord, and ſerue ȝe hym wiþ
perfite herte and mooſt trewe; and do ȝe awei þe goddis,
to whiche ȝoure fadris ſeruyden in Meſopotanye, and in
Egipt; and ſerue ȝe þe Lord.
xv But if it ſemeþ yuel to ȝou, `þat ȝe ſerue þe Lord,
cheſyng is ȝouun to ȝou; cheſe ȝe to ȝou to dai þat, þat
pleſiþ, whom ȝe owen moſt to ſerue; wheþer to goddis,
whiche ȝoure fadris ſerueden in Meſopotanye, wheþer
to þe goddis of Ammorreis, in whoſe lond ȝe dwellen;
forſoþe Y, and myn hows ſchulen ſerue þe Lord.
xvi And al þe puple anſweride and ſeide, Fer be it fro vs
þat we forſake þe Lord, and ſerue alien goddis.
xvii `Oure Lord God hym ſilf ledde vs and oure fadris
out of þe lond of Egipt, fro þe hows of ſeruage, and dide
grete ſignes in oure ſiȝt; and he kepte vs in al þe weie, bi
which we ȝeden, and in alle puplis, bi whiche we
paſſiden; and he caſtide out alle folkis,
xviii Ammorrei, þe dwellere of þe lond, in to which we
entriden. Þerfor we ſchulen ſerue þe Lord, for he is
`oure Lord God.
xix And Joſue ſeide to þe puple, Ȝe moun not ſerue þe
Lord; for God is hooli, and a ſtrong feruent louyere, and
he forȝyueþ not ȝoure treſpaſſis and ſynnes.
xx If ȝe forſaken þe Lord, and ſeruen alien goddis, þe
Lord ſchal turne `hym ſilf, and ſchal turment ȝou, and
ſchal diſtrie, after þat he haþ ȝoue goodis to ȝou.
xxi And þe puple ſeide to Joſue, It ſchal not be ſo, as þou
ſpekiſt, but we ſchulen ſerue þe Lord.
xxii And Joſue ſeide to þe puple, Ȝe ben witneſſis, þat ȝe
han choſe þe Lord to ȝou, þat ȝe ſerue him. And þei
anſweriden, We ben witneſſis.
xxiii Þerfor, he ſeide, Now do ȝe awei alien goddis fro þe
myddis of ȝou, and bowe ȝe ȝoure hertis to þe Lord God
of Iſrael.
xxiiii And þe puple ſeide to Joſue, We ſchulen ſerue `oure
Lord God, and we ſchulen be obedient to hiſe heeſtis.
CCXXIV
xxv Þerfor Joſue ſmoot a boond of pees in þat dai, and
ſettide forþ to þe puple comaundementis and domes in
Sichen.
xxvi And he wroot alle þeſe wordis in þe book of Goddis
lawe. And he took a greet ſtoon, and puttide it vndur an
ook, þat was in þe ſeyntuarie of þe Lord.
xxvii And he ſeide to al þe puple, Lo! þis ſtoon ſchal be
to ȝou in to witneſſing, þat ȝe herden alle þe wordis of
þe Lord, whiche he ſpak to ȝou, leſt perauenture ȝe
wolden denye aftirward, and lye to ȝoure Lord God.
xxviii And he lefte þe puple, ech man in to his
poſſeſſioun.
xxix And after þeſe þingis Joſue, þe ſone of Nun, þe
`ſeruaunt of þe Lord, diede, an hundride ȝeer eld and
ten.
xxx And þei birieden hym in þe coſtis of his poſſeſſioun,
in Thannath of Sare, which is ſet in þe hil of Effraym,
fro þe norþ part of þe hil Gaas.
xxxi And Iſrael ſeruede þe Lord in alle þe daies of Joſue,
and of þe eldre men, þat lyueden in long tyme aftir
Joſue, and whiche eldre men knewen alle þe werkis of
þe Lord, whiche he hadde do in Iſrael.
xxxii Alſo `þe ſones of Iſrael birieden þe boonys of
Joſeph, whiche þei baren fro Egipt in Sichen, in þe part
of þe feeld, which feeld Jacob bouȝte of þe ſones of
Emor, fadir of Sichen, for an hundrid ȝonge ſcheep; and
it was in to poſſeſſioun of þe ſones of Joſeph.
xxxiii Alſo Eliazar, ſone of Aaron, preeſt, diede; and
Fynees and hiſe ſones biryden hym in Gabaa, which
was ȝouun to hym in þe hil of Efraym.
Here eendiþ Joſue, and here bigynneþ þe book of
Judicum.

JUDICUM
Here bigynneþ Judicum.
CAP. I
i Aftir þe deeþ of Joſue þe ſones of Iſrael counſeliden þe
Lord, and ſeiden, Who ſchal ſtie bifor vs aȝens Cananei,
and ſchal be duik of þe batel?
ii And þe Lord ſeide, Judas ſchal ſtie; lo! Y haue ȝoue þe
lond in to hiſe hondis.
iii And Juda ſeide to Symeon, his broþer, Stie þou wiþ
me in my lot, and fiȝte þou aȝens Cananei, þat Y go wiþ
þee in þi lot.
iiii And Symeon ȝede wiþ hym; and Judas ſtiede. And þe
Lord bitook Cananey and Fereſei in to `þe hondis of
hem, and þei killiden in Beſech ten þouſynde of men.
v And þei founden Adonybozech in Beſech, and þei
fouȝten aȝens hym, and ſmytiden Cananei, and Fereſey.
vi Forſoþe Adonybozech fledde, whom þei purſueden,
and token, and kittiden þe endis of hiſe hondis and feet.
vii And Adonybozech ſeide, Seuenti kyngis, whanne þe
endis of hondis and feet weren kit awey, gaderiden
relifs of metis vndur my bord; as Y dide, ſo God haþ
ȝolde to me. And þei brouȝten hym in to Jeruſalem, and
þere he diede.
viii Þerfor þe ſones of Juda fouȝten aȝens Jeruſalem, and
token it, and ſmytiden bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, and
bitoken al þe cytee to brennyng.
ix And aftirward þei ȝeden doun, and fouȝten aȝens
Cananey, þat dwellide in þe hilli places, and at þe ſouþ,
in `feeldi places.
x And Judas ȝede aȝens Cananei, þat dwellide in Ebron,
whos name was bi eld tyme Cariatharbe; and Judas
killide Siſay, and Achyman, and Tholmai.
xi And fro þennus he ȝede forþ, and ȝede to þe dwelleris
of Dabir, whos eld name was Cariathſepher, þat is, þe
citee of lettris.
xii And Caleph ſeide, Y ſchal ȝyue Axa, my douȝter, wijf
to hym þat ſchal ſmyte Cariathſepher, and ſchal waſte it.
xiii And whanne Othonyel, ſone of Seneth, þe leſſe
broþer of Caleph, hadde take it, Caleph ȝaf Axa, his
douȝter, wijf to hym.
xiiii And hir hoſebonde ſtiride hir, goynge in þe weie, þat
ſche ſchulde axe of hir fadir a feeld; and whanne ſche
hadde ſiȝid, ſittynge on þe aſſe, Caleph ſeide to hir,
What haſt þou?
xv And ſche anſweride, Ȝiue þou bleſſyng to me, for þou
haſt ȝoue a drye lond to me; ȝyue þou alſo a moyſt lond
wiþ watris. And Caleph ȝaf to hir þe moiſt lond aboue,
and þe moiſt lond byneþe.
xvi Forſoþe þe ſones of Cyney, `alye of Moyſes, ſtieden
fro þe citee of palmes wiþ þe ſones of Juda, in to þe
CCXXV
deſert of his lot, which deſert is at þe ſouþ of Arath; and
dwelliden wiþ hym.
xvii Soþeli Judas ȝede wiþ Symeon, his broþer; and þei
ſmytiden togidere Cananei, þat dwellide in Sephar, and
killiden hym; and þe name of þat citee was clepid
Horma, þat is, curſyng, `eþer perfit diſtriyng, for þilke
citee was diſtried outerly.
xviii And Judas took Gaza wiþ hiſe cooſtis, and Aſcolon,
and Accaron wiþ hiſe termes.
xix And þe Lord was wiþ Judas, and he `hadde in
poſſeſſioun þe hilli places; and he myȝte not do awey þe
dwelleris of þe valei, for þei weren plenteuouſe in `yrun
charis, ſcharpe as ſiþis.
xx And `þe ſones of Iſrael ȝauen Ebron to Caleph, as
Moiſes hadde ſeid, which Caleph dide awei for it þre
ſones of Enach.
xxi Forſoþe þe ſones of Beniamyn diden not awei
Jebuſei, þe dwellere of Jeruſalem; and Jebuſei dwellide
wiþ þe ſones of Beniamyn in Jeruſalem `til in to preſent
dai.
xxii Alſo þe hows of Joſeph ſtiede in to Bethel, and þe
Lord was wiþ hem.
xxiii For whanne þei biſegiden þe citee, þat was clepid
Luſa bifore,
xxiiii þei ſien a man goynge out of þe citee, and þei
ſeiden to hym, Schewe þou to vs þe entrynge of þe
cytee, and we ſchulen do mercy wiþ þee.
xxv And whanne he hadde ſchewid to hem, þei ſmytiden
þe citee bi ſcharpnes of ſwerd; ſoþeli þei delyueriden
þat man and al his kynrede.
xxvi And he was delyuerede, and ȝede in to þe lond of
Sethym, and bildide þere a citee, and clepid it Luzam;
which is clepid ſo til in to preſent dai.
xxvii Alſo Manaſſes dide not awei Bethſan and Thanael
wiþ her townes, and þe dwelleris of Endor, and
Geblaam and Magedo wiþ her townes; and Cananei
bigan to dwelle wiþ hem.
xxviii Soþeli after þat Iſrael was coumfortid, he made
hem tributaries, `eþir to paye tribute, and nolde do awey
hem.
xxix Soþeli Effraym killide not Cananei þat dwellyde in
Gaſer, but dwellide wiþ hym.
xxx Zabulon dide not awey þe dwelleris of Cethron, and
of Naalon; but Cananei dwellide in þe myddis of hym,
and was maad tributarie to him.
xxxi Alſo Aſer dide not awey þe dwelleris of Acho, and
of Sidon, of Alab, and of Azazib, and of Alba, and
Aphech, and of Aloa, and of Pha, and of Roob; and he
dwellide in þe myddis of Cananey,
xxxii dwellere of þat lond, and killide not hym.
xxxiii Neptalym dide not awei þe dwelleris of
Bethſames, and of Bethanach; and he dwellide among
Cananey, dwellere of þe lond; and Bethſamytis and
Bethanytis weren tributarie to hym.
xxxiiii And Ammorrey helde ſtreit þe ſones of Dan in þe
hil, and ȝaf not place to hem to go doun to pleynere
places;
xxxv and he dwellide in þe hil of Hares, `which is
interpretid, Witneſſyng, in Hailon, and in Salabym. And
þe hond of þe hows of Joſeph was maad heuy, and he
was maad tributarie to hym.
xxxvi And þe terme of Ammorrei was fro þe ſtiyng of
Scorpioun, and þe ſtoon, and hiȝere places.
CAP. II
i And þe aungel of þe Lord ſtiede fro Galgala to þe
place of weperis, and ſeide, Y ledde ȝou out of Egipt,
and Y brouȝte ȝou in to þe lond, `for which Y ſwoor to
ȝoure fadris, and bihiȝte, þat Y ſchulde not make void
my couenaunt wiþ ȝou in to wiþ outen ende;
ii ſo oneli þat ȝe ſchulde not ſmyte boond of pees wiþ þe
dwelleris of þis lond, and ſchulden diſtrie `þe auteris of
hem; and ȝe nolden here my vois. Whi diden ȝe þeſe
þingis?
iii Wherfore Y nolde do hem awei fro ȝoure face, þat ȝe
haue enemyes, and þat `þe goddis of hem be to ȝou in to
fallyng.
iiii And whanne þe `aungel of þe Lord ſpak þeſe wordis
to alle þe ſones of Iſrael, þei reiſiden her vois, and
wepten; and þe name of þat place was clepid,
v of weperis, eþer of teeris; and þei offriden þere
ſacrifices to þe Lord.
vi Þerfor Joſue lefte þe puple; and þe ſones of Iſrael
wenten forþ, ech man in to his poſſeſſioun, þat þei
ſchulden gete it.
vii And þei ſerueden þe Lord in alle þe daies of Joſue,
and of eldere men þat lyueden aftir hym in long tyme,
and knewen alle þe grete werkis of þe Lord, whiche he
hadde do wiþ Iſrael.
viii Forſoþe Joſue, ſone of Nun, `ſeruaunt of þe Lord,
`was deed of an hundrid ȝeer and ten;
ix and þei birieden hym in þe endis of his poſſeſſioun, in
Thannath of Sare, in þe hil of Effraym, at þe norþ cooſt
of þe hil Gaas.
x And al þat generacioun was gaderid to her fadris; and
oþere men riſeden, þat knewen not þe Lord, and þe
werkis whiche he `hadde do wiþ Iſrael.
xi And þe ſones of Iſrael diden yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord,
and þei ſerueden Baalym and Aſtaroth;
xii and forſoken þe Lord God of her fadris, þat ledden
hem out of þe lond of Egipt; and þei ſueden alien
goddis, þe goddis of puplis, þat dwelliden in `þe
cumpaſſe of hem, and worſchipeden þo goddis, and
excitiden þe Lord to greet wraþþe, and forſoken hym,
xiii and ſerueden Baal and Aſtoroth.
CCXXVI
xiiii And þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens Iſrael, and bitook
hem in to þe hondis of rauyſcheris, whiche rauyſcheris
token hem, and ſeelden to enemyes, þat dwelliden `bi
cumpas; and þei myȝten not aȝenſtonde her aduerſaries;
xv but whidir euer þei wolden go, þe hond of þe Lord
was on hem, as he ſpak and ſwoor to hem; and þei
weren turmentid greetli.
xvi And þe Lord reiſide iugis, þat `delyueriden hem fro
þe hondis of deſtrieris, but þei nolden here hem,
xvii and þei diden fornycacioun, `þat is, idolatrie, wiþ
alien goddis, and worſchipiden hem. Soone þei forſoken
þe weie, bi which `þe fadris of hem entriden; and þei
herden þe `comaundementis of þe Lord, and diden alle
þingis contrarie.
xviii And whanne þe Lord reiſide iugis in `þe daies of
hem, he was bowid bi mercy, and he herde þe weilyngis
of hem turmentid, and he delyuerede hem fro þe ſleyng
of waſteris.
xix Soþeli aftir þat þe iuge was deed, þei turneden aȝen,
and diden many þingis grettere `in yuel þan her fadris
diden; and þei ſueden alien goddis, and ſerueden hem,
and worſchipiden hem; þei leften not her owne
fyndyngis, and þe hardeſte weie `bi which þei weren
wont to go.
xx And þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens
Iſrael, and he ſeide, For þis puple haþ maad voide my
couenaunt which Y couenauntide wiþ her fadris, and
diſpiſide to here my vois; alſo Y ſchal not do a wey
folkis,
xxi whiche Joſue `lefte, and was deed;
xxii þat in hem Y aſaie Iſrael, wheþer þei kepen þe weie
of þe Lord, and goen þer ynne, as her fadris kepten,
eþer nay.
xxiii Þerfor þe Lord lefte alle þeſe naciouns, and nolde
deſtrie ſoone, neþir bitook in to þe hondis of Joſue.
CAP. III
i Þeſe ben þe folkis whiche þe Lord lefte, þat in hem he
ſchulde teche Iſrael, and alle men þat knewen not þe
batels of Cananeis;
ii and þat aftirward `þe ſones of hem ſchulden lerne to
fiȝte wiþ enemyes,
iii and to haue cuſtom of batel He lefte fyue princes of
Filiſtees, and al Cananei, and þe puple of Sidon, and
Euey þat dwelliden in þe hil Liban, fro þe hil Baal
Hermon `til to þe entryng of Emath.
iiii And he lefte hem, þat in hem he ſchulde aſaie Iſrael,
wheþir þei wolden here þe `heeſtis of þe Lord, whiche
he comaundide to her fadris bi þe hond of Moiſes, eþir
nai.
v And ſo þe ſones of Iſrael dwelliden in þe myddis of
Cananei, of Ethei, and of Ammorrei, and of Fereſei, and
of Euey,
vi and of Jebuſey, and weddiden wyues, þe douȝtris of
hem; and þe ſones of Iſrael ȝauen her douȝtris to `þe
ſones of hem, and ſerueden `þe goddis of hem.
vii And þe ſones of Iſrael diden yuel in þe `ſiȝt of þe
Lord, and forȝaten her Lord God, and ſerueden Baalym,
and Aſtaroth.
viii And þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens Iſrael, and bitook hem
in to þe hondis of Cuſanraſathaym, kyng of
Meſopotanye, and þei ſerueden hym eiȝte ȝeer.
ix And þei crieden to þe Lord, and he reiſide to hem a
ſauȝour, and delyuerede hem, þat is, Othonyel, ſone of
Ceneth, `þe leſſe broþir of Caleph.
x And þe ſpirit of þe Lord was in hym, and he demyde
Iſrael. And he ȝede out to batel, and þe Lord bitook in to
hiſe hondis Cuſanrathaym, kyng of Sirie; and Othonyel
oppreſſide hym.
xi And þe lond reſtide fourti ȝeer; and Othonyel, ſone of
Ceneth, diede.
xii Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael addiden to do yuel in þe
`ſiȝt of þe Lord; and he coumfortide aȝens hem Eglon,
þe kyng of Moab, for `þei diden yuel in þe `ſiȝt of þe
Lord.
xiii And þe Lord couplide to hym þe ſones of Amon and
Amalech; and he ȝede, and ſmoot Iſrael, and hadde in
poſſeſſioun þe citee of Palmes.
xiiii And þe ſones of Iſrael ſerueden Eglon, kyng of
Moab, eiȝtene ȝeer.
xv And aftirward þei crieden to þe Lord; and he reiſide
to hem a ſauȝour, Aioth bi name, þe ſone of Gera, ſone
of Gemyny, which Aioth vſide euer eiþer hond for þe
riȝt hond. And þe ſones of Iſrael ſenten bi him ȝiftis, `þat
is, tribute, to Eglon, kyng of Moab;
xvi which Aioth made to hym a ſwerd keruynge on euer
eiþer ſide, hauynge in þe myddis a pomel of þe lengþe
of þe pawm of an hond; and he was gird þerwiþ vndir
`þe ſai, `þat is, a knyȝtis mentil, `in þe riȝt hipe.
xvii And he brouȝte ȝiftis to Eglon, þe kyng of Moab;
forſoþe Eglon was ful fat.
xviii And whanne he hadde ȝoue ȝiftis to þe kyng, he
purſuede felowis þat camen wiþ hym; and he turnede
aȝen fro Galgalis,
xix where idolis weren, and he ſeide to þe kyng, A kyng,
Y haue a priuei word to þee. And he comaundide
ſilence. And whanne alle men weren goon out, þat
weren aboute hym, Aioth entride to hym;
xx forſoþe he ſat aloone in a ſomer parlour. And Aioth
ſeide, Y haue þe word of God to þee.
xxi Which roos anoon fro þe trone. And Aioth helde forþ
þe left hond, and took þe ſwerd fro his riȝt hype; and he
xxii faſtnede in to þe `wombe of þe kyng ſo ſtrongli, þat
þe pomel, `eþer hilte, ſuede þe yrun in þe wounde, and
was holdun ſtreite `in þe þickeſte fatneſſe wiþ ynne; and
he drow not out þe ſwerd, but ſo as he hadde ſmyte, he
CCXXVII
lefte in þe bodi; and anoon bi þe priuetees of kynde þe
tordis of þe wombe braſte out.
xxiii Forſoþe whanne þe doris of þe parlour weren cloſid
mooſt diligentli, and faſtned wiþ lok,
xxiiii Aioth ȝede out bi a poſterne. And þe `ſeruauntis of
þe king entriden, not in þe parlour, but in þe porche,
and þei ſien þe doris of þe parlour cloſid, and ſeiden, In
hap he purgiþ þe wombe in þe ſomer parlour.
xxv And þei abididen longe, til þei weren aſchamed; and
þei ſien þat no man openede, and þei token þe keie, and
þei openyden, and founden her lord liggynge deed in þe
erþe.
xxvi Soþeli while þei weren diſturblid, Aioth fledde out,
and paſſide þe place of idols, fro whennus he turnede
aȝen; and he cam in to Seirath.
xxvii And anoon he ſownede wiþ a clarioun in þe hil of
Effraym; and þe ſones of Iſrael camen doun wiþ hym,
and he ȝede in þe frount.
xxviii Which ſeide to hem, Sue ȝe me, for þe Lord haþ
bitake oure enemyes, Moabitis, in to oure hondis. And
þei camen doun after hym, and ocupieden þe forþis of
Jordan, þat ledde ouer in to Moab.
xxix And þei ſuffriden not ony man to paſſe, but þei
ſmytiden Moabitis in þat tyme aboute ten þouſande, alle
myȝti men and ſtronge; no man of hem myȝte aſcape.
xxx And Moab was maad low in þat dai vndur þe hond
of Iſrael, and þe lond reſtide foureſcoor ȝeer.
xxxi Aftir hym was Samgar, þe ſone of Anath, þat ſmoot
of Filiſteis ſixe hundrid men wiþ a ſchar; and he alſo
defendide Iſrael.
CAP. IIII
i And þe ſones of Iſrael addiden to do yuel in þe `ſiȝt of
þe Lord, aftir þe deeþ of Aioth.
ii And þe Lord bitook hem in to þe hondis of Jabyn,
kyng of Canaan, þat regnede in Aſor; and he hadde a
duyk of his ooſt, Siſara bi name; and he dwellide in
Aroſeth of heþene men.
iii And þe ſones of Iſrael crieden to þe Lord; for he
hadde nyn hundrid yrone charis, keruynge as ſiþis, and
twenti ȝeer he oppreſſide hem greetli.
iiii Forſoþe Delbora was a propheteſſe, þe wijf of
Lapidoth, which Delbora demyde þe puple in þat tyme;
v and ſche ſat vndur a palm tree, þat was clepid bi her
name, bitwixe Rama and Bethel, in þe hil of Effraym;
and þe ſones of Iſrael ſtieden to hir at ech dom. And
ſche ſente, and clepide Barach, þe ſone of Abynoen, of
Cedes of Neptalym, and ſche ſeide to hym, Þe Lord God
of Iſrael comaundide to þee, Go þou, and lede an ooſt in
to þe hil of Thabor, and þou ſchalt take wiþ þee ten
þouſande `of fiȝteris of þe ſones of Neptalym and of þe
ſones of Zabulon.
vii Soþeli Y ſchal brynge to þee, in þe place of þe
ſtronde of Ciſon, Siſara, prince of `þe ooſt of Jabyn, and
his charis, and al þe multitude; and Y ſchal bitake hem
in þin hond.
viii And Barach ſeide to hir, If þou comeſt wiþ me, Y
ſchal go; if þou nylt come wiþ me, Y ſchal not go.
ix And ſche ſeyde to hym, Soþeli Y ſchal go wiþ þee;
but in þis tyme þe victorie ſchal not be arettide to þee;
for Siſara ſchal be bitakun in þe hond of a womman.
Þerfor Delbora roos, and ȝede wiþ Barach in to Cedes.
x And whanne Zabulon and Neptalym weren clepid, he
ſtiede wiþ ten þouſynde of fiȝteris, and hadde Delbora
in his felouſchipe.
xi Forſoþe Aber of Cyneth hadde departid ſum tyme fro
oþere Cyneys hiſe briþeren, ſones of Obab, `alie of
Moiſes; and he hadde ſet forþ tabernaclis `til to þe valei,
which is clepid Sennym, and was biſidis Cedes.
xii And it was teld to Siſara, þat Barach, ſone of
Abynoen, hadde ſtiede in to þe hil of Thabor.
xiii And he gaderide nyn hundrid yronne charis,
keruynge as ſiþis, and al þe ooſt fro Aroſeth of heþene
men to þe ſtronde of Ciſon.
xiiii And Delbora ſeide to Barach, Riſe þou, for þis is þe
day, in which þe Lord bitook Siſara in to þin hondis; lo!
þe Lord is þi ledere. And ſo Barach cam doun fro þe hil
of Thabor, and ten þouſynde of fyȝteris wiþ hym.
xv And þe Lord made aferd Siſara, and alle `þe charis of
hym, and al þe multitude, bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, at
þe ſiȝt of Barach, in ſo myche þat Siſara lippide doun of
þe chare, and fledde `a foote. And Barach purſuede þe
charis fleynge and þe ooſt `til to Aroſeth of heþene men;
and al þe multitude of enemyes felde doun `til to deeþ.
xvii Soþeli Siſara fledde, and cam to þe tente of Jahel, þe
wijf of Aber Cyney; forſoþe pees waas bitwixe Jabyn,
kyng of Aſor, and bitwixe þe hows of Aber Cyney.
xviii Þerfor Jahel ȝede out in to þe comyng of Siſara, and
ſeide to hym, My lord, entre þou to me, entre þou to
me; drede þou not. And he entride in to `þe tabernacle
of hir, and was hilid of hir wiþ a mentil.
xix And he ſeide to hir, Y biſeche, ȝyue `þou to me a litil
of watir, for Y þirſte greetli. And ſche openyde a `botel
of mylk, and ȝaf to hym to drynke, and hilide hym.
xx And Siſara ſeide to hir, Stonde þou bifor þe dore of
þe tabernacle, and whanne ony man comeþ, and axiþ
þee, and ſeiþ, Wheþer ony man is here? þou ſchalt
anſwere, No man is here.
xxi And ſo Jahel, þe wijf of Aber, took a nayl of þe
tabernacle, and ſche took alſo an hamer; and ſche
entride pryueli, and puttide wiþ ſilence þe nail on þe
temple of his heed, and ſche faſtnede þe nail ſmytun wiþ
þe hamer in to þe brayn, `til to þe erþe; and he ſlepte,
and diede to gidere, and failide, and was deed.
xxii And lo! Barach ſuede Siſara, `and cam; and Jahel
ȝede out in to his comyng, and ſeide to hym, Come, and
Y ſchal ſchewe to þee þe man, whom þou ſekiſt. And
CCXXVIII
whanne he hadde entrid to hir, he ſiȝ Siſara liggynge
deed, and a nail faſtnede in to hiſe templis.
xxiii Þerfor in þat day God `made low Jabyn, þe kyng of
Canaan, bifor þe ſones of Iſrael; whiche encreſiden ech
dai, and wiþ ſtrong hond oppreſſiden Jabyn, þe kyng of
Canaan, til þei diden hym awey.
CAP. V
i And Delbora and Barach, ſone of Abynoen, ſungen in
þat dai, and ſeiden,
ii Ȝe men of Iſrael, þat `offriden wilfuli ȝoure lyues to
perel, bleſſe þe Lord.
iii Ȝe kingis, here, ȝe princes, perceyueþ wiþ eeris; Y
am, Y am þe womman, þat ſchal ſynge to þe Lord; Y
ſchal ſynge to þe Lord God of Iſrael.
iiii Lord, whanne þou ȝediſt out fro Seir, and paſſidiſt bi
þe cuntrees of Edom, þe erþe was moued, and heuenes
and cloudis droppiden wiþ watris; hillis flowiden fro þe
`face of þe Lord,
v and Synai fro þe face of þe Lord God of Iſrael.
vi In þe daies of Sangar, ſone of Anach, in þe daies of
Jahel, paþþis reſtiden, and þei þat entriden bi þo ȝeden
bi paþþis out of þe weie.
vii Stronge men in Iſrael ceſſiden, and reſtiden, til
Delbora roos, a modir in Iſrael.
viii Þe Lord chees newe batels, and he deſtriede þe ȝatis
of enemyes; ſcheeld and ſpere apperiden not in fourti
þouſynde of Iſrael.
ix Myn herte loueþ þe princes of Iſrael; ȝe þat offriden
ȝou to perel bi ȝoure owyn wille,
x bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; ſpeke ȝe, þat ſtien on ſchynynge
aſſis, and ſitten aboue in doom, and goen in þe wey.
xi Where þe charis weren hurtlid doun to gidere, and þe
ooſt of enemyes was ſtraunglid, þere þe `riȝtfulneſſis of
þe Lord be teld, and mercy among þe ſtronge of Iſrael;
þanne þe `puple of þe Lord cam doun to þe ȝatis, and
gat prinſehod.
xii Riſe, riſe þou, Delbora, riſe þou, and ſpeke a ſong;
riſe þou, Barach, and þou, ſone of Abynoen, take þi
priſoneris.
xiii Þe relikis of þe puple ben ſauyd; þe Lord fauȝt aȝens
ſtronge men of Effraym.
xiiii He dide awei hem in Amalech, and aftir hym of
Beniamyn in to þi puplis, þou Amalech. Princes of
Machir and of Zabulon ȝeden doun, þat ledden ooſt to
fiȝte.
xv Þe duykis of Iſachar weren wiþ Delbora, and ſueden
þe ſteppis of Barach, which ȝaf hym ſilf to perel, as in
to a dich, and in to helle. While Ruben was departid
aȝens hym ſilf; þe ſtrijf of greet hertyd men was
foundun.
xvi Whi dwelliſt þou bitwixe `tweyne endis, þat þou
here þe hiſſyngis of flockis? While Ruben was departid
aȝens hym ſilf, þe ſtrijf of greet hertid men was
foundun.
xvii Gad reſtide biȝendis Jordan, and Dan ȝaf tent to
ſchippis. Aſer dwellide in þe `brenke of þe ſee, and
dwellide in hauenes.
xviii Forſoþe Zabulon and Neptalym offriden her lyues
to deeþ, in þe cuntre of Morema, `þat is interpretid, hiȝ.
xix Kyngis camen, and fouȝten; kyngis of Canaan
fouȝten in Thanath, biſidis þe watris of Magedon; and
neþeles þei token no þing bi prey.
xx Fro heuene `me fauȝt aȝens hem; ſterris dwelliden in
her ordre and cours, and fouȝten aȝens Siſara.
xxi Þe ſtronde of Cyſon drow `þe deed bodies of hem, þe
ſtronde of Cadymyn, þe ſtronde of Cyſon. My ſoule, to-
trede þou ſtronge men.
xxii Þe hors howis felden, while þe ſtrongeſte of
enemyes fledden wiþ bire, and felden heedli.
xxiii Curſe ȝe þe lond of Meroth, ſeide þe `aungel of þe
Lord, curſe ȝe `þe dwelleris of hym, for þei camen not
to þe help of þe Lord, `in to þe help of þe ſtrongeſte of
hym.
xxiiii Bleſſyd among wymmen be Jahel, þe wijf of Aber
Cyney; bleſſid be ſche in hir tabernacle.
xxv To Siſara axynge watir ſche ȝaf mylk, and in a viol
of princes ſche ȝaf botere.
xxvi Sche puttide þe left hond to a nail, and þe riȝt hond
to þe `hameris of ſmyȝþis; and ſche ſmoot Siſara, and
ſouȝte in þe heed a place of wounde, and perſide ſtrongli
þe temple.
xxvii He felde bitwixe `þe feet of hir, he failide, and
diede; he was waltryd bifor hir feet, and he lay wiþ out
ſoule, and wretchidful.
xxviii His modir bihelde bi a wyndow, and ȝellide; and
ſche ſpak fro þe ſoler, Whi tarieþ his chaar to come
aȝen? Whi tarieden þe feet of his foure horſid cartis?
xxix Oon wiſere þan `oþere wyues of hym anſweride
þeſe wordis to þe modir of hir hoſebonde,
xxx In hap now he departiþ ſpuylis, and þe faireſte of
wymmen is choſun to hym; cloþis of dyuerſe colouris
ben ȝouun to Siſara in to prey, and dyuerſe aray of
houſhold is gaderid to ourne neckis.
xxxi Lord, alle þin enemyes periſche ſo; ſoþeli, þei þat
louen þee, ſchyne ſo, as þe ſunne ſchyneþ in his riſyng.
xxxii And þe lond reſtide fourti ȝeer.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael diden yuel in þe `ſiȝt of þe
Lord, and he bitook hem in þe hond of Madian ſeuene
ȝeer.
ii And þei weren oppreſſid of hem greetly; and `þei
maden dichis, and dennes to hem ſilf in hillis, and
ſtrongeſte places to fiȝte aȝen.
CCXXIX
iii And whanne Iſrael hadde ſowe, Madian ſtiede, and
Amalech, and oþere of þe `naciouns of þe eeſt;
iiii and þei ſettiden tentis at þe ſones of Iſrael, and
waſtiden alle þingis `as þo weren in eerbis, eþir grene
corn, `til to þe entryng of Gaza, and outirli þei leften
not in Iſrael ony þing perteynynge to lijf, not ſcheep, not
oxun, not aſſis.
v For þei and alle her flockis camen wiþ her tabernaclis,
and at þe licneſſe of locuſtus þei filliden alle þingis, and
a multitude of men and of camels was wiþ out
noumbre, and waſtiden what euer þing þei touchiden.
vi And Iſrael was `maad low greetli in þe ſiȝt of Madian.
vii And Iſrael criede to þe Lord, `and axyde help aȝens
Madianytis; and he ſente to hem a man,
viii a profete, and he ſpak, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ
þeſe þingis, Y made ȝou to ſtie fro Egipt, and Y ledde
ȝou out of þe hows of ſeruage,
ix and Y delyueride ȝou fro þe hond of Egipcians, and of
alle enemyes þat turmentiden ȝou; and Y caſtide hem
out at ȝoure entryng, and Y ȝaf to ȝou `þe lond of hem;
x and Y ſeide, Y am `ȝoure Lord God; drede ȝe not þe
goddis of Ammorreis, in whoſe lond ȝe dwellen; and ȝe
nolden here my vois.
xi Forſoþe an aungel of þe Lord cam, and ſat undur an
ook, þat was in Effra, and perteynede to Joas, fadir of
þe meinee of Ezri. And whanne Gedeon, `his ſone,
þreiſchide out, and purgide wheetis in a preſſour,
xii þat he ſchulde fle Madian, an aungel of þe Lord
apperide to hym, and ſeide, Þe Lord be wiþ þee, þou
ſtrongeſte of men.
xiii And Gedeon ſeide to hym, My lord, Y biſeche, if þe
Lord is wiþ vs, whi þerfor han alle þeſe yuels take vs?
Where ben þe merueils of hym, whiche oure fadris
telden, and ſeiden, Þe Lord ledde vs out of Egipt? `Now
forſoþe he haþ forſake vs, and haþ bitake vs in þe hond
of Madian.
xiiii And þe Lord bihelde to hym, and ſeide, Go þou in
þis ſtrengþe of þee, and þou ſchalt delyuere Iſrael fro þe
hond of Madian; wite þou, þat Y ſente þee.
xv Which Gedeon anſweride, and ſeide, My lord, Y
biſeche, in what þing ſchal Y delyuere Iſrael? Lo! my
meynee is þe loweſte in Manaſſes, and Y am þe leeſte in
þe hows of my fadir.
xvi And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Y ſchal be wiþ þee, and
þou ſchalt ſmyte Madian as o man.
xvii And Gedeon ſeide, If Y haue foundun grace bifor
þee, ȝyue to me a ſigne, þat þou, þat ſpekiſt to me, art
ſente of Goddis part;
xviii go þou not `awei fro hennus, til Y turne aȝen to þee,
and brynge ſacrifice, and offre to þee. Whiche
anſweride, Y ſchal abide þi comyng.
xix And ſo Gedeon entride, and ſeþide a kide, and took
þerf looues of a buyſchel of mell, and fleiſchis in a
panyere; and he ſente þe broþ of fleiſchis in a pot, and
bar alle þingis vndur an ook, and offride to hym.
xx To whom þe aungel of þe Lord ſeide, Take þou þe
fleiſchis, and þerf looues, and putte on þat ſtoon, and
ſchede þe broþ aboue. And whanne he hadde do ſo,
xxi þe aungel of þe Lord helde forþ þe `ende of þe ȝerde
which he helde in þe hond, and he touchide þe fleiſchis,
and þe þerf looues; and fier ſtiede fro þe ſtoon, and
waſtide þe fleiſchis, and þerf looues. Forſoþe þe aungel
of þe Lord vanyſchide fro hiſe iȝen.
xxii And Gedeon ſiȝ þat he was `an aungel of þe Lord,
and ſeide, Lord God, alas to me, for Y ſiȝ þe aungel of
þe Lord face to face.
xxiii And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Pees be wiþ þee; drede
þou not, þou ſchalt not die.
xxiiii Þerfor Gedeon bildide þere an auter to þe Lord,
and he clepide it þe Pees of þe Lord, `til in to preſent
dai. And whanne he was ȝit in Effra, which is of þe
meynee of Ezri, þe Lord ſeide to hym in þat nyȝt,
xxv Take þou `þe bole of þy fadir, and anoþir bole of
ſeuene ȝeer, and þou ſchalt diſtrie þe auter of Baal,
which is þi fadris, and kitte þou doun þe wode, which is
aboute þe auter;
xxvi and þou ſchalt bilde an auter to þi Lord God in þe
hiȝneſſe of þis ſtoon, on which þou puttidiſt ſacrifice
bifore; and þou ſchalt take þe ſecounde bole, and þou
ſchalt offre brent ſacrifice on þe heep of trees, whiche
þou kittidiſt doun of þe wode.
xxvii Þerfore Gedeon took ten men of hiſe ſeruauntis,
and dide as þe Lord comaundide to hym. Soþeli Gedeon
dredde þe hows of his fadir, and þe men of þat citee,
and nolde do bi dai, but fillide alle þingis bi nyȝt.
xxviii And whanne men of þat citee hadde riſe eerly, þei
ſien þe auter of Baal diſtried, and þe wode kit doun, and
þe toþir bole put on þe auter, þat was bildid þanne.
xxix And þei ſeiden togidere, Who haþ do þis? And
whanne þei enqueriden þe doer of þe deed, it was ſeid,
Gedeon, þe ſone of Joas, dide alle þeſe þingis.
xxx And þei ſeiden to Joas, Brynge forþ þi ſone hidur,
þat he die, for he diſtriede þe auter of Baal, and kittide
doun þe wode.
xxxi To whiche he anſweride, Wheþer ȝe ben þe venieris
of Baal, þat ȝe fiȝte for hym? he þat is aduerſarie of
hym, die, bifor þat þe `lyȝt of þe morew dai come; if he
is God, venge he hym ſilf of hym þat caſtide doun his
auter.
xxxii Fro þat dai Gedeon was clepid Gerobaal, for Joas
hadde ſeid, Baal take veniaunce of hym þat caſtide doun
his auter.
xxxiii Þerfor al Madian, and Amalech, and þe puplis of
þe eeſt weren gadirid to gidere, and paſſiden Jordan, and
ſettiden tentis in þe valey of Jezrael.
CCXXX
xxxiiii Forſoþe þe ſpirit of þe Lord cloþide Gedeon; `and
he ſownede wiþ a clarioun, and clepide to gidere þe
hows of Abiezer, þat it ſchulde ſue hym.
xxxv And he ſente meſſangeris in to al Manaſſes, and he
ſuede Gedeon; and he ſente oþere meſſangeris in to
Aſer, and Zabulon, and Neptalym, whiche camen to
hym.
xxxvi And Gedeon ſeide to þe Lord, If þou makiſt ſaaf
Iſrael bi myn hond, as þou haſt ſpoke,
xxxvii Y ſchal putte þis flees of wolle in þe corn floor; if
dew is in þe flees aloone, and dryneſſe is in al þe erþe,
Y ſchal wite, þat þou ſchalt delyuere Iſrael bi myn hond,
as þou haſt ſpoke.
xxxviii And it was don ſo. And he roos bi nyȝt, and
whanne þe flees was wrongun out, he fillide a pot wiþ
deew;
xxxix and he ſeide eft to þe Lord, Þi ſtrong veniaunce be
not wrooþ aȝens me, if Y aſaie, `þat is, axe a ſigne, ȝit
onys, and ſeke a ſigne in þe flees; Y preye, þat þe flees
aloone be drie, and al þe erþe be moiſt wiþ deew.
xl And þe Lord dide in þat nyȝt, as Gedeon axide; and
dryneſſe was in þe flees aloone, and deew was in al þe
erþe.
CAP. VII
i Þerfor Jerobaal, which alſo Gedeon, roos bi nyȝt, and
al þe puple wiþ hym, and cam to þe welle which is
clepid Arad. Soþeli þe tentis of Madian weren in þe
valey, at þe norþ cooſt of þe hiȝ hil.
ii And þe Lord ſeide to Gedeon, Myche puple is wiþ
þee, and Madian ſchal not be bitakun in to þe hondis
`þer of, leſt Iſrael haue glorie aȝens me, and ſeie, Y am
delyuerid bi my ſtrengþis.
iii Speke þou to þe puple, and preche þou, while alle
men heren, He þat is ferdful `in herte, and dredeful `wiþ
outforþ, turne aȝen. And þei ȝeden awei fro þe hil of
Galaad, and two and twenti þouſynde of men turniden
aȝen fro þe puple; and oneli ten þouſynde dwelliden.
iiii And þe Lord ſeide to Gedeon, Yet þe puple is myche;
lede þou hem to þe watris, and þere Y ſchal preue hem,
and he go, of whom Y ſchal ſeye, þat he go; turne he
aȝen, whom Y ſchal forbede to go.
v And whanne þe puple hadde go doun to watris, þe
Lord ſeide to Gedeon, Þou ſchalt departe hem bi hem
ſilf, þat lapen watris wiþ hond and tunge, as doggis ben
wont to lape; ſoþeli þei, þat drynken wiþ knees bowid,
ſchulen be in þe toþir part.
vi And ſo þe noumbre of hem, þat lapiden watris bi
hond caſtynge to þe mouþ, was þre hundrid men;
forſoþe al þe toþir multitude drank knelynge.
vii And þe Lord ſeide to Gedeon, In þre hundrid men,
þat lapiden watris, Y ſchal delyuere ȝou, and Y ſchal
bitake Madian in þin hond; but al þe toþir multitude
turne aȝen in to her place.
viii And ſo whanne þei hadden take meetis and trumpis
for þe noumbre, he comaundide al þe toþir multitude to
go to her tabernaclis; and he, wiþ þre hundrid men, ȝaf
hym ſilf to batel. Soþely þe tentis of Madian weren
byneþe in þe valey.
ix In þe ſame nyȝt þe Lord ſeyde to hym, Ryſe þou, and
go doun in to `þe caſtels of Madian, for Y haue bitake
hem in þin hond;
x ſoþeli if þou drediſt to go aloon, Phara, þi child, go
doun wiþ þee.
xi And whanne þou ſchalt here what þei ſpeken, þanne
þin hondis ſchulen be coumfortid, and þou ſchalt do
down ſikerere to þe tentis of enemyes. Þerfor he ȝede
doun, and Phara, his child, in to þe part of tentis, where
þe watchis of armed men weren.
xii Forſoþe Madian, and Amalech, and alle þe puplis of
þe eeſt layen ſpred in þe valey, as þe multitude of
locuſtis; ſoþeli þe camelis weren vnnoumbrable, as
grauel þat liggiþ in þe `brenke of þe ſee.
xiii And whanne Gedeon hadde come, a man tolde a
dreem to his neiȝbore, and telde bi þis maner þat, þat he
hadde ſeyn, I ſiȝ a dreem, and it ſemyde to me, þat as `o
loof of barly bakun vndur þe aiſchis was walewid, and
cam doun in to þe tentis of Madian; and whanne it
hadde come to a tabernacle, it ſmoot and diſtriede `þat
tabernacle, and made euene outirly to þe erþe.
xiiii Þat man anſweride, to whom he ſpak, Þis is noon
oþer þing, no but þe ſwerd of Gedeon, `ſone of Joas, a
man of Iſrael; for þe Lord haþ bitake Madian and alle
`tentis þerof in to þe hondis of Gedeon.
xv And whanne Gedeon had herd þe dreem, and `þe
interpretyng þerof, he worſchypide þe Lord, and
turnede aȝen to þe tentis of Iſrael, and ſeide, Ryſe ȝe; for
þe Lord haþ bitake in to oure hondis þe tentis of
Madian.
xvi And he departide þre hundrid men in to þre partis,
and he ȝaf trumpis in her hondis, and voyde pottis, and
laumpis in þe myddis of þe pottis.
xvii And he ſeide to hem, Do ȝe þis þing which ȝe ſeen
me do; Y ſchal entre in to a part of þe tentis, and ſue ȝe
þat, þat Y do.
xviii Whanne þe trumpe in myn hond ſchal ſowne, ſowne
ȝe alſo `bi þe cumpas of tentis, and crye ȝe togidere, To
þe Lord and to Gedeon.
xix And Gedeon entride, and þre hundrid men þat weren
wiþ hym, `in to a part of þe tentis, whanne þe watchis
of mydnyȝt bigunnen; and whanne þe keperis weren
reyſid, þei bigunnen to ſowne wiþ trumpis, and to bete
togidere þe pottis among hem ſilf.
xx And whanne þei ſowneden in þre places bi cumpas,
and hadden broke þe pottis, þei helden laumpis in þe
left hondis, and ſownynge trumpis in þe riȝt hondis; and
þei crieden, Þe ſwerd of þe Lord and of Gedeon; and
ſtoden alle in her place,
CCXXXI
xxi `bi þe cumpas of þe tentis of enemyes. And ſo alle
`þe tentis weren troblid; and þei crieden, and ȝelliden,
and fledden;
xxii and neuerþeles þe þre hundrid men contynueden,
ſownynge wiþ trumpis. And þe Lord ſente ſwerd in alle
þe caſtels, and þei killiden hem ſilf bi deeþ ech oþer;
xxiii and þei fledden `til to Bethſecha, and bi þe ſide, fro
Elmonla in to Thebbath. Soþeli men of Iſrael crieden
togidere, of Neptalym, and of Aſer, and of alle
Manaſſes, and purſueden Madian; and þe Lord ȝaf
victorie to þe puple of Iſrael in þat day.
xxiiii And Gedeon ſente meſſangeris in to al þe hil of
Effraym, and ſeide, Come ȝe doun aȝens þe comyng of
Madian, and ocupie ȝe þe watris `til to Bethbera and
Jordan. And al Effraym criede, and bifore ocupide þe
watris and Jordan `til to Bethbera.
xxv And Effraym killide twei men of Madian, Oreb and
Zeb; he killide Oreb in þe ſton of Oreb, forſoþe `he
killide Zeb in þe preſſour of Zeb; and `þei purſueden
Madian, and baren þe heedis of Oreb and of Zeb to
Gedeon, ouer þe flodis of Jordan.
CAP. VIII
i And þe men of Effraym ſeiden to hym, What is þis
þing, which þou woldiſt do, þat þou clepidiſt not vs,
whanne þou ȝediſt to batel aȝens Madian? And þei
chidden ſtrongli, and almeſt diden violence.
ii To whiche he anſweride, `What ſoþeli ſiche þing
myȝte Y do, what maner þing ȝe diden? Wheþir a reiſyn
of Effraym is not betere þan þe vindagis of Abiezer?
iii And þe Lord bitook in to ȝoure hondis þe princes of
Madian, Oreb and Zeb. What ſich þing myȝte Y do,
what maner þing ȝe diden? And whanne he hadde ſpoke
þis þing, þe ſpirit of hem reſtide, bi which þei bolneden
aȝens hym.
iiii And whanne Gedeon hadde come to Jordan, he
paſſide it wiþ þre hundrid men, þat weren wiþ hym; and
for weeryneſſe þei myȝten not purſue hem þat fledden.
v And he ſeide to þe men of Socoth, Y biſeche, ȝyue ȝe
looues to þe puple, which is wiþ me; for þei failiden
greetli, þat we moun purſue Zebee and Salmana, kyngis
of Madian.
vi Þe princes of Socoth anſweriden in ſcorne, In hap þe
pawmes of þe hondis of Zebee and of Salmana ben in
þin hond, and þerfor þou axiſt, þat we ȝyue looues to
þin ooſt.
vii To whiche he ſeide, Þerfor, whanne þe Lord ſchal
bitake Zebee and Salmana in to myn hondis, and
whanne Y ſchal turne aȝen ouercomere in pees, Y ſchal
to-reende ȝoure fleiſchis wiþ þe þornes and breris of
deſeert.
viii And he ſtiede fro þennus, and cam in to Phanuel;
and he ſpak lijk þingis to men of þat place, to whom
alſo þei anſweriden, as þe men of Socoth hadden
anſwerid.
ix And ſo he ſeide to hem, Whanne Y ſchal turne aȝen
ouercomere in pees, Y ſchal diſtrie þis tour.
x Forſoþe Zebee and Salmana reſtiden wiþ al her ooſt;
for fiftene þouſynde men leften of alle þe cumpenyes of
þe `puplis of þe eeſt, whanne an hundrid and twenti
þouſynde of `fiȝteris and of men drawynge out ſwerd
weren ſlayn.
xi And Gedeon ſtiede bi þe weye of hem þat dwelliden
in tabernaclis at þe eeſt cooſt of Nobe and of Lethoa,
and ſmoot þe `tentis of enemyes, þat weren ſikur, and
ſuppoſiden not ony þing of aduerſite.
xii And Zebee and Salmana fledden, whiche Gedeon
purſuede and took, whanne al `þe ooſt of hem was
diſturblid.
xiii And he turnede aȝen fro batel bifor þe `riſyng of þe
ſunne,
xiiii and took a child of þe men of Socoth; and he axide
hym þe names of þe princes and eldere men of Socoth;
and he deſcryuede ſeuene and ſeuenti men in noumbre.
xv And he cam to Socoth, and ſeide to hem, Lo Zebee
and Salmana! of whiche ȝe vpbreideden me, and ſeiden,
In hap þe hondis of Zebee and of Salmana ben in þin
hondis, and þerfor þou axiſt, þat we ȝyue looues to men,
þat ben weeri and failiden.
xvi Þerfor Gedeon took þe eldere men of þe citee, and
þornes and breris of deſeert, and he to-rente wiþ þo, and
al to-brak þe men of Socoth; alſo he deſtriede þe tour of
Phanuel,
xvii whanne þe dwelleris of þe citee weren ſlayn.
xviii And he ſeide to Zebee and Salmana, What maner
men weren þei, whiche ȝe killiden in Thabor? Whiche
anſweriden, Þei weren lijk þee, and oon of hem was as
þe ſone of a kyng.
xix To whiche he ſeide, Þei weren my briþeren, þe ſones
of my modir; þe Lord lyueþ, if ȝe hadden ſaued hem, Y
`nolde ſle ȝou.
xx And he ſeide to Jepther, his firſte gendrid ſone, Riſe
þou, and ſle hem. Which drow not ſwerd; for he dredde,
for he was ȝit a child.
xxi And Zebee and Salmana ſeiden, Ryſe þou, and falle
on vs; for þou art bi þe age and ſtrengþe of man.
Gedeon roos, and killide Zebee and Salmana, and took
þe ournementis, and bellis, wiþ whiche þe neckis of
kyngis camels ben wont to be maad fair.
xxii And alle þe men of Iſrael ſeiden to Gedeon, Be þou
lord of vs, þou, and þi ſone, and þe ſone of þi ſone; for
þou deliueridiſt vs fro þe hond of Madian.
xxiii To whiche he ſeide, Y ſchal not be lord of ȝou, neþir
my ſone ſchal be lord on ȝou, but þe Lord ſchal be lord.
CCXXXII
xxiiii And he ſeide to hem, Y axe oon axyng of ȝou, ȝyue
ȝe to me þe eere ryngis of ȝoure prey; for Iſmaelitis
weren wont to haue goldun eere ryngis.
xxv Whiche anſweriden, We ſchulen ȝyue mooſt gladli.
And þei ſpredden forþ a mentil on þe erþe, and caſtiden
forþ þerynne `eere ryngis of þe prey;
xxvi and þe weiȝte of `eere ryngis axid was a þouſynde
and ſeuene hundrid ſiclis of gold, wiþ out ournementis
and brochis and cloþ of purpur, whiche þe kyngis of
Madian weren wont to vſe, and outakun goldun bies of
camels.
xxvii And Gedeon made þerof ephot, þat is, a preeſtis
cloþ, `and propir cloþ of þe hiȝeſte preeſt, and he puttide
it in his citee Ephra; and al Iſrael diden fornycacioun,
`þat is ydolatrye, þer ynne; and it was maad to Gedeon
and to al his hows in to fallyng.
xxviii Forſoþe Madian was maad low bifor þe ſones of
Iſrael, and þei myȝten no more reiſe nollis; but þe lond
reſtide fourti ȝeer, in whiche Gedeon was ſouereyn.
xxix And ſo Jerobaal, ſone of Joas, ȝede, and dwellide in
his hows;
xxx and he hadde ſeuenti ſones, þat ȝeden out of his þiy,
for he hadde many wyues.
xxxi Forſoþe a concubyn, `þat is, ſecoundarie wijf, of
hym, whom he hadde in Sichem, gendride to hym a
ſone, Abymelech bi name.
xxxii And Gedeon, ſone of Joas, diede in good elde, and
was biried in þe ſepulcre of Joas, his fadir, in Ephra, of
þe meynee of Ezri.
xxxiii Forſoþe aftir þat Gedeon was deed, þe ſones of
Iſrael turneden awey `fro Goddis religioun, and diden
fornycacioun, `þat is, idolatrie, wiþ Baalym; and þei
ſmytiden boond of pees wiþ Baal, þat he ſchulde be to
hem in to God,
xxxiiii neþer þei hadden mynde of her Lord God, þat
delyuerede hem fro þe hond of alle her enemyes `bi
cumpas;
xxxv neþer þei diden merci wiþ þe hous of Gerobaal
Gedeon, bi alle þe goodis whiche he `hadde do to Iſrael.
CAP. IX
i Forſoþe Abymelech, þe ſone of Gerobaal, ȝede in to
Sichem to þe briþeren of his modir; and he ſpak to hem,
and to al þe kynrede of `þe hows of his modir, and
ſeide,
ii Speke ȝe to alle þe men of Sichem, What is betere to
ȝou, þat ſeuenti men, alle þe ſones of Gerobaal, be
lordis of ȝou, wheþer þat o man be lord to ȝou? and alſo
biholde, for Y am ȝoure boon, and ȝoure fleiſch.
iii And þe briþeren of his modir ſpaken of hym alle þeſe
wordis to alle þe men of Sichem; and bowiden her
hertis aftir Abymelech, and ſeiden, He is oure broþer.
iiii And þei ȝauen to hym ſeuenti weiȝtis of ſiluer of þe
temple of Baal Berith; and he hiride to hym þerof men
pore and hauynge no certeyn dwellynge, and þei ſueden
hym.
v And he cam in to `þe hows of his fadir in Ephra, and
killide hiſe briþeren þe ſones of Gerobaal, `ſeuenti men,
on o ſtoon. And Joathan, þe leſte ſone of Gerobaal, lefte,
and was hid.
vi Forſoþe alle þe men of Sichem, and alle þe meynees
of þe citee of Mello, weren gadirid to gydere, and þei
ȝeden, and maden Abymelech kyng, byſidis þe ook þat
ſtood in Sichem.
vii And whanne þis þing was teld to Joathan, he ȝede,
and ſtood in þe cop of þe hil Gariſym, and cried wiþ
`vois reiſid, and ſeide, Ȝe men of Sichem, here me, ſo
þat God here ȝou.
viii Trees ȝeden to anoynte a kyng on hem; and þo
ſeiden to þe olyue tre, Comaunde þou to vs.
ix Whiche anſweride, Wheþer Y may forſake my
fatneſſe, which boþe Goddis and men vſen, and come,
þat Y be auaunſid among trees?
x And þe trees ſeiden to þe fige tree, Come þou, and
take þe rewme on vs.
xi Which anſweride to hem, Wheþer Y may forſake my
ſwetneſſe and ſwetteſte fruytis, and go þat Y be auaunſid
among oþere trees?
xii Alſo `þe trees ſpaken to þe vyne, Come þou, and
comaunde to vs.
xiii Which anſweride, Wheþer Y may forſake my wyn,
þat gladiþ God and men, and be auaunſid among oþere
trees?
xiiii And alle trees ſeiden to þe ramne, eþer þeue þorn,
Come þou, and be lord on vs.
xv Whiche anſweride to hem, If ȝe maken me verili
kyng to ȝou, come ȝe, and reſte vndur my ſchadewe;
ſoþeli, if ȝe nylen, fier go out of þe ramne, and deuoure
þe cedris of þe Liban.
xvi Now þerfor if riȝtfuli and wiþout ſynne `ȝe han maad
Abymelech kyng on ȝou, and ȝe han do wel wiþ
Jerobaal, and wiþ his hows, and ȝe han ȝolde while to
þe benefices of hym,
xvii þat fauȝt for ȝou, and ȝaf his lijf to perelis, þat he
ſchulde delyuere ȝou fro þe hond of Madian;
xviii and ȝe han riſe now aȝens þe hows of my fadir, and
han ſlayn hyſe ſones, ſeuenti men, on o ſtoon, and `han
maad Abymelech, ſone of his handmayde, kyng on þe
dwelleris of Sichem, for he is ȝoure broþer;
xix þerfor if ȝe han do riȝtfuli, and wiþ out ſynne wiþ
Gerobaal and his hows, to dai be ȝe glad in Abymelech,
and be he glad in ȝou; but if ȝe han do weiwardli,
xx fier go out `of hym, and waſte þe dwelleris of
Sichem, and þe citee of Mello; and fier go out of þe
CCXXXIII
men of Sichem, and of þe citee of Mello, and deuoure
Abymelech.
xxi And whanne he hadde ſeide þeſe þingis, he fledde,
and ȝede in to Berara, and dwellide þere, for drede of
Abymelech, his broþer.
xxii And Abymelech regnede on Iſrael þre ȝeer.
xxiii And þe Lord ſente þe worſte ſpirit bitwixe
Abymelech and þe dwelleris of Sichem, whiche
bigynnen to holde hym abomynable,
xxiiii and to arette þe felony of ſleyng of ſeuenti ſones of
Gerobaal, and þe ſchedyng out of her blood, in to
Abymelech her broþer, and to oþere princes of Sichem,
þat hadden helpid hym.
xxv And þei ſettiden buyſchementis aȝens hym in þe
hiȝneſſe of hillis; and þe while þei abideden `þe comyng
of hym, þei hauntiden þeftis, and token preies of men
paſſynge forþ; and it was teld to Abymelech.
xxvi Forſoþe Gaal, `þe ſone of Obed, cam wiþ his
briþeren, and paſſide in to Siccima; at whos entryng þe
dwelleris of Sichem weren reiſid, and ȝeden out `in to
feeldis,
xxvii and waſtiden vyneris, and `to-traden grapis; and
wiþ cumpeneys of ſyngeris maad þei entriden in to `þe
temple of her God, and among metis and drynkis þei
curſiden Abymalech, while Gaal,
xxviii þe ſone of Obed, criede, Who is þis Abymelech?
And what is Sichem, þat we ſerue hym? Wheþer he is
not þe ſone of Jerobaal, and made Zebul his ſeruaunt
prince on þe men of Emor, fadir of Sichem? Whi þerfor
ſchulen we ſerue hym?
xxix `Y wolde, þat ſum man ȝaf þis puple vndur myn
hond, þat Y ſchulde take awei Abimelech fro þe
myddis. And it was ſeid to Abymelech, Gadere þou þe
multitude of ooſt, and come þou.
xxx For whanne þe wordis of Gaal, ſone of Obed, weren
herd, Zebul, þe prynce of þe citee, was ful wrooþ;
xxxi and he ſente priueli meſſangeris to Abymelech, and
ſeide, Lo! Gaal, ſone of Obed, cam in to Siccymam, wiþ
hiſe briþeren, and he excitiþ þe citee to fiȝte aȝens þee;
xxxii þerfor riſe þou bi niȝt wiþ þe puple, which is wiþ
þee, and be þou hid in þe feeld;
xxxiii and firſt in þe morewtid, whanne þe ſunne ryſiþ,
falle on þe citee; forſoþe whanne he goþ out wiþ his
puple aȝens þee, do þou to hym þat þat þou maiſt.
xxxiiii Þerfor Abymelech roos wiþ al his ooſt bi nyȝt, and
ſettide buyſchementis biſidis Siccimam, in foure placis.
xxxv And Gaal, þe ſone of Obed, ȝede out, and ſtood in
þe entryng of `þe ȝate of þe citee. Forſoþe Abymelech
and al þe ooſt wiþ hym roos fro þe place of
buyſchementis.
xxxvi And whanne Gaal hadde ſeyn þe puple, he ſeide to
Zebul, Lo! a multitude comeþ doun fro þe hillis. To
whom he anſweride, Þou ſeeſt þe ſchadewis of hillis as
þe `heedis of men, and þou art diſſeyued bi þis errour.
xxxvii And eft Gaal ſeide, Lo! a puple comeþ doun fro þe
myddis of erþe, `þat is, fro þe hiȝneſſe of hillis, and o
cumpeny comeþ bi þe weie þat biholdiþ þe ook.
xxxviii To whom Zebul ſeide, Where is now þi mouþ, bi
which þou ſpekiſt, Who is Abymelech, þat we ſerue
hym? Wheþer þis is not þe puple, whom þou diſpiſidiſt?
Go þou out, and fiȝte aȝens hym.
xxxix Þerfor Gaal ȝede, while þe puple of Sichen abood;
and he fauȝt aȝens Abymelech.
xl Which purſuede Gaal fleynge, and conſtreynede to go
in to þe citee; and ful many of his part felde doun `til to
þe ȝate of þe citee.
xli And Abymelech ſat in Ranna; ſoþeli Zebul puttide
Gaal and hiſe felowis out of þe citee, and ſuffride not to
dwelle þer ynne.
xlii Þerfor in þe dai ſuynge þe puple ȝede out in to þe
feeld; and whanne þis þing was teld to Abymelech,
xliii he took his ooſt, and departide `in to þre
cumpenyes, and ſettide buyſchementis in þe feeldis; and
he ſiȝ þat þe puple ȝede out of þe citee, and he roos,
xliiii and felde on hem wiþ his cumpeny, and enpugnyde
and biſegide þe citee. Soþely twei cumpenyes ȝeden
aboute opynli bi þe feeld, and purſueden aduerſaries.
xlv Certis Abymelech fauȝt aȝens þe citee in al þat dai,
which he took, whanne þe dwelleris weren ſlayn, and
þat citee was deſtried, ſo þat he ſpreynte abrood ſalt þer
ynne.
xlvi And whanne þei, þat dwelliden in þe tour of
Sichem, hadde herd þis, þei entriden in to þe temple of
her god Berith, where þei hadden maad boond of pees
wiþ hym; and of þat þe place took name, which place
was ful ſtrong.
xlvii And Abymelech herde þe men of þe tour of Sichem
gaderid to gidere,
xlviii and he ſtiede in to þe hil Selmon wiþ al his puple;
and wiþ an axe takun he kittide doun a boow of a tre,
and he bar it, put on þe ſchuldur, and ſeide to felowis,
Do ȝe þis þing, which ȝe ſeen me do.
xlix Þerfor wiþ ſtrijf þei kittiden doun bowis of þe trees,
and ſueden þe duyk; whiche cumpaſſiden and brenten
`þe tour; and ſo it was doon, þat wiþ ſmooke and fier a
þouſynde of men weren ſlayn, men togidere and
wymmen, of þe dwelleris of þe tour of Sichem.
l Forſoþe Abymelech wente forþ fro þennus, and cam to
þe citee of Thebes, which he cumpaſſide, and biſegide
wiþ an ooſt.
li Forſoþe þe tour was hiȝ in þe myddis of þe citee, to
which men togidere and wymmen fledden, and alle þe
princes of þe citee, while þe ȝate was cloſid ſtronglieſte;
and þei ſtoden on þe roof of þe tour bi toretis.
CCXXXIV
lii And Abymelech cam biſidis þe tour, and fauȝt
ſtrongli, and he neiȝede to þe dore, and enforſide to
putte fier vndur; and lo!
liii o womman caſtide fro aboue a gobet of a
mylneſtoon, and hurtlide to `þe heed of Abymelech, and
brak his brayn.
liiii And he clepide ſoone his ſquyer, and ſeide to hym,
Drawe out þi ſwerd, and ſle me, leſt perauenture it be
ſeid, þat Y am ſlan of a womman. Which performede
`þe comaundementis, and `killide Abymelech;
lv and whanne he was deed, alle men of Iſrael þat weren
wiþ hym turneden aȝen to her ſeetis.
lvi And God ȝeldide to Abymelech þe yuel þat he dide
aȝens his fadir, for he killide hiſe ſeuenti briþeren.
lvii Alſo þat þing was ȝoldun to men of Sichem, which
þei wrouȝten, and þe curs of Joathan, ſone of Jerobaal,
cam on hem.
CAP. X
i Aftir Abymelech roos a duyk in Iſrael, Thola, þe ſone
of Phua, broþer of `þe fadir of Abymelech; Thola was a
man of Yſachar, þat dwelliden in Sanyr, of þe hil of
Effraym;
ii and he demyde Iſrael þre and twenti ȝeer, and he `was
deed, and biriede in Sanyr.
iii His ſucceſſour was Jair, a man of Galaad, þat demyde
Iſrael bi two and twenti ȝeer;
iiii and he hadde þretti ſones, ſittynge aboue þretti coltis
of femal aſſis, and þretti princes of citees, whiche ben
clepid bi `his name, Anoth Jair, þat is, þe citees of Jair,
`til in to preſent day, in þe lond of Galaad.
v And Jair `was deed, and biriede in a place `to which
þe name is Camon.
vi Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael ioyneden newe ſynnes to
elde ſynnes, and diden yuels in þe `ſiȝt of þe Lord, and
ſerueden to þe idols of Baalym, and of Aſtoroth, and to
þe goddis of Sirie, and of Sidon, and of Moab, and of
þe ſones of Amon, and of Filiſtiym; and þei leften þe
Lord, and worſchipiden not hym.
vii And þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens hem, and he bitook
hem in to þe hondis of Filiſtiym, and of þe ſones of
Amon.
viii And alle þat dwelliden ouer Jordan in þe lond of
Ammorrey, which is in Galaad, weren turmentid and
oppreſſid greetli bi eiȝtene ȝeer,
ix in ſo myche þat þe ſones of Amon, whanne þei
hadden paſſid Jordan, waſtiden Juda and Benjamyn and
Effraym; and Iſrael was turmentid greetli.
x And þei crieden to þe Lord, and ſeiden, We han ſynned
to þee, for we forſoken oure God, and ſeruyden Baalym.
xi To whiche þe Lord ſpak, Wheþer not Egipcians, and
Ammorreis, and þe ſones of Amon, and of Filiſtiym,
and Sidonyes,
xii and Amalech, and Canaan, oppreſſiden ȝou, and ȝe
crieden to me, and Y delyuerede ȝou fro `þe hondis of
hem?
xiii And neþeles ȝe forſoken me, and worſchipiden alien
goddis; þerfor Y ſchal not adde, þat Y delyuere ȝou
more.
xiiii Go ȝe, and clepe goddis whiche ȝe han choſe;
delyuere þei ȝou in þe tyme of angwiſch.
xv And þe ſones of Iſrael ſeiden to þe Lord, We han
ſynned; ȝelde þou to vs what euer þing pleſiþ þee; oneli
delyuere vs now.
xvi And þei ſeiden þeſe þingis, and caſtiden forþ fro her
cooſtis alle þe idols of alien goddis, and ſerueden þe
Lord; which hadde `rewþe, eþer compaſſioun, on þe
`wretchidneſſis of hem.
xvii And ſo þe ſones of Amon crieden togidere, þat is,
clepyden hem ſilf togidere to batel, and excitiden aȝens
Iſrael, and ſettiden tentis in Galaad, `aȝens whiche þe
ſones of Iſrael weren gaderid, and ſettiden tentis in
Maſphat.
xviii And þe princes of Galaad ſeiden ech to hiſe
neiȝboris, He, þat bigynneþ firſt of vs to fiȝte aȝens þe
ſones of Amon, ſchal be duyk of þe puple of Galaad.
CAP. XI
i And ſo in þat tyme Jepte, a man of Galaad, was a ful
ſtrong man, and fiȝtere, þe ſone of a womman hoore,
which Jepte was borun of Galaad.
ii Forſoþe Galaad hadde a wijf, of which he hadde
ſones, whiche aftir þat þei encreſſiden, caſtiden out
Jepte, and ſeiden, Þou maiſt not be eir in þe hows of
oure fadir, for þou art born of a modir auoutreſſe.
iii `Whiche briþeren he fledde, and eſchewide, and
dwellide in þe lond of Tob; and pore men and `doynge
þefte weren gaderid to hym, and ſueden as a prince.
iiii In þo daies þe ſones of Amon fouȝten aȝens Iſrael;
v and whanne þei contynueden ſcharpli, þe grettere men
in birþe of Galaad, ȝeden to take in to `þe help of hem
ſilf Jepte fro þe lond of Tob;
vi and þei ſeiden to hym, Come þou, and be oure prince,
and fiȝte aȝens þe ſones of Amon.
vii To whiche he anſweride, Wheþir not ȝe it ben, þat
haten me, and caſtiden me out of þe hows of mi fadir,
and now ȝe camen to me, and weren compellid bi nede?
viii And þe princes of Galaad ſeiden to Jepte, Þerfor for
þis cauſe we camen now to þee, þat þou go wiþ vs, and
fiȝt aȝens þe ſones of Amon; and þat þou be þe duyk of
alle men þat dwellen in Galaad.
ix And Jepte ſeide to hem, Wheþer ȝe camen verili to
me, þat Y fiȝte for ȝou aȝens þe ſones of Amon, and if
þe Lord ſchal bitake hem in to myn hondis, ſchal Y be
ȝoure prince?
CCXXXV
x Whiche anſweriden to hym, Þe Lord hym ſilf, þat
heriþ þeſe þingis, is mediatour and witneſſe, þat we
ſchulen do oure biheeſtis.
xi And ſo Jepte wente wiþ þe princes of Galaad, and al
þe puple made hym her prince; and Jepte ſpak alle hiſe
wordis bifor þe Lord in Maſpha.
xii And he ſente meſſangeris to þe kyng of þe ſones of
Amon, whiche meſſangeris ſchulden ſeie `of his
perſoone, What is to me and to þee, for þou haſt come
`aȝens me to waaſte my lond?
xiii To whiche þe kyng anſweride, For Iſrael whanne he
ſtiede fro Egipt took awei my lond, fro þe cooſtis of
Arnon `til to Jaboch and to Jordan, now þerfor ȝeelde it
to me wiþ pees.
xiiii Bi whiche maſſangeris Jepte ſente eft, and
comaundide to hem, þat þei ſchulden ſeie to þe kyng of
Amon,
xv Jepte ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Iſrael took not þe lond of
Moab, neþer þe lond of þe ſones of Amon;
xvi but whanne þei ſtieden fro Egipt, `he ȝede bi þe
wildirneſſe `til to þe Reed See, and cam in to Cades;
xvii and he ſente meſſangeris to þe kyng of Edom, and
ſeide, Suffre þou me, þat Y go þoruy þi lond; which
kyng nolde aſſente to his preyeres. Alſo Iſrael ſente to þe
kyng of Moab, and he diſpiſide to ȝyue paſſage;
xviii and ſo Iſrael dwellyde in Cades, and cumpaſſide bi
þe ſide þe lond of Edom, and þe lond of Moab; and he
cam to þe eeſt cooſt of þe lond of Moab, and ſettide
tentis biȝende Arnon, neþer he wolde entre in to þe
termes of Moab; for Arnon is þe ende of þe lond of
Moab.
xix And ſo Iſrael ſente meſſangeris to Seon, kyng of
Ammorreis, þat dwellide in Eſebon; and þei ſeiden to
hym, Suffre þou, þat Y paſſe þorouȝ þi lond `til to þe
ryuer.
xx And he diſpiſide þe wordis of Iſrael, and ſuffride not
hym paſſe bi hiſe termes, but wiþ a multitude wiþ out
noumbre gaderid to gidere he ȝede out aȝens Iſrael, and
aȝenſtood ſtrongli.
xxi And þe Lord bitook hym wiþ al his ooſt in to þe
hondis of Iſrael; and Iſrael ſmoot hym, and hadde in
poſſeſſioun al þe lond of Ammorrey,
xxii dwellere of þat cuntrey, and al þe cooſtis þerof fro
Arnon `til to Jaboch, and fro þe wildirneſſe `til to
Jordan.
xxiii Þerfor þe Lord God of Iſrael diſtriede Ammorrey,
fiȝtynge aȝens hym for his puple Iſrael. And wolt þou
now haue in poſſeſſioun `his lond? Wheþer not þo
þingis whiche Chamos, þi god, hadde in poſſeſſioun,
ben due to þee bi riȝt?
xxiiii Forſoþe þo þingis whiche `oure Lord God
ouercomere gat, ſchulen falle in to oure poſſeſſioun;
xxv no but in hap þou art betere þan Balach, þe ſone of
Sephor, kyng of Moab, eþer þou maiſt preue, þat he
ſtryuede aȝens Iſrael, and fauȝt aȝens hym,
xxvi whanne he dwellide in Eſebon, and in townes þerof,
and in Aroer, and in townes þerof, and in alle citees
biȝende Jordan, bi þre hundrid ȝeer. Whi in ſo myche
time aſſaieden ȝe no þing on þis axyng aȝen?
xxvii Þerfor not Y do ſynne aȝens þee, but þou doiſt yuel
aȝens me, and bryngiſt in batels not iuſt to me; þe Lord,
iuge of þis dai, deme bitwixe þe ſones of Iſrael and
bitwixe þe ſones of Amon.
xxviii And þe kyng of þe ſones of Amon nolde aſſente to
þe wordis of Jepte, whiche he ſente bi meſſangeris.
xxix Þerfor þe ſpirit of þe Lord was maad on Jepte, and
he cumpaſſide Galaad and Manaſſes, Maſpha and
Galaad; and he paſſide fro þennus to þe ſones of Amon,
xxx and made a vow to þe Lord, and ſeide, If þou ſchalt
bitake þe ſones of Amon in to myn hondis,
xxxi who euer goiþ out firſt of þe dores of myn hows,
and comeþ aȝens me turnynge aȝen wiþ pees fro þe
ſones of Amon, Y ſchal offre hym brent ſacrifice to þe
Lord.
xxxii And Jepte ȝede to þe ſones of Amon, to fiȝte aȝens
hem, whiche þe Lord bitook in to hiſe hondis;
xxxiii and he ſmoot fro Aroer `til to þou comeſt in to
Mennyth, twenti citees, and `til to Abel, which is ſet
aboute wiþ vyneris, wiþ ful greet veniaunce; and þe
ſones of Amon weren maad low of þe ſones of Iſrael.
xxxiiii Forſoþe whanne Jepte turnede aȝen in to Maſpha,
his hows, his oon gendrid douȝter cam to hym wiþ
tympanys and croudis; for he hadde not oþere fre
children.
xxxv And whanne `ſche was ſeyn, he to-rente his cloþis,
and ſeide, Allas! my douȝtir, þou haſt diſſeyued me, and
þou art diſſeyued; for Y openyde my mouþ to þe Lord,
and Y may do noon oþer þing.
xxxvi To whom ſche anſweride, My fadir, if þou
openydiſt þi mouþ to þe Lord, do to me what euer þing
þou bihiȝtiſt, while veniaunce and victorie of þin
enemyes is grauntid to þee.
xxxvii And ſche ſeide to þe fadir, Ȝyue þou to me oneli
þis þing, which Y biſeche; ſuffre þou me þat in two
moneþis Y cumpaſſe hillis, and biweile my maidynhed
wiþ my felowis.
xxxviii To whom he anſweride, Go þou. And he ſufferide
hir in two moneþis. And whanne ſche hadde go wiþ hir
felowis and pleiferis, ſche biwepte hir maydynhed in þe
hillis.
xxxix And whanne twey moneþis weren fillid, ſche
turnede aȝen to hir fadir, and he dide to hir as he
avowide; and ſche knew not fleiſchli a man. Fro þennus
a cuſtom cam in Iſrael,
CCXXXVI
xl andþe cuſtom is kept, þat aftir þe `ende of þe ȝeer þe
douȝtris of Iſrael come togidere, and biweile `þe douȝtir
of Jepte of Galaad `foure daies.
CAP. XII
i `Lo! forſoþe diſcencioun roos in Effraym; for whi þei,
þat paſſiden aȝens þe norþ, ſeiden to Jepte, Whi ȝediſt
þou to batel aȝens þe ſones of Amon, and noldiſt clepe
vs, þat we ſchulden go wiþ þee? Þerfor we ſchulen
brenne þin hows.
ii To whiche he anſweride, Greet ſtrijf was to me and to
my puple aȝens þe ſones of Amon, and Y clepide ȝou,
þat ȝe ſchulden `ȝyue help to me, and ȝe nolden do.
iii `Which þing Y ſiȝ, and puttide my lijf in myn hondis;
and Y paſſide to þe ſones of Amon, and `þe Lord bitook
hem in to myn hondis; what haue Y diſſeruyd, þat ȝe
ryſe togidere aȝens me in to batel?
iiii Þerfor whanne alle þe men of Galaad weren clepid to
hym, he fauȝt aȝens Effraym; and þe men of Galaad
ſmytiden Effraym; for he ſeide, Galaad is `fugitif eþer
exilid fro Effraym, and dwelliþ in þe myddis of
Effraym and of Manaſſes.
v And þe men of Galaad ocupieden þe forþis of Jordan,
bi whiche Effraym ſchulden turne aȝen. And whanne a
man fleynge of þe noumbre of Effraym hadde come to
þo forþis, and hadde ſeid, Y biſeche, þat þou ſuffre me
paſſe; men of Galaad ſeiden to hym, Wheþer þou art a
man of Effraym? And whanne he ſeide, Y am not,
vi þei axiden hym, Seie þou þerfor Sebolech, `whiche is
interpretid, `an eer of corn. Which anſweride,
Thebolech, and myȝte not brynge forþ an eer of corn bi
þe ſame lettre. And anoon þei ſtrangeliden hym takun in
þilke paſſyng of Jordan; and two and fourti þouſynde of
Effraym felden doun in þat tyme.
vii And ſo Jepte, `a man of Galaad, demyde Iſrael ſixe
ȝeer; and he `was deed, and biried in his citee Galaad.
viii Abethſan of Bethleem, þat hadde þretti ſones, and ſo
many douȝtris, demyde Iſrael aftir Jepte;
ix whiche douȝtris he ſente out, and ȝaf to hoſebondis,
and he took wyues to hiſe ſones of þe ſame noumbre,
and brouȝte in to hys hows; which demyde Iſrael ſeuene
ȝeer;
x and he `was deed, and biried in Bethleem.
xi Whos ſucceſſour was Hailon of Zabulon; and he
demyde Iſrael ten ȝeer;
xii and he was deed, and biried in Zabulon.
xiii Aftir hym Abdon, þe ſone of Ellel, of Pharaton,
demyde Iſrael;
xiiii which Abdon hadde fourti ſones, and of hem þretti
ſones, ſtiynge on ſeuenti coltis of femal aſſis, `þat is,
mulis, and he demyde Iſrael eiȝte ȝeer;
xv and he `was deed, and biried in Pharaton, in þe loond
of Effraym, in þe hil of Amalech.
CAP. XIII
i And eft þe ſones of Iſrael diden yuel in þe `ſiȝt of þe
Lord, which bitook hem in to þe hondis of Filiſteis
fourti ȝeer.
ii Forſoþe a man was of Saraa, and of þe kynrede of
Dan, `Manue bi name, and he hadde a bareyn wijf.
iii To `which wijf an aungel of þe Lord apperide, and
ſeide to hir, Þou art bareyn, and wiþ out fre children;
but þou ſchalt conſeyue, and ſchalt bere a ſone.
iiii Þerfor be þou war, leſt þou drynke wyn, and ſydur,
neþir ete þou ony vnclene þing;
v for þou ſchalt conceyue and ſchalt bere a ſone, whos
heed a raſour ſchal not towche; for he ſchal be a Nazarei
of God fro his ȝong age, and fro þe modris wombe; and
he ſchal bigynne to delyuere Iſrael fro þe hond of
Filiſteis.
vi And whanne ſche hadde come to hir hoſebonde, ſche
ſeide to hym, Þe man of God cam to me, and hadde an
aungel cheer, and he was ful ferdful, `þat is, worſchipful
`and reuerent; and whanne Y hadde axide hym, who he
was, and fro whannus he cam, and bi what name he was
clepid, he nolde ſeie to me;
vii but he anſweride þis, Lo! þou ſchalt conſeyue, and
ſchalt bere a ſone; be þou war, þat þou drynke not wyn
ne ſidur, neþer ete ony vncleene þing; for þe child ſchal
be a Nazarey, `þat is, hooli of þe Lord, fro his ȝonge age
and fro þe modris wombe `til to þe dai of his deeþ.
viii Þerfor Manue preide þe Lord, and ſeide, Lord, Y
biſeche, þat þe man of God, whom þou ſentiſt, come eft,
and teche vs, what we owen to do of þe child, þat ſchal
be borun.
ix And þe Lord herde Manue preiynge; and þe aungel of
þe Lord apperide eft to his wijf ſittynge in þe feeld;
forſoþe Manue, hir hoſebonde, was not wiþ hir. And
whanne ſche hadde ſeyn þe aungel,
x ſche haſtide, and ran to hir hoſebonde, and telde to
hym, and ſeide, Lo! þe man whom Y ſiȝ bifore, apperide
to me.
xi Which roos, and ſuede his wijf; and he cam to þe
man, and ſeide to hym, Art þou he, þat haſt ſpoke to þe
womman? And he anſweride, Y am.
xii To whom Manue ſeide, Whanne þi word ſchal be
fillid, what wolt þou, þat þe child do, eþir fro what þing
ſchal he kepe hym ſilf?
xiii And þe `aungel of þe Lord ſeide to Manue, Abſteyne
he hym ſilf fro alle þingis which Y ſpak to þi wijf.
xiiii And ete he not what euer þing comeþ forþ of þe
vyner, drynke he not wyn, and ſidur, ete he not ony
vncleene þing and fille he; and kepe þat, þat Y
comaundide to hym.
xv Þerfor Manue ſeide to þe `aungel of þe Lord, Y
biſeche, þat þou aſſente to my preieris, and we aray to
þee a `kide of þe geet.
CCXXXVII
xvi To whom þe aungel of þe Lord anſweride, Þouȝ þou
conſtreyneſt me, Y ſchal not ete þi looues; forſoþe if þou
wolt make brent ſacrifice, offre þou it to þe Lord. And
Manue wiſte not, þat it was `an aungel of þe Lord.
xvii And Manue ſeide to hym, What name is to þee, þat
if þi word be fillid, we onoure þee?
xviii To whom he anſweride, Whi axiſt þou my name,
which is wondurful?
xix Þerfor Manue took a `kide of þe geet, and fletynge
ſacrifices, and puttide on þe ſtoon, and offryde to þe
Lord þat doiþ wondirful þingis. Forſoþe he and his wijf
bihelden.
xx And whanne þe flawme of þe auter ſtiede in to
heuene, þe aungel of þe Lord ſtiede togidere in þe
flawme. And whanne Manue and his wijf hadden ſeyn
þis, þei felden lowe to erþe.
xxi And þe aungel of þe Lord apperide no more to hem.
And anoon Manue vndurſtood, þat he was an aungel of
þe Lord.
xxii And he ſeide to his wijf, We ſchulen die bi deeþ, for
we ſien þe Lord.
xxiii To whom þe womman anſweride, If þe Lord wolde
ſle vs, he ſchulde not haue take of oure hondis brent
ſacrifices, and moiſte ſacrifices, but neþer he ſchulde
haue ſchewid alle þingis to vs, neþer `he ſchulde haue
ſeid þo þingis, þat ſchulen come.
xxiiii Þerfor ſche childide a ſone, and clepide his name
Sampſon; and þe child encreeſſide, and þe Lord bleſſide
hym.
xxv And þe ſpirit of þe Lord bigan to be wiþ hym in þe
caſtels of Dan, bitwixe Saraa and Eſcahol.
CAP. XIIII
i Þerfor Sampſon ȝede doun in to Thannatha, and he ſiȝ
þere a womman of `þe douȝtris of Filiſteis;
ii and he ſtiede, and telde to his fadir and `to his modir,
and ſeide, Y ſiȝ a womman in Thannatha of þe `douȝtris
of Filiſtees, and Y biſeche, þat ȝe take hir a wijf to me.
iii To whom his fadir and modir ſeiden, Wheþer no
womman is among þe douȝtris of þi briþeren and in al
my puple, for þou wolt take a wijf of Filiſteis, þat ben
vncircumcidid? And Sampſon ſeide to his fadir, Take
þou þis wijf to me, for ſche pleſide myn iȝen.
iiii Forſoþe his fadir and modir wiſten not, þat þe þing
was don of þe Lord; and þat he ſouȝte occaſiouns aȝens
Filiſteis; for in þat tyme Filiſteis weren lordis of Iſrael.
v Þerfor Sampſon ȝede doun wiþ his fadir and modir in
to Thannatha; and whanne þei hadden come to þe
vyneris of þe citee, a fers and rorynge `whelp of a lioun
apperide, and ran to Sampſon.
vi Forſoþe þe ſpirit of þe Lord felde in to Sampſon, and
he to-rente þe lioun, as if he `to-rendide a kide `in to
gobetis, and outerli he hadde no þing in þe hond; and he
nolde ſchewe þis to þe fadir and modir.
vii And he ȝede doun, and ſpak to þe womman, þat
pleſide hiſe iȝen.
viii And aftir ſumme daies he turnede aȝen to take hir `in
to matrimonye; and he `bowide awey to ſe þe `careyn of
þe lioun; and lo! a gaderyng of bees was in þe `mouþ of
þe lioun, and `a coomb of hony.
ix And whanne he hadde take it in hondis, he eet in þe
weie; and he cam to his fadir and modir, and ȝaf part `to
hem, and þei eeten; neþeles he nolde ſchewe to hem, þat
he hadde take hony of þe `mouþ of þe lioun.
x And ſo his fadir ȝede doun to þe womman, and made a
feeſte to his ſone Sampſon; for ȝonge men weren wont
to do ſo.
xi Þerfor whanne þe citeſeyns of þat place hadden ſeyn
hym, þei ȝauen to hym þretti felowis, whiche ſchulen be
wiþ hym.
xii To whiche Sampſon ſpak, Y ſchal putte forþ to ȝou a
probleme, `þat is, a douȝteful word and priuy, and if ȝe
`aſoilen it to me wiþ ynne ſeuen daies of þe feeſte, Y
ſchal ȝyue to ȝou þretti lynnun cloþis, and cootis `of þe
ſame noumbre; ſoþeli if ȝe moun not ſoyle,
xiii ȝe ſchulen ȝyue to me þretti lynnun cloþis, and cootis
`of þe ſame noumbre. Whiche anſweriden to hym, Sette
forþ þe probleme, þat we here it.
xiiii And he ſeide to hem, Mete ȝede out of þe etere, and
ſwetneſſe ȝede out of þe ſtronge. And bi þre daies þei
myȝten not aſſoile þe `propoſicioun, þat is, þe reſoun ſet
forþ.
xv And whanne þe ſeuenþe dai cam, þei ſeiden to `þe
wijf of Sampſon, Gloſe þin hoſebonde, and counſeile
hym, þat he ſchewe to þee what þe probleme ſignyfieþ.
Þat if þou nylt do, we ſchulen brenne þee and `þe hous
of þi fadir. Wheþer herfor ȝe clepiden vs to weddyngis,
þat ȝe ſchulden robbe vs?
xvi And ſche ſchedde teerys at Sampſon, and pleynede,
and ſeide, Þou hatiſt me, and loueſt not, þerfor þou nylt
expowne to me þe probleme, which þou ſettidiſt forþ to
þe ſones of my puple. And he anſweride, Y nolde ſeie to
my fadir and modir, and ſchal Y mow ſchewe to þee?
xvii Þerfor bi ſeuene dayes of þe feeſt ſche wepte at hym;
at þe laſte `he expownede in þe ſeuenþe dai, whanne
ſche was diſeſeful to hym. And anoon ſche telde to hir
citeſeyns.
xviii And þei ſeiden to hym in þe ſeuenþe dai bifor þe
goyng doun of þe ſunne, What is ſwettere þan hony, and
what is ſtrengere þan a lioun? And he ſeide to hem, If ȝe
hadden not erid in my cow calf, `þat is, my wijf, ȝe
hadden not founde my propoſicioun.
xix Þerfor þe ſpirit of þe Lord felde in to hym; and he
ȝede doun to Aſcalon, and killyde þere þretti men,
whoſe cloþis he took awey, and he ȝaf to hem þat
CCXXXVIII
ſoiliden þe probleme; and he was ful wrooþ, and ſtiede
in to `þe hows of his fadir.
xx Forſoþe his wijf took an hoſebonde, oon of þe frendis
and keperis `of hir.
CAP. XV
i `Forſoþe aftir ſum del of tyme, whanne þe daies of
wheete herueſt neiȝiden, Sampſon cam, and wolde viſite
his wijf, and he brouȝte to hir a `kide of geet; and when
he wolde entre in to hir bed bi cuſtom, `þe fadir of hir
forbeed hym, and ſeide,
ii Y geſſide þat þou haddiſt hatid hir, and þerfor Y ȝaf hir
to þi freend; but ſche haþ a ſiſtir, which is ȝongere and
fairere þan ſche, be ſche `wijf to þee for hir.
iii To whom Sampſon anſweride, Fro þis day no blame
ſchal be in me aȝens Filiſtees, for Y ſchal do yuels to
ȝou.
iiii And he ȝede, and took þre hundrid foxis, and
ioynede `þe tailis of hem to tailis, and boond brondis in
þe myddis,
v whiche he kyndlid wiþ fier, and leet hem, þat þei
ſchulden renne aboute hidur and þidur; `which ȝeden
anoon in to þe cornes of Filiſteis, bi whiche kyndlid,
boþe cornes `borun now to gidere, and ȝit ſtondynge in
þe ſtobil, weren brent, in ſo myche þat þe flawme
waſtide vyneris, and `places of olyue trees.
vi And Filiſteis ſeiden, Who dide þis þing? To whiche it
was ſeid, Sampſon, hoſebonde of þe `douȝtir of
Thannathei, for he took awey Sampſones wijf, and ȝaf
to anoþer man, `wrouȝte þis þing. And Filiſteis ſtieden,
and brenten boþe þe womman and hir fadir.
vii To whiche Sampſon ſeide, Þouȝ ȝe han do þis,
neþeles ȝit Y ſchal axe veniaunce of ȝou, and þan Y
ſchal reſte.
viii And he ſmoot hem wiþ greet wounde, ſo þat þei
wondriden, and `puttiden þe hyndrere part of þe hipe on
þe þiy; and he ȝede doun, and dwellide in þe denne of
þe ſtoon of Ethan.
ix Þerfor Filiſteis ſtieden in to þe lond of Juda, and
ſettiden tentis in þe place, þat was clepid aftirward
Lethi, þat is, a cheke, wher `þe ooſt of hem was ſpred a
brood.
x And men of þe lynage of Juda ſeiden to hem, Whi
`ſtieden ȝe aȝens vs? Whiche anſweriden, We comen þat
we bynde Sampſon, and ȝelde to hym þo þingis whiche
he wrouȝte in vs.
xi Þerfor þre þouſynde of men of Juda ȝeden doun to þe
denne of þe flynt of Ethan; and þei ſeiden to Sampſon,
Wooſt þou not, þat Filiſteis comaunden to vs? Why
woldiſt þou do þis þing? To whiche he ſeide.
xii As þei diden to me, Y dide to hem. Þei ſeien, We
comen to bynde þee, and to bitake þee in to þe `hondis
of Filiſteis. To whiche Sampſon anſweride, Swere ȝe,
and `biheete ȝe to me, þat ȝe ſle not me.
xiii And þei ſeiden, We ſchulen not ſle þee, but we
ſchulen bitake þee boundun. And þei bounden him wiþ
twei newe cordis, and token fro þe ſtoon of Ethan.
xiiii And whanne þei hadden come to þe place of cheke,
and Filiſteis criynge hadden runne to hym, þe ſpirit of
þe Lord felde in to hym, and as ſtikis ben wont to be
waſtid at þe odour of fier, ſo and þe bondis, wiþ whiche
he was boundun, weren ſcaterid and vnboundun.
xv And he took a cheke foundun, þat is, þe lowere cheke
boon of an aſſe, þat lay, `and he killyde `wiþ it a
þouſinde men; and ſeide,
xvi Wiþ þe cheke of an aſſe, þat is, wiþ þe lowere cheke
of a colt of femal aſſis, Y dide hem awey, and Y killide
a þouſynde men.
xvii And whanne he ſonge þeſe wordis, and `hadde fillid,
he caſtide forþ fro þe hond þe lowere cheke; and he
clepide þe name of þat place Ramath Lethi, `which is
interpretid, þe reiſyng of a cheke.
xviii And he þriſtide greetly, and criede to þe Lord, and
ſeide, Þou haſt ȝoue in þe hond of þi ſeruaunt þis gretteſt
helþe and victory; and lo! Y die for þyrſt, and Y ſchal
falle in to þe hondis of vncircumcidid men.
xix Þerfor þe Lord openyde a wang tooþ in þe cheke
boon of þe aſſe, and watris ȝeden out þerof, `bi whiche
drunkun he refreiſchide þe ſpirit, and reſſeuede
ſtrengþis; þerfor þe name of þat place was clepid þe
Welle of þe clepere of þe cheke `til to preſent dai.
xx And he demyde Iſrael in þe daies of Filiſtiym twenti
ȝeer.
CAP. XVI
i Alſo Sampſon ȝede in to Gazam, and he ſiȝ þere a
womman hoore, and he entride to hir.
ii And whanne Filiſteis hadden ſeyn þis, and it was
puppliſchid at hem, þat Sampſon entride in to þe citee,
þei cumpaſſiden hym, whanne keperis weren ſet in þe
ȝate of þe citee; and þei abididen þere al nyȝt `wiþ
ſilence, þat in þe morewtid þei ſchulen kille Sampſon
goynge out.
iii Forſoþe Sampſon ſlepte til to `þe myddis of þe nyȝt;
and `fro þennus he roos, and took boþe þe cloſyngis,
eþir leeues, of þe ȝate, wiþ hiſe poſtis and lok; and he
bar þo leeues, put on þe ſchuldris, to þe cop of þe hil þat
biholdiþ Ebron.
iiii After þeſe þingis Sampſon louyde a womman þat
dwellide in þe valey of Soreth, and ſche was clepid
Dalida.
v And þe princes of Filiſteis camen to hir, and ſeiden,
Diſſeyue þou hym, and lerne þou of hym, in what þing
he haþ ſo greet ſtrengþe, and how we mowen ouercome
hym, and turmente hym boundun; þat if þou doiſt, we
ſchulen ȝyue to þee ech man a þouſynde and an hundrid
platis of ſiluer.
CCXXXIX
vi Þerfor Dalida ſpak to Sampſon, Y biſeche, ſeie þou to
me, wher ynne is þi gretteſte ſtrengþe, and what is þat
þing, wiþ which þou boundun maiſt not breke?
vii To whom Sampſon anſweride, If Y be boundun wiþ
ſeuene coordis of ſenewis not ȝit drye `and ȝit moiſte, Y
ſchal be feble as oþere men.
viii And þe princis of Filiſteis brouȝten `to hir ſeuene
coordis, as he hadde ſeide; wiþ whiche ſche boond him,
ix while buyſchementis weren hid at hir, and abididen in
a cloſet þe ende of þe þing. And ſche criede to hym,
Sampſon, Filiſteis ben on þee! Which brak þe boondis,
as if a man brekiþ a þreed of herdis, wriþun wiþ ſpotle,
whanne it haþ take þe odour of fier; and it was not
knowun wher ynne his ſtrengþe was.
x And Dalida ſeide to hym, Lo! þou haſt ſcorned me,
and þou haſt ſpok fals; nameli now ſchewe þou to me,
wiþ what þing þou ſchuldiſt be boundun.
xi To whom he anſweride, If Y be boundun wiþ newe
coordis, þat weren not ȝit in werk, I ſchal be feble, and
lijk oþere men.
xii Wiþ whiche Dalida boond him eft, and criede,
Sampſon, Filiſtees ben on þee! þe while buyſchementis
weren maad redi in cloſet. Which brak `ſo þe boondis as
þredis of webbis.
xiii And Dalida ſeide eft to hym, Hou long ſchalt þou
diſſeyue me, and ſchalt ſpeke fals? Schew þou to me,
wiþ what þing þou ſchalt be boundun. To whom
Sampſon anſweryde, he ſeide, If þou plattiſt ſeuene
heeris of myn heed wiþ a ſtrong boond, and faſtneſt to
þe erþe a naile boundun a boute wiþ þeſe, Y ſchal be
feble.
xiiii And whanne Dalida hadde do þis, ſche ſeide to hym,
Sampſon, Filiſteis ben on þee! And he roos fro ſleep,
and drow out þe nail, wiþ þe heeris and ſtrong boond.
xv And Dalida ſeide to hym, Hou ſeiſt þou, þat þou
loueſt me, ſiþen þi ſoule is not wiþ me? Bi þre tymes
þou liediſt to me, and noldiſt ſeie to me, wher ynne is þi
mooſt ſtrengþe.
xvi And whanne ſche was diſeſeful to hym, and cleuyde
to hym contynueli bi many daies, and ȝaf not ſpace to
reſte, his lijf failide, and was maad wery `til to deeþ.
xvii Þanne he openyde þe treuþe of þe þing, and ſeide to
hir, Yrun ſtiede neuere on myn heed, for Y am a
Nazarei, þat is, halewid to þe Lord, fro `þe wombe of
my modir; if myn heed be ſchauun, my ſtrengþe ſchal
go awei fro me, and Y ſchal faile, and Y ſchal be as
oþere men.
xviii And ſche ſiȝ þat he knowlechide to hir al his wille,
`eþer herte; and ſche ſente to þe princes of Filiſteis, and
comaundide, Stie ȝe ȝit onys, for now he openyde his
herte to me. Whiche ſtieden, wiþ þe money takun which
þei bihiȝten.
xix And ſche made hym ſlepe on hir knees, and `bowe
þe heed in hir boſum; and ſche clepide a barbour, and
ſchauede ſeuene heeris of hym; and ſche bigan to caſte
hym awei, and to put fro hir; for anoon þe ſtrengþe ȝede
awei fro him.
xx And ſche ſeide, Sampſon, Filiſteis ben on þee! And he
roos fro ſleep, and ſeide to his ſoule, Y ſchal go out, as
and Y dide bifore, and Y ſchal ſchake me fro boondis;
and he wiſte not, þat þe Lord hadde goon awei fro hym.
xxi And whanne Filiſteis hadden take hym, anoon þei
diden out hiſe iȝen, and ledden hym boundun wiþ
chaynes to Gaza, and `maden hym cloſid in priſoun to
grynde.
xxii And now hiſe heeris bigunnen to growe aȝen;
xxiii and þe princes of Filiſteis camen togidere to offre
grete ſacrifices to Dagon, her god, and `to ete, ſeiynge,
Oure god haþ bitake oure enemy Sampſon in to oure
hondis.
xxiiii And þe puple ſeynge alſo þis þing preiſide her god,
and ſeide þe ſame þingis, Our god haþ bitake oure
aduerſarie in to oure hondis, which dide awey oure
lond, and killide ful many men.
xxv And þei weren glad bi feeſtis, for þei hadden ete
þanne; and þei comaundiden, þat Sampſon ſchulde be
clepid, and ſchulde pleie bifor hem; which was led out
of priſoun, and pleiede bifor hem; and þei maden hym
ſtonde bitwixe twei pileris.
xxvi And he ſeide to þe `child gouernynge hiſe ſteppis,
Suffre þou me, þat Y touche þe pilers on whiche al þe
hows ſtondiþ, þat Y be bowid on þo, and reſte a litil.
xxvii Soþeli þe hows was ful of men and of wymmen,
and þe princes of þe Filiſteis weren þere, and aboute þre
þouſynde of `euer eiþer kynde, biholdynge fro þe roof
and þe ſoler Sampſon pleynge.
xxviii And whanne þe Lord `was inwardli clepid, he
ſeide, My Lord God, haue mynde on me, and, my God,
ȝelde þou now to me þe formere ſtrengþe, þat Y venge
me of myn enemyes, and þat Y reſſeyue o veniaunce for
þe los of tweyne iȝen.
xxix And he took boþe pilers, on whiche þe hows ſtood,
and he helde þe oon of þo in þe riȝthond, and þe toþer
in þe left hond; and ſeide,
xxx My lijf die wiþ Fileſteis! And whanne þe pileris
weren ſchakun togidere ſtrongli, þe hows felde on alle
þe princes, and on þe toþer multitude, þat was þere; and
he diynge killide many moo, þan he quyk hadde ſlayn
bifore.
xxxi Forſoþe hiſe briþeren and al þe kinrede camen
doun, and token his bodi, and birieden bitwixe Saraa
and Eſcahol, in þe ſepulcre of his fadir Manue; and he
demyde Iſrael twenti ȝeer.
CAP. XVII
i In þat tyme was a man, `Mycas bi name, of þe hil of
Effraym.
CCXL
ii And he ſeide to his modir, Lo! Y haue a þouſynde `and
an hundrid platis of ſiluer, whiche þou departidiſt to
þee, and on whiche þou ſworiſt, while Y herde, and þo
ben at me. To whom ſche anſweride, Bleſſid be my ſone
of þe Lord.
iii Þerefor he ȝeldide þo to his modir; and ſche ſeide to
hym, Y halewide and avowide þis ſiluer to þe Lord, þat
my ſone reſſeyue of myn hond, and make a grauun
ymage and a ȝotun ymage; and now I `ȝyue it to þee.
iiii Þerfor he ȝeldide to his modir; and ſche took twei
hundryd platis of ſiluer, and ȝaf þo to a werk man of
ſiluer, þat he ſchulde make of þo a grauun `ymage and
ȝotun, þat was in `þe hows of Mycas.
v Which departide alſo a litil hous þer ynne to God; and
made ephod, and theraphym, þat is, a preeſtis cloþ, and
ydols; and he fillide þe hond of oon of his ſones, and he
was maad a preeſt to hym.
vi In þo daies was no kyng in Iſrael, but ech man dide
þis, þat ſemyde riȝtful to hym ſilf.
vii Alſo anoþer ȝonge wexynge man was of Bethleem of
Juda, of þe kynrede þerof, `þat is, of Juda, and he was a
dekene, and dwellide þere.
viii And he ȝede out of þe citee of Bethleem, and wolde
be a pilgrim, where euere he foond profitable to hym
ſilf. And whanne he made iourney, and `hadde come in
to þe hil of Effraym, and hadde bowid a litil in to `þe
hows of Mycha,
ix `he was axid of hym, Fro whennus comeſt þou?
Which anſweride, Y am a dekene of Bethleem of Juda,
and Y go, þat Y dwelle where Y may, and ſe þat it is
profitable to me.
x Micha ſeide, Dwelle þou at me, and be þou fadir and
preeſt `to me; and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee bi ech ȝeer ten
platis of ſiluer, and double cloþ, and þo þingis þat ben
nedeful to lijflode.
xi He aſſentide, and dwellide `at þe man; and he was to
þe man as oon of ſones.
xii And Mycha fillide his hond, and hadde þe child
preeſt at hym,
xiii and ſeide, Now Y woot, þat God ſchal do wel to me,
hauynge a preeſt of þe kyn of Leuy.
CAP. XVIII
i In þo daies was no kyng in Iſrael; and þe lynage of
Dan ſouȝte poſſeſſioun to it ſilf, to dwelle þer ynne; for
`til to þat dai it hadde not take eritage among oþer
lynagis.
ii Þerfor þe ſones of Dan ſenten fyue þe ſtrongeſte men
of her generacioun and meynee fro Saraa and Eſcahol,
þat þei ſchulden aſpie þe lond, and biholde diligentli.
And þei ſeiden to hem, Go ȝe, and biholde þe lond. And
whanne þei goynge hadden come in to þe hil of
Effraym, and hadden entrid in to þe hows of Mycha, þei
reſtiden þere.
iii And þei knewen þe voys of þe ȝong wexynge dekene;
and þei reſtiden in `þe yn of hym, and ſeiden to hym,
Who brouȝte þee hidur? What doiſt þou here? For what
cauſe woldiſt þou come hidur?
iiii Which anſweride `to hem, Mychas ȝaf to me þeſe and
þeſe þingis, and hiride me for meede, þat Y be preeſt to
hym.
v Forſoþe þei preieden hym, þat he ſchulde counſele þe
Lord, and þei myȝten wite, wheþer þei ȝeden in weie of
proſperite, and þe þing ſchulde haue effect.
vi Which anſweride to hem, Go ȝe wiþ pees, þe Lord
biholdiþ ȝoure weie, and þe iourney whidur ȝe goon.
vii Þerfor þe fyue men ȝeden, and camen to Lachys; and
þei ſiȝen þe puple dwellynge þer ynne wiþ outen ony
drede, bi þe cuſtom of Sidonyis, ſikur and reſteful, for
no man outirli aȝenſtood hem, and `of grete richeſſis,
and fer fro Sidon, and departid fro alle men.
viii And þei turneden aȝen to her briþeren in Saraa and
Eſcahol; and þei anſweriden to `briþeren axynge what
þei hadden do,
ix Riſe ȝe, and ſtie we to hem, for we ſiȝen þe lond ful
riche and plenteuous; nyle ȝe be necgligent, nil ȝe
ceeſſe, go we, and haue it in poſſeſſioun;
x no trauel ſchal be; we ſchulen entre to ſikir men, in to
a largeſte cuntrey; and þe Lord ſchal bitake to vs a
place, wher ynne is not pouert of ony þing of þo þat ben
brouȝt forþ in erþe.
xi Þerfor ſixe hundrid men gird wiþ armeris of batel
ȝeden forþ `of þe kynrede of Dan, þat is, fro Saraa and
Eſcahol.
xii And þei ſtieden, and dwelliden in Cariathiarym of
Juda, which place took fro þat tyme þe name of Caſtels
of Dan, and is bihyndis þe bak of Cariathiarym.
xiii Fro þennus þei paſſiden in to þe hil of Effraym; and
whanne þei hadden come to þe hows of Mychas, þe
fyue men,
xiiii þat weren ſent bifore to biholde þe lond of Lachis,
ſeiden to her oþer briþeren, Ȝe knowen, þat ephod, and
theraphyn, and a grauun ymage and ȝotun is in þeſe
houſis; ſe ȝe what pleſiþ ȝou.
xv And whanne þei hadden bowid a litil, þei entriden in
to þe hows of þe ȝong dekene, þat was in þe hows of
Mychas, and þei gretten hym wiþ peſible wordis.
xvi Forſoþe ſixe hundrid men ſtoden bifore þe dore, ſo as
þei weren armed. And þei, þat entriden in to þe `hows
of þe ȝong man, enforſiden to take awey þe grauun
ymage, and þe ephod, and theraphin, and þe ȝotun
ymage; and þe preeſt ſtood bifore þe dore,
xvii while ſixe hundrid ſtrongeſte men abideden not fer.
xviii Þerfor þei þat entriden token þe grauun ymage,
ephod, and idols, and þe ȝotun ymage; to whiche þe
preeſt ſeide, What doen ȝe?
CCXLI
xix To whom þei anſweriden, Be þou ſtille, and putte þe
fyngur on þi mouþ, and come wiþ vs, þat we haue þee
fadir and preeſt. What is betere to þee, þat þou be preeſt
in þe hows of o man, wheþer in o lynage and meynee in
Iſrael?
xx And whanne he hadde herd þis, he aſſentide to `þe
wordis of hem, and he took þe ephod, and ydols, and þe
grauun ymage, and ȝede forþ wiþ hem.
xxi And whanne þei ȝeden, and hadden maad þe litle
children, and werk beeſtis, and al þing þat was
preciouſe, to go bifor hem;
xxii and whanne þei weren now fer fro `þe hows of
Mychas, men þat dwelliden in þe houſis of Mychas,
crieden togidere, and ſueden,
xxiii and bigunnun to crye `aftir þe bak. Whiche whanne
þei hadden biholde, ſeiden to Mychas, What wolt þou to
þee? whi crieſt þou?
xxiiii Which anſweride, Ȝe han take awey my goddis
whiche Y made to me, and þe preeſt, and alle þingis
whiche Y haue; and ȝe ſeien, What is to þee?
xxv And þe ſones of Dan ſeiden to hym, Be war, leſt þou
ſpeke more to vs, and men ſtyrid in ſoule come to þee,
and þou periſche wiþ al þin hows.
xxvi And ſo þei ȝeden forþ in þe iourney bigunnun.
Forſoþe Mychas ſiȝ, þat þei weren ſtrongere þan he, and
turnede aȝen in to his hows.
xxvii Forſoþe ſixe hundrid men token þe preeſt, and þe
þingis whiche we biforſeiden, and camen in to Lachis to
þe puple reſtynge and ſikur; and þei ſmytiden hem bi þe
ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, and bitoken þe citee to brennyng,
xxviii while no man outirli ȝaf help, for þei dwelliden fer
fro Sydon, and hadden not ony þing of felouſchipe and
cauſe wiþ ony of men. Forſoþe þe citee was ſet in þe
cuntrei of Roob; which citee þei bildiden eft, and
dwelliden þer ynne;
xxix while þe name of þe citee was clepid Dan, bi þe
name of her fadir, whom Iſrael hadde gendrid, which
citee was ſeid Lachis bifore.
xxx And `þei ſettiden þere þe grauun ymage, and
Jonathas, ſone of Jerſon, ſone of Moiſes, and `Jonathas
ſones, preeſtis, in þe lynage of Dan, til in to þe dai of
her caitifte.
xxxi And þe idol of Mychas dwellide at hem, in al þe
tyme `in which þe hows of God was in Silo. In þo daies
was no kyng in Iſrael.
CAP. XIX
i A man was a dekene dwellinge in þe ſide of þe hil of
Effraym, which dekene took a wijf of Bethleem of
Juda.
ii And ſche lefte hym, and turnede aȝen in to þe hows of
hir fadir in Bethleem, and ſche dwellide at hym foure
moneþis.
iii And hir hoſebonde ſuede hir, and wolde be
recounſelid to hir, and ſpeke faire, and lede hir aȝen wiþ
him; and he hadde in cumpany a child, and tweyne aſſis.
And ſche reſſeyuede hym, and brouȝte him in to `þe
hows of hir fadir; and whanne hiſe wyues fadir hadde
herd þis, and `hadde ſeyn hym, he ran gladli to hym,
and kiſſide þe man.
iiii And þe hoſebonde of þe douȝtir dwellide in `þe hows
of his wyues fadir in þree daies, and eet and drank
hoomli wiþ hym.
v Soþeli in þe fourþe dai he roos bi nyȝt, and wolde go
forþ; whom `þe fadir of his wijf helde, and ſeide to
hym, Taaſte þou firſt a litil of breed, and coumforte þi
ſtomak, and ſo þou ſchalt go forþ.
vi And þei ſaten togidere, and eeten, and drunkun. And
þe fadir of þe damyſele ſeide to `þe hoſebonde of his
douȝter, Y beſeche þee, þat þou dwelle here to dai, and
þat we be glad togidere.
vii And he roos, and bigan to wilne to go; and
neuerþeles `þe fadir of his wijf helde hym mekeli, and
made to dwelle at hym.
viii Forſoþe whanne þe morewtid was maad, þe dekene
made redi weie; to whom `þe fadir of his wijf ſeide eft,
Y biſeche, þat þow take a litil of mete, and make þee
ſtrong til þe dai encreeſſe, and aftirward go forþ. Þerfor
þei eten togidere.
ix And þe ȝong man roos to go wiþ his wijf and child; to
whom þe fadir of his wijf ſpak eft, Biholde þou, þat þe
dai is `lowere to þe goynge doun, and it neiȝeþ to
euentid; dwelle þou at me alſo to dai, and lede a glad
dai, and to morewe þou ſchalt go forþ, þat þou go in to
þin hows.
x Þe `hoſebonde of þe douȝtir nolde aſſente to hiſe
wordis; but he ȝede forþ anoon, and cam aȝens Jebus,
which bi anoþer name is clepid Jeruſalem; and he ledde
wiþ hym twei aſſis chargid, and þe wijf.
xi And now þei weren biſidis Jebus, and þe day was
chaungid in to nyȝt. And þe child ſeide to his lord,
Come þou, Y biſeche, bowe we to þe citee of Jebus, and
dwelle we þerynne.
xii To whom þe lord anſweride, Y ſchal not entre in to þe
citee of an alien folc, which is not of þe ſones of Iſrael,
but Y ſchal paſſe `til to Gabaa;
xiii and whanne Y ſchal come þidur, we ſchulen dwelle
þerynne, `eþer certis in þe citee of Rama.
xiiii Þerfor þei paſſiden Jebus, and token þe weie
bigunnun. And þe ſunne ȝede doun to hem biſidis
Gabaa, which is in þe lynage of Beniamyn;
xv and þei turneden to it, þat þei ſchulden dwelle þere.
Whidur whanne þei hadden entrid, þei ſaten in þe ſtreet
of þe citee, and no man wolde reſſeyue hem to herbore.
xvi And lo! an eld man turnede aȝen fro þe feeld, and fro
his werk in þe euentid, and apperide to hem, which alſo
hym ſilf was of þe hil of Effraym, and he dwellide a
CCXLII
pilgrym in Gabaa. Þerfor men of þat cuntrey weren þe
ſones of Gemyny.
xvii And whanne þe eld man reiſide his iȝen, he ſiȝ a
man ſittynge wiþ hiſe fardels in þe ſtreet of þe citee; and
he ſeide to `þat man, Fro whennus comeſt þou? and
whidur goiſt þou?
xviii Which anſweride to hym, We ȝeden forþ fro
Bethleem of Juda, and we gon to oure place, which is in
þe ſide of þe hil of Effraym, fro whennus we ȝeden to
Bethleem; and now we gon to þe hows of God, and no
man wole reſſeyue vs vndur his roof,
xix and we han prouendre and hey in to mete of aſſis,
and breed and wyn in to myn vſis, and of þin
handmayde, and of þe child which is wiþ me; we han
no nede to ony þing, no but to herbore.
xx To whom þe eld man anſweride, Pees be wiþ þee; Y
ſchal ȝyue alle `þingis, þat ben nedeful; oneli, Y biſeche,
dwelle þou not in þe ſtreet.
xxi And he brouȝte hym in to his hows, and ȝaf `mete to
þe aſſis; and after þat þei waiſchiden her feet, he
reſſeyuede hem `in to feeſte.
xxii While þei eeten, and refreiſchiden þe bodies wiþ
mete and drynk after þe trauel of weie, men of þat citee
camen, þe ſones of Belial, þat is, wiþ out ȝok, and þei
cumpaſſiden þe `hows of þe elde man, and bigunnun to
knocke þe doris; and þei crieden to þe lord of þe hows,
and ſeiden, Lede out þe man þat entride in to þin hows,
þat we myſuſe him.
xxiii And þe elde man ȝede out to hem, and ſeide, Nyle
ȝe, briþeren, nyle ȝe do þis yuel; for þe man entride in
to myn herbore; and ceeſſe ȝe of þis foli.
xxiiii Y haue a douȝter virgyn, and þis man haþ a wijf; Y
ſchal lede out hem to ȝou, þat ȝe make lowe hem, and
fille ȝoure luſt; oneli, Y biſeche, þat ȝe worche not þis
curſidneſſe aȝens kynde `aȝens þe man.
xxv Þei nolden aſſente to hiſe wordis; which þing þe man
ſiȝ, and ledde out his wijf to hem, and bitook to hem hir
to be defoulid. And whanne þei hadden miſuffid hir al
niȝt, þei leften hir in þe morewtid.
xxvi And whanne þe derkneſſis departiden, þe womman
cam to þe dore of þe hows, where hir lord dwellide, and
þere ſche felde doun.
xxvii Whanne þe morewtid was maad, þe man roos, and
openyde þe dore, `þat he ſchulde fille þe weie
bigunnun; and lo! his wijf lay bifor þe dore, wiþ hondis
ſpred in þe þreiſchfold.
xxviii And he geſſide `hir to reſte, `and ſpak to hir, Riſe
þou, and go we. `And whanne ſche anſweride no þing,
he vndirſtode þat ſche was deed; and he took hir, and
puttide on þe aſſe, and turnede aȝen in to his hows.
xxix And whanne he entride in `to þat hows, he took a
ſwerd, and departide in to twelue partis and gobetis þe
deed body of þe wijf, and ſente in to alle þe termes of
Iſrael.
xxx And whanne alle `men hadden herde þis, þei
crieden, Neuere ſiche a þing was don in Iſrael, fro þat
dai `in which oure fadris ſtieden fro Egipt `til in to
`preſent tyme; ſeie ȝe ſentence, and deme ȝe in comyn,
what is nede to be doon.
CAP. XX
i Þerfor alle þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden, and weren gaderid
togidere as o man, fro Dan `til to Berſabee, and fro þe
lond of Galaad to þe Lord in Maſpha; and alle þe
`corneris of puplis;
ii and alle þe lynagis of Iſrael camen to gidere in to þe
chirche of `þe puple of God, foure hundrid þouſynde of
`foot men fiȝters.
iii And it was not `hid fro þe ſones of Beniamyn, þat þe
ſones of Iſrael hadden ſtied in to Maſpha. And þe
dekene, hoſebonde of þe `wijf þat was ſlayn, was axid,
`how ſo greet felonye was doon;
iiii and he anſweride, Y cam wiþ my wijf in to Gabaa of
Beniamyn, and Y turnede þidur.
v And lo! men of þat citee cumpaſſiden in nyȝt þe hows,
in which Y dwellide, and þei wolden ſle me, and þei
bitraueliden my wijf wiþ vnbileueful woodneſſe of
letcherie; at þe laſt ſche was deed.
vi And Y took, and Y kittide hir in to gobetis, and Y
ſente partis in to alle þe termes of ȝoure poſſeſſioun; for
ſo greet felonye and ſo greuouſe ſynne was neuere doon
in Iſrael.
vii Alle ȝe ſones of Iſrael ben preſent; deme ȝe, what ȝe
owen do.
viii And al þe puple ſtood, and anſweride as bi word of o
man, `þat is acordyngli, wiþ out aȝenſeiyng and wiþ out
delay, We ſchulen not go awei in to oure tabernaclis,
neþir ony man ſchal entre in to his hows;
ix but we ſchulen do þis in comyn aȝens Gabaa.
x `Ten men be choſun of an hundrid, of alle þe lynagis
of Iſrael, and an hundrid of a þouſynde, and a þouſynde
of ten þouſynde, þat þei bere metis to þe ooſt, and þat
we, fiȝtynge aȝens Gabaa of Beniamyn, moun ȝelde to it
`for þe treſpas þat þat it deſerueþ.
xi And al þe puple, `as o man, cam togidere to þe citee
bi þe ſame þouȝt and o counſel.
xii And `þei ſenten meſſangeris to al þe lynage of
Beniamyn, `whiche meſſangeris ſeiden, Whi ſo greet
felony is foundun in ȝou?
xiii Bitake ȝe þe men of Gabaa, þat diden þis
wickidneſſe, þat þei die, and yuel be doon awey fro
Iſrael. `Whiche nolden here þe comaundement of her
briþeren, þe ſones of Iſrael,
xiiii but of alle þe citees, þat weren of `her part, þei
camen togidere in to Gabaa, to helpe hem, and to fiȝte
aȝens al þe puple of Iſrael.
CCXLIII
xv And fyue and twenti þouſynde weren foundun of
Beniamyn, of men drawynge out ſwerd, outakun þe
dwelleris of Gabaa,
xvi whiche weren ſeuen hundrid ſtrongeſte men, fiȝtynge
ſo wiþ þe lefthond as wiþ þe riȝthond, and caſtynge ſo
ſtoonus wiþ ſlyngis at a certeyn þing, þat þei myȝten
ſmyte alſo an heer, and þe ſtrook of þe ſtoon ſchulde not
be borun in to `þe toþer part.
xvii Alſo of þe men of Iſrael, wiþ out þe ſones of
Beniamin, weren foundun foure hundrid þouſynd `of
men drawynge ſwerd and redi to batel.
xviii Whiche riſeden and camen in to þe hows of God,
þat is in Silo; and þei counceliden God, and ſeiden,
Who ſchal be prince in oure ooſt of þe batel aȝens þe
ſones of Beniamyn? To whiche þe Lord anſweride,
Judas be ȝoure duyk.
xix And anoon þe ſones of Iſrael riſiden eerli, and
ſettiden tentis aȝens Gabaa.
xx And fro þennus þei ȝeden forþ to batel aȝens
Beniamyn, and bigunnen to fiȝte aȝens `þe citee.
xxi And þe ſones of Beniamyn ȝeden out of Gabaa, and
killiden of þe ſones of Iſrael in þat dai two and twenti
þouſynde of men.
xxii And eft þe ſones of Iſrael triſtiden in ſtrengþe and
noumbre, and dreſſiden ſchiltrun, in þe ſame place in
which þei fouȝten bifore;
xxiii ſo neþeles þat þei ſtieden bifore, and wepten bifor
þe Lord `til to nyȝt, and counſeliden hym, and ſeiden,
Owe Y go forþ more to fiȝte aȝens þe ſones of
Beniamyn, my briþeren, eþer nay? To whiche he
anſweride, Stie ȝe to hem, and bigynne ȝe batel.
xxiiii And whanne þe ſones of Iſrael hadden go forþ to
batel in þe toþer dai aȝens Beniamyn,
xxv þe ſones of Beniamyn braken out of þe ȝates of
Gabaa, and camen to hem; and þe ſones of Beniamyn
weren wood aȝens hem bi ſo greet ſleyng, þat þei
caſtiden doun eiȝtene þouſynde of men drawynge ſwerd.
xxvi Wherfor alle þe ſones of Iſrael camen in to þe hows
of God, and ſaten, and wepten bifore þe Lord, and þei
faſtiden in þat dai `til to euentid; and þei offeriden to þe
Lord brent ſacrifices and peſible ſacrifices,
xxvii and axiden of her ſtaat. In þat tyme þe arke of
boond of pees of God was þere in Silo;
xxviii and Fynees, þe ſone of Eleazar, ſone of Aaron, was
ſouereyn of þe hows. Þerfor þei counſeliden þe Lord,
and ſeiden, Owen we go out more to batel aȝens þe
ſones of Beniamyn, oure briþeren, eþir reſte? To whiche
þe Lord ſeide, Stie ȝe, for to morewe Y ſchal bytake
hem in to ȝoure hondis.
xxix And þe ſones of Iſrael ſettiden buyſchementis bi þe
cumpas of þe citee of Gabaa;
xxx and þe þridde tyme as onys and tweis þei brouȝten
forþ ooſt aȝens Beniamyn.
xxxi But alſo þe ſones of Beniamyn braken out of þe
citee booldli, and purſueden ferþere þe aduerſaryes
fleynge, ſo þat þei woundiden of hem, as in þe firſte dai
and þe ſecounde, and killiden bi twey paþþis `þe
aduerſaries turnynge backis; of whiche paþþis oon was
borun in to Bethel, þe toþer in to Gabaa. And þei
caſtiden doun aboute þretti men;
xxxii for þei geſſiden to ſle hem `bi cuſtomable maner;
whiche `feyneden fliȝt bi craft, and token counſel, þat
þei ſchulden drawe hem fro þe citee, and þat þei as
fleynge ſchulden brynge to þe forſeid paþþis.
xxxiii Þerfor alle þe ſones of Iſrael riſiden of her ſeetis,
and ſettiden ſchiltrun in þe place which is clepid
Baalthamar. And þe buſchementis, þat weren aboute þe
citee, bigunnen to opene hem ſilf litil and litil,
xxxiiii and to go forþ fro þe weſt part of þe citee. But alſo
oþere ten þouſynde of men of al Iſrael excitiden þe
dwelleris of þe cite to batels; and þe batel was maad
greuous aȝens þe ſones of Beniamyn, and þei
vndurſtoden not, þat periſching neiȝede to hem on eche
part.
xxxv And þe Lord ſmoot hem in þe ſiȝt of þe ſones of
Iſrael, and `þei killiden of hem in þat dai fyue and
twenti þouſynde and an hundrid men, alle þe werrȝours
and drawynge ſwerd.
xxxvi Soþeli þe ſones of Beniamyn bigunnen to fle,
`whanne þei ſien, þat þei weren þe lowere. And þe ſones
of Iſrael ſien þis, and `ȝauen to hem place to fle, þat þei
ſchulden come to þe buyſchementis maad redi, whiche
þei hadden ſet biſidis þe citee.
xxxvii And whanne þei hadden riſe ſudenli fro hid places,
and Beniamyn ȝaf backis to þe ſleeris, þei entriden in to
þe citee, and ſmytiden it by þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd.
xxxviii Soþeli þe ſones of Iſrael hadden ȝoue a ſigne to
hem whiche þei hadden ſet in buyſchementis, þat aftir
þat þei hadden take þe citee, þei ſchulden kyndle fier,
and þat bi ſmook ſtiynge an hiȝ, þei ſchulden ſchewe þe
citee takun.
xxxix And whanne þe ſones of Iſrael ſet in þilke batel
ſien þis; for þe ſones of Beniamyn geſſiden hem to fle,
and þei ſueden biſiliere, whanne þretti men of her ooſt
weren ſlayn;
xl and `þe ſones of Iſrael ſien as a piler of ſmoke ſtie fro
þe citee; alſo Beniamyn bihelde bihynde, whanne he ſiȝ
þe citee takun, and flawmes borun in hiȝe,
xli þei þat feyneden fliȝt bifore, `aȝenſtoden ſtrongliere
wiþ face turned. And whanne þe ſones of Beniamyn
hadden ſeyn þis, þei weren turned in to fliȝt,
xlii and þei bigunnen to go to þe weie of deſeert; while
alſo aduerſaries purſueden hem þere, but alſo þei, þat
hadden brent þe citee, camen aȝens hem.
xliii And ſo it was doon, þat þei weren ſlayn of enemyes
on ech part, neþer ony reſte of men diynge was; and þei
CCXLIV
felden, and weren caſt doun at þe eeſt cooſt of þe citee
of Gabaa.
xliiii Forſoþe þei, þat weren ſlayn in þe ſame place,
weren eiȝtene þouſynde of `men, alle ſtrongeſte fiȝteris.
xlv And whanne þei þat leften of Beniamyn hadden ſeyn
þis, þei fledden in to wildirneſſe, and þei ȝeden to þe
ſtoon, whos name is Remmon. And in þat fliȝt þe ſones
of Iſrael ȝeden opynli, `and ȝeden in to dyuerſe places,
and killiden fyue þouſynde men; and whanne þei ȝeden
ferþer, þei purſueden hem, and killiden alſo oþere twei
þouſynde.
xlvi And ſo it was doon, þat alle þat felden doun of
Beniamyn in diuerſe places, weren fyue and twenti
þouſynde, `fiȝterys mooſt redi to batels.
xlvii And ſo ſixe hundrid men leften of al þe noumbre of
Beniamyn, þat myȝten aſcape, and fle in to wildirneſſe;
and þei ſaten in þe ſtoon of Remmon foure moneþis.
xlviii Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden out, and ſmytiden
wiþ ſwerd alle þe remenauntis of þe citee, fro men `til
to werk beeſtis; and deuourynge flawme waſtide alle þe
citees and townes of Beniamyn.
CAP. XXI
i Alſo þe ſones of Iſrael ſworen in Maſpha, and ſeiden,
Noon of vs ſchal ȝyue to þe ſones of Beniamyn a wijf of
his douȝtris.
ii And `alle camen to þe hows of God in Silo, and þei
ſaten in þe `ſiȝt of hym `til to euentid, and þei reiſiden
þe vois, and bigunnen to wepe wiþ greet ȝellyng,
iii and ſeiden, Lord God of Iſrael, whi is þis yuel don in
þi puple, þat to dai o lynage be takun awey of vs?
iiii Soþeli in þe toþer day þei riſiden eerli, and bildyden
an auter, and offriden þere brent ſacrifices and peſible
ſacrifices, and ſeiden,
v Who of alle þe lynagis of Iſrael ſtiede not in to þe ooſt
of þe Lord? For whanne þei weren in Maſpha, þei
`hadden bounde hem ſilf wiþ a greuouſe ooþ, þat þei þat
failiden ſchulden be ſlayn.
vi And þe ſones of Iſrael weren led bi penaunce on her
broþer Beniamyn, and bigunnen to ſeie, O lynage of
Iſrael is takun awey;
vii wherof ſchulen þei take wyues? for alle we ſworen in
comyn, þat we ſchulen not ȝyue oure douȝtris to hem.
viii Þerfor þei ſeiden, Who is of alle þe lynagis of Iſrael,
þat ſtiede not to þe Lord in Maſpha? And lo! þe
dwelleris of Jabes of Galaad weren foundun, þat þei
weren not in þe ooſt.
ix Alſo in þat tyme, whanne þei weren in Silo, noon of
hem was foundun þere.
x Þerfor þei ſenten ten þouſynde ſtrongeſte men, and
comaundiden to hem, Go ȝe, and ſmyte þe dwelleris of
Jabes of Galaad bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, as wel þe
wyues as `þe litle children of hem.
xi And þis þing ſchal be, which ȝe `owen to kepe, ſle ȝe Here endiþ Judicum, and here bigynneþ Ruth.
alle of male kynde, and þe wymmen, þat knewen men
fleiſchli; reſerue ȝe þe virgyns.
xii And foure hundrid virgyns, þat knewen not þe bed of
man, weren foundun of Jabes of Galaad; and þei
brouȝten hem to þe caſtels in Silo, in to þe lond of
Chanaan.
xiii And `þei ſenten meſſangeris to þe ſones of
Beniamyn, þat weren in þe ſtoon of Remmon; and þei
comaundiden to hem, þat þei ſchulden reſſeyue þo
wymmen in pees.
xiiii And þe ſones of Beniamyn camen in þat tyme, and
þe douȝtris of Jabes of Galaad weren ȝouun to hem to
wyues; forſoþe þei founden not oþere wymmen, whiche
þei ſchulden ȝyue in lijk maner.
xv And al Iſrael ſorewide greetly, and dide penaunce on
þe ſleyng of o lynage of Iſrael.
xvi And þe grettere men in birþe ſeiden, What ſchulen
we do to þe oþere men, þat han not take wyues? Alle þe
wymmen in Beniamyn felden doun,
xvii and it `is to vs to puruey `wiþ greet cure and greet
ſtudie, þat o lynage be not don awey fro Iſrael.
xviii We moun not ȝyue oure douȝtris to hem, for we ben
boundun wiþ an ooþ and curſyng, bi which we ſeiden,
Be he curſid þat ȝyueþ of hiſe douȝtris a wijf to
Beniamyn.
xix And þei token a counſel, and ſeiden, Lo!
annyuerſarie ſolempnyte of þe Lord is in Silo, whych is
ſet at þe norþ of þe citee of Bethel, and at þe eeſt cooſt
of þe weie þat goiþ from Bethel to Siccyma, and at þe
ſouþ of þe citee of Lebona.
xx And þei comaundiden to þe ſones of Beniamyn, and
ſeiden, Go ȝe, be ȝe hid in þe vyneris;
xxi and whanne ȝe ſeen douȝtris of Silo go forþ bi
cuſtom to lede daunſis, go ȝe out of þe vyneris ſudeynli,
and rauyſche ȝe hem, eche man o wijf, and go ȝe in to
þe lond of Beniamyn.
xxii And whanne þe fadris and briþeren of hem ſchulen
come, and bigynne to pleyne and plete aȝens ȝou, we
ſchulen ſeie to hem, Haue ȝe mercy of hem; for þei
rauyſchiden not hem bi riȝt of fiȝteris and ouercomeris,
but ȝe `ȝauen not to hem preiynge þat þei ſchulden take;
and þe ſynne is of ȝoure part.
xxiii And þe ſones of Beniamyn diden as it was
comaundid to hem, and bi her noumbre þei rauyſchiden
wyues to hem, ech man o wijf, of hem þat ledden
daunſis. And þei ȝeden in to her poſſeſſioun, and
bildiden citees, and dwelliden in þo.
xxiiii And þe ſones of Iſrael turneden aȝen, bi lynagis
and meynees, in to her tabernaclis. In þo dayes was no
kyng in Iſrael, but ech man dide þis, þat ſemyde ryȝtful
to hym ſilf.

CCXLV

RUTH
Here bigynneþ Ruth.
CAP. I
i In þe daies of o iuge, whanne iugis weren ſouereynes,
hungur was maad in þe lond; and a man of Bethleem of
Juda ȝede to be a pylgrym in þe cuntrei of Moab, wiþ
his wijf and twey fre ſones.
ii He was clepid Elymelech, and his wijf Noemy, and þe
twey ſones, `þe oon was clepid Maalon, and þe toþer
Chelion, Effrateis of Bethleem of Juda; and þei entriden
in to þe cuntrey of Moab, and dwelliden þere.
iii And Elymelech, þe hoſebonde of Noemy, diede, and
ſche lefte wiþ þe ſones;
iiii and þei token wyues of Moab, of whiche wyues oon
was clepid Orpha, þe toþer Ruth. And þe ſones
dwelliden þere ten ȝeer,
v and boþe dieden, þat is, Maalon and Chelion; and þe
womman lefte, and was maad bare of twey fre ſones,
and hoſebonde.
vi And ſche roos to go wiþ euer eiþir wijf of hir ſones in
to hir cuntrey fro þe cuntrey of Moab; for ſche hadde
herd, þat þe Lord hadde biholde his puple, and hadde
ȝoue `metis to hem.
vii Þerfor ſche ȝede out of þe place of hir pilgrymage
wiþ euer eiþer wijf of hir ſones; and now ſche was ſet in
þe weie of turnyng aȝen in to þe lond of Juda,
viii and ſche ſeide to hem, Go ȝe in to `þe hows of ȝoure
modir; þe Lord do mercy wiþ ȝou, as ȝe diden wiþ þe
deed men, and wiþ me;
ix þe Lord ȝyue to ȝou to fynde reſte in þe howſis of
hoſebondis, whiche ȝe ſchulen take. And ſche kiſte hem.
Whiche bigunnen to wepe wiþ `vois reiſid,
x and to ſeie, We ſchulen go wiþ þee to þi puple.
xi To whiche ſche anſweride, My douȝtris, turne ȝe aȝen,
whi comen ȝe wiþ me? Y haue no more ſones in my
wombe, þat ȝe moun hope hoſebondis of me; my
douȝtris of Moab, turne ȝe aȝen, and go;
xii for now Y am maad eeld, and Y am not able to boond
of mariage; ȝhe, þouȝ Y myȝte conſeyue in þis nyȝt,
xiii and bere ſones, if ȝe wolen abide til þei wexen, and
fillen þe ȝeris of mariage, `ȝe ſchulen ſunner be eld
wymmen þan ȝe ſchulen be weddid; I biſeche, `nyle ȝe,
my douȝtris, for ȝoure angwiſche oppreſſiþ me more,
and þe hond of þe Lord ȝede out aȝens me.
xiiii Þerfor, whanne þe vois was reiſid, eft þei bigunnen
to wepe. Orpha kiſſide `þe modir of hir hoſebonde, and
turnede aȝen, and Ruth `cleuyde to `þe modir of hir
hoſebonde.
xv To whom Noemy ſeide, Lo! þi kyneſwomman
turnede aȝen to hir puple, and to hir goddis; go þou wiþ
hir.
CCXLVI
xvi And ſche anſweride, Be þou not `aduerſarye to me,
þat Y forſake þee, and go awei; whidur euer þou ſchalt
go, Y ſchal go, and where þou ſchalt dwelle, and Y ſchal
dwelle togidere; þi puple is my puple, and þi God is my
God;
xvii what lond ſchal reſſeyue þee diynge, Y ſchal die þer
ynne, and þere Y ſchal take place of biriyng; God do to
me þeſe þingis, and adde þeſe þingis, if deeþ aloone
ſchal not departe me and þee.
xviii Þerfor Noemy ſiȝ, þat Ruth hadde demyde wiþ
ſtidefaſt ſoule to go wiþ hir, and ſche nolde be aȝens hir,
neþer counſeile ferþere turnynge aȝen `to her cuntrei
men.
xix And þei ȝeden forþ togidere, and camen in to
Bethleem; and whanne þei entriden in to þe citee, ſwift
fame roos anentis alle men, and wymmen ſeiden, Þis is
þilke Noemy.
xx To whiche ſche ſeide, Clepe ȝe not me Noemy, þat is,
fair, but `clepe ȝe me Mara, þat is, bittere; for Almyȝti
God haþ fillid me greetli wiþ bitterneſſe.
xxi Y ȝede out ful, and þe Lord ledde me aȝen voide;
whi þerfor clepen ȝe me Noemy, whom þe Lord haþ
`maad low, and Almyȝti God haþ turmentid?
xxii Þerfor Noemy cam wiþ Ruth of Moab, `þe wijf of
hir ſone, fro þe lond of hir pilgrimage, and turnede aȝen
in to Bethleem, whanne barli was ropun firſt.
CAP. II
i Forſoþe a myȝti man and a man `of grete richeſſis,
`Booz bi name, `was kynyſman of Elymelech.
ii And Ruth of Moab ſeide to hir modir in lawe, If þou
comaundiſt, Y ſchal go in to þe feeld, and Y ſchal
gadere eeris of corn þat fleen þe hondis of reperis,
where euer Y ſchal fynde grace of an hoſebonde man
merciful in me. To whom ſche anſweride, Go, my
douȝter.
iii Þerfor `ſche ȝede, and gaderide eeris of corn after þe
backis of reperis. Forſoþe it bifelde, þat `þilke feeld
hadde a lord, Booz bi name, þat was of þe kynrede of
Elymelech.
iiii And lo! he cam fro Bethleem. And he ſeide to þe
reperis, Þe Lord be wiþ ȝou. Whiche anſweriden to
hym, Þe Lord bleſſe þee.
v And Booz ſeide to þe ȝong man þat was ſouereyn to þe
reperis, Who is þis damyſel?
vi Whiche anſweride, Þis is þe womman of Moab, þat
cam wiþ Noemy fro þe cuntrey of Moab; and ſche
preiede,
vii þat ſche ſchulde gedere eeris of corn leeuynge
bihynde, and ſue þe `ſteppis of reperis; and fro þe
morewtid til now ſche ſtondiþ in þe feeld, and ſoþeli
neþir at a moment ſche turnede aȝen hoom.
viii And Booz ſeide to Ruth, Douȝtir, here þou; go þou
not in to anoþir feelde to gadere, neþer go awei fro þis
place, but be þou ioyned to my dameſelis,
ix and ſue þou where þei repen; for Y comaundide to my
children, þat `no man be diſeſeful to þee; but alſo if þou
þirſtiſt, go to þe fardels, and drynke `watris, of whiche
my children drynken.
x And ſche felde on hir face, and worſchipide on þe
erþe; and ſeide to hym, Wherof is þis to me, þat Y
ſchulde fynde grace bifor þin iȝen, þat þou woldiſt
knowe me a ſtraunge womman?
xi To whom he anſweride, Alle þingis ben teld to me,
whiche þou didiſt to þi modir in lawe after þe deeþ of
þin hoſebonde, and þat þou haſt forſake þi fadir and
modir, and þe lond `in which þou were borun, and haſt
come to a puple, whom þou `knowiſt not bifore.
xii Þe Lord ȝelde to þee for þi werk, and reſſeyue þou ful
mede of þe Lord God of Iſrael, to whom þou cameſt,
and vndir whoſe wengis þou fleddiſt.
xiii And ſche ſeide, My lord, Y haue founde grace bifor
þin iȝen, which haſt coumfortid me, and haſt ſpoke to þe
herte of þin handmaide, which am not lijk oon of þi
dameſels.
xiiii And Booz ſeide to hir, Whanne þe our of etyng is,
come þou hidur, and ete breed, and wete þi muſſel in
vynegre. Þerfor ſche ſat at þe `ſide of reperis; and he
dreſſide to hir potage, and ſche eet, and was fillid; and
ſche took þe relifs.
xv And ſche roos fro þennus to gadere eeris of corn bi
cuſtom. Forſoþe Booz comaundide to hiſe children, and
ſeide, Alſo if ſche wole repe wiþ ȝou,
xvi forbede ȝe not hir, and alſo `of ȝoure handfuls caſte
ȝe forþ of purpos, and ſuffre ȝe to abide, þat ſche gadere
wiþ out ſchame; and no man repreue hir gaderynge.
xvii Þerfor ſche gaderide in þe feeld `til to euentid; and
ſche beet wiþ a ȝerde, and ſchook out þo þingis þat ſche
hadde gaderid; and ſche foond of barly as þe meſure of
ephi, þat is, þre buſchels.
xviii Which ſche bar, and turnede aȝen in to þe citee, and
ſchewide to hir modir in lawe; ferþermore ſche brouȝte
forþ, `and ȝaf to hir þe relifs of hir mete, wiþ which
mete ſche was fillid.
xix And þe modir in lawe ſeide to hir, Where `gaderidiſt
þou to dai, and where `didiſt þou werk? Bleſſid be he,
þat hadde mercy on þee. And ſche telde to hir, at whom
ſche wrouȝte; and ſche ſeide þe name `of þe man, þat he
was clepid Booz.
xx To whom Noemy anſweride, Bleſſid be he of þe
Lord, for he kepte alſo to deed men þe ſame grace,
which he ȝaf to þe quike. And eft ſche ſeide, He is oure
kynyſman.
xxi And Ruth ſeide, Alſo he comaundide þis to me, þat
ſo longe Y ſchulde be ioyned to hiſe reperis, til alle þe
cornes weren repid.
CCXLVII
xxii To whom hir modir in lawe ſeide, My douȝter, it is
betere þat þou go `out to repe wiþ hiſe damyſels, leſt in
anoþer feeld ony man aȝenſtonde þee.
xxiii `Þerfor ſche was ioyned to þe dameſels of Booz;
and ſo longe ſche rap wiþ hem, til boþe barli and wheete
weren cloſid in þe bernys.
CAP. III
i Forſoþe aftir þat Ruth turnede aȝen to hir modir in
lawe, Ruth herde of hir, My douȝtir, Y ſchal ſeke reſte to
þee, and Y ſchal purueye þat it be wel to þee.
ii Þis Booz, to whoſe dameſels þou were ioyned in þe
feeld, is oure kyneſman, and in þis niȝt he wyndewiþ þe
corn floor of barli.
iii Þerfor be þou waiſchun, and anoyntid, and be þou
cloþid wiþ oneſtere cloþis, and go doun in to þe corn
floor; þe man, `þat is, Booz, ſe not þee, til he haue endid
þe mete and drynke.
iiii Forſoþe whanne he goþ to ſlepe, marke þou þe place
`in which he ſlepiþ; and þou ſchalt come and vnhile þe
cloþ, `wiþ which he is hilid, fro þe part of þe feet, and
þou ſchalt caſte þee doun, and þou ſchalt ly þere.
Forſoþe he ſchal ſeie to þee, what þou `owiſt to do.
v Which anſweride, What euer þing þou comaundiſt, Y
ſchal do.
vi And ſche ȝede doun in to þe corn floor, and dide alle
þingis whiche hir modir in lawe comaundide to hir.
vii And whanne Booz hadde ete and drunke, and was
maad gladere, and hadde go to ſlepe biſidis þe `heep of
handfuls, ſche cam, and hidde hir ſilf; and whanne þe
cloþ was vnhilid fro `hiſe feet, ſche caſtide doun hir ſilf.
viii And lo! now at mydnyȝt `þe man dredde, and was
troblid; and he ſiȝ a womman lyggynge at hiſe feet;
ix and he ſeide to hir, Who art þou? Sche anſweride, Y
am Ruth, þin handmayde; ſtretche forþ þi cloþ on þi
ſeruaunteſſe, for þou art nyȝ of kyn.
x And he ſeide, Douȝtir, þou art bleſſid of þe Lord, and
þou haſt ouercome þe formere mercy wiþ þe lattere; for
þou `ſuediſt not ȝonge men, pore eþir riche.
xi Þerfor `nyle þou drede, but what euer þing þou ſchalt
ſeie to me, Y ſchal do to þee; for al þe puple þat dwelliþ
wiþ ynne þe ȝatis of my cytee woot, þat þou art a
womman of vertu.
xii And Y forſake not, þat Y am of nyȝ kyn, but anoþer
man is neer þan Y;
xiii reſte þou in þis nyȝt, and whanne þe morewtid is
maad, if he wole holde þee bi riȝt of nyȝ kyn, þe þing is
wel doon; forſoþe if he nyle, Y ſchal take þee wiþ outen
ony doute, þe Lord lyueþ, `þat is, bi þe Lord lyuynge;
ſlepe þou til þe morewtid.
xiiii Þerfore ſche ſlepte at `hiſe feet til to þe goyng awey
of nyȝt, and ſo ſche roos bifor þat men knewen `hem ſilf
togidere. And Booz ſeide to hir, Be þou war leſt ony
man knowe, þat þou cameſt hidir.
xv And eft he ſeide, Stretche forþ þi mentil `wiþ which
þou `art hilid, and holde þou wiþ euer eiþer hond. And
while ſche ſtretchide forþ and helde, he mete ſixe
buyſchels of barly, and `puttide on hir; and ſche bar, and
entride in to þe citee,
xvi and cam to hir modir in lawe. Which ſeide to Ruth,
What haſt þou do, douȝter? And Ruth telde to hir alle
þingis, whyche `þe man hadde do to hir.
xvii And Ruth ſeide, Lo! he ȝaf to me ſixe buyſchels of
barly; and he ſeide, Y nyle þat þou turne aȝen voide to
þi modir in lawe.
xviii And Noemy ſeide, Abide, douȝtir, til we ſien what
iſſu þe þing ſchal haue; for þe man ſchal not ceeſſe, no
but he fille þo þingis whiche he ſpak.
CAP. IIII
i Þerfor Booz ſtiede to þe ȝate, and ſat þere; and whanne
he hadde ſeyn þe kyneſman paſſe forþ, of whom þe
word was had, Booz ſeide to hym, Bowe þou a litil, and
ſitte here; and he clepide hym bi his name. And he
turnede, and ſat.
ii Forſoþe Booz took ten `men of þe eldere men of þe
citee, and ſeide to hem, Sitte ȝe here.
iii And while þei ſaten, Booz ſpak to þe kyneſman,
Noemy, þat turnede aȝen fro þe cuntrey of Moab, ſeelde
þe part of þe feeld of oure broþer Elymelech,
iiii which þing Y wolde þat þou here; and Y wolde ſeie
to þee bifor alle `men ſyttynge and grettere in birþe of
my puple. If þou wolt haue in poſſeſſioun þe feeld bi riȝt
of nyȝ kyn, bye þou, and `haue þou in poſſeſſioun;
ſoþeli if it diſpleſiþ þee, ſchewe þou þis ſame þing to
me, þat Y wyte what Y `owe to do; for noon is niȝ in
kyn, outakun þee which art þe formere, and outakun me
which am þe ſecunde. And he anſweride, Y ſchal bie þe
feeld.
v To whom Booz ſeide, Whanne þou haſt bouȝte þe
feeld of þe `hond of þe womman, þou owiſt `to take alſo
Ruth of Moab, þat was þe wijf of þe deed man, þat þou
reiſe þe name of þi kyneſman in his eritage.
vi Which anſweride, Y forſake þe ryȝt of nyȝ kyn; for Y
owe not to do awei þe eritage of my meynee; vſe þou
my priuelegie, which priuelegie Y knowleche me to
wante gladli.
vii Forſoþe þis was þe cuſtom bi eld tyme in Iſrael
among kyneſmen, þat if a man ȝaf his riȝt to anoþir
man, þat þe grauntyng were ſtidefaſt, þe man vnlaaſe his
ſcho, and ȝaf to his kyneſman; þis was þe witneſſyng of
þe ȝift in Iſrael.
viii Þerfor Booz ſeide to his kyneſman, Take þe ſcho fro
þee; `which ſcho he vnlaſide anoon fro his foot.
ix And Booz ſeide to þe grettere men in birþe and to al
þe puple, Ȝe ben witneſſis to dai, þat Y haue take in
CCXLVIII
poſſeſſioun alle þingis þat weren of Elymelech, and of
Chelion, and of Maalon, bi þe ȝifte of Noemy;
x and þat Y haue take in to wedlok Ruth of Moab, þe
wijf of Maalon, þat Y reiſe þe name of þe deed man in
his erytage; leſt his name be doon awey fro his meynee
and briþeren and puple. Ȝe, he ſeide, ben witneſſis of þis
þing.
xi Al þe puple, þat was in þe ȝate, anſweride, and þe
grettere men in birþe anſweriden, We ben witneſſis; þe
Lord make þis womman, þat entriþ in to þin hows, as
Rachel and Lia, þat bildiden þe hows of Iſrael, þat ſche
be enſaumple of vertu in Effrata, and haue a ſolempne
name in Bethleem;
xii and þin hows be maad as þe hows of Fares, whom
Thamar childide to Judas, of þe ſeed which þe Lord
ſchal ȝyue to þee of þis dameſel.
xiii Þerfor Booz took Ruth, and took hir to wijf; and he
entride to hir, and þe Lord ȝaf to hir, þat ſche
conſeyuede, `and childide a ſone.
xiiii And wymmen ſeiden to Noemy, Bleſſid be þe Lord,
which `ſuffride not, þat an eir failide to þi meynee, and
his name were clepid in Iſrael;
xv and þat þou haue `a man, þat ſchal coumforte þi
ſoule, and nurſche elde age. For a child is borun of þi
douȝtir in lawe, `which child ſchal loue þee, and he is
myche betere to þee, þan if þou haddiſt ſeuene ſones.
xvi And Noemy puttide þe child reſſeyued in hir boſum;
and ſche dide þe office of a nuriſche, and of a berere.
xvii Forſoþe wymmen neiȝboris þankiden hir, and
ſeiden, A ſone is borun to Noemy, and clepide his name
Obeth. Þis is þe fadir of Yſay, fadir of Dauid.
xviii Þeſe ben þe generaciouns of Fares; Fares gendride
Eſrom;
xix Eſrom gendride Aram; Aram gendride Amynadab;
xx Amynadab gendride Naaſon; Naaſon gendride
Salmon; Salmon gendride Booz;
xxi Booz gendride Obeth;
xxii Obeth gendride Iſay; Iſay gendride Dauid þe kyng.
Here endiþ Ruth, and here bigynneþ þe firſte book
of Kyngis.

I KINGIS
Here biginniþ þe firſte book of Kingis.
CAP. I
i `A man was of `Ramathym of Sophym, of þe hil of
Effraym, and his name was Elchana, þe ſone of
Jeroboam, ſone of Elyud, ſone of Thau, ſone of Suph, of
Effraym.
ii And Helchana hadde twei wyues; þe name `to oon
was Anna, and þe `name of þe ſecounde was Fenenna;
and ſones weren to Feuenna; forſoþe fre children `weren
not to Anna.
iii And þilke man ſtyede fro his citee in daies ordeyned,
to worſchipe and offre ſacrifice to þe Lord of ooſtis in
Silo. Forſoþe twei ſones of Heli weren þere, Ophym and
Fynees, preeſtis of þe Lord.
iiii Þerfor þe dai cam, and Helcana offride, and ȝaf partis
to Fenenna, his wijf, and to alle hiſe ſones and douȝtris;
v forſoþe he ȝaf ſoreufuly o part to Anna, for he louyde
Anna; forſoþe þe Lord hadde cloſid hir wombe.
vi And hir enemy turmentide `hir, and angwiſchide
greetly, in ſo myche þat ſche vpbreidide, þat þe Lord
hadde cloſid hir wombe.
vii And ſo ſche dide `bi alle ȝeeris, whanne `in tyme
comynge aȝen, þei ſtieden in to þe hows of þe Lord; and
ſo ſche terride Anna. Forſoþe Anna wepte, and took not
mete.
viii Þerfor Helcana, hir hoſebonde, ſeide to hir, Anna,
whi wepiſt þou, and whi etiſt þou not, and whi is þin
herte turmentid? Wheþer Y am not betere to þee þan
ben ten ſones?
ix `Soþeli Anna roos, aftir þat ſche hadde ete and drunke
in Silo. `And þe while Hely was on his greet ſeete, bifor
þe poſtis of þe `hows of þe Lord,
x whanne Anna was in bittere ſoule, ſche preyede þe
Lord, and wepte largeli;
xi and made a vow, and ſeide, Lord God of ooſtis, if þou
biholdiſt, and ſeeſt þe turment of þi ſeruaunteſſe, and
haſt mynde of me, and forȝetis not þin handmayde, and
ȝyueſt to þi ſeruaunteſſe `a male kynde, Y ſchal ȝyue
hym to þe Lord in alle daies of his lijf, and a raſour
ſchal not ſtie on his heed.
xii Forſoþe it was doon, whanne ſche multipliede
preieris bifor þe Lord, þat Ely aſpiede hir mouþ.
xiii Forſoþe Anna ſpak in hir herte, and oneli hir lippis
weren mouyd, and outerly hir vois was not herd. Þerfor
Hely geſſide hir drunkun,
xiiii and he ſeide to hyr, Hou longe ſchalt þou be
drunkun? Difye þou a litil þe wyn, `bi which þou art
moiſt.
xv Anna anſweride, and ſeide, Nay, my lord, for Y am `a
wretchid womman greetli; Y `drank not wyn `and al
CCXLIX
þing þat may make drunkun, but Y ſchedde out my
ſoule in þe `ſiȝt of þe Lord;
xvi geſſe þou not þin handmaide as oon of þe douȝtris of
Belyal, for of þe multitude of my ſorewe and morenyng
Y ſpak `til in to preſent tyme.
xvii Þanne Hely ſeide to hir, Go þou in pees, and God of
Iſrael ȝyue to þee þe axyng which þou preiediſt hym.
xviii And ſche ſeide, `Y wolde þat þin hondmayde fynde
grace in þin iȝen. And þe womman ȝede in to hir weie,
and eet; and hir cheris weren no more chaungid
dyuerſly.
xix And `þei ryſeden eerly, and worſchipiden bifore þe
Lord; and þei turneden aȝen, and camen in to hir hows
in Ramatha. Forſoþe Helchana knew fleiſchli Anna, his
wijf; and þe Lord þouȝte on hir.
xx And it was doon after þe cumpas of daies, Anna
conſeyuede, and childide a ſone, and ſche clepide his
name Samuel; for ſche hadde axid hym of þe Lord.
xxi Forſoþe hir hoſebonde Helcana ſtiede, and al his
hows, to offre a ſolempne ſacrifice, and his avow to þe
Lord.
xxii And Anna ſtiede not, for ſche hadde ſeid to hir
hoſebonde, Y ſchal not go, til þe ȝonge child be wenyd,
and til Y lede hym, and he appere bifor þe `ſiȝt of þe
Lord, and dwelle þere contynueli.
xxiii And Helcana, hir hoſebonde, ſeide to hir, Do þou
þat þat ſemeþ good to þee, and dwelle þou til þou wene
hym; and Y biſeche, þat þe Lord fille his word. Þerfor
þe womman dwellide, and ȝaf mylk to hir ſone, til ſche
remouyde hym fro mylk.
xxiiii And ſche brouȝte hym wiþ hir, aftir þat ſche hadde
wened hym, wiþ þre caluys, and þre buyſchelis of mele,
and amfore, `eþer a pot, of wyn; and ſche brouȝte hym
to þe hows of þe Lord in Silo. Forſoþe þe child was ȝit
ful ȝonge.
xxv And þei ſacrifieden a calf, and þei offriden þe child
to Hely.
xxvi And Anna ſeide, My lord, Y biſeche, þat is, þat þis
child be þi `diſciple and ſeruaunt, þi ſoule lyueþ; Y am
þat womman, þat ſtood bifor þee here, and preiede þe
Lord;
xxvii for þis child Y preiede, and þe Lord ȝaf to me myn
axyng which Y axide hym;
xxviii þerfor Y haue ȝoue hym to þe Lord `in alle daies,
in whiche he is ȝouun to þe Lord. And þei worſchypiden
þere þe Lord.
CAP. II
i And Anna worſchipide, and ſeide, Myn herte fulli
ioiede in þe Lord, and myn horn is reiſid in my God;
my mouþ is alargid on myn enemyes, for Y was glad in
þin helþe.
ii Noon is hooli as þe Lord is; `for noon oþer is, outakun
þee, and noon is ſtrong as oure God.
iii Nyle ȝe multiplie to ſpeke hiȝe þingis, and haue
glorie; elde þingis go awey fro ȝoure mouþ; for God is
Lord of kunnyngis, and þouȝtis ben maad redi to hym.
iiii Þe bouwe of ſtrong men is ouercomun, and ſijk men
ben gird wiþ ſtrengþe.
v Men fillid bifore ſettiden hem ſilf to hire for looues,
and hungri men ben fillid; while þe bareyn womman
childide ful manye, and ſche þat hadde many ſones, was
ſijke.
vi Þe Lord ſleeþ, and quikeneþ; he lediþ forþ to hellis,
and bryngiþ aȝen.
vii Þe Lord makiþ pore, and makiþ riche; he makiþ low,
and reiſiþ.
viii He reiſiþ a nedi man fro poudur, and `he reiſiþ a pore
man fro dryt, þat he ſitte wiþ princes, and holde þe ſeete
of glorie; for þe endis of erþe ben of þe Lord, and he
haþ ſet þe world on þo.
ix He ſchal kepe `þe feet of hiſe ſeyntis, and wickid men
ſchulen be ſtille to gidere in derkneſſis; for a man ſchal
not be maad ſtrong in his owne ſtrengþe.
x Aduerſaries of þe Lord ſchulen drede hym, and in
heuenes he ſchal þundre on hem; þe Lord ſchal deme þe
endis of erþe, and he ſchal ȝyue lordſchip to his kyng,
and he ſchal enhaunſe þe horn, `þat is, power, of his
Criſt.
xi And Helcana ȝede in to Ramatha, in to his hows;
forſoþe þe child was ſeruaunt in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord bifor
þe face of Ely þe preeſt.
xii Forſoþe þe ſones of Hely weren ſones of Belial,
xiii and knewen not þe Lord, neþer þe office of preeſtis
to þe puple; but who euer hadde offrid ſacrifice, þe
child of þe preeſt cam, while þe fleiſchis weren in
ſeþing, and he hadde a fleiſchhook wiþ þre teeþ in his
hond;
xiiii and he ſente it in to þe `grete veſſel of ſtoon, eþir in
to þe caudrun, eþir in to þe pot, eþir in to þe panne; and
what euer þing þe fleiſchhook reiſide, þe preeſt took to
hym ſilf; ſo þei diden to al Iſrael of men comynge in to
Silo.
xv Ȝhe bifor þat `þe ſones of Hely brenten þe ynnere
fatneſſe, þe `child of þe preeſt cam, and ſeyde to þe
offerere, Ȝyue `þou fleiſch to me, þat Y ſeþe to þe
preeſt; for Y ſchal not take of þee ſodun fleiſch, but raw.
xvi And `þe offrere ſeide to hym, Þe ynnere fatneſſe be
brent firſt to day bi þe cuſtom, and take þou to þee hou
myche euer þi ſoule deſiriþ. Whiche anſweride, and
ſeide to hym, Nay, for þou ſchalt ȝyue now; ellis Y ſchal
take bi violence.
xvii Þerfor þe ſynne of þe children was ful greuouſe
bifor þe Lord; for þei wiþdrowen men fro þe `ſacrifice
of þe Lord.
xviii `Forſoþe Samuel, a child gird wiþ a lynnun clooþ,
mynyſtride bifor þe face of þe Lord.
CCL
xix And his moder made to hym a litil coote, which ſche
brouȝte in daies ordeyned, and ſtiede wiþ hir hoſebonde,
þat he ſchulde offre a ſolempne offryng, and his auow.
xx And Heli bleſſide Helcana and his wijf; and Heli
ſeide `to hym, Þe Lord ȝelde to þee ſeed of þis
womman, for þe ȝifte which þou haſt ȝoue to þe Lord.
And þei ȝeden in to her place.
xxi Þerfor þe Lord viſitide Anna, and ſche conſeyuede,
and childide þre ſones and twei douȝtris. And þe child
Samuel was `magnyfied at þe Lord.
xxii Forſoþe Hely was ful eld, and he herde alle `þingis
whiche hiſe ſones diden in al Iſrael, and hou þei ſlepten
wiþ wymmen, þat awaitiden at þe dore of þe tabernacle.
xxiii And he ſeide to hem, Whi doen ȝe ſiche þingis, þe
worſte þingis whiche Y here of al þe puple?
xxiiii Nyle ȝe, my ſones; it is not good fame, which Y
here, þat ȝe make þe `puple of þe Lord to do treſpas.
xxv If a man ſynneþ aȝens a man, God may be pleſid to
him; forſoþe if a man ſynneþ aȝens þe Lord, who ſchal
preye for hym? And þei herden not þe vois of her fadir,
for God wolde ſle hem.
xxvi Forſoþe þe child Samuel profitide, and encreeſſyde,
and pleſide boþe God and men.
xxvii Soþeli a man of God cam to Hely, and ſeide to
hym, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Wheþer Y was not
ſchewid apertli to þe hows of þi fadir, whanne he was in
Egipt, in þe hows of Farao?
xxviii And Y chees hym of alle lynagis of Iſrael `in to
preeſt to me, þat he ſchulde ſtie to myn auter, and
ſchulde brenne encenſe to me, and þat he ſchulde bere
bifor me preeſtis cloþ; and Y ȝaf to `þe hows of þi fadir
alle þingis of þe ſacrifices of þe ſones of Iſrael.
xxix Whi haſt þou caſt awey wiþ þe heele my ſacrifice,
and my ȝiftis, whiche Y comaundide to be offrid in þe
temple; and þou onouridſt more þi ſones þan me, þat ȝe
eeten þe principal partis of ech ſacrifice of `Iſrael, my
puple?
xxx Þerfor þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y
ſpekynge ſpak, þat þin hows and `þe hows of þi fadir
ſchulde mynyſtre in my ſiȝt til in to wiþ outen ende;
`now forſoþe þe Lord ſeiþ, Fer be þis fro me; but who
euere onouriþ me, Y ſchal glorifie hym; forſoþe þei þat
diſpiſen me, ſchulen be vnnoble.
xxxi Lo! daies comen, and Y ſchal kitte awei þin arm,
and þe arm of þe hows of þi fadir, þat an eld man be not
in þin hows.
xxxii And þou ſchalt ſe þin enemy in þe temple, in alle
proſperitees of Iſrael; and an eld man ſchal not be in þin
hows in alle daies.
xxxiii Neþeles Y ſchal not outerli take awei of þee a man
fro myn auter, but þat þin iȝen faile, and þi ſoule faile;
and greet part of þin hows ſchal die, whanne it ſchal
come to mannus age.
xxxiiii Forſoþeþis ſchal be ſigne, þat ſchal come to þi
twei ſones Ophym and Fynees, boþe ſchulen die in o
dai.
xxxv And Y ſchal reiſe to me a feiþful preeſt, þat ſchal do
bi myn herte and my ſoule; and Y ſchal bilde to hym a
feiþful hows, and he ſchal go bifore my Criſt in alle
daies.
xxxvi Forſoþe it ſchal come, þat who euer dwelliþ in þin
hows, he come þat `me preie for him, and þat he offre a
peny of ſiluer, and a cake of breed, and ſeie, Y biſeche,
ſuffre þou me to o `part of þe preeſt, þat Y ete a muſſel
of breed.
CAP. III
i Forſoþe þe child Samuel `mynyſtride to þe Lord bifor
Heli, and þe word of þe Lord was preciouſe; in þo daies
was noon opyn reuelacioun.
ii Þerfor it was doon in a dai, Heli lay in his bed, and
hiſe iȝen daſewiden, and he myȝte not ſe þe lanterne of
God, bifor þat it was quenchid.
iii Forſoþe Samuel ſlepte in þe temple of þe Lord, where
þe ark of God was.
iiii And þe Lord clepide Samuel; and he anſweride and
ſeide, Lo!
v Y. And he ran to Hely, and ſeide to hym, Lo! Y; for
þou clepidiſt me. Which Hely ſeide, Y clepide not þee;
turne þou aȝen and ſlepe.
vi And he ȝede and ſlepte. And þe Lord addide eft to
clepe Samuel; and Samuel roos, and ȝede to Hely, and
ſeide, Lo! Y; for þou clepidiſt me. And Heli anſweride,
Y clepide not þee, my ſone; turne þou aȝen and ſlepe.
vii Forſoþe Samuel knew not ȝit þe Lord, neþer þe `word
of þe Lord was ſhewid to hym.
viii And þe Lord addide, and clepide ȝit Samuel þe
þridde tyme; `which Samuel roos and ȝede to Heli,
ix and ſeide, Lo! Y; for þou clepidiſt me. Þerfor Heli
vndirſtood, þat þe Lord clepide þe child; and Heli ſeide
to Samuel, Go and ſlepe; and if he clepiþ þee aftirward,
þou ſchalt ſeie, Speke þou, Lord, for þi ſeruaunt heriþ.
Þerfor Samuel ȝede and ſlepte in his place.
x And þe Lord cam, and ſtood, and clepide as he hadde
clepid þe ſecunde tyme, Samuel, Samuel. And Samuel
ſeide, Speke þou, Lord, for þi ſeruaunt heriþ.
xi And þe Lord ſeide to Samuel, Lo! Y make a word in
Iſrael, which word who euer ſchal here, boþe hiſe eeris
ſchulen rynge.
xii In þat dai Y ſchal reiſe aȝens Heli alle þingis, whiche
Y ſpak on his hows; Y ſchal bigynne, and Y ſchal ende.
xiii For Y biforſeide to hym, þat Y ſchulde deme his
hows wiþ outen ende for wickidneſſe; for he knew, þat
hiſe ſones diden vnworþili, and he chaſtiſide not hem.
CCLI
xiiii Þerfor Y ſwoor to þe hows of Heli, þat þe
wickidneſſe of his hows ſchal not be clenſid bi ſacrifices
and ȝiftis til in to wiþ outen ende.
xv Forſoþe Samuel ſlepte til þe morewtid, and he
openyde þe doris of þe hows of þe Lord; and Samuel
dredde to ſchewe þe reuelacioun to Heli.
xvi Þerfor Heli clepide Samuel, and ſeide, Samuel, my
ſone. And he anſweride and ſeide, Y am redi.
xvii And Heli axide hym, What is þe word which þe
Lord ſpak to þee? Y preye þee, hide þou not fro me;
God do to þee `þeſe þingis, and encreeſſe þeſe þingis, if
þou hidiſt fro me a word of alle wordis þat ben ſeid to
þee.
xviii And Samuel ſchewide to hym alle þe wordis, and
`hidde not fro hym. And Heli anſweride, He is þe Lord;
do he þat, þat is good in hiſe iȝen.
xix Forſoþe Samuel encreeſide, and þe Lord was wiþ
hym, and noon of alle hiſe wordis felde in to erþe.
xx And al Iſrael fro Dan to Berſabee knew, þat feiþful
Samuel was a profete of þe Lord.
xxi And þe Lord addide `þat he ſchulde appere in Silo,
for þe Lord was ſchewid to Samuel in Silo bi þe `word
of þe Lord; and þe word of Samuel cam to al Iſrael.
CAP. IIII
i And it was doon in þo daies Filiſteis camen to gidere
in to batel; for Iſrael ȝede out aȝens Filiſteis in to batel,
and ſettiden tentis biſidis þe ſtoon of help. Forſoþe
Filiſteis camen in to Aphet,
ii and maden redi ſcheltrun aȝens Iſrael. Soþeli whanne
þe batel was bigunnun, Iſrael turned backis to Filiſteis;
and as foure þouſynde of men weren ſlayn in þat batel
`euery where bi feeldis; and þe puple of Iſrael turnede
aȝen to tentis. And þe grettere men in birþe of Iſrael
ſeiden, Whi haþ þe Lord ſmyte vs to dai bifore Filiſteis?
Brynge we to vs fro Silo þe arke of boond of pees of þe
Lord, and come it in to þe myddis of vs, þat it ſaue vs
fro þe hond of oure enemyes.
iiii Þerfor þe puple ſente in to Silo, and þei token fro
þennus þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord of ooſtis,
`þat ſat on cherubyn. And Ophym and Fynees, twei
ſones of Heli, weren wiþ þe arke of boond of pees of þe
Lord.
v And whanne þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord
hadde come in to þe caſtels, al Iſrael criede wiþ grete
cry, and þe erþe ſownede.
vi And Filiſteis herden þe vois of cry, and ſeiden, What
is þis vois of greet cry in þe caſtels of Ebrews? And þei
knewen, þat þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord hadde
come in to caſtels.
vii And Filiſteis dredden, and ſeiden, God is come in to
`þe caſtels; and þei weiliden, and ſeiden, Wo to vs!
viii for ſo greet ful ioiyng was not ȝiſtirdai, and þe þridde
day paſſid; wo to vs! who ſchal kepe vs fro þe hond of
`þeſe hiȝe goddis? þeſe ben þe goddis, þat ſmytiden
Egipt wiþ al veniaunce in deſeert.
ix Filiſteis, be ȝe coumfortid, and be ȝe men, ſerue ȝe not
Ebrews, as þei ſerueden vs; be ȝe coumfortid, and fiȝte
ȝe.
x Þerfor Filiſteis fouȝten, and Iſrael was ſlayn, and ech
man flei in to his tabernacle; and a ful greet veniaunce
was maad, and þretti þouſynde of foot men of Iſrael
felden doun.
xi And þe arke of God was takun; and, twei ſones of
Heli, Ophym and Fynees, weren deed.
xii Soþeli a man of Beniamyn ran fro þe ſcheltrun, and
cam in to Silo in þat dai, wiþ his cloþ torent and his
heed biſpreynt wiþ duſt; and whanne he was comen,
xiii Heli ſat `on an hiȝe ſeete, `and bihelde aȝens þe
weie; for his herte was dredyng for þe arke of þe Lord.
Soþeli aftir þat þilke man entride, he telde to þe citee,
and al þe citee ȝellide.
xiiii And Heli herde þe ſoun of cry, and ſeide, What is
þis ſown of þis noiſe? And he haſtide, and cam, and
telde to Heli.
xv Forſoþe Heli was of foure ſcore ȝeer and eiȝtene, and
hiſe iȝen daſiwiden, and he myȝte not ſe.
xvi And he ſeide to Heli, Y am þat cam fro batel, and Y
am þat flei to dai fro þe ſcheltrun. To whom Ely ſeide,
My ſone, what is doon?
xvii Forſoþe he þat telde anſweride, and ſeide, Iſrael flei
bifor Filiſteis, and a greet fal is maad in þe puple;
ferþermore and þi twey ſones, Ophym and Fynees, ben
deed, and þe arke of God is takun.
xviii And whanne he hadde nemyd þe arke of God, Hely
felde fro `þe hiȝe ſeete bacward biſidis þe dore, and
`was deed; for þe nollis weren brokun. For he was an
eld man, and of greet age; and he demyde Iſrael bi
fourti ȝeer.
xix Forſoþe his douȝter in lawe, `þe wijf of Finees, was
wiþ childe, and niȝ þe child bering; and whanne `þe
meſſage was herd þat þe arke of God was takun, and þat
hir fadir in lawe was deed, and hir hoſebonde, ſche
bowide hir ſilf, and childide; for ſodeyn ſorewis felden
in to hir.
xx Soþeli in þat moment of hir deeþ, wymmen þat
ſtoden aboute hir, ſeiden to hir, Drede þou not, for þou
haſt childid a ſone. And ſche anſweride not to hem, for
neþer `ſche perſeyuede.
xxi And ſche clepide þe child Ichaboth, and ſeide, Þe
glorie of þe Lord is tranſlatid fro Iſrael, for þe arke of
God is takun; and for hir fadir in lawe and for hir
hoſebonde ſche ſeide,
xxii Þe glorie of God is tranſlatid fro Iſrael, for þe arke
of God is takun.
CCLII
CAP. V
i Forſoþe Filiſteis token þe arke of God, and baren awey
it fro þe ſtoon of help in to Azotus.
ii And Filiſteis tokun þe arke of God, and brouȝten it to
þe temple of Dagon, and ſettiden it biſidis Dagon.
iii And whanne men of Azotus hadden riſe eerli in þe
todir dai, lo! Dagon lay low in þe erþe bifor þe arke of
þe Lord. And þei token Dagon, and reſtoriden hym in
his place.
iiii And eft þei riſiden eerli in þe toþir day, and founden
Dagon liggynge on his face on þe erþe bifor þe arke of
þe Lord. Forſoþe þe heed of Dagon, and twei pawmes
of his hondis weren kit of on þe þreisfold;
v certis þe ſtok aloone of Dagon lefte in his place. For
þis cauſe þe preeſtis of Dagon, and alle þat entren in to
his temple, treden not on þe þreisfold of Dagon in
Azotus til in to þis dai.
vi Forſoþe þe hond of þe Lord was maad greuouſe on
men of Azotus, and he diſtriede hem, and he ſmoot
Azotus and þe cooſtis þerof in þe priuyere part of
buttokis; and townes and feeldis in þe myddis of þat
cuntrey buyliden out, and myis camen forþ; and greet
confuſioun of deþ was maad in þe citee.
vii Soþeli men of Azotus ſien ſiche a veniaunce, and
ſeiden, Þe arke of God of Iſrael dwelle not at vs; for his
hond is hard on vs, and on Dagon oure god.
viii And þei ſenten, and gaderiden alle þe wiſe men,
`eþer princes, of Filiſteis `to hem, and ſeiden, What
ſchulen we do of þe arke of God of Iſrael? And men of
Geth anſweriden, Þe arke of God of Iſrael be led aboute;
and þei ledden aboute þe arke of God of Iſrael.
ix Forſoþe while þei ledden it aboute, þe hond of þe
Lord `of ful greet ſleyng was maad on alle citees; and
he ſmoot men of ech citee fro a litil man til to `þe more,
and þe lowere entraylis `of hem wexiden rotun, and
camen forþ; and men of Geth token counſel, and maden
to hem ſeetis of ſkynnes, eþir cuyſchuns.
x Þerfor þei ſenten þe arke of þe Lord in to Accoron.
And whanne þe arke of þe Lord hadde come in to
Accoron, men of Accoron crieden, and ſeiden, Þei han
brought to vs þe arke of God of Iſrael, þat he ſle vs and
oure puple.
xi Þerfor þei ſenten, and gaderiden alle þe wiſe men,
`eþir princes, of Filiſteis; whiche ſeiden, Delyuere ȝe þe
arke of God of Iſrael, and turne it aȝen in to his place,
and ſle not vs wiþ oure puple.
xii For dreed of deeþ was maad in alle citees, and þe
hond of þe Lord was `greuouſe greetli. Alſo þe men, þat
weren not deed, weren ſmytun in þe priuy part of
buttokis, and þe ȝelling of ech citee ſtiede in to heuene.
CAP. VI
i Þerfor þe arke of þe Lord was in þe cuntrei of Filiſteis
bi ſeuene moneþis;
ii and aftir þeſe þingis Filiſteis clepiden preeſtis and falſe
dyuynours, and ſeiden, What ſchulen we do of þe arke
of God? Shewe ȝe to vs, hou we ſchulen ſende it in to
his place.
iii Whiche ſeiden, If ȝe ſenden aȝen þe arke of God of
Iſrael, nyle ȝe delyuere it voide, but ȝelde ȝe to hym þat,
þat ȝe owen for ſynne; and þanne ȝe ſchulen be heelid,
and ȝe ſchulen wite, whi `his hond goiþ not awei fro
ȝou.
iiii And þei ſeiden, What is it, þat we owen to ȝelde to
hym for treſpas?
v And þei anſweriden to hem, Bi þe noumbre of
prouynces of Filiſteis ȝe ſchulen make fyue goldun erſis,
and fyue goldun myis; for o veniaunce was to alle ȝou
and to ȝoure `wiſe men, eþer princes. And ȝe ſchulen
make þe licneſſe of ȝoure erſis, and þe licneſſe of myis
þat diſtriede ȝoure lond; and ȝe ſchulen ȝyue glorie to
God of Iſrael, if in hap he wiþdrawe his hond fro ȝou,
and fro ȝoure goddis, and fro ȝoure lond.
vi Whi maken ȝe heuy ȝoure hertis, as Egipt, and Farao
`made heuy his herte? Wheþer not after þat he was
ſmytun, þanne he delyuerede hem, and þei ȝeden forþ?
vii Now þerfor take ȝe, and make o newe wayn, and
ioyne ȝe twei kien hauynge caluys, on whiche kyen no
ȝok was put; and cloſe ȝe her calues at hoome.
viii And ȝe ſchulen take þe arke of þe Lord, and ȝe
ſchulen ſette in þe wayn; and ȝe ſchulen put in a panyere
at þe ſide þerof þe goldun veſſels, whiche ȝe paȝeden to
hym for treſpas; and delyuere ȝe þe arke, þat it go.
ix And ȝe ſchulen biholde, and ſoþeli if it ſtieþ aȝens
Bethſames bi þe weie of `hiſe cooſtis, `he dide to ȝou
þis greet yuel; but if nay, we ſchulen wite `for his hond
touchide not vs, but `if it bifelde bi hap.
x Þerfor þei diden in þis manere; and þei token twei
kien þat ȝauen mylk to caluys, and ioyneden to þe
wayn; and þei cloſiden her caluys at hoome.
xi And þei puttiden þe arke of God on þe wayn, and `þei
puttiden þe panyere, þat hadde þe goldun myis, and þe
licneſſe of erſis `on þe wayn.
xii Soþeli þe kien ȝeden ſtreiȝtli bi þe weie þat lediþ to
Bethſames; and þo ȝeden in o weie goynge and
lowynge, and bowiden not neþer to þe riȝt ſide neþer to
þe left ſide; but alſo þe wiſe men of Filiſteis ſueden `til
to þe termes of Bethſames.
xiii Forſoþe men of Bethſames repiden whete in þe
valey, and þei reiſiden þe iȝen, and ſien þe arke, and þei
weren ioyful, whanne þei hadden ſien `þe arke.
xiiii And þe wayn cam in to þe feelde of Joſue of
Bethſames, and ſtood þere. Forſoþe a greet ſtoon was
þere; and þei kittiden `þe trees of þe wayn, and puttiden
þe kien `on þo trees, a brent ſacrifice to þe Lord.
xv Soþeli dekenes token doun þe arke of God, and þe
panyere, þat was biſidis it, where ynne þe goldun veſſels
weren; and þei ſettiden on þe greet ſtoon. Forſoþe þe
CCLIII
men of Bethſames offriden brent ſacrifices, and offriden
ſlayn ſacrifices in þat dai `to þe Lord.
xvi And fyue princes of Filiſteis ſien, and turneden aȝen
in to Accoron in þat dai.
xvii Soþeli þeſe ben þe goldun erſis, whiche þe Filiſteis
ȝeldiden to þe Lord for treſpas; Azotus ȝeldide oon;
Gaza ȝeldide oon; Aſcolon ȝeldide oon; Geth ȝeldide
oon; Accaron ȝeldide oon;
xviii and Filiſteis ȝeldiden golden myis bi þe noumbre of
`citees of Filiſteis of fyue prouynces, fro a wallid citee
`til to `a town þat was wiþ out wal, and `til to þe greet
Abel, `on which þei puttiden þe arke of þe Lord, þat
was þere `til in þat dai in þe feeld of Joſue of
Bethſames.
xix Forſoþe þe Lord ſmoot of þe men of Bethſames, for
þei hadden ſeyn þe arke of þe Lord, and he ſmoot of þe
puple ſeuenti men, and fifty þouſynde of þe porail. And
þe puple morenyde, for þe Lord hadde ſmyte `þe puple
wiþ greet veniaunce.
xx And men of Bethſames ſeiden, Who ſchal now ſtonde
in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord God of þis hooli þing, and to whom
ſchal it ſtie fro vs?
xxi And þei ſenten meſſangeris to þe dwelleris of
Cariathiarym, and ſeiden, Filiſteis han brouȝt aȝen þe
arke of þe Lord; come ȝe doun, and lede it aȝen to ȝou.
CAP. VII
i Þerfor men of Cariathiarym camen, and ledden aȝen þe
arke of þe Lord, and brouȝten it in to þe hows of
Amynadab in Gabaa. Soþeli þei halewiden Eleazar his
ſone, þat he ſchulde kepe þe ark of þe Lord.
ii And it was doon, fro which dai `þe arke of þe Lord
dwellide in Caryathiarym, daies weren multiplied; for
þe twentiþe ȝeer was now, after þat Samuel bigan to
teche þe puple; and al Iſrael reſtide aftir þe Lord.
iii Forſoþe Samuel ſpak to al þe hows of Iſrael, and
ſeide, If in al ȝoure herte ȝe turnen aȝen to þe Lord, do
ȝe awei alien goddis, Balym and Aſtaroth, fro þe
myddis of ȝou; and make ȝe redi ȝoure hertis to þe
Lord, and ſerue ȝe hym aloone; and he ſchal delyuere
ȝou fro þe hond of Filiſteis.
iiii Þerfor þe ſones of Iſrael diden awey Baalym and
Aſtoroth, and ſerueden þe Lord aloone.
v Forſoþe Samuel ſeide, Gadere ȝe al Iſrael in to
Maſphat, þat Y preie þe Lord for ȝou.
vi And þei camen togidere in to Maſphat, and þei
drowen watir, and ſhedden out in þe `ſiȝt of þe Lord;
and þei faſtiden in þat day, and ſeiden, Lord, we
ſynneden to þee. And Samuel demyde þe ſones of Iſrael
in Maſphat.
vii And Filiſteis herden þat þe ſones of Iſrael weren
gaderid in Maſphat; and þe princes of Filiſteis ſtieden to
Iſrael. And whanne þe ſones of Iſrael hadden herd þis,
þei dredden of þe face of Filiſteis.
viii And `þei ſeiden to Samuel, Ceeſſe þou not to crye
for vs to oure Lord God, þat he ſaue vs fro þe `hoond of
Filiſteis.
ix Forſoþe Samuel took o ſoukynge lomb, and offride
þat hool in to brent ſacrifice to þe Lord. And Samuel
criede to þe Lord for Iſrael; and þe Lord herde hym.
x Forſoþe it was doon, whanne Samuel offryde brent
ſacrifice, þat Filiſteis bigunnen batel aȝens Iſrael. Soþeli
þe Lord þundride wiþ greet þundur in þat dai on
Filiſteis, and made hem aferd; and þei weren ſlayn of þe
ſones of Iſrael.
xi And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden out of Maſphat, and
purſueden Filiſteis, and ſmytiden hem `til to þe place þat
was vndur Bethachar.
xii Forſoþe Samuel took o ſtoon, and puttide it bitwixe
Maſphat, and bitwixe Sen; and he clepide þe name of
þat place Þe ſtoon of help. And he ſeide, Hidir to þe
Lord helpide vs.
xiii And Filiſteis weren maad low, and addiden no more
to come in to þe termes of Iſrael. And ſo þe `hond of þe
Lord was maad on Filiſteis in alle þe daies of Samuel.
xiiii And þe citees whiche þe Filiſteis token fro Iſrael,
weren ȝoldun to Iſrael, fro Accaron `til to Geth and `hiſe
termes; and þe Lord delyuerede Iſrael fro þe hond of
Filiſteis; and pees was bitwixe Iſrael and Ammorrey.
xv Alſo Samuel demyde Iſrael in alle þe daies of his lijf,
þat is, `til to þe ordeynyng `and confermyng of Saul;
xvi and he ȝede bi `alle ȝeeris, and cumpaſſide Bethel,
and Galgal, and Maſphat, and he demyde Iſrael in þe
forſeid places.
xvii And he turnede aȝen in to Ramatha, for his hows
was þere; and he demyde Iſrael þere, and he bildide
þere alſo an auter to þe Lord.
CAP. VIII
i Forſoþe it was don, whanne Samuel hadde wexide eld,
he ſettide hiſe ſones iugis on Iſrael.
ii And þe name of his firſte gendrid ſone was Johel, and
þe name of þe ſecounde was Abia, iugis in Berſabee.
iii And hiſe ſones ȝeden not in `þe weies of hym, but þei
bowiden after aueryce, and þei token ȝiftis, and
peruertiden doom.
iiii Þerfor alle þe grettere men in birþe of Iſrael weren
gaderid, and camen to Samuel in to Ramatha.
v And þei ſeiden to hym, Lo! þou haſt wexid eld, and þi
ſones goen not in þi weies; ordeyne þou a kyng to vs,
`þat he deme vs, as alſo alle naciouns han.
vi And þe word diſpleſide in þe iȝen of Samuel, for þei
hadden ſeid, Ȝyue þou to vs a kyng, þat he deme vs.
And Samuel preiede to þe Lord.
vii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Samuel, Here þou þe vois of
þe puple in alle þingis whiche þei ſpeken to þee; for þei
han not caſte awey þee, but me, þat Y regne not on hem.
CCLIV
viii Bi alle her werkis whiche þei diden, fro þe day in
whiche Y ledde hem out of Egipt `til to þis dai, as þei
forſoken me, and ſeruyden alien goddis, ſo þei doon alſo
to þee.
ix Now þerfor here þou her vois; neþeles witneſſe þou to
hem; biforſeie þou to hem þe riȝt of þe kyng, þat ſchal
regne on hem.
x Þerfor Samuel ſeide alle þe wordis of þe Lord to þe
puple, þat hadde axid of him a king; and he ſeide,
xi Þis ſchal be þe `riȝt of þe kyng, þat ſchal comaunde to
ȝou; he ſchal take ȝoure ſones, and ſchal ſette in hiſe
charis;
xii and he ſchal make hem `to hym ſilf rideris, and
biforegoeris of hiſe cartis; and he ſchal ordeyne to hym
tribunes, `þat is, ſouereyns of a þouſynd, and
centuriouns, `þat is, ſouereyns of an hundrid, and
eereris of hiſe feeldis, and reperis of cornes, and ſmyþis
of hiſe armeris, and charis.
xiii Alſo he ſchal make ȝoure douȝtris makeris of
`oynementis to hym ſilf, and fueris, and bakeris.
xiiii And he ſchal take ȝoure feeldis and vyneris and þe
beſte places of olyues, and ſchal ȝyue to hiſe ſeruauntis.
xv But alſo he ſchal take þe tenþe part of ȝoure cornes,
and rentis of vyneris, þat he ȝyue to his chaumberleyns
and ſeruauntis.
xvi Soþeli he ſchal take awey ȝoure ſeruauntis and
handmaydes, and beſte ȝong men, and aſſis, and ſchal
ſette in his werk.
xvii Alſo he ſchal take þe tenþe part of ȝoure flockis, and
ȝe ſchulen be `ſeruauntis to hym.
xviii And ȝe ſchulen crye in þat dai fro þe face of ȝoure
kyng, whom ȝe han choſe to ȝou; and þe Lord ſchal not
here ȝou in þat dai; for ȝe axiden a kyng to ȝou.
xix Soþeli þe puple nolde here þe vois of Samuel, but
þei ſeiden, Nay for a kyng ſchal be on vs;
xx and we alſo ſchulen be as alle folkis, and oure kyng
ſchal deme vs, and he ſchal go out bifor vs, and he ſchal
fiȝte oure batel for vs.
xxi And Samuel herde alle þe wordis of þe puple, and
`ſpak þo in þe eeris of þe Lord.
xxii Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Samuel, Here þou `þe vois
of hem, and ordeyne þou a kyng on hem. And Samuel
ſeide to þe men of Iſrael, Ech man go in to his citee.
CAP. IX
i And `a man was of Beniamyn, `Cys bi name, þe ſone
of Abiel, ſone of Seor, ſone of Bethor, ſone of Aphia,
ſone of þe man Gemyny, ſtrong in bodili myȝt.
ii And to hym was a ſone, Saul bi name, choſun and
good; and no man of þe ſones of Iſrael was betere þan
he; fro þe ſchuldur and aboue he apperide ouer al þe
puple.
iii Soþeli þe femal aſſis of Cys, þe fadir of Saul,
periſchyden. And Cys ſeide to Saul his ſone, Take wiþ
þee oon of þe children, and riſe þou, and go, and ſeke þe
femal aſſis. And whanne þei hadden go bi þe hil of
Effraym,
iiii and bi þe lond of Saliſa, and hadden not foundun, þei
paſſiden alſo bi þe lond of Salym, and þo weren not
þere; but alſo `þei paſſiden bi þe lond of Gemyny, and
founden not.
v Soþeli whanne þei hadden come in to þe lond of Suph,
and hadden not founde, Saul ſeide to his child þat was
wiþ hym, Come þou, and turne we aȝen; leſt
perauenture my fadir haþ lefte þe femal aſſis, and is biſy
for vs.
vi Which child ſeide to hym, Lo! þe man of God is in
þis citee, a noble man; al þing þat he ſpekiþ, comeþ wiþ
out doute. Now þerfor go we þidir, if perauenture he
ſchewe to vs of oure weie, for which we camen.
vii And Saul ſeide to his child, Lo! we ſchulen go; what
ſchulen we bere to þe man of God? Breede failide in
oure ſcrippis, and we han no preſent, þat we ȝyue to þe
man of God, `neþer ony oþir þing.
viii Eft þe child anſweride to Saul, and ſeide, Lo! þe
fourþe part of `a ſtater, þat is, a cicle, of ſiluer is
foundun in myn hond; ȝyue we to þe man of God, þat
he ſchewe to vs oure weie.
ix Sumtyme in Iſrael ech man goynge to counſel God
ſpak þus, Come ȝe, and go we to þe ſeere; for he, þat is
ſeid `to dai a profete, was clepid ſumtyme a ſeere.
x And Saul ſeide to his child, `Þi word is þe beſte; come
þou, go we. And þei ȝeden in to þe citee, `in which þe
man of God was.
xi And whanne þei ſtieden in to þe hiȝneſſe of þe citee,
þei founden dameſels goynge out to drawe watir, and
þei ſeiden to þe dameſelis, Wheþer þe ſeere is here?
xii Whiche dameſelis anſweriden, and ſeiden to hem, He
is here; lo! he is bifor þee; `haſte þou now, for to day he
cam in to þe citee; for to dai is ſacrifice of þe puple in
þe hiȝ place.
xiii Ȝe ſchulen entre in to þe citee, and anoon ȝe ſchulen
fynde hym, bifor þat he ſtie in to þe hiȝ place to ete; for
þe puple ſchal not ete til he come, for he ſchal bleſſe þe
ſacrifice, and afterward þei ſchulen ete þat ben clepid.
Now þerfor ſtie ȝe, for to day ȝe ſchulen fynde hym.
xiiii And þei ſtieden in to þe citee. And whanne þei
ȝeden in þe myddis of þe citee, Samuel apperide
goynge out aȝens hem, þat he ſchulde ſtie in to þe hiȝ
place.
xv Forſoþe þe Lord `hadde maad reuelacioun in þe eere
of Samuel `bifor o dai, þat Saul cam, and ſeide,
xvi In þis ſame our which is now to morewe, Y ſchal
ſende to þee a man of þe lond of Beniamyn, and þou
ſchalt anoynte hym duyk on my puple Iſrael, and he
CCLV
ſchal ſaue my puple fro þe hond of Filiſteis; for Y haue
biholde my puple, for `þe cry of hem cam to me.
xvii And whanne Samuel hadde biholde Saul, þe Lord
ſeide to Samuel, Lo! þe man, whom Y ſeide to þee; þis
man ſchal be lord of my puple.
xviii Forſoþe Saul neiȝede to Samuel in þe myddis of þe
ȝate, and ſeide, Y preye, ſchewe þou to me, where is þe
hows of þe ſeere?
xix And Samuel anſweride to Saul, and ſeide, Y am þe
ſeere; ſtie þou bifor me in to þe hiȝ place, þat þou ete
wiþ me to dai, and Y ſchal delyuere þee in þe morewtid,
and Y ſchal ſchewe to þee alle þingis þat ben in þin
herte.
xx And be þou not biſy of þe femal aſſis, whiche þou
loſtiſt þe þridde dai agoon, for þo ben foundun; and
whoſe ſchulen be alle þe beſte þingis of Iſrael, wheþer
not to þee, and to al þe hows of þi fader?
xxi Soþeli Saul anſweride, and ſeide, Wheþer Y am not a
ſone of Gemyny, of þe leeſte lynage of Iſrael, and my
kynrede is þe laſte among alle þe meynees of þe lynage
of Beniamyn? Whi þerfor haſt þou ſpoke to me þis
word?
xxii Þerfor Samuel took Saul, and his child, and ledde
hem in to þe chaumbur of þre ordris, and he ȝaf to hem
a place in þe bigynnyng of hem þat weren clepid; for
þei weren as þretti men.
xxiii And Samuel ſeide to þe cook, Ȝyue þou þe part,
which Y ȝaf to þee, and comaundide, þat þou ſchuldiſt
kepe bi it ſilf anentis þee.
xxiiii Soþeli þe cook reiſide þe ſchuldir, and ſettide bifor
Saul. And Samuel ſeide, Lo! þat, þat lefte, `ſette þou
bifor þee, and ete; for of purpos it was kept to þee,
whanne Y clepide þe puple. And Saul eet wiþ Samuel in
þat dai.
xxv And þei camen doun fro þe hiȝ place in to þe citee;
and Samuel ſpak wiþ Saul in þe ſoler, and Saul `araiede
a bed in þe ſoler, and ſlepte.
xxvi And whanne þei hadden riſe eerli, and `now it bigan
to be cleer, Samuel clepide Saul in to þe ſoler, and ſeide,
Riſe þou, þat Y delyuere þee. And Saul roos, and boþe
ȝeden out, þat is, he, and Samuel.
xxvii And whanne þei ȝeden doun in þe laſte part of þe
citee, Samuel ſeide to Saul, Seie þou to þe child, þat he
go bifor vs, and paſſe; forſoþe ſtonde þou a litil, þat Y
ſchewe to þee þe word of þe Lord.
CAP. X
i Forſoþe Samuel took `a veſſel of oyle, and ſchedde out
on þe heed of Saul, and kiſſide hym, and ſeide, Lo! þe
Lord haþ anoyntid þee in to prince on hys eritage; and
þou ſchalt delyuere his puple fro þe hond of his
enemyes, þat ben `in his cumpas. And þis a tokene to
þee, þat þe Lord haþ anoyntid þee in to prince;
ii whanne þou ſchalt go fro me to day, þou ſchalt fynde
twei men biſidis `þe ſepulcre of Rachel, in `þe endis of
Beniamyn, in myddai, clenſynge grete dichis; and þei
ſchulen ſeie to þee, Þe femel aſſis ben foundun, whiche
þou ȝediſt to ſeke; and while þe aſſis ben lefte, þi fadir is
biſy for ȝou, and ſeiþ, What ſchal Y do of my ſone?
iii And whanne þou haſt go fro þennus, and haſt paſſid
ferþere, and haſt come to þe ook of Tabor, þre men,
ſtiynge to God in to Bethel, ſchulen fynde þee þere, o
man berynge þre kydis, and anoþer man berynge þre
kakis of breed, and an oþer man berynge a galoun of
wyn.
iiii And whanne þei han gret þee, þei ſchulen ȝyue to þee
twei loues, and þou ſchalt take of `þe hond of hem.
v After þeſe þingis þou ſchalt come in to þe `hil of þe
Lord, where is þe ſtondyng, þat is, forſelet, of Filiſteis;
and whanne þou ſchalt entre in to þe citee, þere þou
ſchalt haue metynge þee þe flok of prophetis comynge
doun fro þe hiȝ place, and a ſautree, and tympane, and
pipe, and harpe bifor hem, and hem propheſiynge.
vi And þe Spirit of þe Lord ſchal ſkippe in to þee, and
þou ſchalt prophecie wiþ hem, and þou ſchalt be
chaungid in to anoþer man.
vii Þerfor whanne alle þeſſe ſignes bifallen to þee, do
þou, what euer þingis þin hond fyndiþ, `þat is, diſpoſe
þee to regne comelili and myȝtily, for þe Lord is wiþ
þee.
viii And þou ſchalt go doun bifor me in to Galgala; for Y
ſchal come doun to þee, þat þou offre an offryng, and
offre peſible ſacrifices; bi ſeuene daies þou ſchalt abide,
til I come to þee, and ſhewe to þee what þou ſchal do.
ix Þerfor whanne Saul hadde turnede awei his ſchuldre
to go fro Samuel, God chaungide anoþer herte to Saul,
and alle þeſe ſignes camen in þat dai.
x And þei camen to þe forſeid hil, and lo! a cumpeny of
prophetis metynge hym; and þe Spirit of þe Lord
`ſcippide on hym, and he propheciede in þe myddis of
hem.
xi Soþeli alle men, þat knewen hym ȝiſterdai and þe þrid
dai ago, ſien þat he was wiþ þe prophetis, and þat he
propheſiede, and þei ſeiden togidere, What þing bifelde
to þe ſone of Cys? Wheþer alſo Saul is among
prophetis?
xii And o man anſweride to anoþer man, and ſeide, And
who is `his fadir? Þerfor it was turned in to a prouerbe,
Wheþer alſo Saul is among prophetis?
xiii Forſoþe Saul ceſide to propheſie, and he cam to an
hiȝ place.
xiiii And þe broþir of `þe fadir of Saul ſeide to hym, and
to his child, Whidur ȝeden ȝe? And þei anſweriden, To
ſeke þe femal aſſis; and whanne we founden `not þoo,
we camen to Samuel.
xv And þe broþer of his fadir ſeide to hym, Schewe þou
to me what Samuel ſeide to þee.
CCLVI
xvi And Saul ſeide to `þe broþer of hys fadir, He
ſchewide to vs, þat þe femal aſſis weren foundun. Soþeli
Saul ſchewide not to hym of þe word of rewme, `which
word Samuel ſpak to hym.
xvii And Samuel clepide togidere þe puple to þe Lord in
Maſphat;
xviii and he ſeide to þe ſones of Iſrael, Þe Lord God of
Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y ledde Iſrael out of þe lond of
Egipt, and Y delyuerede ȝou fro þe hond of Egipcians,
and fro þe hond of alle kyngis þat turmentiden ȝou.
xix Forſoþe to day ȝe han caſte awei ȝoure Lord God,
which aloone ſauyde ȝou fro alle ȝoure yuelis and
tribulaciouns; and ȝe ſeiden, Nay, but ordeyne þou a
kyng on vs. Now þerfor ſtonde ȝe bifor þe Lord bi ȝoure
lynagis, and bi meynees.
xx And Samuel ſettide to gidere alle þe lynages of Iſrael,
and lot felde on þe lynage of Beniamyn.
xxi And he ſettide togidere þe lynage of Beniamyn, and
þe meynees þerof; and lot felde on þe meynees of
Mathri, and it cam `til to Saul, þe ſon of Cys. Þerfor þei
ſouȝten hym, and he was not foundun þere.
xxii And aftir þeſe þingis þei counſeliden þe Lord,
wheþer Saul ſchulde come þidur. And þe Lord
anſweride, Lo! he is hid at hoom.
xxiii Þerfor þei runnen, and token hym fro þennus; and
he ſtood in þe myddil of þe puple, and was hiȝere þan al
þe puple fro þe ſchulder and `aboue.
xxiiii And Samuel ſeide to al þe puple, Certis ȝe ſeen
whom þe Lord haþ choſe; for noon in al þe puple is lijk
hym. And al þe puple cryede, and ſeide, Lyue þe kyng!
xxv Forſoþe Samuel ſpak to þe puple þe lawe of rewme,
and wroot in a book, and puttide vp bifor þe Lord. And
Samuel dilyuerede al þe puple, ech man in to his hows;
xxvi but alſo Saul ȝede in to his hous in to Gabaath; and
þe part of þe ooſt ȝede wiþ hym, whoſe hertis God
hadde touchid.
xxvii Forſoþe þe ſones of Belyal ſeiden, Wheþer þis man
may ſaue vs? And þei diſpiſiden hym, and brouȝten not
ȝiftis, `þat is, preiſyngis, to him; forſoþe he `diſſymelide
hym to here.
CAP. XI
i And it was don as aftir a moneþe, Naas of Amon
ſtiede, and bigan to fiȝte aȝens Jabes of Galaad. And
alle þe men of Jabes ſeiden to Naas, Haue þou vs
boundun in pees, and we ſchulen ſerue þee.
ii And Naas of Amon anſweride to hem, In þis Y ſchal
ſmyte boond of pees wiþ ȝou, þat Y putte out þe riȝt
iȝen of alle ȝou, and þat Y ſette ȝou ſchenſchip in al
Iſrael.
iii And þe eldere men of Jabes ſeiden to him, Graunte
þou to vs ſeuene daies, þat we ſenden meſſangeris to
alle þe termes of Iſrael; and if noon be þat defende vs,
we ſchulen go out to þee.
iiii Þerformeſſangeris camen in to Gabaad of Saul, and
ſpaken þeſe wordis, `while þe puple herde; and al þe
puple reiſide her vois, and wepte.
v And lo! Saul cam, `and ſuede oxis fro þe feeld; and he
ſeide, What haþ þe puple, for it wepiþ? And þei telden
to hym þe wordis of men of Jabes.
vi And þe Spirit of þe Lord ſkippide in to Saul, whanne
he hadde herd þeſe wordis, and his woodneſſe was
`wrooþ greetli.
vii And he took euer eiþer oxe, and kittide in to gobetis,
and ſente in to alle þe termes of Iſrael, bi þe hondis of
meſſangeris; and ſeide, Who euer goiþ not out, and ſueþ
not Saul and Samuel, ſo it ſchal be don to hiſe oxun.
Þerfor þe drede of þe Lord aſailide þe puple, and þei
ȝeden out as o man.
viii And he noumbride hem in Beſech; and þre hundrid
þouſynd weren of þe ſones of Iſrael; forſoþe of þe men
of Juda weren þretti þouſynde.
ix And þei ſeiden to þe meſſangeris þat camen, Þus ȝe
ſchulen ſeie to þe men þat ben in Jabes of Galaad, To
morew ſchal be helþe to ȝou, whanne þe ſunne is hoot.
Þerfor þe meſſangeris camen, and telden to þe men of
Jabes; whiche weren glad,
x and ſeiden, Eerli we ſchulen go out to ȝou, and ȝe
ſchulen do to vs al þat pleſiþ ȝou.
xi And it was don, whanne þe morewe dai cam, Saul
ordeynede þe puple in to þre partis; and he entride in to
þe myddil tentis `in þe wakyng of þe morewtid, and he
ſmoot Amon til þe dai `was hoot; `forſoþe þe reſidues
weren ſcaterid, ſo þat tweyne togidere weren not left in
hem.
xii And þe puple ſeide to Samuel, Who is þis, þat ſeide,
Saul ſchal not regne on vs? Ȝyue ȝe þe men, and we
ſchulen ſle hem.
xiii And Saul ſeide, No man ſchal be ſlayn in þis dai, for
to dai þe Lord made helþe in Iſrael.
xiiii Forſoþe Samuel ſeide to þe puple, Come ȝe, and go
we in to Galgala, and renule we þere þe rewme.
xv And al þe puple ȝede in to Galgala, and þere þei
maden Saul kyng bifor þe Lord `in Galgala; and þei
offriden peſible ſacrifices bifor þe Lord. And Saul was
glad þere, and alle þe men of Iſrael greetli.
CAP. XII
i Forſoþe Samuel ſeide to al Iſrael, Lo! Y herde ȝoure
vois bi alle þingis whiche ȝe ſpaken to me, and Y
ordeynede a kyng on ȝou;
ii and now þe king goiþ bifor ȝou. Soþeli Y wexide eld
and hoor; forſoþe my ſones ben wiþ ȝou; þerfor Y
lyuyde bifor ȝou fro my ȝong wexynge age `til to þis
dai. And lo!
iii Y am redi; ſpeke ȝe to me bifor þe Lord, and bifor `þe
criſt of hym; wheþer Y took `þe oxe of ony man, eþer
þe aſſe; if Y falſly chalengide ony mon; yf Y oppreſſide
CCLVII
ony man; if Y took ȝifte of `þe hond of ony man; and Y
ſchal `diſpiſe it to dai, and Y ſchal reſtore to ȝou.
iiii And þei ſeiden, Þou haſt not falſly chalengid vs,
neþer haſt oppreſſid vs, neþer haſt take ony þing of `þe
hond of ony man.
v And he ſeide to hem, Þe Lord is witneſſe aȝens ȝou,
and his criſt is witneſſe in þis day; for ȝe han not founde
ony þing in myn hond. And þei ſeiden, Witneſſe.
vi And Samuel ſeide to þe puple, Þe Lord, þat made
Moiſes and Aaron, and ledde ȝoure fadris out of þe lond
of Egipt, is preſent;
vii now þerfor ſtonde ȝe, þat Y ſtryue bi doom aȝens ȝou
bifor þe Lord, of alle þe mercyes of þe Lord, whiche he
dide wiþ ȝou, and wiþ ȝoure fadris.
viii Hou Jacob entride in to Egipt, and ȝoure fadris
crieden to þe Lord; and þe Lord ſente Moiſes and
Aaron, and ledde ȝoure fadris out of Egipt, and ſettide
hem in þis place.
ix Whiche forȝaten her Lord God; and he bitook hem in
þe hond of Siſara, mayſtir of þe chyualrie of Aſor, and
in þe hond of Filiſteis, and in þe hond of þe kyng of
Moab; and þei fouȝten aȝens hem.
x Soþeli afterward þei crieden to þe Lord, and ſeiden,
We ſynneden, for we forſoken þe Lord, and ſeruyden
Baalym and Aſtroth; now þerfor delyuere þou vs fro `þe
hond of oure enemyes, and we ſchulen ſerue þee.
xi And þe Lord ſente Gerobaal, and `Bedan, þat is,
Sampſon, and Barach, and Jepte, and Samuel, and
delyuerede ȝou fro þe hond of ȝoure enemyes bi
cumpaſs; and ȝe dwelliden triſtili.
xii Forſoþe ȝe ſien, þat Naas, kyng of þe ſones of Amon,
cam aȝens ȝou; and ȝe ſeiden to me, counſeilynge to axe
noon oþer kyng þan God, Nay, but a kyng ſchal
comaunde to vs; whanne `ȝoure Lord God regnede in
ȝou.
xiii Now þerfor ȝoure kyng is redi, whom ȝe han choſe
and axid; lo! þe Lord ȝaf to ȝou a kyng.
xiiii If ȝe dreden þe Lord, and ſeruen hym, and heren his
vois, and wraþþen not þe `mouþ of þe Lord; ȝe and
ȝoure kyng, þat comaundiþ to ȝou, ſchulen ſue ȝoure
Lord God.
xv Forſoþe if ȝe heren not þe vois of `þe Lord, but
wraþþen his word, þe hond of þe Lord ſchal be on ȝou,
and on ȝoure fadris.
xvi But alſo now ſtonde ȝe, and ſe þis gret þing which þe
Lord ſchal make in ȝoure ſiȝt.
xvii Wheþer herueſt of whete is not `to dai? I ſchal
inwardli clepe þe Lord, and he ſchal ȝyue voices, `þat
is, þundris, and reynes; and ȝe ſchulen wite, and ſchulen
ſe, for ȝe axynge a kyng on ȝou han do greuouſe yuel to
ȝou in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
xviii And Samuel criede to þe Lord, and þe Lord ȝaf
voices and reynes in þat dai.
xix And al þe puple dredde greetli þe Lord and Samuel;
and al þe puple ſeide to Samuel, Preye þou for þi
ſeruauntis to þi Lord God, þat we die not; for we
addiden yuel to alle oure ſynnes, þat we axiden a kyng
to vs.
xx Forſoþe Samuel ſeide to þe puple, `Nyle ȝe drede; ȝe
han do al þis yuel; neþeles `nyle ȝe go awey fro þe bak
of þe Lord, but ſerue ȝe þe Lord in al ȝoure herte;
xxi and nyle ȝe bowe aftir veyn þingis, þat ſchulen not
profite to ȝou, neþer ſchulen delyuere ȝou; for þo ben
veyn þingis.
xxii And þe Lord ſchal not forſake his puple for his grete
name; for þe Lord ſwoor to make ȝou a puple to hym
ſilf.
xxiii Forſoþe þis ſynne be fer fro me in þe Lord, þat Y
ceeſſe to preye for ȝou; and Y ſchal teche ȝou a riȝtful
weie and good.
xxiiii Þerfor drede ȝe þe Lord, and `ſerue ȝe hym in
treuþe, and of al ȝoure herte; for ȝe ſien þo grete þingis,
whiche he `dide in ȝou;
xxv þat if ȝe contynuen in malice, boþe ȝe and ȝoure
kyng ſchulen periſche to gidere.
CAP. XIII
i Saul was a child of o ȝeer whanne he bigan to regne;
forſoþe he regnede on Iſrael twei ȝeer.
ii And Saul chees to hym þre þouſynde of Iſrael, and
twei þouſynde weren wiþ Saul in Machynas, in þe hil of
Bethel; forſoþe a þouſynde weren wiþ Jonathas in
Gabaath of Beniamyn; ſoþeli he ſente aȝen þe toþer
puple ech man in to `hiſe tabernaclis.
iii And Jonathas ſmoot þe ſtacioun of Filiſteis, þat was in
Gabaa. And whanne Filiſteis hadden herd þis, Saul
ſownede wiþ a clarioun in al þe lond, and ſeide, Ebreys
here.
iiii And al Iſrael herde ſiche a fame, Saul ſmoot þe
ſtacioun of Filiſteis; and Iſrael reiſide hym ſilf aȝens
Filiſteis; þerfor þe puple criede after Saul in Galgala.
v And Filiſteis weren gaderid to fiȝte aȝens Iſrael; `of
Filiſteis weren þretti þouſynde of charis, and ſixe
þouſynde of knyȝtis, and þe toþer comyn puple, as
grauel `which is ful myche in þe brynke of þe ſee; and
þei ſtieden, and ſettiden tentis in Machynas, at þe eeſt of
Bethauen.
vi And whanne men of Iſrael hadden ſeyn þis, þat þei
weren ſet in ſtreiȝtneſſe, for þe puple was turmentid, þei
hidden hem ſilf in dennes, and in priuey places, and in
ſtonys, and in dychis, and in ciſternes.
vii Soþeli Ebreis paſſiden Jordan in to þe lond of Gad
and of Galaad. And whanne Saul was ȝit in Galgala, al
þe puple was aferd þat ſuede hym.
viii And ſeuene daies he abood Samuel bi couenaunt,
and Samuel cam not in to Galgala; and þe puple ȝede a
wei fro Saul.
CCLVIII
ix Þerfor Saul ſeide, Brynge ȝe to me brent ſacrifice, and
peſible ſacrifices; and he offride brent ſacrifice.
x And whanne he hadde endid offrynge brent ſacrifice,
lo! Samuel cam; and Saul ȝede out aȝens hym, to greete
Samuel.
xi And Samuel ſpak to hym, What haſt þou do? Saul
anſweride, For Y ſiȝ þat þe puple ȝede awei fro me, and
þou cameſt not bi þe daies of couenaunt; certis Filiſteis
weren gaderid in Machynas;
xii Y ſeide, Now Filiſteis ſchulen come doun to me in to
Galgala, and Y haue not pleſyd þe face of þe Lord; Y
was compellid bi nede, and Y offryde brent ſacrifice to
þe Lord.
xiii And Samuel ſeide to Saul, Þou haſt do folili, and þou
`keptiſt not þe heeſtis of þi Lord God, whiche he
comaundide to þee; and if þou haddiſt not do þis þing,
riȝt now þe Lord hadde maad redi þi rewme on Iſrael
wiþ outen ende;
xiiii but þi rewme ſchal not riſe ferþere. Þe Lord haþ
ſouȝt a man to hym ſilf after his herte; and þe Lord
comaundide to hym, þat he ſchulde be duyk on his
puple, for þou keptiſt not þo þingis whiche þe Lord
comaundide.
xv Forſoþe Samuel roos, and ſtiede fro Galgala in to
Gabaa of Beniamyn; and þe `reſidue puplis ſtieden after
Saul aȝens þe puple which fouȝten aȝens hem; and þei
camen fro Galgala in to Gabaa, in þe hil of Beniamyn.
And Saul noumbride þe puple, þat weren foundun wiþ
hym as ſixe hundrid men.
xvi And Saul, and Jonathas his ſone, and þe puple þat
was foundun wiþ hem, was in Gabaa of Beniamyn;
forſoþe Filiſteis ſaten togidere in Machynas.
xvii And þre cumpanyes ȝeden out of þe `caſtels of
Filiſteis to take prey; o cumpany ȝede aȝens þe weie of
Effraym to þe lond of Saul;
xviii ſoþely an oþer cumpeny entride bi þe weie of
Bethoron; forſoþe þe þridde cumpenye turnede it ſilf to
þe weie of þe terme in þe lond of Sabaa; and þat terme
neiȝeþ to þe valey of Seboym aȝens þe deſeert.
xix Forſoþe `no ſmyȝþ of yrun was foundun in al þe lond
of Iſrael; for Filiſteis `weren war, eþer eſchewiden, leſt
perauenture Ebreis maden a ſwerd eþer a ſpere.
xx Þerfor al Iſrael ȝede doun to Filiſteis, þat ech man
ſchulde ſcharpe his ſchar, and picoiſe, and ax, `and
ſarpe;
xxi `and ſo alle egis weren bluntid `of ſcharris, and of
picoiſis, and of `forkis of þre teeþ, and of axis, `til to a
pricke to be amendid.
xxii And whanne þe dai of batel cam, no ſwerd and ſpere
was foundun in þe hond of al þe puple þat was wiþ Saul
and Jonathas, outakun Saul, and Jonathas his ſone.
xxiii Forſoþe þe ſtacioun of Filiſteis ȝede out, þat it
ſchulde paſſe in to Machynas.
CAP. XIIII
i And it bifelde in a day, þat Jonathas, þe ſone of Saul,
ſeide to his ſquyer, a ȝong man, Come þou, and paſſe we
to þe ſtaciouns of þe Filiſteis, which is biȝende þat
place; `ſoþeli he ſchewide not þis ſame þing to his fadir.
ii Soþeli Saul dwellide in þe laſte part of Gabaa, vndur a
pumgarnarde tre, þat was in þe feeld of Gabaa; and þe
puple as of ſixe hundrid men was wiþ hym.
iii And Achias, ſone of Achitob, broþer of Icaboth, ſone
of Fynees, þat was gendrid of Ely, preeſt of þe Lord in
Silo, bar ephod, `þat is, þe preeſtis cloþ; but alſo þe
puple wiſte not whidur Jonathas hadde go.
iiii Soþeli bitwixe þe ſtiyngis, bi whiche Jonathas
enforſide to paſſe to þe ſtacioun of Filiſteis, weren
ſtonys ſtondynge forþ on euer eiþer ſide, and ſcarris
brokun bifore bi þe maner of teeþ on ech ſyde; name to
oon was Boſes, and name to `þe toþer was Sene;
v o ſcarre was ſtondynge forþ to þe norþ aȝens
Machynas, and þe toþer ſcarre to þe ſouþ aȝens Gabaa.
vi Forſoþe Jonathas ſeide to his ȝong ſquyer, Come þou,
paſſe we to þe ſtacioun of þeſe vncircumciſid men, if in
hap þe Lord do for vs; for it is not hard to þe Lord to
ſaue, eþir in manye eþir in fewe.
vii And his ſquyer ſeide to hym, Do þou alle þingis þat
pleſen þi ſoule; go whidur þou coueitiſt, Y ſchal be wiþ
þee, where euer þou wolt.
viii And Jonathas ſeide, Lo! we paſſen to þeſe men; and
whanne we apperen to hem,
ix if þei ſpeken þus to vs, Dwelle ȝe, til we comen to
ȝou; ſtonde we in oure place, and ſtie we not to hem.
x Soþeli if þei ſeien, Stye ȝe to vs; ſtie we, for þe Lord
haþ bitake hem in oure hondis; þis ſchal be a ſigne to
vs.
xi `Þerfor euer eiþer apperide to þe ſtacioun of Filiſteis;
and Filiſteis ſeiden, Lo! Ebreis goen out of caues, in
whiche þei weren hid.
xii And men of þe ſtacioun ſpaken to Jonathas and to his
ſquyer, and ſeiden, Stie ȝe to vs, and we ſchulen ſchewe
to ȝou a þing. And Jonathas ſeide to his ſquyer, `Stie we,
ſue þou me; for þe Lord haþ bitake hem in to þe hondis
of Iſrael.
xiii Forſoþe Jonathas ſtiede crepynge on hondis and feet,
and his ſquyer after hym; and whanne þei hadden ſeyn
þe face of Jonathas, ſumme felden doun bifor Jonathas,
his ſquier killed oþere, and ſuede hym.
xiiii And þe firſte wounde was maad, which Jonathas
and his ſquyer ſmoot, as of twenti men, in `þe myddil
part of lond which a peire of oxun was wont to ere in þe
dai.
xv And a myracle was don in þe caſtels, and bi þe
feeldis, but alſo al þe puple of þe `ſtacioun of hem þat
ȝeden out to take prey, dredde, and `þe caſtels weren
diſturblid; and it bifelde as a myracle of God.
CCLIX
xvi And aſpyeris of Saul bihelden, þat weren in Gabaa of
Beniamyn, and lo! a multitude caſt doun, and fleynge
awei hidur and þidur.
xvii And Saul ſeide to þe puple þat weren wiþ hym, Seke
ȝe, and ſe ȝe, who ȝede awei fro vs. And whanne þei
hadden ſouȝt, it was foundun, þat Jonathas and his
ſquyer weren not preſent.
xviii And Saul ſeide to Achias, Brynge þe arke of þe
Lord; for þe arke of God was þere in þat dai wiþ þe
ſones of Iſrael.
xix And whanne Saul ſpak to þe preeſt, a grete noiſe roos
in þe caſtelis of Filiſteis; and it encreſſide litil and litil,
and ſownede cleerliere. And Saul ſeide to þe preeſt,
Wiþdraw þin hond.
xx Þerfor Saul criede, and al þe puple þat was wiþ hym;
and þei camen `til to þe place of batel, and, lo! þe ſwerd
of ech man was turned to his neiȝbore, and a ful grete
ſleynge was.
xxi But alſo Ebreis þat weren wiþ Filiſteis ȝiſtirday and
þe þridde dai ago, and hadde ſtied wiþ hem in caſtels,
turneden aȝen to be wiþ Iſrael, þat weren wiþ Saul and
Jonathas.
xxii Alſo alle men of Iſrael, þat hadden hid hem ſilf in þe
hil of Effraym, herden þat Filiſteis hadden fled; and þei
felouſchipiden hem ſilf wiþ her men in batel, and as ten
þouſynde of men weren wiþ Saul.
xxiii And þe Lord ſauyde Iſrael in þat day. Soþeli þe
batel cam til to Bethauen.
xxiiii And men of Iſrael weren felouſchipid to hem ſilf in
þat dai; forſoþe Saul ſwoor to þe puple, and ſeide,
Curſid be þe man, þat etiþ breed `til to euentid, til `Y
venge me of myn enemyes.
xxv And al þe puple ete not breed. And al þe comyn
puple of þe lond cam in to a foreſt, in which was hony
on þe `face of erþe.
xxvi And ſo þe puple entride in to þe foreſt, and
flowynge hony apperide; and no man puttide hond to
his mouþ, for þe puple dredde þe ooþ.
xxvii Forſoþe Jonathas herde not, whanne his fadir ſwoor
to þe puple; and he helde forþ þe ende of a litil ȝerde,
whiche he hadde in þe hond, and dippide in to `a coomb
of hony; and he turnede his hond to his mouþ, and hiſe
iȝen weren liȝtned.
xxviii And oon of þe puple anſweride, and ſeide, Þi fader
boond þe puple wiþ an ooþ, and ſeide, Curſid be þe man
þat etiþ breed to dai. Forſoþe þe puple was feynt.
xxix And Jonathas ſeide, My fadir haþ diſturblid þe lond;
ȝe ſien, þat myn iȝen ben liȝtned, for Y taſtide a litil of
þis hony;
xxx hou myche more if þe puple hadde ete þe prey of
hiſe enemyes, which `prey it foond; wheþer not gretter
veniaunce hadde be maad in Filiſteis?
xxxi Þerfore þei ſmytiden Filiſteis in þat dai fro
Machynas `til in to Hailon. Forſoþe þe puple was maad
ful wery;
xxxii and þe puple turnede to prey, and took ſcheep and
oxun, and calues; and þei killiden in þe erþe; and þe
puple eet wiþ blood.
xxxiii And þei telden to Saul, and ſeiden, þat þe puple
etynge wiþ blood hadde ſynned to þe Lord. And Saul
ſeide, Ȝe han treſpaſſid; walewe ȝe to me `riȝt now a
greet ſtoon.
xxxiiii And Saul ſeyde, `Be ȝe ſpred abrood in to þe
comyn puple, and ſeie ȝe to hem, þat ech man brynge to
me his oxe and ram; and ſle ȝe on þis ſtoon, and ete ȝe,
and ȝe ſchulen not do ſynne to þe Lord, `and ete wiþ
blood. Þerfor al þe puple brouȝte ech man an oxe in his
hond `til to nyȝt, and þei killiden þere.
xxxv Soþeli Saul bildide an auter to þe Lord; and þanne
firſte he bigan to bilde an auter to þe Lord.
xxxvi And Saul ſeide, Falle we on þe Filiſteis in þe nyȝt,
and waſte we hem til þe morewtid ſchyne; and leeue we
not of hem a man. And þe puple ſeide, Do þou al þing
þat ſemeþ good to þee in þin iȝen. And þe preeſt ſeide,
Neiȝe we hidur to God.
xxxvii And Saul counſelide þe Lord, and ſeide, Wheþer Y
ſchal purſue Filiſteis? wheþer þou ſchalt bitake hem in
to þe hondis of Iſrael? And þe Lord anſweride not to
him in þat dai.
xxxviii And Saul ſeide, Brynge ȝe hidur alle þe corneris
of þe puple, and wite ȝe, and ſe, bi whom þis ſynne
bifelde to dai.
xxxix Þe Lord ſauȝour of Iſrael lyueþ; for if `it is don bi
Jonathas my ſone, he ſchal die wiþ out aȝen drawyng.
At which ooþ no man of al þe puple aȝenſeide hym.
xl And he ſeide to al Iſrael, Be ȝe departid in to o part,
and Y wiþ my ſone Jonathas ſchal be in þe toþir part.
And þe puple anſweride to Saul, Do þou þat, þat ſemeþ
good in þin iȝen.
xli And Saul ſeide to þe Lord God of Iſrael, Lord God of
Iſrael, ȝyue þou doom, what is, þat þou anſweriſt not to
dai to þi ſeruaunt? If þis wickidneſs is in me, eþer in
Jonathas my ſone, ȝyue þou ſchewyng; eþer if þis
wickidneſſe is in þi puple, ȝyue þou hoolyneſſe. And
Jonathas was takun, and Saul; forſoþe þe puple ȝede
out.
xlii And Saule ſeide, Sende ȝe lot bitwixe me and
Jonathas my ſone. And Jonathas was takun `bi lot.
xliii Forſoþe Saul ſeide to Jonathas, Schewe þou to me,
what þou didiſt. And Jonathas ſchewide to hym, and
ſeide, Y taſtynge taſtide a litil of hony `in þe ende of þe
ȝerde, þat was in myn hond; and lo!
xliiii Y die. And Saul ſeide, God do to me þeſe þingis,
and adde `þeſe þingis, for þou, Jonathas, ſchalt die bi
deeþ.
CCLX
xlv And þe puple ſeide to Saul, `Þerfor wheþir Jonathas
ſchal die, þat dide þis greet helþe in Iſrael? þis is
vnleueful; þe Lord lyueþ; noon heer of his heed ſchal
falle in to erþe; for he wrouȝte wiþ God to dai. Þerfor
þe puple delyuerede Jonathas, þat he diede not.
xlvi And Saul ȝede a wey, and purſuede not Filiſteis;
ſoþeli Filiſteys ȝeden in to her places.
xlvii And Saul, whanne þe rewme was `confermyd on
Iſrael, fauȝt bi cumpas aȝens alle hiſe enemyes, aȝens
Moab, and þe ſones of Amon, and Edom, and aȝens þe
kyngis of Soba, and aȝens Filiſteis; and whidur euer he
turnede hym, he ouercam.
xlviii And whanne þe ooſt was gaderid, he ſmoot
Amalech; and delyuerede Iſrael fro þe hond of hiſe
diſtrieris.
xlix Forſoþe þe ſones of Saul weren Jonathas, and Jeſuy,
and Melchiſua; þe names of hiſe twei douȝtris, name of
þe firſte gendrid douȝter was Merob, and name `of þe
leſſe douȝter was Mycol.
l And name of `þe wijf of Saul was Achynoem, þe
douȝtir of Achymaas; and þe name of þe prince of his
chyualrye was Abner, ſone of Ner, broþer of þe fadir of
Saul.
li Forſoþe Cys was þe fadir of Saul; and Ner, þe ſone of
Abiel, was fadir of Abner.
lii Soþeli myȝti batel was aȝens Filiſteis in alle þe daies
of Saul; for whom euere Saul ſiȝ a ſtrong man and
ſchapli to batel, Saul felouſchipide to him ſilf þat man.
CAP. XV
i And Samuel ſeide to Saul, Þe Lord ſente me, þat Y
ſchulde anoynte þee in to `kyng on his puple Iſrael; now
þerfor here þou þe vois `of þe Lord.
ii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þes þingis, Y haue rikenyd what
euer þingis Amalech dide to Iſrael; hou Amalech
aȝenſtood Iſrael in þe weie, whanne he ſtiede from
Egipt.
iii Now þerfor go þou, and ſle Amalech, and diſtruye
þou alle `þingis of hym; ſpare þou not hym, and coueyte
þou not ony þing of hiſe þingis; but ſle þou fro man `til
to womman, and a litil child, and ſoukynge, an oxe, and
ſcheep, and camel, and aſſe.
iiii Þerfor Saul comaundide to þe puple, and he
noumbride hem as lambren twei hundrid þouſynde of
foot men, and ten þouſynde of men of Juda.
v And whanne Saul cam to þe citee of Amalech, he
made redi buyſchementis in þe ſtronde.
vi And Saul ſeide to Cyney, Go ȝe, departe ȝe, and go ȝe
awei fro Amalech, leſt perauenture Y wlappe þee in wiþ
hem; for þou didiſt mercy wiþ alle þe ſones of Iſrael,
whanne þei ſtieden fro Egipt. And Cyney departide fro
þe myddis of Amalech.
vii And Saul ſmoot Amalech fro Euila, til þou come to
Sur, which is aȝens Egipt.
viii And he took Agag quyke, þe kyng of Amalech;
ſoþeli he killide bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd alle þe
comyn puple.
ix And Saul and þe puple ſparide Agag, and þe beſte
flockis of ſcheep, and of grete beeſtis, and cloþis, and
rammes, and alle þingis þat weren faire; and þei nolden
deſtrie þo; ſoþeli what euer þing was vijl, and
repreuable, þei diſtrieden þis.
x Forſoþe þe word of þe Lord was maad to Samuel,
xi and ſeide, It repentiþ me, þat Y made Saul kyng; for
he forſook me, and fillide not my wordis in werk. And
Samuel was ſory, and he criede to þe Lord in al þe nyȝt.
xii And whanne Samuel hadde riſe bi nyȝt to go eerly to
Saul, it was teld to Samuel, þat Saul hadde come in to
Carmel, and hadde reiſid to hym a ſigne of victorye; and
þat he hadde turned aȝen, and hadde paſſid, and hadde
go doun in to Galgala. Þerfor Samuel cam to Saul, and
Saul offride brent ſacrifice to þe Lord of þe cheef þingis
of preies, whiche he hadde brouȝt fro Amalech.
xiii And þe while Samuel cam to Saul, Saul ſeide to
hym, Bleſſid be þou of þe Lord, Y haue fillid þe `word
of þe Lord.
xiiii And Samuel ſeide, And what is þe vois of flockis,
þat ſowneþ in myn eeris, and of grete beeſtis, whiche Y
here?
xv And Saul ſeide, Þei brouȝten þo fro Amalech, for þe
puple ſparide þe betere ſcheep and grete beeſtis, þat þo
ſchulden be offrid to þi Lord God; ſoþeli we killiden þe
toþere beeſtis.
xvi Forſoþe Samuel ſeide to Saul, Suffre þou me, and Y
ſchal ſchewe to þee what þingis þe Lord ſpak to me in
þe nyȝt. And he ſeide to Samuel, Speke þou.
xvii And Samuel ſeide, Wheþer not, whanne þou were
litil in þin iȝen, þou were maade heed in þe lynages of
Iſrael, and þe Lord anoyntide þee in to kyng on Iſrael;
xviii and þe Lord ſente þee in to þe weie, and ſeide, Go
þou, and ſle þe ſynneris of Amalech, and þou ſchalt fiȝte
aȝens hem `til to ſleyng of hem.
xix Whi þerfor herdiſt þou not þe vois of þe Lord, but
þou were turned to prey, and didiſt yuel in þe `iȝen of þe
Lord?
xx And Saul ſeide to Samuel, Ȝhis, Y herde þe `vois of
þe Lord, and Y ȝede in þe weie, bi which þe Lord ſente
me, and Y haue brouȝt Agag, þe kyng of Amalech, and
Y killide Amalech.
xxi Forſoþe þe puple took of þe prey, ſcheep and oxun,
þe firſte fruytis of þo þingis, þat ben ſlayn, þat þei make
ſacrifice to her Lord God in Galgalis.
xxii And Samuel ſeide, Wheþer þe Lord wole brent
ſacrifices, eþir ſlayn ſacrifices, and not more þat me
obeie to þe vois of þe Lord? For obedience is betere þan
ſacrifices, and to `herkene Goddis word is more þan to
offre þe ynnere fatneſſe of rammes;
CCLXI
xxiii forit is as þe ſynne of mawmetrie to `fiȝte aȝens
Goddis heeſt, and it is as þe wickidneſſe of ydolatrie to
nyle `aſcente to Goddis heeſt. Þerfor for þat, þat þou
caſtidiſt awey þe word of þe Lord, þe Lord caſtide þee
awei, þat þou be not kyng.
xxiiii And Saul ſeide to Samuel, Y ſynnede, for Y brak þe
word of þe Lord, and þi wordis; `and Y dredde þe
puple, `and obeiede to `þe vois of hem; but now,
xxv Y biſeche, bere þou my ſynne, and turne þou aȝen
wiþ me, þat Y worſchipe þe Lord.
xxvi And Samuel ſeide to Saul, Y ſchal not turne aȝen
wiþ þee, for þou caſtidiſt awey þe word of þe Lord, and
þe Lord caſtide awei þee, þat þou be not king on Iſrael.
xxvii And Samuel turnede to go a wey; ſoþeli Saul took
þe ende of þe mentil of Samuel, which alſo was to-rent.
xxviii And Samuel ſeide to hym, Þe Lord haþ kit þe
rewme of Iſrael fro þee to dai, and ȝaf it to þi neiȝbore
betere þan þou;
xxix certis þe ouercomere in Iſrael ſchal not ſpare, and he
ſchal not be bowid bi repentaunce; for he is not man,
`þat is, chaungeable, þat he do repentaunce.
xxx And Saul ſeide, Y ſynnede; but now onoure þou me
bifor þe eldere men of my puple, and bifor Iſrael, and
turne þou aȝen wiþ me, þat Y worſchipe þi Lord God.
xxxi Þerfor Samuel turnede aȝen, and ſuede Saul, and
Saul worſchipide þe Lord.
xxxii And Samuel ſeide, Brynge ȝe to me Agag, þe kyng
of Amalech. And Agag `mooſt fat tremblynge was
brouȝt to hym. And Agag ſeide, Wheþer þus departiþ
bitter deeþ?
xxxiii And Samuel ſeide, As þi ſwerd made wymmen wiþ
out fre children, ſo þi modir ſchal be wiþ out fre
children among wymmen. And Samuel kittide hym in
to gobetis bifor þe Lord in Galgalis.
xxxiiii Forſoþe Samuel ȝede in to Ramatha; ſoþeli Saul
ſtiede in to his hows in Gabaa.
xxxv And Samuel ſiȝ no more Saul `til to þe dai of his
deeþ; neþeles Samuel biweilide Saul, for it repentide þe
Lord, þat he hadde ordeyned Saul kyng on Iſrael.
CAP. XVI
i And þe Lord ſeide to Samuel, Hou long biweiliſt þou
Saul, ſiþen Y caſtide hym awey, þat he regne not on
Iſrael; fille þin horn wiþ oile, and come, þat Y ſende þee
to Yſay of Bethleem; for among hiſe ſones Y haue
purueide a king to me.
ii And Samuel ſeide, Hou ſchal Y go? for Saul ſchal
here, and he ſchal ſle me. And þe Lord ſeide, Þou ſchalt
take a calf of þe droue in þi hond, and þou ſchalt ſeye, Y
cam to make ſacrifice to þe Lord.
iii And þou ſchalt clepe Yſay to þe ſacrifice, and Y ſchal
ſchewe to þee, what þou ſchalt do; and þou ſchalt
anoynte, whom euere Y ſchal ſchewe to þee.
iiii ÞerforSamuel dide, as þe Lord ſpak to hym; and he
cam in to Bethleem, and þe eldere men of þe citee
wondriden, and camen to hym, and ſeiden, Wheþer þin
entryng is peſible?
v And he ſeide, It is peſible; Y cam to make ſacrifice to
þe Lord; be ȝe halewid, and come ȝe wiþ me, þat Y
make ſacrifice. Þerfor he halewide Yſai, and hiſe ſones,
and clepide hem to þe ſacrifice.
vi And whanne þei hadden entrid, he ſiȝ Eliab, and ſeide,
Wheþer bifor þe Lord is his criſt?
vii And þe Lord ſeide to Samuel, Biholde þou not his
cheer, neþir hiȝneſſe of his ſtature; for Y caſtide hym
awei, and Y demyde not bi `þe ſiȝt of man; for a man
ſeeþ þo þingis þat ben opyn, but þe Lord biholdiþ þe
herte.
viii And Yſai clepide Amynadab, and brouȝte hym bifor
Samuel; which ſeide, Neþer þe Lord haþ choſe þis.
ix Forſoþe Iſay brouȝte Samma; of whom Samuel ſeide,
Alſo þe Lord haþ not choſe þis.
x Þerfor Iſai brouȝte hiſe ſeuene ſones bifor Samuel; and
Samuel ſeide to Yſai, Þe Lord haþ `not choſe of þeſe.
xi And Samuel ſeide to Iſai, Wheþer þi ſones ben now
fillid? And Iſai anſweride, Ȝit `anoþer is, a litil child,
and liſewiþ ſcheep. And Samuel ſeide to Iſai, Sende þou,
and brynge hym; for we ſchulen not ſitte to mete, bifor
þat he come hidur.
xii Þerfor Yſai ſente, and brouȝte hym; ſoþeli he was
rodi, and fair in ſiȝt, and of ſemely face. And þe Lord
ſeide, Riſe þou, and anoynte hym; for it is he.
xiii Þerfor Samuel took þe horn of oyle, and anoyntid
hym in þe myddis of his briþeren; and þe Spirit of þe
Lord was dreſſid in to Dauid fro þat day `and afterward.
And Samuel roos, and ȝede in to Ramatha.
xiiii And ſo þe Spirit of þe Lord ȝede awei fro Saul, and
a wickid ſpirit of þe Lord trauelide Saul.
xv And þe ſeruauntis of Saul ſeiden to hym, Lo! an yuel
ſpirit of þe Lord traueiliþ þee;
xvi oure lord þe kyng comaunde, and þi ſeruauntis þat
ben bifore þee, ſchulen ſeke a man, þat kan ſynge wiþ
an harpe, þat whanne þe yuel ſpirit of þe Lord takiþ þee,
he harpe wiþ his hond, and þou bere eſiliere. And Saul
ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis, Puruey ȝe to me ſum man
ſyngynge wel, and brynge ȝe hym to me.
xviii And oon of þe children anſweride and ſeide, Lo! Y
ſiȝ þe ſone of Yſai of Bethleem, kunnynge to ſynge, and
`ſtrongeſte in myȝt, and `a man able to batel, and
prudent in wordis, and a feir man; and þe Lord is wiþ
hym.
xix Þerfor Saul ſente meſſangeris to Yſay, and ſeide,
Sende þou to me Dauid þi ſone, `which is in þe leſewis.
xx Þerfor Iſai took an aſſe `ful of looues, and a galoun of
wyn, and a `kyde of geet; and ſente bi þe hond of Dauid
his ſone to Saul.
CCLXII
xxi And Dauid cam to Saul, and ſtood bifor hym; and
Saul louyde hym greetli, and he was maad `his ſquyer.
xxii And Saul ſente to Iſay, and ſeide, Dauid ſtonde in
my ſiȝt, for he foond grace in myn iȝen.
xxiii Þerfor whanne euer þe wickid ſpirit of þe Lord took
Saul, Dauid took þe harpe, and ſmoot wiþ his hond, and
Saul was coumfortid, and he hadde liȝtere; for þe
wickid ſpirit ȝede awey fro hym.
CAP. XVII
i Forſoþe Filiſteis gaderiden her cumpenyes in to batel,
and camen togidere in Socoth of Juda, and ſettiden
tentis bitwixe Socoth and Azecha, in þe cooſtis of
Domyn.
ii Soþeli Saul and þe men of Iſrael weren gaderid, and
camen in to þe valey of Terebynte, and dreſſiden
ſcheltrun to fiȝte aȝens Filiſteis.
iii And Filiſteis ſtoden aboue þe hil on þis part, and
Iſrael ſtood on þe hil on þe toþer part of þe valey, þat
was bitwixe hem. And a man, `ſone of a widewe, whos
fadir was vncerteyn, ȝede out of þe `caſtels of Filiſteis,
Goliath bi name of Geth, of ſixe cubitis heiȝ and a
ſpanne; and a braſun baſynet on his heed;
v and he was cloþid wiþ `an haburioun hokid, eþer
mailid; forſoþe þe weiȝte of his haburioun was fyue
þouſynde ſiclis of bras;
vi and he hadde `bootis of bras in þe hipis, and a `ſcheld
of bras hilide hiſe ſchuldris.
vii Forſoþe `þe ſchaft of his ſpere was as þe beem of
webbis; forſoþe þilke yrun of his ſpere hadde ſixe
hundrid ſiclis of yrun; and his ſquier ȝede bifor hym.
viii And he ſtood, and cried aȝens þe cumpenyes of
armed men of Iſrael, and ſeide to hem, Why camen ȝe
redi to batel? Wheþer Y am not a Filiſtei, and ȝe ben þe
ſeruauntis of Saul? Cheſe ȝe a man of ȝou, and come he
doun to ſyngulere batel;
ix if he may fiȝte wiþ me, and ſleeþ me, we ſchulen be
`ſeruauntis to ȝou; forſoþe if Y haue þe mayſtry, and ſle
hym, ȝe ſchulen be boonde, and `ȝe ſchulen ſerue vs.
x And `þe Filiſtei ſeide, Y haue `ſeyd ſchenſchip to dai to
þe cumpenyes of Iſrael; ȝyue ȝe a man, and bigynne he
`ſynguler batel wiþ me.
xi Soþeli Saul and alle men of Iſrael herden ſiche wordis
of `þe Filiſtey, and þei weren aſtonyed, and dredden
greetli.
xii Forſoþe Dauid was `þe ſone of a man of Effrata, of
whom it is `biforſeid, of Bethleem of Juda, to `which
man þe name was Iſay, which hadde eiȝte ſones; and `þe
man was eld in þe daies of Saul, and of greet age
among men.
xiii Soþeli þre grettere ſones of Yſai ȝeden after Saul in
to batel; and þe names of hiſe þre ſones, þat ȝeden to
batel, Heliab, þe firſte gendryd, and þe ſecounde,
Amynadab, and þe þridde, Samma.
xiiii Forſoþe Dauid was þe leeſte. Þerfor while þre
grettere ſueden Saul, Dauid ȝede,
xv and turnede aȝen fro Saul, þat he ſchulde kepe þe floc
of his fadir in Bethleem.
xvi Forſoþe þe Filiſtey cam forþ in þe morewtid, and
euentid; and ſtood `bi fourti daies.
xvii Soþeli Yſai ſeide to Dauid his ſone, Take þou to þi
briþeren meete maad of meele, þe meſure of ephi, and
þeſe ten looues, and renne þou in to þe caſtels to þi
briþeren;
xviii and þou ſchalt bere to þe tribune þeſe ten `litil
formes of cheſe; and þou ſchalt viſite þi briþeren,
wheþer þei doon riȝtli, and lurne þou, wiþ whiche men
þei ben ordeyned.
xix Forſoþe Saul, and þei, and alle þe ſones of Iſrael in
þe valei of Terebynte fouȝten aȝens Filiſteis.
xx Þerfor Dauid roos eerli, and bitook þe floc to þe
kepere, and he ȝede chargid, as Yſai `hadde comaundid
to hym; and he cam to þe place Magala, and to þe ooſt,
which ooſt ȝede out to þe batel, and criede in `þe batel.
xxi For Iſrael hadde dreſſid ſcheltrun; `but alſo Filiſteis
weren maad redi `euen aȝens.
xxii Þerfor Dauid lefte þe veſſels, whiche he hadde
brouȝt, vndur þe hond of a kepere `at þe fardels, and he
ran to þe place of batel, and he axyde, if alle þingis
weren `doon riȝtli anentis hiſe briþeren.
xxiii And whanne he ſpak ȝit to hem, þilke baſtard
apperide, Goliath bi name, a Filiſtei of Geth, and ſtiede
fro þe caſtels of Filiſteis; and `while he ſpak þeſe ſame
wordis, Dauid herde.
xxiiii And whanne alle men of Iſrael hadden ſeyn `þe
man, þei fledden fro his face, and dredden hym greetli.
xxv And ech man of Iſrael ſeide, Wheþer þou haſt ſeyn
þis man þat ſtiede? for he ſtiede to ſeie ſchenſhip to
Iſrael; þerfor þe kyng ſchal make riche wiþ greet
richeſſis `þe man þat ſleeþ þilke Filiſtei; and þe kyng
ſchal ȝyue his douȝter to þat man, and ſchal make þe
hows of his fader wiþ out `tribut in Iſrael.
xxvi And Dauyd ſpak to þe men þat ſtoden wiþ hym, and
ſeide, What ſchal be ȝouun to þe man þat ſleeþ þis
Filiſtei, and doiþ awei ſchenſchip fro Iſrael? for who is
þis Filiſtei vncircumcidid, þat diſpiſide þe ſcheltruns of
God lyuynge?
xxvii Forſoþe þe puple tolde to hym þe ſame word, and
ſeide, Þeſe þingis ſchulen be ȝouun to þe man þat ſleeþ
hym.
xxviii And whanne Heliab, `his more broþer, had herd
þis, while he ſpak wiþ oþere men, he was wrooþ aȝens
Dauid, and ſeide, Whi cameſt þou, and whi `leftiſt þou
þo fewe ſcheep in deſeert? Y knowe þi pride, and þe
wewardneſſe of þin herte; for þou cameſt doun to ſe þe
batel.
CCLXIII
xxix And Dauid ſeide, What haue Y do? Wheþer it is not
a word?
xxx And Dauid bowide a litil fro hym to anoþer man;
and Dauid ſeide þe ſame word, and þe puple anſweride
to hym al word as bifore.
xxxi Forſoþe þeſe wordis weren herd, whiche Dauid
ſpak, and weren teld `in þe ſiȝt of Saul.
xxxii And whanne Dauyd was brouȝt to Saul, Dauyd
ſpak to hym, Þe herte of ony man falle not doun for `þat
Filiſtei, Y þi ſeruaunt ſchal go, and `Y ſchal fiȝte aȝens
þe Filiſtei.
xxxiii And Saul ſeide to Dauid, Þou maiſt not aȝenſtonde
þis Filiſtei, neþer fiȝte aȝens hym, for þou art a child;
forſoþe þis man is a werriour fro his ȝong wexynge age.
xxxiiii And Dauid ſeide to Saul, Þi ſeruaunt kepte `þe
floc of his fadir, and a lioun cam, eþer a bere, and took
awei a ram fro þe myddis of þe floc;
xxxv Y purſuede, and killide hem, and rauyſchide fro `þe
mouþ of hem; and þei riſiden aȝens me, and I took þe
neþer chaule `of hem, and Y ſtranglide, and killide hem.
xxxvi For Y þi ſeruaunt killide boþe a lioun and a bere;
þerfor and þis Filiſtei vncircumcidid ſchal be as oon of
hem. Now Y ſchal go, and Y ſchal do awey þe
ſchenſchip of þe puple; for who is þis Filiſtei
vncircumcidid, þat was hardi to curſe þe ooſt of God
lyuynge?
xxxvii And Dauid ſeide, Þe Lord þat delyuerede me fro
þe `mouþ of þe lioun, and fro þe `hond, þat is, power, of
þe bere, he ſchal delyuere me fro þe hond of þis Filiſtei.
Forſoþe Saul ſeide to Dauid, Go þou, and þe Lord be
wiþ þee.
xxxviii And Saul cloþide Dauid wiþ hiſe cloþis, and
puttide a braſun baſynet on his heed, and cloþide hym
wiþ an haburioun.
xxxix Þerfor Dauid was gird wiþ his ſwerd on his cloþ,
and bigan to aſaie if he myȝte go armed; for he hadde
not cuſtom. And Dauid ſeide to Saul, Y may not go ſo,
for Y haue not vſs. And Dauid puttide awei þo,
xl and he took his ſtaaf, which he hadde euere in þe
hondis. And he chees to hym fyue clereſte ſtonys, þat is,
harde, pleyn, and rounde, of þe ſtronde; and he ſente þo
in to þe ſchepherdis ſcrippe, which he hadde wiþ hym;
and he took þe ſlynge in þe hond, and ȝede forþ aȝens
þe Filiſtei.
xli Soþeli þe Filiſtei ȝede, `goynge and neiȝyng aȝens
Dauid; and his ſquyer ȝede bifor hym.
xlii And whanne `þe Filiſtei hadde biholde Dauid, and
hadde ſeyn hym, he diſpiſide Dauid; forſoþe Dauid was
a ȝong wexynge man, rodi, and feir in ſiȝt.
xliii And `þe Filiſtei, ſeide to Dauid, Wheþer Y am a
dogge, for þou comeſt to me wiþ a ſtaf? And `þe Filiſtei
curſide Dauid in hiſe goddis; and he ſeide to Dauid,
xliiii Come þou to me, and Y ſchal ȝyue þi fleiſchis to þe
`volatilis of heuene, and to þe beeſtis of erþe.
xlv Soþeli Dauid ſeide to `þe Filiſtei, Þou comeſt to me
wiþ ſwerd, and ſpere, and ſcheeld; but Y come to þee in
þe name of þe Lord God of ooſtis, of God of þe
cumpanyes of Iſrael, to whiche þou ſeidiſt ſchenſchip to
dai.
xlvi And þe Lord ſchal ȝyue þee in myn hond, and Y
ſchal ſle þee, and Y ſchal take awey þin heed fro þee;
and I ſchal ȝyue þe deed bodies of þe caſtels of Filiſteis
`to day to þe volatils of heuene, and to þe beeſtis of
erþe; þat al þe erþe wite, þat þe Lord God is in Iſrael,
xlvii and þat al þis chirche knowe, þat þe Lord ſaueþ not
in ſwerd neþer in ſpere; for þe batel is his, and he ſchal
bitake ȝou in to oure hondis.
xlviii Þerfor whanne þe Filiſtei hadde riſe, and cam, and
neiȝede aȝens Dauid, Dauid haſtide, and ran to batel
aȝens `þe Filiſtei.
xlix And Dauid putte his hond `in to his ſcrippe, and he
took o ſtoon, and he caſtide wiþ þe ſlynge, `and ledde
aboute, and ſmoot `þe Filiſtei in þe forheed; and þe
ſtoon was faſtned in his forheed, and he felde doun in to
his face on þe erþe.
l And Dauid hadde þe maiſtrie aȝens `þe Filiſtei `in a
ſlyng and ſtoon, and he killide `þe Filiſtei ſmytun. And
whanne Dauid hadde no ſwerd in þe hond,
li he ran, and ſtood on `þe Filiſtei, and took his ſwerd;
and Dauid drow out þe ſwerd of his ſcheþe, and `killide
him, and kittide awei his heed. Forſoþe þe Filiſteis ſien,
þat þe ſtrongeſte of hem was deed, and þei fledden.
lii And þe ſones of Iſrael and of Juda riſiden to gidere,
and crieden, and purſueden Filiſteis, `til þe while þei
camen in to þe valei, and `til to þe ȝate of Accaron. And
woundid men of Filiſteis felden in þe weye of Sarym,
and `til to Geth, and `til to Accaron.
liii And þe ſones of Iſrael turneden aȝen, aftir þat þei
hadden purſuede Filiſteis, and þei aſſailiden `þe tentis of
hem.
liiii Forſoþe Dauid took þe heed of `þe Filiſtei, and
brouȝte it in to Jeruſalem; ſoþeli he puttide hiſe armeris
in þe `tabernacle of þe Lord.
lv Forſoþe in þat tyme in which Saul ſiȝ Dauid goynge
out aȝens `þe Filiſtei, he ſeide to Abner, prince of his
chiualrie, Abner, of what generacioun `cam forþ þis
ȝong waxynge man? And Abner ſeide, Kyng, þi ſoule
lyueþ, I knowe not.
lvi And þe kyng ſeide, Axe þou, whos ſone þis child is.
lvii And whanne Dauid hadde come aȝen, whanne `þe
Filiſtei was ſlayn, Abner took Dauid, and brouȝte hym
in, hauynge in þe hond þe heed of `þe Filiſtei, `bifor
Saul.
lviii And Saul ſeide to hym, Of what generacioun art
þou, ȝong waxynge man? And Dauid ſeide, Y am þe
ſone of þi ſeruaunt, Iſai of Bethleem.
CCLXIV
CAP. XVIII
i And it was doon, whanne Dauid `hadde endid to ſpeke
to Saul, þe ſoule of Jonathas was glued togidre to þe
ſoule of Dauid, and Jonathas louyde hym as his owne
ſoule.
ii And Saul took Dauid in þat dai, and grauntide not `to
hym, `þat he ſchulde turne aȝen in to `þe hows of his
fadir.
iii Forſoþe Jonathas and Dauid maden boond of pees,
`þat is, ſwerynge euerlaſtynge frenſchip; for Jonathas
louyde Dauid as his owne ſoule;
iiii for whi Jonathas diſpuylide him ſilf fro þe coote `in
which he was cloþid, and ȝaf it to Dauid, and hiſe oþere
cloþis, `til to his ſwerd and bouwe, and `til to þe girdil.
v Alſo Dauid ȝede out to alle þingis, to what euer þingis
Saul `hadde ſent hym, and he gouernede hym ſilf
prudentli; and Saul ſettide hym ouer þe men of batel,
and `he was acceptid, `eþer pleſaunt, in þe iȝen of al þe
puple, and mooſt in þe ſiȝt of `þe ſeruauntis of Saul.
vi Forſoþe whanne Dauid turnede aȝen, whanne `þe
Filiſtei was ſlayn, and bar þe heed of `þe Filiſtei in to
Jeruſalem, wymmen ȝeden out of alle þe citees of Iſrael,
and ſungen, and ledden queris, aȝens þe comyng of king
Saul, in tympans of gladneſſe, and in trumpis.
vii And þe wymmen ſungen, pleiynge, and ſeiynge, Saul
ſmoot a þouſynde, and Dauid ſmoot ten þouſynde.
viii Saul was wrooþ greetli, and þis word diſpleſide `in
his iȝen; and he ſeide, Þei ȝauen ten þouſynde to Dauid,
and `þei ȝauen a þouſynde to me; what leeueþ to hym,
no but þe rewme aloone?
ix Þerfor Saul bihelde Dauid not wiþ `riȝtful iȝen, `fro
þat dai and afterward.
x Soþeli aftir þe toþer dai a wickid ſpirit of God aſailide
Saul, and he propheciede in þe myddis of his hows.
xi Forſoþe Dauid harpide wiþ his hond, as bi alle daies;
and Saul helde a ſpere, and caſte it, and geſſide þat he
myȝte prene Dauid wiþ þe wal, þat is, perſe wiþ þe
ſpere, ſo þat it ſchulde paſſe til to þe wal; and Dauid
bowide `fro his face þe ſecounde tyme.
xii And Saul dredde Dauid, for þe Lord was wiþ hym,
and hadde go awei fro him ſilf.
xiii Þerfor Saul remouide Dauid fro hym ſilf, and made
hym tribune on a þouſynde men; and Dauid ȝede out
and entride in `þe ſiȝt of þe puple.
xiiii And Dauid dide warli in alle hiſe weies, and þe
Lord was wiþ hym;
xv and ſo Saul ſiȝ þat Dauid was ful prudent, and he
bigan to ȝe war of Dauid.
xvi Forſoþe al Iſrael and Juda louyden Dauid; for he
entride and ȝede out bifor hem.
xvii And Saul ſeide to Dauid, Lo! `my more douȝtir
Merob, Y ſchal ȝiue her wijf to þee; oneli be þou a
ſtrong man, and fiȝte þou þe `batels of þe Lord. Forſoþe
Saul `arettide, and ſeide, Myn hond be not in hym, but
þe hond of Filiſteis be on hym.
xviii Soþeli Dauid ſeide to Saul, Who am Y, eþer what is
my lijf, eþer þe meynee of my fadir in Iſrael, þat Y be
maad þe `ſone in lawe of þe kyng?
xix Forſoþe þe tyme `was maad whanne Merob, þe
douȝter of Saul, `ouȝte to be ȝouun to Dauid, ſche was
ȝouun wijf to Hadriel Molatite.
xx Forſoþe Dauid louide Mychol, þe douȝtir of Saul; and
it was teld to Saul, and it pleſide hym.
xxi And Saul ſeide, Y ſchal ȝyue hir to hym, þat it be to
hym in to ſclaundir, and þe hond of Filiſteis be on hym.
Þerfor Saul ſeide to Dauid, In `twei douȝtris þou ſchalt
be my ſone in lawe to dai.
xxii And Saul comaundide to hiſe ſeruauntis, Speke ȝe to
Dauid, while it `is hid fro me, and ſeie ȝe, Lo! þou
pleſiſt þe king, and alle hiſe ſeruauntis louen þee; now
þerfor be þou hoſebonde of þe `douȝtir of þe kyng.
xxiii And þe ſeruauntis of Saul ſpaken alle þeſe wordis in
þe eeris of Dauid. And Dauid ſeide, Wheþer it ſemeþ
litil to ȝou `to be ſone in lawe of þe kyng? Forſoþe Y am
a pore man, and a feble.
xxiiii And þe ſeruauntis telden to Saul, and ſeiden, Dauid
ſpak ſiche wordis.
xxv Soþeli Saul ſeide, Þus ſpeke ȝe to Dauid, Þe kyng
haþ no nede to ȝiftis for ſpowſails, no but onely to an
hundrid prepucies, `þat is, mennus ȝerdis
vncircumcidid, `of Filiſteis, þat veniaunce be maad of
þe kyngis enemyes. Certis Saul þouȝte to bitake Dauid
in to þe hondis of Filiſteis.
xxvi And whanne þe ſeruauntis of Saul hadden teld to
Dauid þe wordis, whiche Saul hadde ſeid, þe word
pleſide `in þe iȝen of Dauid, þat he ſchulde be maad þe
kyngis ſon in lawe.
xxvii And aftir a fewe daies Dauid roos, and ȝede in to
Acharon, wiþ þe men þat weren wiþ hym, and he killide
of Filiſteis twei hundrid men; and brouȝte `þe prepucies
of hem, and noumbride þo to þe kyng, þat he ſchulde be
þe kyngis ſone in lawe. And ſo Saul ȝaf Mycol, his
douȝter, wiif to hym.
xxviii And Saul ſiȝ, and vndirſtood, þat þe Lord was wiþ
Dauid.
xxix Forſoþe Mychol, `þe douȝter of Saul, louide Dauid,
and Saul bigan more to drede Dauid; and Saul was
maad enemye to Dauid in alle daies.
xxx And þe princes of Filiſteis ȝeden out; forſoþe fro þe
bigynnyng of her goyng out Dauyd bar hym ſilf more
warli þan alle þe men of Saul; and þe name of Dauid
was maad ful ſolempne.
CAP. XIX
i Forſoþe Saul ſpak to Jonathas, his ſone, and to alle hiſe
ſeruauntis, þat þei ſchulden ſle Dauid; certis Jonathas,
þe ſone of Saul, louyde Dauid greetli.
CCLXV
ii And Jonathas ſchewide to Dauid, and ſeide, Saul, my
fadir, ſekiþ to ſle þee, wherfor, Y biſeche, kepe `þou þee
eerli; and þou ſchalt dwelle priueli, and þou ſchalt be
hid.
iii Soþeli Y ſchal go out, and ſtonde biſidis my fadir in
þe feeld, where euer he ſchal be; and Y ſchal ſpeke of
þee to my fadir, and what euer þing Y ſhal ſe, Y ſchal
telle to þee.
iiii Þerfor Jonathas ſpak good þingis of Dauid to Saul,
his fadir, and ſeide to hym, Kyng, do þou not ſynne
aȝens þi ſeruaunt Dauid, for he `ſynnede not to þee, and
hiſe werkis ben ful good to þee;
v and he puttide his lijf in his hond, and he killide þe
Filiſtei. And þe Lord made greet heelþe to al Iſrael; þou
ſiȝ, and were glad; whi þerfor ſynneſt þou in giltles
blood, and ſleeſt Dauid, which is wiþ out gilt?
vi And whanne Saul hadde herd þis, he was pleſid wiþ
þe vois of Jonathas, and ſwoor, `Þe Lord lyueþ, `þat is,
bi þe Lord lyuynge, for Dauid ſchal not be ſlayn.
vii Þerfor Jonathas clepide Dauid, and ſchewide to hym
alle þeſe wordis. And Jonathas brouȝte in Dauid to Saul,
and he was bifor hym as `ȝiſtirdai and þe þridde dai
ago.
viii Forſoþe batel was moued eft; and Dauyd ȝede out,
and fauȝt aȝens Filiſteis, and he ſmoot hem wiþ a greet
wounde, and þei fledden fro his face.
ix And þe yuel ſpirit of þe Lord was maad on Saul;
ſoþeli he ſat in his hows, and helde a ſpere; certis Dauid
harpide in his hond.
x And Saul enforſide to prene wiþ þe ſpere Dauid in þe
wal; and Dauid bowide fro `þe face of Saul; forſoþe þe
ſpere `wiþ voide wounde was borun in to þe wal; and
Dauid fledde, and was ſaued in þat niȝt.
xi Þerfor Saul ſente hiſe knyȝtis in þe nyȝt in to þe hows
of Dauid, þat þei ſchulden kepe hym, and þat he
`ſchulde be ſlayn in þe morewtide. And whanne
Mychol, þe wijf of Dauid, hadde teld þis to Dauid, and
ſeide, If þou ſaueſt not þee in þis nyȝt, þou ſchalt die to
morew;
xii ſche puttide hym doun bi a wyndow. Forſoþe he ȝede,
and fledde, and was ſauyd.
xiii Soþeli Mychol took an ymage, and puttide it on þe
bed, and puttide `an heeri ſkyn of geet at þe heed þerof,
and hilide it wiþ cloþis.
xiiii Forſoþe Saul ſente ſergeauntis, `þat ſchulden
rauyſche Dauid, and it was anſweride, þat he was ſijk.
xv And eft Saul ſente meſſangeris, þat þei ſchulden ſe
Dauid, and he ſeide, Brynge ȝe hym to me in þe bed, þat
he be ſlayn.
xvi And whanne þe meſſangeris hadden come, `a
ſymylacre was foundun on þe bed, and `ſkynnes of geet
at þe heed þerof.
xvii And Saul ſeide to Mychol, Whi ſcornediſt þou me
ſo, and `delyuerediſt myn enemy, þat he fledde? And
Mychol anſweride to Saul, For he ſpak to me, and ſeide,
Delyuere þou me, ellis Y ſchal ſlee þee.
xviii Forſoþe Dauid fledde, and was ſauyd; and he cam
to Samuel in to Ramatha, and telde to hym alle þingis
which Saul hadde do to hym; and he and Samuel ȝeden,
and dwelliden in Naioth.
xix Forſoþe it was teld to Saul of men, ſeiynge, Lo!
Dauid is in Naioth in Ramatha.
xx Þerfor Saul ſente ſleeris, þat þei ſchulden rauyſche
Dauid; and whanne þei hadden ſeyn þe cumpeny of
profetis profeciynge, and Samuel ſtondynge ouer hem,
þe Spirit of þe Lord, `þat is, þe ſpirit of deuocioun, was
maad in hem, and þei alſo bigunnen to prophecie.
xxi And whanne þis was teld to Saul, he ſente alſo oþere
meſſangeris; `ſoþeli and þei profeſieden. And eft Saul
ſente þe þridde meſſangeris, and þei prophecieden. And
Saul was wrooþ `wiþ irefulneſſe;
xxii and he alſo ȝede in to Ramatha, and he cam `til to þe
greet ciſterne, which is in Socoth, and he axide, and
ſeide, In what place ben Samuel and Dauid? And it was
ſeid to hym, Lo! þei ben in Naioth in Ramatha.
xxiii And he ȝede in `to Naioth in Ramatha; and þe Spirit
of þe Lord was maad alſo on him; and he `ȝede, and
entride, and propheciede, `til þe while he cam `in to
Naioth in Ramatha.
xxiiii And `he alſo diſpuylide him ſilf of hiſe cloþis, and
propheciede wiþ oþere men bifor Samuel, and he
profeciede nakid in al þat dai and nyȝt. Wherfor `a
prouerbe, þat is, a comyn word, ȝede out, Wheþer and
Saul among prophetis?
CAP. XX
i Forſoþe Dauid fledde fro Naioth, which is in Ramatha,
and cam and ſpak bifor Jonathas, What haue Y do? what
is my wickidneſſe, and what is my ſynne aȝens þi fadir,
for he ſekiþ my lijf?
ii And Jonathas ſeide to hym, Fer be it fro þee, þou
ſchalt not die, for my fadir ſchal not do ony þing greet
eþer litil, `no but he ſchewe firſte to me; þerfor my fadir
kepte preuy fro me þis word oneli, forſoþe it ſchal not
be.
iii And eft he ſwoor to Dauid. And Dauid ſeide, Treuli þi
fadir woot, þat Y haue founde grace `in þin iȝen, and he
ſchal ſeie, Jonathas wite not þis, leſt perauenture he be
ſory; certis þe Lord lyueþ, `and þi ſoule lyueþ, for, þat Y
ſeie ſo, Y and deeþ ben departid oneli bi o degree.
iiii And Jonathas ſeide to Dauid, What euer þing þi ſoule
ſchal ſeie to me, Y ſchal do to þee.
v And Dauid ſeide to Jonathas, Lo! calendis ben to
morewe, and bi cuſtom Y am wont to ſitte bi þe kyng to
ete; þerfor ſuffre þou me, `þat Y be hid in þe feeld `til to
euentid of þe þridde dai.
CCLXVI
vi If þi fadir biholdiþ, and axiþ me, þou ſchalt anſwere
to hym, Dauid preiede me, þat he ſchulde go ſwiftli into
Bethleem, his citee, for ſolempne ſacrifices ben þere to
alle þe men of his lynage.
vii If he ſeiþ, Wel, pees ſchal be to þi ſeruaunt; forſoþe if
he is wrooþ, wite þou, þat his malice is fillid.
viii Þerfor do þou mercy in to þi ſeruaunt, for þou madiſt
me þi ſeruaunt to make wiþ þee þe boond of pees of þe
Lord; ſoþeli if ony wickidneſſe is in me, ſle þou me, and
brynge þou not in me to þi fadir.
ix And Jonathas ſeide, Fer be þis fro me, for it mai not
be doon, þat Y telle not to þee, if Y knowe certeynli, þat
þe malice of my fadir is fillid aȝens þee.
x And Dauid anſweride to Jonathas, Who ſchal telle to
me, if in caas þi fadir anſweriþ harde ony þing of me?
xi And Jonathas ſeide to Dauid, Come þou, and go we
forþ in to þe feeld. And whanne boþe hadden go in to
þe feeld,
xii Jonathas ſeide to Dauid, Lord God of Iſrael, if Y
enquere þe ſentence of my fadir to morewe, eþer in þe
nexte dai aftir, and ony `þing of good is of Dauid, and Y
ſende not anoon to þee,
xiii and make knowun to þee, God do þeſe þingis to
Jonathas, and `adde þeſe þingis. Forſoþe if þe malice of
my fadir contynueþ aȝens þee, Y ſchal ſchewe to þin
eere, and Y ſchal delyuere þee, þat þou go in pees; and
þe Lord be wiþ þee, as he was wiþ my fadir.
xiiii And if Y lyue, do þou þe mercies of þe Lord to me;
xv forſoþe if Y am deed, `þou ſchalt not take awei þi
mercy fro myn hows `til in to wiþ outen ende; `and ȝif
Y do it not, whanne þe Lord ſchal drawe out bi þe roote
þe enemyes of Dauid, ech man fro þe lond, take he awei
Jonathas fro his hows, and ſeke þe Lord of þe hond of
þe enemyes of Dauid.
xvi Þerfor Jonathas made boond of pees wiþ þe hows of
Dauid, and þe Lord ſouȝte of þe hond of enemyes of
Dauid.
xvii And Jonathas addide to ſwere ſtedfaſtli to Dauid, for
he louyde Dauid; for he louyde ſo Dauid, as his owne
ſoule.
xviii And Jonathas ſeide to hym, `Calendis ben to
morewe, and þou ſchalt be ſouȝt;
xix for þi ſittyng ſchal be ſouȝt til after to morewe.
Þerfor þou ſchalt go doun haſtili, and þou ſchalt come in
to þe place, where þou ſchalt be hid in þe day, whanne it
is leueful to worche; and þou ſchalt ſitte biſidis þe ſtoon,
`to which þe name is Ezel.
xx And Y ſchal ſende þre arowis biſidis þat ſtoon, and Y
ſchal caſte as `excerciſynge eþer pleiynge me at a ſigne.
xxi Y ſchal ſende alſo and my child, and Y ſchal ſeie to
hym, Go þou, and brynge to me þe arewis.
xxii If Y ſeie to þe child, Lo! þe arewis ben `wiþ ynne
þee, take þou þo; come þou to me, for pees is to þee,
and no þing is of yuel, þe Lord lyueþ. Soþeli if Y ſpeke
þus to þe child, Lo! þe arowis ben biȝende þee; go þou
in pees, for þe Lord deliuerede þee.
xxiii Forſoþe of þe word, which þou and Y han ſpoke, þe
Lord be bitwixe me and þee til in to wiþ outen ende.
xxiiii Þerfor Dauid was hid in þe feeld; and þe `calendis
camen, and þe kyng ſat to ete breed.
xxv And whanne þe kyng hadde ſeete on his chaier bi
cuſtom, `which chaier was biſidis þe wal, Jonathas roos,
and ſat `aftir Abner, and Abner ſat at þe ſide of Saul, and
þe place of Dauid apperide voide.
xxvi And Saul ſpak not ony þing in þat dai; for he
þouȝte, þat `in hap it bifelde to hym, þat he was not
clene `neþer purified.
xxvii And whanne þe ſecounde dai aftir þe calendis
hadde ſchyned, eft þe place of Dauid apperide voide.
And Saul ſeide to Jonathas his ſone, Whi comeþ not þe
ſone of Iſai, neþer ȝiſterdai, neþer to dai to ete?
xxviii And Jonathas anſweride to Saul, He preiede me
mekeli, þat he ſchulde go in to Bethleem;
xxix and he ſeide, Suffre þou me, for ſolempne ſacrifice
is in my citee; oon of my briþeren clepide me; now
þerfor if Y foond grace `in þin iȝen, Y ſchal go ſoone,
and `Y ſchal ſe my briþeren; for þis cauſe he comeþ not
to þe `table of þe kyng.
xxx Forſoþe Saul was wrooþ aȝens Jonathas, and ſeide to
hym, Þou ſone of a womman `rauyſchynge at her owne
wille a man, wheþer Y woot not, þat þou loueſt þe ſone
of Yſay in to þi confuſioun, and in to þe confuſioun of
þi ſchendful modir?
xxxi For in alle þe daies in whiche þe ſone of Iſai lyueþ
on erþe, þou ſchalt not be ſtabliſchid, neþer þi rewme;
þerfor `riȝt now ſende þou, and brynge hym to me, for
he is þe ſone of deeþ.
xxxii Soþeli Jonathas anſweride to Saul his fadir, and
ſeide, Whi ſchal he die? what haþ he do?
xxxiii And Saul took þe ſpere, þat he ſchulde ſmyte hym,
and Jonathas vndirſtood, þat it was determynd of his
fadir, þat Dauid ſchulde be ſlayn.
xxxiiii Þerfor Jonathas roos fro þe table in `þe ire of
woodneſſe, and he ete not breed in þe ſecounde dai of
calendis; for he was ſori on Dauid, for his fadir hadde
ſchent him.
xxxv And whanne þe morewtid `hadde ſchyned, Jonathas
cam in to þe feeld, and a litil child wiþ hym, bi þe
couenaunt of Dauid.
xxxvi And Jonathas ſeide to his child, Go þou, and
brynge to me þe arowis whiche Y caſte. And whanne þe
child hadde runne, he caſtide anoþer arowe biȝende þe
child.
xxxvii Þerfor þe child cam to þe place of þe arowe which
Jonathas hadde ſent; and Jonathas criede bihynde þe
`bak of þe child, and ſeide, Lo! þe arowe is not þere,
certis it is biȝende þee.
CCLXVII
xxxviii And Jonathas criede eft bihynde þe bak of þe
child, `and ſeide, Haſte þou ſwiftli, ſtonde þou not.
Þerfor þe child gaderide þe arowis of Jonathas, and
brouȝte to his lord,
xxxix and outerli he wiſte not what was doon; for oonli
Jonathas and Dauid knewen þe þing.
xl Þerfor Jonathas ȝaf hiſe armeris to þe child, and ſeide
to hym, Go þou, bere in to þe citee.
xli And whanne þe child hadde go, Dauid roos fro þe
place þat `ȝede to þe ſouþ; and he felde low `in to þe
erþe, and worſchipide þe þridde tyme, and þei kiſſiden
hem ſilf to gidere, and `wepten to gidere; forſoþe Dauid
wepte more.
xlii Þerfor Jonathas ſeide to Dauid, Go þou in pees; what
euer þingis we boþe han ſwoore in þe `name of þe Lord,
`and ſeiden, `Þe Lord be bitwixe me and þee, and
bitwixe my ſeed and þi ſeed til in to wiþ outen ende, `be
ſtidfaſt. And Dauid roos, and ȝede, but alſo Jonathas
entride in to þe citee.
CAP. XXI
i Forſoþe Dauid cam in to Nobe to Achimelech preeſt;
and Achymelech wondrid, for Dauid `hadde come; and
he ſeide to Dauid, Whi art þou aloone, and no man is
wiþ þee?
ii And Dauid ſeide to Achymelech preeſt, Þe kyng
comaundide to me a word, and ſeide, No man wite þe
þing, for which þou art ſent fro me, and what maner
comaundementis Y ȝaf to þee; for Y ſeide alſo to
children, þat þei ſchulden go in to þat `and þat place;
iii now þerfor if þou haſt ony þing at hond, eþer fyue
looues, ȝyue þou to me, eþer what euer þing þou
fyndiſt.
iiii And þe preeſt anſweride to Dauid, and ſeide to hym,
Y haue `not lewid, `þat is, comyn, looues at hoond, but
oneli hooli breed; wheþer þe children ben clene, and
mooſt of wymmen?
v And Dauid anſweride to þe preeſt, and ſeide to hym,
And ſoþeli if it is doon of wymmen, we abſteyneden vs
fro ȝiſtirdai and þe þridde dai ago, whanne we ȝeden
out, and þe `veſſels, þat is, bodies, of þe children weren
cleene; forſoþe þis weie is defoulyd, but alſo þat ſchal
be halewid to dai in þe veſſels.
vi Þerfor þe preeſt ȝaf to hym halewid breed, for noon
oþer breed was þere, no but oneli looues of ſettyng forþ,
þat weren takun awey fro þe face of þe Lord, þat hoote
looues ſchulen be ſet.
vii Forſoþe ſum man of þe ſeruauntis of Saul was þere
wiþ ynne in þe tabernacle of þe Lord; and his name was
Doech of Ydumee, þe myȝtieſt of þe ſcheepherdis, `þat
is, iugis, of Saul.
viii Forſoþe Dauid ſeide to Achymelech, If þou haſt
`here at hond ſpere, eþer ſwerd, ȝyue to me; for Y took
not wiþ me my ſwerd and myn armeris; for þe `word of
þe kyng conſtreynede me.
ix And þe preeſt ſeide, Lo! here þe ſwerd of Goliath
Filiſtei, whom þou killidſt in þe valey of Terebynte, is
wlappid in a cloþ aftir ephoth; if þou wolt take þis, take
þou; for here is noon oþer outakun þat. And Dauid
ſeide, Noon oþer is lijk þis, ȝyue þou it to me.
x Þerfor Dauid roos, `and fledde in þat dai fro þe face of
Saul, and cam to Achis, þe kyng of Geth.
xi And þe ſeruauntis of Achis ſeiden to hym, whanne þei
hadden ſeyn Dauid, Wheþer þis is not Dauid, kyng of
þe lond? Wheþer þei ſungen not to hym bi queeris, and
ſeiden, Saul ſmoot a þouſynde, and Dauid ſmoot ten
þouſynde?
xii Soþeli Dauid puttide þeſe wordis `in his herte, and he
dredde greetli of þe face of Achis, kyng of Geth.
xiii And Dauid chaungide his mouþ bifor Achis, and
felde doun bitwixe her hondis, and he hurtlide aȝens þe
doris of þe ȝate, and his drauelis, `þat is, ſpotelis,
flowiden doun in to þe beerd.
xiiii And Achis ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis, Seen ȝe þe wood
man? why brouȝten ȝe hym to me? wheþer wood men
failen to vs? whi han ȝe brouȝt in hym, þat he ſchulde
be wood, while Y am preſent? Delyuere ȝe hym fro
hennus, leſt he entre in to myn hows.
CAP. XXII
i Þerfor Dauid ȝede fro þennus, and fledde in to þe
denne of Odollam; and whanne hiſe briþeren, and al þe
hows of his fadir hadden herd þis, þei camen doun
þidur to hym.
ii And alle men þat weren ſet in angwiſch, and oppreſſid
wiþ oþere mennus dette, and in bittir ſoule, camen
togidere to hym; and he was maad þe prince `of hem,
and as foure hundrid men weren wiþ hym.
iii And Dauid ȝede forþ fro þennus in to Maſphat, which
is of Moab; and he ſeide to þe kyng of Moab, Y preye,
dwelle my fadir and my modir wiþ ȝou, til Y wite what
þing God ſchal do to me.
iiii And he lefte hem bifor þe face of þe kyng of Moab;
and þei dwelliden at hym in alle daies, `in whiche
Dauid was in `þe forſelet, eþer ſtronghold.
v And Gad, þe profete, ſeide to Dauid, Nyle þou dwelle
in `þe forſelet; go þou forþ, and go in to þe lond of
Juda. And Dauid ȝede forþ, and cam in to þe foreſt of
Areth.
vi And Saul herde, þat Dauid apperide, and þe men þat
weren wiþ hym. Forſoþe whanne Saul dwellide in
Gabaa, and was in þe wode which is in Rama, and
`helde a ſpere in þe hond, and alle hiſe ſeruauntis ſtoden
aboute hym,
vii he ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis þat ſtoden nyȝ hym, Þe
ſones of Gemyny, here me now; wheþer þe ſone of Yſai
CCLXVIII
ſchal ȝyue to alle ȝou feeldis and vyneris, and ſchal
make alle ȝou tribunes and centuriouns?
viii For alle ȝe han ſwore, eþer conſpirid, togidere aȝens
me, and noon is þat telliþ to me; mooſt ſiþen alſo my
ſone haþ ioyned boond of pees wiþ þe ſone of Yſai;
noon is of ȝou, þat ſorewiþ `for my ſtide, neþer þat telliþ
to me, for my ſone haþ reiſid my ſeruaunt aȝens me,
ſettynge treſoun to me `til to dai.
ix Soþeli Doech of Ydumye anſweride, þat ſtood nyȝ,
and was þe firſte among `þe ſeruauntis of Saul, and
ſeide, Y ſiȝ `þe ſone of Yſai in Nobe, at Achymelech,
preeſt, þe ſone of Achitob;
x which counſeilide þe Lord for Dauid, and ȝaf meetis
`to hym, but alſo he ȝaf to Dauid þe ſwerd of Goliath
Filiſtei.
xi Þerfor þe kyng ſente to clepe Achymelech, þe preeſt,
`þe ſone of Achitob, and al þe hows of his fadir, of
preeſtis þat weren in Nobe; whiche alle camen to þe
kyng.
xii And Saul ſeide to Achymelech, Here, þou ſone of
Achitob.
xiii Which anſweride, Lord, Y am redi. And Saul ſeide to
hym, Whi haſt þou conſpirid aȝens me, þou, and þe ſone
of Yſai, and ȝaueſt looues and a ſwerd to hym, and
councelidiſt þe Lord for hym, þat he ſchulde riſe aȝens
me, and he dwelliþ a tretour `til to dai?
xiiii And Achymelech anſweride to þe kyng, and ſeide,
And who among alle þi ſeruauntis is as Dauid feiþful,
and þe ſone in lawe `of þe kyng, and goynge at þi
comaundement, and gloriouſe in þin hows?
xv Wheþer Y bigan to dai to counſele þe Lord for hym?
Fer be þis fro me; ſuppoſe not þe kyng aȝens his
ſeruaunt `ſiche a þing in al `þe hows of my fadir; for þi
ſeruaunt knew not ony þing, eþer litil eþir greet, of þis
cauſe.
xvi And þe kyng ſeide, Achymelech, þou ſchalt die bi
deeþ, þou, and al þe hows of þi fadir.
xvii And þe kyng ſeide to men able to be ſent out, þat
ſtoden aboute hym, Turne ȝe, and ſle þe preeſtis of þe
Lord, for þe hond of hem is wiþ Dauid; and þei wiſten
þat he fledde, and þei ſchewiden not to me. Soþeli þe
ſeruauntis of þe kyng nolden holde forþ her hond in to
þe preeſtis of þe Lord.
xviii And þe kyng ſeide to Doech, Turne þou, and hurle
in to þe preeſtis of þe Lord. And Doech of Ydumee
turnede, and hurlide in to þe preeſtis, and ſtranglide in
þat dai foure ſcore and fyue men, cloþid wiþ `ephoth of
lynnun cloþ.
xix Forſoþe he ſmoot Nobe, þe citee of preeſtis, by þe
ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, men and wymmen, litle children
and ſoukynge, and oxe, and aſſe, and ſheep, bi þe
ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd.
xx Forſoþe o ſone of Achymelech, ſone of Achitob,
aſcapide, of which ſone þe name was Abiathar; and he
fledde to Dauid,
xxi and telde to hym þat Saul hadde ſlayn þe preeſtis of
þe Lord.
xxii And Dauid ſeide to Abiathar, Soþeli Y wiſte, `þat is,
Y coniectide, eþer dredde, in þat dai, þat whanne Doech
of Ydumee was þere, he wolde telle wiþ out doute to
Saul; Y am gilti of alle þe lyues of þi fadir.
xxiii Dwelle þou wiþ me, drede þou not; if ony man
ſekiþ þi lijf, he ſchal ſeke alſo my lijf, and þou ſchalt be
kept wiþ me.
CAP. XXIII
i And þei telden to Dauid, and ſeiden, Lo! Filiſteis fiȝten
aȝens Seila, and rauyſchen þe corn floris.
ii Þerfor Dauid councelide þe Lord, and ſeide, Wheþer Y
ſchal go, and ſmyte Filiſteis? And þe Lord ſeide to
Dauid, Go þou, and þou ſchalt ſmyte Filiſteis, and þou
ſchalt ſaue Seila.
iii And men, þat weren wiþ Dauid, ſeiden to him, Lo!
we ben heere in Judee, and dredden; hou myche more,
if we ſchulen go in to Seila aȝens þe cumpanyes of
Filiſteis.
iiii Þerfor eft Dauid councelide þe Lord; which
anſweride, and ſeide to Dauid, Riſe þou, and go `in to
Seila; for Y ſchal bitake Filiſteis in þin hond.
v Þerfor Dauid ȝede, and hiſe men, in to Seila, and fauȝt
aȝens Filiſteis; and he droof awey her werk beeſtis, and
ſmoot hem wiþ greet wounde; and Dauid ſauyde þe
dwelleris of Seila.
vi Forſoþe in þat tyme, `wher ynne Abiathar, ſone of
Achymelech, fledde to Dauid in to Seile, he cam doun,
and hadde wiþ hym `ephoth, þat is, þe cloþ of þe hiȝeſte
preeſt.
vii Forſoþe it was teld to Saul, þat Dauid hadde come in
to Seila; and Saul ſeide, Þe Lord haþ take hym in to
myn hondis, and he `is cloſid, and entride in to a citee,
in which ben ȝatis and lockis.
viii And Saul comaundide to al þe puple, þat it ſchulde
go doun to batel in to Seila, and biſege Dauid and hiſe
men.
ix And whanne Dauid perceyuede, þat Saul made redi
yuel priueli to hym, he ſeide to Abiathar, preeſt, Brynge
hidur ephoth.
x And Dauid ſeide, Lord God of Iſrael, þi ſeruaunt
`herde fame, þat Saul diſpoſiþ to come to Seila, þat he
diſtrie þe citee for me;
xi if þe men of Seila ſchulen bitake me in to hiſe hondis,
and if Saul ſchal come doun, as þi ſeruaunt herde, þou
Lord God of Iſrael ſchewe to þi ſeruaunt? And þe Lord
ſeide, He ſchal come doun.
CCLXIX
xii And Dauid ſeide eft, Wheþer þe men of Seila ſchulen
bitake me, and þe men þat ben wiþ me, in to þe hondis
of Saul? And þe Lord ſeide, Þei ſchulen bitake, `þat is,
if þou dwelliſt in þe citee, and Saul come þidur.
xiii Þerfor Dauid roos, and hiſe men, as ſixe hundrid;
and þei ȝeden out of Seila, and wandriden vncerteyn
hidur and þidur. And it was telde to Saul, þat Dauid
hadde fledde fro Seila, and was ſaued; wherfor Saul
diſſymylide to go out.
xiiii Forſoþe Dauid dwellide in þe deſeert, in ſtrongeſte
places, and he dwellide in þe hil of wildirneſſe of Ziph,
in a derk hil; neþeles Saul ſouȝte hym in alle daies, and
þe Lord bitook not hym in to þe hondis of Saul.
xv And Dauid ſiȝ, þat Saul ȝede out, þat he ſchulde ſeke
his lijf. Forſoþe Dauid was in þe deſeert of Ziph, in a
wode.
xvi And Jonathas, þe ſone of Saul, roos, and ȝede to
Dauid in to þe wode, and coumfortide hiſe hondis in
God.
xvii And he ſeide to Dauid, Drede þou not; for þe hond
of Saul my fadir ſchal not fynde þee, and þou ſchalt
regne on Iſrael, and Y ſchal be þe ſecounde to þee; but
alſo Saul my faþer woot þis.
xviii Þerfor euer eiþir ſmoot boond of pees bifor þe Lord.
And Dauid dwellide in þe wode; forſoþe Jonathas
turnede aȝen in to his hows.
xix Forſoþe men of Ziph ſtieden to Saul in Gabaa, and
ſeiden, Lo! wheþer not Dauid is hid at vs in þe ſikireſte
places of þe wode, in þe hille of Achille, which is at þe
riȝt ſyde of deſeert?
xx Now þerfor come þou doun, as þi ſoule deſiride, þat
þou ſchuldiſt come doun; forſoþe it ſchal be oure, þat
we bitake hym in to þe hondis of þe kyng.
xxi And Saul ſeide, Bleſſid be ȝe of þe Lord, for ȝe
ſorewiden `for my ſtide.
xxii Þerfor, Y preie, go ȝe, and make redi more diligentli,
and do ȝe more curiouſli eþer intentifli, and biholde ȝe
ſwiftly, where his foot is, eþir who ſiȝ hym þere, where
ȝe ſeiden; for he þenkiþ on me, þat felli Y aſpie hym.
xxiii Biholde ȝe, and ſe alle his hidyng places, in whiche
he is hid, and turne ȝe aȝen to me at a certeyn þing, þat
Y go wiþ ȝou; þat if he cloſiþ hym ſilf ȝhe in to erþe, Y
ſchal ſeke hym wiþ alle þe þouſyndis of Juda.
xxiiii And þei riſiden, and ȝeden in to Ziph bifor Saul.
Forſoþe Dauid and hiſe men weren in þe deſeert of
Maon, in þe feldi places, at þe riȝt half of Jeſymyth.
xxv Þerfor Saul ȝede and hiſe felowis to ſeke Dauid, and
it was teld to Dauid; and anoon he ȝede doun to þe
ſtoon, and lyuyde in þe deſeert of Maon; and whanne
Saul hadde herd þis, he purſuede Dauid in þe deſeert of
Maon.
xxvi And Saul ȝede and hiſe men at þe ſide of þe hil `on
o part; forſoþe Dauid and hiſe men weren in þe ſide of
þe hil on þe toþer part; ſoþeli Dauid diſpeiride, þat he
myȝte aſcape fro þe face of Saul. And ſo Saul and hiſe
men cumpaſſiden bi þe maner of a coroun Dauid and
hiſe men, þat þei ſchulden take hem.
xxvii And a meſſanger cam to Saul, and ſeide, Haſte þou,
and come, for Filiſteis han ſpred hem ſilf on þe lond.
xxviii Þerfor Saul turnede aȝen, and ceeſſide to purſue
Dauid; and ȝede aȝens þe comyng of Filiſteis. For þis
þing þei clepen þat place þe Stoon Departynge.
CAP. XXIIII
i Þerfor Dauid ſtiede fro þennus, and dwellide in þe
ſykireſte places of Engaddi.
ii And whanne Saul turnede aȝen, aftir þat he purſuede
Filiſteis, þei telden to hym, and ſeiden, Lo! Dauid is in
þe deſeert of Engaddi.
iii Þerfor Saul took þree þouſinde of choſun men of al
Iſrael, and ȝede to ſeke Dauid and hiſe men, ȝhe on
mooſt brokun rochis, þat ben `able to weie to wield geet
aloone.
iiii And he cam to þe fooldis of ſcheep, þat offriden hem
ſilf to þe wei goere. And þere was a denne, in to which
denne Saul entride, þat he ſchulde purge þe wombe;
forſoþe Dauid and hiſe men weren hid in þe ynnere part
of þe denne.
v And þe ſeruauntis of Dauid ſeiden to hym, Lo! þe dai
of which þe Lord ſpak to þe, Y ſchal bitake to þee þin
enemy, þat þou do to hym as it pleſiþ in þin iȝen. Þerfor
Dauid roos, and kittide þe hemme of þe mentil of Saul
priuely.
vi Aftir þeſe þingis Dauid ſmoot his herte, for he hadde
kit awei þe hemme of þe mentil of Saul.
vii And Dauid ſeide to hiſe men, Þe Lord be merciful to
me, leſt Y do þis þing to my lord, þe criſt of þe Lord,
þat Y ſende myn hond `in to hym, for he is þe criſt of þe
Lord. Þe Lord lyueþ, for no but þe Lord ſmyte hym,
eþer his dai come, þat he die, eþer he go doun in to
batel and periſche, þe Lord be merciful to me, þat Y
ſende not myn hond in to þe criſt of þe Lord.
viii Forſoþe Saul roos out of þe denne, and ȝede in þe
weie bigunnun.
ix Soþeli Dauid roos aftir hym, and he ȝede out of þe
denne, and criede aftir þe bak of Saul, and ſeide, My
lord, þe kyng! And Saul bihelde bihinde him ſilf; and
Dauid bowide hym ſilf lowe to þe erþe, and
worſchipide.
x And he ſeide to Saul, Whi heriſt þou þe wordis of men
ſpekynge, Dauid ſekiþ yuel aȝens þee?
xi Lo! to dai þin iȝen ſiȝen, þat þe Lord bitook þee in
myn hond in þe denne, and Y þouȝte þat Y wolde ſle
þee, but myn iȝe ſparide þee; for Y ſeide, Y ſchal not
holde forþ myn hond in to my lord, which is þe criſt,
`þat is, anoyntid, of þe Lord.
xii But raþere, my fadir, ſe þou, and knowe þe hemme of
þi mentil in myn hond, for whanne Y kittide aweie þe
CCLXX
hemme of þi mentil, Y nolde holde forþ myn hond in
þee; perſeyue þou, and ſee, for neþer yuel neþer
wickidneſſe is in myn hond, neþer Y ſynnede aȝens þee;
but þou aſpieſt my lijf, þat þou do it awei.
xiii Þe Lord deme bitwixe me and þee, and þe Lord
venge me of þee; but myn hond be not in þee,
xiiii as it is ſeid alſo in eld prouerbe, Wickidneſſe ſchal
go out of wickid men; þerfor myn hond be not in þee.
xv `Whom purſueſt þou, kyng of Iſrael, whom purſueſt
þou? Þou purſueſt a deed hound, and a quyk fle.
xvi Þe Lord be iuge, and þe Lord deme bitwixe me and
þee, and ſe, and deme my cauſe, and delyuere me fro
þin hond.
xvii Soþeli whanne Dauid hadde fillid ſpekynge ſiche
wordis to Saul, Saul ſeide, Wheþer þis is þi vois, my
ſone Dauid? And Saul reiſide his vois, and wepte.
xviii And he ſeide to Dauid, Þou art more iuſt þan Y; for
þou ȝaueſt goodis to me; forſoþe Y ȝeldide yuelis to þee.
xix And þou ſchewidiſt to me to dai, what goodis þou
haſt do to me, how þe Lord bitook me in þin hond, and
þou killidiſt not me.
xx For who, `whanne he fyndiþ his enemy, ſchal
delyuere hym in good weie? But þe Lord ȝelde to þee
þis while, for þat, þat þou wrouȝtiſt to dai in me.
xxi And now, for Y woot, þat þou ſchalt regne mooſt
certeynli, and ſchalt haue in þin hond þe rewme of
Iſrael, ſwere þou to me in þe Lord,
xxii þat þou do not a wei my ſeed aftir me, neþer take a
wey my name fro þe hows of my fadir.
xxiii And Dauid ſwoor to Saul. Þerfor Saul ȝede in to his
hows, and Dauid and hiſe men ſtieden to ſikire placis.
CAP. XXV
i Forſoþe Samuel was deed; and al Iſrael was gaderid to
gidere, and þei biweiliden hym greetly, and birieden
hym in his hows in Ramatha. And Dauid roos, and ȝede
doun in to deſeert of Faran.
ii Forſoþe a `man was in Maon, and his poſſeſſioun was
in Carmele, and þilke man was ful greet, and þre
þouſynde ſcheep and a þouſynde geet `weren to hym;
and it bifelde þat his flocke was clippid in Carmele.
iii Forſoþe þe name of þat man was Nabal, and þe name
of his wijf was Abigail; and þilke womman was mooſt
prudent and fair; forſoþe hir hoſebond was hard and ful
wickid and malicious; ſoþeli he was of þe kyn of
Caleph.
iiii Þerfor whanne Dauid hadde herde in deſeert, þat
Nabal clippide his floc,
v he ſente ten ȝonge men, and ſeide to hem, Stie ȝe in to
Carmele, and ȝe ſchulen come to Nabal, and ȝe ſchulen
grete hym of my name peſibli;
vi and ȝe ſchulen ſeie þus, Pees be to my briþeren and to
þee, and pees be to þin hows, and pees be to alle þingis,
`what euer þingis þou haſt.
vii Y herde þat þi ſcheepherdis, þat weren wiþ vs in
deſeert, clippiden þi flockis; we weren neuere diſeſeful
to hem, neþer ony tyme ony þing of þe floc failide to
hem, in al time in which þei weren wiþ vs in Carmele;
viii axe þi children, and þei ſchulen ſchewe to þee. Now
þerfor þi children fynde grace in þin iȝen; for in a good
dai we camen to þee; what euer þing þin hond fyndiþ,
ȝyue to þi ſeruauntis, and to þi ſone Dauid.
ix And whanne þe children of Dauid hadden come, þei
ſpaken to Nabal alle þeſe wordis in þe name of Dauid,
and helden pees.
x Forſoþ Nabal anſweride to þe children of Dauid, and
ſeide, Who is Dauiþ? and who is þe ſone of Iſai? To dai
ſeruauntis encreeſiden þat fleen her lords.
xi Þerfor ſchal Y take my looues and my watris, and þe
fleiſchis of beeſtis, whiche Y haue ſlayn to my ſchereris,
and ſchal Y ȝyue to men, whiche Y knowe not of
whennus þei ben?
xii Þerfor þe children of Dauid ȝeden aȝen bi her weie;
and þei turneden aȝen, and camen, and telden to hym
alle wordis whiche Nabal hadde ſeid.
xiii Þanne Dauid ſeide to hiſe children, Ech man be gird
wiþ his ſwerd. And alle men weren gird wiþ her
ſwerdis, and Dauid alſo was gird wiþ his ſwerd; and as
foure hundrid men ſueden Dauid, forſoþe two hundrid
leften at þe fardels.
xiiii Forſoþe oon of hiſe children telde to Abigail, wijf of
Nabal, and ſeide, Lo! Dauid ſente meſſangeris fro
deſeert, þat þei ſchulden bleſſe oure lord, and he turnede
hem awey;
xv þeſe men weren good ynow, and not diſeſeful to vs,
and no þing periſchide `in ony tyme in al þe tyme in
which we lyueden wiþ hem in deſeert;
xvi þei weren to vs for a wal, boþe in niȝt and in dai, in
alle daies in whiche we leſewiden flockis at hem.
xvii Wherfor biholde þou, and þenke, what þou ſchalt
do; for malice is fillid aȝens þin hoſebonde, and aȝens
`þin hows; and he is þe ſone of Belial, ſo þat no man
may ſpeke to him.
xviii Þerfor Abigail haſtide, and took two hundrid
looues, and two veſſels of wyn, and fyue wheþeris
ſodun, and ſeuene buyſchelis and an half of flour, and
an hundrid bundles of dried grape, and two hundrid
gobetis of dried figus; and puttide on aſſis,
xix and ſeide to hir children, Go ȝe bifor me; lo! Y ſchal
ſue ȝou `aftir þe bak. Forſoþe ſche ſchewide not to hir
hoſebonde Nabal.
xx Þerfor whanne ſche hadde ſtied on þe aſſe, and cam
doun `at þe roote of þe hil, and Dauid and hiſe men
camen doun in to þe comyng `of hir; whiche alſo ſche
mette.
CCLXXI
xxi And Dauid ſeide, Verili in veyn Y haue kept alle
þingis þat weren of þis Nabal in þe deſeert, and no þing
periſchide of alle þingis þat perteyneden to hym, and he
haþ ȝolde to me yuel for good.
xxii Þe Lord do þeſe þingis, and adde þeſe þingis to þe
enemyes of Dauid, if Y ſchal leeue of alle þingis þat
perteynen to him til þe morewe a piſſer to þe wal.
xxiii Soþeli whanne Abigail ſiȝ Dauid, ſche haſtide, and
ȝede doun of þe aſſe; and ſche fel doun bifor Dauid on
hir face, and worſchipide on þe erþe.
xxiiii And ſche felde doun to hiſe feet, and ſeide, My lord
þe kyng, þis wickydneſſe be in me; Y biſeche, ſpeke þin
handmayden in þin eeris, and here þou þe wordis of þi
ſeruaunteſſe;
xxv Y preie, my lord þe kyng, ſette not his herte on þis
wickid man Nabal, for bi his name he is a fool, and foli
is wiþ hym; but, my lord, Y þin handmayde ſiȝ not þi
children, whiche þou ſentiſt.
xxvi Now þerfor, my lord, þe Lord lyueþ, and þi ſoule
lyueþ, which Lord forbeed þee, leſt þou ſchuldiſt come
in to blood, and he ſauede þi ſoule to þee; and now þin
enemyes, and þei þat ſeken yuel to my lord, be maad as
Nabal.
xxvii Wherfor reſſeyue þou þis bleſſyng, which þin
handmaide brouȝte to þee, my lord, and ȝyue þou to þe
children þat ſuen þee, my lord.
xxviii Do þou awey þe wickidneſſe of þi ſeruaunteſſe; for
þe Lord makynge ſchal make a feiþful hows to þee, my
lord, for þou, my lord, fiȝtiſt þe batels of þe Lord;
þerfor malice be not foundun in þee in alle dais of þi
lijf.
xxix For if a man riſiþ ony tyme, and purſueþ þee, and
ſekiþ þi lijf, þe lijf of my lord ſchal be kept as in a
bundel of lyuynge trees, at þi Lord God; forſoþe þe
ſoule of þin enemyes ſchal be hurlid round aboute as in
feerſneſſe, and ſercle of a ſlynge.
xxx Þerfor whanne þe Lord haþ do to þee, my lord, alle
þeſe goode þingis, whiche he ſpak of þee, and haþ
ordeyned þee duyk on Iſrael,
xxxi þis ſchal not be in to ſiȝyng and in to doute of herte
to þee, my lord, þat þou haſt ſched out giltles blood,
eþer þat þou haſt vengid þee. And whanne þe Lord haþ
do wel to þee, my lord, þou ſchalt haue mynde on þin
handmaide, and þou ſchalt do wel to hir.
xxxii And Dauid ſeide to Abigail, Bleſſid be þe Lord God
of Iſrael, þat ſente þee to dai in to my comyng, and
bleſſid be þi ſpeche;
xxxiii and bleſſid be þou, þat haſt forbede me, leſt Y ȝede
to blood, and vengide me wiþ myn hond;
xxxiiii ellis þe Lord God of Iſrael lyueþ, which forbeed
me, `leſt Y dide yuel to þee, if þou haddiſt not ſoone
come in to `metyng to me, a piſſere to þe wal ſchulde
not haue left to Nabal til to þe morewe lyȝt.
xxxv Þerfor Dauid reſſeyuede of hir hond alle þingis
whiche ſche hadde brouȝt to hym; and he ſeide to hir,
Go þou in pees in to þin hows; lo! Y herde þi vois, and
Y onouride þi face.
xxxvi Forſoþe Abigail cam to Nabal; and, lo! a feeſte was
to him in his hows, as þe feeſte of a kyng; and þe herte
of Nabal was iocounde, for he was `drunkun greetli;
and ſche ſchewide not to hym a word litil eþer greet til
þe morewe.
xxxvii Forſoþe in þe morewtid, whanne Nabal hadde
defied þe wiyn, his wijf ſchewide to hym alle þeſe
wordis; and his herte was almeſt deed wiþ ynne, and he
was maad as a ſtoon.
xxxviii And whanne ten daies hadden paſſid, þe Lord
ſmoot Nabal, and he was deed.
xxxix Which þing whanne Dauid hadde herd, Nabal
deed, he ſeide, Bleſſid be þe Lord God, þat vengide þe
cauſe of my ſchenſchip of þe hond of Nabal, and kepte
his ſeruaunt fro yuel, and þe Lord ȝeldide þe malice of
Nabal in to þe heed of hym. Þerfor Dauid ſente, and
ſpak to Abigail, þat he wolde take hir wijf to hym.
xl And þe children of Dauid camen to Abigail in to
Carmele, and ſpaken to hir, and ſeiden, Dauid ſente vs
to þee, þat he take þee in to wijf to hym.
xli And ſche roos, and worſchipide lowe to erþe, and
ſeide, Lo! þi ſeruaunteſſe be in to an handmayde, þat
ſche waiſche þe feet of þe ſeruauntis of my lord.
xlii And Abigail haſtide, and roos, and ſtiede on an aſſe;
and fyue dameſels, ſueris of hir feet, ȝeden wiþ hir, and
ſche ſuede þe meſſangeris of Dauid, and was maad wijf
to hym.
xliii But alſo Dauid took Achynoem of Jezrael, and euer
eiþir was wijf to hym;
xliiii forſoþe Saul ȝaf Mycol his douȝtir, wijf of Dauid, to
Phalti, þe ſone of Lais, þat was of Gallym.
CAP. XXVI
i And Zipheis camen to Saul in to Gabaa, and ſeiden,
Lo! Dauid is hidde in þe hille of Achille, which is
`euene aȝens þe wildirneſſe.
ii And Saul roos, and ȝede doun in to deſeert of Ziph,
and wiþ hym þre þouſynde of men of þe choſun of
Iſrael, þat he ſchulde ſeke Dauid in þe deſert of Ziph.
iii And Saul ſettide tentis in Gabaa of Achille, þat was
euen aȝens þe wildirneſſe in þe weie. Soþeli Dauid
dwellide in deſeert. Forſoþe Dauid ſiȝ þat Saul hadde
come aftir hym in to deſeert;
iiii and Dauid ſente aſpieris, and lernede mooſt certeynli,
þat Saul hadde come þidur.
v And Dauid roos priueli, and cam to þe place where
Saul was. And whanne Dauid hadde ſeyn þe place, wher
ynne Saul ſlepte, and Abner, þe ſone of Ner, þe prince
of his chyualrye, and Saul ſlepynge in þe tente, and þe
CCLXXII
toþer comyn puple bi his cumpas, Dauid ſeide to
Achymelech,
vi Ethey, and to Abiſai, ſone of Saruye, þe broþer of
Joab, `and ſeide, Who ſchal go doun wiþ me to Saul in
to `þe caſtels? And Abiſai ſeide, Y ſchal go doun wiþ
þee.
vii Þerfor Dauid and Abiſai camen to þe puple in þe
nyȝt, and þei founden Saul lyggynge and ſlepynge in
`þe tente, and a ſpere ſette faſte in þe erþe at his heed;
`forſoþe þei founden Abner and þe puple ſlepynge in his
cumpas.
viii And Abiſay ſeide to Dauid, God haþ cloſid to dai þin
enemy in to þin hondis; now þerfor Y ſchal peerſe hym
wiþ a ſpere onys in þe erþe, and `no nede ſchal be þe
ſecounde tyme.
ix And Dauid ſeide to Abyſai, Sle þou not hym, for who
ſchal holde forþ his hond into þe criſt of þe Lord, and
ſchal be innocent?
x And Dauid ſeide, Þe Lord lyueþ, for no but þe Lord
ſmyte hym, eþer his dai come þat he die, eþer he go
doun in to batel and periſche;
xi þe Lord be merciful to me, þat Y holde not forþ myn
hond in to þe criſt of þe Lord; now þerfor take þou þe
ſpere, which is at his heed, and `take þou þe cuppe of
watir, and go we awei.
xii Dauid took þe ſpere, and þe cuppe of watir, þat was
at þe heed of Saul, and þei ȝeden forþ, and no man was
þat ſiȝ, and vndirſtood, and wakide, but alle men
ſlepten; for þe ſleep of þe Lord `hadde feld on hem.
xiii And whanne Dauid hadde paſſid euene aȝens, and
hadde ſtonde on þe cop of þe hil afer, and a greet ſpace
was bitwixe hem,
xiiii Dauid criede to þe puple, and to Abner, þe ſone of
Ner, and ſeide, Abner, wheþer þou ſchalt not anſwere?
And Abner anſweride, and ſeide, Who art þou, þat
crieſt, and diſeſiſt þe kyng?
xv And Dauiþ ſeide to Abner, Wheþer þou art not a man,
and what oþer man is lijk þee in Iſrael? whi þerfor
`kepiſt þou not þi lord þe kyng? `For o man of þe
cumpanye entride, þat he ſchulde ſle þi lord þe kyng;
xvi þis þat þou haſt doon, is not good; þe Lord lyueþ, for
ȝe ben ſones of deeþ, þat kepten not ȝoure lord, þe criſt
of þe Lord. Now þerfor ſe þou, where is þe ſpere of þe
kyng, and where is þe cuppe of watir, þat weren at his
heed.
xvii Forſoþe Saul knew þe vois of Dauid, and ſeide,
Wheþer þis vois is þin, my ſone Dauid? And Dauid
ſeide, My lord þe kyng, it is my vois.
xviii And Dauid ſeide, For what cauſe purſueþ my lord
his ſeruaunt? What haue Y do, eþer what yuel is in myn
hond? Now þerfor,
xix my lord þe kyng, Y preye, here þe wordis of þi
ſeruaunt; if þe Lord ſtiriþ þee aȝens me, þe ſacrifice be
ſmellid; forſoþe if ſones of men ſtiren þee, þei ben
curſid in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, whiche han caſt me out `to
dai, þat Y dwelle not in þe erytage of þe Lord, and
ſeien, Go þou, ſerue þou alien goddis.
xx And now my blood be not ſched out in þe erþe bifor
þe Lord; for þe kyng of Iſrael ȝede out, þat he ſeke a
quike fle, as a partrich is purſuede in hillis.
xxi And Saul ſeide, Y ſynnede; turne aȝen, my ſone
Dauid, for Y ſchal no more do yuel to þee, for my lijf
was precious to day in þin iȝen; for it ſemeþ, þat Y dide
folili, and Y vnknew ful many þingis.
xxii And Dauid anſweride and ſeide, Lo! þe ſpere of þe
kyng, oon of þe `children of þe kyng paſſe, and take it;
forſoþe þe Lord ſchal ȝelde to ech man bi his riȝtfulneſſe
and feiþ;
xxiii for þe Lord bitook þee to dai in to myn hond, and Y
nolde holde forþ myn hond in to þe criſt of þe Lord;
xxiiii and as þi lijf is magnified to dai in myn iȝen, ſo my
lijf be magnyfied in þe iȝen of þe Lord, and delyuere he
me fro al angwiſch.
xxv Þerfor Saul ſeide to Dauid, Bleſſid be þou, my ſone
Dauid; and ſoþeli þou doynge ſchalt do, and þou myȝti
ſchalt be myȝti. Þerfor Dauid ȝede in to his weie, and
Saul turnede aȝen in to his place.
CAP. XXVII
i And Dauid ſeide in his herte, Sumtyme Y ſchal falle in
o dai in þe hond of Saul; wheþer it is not betere, þat Y
fle, and be ſauyd in þe lond of Filiſteis, þat Saul
diſpeire, and ceſſe to ſeke me in alle þe endis of Iſrael;
þerfor fle we hiſe hondis.
ii And Dauid roos, and ȝede, he and ſixe hundrid men
wiþ hym, to Achis, þe ſone of Maoth, kyng of Geth.
iii And Dauid dwellide wiþ Achis in Geth, he, and hiſe
men, and his hows; Dauid, and hiſe twei wyues,
Achynoem of Jezrael, and Abigail, þe wijf of Nabal of
Carmele.
iiii And it was teld to Saul, þat Dauid fledde in to Geth;
and he addide no more `þat he ſchulde ſeke Dauid.
v Forſoþe Dauid ſeide to Achis, If Y haue founden grace
in þin iȝen, a place be ȝouun to me in oon of þe citees of
þis cuntrey, þat Y dwelle þere; for whi dwelliþ þi
ſeruaunt in þe citee of þe kyng wiþ þee?
vi Þerfor Achis ȝaf to hym Sichelech in þat dai, for
which cauſe Sichelech was maad in to þe poſſeſſioun of
þe kyngis of Juda `til in to þis dai.
vii Forſoþe þe noumbre of daies, in whiche Dauid
dwellide in þe cuntrei of Filiſteis, was of foure moneþis.
viii And Dauid ſtiede, and hiſe men, and token preies of
Gethſuri, and of Gethri, and of men of Amalech; for
þeſe townes weren enhabitid bi eld tyme in þe lond, to
men goynge to Sur, `til to þe lond of Egipt.
ix And Dauid ſmoot al þe lond of hem, and lefte not
man `lyuynge and womman; and he took ſcheep, and
CCLXXIII
oxun, and aſſis, and camels, and cloþis, and turnede
aȝen, and cam to Achis.
x Soþeli Achis ſeide to hym, `In to whom `hurliden ȝe to
dai? Dauid anſweride, Aȝens þe ſouþ of Juda, and aȝens
þe ſouþ of Hiramel, and aȝens þe ſouþ of Ceney.
xi Dauid left not quik man and womman, neþer brouȝte
`in to Geth, and ſe ide, Leſt perauenture þei ſpeken
aȝens vs. Dauid dide þeſe þingis, and þis was his doom,
in alle daies in whiche he dwellide in þe cuntrei of
Filiſteis.
xii Þerfor Achis bileuyde to Dauid, and ſeide, Forſoþe he
wrouȝte many yuelis aȝens his puple Iſrael, þerfor he
ſchal be euerlaſtynge ſeruaunt to me.
CAP. XXVIII
i Forſoþe it was doon in þo daies, Filiſteis gaderiden her
cumpenyes, þat þei ſchulden be maad redi aȝens Iſrael
to batel. And Achis ſeide to Dauid, Þou witynge `wite
now, for þou ſchalt go out wiþ me in caſtels, þou and þi
men.
ii And Dauid ſeide to Achis, Now þou ſchalt wyte what
þingis þi ſeruaunt ſchal do. And Achis ſeide to Dauid,
And Y ſchal ſette þee kepere of myn heed in alle dayes.
iii Forſoþe Samuel was deed, and al Iſrael biweilide
hym, and þei birieden hym in Ramatha, his citee. And
Saul dide awey fro þe lond witchis and fals dyuynours,
`and he ſlouȝ hem þat hadden `charmers of deuelis `in
her wombe.
iiii And Filiſteis weren gaderid, and camen, and ſettiden
tentis in Sunam; ſoþeli and Saul gaderide al Iſrael, and
cam in to Gelboe.
v And Saul ſiȝ þe caſtels of Filiſteis, and he dredde, and
his herte dredde greetli.
vi And he counſelide þe Lord; and þe Lord anſweride
not to hym, neþer bi preeſtis, neþer bi dremes, neþer bi
profetis.
vii And Saul ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis, Seke ȝe to me a
womman hauynge a feend ſpekynge in þe wombe; and
Y ſchal go to hir, and Y ſchal axe bi hir. And hiſe
ſeruauntis ſeiden to hym, A womman hauynge a feend
ſpekynge in þe wombe is in Endor.
viii Þerfor Saul chaungide his cloþing, and he was
cloþid wiþ oþere cloþis; and he ȝede, and twei men wiþ
hym; and þei camen to þe womman in þe nyȝt. And he
ſeyde, Dyuyne þou to me in a fend ſpekynge in þe
wombe, and reiſe þou to me whom Y ſchal ſeie to þee.
ix And þe womman ſeide to hym, Lo! þou wooſt hou
grete þingis Saul haþ do, and hou he dide awei fro þe
lond witchis, and fals dyuynours; whi þerfor ſettiſt þou
treſoun to my lijf, þat Y be ſlayn?
x And Saul ſwoor to hir in þe Lord, and ſeide, Þe Lord
lyueþ; for no þing of yuel ſchal come to þee for þis
þing.
xi And þe womman ſeide to hym, Whom ſchal Y reiſe to
þee? And he ſeide, Reiſe þou Samuel to me.
xii Soþeli whanne þe womman hadde ſeyn Samuel, ſche
criede wiþ greet vois, and ſeide to Saul, Whi haſt þou
diſſeyued me? for þou art Saul.
xiii And þe kyng ſeide to hir, Nyl þou drede; what haſt
þou ſeyn? And þe womman ſeide to Saul, Y ſiȝ goddis
ſtiynge fro erþe.
xiiii And Saul ſeide to hir, What maner forme is of hym?
And ſche ſeide, An eld man ſtieþ, and he is cloþid wiþ a
mentil. And Saul vndirſtood þat it was Samuel; and Saul
bowide hym ſilf on his face to þe erþe, and worſchipide.
xv Soþeli Samuel ſeide to Saul, Whi haſt þou diſeſid me,
þat Y ſchulde be reiſid? And Saul ſeide, Y am
conſtreyned greetli; for Filiſteis fiȝten aȝens me, and
God ȝede awei fro me, and he nolde here me, neþer bi
þe hond of profetis, neþer bi dremes; þerfor Y clepide
þee, þat þou ſchuldiſt ſchewe to me what Y ſchal do.
xvi And Samuel ſeide, What axiſt þou me, whanne God
haþ go awei fro þee, and paſſide to þin enemy?
xvii For þe Lord ſchal do to þee as he ſpak in myn hond,
and he ſchal kitte awey þi rewme fro þin hond, and he
ſchal ȝyue it to Dauid, þi neiȝbore;
xviii for þou obeiediſt not to þe vois of þe Lord, neþer
didiſt þe `ire of hys ſtrong veniaunce in Amalech. Þerfor
þe Lord haþ do to þee to day þat þat þou ſuffriſt;
xix and þe Lord ſchal ȝyue alſo Iſrael wiþ þee in þe hond
of Filiſteis. Forſoþe to morewe þou and þi ſones ſchulen
be wiþ me; but alſo þe Lord ſchal bitake þe caſtels of
Iſrael in þe hond of Filiſtiym.
xx And anoon Saul felde ſtretchid forþ to erþe; for he
dredde þe wordis of Samuel, and ſtrengþe was not in
hym, for he hadde not ete breed in al þat dai and al nyȝt.
xxi Þerfor þilke womman entride to Saul, and ſeide; for
he was diſturblid greetli; and ſche ſeide to hym, Lo! þin
handmayde obeiede to þi vois, and Y haue put my lijf in
myn hond, and Y herde þi wordis, whiche þou ſpakiſt to
me.
xxii Now þerfor and þou here þe vois of þin handmaide,
and Y ſchal ſette a muſſel of breed bifor þee, and þat
þou etynge wexe ſtrong, and maiſt do þe iourney.
xxiii And he forſook, and ſeide, Y ſchal not ete. Soþely
hiſe ſeruauntis and þe womman compelliden hym; and
at þe laſte, whanne þe vois of hem was herd, he roos fro
þe erþe, and ſat on þe bed.
xxiiii Soþeli þilke womman hadde a fat calf in þe hows,
and `ſche haſtide, and killide hym; and ſche took mele,
and meddlide it, and made þerf breed;
xxv and ſettide bifor Saul and bifor hiſe ſeruauntis, and
whanne þei hadden ete, þei riſiden, and walkiden bi al
þat nyȝt.
CCLXXIV
CAP. XXIX
i Þerfor alle þe cumpenyes of Filiſteis weren gaderid in
Aphec, but alſo Iſrael ſettide tentis aboue þe welle þat
was in Jezrael.
ii And ſoþeli þe princis of Filiſteis ȝeden in cumpenyes
of an hundrid, and in þouſyndis; forſoþe Dauid and hiſe
men weren in þe laſte cumpenye wiþ Achis.
iii And þe princes of Filiſteis ſeiden to Achis, What
wolen þeſe Ebreis to hem ſilf? And Achis ſeide to þe
princes of Filiſteis, Wheþer ȝe knowen not Dauid, þat
was þe ſeruaunt of Saul, kyng of Iſrael? and he was wiþ
me in many daies, `eþer ȝeeris, and Y foond not in hym
ony þing, fro þe dai, in which he fledde to me `til to þis
dai.
iiii Soþeli þe princes of Filiſteis weren wrooþ aȝens
hym, and ſeiden to hym, Þe man turne aȝen, and ſitte in
his place, in which þou haſt ordened hym, and come he
not down wiþ vs in to batel, leſt he be maad aduerſarie
to vs, whanne we han bigunne to fiȝte; for hou mai he
pleſe his lord in oþer maner, no but in oure heedis?
v Wheþer þis is not Dauid, to whom þei ſungen in
daunſis, and ſeiden, Saul ſmoot in þouſyndis, and Dauid
ſmoot in hiſe ten þouſyndis?
vi Þerfor Achis clepide Dauid, and ſeide to hym, Þe
Lord lyueþ; for þou art riȝtful, and good in my ſiȝt, and
þi goyng out and `þin entryng is wiþ me in caſtels, and
Y `foond not in þee ony þing of yuel, fro þe day in
which þou cameſt to me til to þis dai; but þou pleſiſt not
þe princis.
vii Þerfor turne þou aȝen, and go in pees, and offende
þou not þe iȝen of princis of Filiſteis.
viii And Dauid ſeide to Achis, Forſoþe what `dide Y, and
what haſt þou founde in me þi ſeruaunt, fro þe dai in
which Y was in þi ſiȝt til in to þis dai, þat Y come not,
and fiȝte aȝens þe enemyes of my lord þe kyng?
ix Forſoþe Achis anſweride, and ſpak to Dauid, Y woot
þat þou art good, and as þe aungel of God in my iȝen;
but þe princes of Filiſteis ſeyden, He ſchal not ſtie wiþ
vs in to batel.
x Þerfor riſe þou eerli, þou, and þi ſeruauntis þat camen
wiþ þee; and whanne ȝe han ryſe bi nyȝt, and it
bigynneþ to be cleer, go ȝe.
xi Þerfor Dauid roos bi nyȝt, he and hiſe men, þat þei
ſchulden go forþ eerli, and turne aȝen to þe lond of
Fyliſteis; ſoþeli Filiſteis ſtieden in to Jezrael.
CAP. XXX
i And whanne Dauid and hiſe men hadden come `in to
Sichelech in þe þridde dai, men of Amalech hadden
maad aſauȝt on þe ſouþ part in Sichelech; and þei
ſmytiden Sichelech, and brenten it bi fier.
ii And þei ledden þe wymmen priſoneris fro þennus, fro
þe leeſte `til to þe grete; and þei hadden not ſlayn ony,
but þei ledden wiþ hem, and ȝeden in her weie.
iii Þerfor whanne Dauid and hiſe men hadde come to þe
citee, and hadden founde it brent bi fier, and þat her
wyues, and her ſones, and douȝtris weren led priſoneris,
iiii Dauid and þe puple þat was wiþ hym reiſiden her
voices, and weiliden, til teeris failiden in hem.
v Forſoþe alſo twei wyues of Dauid weren led
priſoneris, Achynoem of Jezrael, and Abigail, þe wijf of
Nabal of Carmele.
vi And Dauid was ful ſori; forſoþe al þe puple wold
ſtone hym, for þe ſoule of ech man was bittir on her
ſones and douȝtris. Forſoþe Dauid was coumfortid in his
Lord God.
vii And he ſeide to Abiathar, preeſt, þe ſone of
Achymelech, Bringe þou ephoth to me. And Abiathar
brouȝte ephoth to Dauid; and Dauid councelide þe
Lord,
viii and ſeide, Schal Y purſue, eþer nay, `þeſe þeues? and
ſchal Y take hem? And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Purſue
þou; for wiþ out doute þou ſchalt take hem, and þou
ſchalt take awey þe prey.
ix Þerfor Dauid ȝede, he and ſixe hundrid men þat weren
wiþ hym, and þei camen `til to þe ſtronde of Beſor; and
ſoþeli þe wery men abididen.
x Forſoþe Dauid purſuede, he and foure hundrid men;
for twei hundrid abididen, þat weren weeri, and myȝten
not paſſe þe ſtronde of Beſor.
xi And þei founden a man of Egipte in þe feeld, and þei
brouȝten hym to Dauid; and þei ȝauen `breed to hym,
þat he ſchulde ete, and `ſchulde drynke watir;
xii but alſo þei ȝauen to hym a gobet of a bundel of drye
figis, and twei byndyngis of dried grapis. And whanne
he hadde ete þo, his ſpirit turnede aȝen, and he was
coumfortid; for he hadde not ete breed, neþer hadde
drunk watir in þre daies and þre nyȝtis.
xiii Þerfor Dauid ſeide to hym, Whos man art þou, eþir
fro whennus and whidur goiſt þou? And he ſeide, Y am
a child of Egipt, þe ſeruaunt of a man of Amalech;
forſoþe my lord forſook me, for Y bigan to be ſijk þe
þridde dai ago.
xiiii Soþeli we braken out to þe ſouþ cooſt of Cerethi,
and aȝens Juda, and to þe ſouþ of Caleb, and we brenten
Sichelech bi fier.
xv And Dauid ſeide to hym, Maiſt þou lede me to þis
cumpeny? Which ſeide, Swere þou to me bi God, þat
þou ſchalt not ſle me, and ſchalt not bitake me in to þe
hondis of my lord; and Y ſchal lede þee to þis cumpeny.
And Dauid ſwoor to hym.
xvi And whanne þe child hadde ledde hym, lo! þei ſaten
at þe mete, on þe face of al þe erþe, etynge and
drynkynge, and as halewynge a feeſte, for al þe prey
and ſpuylis whiche þei hadden take of þe lond of
Filiſteis, and of þe lond of Juda.
CCLXXV
xvii And Dauid ſmoot hem fro euentid `til to euentid of
þe toþir dai, and not ony of hem eſcapide, no but foure
hundrid ȝonge men, þat ſtieden on camels, and fledden.
xviii Forſoþe Dauid delyuerede alle þingis whiche þe
men of Amalech token, and he delyuerede hiſe twei
wyues;
xix neþer ony of hem failide fro litil `til to greet, as wel
of ſones as of douȝtris, and of ſpuylis; and what euer
þingis þei hadden rauyſchid, Dauid ledde aȝen alle
þingis;
xx and he took alle flockis and grete beeſtis, and droof
bifor his face. And þei ſeiden, Þis is þe prey of Dauid.
xxi Forſoþe Dauid cam to twei hundrid men, þat weren
weeri, and abididen, and myȝten not ſue Dauid; and he
hadde comaundid hem to ſitte in þe ſtronde of Beſor;
whiche ȝeden out aȝens Dauid, and þe puple þat was
wiþ hym. Forſoþe Dauid neiȝede to þe puple, and grette
it peſibli.
xxii And o man, þe werſte and vniuſt of þe men þat
weren wiþ Dauid, anſweride, and ſeide, For þei camen
not wiþ vs, we ſchulen not ȝyue to hem ony þing of þe
prey, which we rauyſchiden, but his wijf and children
`ſuffice to ech man; and whanne þei han take hem, go
þei awei.
xxiii Forſoþe Dauid ſeide, My briþeren, ȝe ſchulen not do
ſo of þeſe þingis, whiche þe Lord ȝaf to vs, and kepte
vs, and ȝaf þe þeues, þat braken out aȝens vs, in to oure
hondis;
xxiiii neþer ony man ſchal here vs on þis word. For
euene part ſchal be of him þat goiþ doun to batel, and of
hym þat dwelliþ at þe fardelis; and in lijk maner þei
ſchulen departe.
xxv And þis was maad a conſtitucioun and doom fro þat
dai and afterward, and as a lawe in Iſrael til in to þis
dai.
xxvi Þerfor Dauid cam in to Sichelech, and ſente ȝiftis of
þe prey to þe eldere men of Juda, hiſe neiȝboris, and
ſeide, Take ȝe bleſſyng of þe prey of enemyes of þe
Lord;
xxvii to hem þat weren in Bethel, and þat weren in
Ramoth, at þe ſouþ,
xxviii and þat weren in Jether, and þat weren in Aroer,
and þat weren in Sephamoth, and þat weren in Eſcama,
and þat weren in Rethala,
xxix and þat weren in þe citees of Jeramel, and þat
weren in þe citees of Ceny,
xxx and þat weren in Arama, and þat weren in
Lautuaſam, and þat weren in Athec,
xxxi and þat weren in Ebron, and to oþere men, þat
weren in þeſe places, in whiche Dauid dwellide and hiſe
men.
CAP. XXXI
i Forſoþe Filiſteis fouȝten aȝens Iſrael, and þe men of
Iſrael fledden bifor þe face of Filiſteis, and felden ſlayn
in þe hil of Gelboe.
ii And Filiſteis hurliden on Saul, and on hiſe ſones, and
ſmytiden Jonathas, and Amynadab, and Melchiſua,
ſones of Saul.
iii And al þe weiȝte of batel was turned `in to Saul; and
men archeris purſueden hym, and he was woundid
greetli of þe archeris.
iiii And Saul ſeide to his ſquyer, Drawe out þi ſwerd, and
ſle me, leſt perauenture þeſe vncircumcidid men come,
and ſle me, and ſcorne me. And his ſquyer nolde, for he
was aferd bi ful grete drede; þerfor Saul took his ſwerd,
and felde þeronne.
v And whanne his ſquyer hadde ſeyn þis, `þat is, þat
Saul was deed, alſo he felde on his ſwerd and was deed
wiþ hym.
vi Þerfor Saul was deed, and hiſe þre ſones, and his
ſquyer, and alle his men in þat dai togidere.
vii Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael, þat weren biȝendis þe
valei, and biȝendis Jordan, ſien þat þe men of Iſrael
hadden fled, and þat Saul was deed, and hiſe ſones, and
þei leften her citees and fledden; and Filiſteis camen,
and dwelliden þere.
viii Forſoþe in `þe toþer dai maad, Filiſteis camen, þat
þei ſchulden diſpuyle þe ſlayn men, and þei founden
Saul, and hiſe þre ſones, liggynge in þe hil of Gelboe;
and þei kittiden awei þe heed of Saul,
ix and diſpuyliden hym of armeris; and ſenten in to þe
lond of Filiſteis bi cumpas, þat it ſchulde be teld in þe
temple of idols, and in þe puplis.
x And þei puttiden hiſe armeris in þe temple of Aſtoroth;
ſoþeli þei hangiden his bodi in þe wal of Bethſan.
xi And whanne þe dwellers of Jabes of Galaad hadden
herd þis, what euer þingis Filiſteis hadden do to Saul,
xii alle þe ſtrongeſte men riſiden, and ȝeden in al þat
nyȝt, and token þe deed bodi of Saul, and þe deed
bodies of hiſe ſones fro þe wal of Bethſan; and þe men
of Jabes of Galaad camen, and brenten þo deed bodies
bi fier.
xiii And þei token þe boonus of hem, and birieden in þe
wode of Jabes, and faſtiden bi ſeuene daies.
Here endiþ þe firſte book of Kyngis, and here
bigynneþ þe ſecounde.

CCLXXVI

II KINGIS
Heere bigynniþ þe ſecunde book of Kyngis.
CAP. I
i Forſoþe it was doon, after þat Saul was deed, þat
Dauid turnede aȝen fro þe ſleyng of Amalech, and
dwellide twei daies in Sichelech.
ii Forſoþe in þe þridde dai a man apperide, comynge fro
þe caſtels of Saul wiþ þe cloþ to-rent, and his heed
ſpreynt wiþ duſt; and as he cam to Dauid, he felde on
his face, and worſchipide.
iii And Dauid ſeide to hym, Fro whennus comeſt þou?
Which ſeide to Dauid, Y fledde fro þe caſtels of Iſrael.
iiii And Dauid ſeide to hym, What is þe word which is
doon; ſchewe þou to me. And he ſeide, Þe puple fledde
fro þe batel, and many of þe puple felden, and ben
deed; but alſo Saul, and Jonathas, his ſonne,
periſchyden.
v And Dauid ſeide to þe ȝong man, þat telde to hym,
Wherof wooſt þou, þat Saul is deed, and Jonathas, his
ſonne?
vi And þe ȝong man ſeide, þat telde to hym, Bi hap Y
cam in to þe hil of Gelboe, and Saul lenyde on his
ſpere; forſoþe charis and knyȝtis neiȝiden to hym;
vii and he turnede bihynde his bak, `and ſiȝ me, and
clepide. To whom whanne Y hadde anſweride, Y am
preſent; he ſeide to me, Who art þou?
viii And Y ſeide to hym, Y am a man of Amalech.
ix And he ſpak to me, Stonde þou on me, and ſle me; for
angwiſchis holden me, and ȝit al my lijf is in me.
x And Y ſtood on hym, and Y killide hym; for Y wiſte
þat he myȝte not lyue aftir þe fallyng; and Y took þe
diademe, þat was in his heed, and þe bye fro his arm,
and Y brouȝte hidur to þee, my lord.
xi Forſoþe Dauid took and to-rente hiſe cloþis, and þe
men þat weren wiþ hym;
xii and þei weiliden, and wepten, and faſtiden `til to
euentid, on Saul, and Jonathas, his ſone, and on þe
puple of þe Lord, and on þe hows of Iſrael, for þei
hadden feld bi ſwerd.
xiii And Dauid ſeide to þe ȝong man, þat telde to him,
Of whennus art þou? And he anſweride, Y am þe ſone
of a man comelyng, of a man of Amalech.
xiiii And Dauid ſeide to him, Whi dreddiſt þou not to
ſende þine hond, þat þou ſchuldiſt ſle þe criſt of þe
Lord?
xv And Dauid clepide oon of hiſe children, and ſeide,
Go þou, and falle on hym. Which ſmoot þat ȝong man,
and he was deed.
xvi And Dauid ſeide to hym, Þi blood be on þin heed;
for þi mouþ ſpak aȝens þee, and ſeide, Y killide þe criſt
of þe Lord.
CCLXXVII
xvii Forſooþ Dauid biweilide ſych a weilyng on Saul,
and on Jonathas, his ſone;
xviii and comaundide, þat þei ſchulden teche þe ſones of
Juda weilyng, as it is writun in þe Book of Juſt Men.
And Dauid ſeyde, Iſrael, biholde þou, for þeſe men þat
ben deed, woundid on þin hiȝe placis;
xix þe noble men of Iſrael ben ſlayn on þin hillis.
xx Hou felden ſtronge men? nyle ȝe telle in Geth, neþer
telle ȝe in þe weilottis of Aſcolon; leſt perauenture þe
douȝtris of Filiſteis be glad, leſt þe douȝtris of
vncircumcidid men `be glad.
xxi Hillis of Gelboe, neiþer dew neþir reyn come on ȝou,
neþer þe feeldis of firſte fruytis be; for þe ſcheeld of
ſtronge men was caſt awey þere, þe ſcheeld of Saul, as
`if he were not anoyntid wiþ oile.
xxii Of þe blood of ſlayn men, of þe fatneſſe of ſtrong
men, þe arewe of Jonathas ȝede neuer abak, and þe
ſwerd of Saul turnede not aȝen void.
xxiii Saul and Jonathas amyable, and fair in her lijf,
weren not departid alſo in deeþ; þei weren ſwiftere þan
eglis, ſtrongere þan liouns.
xxiiii Douȝtris of Iſrael, wepe ȝe on Saul, þat cloþide ȝou
wiþ fyn reed colourid in delicis, þat ȝaf goldun
ournementis to ȝoure atyre.
xxv Hou `felden doun ſtronge men in batel?
xxvi Jonathas was ſlayn in þe hiȝe places. Y make ſorewe
on þee, my broþer Jonathas, ful fair, `and amyable more
þan þe loue of wymmen; as a modir loueþ oon aloone
ſone, ſo Y louyde þee.
xxvii Hou þerfor `felden doun ſtronge men, and armeris
of batel periſchide?
CAP. II
i Þerfor aftir þeſe þingis Dauid counſeilide þe Lord, and
ſeide, Wheþer Y ſchal ſtie in to oon of þe citees of Juda?
And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Stie þou. And Dauid ſeide to
þe Lord, Whidur ſchal Y ſtie? And þe Lord anſweride to
hym, In to Ebron.
ii Þerfor Dauid ſtiede, and hiſe twei wyues, Achynoem
of Jezrael, and Abigail, þe wijf of Nabal of Carmele.
iii But alſo Dauid ledde þe men þat weren wiþ hym, ech
man wiþ his hows; and þei dwelliden in þe townes of
Ebron.
iiii And þe men of Juda camen, and anoyntiden þere
Dauid, þat he ſchulde regne on þe hows of Juda. And it
was teld to Dauid, þat men of Jabes of Galaad hadden
biried Saul.
v Þerfor Dauid ſente meſſangeris to þe men of Jabes of
Galaad, and ſeide to hem, Bleſſid be ȝe of þe Lord, þat
diden þis mercy wiþ ȝour lord Saul, and birieden hym.
vi And now ſoþeli þe Lord ſchal ȝelde to ȝou merci and
treuþe, but alſo Y ſchal ȝelde þankyng, for ȝe diden þis
word.
vii Ȝoure hondis be coumfortid, and be ȝe ſones of
ſtrengþe; for þouȝ ȝoure lord Saul is deed, neþeles þe
hows of Juda anoyntide me kyng to `hym ſilf.
viii Forſoþe Abner, þe ſone of Ner, prince of þe ooſt of
Saul, took Iſboſech, þe ſone of Saul, and ledde hym
aboute bi þe caſtels,
ix and made him kyng on Galaad, and on Gethſury, and
on Jezrael, and on Effraym, and on Beniamyn, and on
al Iſrael.
x Iſboſech, þe ſone of Saul, was of fourti ȝeer, whanne
he began to regne on Iſrael; and he regnede twei ȝeer.
Soþeli þe hous aloone of Juda ſuede Dauid.
xi And þe noumbre of daies, bi whiche Dauid dwellide
regnynge in Ebron on þe hows of Juda, was of ſeuene
ȝeer and ſixe moneþis.
xii And Abner, þe ſone of Ner, ȝede out, and þe children
of Iſboſech, ſone of Saul, fro þe caſtels in Gabaon.
xiii Forſoþe Joab, þe ſone of Saruye, and þe children of
Dauid ȝeden out, and camen to hem biſidis þe ciſterne
in Gabaon. And whanne þei hadden come togidere in to
o place euene aȝens, þeſe ſaten on o part of þe ciſterne,
and þei on þe toþer.
xiiii And Abner ſeide to Joab, `Þe children riſe, and plei
befor us. And Joab anſweride, Riſe þei.
xv Þerfor þei riſiden, and paſſiden twelue in noumbre of
Beniamyn, of þe part of Iſboſech, ſone of Saul; and
twelue of þe children of Dauid.
xvi And ech man, whanne `þe heed of his felowe was
takun, faſtnede þe ſwerde in to þe ſide of `þe contrarye;
and þei felden doun togidere. And þe name of þat place
was clepid Þe Feeld of ſtronge men in Gabaon.
xvii And `batel hard ynow roos in þat dai; and Abner and
þe ſones of Iſrael `weren dryuun of þe children of
Dauid.
xviii Forſoþe þre ſones of Saruye weren þere, Joab, and
Abiſai, and Aſahel; forſoþe Aſahel was a `rennere mooſt
ſwift, as oon of þe capretis þat dwellen in woodis.
xix Forſoþe Aſahel purſuede Abner, and bowide not,
neþer to þe riȝt ſide neþer to þe left ſide, ceeſſynge to
purſue Abner.
xx Þerfor Abner bihelde bihynde his bac, and ſeide,
Wheþer þou art Aſahel?
xxi Which anſweride, Y am. And Abner ſeide to hym,
Go to þe riȝtſide, eþer to þe lefte ſide; and take oon of
þe ȝonge men, and take to þee hiſe ſpuylis. Soþeli
Aſahel nolde ceeſſe, þat ne he purſuede hym.
xxii And eft Abner ſpak to Aſahel, Go þou awei; nyle
þou purſue me, leſt Y be compellid to peerſe þee in to
erþe, and Y ſchal not mowe reiſe my face to Joab, þi
broþer.
xxiii And Aſahel diſpiſide to here, and nolde bowe awey.
Þerfor Abner ſmoot him `wiþ þe ſpere turned awei in þe
ſchar, and roof þorouȝ, and he was deed in þe ſame
CCLXXVIII
place; and alle men þat paſſiden bi þe place, in which
place Aſahel felde doun, and was deed, ſtoden ſtille.
xxiiii Forſoþe while Joab and Abiſai purſueden Abner
fleynge, þe ſunne ȝede doun; and þei camen til to þe litil
hil of þe water cundiȝt, which is euene aȝens þe valey,
and þe weie of deſeert in Gabaon.
xxv And þe ſones of Beniamyn weren gaderid to Abner,
and þei weren gaderid togidere in to o cumpeny, and
ſtoden in þe hiȝneſſe of oon heep of erþe.
xxvi And Abner criede to Joab, and ſeide, Wheþer þi
ſwerd ſchal be feers `til to ſleyng? Wheþer þou knowiſt
not, þat diſpeir is perelouſe? Hou longe ſeiſt þou not to
þe puple, þat it ceeſſe to purſue hiſe briþeren?
xxvii And Joab ſeyde, Þe Lord lyueþ, for if þou haddiſt
ſpoke eerli, þe puple purſuynge his broþer hadde go
awey.
xxviii And Joab ſownede wiþ a clarioun, and al þe ooſt
ſtood; and þei purſueden no ferþere Iſrael, neþer
bigunnen batel.
xxix Forſoþe Abner and hiſe men ȝeden by þe feeldi
places of Moab in al þat nyȝt, and paſſiden Jordan; and
whanne al Bethoron was compaſſid, þei camen to þe
caſtels.
xxx Soþeli whanne Abner was left, Joab turnede aȝen,
and gaderide togidere al þe puple; and ten men and
nyne, outakun Aſahel, failiden of þe children of Dauid.
xxxi Forſoþe þe ſeruauntis of Dauid ſmytiden of
Beniamyn, and of þe men þat weren wiþ Abner, þre
hundrid men and ſixti, whiche alſo weren deed.
xxxii And þei token Aſahel, and birieden hym in þe
ſepulcre of his fadir in Bethleem. And Joab, and þe men
þat weren wiþ hym, ȝeden in al þat nyȝt, and in þilke
morewtid þei camen in to Ebron.
CAP. III
i Þerfor long ſtrijf was maad bitwixe þe hows of Dauid
and `bitwixe þe hows of Saul; and Dauid profitide and
euere was ſtrongere þan hym ſilf, forſoþe þe hows of
Saul decreeſſide ech dai.
ii And ſones weren borne to Dauid in Ebron; and his
firſte gendrid ſone was Amon, of Achynoem of Jezrael;
iii and aftir hym was Celeab, of Abigail, wijf of Nabal
of Carmele; ſoþeli þe þrydde was Abſolon, þe ſone of
Maacha, douȝtir of Tholomay, kyng of Geſſur;
iiii forſoþe þe fourþe was Adonyas, þe ſone of Agith;
and þe fyueþe was Saphacias, þe ſone of Abitail; and þe
ſixte was Gethraam of Egla,
v þe wijf of Dauid. Þeſe weren borne to Dauid in Ebron.
vi Þerfor whanne batel was bytwixe þe hows of Saul
and þe hows of Dauid, Abner, þe ſone of Ner,
gouernyde þe hows of Saul.
vii Soþeli a concubyn, þat is, a ſecoundarie wijf, Reſpha
bi name, þe douȝtir of Achia, `was to Saul; and Abner
entride to hir.
viii And Iſboſech ſeide to Abner, Whi `entridiſt þou to þe
concubyn of my fadir? Which was wrooþ greetli for þe
wordis of Iſboſech, and ſeide, Wheþer Y am þe heed of
a dogge aȝens Juda to dai, and Y haue do merci on þe
hous of Saul, þi fadir, and on hiſe briþeren, and
neiȝboris, and Y bitook not þee in to þe hondis of
Dauid, and þou haſt ſouȝt in me þat, þat þou ſchuldiſt
repreue me for a womman to dai?
ix God do þeſe þingis to Abner, and adde þeſe þingis to
hym, no but as þe Lord ſwoor to Dauid, `ſo Y do wiþ
hym,
x þat þe rewme be tranſlatid fro þe hous of Saul, and þe
trone of Dauid be reiſid on Iſrael and on Juda, fro Dan
`til to Berſabee.
xi And Iſboſech myȝte not anſwere ony þing to Abner,
for he dredde Abner.
xii Þerfor Abner ſente meſſangeris to Dauid, and þei
ſeiden `for hym, Whos is þe lond? and þat þe
meſſangeris ſchulden ſpeke, Make þou frenſchipis wiþ
me, and myn hond ſchal be wiþ þee, and Y ſchal brynge
al Iſrael to þee.
xiii And Dauid ſeide, Beſt Y ſchal make frenſchipis wiþ
þee, but Y axe of þee o þing, and ſeie, Þou ſchalt not ſe
my face, bifore þat þou brynge Mycol, þe douȝter of
Saul, and ſo þou ſchalt come, and ſchalt ſe me.
xiiii Þerfor Dauid ſente meſſangeris to Iſboſech, þe ſone
of Saul, and ſeide, Ȝelde þou my wijf Mycol, whom Y
ſpouſide to me for an hundryd prepucies of Filiſteis.
xv Þerfor Iſboſech ſente, and took hir fro hir hoſebonde,
Faltiel, ſon of Lais;
xvi and hir hoſebonde ſuede hir and wepte til Bahurym.
And Abner ſeide to hym, Go þou, and turne aȝen; and
he turnede aȝen.
xvii Alſo Abner brouȝte in a word to þe eldere men of
Iſrael, and ſeide, Boþe ȝiſtirdai and þe þridde dai ago ȝe
ſouȝten Dauid, þat he ſchulde regne on ȝou.
xviii Now þerfor do ȝe; for þe Lord ſpak to Dauid, and
ſeide, In þe hond of my ſeruaunt Dauid Y ſchal ſaue my
puple Iſrael fro þe hond of Filiſteis, and of alle his
enemyes.
xix Forſoþe Abner ſpak alſo to Beniamyn, and he ȝede,
þat he ſchulde ſpeke to Dauid, in Ebron, alle þingis þat
pleſiden Iſrael and al Beniamin.
xx And he cam to Dauid in Ebron wiþ twenti men. And
Dauid made a feeſte to Abner, and to þe men þat camen
wiþ hym.
xxi And Abner ſeide to Dauid, Y ſchal riſe, þat Y gadere
al Iſrael to þee, my lord þe kyng, and þat Y make boond
of pees wiþ þee, and þat þou regne on alle, as þi ſoule
deſiriþ. Þerfor whanne Dauid hadde ledde forþ Abner,
and he hadde go in pees,
CCLXXIX
xxii anoon þe children of Dauid and Joab camen wiþ a
ful grete prey, whanne þeues weren ſlayn; ſoþeli Abner
was not wiþ Dauid, in Ebron, for Dauid hadde left hym,
and he ȝede forþ in pees.
xxiii And Joab, and þe ooſtis þat weren wiþ hym, camen
aftirward; þerfor it was teld to Joab of telleris, Abner,
þe ſone of Ner, cam to þe kyng, and þe kyng lefte hym,
and he ȝede in pees.
xxiiii And Joab entride to þe kyng, and ſeide, What haſt
þou do? Lo! Abner cam to þee; whi leftiſt þou hym, and
he ȝede, and departide?
xxv Knowiſt þou not Abner, þe ſone of Ner, for herto he
cam to þee, þat he ſchulde diſſeyue þee, and þat he
ſchulde knowe þi going out and þin entryng, and
ſchulde knowe alle þingis whiche þou doiſt?
xxvi Þerfor Joab ȝede out fro Dauid, and ſente
meſſangeris aftir Abner; and `ledde hym aȝen fro þe
ciſterne of Cyrie, `while Dauid knew not.
xxvii And whanne Abner hadde come aȝen in to Ebron,
Joab ledde hym aſidis half to `þe myddil of þe ȝate, þat
he ſchulde ſpeke to hym in gile; and he ſmoot Abner
þere in þe ſchar, and he was deed, in to þe veniaunce of
þe blood of his broþer Aſahel.
xxviii Þat whanne Dauid hadde herd þe þing doon, he
ſeide, Y am clene and my rewme anentis God til in to
wiþ outen ende fro þe blood of Abner, ſone of Ner;
xxix and come it on þe heed of Joab, and on al þe hows
of his fadir; a man ſuffrynge flux of ſeed, and a leprouſe
man, holdynge ſpyndil, and fallynge bi ſwerd, and
hauynge nede to breed, `þat is, ſuffrynge hungur, `faile
not of þe hows of Joab.
xxx Þerfor Joab, and Abiſay, his broþer, killiden Abner,
for he hadde ſlayn Aſahel, her broþer, in Gabaon, in
batel.
xxxi Forſoþe Dauid ſeide to Joab, and to al þe puple þat
was wiþ hym, To rende ȝe ȝour cloþis, and be ȝe gird
wiþ ſackis, and biweile ȝe bifor þe heerſis, `eþer dirige,
of Abner. Forſoþe kyng Dauid ſuede þe beere.
xxxii And whanne þei hadden biried Abner in Ebron,
kyng Dauid reiſide his vois, and wepte on þe biriel of
Abner; `forſoþe and al þe puple wepte.
xxxiii And þe kyng biweilide, and bymorenyde Abner,
and ſeide, Abner, þou diediſt not as dredeful men, `eþir
cowardis, ben wont to die.
xxxiiii Þin hondis weren not boundun, and þi feet weren
not greuyd wiþ ſtockis, but þou feldiſt doun, as men ben
wont to falle bifor þe ſones of wickidneſſe. And al þe
puple doublide togidere, and wepte on hym.
xxxv And whanne al þe multitude cam to take mete wiþ
Dauid, while þe dai was ȝit cleer, Dauid ſwoor, and
ſeide, God do to me þeſe þingis, and adde þeſe þingis, if
Y ſchal taaſt breed eþir ony oþir þing bifor þe going
doun of þe ſune.
xxxvi And al þe puple herde; and alle þingis which þe
kyng dide in þe ſiȝt of al þe puple pleſiden hem;
xxxvii and al þe comyn puple and al Iſrael knewe in þat
day, þat it was not doon of þe kyng, þat Abner, þe ſone
of Ner, was ſlayn.
xxxviii Alſo þe kyng ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis, Wheþer ȝe
witen not, þat þe prince and gretteſte felde doun to dai
in Iſrael?
xxxix Forſoþe Y am `delicat, eþer tendir, ȝit and anoyntid
kyng; ſoþeli þeſe ſones of Saruye ben hard to me; þe
Lord ȝelde to hym þat doiþ yuel bi his malice.
CAP. IIII
i Forſoþe Iſboſech, þe ſone of Saul, herde þat Abner
hadde falde doun in Ebron; and `hiſe hondis weren
diſcoumfortid, and al Iſrael was diſturblid.
ii Forſoþe twei men, princes of þeues, weren to þe ſone
of Saul; name to oon was Baana, and name to þe toþer
was Rechab, þe ſones of Remmon Berothite, of þe ſones
of Beniamyn; for alſo Beroth is arettid in Beniamyn.
iii And men of Beroth fledden in to Gethaym; and þei
weren comelyngis þere `til to þat tyme.
iiii Forſoþe a ſone feble in feet was to Jonathas, þe ſone
of Saul; forſoþe he was fyue ȝeer eld, whanne þe
meſſanger cam fro Saul and Jonathas, fro Jezrael. Þerfor
his nurſe took hym, and fledde; and whanne ſche haſtide
to fle, ſche felde doun, and þe child was maad lame;
and `he hadde a name Myphiboſech.
v Þerfor Rechab and Baana, ſones of Remmon of
Beroth, camen, and entriden in þe hoot dai in to þe
hows of Iſboſech, þat ſlepte on his bed in myd dai, `and
þe womman oiſcher of þe hous clenſynge wheete, ſlepte
ſtrongli.
vi Forſoþe þei entriden into þe hows pryueli, and token
eeris of whete; and Rechab, and Baana, his broþer,
ſmytiden Iſboſech in þe ſchar, and fledden.
vii Soþeli whanne þei hadden entrid in to þe hous, he
ſlepte on his bedde in a cloſet; and þei ſmytiden and
killiden hym; and whanne `his heed was takun, þei
ȝeden bi þe weie of deſeert in al þe nyȝt.
viii And þei brouȝten þe heed of Iſboſech to Dauid, in
Ebron, and þei ſeiden to þe kyng, Lo! þe heed of
Iſboſech, ſone of Saul, þin enemy, þat ſouȝte þi lijf; and
þe Lord ȝaf to dai to oure lord þe kyng veniaunce of
Saul and of his ſeed.
ix Forſoþe Dauid anſweride to Rechab, and Baana, his
broþer, þe ſones of Remmon of Beroth, and ſeide to
hem, Þe Lord lyueþ, þat delyueride my lijf fro al
angwiſch;
x for Y helde hym þat telde to me, and ſeide, Saul is
deed, which man geſſide hym ſilf to telle proſperitees,
and Y killide hym in Sichelech, to whom it bihofte me
ȝyue meede for meſſage;
CCLXXX
xi hou myche more now, whanne wickid men han ſlayn
a giltles man in his hows on his bed, ſchal I not ſeke his
blood of ȝoure hond, and ſchal Y do awey ȝou fro erþe?
xii Þerfor Dauid comaundide to his children, and þei
killiden hem; and þei kittiden awei þe hondis and `feet
of hem, and hangiden hem ouer þe ciſterne in Ebron.
Forſoþe þei token þe heed of Iſboſech, and birieden in
þe ſepulcre of Abner, in Ebron.
CAP. V
i And alle þe lynagis of Iſrael camen to Dauid, in Ebron,
and ſeiden, Lo! we ben þi boon and þi fleiſch.
ii But alſo ȝiſtirdai and þe þridde day ago, whanne Saul
was kyng on vs, þou leddiſt out, and leddiſt aȝen Iſrael;
forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to þee, Þou ſchalt fede my puple
Iſrael, and þou ſchalt be duyk on Iſrael.
iii Alſo and þe eldere men of Iſrael camen to þe kyng, in
Ebron; and kyng Dauid ſmoot wiþ hem boond of pees
in Ebron, bifor þe Lord; and þei anoyntiden Dauid in to
kyng on Iſrael.
iiii Dauid was a ſone of þretti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to
regne, and he regnyde fourti ȝeer in Ebron;
v he regnede on Juda ſeuene ȝeer and ſixe moneþis;
forſoþe in Jeruſalem he regnede þretti and þre ȝeer, on
al Iſrael and Juda.
vi And þe kyng ȝede, and alle men þat weren wiþ hym,
in to Jeruſalem, to Jebuſey, dweller of þe lond. And it
was ſeide of hem to Dauid, Þou ſchalt not entre hidur,
no but þou do awei blynde men and lame, ſeiynge,
Dauid ſchal not entre hydur.
vii Forſoþe Dauid took þe tour of Syon; þis is þe citee of
Dauid.
viii For Dauid hadde `ſette forþ meede in þat dai to hym,
þat hadde ſmyte Jebuſei, and hadde touchid þe goteris
of roouȝs, and hadde take awey lame men and blynde,
hatynge þe lijf of Dauid. Þerfor it is ſeid in prouerbe, A
blynde man and lame ſchulen not entre in to þe temple.
ix Forſoþe Dauid dwellide in þe tour, and clepide it þe
citee of Dauid; and he bildide bi cumpas fro Mello, and
wiþ ynne.
x And he entride profitynge and encreeſſynge; and þe
Lord God of ooſtis was wiþ hym.
xi Alſo Hyram, kyng of Tire, ſent meſſangeris to Dauid,
and cedre trees, and crafti men of trees, and crafti men
of ſtoonus to wallis; and þei bildiden þe hows of Dauid.
xii And Dauid knew, þat þe Lord hadde confermed hym
kyng on Iſrael, and þat he hadde enhaunſid his rewme
on his puple Iſrael.
xiii Þerfor Dauid took ȝit concubyns, and wyues of
Jeruſalem, after þat he cam fro Ebron; and alſo oþere
ſones and douȝtris weren borun to Dauid.
xiiii And þeſe ben þe names of hem þat weren borun to
hym in Jeruſalem; Samua, and Sobab, and Nathan,
xv and Salomon, and Jobaar, and Heliſua,
xvi and Repheg, and Japhia, and Helyſama, and Holida,
and Heliphelech.
xvii Þerfor Filiſteis herden, þat þei hadden anoyntid
Dauid kyng on Iſrael, and alle Filiſteis ſtieden to ſeke
Dauid. And whanne Dauid hadde herd þis, he ȝede doun
into a ſtrong hold.
xviii Forſoþe Filiſteis camen, and weren ſpred abrood in
þe valei of Raphaym.
xix And Dauid counſeilide þe Lord, and ſeide, Wheþer Y
ſchal ſtie to Filiſties, and wheþer þou ſchalt ȝyue hem in
myn hond? And þe Lord ſeide to Dauid, Stie þou, for Y
ſchal bitake, and Y ſchal ȝyue Filiſteis in þin hond.
xx Þerfor Dauid cam in to Baal Faraſym, and ſmoot hem
þere, and ſeide, Þe Lord departide myn enemyes bifor
me, as watris ben departid. Þerfor þe name of þat place
was clepid Baal Faraſym.
xxi And þei leften þere her ſculptils, whiche Dauid took,
and hiſe men.
xxii And Filiſteis addiden ȝit, þat þei ſchulden ſtie, and
þei weren ſpred abrood in þe valey of Raphaym.
xxiii Soþeli Dauid councelide þe Lord, and ſeide,
Wheþer Y ſchal ſtie agens Filiſties, and wheþer þou
ſchalt bitake hem in to myn hondis? Which anſweride,
Þou ſchalt not ſtie aȝens hem, but cumpaſſe þou bihynde
her bak, and þou ſchalt come to hem on þe contrarie
ſide of þe pere trees.
xxiiii And whanne þou ſchalt here þe ſown of cry goynge
in þe cop of `pere trees, þanne þou ſchalt biginne batel;
for þanne þe Lord ſchal go out befor þi face, þat he
ſmyte þe caſtels of Filiſteis.
xxv Þerfor Dauid dide as þe Lord comaundide to hym;
and he ſmoot Filiſteys fro Gabaa til `þe while þei camen
to Jezer.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe Dauid gaderide eft alle þe choſun men of
Iſrael, þritti þouſynde.
ii And Dauid roos, and ȝede, and al þe puple þat was
wiþ hym of þe men of Juda, to brynge þe arke of God,
on which þe name of þe Lord of ooſtis, ſittynge in
cherubyn on þat arke, was clepid.
iii And þei puttiden þe arke of God on a newe wayn, and
þei token it fro þe hows of Amynadab, þat was in
Gabaa. Forſoþe Oza and Haio, þe ſons of Amynadab,
dryueden þe newe wayn.
iiii And whanne þei hadden take it fro þe hows of
Amynadab, þat was in Gabaa, and kepte þe arke of
God, Haio ȝede bifor þe arke.
v Forſoþe Dauid and al Iſrael pleieden byfor þe Lord, in
alle `trees maad craftili, and harpis, and ſitols, and
tympans, and trumpis, and cymbalis.
CCLXXXI
vi Forſoþe after þat þei camen to þe corn floor of
Nachor, Oza helde forþ þe hond to þe arke of God, and
helde it, for þe oxun kikiden, and bowiden it.
vii And þe Lord was wrooþ bi indignacioun aȝens Oza,
and ſmoot hym on `þe foli; and he was deed þere biſidis
þe arke of God.
viii Forſoþe Dauid was ſori, for þe Lord hadde ſmyte
Oza; and þe name of þat place was clepid þe Smytyng
of Oza `til in to þis dai.
ix And Dauid dredde þe Lord in þat dai, and ſeide, Hou
ſchal þe arke of þe Lord entre to me?
x And he nolde turne þe arke of þe Lord to hym ſilf in to
þe citee of Dauid, but he turnede it in to þe hows of
Obethedom of Geth.
xi And þe arke of þe Lord dwellide in þe hows of
Obethedom of Geth þre moneþis; and þe Lord bleſſid
Obethedom, and al his hows.
xii And it was teld to kyng Dauid, þat þe Lord hadde
bleſſid Obethedom, and alle `þingis of hym, for þe arke
of God. And Dauid ſeide, Y ſchal go, and brynge þe
arke wiþ bleſſyng in to myn hows. Þerfor Dauid ȝede,
and brouȝte þe arke of God fro þe hows of Obethedom
in to þe citee of Dauid wiþ ioye; and þer weren wiþ
Dauid ſeuen cumpanyes, and þe ſlain ſacrifice of a calff.
xiii And whanne þei, þat baren þe arke of þe Lord,
hadden ſtied ſix paaces, þei offriden an oxe and a ram.
And Dauid ſmoot in organs boundun to þe arm;
xiiii and daunſide wiþ alle ſtrengþis bifor þe Lord; ſoþeli
Dauid was cloþid wiþ a lynnun ſurplis.
xv And Dauid, and al þe hows of Iſrael, ledden forþ þe
arke of teſtament of þe Lord in hertli ſong, and in ſown
of trumpe.
xvi And whanne þe arke of þe Lord hadde entride in to
þe citee of Dauid, Mychol, þe douȝtir of Saul, bihelde
bi a wyndow, and ſche ſiȝ þe kyng ſkippynge and
daunſynge bifor þe Lord; and ſche diſpiſide hym in hir
herte.
xvii And þei brouȝten in þe arke of þe Lord, and ſettiden
it in his place, in þe myddis of tabernacle, which
tabernacle Dauid hadde maad `redy þerto; and Dauid
offride brent ſacrifices and peſible bifor þe Lord.
xviii And whanne Dauid hadde endid þo, and hadde
offrid brent ſacrifices and peſible, he bleſſide þe puple
in þe name of þe Lord of ooſtis.
xix And he ȝaf to al þe multitude of Iſrael, as wel to man
as to womman, to ech `o þinne loof, and o part roſtid of
bugle fleiſch, and flour of wheete fried wiþ oile; and al
þe puple ȝede, ech man in to his hows.
xx And Dauid turnede aȝen to bleſſe his hows, and
Mychol, þe douȝtir of Saul, ȝede out in to þe comyng of
Dauid, and ſeide, Hou glorious was þe kyng of Iſrael to
day vnhilynge hym ſilf bifor þe handmaidis of hiſe
ſeruauntis, and he was maad nakid, as if oon of þe
harlotis be maad nakid?
xxi And Dauid ſeide to Mychol, Þe Lord lyueþ, for Y
ſchal pley bifor þe Lord, þat chees me raþere þan þi
fadir, and þan al þe hows of hym, and comaundide to
me, þat Y ſchulde be duyk on þe puple `of þe Lord of
Iſrael;
xxii and Y ſchal pleie, and Y ſchal be maad `vilere more
þan Y am maad, and Y ſchal be meke in myn iȝen, and
Y ſchal appere gloriouſere wiþ þe handmaydys, of
whiche þou ſpakiſt.
xxiii Þerfor a ſone was not borun to Mychol, þe douȝtir
of Saul, til in to þe dai of hir deeþ.
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe it was doon, whanne þe kyng Dauid hadde ſete
in his hows, and þe Lord hadde ȝoue reſte to hym on
ech ſide fro alle hiſe enemyes,
ii he ſeyde to Nathan þe prophete, Seeſt þou not, þat Y
dwelle in an hows of cedre, and þe arke of God is put in
þe myddis of ſkynnys?
iii And Nathan ſeide to þe kyng, Go þou, and do al þing
which is in þin herte, for þe Lord is wiþ þee.
iiii Forſoþe it was don in þat niȝt, and lo! þe word of þe
Lord, ſeiynge to Nathan, Go þou,
v and ſpeke to my ſeruaunt Dauid, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Wheþer þou ſchalt bilde to me an hows to
dwelle ynne?
vi For Y `dwellide not in an hows fro þe dai in which Y
ledde þe ſones of Iſrael out of þe lond of Egipt til in to
þis dai; but Y ȝede in tabernacle and in tent,
vii bi alle places, to whiche Y paſſyde wiþ alle þe ſones
of Iſrael? Wheþer Y ſpekynge ſpak to oon of þe lynagis
of Iſrael, to whom Y comaundyde, þat he ſchulde feede
my puple Iſrael, and ſeide, Whi `bildidiſt þou not an
hows of cedre to me?
viii And now þou ſchalt ſeie þeſe þingis to my ſeruaunt
Dauid, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y took þee fro
leſewis ſuynge flockis, þat þou ſchuldiſt be duyk on my
puple Iſrael, and Y was wiþ þee in alle þingis,
ix where euere þou ȝediſt, and Y killide alle þin enemyes
fro þi face, and Y made to þee a greet name bi þe name
of grete men þat ben in erþe;
x and Y ſchall ſette a place to my puple Iſrael, and Y
ſchal plaunte hym, and Y ſchal dwelle wiþ hym, and he
ſchal no more be troblid, and þe ſones of wickidneſſe
ſchulen not adde, þat þei turmente hym as bifor,
xi fro þe dai in which Y ordenede iugis on my puple
Iſrael; and Y ſchal ȝyue reſte to þee fro alle þin
enemyes. And þe Lord biforſeiþ to þee, þat `þe Lord
ſchal mak an hows to þee;
xii and whanne þi daies be fillid, and þou haſt ſlept wiþ
þi fadris, Y ſchal reyſe þi ſeed aftir þee, which ſchal go
out of þi wombe, and Y ſchal make `ſtidfaſt his rewme.
CCLXXXII
xiii He ſchal bilde an hows to my name, and Y ſchal
make ſtable þe troone of his rewme til in to wiþ outen
ende;
xiiii Y ſchal be to hym in to fadir, and he ſchal be to me
in to a ſone; and if he ſchal do ony þing wickidli, Y
ſchal chaſtiſe hym in þe ȝerde of men, and in þe
woundis of þe ſones of men.
xv Forſoþe Y ſchal not do awey my mercy fro hym, as Y
dide awei fro Saul, whom Y remouede fro my face.
xvi And þin hows ſchal be feiþful, and þi rewme ſchal be
til in to wiþ outen ende bifor my face, and þi trone ſchal
be ſtidfaſt contynueli.
xvii By alle þeſe wordys, and bi al þis reuelacioun, ſo
Nathan ſpak to Dauid.
xviii Forſoþe Dauid þe kyng entride, and ſatt bifor þe
Lord, and ſeide, Who am Y, my Lord God, and what is
myn hows, þat þou brouȝtiſt me hidur to?
xix But alſo þis is ſeyn litil in þi ſiȝt, my Lord God; no
but þou ſchuldiſt ſpeke alſo of þe hows of þi ſeruaunt in
to long tyme. Forſoþe þis is þe lawe of Adam, Lord
God;
xx what þerfor may Dauid adde ȝit, þat he ſpeke to þee?
For þou, Lord God, knowiſt þi ſeruaunt; þou haſt do alle
þeſe grete þingis,
xxi for þi word, and bi þin herte, ſo þat þou madiſt
knowun to þi ſeruaunt.
xxii Herfor, Lord God, þou art magnyfied, for noon is
lijk þee, ne þere is no God outakun þee, in alle þingis
whiche we herden wiþ oure eeris.
xxiii Soþeli what folk in erþe is as þe puple of Iſrael, for
which þe Lord God ȝede, þat he ſchulde aȝenbie it to
him in to a puple, and ſchulde ſette to hym ſilf a name,
and ſchulde do to it grete þingis, and orible on erþe, in
caſtinge out þerof þe folk and `goddis þerof fro þe face
of þi puple, which þou `aȝen bouȝtiſt to þee fro Egipt?
xxiiii And þou confermidiſt to þee þi puple Iſrael in to a
puple euerlaſtynge, and þou, Lord, art maad in to God
to hem.
xxv Now þerfor, Lord God, reiſe þou wiþouten ende þe
word þat þou haſt ſpoke on þi ſeruaunt and on his hows,
and do as þou haſt ſpoke;
xxvi and þy name be magnyfied til in to wiþouten ende,
and be it ſeid, Þe Lord of ooſtis is God on Iſrael; and þe
hows of þi ſeruaunt Dauid ſchal be ſtabliſchid byfor þe
Lord;
xxvii for þou, Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, haſt maad
reuelacioun to þe eere of þi ſeruaunt, and ſeidiſt, Y ſchal
bilde an hows to þee; þerfor þi ſeruaunt foond his herte,
þat he ſchulde preie þee bi þis preier.
xxviii Now þerfor, Lord God, þou art veri God, and þi
wordis ſchulen be trewe; for þou haſt ſpoke þeſe goodis
to þi ſeruaunt;
xxix þerforbigynne þou, and bleſſe þe hows of þi
ſeruaunt, þat it be wiþouten ende bifor þee; for þou,
Lord God, haſt ſpoke þeſe þingis, and bi þi bleſſyng þe
hows of þi ſeruaunt ſchal be bleſſid wiþouten ende.
CAP. VIII
i Forſoþe it was doon aftir þeſe þingis, Dauid ſmoot
Filiſteis, and made low hem; and Dauid took awei þe
bridil of tribute fro þe hond of Filiſteis.
ii And Dauid ſmoot Moab, and mat hem wiþ a coorde,
and made euene to þe erþe; forſoþe `he mat twey cordis,
oon to ſle, and oon to quikene. And Moab ſeruyde
Dauid vndur tribute.
iii And Dauid ſmoot Adadezer, ſone of Roob, kyng of
Soba, whanne he ȝede forþ to be lord ouer þe flood
Eufrates.
iiii And whanne a þouſynde and ſeuene hundrid kniȝtis
of his part weren takun, and twenti þouſynde of foot
men, Dauid hoxide alle `drawynge beeſtis in charis; but
Dauid lefte of þo an hundrid charis, þat is, þe horſis of
an hundrid charis.
v Alſo Sirie of Damaſk cam, þat it ſchulde bere help to
Adadezer, kyng of Soba; and Dauid ſmoot of Sirie two
and twenti þouſynde of men.
vi And Dauid ſettide ſtrengþe in Sirie of Damaſk, and
Sirie was maad ſeruynge Dauid vndur tribute. And þe
Lord kepte Dauid in alle þingis, to what euer þingis he
ȝede forþ.
vii And Dauid took goldun armeris and bies, whiche þe
ſeruauntis of Adadezer hadden, and he brouȝte þo in to
Jeruſalem.
viii And of Bethe, and of Beroth, citees of Adadezer,
Dauiþ þe kyng took ful myche metal; `of þe whiche
Salomon made alle þe braſen veſſels in þe temple, and
þe braſen ſee, and þe pilers, and þe auter.
ix Forſoþe Thou, kyng of Emath, herde þat Dauid hadde
ſmyte al þe ſtrengþe of Adadezer.
x And Thou ſente Joram, his ſone, to `kyng Dauid, þat
he ſchulde grete hym, and þanke, and do þankyngis, for
he hadde ouercome Adadezer, and hadde ſmyte hym;
for Thou was enemy to Adadeſer; and veſſels of ſiluer,
and veſſels of gold, and veſſels of bras weren in his
hond.
xi And þe ſame veſſels kyng Dauid halewid `to þe Lord,
wiþ þe ſiluer and gold, whiche he hadde halewid of alle
heþene men, whiche `heþene men he made ſuget of
Sirye,
xii and Moab, and þe ſones of Amon, and Filiſteis, and
Amalech, and of þe ſpuylis of Adadezer, ſone of Roob,
kyng of Soba.
xiii Alſo Dauid made to hym a name, whanne he turnede
aȝen, whanne Sirie was takun, for eiȝtene þouſynde
weren ſlayn in þe valey, where ſalt is maad, and in
Gebelem, to þre and twenti þouſynde.
CCLXXXIII
xiiii And he ſettide keperis in Ydumee, and ordeinede
ſtrong hold, and al Ydumee was maad ſeruynge to
Dauid; and þe Lord kepte Dauid in alle þingis, to
whateuer þingis he ȝede forþ.
xv And Dauid regnede on al Iſrael, and Dauid dide
doom, and riȝtfulneſſe to al his puple.
xvi Forſoþe Joab, þe ſone of Saruy, was ouer þe ooſt;
ſoþeli Joſaphat, ſone of Achilud, was chaunceler; and
Sadoch,
xvii ſone of Achitob, and Achymelech, ſone of Abiathar,
weren preeſtis; and Saraye was ſcryuyn.
xviii Forſoþe Bananye, ſone of Joiada, was ouer Cerethi
and Pherethi, þat is, ouer archeris and arblaſteris; ſoþeli
þe ſones of Dauid weren preſtis.
CAP. IX
i And Dauid ſeide, Wheþer ony man is, þat lefte of þe
hows of Saul, þat Y do mercy wiþ hym for Jonathas?
ii Forſoþe a ſeruaunt, Siba bi name, was of þe hous of
Saul; whom whanne þe kyng hadde clepid to hym ſilf,
`þe kyng ſeide to hym, Wheþir þou art not Siba? And he
anſweride, Y am þi ſeruaunt.
iii And þe kyng ſeide, Wheþer ony man lyueþ of þe
hows of Saul, þat Y do wiþ hym þe mercy of God? And
Siba ſeide to þe kyng, A ſone of Jonathas lyueþ, feble in
þe feet.
iiii Þe kyng ſeide, Where is he? And Siba ſeide to þe
kyng, Lo! he is in þe hows of Machir, ſone of Amyel, in
Lodabar.
v Þerfor `Dauid þe kyng ſente, and took hym fro þe
hows of Machir, ſone of Amyel, fro Lodobar.
vi Forſoþe whanne Myphiboſech, þe ſone of Jonathas,
ſone of Saul, hadde come to Dauid, he felde in to his
face, and worſchipide. And Dauid ſeide, Myphiboſech!
Which anſweride, Y am preſent, þi ſeruaunt.
vii And Dauid ſeide to hym, Drede þou not, for Y
doynge ſchal do merſi to þee for Jonathas, þi fadir; and
Y ſchal reſtore to þee alle þe feeldis of Saul, þi fadir,
and þou ſchalt ete breed in my boord euere.
viii Which worſchipide him, and ſeide, Who am Y, þi
ſeruaunt, for þou haſt biholde on a deed dogge lijk me?
ix Þerfor þe kyng clepide Siba, þe child of Saul; and
ſeide to hym, Y haue ȝoue to þe ſone of þi lord alle
þingis, which euer weren of Saul, and al þe hows of
hym;
x þerfor worche þou þe lond to hym, þou, and þi ſones,
and þi ſeruauntis, and þou ſchalt brynge in meetis to þe
ſone of þi lord, þat he be fed; forſoþe Myphiboſech,
ſone of þi lord, ſchal ete euer breed on my bord. Soþeli
fiftene ſones and twenti ſeruauntis weren to Siba.
xi And Siba ſeyde to þe kyng, As þou, my lord kyng,
haſt comaundid to þi ſeruaunt, ſo þi ſeruaunt ſchal do;
and Myphiboſech, as oon of þe ſones of þe kyng, ſchal
ete on þi boord.
xii Forſoþe Myphiboſech hadde a litil ſone, Mycha bi
name; ſoþeli al þe meyne of þe hows of Siba ſeruyde
Myphiboſech.
xiii Forſoþe Myphiboſech dwellide in Jeruſalem; for he
eet contynueli of þe kingis boord, and was crokid on
eiþer foot.
CAP. X
i Forſoþe it was doon aftir þeſe þingis, þat Naas, kyng of
þe ſones of Amon, diede; and Anoon, his ſone, regnede
for hym. And Dauid ſeide,
ii Y ſchal do mercy wiþ Anon, þe ſone of Naas, as his
fadir dide mercy wiþ me. Þerfor Dauid ſente
coumfortynge hym by hiſe ſeruauntis on þe deeþ of þe
fadir. Soþeli whanne þe ſeruauntis of Dauid hadden
come in to þe lond of þe ſones of Amon,
iii princes of þe ſones of Amon ſeiden to Anon, her lord,
Geſſiſt þou þat for þe onour of þi fadir Dauid ſente
coumfortouris to þee; and not herfor Dauid ſente hiſe
ſeruauntis to þee, þat he ſchulde aſpie, and enſerche þe
citee, and diſtrie it?
iiii Þerfor Anoon took þe ſeruauntis of Dauid, and
ſchauyde half þe part of `þe beerd of hem, and he kittide
awey þe myddil cloþis of hem `til to þe buttokis; and
lefte hem.
v And whanne þis was teld to Dauid, he ſente in to þe
comyng of hem, for þe men weren ſchent ful vilenſly.
And Dauid comaundide to hem, Dwelle ȝe in Jerico, til
ȝoure beerd wexe, and þanne turne ȝe aȝen.
vi Soþeli þe ſones of Amon ſien, þat þei hadden do
wrong to Dauid, and þei ſenten, and hiriden bi meede
Roob of Sirye, and Soba of Sirie, twenti þouſynde of
foot men, and of kyng Maacha, a þouſynde men, and of
Iſtob twelue þouſynde of men.
vii And whanne Dauid hadde herd þis, he ſent Joab and
al þe ooſt of fiȝteris.
viii Þerfor þe ſones of Amon ȝeden out, and dreſſiden
ſcheltrun bifor hem in þe entryng of þe ȝate. Forſoþe
Soba, and Roob of Sirie, and Iſtob, and Maacha weren
aſidis half in þe feeld.
ix Þerfor Joab ſiȝ, þat batel was maad redi aȝens hym,
boþe euene aȝens and bihynde þe bak; and he chees to
hym ſilf of alle þe choſun men of Iſrael, and ordeynede
ſcheltrun aȝens Sirus.
x Forſoþe he bitook to Abiſai, his broþir, þe toþer part of
þe puple, which dreſſide ſcheltrun aȝens þe ſones of
Amon.
xi And Joab ſeide, If men of Sirie han þe maiſtrie aȝens
me, þou ſchalt be to me in to help; ſoþeli if þe ſones of
Amon han þe maiſtrie aȝens þee, Y ſchal helpe þee;
CCLXXXIV
xii be þou a ſtrong man, and fiȝte we for oure puple, and
for þe citee of oure God; forſoþe þe Lord ſchal do þat,
þat is good in his ſiȝt.
xiii Þerfor Joab and his puple þat was wiþ hym, bigan
batel aȝens men of Sirie, whiche fledden anoon fro his
face.
xiiii Forſoþe þe ſones of Amon ſien, þat men of Sirie
hadden fled; and þei fledden alſo fro þe face of Abiſai,
and entriden in to þe citee; and Joab turnede aȝen fro þe
ſones of Amon, and cam in to Jeruſalem.
xv Forſoþe men of Sirye ſien þat þei hadden feld bifor
Iſrael, and þei weren gaderid to gidere.
xvi And Adadezer ſente, and ledde out men of Sirie þat
weren biȝende þe flood, and he brouȝte þe ooſt of hem;
ſoþeli Sobach, mayſter of þe chyualrie of Adadezer, was
þe prince of hem.
xvii And whanne þis was teld to Dauid, he drow togidere
al Iſrael, and paſſide Jordan, and cam in to Helama. And
men of Sirie dreſſiden ſcheltrun aȝens Dauid, and
fouȝten aȝens hym.
xviii And Sireis fledden fro þe face of Iſrael; and Dauid
killide of Sireis ſeuene hundrid charis, and fourti
þouſynde of knyȝtis; and he ſmoot Sobach, þe prince of
chyualrie, which was deed anoon.
xix Forſoþe alle kyngis, þat weren in þe help of
Adadezer, ſiȝen þat þei weren ouercomun of Iſrael, and
þei maden pees wiþ Iſrael, and ſerueden hem; and Sireis
dredden to ȝyue help to þe ſones of Amon.
CAP. XI
i Forſoþe it was doon, whanne þe ȝeer turnede aȝen in
þat tyme wherynne kyngis ben wont to go forþ to
batels, Dauid ſente Joab, and wiþ hym hiſe ſeruauntis,
and al Iſrael; and þei diſtrieden þe ſones of Amon, and
biſegiden Rabath; forſoþe Dauid dwellide in Jeruſalem.
ii While þeſe þingis weren doon, it befelde, þat Dauid
roos in a dai fro his bed after mydday, and walkide in
þe ſoler of þe kyngis hows; and he ſiȝ a womman
waiſchynge hir ſilf euen aȝens on hir ſoler; ſoþeli þe
womman was ful fair.
iii Þerfor þe kyng ſente, and enqueride, what womman it
was; and it was teld to hym, þat ſche was Berſabee, þe
douȝtir of Heliam, and was þe wijf of Vrye Ethei.
iiii Þerfor bi meſſangeris ſent Dauid took hir; and
whanne ſche entride to hym, he ſlepte wiþ hir, and
anoon ſche was halewid fro hir vncleneſſe.
v And ſche turnede aȝen in to hir hows, wiþ child
conſeyued; and ſche ſente, and telde to Dauid, and ſeide,
Y haue conſeyued.
vi Forſoþe Dauid ſente to Joab, and ſeide, Sende þou
Vrye Ethei to me; and Joab ſente Vrye to Dauid.
vii And Vrie cam to Dauid; and Dauid axide, hou riȝtfuli
Joab dide and þe puple, and hou þe batel was mynyſtrid.
viii And Dauid ſeide to Vrye, Go in to þin hows, and
waiſche þi feet. Vrye ȝede out fro þe hows of þe kyng,
and þe kyngis mete ſuede hym.
ix Soþeli Vrye ſlepte bifor þe ȝate of þe kyngis hows
wiþ oþere ſeruauntis of his lord, and ȝede not doun to
his hows.
x And it was teld to Dauid of men, ſeiynge, Vrye `ȝede
not to his hows. And Dauid ſeide to Vrye, Wheþer þou
cameſt not fro þe weye? whi ȝediſt þou not doun in to
þin hows?
xi And Vrie ſeide to Dauid, Þe arke of God, Iſrael and
Juda dwellen in tentis, and my lord Joab, and þe
ſeruauntis of my lord dwellen on þe face of erþe, and
ſchal Y go in to myn hows, to ete and drynke, and ſlepe
wiþ my wijf? Bi þin helþe, and bi þe helþe of þi ſoule,
Y ſchal not do þis þing.
xii Þerfor Dauid ſeide to Vrye, Dwelle þou here alſo to
dai, and to morewe Y ſchal delyuere þee. Vrie dwellide
in Jeruſalem in þat day and þe toþir.
xiii And Dauid clepide hym, þat he ſchulde ete and
drynke bifor hym, and Dauid made drunkun Vrye; and
he ȝede out in þe euentid, and ſlepte in his bed wiþ þe
ſeruauntes of his lord; and ȝede not doun in to his hows.
xiiii Þerfor þe morewtid was maad, and Dauid wroot
epiſtle to Joab, and ſente bi þe hond of Vrye,
xv and wroot in þe piſtle, Sette ȝe Vrye euene aȝens þe
batel, where þe batel is ſtrongeſte, `þat is, where þe
aduerſaries ben ſtronge, and forſake ȝe hym, þat he be
ſmitun and periſche.
xvi Þerfor whanne Joab biſegide þe citee, he ſettide Vrie
in þe place where he wiſte þat ſtrongeſte men weren.
xvii And men ȝeden out of þe citee, and fouȝten aȝens
Joab, and þei killiden of þe puple of ſeruauntis of
Dauid, and alſo Vrye Ethei was deed.
xviii Þerfor Joab ſente, and telde alle þe wordis of þe
batel;
xix and he comaundyde to þe meſſanger, and ſeide,
Whanne þou haſt fillid alle wordis of þe batel to þe
kyng,
xx if þou ſeeſt, þat he is wrooþ, and ſeiþ, Whi neiȝiden
ȝe to þe wal to fiȝte? wheþer ȝe wiſten not, þat many
dartis ben ſent `fro aboue fro þe wal?
xxi who ſmoot Abymelech, ſone of Gerobaal? wheþer
not a womman ſente on hym a gobet of a mylneſtoon
fro þe wal, and killide hym in Thebes? whi neiȝiden ȝe
biſidis þe wal? þou ſchalt ſeie, Alſo þi ſeruaunt, Vrye
Ethei, diede.
xxii Þerfor þe meſſanger ȝede, and telde to Dauid alle
þingis whiche Joab hadde comaundid to hym.
xxiii And þe meſſanger ſeide to Dauid, `Men hadden þe
maiſtri aȝens us, and þei ȝeden out to vs in to þe feeld;
ſoþeli bi `ferſneſſe maad we purſueden hem `til to þe
ȝate of þe citee.
CCLXXXV
xxiiii Andarcheris ſenten dartis to þi ſeruauntis fro þe
wal aboue, and ſumme of þe `kyngis ſeruauntis ben
deed; forſoþe alſo þi ſeruaunt, Vrye Ethei, is deed.
xxv And Dauid ſeide to þe meſſanger, Þou ſchalt ſeie
þeſe þingis to Joab, Þis þing breke not þee; for þe
bifallyng of batel is dyuerſe, and ſwerd waſtiþ now þis
man, now þat man; coumforte þi fiȝteris aȝens þe citee,
þat þou diſtrye it, and excite þou hem.
xxvi Forſoþe þe wijf of Vrye herde, þat Vrye hir
hoſebond was deed, and ſche biweilide hym.
xxvii And whanne þe morenyng was paſſid, Dauid ſente,
and brouȝte hir in to his hows; and ſche was maad wijf
to hym, and ſche childide a ſone to hym. And þis word
which Dauid hadde do diſpleſide bifor þe Lord.
CAP. XII
i Þerfor þe Lord ſente Nathan to Dauid; and whanne he
hadde come to Dauid, he ſeide to Dauid, Anſwere þou
doom to me; twei men weren in o citee; o man was
riche, and þe toþer was pore.
ii Þe riche man hadde ful many ſcheep, and oxun;
iii ſoþeli þe pore man hadde vttirli no þing, outakun o
litil ſcheep, which he hadde bouȝt, and nurſchid, and
which `hadde wexid at hym wiþ hiſe ſones, and eet
togidere of his breed, and drank of his cuppe, and ſlepte
in his boſum; and it was as a douȝter to hym.
iiii Forſoþe whanne a pilgrym `hadde come to þe riche
man, he ſparide to take of hiſe ſcheep and oxun, þat he
ſchulde make a feeſte to þat pilgrym, þat cam to hym;
and he took þe ſcheep of þe pore man, and `made redi
metis to þe man þat cam to hym.
v Forſoþe Dauid was ful wrooþ wiþ indignacioun aȝens
þat man, and ſeide to Nathan, Þe Lord lyueþ, for þe man
þat dide þis is þe ſone of deeþ;
vi he ſchal ȝelde þe ſcheep in to foure folde, for he dide
þis word, and ſparide not.
vii Forſoþe Nathan ſeide to Dauid, Þou art þilke man,
þat haſt do þis þing. Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Y anoyntide þee `in to kyng on Iſrael, and Y
delyuerede þee fro þe hond of Saul,
viii and Y ȝaf to þee þe hows of þi lord, and þe wyues of
þi lord in þi boſum, and Y ȝaf to þee þe hows of Iſrael,
and of Juda; and if þeſe þingis ben litil, Y ſchal adde to
þee myche grettere þingis.
ix Whi þerfor haſt þou diſpiſid þe word of þe Lord, þat
þou didiſt yuels in my ſiȝt? Þou haſt ſmyte by ſwerd
Vrye Ethei, and þou haſt take his wijf in to wijf to þee,
and þou haſt ſlayn hym wiþ þe ſwerd of þe ſones of
Amon.
x Wherfor ſwerd ſchal not go awey fro þin hows til in to
wiþ outen ende; for þou diſpyſidiſt me, and tokiſt þe
wijf of Vrye Ethei, þat ſche ſchulde be þi wijf.
xi Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal reiſe on
þee yuel of þin hows, and Y ſchal take þi wyues in `þin
iȝen, and Y ſchal ȝyue to þi neiȝbore, and he ſchal ſlepe
wiþ þi wyues in þe iȝen of þis ſunne, `þat is, opynli
bifor alle men, as in xv. chapitre.
xii For þou haſt do priueli; forſoþe Y ſchal do þis word
in þe ſiȝt of al Iſrael, and in þe ſiȝt of þis ſunne.
xiii And Dauid ſeide to Nathan, Y haue ſynned to þe
Lord. And Nathan ſeide to Dauid, Alſo þe Lord haþ
turned awei þi ſynne; þou ſchalt not die.
xiiii Neþeles for þou madiſt enemyes to blasfeme þe
name of þe Lord, for þis word þe child which is borun
to þee ſchal die bi deeþ.
xv And Nathan turnede aȝen in to his hows. And þe
Lord ſmoot þe litil child, whom þe wijf of Vrye childide
to Dauid, and he diſpeiride.
xvi And Dauid preiede þe Lord for þe litil child; and
Dauid faſtide bi faſtyng, and entride aſidis half, and lai
on þe erþe.
xvii Soþeli þe eldere men of his hows camen, and
conſtreyneden hym `bi meke preieris, þat he ſchulde riſe
fro þe erþe; and he nolde, neþir he eet mete wiþ hem.
xviii Forſoþe it bifelde in þe ſeuenþe dai, þat þe ȝong
child diede; and þe ſeruauntis of Dauid dredde to telle
to hym, þat þe litil child was deed; for þei ſeiden, Lo!
whanne þe litil child lyuede ȝit, we ſpaken to hym, and
he herde not oure vois; hou myche more, if we ſeien þe
child is deed, he ſchal turment himſilf?
xix Þerfore whanne Dauid hadde herd his ſeruauntis
ſpekynge priueli, `eþer moterynge, he underſtood þat þe
ȝong child was deed; `and he ſeyde to his ſeruauntis,
Wheþer þe child is deed? Whiche anſweriden to hym,
He is deed.
xx Þerfor Dauid roos fro þe erþe, and was waiſchid, and
anoyntid; and whanne he hadde chaungid cloþ, he
entride in to þe hows of þe Lord, and worſchipide, and
cam in to his hows; and he axide, þat þei ſchulden ſette
breed to hym, and he eet.
xxi Soþely his ſeruauntis ſeiden to hym, What is þe word
which þou haſt do? Þou faſtidiſt, and weptiſt for þe ȝong
child, whanne he lyuede ȝit; ſoþeli whanne þe child was
deed, þou riſidiſt and etiſt breed?
xxii And Dauid ſeide, Y faſtide and wepte for þe ȝong
child, whanne he lyuyde ȝit; for Y ſeide, Who woot, if
perauenture þe Lord ȝyue hym to me, and þe ȝong child
lyue?
xxiii `Now forſoþe for he is deed, whi `faſt Y? wheþer Y
ſchal mow aȝen clepe hym more? Y ſchal `go more to
hym, but he ſchal not turne aȝen to me.
xxiiii And Dauid coumfortid Berſabee, his wijf; and he
entride to hir, and ſlepte wiþ hir. And ſche gendride a
ſone, and Dauid clepide his name Salomon; and þe Lord
louyde hym.
xxv And he ſente Salomon in þe hond of Nathan, þe
prophete; and he clepide his name Amyable to þe Lord,
for þe Lord louyde hym.
CCLXXXVI
xxvi Þerfor Joab fauȝt aȝens Rabath, of þe ſones of
Amon, and he fauȝt aȝens þe `kyngis citee.
xxvii And Joab ſente meſſangeris to Dauid, and ſeide, Y
fauȝte aȝens Rabath, and þe citee of watris ſchal be
takun.
xxviii Now þerfor gadere þou þe toþer part of þe puple,
and biſege þou þe citee, and take þou it, leſt whanne þe
citee is waſtid of me, þe victorie be arettid to my name.
xxix Þerfor Dauid gaderide al þe puple, and he ȝede forþ
aȝens Rabath; and whanne he hadde fouȝte, he took it.
xxx And he took þe diademe of þe kyng of hem fro his
heed, bi weiȝte a talent of gold, hauynge preciouſeſte
peerlis; and it was put on þe heed of Dauid, `þat is, aftir
þat it was weldid and purgid bi fier; but alſo Dauid bar
awey ful myche prey of þe citee.
xxxi Alſo he ledde forþ þe puple þerof, and ſawide, and
`dide aboute hem `yrun inſtrumentis of turment, and
departide wiþ knyues, and `ledde ouer bi þe licneſſe of
tijl ſtoonus; ſo he dide to alle þe citees of þe ſones of
Amon. And Dauid turnede aȝen, and al his ooſt, in to
Jeruſalem.
CAP. XIII
i Forſoþe it was doon aftir þeſe þingis, þat Amon, þe
ſone of Dauid, louyde þe faireſte ſiſtir, Thamar bi name,
of Abſolon, ſone of Dauid.
ii And Amon periſchide greetli for hir, ſo þat he was ſijk
for `þe loue of hir. For whanne ſhe was a virgyn, it
ſemyde hard to hym, þat he ſchulde do ony þing
vnoneſtli wiþ hir.
iii Forſoþe a freend, Jonadab bi name, ſone of Semmaa,
broþer of Dauid, `was to Amon; Jonadab was a ful
prudent man.
iiii Which ſeide to Amon, Sone of þe kyng, whi art þou
maad feble ſo bi leeneſſe bi alle daies? whi ſchewiſt þou
not to me? And Amon ſeide to him, Y loue Thamar, þe
ſiſter of my broþer Abſolon.
v And Jonadab anſweride to hym, Li þou on þi bed, and
feyne þou ſikeneſſe; and whanne þi fadir comeþ, þat he
viſyte þee, ſeie þou to hym, Y preye, come Thamar, my
ſiſter, þat ſche ȝyue mete to me, and make a ſeew, þat Y
ete of hir hond.
vi Þerfor Amon lay doun, and `bigan as to be ſijk. And
whanne þe kyng hadde come to viſite him, Amon ſeide
to þe kyng, Y biſeche, come Thamar, my ſiſtir, þat ſche
make twei ſoupyngis bifor my iȝen, and þat Y take of
hir hond meete maad redi.
vii Þerfor Dauid ſente to þe hows of Thamar, and ſeide,
Come þou in to þe hows of Amon, þi broþer, and make
þou ſeew to hym.
viii And Thamar cam in to þe hows of Amon, hir broþer.
Soþeli he lai; and ſche took mele, and medlide, and
made moiſt bifor hiſe iȝen, and ſeþide ſoupyngis;
ix and ſche took þat, þat ſche hadde ſode, and helde out,
and ſettide byfor hym, and he nolde ete. And Amon
ſeide, Putte ȝe out alle men fro me. And whanne þei
hadden put out alle men,
x Amon ſeide to Thamar, Bere þe mete in to þe cloſet,
þat Y ete of þin hond. Þerfor Thamar took þe ſoupingis
whiche ſche hadde maad, and brouȝte in to Amon, hir
broþer, in þe cloſet.
xi And whanne ſche hadde proferid mete to hym, he
took hir, and ſeide, Come þou, my ſiſtir, li þou wiþ me.
xii And ſche anſweride to hym, My broþer, nyle þou,
nyle þou oppreſſe me, for þis is not leueful in Iſrael;
nyle þou do þis foli.
xiii For Y ſchal not mow bere my ſchenſchip, and þou
ſchalt be as oon of þe vnwiſe men in Iſrael; but raþer
ſpeke þou to þe kyng, and he ſchal not denye me to þee.
xiiii Soþeli he nolde aſſente to hir preieris; but he was
ſtrengere in myȝtis, and oppreſſide hir, and lay wiþ hir.
xv And `Amon hadde hir hateful bi ful grete haterede, ſo
þat þe hatrede was gretter, bi which he hatide hir, þan
þe loue bi which he louyde hir bifor. And Amon ſeide to
hir, Riſe þou, and go.
xvi And ſche anſweride to hym, Þis yuel is more which
þou doiſt now aȝens me, and puttiſt me out, þan þat, þat
þou didiſt bifore. And he nolde here hir; but whanne þe
child was clepide,
xvii þat mynyſtride to hym, he ſeide, Putte þou out þis
womman fro me, and cloſe þou þe dore aftir hir.
xviii And ſche was cloþid wiþ a coote doun to þe heele;
for þe kyngis douȝtris virgyns vſiden ſiche cloþis.
Þerfor þe mynyſtre of Amon puttide hir out, and cloſide
þe dore aftir hir.
xix And ſche ſpreynte aiſche to hir heed, whanne þe
coote to `þe heele was to-rent, and whanne þe hondis
weren put on hir heed, and ſche ȝede entrynge and
criynge.
xx Forſoþe Abſolon, hir broþer, ſeide to hir, Wheþer
Amon, þi broþir, haþ leyn wiþ þee? But `now, ſiſter, be
ſtille; he is þi broþer, and turmente not þin herte for þis
þing. Þerfor Thamar dwellide morenynge in þe hows of
Abſolon, hir broþir.
xxi Forſoþe whanne `kyng Dauid hadde herd þeſe
wordis, he was ful ſori, and he nolde make ſore þe ſpyrit
of Amon, his ſone; for he louyde Amon, for he was þe
firſte gendrid `to hym.
xxii Forſoþe Abſolon ſpak not to Amon, neþer yuel neþer
good; for Abſolon hatide Amon, for he hadde defoulid
Thamar, his ſiſtir.
xxiii Forſoþe it was doon aftir þe tyme of twei ȝeer, þat
þe ſcheep of Abſolon weren ſhorun in Baalaſor, which is
biſidis Effraym. And Abſolon clepide alle þe ſones of þe
kyng.
CCLXXXVII
xxiiii And he cam to þe kyng, and ſeide to hym, Lo! þe
ſcheep of þi ſeruaunt ben ſchorun; Y preye, come þe
king wiþ hiſe ſeruauntis to his ſeruaunt.
xxv And þe kyng ſeide to Abſolon, Nyle þou, my ſone,
nyle þou preye, þat alle we come, and greeue þee.
Forſoþe whanne he conſtreynede Dauid, and he nolde
go, he bleſſide Abſolon.
xxvi And Abſolon ſeide to Dauid, If þou nylt come, Y
byſeche, come nameli Amon, my broþer, wiþ vs. And
þe kyng ſeide to hym, It is no nede, þat he go wiþ þee.
xxvii Þerfor Abſolon conſtreynede hym; and he
delyuerede wiþ him Amon, and alle þe ſones of þe
kyng. And Abſolon hadde maad a feeſte as þe feeſte of a
kyng.
xxviii Soþeli Abſolon comaundide to hiſe children, and
ſeide, Aſpie ȝe, whanne Amon is drunkun of wyn, and Y
ſeie to ȝou, Smyte ȝe, and ſle hym. Nyle ȝe drede, for Y
am þat comaunde to ȝou; be ȝe ſtrengþid, and be ȝe
ſtronge men.
xxix Þerfor þe children of Abſolon diden aȝens Amon, as
Abſolon hadde comaundide to hem; and alle þe ſones of
þe kyng riſiden, and ſtieden ech on his mule, and
fledden.
xxx And whanne þei ȝeden ȝit in þe weie, fame cam to
þe kyng, and ſeide, Abſolon haþ kild alle þe ſones of þe
king, and `nameli not oon lefte of hem.
xxxi Þerfor þe kyng roos, and to-rente hiſe cloþis, and
felde doun on þe erþe; and alle hiſe ſeruauntis þat ſtoden
nyȝ to hym, to-renten her cloþis.
xxxii Soþeli Jonadab, ſone of Semmaa, broþer of Dauid,
anſweride and ſeide, My lord þe kyng, geſſe not, þat alle
þe children, and ſones of þe kyng, ben ſlayn; Amon
aloone is deed, for he was ſet in hatrede to Abſolon, fro
þe day in which he oppreſſide Thamar, his ſiſtir.
xxxiii Now þerfor, my lord þe kyng, ſet not þis word on
his herte, and ſeie, Alle þe ſones of þe kyng ben ſlayn;
for Amon aloone is deed.
xxxiiii Forſoþe Abſolon fledde. And a child aſpiere
reiſide hiſe iȝen, and bihelde, and lo! myche puple cam
bi a weye out of þe comyn weie bi þe ſide of þe hil.
xxxv And Jonadab ſeide to þe kyng, Lo! þe ſones of þe
kyng comen; bi þe word of þi ſeruaunt, ſo it is doon.
xxxvi And whanne he hadde ceeſſid to ſpeke, alſo þe
ſones of þe kyng apperiden; and þei entriden, and
reiſiden her vois, and wepten; but alſo þe kyng and alle
his ſeruauntis wepten bi ful greet wepyng.
xxxvii Forſoþe Abſolon fledde, and ȝede to Tholmai, ſone
of Amyur, þe kyng of Geſſur. Þerfor Dauid biweilide his
ſone Amon in many daies.
xxxviii Forſoþe Abſolon, whanne he hadde fled, and
hadde come in to Geſſur, was þere þre ȝeer.
xxxix And Dauid ceeſſide to purſue Abſolon, for he was
coumfortid on þe deeþ of Amon.
CAP. XIIII
i Forſoþe Joab, þe ſone of Saruye, vndirſtood, þat þe
herte of þe kyng was turned to Abſolon;
ii and he ſente to Thecua, and took fro þennus a wiſe
womman, and he ſeide to hir, Feyne þee to morene, and
be þou cloþid wiþ clooþ of duyl, and be þou anoyntid
wiþ oile, þat þou be as a womman by morenynge `now
in ful myche tyme a deed man.
iii And þou ſchalt entre to þe kyng, and þou ſchalt ſpeke
to hym ſiche wordis. Soþeli Joab puttide þe wordis in
hir mouþ.
iiii Þerfor whanne þe womman of Þecua hadde entrid to
þe kyng, ſche felde bifor hym on þe erþe, and
worſchipide, and ſeide, A! kyng, kepe me.
v And þe kyng ſeide to hir, What haſt þou of cauſe? And
ſche anſweride, Alas! Y am a womman widewe, for
myn hoſebonde is deed;
vi and tweyne ſones weren of þin handmayde, whiche
debatiden aȝens hem ſilf in þe feeld, and `noon was þat
myȝte forbede hem, and oon ſmoot `þe toþer, and killide
hym.
vii And lo! al þe kynrede riſiþ aȝens þin handmayde, and
ſeiþ, Ȝyue þou hym þat killide his broþir, þat we ſle
hym for þe lijf of his broþer whom he killide, and þat
we do awei þe eir; and þei ſeken to quenche my ſparcle
whych is lefte, þat name dwelle not to myn hoſebonde,
and relikis, `eþir remenauntis, be not to him on erþe.
viii And þe kyng ſeide to þe womman, Go in to þin
hows, and Y ſchal comaunde for þee.
ix And þe womman of Thecua ſeide to þe kyng, My lord
þe kyng, þis wickidneſſe be on me, and on þe hows of
my fadir; forſoþe þe kyng and his trone be innocent.
x And þe kyng ſeide, Brynge þou hym to me, þat
aȝenſeiþ þee, and he ſchal no more adde þat he touche
þee.
xi And ſche ſeide, Þe kyng haue mynde on his Lord
God, and þe nexte men of blood to take veniaunce be
not multiplied, and `þei ſchulen not ſle my ſone. And þe
kyng ſeide, Þe Lord lyueþ, for noon of þe heeris of þi
ſone ſchal falle on þe erþe.
xii Þerfor þe womman ſeide, Þin handmayde ſpeke a
word to my lord þe kyng. And þe kyng ſeide, Speke
þou.
xiii And þe womman ſeide, Whi `þouȝtiſt þou ſich a þing
aȝens þe puple of God? and þe kyng ſpak þis word, þat
he do ſynne, and brynge not aȝen his ſone caſt out?
xiiii Alle we dyen, and as watris þat ſchulen not turne
aȝen, we ſliden in to erþe; and God nyl þat a ſoule
periſche, but he wiþdrawiþ, and þenkiþ leſt he periſche
outirly, which is caſt awey.
xv Now þerfor come þou, þat Y ſpeke to my lord þe
kyng þis word, while þe puple is preſent; and þin
handmaide ſeide, Y ſchal ſpeke to þe kyng, if in ony
maner þe kyng do þe word of his handmayde.
CCLXXXVIII
xvi And þe kyng herde þe wordis, þat he ſchulde
delyuere his handmayde fro þe hondis of alle men, þat
wolden do awei me, and my ſone to gidere, fro þe
eritage of þe Lord.
xvii Þerfor þin hand mayde ſeie, þat þe word of my lord
þe kyng be maad as ſacrifice, `þat is, þat þe ſentence
ȝouun of hym be pleſaunt to God, as ſacrifice pleſiþ
God; for as an aungel of þe Lord, ſo is my lord þe kyng,
þat he be not mouyd bi bleſſyng neþer bi curſyng.
Wherfor and þi Lord God is wiþ þee.
xviii And þe kyng anſweride, and ſeide to þe womman,
Hide þou not fro me þe word which Y axe þee. And þe
womman ſeide to hym, Speke þou, my lord þe kyng.
xix And þe kyng ſeide, Wheþer þe hond of Joab is wiþ
þee in alle þeſe þingis? Þe womman anſweride, and
ſeide, Bi þe helþe of þi ſoule, my lord þe kyng, neþer to
þe left ſide neþer to þe riȝt ſide is ony þing of alle þeſe
þingis, whiche my lord þe kyng ſpak. For þi ſeruaunt
Joab hym ſilf comaundide to me, and he puttide alle
þeſe wordis in to þe mouþ of þin handmaide,
xx þat Y ſchulde turne þe figure of þis word; for þi
ſeruaunt Joab comaundide þis þing. Forſoþe þou, my
lord þe kyng, art wijs, as an aungel of God haþ wiſdom,
þat þou vnderſtonde alle þingis on erþe.
xxi And þe kyng ſeide to Joab, Lo! Y am pleſid, and Y
haue do þi word; þerfor go þou, and aȝen clepe þou þe
child Abſolon.
xxii And Joab felde on his face to erþe, and worſchipide,
and bleſſide þe kyng; and Joab ſeide, Þi ſeruaunt haþ
vndirſtonde to dai, þat Y foond grace in þin iȝen, my
lord þe kyng, for þou haſt do þe word of þi ſeruaunt.
xxiii Þerfor Joab roos, and ȝede in to Geſſur, and brouȝte
Abſolon in to Jeruſalem.
xxiiii Forſoþe þe kyng ſeide, Turne he aȝen in to his
hows, and ſe not he my face.
xxv Þerfor Abſolon turnede aȝen in to his hows, and ſiȝ
not þe face of þe kyng. Soþeli no man in al Iſrael was ſo
fair as Abſolon, and ful comeli; fro þe ſtep of þe foot `til
to þe top, `no wem was in hym;
xxvi and in as myche as `he clippide more þe heeris, bi
ſo myche þei wexiden more; forſoþe he was clippid
onys in þe ȝeer, for þe heer greuede him. And whanne
he clippide þe heeris, he weiȝide `þe heeris of his heed
bi twei hundrid ſiclis wiþ comyn weiȝte.
xxvii Forſoþe þre ſones, and a douȝter, Thamar bi name,
of `excellent forme weren borun to Abſolon.
xxviii And Abſolon dwellide in Jeruſalem twei ȝeer, and
he ſiȝ not þe face of þe kyng.
xxix Þerfor he ſente to Joab, þat he ſchulde ſende hym to
þe kyng; which Joab nolde come to hym. And whanne
he hadde ſent þe ſecounde tyme, and Joab nolde come,
xxx Abſolon ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis, Ȝe knowen þe feeld
of Joab biſidis my feeld hauynge ripe barli; þerfor go
ȝe, and brenne ȝe it wiþ fier. Þerfor þe ſeruauntis of
Abſolon brenten þe corn wiþ fier. And þe ſeruauntis of
Joab camen wiþ her cloþis to-rent, and ſeiden, Þe
ſeruauntis
xxxi of Abſolon han brent þe part of feeld bi fier. And
Joab roos, and cam to Abſolon in to his hows, and ſeide,
Whi
xxxii han þi ſeruauntis brent my corn bi fier? And
Abſolon anſweride to Joab, Y ſente to þee, and biſouȝte
þat þou ſchuldiſt come to me, and þat Y ſchulde ſende
þee to þe kyng, þat þou ſchuldiſt ſeie to hym, Whi cam
Y fro Geſſur? It was betere to me to be þere; þerfor Y
biſeche, þat Y ſe þe face of þe kyng, þat if he is
myndeful of my wickidneſſe, ſle he me.
xxxiii Joab entride to þe kyng, and telde to hym. And
Abſolon was clepid, and entryde to þe kyng, and
worſchipide on þe face of erþe bifor hym, and þe kyng
kiſſide Abſolon.
CAP. XV
i Þerfor aftir þeſe þingis Abſolon made a chaar to hym,
and knyȝtis, and fifti men, þat ſchulden go bifor hym.
ii And Abſolon roos eerli, and ſtood biſidis þe entryng of
þe ȝate in þe weie; and Abſolon clepide to hym ech
man, þat hadde a cauſe þat he ſchulde come to þe doom
of þe kyng, and Abſolon ſeide, Of what citee art þou?
Which anſweride, and ſeide, Of o lynage of Iſrael Y am,
þi ſeruaunt.
iii And Abſolon anſweride to hym, Þi wordis ſemen to
me good and iuſt, but noon is ordeyned of þe kyng to
here þee. And Abſolon ſeide, Who ſchal ordeyne me
iuge on þe lond,
iiii þat alle men þat han cauſe come to me, and Y deme
iuſtly?
v But whanne a man cam to Abſolon to greete hym, he
helde forþ þe hond, and took, and kiſſide þat man;
vi and Abſolon dide þis to al Iſrael, þat cam to doom to
be herd of þe kyng; and Abſolon drow awei þe hertis of
men of Iſrael.
vii Forſoþe aftir foure ȝeer Abſolon ſeide to kyng Dauid,
Y ſchal go, and Y ſchal ȝelde my vowis, whiche Y
vowide to þe Lord in Ebron;
viii for þi ſeruaunt vowynge vowide, whanne he was in
Geſſur of Sirie, and ſeide, If þe Lord bryngiþ aȝen me in
to Jeruſalem, Y ſchal make ſacrifice to þe Lord.
ix And þe kyng ſeide to hym, Go þou in pees. And
Abſolon roos, and ȝede in to Ebron.
x Forſoþe Abſolon ſente aſpieris in to al þe lynage of
Iſrael, and ſeide, Anoon as ȝe heren þe ſown of clarioun,
ſeye ȝe, Abſolon ſchal regne in Ebron.
xi Forſoþe twei hundrid men clepid of Jeruſalem ȝeden
wiþ Abſolon, and ȝede wiþ ſymple herte, and outirli þei
knewen not þe cauſe.
xii Alſo Abſolon clepide Achitofel of Gilo, þe
councelour of Dauid, fro his citee Gilo. And whanne he
CCLXXXIX
offride ſacrifices a ſtrong ſwerynge togidere was maad,
and þe puple rennynge togidere was encreeſſid wiþ
Abſolon.
xiii Þerfor a meſſanger cam to Dauid, and ſeide, Wiþ al
herte al Iſrael ſueþ Abſolon.
xiiii And Dauid ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis þat weren wiþ
hym in Jeruſalem, Riſe ȝe, and flee we; for noon
aſcaping ſchal be to us fro þe face of Abſolon; þerfor
haſte ȝe to go out, leſt he come, and ocupie vs, and fille
on vs fallynge, and ſmyte þe citee bi þe ſcharpneſſe of
ſwerd.
xv And þe ſeruauntis of þe kyng ſeiden to hym, We þi
ſeruauntis ſchulen performe gladli alle þingis, what euer
þingis oure lord þe kyng ſchal comaunde.
xvi Þerfor þe kyng ȝede out, and al his hous, on her feet;
and þe king lefte ten wymmen concubyns, `þat is,
ſecundarie wyues, to kepe þe hous.
xvii And þe king ȝede out, and al Iſrael, on her feet, and
þe kyng ſtood fer fro þe hous.
xviii And alle hiſe ſeruauntis ȝeden biſidis him, and þe
legiouns of Cerethi and of Ferethi, and alle men of Geth
`ſtrong fiȝters, ſixe hundrid men, þat ſueden him fro
Geth, ȝeden on foote bifor þe kyng.
xix Forſoþe þe kyng ſeide to Ethai of Geth, Whi comeſt
þou wiþ vs? Turne þou aȝen, and dwelle wiþ þe kyng,
for þou art a pilgrym, and þou ȝediſt out fro þi place.
xx Þou cameſt ȝiſtirdai, and to dai þou art compellid to
go out wiþ vs. Soþeli Y ſchal go, whidur Y ſchal go;
turne aȝen, and lede aȝen þi briþeren wiþ þee, and þe
Lord do mercy and treuþe wiþ þee, for þou ſchewidiſt
grace and feiþ.
xxi And Ethai anſweride to þe kyng, and ſeide, Þe Lord
lyueþ, and my lord þe kyng lyueþ, for in what euer
place þou ſchalt be, my lord þe kyng, eþer in deeþ eþir
in lijf, þere þi ſeruaunt ſchal be.
xxii And Dauid ſeide to Ethay, Come þou, and paſſe.
And Ethai of Geth paſſide, and þe kyng, and alle men
þat weren wiþ hym, and þe toþer multitude.
xxiii And alle men wepten wiþ greet vois, and al þe
puple paſſide; and þe kyng ȝede ouer þe ſtrond of
Cedron, and al þe puple ȝede aȝens þe weie of þe olyue
tree, þat biholdiþ to deſeert.
xxiiii Forſoþe and Sadoch þe preeſt cam, and alle þe
dekenes wiþ hym, and þei baren þe arke of boond of
pees of God, and þei diden doun þe arke of God; and
Abiathar ſtiede, til al þe puple was paſſid þat ȝede out of
þe citee.
xxv And þe kyng ſeide to Sadoch, Bere aȝen þe arke of
God in to þe citee; if Y ſchal fynde grace in þe iȝen of
þe Lord, he ſchal lede me aȝen, and he ſchal ſchewe to
me þat arke and his tabernacle.
xxvi Soþeli if þe Lord ſeiþ, Þou pleſiſt not me; Y am
redi, do he þat, þat is good bifor hym ſilf.
xxvii And þe kyng ſeide to Sadoch, preeſt, A! þou ſeere,
`þat is, profete, turne aȝen in to þe citee, wiþ pees; and
Achymaas, þi ſone, and Jonathas, þe ſone of Abiathar,
ȝoure twei ſones, be wiþ ȝou.
xxviii Lo! Y ſchal be hid in þe feeldi places of deſeert, til
word come fro ȝou, and ſchewe to me.
xxix Þerfor Sadoch and Abiathar baren aȝen þe arke of
God in to Jeruſalem, and dwelliden þere.
xxx Forſoþe Dauid ſtiede on þe hil of olyue trees, ſtiynge
and wepynge, wiþ þe heed hilyd, and `goynge wiþ
nakid feet; but alſo al þe puple þat was wiþ hym, ſtiede
wiþ þe heed hilid, and wepte.
xxxi Forſoþe it was teld to Dauid, þat Achitofel was in
þe ſweryng togidere wiþ Abſolon; and Dauid ſeide,
Lord, Y byſeche, make þou fonned þe counſel of
Achitofel.
xxxii And whanne Dauid ſtiede in to þe hiȝeneſſe of þe
hil, in which he ſchulde worſchipe þe Lord, lo! Cuſi of
Arath, wiþ þe cloþ to-rent, and wiþ þe heed ful of erþe,
cam to hym.
xxxiii And Dauid ſeide to hym, If þou comeſt wiþ me,
þou ſchalt be to me to charge; ſoþeli if þou turneſt aȝen
in to þe citee,
xxxiiii and ſeiſt to Abſolon, Y am þi ſeruaunt, kyng, ſuffre
þou me to lyue; as Y was þe ſeruaunt of þi fadir, ſo Y
ſchal be þi ſeruaunt; þou ſchalt diſtrye þe counſel of
Achitofel.
xxxv Forſoþe þou haſt wiþ þee Sadoch and Abiathar,
preeſtis; and `þou ſchalt ſchewe ech word, what euer
word þou ſchalt here in þe hows of þe kyng, to Sadoch
and Abiathar, preeſtis.
xxxvi Soþeli twei ſones `of hem ben wiþ hem,
Achymaas, ſone of Sadoch, and Jonathan, ſone of
Abiathar; and ȝe ſchulen ſende bi hem to me ech word
which ȝe ſchulen here.
xxxvii Þerfor whanne Chuſi, freend of Dauid, cam in to
þe citee, alſo Abſolon entryde in to Jeruſalem.
CAP. XVI
i And whanne Dauid hadde paſſid a litil þe cop of þe hil,
Siba, þe child of Myſphoboſech, apperide in to his
comyng, wiþ tweyne aſſis, þat weren chargid wiþ twei
hundrid looues, and wiþ an hundrid bundels of dried
grapis, and wiþ an hundrid gobetis of preſſid figus, and
wiþ twei veſſels of wyn.
ii And þe kyng ſeide to Siba, What wolen þeſe þingis to
hem ſilf? And Siba anſweride, My lord þe kyng, þe aſſis
ben to þe meyneals of þe kyng, þat þei ſitte; þe looues
and `figis preſſid ben to þi children to ete; forſoþe þe
wyn is, þat if ony man faile in deſeert, he drynke.
iii And þe kyng ſeide, Where is þe ſone of þi lord? And
Siba anſweride to þe kyng, He dwellide in Jeruſalem,
`and ſeide, To dai þe Lord of þe hows of Iſrael ſchal
reſtore to me þe rewme of my fadir.
CCXC
iiii And þe kyng ſeide to Siba, Alle þingis þat weren of
Myſphiboſech ben þine. And Siba ſeide, Y preye, fynde
Y grace bifor þee, my lord þe kyng.
v Þerfor kyng Dauid cam `til to Bahurym, and lo! a man
of þe meynee of þe hows of Saul, Semey bi name, ſone
of Gera, ȝede out fro þennus; he ȝede forþ goynge out,
and curſide.
vi And he ſente ſtoonys aȝens Dauid, and aȝens alle
ſeruauntis of kyng Dauid; forſoþe al þe puple, and alle
fiȝteris ȝeden at þe riȝtſide and at þe left ſide of þe king.
vii Soþeli Semey ſpak ſo, whanne he curſide þe kyng,
Go out, go out, þou man of bloodis, and man of Belial!
viii Þe Lord haþ ȝolde to þee al þe blood of þe hows of
Saul, for þou rauyſchediſt þe rewme fro hym; and þe
Lord ȝaf þe rewme in to þe hond of Abſolon, þi ſone;
and lo! þin yuels oppreſſen þee, for þou art a man of
blodis.
ix Forſoþe Abiſay, þe ſone of Saruye, ſeide to þe kyng,
Whi curſiþ þis dogge, þat ſchal die, my lord þe kyng? Y
ſchal go, and Y ſchal girde of his heed.
x And þe kyng ſeide, Ȝe ſones of Saruye, what is to me
and to ȝou? Suffre ȝe hym, þat he curſe; for þe Lord
comaundide to hym, þat he ſchulde curſe Dauid; and
who is he þat dare ſeie, Whi dide he ſo?
xi And þe kyng ſeide to Abyſay, and to alle hiſe
ſeruauntis, Lo! my ſone, þat ȝede out of my wombe,
ſekiþ my lijf; hou myche more now þis ſone of
Gemyny? Suffre ȝe hym, þat he curſe bi comaundement
of þe Lord;
xii if in hap þe Lord biholde my turmentyng, and ȝelde
good to me for þis `curſyng of þis dai.
xiii Þerfor Dauid ȝede, and hiſe felowis, bi þe weie wiþ
hym; forſoþe Semey ȝede bi þe ſlade of þe hil `bi þe ſide
aȝens hym; and curſide, and ſente ſtoonus aȝens him,
and ſpreynte erþe.
xiiii And ſo `Dauid þe king cam, and al þe puple weery
wiþ hym, and þei weren refreiſchid þere.
xv Forſoþe Abſolon, and al þe puple of Iſrael entriden in
to Jeruſalem, but alſo Achitofel wiþ hym.
xvi Soþeli whanne Chuſi of Arath, þe frend of Dauid,
hadde come to Abſolon, he ſpak to Abſolon, Heil, kyng!
heil, kyng!
xvii To whom Abſolon ſeide, Þis is þi grace to þi freend;
whi ȝediſt þou not wiþ þi freend?
xviii And Chuſi anſweride to Abſolon, Nay, for Y ſhal be
ſeruaunt of hym, whom þe Lord haþ choſe, and al þis
puple, and al Iſrael; and Y ſchal dwelle wiþ him.
xix But þat Y ſeie alſo þis, to whom ſchal Y ſerue?
wheþir not to þe ſone of þe kyng? as Y obeiede to þi
fadir, ſo Y ſchal obeie to þee.
xx Forſoþe Abſolon ſeide to Achitofel, Take ȝe counſel,
what we owen to do.
xxi And Achytofel ſeide to Abſolon, Entre þou to þe
concubyns of þi fadir, whiche he lefte to kepe þe hows;
þat whanne al Iſrael heriþ, þat þou haſt defoulid þi fadir,
þe hondis of hem be ſtrengþid wiþ þee.
xxii Þerfor þei tildeden Abſolon a tabernacle in þe ſoler,
and he entride to þe concubyns of his fadir bifor al
Iſrael.
xxiii Soþeli þe counſel of Achitofel, which he ȝaf in þo
daies, was as if a man counſelide God; ſo was al þe
counſel of Achitofel, boþe whanne he was wiþ Dauid,
and whanne he was wiþ Abſolon.
CAP. XVII
i Þerfor Achitofel ſeide to Abſolon, Y ſchal cheſe twelue
þouſynde of men `to me, and Y ſchal riſe, and purſue
Dauid in þis nyȝt.
ii And Y ſchal falle on hym, for he is wery, and wiþ
vnboundun hondis Y ſchal ſmyte hym. And whanne al
þe puple fleeþ which is wiþ hym, Y ſchal ſmyte þe kyng
`deſolat, eþer left aloone.
iii And Y ſchal lede aȝen al þe puple, as o man is wont
to turne aȝen; for þou ſekiſt o man, and al þe puple ſchal
be in pees.
iiii And þe word of him pleſyde Abſolon, and alle þe
grete men in birþe of Iſrael.
v Forſoþe Abſolon ſeide, Clepe ȝe alſo Chuſy of Arath,
and here we what alſo he ſeiþ.
vi And whanne Chuſi hadde come to Abſolon, Abſolon
ſeide to hym. Achitofel ſpak ſiche a word; owen we do,
eþir nay? what counſel ȝyueſt þou?
vii And Chuſi ſeide to Abſolon, Þis is not good counſel,
which Achitofel ȝaf in þis tyme.
viii And eft Chuſi ſeide, Þou knowiſt, þat þi fadir, and þe
men þat ben wiþ him, ben mooſt ſtronge, and in bitter
ſoule, as if a femal bere is fers in þe foreſt, whanne þe
whelpis ben rauyſchid; but alſo þi fader is a man
werriour, and he ſchal not dwelle wiþ þe puple.
ix In hap now he is hid in þe dichis, eþir in o place, in
which he wole; and whanne ony man falliþ in þe
bigynnyng, who euer ſchal here, he ſchal here, and ſchal
ſeie, Wounde is maad in þe puple þat ſuede Abſolon.
x And ech ſtrongeſte man, whos herte is as `þe herte of a
lioun, ſchal be diſcoumfortid for drede; for al þe puple
of Iſrael knowiþ, þat þi fadir is ſtrong, and þat alle men
ben ſtronge, þat ben wiþ him.
xi But þis ſemeþ to me to be riȝtful counſel; al Iſrael be
gaderid to þee, fro Dan `til to Berſabee, vnnoumbrable
as þe ſoond of þe ſee; and þou ſchalt be in þe myddis of
hem.
xii And we ſchulen falle on hym, in what euer place he
is foundun, and we ſchulen hile hym, as dew is wont to
falle on þe erþe; and we ſchulen not leeue of þe men þat
ben wiþ hym, `ſoþeli not oon.
CCXCI
xiii `Þatif he entriþ in to ony citee, al Iſrael ſchal
cumpaſſe þat citee wiþ roopis, and we ſchulen drawe it
in to þe ſtronde, þat no þing be foundun, ſoþeli not a litil
ſtoon þerof.
xiiii And Abſolon ſeide, and alle þe men of Iſrael, Þe
counſel of Chuſi of Arath is betere þan þe counſel of
Achitofel; ſoþeli þe profitable counſel of Achitofel was
deſtried bi Goddis wille, þat þe Lord ſchulde brynge in
yuel on Abſolon.
xv And Chuſi ſeide to Sadoch and to Abiathar, preeſtis,
Achitofel ȝaf counſel to Abſolon, and to þe eldere men
of Iſrael in þis and þis maner, and Y ȝaf ſich and ſich
counſel.
xvi Now þerfor ſende ȝe ſoone, and telle ȝe to Dauid,
and ſeie ȝe, Dwelle þou not þis nyȝt in þe feeldi places
of deſeert, but paſſe þou wiþ out delay; leſt perauenture
þe kyng be deſtried, and al þe puple which is wiþ hym.
xvii Forſoþe Jonathas and Achymaas ſtoden biſidis þe
welle of Rogel; an handmaide ȝede, and telde to hem,
and þei ȝeden forþ to telle þe meſſage to kyng Dauid;
for þei myȝten not be ſeyn, neþer entre in to þe citee.
xviii Forſoþe a child ſiȝ hem, and he ſchewide to
Abſolon; ſoþeli þei entriden wiþ ſwift goyng in to þe
hows of `ſum man in Bahurym, þat hadde a pit in his
place, and þei ȝeden doun in to þat pit.
xix Forſoþe a womman took, and ſpred abrood an hilyng
of þe mouþ of þe pit as driynge `barli wiþ þe pile takun
a wey, and ſo þe þing was hid.
xx And whanne þe ſeruauntis of Abſolon hadde come in
to þe hows, þei ſeiden to þe womman, Where is
Achymaas and Jonathas? And þe womman anſweride to
hem, Þei paſſiden haſtily, whanne `watir was taſtid a
litil. And whanne þei þat ſouȝten hem hadden not
founde, þei turneden aȝen in to Jeruſalem.
xxi And whanne þei `þat ſouȝten hadden go, þei ſtieden
fro þe pit; and þei ȝeden, and telden to kyng Dauid, and
ſeiden, Riſe ȝe, paſſe ȝe ſoone þe flood, for Achitofel ȝaf
ſich counſel aȝens ȝou.
xxii Þerfor Dauid roos, and al þe puple þat was wiþ hym,
and þei paſſiden Jordan, til it was cleer dai, bifor þat þe
word was puppliſchid; and ſoþeli not oon was left, þat
`paſſide not þe flood.
xxiii Forſoþe Achitofel ſiȝ, þat his counſel was not doon,
and he ſadlide his aſſe, and roos, and ȝede in to his
hows, and in to his citee; and whanne his hows was
diſpoſid, he periſchide bi hangyng, and he was biried in
þe ſepulcre of his fadir.
xxiiii Soþeli Dauid cam in to þe caſtels, and Abſolon
paſſide Jordan, he and alle þe men of Iſrael wiþ hym.
xxv Forſoþe Abſolon ordeynede Amaſan for Joab on þe
ooſt; forſoþe Amaſan was þe ſone of a man þat was
clepid Jethra of Jeyrael, which entride to Abigail,
douȝter of Naas, þe ſiſtir of Saruye, þat was þe modir of
Joab.
xxvi And Iſrael ſettide tentis wiþ Abſolon in þe lond of
Galaad.
xxvii And whanne Dauid hadde come in to caſtels, Sobi,
þe ſone of Naas of Rabath, of þe ſones of Amon, and
Machir, þe ſone of Amyel, of Lodobar, and Berzellai, of
Galaad,
xxviii of Rogelym, brouȝten to hym beddyngis, and
tapitis, and erþun veſſels, wheete, and barli, and mele,
and flour, and benys, and lente, and fried chichis, and
hony,
xxix and botere, and ſcheep, and fatte calues. And þei
ȝauen to Dauid, and to þe puple þat weren wiþ hym, to
ete; for þei ſuppoſiden þe puple to be maad feynt for
hungur and þirſt in deſeert.
CAP. XVIII
i Þerfor Dauid, whanne þe puple `was biholdun,
ordeynede tribunes and centuriouns on hem.
ii And he ȝaf þe þridde part of þe puple vndur þe hond
of Joab; and þe þridde part vndur þe hond of Abiſai,
ſone of Saruye, broþer of Joab; and þe þridde part vndur
þe hond of Ethai, þat was of Geth. And þe kyng ſeide to
þe puple, Alſo Y ſchal go out wiþ ȝou.
iii And þe puple anſweride, Þou ſchalt not go out; for
wheþer we fleen, it ſchal not perteyne to hem bi greet
werk of vs; wheþer half þe part falliþ doun of vs, þei
ſchulen not recke ynow, for þou art rekynyd for ten
þouſynde; þerfor it is betere, þat þou be to vs in þe citee
in ſtronge hold.
iiii `To whiche þe kyng ſeide, Y ſchal do þis, þat ſemeþ
riȝtful to ȝou. Þerfor þe kyng ſtood biſidis þe ȝate, and
þe puple ȝede out bi her cumpenyes, bi hundridis and bi
þouſyndis.
v And þe king comaundide to Joab, and to Abiſai, and
Ethai, and ſeyde, Kepe ȝe to me þe child Abſolon. And
al þe puple herde þe kyng comaundinge to alle þe
princes for Abſolon.
vi Þerfor þe puple ȝede out in to þe feeld aȝens Iſrael;
and þe batel was maad in þe foreſt of Effraym.
vii And þe puple of Iſrael was ſlayn þere of þe ooſt of
Dauid, and a greet ſleyng of twenti þouſynde was maad
in þat dai.
viii Forſoþe þe batel was ſcaterid þere on þe face of al
erþe, and many mo weren of þe puple whiche þe foreſt
waſtide, þan þei whiche þe ſwerd deuourid in þat dai.
ix Soþeli it bifeld, þat Abſalon ſittinge on a mule, cam
aȝens þe ſeruauntis of Dauid; and whanne þe mule
hadde entrid vndur a þicke ook, and greet, þe heed of
Abſolon cleuyde to þe ook; and whanne he was hangid
bitwixe heuene and erþe, þe mule, on which he ſat,
paſſide.
x Soþeli `ſum man ſiȝ þis, and telde to Joab, and ſeide, Y
ſiȝ Abſolon hange on an ook.
CCXCII
xi And Joab ſeide to þe man þat `hadde telde to hym, If
þou ſiȝeſt, whi perſidiſt þou not hym to þe erþe, and Y
ſchulde haue ȝoue `to þee ten ſiclis of ſiluer, and a
girdil?
xii And he ſeide to Joab, Þouȝ þou paiediſt in myn
hondis a þouſynde platis of ſiluer, Y nolde ſende myn
hond in to þe ſone of þe king; for þe while we herden,
þe kyng comaundide to þee, and to Abiſai, and to Ethai,
and ſeide, Kepe ȝe to me þe child Abſolon.
xiii But and if Y hadde do aȝens my lijf hardili, þis
myȝte not be hid fro þe kyng, and þou woldiſt ſtonde on
þe contrarye ſide.
xiiii And Joab ſeide, Not as þou wolt, `Abſolon ſchal be
kept, but Y ſchal aſaile hym bifor þee. Þerfore Joab took
þre ſperis in his hond, and fitchide þo in þe herte of
Abſolon. And whanne he ſpraulide, ȝit cleuynge in þe
ook,
xv ten ȝonge ſquieris of Joab runnen, and ſmytiden, and
killiden hym.
xvi Soþeli Joab ſownede wiþ a clarioun, and wiþhelde
þe puple, leſt it purſuede Iſrael fleynge, and he wolde
ſpare þe multitude.
xvii And þei token Abſolon, and caſtiden forþ him in to a
greet dich in þe foreſt, and baren togidere a ful greet
heep of ſtoonys on hym; forſoþe al Iſrael fledde in to his
tabernaclis.
xviii Forſoþe Abſolon, while he lyuyde ȝit, hadde reiſid
to hym a memorial, which is in þe valey of þe kyng; for
he ſeide, Y haue no ſone, and þis ſchal be þe mynde of
my name; and he clepide `þe memorial bi his name, and
it is clepid þe Hond, `þat is, werk, of Abſolon `til to þis
dai.
xix Forſoþe Achymaas, ſone of Sadoch, ſeide, Y ſchal
renne, and Y ſchal telle to þe kyng, þat þe Lord haþ
maad doom to hym of þe hond of hiſe enemyes.
xx To whom Joab ſeide, Þou ſchalt not be meſſanger in
þis dai, but þou ſchalt telle in anoþer dai; I nyle þat þou
telle to dai, for þe ſone of þe kyng is deed.
xxi And Joab ſeide to Chuſi, Go þou, and telle to þe
kyng þo þingis þat þou haſt ſeyn. Chuſi worſchypide
Joab, and ran.
xxii Eft Achymaas, ſone of Sadoch, ſeide to Joab, What
lettiþ, if alſo Y renne aftir Chuſi? And Joab ſeide to
hym, What wolt þou renne, my ſone? Come þou hidur,
þou ſchalt not be a berere of good meſſage.
xxiii Which anſweride, `What ſoþeli if Y ſchal renne?
And Joab ſeide to hym, Renn þou. Þerfor Achymaas ran
bi þe weie of ſchortneſſe, `and ſped, and paſſide Chuſi.
xxiiii Forſoþe Dauid ſat bitwixe twei ȝatis; ſoþeli þe
ſpiere, þat was in þe hiȝneſſe of þe ȝate on þe wal,
reiſide þe iȝen, and ſiȝ a man aloone rennynge;
xxv and þe ſpiere criede, and ſchewide to þe kyng. And
þe kyng ſeide to hym, If he is aloone, good meſſage is in
his mouþ.
xxvi Soþeli while he haſtide, and neiȝede neer, þe ſpiere
ſiȝ anoþer man rennynge; and þe ſpiere criede `in þe
hiȝneſſe, and ſeide, Anoþer man rennynge aloone
apperiþ to me. And þe kyng ſeide to hym, And þis man
is a good meſſanger.
xxvii Soþeli þe ſpiere ſeide, Y biholde þe rennyng of þe
formere, as þe rennyng of Achymaas, ſone of Sadoch.
And þe kyng ſeide, He is a good man, and he comeþ
bryngynge a good meſſage.
xxviii Forſoþe Achymaas criede, and ſeide to þe kyng,
Heil kyng! And he worſchipide þe kyng lowli bifor hym
to erþe, and ſeide, Bleſſid be þi Lord God, þat cloſide
togidere þe men, þat reiſyden her hondis aȝens my lord
þe kyng.
xxix And þe kyng ſeide, Wheþer pees is to þe child
Abſolon? And Achymaas ſeide, Y ſiȝ, `þat is, Y herde, a
great noiſe, whanne Joab, þi ſeruaunt, þou kyng, ſente
me þi ſeruaunt; Y kan noon oþir þing.
xxx To whom þe kyng ſeide, Paſſe þou, and ſtonde here.
And whanne he hadde paſſid, and ſtood, Chuſi apperide;
xxxi and he cam and ſeide, My lord þe kyng, Y brynge
good meſſage; for þe Lord haþ demed to dai for þee of
þe hond of alle men þat riſiden aȝens þee.
xxxii Forſoþe þe kyng ſeide to Chuſi, Wheþer pees is to
þe child Abſolon? To whom Chuſi anſweride, and ſeide,
Þe enemyes of my lord þe kyng, and alle men þat
riſiden aȝens hym in to yuel, be maad as þe child.
xxxiii Þerfor þe kyng was ſory, and ſtiede in to þe ſoler of
þe ȝate, and wepte, and ſpak þus goynge, My ſone,
Abſolon! Abſolon, my ſone! who ȝyueþ to me, þat Y die
for þee? Abſolon, my ſone! my ſone, Abſolon!
CAP. XIX
i Forſoþe it was teld to Joab, þat þe kyng wepte, and
biweilide his ſone;
ii and þe victorie in þat dai was turned in to morenyng
to al þe puple; for þe puple herde, þat it was ſeid in þat
dai, Þe kyng makiþ ſorewe on his ſone.
iii And þe puple eſchewide to entre in to þe citee in þat
dai, as þe puple turned and fleynge fro batel is wont to
bowe awey.
iiii Soþeli þe kyng hilide his heed, and criede wiþ greet
vois, My ſone, Abſolon!
v Abſolon, my ſone! Þerfor Joab entride to þe kyng in to
þe hows, and ſeide, Þou haſt ſchent to dai þe cheris of
alle þi ſeruauntis, þat han maad ſaaf þi lijf, and þe lijf of
þi ſones and of þi douȝtris, and þe lijf of þi wyues, and
þe lijf of þi ſecoundarie wyues.
vi Þou loueſt hem þat haten þee, and þou hatiſt hem þat
louen þee; and þou ſchewidiſt to dai þat þou reckiſt not
of þi duykis and of þi ſeruauntis; and verily Y haue
knowe now, þat if Abſolon lyuede, and alle we hadden
be deed, þanne it ſchulde pleſe þee.
CCXCIII
vii Now þerfor ryſe þou, and go forþ, and ſpeke þou, and
make ſatisfaccioun to þi ſeruauntis; for Y ſwere to þee
bi þe Lord, þat if þou ſchalt not go out, ſoþeli not o man
ſchal dwelle wiþ þee in þis nyȝt; and þis ſchal be worſe
to þee, þan alle yuels þat camen on þee fro þi ȝong
wexynge age til in to preſent tyme.
viii Þerfor þe kyng roos, and ſat in þe ȝate; and it was
teld to al þe puple, þat þe kyng ſat in þe ȝate, and al þe
multitude cam bifor þe kyng. Forſoþe Iſrael fledde in to
hiſe tabernaclis.
ix And al þe puple ſtryuede in al þe lynagis of Iſrael, and
ſeide, Þe kyng delyuerede vs fro þe hond of alle oure
enemyes, and he ſauide vs fro þe hond of Filiſteis; and
now `he fleeþ fro þe lond for Abſolon.
x Forſoþe Abſolon, whom we anoyntiden on vs, is deed
in batel; hou longe ben ȝe ſtille, `þat is, fro
knowlechyng of ſynne, and fro axyng of forȝyueneſſe,
and bryngen not aȝen þe kyng? And þe counſel of al
Iſrael cam to þe kyng.
xi Forſoþe kyng Dauid ſente to Sadoch and to Abiathar,
preeſtis, and ſeide, Speke ȝe to þe grettere men in birþe
of Juda, and ſeie ȝe, Whi camen ȝe þe laſte to brynge
aȝen þe kyng in to his hows? Soþeli þe word of al Iſrael
cam to þe kyng, þat þei wolden brynge hym aȝen in to
his hows. For þe kyng ſeide, Ȝe ſchulen ſeie þeſe þingis
to þe puple,
xii Ȝe ben my briþeren, ȝe ben my boon and my fleiſch;
whi þe laſte bryngen ȝe aȝens þe kyng?
xiii And ſeie ȝe to Amaſa, Wheþer þou art not my boon
and my fleiſch? God do þeſe þingis to me, and adde
þeſe þingis, if þou ſchalt not be maiſtir of chyualrye
bifore me in al tyme aftir Joab.
xiiii And Dauid bowide þe herte of alle men of Juda as
of o man; and þei ſenten to þe kyng, and ſeiden, Turne
þou aȝen, and alle þi ſeruauntis.
xv And þe kyng turnede aȝen, and cam `til to Jordan;
and al Juda cam til in to Galgala to mete þe kyng, and
lede hym ouer Jordan.
xvi Forſoþe Semei, þe ſone of Gera, ſone of Gemyny, of
Bahurym, haſtide, and cam doun wiþ þe men of Juda in
to þe metyng of kyng Dauid,
xvii wiþ a þouſynde men of Beniamyn; and Siba, a child
of þe hows of Saul, and fiftene ſones of hym, and twenti
ſeruauntis weren wiþ hym; and þei braken in to Jordan,
bifor þe kyng,
xviii and paſſide þe forþis, þat þei ſchulden lede ouer þe
hows of þe kyng, and ſchulden do bi þe comaundement
of þe kyng. Soþeli Semei, þe ſone of Gera, knelide bifor
þe king, whanne he hadde paſſid now Jordan, and ſeide
to þe kyng,
xix My lord þe kyng, arette þou not wickidneſſe to me,
neþer haue þou mynde of þe wrongis of þi ſeruaunt in
þe dai, in which þou, my lord þe kyng, ȝediſt out of
Jeruſalem, neþer ſette þou, kyng, in þin herte; for Y þi
ſeruaunt knoleche my ſynne;
xx and þerfor to dai Y cam þe firſte of al þe hows of
Joſeph, and Y cam doun in to þe meetyng of my lord þe
kyng.
xxi Forſoþe Abiſai, þe ſone of Saruye, anſweride and
ſeide, Wheþer Semei, þat curſide þe criſt of þe Lord,
ſchal not be ſlayn for þeſe wordis?
xxii And Dauid ſeide, What is to me and to ȝou, ȝe ſones
of Saruye? Whi ben ȝe maad to me to dai in to Sathan?
Þerfor wheþer a man ſchal be ſlayn to dai in Iſrael?
Wheþer Y knowe not me maad kyng to dai on Iſrael?
xxiii And þe kyng ſeide to Semey, Þou ſchalt not die; and
þe kyng ſwoor to hym.
xxiiii Alſo Myphiboſech, ſone of Jonathas, ſone of Saul,
cam doun wiþ vnwaiſchun feet, and wiþ berd vnclippid,
in to þe comyng of þe kyng. And Myſphiboſech hadde
not waiſche hiſe cloþis, fro þe dai in which þe kyng
ȝede out of Jeruſalem til to þe dai of his turnyng aȝen in
pees.
xxv And whanne at Jeruſalem he hadde come to þe
kyng, þe kyng ſeide to him, Myphiboſech, whi cameſt
þou not wiþ me?
xxvi And he anſweride and ſeide, My lord þe kyng, my
ſeruaunt diſpiſide me; and Y þi ſeruaunt ſeide to hym,
þat he ſchulde ſadle þe aſſe to me, and Y ſchulde ſtie,
and Y ſchulde go wiþ þe king; for Y þi ſeruaunt am
crokid.
xxvii More ouer and he accuſide me, þi ſeruaunt, to þee,
my lord þe kyng; forſoþe þou, my lord `þe kyng, art as
þe aungel of God; do þou þat, þat is pleſaunt to þee.
xxviii For þe hows of my fadir was not no but gilti of
deeþ to my lord þe kyng; ſoþeli þou haſt ſet me þi
ſeruaunt among þe geſtis of þi boord; what þerfor haue
Y of iuſt pleynt, eþer what may Y more crye to þe
kyng?
xxix Soþeli þe kyng ſeide to hym, What ſpekiſt þou
more? þat þat Y haue ſpoke is ſtidefaſt; þou and Siba
depart poſſeſſyouns.
xxx And Myphiboſech anſweride to þe kyng, Ȝhe, take
he alle þingis, aftir þat my lord þe kyng turnede aȝen
peſibli in to his hows.
xxxi Alſo Berzellai of Galaad, a ful eld man, cam doun
fro Rogelym, and ledde þe kyng ouer Jordan, redi alſo
to ſue hym ouer þe flood.
xxxii Forſoþe Berzellai of Galaad was ful eld, þat is, of
foure ſcore ȝeer, and he ȝaf metis to þe kyng, whanne þe
kyng dwellyde in caſtels; for Berzellai was a ful riche
man.
xxxiii Þerfor þe kyng ſeide to Berzellai, Come þou wiþ
me, þat þou reſte ſikirli wiþ me in Jeruſalem.
xxxiiii And Berzellai ſeide to þe kyng, Hou manye ben
þe daieſt of ȝeeres of my lijf, þat Y ſtie wiþ þe kyng in
to Jeruſalem?
CCXCIV
xxxv Y am of foure ſcore ȝeer to dai; wheþer my wittis
ben quike to deme ſwete þing eþir bittir, eþer mete and
drynk may delite þi ſeruaunt, eþer may Y here more þe
vois of ſyngeris eþer of ſyngſters? Whi is þi ſeruaunt to
charge to my lord þe kyng?
xxxvi Y þi ſeruaunt ſchal go forþ a litil fro Jordan wiþ
þee, Y haue no nede to þis ȝeldyng;
xxxvii but Y biſeche, þat Y þi ſeruaunt turne aȝen, and die
in my citee, and be biried biſidis þe ſepulcre of my fadir
and of my modir; forſoþe Chamaam is þi ſeruaunt, my
lord þe kyng, go he wiþ þee, and do þou to hym þat þat
ſemeþ good to þee.
xxxviii Þerfor þe kyng ſeide to hym, Chamaam paſſe wiþ
me; and Y ſchal do to hym what euer þing pleſiþ þee,
and þou ſchalt gete al þing, which þou axiſt of me.
xxxix And whanne al þe puple and þe kyng hadden
paſſid Jordan, þe kyng abood; and `þe kyng kiſſide
Berzellai, and bleſſide hym; and he turnede aȝen in to
his place.
xl Þerfor þe kyng paſſide in to Galgala, and Chamaam
wiþ hym. Soþeli al þe puple of Juda hadde ledde þe
kyng ouer, and þe half part oneli of þe puple of Iſrael
was preſent.
xli Þerfor alle þe men of Iſrael camen togidere to þe
king, and ſeiden to hym, Whi han oure briþeren, þe men
of Juda, ſtole þee, and han led þe kyng and his hows
ouer Jordan, and alle þe men of Dauid wiþ hym?
xlii And ech man of Juda anſweride to þe men of Iſrael,
For þe kyng is neer to me; whi art þou wrooþ on þis
þing? Wheþer we han ete ony þing of þe kyng, eþer
ȝiftis ben ȝouun to vs?
xliii And a man of Iſrael anſweride to þe men of Juda,
and ſeide, Y am grettere bi ten partis at þe kyng, and
Dauiþ perteyneþ more to me þan to þee; whi haſt þou
do wrong to me, and `it was not teld to `me þe formere,
þat Y ſchulde brynge aȝen my kyng? Forſoþe þe men of
Juda anſweryden hardere to þe men of Iſrael.
CAP. XX
i Alſo it bifelde, þat a man of Belial was þere, Siba bi
name, þe ſone of Bothri, a man of þe generacioun of
Gemyny; and he ſownede wiþ a clarioun, and ſeide, No
part is to vs in Dauid, neþer eritage in þe ſone of Yſai;
þou, Iſrael, turne aȝen in to þi tabernaclis.
ii And al Iſrael was departid fro Dauid, and ſuede Siba,
þe ſone of Bothri; forſoþe þe men of Juda cleuyden to
her kyng, fro Jordan `til to Jeruſalem.
iii And whanne þe kyng hadde come in to his hows in
Jeruſalem, he took ten wymmen, hiſe ſecundarie wyues,
whiche he hadde left to kepe þe hous, and he bitook
hem in to keping, and ȝaf mete to hem; and he entride
not to hem; but þei weren cloſid `til to þe dai of her
deeþ, and lyueden in widewehed.
iiii Forſoþe Dauid ſeide to Amaſa, Clepe þou to gidere to
me alle þe men of Juda in to þe þridde dai, and be þou
preſent.
v Þerfor Amaſa ȝede, þat he clepe to gidere þe puple of
Juda; and he dwellide ouer þe couenaunt, which þe
kyng hadde ſet to hym.
vi Soþeli Dauid ſeide to Abiſai, Now Siba, þe ſone of
Botri, ſchal turmente vs more þan Abſolon dide; þerfor
take þe ſeruauntis of þi lord, and purſue hym, leſt in hap
he fynde ſtrengþid citees, and aſcape vs.
vii Þerfor þe men of Joab ȝeden out wiþ Abiſai, and
Cerethi and Ferethi, and alle ſtronge men ȝeden out of
Jeruſalem to purſue Siba, þe ſone of Bochry.
viii And whanne þei weren biſidis þe greet ſtoon, which
is in Gabaon, Amaſa cam, and ran to hem; forſoþe Joab
was cloþid wiþ a ſtreit coote at þe meſure of his abit,
and was gird aboue wiþ a ſwerd, `eþer dagger,
hangynge doun `til to þe entrayls in a ſcheþe, `which
ſwerd maad `craftily myȝte go out bi lyȝt touchyng, and
ſmyte. Þerfor Joab ſeide to Amaſa,
ix Heil, my broþer! And he helde wiþ þe riȝt hond þe
chyn of Amaſa, as kiſſinge him.
x Forſoþe Amaſa took not kepe of þe ſwerd, `which
ſwerd Joab hadde, and Joab ſmoot Amaſa in þe ſide, and
ſchedde out his entrailis in to þe erþe, and Amaſa was
deed; and Joab addide not `þe ſecounde wounde.
Forſoþe Joab and Abiſai, his broþer, purſueden Siba, þe
ſone of Bochri.
xi In þe meene tyme whanne `ſum men of þe children of
Dauid, of þe felowis of Joab, hadden ſtonde biſidis þe
deed bodi of Amaſa, þei ſeiden, Lo! he þat wolde be þe
felowe of Dauid for Joab.
xii Forſoþe Amaſa was biſpreynt wiþ blood, and lay in
þe myddil of þe weie. Sum man ſiȝ þis, þat al þe puple
abood to ſe Amaſa, and he remouyde Amaſa fro þe weie
in to þe feeld, and he hilide Amaſa wiþ a cloþ, leſt men
paſſynge ſchulden abide for hym.
xiii Þerfor whanne he was remouyd fro þe weie, ech
man paſſide ſuynge Joab to purſue Siba, þe ſone of
Bochri.
xiiii Forſoþe Siba hadde paſſide bi alle þe lynagis of
Iſrael til in to Habela, and in to Bethmacha; and alle
choſun men weren gaderid to hym.
xv Þerfor þei camen, and fouȝten aȝens hym in Habela,
and in Bethmacha, and cumpaſſiden þe citee wiþ
ſtrengþingis; and þe citee was biſegid. Soþeli al þe
cumpany, þat was wiþ Joab, enforſide to diſtrie þe
wallis.
xvi And a wijs womman of þe citee criede an hiȝ, Here
ȝe! here ȝe! ſeie ȝe to Joab, Neiȝe þou hidur, and Y ſchal
ſpeke wiþ þee.
xvii And whanne he hadde neiȝed to hir, ſche ſeide to
hym, Art þou Joab? And he anſweride, Y am. To whom
CCXCV
ſche ſpak þus, Here þou þe wordis of þin handmayde.
Which Joab anſweride, Y here.
xviii And eft ſche ſeide, A word was ſeid in eld prouerbe,
Þei þat axen, axe in Habela; and ſo þei profitiden.
xix Wheþir Y am not, þat anſwere treuþe to Iſrael? and
ſekiſt þou to diſtrie a citee, and to diſtrie a modir citee in
Iſrael? whi caſtidiſt þou doun þe eritage of þe Lord?
xx And Joab anſweride, and ſeide, Fer be, fer be þis fro
me; Y `caſte not doun, neþer Y diſtrye.
xxi Þe þing haþ not ſo it ſilf; but a man of þe hil of
Effraym, Siba, ſone of Bochri, bi ſurname, reiſide his
hond aȝens kyng Dauid; bitake ȝe him aloone, and we
ſchulen go awei fro þe citee. And þe womman ſeide to
Joab, Lo! his heed ſchal be ſent to þee bi þe wal.
xxii Þerfor þe womman entride to al þe puple, and ſche
ſpak to hem wiſeli; whiche `caſtiden forþ to Joab þe
heed of Siba, ſone of Bochri, gird of. And Joab ſownede
wiþ a trumpe, and þei departiden fro þe citee, ech man
in to hiſe tabernaclis; forſoþe Joab turnede aȝen to
Jeruſalem to þe kyng.
xxiii Þerfor Joab was on al þe ooſt of Iſrael; forſoþe
Benanye, ſone of Joiada, was on Cerethi and Ferethi;
xxiiii forſoþe Adhuram was on tributis; forſoþe Joſaphat,
ſone of Achilud, was chaunceler; forſoþe Siba was
ſcryueyn;
xxv forſoþe Sadoch and Abiathar weren preeſtis;
xxvi forſoþe Hira of Hiarith was preeſt of Dauid.
CAP. XXI
i Alſo hungur was maad in þe lond of Iſrael in þe daies
of Dauid, bi þre ȝeer contynueli. And Dauid counſelide
þe anſwere of þe Lord; and þe Lord ſeide, For Saul, and
his hows, and blood, for he killide men of Gabaon.
ii Þerfor whanne Gabaonytis weren clepid, þe kyng
ſeide to hem; ſoþeli Gabaonytis ben not of þe ſones of
Iſrael, but þei ben þe relikys of Ammorreis; and þe
ſones of Iſrael hadden ſwore to hem, `þat is, þat þei
ſchulden not `be ſlayn, and Saul wolde ſmyte hem for
feruent loue, as for þe ſones of Iſrael and of Juda;
iii þerfor Dauid ſeide to Gabaonytis, What ſchal Y do to
ȝou, and what ſchal be ȝoure amendis, þat ȝe bleſſe þe
eritage of þe Lord?
iiii And Gabaonytis ſeiden to hym, No queſtioun is to vs
on gold and ſiluer, but aȝens Saul, and aȝens his hows;
neþer we wolen, þat a man of Iſrael be ſlayn. To whiche
þe kyng ſeide, What þerfor wolen ȝe, þat Y do to ȝou?
v Whiche ſeiden to þe king, We owen to do awei ſo þe
man, þat `al to brak eþir defoulide vs, and oppreſſide
wickidli, þat not oon ſoþeli be reſidue of his
generacioun in alle þe cooſtis of Iſrael.
vi Seuene men of hiſe ſones be ȝouun to vs, þat we
`crucifie hem to þe Lord in Gabaa of Saul, ſum tyme þe
choſun man of þe Lord. And þe kyng ſeide, Y ſchal
ȝyue.
vii And þe kyng ſparide Myphiboſech, ſone of Jonathas,
ſone of Saul, for þe ooþ of þe Lord, þat was bitwixe
Dauid and bitwixe Jonathas, ſone of Saul.
viii Þerfor þe kyng took twei ſones of Reſpha, douȝter of
Ahira, whiche ſche childide to Saul, Armony, and
Myſphiboſech; and he took fyue ſones of Mychol,
douȝter of Saul, whiche ſche gendride to Adriel, ſone of
Berzellai, þat was of Molaty.
ix And he ȝaf hem in to þe hondis of Gabaonytis,
whiche crucifieden þo ſones in þe hil bifor þe Lord; and
þeſe ſeuene felden ſlayn togidere in þe daies of þe firſte
rep, whanne þe repyng of barli bigan.
x Forſoþe Reſpha, douȝtir of Ahia, took an heire, and
`araiede to hir ſilf a place aboue þe ſtoon, fro þe
bigynnyng of herueſt til watir droppide `on hem fro
heuene; and ſche ſuffride not briddis to tere hem bi dai,
neþer beeſtis bi nyȝt.
xi And þo þingis whiche Reſpha, ſecoundarie wijf of
Saul, douȝtir of Ahia, hadde do, weren teld to Dauid.
xii And Dauid ȝede, and took þe boonys of Saul, and þe
boonys of Jonathas, his ſone, of þe men of Jabes of
Galaad; þat hadden ſtole þo boonys fro þe ſtreet of
Bethſan, in which ſtreet þe Filiſteis hadden hangid hem,
whanne þei hadden ſlayn Saul in Gelboe.
xiii And Dauid bar out fro þennus þe boonys of Saul,
and þe boonys of Jonathas, his ſone; and þei gaderiden
þe boonys of hem þat weren crucified, and birieden þo
wiþ þe boonys of Saul and of Jonathas, his ſone, in þe
lond of Beniamyn, in þe ſide of þe ſepulcre of Cys, fadir
of Saul.
xiiii And þei diden al þingis, what euer þingis þe kyng
comaundide; and þe Lord dide mercy to þe lond aftir
þeſe þingis.
xv Forſoþe batel of Filiſteis was maad eft aȝens Iſrael;
and Dauid ȝede doun, and hiſe ſeruauntis wiþ hym, and
fouȝten aȝen Filiſteis.
xvi Soþeli whanne Dauid failide, Jeſbydenob, þat was of
þe kyn of Arapha, þat is, of giauntis, and þe yrun of his
ſpere peiſide þre hundrid ouncis, and he was gird wiþ a
newe ſwerd, enforſide to ſmyte Dauid.
xvii And Abiſai, ſone of Saruye, was in help to Dauid;
and he ſmoot and killide þe Filiſtei. Þan þe men of
Dauid ſworen, and ſeiden, Now þou ſchalt not go out
wiþ vs in to batel, leſt þou quenche þe lanterne of Iſrael.
xviii Alſo þe ſecounde batel was in Gob aȝens Filiſteis;
þanne Sobothai of Oſothai ſmoot Zephi, of þe
generacioun of Arapha, of þe kyn of giauntis.
xix Alſo þe þridde batel was in Gob aȝens Filiſteis; in
which batel a man ȝouun of God, þe ſone of foreſt, a
broiderer, a man of Bethleem, ſmoot Golyath of Geth,
whos `ſchaft of ſpere was as a beem of webbis.
xx Þe fourþe batel was in Geth; where ynne was an hiȝ
man, þat hadde ſixe fyngris in þe hondis and feet, þat is,
foure and twenti; and he was of þe kyn of Arapha;
CCXCVI
xxi and he blasfemyde Iſrael; ſoþeli Jonathan, ſone of
Samaa, broþer of Dauid, killide hym.
xxii Þeſe foure weren borun of Arapha in Geth, and þei
felden doun in þe hond of Dauid, and of hiſe ſeruauntis.
CAP. XXII
i Forſoþe Dauid ſpak to þe Lord þe wordis of þis ſong,
in þe dai in which þe Lord delyuerede hym fro þe hond
of alle hiſe enemyes, and fro þe hond of Saul.
ii And Dauid ſeide, Þe Lord is my ſtoon, and my
ſtrengþe, and my ſauȝour;
iii my God, my ſtronge, I ſchal hope in to hym; my
ſcheeld, and þe horn of myn helþe, `my reiſere, and my
refuyt; my ſauȝour, þou ſchalt delyuere me fro
wickidneſſe.
iiii Y ſchal inwardly clepe þe Lord worþi to be preiſid;
and Y ſchal be ſaaf fro myn enemyes.
v For þe ſorewis of deeþ cumpaſſide me; þe ſtrondis of
Belial maden me aferd.
vi Þe coordis of helle cumpaſſiden me; þe ſnaris of deeþ
camen bifor me.
vii In tribulacioun Y ſchal clepe, `þat is, Y clepide þee,
Lord, and Y ſchal crie to my God; and he herd fro his
holi temple my vois, and my crye ſchal come to hiſe
eeris.
viii Þe erþe was mouyd, and tremblide; þe foundementis
of hillis weren ſmytun and ſchakun togidere, for þe
Lord was wrooþ to hem.
ix Smoke ſtiede fro hiſe noſeþirlis, and fier of his mouþ
ſchal deuoure; colis weren kyndlid of it.
x And he bowide heuenes, and cam doun; and myiſt
vndur hiſe feet.
xi And he ſtiede on cherubyn, and fliy; and he ſlood on
þe pennys of wynd.
xii He puttide derkneſſis hidyng place in his cumpas,
and riddlide watris fro þe cloudis of heuenes;
xiii for briȝtneſſe in his ſiȝt colis of fier weren kyndelid.
xiiii Þe Lord ſchal þundur fro heuene; and hiȝ God ſchal
ȝyue his vois.
xv He ſente hiſe arowis, and ſcateride hem; he ſente
leitis, and waſtide hem.
xvi And þe ſchedyngis out of þe ſee apperiden, and þe
foundementis of þe world weren ſchewid; fro þe
blamyng of þe Lord, fro þe breþing of þe ſpirit of his
ſtrong veniaunce.
xvii He ſente fro heuene, and took me; and drow me out
of manye watris.
xviii He delyuerede me fro my myȝtieſt enemy, and fro
hem þat hatiden me; for þei weren ſtrongere þan Y.
xix Þei camen bifore me in þe dai of my turmentyng;
and þe Lord was maad my ſtidfaſtneſſe.
xx And he ledde me out in to largeneſſe, and he
delyuerede me; for Y pleſide hym.
xxi Þe Lord ſchal ȝelde to me vp my riȝtfulneſſe; and he
ſchal ȝelde to me vp, `eþir aftir, þe clenneſſe of myn
hondis.
xxii For Y kepte þe weies of þe Lord; and Y dide not
wickidli fro my God.
xxiii For alle hiſe domes weren in my ſiȝt; and Y dide not
awei fro me hiſe heeſtis.
xxiiii And Y ſchal be perfit wiþ hym; and Y ſchal kepe
me fro my wickidneſſe.
xxv And þe Lord ſchal reſtore to me vpe my riȝtfulneſſe;
and vp þe clenneſſe of myn hondis in þe ſiȝt of hiſe iȝen.
xxvi Wiþ þe hooli þou ſchalt be hooli, and wiþ þe
ſtronge, `þat is, to ſuffre aduerſitees pacientli, þou ſchalt
be perfit;
xxvii and wiþ a choſun man `to blis þou ſchalt be choſun,
and wiþ a weiward man þou ſchalt be maad weiward,
`þat is, in ȝeldynge iuſtli peyne to hym vpe his
weiwardneſſe.
xxviii And þou ſchalt make ſaaf a pore puple; and wiþ
þin iȝen þou ſchalt make lowe hem þat ben hiȝe.
xxix For þou, Lord, art my lanterne, and þou, Lord,
ſchalt liȝtne my derkneſſis.
xxx For Y gird, `þat is, maad redi to batel, ſchal renne in
þee, `þat is, in þi vertu; and in my God Y ſchal `ſcippe
ouer þe wal.
xxxi `God his weie is `wiþ out wem; þe ſpeche of þe
Lord is examynyd bi fier, `þat is, is pure and clene as
metal preuyd in þe furneys; he is a ſcheeld of alle men
hopynge in hym.
xxxii For who is God, outakun þe Lord; and who is
ſtrong, outakun oure God?
xxxiii God, þat haþ gird me wiþ ſtrengþe, and haþ maad
pleyn my perfit weie;
xxxiiii and he made euene my feet wiþ hertis, and ſettide
me on myn hiȝe þingis;
xxxv and he tauȝte myn hondis to batel, and made myn
armes as a braſun bouwe.
xxxvi Þou haſt ȝoue to me þe ſheeld of þin heelþe; and
my myldeneſſe multipliede me.
xxxvii Þou ſchalt alarge my ſteppis vndur me; and myn
heelis ſchulen not faile.
xxxviii Y ſchal purſue myn enemyes, and Y ſchal al to-
breke hem; and Y ſchal not turne aȝen, til Y waſte hem.
xxxix Y ſchal waſte hem, and Y ſchal breke, þat þei riſe
not; þei ſchulen falle vndur my feet.
xl Þou haſt gird me wiþ ſtrengþe to batel; þou haſt bowid
vnder me hem þat aȝenſtoden me.
xli Þou haſt ȝoue myn enemyes abac to me, men hatynge
me; and Y ſchal diſtrie hem.
xlii Þei ſchulen crye, `þat is, to ydols eþer to mennus
help, and noon ſchal be þat ſchal ſaue; `þei ſchulen crie
to þe Lord, and he ſchal not here hem.
CCXCVII
xliii Y ſchal do awei hem as þe duſt of erþe; Y ſchal
`powne hem, and Y ſchal do awei as þe clei of ſtretis.
xliiii Þou ſchalt ſaue me fro aȝenſeiyngis of my puple;
þou ſchalt kepe me in to þe heed of folkis; þe puple,
whom Y knowe not, ſchal ſerue me.
xlv Alien ſones ſchulen aȝenſtonde me; bi heryng of eere
þei ſchulen obeie to me.
xlvi Alien ſones fletiden awei; and þei ſchulen be
drawun togidere in her angwiſchis.
xlvii Þe Lord lyueþ, and my God is bleſſid; and þe
ſtronge God of myn helþe ſchal be enhaunſid.
xlviii God, þat ȝyueſt veniauncis to me; and haſt caſt
doun puplis vndur me.
xlix Which lediſt me out fro myn enemyes, and reiſiſt me
fro men aȝenſtondinge me; þou ſchalt deliuere me fro þe
wickid man.
l Þerfor, Lord, Y ſchal knowleche to þee in heþene men;
and Y ſchal ſynge to þi name.
li And he magnyfieþ þe helþis of his kyng; and doiþ
mercyes to his criſt Dauid, and to his ſeed til in to
wiþouten ende.
CAP. XXIII
i Forſoþe þeſe ben þe laſte wordis, whiche Dauid, þe
ſone of Yſai, ſeide. Þe man ſeide, to whom it is
ordeyned of Criſt, of þe God of Jacob, þe noble ſalm
makere of Iſrael;
ii Þe ſpiryt of þe Lord ſpak bi me, and his word bi my
tunge.
iii Dauid ſeide, God of Iſrael ſpak to me, þe ſtronge of
Iſrael, þe `iuſt Lord of men, `is Lord in þe drede of God.
iiii As þe lyȝt of þe morewtid, whanne þe ſunne riſiþ
eerli, is briȝt wiþ out cloudis; and as an erbe comeþ forþ
of þe erþe bi reynes.
v And myn hows is not ſo greet anentis God, þat he
ſchulde make wiþ me euerlaſtynge couenaunt, ſtidefaſt
and maad ſtrong in alle þingis; for al myn helþe hangiþ
of him, and al þe wille `þat is, al my deſir, goiþ in to
hym, and no þing is þerof, þat makiþ not fruyt.
vi Forſoþe alle treſpaſſouris ſchulen be drawun out as
þornes, þat ben not takun wiþ hondis.
vii And if ony man wole touche þo, he ſchal be armed
wiþ irun, and wiþ tre formed in to ſpere; and þe þornes
ſchulen be kyndlid, and ſchulen be brent `til to nouȝt.
viii Þeſe ben þe names of þe ſtronge men of Dauid.
Dauid ſittiþ in þe chaier, þe wiſeſte prince among þre;
he is as a mooſt tendir worm of tree, þat killide eiȝte
hundrid wiþ o ferſneſſe.
ix Aftir hym was Eleazar, þe ſone of his fadirs broþer
Abohi; among þre ſtronge men, þat weren wiþ Dauid,
whanne þei ſeiden ſchenſchip to Filiſteis, and weren
gaderid þidir in to batel.
x And whanne þe men of Iſrael hadden ſtied, he ſtood,
and ſmoot Filiſties, til his hond failide, and was ſtarke
wiþ þe ſwerd. And þe Lord made greet helþe in þat dai;
and þe puple þat fledde turnede aȝen to drawe awei þe
ſpuylis of ſlayn men.
xi And aftir hym was Semma, þe ſone of Age, of Arari.
And Filiſteis weren gaderid in þe ſtacioun; forſoþe þere
was a feeld ful of lente; and whanne þe puple fledde fro
þe face of Filiſteis,
xii he ſtood in þe myddis of þe feeld, and bihelde it; and
he ſmoot Filiſteis, and þe Lord made greet helþe.
xiii Alſo and þre men ȝeden doun bifore, þat weren
princes among þretti, and camen to Dauid in þe tyme of
reep in to þe denne of Odollam. Forſoþe þe caſtels of
Filiſteis weren ſet in þe valei of giauntis.
xiiii And Dauid was in a ſtrong hold; ſoþeli þe ſtacioun
of Filiſteis was þanne in Bethleem.
xv Þerfor Dauid deſiride water of þe lake, and ſeide, If
ony man wolde ȝyue to me drynk of watir of þe
ciſterne, which is in Bethleem, biſidis þe ȝate.
xvi Þerfor þre ſtronge men braken in to þe caſtels of
Filiſteis, and drowen watir of þe ciſterne of Bethleem,
þat was biſidis þe ȝate, and brouȝten to Dauid; and he
nolde drinke,
xvii but offride it to þe Lord, and ſeide, Þe Lord be
merciful to me, þat Y do not þis; wheþer Y ſchal drynke
þe blood of þeſe men, þat ȝeden forþ, and þe perel of
ſoulis? Þerfor he nolde drynke. Þre ſtrongeſte men diden
þes þingis.
xviii Alſo Abiſay, broþer of Joab, þe ſone of Saruye, was
prince of þre; he it is þat reiſide his ſchaft aȝens þre
hundrid men, whiche he killide; `he was nemid among
þre,
xix and was þe noblere among þre, and he was þe prince
of hem; but he cam not to þe þre firſte men.
xx And Banaye, þe ſone of Joiada, ſtrongeſte man of
grete werkis, of Capſeel, he ſmoot twei liouns of Moab,
`þat is, twei knyȝtis hardi as liouns; and he ȝede doun,
and ſmoot a lioun in þe myddil ciſterne in þe daies of
ſnow.
xxi Alſo he killide a man of Egipt, a man worþi of
ſpectacle, hauynge a ſpere in þe hond; þerfor whanne he
hadde come doun wiþ a ȝerde to þat man, bi miȝt he
wrooþ out þe ſpere fro þe hond of þe man of Egipt, and
killide hym wiþ his owne ſpere.
xxii Banaye, ſone of Joiada, dide þeſe þingis;
xxiii and he was nemyed among þre ſtronge men, þat
weren among þe þretti noblere men; neþeles he cam not
til to þe þre. And Dauid made hym a counſelour of
priuyte to hym ſilf.
xxiiii Aſahel, þe broþer of Joab, was among þretti men;
Eleanan, þe ſone of his fadris broþer, of Bethleem;
Semma, of Arari;
CCXCVIII
xxv Elcha, of Arodi; Helas, of Phelti;
xxvi Hira, ſone of Aches, of Thecua; Abiezer, of
Amatoth;
xxvii Mobannoy, of Coſathi; Selmon, of Achotes;
xxviii Macharai, of Nethopath;
xxix Heled, þe ſone of Baana, and he was of Netophath;
Hiray, ſone of Rabai, of Gebeeth, of þe ſones of
Beniamyn; Banay, of Effrata;
xxx Hedday, of þe ſtronde of Gaas;
xxxi Abiadon, of Arbath; Aſmaneth, of Berromy;
xxxii Eliaba, of Sabony; ſones of Aſſen, Jonathan, and
Jaſan; Semma, of Herodi;
xxxiii Hayam, ſone of Sarai, of Zaroth;
xxxiiii Eliphelech, ſone of Saalbai, þe ſone of Maachati;
Heliam, ſone of Achitofel, of Gilo;
xxxv Eſrai, of Carmele; Pharai, of Arbi;
xxxvi Ygaal, ſone of Nathan, of Soba;
xxxvii Bonny, of Gaddi; Silech, of Ammony; Naarai, of
Beroth, þe ſquyer of Joab, þe ſone of Saruye;
xxxviii Haray, of Jethri; Gareb, and he was of Gethri;
xxxix Vrye, of Ethei; alle weren ſeuene and þretti men.
CAP. XXIIII
i And þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord addide to be
wrooþ aȝens Iſrael (Note: of þis þat þe Lord wolde
punyſche þe puple, he ſuffride Dauyþ to be reiſid bi
pride to þe noumbring of þe puple; wherfor þe gloſs of
Gregre on þis place ſeiþ þus, Þe dedis of gouernours
ben diſpoſid for þe maneris of ſugetis, þat ofte for þe
yuel of þe floc, þe liyf ȝhe of a good ſchepparde
treſpaſſiþ, for Dauyþ was preiſid bi God witneſſe, and he
was blowun wiþ þe bolnyng of ſudeyn pride, and
ſynnede in noumbringe puple, and þe puple reſſeyuede
peyne; for þe hertis of gouernours ben diſpoſid, vp þe
meritis of þe puplis. Þe ſynne of þe puple for which it
was punyſchid, is not expreſſid in þe text, but in þe
book of Ebreu queſtiouns it is ſeid, þat þis was herfor,
for þe puple aȝen ſtood not Dauyþ as it ouȝte, in þe dede
of Vrie, but for þis dede was priuy til it was al doon; þe
puple myȝte not wiþſtonde Dauyþ in þe ſynne to be
lettid, and aftir þat þis ſynne cam in to þe knowing of þe
puple, þe puple ouȝte not to punyſche it, for þe peyne
was determynd þanne of God, as it is opin in xii. co. bi
þe wordis of Nathan, þerfor it is ſeid betere, þat þe
ſynne of þe puple, was þe rebelte þerof aȝenus Dauyþ in
ſuynge Siba, ſone of Bothry, þat was þe worſte man and
ful of diſſencioun, and Siba aloone was punyſchid for
þis rebelte. ), and he ſtiride in hem Dauid, ſeiynge to
Joab, Go þou, and noumbre þou Iſrael and Juda.
ii And þe kyng ſeide to Joab, þe prince of his ooſt, Go
þou bi alle lynagis of Iſrael fro Dan `til to Berſabee, and
noumbre þou þe puple, þat Y wite þe noumbre þerof.
iii And Joab ſeide to þe kyng, Þi Lord God encreſſe to
þis puple, `hou greet it is now, and eft multiplie he an
hundrid fold in þe ſiȝt of my lord þe kyng; but what
wole my lord þe kyng to hym ſilf in ſich a þing?
iiii Soþeli þe word of þe kyng ouer cam þe wordis of
Joab, and of þe princes of þe ooſt; and Joab ȝede out,
and þe princes of þe knyȝtis, fro þe face of þe kyng, þat
þei ſchulden noumbre þe puple of Iſrael.
v And whanne þei hadden paſſid Jordan, þei camen in to
Aroer, to þe riȝt ſide of þe citee which is in þe valei of
Gad;
vi and þei paſſiden bi Jazer in to Galaad, and in to þe
lowere lond of Odſi, and camen in to þe wodi places of
Dan; and þei cumpaſſiden biſidis Sidon,
vii and paſſiden nyȝ þe wallis of Tire, and nyȝ al þe lond
of Euei, and of Chananei; and þei camen to þe ſouþ of
Juda, in Berſabee.
viii And whanne al þe lond was cumpaſſid, þei camen
aftir nyne moneþis and twenti daies in to Jeruſalem.
ix Þerfor Joab ȝaf þe noumbre of diſcriuyng of þe puple
to þe kyng. And of Iſrael weren foundun nyne hundryd
þouſynd (Note: in I. book of Paralip. xxi. co. is a
þouſinde, and an hundrid þouſinde; here is ſet þe leſſe
noumbre, and þere þe gretter noumbre, and of Juda is
ſet þere þe leſſe noumbre, and here þe gretter. ) of
ſtronge men, þat drewen out ſwerd; and of Juda fyue
hundrid þouſynde of fiȝteris.
x Forſoþe þe herte of Dauid ſmoot hym, `þat is, his
concience repreuyde hym, aftir þat þe puple was
noumbrid; and Dauid ſeide to þe Lord, Y ſynnede
greetli (Note: in pride, and in breking of Goddis heeſt,
for in xxxi. co. of Exody, whanne þe ſones of Iſrael
weren noumbrid, ech man ſchulde (offre) to þe Lord
half a ſicle, and þis was not doon here. ) in þis dede;
but, Lord, Y preye þat þou turne awei þe wickidneſſe of
þi ſeruaunt, for Y dide ful folili.
xi Þerfor Dauid roos eerli, and þe word of þe Lord was
maad to Gad, þe prophete and ſeere, and ſeide, Go þou,
xii and ſpeke to Dauid, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe
cheſyng of þre þingis is ȝouun to þee; cheſe þou oon,
which þou wolt of þeſe, þat Y do to þee.
xiii And whanne Gad hadde come to Dauid, he telde to
Dauid, and ſeide, Eþer hungur ſchal come to þee in þi
lond ſeuene ȝeer; eþir þre moneþis þou ſchalt fle þin
aduerſaries, and þei ſchulen purſue þee; eþer certis þre
daies peſtilence ſchal be in þi lond; now þerfor delyuere
þou, `eþer auyſe þou, and ſe, what word Y ſchal anſwere
to hym þat ſente me.
xiiii Forſoþe Dauid ſeide to Gad, Y am conſtreyned on
ech ſide greetli; but it is betere þat Y falle in to þe
hondis of þe Lord (Note: if Dauyþ hadde choſe huugur
of vii. ȝeer, he and riche men wolden haue purueyed to
hem ſilf of liyflode, and pore men ſchulden haue be
turmentid gretly; and if he hadde choſe fliȝt bifor
CCXCIX
enemyes, he and myȝty men ſchulden haue be defendid
and pore men ſlayn, þerfor he chees peſtilence, comyn
peyne to alle, for he triſtide in Goddis merſi. ), for his
emercies ben manye, þan in þe hondis of men.
xv And þe Lord ſente peſtilence in to Iſrael fro þe
morewtid `til to þe tyme ordeyned (Note: þat is, til to þe
oure of ſacrifice of euentid; þe ii. laſte dayes of
peſtilence, weren ſeid bi manaſſing, and weren releeſſid
for þe penaunce of Dauyþ. ); and ſeuenti þouſynde of
men weren deed of þe puple fro Dan `til to Berſabee.
xvi And whanne þe aungel of þe Lord hadde holde forþ
his hond ouer Jeruſalem, þat he ſchulde diſtrie it, þe
Lord hadde mercy on þe turmentyng; and ſeide to þe
aungel ſmytynge þe puple, It ſufficiþ now; wiþholde þin
hond. Forſoþe þe aungel of þe Lord was biſidis þe corn
floor of Areuna Jebuſey.
xvii And Dauid ſeide to þe Lord, whanne he hadde ſeyn
þe aungel ſleynge þe puple, Y am he þat `haue ſynned,
and Y dide wickidli; what han þeſe do, þat ben ſcheep?
Y biſeche, þin hond be turned aȝens me, and aȝens þe
hows of my fadir.
xviii Forſoþe Gad, þe prophete, cam to Dauid in þat dai,
and ſeide to hym, Stie þou, and ordeyne an auter to þe
Lord in þe corn floor of Areuna Jebuſei.
xix And Dauid ſtiede, vpe þe word of Gad, which þe
Lord hadde comaundid to hym.
xx And Areuna bihelde, and perſeyuede, þat þe kyng and
hiſe ſeruauntis paſſiden to hym;
xxi and he ȝede out, and worſchipide þe kyng bi low
cheer to þe erþe; and ſeide, What `cauſe is, þat my lord
þe kyng comeþ to his ſeruaunt? To whom Dauid ſeide,
Þat Y bie of þee þe corn floor, and bilde an auter to þe
Lord, and þe ſleynge ceeſſe, which is cruel in þe puple.
xxii And Areuna ſeide to Dauid, My lord þe kyng take,
and offre, as it pleſiþ hym; þou haſt oxis in to brent
ſacrifice, and a wayn and ȝockis of oxis in to vſs of
wode.
xxiii Areuna ȝaf alle þingis (Note: þat is, wolde ȝyue. )
to þe king. And Areuna ſeide to þe king, Þi Lord God
reſeyue þi vow.
xxiiii To whom þe king anſweride, and ſeide, Not as þou
wolt, but Y ſchal bie of þee for prijs, and Y ſchal not
offre to `my Lord God brent ſacrifices ȝouun freli.
Þerfor Dauid bouȝte þe corn floor (Note: for vi. hundrid
ſiclis of gold, in þe firſte book of Paralip. xxi. co. ), and
`he bouȝte oxis for fifti ſiclis of ſiluer.
xxv And Dauid bildide þere an auter to þe Lord, and
offride brent ſacrifices and peſible ſacrifices; and þe
Lord dide merci to þe lond, and þe veniaunce was
refreyned fro Iſrael.
Here endiþ þe ſecounde book of Kyngis, and here
bigynneþ þe þridde.

III KINGIS
Here beginneþ þe þridde book of Kyngis.
CAP. I
i And kyng Dauid wax eld, and hadde ful many daies of
age; and whanne he was hilid wiþ cloþis, he was not
maad hoot.
ii Þerfor hiſe ſeruauntis ſeiden to hym, Seke we to oure
lord þe kyng a ȝong wexynge virgyn; and ſtonde ſche
bifor þe kyng, and nurſche ſche hym, and ſlepe in his
boſum, and make hoot oure lord þe kyng.
iii Þerfor þei ſouȝten a ȝong wexyng virgyn, fair in alle
þe cooſtis of Iſrael; and þei founden Abiſag of Sunam,
and þei brouȝten hir to þe kyng.
iiii Forſoþe þe damyſel was ful fair, and ſche ſlepte wiþ
þe kyng, and mynyſtride to hym; forſoþe þe king knew
not hir fleiſchli.
v Soþeli Adonye, ſone of Agith, was reiſid, and ſeide, Y
ſchal regne. And he made to hym a chare, and knyȝtis,
and fifti men, þat runnen bifor hym.
vi Neþer his fadir repreuyde hym ony tyme, and ſeide,
Whi `didiſt þou þis? Forſoþe alſo he was ful fair, þe
ſecounde child aftir Abſolon; and his word was wiþ
Joab,
vii ſone of Saruye, and wiþ `Abiathar, preeſt, þat
helpiden þe partis of Adonye.
viii Soþeli Sadoch, þe preeſt, and Banaie, ſone of Joiada,
and Nathan, þe prophete, and Semey, and Cerethi, and
Ferethi, and al þe ſtrengþe of þe ooſt of Dauid, weren
not wiþ Adonye.
ix Þerfor whanne rammes weren offrid, and caluys, and
alle fatte þingis, biſidis þe ſtoon Zoelech, þat was nyȝ þe
welle of Rogel, Adonye clepide alle hiſe briþeren, ſones
of þe kyng, and alle þe men of Juda, ſeruauntis of þe
kyng.
x Soþeli `he clepide not Nathan, þe profete, and Banaie,
and alle ſtronge men, and Salomon, his broþir.
xi Þerfor Nathan ſeide to Berſabee, modir of Salomon,
Wheþer þou herdiſt, þat Adonye, ſone of Agith,
regnede, and oure lord Dauid knoweþ not þis?
xii Now þerfor come þou, take þou counſel of me, and
ſaue þi lijf, and of Salomon þi ſone.
xiii Go þou, and entre to kyng Dauid, and ſeie þou to
hym, Wheþer not þou, my lord þe kyng, haſt ſwore to
me, þin handmaide, and ſeidiſt, þat Salomon þi ſone
ſchal regne aftir me, and he ſchal ſitte in my trone?
xiiii Whi þerfor regneþ Adonye? And ȝit while þou ſchalt
ſpeke þere wiþ þe kyng, Y ſchal come aftir þee, and `Y
ſchal fille þi wordis.
xv Þerfor Berſabee entride to þe kyng in þe cloſet;
forſoþe þe kyng was ful eeld, and Abiſag of Sunam
`mynyſtride to hym.
CCC
xvi Berſabee bowide hir ſilf, and worſchipide þe kyng; to
whom þe kyng ſeide, What wolt þou to þee?
xvii And ſche anſweride, and ſeide, My lord þe kyng,
þou haſt ſwore to þin handmaide bi þi Lord God,
Salomon þy ſone ſchal regne aftir me, and he ſchal ſitte
in my trone;
xviii and lo! Adonye haþ regnede now, `while þou, my
lord þe kyng, knowiſt not;
xix he haþ ſlayn oxis, and alle fatte þingis, and ful many
rammes; and he clepide alle þe ſones of þe king, alſo
`Abiathar preeſt, and Joab, þe prince of chyualri; but he
clepide not Salomon, þi ſeruaunt.
xx Neþeles, my lord þe kyng, þe iȝen of al Iſrael
biholden in to þee, þat þou ſchewe to hem, who owiþ to
ſitte in þi trone, my lord þe kyng, aftir þee;
xxi and it ſchal be, whanne my lord þe kyng haþ ſlepte
wiþ hiſe fadris, Y and my ſone Salomon ſchulen be
ſynneris.
xxii `While ſche ſpak ȝit wiþ þe king, Nathan, þe
prophete, cam.
xxiii And þei telden to þe kyng, and ſeiden, Nathan, þe
prophete, is preſent. And whanne he hadde entrid in þe
ſiȝt of þe kyng, and hadde worſchipide hym lowli to
erþe,
xxiiii Nathan ſeide, My lord þe kyng, ſeidiſt þou, Adonye
regne aftir me, and ſitte he on my trone?
xxv For he cam doun to dai, and offride oxis, and fatte
þingis, and ful many weþeris; and he clepide alle þe
ſones of þe kyng, alſo Abiathar, preeſt; and whanne þei
eten, and drunken bifor hym, and ſeiden, Kyng Adonye
lyue;
xxvi he clepide not me, þi ſeruaunt, and Sadoch, preeſt,
and Banaie, ſone of Joiada, and Salomon, þi ſone.
xxvii Wheþer þis word ȝede out fro my lord þe kyng, and
þou ſchewidiſt not to me, þi ſeruaunt, who ſchulde ſitte
on þe trone of my lord þe king after hym?
xxviii And kyng Dauid anſweride, and ſeide, Clepe ȝe
Berſabee to me. And whanne ſche hadde entrid bifor þe
kyng, and hadde ſtonde bifor hym, þe kyng ſwoor,
xxix and ſeide, Þe Lord lyueþ, þat delyueryde my lijf fro
al angwiſch;
xxx for as Y ſwore to þee bi þe Lord God of Iſrael, and
ſeide, Salomon, þi ſone, ſchal regne after me, and he
ſchal ſitte on my trone for me, ſo Y ſchal do to dai.
xxxi And Berſabee, wiþ þe cheer caſt doun in to erþe,
worſchipide þe kyng, and ſeide, My lord þe kyng Dauid
lyue wiþ outen ende.
xxxii And kyng Dauid ſeide, Clepe ȝe Sadoch, þe preeſt,
to me, and Nathan, þe prophete, and Banaie, ſone of
Joiada. And whanne þei hadden entrid bifor þe kyng,
xxxiii þe kyng ſeide to hem, Take wiþ ȝou þe ſeruauntis
of ȝoure lord, and putte ȝe my ſone Salomon on my
mule, and lede ȝe hym in to Gyon.
xxxiiii And Sadoch, þe preeſt, and Nathan, þe profete,
anoynte hym in to kyng on Iſrael and Juda; and ȝe
ſchulen ſynge wiþ a clarioun, and ȝe ſchulen ſeie, Lyue
kyng Salomon!
xxxv Ȝe ſchulen ſtie aftir hym, and ȝe ſchulen come to
Jeruſalem; and he ſchal ſitte on my trone, and he ſchal
regne for me; and Y ſchal comaunde to hym, þat he be
duyk on Iſrael and on Juda.
xxxvi And Banaie, ſone of Joiada, anſweride to þe kyng,
and ſeide, Amen, `þat is, ſo be it, eþer verili, eþer
feiþfuli; ſo ſpeke þe Lord God of my lord þe kyng.
xxxvii As þe Lord was wiþ my lord þe kyng, ſo be he
wiþ Salomon, and make he þe trone of Salomon heiȝere
þan þe trone of my lord þe kyng Dauid.
xxxviii Þerfor Sadoch, þe preeſt, ȝede doun, and Nathan,
þe prophete, and Banaie, ſone of Joiada, and Cerethi,
and Ferethi; and þei puttiden Salomon on þe mule of
Dauid, þe kyng, and þei brouȝten hym in to Gion.
xxxix And Sadoch, þe preeſt, took an horn of oile of þe
tabernacle, and anoyntide Salomon; and þei ſungen wiþ
a clarioun; and al þe puple ſeide, Lyue kyng Salomon!
xl And al þe multitude ſtiede after hym, and þe puple of
men ſyngynge wiþ pipis, and `of men beynge glad wiþ
greet ioye, `ſtiede aftir hym; and þe erþe ſownede of þe
cry of hem.
xli Forſoþe Adonye herde, and alle þat weren clepid of
hym to feeſte; and þanne þe feeſte was endid. But alſo
Joab ſeide, whanne þe vois of trumpe was herd, What
wole it to it ſilf þe cry of þe citee makynge noiſe?
xlii Ȝit þe while he ſpak, Jonathan, ſone of Abiathar, þe
preeſt, cam; to whom Adonye ſeide, Entre þou, for þou
art a ſtrong man, and tellynge goode þingis.
xliii And Jonathan anſweride to Adonye, Nay; for oure
lord þe kyng Dauid haþ ordeyned Salomon kyng;
xliiii and Dauid ſente wiþ Salomon Sadoch, þe preeſt,
and Nathan, þe prophete, and Banaie, ſone of Joiada,
and Cerethi, and Ferethi; and þei puttiden Salomon on
þe mule of þe kyng.
xlv And Sadoch, þe preeſt, and Nathan, þe prophete,
anoyntiden hym kyng in Gion; and þei camen doun fro
þennus beynge glad, and þe citee ſownede; þis is þe
vois which ȝe herden.
xlvi But alſo Salomon ſittiþ on þe trone of rewme;
xlvii and þe ſeruauntis of þe kyng entriden, and bleſſiden
oure lord þe kyng Dauid, and ſeiden, God make large þe
name of Salomon aboue þi name, and magnyfye his
trone aboue þi trone. And kyng Dauid worſchipide in
his bed;
xlviii and ferþermore he ſpak þeſe þingis, Bleſſid be þe
Lord God of Iſrael, þat ȝaf to dai a ſittere in my trone,
while myn iȝen ſeen.
CCCI
xlix Þerfor alle, þat weren clepid of Adonye to feeſte,
weren aferd, and riſiden, and ech man ȝede in to his
weie.
l Soþeli Adonye dredde Salomon, and roos, and ȝede in
to þe tabernacle of þe Lord, and helde þe horn of þe
auter.
li And þei telden to Salomon, and ſeiden, Lo! Adonye
drediþ þe kyng Salomon, and holdiþ þe horn of þe
auter, and ſeiþ, Kyng Salomon ſwere to me to dai, þat
he ſchal not ſle his ſeruaunt bi ſwerd.
lii And Salomon ſeide, If he is a good man, ſoþeli not
oon heer of hym ſchal falle in to erþe; but if yuel be
foundun in hym, he ſchal die.
liii Þerfor kyng Salomon ſente, and ledde `hym out fro
þe auter; and he entride, and worſchipide kyng
Salomon; and Salomon ſeide to hym, Go in to þin hows.
CAP. II
i Forſoþe þe daies of Dauid neiȝiden, þat he ſchulde die;
and he comaundide to Salomon, his ſone, and ſeide, Lo!
ii Y entre in to þe weie of al erþe; be þou coumfortid,
and be þou a ſtrong man.
iii And kepe þou þe kepyngis and heeſtis of þi Lord
God, þat þou go in hiſe weies, and kepe hiſe
cerymonyes, and hiſe heeſtis, and hiſe domes, and
witneſſyngis, as it is writun in þe lawe of Moiſes; þat
þou vndurſtonde alle þingis whiche þou doiſt, and
whidur euer þou ſchalt turne þee.
iiii Þat þe Lord conferme hiſe wordis, whiche þe Lord
ſpak of me, and ſeide, If þi ſones kepen my weies, and
goen bifor me in treuþe, in al her herte, and in al her
ſoule, a man ſchal not be takun awei of þee fro þe trone
of Iſrael.
v Alſo þou knowiſt what þingis Joab, þe ſone of Saruye,
dide to me; what þingis he dide to twey princis of þe
ooſt of Iſrael, to Abner, ſone of Ner, and to Amaſa, ſone
of Jether, whiche he killide, and ſchedde þe blood of
batel in pees; and puttide þe blood of batel in his girdil,
þat was aboute hiſe leendis, and in his ſcho, þat was in
hiſe feet.
vi Þerfor þou ſchalt do by þi wiſdom, and þou ſchalt not
lede forþ his hoorneſſe peſibli to hellis.
vii But alſo þou ſchalt ȝelde grace to þe ſones of
Berſellai of Galaad, and þei ſchulen be eetynge in þi
boord; for þei metten me, whanne Y fledde fro þe face
of Abſolon, þi broþer.
viii Alſo þou haſt anentis þee Semey, ſone of Gera, ſone
of Gemyny, of Bahurym, which Semei curſide me bi þe
worſte curſyng, whanne Y ȝede to `þe caſtels; but for he
cam doun to me in to metyng, whanne Y paſſide Jordan,
and Y ſwoor to him bi þe Lord, and ſeide, Y ſchal not
ſlee þee bi ſwerd,
ix nyle þou ſuffre hym to be vnpunyſchid; forſoþe þou
art a wiſe man, and þou ſchalt wite what þou ſchalt do
to hym, and þou ſchalt lede forþ hiſe hoor heeris wiþ
blood to hellis.
x Soþeli Dauid ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biriede in
þe citee of Dauid.
xi Forſoþe þe daies, in whiche Dauid regnede on Iſrael,
ben fourti ȝeer; in Ebron he regned ſeuene ȝeer, in
Jeruſalem þre and þretti ȝeer.
xii Forſoþe Salomon ſat on þe trone of Dauid, his fadir,
and his rewme was maad ſtidfaſt greetli.
xiii And Adonye, ſone of Agith, entride to Berſabee,
modir of Salomon; and ſche ſeide to hym, Wheþer þin
entryng is peſible? And he anſweride, It is peſible.
xiiii And he addide, A word of me is to þee. `To whom
ſche ſeide, Speke þou.
xv And he ſeide, Þou knowiſt þat þe rewme was myn,
and al Iſrael purpoſide to make me in to king to hem;
but þe rewme is tranſlatid, and is maad my broþeris; for
of þe Lord it is ordeyned to hym.
xvi Now þerfor Y preye of þe oon axyng; ſchende þou
not my face. And ſche ſeide to hym, Speke þou. And he
ſeide, Y preie,
xvii þat þou ſeie to Salomon þe king; for he may not
denye ony þing to þee; þat he ȝyue to me Abiſag of
Sunam wijf.
xviii And Berſabee ſeide, Wel, Y ſchal ſpeke for þee to þe
kyng.
xix Þerfor Berſabee cam to kyng Salomon, to ſpeke to
hym for Adonye; and þe kyng roos aȝens þe comyng of
hir, and worſchipide hir, and `ſat on his trone; and a
trone was ſet to þe modir of þe kyng, and ſche ſat at his
riȝt ſide.
xx And ſche ſeide to hym, Y preie of þee o litil axyng;
ſchende þou not my face. And þe kyng ſeide to hir, My
modir, axe þou; for it is not leueful þat Y turne awei þi
face.
xxi And ſche ſeide, Abiſag of Sunam be ȝouun wijf to
Adonye, þi broþer.
xxii And kyng Salomon anſweride, and ſeide to his
modir, Whi axiſt þou Abiſag of Sunam to Adonye? Axe
þou to hym alſo þe rewme; for he is `my gretter broþir,
and he haþ Abiathar, preeſt, and Joab, ſone of Saruye.
xxiii Þerfor kyng Salomon ſwoor bi þe Lord, and ſeide,
God do to me þeſe þingis, and adde þeſe þinges, for
Adonie ſpak þis word aȝens his lijf.
xxiiii And now þe Lord lyueþ, þat confermede me, and
haþ ſet me on þe trone of my fadir, and þat haþ maad to
me an hows, as he ſpak, for Adonye ſchal be ſlayn to
dai.
xxv And kyng Salomon ſente bi þe hond of Banaie, ſone
of Joiada; which Banaie killide Adonye, and he was
deed.
xxvi Alſo þe kyng ſeide to Abiathar, preeſt, Go þou in to
Anatot, to þi feeld; and ſoþeli þou art a man of deeþ,
CCCII
`þat is, worþi þe deeþ, for conſpiryng aȝens me, and þe
ordynaunce of God, and of my fadir; but to dai Y ſchal
not ſle þee, for þou bariſt þe arke of þe Lord God bifor
Dauid, my fadir, and þou ſuffridiſt trauele in alle þingis,
in whiche my fadir trauelide.
xxvii Þerfor Salomon puttide out Abiathar, þat he ſchulde
not be preeſt of þe Lord, þat þe word of þe Lord were
fillid, which he ſpak on þe hows of Heli, in Silo.
xxviii Forſoþe a meſſager cam to Salomon, þat Joab
hadde bowid aftir Adonye, and þat he hadde not bowid
after Salomon. Þerfor Joab fledde in to þe tabernacle of
þe Lord, and took þe horn of þe auter.
xxix And it was teld to kyng Salomon, þat Joab hadde
fledde in to þe tabernacle of þe Lord, and was biſidis þe
auter; and Salomon ſente Banaie, ſone of Joiada, and
ſeide, Go þou, and ſle hym.
xxx And Banaie cam to þe tabernacle of þe Lord, and
ſeide to Joab, Þe kyng ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Go þou out. And
he ſeide, Y ſchal not go out, but Y ſchal die here. Banaie
telde þe word to þe kyng, and ſeide, Joab ſpak þes
þingis, and anſweride þeſe þingis to me.
xxxi And þe kyng ſeide to Banaie, Do þou as he ſpak,
and ſle þou hym, and birie him; and þou ſchalt remoue
þe innocent blood, þat was ſched out of Joab, fro me,
and fro þe hows of my fadir.
xxxii And þe Lord ȝelde on his heed his blood, for he
killide twei iuſt men, and betere þan hym ſilf, and he
killide hem bi ſwerd, while Dauid, my fadir, `wiſte not,
Abner, þe ſone of Ner, þe prince of þe chyualrie of
Iſrael, and Amaſa, ſone of Jether, þe prince of þe ooſt of
Juda.
xxxiii And þe blood of hem ſchal turne aȝen in to þe heed
of Joab, and in to þe heed of his ſeed wiþ outen ende;
forſoþe pees be of þe Lord til in to wiþ outen ende to
Dauid, and to his ſeed, and to þe hous and trone of hym.
xxxiiii Þerfor Banaie, ſone of Joiada, ſtiede, and aſailide,
and killide Joab; and Joab was biried in his hows in
deſeert.
xxxv And þe kyng ordeynede Banaie, ſone of Joiada, on
þe ooſt for hym; and þe kyng puttide Sadoch preeſt for
Abiathar.
xxxvi Alſo þe kyng ſente, and clepide Semey, and ſeide
to hym, Bilde to þee an hows in Jeruſalem, and dwelle
þou þere, and þou ſchalt not go out fro þennus hidur and
þidur;
xxxvii ſoþeli in what euer dai þou goiſt out, and paſſiſt þe
ſtronde of Cedron, wite þou þee worþi to be ſlayn; þi
blood ſchal be on þin heed.
xxxviii And Semei ſeide to þe kyng, Þe word of þe kyng
is good; as my lord þe kyng ſpak, ſo þi ſeruaunt ſchal
do. Þerfor Semey dwellide in Jeruſalem in many daies.
xxxix Forſoþe it was doon after þre ȝeer, þat þe
ſeruauntis of Semei fledden to Achis, ſone of Maacha,
þe kyng of Geth; and it was teld to Semey, þat hiſe
ſeruauntis hadden go in to Geth.
xl And Semey roos, and ſadlide his aſſe, and ȝede to
Achis, in to Geth, to ſeke hiſe ſeruauntis; and brouȝte
hem aȝen fro Geth.
xli Forſoþe it was teld to kyng Salomon, þat Semey
hadde go to Geth fro Jeruſalem, and hadde come aȝen.
xlii And Salomon ſente, and clepide hym, and ſeide to
hym, Wheþer Y witneſſede not to þee bi þe Lord, and
bifor ſeide to þee, In what euer dai þou ſchalt go out
hidur and þidur, wite þou þat þou ſchalt die; and þou
anſweridiſt to me, Þe word is good, which Y herde?
xliii Whi þerfor keptiſt þou not þe ooþ of þe Lord, and
þe comaundement which Y comaundide to þee?
xliiii And þe kyng ſeide to Semei, Þou knowiſt al þe
yuel, of which þin herte is gilti to þee, which yuel þou
didiſt to my fadir; þe Lord haþ ȝolde þi malice in to þin
heed.
xlv And kyng Salomon ſchal be bleſſid; and þe trone of
Dauid ſchal be ſtable bifor þe Lord til in to wiþ outen
ende.
xlvi Þerfor þe kyng comaundide to Banaie, ſone of
Joiada; and he aſſailide, and ſmoot Semey, and he was
deed.
CAP. III
i Þerfor þe rewme was confermyd in to þe hondis of
Salomon; and bi affynyte, `eþer aliaunce, he was ioyned
to Pharao, kyng of Egipt; for he took þe douȝter of
Farao, and brouȝte in to þe citee of Dauid, til he `fillide
bildynge his hows, and þe hows of þe Lord, and þe wal
of Jeruſalem bi cumpas.
ii Neþeles þe puple offride in hiȝe places; for þe temple
was not bildid to þe name of þe Lord til in to þat dai.
iii Forſoþe Salomon louyde þe Lord, and ȝede in þe
comaundementis of Dauid, his fadir, out takun þat
Salomon offride in hiȝe placis, and brente encenſe `in
hiȝe places.
iiii Þerfor Salomon ȝede in to Gabaon, to offre þere; for
þilke was þe mooſt hiȝ place. Salomon offride on þat
auter in Gabaon a þouſynde offryngis in to brent
ſacrifice.
v Soþeli þe Lord apperide to Salomon bi ſleep in þe
nyȝt, and ſeide, Axe þou `þat, þat þou wolt, þat Y ȝyue
to þee.
vi And Salomon ſeide, Þou haſt do greet merci wiþ þi
ſeruaunt Dauid, my fadir, as he ȝede in þi ſiȝt, in treuþe,
and riȝtfulneſſe, and riȝtful herte wiþ þee; þou haſt kepte
to hym þi greet merci, and haſt ȝouun to hym a ſone,
ſittynge on his trone, as it is to dai.
vii And now, Lord God, þou haſt maad þi ſeruaunt to
regne for Dauid, my fadir; forſoþe Y am a litil child,
and not knowynge myn outgoynge and entryng.
CCCIII
viii And þi ſeruaunt is in þe myddis of þe puple, which
þou haſt choſe, of puple wiþ outen noumbre, þat may
not be noumbrid and rikened, for multitude.
ix Þerfor þou ſchalt ȝyue to þi ſeruaunt an herte able to
be tauȝt, `þat is, liȝtned of þee, þat he may deme þe
puple, and iuge bitwixe good and yuel; for who may
deme þis puple, þi puple, þis miche puple?
x Þerfor þe world pleſide bifore þe Lord, þat Salomon
hadde axid ſich a þing.
xi And þe Lord ſeide to Salomon, For þou axidiſt þis
word, and axidiſt not to þee many daies, neþer richeſſis,
neþer þe lyues of þin enemyes, but þou axidiſt to þee
wiſdom to deme doom, lo!
xii Y haue do to þee vpe þi wordis, and Y haue ȝoue to
þee a wyſe herte and vndirſtondynge, in ſo myche þat
no man bifor þee was lijk þee, neþer ſchal riſe aftir þee.
xiii But alſo Y haue ȝoue to þee þeſe þingis, whiche þou
axidiſt not, þat is, richeſſis, and glorie, þat no man be
lijk þee in kyngis in alle tymes aftirward.
xiiii Forſoþe if þou goiſt in my weies, and kepiſt my
biddyngis and comaundementis, as þi fadir ȝede, Y
ſchal make þi daies long.
xv Þerfor Salomon wakide, and vndirſtood what þe
ſweuen was. And whanne he hadde come to Jeruſalem,
he ſtood bifor þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord, and
he offride brent ſacrifices, and made peſible ſacrifices,
and a greet feeſte to alle hiſe meynees.
xvi Þanne twei wymmen hooris camen to þe kyng, and
ſtoden bifor hym;
xvii of whiche oon ſeide, My lord, Y biſeche, Y and þis
womman dwelliden in oon hows, and Y childide at hir
in a couche.
xviii Soþeli in þe þridde dai aftir þat Y childide, alſo þis
womman childide; and we weren togidere in þe hows,
and noon oþer was wiþ vs in þe hows, outakun vs
tweyne.
xix Forſoþe þe ſone of þis womman was deed in þe nyȝt,
for ſche ſlepte, and oppreſſide hym;
xx and ſche roos in þe fourþe part of þe nyȝt in ſilence,
and took my ſone fro þe ſide of me, þin handmaide
ſlepynge, and ſettide in hir boſum; forſoþe ſche puttide
in my boſum hir ſone, þat was deed.
xxi And whanne Y hadde ryſe eerli, to ȝyue mylk to my
ſone, he apperide deed; whom Y bihelde diligentlier bi
cleer lyȝt, and Y perſeyuede, þat he was not myn, whom
Y hadde gendrid.
xxii Þe toþer womman anſweride, It is not ſo as þou ſeiſt,
but þi ſone is deed; forſoþe `my ſone lyueþ. Aȝenward
ſche ſeide, Þou lieſt; for my ſone lyueþ, and þi ſone is
deed. And bi þis maner þei ſtryueden bifore þe kyng.
xxiii Þanne þe kyng ſeide, Þis womman ſeiþ, My ſone
lyueþ, and þi ſone is deed; and þis womman anſweriþ,
Nay, but þi ſone is deed; forſoþe my ſone lyueþ.
xxiiii Þerforþe kyng ſeide, Brynge ȝe to me a ſwerd. And
whanne þei hadden brouȝt a ſwerd bifor þe kyng,
xxv he ſeide, Departe ȝe þe quyk ȝong child in to twei
partis, and ȝyue ȝe þe half part to oon, and þe half part
to þe toþer.
xxvi Forſoþe þe womman, whos ſone was quik, ſeide to
þe kyng; for her entrailis weren mouyd on hir ſone;
Lord, Y biſeche, ȝyue ȝe to hir þe quik child, and nyle
ȝe ſle hym. Aȝenward ſche ſeide, Be he neþir to me,
neþer to þee, but be he departid.
xxvii Þe kyng anſweride, and ſeide, Ȝyue ȝe to þis
womman þe ȝong child quyk, and be he not ſlayn;
forſoþe þis is `his modir.
xxviii Þerfor al Iſrael herde þe doom, which þe kyng
hadde demyd; and þei dredden þe kyng, and ſien, þat þe
wiſdom of God was in hym, to make doom.
CAP. IIII
i `Forſoþe kyng Salomon was regnynge on al Iſrael.
ii And þeſe weren þe princes which he hadde; Azarie,
ſone of Sadoch, preeſt;
iii Helioreb, and Haia, ſones of Sila, `weren ſcryueyns;
Joſophat, ſone of Achilud, was chaunſeler;
iiii Banaie, ſone of Joiada, was on þe ooſt; forſoþe
Sadoch and Abiathar weren preeſtis;
v Azarie, ſone of Nathan, was on hem þat ſtoden niȝ þe
kyng; Zabul, þe ſone of Nathan, was preeſt, `þat is,
greet and worſchipful, a freend of þe kyng;
vi and Ahiaſar was ſtiward of þe hows; and Adonyram,
ſone of Adda, was on þe tributis.
vii Forſoþe Salomon hadde twelue `prefectis, eþer cheef
minyſtrys, on al Iſrael, þat ȝauen lijflode to þe kyng, and
to his hows; ſoþeli bi ech moneþe bi it ſilf in þe ȝeer,
ech prefect bi hym ſilf mynyſtride neceſſaries.
viii And þeſe ben þe names of hem; Benhur, in þe hil of
Effraym;
ix Bendechar, in Macces, and in Salebbym, and in
Bethſames, and in Helon, and in Bethanan;
x Beneſeth, in Araboth; forſoþe Socco, and al þe lond of
Epher was his;
xi Benabidanab, whos was al Neptad, hadde
Dortaphaed, `Solomons douȝter, to wijf.
xii Bena, ſone of Achilud, gouernyde Thaneth, and
Mageddo, and al Bethſan, which is biſidis Sarthana,
vndur Jezrael, fro Bethſan `til to Abelmeula, euene
aȝens Zelmaan.
xiii Bengaber in Ramoth of Galaad hadde Anothiair, of
þe ſone of Manaſſes, in Galaad; he was ſouereyn in al þe
cuntrey of Argob, which is in Baſan, to ſixti greet citees
and wallid, þat hadden braſun lockis.
xiiii Achymadab, ſone of Addo, was ſouereyn in
Manaym;
CCCIV
xv Achymaas was in Neptalym, but alſo he hadde
Bachſemath, douȝter of Salomon, in wedloc;
xvi Banaa, ſone of Huſy, was in Aſer, and in Balod;
xvii Joſephat, ſone of Pharue, was in Yſachar; Semey,
ſone of Hela, was in Beniamyn;
xviii Gaber,
xix ſone of Sury, was in þe lond of Galaad, and in þe
lond of Seon, kyng of Amorrey, and of Og, kyng of
Baſan, on alle þingis, þat weren in þat lond.
xx Juda and Iſrael weren vnnoumbrable, as þe ſoond of
þe ſee in multitude, etynge, and drynkynge, and beynge
glad.
xxi Forſoþe Solomon was in his lordſchip, and hadde
alle rewmes, as fro þe flood of þe lond of Filiſteis `til to
þe laſte part of Egipt, of men offrynge ȝiftis to hym, and
ſeruynge to hym, in alle þe daies of his lijf.
xxii Forſoþe þe mete of Salomon was bi ech day, þritti
chorus of clene flour of whete, and ſixti chorus of mele,
xxiii ten fatte oxis, and twenti oxis of leſewe, and an
hundrid weþeris, outakun huntyng of hertys, of geet,
and of buglis, and of briddis maad fat.
xxiiii For he helde al þe cuntrei þat was biȝende þe flood,
as fro Caphſa `til to Gaſa, and alle þe kyngis of þo
cuntreis; and he hadde pees bi ech part in cumpas.
xxv And Juda and Iſrael dwelliden wiþouten ony drede,
ech man vndur his vyne, and vndur his fige tree, fro
Dan `til to Berſabe, in alle þe daies of Salomon.
xxvi And Salomon hadde fourty þouſynd cratchis of
horſis for charis, and twelue þouſynde of roode horſis;
and þe forſeid prefectis nurſhiden þo horſis.
xxvii But alſo wiþ greet biſyneſſe þei ȝauen neceſſaries to
þe boord of kyng Salomon in her tyme;
xxviii alſo þei brouȝten barli, and forage of horſis and
werk beeſtis, in to þe place where þe king was, `bi
ordenaunce to hem.
xxix Alſo God ȝaf to Salomon wiſdom, and prudence ful
myche, and largeneſſe of herte, as þe ſoond which is in
þe brenke of þe ſee.
xxx And þe wiſdom of Solomon paſſide þe wiſdom of
alle eeſt men, and Egipcians;
xxxi and he was wiſere þan alle men; he was wiſere þan
Ethan Eſraite, and þan Eman, and þan Cacal, and þan
Dorda, þe ſones of Maol; and he was named among alle
folkis bi cumpas.
xxxii And Salomon ſpak þre þouſynde parablis, and hiſe
ſongis weren fyue þouſynde;
xxxiii and he diſputide of trees fro a cedre which is in þe
Lyban, `til to þe yſope þat goiþ out of þe wal; he
diſputide of werk beeſtis, and briddis, and crepynge
beeſtis, and fiſchis.
xxxiiii And þei camen fro alle puplis to here þe wiſdom
of Salomon, and fro alle kyngis of erþe, þat herden his
wiſdom.
CAP. V
i Alſo Hiram, kyng of Tire, ſente hiſe ſeruauntis to
Salomon; for he herde þat þei hadden anoyntide hym
kyng for his fadir; for Hiram was frend of Dauid in al
time.
ii Soþeli alſo Salomon ſente to Hiram,
iii and ſeide, Þou knowiſt þe wille of Dauid, my fadir,
and for he miȝte not bilde an hows to þe name of his
God, for batels neiȝynge bi cumpas, til þe Lord ȝaf hem
vndur þe ſtep of hiſe feet.
iiii Now forſoþe my Lord God ȝaf reſte to me bi cumpas,
and noon aduerſarie is, neþir yuel aſailyng;
v wherfor Y þenke to buylde a temple to þe name of my
Lord God, as God ſpak to Dauid, my fadir, and ſeide, Þi
ſone, whom Y ſchal ȝyue to þee for þee on þi trone, he
ſchal bilde an hows to my name.
vi Þerfor comaunde þou, þat þi ſeruauntis hewe doun to
me cedris of þe Liban; and my ſeruauntis be wiþ þi
ſeruauntis; ſoþeli Y ſchal ȝyue to þee þe meede of þi
ſeruauntis, what euere meede þou ſchalt axe; for þou
wooſt, þat in my puple is not a man þat kan hewe trees,
as Sidonyes kunnen.
vii Þerfor whanne Hiram hadde herde þe wordis of
Salomon, he was ful glad, and ſeide, Bleſſid be þe Lord
God to dai, þat ȝaf to Dauid a ſone mooſt wijs on þis
puple ful myche.
viii And Hiram ſente to Salomon, and ſeide, Y haue
herde what euer þingis þou ſentiſt to me; Y ſchal do al
þi wille, in trees of cedres, and of beechis.
ix My ſeruauntis ſchulen putte doun þo trees fro þe
Liban to þe ſee, and Y ſchal araye þo trees in ſchippis in
þe ſee, `til to þe place which þou ſchalt ſignyfie to me;
and Y ſchal dreſſe þo þere, þat þou take þo; and þou
ſchalt ȝyue neceſſaries to me, þat mete be ȝouun to myn
hows.
x Þerfor Hiram ȝaf to Salomon `trees of cedres, and
`trees of beechis, bi al his wille;
xi forſoþe Salomon ȝaf to Hiram twenti þouſynde chorus
of wheete, in to meete to his hows, and twenti chorus of
pureſte oile; Salomon ȝaf þeſe þingis to Hiram bi alle
ȝeeris.
xii Alſo þe Lord ȝaf wiſdom to Salomon, as he ſpak to
hym; and pees was bitwixe Hiram and Salomon, and
boþe ſmytiden boond of pees.
xiii And kyng Salomon chees werk men of al Iſrael; and
þe ſumme was þretti þouſynde of men.
xiiii And `Salomon ſente hem in to þe Liban, ten
þouſynde bi ech moneþe bi whilis, ſo þat in twei
moneþis bi whilis þei weren in her howſis; and
Adonyram was on ſich a ſumme.
xv Þerfor ſeuenti þouſynde of hem, þat baren burþuns,
weren to Salomon, and foure ſcore þouſynde of
maſouns in þe hil, wiþ out þe ſouereyns,
CCCV
xvi þat weren maiſtris of alle werkis, bi þe noumbre of
þre þouſynde and þre hundrid, comaundynge to þe
puple, and to hem þat maden werk.
xvii And þe kyng comaundide, þat þei ſchulden take
greete ſtonys, `and preciouſe ſtonys, in to þe
foundement of þe temple, and þat þei ſchulden make þo
ſquare;
xviii whiche ſtoonys þe maſouns of Salomon, and þe
maſouns of Hyram, hewiden. Forſoþe Biblies maden
redi trees and ſtonus, to þe hows to be bildid.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe it was doon in þe fourþe hundrid and
foureſcore ȝeer of þe goynge out of þe ſones of Iſrael fro
þe lond of Egipt, in þe fourþe ȝeer, in þe moneþe Zio;
þilke is þe ſecounde moneþe of þe rewme of Salomon
on Iſrael; he bigan to bilde an hows to þe Lord.
ii Forſoþe þe hows which kyng Salomon bildide to þe
Lord, hadde ſexti cubitis in lengþe, and twenti cubitis in
breede, and þretti cubitis in heiȝþe.
iii And a porche was bifor þe temple of twenti cubitis of
lengþe, by þe meſure of þe breed of þe temple; and þe
porche hadde ten cubitis of breede, bifor þe face of þe
temple.
iiii And Salomon made in þe temple `wyndows ſtreyte
wiþoutforþ, and large wiþ ynne.
v And he bildide on þe wal of þe temple bildyngis of
tablis bi cumpas, in þe wallis of þe hows, `bi cumpas of
þe temple, and of Goddis anſweryng place; and he made
ſidis in þe cumpas.
vi Þe bildyng of tablis, þat was vndur, hadde fyue
cubitis of breede; and þe myddil bildyng of tablis was
of ſixe cubits of breede; and þe þridde bildyng of tablis
was hauynge ſeuene cubitis of breede. Soþeli he puttide
beemys in þe hous bi cumpas wiþ outforþ, þat þo
cleuiden not to þe wallis of þe temple.
vii Forſoþe whanne þe hows was bildid, it was bildid of
`ſtoonys hewid and perfit; and an hamer, and ax, and al
þing maad of yrun, weren not herd in þe hows, while it
was in bildyng.
viii Þe dore of þe myddil ſide was in þe wal of þe riȝthalf
hows; and bi a vijs þei ſtieden in to þe myddil ſoler, and
fro þe myddil ſoler in to þe þridde ſoler.
ix And Salomon bildide þe hows, and endide it. Alſo
Salomon hilide þe hows wiþ couplis of cedre,
x and bildide a bildyng of tablis ouer al þe hows, bi fyue
cubitis of heiȝþe, and hilide þe hows wiþ `trees of
cedre.
xi And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Salomon, and
ſeide,
xii Þis is þe hows, which þou bildiſt; if þou goſt in myn
heeſtis, and doſt my domes, and kepiſt alle my
comaundementis, and goiſt bi þo, Y ſchal make ſtidefaſt
my word to þee, `which word Y ſpak to Dauid, þi fadir;
xiii and Y ſchal dwelle in þe myddis of þe ſones of Iſrael,
and Y ſchal not forſake my puple Iſrael.
xiiii Þerfor Salomon bildide þe hows, and endide it;
xv and he bildide þe wallis of þe hows wiþ ynne wiþ
tablis of cedre, fro þe pawment of þe hows `til to þe
heiȝneſſe of þe wal, and `til to þe couplis; and hilide wiþ
trees of cedre wiþ ynne; and he hilide þe pawment of þe
hows wiþ tablis of beeche.
xvi And he bildide a wal of tablis of cedre of twenti
cubitis at þe hyndrere part of þe temple, fro þe pawment
`til to þe hiȝere partis; and he made þe ynnere hows of
Goddis anſweryng place, in to þe hooli of hooli þingis.
xvii Soþeli þilke temple bifor þe doris of Goddis
anſwering place was of fourti cubitis.
xviii And al þe hows wiþ ynne was cloþid wiþ cedre,
and hadde hiſe ſmeþeneſſis, and hiſe ioynyngis maad
ſuteli, and grauyngis apperynge aboue; alle þingis
weren cloþid wiþ tablis of cedre, and outirli a ſtoon
miȝte not appere in þe wal.
xix Forſoþe Salomon made Goddis anſweryng place in
þe myddis of þe hows, in þe ynnere part, þat he ſchulde
ſette þere þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord.
xx Soþeli Goddis anſweryng place hadde twenti cubitis
of lengþe, and twenti cubitis of breede, and twenti
cubitis of hiȝte; and he hilide, and cloþide it wiþ pureſte
gold; but alſo he cloþide þe auter wiþ cedre.
xxi Alſo he hilide wiþ pureſte gold þe hows bifor
`Goddis anſweryng place, and faſtnyde platis wiþ
goldun nailis.
xxii No þing was in þe temple, `which þing was not hilid
wiþ gold; but alſo he hilid wiþ gold al þe auter of
Goddis anſweryng place.
xxiii And he made in `Goddis anſweryng place twey
cherubyns of þe trees of olyues, of ten cubits of heiȝte;
xxiiii o wynge of cherub was of fyue cubitis, and þe
toþer wynge of cherub was of fyue cubitis, þat is,
hauynge ten cubitis, fro þe heiȝneſſe of `þe o wynge `til
to þe hiȝneſſe of þe toþer wynge.
xxv And þe ſecunde cherub was of ten cubitis in euene
meſure; and o werk was in þe twey cherubyns,
xxvi þat is, o cherub hadde þe hiȝþe of ten cubitis, and in
lijk maner þe toþer cherub.
xxvii And he ſettide cherubyns in þe myddis of þe
ynnere temple; forſoþe þe cherubyns helden forþ her
wyngis, and o wenge touchide þe wal, and þe wynge of
þe ſecunde cherub touchide þe toþer wal; forſoþe þe
oþere wyngis in þe middil part of þe temple touchiden
hem ſilf togidere.
xxviii And he hilide þe cherubyns wiþ gold,
xxix and alle þe wallis of þe temple `bi cumpas; and
grauyde wiþ dyuerſe grauyngis and ſmeþeneſſe; and he
made in þo wallys cherubyns, and palmes, and dyuerſe
peynturis, as ſtondinge forþ and goynge out of þe wal.
CCCVI
xxx But alſo he hilide wiþ gold þe pawment of þe hows,
wiþynne and wiþ outforþe.
xxxi And in þe entryng of `Goddis anſwering place he
made twei litil doris of þe trees of olyues; and he made
poſtis of fyue corneris,
xxxii and twei doris of þe trees of olyues; and grauyde in
þo þe peynture of cherubyns, and þe licneſſis of palmes,
and grauyngis aboue ſtondynge forþ gretli; and he hilide
þo wiþ gold; and he hilide as wel þe cherubyns, as
palmes, and oþere þingis wiþ gold.
xxxiii And in þe entring of þe temple he made poſtis
foure cornerid of þe trees of olyues;
xxxiiii and he made twei doris of þe trees of beech, ech
aȝens oþer; and euer eiþer dore was double, and it was
openyd holdynge it ſilf togidere.
xxxv And he grauyde cherubyns, and palmes, and
grauyngis apperynge greetli; and he hilide alle þingis
wiþ goldun platis, bi ſquare werk at reule.
xxxvi And he bildide a large ſtreet wiþ ynne, bi þre
ordris of ſtoonys maad fair, and bi oon ordre of trees of
cedre.
xxxvii Þe hows of þe Lord was foundid in þe fourþe ȝeer,
in þe moneþe Zio;
xxxviii and þe hows was maad perfit in al his werk, and
in alle veſſels, eþer `purtenauncis, in þe eleuenþe ȝeer,
in þe moneþe Zebul; þilke is þe eiȝþe moneþe; and he
bildide þat hows in ſeuene ȝeer.
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe Salomon bildide his owne hows in þrittene
ȝeer, and brouȝte it til to perfeccioun.
ii He bildide an hows of þe foreſt of Liban, of an
hundrid cubitis of lengþe, and of fifti cubitis of breede,
and of þretti cubitis of hiȝþe; and he bildide foure aleis
bitwixe þe pilers of cedre; for he hadde hewe doun trees
of cedres in to pilers.
iii And he cloþide al þe chaumbir wiþ wallis of cedris;
which chaumbir was ſuſteyned wiþ fyue and fourti
pileris. Soþeli oon ordre hadde fiftene pileris, ſet aȝens
hem ſilf togidere,
iiii and biholdynge hem ſilf euene aȝens, bi euene ſpace
bitwixe þe pilers;
v and on þe pilers weren foure ſquare trees, euene in alle
þingis.
vi And he made a porche of pilers of fifti cubitis of
lengþe, and of þritti cubitis of breede; and `he made an
oþer porche in þe face of þe gretter porche; and he
made pileris, and pomels on þe pileris.
vii Alſo he maad a porche of þe kyngis ſeete, in which
þe ſeete of doom was; and he hilide wiþ trees of cedre,
fro þe pawment `til to þe hiȝneſſe.
viii And a litil hows, in which he ſat to deme, was in þe
myddil porche, bi lijk werk. Alſo Salomon made an
hows to þe douȝter of Farao, whom he hadde weddid, bi
ſich werk, bi what maner werk he made and þis porche.
ix He made alle þingis of preciouſe ſtoonys, þat weren
ſawid at ſum reule and meſure, boþe wiþ ynne and wiþ
outforþ, fro þe foundement `til to þe hiȝneſſe of wallis,
and wiþ ynne and `til to þe gretter ſtreet, eþir court.
x Soþeli þe foundementis weren of preciouſe ſtoonys,
grete ſtoonys of ten, eþir of eiȝte cubitis;
xi and preciouſe ſtoonys hewun of euene meſure weren
aboue; in lijk maner and of cedre.
xii And þe gretter court, `eþir voide ſpace, was round, of
þre ordris of hewun ſtonus, and of oon ordre of hewun
cedre; alſo and in þe ynnere large ſtrete of þe hows of
þe Lord, and in þe porche of þe hows of þe Lord.
xiii Alſo kyng Salomon ſente, and brouȝte fro Tire
Hiram, þe ſone of a womman widewe,
xiiii of þe lynage of Neptalym, of þe fadir a man of Tyre,
Hiram, a crafty man of braſſe, and ful of wiſdom, and
vndirſtondynge, and doctryn, to make al werk of bras.
And whanne he hadde come to kyng Salomon, he made
al hys werk.
xv And he made twey pilers of bras, o piler of eiȝtene
cubitis of hiȝþe; and a lyne of twelue cubitis cumpaſſide
euer eiþer piler.
xvi Alſo he made twei pomels, ȝotun of bras, þat weren
ſet on þe heedis of þe pilers; o pomel of fyue cubitis of
hiȝþe, and þe toþir pomel of fyue cubitis of heiȝþe; and
bi þe maner of a net,
xvii and of chaynes knyt to gidere to hem, bi wonderful
werk. Euer eiþer pomel of þe pilers was ȝotun; ſeuen
werkis lijk nettis of orders weren in o pomel, and ſeuen
werkis lijk nettis weren in þe toþer pomel.
xviii And he made perfitli þe pilers, and twei ordris `bi
cumpas of alle werkis lijk nettis, þat þo ſchulden hile þe
pomels, þat weren on þe hiȝneſſe of pumgarnadis; in þe
ſame maner he dide alſo to þe ſecounde pomel.
xix Soþeli þe pomels, þat weren on þe heedis of þe
pilers in þe porche, weren maad as bi þe werk of lilye,
of foure cubitis;
xx and eft oþere pomels in þe hiȝneſſe of pilers aboue, bi
þe meſure of þe piler, aȝens þe werkis lijk nettis; forſoþe
twey hundrid ordris of pumgarnadis weren in þe
cumpas of þe ſecounde pomel.
xxi And he ſettide þe twey pilers in þe porche of þe
temple; and whanne he hadde ſet þe riȝthalf pilere, he
clepide it bi name Jachym; in lijk maner he reiſide þe
ſecounde pilere, and he clepide þe name þerof Booz.
xxii And he ſettide on þe heedis of þe pilers a werk bi þe
maner of a lilie; and þe werk of þe pilers was maad
perfit.
xxiii Alſo he made a ȝotun ſee, þat is, a waiſching veſſel
for preeſtis, round in cumpas, of ten cubitis fro brynke
til to þe brinke; þe heiȝneſſe þerof was of fyue cubitis;
and a corde of þretti cubitis ȝede aboute it bi cumpas.
CCCVII
xxiiii And grauyng vndir þe brynke cumpaſſide it, and
cumpaſſide þe ſee bi ten cubitis; tweyne ordris of
grauyngis conteynynge ſumme ſtories weren ȝotun, and
ſtoden on twelue oxis;
xxv of whiche oxis þre bihelden to þe norþ, and þre to
þe weſt, and þre to þe ſouþ, and þree to þe eeſt; and þe
ſee was aboue on þo oxis, of whiche alle þe hyndere
þingis weren hid `wiþ ynne.
xxvi Soþeli þe þickneſſe of þe ſee was of þre ounces, and
þe brynke þerof was as þe brynke of a cuppe, and as þe
leef of a lilie crokid aȝen; þe ſee took twei þouſynde
baþus, þre þouſynde metretis.
xxvii And he made ten braſun foundementes, ech
foundement of foure cubites of lengþe, and of foure
cubitis of brede, and of þre cubitis of hiȝnes.
xxviii And þilke werk of foundementis was raſid bitwixe;
and grauyngis weren bitwixe þe ioynturis.
xxix And bitwixe þe litil corouns and ſerclis weren
liouns, oxis, and cherubyns; and in þe ioynturis in lijk
maner aboue; and vndir þe lyouns and oxis weren as
reynes of bridels of bras hangynge doun.
xxx And bi ech foundement weren foure wheelis, and
braſun extrees; and bi foure partis weren as litle
ſchuldryngis vndir þe waiſchyng veſſel, `þe ſchuldryngis
ȝotun, and biholdynge aȝens hemſilf togidere.
xxxi And þe mouþ of þe waiſchyng veſſel wiþ ynne was
in þe hiȝneſſe of þe heed, and þat, þat apperide wiþ
outforþ, was of o cubit, and it was al round, and hadde
togidere o cubit and an half; ſoþeli dyuerſe grauyngis
weren in þe corneris of pilers, and þe mydil piler
bitwixe was ſquare, not round.
xxxii And þe foure wheelis, þat weren bi foure corneris
of þe foundement, cleuyden togidere to hem ſilf vndir
þe foundement; o wheele hadde o cubit and an half of
hiȝþe.
xxxiii Soþeli þe wheelis weren ſiche, whiche maner
wheelis ben wont to be maad in a chare; and þe extrees,
and þe `naue ſtockis, and þe ſpokis, and dowlis of þo
wheelis, alle þingis weren ȝotun.
xxxiiii For alſo þe foure litle ſchuldryngis, bi alle þe
corners of o foundement, weren ioyned to gidere, and
ȝotun of þat foundement.
xxxv Soþeli in þe hiȝneſſe of þe foundement was ſum
roundeneſſe, of o cubite and an half, ſo maad craftili,
þat þe waiſchyng veſſel myȝte be ſet aboue, hauynge his
purtreiyngis, and dyuerſe grauyngis of it ſilf.
xxxvi Alſo he grauyde in þo wallis, þat weren of bras,
and in þe corneris, cherubyns, and liouns, and palmes,
as bi þe licneſſe of a man ſtondynge, þat þo ſemeden not
grauun, but put to bi cumpas.
xxxvii Bi þis maner he made ten foundementis, bi o
ȝetyng and meſure, and lijk grauyng.
xxxviii Alſo he made ten waiſchyng veſſels of bras; o
waiſchyng veſſel took fourti baþus, and it was of foure
cubitis; and he puttide ech waiſchyng veſſel bi it ſilf bi
ech foundement bi it ſilf, þat is, ten.
xxxix And he made ten foundementis, fyue at þe riȝt half
of þe temple, and fyue at þe left half; ſoþeli he ſettide þe
ſee at þe riȝt half of þe temple, aȝens þe eeſt, at þe ſouþ.
xl Alſo Hiram made cawdrouns, and pannes, and wyn
veſſels; and he made perfitli al þe werk of kyng
Salomon in þe temple of þe Lord.
xli He made twey pilers, and twei cordis of pomels on
þe pomels of pilers, and twei werkis lijk nettis, þat þo
ſchulden hile twey cordis, þat weren on þe heedis of
pileris.
xlii And `he made pumgarnadis foure hundrid in twey
werkis lijk nettis; `he made tweyne ordris of
pumgarnadis in ech werk lijk a net, to hile þe cordis of
þe pomels, þat weren on þe heedis of pilers.
xliii And he made ten foundementis, and ten waiſchyng
veſſels on þe foundementis;
xliiii and o ſe, `þat is, a waiſchyng veſſel for preeſtis, and
twelue oxis vndur þe ſee;
xlv and `he made cawdruns, and pannys, and wyn
veſſels. Alle veſſels, whiche Hiram made to kyng
Salomon in þe hows of þe Lord, weren of latoun.
xlvi And þe kyng ȝetide þo veſſels in þe feeldi cuntrey of
Jordan, in cleyi lond, bitwixe Sochot and Sarcham.
xlvii And Salomon ſettide alle þe veſſels; forſoþe for
greet multitude no weiȝte was of bras, `þat is, it paſſide
al comyn weiȝte.
xlviii And Salomon made alle veſſels in þe hows of þe
Lord; ſoþeli he made þe golden auter, `þat is, þe auter of
encenſe, þat was wiþ ynne þe temple, and þe goldun
boord, on whych þe loouys of ſettynge forþ weren ſet;
xlix and he made goldun candilſtikis, fyue at þe riȝt half,
and fyue at þe left half, aȝens Goddis anſwerynge place,
`of pureſt gold; and he made as þe flouris of a lilie, and
goldun lanterns aboue, and goldun tongis; and pottis,
l and hokis, and violis, and morteris, and cenſeris of
pureſte gold; and þe herris, eþer heengis, of þe doris of
þe ynnere hows of þe hooli of hooli þingis, and of þe
doris of þe hows of þe temple weren of gold.
li And Salomon performyde al þe werk, which he made
in þe hows of þe Lord; and he brouȝte ynne þe þingis,
whiche Dauid, his fadir, hadde halewid; ſiluer, and gold,
and veſſels; and he kepte in þe treſours of þe hows of þe
Lord.
CAP. VIII
i Þanne alle þe gretter men in birþe in Iſrael, wiþ þe
princes of lynagis, and þe duykis of meynees of þe
ſones of Iſrael, weren gaderid to kyng Salomon, in to
Jeruſalem, þat þei ſchulden bere þe arke of boond of
pees of þe Lord fro þe citee of Dauid, þat is, fro Syon.
ii And al Iſrael cam to gidere in þe moneþ Bethanym, in
þe ſolempne dai; þilke is þe ſeuenþe moneþ.
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iii And alle þe elde men of Iſrael camen; and þe preeſtis
token þe arke,
iiii and baren þe arke of þe Lord, and þe tabernacle of
boond of pees, and alle veſſels of þe ſeyntuarye, þat
weren in þe tabernacle; and þe preeſtis and dekenes
baren þo.
v Soþeli kyng Salomon, and al þe multitude of Iſrael,
þat camen togidere to hym, ȝede wiþ hym bifor þe arke;
and þei offriden ſcheep and oxis, wiþ out geſſyng and
noumbre.
vi And preſtis brouȝten þe arke of boond of pees of þe
Lord in to his place, in to Goddis anſwerynge place of
þe temple, in to þe hooli of hooli þingis, vndur þe
wengis of cherubyns.
vii Forſoþe cherubyns ſpredden forþ wengis ouer þe
place of þe arke; and hiliden þe arke, and þe barris
þerof aboue.
viii And whanne þe barris ſtoden forþ, and þe hiȝneſſe of
þo apperiden wiþ out þe ſeyntuarye, bifor `Goddis
anſwerynge place, þo apperyden no ferþer wiþ outforþ;
whiche barris alſo weren þere `til in to preſent day.
ix Forſoþe in þe arke is noon oþer þing, no but twei
tablis of ſtoon, whiche tablis Moyſes in Oreb hadde put
in þe ark, whanne þe Lord made boond of pees wiþ þe
ſones of Iſrael, whanne þei ȝeden out of þe loond of
Egipt.
x Forſoþe it was doon whanne þe preeſtis hadden go out
of þe ſeyntuarie, a cloude fillide þe hows of þe Lord;
xi and þe preeſtis myȝten not ſtonde and mynyſtre, for þe
cloude; for whi þe glorye of þe Lord hadde fillid þe
hows of þe Lord.
xii Þanne Salomon ſeide, Þe Lord ſeide, þat he wolde
dwelle in a cloude.
xiii Y bildynge haue bildid an hows in to þi dwelling
place, in to þi mooſt ſtidefaſt trone wiþ outen ende.
xiiii And þe kyng turnede his face, and bleſſide al þe
chirche in Iſrael; for al þe chirche of Iſrael ſtood.
xv And Salomon ſeide, Bleſſid be þe Lord God of Iſrael,
þat ſpak wiþ his mouþ to Dauid, my fadir, and
performyde in hiſe hondis, and ſeide,
xvi Fro þe dai in which Y ledde my puple Iſrael out of
Egipt, Y chees not a citee of alle þe lynagis of Iſrael, þat
an hows ſchulde be bildid, and my name ſchulde be
þere; but Y chees Dauid, þat he ſchulde be ouer my
puple Iſrael.
xvii And Dauid, my fadir, wolde bilde an hows to þe
name of þe Lord God of Iſrael.
xviii And þe Lord ſeide to Dauid, my fadir, Þat þou
þouȝtiſt in þin herte to bilde an hows to my name, þou
didiſt wel, tretynge þis ſame þing in ſoule;
xix neþeles þou ſchalt not bilde an hows to me, but þi
ſone, þat ſchal go out of þi reynes, he ſchal bilde an
hows to my name.
xx Þe Lord haþ confermyd his word, which he ſpak; and
Y ſtood for Dauid, my fadir, and Y ſat on þe trone of
Iſrael, as þe Lord ſpak; and Y haue bildid an hows to þe
name of þe Lord God of Iſrael.
xxi And Y haue ordeyned þere a place of þe arke, in
which arke þe boond of pees of þe Lord is, which he
ſmoot wiþ oure fadris, whanne þei ȝeden out of þe lond
of Egipt.
xxii Forſoþe Salomon ſtood bifoor þe auter of þe Lord,
in þe ſiȝt of þe chirch of Iſrael; and he helde forþ hiſe
hondis aȝens heuene,
xxiii and ſeide, Lord God of Iſrael, no God in heuene
aboue, neþer on erþe byneþe, is lijk þee, which kepiſt
couenaunt and mercy to þi ſeruauntis, þat goon bifor
þee in al her herte;
xxiiii and þou kepiſt to Dauid, my fadir, þi ſeruaunt, þo
þingis whiche þou haſt ſpoke to him; bi mouþ þou haſt
ſpoke, and bi hondis þou haſt fillid, as þis day preueþ.
xxv Now þerfor, Lord God of Iſrael, kepe þou to þi
ſeruaunt Dauid, my fadir, þo þingis whiche þou ſpakiſt
to hym, and ſeidiſt, A man of þee ſchal not be taken
awei bifor me, which man ſchal ſitte on þe trone of
Iſrael, ſo neþeles if þi ſones kepen þi weye, þat þei go
bifor me, as þou ȝediſt in my ſiȝt.
xxvi And now, Lord God of Iſrael, þi wordis be maad
ſtidfaſt, whiche þou ſpakiſt to þi ſeruaunt Dauid, my
fadir.
xxvii Þerfor wheþer it is to geſſe, þat God dwelliþ verily
on erþe; for if heuene, and heuene of heuenes moun not
take þee, how myche more þis hows, which Y bildid to
þee, `mai not take þee.
xxviii But, my Lord God, biholde þou to þe preiere of þi
ſeruaunt, and to þe biſechyngis of hym; here þou þe
`ympne, eþer preyſing, and preiere, which þi ſeruaunt
preieþ bifor þee to day;
xxix þat þin iȝen be openyd on þis hows bi niȝt and dai,
on þe hows, of which þou ſeidiſt, My name ſchal be
þere; þat þou here þe preier, which þi ſeruaunt preieþ to
þee in þis place; þat þou here þe biſechyng of þi
ſeruaunt,
xxx and of þi puple Iſrael, what euer þing he preieþ in
þis place, and here þou in þe place of þi dwellyng in
heuene; and whanne þou haſt herd, þou ſchalt be
mercyful.
xxxi If a man ſynneþ aȝens a man, and haþ ony ooþ, bi
which he is holdun boundun, and comeþ for þe ooþ in
to þin hows, bifor þin auter, þou ſchalt here in heuene,
xxxii and þou ſchalt do, and þou ſchalt deme þi
ſeruauntis; and þou ſchalt condempne þe wickid man,
and ſchalt ȝelde his weie on his heed, and þou ſchalt
iuſtifie þe iuſt man, and ſchalt ȝelde to hym vp his
riȝtfulneſſe.
xxxiii If þi puple Iſrael fleeþ hiſe enemyes, for he ſchal
do ſynne to þee, and þei doen penaunce, and
CCCIX
knoulechen to þi greet name, and comen, and
worſchipen, and biſechen þee in þis hows,
xxxiiii here þou in heuene, and forȝyue þou þe ſynne of
þi puple; and þou ſchalt lede hem aȝen in to þe lond,
which þou haſt ȝoue to þe fadris of hem.
xxxv If heuene is cloſid, and reyneþ not for þe ſynnes of
hem, and þei preyen in þis place, and doen penaunce to
þi name, and ben conuertid fro her ſynnes for her
turment,
xxxvi here þou hem in heuene, and forȝyue þou þe
ſynnes of þi ſeruauntis, and of þi puple Iſrael, and
ſchewe þou to hem good weie, bi which þei ſchulen go,
and ȝyue þou reyn to hem on þe lond, which þou haſt
ȝoue to hem in to poſſeſſioun.
xxxvii If hungur riſiþ in þe lond, eþer peſtilence is, eþer
corrupt eyr is, eþer ruſt, eþer locuſte, eþer myldew, and
his enemy turmentiþ hym, and biſegiþ þe ȝatis, al
wounde, al ſikeneſſe, al curſyng,
xxxviii and wichyng of yuel, þat bifalliþ to ech man of þi
puple Iſrael, if ony man knowiþ þe wounde of his herte,
and holdiþ forþ hiſe hondis in þis hows,
xxxix þou ſchalt here in heuene, in þe place of þi
dwellyng, and þou ſchalt do mercy, and þou ſchalt do
þat þou ȝyue to ech man vpe alle hiſe weies, as þou ſeeſt
his herte; for þou aloone knowiſt þe herte of alle þe
ſones of men,
xl þat þei drede þee in alle daies in whiche þei lyuen on
þe face of þe lond, which þou haſt ȝoue to oure fadrys.
xli Ferþermore and whanne an alien, which is not of þi
puple Iſrael, comeþ fro a fer lond for þi name; for þi
grete name, and þi ſtrong hond,
xlii and þin arm `holdun forþ ſchal be herd euery where;
þerfor whanne he comeþ, and preieþ in þis place,
xliii þou ſchalt here in heuene, in þe firmament of þi
dwellyng place, and þou ſchalt do alle þingis, for
whiche þe alien clepiþ þee, þat alle puplis of londis
lerne to drede þi name, as þi puple Iſrael doiþ, and
preue, þat þi name is clepid on þis hows, which Y
bildide.
xliiii If þi puple goiþ out to batel aȝens hiſe enemyes, bi
þe weie whidir euer þou ſendiſt hem, þei ſchulen preye
þee aȝens þe weie of þe citee which þou haſt choſe, and
aȝens þe hows which Y bildide to þi name,
xlv and þou ſchalt here in heuene þe preyeris of hem,
and þe biſechyngis of hem, and þou ſchalt make þe
doom of hem.
xlvi Þat if þei ſynnen to þee, for no man is þat ſynneþ
not, and þou art wrooþ, and bitakiſt hem to her
enemyes, and þei ben led priſoneris in to þe lond of
enemyes,
xlvii fer eþer nyȝ, and þei doon penaunce in her herte in
þe place of priſonyng, and ben conuertid, and biſechen
in her priſonyng, and ſeien, We han ſynned, we han do
wickidli, we han do vnfeiþfuli;
xlviii and þei turnen aȝen to þee in al her herte and al her
ſoule, in þe lond of her enemyes, to which þei ben led
priſoneris, and þei preyen þee aȝens þe weie of her lond
which þou haſt ȝoue to her fadris, and of þe citee which
þou haſt choſe, and of þe temple which Y bildide to þi
name, þou ſchalt here in heuene,
xlix in þe firmament of þi ſeete, þe preiers of hem, and
þe biſechingis of hem, and þou ſhalt make þe doom of
hem;
l and þou ſchalt be merciful to þi puple, þat ſynnede to
þee, and to alle þe wickidneſſis, bi whiche þei
treſpaſſiden aȝens þee; and þou ſchalt do merci bifor þo
men, þat hadden hem priſoneris, þat þo men do mercy
to hem.
li For it is þi puple, and þin erytage, whiche þou leddiſt
out of þe lond of Egipt, fro þe myddis of yrone furneis;
lii þat þin yȝen be opyn to þe biſechyng of þi ſeruaunt,
and of þi puple Iſrael; and þou ſchalt here hem in alle
þingis, for whiche þei clepen þee.
liii For þou haſt departid hem to þee in to heritage fro
alle þe puplis of erþe, as þou ſpakiſt bi Moyſes, þi
ſeruaunt, whanne þou, Lord God, leddiſt oure fadris out
of Egipt.
liiii Forſoþe it was don, whanne Salomon, preiynge þe
Lord, hadde fillid al þis preier and biſechyng, he roos
fro þe ſiȝt of þe auter of þe Lord; for he hadde ſet faſt
euer eiþer kne to þe erþe, and hadde holde forþ þe
hondis to heuene.
lv Þerfor he ſtood, and bleſſide al þe chirche of Iſrael,
and ſeide wiþ greet vois,
lvi Bleſſid be þe Lord God of Iſrael, þat ȝaf reſte to his
puple Iſrael, bi alle þingis whiche he ſpak; a word felde
not doun, ſoþeli neþer oon, of alle goodis whiche he
ſpak bi Moiſes, his ſeruaunt.
lvii Oure Lord God be wiþ vs, as he was wiþ oure fadris,
and forſake not vs, neþer caſte awey;
lviii but bowe he oure hertis to hym ſilf, þat we go in alle
hiſe weies, and kepe hiſe comaundementis, and
cerymonyes, and domes, whiche euere he comaundide
to oure fadris.
lix And þeſe wordis of me, bi whiche Y preiede bifor þe
Lord, be neiȝynge to oure Lord God bi dai and niȝt, þat
he make doom to his ſeruaunt, and to his puple Iſrael bi
alle daies;
lx and alle þe puplis of erþe wite, þat þe Lord hym ſilf is
God, and noon `is ouer `wiþ out hym.
lxi Alſo oure herte be perfit wiþ oure Lord God, þat we
go in hiſe domes, and kepe hiſe comaundementis, as
and to dai.
lxii Þerfor þe kyng, and al Iſrael wiþ hym, offriden
ſacrifices bifor þe Lord.
lxiii And Salomon killide peſible ſacrifices, whiche he
offride to þe Lord; of oxis two and twenti þouſynde,
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and of ſcheep ſixe ſcore þouſynde; and þe king and þe
ſones of Iſrael halewiden þe temple of þe Lord.
lxiiii In þat dai þe kyng halewide þe myddil of þe greet
ſtreet, þat was bifor þe hows of þe Lord; for he made
þere brent ſacrifice, and ſacrifice, and þe innere fatneſſe
of peſible þingis; for þe braſun auter þat was bifor þe
Lord, was to litil, and myȝte not take þe brent ſacrifice,
and þe ſacrifice, and þe ynnere fatneſſe of peſible
þingis.
lxv Þerfor Salomon made in þat tyme a ſolempne feeſte,
and al Iſrael wiþ hym, a grete multitude, fro þe entryng
of Emath `til to þe ſtronde of Egipt, bifor oure Lord
God, in ſeuene daies and ſeuene daies, þat is, fourtene
daies.
lxvi And in þe eiȝþe day he delyueryde þe puplis,
whiche bleſſiden þe kyng, and ȝeden forþ in to her
tabernaclis, and weren glade and of ioyful herte on alle
þe goodis whiche God hadde do to Dauid, his ſeruaunt,
and to Iſrael, his puple.
CAP. IX
i Forſoþe it was doon, whanne Salomon had perfourmed
þe bildyng of þe hows of þe Lord, and þe bildyng of þe
kyng, and al þing þat he coueitide, and wolde make,
ii þe Lord apperide to Salomon þe ſecunde tyme, as he
apperide to hym in Gabaon.
iii And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Y haue herd þi preier, and
þi biſechyng, which þou biſouȝtiſt bifor me; Y haue
halewid þis hows, which þou bildidiſt, þat Y ſchulde
ſette þere my name wiþ outen ende; and myn iȝen and
myn herte ſchulen be þere in alle daies.
iiii Alſo if þou goiſt bifore me, as þi fadir ȝede, in
ſimpleneſſe of herte, and in equite, and doiſt alle þingis
whiche Y comaundide to þee, and kepiſt my domes, and
my lawful þingis,
v Y ſchal ſette þe trone of þi rewme on Iſrael wiþ outen
ende, as Y ſpak to Dauid, þi fadir, and ſeide, A man of
þi kyn ſchal not be takun awei fro þe trone of Iſrael.
vi Forſoþe if bi turnyng awei ȝe and ȝoure ſones turnen
awey, and ſuen not me, and kepen not myn heſtis and
cerymonyes, whiche Y ſettide forþ to ȝou, but ȝe goen,
and worſchipen alien goddis, and onouren hem `bi
outward reuerence,
vii Y ſchal do awei Iſrael fro þe face of þe lond which Y
ȝaue to hem; and Y ſchal caſte awei fro my ſiȝt þe
temple, which Y halewid to my name; and Iſrael ſchal
be in to a prouerbe and in to a fable, to alle puplis.
viii And þis hows ſchal be in to enſaumple of Goddis
offence; ech man þat ſchal paſſe bi it, ſchal wondre, and
ſchal hiſſe, and ſchal ſeye, Whi haþ þe Lord do þus to
þis lond, and to þis hows?
ix And þei ſchulen anſwere, For þei forſoken her Lord
God, þat ladde þe fadris of hem out of Egipt; and þei
ſueden alien goddis, and worſchipiden hem, and
onouriden hem; þerfor þe Lord brouȝte in on hem al þis
yuel.
x Soþeli whanne twenti ȝeer weren fillid, aftir þat
Salomon hadde bildid tweyne houſis, þat is, þe hows of
þe Lord, and þe hows of þe kyng, while Hiram,
xi kyng of Tire, ȝaf to Salomon trees of cedre, and of
beech, and gold, bi al þing þat he hadde nedeful; þanne
Salomon ȝaf to Hiram twenti citees in þe lond of Galile.
xii And Hiram ȝede out of Tyre þat he ſchulde ſe þe
citees, whiche Salomon hadde ȝoue to hym, and þo
pleſiden not hym;
xiii and he ſeide, Wheþir þes ben þe citees, whiche þou,
broþer, haſt ȝoue to me? And he clepide þo citees þe
lond of Chabul, `til in to þis dai.
xiiii Alſo Hiram ſente to king Salomon ſixe ſcore talentis
of gold.
xv Þis is þe ſumme of `coſtis, which ſumme Salomon þe
kyng ȝaf to bilde þe hows of þe Lord, and his houſe
Mello, and þe wal of Jeruſalem, and Ezer, and
Maggeddo, and Gazer.
xvi Farao, kyng of Egipt, ſtiede, and took Gazer, and
brente it bi fier; and he killide Chananei, þat dwellide in
þe citee, and ȝaf it in to dower to his douȝtir, þe wijf of
Salomon.
xvii Þerfor Salomon bildide Gazer, and þe lower
Bethoron,
xviii and Balaath, and Thalmyra in þe lond of
wildirneſſe;
xix and he made ſtrong alle þe townes, þat perteyneden
to hym, and weren wiþ out wal, and þe citees of chaaris,
and þe citees of knyȝtis, and what euer þing pleſide hym
to bilde in Jeruſalem, and in þe Liban, and in al þe lond
of his power.
xx Salomon made tributaries `til to þis dai al þe puple,
þat lefte of Ammorreis, Etheis, and Fereſeis, and Eueys,
and Jebuſeys, þat ben not of þe ſones of Iſrael,
xxi þe ſones of þeſe heþen men, þat dwelliden in þe
lond, þat is, whiche þe ſones of Iſrael myȝten not
diſtrye.
xxii Soþeli kyng Salomon ordeynede not ony man of þe
ſones of Iſrael to ſerue, but þei weren men werriours,
and mynyſtris of him, and princes, and dukis, and
prefectis of his chares and horſis.
xxiii Soþeli fyue hundrid and fifti `ſouereynes weren
princes ouer alle þe werkis of Salomon, whiche princes
hadden þe puple ſuget, and comaundiden to werkis
ordeyned.
xxiiii Soþeli þe douȝter of Farao ſtiede fro þe citee of
Dauid in to hir hows, `which hows Salomon hadde
bildid to hir; þanne he bildide Mello.
xxv Alſo Salomon offride in þre tymes bi alle ȝeeris
brent ſacrifices and peſible ſacrifices, on þe auter which
CCCXI
he hadde bildid to þe Lord; and he brente encenſe bifor
þe Lord, and þe temple was performed.
xxvi Alſo king Salomon made `o ſchip in Aſiongaber,
which is biſidis Haila, in þe brenke of þe Reed ſea, and
in þe lond of Idumee.
xxvii And Iram ſente in þat ſchip hiſe ſeruauntis,
ſchipmen, and kunnynge of þe ſee, wiþ þe ſeruauntis of
Salomon;
xxviii and whanne þei hadden come in to Ophir, þei
brouȝten fro þennus gold of foure hundrid and twenti
talentis to kyng Salomon.
CAP. X
i But alſo þe queen of Saba, whanne þe fame of
Salomon was herd, cam in þe name of þe Lord to
tempte hym in derk and douti queſtiouns.
ii And ſche entride wiþ myche felouſchipe and richeſſis
in to Jeruſalem, and wiþ camels berynge ſwete
ſmellynge þingis, and gold greetli wiþ out noumbre, and
preciouſe ſtoonys; and ſche cam to king Salomon, and
ſpak to hym alle þingis whiche ſche hadde in hir herte.
iii And Salomon tauȝte hir alle wordis whiche ſche
hadde put forþ; no word was, þat myȝte be hid fro þe
kyng, and which he anſweryde not to hir.
iiii Forſoþe þe queen of Saba ſiȝ al þe wiſdom of
Salomon, and þe hows which he hadde bildid,
v and þe metis of his table, and þe dwellyng places of
hiſe ſeruauntis, and þe ordris of mynyſtris, and þe cloþis
of hem, and þe boteleris, and þe brent ſacrifices whiche
he offride in þe hows of þe Lord; and ſche hadde no
more ſpirite.
vi And ſche ſeide to þe kyng, Þe word is trewe, which Y
herde in my lond, of þi wordis, and of þi wiſdom;
vii and Y bileuyde not to men tellynge to me, til Y my
ſilf cam, and ſiȝ wiþ myn iȝen, and preuede þat þe half
part was not teld to me; þi wiſdom is more and þi
werkis, þan þe tale which Y herde.
viii Þi men ben bleſſid, and þi ſeruauntis ben bleſſid, þeſe
þat ſtonden bifor þee euere, and heren þi wiſdom.
ix Bleſſid be þi Lord God, whom þou pleſediſt, and haþ
ſet þee on þe trone of Iſrael; for þe Lord louyde Iſrael
wiþ outen ende, and haþ ordeynyd þee kyng, þat þou
ſchuldiſt do doom and riȝtfulneſſe.
x Þerfor ſche ȝaf to þe kyng ſixe ſcore talentis of gold,
and ful many ſwete ſmellynge þingis, and precious
ſtoonus; ſo many ſwete ſmellynge þingis weren no more
brouȝt, as þo which þe queen of Saba ȝaf to kyng
Salomon.
xi But alſo þe ſchip of Hiram, þat brouȝte gold fro
Ophir, brouȝte fro Ophir ful many trees of tyme, and
preciouſe ſtoonys.
xii And kyng Salomon made of þe trees of tyme vndir
ſettyngis of þe hows of þe Lord, and of þe kyngis hows,
and harpis, and ſitols to ſyngeris; ſiche trees of tyme
weren not brouȝt neþer ſeyn, til in to preſent dai.
xiii Soþeli kyng Salomon ȝaf to þe queen of Saba alle
þingis whiche ſche wolde, and axide of hym, outakun
þeſe þingis whiche he hadde ȝoue to hir bi þe kyngis
ȝifte wilfuli; and ſche turnede aȝen, and ȝede in to hir
lond wiþ hir ſeruauntis.
xiiii Forſoþe þe weyte of gold, þat was offrid to Salomon
bi ech ȝeer, was of ſixe hundrid and ſixe and ſixti
talentis of gold,
xv outakun þat which men þat weren on þe talagis, `þat
is, rentis for þingis borun aboute in þe lond, and
marchauntis, and alle men ſillynge ſcheeldys, and alle
þe kyngis of Arabie, and dukis of erþe ȝauen.
xvi And kyng Salomon made two hundrid ſcheeldis of
pureſte gold; he ȝaf ſixe hundrid ſiclis of gold in to þe
platis of oo ſcheeld;
xvii and he made þre hundrid of bokeleris of preued
gold; þre hundrid talentis of gold cloþiden o bokeler.
And þe kyng puttide þo in þe hows of þe foreſt of
Lyban.
xviii Alſo kyng Salomon made a greet trone of yuer, and
cloþide it wiþ ful fyn gold;
xix which trone hadde ſixe grees; and þe hiȝneſſe of þe
trone was round in þe hynderere part; and tweine
hondis on þis ſide and on þat ſide, holdynge þe ſeete,
and twei lyouns ſtoden biſidis ech hond;
xx and twelue litil liouns ſtondynge on ſixe grees on þis
ſide and on þat ſide; ſiche a werk was not maad in alle
rewmes.
xxi But alſo alle þe veſſels, of which kyng Salomon
drank, weren of gold, and alle þe purtenaunce of þe
hows of þe foreſt of Liban was of pureſte gold; ſiluer
was not, neþer it was arettid of ony prijs in þe daies of
Salomon.
xxii For þe ſchip of `þe kyng wente onys bi þre ȝeer wiþ
þe ſchip of Hiram in to Tharſis, and brouȝte fro þennus
gold, and ſiluer, and teeþ of olifauntis, and apis, and
pokokis.
xxiii Þerfor kyng Salomon was magnified aboue alle
kyngis of erþe in richeſſis and wiſdom.
xxiiii And al erþe deſiride to ſe þe cheer of Salomon, to
here þe wiſdom of him, which wiſdom God hadde ȝoue
in his herte.
xxv And alle men brouȝten ȝiftis to hym, veſſels of gold,
and of ſiluer, cloþis, and armeris of batel, and ſwete
ſmellynge þingis, and horſis, and mulis, bi ech ȝeer.
xxvi And Salomon gaderide togidere charis, and knyȝtis;
and a þouſinde and foure hundrid charis weren maad to
hym, and twelue þouſynde `of knyȝtis; and he diſpoſide
hem bi ſtrengþid citees, and wiþ þe kyng in Jeruſalem.
xxvii And he made, þat ſo greet aboundaunce of ſiluer
was in Jeruſalem, how greet was alſo of ſtoonys; and he
CCCXII
ȝaf þe multitude of cedris as ſicomoris, þat growen in
feeldy places.
xxviii And þe horſis of Salomon weren led out of Egipt,
and of Coa; for þe marchauntis of þe kyng bouȝten of
Coa, and brouȝten for prijs ordeyned.
xxix Forſoþe a chare ȝede out of Egipt for ſixe hundrid
ſiclis of ſiluer, and an hors for an hundrid and fifti ſiclis;
and bi þis maner alle þe kyngis of Etheis and of Sirye
ſeelden horſis.
CAP. XI
i Forſoþe kyng Salomon louyde brennyngli many alien
wymmen, and þe douȝtir of Pharao, and wymmen of
Moab, and Amonytis, and Ydumeis, and Sydoneis, and
Etheis;
ii of þe folkis of whiche þe Lord ſeide to þe ſones of
Iſrael, Ȝe ſchulen not entre to þo folkis, neþer ony of
hem ſchulen entre to ȝou; for moſt certeynli þei ſchulen
turne awei ȝoure hertis, þat ȝe ſue þe goddis of hem.
Þerfor kyng Salomon was couplid to þeſe wymmen, bi
mooſt brennyng loue.
iii And wyues as queenys weren ſeuene hundrid to hym,
and þre hundrid ſecundarie wyues; and þe wymmen
turneden awey his herte.
iiii And whanne he was þanne eld, his herte was
biſchrewid bi wymmen, þat he ſuede alien goddis; and
his herte was not perfit wiþ his Lord God, as þe herte of
Dauid, his fadir, `was perfit.
v But Salomon worſchipide Aſtartes, þe goddeſſe of
Sidoneis, and Chamos, þe god of Moabitis, and
Moloch, þe idol of Amonytis;
vi and Salomon dide þat, þat pleſide not bifor þe Lord,
and he fillide not þat he ſuede þe Lord, as Dauid, his
fadir, dide.
vii Þanne Salomon bildide a temple to Chamos, þe idol
of Moab, in þe hil which is aȝens Jeruſalem, and to
Moloch, þe idol of þe ſones of Amon.
viii And bi þis maner he dide to alle hiſe alien wyues,
þat brenten encencis, and offriden to her goddis.
ix Þerfor þe Lord was wrooþ to Salomon, for his ſoule
was turned awei fro þe Lord God of Iſrael; þat apperide
to Salomon þe ſecounde tyme,
x and comaundide of þis word, þat he ſchulde not ſue
alien goddis; and he kepte not þo þingis, whiche þe
Lord comaundide to hym.
xi Þerfor þe Lord ſeide to Salomon, For þou haddiſt þis
þing anentis þee, and keptiſt not my couenaunt, and
myn heeſtis, whiche Y comaundide to þee, Y ſchal
breke, and Y ſchal departe þi rewme, and Y ſchal ȝyue it
to þi ſeruaunt.
xii Neþeles Y ſchal not do in þi daies, for Dauid, þi
fadir; Y ſchal kitte it fro þe hond of þi ſone;
xiii neþer Y ſchal do a wey al þe rewme, but Y ſchal
ȝyue o lynage to þi ſone, for Dauid, my ſeruaunt, and
for Jeruſalem, which Y cheſs.
xiiii Forſoþe þe Lord reiſide to Solomon an aduerſarie,
Adad Ydumey, of þe kyngis ſeed, þat was in Edom.
xv For whanne Dauid was in Ydumee, and Joab, þe
prince of chyualrie, hadde ſtied to birie hem þat weren
ſlayn, and he hadde ſlayn ech male kynde in Ydumee;
xvi for Joab, and al Iſrael dwelliden þere bi ſixe
moneþis, til þei killiden ech male kynde in Ydumee;
Adad hym ſilf fledde,
xvii and men of Ydumee, of `þe ſeruauntis of his fadir,
wiþ hym, þat he ſchulde entre in to Egipt; ſoþeli Adad
was a litil child.
xviii And whanne þei hadden riſe fro Madian, þei camen
in to Faran; and þei token wiþ hem men of Faran, and
entriden in to Egipt, to Pharao, kyng of Egipt; which
Farao ȝaf an hows to hym, and ordeynede metis, and
aſſignede lond.
xix And Adad foond grace bifor Farao greetli, in ſo
myche þat Farao ȝaf to hym a wijf, þe ſiſter of his wijf,
ſiſter of þe queen, of Taphnes.
xx And þe ſiſtir of Taphnes gendrid to hym a ſone,
Genebath; and Taphnes nurſchide hym in þe hows of
Farao; and Genebath dwellide bifor Farao, wiþ hiſe
ſones.
xxi And whanne Adad hadde herd in Egipt, þat Dauid
ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and þat Joab, þe prince of
chyualrie, was deed, he ſeide to Farao, Suffre þou me,
þat Y go in to my lond.
xxii And Farao ſeide to hym, For of what þing haſt þou
nede at me, þat þou ſekiſt to go to þi lond? And he
anſweride, Of no þing; but Y biſeche þee, þat þou
`delyuere me.
xxiii Alſo God reiſide an aduerſarie to Salomon, Raſon,
ſone of Eliadam, þat fledde Adadezer, kyng of Soba, his
lord;
xxiiii and gaderide men aȝens hym, and was maad þe
prince of þeuys, whanne Dauid killide hem; and þei
ȝeden to Damaſk, and dwelliden þere; and þei maden
hym kyng in Damaſk.
xxv And he was aduerſarie of Iſrael in alle þe daies of
Salomon; and þis is þe yuel of Adad, and þe hatrede
aȝens Iſrael; and he regnede in Sirie.
xxvi Alſo Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath, of Effraym of
Saredera, þe ſeruaunt of Salomon, of which Jeroboam, a
womman widewe, Serua bi name, was modir, reiſyde
hond aȝens þe kyng.
xxvii And þis was cauſe of rebelte aȝens þe kyng; for
Salomon bildide Mello, and made euene þe ſwolowe of
þe citee of Dauid, his fadir.
xxviii Forſoþe Jeroboam was a miȝti man and ſtrong; and
Salomon ſiȝ þe ȝong wexynge man of good kynrede,
CCCXIII
and witti in þingis to be doon, and Salomon made hym
`prefect, eþer ſouereyn, on þe tributis of al þe hows of
Joſeph.
xxix Þerfor it was doon in þat tyme, þat Jeroboam ȝede
out of Jeruſalem; and Ahias of Sylo, a profete, hilid wiþ
a newe mentil, foond hym in þe weie; ſoþeli þei tweyne
weren oneli in þe feeld.
xxx And Ahias took his newe mentil, wiþ which he was
hilid, and kittide in to twelue partis;
xxxi and ſeide to Jeroboam, Take to þee ten kyttyngis;
for þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
kytte þe rewme fro þe hond of Salomon, and Y ſchal
ȝyue to þee ten lynagis;
xxxii forſoþe o lynage ſchal dwelle to hym, for Dauid,
my ſeruaunt, and for Jeruſalem, þe citee which Y chees
of alle þe lynagis of Iſrael;
xxxiii þis kittyng ſchal be; for Salomon forſook me, and
worſchipide Aſtartes, goddeſſe of Sidoneis, and
Chamos, þe god of Moab, and Moloch, þe god of þe
ſones of Amon; and ȝede not in my weies, þat he dide
riȝtwiſneſſe bifor me, and myn heeſtis, and my domes,
as Dauid, his fadir, dide.
xxxiiii And Y ſchal not take awey al þe rewme fro `his
hond, but Y ſchal putte hym duyk in alle þe daies of his
lijf, for Dauid, my ſeruaunt, whom Y chees, which
Dauid kepte myn heeſtis, and my comaundementis.
xxxv Soþeli Y ſchal take awey þe rewme fro þe hond of
`his ſone, and Y ſchal ȝyue ten lynagis to þee;
xxxvi forſoþe Y ſchal ȝyue o lynage to `his ſone, þat a
lanterne dwelle to Dauid, my ſeruaunt, in alle daies
bifor me in Jeruſalem, þe citee which Y chees, þat my
name ſchulde be þere.
xxxvii Forſoþe Y ſchal take þee, and þou ſchalt regne on
alle þingis whiche þi ſoule deſiriþ, and þou ſchalt be
kyng on Iſrael.
xxxviii Þerfor if þou ſchalt here alle þingis whiche Y
ſchal comaunde to þee, and if þou ſchalt go in my
weies, and if þou ſchalt do þat, þat is riȝtful bifore me,
and if þou ſchalt kepe my comaundementis, and myn
heeſtis, as Dauid, my ſeruaunt, dide, Y ſchal be wiþ þee,
and Y ſchal bilde a feiþful hows to þee, as Y bildide an
hows to Dauid, and Y ſchal ȝyue Iſrael to þee;
xxxix and Y ſchal turmente þe ſeed of Dauid on þis þing,
neþeles not in alle daies.
xl Þerfor Salomon wolde ſle Jeroboam, which roos, and
fledde in to Egipt, to Suſach, kyng of Egipt; and he was
in Egipt `til to þe deeþ of Salomon.
xli Forſoþe þe reſidue of þe wordis of Salomon, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, and his wiſdom, lo! alle þingis
ben writun in þe book of wordis of daies of Salomon.
xlii Soþeli þe daies bi whiche Salomon regnede in
Jeruſalem on al Iſrael, ben fourti ȝeer.
xliii And Salomon ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biriede
in þe citee of Dauid, his fadir; and Roboam, his ſone,
regnede for hym.
CAP. XII
i Forſoþe Roboam cam in to Sichem; for al Iſrael was
gaderid þidur to make hym kyng.
ii `And ſoþeli Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath, whanne he was
ȝit in Egipt, and fledde fro þe face of kyng Salomon,
turnede aȝen fro Egipt, for þe deeþ of Salomon was
herd;
iii and þei ſenten, and clepiden hym. Þerfor Jeroboam
cam, and al þe multitude of Iſrael, and þei ſpaken to
Roboam,
iiii and ſeiden, Þi fadir puttide hardeſte ȝok on vs, þerfor
abate þou a litil now of þe hardeſt comaundement of þi
fadir, and of þe greuouſiſte ȝok which he puttide on vs,
and we ſchulen ſerue to þee.
v Which Roboam ſeide to hem, Go ȝe `til to þe þridde
dai, and turne ȝe aȝen to me.
vi And whanne þe puple hadde go, kyng Roboam took
counſel wiþ þe eldere men, þat ſtoden bifor Salomon,
his fadir, while he lyuyde ȝit; and Roboam ſeide, What
counſel ȝyue ȝe to me, þat Y anſwere to þe puple?
vii Whiche ſeiden to hym, If þou obeieſt to dai to þis
puple, and ſerueſt þis puple, and ȝyueſt ſtide to her
axyng, and ſpekiſt to hem liȝte wordis, þei ſchulen be
ſeruauntis to þee in alle daies.
viii Which Roboam forſook þe counſel of elde men,
which þei ȝauen to hym, and took ȝonge men, þat weren
nurſchid wiþ hym, and ſtoden nyȝ him;
ix and he ſeide to hem, What counſel ȝyue ȝe to me, þat
Y anſwere to þis puple, þat ſeiden to me, Make þou
eſȝere þe ȝok which þi fadir puttide on vs?
x And þe ȝonge men, þat weren nurſchid wiþ hym,
ſeiden to hym, Þus ſpeke þou to þis puple, þat ſpaken to
þee, and ſeiden, Þi fadir made greuouſe oure ȝok,
releeue þou vs; þus þou ſchalt ſpeke to hem, My leeſt
fyngur is grettere þan þe bak of my fader;
xi and now my fadir puttide on ȝou a greuouſe ȝok,
forſoþe Y ſchal adde on ȝoure ȝok; my fadir beet ȝou
wiþ ſcourgis, forſoþe Y ſchal bete ȝou wiþ ſcorpiouns.
xii Þerfor Jeroboam, and al þe puple, cam to Roboam, in
þe þridde dai, as þe kyng ſpak, ſeiynge, Turne ȝe aȝen to
me in þe þridde dai.
xiii And þe kyng anſweride harde þingis to þe puple,
while þe counſel of eldere men was forſakun, which þei
hadden ȝoue to hym;
xiiii and he ſpak to hem bi þe counſel of ȝonge men, and
ſeide, My fadir made greuouſe ȝoure ȝok, forſoþe Y
ſchal adde to ȝoure ȝok; my fadir beet ȝou wiþ ſcourgis,
forſoþe Y ſchal bete ȝou wiþ ſcorpiouns.
CCCXIV
xv And þe kyng aſſentide not to þe puple, for þe Lord
hadde turned awey, `eþer hadde wlatid hym, þat þe
Lord ſchulde reiſe his word, which he hadde ſpoke in þe
hond of Ahias of Silo to Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath.
xvi Þerfor þe puple ſiȝ, þat þe kyng nolde here hem; and
þe puple anſweride to þe kyng, and ſeide, What part is
to vs in Dauid, eþer what eritage in þe ſone of Yſay?
Iſrael, turne þou aȝen in to þi tabernaclis; now, Dauid, ſe
þou þin hows. And Iſrael ȝede in to hiſe tabernaclis.
xvii Forſoþe Roboam regnede on þe ſones of Iſrael,
whiche euere dwelliden in þe citees of Juda.
xviii Þerfore kyng Roboam ſente Adhuram, þat was on
þe tributis; and al þe puple of Iſrael ſtonyde hym, and he
was deed.
xix Forſoþe kyng Roboam ſtiede haſtili on þe chare, and
fledde in to Jeruſalem; and Iſrael departide fro þe hows
of Dauid, til in to preſent dai.
xx Forſoþe it was doon, whanne al Iſrael hadde herd þat
Jeroboam turnede aȝen, þei ſenten, and clepiden hym,
whanne þe cumpany was gaderid togidere, and þei
maden hym kyng on al Iſrael; and no man ſuede þe
hows of Dauid, outakun þe lynage aloone of Juda.
xxi Forſoþe Roboam cam to Jeruſalem, and gaderide al
þe hows of Juda, and þe lynage of Beniamyn, an
hundrid and foureſcore þouſynde of choſun men and
weriours, þat þei ſchulden fiȝte aȝens þe hows of Iſrael,
and ſchulden brynge aȝen þe rewme to Roboam, ſone of
Solomon.
xxii Forſoþe þe word of God was made to Semeia, þe
man of God, and ſeide,
xxiii Speke þou to Roboam, ſone of Salomon, þe kyng of
Juda, and to al þe hows of Juda and of Beniamyn, and
to þe reſidue of þe puple, and ſeie þou, Þe Lord ſeiþ þes
þingis,
xxiiii Ȝe ſchulen not ſtie, neþer ȝe ſchulen fiȝte aȝens
ȝoure briþeren, þe ſones of Iſrael; `a man turne aȝen in
to his hows, for þis word is doon of me. Þei herden þe
word of þe Lord, and þei turneden aȝen fro þe iurney, as
þe Lord comaundide to hem.
xxv Forſoþe Jeroboam bildide Sichem, in þe hil of
Effraym, and dwellide þere; and he ȝede out fro þennus,
and bildide Phanuel.
xxvi And Jeroboam ſeide in his herte, Now þe rewme
ſchal turne aȝen to þe hows of Dauid,
xxvii if þis puple ſtieþ to Jeruſalem, þat it make ſacrifices
in þe hows of þe Lord in Jeruſalem; and þe herte of þis
puple ſchal turne to her lord, Roboam, kyng of Juda;
and þei ſchulen ſle me, and ſchulen turne aȝen to hym.
xxviii And by counſel þouȝt out, he made tweyne goldun
caluys, and ſeide to hem, Nyle ȝe ſtie more in to
Jeruſalem; Iſrael, lo! þi goddis, þat ledden þee out of þe
lond of Egipt.
xxix And he ſettide oon in Bethel, and þe toþer in Dan.
xxx And þis word was maad to Iſrael in to ſynne; for þe
puple ȝede til in to Dan, to worſchipe þe calf.
xxxi And Jeroboam made templis in hiȝe placis, and `he
made preeſtis of þe laſte men of þe puple, þat weren not
of þe ſones of Leuy.
xxxii And he ordeynede a ſolempne dai in þe eiȝþe
moneþe, in þe fiftenþe dai of þe moneþe, bi þe licneſſe
of ſolempnyte which was halewid in Juda. And he
ſtiede, and made in lijk maner an auter in Bethel, þat he
ſchulde offre to þe calues, whiche he hadde maad; and
he ordeynede in Bethel preeſtis of þe hiȝe places,
whiche he hadde maad.
xxxiii And he ſtyede on þe auter, which he hadde bildid
in Bethel, in þe fiftenþe day of þe eiȝþe moneþe, which
he hadde feyned of his herte; and he made ſolempnyte
to þe ſones of Iſrael, and he ſtiede on þe auter, þat he
ſchulde brenne encence.
CAP. XIII
i And lo! a man of God cam fro Juda, bi þe word of þe
Lord, in to Bethel, while Jeroboam ſtood on þe auter,
`and caſtide encence.
ii And `þe man of God criede aȝens þe auter, bi þe word
of þe Lord, and ſeide, Auter! auter! þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! a ſone, Joſias by name, ſhal be borun to þe
hows of Dauid; and he ſchal offre on þee þe preeſtis of
hiȝe þingis, þat brennen now encenſis yn þee, and he
ſchal brenne þe bonys of men on þee.
iii And he ȝaf a ſigne in þat dai, `and ſeide, Þis ſchal be
`þe ſigne þat þe Lord ſpak, Lo! þe auter ſchal be kit, and
þe aiſche which is `þere ynne, ſchal be ſched out.
iiii And whanne þe kyng hadde herd þe word of þe man
of God, which word he hadde cried aȝens þe auter in
Bethel, þe kyng helde forþ his hond fro þe auter, and
ſeide, Take ȝe hym. And his hond driede, which he
hadde holde forþ, and he myȝte not drawe it aȝen to
hym ſilf.
v Alſo þe auter was kit, and þe aiſche was ſched out of
þe auter, bi þe ſigne which þe man of God bifor ſeide, in
þe word of þe Lord.
vi And þe kyng ſeide to þe man of God, Biſeche þou þe
face of þi Lord God, and preie þou for me, þat myn
hond be reſtorid to me. And þe man of God preiede þe
face of God; and þe hond of þe king turnede aȝen to
hym, and it was maad as it was bifore.
vii Soþeli þe kyng ſpak to þe man of God, Come þou
hoom wiþ me, þat þou ete, and Y ſchal ȝyue ȝiftis to
þee.
viii And þe man of God ſeide to þe kyng, Þouȝ þou
ſchalt ȝyue to me þe half part of þin hows, Y ſchal not
come wiþ þee, neþer Y ſchal ete breed, neþer Y ſchal
drynke watir in þis place;
ix `for ſo it is comaundid to me bi þe word of þe Lord,
comaundinge, Þou ſchalt not ete breed, neþer þou ſchalt
CCCXV
drynke water, neþer þou ſchalt turne aȝen bi þe weie bi
which þou cameſt.
x Þerfor he ȝede bi anoþer weie, and turnede not aȝen bi
þe weie, bi which he cam in to Bethel.
xi Forſoþe ſum elde profete dwellide in Bethel, to whom
hiſe ſones camen, and telden to hym alle þe werkis
whiche þe man of God hadde do in þat dai in Bethel;
and þei telden to her fader þe wordis whiche he ſpak to
þe kyng.
xii And þe fadir of hem ſeide to hem, Bi what weie ȝede
he? Hiſe ſones ſchewiden to hym þe weie, bi which þe
man of God ȝede, þat cam fro Juda.
xiii And he ſeide to hiſe ſones, Sadle ȝe an aſſe to me.
And whanne þei hadden ſadlid,
xiiii he ſtiede, and ȝede after þe man of God, and foond
hym ſittyng vndur a terebynte. And he ſeide to þe man
of God, Wheþer þou art þe man of God, þat cameſt fro
Juda? He anſweride, Y am.
xv And he ſeide to hym, Come þou wiþ me hoom, þat
þou ete breed.
xvi And he ſeide, Y may not turne aȝen, neþer come wiþ
þee, neþer Y ſchal ete breed, neþer Y ſchal drynke water
in þis place;
xvii for þe Lord ſpak to me in þe word of þe Lord, and
ſeide, Þou ſchalt not ete breed, and þou ſchalt not
drynke water þere, neþer þou ſchalt turne aȝen bi þe
weie bi which þou ȝediſt.
xviii Which ſeide to hym, And Y am a profete lijk þee;
and an aungel ſpak to me bi þe word of þe Lord, and
ſeide, Lede aȝen hym in to þin hows, þat he ete breed,
and drynke watir. He diſſeyuede þe man of God,
xix and brouȝte him aȝen wiþ hym. Þerfor he ete breed
in his hows, and drank watir.
xx And whanne he ſat at þe table, þe word of þe Lord
was maad to þe prophete þat brouȝte hym aȝen;
xxi and he criede to þe man of God þat cam fro Juda,
and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þou obeidiſt not
to þe mouþ of þe Lord, and keptiſt not þe
comaundement which þi Lord God comaundide to þee,
xxii and þou turnediſt aȝen, and etiſt breed, and drankiſt
watir in þe place in which Y comaundide to þee, þat
þou ſchuldiſt not ete breed, neþer ſchuldiſt drynke watir,
þi deed bodi ſchal not be borun in to þe ſepulcre of þi
fadris.
xxiii And whanne he hadde ete and drunke, þe prophete,
whom he hadde brouȝt aȝen, ſadlide his aſſe.
xxiiii And whanne he hadde go, a lioun foond hym in þe
weye, and killide hym. And his deed bodi was caſt forþ
in þe weie; ſoþeli þe aſſe ſtood biſydis hym, and þe
lioun ſtood biſidis þe deed bodi.
xxv And lo! men paſſynge ſien þe deed bodi caſt forþ in
þe weye, and þe lyoun ſtondynge biſidis þe deed bodi;
and þei camen, and puppliſchiden in þe citee, in which
þilke eeld prophete dwellide.
xxvi And whanne þilke prophete, þat brouȝte hym aȝen
fro þe weye, hadde herd þis, he ſeide, It is þe man of
God, þat was vnobedient to þe mouþ of God; and þe
Lord bitook hym to þe lioun, þat brak hym, and killide
hym, bi þe word of þe Lord which he ſpak to hym.
xxvii And he ſeide to hiſe ſones, Sadle ȝe an aſſe to me.
xxviii And whanne þei hadden ſadlid, and he hadde go,
he foond his deed bodi caſt forþ in þe weie, and þe aſſe
and þe lioun ſtondinge biſidis þe deed bodi; and þe
lioun eet not þe deed bodi, neþer hirtide þe aſſe.
xxix Þerfor þe profete took þe deed bodi of þe man of
God, and puttide it on þe aſſe; and he turnede aȝen, and
brouȝte it in to þe cyte of þe eeld prophete, þat he
ſchulde biweile hym.
xxx And he puttide his deed bodi in his ſepulcre, and þei
biweiliden him, Alas! alas! my broþer!
xxxi And whanne þei hadden biweilid hym, he ſeide to
hiſe ſones, Whanne Y ſchal be deed, birie ȝe me in þe
ſepulcre, in which þe man of God is biried; putte ȝe my
bonys biſidis hiſe bonys.
xxxii For ſoþeli þe word ſchal come, which he bifor ſeide
in þe word of þe Lord, aȝens þe auter which is in
Bethel, and aȝens alle þe templis of hiȝ placis, þat ben
in þe citees of Samarie. After þeſe wordis Jeroboam
turnede not aȝen fro his werſte weie, but aȝenward of þe
laſte puplis he made preeſtis of hiȝe places; who euer
wolde, fillide his hond, and he was maad preeſt of hiȝ
placis.
xxxiii And for þis cauſe þe hows of Jeroboam ſynnede,
and it was diſtried, and doon awey fro þe face of erþe.
CAP. XIIII
i In þat tyme Abia, ſone of Jeroboam, was ſijk.
ii And Jeroboam ſeide to his wijf, Riſe þou, and chaunge
cloþing, þat þou be not knowun, þat þou art þe wijf of
Jeroboam; and go þou in to Silo, where Ahia, þe
prophete, is, which ſpak to me, þat Y ſchulde regne on
þis puple.
iii Alſo take þou in þe hond ten looues, and a cake, and a
veſſil of hony, and go þou to hym; for he ſchal ſchewe
to þee, what ſchal bifalle to þis child.
iiii Þe wijf of Jeroboam dide as he ſeide, and ſche roos,
and ȝede in to Silo, and cam in to þe hows of Ahia; and
he miȝte not ſe, for hiſe iȝen daſewiden for eelde.
v Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Ahia, Lo! þe wijf of
Jeroboam entriþ, þat ſche counſele þee on hir ſone,
which is ſijk; þou ſchalt ſpeke þeſe and þeſe þingis to
hir. Þerfor whanne ſche hadde entrid, and hadde feyned
hir ſilf to be þat `womman which ſche was not,
vi Ahia herde þe ſoune of þe feet of hir entrynge bi þe
dore, and he ſeide, Entre þou, þe wijf of Jeroboam; whi
CCCXVI
feyneſt þou þee to bee an oþer womman? Forſoþe Y am
ſent an hard meſſanger to þee.
vii Go þou, and ſeie to Jeroboam, Þe Lord God of Iſrael
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For Y enhaunſide þee fro þe myddis of
þe puple, and Y ȝaf þee duyk on my puple Iſrael,
viii and Y kittide þe rewme of þe hows of Dauid, and Y
ȝaf it to þee, and þou were not as my ſeruaunt Dauid,
þat kepte myn heeſtis, and ſuede me in al his herte, and
dide þat þat was pleſaunt in my ſiȝt;
ix but þou wrouȝtiſt yuel, ouer alle men þat weren bifore
þee, and madiſt to þee alien goddis, and wellid to
gidere, þat þou ſchuldiſt excite me to wraþfulneſſe,
ſoþeli þou haſt caſt forþ me bihyndis þi bak.
x Þerfor lo! Y ſchal brynge in yuels on þe hows of
Jeroboam, and Y ſchal ſmyte of Jeroboam `til to a
piſſere to þe wal, and priſoned, and þe laſte in Iſrael; and
Y ſchal clenſe þe relikis of þe hows of Jeroboam, as
dung is wont to be clenſid `til to þe purete, `eþer
clenneſſe;
xi ſoþeli doggis ſchulen ete hem, þat ſchulen die of þe
hows of Jeroboam in citee; forſoþe briddis of þe eyr
ſchulen deuoure hem, þat ſchulen die in þe feeld; for þe
Lord ſpak.
xii Þerfor riſe þou, and go in to þin hows; and in þilke
entryng of þi feet in to þe citee þe child ſchal die.
xiii And al Iſrael ſchal biweile him, and ſchal birie; for
þis child aloone of Jeroboam ſchal be borun in to
ſepulcre, for a good word is foundun on hym of þe Lord
God of Iſrael, in þe hows of Jeroboam.
xiiii Forſoþe þe Lord ſchal ordeyne to hym a kyng on
Iſrael, þat ſchal ſmyte þe hows of Jeroboam, in þis dai
and in þis tyme;
xv and þe Lord God of Iſrael ſchal ſmyte, as a reed in þe
water is wont to be mouyd; and he ſchal drawe out
Iſrael fro þis good lond, which he ȝaf to her fadris, and
he ſchal wyndewe hem ouer þe flood, for þei maden to
hem woodis, þat þei ſchulden terre þe Lord to ire.
xvi And þe Lord God ſchal bitake Iſrael to hiſe enemyes,
for þe ſynnes of Jeroboam, þat ſynnede, and made Iſrael
to do ſynne.
xvii Þerfor þe wijf of Jeroboam roos, and ȝede, and cam
in to Therſa; whanne ſche entride in to þe þreſchfold of
þe hows, þe child was deed.
xviii And þei birieden hym; and al Iſrael biweilide hym,
bi þe word of þe Lord, which he ſpak in þe hoond of his
ſeruaunt, Ahia þe prophet.
xix Forſoþe, lo! þe reſidue of wordis of Jeroboam, how
he fauȝt, and how he regnede, ben writun in þe book of
wordis of þe daies of kyngis of Iſrael.
xx Forſoþe þe daies, in whiche Jeroboam regnede, ben
two and twenti ȝeer; and Jeroboam ſlepte wiþ hiſe
fadris, and Nadab, his ſone, regnede for hym.
xxi Forſoþe Roboam, þe ſone of Salomon, regnede in
Juda; Roboam was of oon and fourti ȝeer, whanne he
bigan to regne, and he regnede ſeuentene ȝeer in
Jeruſalem, þe citee which þe Lord chees of alle þe
lynagis of Iſrael, þat he ſchulde ſette his name þere.
Soþeli þe name of his moder was Naama Amanyte.
xxii And Juda dide yuel bifor þe Lord, and þei terriden
hym to ire on alle þingis, whiche her fadris diden in her
ſynnes, bi whiche þei ſynneden.
xxiii For alſo þei bildiden to hem ſilf auters, and ymagis,
and wodis, on eche hiȝ hil, and vndur ech tree ful of
bowis.
xxiiii But alſo `men of wymmens condiciouns weren in
þe lond, and þei diden alle abhominaciouns of heþene
men, whiche þe Lord al to-brak bifor þe face of þe
ſones of Iſrael.
xxv Forſoþe in þe fifþe ȝeer of þe rewme of Roboam,
Seſach, þe kyng of Egipt, ſtyede in to Jeruſalem;
xxvi and he took þe treſouris of þe hows of þe Lord, and
þe kyngis treſouris, and he rauiſchide alle þingis; alſo
`he rauiſchide þe goldun ſcheeldis, whiche Salomon
made.
xxvii For whiche kyng Roboam made braſun ſcheeldis,
and ȝaf þo in þe hondis of duykis of ſcheeld makeris,
and of hem þat wakiden bifor þe dore of þe hows of þe
Lord.
xxviii And whanne þe kyng entride in to þe hows of þe
Lord, þei þat hadden office to go bifore, baren þo, and
baren aȝen to þe place of armer of ſcheeld makeris.
xxix Forſoþe, lo! þe reſidue of wordis of Roboam, and
alle þingis whiche he dide, ben writun in þe book of
wordis of daies of kyngis of Juda.
xxx And batel was bitwixe Roboam and Jeroboam, in
alle daies.
xxxi And Roboam ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biried
wiþ hem in þe citee of Dauid. Forſoþe þe name of his
modir was Naama Amanyte; and Abia, his ſone,
regnede for hym.
CAP. XV
i Þerfor in þe eiȝtenþe ȝeer of þe rewme of Jeroboam,
ſone of Nabath, Abia regnede on Juda.
ii Þre ȝeer he regnede in Jeruſalem; þe name of his
modir was Maacha, douȝter of Abeſſalon.
iii And he ȝede in alle þe ſynnes of his fadir, which he
dide bifor hym; and his herte was not perfit wiþ his
Lord God, as þe herte of Dauid, his fadir, `was perfit.
iiii But for Dauid his Lord God ȝaf to hym a lanterne in
Jeruſalem, þat he ſchulde reiſe his ſone after hym, and
þat he ſchulde ſtonde in Jeruſalem;
v for Dauid hadde do riȝtfulneſſe in þe iȝen of þe Lord,
and hadde not bowid fro alle þingis whiche þe Lord
hadde comaundid to him, in alle þe daies of his lijf,
outakun þe word of Vrie Ethei.
CCCXVII
vi Neþeles batel was bitwix Abia and Jeroboam, in al þe
tyme of his lijf.
vii Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Abia, and alle þinges
whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe book
of wordis of daies of þe kyngys of Juda? And batel was
bitwixe Abia and Jeroboam.
viii And Abia ſlepte wiþ his fadris; and þei birieden hym
in þe citee of Dauid; and Aſa, his ſone, regnede for hym.
ix Soþeli Aſa, king of Jude, regnede in þe twentiþe ȝeer
of Jeroboam, kyng of Iſrael;
x and Aſa regnede oon and fourti ȝeer in Jeruſalem. Þe
name of his modir was Maacha, douȝter of Abeſſalon.
xi And Aſa dide riȝtfulneſſe in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, as
Dauid, his fadir, dide;
xii and he took awey fro þe loond men of wymmens
condiciouns, and he purgide alle þe filþis of idols,
whiche his fadris maden.
xiii Ferþermore and he remouyde Maacha, his modir, þat
ſche ſchulde not be princeſſe in þe ſolempne þingis of
Priapus, and in his wode which ſche hadde halewid; and
he diſtriede þe denne of hym, and he brak þe fouleſt
ſymylacre, and brente in þe ſtronde of Cedron;
xiiii ſoþeli he dide not awei hiȝ þingis; neþeles þe herte
of Aſa was perfit wiþ hys Lord God, in alle hiſe daies.
xv And he brouȝte in to þe hous of þe Lord þo þingis,
whiche his fadir hadde halewid and auowid, ſiluer, and
gold, and veſſel.
xvi Forſoþe batel was bitwixe Aſa and Baaſa, kyng of
Iſrael, in alle þe daies of hem.
xvii And Baaſa, kyng of Iſrael, ſtiede in to Juda, and
bildide Rama, þat no man of þe part of Aza, kyng of
Juda, myȝte go out, eþer go yn.
xviii Þerfor Aſa took al þe ſiluer and gold, þat lefte in þe
treſouris of þe hows of þe Lord, and in þe treſouris of þe
kyngis hows, and ȝaf it in to þe hondis of hiſe
ſeruauntis; and ſente to Benadab, ſone of Tabrennon,
ſone of Ozion, þe kyng of Sirie, þat dwellide in
Damaſk, and ſeide,
xix Boond of pees is bitwixe me and þee, and bitwixe
my fadir and þi fadir, and þerfor Y ſente to þee ȝiftis,
gold, and ſiluer; and Y axe, þat þou come, and make
voide þe boond of pees, which þou haſt wiþ Baaſa, kyng
of Iſrael, and þat he go awey fro me.
xx Benadab aſſentide to kyng Aſa, and ſente þe princes
of his ooſt in to þe citees of Iſrael; and þei ſmytiden
Ahion, and Dan, and Abel, þe hows of Maacha, and al
Cenoroth, þat is, al þe lond of Neptalym.
xxi And whanne Baaſa hadde herd þis þing, he lefte to
bilde Rama, and turnede aȝen in to Therſa.
xxii Forſoþe kyng Aſa ſente meſſage in to al Juda, and
ſeide, No man be excuſid. And þei token þe ſtoonys of
Rama, and þe trees þerof, bi whiche Baaſa hadde bildid;
and kyng Aſa bildide of þe ſame `ſtoonys and trees
Gabaa of Beniamyn, and Maſpha.
xxiii Soþeli þe reſidue of alle wordis of Aſa, and of al his
ſtrengþe, and alle þingis whiche he dide, and þe citees
whiche he bildide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of kingis of Juda? Neþeles Aſa
hadde ache in feet
xi, in þe tyme of his eelde.
xxiiii And Aſa ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and he was biried
wiþ hem in þe citee of Dauid, his fader; and Joſophat,
his ſone, regnede for him.
xxv Forſoþe Nadab, þe ſone of Jeroboam, regnede on
Iſrael, in þe ſecunde ȝeer of Aſa, king of Juda; and he
regnede on Iſrael two ȝeer.
xxvi And he dide þat, þat was yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord,
and he ȝede in þe weies of his fadir, and in þe ſynnes of
hym, in whiche he made Iſrael to do ſynne.
xxvii Forſoþe Baaſa, þe ſone of Ahia, of þe hows of
Yſachar, ſettide treſoun to hym, and ſmoot him in
Gebethon, which is a citee of Filiſteis; ſoþely Nadab
and al Iſrael biſegiden Gebethon.
xxviii Þerfor Baaſa killide hym, in þe þridde ȝeer of Aſa,
king of Juda, and regnede for hym.
xxix And whanne he hadde regnede, he ſmoot al þe
hows of Jeroboam; he lefte not ſoþeli not o man of his
ſeed, til he dide awei hym, bi þe word of þe Lord,
which he ſpak in þe hond of his ſeruaunt, Ahia of Silo, a
profete,
xxx for þe ſynnes of Jeroboam whiche he ſynnede, and
in whiche he made Iſrael to do ſynne, and for þe treſpas,
bi which he wraþþide þe Lord God of Iſrael.
xxxi Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Nadab, and alle
þingis whiche he wrouȝte, wheþer þeſe ben not writun
in þe book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xxxii And batel was bitwixe Aſa and Baaſa, kyng of
Iſrael, in al þe daies of hem.
xxxiii In þe þridde ȝeer of Aſa, kyng of Juda, Baaſa, ſone
of Ahia, regnede on al Iſrael, in Therſa, foure and twenti
ȝeer.
xxxiiii And he dide yuel bifor þe Lord, and he ȝede in þe
weies of Jeroboam, and in hiſe ſynnes, bi whiche he
made Iſrael to do ſynne.
CAP. XVI
i Forſoþe þe word of þe Lord was maad to Hieu, ſone of
Anany, aȝens Baaſa, and ſeide,
ii For þat þat Y reiſide þee fro duſt, and ſettide þee duyk
on Iſrael, my puple; ſoþeli þou ȝediſt in þe weie of
Jeroboam, and madiſt my puple Iſrael to do ſynne, þat
þou ſchuldiſt terre me to ire, in þe ſynnes of hem; lo!
iii Y ſchal kitte awey þe hyndrere þingis of Baaſa, and
þe hyndrere þingis of `his hows, and Y ſchal make þin
hows as þe hows of Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath.
CCCXVIII
iiii Doggis ſchulen ete þat man of Baaſa, þat ſchal be
deed in citee, and briddis of þe eyr ſchulen ete þat man
of Baaſa, þat ſchal die in þe feeld.
v Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Baaſa, and what euer
þingis he dide, and hiſe batels, wheþer þeſe ben not
writun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe kynges of
Iſrael?
vi Þerfor Baaſa ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and he was biried
in Therſa; and Hela, his ſone, regnede for hym.
vii Forſoþe whanne þe word of þe Lord was maad in þe
hond of Hieu, ſone of Anany, aȝens Baaſa, and aȝens his
hows, and aȝens al yuel which he dide bifor þe Lord, to
terre hym to ire in þe werkis of hiſe hondis, þat he
ſchulde be as þe hows of Jeroboam, for þis cauſe he
killide hym, þat is, Hieu, þe prophete, þe ſone of Anany.
viii In þe ſixe and twentiþe ȝeer of Aza, kyng of Juda,
Hela, þe ſone of Baaſa, regnyde on Iſrael, in Therſa,
twei ȝeer.
ix And Zamry, `his ſeruaunt, duyk of þe half part of
knyȝtis, rebellide aȝens hym; ſoþeli Hela was in Therſa,
and drank, and was drunkun in þe hows of Arſa, prefect
of Therſa.
x Þerfor Zamri felde in, and ſmoot, and killide hym, in
þe ſeuene and twentiþe ȝeer of Aſa, kyng of Juda; and
regnede for hym.
xi And whanne he hadde regned, and hadde ſetun on his
trone, he ſmoot al þe hows of Baaſa, and he lefte not
þerof a piſſere to þe wal, and hiſe kynneſmen, and
frendis.
xii And Zamri dide awey al þe hows of Baaſa, bi þe
word of þe Lord, which he ſpak to Baaſa, in þe hond of
Hieu, þe prophete, for alle þe ſynnes of Baaſa,
xiii and for þe ſynnes of Hela, his ſone, whiche
ſynneden, and maden Iſrael to do ſynne, and wraþþiden
þe Lord God of Iſrael in her vanytees.
xiiii Soþeli þe reſidue of þe wordis of Hela, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xv In þe ſeuene and twentiþe ȝeer of Aza, kyng of Juda,
Zamri regnede ſeuene daies in Tharſa; forſoþe þe ooſt
biſegide Gebethon, þe citee of Philiſteis.
xvi And whanne it hadde herd, þat Zamri hadde rebellid,
and hadde ſlayn þe kyng, al Iſrael made Amry kyng to
hem, þat was prince of þe chyualrye, on Iſrael, in þat
dai, in `þe caſtels.
xvii Þerfor Amry ſtiede, and al Iſrael wiþ hym, fro
Gebethon, and biſegide Therſa.
xviii Soþely Zamri ſiȝ, þat þe citee ſchulde be
ouercomun, and he entride in to þe palis, and brente
hym ſilf wiþ þe kyngis hows;
xix and he was deed in hiſe ſynnes whiche he ſynnede,
doynge yuel bifor þe Lord, and goynge in þe weie of
Jeroboam, and in hiſe ſynnes, bi whiche he made Iſrael
to do ſynne.
xx Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Zamri, and of his
treſouns, and tyrauntrie, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in
þe book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xxi Þanne þe puple of Iſrael was departid in to twei
partis; þe half part of þe puple ſuede Thebny, ſone of
Geneth, to make hym kyng, and þe half part ſuede
Amry.
xxii Soþeli þe puple þat was wiþ Amry, hadde mayſtry
ouer þe puple þat ſuede Thebny, þe ſone of Geneth; and
Thebny was deed, and Amri regnede.
xxiii In þe oon and þrittiþe ȝeer of Aza, kyng of Juda,
Amri regnede on Iſrael, twelue ȝeer; in Therſa he
regnede ſixe ȝeer.
xxiiii And he bouȝte of Soomeer, for twei talentis of
ſiluer, þe hil of Samarie, and `bildide þat hil; and he
clepide þe name of þe citee, which he hadde bildid, bi
þe name of Soomer, lord of þe hil of Samarie.
xxv Forſoþe Amry dide yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, and
wrouȝte weiwardli, ouer alle men þat weren bifor hym.
xxvi And he ȝede in al þe weie of Jeroboam, ſone of
Nabath, and in hiſe ſynnes, bi whiche he made Iſrael to
do ſynne, þat he ſchulde terre to ire, in his vanytees, þe
Lord God of Iſrael.
xxvii Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Amry, and hiſe
batels, which he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xxviii And Amry ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biried in
Samarie; and Achab, his ſone, regnede for hym.
xxix Forſoþe Achab, þe ſone of Amry, regnede on Iſrael,
in þe `eiȝte and þrittiþe ȝeer of Aſa, kyng of Juda; and
Achab, ſone of Amry, regnede on Iſrael, in Samarie, two
and twenti ȝeer.
xxx And Achab, ſone of Amry, dide yuel in þe ſiȝte of þe
Lord, ouer alle men þat weren bifor hym;
xxxi and it ſuffiſide not to hym þat he ȝede in þe ſynnes
of Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath, ferþermore and he
weddide a wijf, Jezabel, þe douȝter of Methaal, kyng of
Sydoneis; and he ȝede, and ſeruyde Baal, and
worſchipide hym.
xxxii And he ſettide an auter to Baal in þe temple of
Baal, which he hadde bildid in Samarie, and he
plauntide a wode;
xxxiii and Achab addide in his werk, and terride to ire þe
Lord God of Iſrael, more þanne alle kyngis of Iſrael þat
weren bifor hym.
xxxiiii Forſoþe in hiſe daies Ahiel of Bethel bildide
Jerico; in Abiram, his firſte ſone, he foundide it, in
Segub, his laſte ſone, he ſettide ȝatis þerof, bi þe word
of þe Lord, which he hadde ſpoke in þe hond of Joſue,
ſone of Nun.
CCCXIX
CAP. XVII
i And Elie `of Theſbi, of þe dwelleris of Galaad, ſeide to
Achab, Þe Lord God of Iſrael lyueþ, in whos ſiȝt Y
ſtonde, deeu and reyn ſchal not be in þeſe ȝeeris, no but
bi þe wordis of my mouþ.
ii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to hym, and ſeide,
iii Go þou awey fro hennus, and go aȝens þe eeſt, and be
þou hid in þe ſtronde of Carith, which is aȝens Jordan,
iiii and þere þou ſchalt drynke of þe ſtronde; and Y
comaundide to crowis, þat þei feede þee þere.
v Þerfor he ȝede, and dide bi þe word of þe Lord; and
whanne he hadde go, he ſat in þe ſtronde of Carith,
which is aȝens Jordan.
vi And crowis baren to hym breed and fleiſch eerli; in
lijk maner in þe euentid; and he drank of þe ſtronde.
vii Forſoþe after ſumme daies þe ſtronde was dried; for it
hadde not reynede on þe erþe.
viii Þerfor þe word of þe Lord was maad to hym, and
ſeide,
ix Riſe þou, and go in to Serepta of Sydoneis, and þou
ſchalt dwelle þere; for Y comaundide to a womman,
widewe þere, þat ſche feede þee.
x He roos, and ȝede in to Sarepta of Sidoneis; and
whanne he hadde come to þe ȝate of þe citee, a
womman widewe gaderynge ſtickis apperide to hym;
and he clepide hir, and ſeide to hir, Ȝyue þou to me a
litil of water in a veſſel, þat Y drynke.
xi And whanne ſche ȝede to bringe, he criede bihynde
hir bac, and ſeide, Y biſeche, bringe þou to me alſo a
muſſel of breed in þin hond.
xii And ſche anſweride, Þi Lord God lyueþ, for Y haue
no breed, no but as myche of mele in a pot, as a fiſt may
take, and a litil of oile in a veſſel; lo! Y gadere twei
ſtickis, þat Y entre, and make it to me, and to my ſone,
þat we ete and die.
xiii And Elie ſeide to hir, Nyle þou drede, but go, and
make as þou ſeidiſt; neþeles make þou firſte to me of
þat litil mele a litil loof, bakun vndur þe aiſchis, and
brynge þou to me; ſoþeli þou ſchalt make afterward to
þee and to þi ſone.
xiiii Forſoþe þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þes þingis, Þe pot
of mele ſchal not faile, and þe veſſel of oile ſchal not be
abatid, til to þe dai in which þe Lord ſchal ȝyue reyn on
þe face of erþe.
xv And ſche ȝede, and dide bi þe word of Elie; and he
eet, and ſche, and hir hows.
xvi And fro þat dai þe pot of mele failide not, and þe
veſſel of oile was not abatid, bi þe word of þe Lord,
which he hadde ſpoke in þe hond of Elie.
xvii Forſoþe it was doon aftir þeſe wordis, þe ſone of a
womman hoſewijf was ſijk, and þe ſijkneſſe was mooſt
ſtrong, ſo þat breeþ dwellide not in hym.
xviii Þerfor ſche ſeide to Elie, What to me and to þee,
þou man of God? Entridiſt þou to me, þat my
wickidneſſis ſchulden be remembrid, and þat þou
ſchuldiſt ſle my ſone?
xix And Elie ſeide to hir, Ȝyue þi ſone to me. And he
took `þat ſone fro hir boſum, and bar in to þe ſoler,
where he dwellide; and he puttide hym on his bed.
xx And he criede to þe Lord, and ſeide, My Lord God,
wheþer þou haſt turmentid alſo þe widewe, at whom Y
am ſuſteyned in al maner, þat þou killidiſt hir ſone?
xxi He ſprad abrood hym ſilf, and mat on þe child bi þre
tymes; and he cryede to þe Lord, and ſeide, My Lord
God, Y biſeche, þe ſoule of þis child turne aȝen in to þe
entrailis of hym.
xxii Þe Lord herde þe vois of Elie, and þe ſoule of þe
child turnede aȝen wiþ ynne hym, and he lyuede aȝen.
xxiii And Elie took þe child, and puttide hym doun of þe
ſoler in to þe lower hows, and bitook him to his modir;
and he ſeide to hir, Lo! þi ſone lyueþ.
xxiiii And þe womman ſeide to Elie, Now in þis Y haue
knowe, þat þou art þe man of God, and þe word of God
is ſoþ in þi mouþ.
CAP. XVIII
i Aftir many daies þe word of þe Lord was maad to Elie,
in þe þridde ȝeer, and ſeide, Go, and ſchewe þee to
Achab, þat Y ȝyue reyn on þe face of erþe.
ii Þerfor Elie ȝede to ſchewe hym ſilf to Achab; forſoþe
greet hungur was in Samarie.
iii And Achab clepide Abdie, diſpendere, eþer ſtiward,
of his hows; forſoþe Abdie dredde greetli þe Lord God
of Iſrael.
iiii For whanne Jezabel killide þe prophetis of þe Lord,
he took an hundrid prophetis, and hidde hem, bi fifties
and fifties, in dennes, and fedde hem wiþ breed and
watir.
v Þerfor Achab ſeide to Abdie, Go þou in to þe lond, to
alle wellis of watris, and in to alle valeis, if in hap we
moun fynde gras, and ſaue horſis and mulis; and werk
beeſtis periſche not outirli.
vi Þerfor þei departiden þe cuntreis to hem ſilf, þat þei
ſchulden cumpaſſe þo; Achab ȝede bi o weye, and Abdie
ȝede bi anoþer weie, `bi hym ſilf.
vii And whanne Abdie was in þe weie, Elie mette hym;
and whanne he hadde knowe Elie, he felde on his face,
and ſeide, Wheþir þou art my lord Elie?
viii To whom he anſweride, Y am. And Elie ſeide, Go
þou, and ſeie to þi lord, Elie is preſent.
ix And Abdie ſeide, What `ſynnede Y, for þou bitakiſt
me in þe hond of Achab, þat he ſle me?
x Þi Lord God lyueþ, for no folk eþir rewme is, whidur
my lord, ſekynge þee, ſente not; and whanne alle men
anſweriden, He is not here, he chargide greetli alle
CCCXX
rewmes and folkis, for þou were not foundun; and now
þou ſeiſt to me,
xi Go, and ſeie to þi lord, Elie is preſent.
xii And whanne Y ſchal departe fro þee, þe Spirit of þe
Lord ſchal bere þee awey in to a place which Y knowe
not; and Y ſchal entre, and `Y ſchal telle to Achab, and
he ſchal not fynde þee, and he ſchal ſle me; forſoþe þi
ſeruaunt drediþ þe Lord fro his ȝong childhod.
xiii Wheþer it is not ſchewid to þee, my lord, what Y
dide, whanne Jeſabel killide þe prophetis of þe Lord,
þat Y hidde of þe prophetis of þe Lord an hundrid men,
bi fifty and bi fifti, in dennes, and Y fedde hem wiþ
breed and watir?
xiiii And now þou ſeiſt, Go, and ſeie to þi lord, Elie is
preſent, þat he ſle me.
xv And Elie ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis lyueþ, bifor whos
ſiȝt Y ſtonde, for to dai Y ſchal appere to hym.
xvi Þerfor Abdie ȝede in to þe metyng of Achab, and
ſchewide to hym; and Achab cam in to þe meetyng of
Elie.
xvii And whanne he hadde ſeyn Elie, he ſeide, Wheþer
þou art he, þat diſturbliſt Iſrael?
xviii And he ſeide, Not Y diſturble Iſrael, but þou, and þe
hows of þi fadir, whiche han forſake þe
comaundementis of þe Lord, and ſueden Baalym,
`diſturbliden Iſrael.
xix Neþeles now ſende þou, and gadere to me al Iſrael,
in þe hil of Carmele, and foure hundrid and fifti
prophetis of Baal, and foure hundrid prophetis of
woodis, þat eten of þe table of Jezabel.
xx Achab ſente to alle þe ſones of Iſrael, and gaderide
prophetis in þe hil of Carmele.
xxi Forſoþe Elie neiȝede to al þe puple of Iſrael, and
ſeide, Hou long halten ȝe in to twey partis? If þe Lord is
God, ſue ȝe hym; forſoþe if Baal is God, ſue ȝe hym.
And þe puple anſweride not o word to hym.
xxii And Elie ſeide eft to þe puple, Y dwellide aloone a
prophete of þe Lord; ſoþeli þe prophetis of Baal ben
foure hundrid and fifti, and þe prophetis of woodis ben
foure hundrid men.
xxiii Tweyne oxis be ȝouun to us; and cheſe þei oon oxe,
and þei ſchulen kitte in to gobetis, and ſchulen putte on
trees, but putte þei not fier vndur; and Y ſchal make þe
toþer oxe in to ſacrifice, and Y ſchal putte on þe trees,
and Y ſchal not putte fier vnder.
xxiiii Clepe ȝe þe name of ȝoure goddis, and Y ſchal
clepe þe name of my God; and þe God þat heriþ bi fier,
be he God. And al þe puple anſweride, and ſeide, Þe
reſoun is beſt, `which reſoun Elie ſpak.
xxv Þerfor Elie ſeide to þe prophetis of Baal, Cheſe ȝe
oon oxe to ȝou, and make ȝe firſt, for ȝe ben þe mo; and
clepe ȝe þe names of ȝoure goddis, and putte ȝe not fier
vnder.
xxvi And whanne þei hadden take þe oxe, whom Elie ȝaf
to hem, þei maden ſacrifice, and clepiden þe name of
Baal, fro þe morewtid `til to myddai, and ſeiden, Baal,
here vs! And no vois was, neþer ony þat anſwerd; and
þei ſkippiden ouer þe auter, which þei hadden maad.
xxvii And whanne it was þanne myddai, Elie ſcornede
hem, and ſeide, Crie ȝe wiþ gretter vois, for Baal is
ȝoure god, and in hap he ſpekiþ wiþ an oþer, eþir he is
in a herborgerie, eþer in weie, eþer certis he ſlepiþ, þat
he be reiſid.
xxviii Þerfor þei crieden wiþ greet vois, and þei kerueden
hem ſilf wiþ knyues and launcetis, bi her cuſtom, til þei
weren biſched wiþ blood.
xxix Soþeli after þat mydday paſſide, and while þei
propheſieden, þe tyme cam, in which þe ſacrifice is
wont to be offrid, neþer vois was herd `of her goddis,
neþer ony anſweride, neþer perceyuede hem preiynge.
xxx Elie ſeide to al þe puple, Come ȝe to me. And
whanne þe puple cam to him, he arrayede þe auter of þe
Lord, þat was diſtried.
xxxi And he took twelue ſtonys, bi þe noumbre of
lynagis of ſones of Jacob, to which Jacob þe word of þe
Lord was maad, and ſeide, Iſrael ſchal be þi name.
xxxii And he bildide an auter of ſtonys, in þe name of þe
Lord, and he made a ledyng to of watir, `eþer a dich, as
bi twei litle dichis in þe cumpas of þe auter.
xxxiii And he dreſſide trees, and he departide þe oxe bi
membris, and puttide on þe trees,
xxxiiii and ſeide, Fille ȝe foure pottis wiþ watir, and
ſchede ȝe on þe brent ſacrifice, and on þe trees. And eft
he ſeide, Alſo þe ſecounde tyme do ȝe þis. `And þei
diden þe ſecounde tyme. And he ſeide, Do ȝe þe ſame
þing þe þridde tyme; and þei diden þe þridde tyme.
xxxv And þe watris runnen aboute þe auter, and þe dich
of ledyng to `of watir was fillid.
xxxvi And whanne þe tyme was þanne, þat þe brent
ſacrifice ſchulde be offrid, Elye þe prophete neiȝede,
and ſeide, Lord God of Abraham, of Iſaac, and of Iſrael,
ſchewe þou to dai þat þou art God of Iſrael, and þat Y
am þi ſeruaunt, and haue do alle þeſe wordis bi þi
comaundement.
xxxvii Lord, here þou me; Lord, here þou me; þat þis
puple lerne, þat þou art þe Lord God, and þat þou haſt
conuertid eft þe herte of hem.
xxxviii Soþeli fier of þe Lord felde doun, and deuouride
brent ſacrifice, and trees, and ſtonus, and lickide vp alſo
þe poudre, and þe water þat was in þe `leding of water.
xxxix And whanne al þe puple hadde ſeyn þis, it felde in
to his face, and ſeide, Þe Lord he is God; þe Lord he is
God.
xl And Elie ſeide to hem, Take ȝe þe prophetis of Baal;
not oon ſoþeli aſcape of hem. And whanne þei hadden
take hem, Elie ledde hem to þe ſtronde of Ciſon, and
killide hem þere.
CCCXXI
xli And Elie ſeide to Achab, Stie þou, ete, and drynke,
for þe ſown of myche reyn is.
xlii Achab ſtiede to ete and drynke; forſoþe Elie ſtiede in
to þe hil of Carmele, and he ſettide lowli his face to þe
erþe, bitwixe hiſe knees;
xliii and ſeide to his child, Stie þou, and biholde aȝens þe
ſee. And whanne he hadde ſtied, and hadde biholde, he
ſeide, No þing is. And eft Elie ſeide to hym, Turne þou
aȝen bi ſeuene tymes.
xliiii Soþeli in þe ſeuenþe tyme, lo! a litil cloude as þe
ſtep of a man ſtiede fro þe ſee. And Elie ſeide, Stie þou,
and ſeie to Achab, Ioyne þi chare, and go doun, leſt þe
reyn byfor ocupie þee.
xlv And whanne þei turneden hem hidur and þidur, lo!
heuenes weren maad derk, and cloud, and wynd, and
greet reyn was maad. Þerfor Achab ſtiede, and ȝede in
to Jezrael;
xlvi and þe hond of þe Lord was maad on Elie, and
whanne þe leendis weren gird, he ran bifor Achab, til he
cam in to Jezrael.
CAP. XIX
i Forſoþe Achab telde to Jezabel alle þingis whiche Elie
hadde do, and how he hadde ſlayn by ſwerd alle þe
prophetis of Baal.
ii And Jezabel ſente a meſſanger to Elie, and ſeide,
Goddis do þeſe þingis to me, and adde þeſe þingis, no
but to morewe in þis our Y ſchal putte þi lijf as þe lijf of
oon of hem.
iii Þerfor Elie dredde, and roos, and ȝede whidur euer
wille bar hym; and he cam in to Berſabe of Juda, and he
lefte þere his child;
iiii and ȝede in to deſeert, þe weie of o dai. And whanne
he cam, and ſat vndir o iunypere tre, he axide to his
ſoule, þat he ſchulde die; and he ſeide, Lord, it ſuffiſiþ to
me, take my ſoule; for Y am not betere þan my fadris.
v And he caſtide forþ hym ſilf, and ſlepte in þe ſchadewe
of þe iunypere tree. And lo! þe aungel of þe Lord
touchide hym, and ſeide to hym, Riſe þou, and ete.
vi He bihelde, and, lo! at his heed was a loof bakun
vndur aiſchis, and a veſſel of watir. Þerfor he ete, and
drank, and ſlepte eft.
vii And þe aungel of þe Lord turnede aȝen þe ſecounde
tyme, and touchide hym; and `þe aungel ſeide to hym,
Riſe þou, and ete; for a greet weie is to þee.
viii And whanne he hadde riſe, he ete, and drank; and he
ȝede in þe ſtrengþe of þat mete bi fourti dayes and fourti
nyȝtis, `til to Oreb, þe hil of God.
ix And whanne he hadde come þidur, he dwellide in a
denne; and lo! þe word of þe Lord `was maad to him,
and ſeide to hym, Elie, what doiſt þou here?
x And he anſweride, Bi feruent loue Y louede feruentli,
for þe Lord God of ooſtis; for þe ſones of Iſrael forſoken
þe couenaunt of þe Lord; þei deſtrieden þin auters, and
killiden bi ſwerd þi prophetis; and Y am left aloone, and
þei ſeken my lijf, þat þei do it awei.
xi And he ſeide to Elie, Go þou out, and ſtonde in þe hil,
bifor þe Lord. And lo! þe Lord paſſiþ, and a greet
wynde, and ſtrong, turnynge vpſodoun hillis, and al to
brekinge ſtonys bifor þe Lord; not in þe wynde ys þe
Lord. And aftir þe wynd is a ſtirynge; not in þe ſtiryng
is þe Lord.
xii And aftir þe ſtiryng is fier; not in þe fier is þe Lord.
And aftir þe fier is þe iſſyng of þinne wynd; þere is þe
Lord.
xiii And whanne Elie hadde herd þis, he hilide his face
wiþ a mentil, and he ȝede out, and ſtood in þe dore of þe
denne. And a vois ſpak to hym, and ſeide, Elie, what
doiſt þou here?
xiiii And he anſweride, Bi feruent loue Y louede
feruentli, for þe Lord God of ooſtis; for þe ſones of
Iſrael forſoken þi couenaunt; þei diſtrieden þin auteris,
and þei killiden bi ſwerd þi prophetis; and Y am left
aloone, and þei ſeken my lijf, þat þei do it awey.
xv And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Go, and turne aȝen in to þi
weie, bi þe deſeert, in to Damaſk; and whanne þou
ſchalt come þidur, þou ſchalt anoynte Aſahel kyng on
Sirie;
xvi and þou ſchalt anoynte kyng on Iſrael Hieu, þe ſone
of Namſi; ſoþeli þou ſchalt anoynte prophete for þee,
Eliſe, ſone of Saphat, which is of Abelmeula.
xvii And it ſchal be, who euer ſchal fle þe ſwerd of
Aſahel, Hieu ſchal ſle hym; and who euer ſchal fle þe
ſwerd of Hieu, Eliſe ſchal ſle hym.
xviii And Y ſchal leeue to me in Iſrael ſeuene þouſynde
of men, of whiche þe knees ben not bowid bifor Baal,
and ech mouþ þat worſchipide not hym, and kiſſide
hond.
xix Þerfor Elie ȝede forþ fro þennus, and foond Eliſe,
ſone of Saphat, erynge in twelue ȝockis of oxis; and he
was oon in þe twelue ȝockis of oxys, erynge. And
whanne Elie hadde come to hym, Elie caſtide his mentil
on hym.
xx Which ran anoon after Elie, whanne þe oxis weren
left, and ſeide, Y preie þee, kyſſe Y my fadir and my
modir, and ſo Y ſchal ſue þee. And Elie ſeide to hym,
Go þou, and turne aȝen, for Y haue do to þee þat þat
was myn.
xxi `Soþeli he turnede aȝen fro Elie, and took tweine
oxis, and killide hem; and wiþ þe plow of oxis he ſeþide
þe fleiſchis, and ȝaf to þe puple, and þei eeten; and he
roos, and ȝede, and ſuede Elie, and `mynyſtride to hym.
CAP. XX
i Forſoþe Benadab, kyng of Sirye, gaderide al his ooſt,
and two and þritti kyngis wiþ hym, and horſis, and
CCCXXII
charis; and he ſtiede aȝens Samarie, and fauȝt, and
biſegide it.
ii And he ſente meſſangeris to Achab, kyng of Iſrael, in
to þe citee,
iii and ſeide, Benadab ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þi ſiluer and þi
gold is myn, and þi wyues, and þi beſte ſones ben myn.
iiii And þe kyng of Iſrael anſweride, Bi þi word, my lord
þe kyng, Y am þin, and alle my þingis `ben þine.
v And þe meſſangeris turneden aȝen, and ſeiden,
Benadab, þat ſente vs to þee, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þou ſchalt
ȝyue to me þi ſiluer, and þi gold, and þi wyues, and þi
ſones.
vi Þerfor to morewe, in þis ſame our, Y ſchal ſende my
ſeruauntis to þee, and þei ſchulen ſeke þin hows, and þe
hows of þi ſeruauntis; and þei ſchulen putte in her
hondis, and take awey al þing þat ſchal pleſe hem.
vii Forſoþe þe kyng of Iſrael clepide alle þe eldere men
of þe lond, and ſeide, Perſeyue ȝe, and ſe, þat he ſettiþ
treſoun to vs; for he ſente to me for my wyues, and
ſones, and for ſiluer, and gold, and Y forſook not.
viii And alle þe gretter men in birþe, and al þe puple
ſeiden to hym, Here þou not, neþer aſſente þou to hym.
ix And he anſweride to þe meſſangeris of Benadab, Seie
ȝe to my lord þe kyng, Y ſchal do alle þingis, for whiche
þou ſentiſt in þe bigynnyng to me, þi ſeruaunt; forſoþe Y
may not do þis þing.
x And þe meſſangeris turneden aȝen, and telden alle
þingis to hym. Which ſente aȝen, and ſeide, Goddis do
þeſe þingis to me, and adde þeſe þingis, if þe duſt of
Samarie ſchal ſuffice to þe fiſtis of al þe puple þat ſueþ
me.
xi And þe kyng of Iſrael anſweride, and ſeide, Seie ȝe to
hym, A gird man, `þat is, he þat goiþ to batel, haue not
glorie euenli as a man vngird.
xii Forſoþe it was doon, whanne Benadab hadde herd þis
word, he drank, and þe kyngis, in ſchadewyng places;
and he ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis, Cumpaſſe ȝe þe citee.
xiii And þei cumpaſſiden it. And lo! o prophete neiȝede
to Acab, kyng of Iſrael, and ſeide to hym, Þe Lord God
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Certis þou haſt ſeyn al þis multitude ful
greet; lo! Y ſchal bitake it in to þin hond to dai, þat þou
wite þat Y am þe Lord.
xiiii And Achab ſeide, Bi whom? And he ſeide to Achab,
Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Bi þe ſquyeris of þe princes of
prouynces. And Achab ſeide, Who ſchal bigynne to
fiȝte? And þe prophete ſeide, Þou.
xv Þerfor he noumbryde þe children of þe princes of
prouynces, and he foond þe noumbre of twei hundrid
and two and þretti; and aftir hem he noumbride þe
puple, alle þe ſones of Iſrael, ſeuene þouſynde.
xvi And þei ȝeden out in myddai. Forſoþe Benadab
drank, and was drunkun in his ſchadewyng place, and
two and þretti kyngis wiþ hym, þat camen to þe help of
hym.
xvii Soþeli þe children of princes of prouynces ȝeden out
in þe firſte frount. Þerfor Benadab ſente men, whiche
telden to hym, and ſeide, Men ȝeden out of Samarie.
xviii And he ſeide, Wheþer þei comen for pees, take ȝe
hem quyke; wheþer to fiȝte, take ȝe hem quyke.
xix Þerfor þe children of prynces of prouynces ȝeden
out,
xx and þe reſidue ooſt ſuede; and ech ſmoot þe man þat
cam aȝens hym. And men of Sirie fledden, and Iſrael
purſuede hem; alſo Benadab, kyng of Sirie, fledde on an
hors wiþ his kniȝtis.
xxi Alſo þe king of Iſrael ȝede out, and ſmoot horſis and
charis, and he ſmoot Sirie wiþ a ful greet veniaunce.
xxii Forſoþe a prophete neiȝede to þe kyng of Iſrael, and
ſeide, Go þou, and be coumfortid, and wyte, and ſe,
what þou ſchalt do; for þe kyng of Sirie ſchal ſtie aȝens
þee in þe ȝeer ſuynge.
xxiii Soþeli þe ſeruauntis of þe kyng of Sirie ſeiden to
hym, Þe Goddis of hillis ben þe Goddis of þe ſones of
Iſrael, þerfor þei ouercamen vs; but it is betere þat we
fiȝte aȝens hem in feeldi placis, and we ſchulen geet
hem.
xxiiii Þerfor do þou þis word; remoue þou alle kyngis fro
þin ooſt, and ſette þou princis for hem;
xxv and reſtore þou þe noumbre of knyȝtis, þat felden of
þine, and horſis bi þe formere horſis, and reſtore þou
charis, bi þe charis whiche þou haddiſt bifore; and we
ſchulen fiȝte aȝens hem in feeldy places, and þou ſchalt
ſe, þat we ſchulen gete hem. He bileuyde to þe counſel
of hem, and dide ſo.
xxvi Þerfor after þat þe ȝeer hadde paſſid, Benadab
noumbride men of Sirie, and he ſtiede in to Affech, to
fiȝte aȝens Iſrael.
xxvii Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael weren noumbrid; and
whanne meetis weren takun, þei ȝeden forþ euene
aȝens, and þei, as twey litle flockis of geet, ſettiden
tentis aȝens men of Sirie. Forſoþe men of Sirie filliden
þe erþe.
xxviii And o prophete of God neiȝede, and ſeide to þe
kyng of Iſrael, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For men of
Sirie ſeiden, God of hillis is þe Lord of hem, and he is
not God of valeis, Y ſchal ȝyue al þis greet multitude in
þin hond, and ȝe ſchulen wite þat Y am þe Lord.
xxix In ſeuene daies þeſe and þei dreſſiden ſcheltruns
euene aȝens; forſoþe in þe ſeuenþe dai þe batel was
joyned togidere, and þe ſones of Iſrael ſmytiden of men
of Syrie an hundrid þouſynde of foot men in o dai.
xxx Forſoþe þei þat leften fledden in to þe citee of
Affech, and þe wal felde doun on ſeuene and twenti
þouſynde of men þat leften. Forſoþe Benadab fledde,
and entride in to þe citee, in to a cloſet þat was wiþ
ynne a cloſet;
xxxi and hiſe ſeruauntis ſeiden to him, We herden þat þe
kyngis of þe hows of Iſrael ben merciful, þerfor putte
CCCXXIII
we ſackis in oure leendis, and cordis in oure heedis, and
go we out to þe kyng of Iſrael; in hap he ſchal ſaue oure
lyues.
xxxii Þei girdiden her leendis wiþ ſackis, and puttiden
coordis in her heedis, and þei camen to þe kyng of
Iſrael, and ſeiden to hym, Þi ſeruaunt Benadab ſeiþ, Y
preye þee, lete `my ſoule lyue. And he ſeide, If Benadab
lyueþ ȝit, he is my broþer.
xxxiii Which þing þe men of Sirie token for a graciouſe
word, and rauyſchiden haſtily þe word of his mouþ, and
ſeiden, Þi broþer Benadab lyueþ. And Achab ſeide to
hem, Go ȝe, and brynge ȝe hym to me. Þerfor Benadab
ȝede out to hym, and he reiſide Benadab in to his chare.
xxxiiii `Which Benadab ſeide to hym, Y ſchal ȝelde þe
citees whiche my fadir took fro þi fadir, and make þou
ſtretis to þee in Damaſk, as my fadir made in Samarie;
and Y ſchal be boundun to pees, and Y ſchal departe fro
þee. Þerfor he made boond of pees, and delyuerede
hym.
xxxv Þanne ſum man of þe ſones of prophetis ſeide to his
felowe, in þe word of þe Lord, Smyte þou me. And he
nolde ſmyte.
xxxvi To `whiche felowe he ſeide, For þou noldiſt here
þe vois of þe Lord, lo! þou ſchalt go fro me, and a lioun
ſchal ſmyte þee. And whanne he hadde go a litil fro
hym, a lioun foond hym, and ſlowȝ hym.
xxxvii But alſo þe prophete foond anoþer man, and he
ſeide to þat man, Smyte þou me. Which ſmoot him, and
woundide him.
xxxviii Þerfor þe prophete ȝede, and mette þe kyng in þe
weie; and he chaungide his mouþ and iȝen, by
ſprynging of duſt.
xxxix And whanne þe kyng hadde paſſid, he criede to þe
kyng, and ſeide, Þi ſeruaunt ȝede out to fiȝte anoon, and
whanne o man hadde fledde, ſum man brouȝte hym to
me, and ſeide, Kepe þou þis man; and if he aſchapiþ, þi
lijf ſchal be for his lijf, eþer þou ſchalt paye a talent of
ſiluere.
xl Soþeli while Y was troblid, and turnede me hidur and
þidur, ſodeynly he apperide not. And þe kyng of Iſrael
ſeide to hym, Þis is þi doom which þou haſt demed.
xli And anoon he wipide awey þe duſt fro his face, and
þe kyng of Iſrael knew him, þat he was of þe prophetis.
xlii Which ſeide to þe kyng, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
For
þou deliueridiſt fro þin hond a man worþi þe deeþ, þi
lijf ſchal be for his lijf, and þi puple `ſchal be for his
puple.
xliii Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael turnede aȝen in to his hows,
and diſpiſide to here, and cam wod in to Samarie.
CAP. XXI
i Forſoþe after þeſe wordis, in þat tyme, þe vyner of
Naboth of Jezrael, `þat was in Jezrael, was biſidis þe
paleis of Achab, kyng of Samarye.
ii Þerfor Achab ſpak to Naboth, and ſeide, Ȝyue þou to
me þe vyner, þat Y make to me a gardyn of wortis, for it
is nyȝ, and nyȝ myn hows; and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee a
betere vyner for it; eþir if þou geſſiſt it more profitable
to þee, Y ſchall ȝyue þe prijs of ſiluer, as myche as it is
worþ.
iii To whom Naboth anſweride, Þe Lord be merciful to
me, þat Y ȝyue not to þee þe eritage of my fadris.
iiii Þerfor Acab cam in to his hows, hauynge
indignacioun, and gnaſtyng on þe word which Naboth
of Jezrael hadde ſpoke to him, and ſeide, Y ſchal not
ȝyue to þee þe eritage of my fadirs. And Achab caſtide
doun him ſilf in to his bed, and turnede awei his face to
þe wal, and ete not breed.
v Forſoþe Jezabel, his wijf, entride to hym, and ſeide to
hym, What is þis þing, wherof þi ſoule is maad ſory?
and whi etiſt þou not breed?
vi Which anſweride to hir, Y ſpak to Naboth of Jezrael,
and Y ſeide to hym, Ȝyue þi vyner to me for money
takun, eþir if it pleſiþ þee, Y ſchal ȝyue to þee a betere
vyner for it. And he ſeide, Y ſchal not ȝyue to þee my
vyner.
vii Þerfor Jezabel, his wijf, ſeide to hym, Þou art of greet
auctorite, and þou gouerneſt wel Iſrael; riſe þou, and ete
breed, and be þou `pacient, eþir coumfortid; Y ſchal
ȝyue to þee þe vyner of Naboth of Jezrael.
viii Þerfor ſche wroot lettris in þe name of Achab, and
ſeelide þo wiþ þe ryng of hym; and ſche ſente to þe
grettere men in birþe, and to þe beſte men, þat weren in
þe citee of hym, and dwelliden wiþ Naboth.
ix Soþeli þis was þe ſentence of þe lettre; Preche ȝe
faſtyng, and make ȝe Naboth to ſitte among þe firſte
men of þe puple;
x and ſende ȝe priueli twei men, þe ſones of Belial,
aȝens hym, and ſey þei fals witneſſyng, Naboth bleſſide
God and þe kyng; and lede ȝe out hym, and ſtoon ȝe
him, and die he ſo.
xi Þerfor hiſe citeſeyns, þe grettere men in birþe, and þe
beſte men þat dwelliden wiþ hym in þe citee, diden as
Jezabel hadde comaundid, and as it was writun in þe
lettris, whiche ſche hadde ſent to hem.
xii Þei prechiden faſtyng, and maden Naboth to ſitte
among þe firſte men of þe puple;
xiii and whanne twey men, ſones of þe deuel, weren
brouȝt, þei maden hem to ſitte aȝens hym, and þei, þat
is, as men of þe deuel, ſeiden witneſſyng aȝens him
bifor al þe multitude, Naboth bleſſide God and þe kyng;
for which þing þei ledden hym wiþ out þe citee, and
killiden him wiþ ſtoonys.
CCCXXIV
xiiii And þei ſenten to Jezabel, and ſeiden, Naboth is
ſtoonyd, and is deed.
xv Forſoþe it was doon, whanne Jezabel hadde herd
Naboth ſtonyd and deed, ſche ſpak to Achab, Riſe þou,
take þou in poſſeſſioun þe vyner of Naboth of Jezrael,
which nolde aſſente to þee, and ȝyue it for money takun;
for Naboth lyueþ not, but is deed.
xvi And whanne Achab hadde herd þis, þat is, Naboth
deed, he roos, and ȝede doun in to þe vyner of Naboth
of Jezrael, to haue it in poſſeſſioun.
xvii Þerfor þe word of þe Lord was maad to Elie of
Theſbi,
xviii and ſeide, Riſe þou, go doun in to þe comyng of
Achab, kyng of Iſrael, which is in Samarie; lo! he goiþ
doun to þe vyner of Naboth, þat he haue it in
poſſeſſioun.
xix And þou ſchalt ſpeke to hym, and `þou ſchalt ſeie, Þe
Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þou haſt ſlayn, ferþermore
and þou haſt take in poſſeſſioun; and aftir þeſe þingis
þou ſchalt adde, In þis place, wherynne doggis lickiden
þe blood of Naboth, þei ſchulen licke alſo þi blood.
xx And Achab ſeyde to Elie, Wheþer þou haſt founde me
þin enemy? Which Elie ſeide, Y haue founde, for þou
art ſeeld þat þou ſchuldiſt do yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
xxi Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal brynge
yn on þee yuel, and Y ſchal kitte awey þin hyndrere
þingis, and Y ſchal ſle of Achab a piſſere to þe wal, and
priſoned, and þe laſte in Iſrael;
xxii and Y ſchal ȝyue þin hows as þe hows of Jeroboam,
ſone of Naboth, and as þe hows of Baaſa, ſone of Ahia;
for þou didiſt to excite me to wraþfulneſſe, and madiſt
Iſrael to do ſynne.
xxiii But alſo þe Lord ſpak of Jezabel, and ſeide, Doggis
ſchulen ete Jezabel in þe feeld of Jeſrael;
xxiiii if Achab ſchal die in þe citee, doggis ſchulen ete
hym; ſoþeli if he ſchal die in þe feeld, briddis of þe eyr
ſchulen ete hym.
xxv Þerfor noon oþer was ſich as Achab, þat was ſeeld to
do yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord; for Jezabel his wijf
excitide hym;
xxvi and he was maad abhomynable, in ſo myche þat he
ſuede þe ydols þat Ammorreis maden, which
Ammorreis þe Lord waſtide fro þe face of þe ſones of
Iſrael.
xxvii Þerfor whanne Achab hadde herd þeſe wordis, he
to-rente his cloþ, and hilide his fleiſch wiþ an hayre,
and he faſtide, and ſlepte in a ſak, and ȝede wiþ þe heed
caſt doun.
xxviii Þe word of þe Lord was maad to Elie of Theſbi,
and ſeide, Wheþir þou haſt not ſeyn Achab maad low
bifor me? Þerfor for he is maad low for þe cauſe of me,
Y ſchal not brynge yn yuel in hiſe daies, but in þe daies
of his ſone Y ſchal bryng yn yuel to his hows.
CAP. XXII
i Þerfor þre ȝeeris paſſiden wiþ out batel bitwixe Sirie
and Iſrael.
ii Forſoþe in þe þridde ȝeer Joſephat, king of Juda, ȝede
doun to þe kyng of Iſrael.
iii And þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis, Witen
ȝe not, þat Ramoth of Galaad is oure, and we ben
necgligent to take it fro þe hoond of þe kyng of Sirie?
iiii And he ſeide to Joſaphat, Wheþer þou ſchalt come
wiþ me to fiȝte in to Ramoth of Galaad?
v And Joſophat ſeide to þe kyng of Iſrael, As Y am, ſo
and þou; my puple and þi puple ben oon; and my
knyȝtis and þy knyȝtis `ben oon. And Joſephat ſeide to
þe kyng of Iſrael, Y preie þee, axe þou to dai þe word of
þe Lord.
vi Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael gaderide prophetis aboute
foure hundrid men, and he ſeide to hem, Owe Y to go in
to Ramoth of Galaad to fiȝte, eþir to reſte? Whiche
anſweriden, Stie þou, and þe Lord ſchal ȝyue it in þe
hond of þe kyng.
vii Forſoþe Joſephat ſeide, Is not here ony profete of þe
Lord, þat we axe bi hym?
viii And þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide to Joſephat, O man,
Mychee, ſone of Hiemla, is left, bi whom we moun axe
þe Lord; but Y hate hym, for he propheſieþ not good to
me, but yuel. To whome Joſephat ſeide, Kyng, ſpek þou
not ſo.
ix Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael clepide ſumme
chaumburleyn, and ſeide to hym, Haſte þou to brynge
Mychee, ſone of Hiemla.
x Forſoþe þe kyng of Iſrael, and Joſephat, kyng of Juda,
ſaten, ech in his trone, cloþid wiþ kyngis ournement, in
þe large hows biſidis þe dore of þe ȝate of Samarie; and
alle prophetis prophecieden in þe ſiȝt of hem.
xi Alſo Sedechie, ſone of Chanaan, made to hym ſilf
hornes of yrun, and ſeide, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Wiþ þeſe þou ſchalt ſcatere Sirye, til þou do awei it.
xii And alle prophetis prophecieden in lijk maner, and
ſeiden, Stye þou in to Ramoth of Galaad, and go þou
wiþ proſperite; and þe Lord ſchal bitake þin enemyes in
þe hond of þe kyng.
xiii Soþeli þe meſſanger, þat ȝede to clepe Mychee, ſpak
to hym, and ſeide, Lo! þe wordis of prophetis wiþ o
mouþ prechen goodis to þe kyng; þerfor þi word be lijk
hem, and ſpeke þou goodis.
xiiii To whom Mychee ſeide, Þe Lord lyueþ, for what
euer þing þe Lord ſchal ſeie to me, Y ſchal ſpeke þis.
xv Þerfor he cam to þe kyng. And þe kyng ſeide to hym,
Mychee, owen we go in to Ramoth of Galaad to fiȝte,
eþer ceeſſe? To which kyng he anſweride, Stie þou, and
go in proſperite; and þe Lord ſchal bitake it `in to þe
hond of þe kyng.
CCCXXV
xvi Forſoþe þe kyng ſeide to hym, Eft and eft Y coniure
þee, þat þou ſpeke not to me, not but þat þat is ſoþ in þe
name of þe Lord.
xvii And he ſeide, Y ſiȝ al Iſrael ſcaterid in þe hillis, as
ſcheep not hauynge a ſcheepherde; and þe Lord ſeide,
Þeſe han no lord, ech man turne aȝen in to his hows in
pees.
xviii Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide to Joſaphat, Wheþir Y
ſeide not to þee, þat he prophecieþ not good to me, but
euere yuel?
xix Soþeli þilke Mychee addide, and ſeide, Þerefore here
þou þe word of þe Lord; Y ſiȝ þe Lord ſittynge on his
trone, and Y ſiȝ al þe ooſt of heuene ſtondynge nyȝ hym,
on þe riȝt ſide and on þe left ſide.
xx And þe Lord ſeide, Who ſchal diſſeyue Achab, kyng
of Iſrael, þat he ſtye, and falle in Ramoth of Galaad?
And oon ſeide ſiche wordis, and anoþer in anoþir
maner.
xxi Soþeli a ſpirit ȝede out, and ſtood bifor þe Lord, and
ſeide, Y ſchal diſſeyue hym. To whom þe Lord ſpak, In
what þing?
xxii And he ſeide, Y ſchal go out, and Y ſchal be a ſpirit
of leeſyng in þe mouþ of alle hiſe prophetis. And þe
Lord ſeide, Þou ſchalt diſſeyue, and ſchalt haue þe
mayſtry; go þou out, and do ſo.
xxiii Now þerfor, lo! þe Lord ȝaf a ſpirit of leeſyng in þe
mouþ of alle prophetis þat ben here; and þe Lord ſpak
yuel aȝens þee.
xxiiii Forſoþe Sedechie, ſone of Canaan, neiȝede, and
ſmoot Mychee on þe cheke, and ſeide, Wheþer þe Spirit
of þe Lord forſook me, and ſpak to þee?
xxv And Mychee ſeide, Þou ſchalt ſe in þat dai, whanne
þou ſchalt go in to cloſet wiþ ynne cloſet, þat þou be
hid.
xxvi And þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide, Take ȝe Mychee, and
dwelle he at Amon, prince of þe citee, and at Joas, þe
ſone of Amalech;
xxvii and ſeie ȝe to hem, Þe kyng ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Sende
ȝe þis man in to priſoun, and ſuſteyne ȝe hym wiþ breed
of tribulacioun, and wiþ watir of angwiſch, til Y turne
aȝen in pees.
xxviii And Mychee ſeide, If þou ſchalt turne aȝen in pees,
þe Lord ſpak not in me. And he ſeide, Here ȝe, alle
puplis.
xxix Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael ſtiede, and Joſaphat, kyng
of Juda, in to Ramoth of Galaad.
xxx Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide to Joſephat, Take þou
armeris, and entre þou in to batel, and be þou cloþid in
þi cloþis, þat is, noble ſignes of þe kyng. Certis þe kyng
of Iſrael chaungide hiſe cloþing, and entride in to batel.
xxxi Soþeli þe kyng of Sirie hadde comaundid to two
and þritti princes of charis, and ſeide, Ȝe ſchulen not
fiȝte aȝens ony man leſſe, eþir more, no but aȝens þe xlix Forſoþe king Joſephat made ſchippis in þe ſee, þat
kyng of Iſrael oonli. ſchulden ſeile in to Ophir for gold, and þo myȝten not
xxxii Þerfor whanne þe princes of charis hadden ſeyn go, for þei weren brokun in Aſiongaber.
Joſephat, þei ſupoſiden þat he was king of Iſrael, and bi l Þanne Ocozie, ſone of Achab, ſeide to Joſephat, My
feerſneſſe maad þei fouȝten aȝens hym. ſeruauntis go wiþ þine in ſchippis.
xxxiii And Joſephat criede; and þe princis of charis li And Joſephat nolde. And Joſephat ſlepte wiþ hiſe
vndurſtoden, þat it was not þe king of Iſrael, and þei fadris, and was biried wiþ hem in þe citee of Dauid, his
ceeſſiden fro hym. fadir; and Joram, his ſone, regnede for hym.
xxxiiii Soþeli ſum man bente a bowe, and dreſſide an lii Forſoþe Ocozie, ſone of Achab, bigan to regne on
arowe in to vncerteyn, and bi hap he ſmoot þe kyng of Iſrael, in Samarie, in þe ſeuenetenþe ȝeer of Joſephat,
Iſrael bitwixe þe lunge and þe ſtomak. And þe kyng kyng of Juda; and Ocozie regnede on Iſrael twei ȝeer.
ſeide to his charietere, Turne þin hond, and caſt me out liii And he dide yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, and ȝede in þe
of þe ooſt, for Y am woundid greuouſli. wey of his fadir, and of his modir, and in þe weie of
xxxv Þerfor batel was ioyned in þat dai, and þe kyng of
Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne.
Iſrael ſtood in his chare aȝens men of Sirie, and he was liiii And he ſeruyde Baal, and worſchipide hym, and
deed at euentid. Forſoþe þe blood of þe wounde fletide wraþþide þe Lord God of Iſrael, bi alle þingis whiche
doun in to þe boþome of þe chare. his fadir hadde do.
xxxvi And a criere ſownede in al þe ooſt, before þat þe
Here endiþ þe þridde book of Kyngis, and here
ſunne ȝede doun, and ſeide, Ech man turne aȝen in to his bigynneþ þe fourþe.
citee, and in to his lond.
xxxvii Forſoþe þe kyng was deed, and was borun in to
Samarie; and þei birieden þe kyng of Samarie.
xxxviii And þei waiſchiden his chare in þe ciſterne of
Samarie, and doggis lickiden his blood, and þei
wayſchiden þe reynes, bi þe word of þe Lord whiche he
hadde ſpoke.
xxxix Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Achab, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, and þe hows of yuer which he
bildide, and of alle citees whiche he bildide, wheþer
þeſe ben not writun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe
kyngis of Iſrael?
xl Þerfor Achab ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and Ocozie, his
ſone, regnede for hym.
xli Forſoþe Joſephat, ſone of Aſa, bigan to regne on Juda
in þe fourþe ȝeer of Achab, kyng of Iſrael.
xlii Joſephat was of fyue and þretti ȝeer, whanne he
bigan to regne, and he regnede fyue and twenti ȝeer in
Jeruſalem; þe name of his modir was Azuba, douȝter of
Salai.
xliii And he ȝede in al þe weye of Aſa, his fadir, and
bowide not fro it; and he dide þat, þat was riȝtful in þe
ſiȝt of þe Lord.
xliiii Neþeles he dide not awey hiȝ þingis, for ȝit þe
puple made ſacrifice, and brente encenſe in hiȝ places.
xlv And Joſephat hadde pees wiþ þe king of Iſrael.
xlvi Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Joſephat, and þe
werkis and batels, whiche he dide, wheþir þeſe ben not
writun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of
Juda?
xlvii But alſo he took awey fro þe loond þe relikis of
men turned in to wymmens condiciouns, þat leften in þe
daies of Aza, his fadir.
xlviii Neþir a kyng was ordeyned þanne in Edom.

CCCXXVI

IIII KINGIS
Here biginneþ þe ferþe book of Kingis.
CAP. I
i Forſoþe Moab treſpaſſide aȝens Iſrael, after þat Achab
was deed.
ii And Ocozie felde þorou þe aleris of his ſoler, which
he hadde in Samarie, and was ſijk; and he ſente
meſſangeris, and ſeide to hem, Go ȝe, and councele
Belzebub, god of Acharon, wheþer Y may lyue after þis
ſijkneſſe of me.
iii Forſoþe þe aungel of þe Lord ſpak to Elye of Theſbi,
and ſeide, Riſe þou, and go doun into þe metynge of þe
meſſangeris of þe kyng of Samarie; and þou ſchalt ſeie
to hem, Wheþer God is not in Iſrael, þat ȝe go to counſel
Belzebub, god of Acharon?
iiii For which þing þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þou ſchalt
not go doun of þe bed, on which þou ſtiediſt.
v And Elie ȝede. And þe meſſangeris turneden aȝen to
Ocozie. And he ſeide to hem, Whi turneden ȝe aȝen?
vi And þei anſweriden to hym, A man mette vs, and
ſeide to vs, Go ȝe, turne ȝe aȝen to þe kyng, þat ſente
ȝou; and ȝe ſchulen ſeie to him, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Wheþer for God was not in Iſrael, þou ſendiſt, þat
Belzebub, god of Acharon, be counſelid? Þerfor þou
ſchalt not go doun of þe bed, on which þou ſtiediſt, but
þou ſchalt die bi deeþ.
vii Which Ocozie ſeide to hem, Of what figure and abite
is þat man, þat mette ȝou, and ſpak to ȝou þeſe wordis?
viii And þei ſeiden, An heeri man, and gird wiþ a girdil
of ſkyn in þe reynes. Which ſeide to hem, It is Elie of
Theſbi.
ix And he ſente to Elie a prince of fifti, and fifti men þat
weren vndur hym. Which prince ſtiede to hym, and
ſeide to hym, ſittynge in þe cop of þe hil, Man of God,
þe kyng comaundiþ, þat þou come doun.
x And Elie anſweride, and ſeide to þe prince of fifti
men, If Y am þe man of God, fier come doun fro
heuene, and deuoure þee and þi fifti men. Þerfor fier
cam doun fro heuene, and deuouride hym, and þe fifti
men þat weren wiþ hym.
xi Eft he ſente to Elie anoþer prince of fifti, and fifti
men wiþ hym, which ſpak to Helye, Man of God, þe
kyng ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Haſte þou, come þou doun.
xii Elie anſweride, and ſeide, If Y am þe man of God,
fier come doun fro heuene, and deuoure þee and þi fifti
men. Þerfor þe fier of God cam doun fro heuene, and
deuouride hym and hiſe fifti men.
xiii Eft he ſente þe þridde prince of fifti men, and fifti
men þat weren wiþ hym. And whanne þis prynce hadde
come, he bowide þe knees aȝens Elie, and preiede hym,
and ſeide, Man of God, nyle þou diſpiſe my lijf, and þe
lyues of þi ſeruauntis þat ben wiþ me.
CCCXXVII
xiiii Lo!fier cam doun fro heuene, and deuouride
tweyne, þe firſte princis of fifti men, and þe fifti men
þat weren wiþ hem; but now, Y biſeche, þat þou haue
mercy on my lijf.
xv Forſoþe þe aungel of þe Lord ſpak to Helie of Theſbi,
and ſeide, Go þou doun wiþ hym; drede þou not. Þerfor
Elie roos, and cam doun wiþ hym to þe kyng;
xvi and he ſpak to þe kyng, Þe Lord ſeiþ þes þingis, For
þou ſentiſt meſſangeris to counſele Belzebub, god of
Acharon, as if no God were in Iſrael, of whom þow
myȝtiſt axe a word; þerfor þou ſchalt not go doun of þe
bed, on which þou ſtiediſt, but þou ſchalt die bi deeþ.
xvii Þerfor he was deed bi þe word of þe Lord, which
word Elie ſpak; and Joram, hys broþir, regnyde for
hym, in þe ſecounde ȝeer of Joram, þe ſone of Joſephat,
kyng of Juda; for Ocozie hadde no ſone.
xviii Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Ocozie, whiche he
wrouȝte, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe book of
wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
CAP. II
i Forſoþe it was don, whanne þe Lord wolde reiſe Elie
bi a whirlewynd in to heuene, Elie and Eliſee ȝeden fro
Galgalis.
ii And Elie ſeide to Eliſee, Sitte þou here, for þe Lord
ſente me til into Bethel. To whom Eliſee ſeide, Þe Lord
lyueþ and þi ſoule lyueþ, for Y ſchal not forſake þee.
And whanne þei hadden come doun to Bethel,
iii þe ſones of prophetis, þat weren in Bethel, ȝeden out
to Eliſee, and ſeiden to hym, Wheþer þou knowiſt, þat
þe Lord ſchal take awey þi lord to dai fro þee? Which
anſweride, And I knowe; be ȝe ſtille.
iiii Forſoþe Elie ſeide to Eliſee, Sitte þou here, for þe
Lord ſente me into Jerico. And he ſeide, Þe Lord lyueþ
and þi ſoule lyueþ, for Y ſchal not forſake þee. And
whanne þei hadden come to Jerico,
v þe ſones of prophetis, þat weren in Jerico, neiȝiden to
Eliſee, and ſeiden to hym, Wheþer þou knowiſt, þat þe
Lord ſchal take awei þi lord to dai fro þee? And he
ſeide, Y knowe; be ȝe ſtille.
vi Forſoþe Elie ſeide to Eliſee, Sitte þou here, for þe
Lord ſente me `til to Jordan. Which ſeide, Þe Lord lyueþ
and þi ſoule lyueþ, for Y ſchal not forſake þee. Þerfor
boþe ȝeden togidere;
vii and fifti men of þe ſones of prophetis ſueden, which
alſo ſtoden fer euen aȝens; ſoþely þei boþe ſtoden ouer
Jordan.
viii And Elie took his mentil, and wlappide it, and ſmoot
þe watris; whiche weren departid `into euer eþir part,
and boþe ȝeden bi þe drie.
ix And whanne þei hadden paſſid, Elie ſeide to Eliſee,
Axe þou þat, þat þou wolt þat Y do to þee, bifor þat Y
be takun awey fro þee. And Eliſee ſeide, Y biſeche, þat
þi double ſpirit be `maad in me.
x Which Elie anſweride, Þou axiſt an hard þing; neþeles
if þou ſchalt ſe me, whanne Y ſchal be takun awei fro
þee, þat þat þou axidiſt ſchal be; ſoþeli, if þou ſchalt not
ſe, it ſchal not be.
xi And whanne þei ȝeden, and ſpaken goynge, lo! a
chare of fier and horſys of fier departiden euer eiþer;
and Elie ſtiede bi a whirlewynd in to heuene.
xii Forſoþe Eliſe ſiȝ, and criede, My fadir! my fadir! þe
chare of Iſrael, and þe charietere þerof. And he ſiȝ no
more Elie. And he took hiſe cloþis, and to-rente þo in to
twei partis.
xiii And he reiſide þe mentil of Elie, þat felde doun to
hym; and he turnede aȝen, and ſtood ouer þe ryuer of
Jordan.
xiiii And wiþ þe mentil of Elie, þat felde doun to hym,
he ſmoot þe watris, whiche weren not departid. And he
ſeide, Where is God of Elie alſo now? And he ſmoot þe
watris, and þo weren departid hidur and þidur; and
Eliſee paſſide.
xv Soþeli þe ſones of prophetis, þat weren in Jerico
euene aȝens, ſiȝen, and ſeiden, Þe ſpirit of Elie reſtide on
Eliſee. And þei camen in to þe meetyng of hym, and
worſchipiden hym lowli to erþe.
xvi And þei ſeiden to hym, Lo! wiþ þi ſeruauntis ben
fifti ſtronge men, þat moun go, and ſeke þi lord, leſt
perauenture þe Spirit of þe Lord haþ take hym, and haþ
caſt forþ hym in oon of þe hillis, eþir in oon of þe
valeys.
xvii Which ſeide, `Nyle ȝe ſende. And þei conſtreyneden
hym, til he aſſentide to hem, and ſeide, Sende ȝe. And
þei ſenten fifti men; and whanne þei hadden ſouȝt bi þre
daies, þei founden not.
xviii And þei turneden aȝen to hym; and he dwelide in
Jerico. And he ſeide to hem, Wheþer Y ſeide not to ȝou,
Nyle ȝe ſende?
xix Þerfor þe men of þe citee ſeiden to Eliſee, Lo! þe
dwellyng of þis cite is ful good, as þou þi ſilf, lord,
ſeeſt; but þe watris ben ful yuele, and þe lond is bareyn.
xx And he ſeide, Brynge ȝe to me a newe veſſel, and
ſende ȝe ſalt in to it. And whanne þei hadden brouȝt it,
xxi he ȝede out to þe welle of watris, and ſente ſalt in to
it, and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y haue helid þeſe
watris, and neþir deeþ, neþer bareyneſſe, ſchal be more
in þo.
xxii Þerfor þe watris weren heelid til in to þis dai, bi þe
word of Eliſee, which he ſpak.
xxiii Forſoþe Eliſee ſtiede fro þennus in to Bethel; and
whanne he ſtiede bi þe weie, litle children ȝeden out of
þe citee, and ſcorneden hym, and ſeiden, Stie, þou
ballard! ſtie, þou ballard!
xxiiii And whanne he hadde biholde, he ſiȝ hem, and
curſide hem in þe name of þe Lord. And twey beeris
ȝeden out of þe foreſt, and to-rente fourti children of
hem.
CCCXXVIII
xxv SoþeliEliſee wente fro þennus in to þe hil of
Carmele, and fro þennus he turnede `aȝen to Samarie.
CAP. III
i Forſoþe Joram, ſone of Achab, regnede on Iſrael, in
Samarie, in þe eiȝtenþe ȝeer of Joſephat, kyng of Juda.
And he regnede twelue ȝeer,
ii and he dide yuel bifor þe Lord, but not as his fader
and modir;
iii for he took awei þe ymagis of Baal, whiche his fadir
hadde maad, neþeles in þe ſynnes of Jeroboam, ſone of
Nabath, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne, `he cleuyde, and
ȝede not awei fro þo.
iiii Forſoþe Meſa, kyng of Moab, nurſchide many
beeſtis, and paiede to þe kyng of Iſrael an hundrid
þouſynde of lambren, and an hundrid þouſynde of
weþeris, wiþ her fleeſis.
v And whanne Achab was deed, he brak þe boond of
pees, which he hadde wiþ þe kyng of Iſrael.
vi Þerfor kyng Joram ȝede out of Samarie in þat dai, and
noumbride al Iſrael.
vii And he ſente to Joſephat, kyng of Juda, and ſeide, Þe
kyng of Moab ȝede awei fro me; come þou wiþ me
aȝens him to batel. Which Joſephat anſweride, Y ſchal
ſtie; he þat is myn, is þin; my puple is þi puple; and
myn horſis ben þin horſis.
viii And he ſeide, Bi what weie ſchulen we ſtie? And he
anſweride, Bi þe deſeert of Ydumee.
ix Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael, and þe kyng of Juda, and þe
kyng of Edom, ȝeden forþ, and cumpaſſiden bi þe weie
of ſeuene daies; and `watir was not to þe ooſt, and to þe
beeſtis, þat ſueden hem.
x And þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide, Alas! alas! alas! þe Lord
haþ gaderide vs þre kyngis to bitake vs in þe hond of
Moab.
xi And Joſephat ſeide, Wheþer ony prophete of þe Lord
is here, þat we biſeche þe Lord bi hym? And oon of þe
ſeruauntis of þe kyng of Iſrael anſweride, Eliſee, þe ſone
of Saphat, is here, þat ſchedde watir on þe hondis of
Elie.
xii And Joſephat ſeide, Is þe word of þe Lord at hym?
Whiche ſeiden, `It is. And þe kyng of Iſrael, and
Joſephat, kyng of Juda, and þe kyng of Edom, ȝeden
doun to hym.
xiii Forſoþe Eliſe ſeide to þe kyng of Iſrael, What is to
me and to þee? Go þou to þe prophetis of þi fadir and of
þi modir. And þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide to hym, Whi haþ
þe Lord gaderid þeſe þre kyngis, to bitake hem into þe
hondis of Moab?
xiiii And Eliſee ſeide to hym, Þe Lord of ooſtis lyueþ, in
whos ſiȝt Y ſtonde, if Y were not aſchamed of þe cheer
of Joſephat, king of Juda, treuli Y hadde not perſeyued,
neþir Y hadde biholde þee.
xv Now forſoþe brynge ȝe to me a ſautrere. And whanne
þe ſautrere ſong, þe hond of þe Lord was maad on hym,
and he ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
xvi Make ȝe þe wombe, eþer depþe, of þis ſtronde dichis
and dichis.
xvii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝe ſchulen not ſe
wynd, neþir reyn, and þis depþe ſchal be fillid wiþ
watris, and ȝe ſchulen drynke, and ȝoure meynees, and
ȝoure beeſtis.
xviii And þis is litil in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord. Ferþermore alſo
he ſchal bitake Moab in to ȝoure hondis;
xix and ȝe ſchulen ſmyte ech ſtrengþid citee, and ech
choſun citee, and ȝe ſchulen kitte doun ech tre berynge
fruyt, and ȝe ſchulen ſtoppe alle þe wellis of watris, and
ȝe ſchulen hile wiþ ſtonys ech noble feeld.
xx Þerfor it was doon eerli, whanne ſacrifice is wont to
be offrid, and, lo! watris camen bi þe weie of Edom,
and þe lond was fillid wiþ watris.
xxi Soþeli alle men of Moab herden, þat kyngis hadden
ſtied to fiȝte aȝens hem; `and men of Moab clepiden
togidere alle men, þat weren gird wiþ girdil aboue, and
þei ſtoden in þe termes.
xxii And men of Moab riſiden ful eerli, and whanne þe
ſunne was riſun þanne euen aȝens þe watris, þei ſien þe
watris reed as blood euene aȝens.
xxiii And þei ſeiden, It is þe blood of ſwerd, `þat is,
ſched out bi ſwerd; kyngis fouȝten aȝens hem ſilf, and
þei ben ſlayn togider; now go þou, Moab, to þe prey.
xxiiii And þei ȝeden in to þe caſtels of Iſrael; forſoþe
Iſrael roos, and ſmoot Moab, and þei fledden bifor men
of Iſrael. Þerfor þei þat hadden ouercome, camen, and
ſmytiden Moab, and deſtrieden cytees;
xxv and alle men ſendynge ſtoonys filliden ech beſte
feeld, and ſtoppiden alle þe wellis of watris, and
kittiden doun alle trees berynge fruyt, ſo þat oneli
`wallis maad of erþe weren left; and þe citee was
cumpaſſid of men ſettinge engynes, and was ſmytun bi
greet part.
xxvi And whanne þe kyng of Moab hadde ſeyn þis, þat
is, þat þe enemyes hadden þe maiſtrie, he took wiþ hym
ſeuene hundrid men drawynge ſwerdis, þat þei ſhulden
breke in to þe kyng of Edom; and þei myȝten not.
xxvii And he took his firſte gendrid ſone, þat ſchulde
regne for hym, and offride brent ſacrifice on þe wal;
and greet indignacioun was maad in Iſrael; and anoon
þei ȝeden awei fro hym, and turneden aȝen in to her
lond.
CAP. IIII
i Forſoþe ſum womman of þe wyues of prophetys criede
to Eliſee, and ſeide, Þi ſeruaunt, myn hoſebonde, is
deed, and þou knowiſt þat þi ſeruaunt dredde God; and
lo! þe creaunſer, `þat is, he to whom þe dette is owid,
comeþ to take my two ſones to ſerue hym.
CCCXXIX
ii To whom Eliſee ſeide, What wolt þou þat Y do to þee?
ſeie þou to me, what haſt þou in þin hows? And ſhe
anſweride, Y þin handmayde haue not ony þing in myn
hows, no but a litil of oile, bi which Y ſchal be
anoyntid.
iii To whom he ſeide, Go þou, and axe bi borewyng of
alle þi neiȝboris voide veſſels not fewe.
iiii And entre, and cloſe þi dore, whanne þou art wiþ
ynne, þou and þi ſones; and putte ȝe þerof in to alle þeſe
veſſels; and whanne þo ſchulen be ful, þou ſchalt take
awei.
v Þerfor þe womman ȝede, and cloſide þe dore on hir ſilf
and on hir ſones, þei brouȝten veſſels, and ſche `heldide
in.
vi And whanne þe veſſels weren fulle, ſche ſeide to hir
ſone, Brynge þou ȝit a veſſel to me. And he anſweride, Y
haue not. And þe oyle ſtood.
vii Forſoþe ſche cam, and ſchewide to þe man of God;
and he ſeide, Go þou, ſil þou þe oile, and ȝelde to þi
creauncer; forſoþe þou and þi children lyue of þe
reſidue.
viii Forſoþe ſum day was maad, and Eliſee paſſide bi a
citee, Sunam; ſoþeli a greet womman was þere, which
helde hym, þat he ſchulde ete breed. And whanne he
paſſide ofte þerbi, `he turnede to hir, þat he ſchulde ete
breed.
ix `Which womman ſeide to hir hoſebonde, Y perſeyue
þat þis is an hooli man of God, þat paſſiþ ofte bi vs;
x þerfor make we a litil ſoler to hym, and putte we
þerynne a litil bed to hym, and a boord, and a chaier,
and a candilſtike; þat whanne he comeþ to vs, he dwelle
þere.
xi Þerfor ſum dai was maad, and he cam, and turnede in
to þe ſoler, and reſtide þere.
xii And he ſeide to Giezi, his child, Clepe þou þis
Sunamyte. And whanne he hadde clepid hir, and ſche
hadde ſtonde
xiii bifor hym, he ſeide to his child, Speke þou to hir,
Lo! þou haſt mynyſtride to vs biſili in alle þingis; what
wolt þou þat Y do to þee? Wheþer þou haſt a cauſe, and
wolt þat Y ſpeke to þe kyng, eþer to þe prince of þe
chyualrye? And ſche anſweride, I dwelle in þe myddis
of my puple.
xiiii And he ſeide, What þerfor wole ſche þat Y do to
hir? Giezi ſeide to hym, Axe þou not, for ſhe haþ no
ſone, and hir hoſebonde is eeld.
xv Þerfor Eliſee comaundide, þat he ſchulde clepe hir.
And whanne ſche was clepid, and ſtood bifor þe dore,
xvi he ſeide to hir, In þis tyme and in þis ſame our, if lijf
ſchal be felow, þou ſchalt haue a ſone in þe wombe. And
ſche anſweride, Nyle þou, my lord, þe man of God, Y
biſeche, nyle þou lye to þin hondmaide.
xvii And þe womman conſeyuede, and childide a ſone in
þe tyme, and in þe ſame our, in which Eliſee hadde ſeid.
xviii Soþeli þe child encreeſide; and whanne ſum day
was, and þe child was goon out, and ȝede to his fadir,
xix and to þe repers, he ſeide to his fadir, Myn heed
akiþ, myn heed akiþ. And he ſeide to a child, Take, and
lede hym to his modir.
xx And whanne he hadde take, and hadde brouȝt hym to
his modir, ſche ſettide hym on hir knees `til to myddai,
and he was deed.
xxi Soþeli ſhe ſtiede, and leide hym on þe litil bed of þe
man of God, and cloſide þe dore.
xxii And ſche ȝede out, and clepide hir hoſebonde, and
ſeide, Y biſeche, ſende þou wiþ me oon of þe children,
and an aſſe, and Y ſchal renne out `til to þe man of God,
and Y ſchal turne aȝen.
xxiii And he ſeide to hir, For what cauſe goiſt þou to
hym? to dai ben not calendis, neþer ſabat. And ſhe
anſweride, Y ſchal go.
xxiiii And ſche ſadlide þe aſſe, and comaundide to þe
child, Dryue þou, and haaſte; make þou not tariyng to
me in goyng, and do þou þis þing which Y comaunde to
þee.
xxv Þerfor ſche ȝede forþ, and cam to þe man of God, in
to þe hil of Carmele. And whanne þe man of God hadde
ſeyn hir euene aȝen, he ſeide to Giezi, his child, Lo!
þilke Sunamyte; go þou þerfor in to þe metyng of hir,
xxvi and ſeie þou to hir, Wheþer it is doon riȝtfuli aboute
þee, and aboute þin hoſebonde, and aboute þi ſone? And
ſche anſweride, Riȝtfuli.
xxvii And whanne ſche hadde come to þe man of God, in
to þe hil, ſche took his feet; and Giezi neiȝede, þat he
ſchulde remoue hir. And þe man of God ſeide, Suffre
þou hir; for hir ſoule is in bitterneſſe, and þe Lord helde
priuy fro me, and ſchewide not to me.
xxviii And ſche ſeide to hym, Wheþer I axide my ſone of
my lord? Wheþer Y ſeide not to þee, Scorne þou not
me?
xxix And he ſeide to Giezi, Girde þi leendis, and take my
ſtaf in þin hond, and go; if a man metiþ þee, grete þou
not hym; and if ony man gretiþ þee, anſwere þou not
hym; and putte þou my ſtaf on þe face of þe child.
xxx Forſoþe þe `modir of þe child ſeide, Þe Lord lyueþ
and þi ſoule lyueþ, Y ſchal not leeue, `eþer forſake, þee.
Þerfor he roos, and ſuede hir.
xxxi Soþeli Giezi ȝede bifor hem, and puttide þe ſtaaf on
þe face of þe child; and `vois was not, neþer wit. And
Giezi turnede aȝen to þe meetyng of hym; and telde to
him, and ſeyde, Þe child `roos not.
xxxii Þerfor Eliſee entride in to þe hows, and, lo! þe deed
child lai in his bed.
xxxiii And he entride, and cloſide þe dore on hym ſilf,
and on þe child; and preiede to þe Lord.
CCCXXX
xxxiiii And he ſtiede, and lay on þe child; and he puttide
his mouþ on þe mouþ of þe child, and hiſe iȝen on þe
iȝen of þe child, and hiſe hondis on þe hondis of þe
child. And he bouwide hym ſilf on þe child; and þe
fleiſch of þe child was maad hoot.
xxxv And he turnede aȝen, and walkide in þe hows onys
hidur and þidur; and Eliſee ſtiede, and lai on þe child,
and þe child ȝoxide ſeuene ſiþis, and openyde þe iȝen.
xxxvi And he clepide Giezi, and ſeide to hym, Clepe þou
þis Sunamyte. And ſche was clepid, and entride to hym.
And he ſeide, Take þi ſone.
xxxvii She cam, and felde doun to his feet, and
worſchipide on erþe; and ſche took hir ſone, and ȝede
out.
xxxviii And Eliſee turnede aȝen in to Galgala. Forſoþe
hungur was in þe lond, and þe ſones of prophetis
dwelliden bifor hym. And Eliſee ſeide to oon of his
children, Set þou a greet pot, and ſeþe þou potage to þe
ſones of prophetis.
xxxix And oon ȝede out in to þe feeld to gadere eerbis of
þe feeld; and he foond as a wilde vyne, and he gaderide
þerof gourdis of þe feeld. And he fillide his mentil, and
he turnede aȝen, and ſchredde in to þe pot of potage; for
he wiſte not what it was.
xl Þerfor þei helden yn to felowis to ete; and whanne þei
hadden taaſtid of þe ſeþing, þei crieden out, and ſeiden,
Deþ in þe pot! deeþ in þe pot! þou man of God. And þei
miȝten not ete. And he ſeide, Brynge ȝe meele.
xli And whanne þei hadden brouȝt, he puttide in to þe
pot, and ſeide, Helde ȝe to þe cumpany, þat þei ete; and
ony þing of bitterneſſe was nomore in þe pot.
xlii Forſoþe ſum man cam fro þe pleyn of Saliſa, and bar
to þe man of God looues of þe firſte fruytis, ten looues
of barli, and newe wheete, in his ſcrippe. And þe man of
God ſeide, Ȝyue þou to þe puple, þat it ete.
xliii And his mynyſtre anſweride to hym, `Hou myche is
þis, þat Y ſette bifor an hundrid men? Eft Eliſee ſeide,
Ȝyue þou to þe puple, þat it ete; for þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Þei ſchulen ete, and it ſhal leeue.
xliiii Þerfor he puttide bifor hem, whiche eeten; and it
lefte, bi þe word of þe Lord.
CAP. V
i Naaman, prince of þe chyualrye of þe kyng of Syrie,
was a greet man, and worſchipid anentis his lord; for bi
hym þe Lord ȝaf helþe to Sirie; ſoþeli he was a ſtrong
man and riche, but leprouſe.
ii Forſoþe þeues ȝede out of Sirie, and ledden priſonere
fro þe lond of Iſrael a litil damyſele, þat was in þe
ſeruyce of þe wijf of Naaman.
iii `Which damyſele ſeide to hir ladi, `Y wolde, þat my
lord hadde be at þe prophete which is in Samarie; ſoþeli
þe prophete ſchulde haue curid hym of þe lepre which
he haþ.
iiii ÞerforNaaman entride to his lord, and telde to hym,
and ſeide, A damyſel of þe lond of Iſrael ſpak ſo and ſo.
v Þerfor þe kyng of Syrie ſeide to hym, Go þou, and Y
ſchal ſende lettris to þe kyng of Iſrael. And whanne he
hadde go forþ, and hadde take wiþ hym ten talentis of
ſiluer, and ſixe þouſynde goldun platis, `eþer floreyns,
and ten chaungyngis of cloþis,
vi he brouȝte lettris to þe kyng of Iſrael bi þeſe wordis;
Whanne þou haſt take þis piſtle, wite þou, þat Y haue
ſent to þee Naaman, my ſeruaunt, þat þou cure hym of
his lepre.
vii And whanne þe kyng of Iſrael hadde red þe lettris, he
to-rente his cloþis, and ſeide, Wheþer Y am God, þat
may ſle and quykene, for þis kyng ſente to me, þat Y
cure a man of his lepre? Perſeyue ȝe, and ſe, þat he ſekiþ
occaſiouns aȝens me.
viii And whanne Eliſee, þe man of God, hadde herd þis,
þat is, þat þe kyng of Iſrael hadde to-rente hiſe cloþis,
he ſente to þe kyng, and ſeide, Whi to-rentiſt þou þi
cloþis? come he to me, and wite he, þat a prophete is in
Iſrael.
ix Þerfor Naaman cam wiþ horſis and charis, and ſtood
at þe dore of þe hows of Eliſee.
x And Eliſee ſente to hym a meſſanger, and ſeide, Go
þou, and be þou waiſchun ſeuenſiþis in Jordan; and þi
fleiſch ſhal reſſeyue helþe, and þou ſchalt be clenſid.
xi Naaman was wrooþ, and ȝede awei, and ſeide, Y
geſſide, þat he ſchulde go out to me, and þat he ſchulde
ſtonde, and clepe þe name of `þe Lord his God, and þat
he ſchulde touche wiþ his hond þe place of lepre, and
ſchulde cure me.
xii Wheþer Abana and Pharphar, floodis of Damaſk, ben
not betere þan alle þe watris of Iſrael, þat Y be waiſchun
in þo, and be clenſid?
xiii Þerfor whanne he hadde turned hym ſilf, and ȝede
awei, hauynge indignacioun, hiſe ſeruauntis neiȝiden to
hym, and ſpaken to hym, Fadir, þouȝ þe prophete hadde
ſeid to þee a greet þing, certis þou owiſt to do; hou
myche more for now he ſeide to þee, Be þou waiſchun,
and þou ſchalt be clenſid.
xiiii He ȝede doun, and waiſchide hym ſeuenſiþis in
Jordan, bi þe word of þe man of God; and his fleiſch
was reſtored as þe fleiſch of a litil child, and he was
clenſid.
xv And he turnede aȝen wiþ al his felouſchipe to þe man
of God, and cam, and ſtood bifor hym; and ſeide, Verili
Y knowe, þat noon oþer God is in al erþe, no but oneli
God of Iſrael; þerfor, Y biſeche, þat þou take bleſſyng of
þi ſeruaunt.
xvi And he anſweride, Þe Lord lyueþ bifor whom Y
ſtonde, for Y ſchal not take. And whanne he made
`ſtrengþe, þat is, greet preier, Eliſee aſſentide not outirli.
xvii Þerfor Naaman ſeide, As þou wolt; but, I biſeche,
graunte þou to me, þi ſeruaunt, þat Y take of `þe lond þe
CCCXXXI
birþun of twei burdones; for þi ſeruaunt ſchal no more
make brent ſacrifice, eþer ſlayn ſacrifice, to alien
goddis, no but to þe Lord.
xviii Forſoþe þis þing is oneli, of which þou ſchalt preie
þe Lord for þi ſeruaunt, whanne my lord ſhal entre into
þe temple of Remmon, þat he worſchipe, and while he
`ſchal lene on myn hond, if Y worſchipe in þe temple of
Remmon, while he worſchipiþ in þe ſame place, þat þe
Lord forȝyue to þi ſeruaunt for þis þing.
xix Which Eliſee ſeide to hym, Go þou in pees. `Þerfor
he ȝede fro Eliſee in a choſun tyme of þe lond.
xx And Giezi, þe child of þe man of God, ſeide, My lord
ſparide þis Naaman of Syrie, þat he took not of hym
þat, þat he brouȝte; þe Lord lyueþ, for Y ſchal renne
aftir hym, and Y ſchal take of hym ſum þing.
xxi And Giezi ſuede aftir þe bak of Naaman; and
whanne Naaman hadde ſeyn Giezi rennynge to hym, he
ſkippide doun of þe chare in to þe metyng of Giezi; and
ſeide, Wheþer alle þingis ben riȝtfuli?
xxii And he ſeide, Riȝtfuli; my lord ſente me to þee, and
ſeide, Twey ȝonge men of þe hille of Effraym, of þe
ſones of prophetis, camen now to me; ȝyue þou to hem
a talent of ſiluer, and double chaungyng cloþis.
xxiii And Naaman ſeide, It is betere þat þou take twei
talentis. And Naaman conſtreynede hym; and Naaman
boond twei talentis of ſiluer in twei ſackis, and double
cloþis, and puttide on his twey children, `þat is,
ſeruauntis, whiche alſo baren bifor Giezi.
xxiiii And whanne he hadde come þanne in þe euentid,
he took fro þe hond of hem, and leide vp in þe hows;
and he delyuerede þe men, and þei ȝeden.
xxv Forſoþe Giezi entride, and ſtood bifor his lord. And
Eliſe ſeide, Giezi, fro whennus comeſt þou? Which
anſweride, Þi ſeruaunt ȝede not to ony place.
xxvi And Eliſe ſeide, Wheþer myn herte was not in
preſent, whanne þe man turnede aȝen fro his chare in to
þe metyng of þee? Now þerfor þou haſt take ſiluer, and
þou haſt take cloþis, þat þou bie places of olyues, and
vyneris, and ſcheep, and oxis, and ſeruauntis, and
handmaydis;
xxvii but alſo þe lepre of Naaman ſchal cleue to þee, and
to þi ſeed wiþouten ende. And Giezi ȝede leprouſe as
ſnow, `fro hym.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe þe ſones of prophetis ſeiden to Eliſee, Lo! þe
place in which we dwellen bifor þee, is ſtreiȝt to vs;
ii go we `til to Jordan, and ech man take of þe wode `a
mater for hym ſilf, þat we bild to vs here a place to
dwelle.
iii Which Eliſee ſeide, Go ȝe. And oon of hem ſeide,
Þerfor `and þou come wiþ þi ſeruauntis. He anſweride,
Y ſchal come. And he ȝede wiþ hem.
iiii And whanne þei `hadden come to Jordan, þei
hewiden trees.
v Soþeli it bifelde, þat whanne `o man hadde kit doun
mater, þe yrun of þe axe felde in to þe watir; and he
criede, and ſeide, Alas! alas! alas! my lord, and Y hadde
take þis ſame þing bi borewing.
vi Soþeli þe man of God ſeide, Where felde it? And he
ſchewide to hym þe place. Þerfor he kittide doun a tree,
and ſente þidur; and þe yrun fletide.
vii And he ſeide, Take þou. Which helde forþ þe hond,
and took it.
viii Forſoþe þe kyng of Syrie fauȝte aȝens Iſrael; and he
took counſeil wiþ hiſe ſeruauntis, and ſeide, Sette we
buſchementis in þis place and þat.
ix Þerfor þe man of God ſente to þe kyng of Iſrael, and
ſeide, Be war, leſt þou paſſe to þat place, for men of
Sirie ben þere in buſchementis.
x Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael ſente to þe place, which þe
man of God hadde ſeid to him, and bifor ocupiede it,
and kepte hym ſilf þere not onys, neþer twies.
xi And þe herte of þe kyng of Sirie was diſturblid for þis
þing; and whanne hiſe ſeruauntis weren clepide
togidere, he ſeide, Whi ſchewen ȝe not to me, who is my
tretour anentis þe kyng of Iſrael?
xii And oon of hiſe ſeruauntis ſeide, Nay, my lord þe
kyng, but Eliſee, þe prophete, which is in Iſrael, ſchewiþ
to þe kyng of Iſrael alle þingis, what euer þingis þou
ſpekiſt in þi cloſet.
xiii And þe kyng ſeide to hem, `Go ȝe, and ſe, where he
is, þat Y ſende, and take hym. And þei telden to him,
and ſeiden, Lo! he dwelliþ in Dothaym.
xiiii And þe kyng ſente þidur horſis, and charis, and þe
ſtrengþe of þe ooſt; whiche, whanne þei hadden come bi
nyȝt, cumpaſſiden þe citee.
xv Soþeli þe mynyſtre of þe man of God roos eerli, and
ȝede out, and he ſiȝ an ooſt in þe cumpas of þe citee,
and horſis, and charis. And he telde to þe man of God,
and ſeide, Alas! alas! alas! my lord, what ſchulen we
do?
xvi And he anſweride, Nile þou drede; for mo ben wiþ
vs þan wiþ hem.
xvii And whanne Eliſee hadde preied, he ſeide, Lord,
opene þou þe iȝen of þis child, þat he ſe. And þe Lord
openyde þe iȝen of þe child, and he ſiȝ. And, lo! þe hil
ful of horſis, and of charis of fier, in þe cumpas of
Eliſee.
xviii Soþeli þe enemyes camen doun to hym; forſoþe
Eliſee preiede to þe Lord, and ſeide, Y biſeche, ſmyte
þou þis folc wiþ blyndeneſſe. And þe Lord ſmoot hem,
þat þei ſien not, bi þe word of Eliſee.
xix Forſoþe Eliſee ſeide to hem, Þis is not þe weie, neþer
þis is þe citee; ſue ȝe me, and Y ſchal ſchewe to ȝou þe
man, whom ȝe ſeken. And he ledde hem into Samarie.
CCCXXXII
xx And whanne þei hadden entrid into Samarie, Eliſee
ſeide, Lord, opene þou þe iȝen of þeſe men, þat þei ſee.
And þe Lord openyde her iȝen, and þei ſiȝen, þat þei
weren in þe myddis of Samarie.
xxi And þe kyng of Iſrael, whanne he hadde ſeyn hem,
ſeide to Eliſee, My fadir, wheþer Y ſchal ſmyte hem?
xxii And he ſeide, Þou ſchalt not ſmyte hem, for þou haſt
not take hem bi þi ſwerd and bouwe, þat þou ſmyte
hem; but ſette þou breed and watir bifor hem, þat þei ete
and drynke, and go to her lord.
xxiii And `greet makyng redi of metis was ſet forþ to
hem; and þei eten, and drunken. And þe kyng lefte hem,
and þei ȝeden to her lord; and þeues of Sirie camen no
more in to þe lond of Iſrael.
xxiiii Forſoþe it was don after þeſe þingis, Benadab, king
of Sirie, gaderide alle his ooſt, and ſtiede, and biſegide
Samarie.
xxv And greet hungur was maad in Samarie; and ſo long
it was biſegid, til þe heed of an aſſe were ſeeld for
foureſcore platis of ſiluer, and þe fourþe part of a
meſure clepid cabus of þe crawe of culueris was ſeeld
for fyue platis of ſiluer.
xxvi And whanne þe kyng of Iſrael paſſide bi þe wal,
ſum womman criede to hym, and ſeide, My lord þe
kyng, ſaue þou me.
xxvii Which ſeide, Nai, þe Lord ſaue þee; wherof may Y
ſaue þee? of cornfloor, eþir of preſſour? And þe kyng
ſeide to hir, What wolt þou to þee?
xxviii And ſche anſweride, Þis womman ſeide to me,
Ȝyue þi ſone, þat we ete hym to dai, and we ſchulen ete
my ſone to morewe.
xxix Þerfor we ſeþeden my ſone, and eten him. And Y
ſeide to hir in þe toþer day, Ȝyue þi ſone, þat we ete
hym; and ſhe hidde hir ſone.
xxx And whanne þe kyng hadde herd þis, he to-rente
hiſe cloþis, and paſſide bi þe wal; and al þe puple ſiȝ þe
heire, `wiþ which þe kyng was cloþid at þe fleiſch wiþ
ynne.
xxxi And þe kyng ſeide, God do to me þeſe þingis, and
adde þeſe þingis, if þe heed of Eliſe, ſone of Saphat,
ſchal ſtonde on hym to dai.
xxxii Soþeli Eliſee ſat in his hows, and elde men ſaten
wiþ hym; `þerfor he biforſente a man, and bifor þat
þilke meſſanger cam, Eliſee ſeide to þe elde men,
Wheþer ȝe witen, þat þe ſone of manquellere ſente
hidur, þat myn heed be gird of? Þerfor ſe ȝe, whanne þe
meſſanger comeþ, cloſe ȝe þe dore, and `ſuffre ȝe not
hym to entre; for, lo! þe ſown of þe feet of his lord is
bihynde hym.
xxxiii And ȝit `while he ſpak to hem, þe meſſanger þat
cam to hym apperide; and þe kyng ſeide, Lo! ſo greet
yuel is of þe Lord; ſoþeli what more ſchal Y abide of þe
Lord?
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe Eliſee ſeide, Here ȝe þe word of þe Lord; þe
Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, In þis tyme to morewe a buſchel
of flour ſchal be for a ſtater, and twei buſchels of barli
for a ſtater, in þe ȝate of Samarie.
ii And oon of þe duykis, on whos hond þe kyng lenyde,
anſweride to þe man of God, and ſeide, Þouȝ `alſo þe
Lord make þe goteris of heuene to be openyd, wheþer
þat, þat þou ſpekiſt, mai be? Which Eliſee ſeide, Þou
ſchalt ſe wiþ þin iȝen, and þou ſchalt not ete þerof.
iii Þerfor foure leprouſe men weren biſidis þe entryng of
þe ȝate, whiche ſeiden togidere, What wolen we be
here, til we dien?
iiii Wheþer we wolen entre in to þe citee, we ſchulen die
for hungur; wheþer we dwellen here, we ſchulen die.
Þerfor come ȝe, and fle we ouer to þe caſtels of Sirie; if
þei ſchulen ſpare vs, we ſchulen lyue; ſoþeli if þei wolen
ſle, neþeles we ſchulen die.
v Þerfor þei riſiden in þe euentide to come to þe caſtels
of Sirie; and whanne þei hadden come to þe bigynnyng
of þe caſtels of Sirie, þei founden not ony man þere.
vi Forſoþe þe Lord hadde maad a ſown of charis, and of
horſis, and of ful myche ooſt to be herd in þe caſtels of
Sirie; and þei ſeiden togidere, Lo! þe kyng of Iſrael haþ
hirid bi meede aȝens vs þe kyngis of Etheis and of
Egipcians; and þei camen on vs.
vii Þerfor þei riſiden, and fledden in derkneſſis, and
leften her tentis, and horſis, and mulis, and aſſis, in þe
caſtels; and þei fledden, couetynge to ſaue her lyues
oonli.
viii Þerfor whanne þilke leprouſe men hadden come to
þe bigynnyng of þe caſtels, þei entriden into o
tabernacle, and eetun, and drunken; and þei token fro
þennus ſiluer, and gold, and cloþis; and ȝeden, and
hidden; and eft þei turneden aȝen to anoþir tabernacle,
and in lijk maner þei token awei fro þennus, and
hidden.
ix And þei ſeiden togidere, We doen not riȝtfuli, for þis
is a dai of good meſſage; if we holden ſtille, and nylen
telle til þe morewtid, we ſchulen be repreued of
treſpaſſyng; come ȝe, go we, and telle in þe `halle of þe
kyng.
x And whanne þei hadden come to þe ȝate of þe citee,
þei telden to hem, and ſeiden, We ȝeden to þe caſtels of
Sirie, and we founden not ony man þere, no but horſis
and aſſis tied, and tentis faſtned.
xi Þerfor þe porteris ȝeden, and telden in þe paleis of þe
kyng wiþ ynne.
xii Which king roos bi niȝt, and ſeide to hiſe ſeruauntis,
Y ſeie to ȝou, what þe men of Sirie han do to vs; þei
witen, þat we trauelen wiþ hungur, þerfor þei ȝeden out
of þe caſtels, and ben hid in þe feeldis, and ſeien,
Whanne þei ſchulen go out of þe citee, we ſchulen take
CCCXXXIII
hem quyk, and þanne we ſchulen mowe entre in to þe
citee.
xiii Forſoþe oon of his ſeruauntis anſweride, Take we
fyue horſis, þat leften in þe citee; for þo ben oonli in al
þe multitude of Iſrael, for oþere horſis ben waſtid; and
we ſendynge moun aſpie.
xiiii Þerfor þei brouȝten forþ twei horſis; and þe kyng
ſente in to þe caſtels of men of Sirie, and ſeide, Go ȝe,
and ſe.
xv Whiche ȝeden after hem `til to Jordan; lo! forſoþe al
þe weie was ful of cloþis, and of veſſels, whiche þe men
of Sirie caſtiden forþ, whanne þei weren diſturblid. And
þe meſſangeris turneden aȝen, and ſchewiden to þe
kyng.
xvi And þe puple ȝede out, and rauyſchide þe caſtels of
Sirie; and a buyſchel of flour was maad for o ſtater, and
twei buyſchels of barli for o ſtater, bi þe word of þe
Lord.
xvii Forſoþe þe kyng ordeynede at þe ȝate þat duyk, in
whos hond þe kyng lenyde; whom þe cumpeny to-trad
wiþ her feet, and he was deed, bi þe word, which þe
man of God ſpak, whanne þe kyng cam doun to hym.
xviii And it was doon bi þe word of þe man of God,
which he ſeide to þe kyng, whanne he ſeide, Twei
buyſchels of barli ſhulen be for a ſtatir, and a buyſchel
of wheete flour for a ſtater, in þis ſame tyme to morewe
in þe ȝate of Samarie;
xix whanne þilke duyk anſweride to þe man of God, and
ſeide, Ȝhe, þouȝ þe Lord ſchal make þe goteris in
heuene to be openyd, wheþer þis þat þou ſpekiſt may
be? and þe man of God ſeide, Þou ſchalt ſe wiþ þin iȝen,
and þou ſchalt not ete þerof.
xx Þerfore it bifelde to hym, as it was biforſeid; and þe
puple to-trad hym wiþ feet in þe ȝate, and he was deed.
CAP. VIII
i Forſoþe Eliſee ſpak to þe womman, whoſe ſone he
made to lyue, and he ſeide, Riſe þou, and go, boþe þou
and þin hows, and `go in pilgrimage, where euer þou
ſchalt fynde; for þe Lord ſchal clepe hungur, and it ſchal
come on þe lond bi ſeuene ȝeer.
ii And ſche roos, and dide bi þe word of þe man of God;
and ſche ȝede wiþ hir hows, and was in pilgrimage in þe
lond of Philiſtym many daies.
iii And whanne ſeuene ȝeer weren endid, þe womman
turnede aȝen fro þe lond of Philiſteis; and ſche ȝede out,
to axe þe kyng for her hows, and hir feeldis.
iiii Soþeli þe kyng ſpak wiþ Giezi, child of þe man of
God, and ſeide, Telle þou to me alle þe grete dedis
whiche Eliſee dide.
v And whanne he telde to þe kyng, hou Eliſee hadde
reiſide a deed man, þe womman apperide, whos ſone he
hadde maad to lyue, and ſche criede to þe kyng for hir
hows, and for hir feeldis. And Gieſi ſeide, My lord þe
king, þis is þe womman, and þis is hir ſone, whom
Eliſee reiſide.
vi And þe kyng axide þe womman, and ſche tolde to
hym, þat þe þingis weren ſoþe. And þe kyng ȝaf to hir o
chaumburleyn, and ſeide, Reſtore þou to hir alle þingis
þat ben hern, and alle fruytis of þe feeldis, fro þe dai in
which ſhe left þe lond `til to preſent tyme.
vii Alſo Eliſee cam to Damaſk, and Benadab, kyng of
Sirie, was ſijk; and þei telden to hym, and ſeiden, Þe
man of God cam hidur.
viii And þe kyng ſeide to Azael, Take wiþ þee ȝiftis, and
go þou in to þe meetyng of þe man of God, and
`counſele þou bi hym þe Lord, and ſeie þou, Wheþer Y
may aſcape fro þis `ſikeneſſe of me?
ix Þerfor Azael ȝede in to þe meetyng of hym, and
hadde wiþ hym ſilf ȝiftis, and alle þe goodis of Damaſk,
þe burþuns of fourti camels. And whanne he hadde
ſtonde bifor Eliſee, he ſeide, Þi ſone, Benadab, kyng of
Sirie, ſente me to þee, and ſeide, Wheþer Y may be
helid of þis `ſikeneſſe of me?
x And Eliſee ſeide, Go þou, and ſeye to hym, Þou ſchalt
be heelid; forſoþe þe Lord ſchewide to me þat he ſchal
die bi deþ.
xi And he ſtood wiþ hym, and he was diſturblid, `til to
þe caſtyng doun of cheer; and þe man of God wepte.
xii `To whom Azael ſeide, Whi wepiþ my lord? And he
anſweride, For Y woot what yuelis þou ſchalt do to þe
ſones of Iſrael; þou ſchalt brenne bi fier þe ſtrengþid
citees of hem, and þou ſchalt ſle bi ſwerd þe ȝonge men
of hem, and þou ſchalt hurtle doun þe litle children of
hem, and þou ſchalt departe þe women wiþ childe.
xiii And Azael ſeide, What ſoþeli am Y, þi ſeruaunt, a
dogge, þat Y do þis grete þing? And Eliſee ſeide, Þe
Lord ſchewide to me þat þou ſchalt be kyng of Sirie.
xiiii And whanne he hadde departid fro Eliſee, he cam to
his lord; which ſeide to Azael, What ſeide Eliſee to þee?
And he anſweride, Eliſee ſeide to me, Þou ſchalt
reſſeyue helþe.
xv And whanne `þe toþer day hadde come, Azael took
þe cloþ on þe bed, and biſchedde wiþ watir, and ſpredde
abrood on þe face of hym; and whanne he was deed,
Azael regnede for hym.
xvi In þe fyueþe ȝeer of Joram, ſone of Achab, kyng of
Iſrael, and of Joſephat, kyng of Juda, Joram, ſone of
Joſephat, kyng of Juda, regnede.
xvii He was of two and þretti ȝeer whanne he bigan to
regne, and he regnede eiȝte ȝeer in Jeruſalem.
xviii And he ȝede in þe weies of þe kyngis of Iſrael, as
þe hows of Achab hadde go; for þe douȝter of Achab
was his wijf; and he dide þat, þat is yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe
Lord.
xix Forſoþe þe Lord nolde diſtrie Juda, for Dauid, his
ſeruaunt, as he `hadde bihiȝt to Dauid, þat he ſchulde
ȝyue to hym a lanterne, and to hiſe ſones in alle daies.
CCCXXXIV
xx In þo daies Edom, `þat is, Ydumee, ȝede awei, þat it
ſchulde not be vndur Juda; and made a kyng to it ſilf.
xxi And Joram cam to Seira, and alle þe charis wiþ hym;
and he roos bi nyȝt, and ſmoot Ydumeis, þat
cumpaſſiden hym, and þe princis of charis; ſoþeli þe
puple fledde in to her tabernaclis.
xxii Þerfor Edom ȝede awei, þat it was not vndur Juda
`til to þis day; þanne alſo Lobna ȝede awey in þat tyme.
xxiii Forſoþe þe reſidues of wordis of Joram, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kingis of Juda?
xxiiii And Joram ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biried
wiþ hem in þe citee of Dauid; and Ocozie, his ſone,
regnede for hym.
xxv In þe twelueþe ȝeer of Joram, ſone of Achab, kyng
of Iſrael, Ocozie, ſone of Joram, kyng of Juda, regnede.
xxvi Ocozie, þe ſone of Joram, was of two and twenti
ȝeer whanne he bigan to regne, and he regnede o ȝeer in
Jeruſalem; þe name of his moder was Athalia, þe
douȝter of Amry, kyng of Iſrael.
xxvii And he ȝede in þe waies of þe hows of Achab, and
dide þat, þat is yuel, bifor þe Lord, as þe hows of Achab
dide; for he was hoſebonde of a douȝter of þe hows of
Achab.
xxviii Alſo he ȝede wiþ Joram, ſone of Achab, to fiȝt
aȝens Azael, kyng of Sirie, in Ramoth of Galaad; and
men of Sirie woundiden Joram.
xxix Which turnede aȝen, to be heelid in Jezrael; for men
of Sirie woundiden hym in Ramoth, fiȝtynge aȝens
Azael, kyng of Sirye. Forſoþe Ocozie, ſone of Joram, þe
kyng of Juda, cam doun to ſe Joram, ſone of Achab, in
to Jezrael, þat was ſijk þere.
CAP. IX
i Forſoþe Eliſee, þe prophete, clepide oon of þe ſones of
prophetis, and ſeide to hym, Girde þi leendis, and take
þis veſſel of oile in þin hond, and go in to Ramoth of
Galaad.
ii And whanne þou ſchalt come þidur, þou ſchalt ſe
Hieu, ſone of Joſephat, ſone of Namſi; and þou ſchalt
entre, and ſchalt reiſe hym fro þe myddis of hiſe
briþeren, and þou ſchalt lede hym in to þe ynnere cloſet.
iii And þou ſchalt holde þe veſſel of oile, and ſchalt
ſchede on his heed, and ſchalt ſeie, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, I haue anoyntid þee in to kyng on Iſrael; and þou
ſchalt opene þe dore, and ſchalt flee, and ſchalt not
abide þere.
iiii Þerfor þe ȝong wexynge man, þe child of þe
prophete, ȝede in to Ramoth of Galaad, and entride
þidur.
v Lo! ſoþeli þe princes of þe ooſt ſaten; and he ſeide, A!
prince, Y haue a word to þee. And Hieu ſeide, To whom
of alle vs? And he ſeide, To þee, þou prince.
vi And he roos, and entride into þe cloſet. And þilk child
ſchedde oile on þe heed of hym, and ſeide, Þe Lord God
of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y haue anointid þee in to kyng
on þe puple of þe Lord of Iſrael; and þou ſchalt ſmyte þe
hows of Achab,
vii þi lord, þat Y venge þe blood of my ſeruauntis
prophetis, and þe blood of alle þe ſeruauntis of þe Lord,
of þe hond of Jezabel.
viii And Y ſchal leſe al þe hows of Achab, and Y ſchal ſle
of þe hows of Achab a piſſere to þe wal, and cloſid, and
þe laſte in Iſrael.
ix And Y ſchal ȝyue þe hows of Achab as þe hows of
Jeroboam, ſone of Nabat, and as þe hous of Baaſa, ſone
of Ahia.
x Alſo doggis ſchulen ete Jezabel in þe feeld of Jezrael;
and `noon ſchal be þat ſchal birie hir. And `þe child
openyde þe dore, and fledde.
xi Forſoþe Hieu ȝede out to þe ſeruauntis of his lord,
whiche ſeiden to hym, Wheþer alle þingis ben riȝtfuli?
What cam þis wood man to þee? Which ſeide to hem,
Ȝe knowen þe man, and what he ſpak.
xii And þei anſweriden, It is fals; but more telle þou to
vs. Which ſeide to hem, He ſpak þeſe and þeſe þingis to
me, and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y haue anoyntid
þee kyng on Iſrael.
xiii Þerfor þei haſtiden, and ech man took his mentil, and
puttide vndir hiſe feet bi þe licneſſe of a trone. And þei
ſungen wiþ a trumpe, and ſeiden, Hieu ſchal regne.
xiiii Þerfor Hieu, ſone of Joſephat, ſone of Namſi, ſwoor
to gidere aȝens Joram. Forſoþe Joram hadde biſegid
Ramoth of Galaad, he and al Iſrael, aȝens Azael, kyng
of Sirie.
xv And he turnede aȝen to be heelid in Jezrael for
woundis; for men of Sirie hadden ſmyte hym fiȝtynge
aȝens Azael, kyng of Sirie. And Hieu ſeide, If it pleſiþ
ȝou, no man go out fleynge fro þe citee, leſt he go, and
telle in Jezrael.
xvi And he ſtiede, and ȝede forþ in to Jezrael; for Joram
was ſijk þere, and Ocozie, kyng of Juda, cam doun to
viſite Joram.
xvii Þerfor a ſpiere, þat ſtood aboue a tour of Jezrael, ſiȝ
þe multitude of Hieu comynge, and he ſeide, Y ſe a
multitude. And Joram ſeide, Take þou a chare, and
ſende in to þe metyng of hem; and ſeie þe goere,
Wheþer alle þingis ben riȝtfuli?
xviii Þerfor he, þat ſtiede on þe chare, ȝede in to þe
meetyng of hym, and ſeide, Þe kyng ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Wheþer alle þingis ben peeſid? And Hieu ſeide to hym,
What to þee and to pees? Paſſe þou, and ſue me. And þe
aſpiere telde, and ſeide, þe meſſanger cam to hem, and
he turneþ not aȝen.
xix Alſo þe kyng ſente þe ſecounde chare of horſis, and
he cam to hem, and ſeide, Þe kyng ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
CCCXXXV
Wheþer pees is? And Hieu ſeide, What to þee and to
pees? Paſſe þou, and ſue me.
xx Soþeli þe aſpiere telde, and ſeide, He cam `til to hem,
and he turneþ not aȝen; forſoþe þe goyng is as þe goyng
of Hieu, ſone of Namſi; ſoþely he goiþ faſte.
xxi And Joram ſeide, Ioyn ȝe a chare. And þei ioyneden
his chare. And Joram, kyng of Iſrael, ȝede out, and
Ocozie, kyng of Juda, ȝede out, ech in his chare; and
þei ȝeden out in to þe meetyng of Hieu, and þei founden
hym in þe feeld of Naboth of Jezrael.
xxii And whanne Joram hadde ſeyn Hieu, he ſeide, Hieu,
`is pees? And he anſweride, What pees? Ȝit þe
fornycaciouns of Jezabel, þi modir, and many
poiſenyngis of hir ben in ſtrengþe.
xxiii Forſoþe Joram turnede his hond, and fledde, and
ſeide to Ocozie, Treſouns! treſouns!
xxiiii Ocozie. Forſoþe Hieu bente a bouwe wiþ þe hond,
and ſmoot Joram bitwixe þe ſchuldris, and þe arowe
ȝede out þoruy his herte; and anoon he felde doun in his
chare.
xxv And Hieu ſeide to Badacher duyk, Take þou awei,
caſt forþ hym in þe feeld of Naboth of Jezrael; for Y
haue mynde, whanne Y and þou ſaten in þe chare, and
ſuede Achab, þe fadir of hym, þat þe Lord reiſide on
hym þis birþun, and ſeide, If not for þe blood of
Naboth,
xxvi and for þe blood of hiſe ſones, which Y ſiȝ ȝiſtirdai,
ſeiþ þe Lord, Y ſchal ȝeeld to þee in þis feeld, ſeiþ þe
Lord. Now þerfor do awei him, and caſt forþ him in þe
feeld, bi þe word of þe Lord.
xxvii Forſoþe Ocozie, king of Juda, ſiȝ þis, and fledde bi
þe weie of þe hows of þe gardyn; and Hieu purſuede
hym, and ſeide, Alſo ſmyte ȝe þis man in his chare. And
þei ſmytiden hym in þe ſtiyng of Gaber, which is biſidis
Jeblaam; and he fledde into Mageddo, and was deed
þere.
xxviii And hiſe ſeruauntis puttiden hym on his chare, and
brouȝten hym in to Jeruſalem; and þei birieden hym in a
ſepulcre wiþ hiſe fadris, in þe citee of Dauid.
xxix In þe eleuenþe ȝeer of Joram, ſone of Achab, kyng
of Iſrael, Ocozie regnede on Juda.
xxx And Hieu cam in to Jezrael. Forſoþe whanne his
entryng was herd, Jezabel peyntide hir iȝen wiþ
oynement of wymmen, and ournede hir heed;
xxxi and ſche bihelde bi a wyndow Hieu entrynge bi þe
ȝate, and ſche ſeide, Wheþer pees may be to Zamri, þat
kyllide his lord?
xxxii And Hieu reiſide his face to þe wyndow, and ſeide,
What womman is þis? And tweyne eþer þre
chaumbirleyns bowiden hem ſilf to hym, and ſeiden to
hym, Þis is þilke Jezabel.
xxxiii And he ſeide to hem, Caſte ȝe hir doun. And þei
`caſtiden doun hir; and þe wal was biſpreynt wiþ blood,
and þe howues of horſis, þat `to tredden hir.
xxxiiii And whanne he hadde entrid to ete and drynke, he
ſeide, Go ȝe, and ſe þilke curſid womman, and birie ȝe
hir, for ſche is a kyngis douȝter.
xxxv And whanne þei hadden go to birie hir, þei founden
not, no but þe ſculle, and þe feet, and þe endis of
hondis;
xxxvi and þei turneden aȝen, and telden to hym. And
Hieu ſeide, It is þe word of þe Lord, which he ſpak bi
his ſeruaunt, Elie `of Theſbi, and ſeide, Doggis ſchulen
ete þe fleiſch of Jezabel in þe feeld of Jezrael;
xxxvii and þe fleiſchis of Jezabel ſchulen be as `a toord
on þe face of erþe in þe feeld of Jezrael, ſo þat men
paſſynge forþ ſeie, Lo! þis is þilke Jezabel.
CAP. X
i Forſoþe ſeuenti ſones in Samarie weren to Achab.
Þerfor Hieu wroot lettris, and ſente in to Samarie to þe
beſte men of þe citee, and to þe gretter men in birþe,
and to alle þe nurſchis of Achab, and ſeide,
ii Anoon as ȝe han take þeſe lettris, ȝe þat han þe ſones
of ȝoure lord, and þe charis, and horſis, and ſtronge
citees, and armeris,
iii cheſe þe beſte, and hym þat pleſiþ to ȝou of þe ſones
of ȝoure lord, and ſette ȝe him on þe trone of his fadir,
and fiȝte ȝe for þe hows of ȝoure lord.
iiii And þei dredden greetli, and ſeiden, Lo! twei kyngis
myȝten not ſtonde bifor hym, and how ſchulen we
mowe aȝenſtonde hym?
v Þerfor þe ſouereyns of þe hows, and þe prefect of þe
citee, and þe grettere men in birþe, and þe nurchis
ſenten to Hieu, and ſeiden, We ben þi ſeruauntis; what
euer þingis þou comaundiſt, we ſchulen do, and we
ſchulen not make a kyng to vs; do þou what euer þing
pleſiþ þee.
vi Forſoþe he wroot aȝen to hem lettris þe ſecunde tyme,
and ſeide, If ȝe ben myne, and obeien to me, take ȝe þe
heedis of þe ſones of ȝoure lord, and come ȝe to me in
þis ſame our to morewe in to Jezrael. Soþeli þe ſones of
þe kyng, ſeuenti men, weren nurſchid at þe beſte men of
þe citee.
vii And whanne þe lettris hadden come to hem, þei
token þe ſones of þe kyng, and killiden ſeuenti men, and
puttiden þe heedis of hem in coffyns; and ſenten to hym
in to Jezrael.
viii Forſoþe a meſſanger cam to hym, and ſchewide to
hym, and ſeide, Þei han brouȝt þe heedis of þe ſones of
þe king. Which anſweride, Putte ȝe þo heedis to tweyne
hepis, biſidis þe entring of þe ȝate, til þe morewtid.
ix And whanne it was cleer dai, he ȝede out, and ſtood,
and ſeide to al þe puple, Ȝe ben iuſt men; if Y conſpiride
aȝens my lord, and killide hym, who killide alle þeſe?
x Þerfor ſe ȝe now, þat noon of þe wordis of þe Lord
felde doun in to þe erþe, whiche þe Lord ſpak on þe
CCCXXXVI
hows of Achab; and þe Lord haþ do þat, þat he ſpak in
þe hond of his ſeruaunt, Elie.
xi Þerfor Hieu ſmoot alle þat weren reſidue of þe hows
of Achab in Jezrael, and alle þe beſte men of hym, and
knowun men, and preeſtis, til no relikis of hym leften.
xii And he roos, and cam in to Samarie; and whanne he
hadde come to þe chaumbir of ſchepherdis in þe weie,
xiii he foond þe briþeren of Ocozie, kyng of Juda; and
he ſeide to hem, Who ben ȝe? And þei anſweriden, We
ben þe briþeren of Ocozie, and we comen doun to grete
þe ſones of þe kyng and þe ſones of þe queen.
xiiii Which Hieu ſeide, Take ȝe hem quyke. And whanne
þei hadden take hem quyke, þei ſtrangliden hem in þe
ciſterne, biſidis þe chaumbre, two and fourti men; and
he lefte not ony of hem.
xv And whanne he hadde go fro þennus, he foond
Jonadab, þe ſone of Rechab, in to meetyng of hym; and
he bleſſide hym. And Hieu ſeide to hym, Wheþer þin
herte is riȝtful wiþ myn herte, as myn herte is wiþ þin
herte? And Jonadab ſeide, It is. Hieu ſeide, If `it is, ȝyue
þin hond. Which ȝaf his hond to hym; and he reiſide
hym to hym ſilf in to þe chare.
xvi And he ſeide to hym, Come þou wiþ me, and ſe my
feruent loue for þe Lord.
xvii And he ledde hym, put in hys chare, in to Samarie.
And he killide alle men þat weren reſidue of Achab in
Samarie `til to oon, bi þe word of þe Lord, which he
ſpak bi Elie.
xviii Þerfor Hieu gaderide to gidere alle þe puple, and
ſeide to hem, Achab worſchipide Baal a litil, but Y ſchal
worſchipe hym more.
xix Now þerfor clepe ȝe to me alle þe prophetis of Baal,
and alle hiſe ſeruauntis, and alle hiſe preeſtis; `noon be
þat come not, for grete ſacrifice is of me to Baal; who
euer ſchal faile, he ſchal not lyue. Forſoþe Hieu dide þis
bi treſoun, þat he ſchulde diſtrie alle þe worſchipers of
Baal.
xx And he ſeide, Halewe ȝe a ſolempne day to Baal.
xxi And he clepide, and ſente in to alle þe termes of
Iſrael; and alle þe ſeruauntis of Baal camen, `noon was
reſidue, and ſoþeli `not oon was þat cam not. And þei
entriden in to þe temple of Baal; and þe hows of Baal
was fillid, fro oon ende `til to `þe toþir.
xxii And he ſeide to hem þat weren ſouereyns ouer þe
cloþis, Bringe ȝe forþ cloþis to alle þe ſeruauntis of
Baal; and þei brouȝten forþ cloþis to hem.
xxiii And Hieu entride, and Jonadab, þe ſone of Rechab,
in to þe temple of Baal. And Hieu ſeide to þe
worſchiperis of Baal, Enquere ȝe, and ſe, leſt
perauenture ony of þe ſeruauntis of þe Lord be wiþ ȝou;
but þat þe ſeruauntis be aloone of Baal.
xxiiii Þerfor þei entriden, to make ſlayn ſacrifices, and
brent ſacrifices. Soþeli Hieu hadde maad redi to hym
wiþ outforþ foure ſcoore men, and hadde ſeid to hem,
Who euer ſchal fle of alle þeſe, whiche Y ſchal brynge
in to ȝoure hondis, þe lijf of hym ſchal be for þe lijf of
hym þat aſcapiþ.
xxv Forſoþe it was don, whanne þe brent ſacrifice was
fillid, Hieu comaundide to hiſe knyȝtis and duykis,
Entre ȝe, and ſle hem, þat noon aſcape. And þe knyȝtis
and duykis ſmytiden `hem bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd,
and caſtiden forþ. And `þei ȝeden into þe citee of þe
temple of Baal,
xxvi and þei brouȝten forþ þe ymage fro þe temple of
Baal,
xxvii and brenten it, and al to braken it. Alſo þei
deſtrieden þe hows of Baal, and maden priuyes for it `til
in to þis dai.
xxviii Þerfor Hieu dide awei Baal fro Iſrael;
xxix neþeles he ȝede not awei fro þe ſynnes of Jeroboam,
ſone of Nabath, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne, neþer he
forſook þe goldun caluys, þat weren in Bethel and in
Dan.
xxx Forſoþe þe Lord ſeide to Hieu, For þou didiſt biſili
þat þat was riȝtful, and pleſide in myn yȝen, and haſt do
aȝens þe hows of Achab alle þingis þat weren in myn
herte, þi ſones `til to þe fourþe generacioun ſchulen ſitte
on þe trone of Iſrael.
xxxi Forſoþe Hieu kepte not, þat he ȝede in þe lawe of þe
Lord God of Iſrael in al his herte; for he ȝede not awei
fro þe ſynnes of Jeroboam, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne.
xxxii In þo daies þe Lord bigan to be anoyed on Iſrael;
and Aſahel ſmoot hem in alle þe cooſtis of Iſrael,
xxxiii fro Jordan aȝens þe eeſt cooſt, al þe lond of
Galaad, and of Gad, and of Ruben, and of Manaſſes, fro
Aroer which is on þe ſtronde of Arnon, and Galaad, and
Baaſan.
xxxiiii Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Hieu, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, and his ſtrengþe, wheþer þeſe
ben not writun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe
kyngis of Iſrael?
xxxv And Hieu ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris; and þei birieden
hym in Samarie; and Joachaz, his ſone, regnyde for
hym.
xxxvi Forſoþe þe daies, in whiche Hieu regnede on Iſrael
in Samarie, ben eiȝte and twenti ȝeer.
CAP. XI
i Forſoþe Athalie, modir of Ocozie, ſiȝ hir ſone deed,
and ſche roos, and killide al þe ſeed of þe kyng.
ii Soþeli Joſaba, douȝter of kyng Joram, þe ſiſtir of
Ocozie, took Joas, ſone of Ocozie, and ſtal him fro þe
myddis of þe ſones of þe kyng, þat weren ſlayn; and
ſche took þe nurſche of hym fro þe hows of þre ſtagis;
and ſche hidde hym fro þe face of Athalie, þat he were
not ſlayn.
iii And he was wiþ hir in þe hows of þe Lord priueli ſixe
ȝeer. Forſoþe Athalia regnede on þe lond ſixe ȝeer.
CCCXXXVII
iiii Forſoþe in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer Joiada ſente, and took
centuriouns, and knyȝtis, and brouȝte to hym in to þe
temple of þe Lord; and couenauntide wiþ hem boond of
pees, and he made hem to ſwere in þe temple of þe
Lord, and ſchewide to hem þe ſone of þe kyng.
v And he comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Þis is þe word,
which ȝe owen to do;
vi þe þridde part of ȝou entre in þe ſabat, and kepe þe
wakyngis of þe `hows of þe kyng; ſoþely þe þridde part
be at þe ȝate of Seir; and þe þridde part be at þe ȝate
which is bihynde þe dwellyng place of þe makeris of
ſcheeldis; and ȝe ſchulen kepe þe wakyngis of þe hows
of Meſſa.
vii Forſoþe twei partis of ȝou alle goynge out in þe ſabat,
kepe ȝe þe wakyngis of þe hows of þe Lord aboute þe
kyng.
viii And ȝe ſchulen cumpaſſe hym, and ȝe ſchulen haue
armeris in ȝoure hondis; forſoþe if ony man entriþ in to
þe cloſyng of þe temple, be he ſlayn; and ȝe ſchulen be
wiþ þe kyng goynge in and goynge out.
ix And þe centuriouns diden bi alle þingis whiche
Joiada, þe preeſt, hadde comaundid to hem; and alle
takynge her men þat entriden to þe ſabat, wiþ hem þat
ȝeden out fro þe ſabat, camen to Joiada, þe preeſt.
x Which ȝaf to hem ſperis, and armeris of kyng Dauid,
þat weren in þe hows of þe Lord.
xi And alle ſtoden hauynge armeris in her hond, fro þe
riȝt ſide of þe temple `til to þe left ſide of þe auter and
of þe hows, aboute þe kyng.
xii And he brouȝte forþ þe ſone of þe kyng, and puttide
on hym a diademe, and witneſſyng; and þei maden hym
kyng, and anoyntiden hym; and þei beeten wiþ þe
hoond, and ſeiden, Þe kyng lyue!
xiii Forſoþe Athalia herde þe vois of þe puple rennynge,
and ſche entride to þe cumpenyes in to þe temple of þe
Lord,
xiiii and ſche ſiȝ þe kyng ſtondynge on þe trone bi
cuſtom, and ſyngeris, and cumpenyes nyȝ hym, and al
þe puple of þe lond beynge glad, and ſyngynge wiþ
trumpis. And ſche to-rente hir cloþis, and criede,
`Swerynge togidere! ſwerynge togidere! eþer treſoun.
xv Forſoþe Joiada comaundide to þe centuriouns, þat
weren on þe ooſt, and ſeide to hem, Lede ȝe hir out of
þe cloſyngis of þe temple; and who euer ſueþ hir, be
ſmytun wiþ ſwerd. Forſoþe þe preeſt ſeide, Be ſche not
ſlayn in þe temple of þe Lord.
xvi And þei puttiden hondis on hir, and hurliden hir bi
þe weie of þe entryng of horſis biſidis þe paleis; and
ſche was ſlayn þere.
xvii Þerfor Joiada made boond of pees bitwixe þe Lord
and þe kyng, and bitwixe þe puple, þat it ſchulde be þe
puple of þe Lord; and bitwixe þe kyng and þe puple.
xviii Al þe puple of þe lond entride in to þe temple of
Baal; and þei diſtrieden þe auteris of hym, and al
tobraken ſtrongli þe ymagis; and þei killiden bifore þe
auter Mathan, þe preeſt of Baal. And þe preeſt ſettide
kepyngis in þe hows of þe Lord; and he took
centuriouns, and þe legiouns of Cerethi and Pherethi,
and al þe puple of þe lond.
xix And þei ledden forþ þe kyng fro þe hows of þe Lord;
and þei camen bi þe weie of þe ȝate of makeris of
ſcheldis in to þe paleis; and he ſat on þe trone of kyngis.
xx And al þe puple of þe lond was glad, and þe citee
reſtide. Forſoþe Athalia was ſlayn bi ſwerd in þe hows
of þe kyng.
xxi And Joas was of ſeuen ȝeer, whanne he bigan to
regne.
CAP. XII
i Joas regnede in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer of Hieu; Joas regnede
fourti ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe name of his modir was
Sebia of Berſabee.
ii And Joas dide riȝtfulneſſe bifor þe Lord in alle þe
daies, in whiche Joiada, þe preeſt, tauȝte hym.
iii Neþeles he dide noȝt awey hiȝ þingis; for ȝit þe puple
made ſacrifice, and brente encenſe in hiȝe þingis.
iiii And Joas ſeide to þe preeſtis, `Preeſtis bi her ordre
take al þat money of hooli þingis, which is brouȝt of
men paſſyng forþ in to þe temple of þe Lord, `which
money is offrid for þe prijs of ſoule, and `which money
þei bryngen wilfuli, and bi þe fredom of her herte, in to
þe temple of þe Lord.
v And `þe preeſtis reparele þe hilyngis of þe hows, if þei
ſeen ony þing nedeful in reparelyng.
vi Þerfor þe preeſtis repareliden not þe hilyngis of þe
temple, `til to þe þre and twentiþe ȝeer of kyng Joas.
vii And Joas, þe kyng, clepide Joiada, þe biſchop, and þe
preſtis, and ſeide to hem, Whi han ȝe not reparelid þe
hilyngis of þe temple? Þerfor nyle ȝe more take money
bi ȝoure ordre, but ȝelde it to þe reparacioun of þe
temple.
viii And þe preſtis weren forbodun to take more þe
money of þe puple, and to reparele þe hilyngis of þe
hows.
ix And Joiada, þe biſchop, took a cofere of treſorie, and
openyde an hole aboue, and ſettide it biſidis þe auter, at
þe riȝtſide of men entrynge in to þe hows of þe Lord;
and preeſtis, þat kepten þe doris, ſenten in it al þe
money þat was brouȝt to þe temple of þe Lord.
x And whanne þei ſien þat ful myche money was in þe
treſorie, þe ſcryuen of þe kyng and þe biſchop ſtieden,
and ſchedden it out, and þei noumbriden þe money þat
was founden in þe hous of þe Lord.
xi And þei ȝauen it bi noumbre and meſure in þe hond of
hem, þat weren ſouereyns to þe maſouns of þe hows of
þe Lord, whiche `ſpendiden þat money in `crafti men of
trees, and in þeſe maſouns, þat wrouȝten in þe hous of
þe Lord,
CCCXXXVIII
xii and maden þe hilyngis, and in þeſe men þat hewiden
ſtoonys; and þat þei ſchulden bie trees and ſtoonys, þat
weren hewid doun; ſo þat þe reparacioun of þe hows of
þe Lord was fillid in alle þingis, þat nediden coſt to
make ſtrong þe hows.
xiii Neþeles water pottis of þe temple of þe Lord weren
not maad of þe ſame money, and fleiſchokis, and
cenſeris, and trumpis; ech veſſel of gold and of ſiluer
weren not maad of þe money, þat was brouȝt in to þe
temple of þe Lord.
xiiii For it was ȝouun to hem þat maden werk, þat þe
temple of þe Lord ſchulde be reparelid.
xv And rekenyng was not maad to þeſe men þat token
monei, þat þei ſchulden deele it to crafti men; but þei
tretiden it in feiþ.
xvi Soþeli þei brouȝten not in to þe temple of þe Lord þe
money for treſpas, and þe money for ſynnes, for it was
þe preeſtis.
xvii Þanne Aſael, kyng of Sirie, ſtiede, and fauȝte aȝen
Geth; and he took it, and dreſſide his face, þat he
ſchulde ſtie in to Jeruſalem.
xviii Wherfor Joas, kyng of Juda, took alle `þingis
halewid, whiche Joſephat hadde halewid, and Joram,
and Ocozie, fadris of hym, kyngis of Juda, and whiche
þingis he hadde offrid, and al þe ſiluer, þat myȝte be
foundun in þe treſours of þe temple of þe Lord, and in
þe paleis of þe kyng.
xix And he ſente to Aſael, kyng of Sirie; and he ȝede
awei fro Jeruſalem. Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Joas,
and alle þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not
writun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of
Juda?
xx Forſoþe hiſe ſeruauntis riſiden, and ſworen togidere
bitwixe hem ſilf, and ſmytiden Joas in þe hows Mello,
and in þe goyng doun of Sela.
xxi For Jozachat, ſone of Semath, and Joiadath, ſone of
Soomer, hiſe ſeruauntis, ſmytiden him, and he was deed;
and þei birieden hym wiþ hiſe fadris in þe citee of
Dauid; and Amaſie, his ſone, regnyde for hym.
CAP. XIII
i In þe þre and twentiþe ȝeer of Joas, ſone of Ocozie,
kyng of Juda, Joachaz, ſone of Hieu, regnede on Iſrael,
in Samarie ſeuentene ȝeer.
ii And he dide yuel bifor þe Lord, and he ſuede þe
ſynnes of Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath, þat made Iſrael to
do ſynne; and he bowide not awei fro þo.
iii And þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens
Iſrael, and he bitook hem in to þe hondis of Azael, kyng
of Sirie, and in þe hond of Benadab, ſone of Aſael, in
alle daies.
iiii Forſoþe Joachaz biſouȝte þe face of þe Lord, and þe
Lord herde hym; for he ſiȝ þe anguyſch of Iſrael, for þe
kyng of Sirie hadde al to brokun hem.
v And þe Lord ȝaf a ſauȝour to Iſrael, and he was
delyuered fro þe hond of þe kyng of Sirie; and þe ſones
of Iſrael dwelliden in her tabernaclis, as ȝiſtirdai and þe
þridde dai ago.
vi Neþeles þei departiden not fro þe ſynnes of þe hows
of Jeroboam, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne; þei ȝeden in
þo ſynnes; ſoþeli alſo þe wode dwellide in Samarie.
vii And to Joacham weren not left of þe puple, no but
fyue hundrid kniȝtis, and ten charis, and ten þouſynde
of foot men; for þe kyng of Sirie hadde ſlayn hem, and
hadde dryue hem as in to poudur in þe þreiſchyng of a
cornfloor.
viii Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Joachaz, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, and þe ſtrengþ of hym, wheþer
þeſe ben not wrytun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe
kyngis of Iſrael?
ix And Joachaz ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and þei birieden
hym in Samarie; and Joas, his ſone, regnyde for hym.
x In þe ſeuenþe and þrettiþe ȝeer of Joas, king of Juda,
Joas, ſone of Joachaz, regnede on Iſrael in Samarie
ſixtene ȝeer.
xi And he dide þat, þat is yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord; for
he bowide not awei fro alle þe ſynnes of Jeroboam, ſone
of Nabath, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne; he ȝede in þo
ſynnes.
xii Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Joas, and alle þingis
whiche he dide, but alſo his ſtrengþe, hou he fauȝt aȝens
Amaſie, kyng of Juda, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xiii And Joas ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris; forſoþe Jeroboam ſat
on his trone. Soþeli Joas was biried in Samarie wiþ þe
kyngis of Iſrael.
xiiii Forſoþe Eliſee was ſijk in ſikeneſſe, bi which and he
was deed; and Joas, kyng of Iſrael, ȝede doun to hym,
and wepte bifor hym, and ſeide, My fadir! my fadir! þe
chare of Iſrael, and þe charietere þerof!
xv And Eliſee ſeide to hym, Brynge þou a bouwe and
arowis. And whanne he hadde brouȝte to Eliſee a bouwe
and arowis,
xvi he ſeide to þe kyng of Iſrael, Set þin hond on þe
bouwe. And whanne he hadde ſet his hond, Eliſee
ſettide his hondis on þe hondis of þe
xvii kyng, and ſeide, Opene þou þe eeſt wyndow. And
whanne he hadde openyd, Eliſee ſeide, Schete þou an
arewe; and he ſchete. And Eliſee ſeide, It is an arewe of
helþe of þe Lord, and an arowe of helþe aȝens Sirie;
and þou ſchalt ſmyte Sirie in Affeth, til þou waſte it.
xviii And Eliſee ſeide, Take awei þe arowis. And whanne
he hadde take awei, Eliſee ſeide eft to him, Smyte þou
þe erþe wiþ a dart. And whanne he hadde ſmyte þre
tymes,
xix and hadde ſtonde, þe man of God was wrooþ aȝens
hym, and ſeide, If þou haddiſt ſmyte fyue ſiþis, eþer ſixe
CCCXXXIX
ſiþis, eþir ſeuen ſiþis, þou ſchuldiſt haue ſmyte Sirie `til
to þe endyng; now forſoþe þou ſchalt ſmyte it þre ſiþis.
xx Þerfor Eliſee was deed, and þei birieden hym. And þe
þeuys of Moab camen in to þe lond in þat ȝeer.
xxi Forſoþe ſum men birieden a man, and þei ſiȝen þe
þeues, and þei caſtiden forþ þe deed bodi in þe ſepulcre
of Eliſee; and whanne it hadde touchid þe bonys of
Eliſee, þe man lyuede aȝen, and ſtood on his feet.
xxii Þerfor Azael, kyng of Sirie, turmentide Iſrael in alle
þe daies of Joachaz.
xxiii And þe Lord hadde merci on hem, and turnede aȝen
to hem for his couenaunt, which he hadde wiþ
Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob; and he nolde diſtrie hem,
neþer caſt awei outirli, til in to preſent tyme.
xxiiii Forſoþe Azael, kyng of Sirie, diede; and Benadad,
his ſone, regnede for hym.
xxv Forſoþe Joas, ſone of Joachas, took awei citees fro
þe hond of Benadad, ſone of Aſael, which he hadde take
bi þe riȝt of batel fro þe hoond of Joachaz, his fadir;
Joas ſmoot hym þre tymes, and he ȝeldide þe citees of
Iſrael.
CAP. XIIII
i Yn þe ſecounde ȝeer of Joas, ſone of Joachas, kyng of
Iſrael, Amaſie, ſone of Joas, kyng of Juda, regnyde.
ii Amaſie was of fyue and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan
to regne; forſoþe he regnyde in Jeruſalem nyne and
twenti ȝeer; þe name of his modir was Joade of
Jeruſalem.
iii And he dide riȝtfulneſſe bifor þe Lord, neþeles not as
Dauid, his fadir; he dide bi alle þingis whiche Joas, his
fadir, dide, no but þis oonli,
iiii þat he dide not awei hiȝ þingis; for ȝit þe puple made
ſacrifice, and brent encence in hiȝ þingis.
v And whanne he hadde gete þe rewme, he ſmoot hiſe
ſeruauntis, þat hadden killid þe kyng, his fadir;
vi but he killide not þe ſones of hem þat hadden ſlayn
`þe kyng, bi þat þat is writun in þe book of þe lawe of
Moyſes, as þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes, and ſeide,
Fadris ſchulen not die for þe ſones, neþir þe ſones for þe
fadris, but eche man ſchal die in his owne ſynne.
vii He ſmoot Edom in þe valey of makyngis of ſalt, `he
ſmoot ten þouſynde, and took `þe Stoon in batel; and he
clepide þe name þerof Jethel, `til in to preſent dai.
viii Þanne Amaſie ſente meſſangeris to Joas, ſone of
Joachaz, ſone of Hieu, kyng of Iſrael, and ſeide, Come
þou, and ſe we vs `in batel.
ix And Joas, kyng of Iſrael, ſente aȝen to Amaſie, kyng
of Juda, and ſeide, Þe cardue, `þat is, a low eerbe, and
ful of þornes, of þe Liban ſente to þe cedre, which is in
þe Liban, and ſeide, Ȝyue þi douȝtir wijf to my ſone;
and þe beeſtis of þe foreſt, þat ben in þe Liban, paſſiden,
and tredden doun þe cardue.
x Þou haſt ſmyte, and haddiſt þe maiſtri on Edom, and
þin herte haþ reiſid þee; be þou apaied wiþ glorie, and
ſitte in þin hows; whi excitiſt þou yuel, þat þou falle,
and Juda wiþ þee?
xi And Amaſie aſſentide not `to be in pees; and Joas,
kyng of Iſrael, ſtiede, and he and Amaſie, kyng of Juda,
ſien hem ſilf in Bethſames, a citee of Juda.
xii And Juda was ſmytun bifor Iſrael; and þei fledden
ech man in to his tabernaclis.
xiii Soþeli Joas, kyng of Iſrael, took in Bethſames
Amaſie, kyng of Juda, þe ſone of Joas, ſone of Ocozie,
and brouȝte hym in to Jeruſalem; and he brak þe wal of
Jeruſalem, fro þe ȝate of Effraym `til to þe ȝate of þe
corner, bi foure hundrid cubitis.
xiiii And he took al þe gold and ſiluer, and alle veſſels,
þat weren foundun in þe hows of þe Lord, and in þe
treſours of þe kyng; and he took oſtagis, and turnede
aȝen in to Samarie.
xv Soþeli þe reſydue of wordis of Joas, whiche he dide,
and his ſtrengþe, bi which he fauȝt aȝens Amaſie, kyng
of Juda, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe book of
wordis of dayes of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xvi And Joas ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biried in
Samarie wiþ þe kyngis of Iſrael; and Jeroboam, his
ſone, regnede for hym.
xvii Forſoþe Amaſie, ſone of Joas, kyng of Juda, lyuede
fyue and twenti ȝeer, after þat Joas, ſone of Joachaz,
kyng of Iſrael, was deed.
xviii Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Amaſie, wheþer
þeſe ben not writun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe
kyngis of Juda?
xix And `ſweryng togidir in Jeruſalem was maad aȝens
hym, and he fledde in to Lachis; and þei ſenten aftir
hym in to Lachis, and killiden hym þere.
xx And þei baren out hym in horſis, and he was biried in
Jeruſalem wiþ hiſe fadris, in þe citee of Dauid.
xxi Forſoþe al þe puple of Juda took Azarie, hauynge
ſixtene ȝeer; and maden hym king for his fadir Amaſie.
xxii And he bildide Ahila, and reſtoride it to Juda, after
þat `þe kyng ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris.
xxiii In þe fifteneþe ȝeer of Amaſie, ſone of Joas, kyng of
Juda, Jeroboam, ſone of Joas, kyng of Iſrael, regnyde in
Samarie oon and fourti ȝeer;
xxiiii and dide þat, þat is yuel bifor þe Lord; he ȝede not
awei fro alle þe ſynnes of Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath, þat
made Iſrael to do ſynne.
xxv He reſtoride þe termes of Iſrael, fro þe entryng of
Emath `til to þe ſee of wildirneſſe, bi þe word of þe
Lord God of Iſrael, which he ſpak bi his ſeruaunt Jonas,
ſone of Amathi, bi Jonas, þe prophete, þat was of Jeth,
`which Jeth is in Ophir.
CCCXL
xxvi For þe Lord ſiȝ þe ful bittir turment of Iſrael, and
þat þei weren waſtid `til to þe cloſid men of priſoun, and
þe laſte men, and `noon was þat helpide Iſrael.
xxvii And þe Lord ſpak not, þat he ſchulde do awei Iſrael
fro vndur heuene, but he ſauyde hem in þe hond of
Jeroboam, ſone of Joas.
xxviii Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Jeroboam, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, and þe ſtrengþe of hym, bi which
he fauȝt, and hou he reſtoride Damaſk, and Emath of
Juda, in Iſrael, wheþer þeſe ben not wrytun in þe book
of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xxix And Jeroboam ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, þe kyngis of
Iſrael; and Azarie, his ſone, regnede for hym.
CAP. XV
i In þe ſeuenþe and twentiþe ȝeer of Jeroboam, king of
Iſrael, Azarie, ſone of Amaſie, kyng of Juda, regnede;
ii he was of ſixtene ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne, and
he regnede two and fifti ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe name of
his modir was Jecelia of Jeruſalem.
iii And he dide þat, þat was pleſaunt bifor þe Lord, bi
alle þingis which Amaſie, his fadir, hadde do;
iiii neþeles he diſtriede not hiȝ þingis; ȝit þe puple made
ſacrifice, and brente encenſe in hiȝe þingis.
v Forſoþe þe Lord ſmoot þe kyng, and he was leprouſe
til in to þe day of his deeþ; and he dwellide in an hous
freli bi hym ſilf. Soþeli Joathas, ſone of þe kyng,
gouernde þe palis, and demyde þe puple of þe lond.
vi Forſoþe þe reſidue of þe wordis of Azarie, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Juda?
vii And Azarie ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris; and þei birieden
hym wiþ hiſe eldre men in þe citee of Dauid; and
Joathas, his ſone, regnede for hym.
viii In þe eiȝte and þrettiþe ȝeer of Azarie, kyng of Juda,
Zacharie, ſone of Jeroboam, regnede on Iſrael in
Samarie ſixe moneþis.
ix And he dide þat, þat was yuel bifor þe Lord, as his
fadris diden; he departide not fro þe ſynnes of
Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne.
x Forſoþe Sellum, þe ſone of Jabes, conſpiride aȝens
hym in Samarie; and Sellum ſmoot hym opynli, and
killide hym, and regnede for hym.
xi Soþeli þe reſidue of þe wordis of Zacharie, wheþir
þeſe ben not writun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe
kyngis of Iſrael?
xii Þilke is þe word of þe Lord, which he ſpak to Hieu,
and ſeide, `Þi ſones `til to þe fourþe generacioun ſchulen
ſitte `of þee on þe trone of Iſrael; and it was doon ſo.
xiii Sellum, ſone of Jabes, regnede in þe nynþe and
þritty ȝeer of Azarie, kyng of Juda; ſoþeli he regnyde o
moneþe in Samarie.
xiiii And Manaheu, þe ſone of Gaddi, ſtyede fro Therſa,
and cam in to Samarie; and he ſmoot Sellum, ſone of
Jabes, in Samarie, and killide hym, and regnede for
hym.
xv Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Sellum, and his
conſpiraſie, bi which he ſettide treſouns, wheþer þeſe
ben not writun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe
kyngis of Iſrael.
xvi Þanne Manaheu ſmoot Capham, and alle men þat
weren þereynne, and þe termes þerof fro Therſa, for þei
nolden opyn to hym; and he killide alle wymmen þerof
wiþ child, and karf hem.
xvii In þe nynþe and þrittiþe ȝeer of Azarie, kyng of
Juda, Manaheu, ſone of Gaddi, regnede on Iſrael ten
ȝeer in Samarie.
xviii And he dide þat, þat was yuel bifor þe Lord; he
departide not fro þe ſynnes of Jeroboam, ſone of
Nabath, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne.
xix In alle þe daies of hym Phul, þe kyng of Aſſiries,
cam in to Therſa. And Manaheu ȝaf to Phul a þouſynde
talentis of ſiluer, þat he ſchulde be to hym in to help,
and ſchulde make ſtidefaſt his rewme;
xx and Manaheu ſettide taliage of ſiluer on Iſrael to alle
myȝti men and riche, þat he ſchulde ȝyue to þe kyng of
Aſſiries; he ſettide fifti ſiclis of ſiluer bi alle men; and þe
king of Aſſiries turnede aȝen, and dwellide not in
Therſa.
xxi Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Manaheu, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not wrytun in
þe book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xxii And Manaheu ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris; and Phaceia,
his ſone, regnyde for hym.
xxiii In þe fiftiþe ȝeer of Azarie, kyng of Juda, Phaceia,
ſone of Manaheu, regnede on Iſrael in Samarie twei
ȝeer.
xxiiii And he dide þat, þat was yuel bifor þe Lord; he
departide not fro þe ſynnes of Jeroboam, ſone of
Nabath, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne.
xxv Forſoþe Phacee, ſone of Romelie, duyk of his ooſt,
conſpiride aȝens hym, and ſmoot hym in Samarie, in þe
tour of þe kyngis hous, biſidis Argob, and biſidis Arib;
`and he ſmoot hym wiþ fifti men of þe ſones of
Galaditis; and Phacee killide hym, and regnede for
hym.
xxvi Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Phacee, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xxvii In þe two and fiftiþe ȝeer of Azarie, kyng of Juda,
Phaſee, ſone of Romelie, regnyde in Samarie twenti
ȝeer.
xxviii And he dide þat, þat was yuel bifor þe Lord; and
he departide not fro þe ſynnes of Jeroboam, ſone of
Nabath, þat made Iſrael to do ſynne.
CCCXLI
xxix In þe daies of Phacee, kyng of Iſrael, Teglat
Phalaſar, kyng of Aſſur, cam, and took Aion, and Aibel,
þe hows of Maacha, and Janoe, and Cedes, and Aſor,
and Galaad, and Galilee, and al þe lond of Neptalym;
and tranſlatide hem in to Aſſiriens.
xxx Forſoþe Oſee, ſone of Hela, conſpiride, and ſettide
treſouns aȝens Phaſee, ſone of Romelie, and ſmoot hym,
and killide hym; and he regnyde for hym, in þe
twentiþe ȝeer of Joathan, ſone of Ozie.
xxxi Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Phacee, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Iſrael?
xxxii In þe ſecounde ȝeer of Phacee, ſone of Romelie,
kyng of Iſrael, Joathan, ſone of Ozie, kyng of Juda,
regnyde;
xxxiii he was of fyue and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan
to regne, and he regnede ſixtene ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe
name of his modir was Jeruſa, þe douȝter of Sadoch.
xxxiiii And he dide þat, þat was pleſaunt bifor þe Lord;
he wrouȝte bi alle þingis, whiche his fadir Ozie hadde
do;
xxxv neþeles he dide not awey hiȝ þingis; ȝit þe puple
made ſacrifice, and brente incenſe in hiȝ þingis; he
bildide þe hiȝeſte ȝate of þe hows of þe Lord.
xxxvi Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Joathan, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Juda?
xxxvii In þo daies þe Lord bigan to ſende in to Juda
Raſyn, þe kyng of Sirie, and Phacee, þe ſone of
Romelie.
xxxviii And Joathan ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biried
wiþ hem in þe citee of Dauid, his fadir; and Achaz, his
ſone, regnyde for hym.
CAP. XVI
i In þe ſeuentenþe ȝeer of Phacee, ſone of Romelie,
Achaz, þe ſone of Joathan, kyng of Juda, regnyde.
ii Achaz was of twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne,
and he regnyde ſixtene ȝeer in Jeruſalem; he dide not
þat, þat was pleſaunt in þe ſiȝt of his Lord God, as
Dauid, his fadir dide, but he ȝede in þe weie of þe
kyngis of Iſrael.
iii Ferþermore and he halewide his ſone, and bar þorouȝ
þe fier, bi þe idols of heþene men, whiche þe Lord
diſtriede bifore þe ſones of Iſrael.
iiii And he offride ſacrifices, and brente encenſe in hiȝ
placis, and in hillis, and vndur ech tree ful of bowis.
v Þanne Raſyn, kyng of Sirye, and Phacee, ſone of
Romelie, kyng of Iſrael, ſtiede in to Jeruſalem to fiȝte;
and whanne þei biſegide Achaz, þei miȝten not
ouercome hym.
vi In þat tyme Raſyn, kyng of Sirie, reſtoride Ahila to
Sirie, and caſtide out Jewis fro Ahila; and Ydumeis and
men of Sirie camen into Ahila, and dwelliden þere til in
to þis dai.
vii Forſoþe Achaz ſente meſſangeris to Teglat Phalaſar,
kyng of Aſſiriens, and ſeide, Y am þi ſeruaunt and þi
ſone; ſtie þou, and make me ſaaf fro þe hond of þe kyng
of Sirie, and fro þe hond of þe kyng of Iſrael, þat han
riſe togidere aȝens me.
viii And whanne Achaz hadde gaderide togidere ſiluer
and gold, þat myȝte be foundun in þe hows of þe Lord,
and in þe treſours of þe kyng, he ſente ȝiftis to þe kyng
of Aſſiriens;
ix whiche aſſentide to his wille. Soþeli þe kyng of
Aſſeriens ſtiede in to Damaſk, and waſtide it, and
tranſlatide þe dwelleris þerof to Sirenen; ſoþeli he
killide Raſyn.
x And kyng Achaz ȝede in to metyng to Teglat
Phalaſaar, kyng of Aſſiriens; and whanne kyng Achaz
hadde ſeyn þe auter of Damaſk, he ſent to Vrie, þe
preeſt, þe ſaumpler and licneſſe þerof, bi al þe werk
þerof.
xi And Vrie, þe preeſt, bildide an auter bi alle þingis
whiche king Achaz hadde comaundid fro Damaſk, ſo
dide þe preeſt Vrie, til kyng Achaz cam fro Damaſk.
xii And whanne þe king cam fro Damaſk, he ſiȝ þe auter,
and worſchipide it; and he ſtiede, and offride brent
ſacrifices, and his ſacrifice;
xiii and he offride moiſt ſacrifices, and he ſchedde þe
blood of peſible þingis, which he hadde offrid on þe
auter.
xiiii Forſoþe he dide awei þe braſun auter, þat was bifor
þe Lord, fro þe face of þe temple, and fro þe place of þe
auter, and fro þe place of þe temple of þe Lord; and
ſettide it on þe ſide of þe auter `at þe norþ.
xv Alſo kyng Achaz comaundide to Vrie, þe preeſt, and
ſeide, Offre þou on þe more auter þe brent ſacrifice of
þe morewtid, and þe ſacrifice of euentid, and þe brent
ſacrifice of þe king, and þe ſacrifice of hym, and þe
brent ſacrifice of al þe puple of þe lond, and þe
ſacrifices of hem, and þe moiſt ſacrifices of hem; and
þou ſchalt ſchede out on þat al þe blood of brent
ſacrifice, and al þe blood of ſlayn ſacrifice; ſoþeli þe
braſun auter ſchal be redi at my wille.
xvi Þerfor Vrie, þe preeſt, dide bi alle þingis whiche
kyng Achaz hadde comaundid to hym.
xvii Forſoþe kyng Achaz took þe peyntid foundementis,
and þe waiſchyng veſſel, þat was aboue, and he puttide
doun þe ſee, þat is, þe waiſchung veſſel `for preeſtis, fro
þe braſun oxis, þat ſuſteyneden it, and he ſettide on þe
pawment araied wiþ ſtoon.
xviii Alſo he turnede þe treſorie of ſabat, which he hadde
bildid in þe temple, and `he turnede þe entryng of þe
kyng wiþ outforþ, in to þe temple of þe Lord for þe
kyng of Aſſiriens.
CCCXLII
xix Forſoþeþe reſidue of wordis of Achaz, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Juda?
xx And Achaz ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biried wiþ
hem in þe citee of Dauid; and Ezechie, his ſone,
regnede for hym.
CAP. XVII
i Yn þe twelueþe ȝeer of Achaz, kyng of Juda, Oſee,
ſone of Hela, regnyde in Samarie on Iſrael nyne ȝeer.
ii And he dide yuel bifor þe Lord, but not as þe kyngis
of Iſrael, þat weren bifor hym.
iii Salmanaſar, kyng of Aſſiriens, ſtiede aȝens þis Oſee,
and Oſee was maad ſeruaunt to hym, and ȝildide tributis
to hym.
iiii And whanne þe kyng of Aſſiriens hadde perſeyued,
þat Oſee he enforſide to be rebelle, and hadde ſent
meſſangeris to Sua, kyng of Egipt, þat he ſchulde not
ȝyue tributis to þe kyng of Aſſiriens, as he was wont bi
alle ȝeeris, `þe kyng of Aſſiriens biſegide hym, and ſente
him boundun in to priſoun.
v And he ȝede þoruy al þe lond, and he ſtiede to
Samarie, and biſegide it bi þre ȝeer.
vi Forſoþe in þe nynþe ȝeer of Oſee, þe kyng of Aſſiriens
took Samarie, and tranſlatide Iſrael in to Aſſiriens; and
he puttide hem in Hela, and in Thabor, biſidis þe flood
Gozam, in þe citee of Medeis.
vii Forſoþe it was don, whanne þe ſones of Iſrael hadden
ſynned bifor her Lord God, þat ledde hem out of þe
lond of Egipt, fro þe hond of Farao, kyng of Egipt, þei
worſchipeden alien goddis;
viii and ȝeden bi þe cuſtom of heþene men, whiche þe
Lord hadde waſtid in þe ſiȝt of þe ſones of Iſrael, and of
þe kyngis of Iſrael, for þei hadden do in lijk maner.
ix And þe ſones of Iſrael offendiden her Lord God bi
wordis not riȝtful, and þei bildiden to hem ſilf hiȝ þingis
in alle her citees, fro þe tour of keperis `til to a ſtrengþid
citee.
x And þei maden to hem ymagis, and wodis, in ech hiȝ
hil, and vndur ech tree ful of bowis;
xi and þei brenten þere encence on þe auteris bi þe
cuſtom of heþene men, whiche þe Lord hadde tranſlatid
fro þe face of hem. And þei diden werſte wordis, and
þei wraþþiden þe Lord;
xii and worſchipiden vncleneſſes, of whiche þe Lord
comaundide to hem, þat þei ſchulden not do þis word.
xiii And þe Lord witneſſide in Iſrael and in Juda, bi þe
hond of alle prophetis and ſeeris, and ſeide, Turne ȝe
aȝen fro ȝoure werſte weies, and kepe ȝe my
comaundementis, and ceremonyes, bi al þe lawe whiche
Y comaundide to ȝoure fadris, and as Y ſente to ȝou in
þe hond of my ſeruauntis prophetis.
xiiii Whiche herden not, but maden hard her nol bi þe
nol of her fadris, þat nolden obeie to her Lord God.
xv And þei caſtiden, awei þe lawful þingis of hym, and
þe couenaunt which he couenauntide wiþ her fadris,
and þe witneſſyngis bi whiche he witneſſide to hem; and
þei ſueden vanytees, `þat is, idols, and diden veynli; and
ſueden heþene men, þat weren `bi þe cumpas of hem; of
whiche vanytees þe Lord comaundide to hem, þat þei
ſchulden not do as alſo þo heþene men diden.
xvi And þei forſoken alle þe comaundementis of her
Lord God, and þei maden to hem twei ȝotun calues, and
wodis, and worſchipiden al þe knyȝthod of heuene; and
þei ſeruyden Baal, and halewiden to hym her ſones,
xvii and her douȝtris þoruy fier, and þei ſeruyden to fals
dyuynyng, and to dyuynyng bi chiterynge of briddis;
and þei ȝauen hem ſilf to do yuel bifor þe Lord, and þei
wraþþiden hym.
xviii And þe Lord was wrooþ greetli to Iſrael; and he
took awei hem fro his ſiȝt, and noon lefte, no but þe
lynage of Juda oneli.
xix But neþer Juda hym ſilf kepte þe heeſtis of `his Lord
God, neþeles he erride, and ȝede in þe errour of Iſrael,
whiche it wrouȝte.
xx And þe Lord caſtide awei al þe ſeed of Iſrael, and
turmentide hem, and bitook hem in þe hond of
rauynouris; til he caſtide awei hem fro his face,
xxi fro þat tyme in which Iſrael was departid fro þe hous
of Dauid, and maden to hem a kyng, Jeroboam, ſone of
Nabath. For Jeroboam departide Iſrael fro þe Lord, and
made hem to do a greet ſynne.
xxii And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden in alle þe ſynnes of
Jeroboam, whiche he hadde do; and þei departiden not
fro þo ſynnes,
xxiii til þe Lord dide awei Iſrael fro his face, as he ſpak
in þe hond of alle hiſe ſeruauntis prophetis; and Iſrael
was tranſlatid fro his lond in to Aſſiriens til in to þis dai.
xxiiii Forſoþe þe kyng of Aſſiriens brouȝte puple fro
Babiloyne, and fro Cutha, and fro Hailath, and fro
Emath, and fro Sepharuaym, and ſettide hem in þe
citees of Samarie for þe ſones of Iſrael; whiche hadden
in poſſeſſioun Samarie, and dwelliden in þe citees þerof.
xxv And whanne þei bigunnen to dwelle þere, þei
dredden not þe Lord; and þe Lord ſente to hem liouns,
þat killiden hem.
xxvi And it was teld to þe kyng of Aſſiriens, and was
ſeid, Þe folkis whiche þou tranſlatidiſt, and madiſt to
dwelle in þe citees of Samarie, kunnen not þe lawful
þingis of God of þe lond; and þe Lord ſente liouns in to
hem, and lo! liouns ſleen hem; for þei kunnen not þe
cuſtom of God of þe lond.
xxvii Soþeli þe kyng of Aſſiriens comaundide, and ſeide,
Lede ȝe þidur oon of þe preeſtis, whiche ȝe brouȝten
priſoneris fro þennus, þat he go, and dwelle wiþ hem,
and teche hem þe lawful þingis of God of þe lond.
CCCXLIII
xxviii Þerfor whanne oon of þeſe preeſtis had come, þat
weren led priſoneris fro Samarie, he dwellide in Bethel,
and tauȝte hem, how þei ſchulden worſchipe þe Lord.
xxix And ech folk made his god, and þei ſettiden þo
goddis in þe hiȝ templis, whiche þe men of Samarie
hadden maad, folk and folk in her citees, in whiche þei
dwelliden.
xxx For men of Babiloyne maden Socoth Benoth;
forſoþe men of Cutha maden Vergel; and men of Emath
maden Aſyma;
xxxi forſoþe Eueis maden Nabaath and Tharcha; ſoþeli
þei þat weren of Sepharuaym brenten her ſones in fier
to Adramelech and Anamelech, goddis of Sepharuaym.
xxxii And neþeles þei worſchipiden þe Lord; forſoþe of
þe laſte men þei maden preeſtis of þe hiȝe þingis, and
ſettiden hem in hiȝe templis.
xxxiii And whanne þei worſchipiden God, þei ſerueden
alſo her goddis, bi þe cuſtom of heþene men, fro whiche
þei weren tranſlatid to Samarie;
xxxiiii `til in to preſent dai þei ſuen þe eld cuſtom; þei
dredden not þe Lord, neþir þei kepen hiſe cerymonyes,
and domes, and lawe, and comaundement, which þe
Lord comaundide to þe ſones of Jacob, whom he
nemyde Iſrael;
xxxv and he ſmoot a couenaunt wiþ hem, and
comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Nyle ȝe drede alien
goddis, and onoure ȝe not outwardli hem, neþir
worſchipe ȝe inwardli hem, and make ȝe not ſacrifice to
hem;
xxxvi but ȝoure Lord God, þat ledde ȝou out of þe lond
of Egipt in greet ſtrengþe, and in arm holdun forþ, drede
ȝe hym, and worſchipe ȝe hym, and make ȝe ſacrifice to
hym.
xxxvii And kepe ȝe þe cerymonyes, and domes, and þe
lawe, and comaundement, which he wroot to ȝou, þat ȝe
do in alle daies; and drede ȝe not alien goddis.
xxxviii And nyle ȝe forȝete þe couenaunt, which he
ſmoot wiþ ȝou, neþer worſchipe ȝe alien goddis;
xxxix but drede ȝe ȝoure Lord God, and he ſchal delyuere
ȝou fro þe hond of alle ȝoure enemyes.
xl Forſoþe þei herden not, but diden bi her formere
cuſtom.
xli Þerfor þeſe heþene men dredden ſoþeli God; but
neþeles þei ſerueden alſo her idols, for boþe her ſones
and þe ſones of ſones doen ſo, til in to preſent dai, as her
fadris diden.
CAP. XVIII
i In þe þridde ȝeer of Oſee, ſone of Hela, kyng of Iſrael,
regnyde Ezechie, ſone of Achaz, kyng of Juda.
ii He was of fyue and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to
regne, and he regnyde in Jeruſalem nyne and twenti
ȝeer; þe name of his modir was Abiſa, douȝter of
Zacharie.
iii And he dide þat, þat was good bifor þe Lord, bi alle
þingis, which Dauid, his fadir, hadde do.
iiii And he diſtriede hiȝe places, and al to-brak ymagis,
and kittide doun wodis, and he brak þe braſun ſerpent,
whom Moyſes hadde maad; for `til to þat tyme þe ſones
of Iſrael brenten encenſe to it; and he clepide þe name
þerof Noeſtam.
v And he hopide in þe Lord God of Iſrael; þerfor aftir
hym noon was lijk hym of alle þe kyngis of Juda, but
`and neþer in þo kyngis þat weren bifor hym.
vi And he cleuyde to þe Lord, and ȝede not awei fro hiſe
ſteppis, and he dide þe comaundementis of þe Lord,
whiche þe Lord comaundide to Moiſes;
vii wherfor and þe Lord was wiþ hym, and he gouernede
wiſeli hym ſilf in alle þingis, to whiche he ȝede forþ.
Alſo he rebellide aȝens þe kyng of Aſſiriens, and þerfor
he ſeruede not to `þat kyng of Aſſeriens;
viii and he ſmoot Philiſteis `til to Gazam, and alle þe
termes of hem, fro þe tour of keperis `til to a citee maad
ſtrong.
ix In þe fourþe ȝeer of kyng Ezechie, þat was þe ſeuenþe
ȝeer of Oſee, ſone of Hela, kyng of Iſrael, Salmanazar,
kyng of Aſſiriens, ſtiede to Samarie,
x and fauȝt aȝens it, and took it. For after þre ȝeer, in þe
ſixte ȝeer of Ezechie, þat is, in þe nynþe ȝeer of Oſee,
kyng of Iſrael, Samarie was takun;
xi and þe kyng of Aſſiriens tranſlatide Iſrael in to
Aſſiriens, and ſettyde hem in Haila, and in Habor,
ryueris of Gozam, in þe citees of Medeis;
xii for þei herden not þe vois of her Lord God, but þei
braken his couenaunt; þei herden not, neþer diden alle
þingis, whiche Moiſes, þe ſeruaunt of þe Lord,
comaundide.
xiii In þe fourtenþe ȝeer of kyng Ezechie, Senacherub,
kyng of Aſſiryens, ſtiede to alle þe ſtrengþide citees of
Juda, and took þo.
xiiii Þanne Ezechie, kyng of Juda, ſente meſſangeris to
þe kyng of Aſſiriens in to Lachis, and ſeide, Y haue
ſynned; go awei fro me, and Y ſchal bere `al þing,
which þou ſchalt putte to me. Þerfor þe kyng of
Aſſeriens puttide on Ezechie, kyng of Juda, þre hundrid
talentis of ſiluer, and þretti talentis of gold.
xv And Ezechie ȝaf al þe ſiluer, þat was foundun in þe
hows of þe Lord, and in þe kyngis treſories.
xvi In þat tyme Ezechie brak þe ȝatis of þe temple of þe
Lord, and þe platis of gold, whiche he hadde faſtned,
and he ȝaf þo to þe kyng of Aſſiriens.
xvii Forſoþe þe kyng of Aſſiriens ſente Thercha and
Rabſaces fro Lachis to kyng Ezechie, wiþ ſtrong hond
to Jeruſalem; and whanne þei hadden ſtied, þei camen to
Jeruſalem, and ſtoden biſidis þe water cundijt of þe
CCCXLIV
hiȝere ciſterne, which is in þe weie of þe fullere, `eþir
toukere.
xviii And þei clepiden þe kyng; ſoþeli Eliachym, ſone of
Elchie, þe ſouereyn of þe hows, and Sobna, ſcryueyn,
and Joahe, chaunſeler, þe ſone of Aſaph, ȝeden out to
hem.
xix And Rabſaces ſeide to hem, Speke ȝe to Ezechie, Þe
grete kyng, þe kyng of Aſſiriens, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, What
is þis triſt, in which þou enforſiſt?
xx In hap þou haſt take counſel, þat þou woldiſt make
þee redi to batel. In whom triſtiſt þou, þat þou be hardi
to rebelle?
xxi Wheþir þou hopiſt in a `ſtaf of rehed and brokun,
Egipt, on which, if a man leniþ, it ſchal be brokun, and
ſchal entre in to hys hond, and ſchal peerſe it? So is
Farao, kyng of Egipt, to alle men þat triſten on hym.
xxii Þat if þou ſeiſt to me, We han triſt in `oure Lord
God; wheþer þis is not he, whos hiȝe þingis and auteris
Ezechie took awei, and comaundide to Juda and to
Jeruſalem, Ȝe ſchulen worſchipe bifor þis auter in
Jeruſalem?
xxiii Now þerfor paſſe ȝe to my lord, þe kyng of
Aſſiriens, and Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou twei þouſynde of
horſis, and ſe ȝe, wheþer ȝe moun haue rideris of `þo
horſis?
xxiiii And hou moun ȝe wiþſtonde bifor o prince of þe
leſte ſeruauntis of my lord? Wheþer þou haſt triſt in
Egipt, for charis and knyȝtis?
xxv Wheþer Y ſtiede wiþ outen `Goddis wille to þis
place, þat Y ſchulde diſtrie it? `Þe Lord ſeide to me,
`Stie þou to þis lond, and diſtrie þou it.
xxvi Forſoþe Eliachym, ſone of Elchie, and Sobna, and
Joahe, ſeiden to Rabſaces, We preien, þat þou ſpeke bi
þe langage of Sirie to vs, þi ſeruauntis; for we
vndirſtondun þis langage; and þat þou ſpeke not to vs bi
þe langage of Juwis, while þe puple heriþ, which is on
þe wal.
xxvii And Rabſaces anſweride, `and ſeide, Wheþir my
lord ſente me to þi lord and to þee, þat Y ſchulde ſpeke
þeſe wordis, and not raþer to þe men `þat ſitten on þe
wal, þat þei ete her toordis, and drynke her piſſe wiþ
ȝou?
xxviii Þerfor Rabſaces ſtood, and criede wiþ greet vois bi
langage of Jewis, and ſeide, Here ȝe þe wordis of þe
greet kyng, þe kyng of Aſſiriens.
xxix Þe kyng ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ezechie diſceyue not ȝou,
for he may not delyuere ȝou fro myn hond;
xxx neþer ȝyue he triſt to ȝou on þe Lord, and ſeie, Þe
Lord delyuerynge ſchal delyuere vs, and þis citee ſhal
not be bitakun in þe hond of þe kyng of Aſſiriens;
xxxi nyle ȝe here Ezechie. For þe kyng of Aſſiriens ſeiþ
þeſe þingis, Do ȝe wiþ me þat, þat is profitable to ȝou,
and go ȝe out to me; and eche man ſchal ete of his
vyner, and of his fige tree, and ȝe ſchulen drynke watris
of ȝoure ciſternes,
xxxii til Y come, and tranſlate ȝou in to a lond which is
lijk ȝoure lond, in to a fruytful lond, and plenteuouſe of
wyn, a lond of breed, and of vineris, a lond of olyue
trees, and of oile, and of hony; and ȝe ſchulen lyue, and
ȝe ſchulen not die. Nyle ȝe here Ezechie, þat diſſeyueþ
ȝou, and ſeiþ, Þe Lord ſchal delyuere ȝow.
xxxiii Wheþer þe goddis of heþene men delyueriden her
lond fro þe hond of þe kyng of Aſſiriens?
xxxiiii Where is god of Emath, and of Arphat? Where is
god of Sapharuaym, of Ana, and of Aua? Wheþer þei
delyueriden Samarie fro myn hond?
xxxv For who ben þei in alle goddis of londis, þat
delyueriden her cuntrey fro myn hond, þat þe Lord may
delyuere Jeruſalem fro myn hoond?
xxxvi Þerfor þe puple was ſtille, and anſweride not ony
þing to hym; for þei hadden take comaundement of þe
kyng, þat þei ſchulden not anſwere to hym.
xxxvii And Eliachym, ſone of Elchie, þe ſouereyn of þe
hows, and Sobna, ſcryuen, and Joahe, chaunceler, þe
ſone of Aſaph, camen wiþ to-rent cloþis to Ezechie; and
telden to hym þe wordis of Rabſaces.
CAP. XIX
i And whanne kyng Ezechie hadde herd þeſe þingis, he
to-rente his cloþis, and was hilid wiþ a ſak; and he
entride in to þe hous of þe Lord.
ii And he ſente Eliachym, ſouereyn of þe hous, and
Sobna, ſcryueyn, and elde men of þe preeſtis, hilid wiþ
ſackis, to Yſaie, þe prophete, ſone of Amos.
iii Whiche ſeiden, Ezechie ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þis dai is a
dai of tribulacioun, and of blamyng, and of blasfemye;
ſones camen `til to þe childberyng, and þe `traueler of
childe haþ not ſtrengþis.
iiii If perauenture þi Lord God here alle þe wordis of
Rabſaces, whom þe kyng of Aſſiryens, his lord ſente, þat
he ſchulde diſpiſe þe Lord lyuynge, and repreue bi
wordis, whiche þi Lord God herde; and make þou preier
for þeſe relikis, þat ben foundun.
v Þerfor þe ſeruauntis of kyng Ezechie camen to Iſaie;
vi and Iſaie ſeide to hem, Seie ȝe þeſe þingis to ȝoure
lord, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Nyle þou drede of þe
face of wordis whiche þou herdiſt, bi whiche þe
children of þe kyng of Aſſiriens blasfemeden me.
vii Lo! Y ſchal ſende to hym a ſpirit, and he ſchal here a
meſſanger, and he ſchal turne aȝen in to his lond; and Y
ſchal caſte hym doun bi ſwerd in his owne lond.
viii Þerfor Rabſaces turnede aȝen, and foond þe kyng of
Aſſiriens fiȝtynge aȝens Lobna; for he hadde herd, þat
þe kyng hadde go awei fro Lachis.
ix And whanne he hadde herd of Theracha, kyng of
Ethiope, `men ſeyynge, Lo! he ȝede out, þat he fiȝte
CCCXLV
aȝens þee; þat he ſchulde go aȝens `þat kyng, he ſente
meſſangeris to Ezechie,
x and ſeide, Seie ȝe þeſe þingis to Ezechie, kyng of
Juda, Þi Lord God, in whom þou haſt triſt, diſſeyue not
þee, neþer ſeie þou, Jeruſalem ſchal not be `bitakun in to
þe hondis of þe kyng of Aſſiriens;
xi for þou þi ſilf herdiſt what þingis þe kyngis of
Aſſiriens diden in alle londis, hou þei waſtiden þo;
wheþer þerfor þou aloone maiſt be delyuered?
xii Wheþer þe goddis of heþene men delyueriden alle
men whiche my fadris diſtrieden, þat is, Gozam, and
Aran, and Reſeph, and þe ſones of Eden, þat weren in
Thelaſſar?
xiii Where is þe kyng of Emath, and þe kyng of Arphat?
and þe kyng of þe cytee of Sepharuaym, of Ana, and of
Aua?
xiiii Þerfor whanne Ezechie hadde take þe lettris fro þe
hond of meſſangeris, and hadde red þo, he ſtiede in to
þe hows of þe Lord, and ſpredde abrood þo bifor þe
Lord;
xv and preiede in his ſiȝt, and ſeide, Lord God of Iſrael,
þat ſittiſt on cherubym, þou art God aloone of alle
kyngis of erþe; þou madiſt heuene and erþe.
xvi Bowe þin eere, and here; opyn þin iȝen, Lord, and ſe;
and here alle þe wordis of Senacherib, which ſente, þat
he ſchulde diſpiſe `to vs `God lyuynge.
xvii Verili, Lord, þe kynges of Aſſiriens diſtrieden
heþene men, and þe londis of alle men,
xviii and ſenten þe goddis of hem in to fier; for þei
weren not goddis, but werkis of `hondis of men, of tre
and ſtoon; and þei loſten `þo goddis.
xix Now þerfor, oure Lord God, make vs ſaaf fro þe
hond of hem, þat alle rewmes of erþe wite þat þou art
þe Lord God aloone.
xx Forſoþe Iſaie, ſone of Amos, ſente to Ezechie, and
ſeide, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y haue
herd þo þingis, whiche þou preidiſt me on Sennacherib,
king of Aſſiriens.
xxi Þis is þe word, which þe Lord ſpak of hym, Þou
virgyn douȝtir of Syon, he diſpiſide þee, and ſcornyde
þee; þou douȝter of Jeruſalem, he mouyde his heed aftir
þi bak.
xxii Sennacherib, whom `diſpiſidiſt þou, and whom
`blasfemediſt þou? Aȝens whom haſt þou reiſid þi vois,
and haſt reiſid þin iȝen an hiȝe? Aȝens þe hooli of Iſrael.
xxiii Bi þe hond of þi ſeruauntis þou diſpiſidiſt þe Lord,
and ſeidiſt, In þe multitude of my charys Y ſtiede in to
þe hiȝe þingis of hillis, in þe hiȝneſſe of Liban, and
kittide doun þe hiȝe cedris þerof, and þe choſyn beechis
þerof; and Y entride `til to þe termes þerof,
xxiiii and Y kittide doun þe foreſt of Carmele þerof; and
Y drank alien watris, and Y made drie wiþ þe ſteppis of
`þe feet of myn `alle watris cloſid.
xxv Wheþer þou herdiſt not, what Y made at þe
bigynnyng? Fro elde daies Y made it, and now Y haue
brouȝt forþ; and ſtrengþid citees of fiȝteris ſchulen be in
to fallyng of hillis.
xxvi And þei þat ſitten meke of hond in þo, trembliden
togidere, and ben ſchent; þei ben maad as þe hei of þe
feeld, and as grene eerbe of roouȝs, which is dried, bifor
þat it cam to ripeneſſe.
xxvii And Y bifor knew þi dwellyng, and þi goyng out,
and þin entryng, and þi weie, and þi woodneſſe aȝens
me.
xxviii Þou were wood aȝens me, and þi pride ſtide in to
myn eeris; þerfor Y ſchal putte a cercle in þi noſeþirlis,
and a bernacle in þi lippis, and Y ſchal lede þee aȝen in
to þe weie bi which þou cameſt.
xxix Forſoþe, Ezechie, þis ſchal be a ſigne `to þee; ete
þou in þis ȝeer þat, þat þou fyndiſt; forſoþe in þe
ſecounde ȝeer þo þingis, þat growen bi her owne wille;
ſoþeli in þe þridde ȝeer ſowe ȝe, and repe ȝe, plaunte ȝe
vyneris, and ete þe fruytis of þo.
xxx And what euer þing ſchal be reſidue of þe hows of
Juda, it ſchal ſende root dounward, and ſchal make fruyt
vpward.
xxxi For relikis ſchulen go out of Jeruſalem, and þat, þat
ſchal be ſauyd, `ſchal go out of þe hil of Syon; þe
feruent loue of þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal do þis.
xxxii Wherfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis of þe kyng of
Aſſiriens, He ſchal not entre in to þis citee, neþir he
ſchal ſende an arowe in to it, neþer ſcheeld ſhal occupie
it, neþer ſtrengþing, eþir biſegyng, ſchal cumpaſſe it.
xxxiii He ſchal turne aȝen bi þe weie `bi which he cam,
and he ſchal not entre in to þis citee, ſeiþ þe Lord;
xxxiiii and Y ſchal defende þis citee, and Y ſchal ſaue it
for me, and for Dauid, my ſeruaunt.
xxxv Þerfor it was don, in þat niȝt þe aungel of þe Lord
cam, and ſmoot in þe caſtels of Aſſiryens an hundrid
foure ſcore and fyue þouſynde. And whanne
Sennacherib hadde riſe eerli, he ſiȝ alle bodies of deed
men; and he departide, and ȝede awei.
xxxvi And Sennacherib, þe kyng of Aſſiriens, turnede
aȝen, and dwellide in Nynyue.
xxxvii And whanne he worſchipide in þe temple Neſtrach
his god, Adramelech and Siraſar, his ſones, killide hym
wiþ ſwerd; and þei fledden in to þe lond of Armenyes;
and Aſaradon, his ſone, regnyde for hym.
CAP. XX
i In þo daies Ezechie was ſijk `til to þe deeþ; and Iſaie,
þe prophete, ſone of Amos, cam to hym, and ſeide to
hym, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Comaunde to þin
hows, for þou ſchalt die, and þou ſchalt not lyue.
ii Which Ezechie turnyde his face to þe wal, and
worſchipide þe Lord,
CCCXLVI
iii and ſeide, Y biſeche, Lord, haue mynde, hou Y ȝede
bifor þee in treuþe, and in a parfit herte, and Y dide þat,
þat was pleſaunt bifor þee. Þerfor Ezechie wepte bi
greet wepyng.
iiii And bifor þat Yſaie ȝede out half þe part of þe court,
þe word of þe Lord was maad to Iſaie, and ſeide,
v Turne þou aȝen, and ſeie to Ezechie, duyk of my
puple, Þe Lord God of Dauid, þi fadir, ſeiþ þes þingis, Y
herde þi preiere, and Y ſiȝ þi teer, and, lo! Y heelide
þee. In þe þridde dai þou ſchalt ſtie in to þe temple of þe
Lord,
vi and Y ſchal adde fiftene ȝeer to þi daies; but alſo Y
ſchal delyuere þee and þis citee fro þe hond of þe kyng
of Aſſiriens, and Y ſchal defende þis citee for me, and
for Dauid, my ſeruaunt.
vii And Yſaie ſeide, Brynge ȝe to me a gobet of figis.
And whanne þei hadden brouȝte it, and hadde putte on
`his botche, he was heelid.
viii Forſoþe Ezechie ſeide to Iſaie, What ſchal be þe
ſigne, þat þe Lord ſchal heele me, and þat in þe þridde
dai Y ſchal ſtie in to þe temple of þe Lord?
ix To whom Yſaie ſeide, Þis ſchal be `a ſigne of þe Lord,
þat þe Lord ſchal do þe word which he ſpak; wolt þou,
þat þe ſchadewe ſtie by ten lynes, eþir turne aȝen bi ſo
many degrees?
x And Ezechie ſeide, It is eſy þat þe ſchadewe encreeſſe
bi ten lynes, neþir Y wole þat þis be doon, but þat it
turne aȝen bacward bi ten degrees.
xi Þerfor Yſaie, þe prophete, clepide inwardli þe Lord,
and brouȝte aȝen bacward bi ten degrees þe ſchadewe bi
lynes, bi whiche it hadde go doun þanne in þe orologie
of Achaz.
xii In þat tyme Beradacbaladan, ſone of Baladam, þe
kyng of Babiloyne, ſente lettris and ȝiftis to Ezechie; for
he hadde herd þat Ezechie was ſijk, and hadde couerid.
xiii Forſoþe Ezechie was glad in þe comyng of hem, and
he ſchewide to hem þe hows of ſpyceries, and gold, and
ſiluer, and dyuerſe pymentis, alſo oynementis, and þe
hows of hiſe veſſels, and alle þingis whiche he myȝte
haue in hiſe treſouris; `no word was, `which Ezechie
ſchewide not to hem in his hows, and in al his power.
xiiii Soþeli Yſaie, þe prophete, cam to þe kyng Ezechie,
and ſeide to hym, What ſeiden þeſe men, eþer fro
whennus camen þei to þe? To whom Ezechie ſeide, Þei
camen to me fro a fer lond, fro Babiloyne.
xv And he anſweride, What `ſien þei in þin hows?
Ezechie ſeide, Þei ſien alle þingis, what euer þingis ben
in myn hows; no þing is in my treſouris, which Y
ſchewide not to hem.
xvi Þerfor Iſaie ſeide to Ezechie, Here þou þe word of þe
Lord.
xvii Lo! dayes comen, and alle þingis þat ben in þin
hows, and `whiche þingis þi fadris maden til in to þis
dai, ſchulen be takun awey into Babiloyne; `not ony
þing ſchal dwelle, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xviii But alſo of þi ſones, þat ſchulen go out of þee,
whiche þou ſchalt gendere, ſchulen be takun, and þei
ſchulen be geldyngis in þe paleis of þe king of
Babiloyne.
xix Ezechie ſeide to Iſaie, Þe word of þe Lord, `which he
ſpak, is good; ooneli pees and treuþe be in my daies.
xx Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Ezechie, and al his
ſtrengþe, and hou he made a ciſterne, and a watir
cundijt, and brouȝte watris, `in to þe citee, wheþer þeſe
ben not writun in þe book of wordis of daies of þe
kyngis of Juda?
xxi And Ezechie ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and Manaſſes, his
ſone, regnyde for hym.
CAP. XXI
i Manaſſes was of twelue ȝeer, whanne he bigan to
regne, and he regnyde fyue and fifti ȝeer in Jeruſalem;
þe name of his modir was Aſiba.
ii And he dide yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, bi þe idols of
heþene men, whiche heþene men þe Lord dide awei fro
þe face of þe ſones of Iſrael.
iii And he was turned, and bildide hiȝe þingis, whiche
Ezechie, his fadir, diſtriede; and he reiſide auteris of
Baal, and he made woodis, as Achab kyng of Iſrael
hadde do; and he worſchipide `wiþ out forþ al þe
knyȝthod of heuene, and worſchipide it in herte.
iiii And he bildide auteris in þe hows of þe Lord, of
which þe Lord ſeide, Y ſchal ſette my name in
Jeruſalem.
v And he bildide auteris to al þe knyȝthod of heuene in
þe twei large places of þe temple of þe Lord;
vi and he `ledde ouer his ſone þorouȝ þe fier; and he
vſide falſe dyuynyngis in auteris, on whiche ſacrifice
was maad to feendis, and he kepte falſe dyuynyngis bi
chiteryng of bryddis; and he made men to haue yuele
ſpiritis ſpekynge in þe wombe, and he multipliede falſe
dyuynours in entraylis of beeſtis ſacrified to feendis, þat
he ſchulde do yuel bifor þe Lord, and terre hym to ire.
vii And he ſettide an ydol of wode, which he hadde
maad, in þe temple of þe Lord, `of which temple þe
Lord ſpak to Dauid, and to Salomon, his ſone, Y ſchal
ſette my name wiþouten ende in þis temple, and in
Jeruſalem which Y chees of alle þe lynagis of Iſrael.
viii And Y ſchal nomore make þe foot of Iſrael to be
moued fro þe lond which Y ȝaf to þe fadris of hem; ſo
neþeles if þei kepen in werk alle þingis whiche Y
comaundide to hem, and al þe lawe whiche Moiſes, my
ſeruaunt, comaundide to hem.
ix Soþeli þei herden not, but weren diſſeyued of
Manaſſes, þat þei diden yuel ouer heþene men, whiche
þe Lord al to-brak fro þe face of þe ſones of Iſrael.
CCCXLVII
x And þe Lord ſpak in þe hond of his ſeruauntis
prophetis, and ſeide,
xi For Manaſſes, kyng of Juda, dide þeſe worſte
abhomynaciouns ouer alle þingis which Ammorreis
diden bifor hym, and maden alſo þe puple of Juda to do
ſynne in hiſe vnclenneſſis;
xii þerfor þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y
ſchal brynge in yuelis on Jeruſalem and Juda, þat who
euer heriþ, boþe hiſe eeris tyngle;
xiii and Y ſchal holde forþ on Jeruſalem þe corde of
Samarie, and þe birþun of þe hows of Achab, and Y
ſchal do awei Jeruſalem, as tablis ben wont to be doon
awei; and Y ſchal do awey and turne it, and Y ſchal lede
ful ofte þe poyntel on þe face þerof.
xiiii Forſoþe Y ſchal leeue relikis of myn eritage, and Y
ſchal bitake hem in to þe hond of enemyes þerof; and
þei ſchulen be in diſtriynge, and in raueyn to alle her
aduerſaries;
xv for þei diden yuel bifor me, and þei continueden
terrynge me to ire, fro þe dai in which her fadris ȝeden
out of þe lond of Egipt `til to þis day.
xvi Ferþermore alſo Manaſſes ſchedde ful myche
ynnocent blood, til he fillide Jeruſalem `til to þe mouþ,
wiþ outen hiſe ſynnes bi whiche he made Juda to do
ſynne, to do yuel bifor þe Lord.
xvii Forſoþe þe reſidue of þe wordis of Manaſſes, and
alle þingis whiche he dide, and his ſynne whiche he
ſynnede, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe book of
wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Juda?
xviii And Manaſſes ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biried
in þe gardyn of his hows, in þe gardyn of Azam; and
Amon, his ſone, regnyde for hym.
xix He was of two and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to
regne; and he regnede twei ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe name
of his modir was Meſalamech, þe douȝter of Arus of
Gethela.
xx And he dide yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, as Manaſſes,
his fader, hadde do.
xxi And he ȝede in al þe weie, bi which his fader hadde
go, and he ſeruide to vnclenneſſis, to whiche his fadir
hadde ſeruyd, and he worſchipide þo; and he forſook þe
Lord God of hiſe fadris,
xxii and he ȝede not in þe weye of þe Lord.
xxiii And hiſe ſeruauntis ſettiden treſouns to hym, and
killiden þe kyng in hiſe hows.
xxiiii Soþely þe puple of þe Lord ſmoot alle men, þat
hadden conſpirid aȝens kyng Amon, and þei ordeyneden
to hem a kyng, Joſias, `his ſone, for hym.
xxv Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Amon, whiche he
dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe book of wordis
of daies of þe kyngis of Juda?
xxvi And he ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and þei birieden hym
in his ſepulcre in þe gardyn of Azam; and Joſias, his
ſone, regnede for him.
CAP. XXII
i Joſias was of eiȝte ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne, and
he regnyde oon and þritti ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe name of
his modir was Ydida, þe douȝtir of Phadaia of
Beſechath.
ii And he dide þat, þat was pleſaunt bifor þe Lord, and
he ȝede be alle þe wayes of Dauid, his fadir; he bowide
not, neþir to þe riȝtſide, neþir of þe leftſide.
iii Forſoþe in þe eiȝtenþe ȝeer of kyng Joſias, þe kyng
ſente Saphan, ſone of Aſua, þe ſone of Meſulam,
ſcryueyn, eþir doctour, of þe temple of þe Lord,
iiii and ſeide to him, Go þou to Elchie, þe grete preeſt,
þat þe money, which is borun in to þe temple of þe
Lord, be ſpendid, which money þe porteris of þe temple
han gaderid of þe puple;
v and þat it be ȝouun to crafti men bi þe ſouereyns of þe
hows of þe Lord; which alſo departide þat money to
hem þat worchen in þe temple of þe Lord, to reparele þe
rooues of þe temple of þe Lord,
vi þat is, to carpenteris, and to maſouns, and to hem þat
maken brokun þingis, and þat trees and ſtoonus of
quarieris be bouȝt, to reparele þe temple of þe Lord;
vii neþeles ſiluer, which þei taken, be not rekynyd to
hem, but haue þei in power, and in feiþ.
viii Forſoþe Helchie, þe biſchop, ſeide to Saphan, þe
ſcryuen, Y haue founde þe book of þe lawe in þe hows
of þe Lord. And Elchie ȝaf þe book to Saphan, þe
ſcryuen, which alſo redde it.
ix Alſo Saphan, þe ſcryuen, cam to þe kyng, and telde to
hym þo þingis, whiche Elchie hadde comaundid, and he
ſeide, Þi ſeruauntis han ſpendid þe monei, which was
foundun in þe hows of þe Lord, and ȝauen, þat it
ſchulde be departid to crafti men of þe ſouereyns of
werkis of þe temple of þe Lord.
x Alſo Saphan, þe ſcriueyn, telde to þe kyng, and ſeide,
Helchie, þe preeſt of God, ȝaf to me a book; and
whanne Saphan hadde red þat book bifor þe kyng,
xi and þe kyng hadde herd þe wordis of þe book of þe
lawe of þe Lord, he to-rente hiſe cloþis.
xii And he comaundide to Elchie, þe preeſt, and to
Aicham, ſone of Saphan, and to Achabor, ſone of
Mycha, and to Saphan, þe ſcryuen, and to Achia,
ſeruaunt of þe kyng,
xiii and ſeide, Go ȝe, and `counſele ȝe þe Lord on me,
and on þe puple, and on al Juda, of þe wordis of þis
book, which is foundun; for greet ire of þe Lord is
kyndlid aȝens vs, for oure fadris herden not þe wordis
of þis book, to do al þing which is writun to vs.
xiiii Þerfor Helchie, þe preeſt, and Aicham, and Achabor,
and Saphan, and Aſia, ȝeden to Olda, þe propheteſſe, þe
CCCXLVIII
wijf of Sellum, ſone of Thecue, ſone of Aras, kepere of
þe cloþis, which Olda dwellide in Jeruſalem, in þe
ſecounde dwellyng; and þei ſpaken to hir.
xv And ſche anſweride to hem, Þe Lord God of Iſrael
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Seie ȝe to þe man,
xvi þat ſente ȝou to me, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal brynge yuelis on þis place, and on
þe dwelleris þerof, alle þe wordis `of þe lawe, whiche
þe kyng of Juda redde;
xvii for þei forſoken me, and maden ſacrifice to alien
goddis, and terriden me to ire in alle þe werkis of her
hondis; and myn indignacioun ſchal be kyndlid in þis
place, and ſchal not be quenchid.
xviii Soþeli to þe kyng of Juda, þat ſente ȝou, þat ȝe
ſchulen `counſele þe Lord, ȝe ſchulen ſeie þus, Þe Lord
God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þou herdiſt þe wordis
of þe book,
xix and þin herte was aferd, and þou were maad meke
bifor þe Lord, whanne þe wordis weren herd aȝens þis
place and aȝens þe dwelleris þerof, þat is, þat þei
ſchulden be maad in to wondryng, and in to curſyng,
and þou to-rentiſt þi cloþis, and weptiſt bifor me, and Y
herde, ſeiþ þe Lord;
xx herfor Y ſchal gadere þee to þi fadris, and þou ſchalt
be gaderid to þi ſepulcre in pees; þat þin iȝen ſe not alle
þe yuelis, whiche Y ſchal brynge yn on þis place.
CAP. XXIII
i And þei telden to þe kyng þat, þat ſche ſeide; `which
kyng ſente, and alle þe elde men of Juda, and of
Jeruſalem, weren gaderid to hym.
ii And þe kyng ſtiede in to þe temple of þe Lord, and
alle þe men of Juda, and alle men þat dwelliden in
Jeruſalem wiþ hym, þe preeſtis, and þe prophetis, and al
þe puple, fro litil `til to greet; and he redde, while alle
men herden, alle þe wordis of þe book of boond of pees
of þe Lord, which book was foundun in þe hows of þe
Lord.
iii And þe kyng ſtood on þe grees; and he ſmoot boond
of pees bifor þe Lord, þat þei ſchulden go aftir þe Lord,
and kepe hiſe comaundementis and witneſſyngis and
cerymonyes in al þe herte and in al þe ſoule, þat þei
ſchulden reiſe þe wordis of þis boond of pees, þat weren
writun in þat book; and þe puple aſſentide to þe
couenaunt.
iiii And þe kyng comaundide to Helchie, þe biſchop, and
to þe preeſtis of þe ſecounde ordre, and to þe porteris,
þat þei ſchulden caſte out of þe temple alle þe veſſelis,
þat weren maad to Baal, and in þe wode, and to al þe
knyȝthod of heuene; and he brente þo veſſels wiþ out
Jeruſalem, in þe euene valey of Cedron, and he bar þe
poudir of þo `veſſels in to Bethel.
v And he dide awei falſe dyuynours `þat dyuynyden in
þe entrailis of beeſtis ſacrified to idols, whiche þe kingis
of Juda hadden ſett to make ſacrifice in hiȝ þingis bi þe
citees of Juda, and in þe cumpas of Jeruſalem; and he
dide awey hem þat brenten encenſe to Baal, and to þe
ſunne, and to þe moone, and to twelue ſignes, and to al
þe knyȝthod of heuene.
vi And he made þe wode to be borun out of þe hows of
þe Lord wiþout Jeruſalem in þe euene valey of Cedron,
and he brente it þere; and he droof it in to poudir, and
caſtide it forþ on þe ſepulcris of þe comyn puple.
vii Alſo he diſtriede þe litle houſis of `men turnyd into
wommens condiciouns, whiche houſis weren in þe
hows of þe Lord; for whiche þe wymmen `maden as
litil howſis of þe wode.
viii And he gaderide alle þe preeſtis fro þe citees of
Juda, and he defoulide þe hiȝe þingis, where þe preeſtis
maden ſacrifice, fro Gabaa `til to Berſabee; and he
diſtriede þe auters of ȝatis in þe entryng of þe dore of
Joſie, prince of a citee, which dore was at þe lift half of
þe ȝate of þe cytee.
ix Neþeles þe preeſtis of hiȝe þingis ſtieden not to þe
auter of þe Lord in Jeruſalem, but oneli þei eten þerf
looues in þe myddis of her briþeren.
x Alſo he defoulide Tophet, which is in þe euene valey
of þe ſone of Ennon, þat no man ſchulde halewe his
ſone eþer his douȝtir bi fier to Moloch.
xi Alſo he dide awei horſis, whiche þe kyngis of Juda
hadden ȝoue to þe ſunne, in þe entryng of þe temple of
þe Lord, biſidis þe chaumbir of Nathanmalech, geldyng,
þat was in Pharurym; forſoþe he brente bi fier þe charis
of þe ſunne.
xii Alſo þe kyng diſtriede þe auteris, þat weren on þe
roouȝs of þe ſoler of Achaz, whiche auteris þe kyngis of
Juda hadden maad; and þe kyng diſtriede þe auteris,
whiche Manaſſes hadde maad in þe twei grete placis of
þe temple of þe Lord; and he ran fro þennus, and
ſcateride þe aſkis of þo in to þe ſtrond of Cedron.
xiii Alſo þe kyng defoulide þe hiȝe þingis, þat weren in
Jeruſalem at þe riȝt part of þe hil of offencioun, whiche
Salomon, kyng of Iſrael, hadde bildid to Aſtroth, þe
ydol of Sidoneis, and to Chamos, þe offencioun of
Moab, and to Melchon, abhominacioun of þe ſones of
Amon;
xiiii and he al to-brak ymagis, and kittide doun wodis,
and fillide þe places of þo wiþ þe boonys of deed men.
xv Ferþermore alſo he diſtriede þe auter þat was in
Bethel, and `he diſtriede þe hiȝe þing, which Jeroboam,
ſone of Nabath, hadde maad, þat made Iſrael to do
ſynne; and he diſtriede þat hiȝ autir, and brente it, and al
to brak it in to poudir, and kittide doun alſo þe wode.
xvi And Joſias turnyde, and ſiȝ þere ſepulcris þat weren
in þe hil; and he ſente, and took þe boonys fro þe
ſepulcris, and brente þo on þe auter, and defoulide it bi
þe word of þe Lord, which word þe man of God ſpak,
þat biforſeide þeſe wordis.
CCCXLIX
xvii And þe kyng ſeide, What is þis biriel, which Y ſe?
And þe citeſeyns of þat citee anſweriden to hym, It is þe
ſepulcre of þe man of God, þat cam fro Juda, and
biforſeide þeſe wordis, whiche þou haſt doon on þe
auter of Bethel.
xviii And þe kyng ſeide, Suffre ȝe hym; no man moue
hiſe boonys. And hiſe boonys dwelliden vntouchid wiþ
þe boones of þe prophete, þat cam fro Samarie.
xix Ferþermore alſo Joſias dide awei alle þe templis of
hiȝe þingis, þat weren in þe citees of Samarie, whiche
þe kyngis of Iſrael hadden maad to terre þe Lord to ire;
and he dide to þo templis bi alle þingis whiche he hadde
do in Bethel.
xx And he killide alle þe preeſtis of hiȝe þingis, þat
weren þere on þe auteris, and he brente mennus boonus
on þo auteris; and he turnede aȝen to Jeruſalem;
xxi and comaundide to al þe puple, and ſeide, Make ȝe
paſk to `ȝoure Lord God, vp þat, þat is writun in þe
book of þis boond of pees.
xxii Forſoþe ſich paſk was not maad, fro þe daies of iugis
þat demyden Iſrael, and of alle daies of þe kyngis of
Iſrael and of Juda,
xxiii as þis paſk was maad to þe Lord in Jeruſalem in þe
eiȝtenþe ȝeer of kyng Joſias.
xxiiii But alſo Joſias dide awei men hauynge fendis
ſpekinge in her wombis, and falſe diuinouris in auteris,
and `he dide awei þe figuris of idols, and alle
vnclenneſſis, and abhomynaciouns, þat weren in þe lond
of Juda and in Jeruſalem, þat he ſchulde do þe wordis of
þe lawe, þat weren writun in þe book, `which book
Elchie, þe preeſt, foond in þe temple of þe Lord.
xxv No kyng bifor him was lijk hym, `þat turnede aȝen
to þe Lord in al his herte, and in al his ſoule, and in al
his vertu, bi al þe lawe of Moiſes; neþer aftir hym roos
ony lijk hym.
xxvi Neþeles þe Lord was not turned awei fro þe ire of
his greet veniaunce, bi which his ſtrong veniaunce was
wrooþ aȝens Juda, for þe terryngis to ire by whiche
Manaſſes hadde terrid hym to ire.
xxvii Þerfor þe Lord ſeide, Y ſchal do awei alſo Juda fro
my face, as Y dide awei Iſrael; and Y ſchal caſte awei
þis citee, which Y chees, Jeruſalem, and þe hows `of
which Y ſeide, My name ſchal be þere.
xxviii Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Joſias, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Juda?
xxix In þe daies of hym Farao Nechao, kyng of Egipt,
ſtiede aȝens þe kyng of Aſſiriens, to þe flood Eufrates;
and Joſias, kyng of Juda, ȝede in to metyng of hym, and
Joſias was ſlayn in Magedo, whanne he hadde ſeyn
hym.
xxx And `hiſe ſeruauntis baren hym deed fro Magedo,
and brouȝte him in to Jeruſalem, and birieden hym in
his ſepulcre; and þe puple of þe lond took Joachaz, ſone
of Joſias, and anoyntiden hym, and maden hym kyng
for his fadir.
xxxi Joachaz was of þre and twenti ȝeer, whanne he
bigan to regne, and he regnede þre moneþis in
Jeruſalem; þe name of his modir was Amychal, douȝter
of Jeremye of Lobna.
xxxii And he dide yuel bifor þe Lord, bi alle þingis
which hiſe fadris hadden do.
xxxiii And Farao Nechao boond hym in Reblatha, which
is in þe lond of Emath, þat he ſchulde not regne in
Jeruſalem; and he ſettide `peyne, eþer raunſum, to þe
lond, in an hundrid talentis of ſiluer, and in a talent of
gold.
xxxiiii And Farao Nechao made kyng Eliachim, ſone of
Joſias, for Joſias, his fadir; and he turnede þe name of
hym Joachym; forſoþe Farao took Joachaz, and ledde
hym in to Egipt.
xxxv Soþeli Joachym ȝaf ſiluer and gold to Farao,
whanne he hadde comaundid to þe lond bi alle ȝeeris,
þat it ſchulde be brouȝt, bi þe comaundement of Farao;
and he reiſide of ech man bi hiſe myȝtis boþe ſiluer and
gold, of þe puple of þe lond, þat he ſchulde ȝyue to
Pharao Nechao.
xxxvi Joachym was of fyue and twenti ȝeer, whanne he
bigan to regne, and he regnede eleuene ȝeer in
Jeruſalem; þe name of his modir was Zebida, douȝter of
Phadaia of Ruma.
xxxvii And he dide yuel bifor þe Lord, bi alle þingis
which hiſe fadris hadden do.
CAP. XXIIII
i In þe daies of hym Nabugodonoſor, kyng of
Babiloyne, ſtiede, and Joachym was maad ſeruaunt to
hym by þre ȝeeris; and eft Joachym rebellide aȝens
hym.
ii And þe Lord ſente to hym þeuys of Caldeis, and þeuys
of Sirie, and þeuys of Moab, and þeuys of þe ſones of
Amon; and he ſente hem `in to Juda, þat he ſchulde
deſtrie it, bi þe word of þe Lord, which he ſpak bi hiſe
ſeruauntis prophetis.
iii Forſoþe þis was doon bi þe word of þe Lord aȝens
Juda, þat he ſchulde do awei it bifor him ſilf, for þe
ſynnes of Manaſſes, and alle þingis whiche he dide,
iiii and for þe giltles blood which he ſched out; and he
fillide Jeruſalem wiþ þe blood of innocentis; and for þis
þing þe Lord nolde do mercy.
v Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Joachim, and alle
þingis whiche he dide, wheþer þeſe ben not writun in þe
book of wordis of daies of þe kyngis of Juda?
vi And Joachym ſlept wiþ hiſe fadris, and Joakyn, his
ſone, regnyde for him.
vii And þe kyng of Egipt addide no more to go out of
hys lond; for þe kyng of Babiloyne hadde take alle
CCCL
þingis þat weren þe kyngis of Egipt, fro þe ſtrond of
Egipt `til to þe flood Eufrates.
viii Joakyn was of eiȝtene ȝeer, whanne he bigan to
regne, and he regnyde þre moneþis in Jeruſalem; þe
name of his modir was Naheſta, douȝtir of Helnathan of
Jeruſalem.
ix And he dide yuel bifor þe Lord, bi alle þingis whiche
hiſe fadir hadde do.
x In þat tyme þe ſeruauntis of Nabugodonoſor, kyng of
Babiloyne, ſtieden `in to Jeruſalem, and þe citee was
cumpaſſid wiþ biſegyngis.
xi And Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, cam to þe
citee wiþ hiſe ſeruauntis, þat he ſchulde fiȝte aȝens it.
xii And Joakyn, kyng of Juda, ȝede out to þe king of
Babiloyne, he, and his modir, and hiſe ſeruauntis, and
hiſe princis, and hiſe chaumburleyns; and þe king of
Babiloyne reſſeyuede him, in þe eiȝþe ȝeer of `his
rewme.
xiii And he brouȝte forþ fro þens alle þe treſours of þe
`hous of þe Lord, and þe treſours of þe kingis hous; and
he beet togider alle þe goldun veſſels, whiche Salomon,
king of Iſrael, hadde maad in þe temple of þe Lord, bi
þe `word of þe Lord.
xiiii And he tranſlatide al Jeruſalem, and alle þe princis,
and alle þe ſtrong men of þe ooſt, ten þouſynde, in to
caitiftee, and ech crafti man, and goldſmyȝt; and no
þing was left, outakun þe pore puplis of þe lond.
xv Alſo he tranſlatide Joakyn in to Babiloyne, and þe
moder of þe king, `þe wyues of þe king, and þe
chaumburleyns of þe king; and he ledde þe iugis of þe
lond in to caitifte fro Jeruſalem in to Babiloyne;
xvi and alle ſtronge men, ſeuene þouſynde; and crafti
men and goldſmyȝþis, a þouſynde; alle ſtronge men and
werriouris; and þe king of Babiloyne ledde hem
priſoners in to Babiloyne.
xvii And he ordeynede Mathanye, þe broþer of his fadir,
for hym; and puttide to hym þe name Sedechie.
xviii Sedechie hadde þe oon and twentiþe ȝeer of age,
whanne he bigan to regne, and he regnyde eleuene ȝeer
in Jeruſalem; þe name of his modir was Amychal,
douȝter of Jeremye of Lobna.
xix And he dide yuel bifor þe Lord, bi alle þingis which
Joachym hadde do.
xx For þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens Jeruſalem, and aȝens
Juda, til he caſte hem awey fro his face; and Sedechie
ȝede awei fro þe king of Babiloyne.
CAP. XXV
i Forſoþe it was don in þe nynþe ȝeer of his rewme, in
þe tenþe moneþ, in þe tenþe dai of þe moneþ,
Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, cam, he, and al his
ooſt, in to Jeruſalem; and þei cumpaſſiden it, and
bildiden `ſtronge þingis in þe cumpaſs þerof.
ii And þe citee was cloſid, and cumpaſſid, `til to þe
eleuenþe ȝeer of king Sedechie,
iii in þe nynþe day of þe moneþe; and hungur `hadde
maiſtrie in þe citee, and `breed was not to þe puple of
þe lond.
iiii And þe citee was brokun, and alle men werriours
fledden in þe niȝt bi þe weie of þe ȝate, which is bitwixe
þe double wal, to þe gardyn of þe kyng; ſoþeli Caldeis
biſegiden þe citee `bi cumpas. Þerfor Sedechie fledde bi
þe weie þat lediþ to þe feeldi placis of þe wildirneſſe;
v and þe ooſt of Caldeis purſuede þe king, and it took
him in þe pleyn of Jerico; and alle þe werriours, þat
weren wiþ him, weren ſcaterid, and leften him.
vi Þerfor þei ledden þe king takun to þe king of
Babiloyne, in to Reblatha, which ſpak dom wiþ him,
`þat is, wiþ Sedechie.
vii Soþeli he killide þe ſones of Sedechie bifor him, and
puttide out his iȝen, and boond him wiþ chaynes, and
ledde him in to Babiloyne.
viii In þe fifþe moneþe, in þe ſeuenþe dai of þe moneþe,
þilke is þe nyntenþe ȝeer of þe king of Babiloyne,
Nabuzardan, prince of þe ooſt, ſeruaunt of þe king of
Babiloyne, cam in to Jeruſalem;
ix and he brente þe hows of þe Lord, and þe hows of þe
king, and þe houſis of Jeruſalem, and he brente bi fier
ech hows;
x and al þe ooſt of Caldeis, þat was wiþ þe prince of
knyȝtis, diſtriede þe wallis of Jeruſalem `in cumpas.
xi Forſoþe Nabuzardan, prince of þe chyyualrie,
tranſlatide þe toþer part of þe puple, þat dwellide in þe
citee, and þe fleeris, þat hadden fled ouer to þe king of
Babiloyne, and þe reſidue comyn puple;
xii and he lefte of þe pore men of þe lond vyntilieris,
and erþe tilieris.
xiii Soþeli Caldeis braken þe braſun pilers, þat weren in
þe temple, and þe foundementis, and þe ſee of bras, þat
was in þe hous of þe Lord; and þei tranſlatiden al þe
metal in to Babiloyne.
xiiii And þei token þe pottis of bras, and trullis, and
fleiſch hokis, and cuppis, and morteris, and alle braſun
veſſels, in whiche þei mynyſtriden;
xv alſo and cenſeris, and violis. Þe prince of þe chyualrie
took þo þat weren of gold, and þo þat weren of ſiluer,
xvi þat is, twei pileris, o ſee, and þe foundementis,
whiche king Salomon hadde maad `in to þe temple of
þe Lord; and no weiȝte was of metal of alle þe veſſels.
xvii O piler hadde eiȝten cubitis of hiȝte, and a braſun
pomel on it of þe heiȝte of þre cubitis, and a werk lijk a
net, and pomgarnadis on þe pomel of þe piler, alle
þingis of bras; and þe ſecounde piler hadde lijk
ournyng.
xviii Alſo þe prince of þe chyualrie took Saraie, þe firſte
preeſt, and Sophony, þe ſecunde preſt,
CCCLI
xix and þre porteris, and oon oneſt ſeruaunt of þe citee,
þat was a ſouereyn ouer men werriours, and fyue men
`of hem þat ſtoden bifor þe king, whiche he foond in þe
citee; and he took Sopher, þe prince of þe ooſt, þat
preuide ȝonge knyȝtis, `eþer men able to batel, of þe
puple of þe lond, and ſixe men of þe comyns, þat weren
foundyn in þe citee;
xx whiche Nabuzardan, prince of þe chyualrie, took, and
ledde to þe king of Babiloyne, in to Reblatha.
xxi And þe kyng of Babiloyne ſmoot hem, and killide
hem in Reblatha, in þe lond of Emath; and Juda was
tranſlatid fro his lond.
xxii Soþeli he made ſouereyn Godolie, ſone of Aicham,
ſone of Saphan, to þe puple þat was left in þe lond of
Juda; which puple Nabugodonoſor, king of Babiloyne,
hadde left.
xxiii And whanne alle þe duykis of knyȝtis hadde herd
þeſe þingis, þei, and þe men þat weren wiþ hem, þat is,
þat þe king of Babiloyne hadde ordeyned Godolie, þei
camen `to Godolie, in Maſpha, Iſmael, ſone of
Nathanye, and Johannan, ſone of Charee, and Saraie,
ſone of Thenameth of Nechophat, and Jeconye, ſone of
Machati, þei, and Machat, and þe felowis of hem.
xxiiii And Godolie ſwoor to hem, and to þe felowis of
hem, and ſeide, Nyle ȝe drede to ſerue þe Caldeis;
dwelle ȝe in þe lond, and ſerue ȝe þe king of Babiloyne,
and it ſchal be wel to ȝou.
xxv Forſoþe it was don in þe ſeuenþe moneþe, `þat is,
ſiþen Godolie was maad ſouereyn, Hiſmael, þe ſone of
Nathanye, ſone of Elyſama, of þe `kyngis ſeed, cam,
and ten men wiþ hym, and þei ſmytiden Godolie, which
diede; but alſo þei ſmytiden Jewis and Caldeis, þat
weren wiþ hym in Maſpha.
xxvi And al þe puple roos fro litil `til to greet, and þe
prynces of knyȝtis, and camen in to Egipt, and dredden
Caldeis.
xxvii Þerfor it was doon in þe ſeuenþe and þrettiþe ȝeer
of tranſmigracioun, `eþer paſſyng ouer, of Joakyn, kyng
of Juda, in þe twelueþe moneþe, in þe ſeuene and
twentiþe dai of þe moneþe, Euylmeradach, kyng of
Babiloyne, in þe ȝeer in which he bigan to regne, reiſide
þe heed of Joakyn, kyng of Juda,
xxviii fro priſoun, and ſpak to hym benygneli; and he
ſettide þe trone of Joakyn aboue þe trone of kyngis, þat
weren wiþ hym in Babilonye.
xxix And he chaungide `hiſe cloþis, whiche he hadde in
priſoun; and he eet breed euer in þe ſiȝt of
Euylmeradach, in alle þe daies of his lijf.
xxx Alſo Euylmeradach ordeynede ſuſtenaunce `to hym
wiþ out ceeſſyng; which ſuſtenaunce alſo was ȝouun of
þe kyng to hym bi alle daies, and in alle þe daies of his
lijf.
Here endiþ þe fourþe book of Kingis; and here
bigynneþ þe firſte book of Paralipomenon, þat is, of
wordis of daies.

CCCLII

I PARALIPOMENON
Here bigynneþ þe firſte book of Parolipominon, þat
is, of words of daies.
CAP. I
i Adam gendride Seth; Enos,
ii Chaynan, Malaleel, Jared,
iii Enoch, Matuſſale, Lameth;
iiii Noe gendride Sem, Cham, and Japhet.
v Þe ſones of Japhat weren Gomer, Magog, Magdai, and
Jauan, Tubal, Moſoch, and Tiras.
vi Forſoþe þe ſones of Gomer weren Aſceneth, and
Riphat, and Thogorma.
vii Soþeli þe ſones of Jauan weren Heliſa, and Tharſis,
Cethym, and Dodanym.
viii Þe ſones of Cham weren Chus, and MEffraym,
Thuth, and Chanaan.
ix Soþeli þe ſones of Chus weren Saba, and Euila,
Sabatha, and Regma, and Sabathaca. Forſoþe þe ſones
of Regma weren Saba, and Dadan.
x Soþeli Chus gendride Nemroth; þis Nemroth bigan to
be myȝti in erþe.
xi Forſoþe MEffraym gendride Ludym, and Ananyn,
and Labaym,
xii and Neptoym, and Phetruſym, and Caſluym, of
whiche þe Philiſteis and Capthureis ȝeden out.
xiii Soþeli Chanaan gendride Sidon his firſt gendrid
ſone,
xiiii and Ethei, and Jebuſei, and Ammorrei, and Gergeſei,
xv and Euei, and Arachei, and Synei,
xvi and Aradye, and Samathei, and Emathei.
xvii Þe ſones of Sem weren Elam, and Aſſur, and
Arphaxat, and Luth, and Aram. Forſoþe þe ſones of
Aram weren Hus, and Hul, and Gothor, and Moſoch.
xviii Forſoþe Arphaxat gendride Sale; which hym ſilf
gendride Heber.
xix Soþeli to Heber weren borun twei ſones; name of
oon was Phaleg, for þe lond was departid in hiſe daies;
and þe name of his broþer was Jectan.
xx Forſoþe Jectan gendride Elmodad, and Salech, and
Aſelmod,
xxi and Jare, and Adoram, and Vzal,
xxii and Deda, Hebal, and Ameth, and Abymael,
xxiii and Saba, alſo and Ophir, and Euila, and Jobab; alle
þeſe weren þe ſones of Jectan.
xxiiii Sem, Arphaxat, Sale,
xxv Heber, Phalech, Ragau,
xxvi Seruth, Nachor, Thare, Abram;
xxvii forſoþe þis is Abraham.
xxviii Þe ſones of Abraham weren Iſaac and Iſmael.
CCCLIII
xxix And þeſe þe generaciouns of hem; þe firſte gendrid
of Iſmael Nabioth, and Cedar, and Abdahel, and
Mapſam,
xxx and Maſma, and Duma, and Maſſa, Adad, and
Themar, Jahur, Naphis, Cedma;
xxxi þeſe ben þe ſones of Iſmael.
xxxii Forſoþe þe ſones of Cethure, ſecoundarie wijf of
Abraham, whiche ſche gendride, weren Zamram, Jerſan,
Madan, Madian, Jelboe, Sue. Soþeli þe ſones of Jerſan
weren Saba, and Dadan. Forſoþe þe ſones of Dadan
weren Aſſurym, and Latuſym, and Laomym.
xxxiii Soþeli þe ſones of Madian weren Epha, Ethei, and
Enoch, and Abdia, and Heldaa. Alle þeſe weren þe ſones
of Cethure.
xxxiiii Forſoþe Abraham gendride Iſaac; whoſe ſones
weren Eſau and Iſrael.
xxxv Þe ſones of Eſau weren Eliphat, Rahuel, Semyaus,
and Elam, and Chore.
xxxvi Þe ſones of Eliphath weren Theman, Omer, Sephi,
Gethem, Genez, Cenez, Thanna, Amalech.
xxxvii Þe ſones of Rahuel weren Naab, Gazara, Samma,
Maſa.
xxxviii Þe ſones of Seir weren Lothan, Sobal, Sebeon,
Ana, Diſon, Eſer, Diſan.
xxxix Þe ſones of Lothan weren Horry, Huma; ſoþeli þe
ſiſtir of Lothan was Thanna.
xl Þe ſones of Sobal weren Alian, and Manaath, and
Ebal, and Sephi, and Onam. Þe ſones of Sebeon weren
Ana, and Anna. Þe ſone of Ana was Diſon.
xli Þe ſones of Diſon weren Amaram, and Heſabam, and
Lecram, and Caram.
xlii Þe ſones of Eſer weren Balaam, and Jaban, and
Jeſan. Þe ſones of Diſan weren Hus and Aram.
xliii Þeſe ben þe kyngis þat regneden in þe lond of
Edom, bifor þat a kyng was on þe ſones of Iſrael. Bale,
þe ſone of Beor; and þe name of his citee was Danaba.
xliiii Soþeli Bale was deed; and Jobab, ſone of Zare of
Baſra, regnyde for hym.
xlv And whanne Jobab was deed, Huſam of þe lond of
Themayns regnede for hym.
xlvi And Huſam diede; and Adad, ſone of Badad, þat
ſmoot Madian in þe lond of Moab, regnyde for hym;
and þe name of þe citee of `hym, þat is, of Adad, was
Abyud.
xlvii And whanne Adad was deed, Semela of Maſerecha,
regnede for hym.
xlviii But alſo Semela was deed, and Saul of Robooth,
which is ſet biſidis þe ryuer, regnyde for hym.
xlix Alſo whanne Saul was deed, Balanam, þe ſone of
Achabor, regnyde for him.
l But alſo he was deed, and Adad, þe name of whos
citee was Phou, regnede for hym; and his wijf was
clepid Metheſael, þe douȝter of Mathred, douȝter of
Mezaab.
li Forſoþe whanne Adad was deed, dukis bigunnen to be
in Edom for kyngis; duyk Thanna, duyk Alia, duyk
Jetheth,
lii duyk Olibama, duyk Ela, duyk Phynon,
liii duik Ceneth, duyk Theman, duyk Mabſar,
liiii duyk Magdiel, duyk Iram. Þeſe weren þe duykis of
Edom.
CAP. II
i Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael weren Ruben, Symeon,
Leuy, Juda, Iſachar, and Zabulon,
ii Dan, Joſeph, Beniamyn, Neptalym, Gad, Aſer.
iii Þe ſones of Juda weren Her, Onam, Sela; þeſe þre
weren borun to hym of Sue, a douȝter of Canaan. Soþeli
Her, þe firſt gendrid ſone of Juda, was yuel bifor þe
Lord, and he killide hym.
iiii Forſoþe Thamar, wijf of þe ſone of Judas, childide to
hym Phares, and Zaram; þerfor alle þe ſones of Judas
weren fyue.
v Soþeli þe ſones of Phares weren Eſrom, and Chamul.
vi And þe ſones of Zare weren Zamry, and Ethen, and
Eman, and Calchab, and Dardan; fyue togidere.
vii Þe ſone of Charmy was Achar, þat diſturblide Iſrael,
and ſynnede in þe þeft of þing halewid to þe Lord.
viii Þe ſone of Ethan was Azarie.
ix Soþeli þe ſones of Eſrom, þat weren borun to hym,
weren Jeramael, and Aram, and Calubi.
x Forſoþe Aram gendryde Amynadab. Soþeli Amynadab
gendride Naaſon, þe prince of þe ſones of Juda.
xi And Naaſon gendride Salmon; of which Salmon Booz
was borun.
xii Soþeli Booz gendride Obeth; which hym ſilf
gendride Yſay.
xiii Forſoþe Yſai gendride þe firſte gendride ſone, Elyab,
þe ſecounde, Amynadab; þe þridde, Samaa;
xiiii þe fourþe, Nathanael;
xv þe fyueþe, Sadai; þe ſixte, Aſom;
xvi þe ſeuenþe, Dauyd; whoſe ſiſtris weren Saruya, and
Abigail. Þe ſones of Saruye weren þre, Abiſai, Joab, and
Aſahel.
xvii Forſoþe Abigail childide Amaſa, whos fadir was
Gether Hiſmaelite.
xviii Soþeli Caleph, ſone of Eſrom, took a wijf, Azuba bi
name, of whom he gendride Jerioth; and hiſe ſones
weren Jeſar, and Sobab, and Ardon.
xix And whanne Azuba was deed, Caleph took a wijf
Effrata, whiche childide Hur to hym.
xx Forſoþe Hur gendride Hury; Hury gendride Beſeleel.
CCCLIV
xxi After þeſe þingis Eſrom entride to þe douȝtir of
Machir, fadir of Galaad, and he took hir, whanne he was
of ſixti ȝeer; and ſche childide Segub to hym.
xxii But alſo Segub gendride Jair; and he hadde in
poſſeſſioun þre and twenti citees in þe lond of Galaad;
xxiii and he took Geſſur, and Aran, þe citees of Jair, and
Chanath, and þe townes þerof of ſeuenti citees. Alle
þeſe weren þe ſones of Machir, fadir of Galaad.
xxiiii Soþeli whanne Eſrom was deed, Caleph entride in
to Effrata. And Eſrom hadde a wijf Abia, which childide
to hym Aſſir, fadir of Thecue.
xxv Forſoþe ſones weren borun of Jezrameel, þe firſte
gendrid of Eſrom; Ram, þe firſt gendrid of hym, and
Aran, and Aſon, and Achia.
xxvi Alſo Jezrameel weddide anoþir wijf, Athara bi
name, þat was þe modir of Onam.
xxvii But and þe ſones of Ram, þe firſte gendrid of
Jezrameel, weren Mohas, and Jamyn, and Achaz.
xxviii Forſoþe Onam gendride ſones, Semey, and Juda.
Soþeli þe ſones of Semei weren Nadab, and Abiſur;
xxix forſoþe þe name of þe wijf of Abiſur was Abigail,
þat childide to hym Haaobban, and Molid.
xxx Soþeli þe ſones of Nadab weren Saled and
Apphaym; forſoþe Saled diede wiþout children.
xxxi Soþeli þe ſone of Apphaym was Jeſi, which Jeſi
gendride Seſan; ſoþeli Seſan gendride Oholi.
xxxii Forſoþe þe ſones of Jada, broþer of Semei, weren
Jether and Jonathan; but Jether diede wiþ out ſones;
treuli Jonathan gendride Phalech,
xxxiii and Ziza. Þeſe ben þe ſones of Jerameel.
xxxiiii Forſoþe Seſan hadde not ſones, but douȝtris, and a
ſeruaunt of Egipt, Jeraa bi name;
xxxv and he ȝaf his douȝter to wijf to Jeraa, whiche
childide Ethei to hym.
xxxvi Forſoþe Ethei gendride Nathan, and Nathan
gendride Zadab.
xxxvii Alſo Zadab gendride Ophial, and Ophial gendride
Obed.
xxxviii Obed gendride Yeu, Yeu gendride Azarie,
xxxix Azarie gendride Helles, Helles gendride Elaſa,
xl Elaſa gendride Seſamoy, Seſamoy gendride Sellum,
xli Sellum gendride Jecamya, Jecamia gendride Eliſama.
xlii Forſoþe þe ſones of Caleph, broþir of Jerameel,
weren Moſa, þe firſte gendrid ſone of hym; þilke is þe
fadir of Ziph; and þe ſones of Mareſa, þe fadir of
Hebron.
xliii Certis þe ſones of Ebron weren Chore, and Raphu,
Recem, and Samma.
xliiii Forſoþe Samma gendride Raam, þe fadir of
Jerechaam; and Recem gendride Semei.
xlv Þe ſone of Semei was Maon; and Maon was þe fadir
of Bethſur.
xlvi Soþeli Epha, þe ſecundarie wijf of Caleph, childide
Aram, and Muſa, and Theſer; forſoþe Aram gendride
Jezen.
xlvii Þe ſones of Jadai weren Regon, and Jethon, and
Zeſum, Phalez, and Epha, and Saaph.
xlviii Matha, þe ſecoundarie wijf of Caleph, childide
Zaber, and Tharana.
xlix Forſoþe Saaph, þe fadir of Madmenas, gendride
Sue, þe fadir of Magbena, and þe fader of Gabaa; ſoþeli
þe douȝter of Caleph was Axa.
l Þeſe weren þe ſones of Caleph. Þe ſones of Hur, þe
firſte gendrid ſone of Effrata, weren Sobal, þe fader of
Cariathiarim;
li Salma, þe fader of Bethleem; Ariph, þe fader of
Bethgader.
lii Soþeli þe ſones of Sobal, fader of Cariatiarim, þat ſiȝ
þe myddil of reſtingis,
liii and was of þe kynrede of Caryathiarym, weren
Jethrey, and Aphutei, and Samathei, and Maſerathei. Of
þeſe weren borun Sarytis, and Eſchaolitis.
liiii Þe ſones of Salma, fadir of Bethleem, and of
Netophati, weren þe corouns of þe hows of Joab, and þe
half of reſtyng of Sarai.
lv And þe kynredis of ſcryuens, dwellynge in Jabes,
ſyngynge, and ſownynge, and dwellynge in tabernaclis.
Þeſe ben Cyneis, þat camen of þe heete of þe fadir of þe
hows of Rechab.
CAP. III
i Forſoþe Dauid hadde þeſe ſones, þat weren borun to
hym in Ebron; þe firſte gendrid ſone, Amon, of
Achynoem of Jezrael; þe ſecounde ſone, Danyel, of
Abigail of Carmele;
ii þe þridde, Abſolon, þe ſone of Maacha, douȝter of
Tolomei, kyng of Geſſuri; þe fourþe, Adonye, ſone of
Agith;
iii þe fyueþe, Saphacie, of Abithal; þe ſixte, Jethraan, of
Egla his wijf.
iiii Þerfor ſixe ſones weren borun to hym in Ebron,
where he regnede ſeuene ȝeer and ſixe moneþis; ſoþeli
he regnyde þre and þritti ȝeer in Jeruſalem.
v Forſoþe foure ſones, Sama, and Sobab, and Nathan,
and Salomon, weren borun of Berſabee, þe douȝter of
Amyhel, to hym in Jeruſalem;
vi alſo Jabaar, and Eliſama, and Eliphalech,
vii and Noge, and Napheth, and Japhie,
viii alſo and Eliſama, and Eliade, and Eliphalech, nyne.
ix Alle þeſe weren þe ſones of Dauid, wiþ out þe ſones
of ſecoundarie wyues; and þei hadden a ſiſtir, Thamar.
x Soþeli þe ſone of Salomon was Roboam, whos ſone
Abia gendride Aſa;
CCCLV
xi and Joſephat, þe fadir of Joram, was borun of þis Aſa;
which Joram gendride Ocozie, of whom Joas was
borun.
xii And Amaſie, þe ſone of þis Joas, gendride Azarie;
ſoþeli Azarie, þe ſone of Joathan,
xiii gendride Achaz, þe fadir of Ezechie; of whom
Manaſſes was borun.
xiiii But alſo Manaſſes gendride Amon, þe fadir of Joſias.
xv Forſoþe þe ſones of Joſias weren, þe firſte gendrid
ſone, Johannan; þe ſecounde, Joachym; þe þridde,
Sedechie; þe fourþe, Sellum.
xvi Of Joachym was borun Jechonye, and Sedechie.
xvii Þe ſones of Jechonye weren Aſir,
xviii Salatiel, Melchiram, Phadaie, Sennaſer, and Jech,
Semma, Sama, and Nadabia.
xix Of Phadaie weren borun Zorobabel, and Semey.
Zorobabel gendryde Moſolla, Ananye, and Salomyth,
þe ſiſter of hem; and Aſaba,
xx and Ochol, and Barachie, and Aſadaie, and Joſabeſed,
fyue.
xxi Forſoþe þe ſone of Ananye was Falcias, þe fadir of
Jeſeie, whoſe ſone was Raphaie. And þe ſone of him
was Arnan, of whom was borun Abdia, whos ſone was
Sechema.
xxii Þe ſone of Sechema was Semeia, whoſe ſones weren
Archus, and Gegal, and Baaria, and Naaria, and Saphat,
and Sela; ſixe in noumbre.
xxiii Þe ſones of Naaria weren þre, Helionai, and
Ezechie, and Zichram.
xxiiii Þe ſones of Helionai weren ſeuene, Odyna, and
Eliaſub, and Pheleia, and Accub, and Johannan, and
Dalaia, and Anani.
CAP. IIII
i Þe ſones of Juda weren Phares, and Eſrom, and Carmy,
and Hur, and Sobal.
ii Forſoþe Reaia, þe ſone of Sobal, gendride Geth; of
whom weren borun Achymai, and Laed. Þeſe weren þe
kynredis of Sarathi.
iii And þis is þe generacioun of Ethan; Jeſrael, Jezema,
and Jedebos; and þe name of þe ſiſtir of hem was
Aſaelphumy.
iiii Soþeli Phunyel was þe fadir of Gedor, and Ezer was
þe fadir of Oſa; þeſe ben þe ſones of Hur, þe firſte
gendrid ſone of Effrata, þe fadir of Bethleem.
v Soþeli Aſſur, þe fadir of Thecue, hadde twei wyues,
Haala, and Naara;
vi forſoþe Naara childide to hym Oozam, and Epher,
and Theman, and Aſchari; þeſe ben þe ſones of Naara.
vii Forſoþe þe ſones of Haala weren Sereth, Iſaar, and
Ethan.
viii Forſoþe Chus gendride Anob, and Sobala, and þe
kynredis of Arab, ſone of Arym.
ix Forſoþe Jabes was noble byfor alle hiſe briþeren; and
his modir clepide his name Jabes, and ſeide, For Y
childide hym in ſorewe.
x Soþeli Jabes clepide inwardli God of Iſrael, and ſeide,
Yf þou bleſſynge ſchal bleſſe me, and ſchalt alarge my
termes, and if þin hond ſchal be wiþ me, and þou ſchalt
make me to be not oppreſſid of malice. And God ȝaf to
hym þat þing, þat he preiede.
xi Forſoþe Caleph, þe broþer of Sua, gendride Machir,
þat was þe fadir of Eſton;
xii ſoþeli Eſton gendride Beth, Rapha, and Pheſe, and
Thena, þe fadir of þe citee Naas. Þeſe ben þe ſones of
Recha.
xiii Forſoþe þe ſones of Cenez weren Othonyel, and
Saraia.
xiiii Soþeli þe ſones of Othonyel weren Athiath, and
Maonaththa, þat gendride Opham. Forſoþe Saraia
gendride Joab, þe fadir of þe valey of crafti men; for
þere weren crafti men.
xv Soþeli þe ſones of Caleph, ſone of Jephone, weren
Hyn, and Helam, and Nahemi. And þe ſones of Helam
weren Cenez.
xvi Alſo þe ſones of Jaleel weren Zeph, and Zipha, Tiria,
and Aſrael.
xvii And þe ſones of Eſra weren Chether, and Merid, and
Epher, and Jalon; and he gendride Marie, and Semmai,
and Jeſba, þe fadir of Eſchamo.
xviii Alſo Judaia, hys wijf, childide Jared, þe fadir of
Gedor; and Heber, þe fadir of Zocho; and Hieutihel, þe
fadir of Janon. Soþeli þeſe weren þe ſones of Bethie, þe
douȝter of Pharao, whom Mered took to wijf.
xix And þe ſones of þe wijf of Odoie, ſiſter of Nathan,
fadir of Ceila, weren Garmy, and Eſcamo, þat was of
Machati.
xx Alſo þe ſones of Symeon weren Amon and Rena; þe
ſone of Anam was Chilon; and þe ſones of Geſi weren
Zoeth, and Benzoeth.
xxi Þe ſones of Cela, ſone of Juda, weren Her, þe fadir of
Lecha, and Laada, þe fadir of Maraſa; and þeſe weren
þe kynredis of þe hows of men worchynge biys in þe
hows of an ooþ,
xxii and which made þe ſunne to ſtonde, and þe men of
leeſyng, ſikir, and goynge, þat weren princes in Moab,
and þat turneden aȝen in to Bethleem; forſoþe þeſe ben
elde wordis.
xxiii Þeſe ben potteris dwellinge in plauntyngis, and in
heggis, anentis kyngis in her werkis; and þei dwelliden
þere.
xxiiii Þe ſones of Symeon weren Namyhel, and Jamyn,
Jarib, Zara, Saul.
xxv Sellum was his ſone; Mapſan was his ſone; Maſma
was his ſone.
CCCLVI
xxvi Þe ſones of Maſma; Amuel, his ſone; and Zaccur,
his ſone; Semey, his ſone.
xxvii Þe ſones of Semey weren ſixtene, and ſixe douȝtris;
ſoþeli hiſe briþeren hadden not many ſones, and al þe
kynrede myȝte not be euene to þe ſumme of þe ſones of
Juda.
xxviii Forſoþe þei dwelliden in Berſabee, and in Molada,
and in Aſarſual,
xxix and in Balaa, and in Aaſon, and in Tholat,
xxx and in Bathuel, and in Horma,
xxxi and in Sicheloch, and in Betmarchaboth, and in
Archaſuſym, and in Bethbaray, and in Saarym; þeſe
weren þe citees of hem, `til to þe kyng Dauid.
xxxii Alſo þe townes of hem weren Ethan, and Aen, and
Remmon, and Techen, and Aſan; fyue citees.
xxxiii And alle þe vilagis of hem bi þe cumpas of þeſe
citees, `til to Baal; þis is þe dwellyng of hem, and þe
departyng of ſeetis.
xxxiiii Alſo Moſobaly, and Jemlech, and Joſa, þe ſone of
Amaſie,
xxxv and Johel, and Jehu, þe ſone of Joſabie, and þe
ſones of Saraie, þe ſones of Aſiel,
xxxvi and Helioneai, and Jacoba, and Sucua, and Aſaia,
and Adihel, and Hiſemeel, and Banaia;
xxxvii and Ziza, þe ſone of Sephei, þe ſone of Allon, ſone
of Abdaia, ſone of Semry, ſone of Samaia.
xxxviii Þeſe ben princis nemyd in her kynredis, and ben
multiplied greetli in þe hows of her alies.
xxxix And þei ȝeden forþ to entre in to Gador, `til to þe
eeſt of þe valei, and to ſeke paſturis to her ſcheep.
xl And þei fonden paſturis ful plenteuouſe, and ful
goode, and a ful large lond, and reſtful, and plenteuouſe,
wherynne men of þe generacioun of Cham hadden
dwellid bifore.
xli Þerfor þeſe men, whiche we diſcryueden bifore `bi
name, camen in þe daies of Ezechie, kyng of Juda; and
ſmytiden þe tabernaclis of hem, and þe dwelleris þat
weren foundun þere; and þei `diden awei hem `til in to
preſent dai; and þei dwelliden for hem, for þei founden
þere ful plenteuouſe paſturis.
xlii Alſo fyue hundrid men of þe ſones of Symeon ȝeden
in to þe hil of Seir, and þei hadden princes Faltias, and
Narias, and Raphaias, and Oziel, þe ſones of Jeſi;
xliii and þei ſmytiden þe relifs of Amalechites, þat
myȝten aſcape; and þei dwelliden þere for hem `til to
þis day.
CAP. V
i Alſo þe ſones of Ruben, þe firſte gendrid ſone of Iſrael;
for he was þe firſt gendrid ſone of Iſrael, but whanne he
hadde defoulid þe bed of his fadir, þe dignitye of his
firſte gendryng was ȝouun to þe ſones of Joſeph, þe ſone
of Iſrael; and Ruben was not arettid in to þe firſte
gendrid ſone.
ii Forſoþe Judas, þat was þe ſtrongeſte among hiſe
briþeren, prynces weren gaderid of his generacioun;
forſoþe þe `riȝt of firſte gendryng was arettid to Joſeph.
iii Þerfor þe ſones of Ruben, þe firſte gendrid ſone of
Iſrael, weren Enoch, and Phallu, Eſrom, and Charmy.
iiii Þe ſones of Johel weren Samaie; his ſone, Gog; his
ſone, Semey;
v his ſone, Mycha; his ſone, Rema; his ſone, Baal;
vi his ſone, Bera; whom Theglatphalaſſar, kyng of
Aſſyriens, ledde priſoner; and he was prince in þe
lynage of Ruben.
vii Soþeli hiſe briþeren, and al þe kynrede, whanne þei
weren noumbrid bi her meynees, hadden princes Jehiel,
and Zacharie.
viii Forſoþe Bala, þe ſone of Achaz, ſone of Sama, ſone
of Johel, he dwellide in Aroer til to Nebo and
Beelmoon;
ix and he dwellide aȝens þe eeſt cooſt, til to þe ende of
deſeert, `and to þe flood Eufrates. And he hadde in
poſſeſſioun myche noumbre of beeſtis in þe lond of
Galaad.
x Forſoþe in þe daies of Saul þe ſones of Ruben fouȝten
aȝens Agarenus, and killide hem; and dwelliden for hem
in þe tabernaclis of hem, in al þe cooſt þat biholdiþ to
þe eeſt of Galaad.
xi Soþeli þe ſones of Gad euene aȝens hem dwelliden in
þe lond of Baſan til to Selca;
xii Johel was in þe bygynnyng, and Saphan was þe
ſecounde; alſo Janahi and Saphan weren in Baſan.
xiii Alſo her briþeren bi þe houſis of her kynredis,
Mychael, and Moſollam, and Sebe, and Jore, and
Jachan, and Zie, and Heber, ſeuene.
xiiii Þeſe weren þe ſones of Abiahel, þe ſone of Vry, ſone
of Jaro, ſone of Galaad, ſone of Mychael, ſone of Effeſi,
ſone of Jeddo, ſone of Buz.
xv Alſo þe briþeren of þe ſone of Abdiel, ſone of Gumy,
was prince of þe hows in hiſe meynees.
xvi And þei dwelliden in Galaad, and in Baſan, and in þe
townes þerof, in alle þe ſubarbis of Arnon, til to þe
endis.
xvii Alle þeſe weren noumbrid in þe daies of Joathan,
kyng of Juda, and in þe daies of Jeroboam, kyng of
Iſrael.
xviii Þe ſones of Ruben, and of Gad, and of half þe
lynage of Manaſſes, weren men werriours, berynge
ſcheeldis and ſwerdis, and beendynge bouwe, and tauȝt
to batels, foure and fourti þouſynde ſeuene hundrid and
ſixti,
xix and þei ȝeden forþ to batel, and fouȝten aȝens
Agarenus. Forſoþe Ethureis, and Napheis,
CCCLVII
xx and Nadab, ȝauen help to hem; and Agarenus, and
alle men þat weren wiþ hem, weren bitakun in to þe
hondis of Ruben, and Gad, and Manaſſes; for þei
clepiden inwardli þe Lord, while þei fouȝten, and þe
Lord herde hem, for þei `hadden bileuyd in to him.
xxi And þei token alle þingis whiche Agarenus hadden
in poſſeſſioun, fifti þouſynde of camels, and twei
hundrid and fifty þouſynde of ſcheep, twei þouſynde of
aſſis, and an hundrid þouſynde perſoones of men;
xxii for many men weren woundid and felden doun; for
it was þe batel of þe Lord. And þei dwelliden for
Agarenus til to þe conqueſt.
xxiii Alſo þe ſones of þe half lynage of Manaſſes hadden
in poſſeſſioun þe lond, fro þe endis of Baſan til to Baal
Hermon, and Sanyr, and þe hil of Hermon; for it was a
greet noumbre.
xxiiii And þeſe weren þe princes of þe hows of her
kynrede; Epher, and Jeſi, and Heliel, and Eſryel, and
Jeremye, and Odoie, and Jedihel, ſtrongeſte men and
myȝti, and nemyd duykis in her meynees.
xxv Forſoþe þei forſoken þe God of her fadris, and diden
fornycacioun after þe goddis of puplis of þe lond,
whiche þe Lord took awei bifor hem.
xxvi And þe Lord God of Iſrael reiſide þe ſpirit of Phul,
kyng of Aſſiriens, and þe ſpirit of Theglatphalaſſer, kyng
of Aſſur; and he tranſlatide Ruben, and Gad, and þe half
lynage of Manaſſes, and brouȝte hem in to Ale, and
Abor, and Aram, and in to þe ryuer of Gozam, til to þis
dai.
CAP. VI
i Þe ſones of Leuy weren Gerſon, Caath, and Merary.
ii Þe ſones of Chaath weren Amram, Iſaar, Ebron, and
Oziel.
iii Þe ſones of Amram weren Aaron, Moyſes, and Marie.
Þe ſones of Aaron weren Nadab,
iiii and Abyu, Eleazar, and Ythamar. Eleazar gendride
Phynees, and Phynees gendride Abiſue,
v Abiſue gendride Bocci, and Bocci gendride Ozi,
vi Ozi gendride Zaraie, and Zaraie gendride Meraioth.
vii Forſoþe Meraioth gendride Amarie, Amarie gendride
Achitob,
viii Achitob gendride Sadoch, Sadoch gendride
Achymaas, Achymaas gendride Azarie,
ix Azarie gendride Johannam,
x Johannam gendride Azarie; he it is þat was ſet in
preeſthod, in þe hows which Salomon bildide in
Jeruſalem.
xi Forſoþe Azarie gendride Amarye, and Amarie
gendride Achitob,
xii Achitob gendride Sadoch, Sadoch gendride Sellum,
xiii Sellum gendride Helchie,
xiiii Helchie gendride Azarie, Azarie gendride Saraie,
Saraie gendride Joſedech.
xv Forſoþe Joſedech ȝede out, whanne þe Lord
tranſlatide Juda and Jeruſalem bi þe hondis of
Nabugodonoſor kyng.
xvi Þerfor þe ſones of Leuy weren Gerſon, Caath, and
Merary.
xvii And þeſe weren þe names of þe ſones of Gerſon;
Lobeni, and Semei.
xviii Þe ſones of Caath weren Amram, and Iſaar, and
Ebron, and Oziel.
xix Þe ſones of Merari weren Moli, and Muſi. Soþeli
þeſe weren þe kynredis of Leuy bi þe meynees of hem;
xx Gerſon; Lobony, his ſone; Jaath, his ſone; Zama, his
ſone;
xxi Joaith, his ſone; Addo, his ſone; Zara, his ſone;
Jethrai, his ſone.
xxii Þe ſones of Caath; Amynadab, his ſone; Chore, his
ſone;
xxiii Azyra, his ſone; Helcana, his ſone; Abiaſaph, his
ſone;
xxiiii Aſer, his ſone; Caath, his ſone; Vriel, his ſone;
Azias, his ſone; Saul, his ſone.
xxv Þe ſones of Helchana weren Amaſay, and Achymoth,
and Helcana.
xxvi Þe ſones of Helcana; Saphay, his ſone;
xxvii Naath, his ſone; Heliab, his ſone; Heroam, his ſone;
Helcana, his ſone.
xxviii Þe ſones of Samuel; þe firſte gendrid Naſen, and
Abia.
xxix Soþeli þe ſones of Merari; Moli, his ſone; Lobeny,
his ſone; Semey, his ſone;
xxx Oza, his ſone; Sama, his ſone; Aggias, his ſone;
Azaya, his ſone;
xxxi Þeſe it ben whiche Dauid ordeynede on þe ſyngeris
of þe hows of þe Lord, ſiþen þe arke of þe Lord was ſet;
xxxii and þei mynyſtriden bifor þe tabernacle of
witneſſyng, and ſungun, til Salomon bildide þe hows of
þe Lord in Jeruſalem; forſoþe þei ſtoden bi her ordre in
ſeruyce.
xxxiii Soþeli þes it ben þat ſtoden nyȝ wiþ her ſones. Of
þe ſones of Caath; Heman þe chauntor, þe ſone of Joel,
ſone of Samuel,
xxxiiii ſone of Helcana, ſone of Joroam, ſone of Heliel,
xxxv ſone of Thou, ſone of Suph,
xxxvi ſone of Helcana, ſone of Mabath, ſone of Amaſi,
ſone of Helcana, ſone of Joel, ſone of Azarie, ſone of
Sophonye, ſone of Caath,
xxxvii ſone of Aſyr, ſone of Abiaſaph,
xxxviii ſone of Chore, ſone of Iſaar, ſone of Caath, ſone
of Leuy, ſone of Iſrael.
CCCLVIII
xxxix And hiſe briþeren; Aſaph, þat ſtood at þe riȝthalf of
hym, Aſaph, þe ſone of Barachie,
xl ſone of Samaa, ſone of Mychael, ſone of Baſȝe, ſone
of Melchie, ſone of Atthay,
xli ſone of Zara, ſone of Adala,
xlii ſone of Edan, ſone of Zama, ſone of Semey,
xliii ſone of Geth, ſone of Gerſon, ſone of Leuy.
xliiii Forſoþe þe ſones of Merary, þe briþeren of hem,
weren at þe leftſide; Ethan, þe ſone of Chuſi, ſone of
Abdi, ſone of Moloch, ſone of Aſabie,
xlv ſone of Amaſie, ſone of Helchie,
xlvi ſone of Amaſay, ſone of Bonny, ſone of Soomer,
xlvii ſone of Moli, ſone of Muſi, ſone of Merarie, ſone of
Leuy.
xlviii And dekenes, þe briþeren of hem, þat weren
ordeyned in to al þe ſeruyce of þe tabernacle of þe hows
of þe Lord.
xlix Forſoþe Aaron and hiſe ſones brenten encenſe on þe
auter of brent ſacrifices, and on þe auter of encenſe, in
to al þe werk `of þe hooli of hooli þingis; and þat þei
ſchulden preie for Iſrael, by alle þingis whiche Moiſes,
þe ſeruaunt of God, comaundide.
l Soþeli þeſe ben þe ſones of Aaron; Eleazar, his ſone;
Phynes, his ſone;
li Abiſue, his ſone; Bocci, his ſone; Ogzi, his ſone; Zara,
his ſone; Meraioth, his ſone;
lii Amarias, his ſone; Achitob, his ſone;
liii Sadoch, his ſone; Achimaas, his ſone.
liiii And þeſe weren þe dwelling places, bi þe townes
and cooſtis of hem, þat is, of þe ſones of Aaron, bi þe
kynredis of Caathitis; for þo bifelden to hem bi lot.
lv Þerfor þe children of Iſrael ȝauen to hem Ebron in þe
lond of Juda, and þe ſubarbis þerof bi cumpas;
lvi ſoþeli þei ȝauen þe feeldis and townes of þe citees to
Caleph, ſone of Jephone.
lvii Forſoþe þei ȝauen citees to þe ſones of Aaron, Ebron
to refuyt; and þei ȝauen Lobna,
lviii wiþ hiſe ſubarbis, and Jether, and Eſcamo, wiþ her
ſubarbis, but alſo Helon, and Dabir, wiþ her ſubarbis;
alſo þei ȝauen Aſan,
lix and Bethſames, and þe ſubarbis of þo.
lx Soþeli of þe lynage of Beniamyn þei ȝauen Gabee,
and þe ſubarbis þerof, and Alamach wiþ hiſe ſubarbis,
Anathot alſo wiþ hiſe ſubarbis; alle þe citees weren
þrettene wiþ her ſubarbis, bi þe kynredis of hem.
lxi Forſoþe to þe ſones of Caath, reſidues of her kynrede,
þei ȝauen of þe half lynage of Manaſſes ten citees `in to
poſſeſſioun.
lxii Soþeli to þe ſones of Gerſon bi her kynredis þei
ȝauen fourtene citees in Baſan, of þe lynage of Yſacar,
and of þe lynage of Aſer, and of þe lynage of Neptalym,
and of þe lynage of Manaſſes.
lxiii Forſoþe to þe ſones of Merary by her kynredis þei
ȝauen bi lottis twelue citees, of þe lynage of Ruben, of
þe lynage of Gad, and of þe lynage of Zabulon.
lxiiii And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝauen to dekenes citees and
ſubarbis of þo;
lxv and þei ȝauen bi lot, of þe ſones of þe lynage of
Juda, and of þe lynage of þe ſones of Symeon, and of þe
lynage of þe ſones of Beniamyn, þeſe citees, which þe
dekenes clepiden bi her names;
lxvi and of hem þat weren of þe kynrede of þe ſones of
Caath, and in þe termes of hem weren þe citees of þe
lynage of Effraym.
lxvii And þe ſones of Iſrael ȝauen to hem citees of refuyt;
Sichem wiþ hiſe ſubarbis in þe hil of Effraym, and
Gazer wiþ hiſe ſubarbis, alſo Hicmaan wiþ hiſe ſubarbis,
lxviii and Betheron alſo.
lxix Alſo of þe lynage of Dan þei ȝauen Ebethe,
Gebethor, and Heialan, and Helon, wiþ her ſubarbis,
and Gethremon bi þe ſame maner.
lxx Forſoþe of þe half lynage of Manaſſes þei ȝauen
Aner, and þe ſubarbis þerof, Balaam, and þe ſubarbis
þerof; þat is, to hem þat weren reſidue of þe kynrede of
þe ſones of Caath.
lxxi Soþeli to þe ſones of Gerſon þei ȝauen of þe kynrede
of half þe lynage of Manaſſes, Gaulon in Baſan, and þe
ſubarbis þerof, and Aſtoroth wiþ hiſe ſubarbis.
lxxii Of þe lynage of Iſachar þei ȝauen Cedes, and þe
ſubarbis þerof, and Daberith wiþ hiſe ſubarbis; alſo
Samoth,
lxxiii and his ſubarbis, `and Anem wiþ hiſe ſubarbis.
lxxiiii Alſo of þe linage of Aſer þei ȝauen Maſal wiþ hiſe
ſubarbis, and Abdon alſo,
lxxv and Aſach, and þe ſubarbis þerof, and Roob wiþ hiſe
ſubarbis.
lxxvi Soþeli of þe lynage of Neptalym þei ȝauen Cedes
in Galilee, and þe ſubarbis þerof, Amon wiþ hiſe
ſubarbis, and Cariathiarym, and ſubarbis þerof.
lxxvii Soþeli to þe reſidue ſones of Merary þei ȝauen of
þe lynage of Zabulon, Remon, and ſubarbis þerof, and
Thabor wiþ hiſe ſubarbis.
lxxviii Alſo biȝende Jordan, euene aȝens Jerico, aȝens þe
eeſt of Jordan, þei ȝauen of þe lynage of Ruben, Boſor
in þe wildirneſſe wiþ hiſe ſubarbis, and Jaſa wiþ hiſe
ſubarbis,
lxxix alſo Cademoth, and hiſe ſubarbis, and Myphaat wiþ
hiſe ſubarbis.
lxxx Alſo and of þe lynage of Gad þei ȝauen Ramoth in
Galaath, and þe ſubarbis þerof, Manaym wiþ hiſe
ſubarbis,
lxxxi but alſo Eſebon wiþ hiſe ſubarbis, and Jezer wiþ
hiſe ſubarbis.
CCCLIX
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſachar weren foure; Thola, and
Phua, Jaſub, and Sameron.
ii Þe ſones of Thola weren Ozi, and Raphaia, and
Jerihel, and Jemay, and Jepſen, and Samuel, princis bi
þe houſis of her kynredis. Of þe generacioun of Thola,
weren noumbrid ſtrongeſte men in þe daies of Dauid,
two and twenti þouſynde and ſixe hundrid.
iii Þe ſones of Ozi weren Jezraie; of whom weren borun
Mychael, and Obadia, and Johel, and Jezray, fyue, alle
princes.
iiii And wiþ hem weren bi her meynees and puplis, ſixe
and þretti þouſynde ſtrongeſte men gird to batel; for þei
hadden many wyues and ſones.
v And her briþeren by alle þe kynredis of Iſachar `mooſt
ſtronge to fiȝte weren noumbrid foure ſcoore and ſeuene
þouſynde.
vi Þe ſones of Beniamyn weren Bale, and Bothor, and
Adiel, þre.
vii Þe ſones of Bale weren Eſbon, and Ozi, and Oziel,
and Jerymoth, and Vray, fyue, princes of meynees,
mooſte ſtronge to fiȝte; for þe noumbre of hem was two
and twenti þouſynde and foure and þretti.
viii Forſoþe þe ſones of Bochor weren Samara, and Joas,
and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Zamri, and Jerimoth, and
Abia, and Anathoth, and Almachan; alle þeſe weren þe
ſones of Bochor.
ix Soþeli þe princes of kynredis weren noumbrid bi her
meynees twenti þouſynde and two hundrid mooſt
ſtronge men to batels.
x Forſoþe þe ſones of Ledihel weren Balan; ſoþeli þe
ſones of Balan weren Jheus, and Beniamyn, and Aoth,
and Camana, and Jothan, and Tharſis, and Thaſaar.
xi Alle þeſe þe ſones of Ledihel weren princes of her
meynees, ſeuentene þouſynde and two hundrid,
ſtrongeſte men goynge forþ to batel.
xii Alſo Saphan and Apham weren þe ſones of Hir; and
Baſym was þe ſone of Aſer.
xiii Forſoþe þe ſones of Neptalym weren Jaſiel, and
Guny, and Aſer, and Sellum; þe ſones of Bale.
xiiii Soþeli þe ſone of Manaſſes was Eſriel; and Sira his
ſecundarie wijf childide Machir, þe fadir of Galaad.
xv And Machir took wyues to hiſe ſones Huphyn and
Suphyn; and he hadde a ſiſter Maacha bi name; and þe
name of þe ſecounde ſone was Salphaath, and douȝtris
weren borun to Salphaath.
xvi And Maacha, þe wijf of Machir, childide a ſone, and
clepide his name Phares; forſoþe þe name of his broþir
was Sares; and hiſe ſones weren Vlam and Recem.
xvii Soþeli þe ſone of Vlam was Baldan. Þeſe weren þe
ſones of Galaad, ſone of Machir, ſone of Manaſſes;
xviii forſoþe Regma his ſiſtir childide a feir man,
Abiezer, and Mola.
xix Forſoþe þe ſones of Semyda weren Abym, and
Sichem, and Liey, and Amany.
xx Soþeli þe ſones of Effraym weren Suchaba; Bareth,
his ſone; Caath, his ſone; Elda, his ſone; and Thaath, his
ſone; and Zadaba, his ſone;
xxi and Suthala, his ſone; and Ezer, and Elad, his ſones.
Forſoþe men of Geth borun in þe lond killiden hem, for
þei ȝeden doun to aſſaile her poſſeſſiouns.
xxii Þerfor Effraym, þe fadir of hem, weilide bi many
daies; and hiſe briþeren camen to coumforte hym.
xxiii And he entride to his wijf, which conſeyuede, and
childide a ſone; and he clepide his name Beria, for he
was borun in þe yuelis of his hows.
xxiiii Soþeli his douȝtir was Sara; þat bildide Betheron,
þe lowere and þe hiȝere, and Ozen, and Sara.
xxv Forſoþe his ſone was Rapha, and Reſeph, and Thale;
xxvi of whom was borun Thaan, þat gendride Laodon;
and Amyud, þe ſone of hym, gendride Elyſama;
xxvii of whom was borun Nun; þat hadde a ſone Joſue.
xxviii Soþeli þe poſſeſſioun and `dwellyng place of hem
was Bethil wiþ hiſe villagis, and aȝens þe eeſt, Noram;
at þe weſt cooſt, Gazer, and hiſe villagis, alſo Sichem
wiþ hiſe villagis, and Aza wiþ hiſe villagis.
xxix Alſo biſidis þe ſones of Manaſſes, Bethſan, and hiſe
townes, Thanach and hiſe townes, Maggeddo, and hiſe
townes, Dor, and hiſe townes; þe ſones of Joſeph ſone of
Iſrael dwelliden in þeſe townes.
xxx Þe ſones of Aſer weren Sona, and Jeſua, and Iſuy,
and Baria; and Sara was þe ſiſter of hem.
xxxi Soþeli þe ſones of Baria weren Heber, and
Melchiel; he is þe fadir of Barſath.
xxxii Soþeli Heber gendride Ephiath, and Soomer, and
Otham, and Sua, þe ſiſter of hem.
xxxiii Forſoþe þe ſones of Jephiath weren Phoſech, and
Camaal, and Jaſoph; þeſe weren þe ſones of Jephiath.
xxxiiii Soþeli þe ſones of Soomer weren Achi, and
Roaga, and Jaba, and Aram.
xxxv Soþeli þe ſones of Helem, his broþer, weren Supha,
and Jema, and Selles, and Amal.
xxxvi Þe ſones of Supha weren Sue, Arnapheth, and
Sual, and Bery,
xxxvii and Jamra, and Boſor, and Ador, and Sama, and
Saluſa, and Jethram, and Beram.
xxxviii Þe ſones of Ether weren Jephone, and Phaſpha,
and Ara.
xxxix Soþeli þe ſones of Ollaa weren Areth, and Aniel,
and Reſia.
xl Alle þeſe weren þe ſones of Aſer, princes of kynredis,
choſun men and ſtrongeſte duykis of duykis; forſoþe þe
noumbre, of þe age of hem þat weren abel to batel, was
ſixe and twenti þouſynde.
CCCLX
CAP. VIII
i Forſoþe Beniamyn gendride Bale his firſte gendrid
ſone, Aſbaal þe ſecounde, Othora þe þridde,
ii Naua þe fourþe, and Rapha þe fyueþe.
iii And þe ſones of Bale weren Addoar, and Jera, and
Abyud, and Abiſue,
iiii and Noemany, and Acte,
v but alſo Gera, and Sophupham, and Vram.
vi Þeſe ben þe ſones of Haoth, princes of kynredis
dwellynge in Gabaa, þat weren tranſlatid in to Manath.
vii Forſoþe Noaman, and Achia, and Jera, `he tranſlatide
hem, and gendride Oza and Abyud;
viii forſoþe `Saarym gendride in þe cuntrey of Moab,
aftir þat he lefte Vrym and Bara, hiſe wyues;
ix ſoþeli he gendride of Edes, his wijf, Jodab, and Sebia,
and Moſa, and Molchon, alſo Jebus, and Sechia, and
Maryna;
x þo ben þe ſones of hym, prynces in her meynees.
xi Forſoþe Muſyn gendride Achitob, and Elphaal.
xii Soþeli þe ſones of Elphaal weren Heber, and
Muſaam, and Samaath; he bildide Ono, and Lod, and
hiſe villagis;
xiii forſoþe Bara and Sama weren princes of kynredis
dwellynge in Hailon; þeſe dryueden awei þe dwelleris
of Geth;
xiiii and Haio, and Seſath, and Jerymoth,
xv and Zadabia, and Arod, and Heder,
xvi and Mychael, and Jeſpha helpiden hem `aȝens men
of Geth; þe ſones of Abaria,
xvii and Zadabia, and Moſollam, and Ezethi,
xviii and Heber, and Jeſamary, and Jezlia, and Jobab
helpiden `in þis iurney aȝens men of Geth. Þe ſones of
Elphaal weren Jachym,
xix and Jechri,
xx and Zabdi, and Helioenay, and Selettay,
xxi and Henelech, and Adaia, and Baraſa, and Samarath;
þe ſones of Semey weren Jeſphan,
xxii and Heber, and Eſiel, and Abdon,
xxiii and Zechry, and Canaan, and Anany, and Jalam,
xxiiii and Anathotia, and Jephdaia, and Phanuel;
xxv þe ſones of Seſac weren Sampſaray,
xxvi and Scoria, and Otholia, and Jerſia,
xxvii and Helia, and Zechri, þe ſones of Jeream.
xxviii Þeſe weren patriarkis and princes of kynredis, þat
dwelliden in Jeruſalem.
xxix Forſoþe in Gabaon dwelliden Abigabaon, and
Maacha þe name of his wijf;
xxx and his firſte gendrid ſone Abdon, and Sur, and Cys,
and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab,
xxxi and Geddo, and Haio, and Zacher, and Macelloth.
xxxii Forſoþe Marcelloth gendride Samaa; and þei
dwelliden euene aȝens her briþeren in Jeruſalem wiþ
her briþeren.
xxxiii Forſoþe Ner gendride Cys, and Cys gendride Saul;
forſoþe Saul gendride Jonathan, and Melchiſue, and
Abynadab, and Iſbaal.
xxxiiii Soþeli þe ſone of Jonathan was Myphibaal; and
Myphibaal gendride Micha.
xxxv Þe ſones of Micha weren Phiton, and Melech, and
Thara, and Ahaz.
xxxvi And Ahaz gendride Joiada; and Joiada gendride
Almoth, and Azimoth, and Zamry.
xxxvii Forſoþe Zamri gendride Mooſa, and Mooſa
gendride Banaa, whos ſone was Raphaia, of whom was
gendrid Eleſa, þat gendride Aſel.
xxxviii Soþeli Aſel hadde ſixe ſones bi þeſe names,
Eſricham, Bochru, Iſmael, Saria, Abadia, Aman; alle
þeſe weren þe ſones of Aſel.
xxxix Forſoþe þe ſones of Aſa, his broþir, weren Vlam,
þe firſte gendride ſone, and Hus, þe ſecounde, and
Eliphales, þe þridde.
xl And þe ſones of Vlam weren ſtrongeſte men, and
beendynge a bouwe wiþ greet ſtrengþ, and hauynge
many ſones, and ſones of ſones, til to an hundrid and
fifti. Alle þeſe weren þe ſones of Beniamyn.
CAP. IX
i Þerfor al Iſrael was noumbrid, and þe ſumme of hem
was writun in þe book of kyngis of Iſrael and of Juda;
and þei weren tranſlatid in to Babiloyne for her ſynne.
ii Soþeli þei þat dwelliden firſt in her citees, and in þe
poſſeſſiouns of Iſrael, and þe preeſtis, and þe dekenes,
and Natyneys, dwelliden in Jeruſalem.
iii Of þe ſones of Juda, and of þe ſones of Beniamyn,
alſo of þe ſones of Effraym, and of Manaſſes;
iiii Othi, þe ſone of Amyud, ſone of Semry, ſone of
Omroy, ſone of Bonny, of þe ſones of Phares, þe ſone of
Juda;
v and of Sylom, Aſia, þe firſte gendrid, and his ſones;
vi ſoþeli of þe ſones of Zaray, Heuel, and hiſe briþeren;
ſixe hundrid foureſcore and ten.
vii Forſoþe of þe ſones of Beniamyn; Salo, þe ſone of
Moſollam, þe ſones of Odoia, þe ſones of Aſana,
viii and Jobanya, þe ſone of Jerobam, and Ela, þe ſone of
Ozi, þe ſones of Mochozi, and Moſollam, þe ſone of
Saphacie, ſone of Rahuel, ſone of Jebanye, and þe
briþeren of hem,
ix bi her meynees; nyne hundrid ſixe and fifti. Alle þeſe
weren princes of her kynredis by þe houſis of her fadris.
x Forſoþe of þe preeſtis, Joiada, Jozarib, and Jachym;
xi and Azarie, þe ſone of Helchie, ſone of Moſollam,
ſone of Sadoch, ſone of Maraioth, ſone of Achitob, was
biſchop of þe hows of þe Lord.
CCCLXI
xii Forſoþe Adaias, ſone of Jeroam, ſone of Phaſor, ſone
of Melchia, and Maſaia, ſone of Adihel, ſone of Jezra,
ſone of Moſollam, ſone of Moſſelamoth, ſone of
Emyner,
xiii alſo her briþeren, prynces bi her meynees, weren a
þouſynde ſeuene hundrid and foureſcoore, men
ſtrongeſte in bodili myȝt, to make þe werk of ſeruyce in
þe hows of þe Lord.
xiiii Forſoþe of dekenes, Semeya, þe ſone of Aſſub, ſone
of Ezricam, ſone of Aſebyn, of þe ſones of Merary;
xv alſo Balthaſar þe carpenter, and Galebeth, and
Machama, ſone of Mycha, ſone of Zechri, ſone of
Aſaph,
xvi and Obdias, ſone of Semey, ſone of Calaal, ſone of
Idithum, and Barachie, þe ſone of Aſa, ſone of Helcana,
þat dwellide in þe porchis of Methophati.
xvii Soþeli þe porteris weren Sellum, and Achub, and
Thelmon, and Achyman, and þe briþeren of hem;
Sellum was þe prince;
xviii til to þat tyme þei kepten bi her whilis in þe ȝate of
þe kyng at þe eeſt, of þe ſones of Leuy.
xix Sellum forſoþe, þe ſone of Chore, ſone of Abiaſaph,
ſone of Chore, wiþ hiſe briþeren, and wiþ þe hows of
his fadir; þeſe ben þe ſones of Chore on þe werkis of þe
ſeruyce, keperis of þe porchis of þe tabernacle, and þe
meynees of hem kepten bi whilis þe entryng of þe
caſtelis of þe Lord.
xx Forſoþe Phynees, þe ſone of Eleazar, was þe duyk of
hem bifor þe Lord.
xxi Soþeli Zacarie, þe ſone of Moſollam, was porter of
þe ȝate of þe tabernacle of witneſſyng.
xxii Alle þeſe choſun in to porteris bi ȝatis weren twei
hundrid and twelue, and weren diſcryued in her owne
townes, which dekenes Dauid and Samuel, þe prophete,
ordeyneden in her feiþ,
xxiii boþ hem and þe ſones of hem in þe doris of þe
hows of þe Lord, and in þe tabernacle of witneſſyng, bi
her whiles.
xxiiii Porteris weren bi foure cooſtis, þat is, at þe eeſt,
and at þe weſt, and at þe norþ, and at þe ſouþ.
xxv Forſoþe her briþeren dwelliden in townes, and
camen in her ſabatis fro tyme til to tyme.
xxvi Al þe noumbre of porteris was bitakun to þeſe foure
dekenes, and þei kepten þe chaumbris, and þe treſours
of þe hows of þe Lord.
xxvii Alſo þei dwelliden in her kepyngis bi þe cumpas of
þe temple of þe Lord, þat whanne tyme were, þei
ſchulden opene þe ȝatis eerli.
xxviii Men of her kyn weren alſo on þe veſſels of
ſeruyce; for þe veſſels weren borun in at noumbre, and
weren borun out of hem.
xxix And þei þat hadden þe veſſelis of ſeyntuarie bitakun
to her kepyng, weren ſouereyns on flour, and wyn, and
oile, and encenſe, and ſwete ſmellinge ſpyceries.
xxx Soþeli þe ſones of preeſtis maden oynementis of
ſwete ſmellynge ſpiceries.
xxxi And Mathatias dekene, þe firſte gendrid ſone of
Sellum of þe kynrede of Chore, was þe ſouereyn of alle
þingis þat weren fried in þe friyng panne.
xxxii Soþeli men of þe ſones of Caath, þe briþeren of
hem, weren on þe looues of ſettyng forþ, þat þei
ſchulden make redi euere newe looues bi ech ſabat.
xxxiii Þeſe ben þe princis of chauntouris bi þe meynees
of Leuytis, þat dwelliden in chaumbris, ſo þat þei
ſchulden ſerue contynueli dai and nyȝt in her ſeruyce.
xxxiiii Þe heedis of Leuitis bi her meynees, þe princes,
dwelliden in Jeruſalem.
xxxv Forſoþe þere dwelliden in Gabaon; Jaiel, þe fadir of
Gabaon, and þe name of his wijf Maacha;
xxxvi Abdon, his firſte gendrid ſone, and Sur, and Cys,
and Baal,
xxxvii and Ner, and Nadab, and Gedor, and Ahaio, and
Zacharie, and Macelloth; forſoþe Macelloth gendride
Semmaa;
xxxviii þeſe dwelliden euene aȝens her briþeren in
Jeruſalem, wiþ her briþeren.
xxxix Soþeli Ner gendride Cys, and Cys gendride Saul,
and Saul gendride Jonathan, and Melchiſue, and
Abynadab, and Hiſbaal.
xl Forſoþe þe ſone of Jonathan was Myribaal, and
Myribaal gendride Mycha.
xli Soþeli þe ſones of Micha weren Phiton, and Malech,
and Thara;
xlii forſoþe Aaz gendride Jara, and Jara gendride
Alamath, and Azmoth, and Zamri; and Zamri gendride
Mooſa,
xliii ſoþeli Mooſa gendride Baana, whoſe ſone Raphaia
gendride Eliſa, of whom Eſel was gendrid.
xliiii Forſoþe Eſel hadde ſixe ſones bi þeſe names,
Ezricam, Bochru, Hiſmael, Saria, Obdia, Anan; þeſe
weren þe ſones of Heſel.
CAP. X
i Forſoþe Filiſteis fouȝten aȝens Iſrael, and þe ſones of
Iſrael fledden Paleſtyns, and felden doun woundid in þe
hil of Gelboe.
ii And whanne Filiſteis hadde neiȝed purſuynge Saul
and hiſe ſones, þei killiden Jonathan, and Abynadab,
and Melchiſue, þe ſones of Saul.
iii And þe batel was agreggid aȝens Saul; and men
archeris foundun hym, and woundiden hym wiþ dartis.
iiii And Saul ſeide to his ſquiere, Drawe out þi ſwerd,
and ſle me, leſte þeſe vncircumcidid men come, and
CCCLXII
ſcorne me. Soþli his ſquyer was aferd bi drede, and
nolde do þis; þerfor Saul took a ſwerd, and felde on it.
v And whanne his ſquyer hadde ſeyn þis, þat is, þat Saul
was deed, he felde alſo on his ſwerd, and was deed.
vi Þerfor Saul periſchide, and hiſe þre ſones, and al his
hows felde doun togidere.
vii And whanne þe men of Iſrael, þat dwelliden in feeldi
places, hadden ſeyn þis, þei fledden; and whanne Saul
and hiſe ſones weren deed, þei forſoken her citees, and
weren ſcaterid hidur and þidur; and Filiſteis camen, and
dwelliden in þo.
viii Þerfor in þe toþer day Filiſteis drowen awei þe
ſpuylis of ſlayn men, and founden Saul and hiſe ſones
liggynge in þe hil of Gelboe.
ix And whanne þei hadden ſpuylid hym, and hadden
gird of þe heed, and hadden maad hym nakid of
armeris, þei ſenten in to her lond, þat it ſchulde be
borun aboute, and ſchulde be ſchewid in þe templis of
idols and to puplis;
x forſoþe þei halewiden his armeris in þe temple of her
god, and þei ſettiden þe heed in þe temple of Dagon.
xi Whanne men of Jabes of Galad hadden herd þis, þat
is, alle þingis whiche þe Filiſteis diden on Saul,
xii alle ſtronge men riſiden togidere, and took þe deed
bodies of Saul and of hiſe ſones, and brouȝten þo in to
Jabes; and þei birieden þe boonus of hem vndur an ook,
þat was in Jabes; and þei faſtiden ſeuene daies.
xiii Þerfor Saul was deed for hiſe wickidneſſis, for he
brak þe comaundement of þe Lord, whiche he
comaundide, and kepte not it, but ferþirmore alſo he
took counſel at a womman hauynge a feend ſpekynge in
þe wombe, and he hopide not in þe Lord;
xiiii for which þing boþ þe Lord killide hym, and
tranſlatide his rewme to Dauid, ſone of Yſay.
CAP. XI
i Þerfor al Iſrael was gaderid to Dauid in Ebron, and
ſeide, We ben þi boon and þi fleiſch;
ii alſo ȝiſterdai and þe þridde dai ago, whanne Saul
regnede ȝit on Iſrael, þou it were þat leddiſt out and
leddiſt in Iſrael; for `þi Lord God ſeide to þee, Þou
ſchalt fede my puple Iſrael, and þou ſchalt be prince on
it.
iii Þerfor alle þe gretter in birþe of Iſrael camen to þe
kyng in Ebron; and Dauid maad wiþ hem a boond of
pees bifor þe Lord, and þei anoyntiden hym kyng on
Iſrael, bi þe word of þe Lord, which he ſpak in þe hond
of Samuel.
iiii Þerfor Dauid ȝede, and al Iſrael, in to Jeruſalem; þis
Jeruſalem is Jebus, where Jebuſeis enhabiteris of þe
lond weren.
v And þei þat dwelliden at Jebus ſeiden to Dauid, Þou
ſchalt not entre hidur. Forſoþe Dauid took þe hiȝ tour of
Syon, which is þe citee of Dauid;
vi and he ſeide, Ech man þat `ſleeþ firſt Jebuſei, ſchal be
prince and duyk. Þerfor Joab, ſone of Saruye, ſtiede
firſt, and was maad prince.
vii Soþeli Dauid dwellide in þe hiȝ tour, and þerfor it
was clepid þe cytee of Dauid;
viii and he bildide þe citee in cumpas fro Mello til to þe
cumpas; forſoþe Joab bildide þe toþer part of þe citee.
ix And Dauid profitide goynge and wexynge, and þe
Lord of ooſtis was wiþ hym.
x Þeſe ben þe princes of þe ſtronge men of Dauid, þat
helpiden hym, þat he ſchulde be kyng on al Iſrael, bi þe
word of þe Lord which he ſpak to Iſrael.
xi And þis is þe noumbre of þe ſtronge men of Dauid;
Jeſbaam, þe ſone of Achamony, was prince among
þretti; þis reiſide his ſchaft eþir ſpere on þre hundrid
woundid men in o tyme.
xii And after hym was Eleazar, þe ſone of his fadris
broþir, and was `a man of Ahoit, which Eleazar was
among þre miȝti men.
xiii Þis was wiþ Dauid in Apheſdomyn, whanne Filiſteis
weren gaderid to o place in to batel; and a feeld of þat
cuntrey was ful of barli, and þe puple fledde fro þe face
of Filiſteis.
xiiii Þis Eleazar ſtood in þe myddis of þe feeld, and
defendide it; and whanne he hadde ſlayn Filiſteis, þe
Lord ȝaf greet helþe to his puple.
xv Soþeli þre of þritti princes ȝeden doun to þe ſtoon,
wher ynne Dauid was, to þe denne of Odolla, whanne
Filiſteis ſettiden tentis in þe valey of Raphaym.
xvi Forſoþe Dauid was in a ſtrong hold, and þe ſtacioun,
`þat is, þe ooſt gaderid, of Filiſteis was in Bethleem.
xvii Þerfor Dauid deſiride watir, and ſeide, Y wolde, þat
ſum man ȝaf to me water of þe ciſterne of Bethleem,
which is in þe ȝate.
xviii Þerfor þeſe þre ȝeden þoruy þe myddil of þe caſtelis
of Filiſteis, and drowen watir of þe ciſterne of
Bethleem, þat was in þe ȝate, and þei brouȝten to Dauid,
þat he ſchulde drynke; and Dauid nolde `drynke it, but
raþer he offride it to þe Lord, and ſeide, Fer be it,
xix þat Y do þis þing in þe ſiȝt of my God, and þat Y
drynke þe blood of þeſe men, for in þe perel of her
lyues þei brouȝten watir to me; and for þis cauſe he
nolde drynke. Þre ſtrongeſte men diden þeſe þingis.
xx Alſo Abiſai, þe broþer of Joab, he was þe prince of
þre men, and he reiſide his ſchaft aȝens þre hundrid
woundid men; and he was mooſt named among þre,
xxi among þe ſecounde þre he was noble, and þe prince
of hem; neþeles he cam not til to þe firſte þre.
xxii Banaye, þe ſone of Joiada, ſtrongeſt man of Capſael,
þat dide many werkis; he killide two ſtronge men of
Moab; and he ȝede doun, and killide a lioun in þe
myddil of a ciſterne, in þe tyme of ſnow;
CCCLXIII
xxiii and he killide a man of Egipt, whos ſtature was of
fyue cubitis, and he hadde a ſpere as þe beem of
webbis; þerfor Banaye ȝede doun to hym wiþ a ȝerde,
and rauyſchide þe ſpere, which he held in þe hond, and
killide hym wiþ his owne ſpere.
xxiiii Banaye, þe ſone of Joiada, dide þeſe þingis, þat
was mooſt named among þre ſtronge men, and was þe
firſte among þretti;
xxv neþeles he cam not til to þe þre; ſoþeli Dauid ſettide
hym at his eere.
xxvi Forſoþe þe ſtrongeſte men `in þe ooſt weren Aſael,
þe broþer of Joab, and Eleanan, þe ſone of his fadris
broþir of Bethleem,
xxvii Semynoth Arorites, Helles Phallonytes, Iras,
xxviii þe ſone of Acces of Thecue, Abieſer of Anathot,
xxix Sobochay Sochites, Ylai Achoytes,
xxx Maray Nethophatithes, Heles, þe ſone of Banaa,
Nethophatithes, Ethaa,
xxxi þe ſone of Rabai, of Gabaath of þe ſones of
Beniamyn; Banaye Pharatonythes, men of þe ſtronde
Gaas,
xxxii Abihel Arabatithes, Azmoth Baruanythes, Eliaba
Salaonythes,
xxxiii þe ſones of Aſſem Geſonythes, Jonathan, þe ſone
of Saga, Ararithes, Achiam,
xxxiiii þe ſone of Achar, Ararites,
xxxv Eliphal, þe ſone of Mapher,
xxxvi Mechoratithes, Ahya Phellonythes,
xxxvii Aſrahi Carmelites, Neoray,
xxxviii þe ſone of Thaſbi, Johel, þe broþer of Nathan,
Mabar, þe ſone of Aggaray, Selech Ammonythes,
xxxix Nooray Berothites, þe ſquyer of Joab, ſone of
Saruye,
xl Iras Jetreus, Gareb Jethreus,
xli Vrie Ethei, Sabab,
xlii þe ſone of Ooli, Adyna, þe ſone of Segar Rubenytes,
prince of Rubenytis, and þritti men wiþ hym;
xliii Hanan, þe ſone of Macha, and Joſaphath
Mathanythes, Ozias Aſtarothites,
xliiii Semma and Jahel, þe ſones of Hotayn Aroerites,
xlv Ledihel, þe ſone of Zamri, and Joha, his broþer,
Thoſaythes,
xlvi Hehiel Maanytes, Jerybay and Joſia, þe ſones of
Helnaen, Jethma Moabites, Heliel, and Obed, and
Jaſihel of Maſobia.
CAP. XII
i Alſo þeſe camen to Dauid in Sichelech, whanne he
fledde ȝit fro Saul, þe ſone of Cys; whiche weren
ſtrongeſte men and noble fiȝterys,
ii beendynge bouwe, and caſtynge ſtoonys wiþ ſlyngis
wiþ euer eiþer hond, and dreſſynge arowis; of þe
briþeren of Saul of Beniamyn,
iii þe prince Achieſer, and Joas, þe ſones of Samaa of
Gabaath, and Jazachel, and Phallech, þe ſones of
Azmod, and Barachie, and Jehu of Anathot;
iiii alſo Samay of Gabaon was þe ſtrongeſte among þretti
and aboue þretti; Jeremy, and Jezihel, and Johannan,
and Zebadga Zerothites,
v Eluſay, and Jerymoth, and Baalia, and Samaria, and
Saphia Araphites,
vi Elchana, and Jeſia, and Azrahel, and Jezer, and
Jeſbaam of Taremy,
vii and Joelam, and Sabadia, þe ſones of Jeroam of
Jedor.
viii But alſo of Gaddi ſtrongeſte men, and beſte fiȝteris,
holdynge ſcheld and ſpere, fledden ouer to Dauid,
whanne he was hid in deſeert; þe faces of hem as þe
face of a lioun, and þei weren ſwift as capretis in hillis.
ix Ozer was þe prince, Obdias þe ſecounde, Eliab þe
þridde,
x Maſmana þe fourþe, Jeremye þe fyueþe,
xi Becchi þe ſixte, Heliel þe ſeuenþe,
xii Johannan þe eiȝþe, Helzedad þe nynþe,
xiii Jeremye þe tenþe, Bachana þe euleuenþe;
xiiii þeſe of þe ſones of Gad weren princes of þe ooſt; þe
laſte was ſouereyn ouer an hundrid knyȝtis, and þe
mooſt was ſouereyn ouer a þouſynde.
xv Þeſe it ben þat paſſiden ouer Jordan in þe firſte
moneþe, whanne it was wont to flowe ouer hiſe brynkis;
and þei dryueden awei alle men þat dwelliden in þe
valeis at þe eeſt cooſt and weſt cooſt.
xvi Soþeli alſo men of Beniamyn and of Juda camen to
þe ſtronge hoold, whereyn Dauid dwellide.
xvii And Dauid ȝede out aȝens hem, and ſeide, If ȝe `ben
comyn peſible to me, for to helpe me, myn herte be
ioyned to ȝou; forſoþe if ȝe ſetten aſpies to me for myn
aduerſaries, ſiþen Y haue not wickidneſſe in þe hondis,
God of our fadris ſe and deme.
xviii Forſoþe þe ſpirit cloþide Amaſay, þe prynce among
þritti, and he ſeide, A! Dauid, we ben þin, and þou, ſone
of Yſai, we ſchulen be wiþ þee; pees, pees to þee, and
pees to þin helperis, for þi Lord God helpiþ þee. Þerfor
Dauid reſſeyuede hem, and made princes of þe
cumpeny.
xix Forſoþe men of Manaſſes fledden ouer to Dauid,
whanne he cam wiþ Filiſteis to fiȝte aȝens Saul, and he
fauȝte not wiþ hem, for after þat þe princes of Filiſteis
hadden take counſel, þei ſenten hym aȝen, and ſeiden,
Wiþ perel of oure heed he ſchal turne aȝen to Saul his
lord.
xx Þerfor whanne Dauid turnede aȝen in to Sichelech,
men of Manaſſes fledden ouer to hym, Eduas, and
CCCLXIV
Jozabad, Jedihel, and Mychael, and Naas, and Jozabath,
and Helyu, and Salathi, princes of knyȝtis in Manaſſes.
xxi Þeſe men ȝauen help to Dauid aȝens þeues; for alle
weren ſtrongeſte men, and þei weren maad prynces in
þe ooſt.
xxii But alſo bi ech dai men camen to Dauid, for to helpe
hym, til þat þe noumbre was maad greet as þe ooſt of
God.
xxiii Alſo þis is þe noumbre of princes of þe ooſt þat
camen to Dauid, whanne he was in Ebron, þat þei
ſchulden tranſlate þe rewme of Saul to hym, bi þe word
of þe Lord; þe ſones of Juda,
xxiiii berynge ſcheeld and ſpere, ſixe þouſynde and eiȝte
hundrid, redi to batel;
xxv of þe ſones of Simeon, ſeuene þouſinde and an
hundrid, of ſtrongeſte men to fiȝte;
xxvi of þe ſones of Leuy, foure þouſynde and ſixe
hundrid;
xxvii alſo Joiada, prince of þe generacioun of Aaron, and
þre þouſynd and ſeuene hundrid wiþ hym;
xxviii alſo Sadoch, a child of noble wit, and þe hows of
his fadir, twei and twenti princes;
xxix forſoþe of þe ſones of Beniamyn, briþeren of Saul,
þre þouſynde; for a greet part of hem ſuede ȝit þe hows
of Saul;
xxx forſoþe of þe ſones of Effraym, twenti þouſynde and
eiȝte hundrid, ſtrongeſte men in bodili myȝt, men named
in her meynees;
xxxi and of þe half part of þe lynage of Manaſſes, eiȝtene
þouſynde; alle camen bi her names, to make Dauid
kyng;
xxxii alſo of þe ſones of Yſacar, two hundrid princes,
lernd men, þat knewen ech tyme to comaunde what þe
puple of Iſrael ouȝt to do; ſoþeli al þe reſidue lynage
ſuede þe counſeils of hem;
xxxiii forſoþe of Zabulon camen fifti þouſynde in to
helpe, not in double herte, which ȝeden out to batel, and
ſtoden in þe ſcheltrun, and weren maad redi wiþ armuris
of batel;
xxxiiii and of Neptalym a þouſynde prynces, and wiþ
hem camen ſeuene and þritti þouſynde men, arayed wiþ
ſcheeld and ſpeere;
xxxv alſo of Dan, eiȝte and twenti þouſynde and ſixe
hundrid men, maad redi to batel;
xxxvi and of Aſer fourti þouſynde men, goynge out to
batel, and ſtirynge to batel in þe ſcheltrun.
xxxvii Forſoþe biȝende Jordan, of þe ſones of Ruben, and
of Gad, and of þe half part of þe lynage of Manaſſes,
ſixe ſcoore þouſynde men, araied wiþ armuris of batel.
xxxviii Alle þeſe men werriouris and redi to batel camen
wiþ perfit herte in to Ebron, to make Dauid kyng on al
Iſrael; but alſo alle þe reſidue of Iſrael weren of oon
herte, þat Dauid ſchulde be maad king on al Iſrael.
xxxix And þei weren þer at Dauid þre daies, and eten and
drunken; for her briþeren hadden maad redi to hem;
xl but alſo þei þat weren niȝ hem, til to Iſacar and
Zabulon and Neptalym, brouȝten looues on aſſis, and
camelis, and mulis, and oxis, for to ete; mele, bundelis
of preſſid figis, dried grapis, wyn, oile, oxis and
weþeres, to al plentee; for ioy was in Iſrael.
CAP. XIII
i Forſoþe Dauid took counſel wiþ tribunes, and
centuriouns, and alle princes;
ii and ſeide to alle þe cumpeny of þe ſones of Iſrael, If it
pleſiþ ȝou, and if þe word which Y ſpeke goiþ out fro
oure Lord God, ſende we to `oure reſidue briþeren to
alle þe cuntrees of Iſrael, and to preeſtis and dekenes þat
dwellen in þe ſubarbis of citees, þat þei be gaderid to
vs,
iii and þat we brynge aȝen to vs þe arke of oure God; for
we ſouȝten not it in þe daies of Saul.
iiii And al þe multitude anſweride, þat it ſchulde be don
ſo; for þe word pleſide al þe puple.
v Þerfor Dauid gaderide togidere al Iſrael, fro Sior of
Egipt til þou entre in to Emath, þat he ſchulde brynge þe
arke of God fro Cariathiarim.
vi And Dauid ſtiede, and alle þe men of Iſrael, to þe hil
of Cariathiarym, which is in Juda, þat he ſchulde brynge
fro þennus þe arke of þe Lord God ſittynge on
cherubyn, where his name was clepid.
vii And þei puttiden þe arke of þe Lord God on a newe
wayn fro þe hous of Amynadab; forſoþe Oza and hiſe
briþeren driueden þe wayn.
viii Forſoþe Dauid and al Iſrael pleieden bifor þe Lord,
wiþ al miȝt, in ſongis, and in harpis, and ſautries, and
tympans, and cymbalis, and trumpis.
ix Forſoþe whanne þei hadden come to þe cornfloor of
Chidon, Oza ſtrechide forþ his hond to ſuſteyne þe arke;
for þe oxe wexynge wielde hadde bowid it a litil.
x Þerfor þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens Oza, and ſmoot hym,
for he hadde touchide þe ark; and he was deed þere
bifor þe Lord.
xi And Dauid was ſori, for þe Lord hadde departid Oza;
and he clepide þat place Þe Departyng of Oza `til in to
preſent dai.
xii And Dauid dredde þe Lord in þat tyme, and ſeide,
How may Y brynge in to me þe arke of þe Lord?
xiii And for þis cauſe he brouȝte not it to hym, þat is, in
to þe citee of Dauid, but he turnede it in to þe hows of
Obededom of Geth.
xiiii Þerfor þe arke of God dwellide in þe hous of
Obededom of Geth þre moneþis; and þe Lord bleſſid his
hows, and `alle þingis þat he hadde.
CCCLXV
CAP. XIIII
i And Iram, þe kyng of Tyre, ſente meſſageris to Dauid,
and `he ſente trees of cedre, and werk men of wallis and
of trees, þat þei ſchulden bilde to hym an hows.
ii And Dauid knewe þat þe Lord hadde confermyd hym
in to kyng on Iſrael; and þat his rewme was reiſid on his
puple Iſrael.
iii And Dauid took oþere wyues in Jeruſalem, and
gendride ſones and douȝtris.
iiii And þeſe ben þe names of hem þat weren borun to
hym in Jeruſalem; Sammu, and Sobab, Nathan, and
Salomon,
v Jeber, and Eliſu, and Heli, and Eliphalech,
vi and Noga, and Napheg, and Japhie,
vii and Eliſama, and Baliada, and Eliphelech.
viii Forſoþe þe Filiſteis herden þat Dauid was anoyntid
`in to kyng on al Iſrael, and alle ſtieden to ſeke Dauid.
And whanne Dauid hadde herd þis þing, he ȝede out
aȝens hem.
ix Forſoþe Filiſteis camen, and weren ſpred abrood in þe
valey of Raphaym;
x and Dauid counſelide þe Lord, and ſeide, Wheþer Y
ſchal ſtie to Filiſteis? and wheþer þou ſchalt bitake hem
in to myn hondis? And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Stie þou,
and Y ſchal bitake hem in þin hond.
xi And whanne þei hadden ſtyed in to Baal Pharaſym,
Dauid ſmoot hem þere, and ſeide, God haþ departid
myn enemyes bi myn hond, as watris ben departid. And
þerfor þe name of þat place was clepid Baal Pharaſym;
and þei leften þere her goddis,
xii which Dauid comaundide to be brent.
xiii Forſoþe anoþer tyme Filiſteis felden in, and weren
ſpred abrood in þe valei;
xiiii and eft Dauid counſeilide þe Lord, and þe Lord
ſeide to hym, Þou ſchalt not ſtie aftir hem; go awei fro
hem, and þou ſchalt come aȝens hem euen aȝens þe pere
trees.
xv And whanne þou ſchalt here þe ſowun of a goere in
þe cop of þe pere trees, þanne þou ſchalt go out to batel;
for þe Lord is go out byfor þee, to ſmyte þe caſtels of
Filiſteis.
xvi Þerfor Dauid dide as God comaundide to hym, and
he ſmoot þe caſtels of Filiſteis fro Gabaon `til to Gazara.
xvii And þe name of Dauid was pupliſchid in alle
cuntreis, and þe Lord ȝaf his drede on alle folkis.
CAP. XV
i And he made to hym houſis in þe citee of Dauid, and
he bildide `a place to þe arke of þe Lord, and araiede a
tabernacle to it.
ii Þanne Dauid ſeide, It is vnleueful, þat þe arke of God
be borun of `ony þing no but of þe dekenes, whiche þe
Lord chees to bere it, and `for to mynyſtre to hym `til in
to wiþ outen ende.
iii And he gaderide togidere al Iſrael in to Jeruſalem, þat
þe arke of God ſchulde be brouȝt in to `his place, which
he hadde maad redy to it;
iiii alſo and he gaderide togidere þe ſones of Aaron, and
þe dekenes;
v of þe ſones of Caath Vriel was prince, and hiſe
briþeren two hundrid and twenti;
vi of þe ſones of Merari Aſaya was prince, and hiſe
briþeren two hundrid and þritti;
vii of þe ſones of Gerſon þe prince was Johel, and hiſe
briþeren an hundrid and þretti;
viii of þe ſones of Eliſaphan Semei was prynce, and hiſe
briþeren two hundrid;
ix of þe ſones of Ebroun Heliel was prince, and hiſe
briþeren foure ſcore;
x of þe ſones of Oziel Amynadab was prince, and hiſe
briþeren an hundrid and twelue.
xi And Dauid clepide Sadoch and Abiathar preeſtis, and
þe dekenes Vriel, Aſaie, Johel, Semeie, Eliel, and
Amynadab; and ſeide to hem,
xii Ȝe þat ben princes of þe meynees of Leuy, be
halewid wiþ ȝoure briþeren, and brynge ȝe þe arke of þe
Lord God of Iſrael to þe place, which is maad redi to it;
xiii leſt, as at þe bigynnyng, for ȝe weren not preſent, þe
Lord ſmoot vs, and now it be don, if we don ony
vnleueful þing.
xiiii Þerfor þe preeſtis and dekenes weren halewid, þat
þei ſchulden bere þe arke of þe Lord God of Iſrael.
xv And þe ſones of Leuy token þe arke of God wiþ
barris on her ſchuldris, as Moiſes comaundide bi þe
word of þe Lord.
xvi And Dauid ſeide to þe princes of dekenes, þat þei
ſchulden ordeyne of her briþeren ſyngeris in orguns of
muſikis, þat is, in giternes, and harpis, and ſymbalis; þat
þe ſown of gladneſſe ſchulde ſowne an hiȝ.
xvii And þei ordeyneden dekenes, Heman, þe ſone of
Johel, and of hiſe briþeren, Aſaph, þe ſone of Barachie;
ſoþeli of þe ſones of Merary, briþeren of hem, þei
ordeyneden Ethan,
xviii þe ſone of Caſaye, and þe briþeren of hem wiþ hem;
in þe ſecunde ordre `þei ordeyneden Zacarie, and Ben,
and Jazihel, and Semyramoth, and Jahiel, `and Am,
Heliab, and Benaye, and Maaſie, and Mathathie, and
Eliphalu, and Mathenye, and Obededon, and Jehiel,
porteris;
xix forſoþe `þei ordeyneden þe ſyngeris Eman, Aſaph,
and Ethan, ſownynge in braſun cymbalis;
xx ſoþeli Zacarie, and Oziel, and Semyramoth, and
Jahihel, and Ham, and Eliab, and Maaſie, and Banaie,
ſungun pryuetees in giternes; forſoþe Mathathie,
CCCLXVI
xxi and Eliphalu, and Mathenye, and Obededom, and
Jehiel, and Ozazym, ſungen in harpis for þe eiȝtiþe, and
epynychion, `þat is, victorie `be to God ouercomere;
xxii forſoþe Chinonye, þe prince of dekenes, and of
profecie, was ſouereyn to biforſynge melodie, for he
was ful wijs;
xxiii and Barachie, and Elchana, weren porters of þe
arke; forſoþe Sebenye,
xxiiii and Joſaphath, and Mathanael, and Amaſaye, and
Zacarie, and Banaye, and Eliezer, preeſtis, ſowneden
wiþ trumpis bifor þe arke of þe Lord; and Obededom,
and Achymaas, weren porteris of þe arke.
xxv Þerfor Dauid, and þe grettere men in birþe of Iſrael,
and þe tribunes, ȝeden to brynge þe arke of boond of
pees of þe Lord fro þe hows of Obededom wiþ
gladneſſe.
xxvi And whanne God hadde helpid þe dekenes þat
baren þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord, ſeuene bolis
and ſeuene rammes weren offrid.
xxvii Forſoþe Dauid was cloþid wiþ a white ſtole, and
alle þe dekenes þat baren þe arke, and þe ſyngeris, and
Chononye, þe prince of profecie among ſyngeris, weren
cloþid in white ſtolis; forſoþe alſo Dauid was cloþid wiþ
a lynun ſurplijs.
xxviii And al Iſrael ledden forþ þe arke of boond of pees
of þe Lord, and ſowneden in ioiful ſong, and in ſown of
clariouns, and in trumpis, and cymbalis, and giternis,
and harpis.
xxix And whanne þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord
hadde come to þe citee of Dauid, Mychol, þe douȝtir of
Saul, bihelde forþ bi a wyndowe, and ſche ſiȝ king
Dauyd daunſynge and pleiynge; and ſche diſpiſide hym
in hir herte.
CAP. XVI
i Þerfor þei brouȝten þe arke of God, and ſettiden it in
þe myddis of þe tabernacle, þat Dauid hadde araied
þerto; and þei offriden brent ſacrifices and peſible
ſacrifices bifor þe Lord.
ii And whanne Dauid offrynge brent ſacrifices and
peſible ſacrifices hadde fillid, he bleſſide þe puple in þe
name of þe Lord;
iii and departide to alle to ech bi hym ſilf fro a man til to
a womman o cake of breed, and a part of roſtid fleiſch
of a bugle, and flour fried in oile.
iiii And he ordeynede bifor þe arke of þe Lord, of þe
Leuytis, þat ſchulden mynyſtre, and haue mynde of þe
werkis of þe Lord, and glorifie and preyſe þe Lord God
of Iſrael;
v `he ordeynede Aſaph þe prince, and Zacharie his
ſecounde; forſoþe `he ordeynede Jahiel, and
Semiramoth, and Jahel, and Mathathie, and Eliab, and
Banaye, and Obededom, and Jehiel, on þe orguns, on þe
ſautrie, and on þe harpis; but he ordeynede Aſaph to
ſowne wiþ cymbalis;
vi ſoþeli he ordeynede Banaye and Aziel, preeſtis, bifor
þe arke of þe boond of pees of þe Lord, for to trumpe
contynueli.
vii In þat dai Dauid made Aſaph prince, and hiſe
briþeren, for to knowleche `to þe Lord.
viii Knowleche ȝe to þe Lord, and inwardli clepe ȝe his
name; make ȝe hiſe fyndyngis knowun among puplis.
ix Synge ȝe to hym, and ſeie ȝe ſalm to hym, and telle ȝe
alle his merueylis.
x Preiſe ȝe his hooli name; þe herte of men ſekynge þe
Lord be glad.
xi Seke ȝe þe Lord and his vertu; ſeke ȝe euere his face.
xii Haue ȝe mynde of hiſe merueilis whiche he dide; of
hiſe ſignes, and of þe domes of his mouþ.
xiii Þe ſeed of Iſrael, his ſeruaunt, preiſe þou God; þe
ſones of Jacob, his choſun, preiſe ȝe God.
xiiii He is `oure Lord God; hiſe domes ben in ech lond.
xv Haue ȝe mynde wiþ outen ende of his couenaunt; of
þe word whiche he couenauntide `in to a þouſynde
generaciouns.
xvi Which word he couenauntide wiþ Abraham; and of
his ooþ to Yſaac.
xvii And he ordeynede þat to Jacob in to a
comaundement; and to Iſrael in to euerlaſtynge
couenaunt.
xviii And ſeide, To þee Y ſchal ȝyue þe lond of Canaan;
þe part of ȝoure erytage.
xix Whanne þei weren fewe in noumbre; litle, and
pilgrims þerof.
xx And þei paſſiden fro folk in to þe folk; and fro a
rewme to anoþer puple.
xxi He ſuffride not ony man falſeli chalenge hem; but he
blamyde kyngis for hem.
xxii Nyle ȝe touche my criſtis; and nyle ȝe do wickidli
aȝens my prophetis.
xxiii Al erþe, ſinge ȝe to þe Lord; telle ȝe fro dai into dai
his helþe.
xxiiii Telle ȝe among heþen men his glorie; hiſe
merueylis among alle puplis.
xxv For þe Lord is greet, and worþi to be preiſid ful
myche; and he is orible, `eþir griſeful, ouer alle goddis.
xxvi For alle þe goddis of puplis ben idols; but þe Lord
made heuenes.
xxvii Knoulechyng and greet doyng ben bifor hym;
ſtrengþe and ioy ben in þe place of hym.
xxviii Ȝe meynees of puplis, `bringe ȝe to þe Lord;
brynge ȝe to þe Lord glorie and empire.
xxix Ȝyue ȝe glorie to his name, reiſe ȝe ſacrifice, and
come ȝe in his ſiȝt; and worſchipe ȝe þe Lord in hooli
fairneſſe.
CCCLXVII
xxx Al erþe be mouyd fro his face; for he foundide þe
world vnmouable.
xxxi Heuenes be glad, and þe erþe `ioy fulli; and ſeie þei
among naciouns, Þe Lord ſchal regne.
xxxii Þe ſee þundre, and his fulneſſe; þe feeldis fulli ioye,
and alle þingis þat ben in þo.
xxxiii Þanne þe trees of þe foreſt ſchulen preyſe bifor þe
Lord; for he comeþ to deme þe erþe.
xxxiiii Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord, for he is good; for his
merſi is wiþouten ende.
xxxv And ſeie ȝe, Þou God oure ſauȝour, ſaue vs, and
gadere vs, and delyuere vs fro heþen men; þat we
knowleche to þin hooli name, and be fulli glade in þi
ſongis.
xxxvi Bleſſid be þe Lord God of Iſrael fro wiþ oute
bigynnyng and til `in to wiþ outen ende; and al þe puple
ſeie, Amen, and ſeie heriyng to God.
xxxvii Þerfor Dauid lefte þere, bifor þe arke of boond of
pees of þe Lord, Aſaph and hiſe briþeren, for to
mynyſtre in þe ſiȝt of þe arke contynueli bi alle daies
and her whilis.
xxxviii Forſoþe he ordeynede porteris, Obededom and
hiſe briþeren, eiȝte and ſixti, and Obededom, þe ſone of
Idithum, and Oza.
xxxix Soþeli `he ordeynede Sadoch preeſt, and hiſe
briþeren, preeſtis bifor þe tabernacle of þe Lord, in þe
hiȝ place þat was in Gabaon,
xl for to offre brent ſacrifices to þe Lord on þe auter of
brent ſacrifice contynueli, in þe morwetid and euentid,
bi alle þingis þat ben writun in þe lawe of þe Lord,
which he comaundide to Iſrael.
xli And aftir hym Dauyd ordeynede Eman, and Idithum,
and oþer choſene, ech man bi his name, for to
knowleche to þe Lord; for his mercy is wiþouten ende.
xlii Alſo he ordeynede Eman, and Idithum, trumpynge,
and ſchakynge cymbalis, and alle orguns of muſikis, for
to ſynge to God; forſoþe he made þe ſones of Idithum to
be portours, `eþer bereris.
xliii And al þe puple turnede aȝen in to her hows, and
Dauid turnede aȝen, to bleſſe alſo his hows.
CAP. XVII
i Forſoþe whanne Dauid dwellide in his hows, he ſeide
to Nathan, þe prophete, Lo! Y dwelle in an hows of
cedris; ſoþeli þe arke of boond of pees of þe Lord is
vndur ſkynnys.
ii And Nathan ſeide to Dauid, Do þou alle þingis þat ben
in þin herte, for God is wiþ þee.
iii Þerfor in þat nyȝt þe word of þe Lord was maad to
Nathan,
iiii and ſeide, Go þou, and ſpeke to Dauid, my ſeruaunt,
Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þou ſchalt not bilde to me an
hows to dwelle in;
v for Y `dwellide not in an hows, fro þat tyme in which
Y ledde Iſrael out of þe lond of Egipt til to þis dai, but
euere Y chaungide places of tabernacle, and dwellide in
a tente wiþ al Iſrael.
vi Where I ſpak nameli to oon of þe iugis of Iſrael, to
which I comaundide þat þei ſchulde fede my puple, and
ſeide, Whi `bildidiſt þou not to me an hous of cedre?
vii Now þerfor þou ſchalt ſpeke þus to my ſeruaunt
Dauid, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y took þee,
whanne þou ſuediſt þe floc in þe leſewis, þat þou
ſchuldiſt be duyk on my puple Iſrael;
viii and Y was wiþ þee whidur euere þou ȝediſt, and Y
killide alle þin enemyes bifor þee, and Y made to þee an
name as of oon of þe grete men þat ben maad
worſchipful, eþer `famouſe, in erþe.
ix And Y ȝaf a place to my puple Iſrael; it ſchal be
plauntid, and ſchal dwelle þere ynne, and it ſchal no
more be moued, and þe ſones of wickydneſſe ſchulen
not defoule hem,
x as fro þe bigynnyng, fro þe daies in whiche Y ȝaf iugis
to my puple Iſrael; and Y made lowe alle þin enemyes.
Þerfor Y telle to þee, þat þe Lord ſchal bilde an hows to
þee.
xi And whanne þou haſt fillid þi daies, þat þou go to þi
fadris, Y ſchal reiſe þi ſeed after þee, þat ſchal be of þi
ſones, and Y ſchal ſtabliſche his rewme;
xii he ſchal bilde to me an hows, and Y ſchal make
ſtidefaſt his ſeete til in to wiþ outen ende.
xiii Y ſchal be to hym in to a fadir, and he ſchal be to me
in to a ſone; and Y ſchal not do my merſi fro hym, as Y
took awei fro hym þat was bifore þee;
xiiii and Y ſchal ordeyne hym in myn hows and in my
rewme til in to wiþ outen ende; and his trone ſchal be
mooſt ſtidefaſt wiþ outen ende.
xv Bi alle þeſe wordis, and bi al þis reuelacioun, ſo
Nathan ſpak to Dauid.
xvi And whanne kyng Dauid hadde come, and hadde
ſete bifore þe Lord, he ſeide, Lord God, who am Y, and
what is myn hows, þat þou ſchuldiſt ȝyue ſiche þingis to
me?
xvii But alſo þis is ſeyn litil in þi ſiȝt, and þerfor þou
ſpakeſt on þe hows of þi ſeruaunt, ȝhe, in to tyme to
comynge; and haſt maad me worþi to be biholdun ouer
alle men.
xviii My Lord God, what may Dauid adde more, ſiþen
þou haſt ſo glorified þi ſeruaunt, and haſt knowe hym?
xix Lord, for þi ſeruaunt þou haſt do bi þin herte al þis
grete doyng, and woldiſt þat alle grete þingis be
knowun.
xx Lord, noon is lijk þee, and noon oþer God is wiþ oute
þee, of alle whiche we herden wiþ oure eeris.
xxi For who is anoþir as þi puple Iſrael, o folc in erþe, to
whom God ȝede, to delyuere and make a puple to hym
CCCLXVIII
ſilf, and to caſte out bi his greetneſſe and dredis
naciouns fro þe face þerof, which he delyuerede fro
Egipt?
xxii And þou haſt ſet þi puple Iſrael in to a puple to þee
til in to wiþ outen ende, and þou, Lord, art maad þe
God þerof.
xxiii Now þerfor, Lord, þe word which þou haſt ſpoke to
þi ſeruaunt, and on his hows, be confermed wiþ outen
ende, and do, as þou ſpake;
xxiiii and þi name dwelle, and be magnefied `wiþ outen
ende; and be it ſeid, Þe Lord of ooſtis is God of Iſrael,
and þe hous of Dauid, his ſeruaunt, dwellynge bifor
hym.
xxv For þou, my Lord God, haſt maad reuelacioun to þe
eere of þi ſeruaunt, þat þou woldiſt bilde to hym an
hous; and þerfor þi ſeruaunt foond triſt, þat he preie
bifor þee.
xxvi Now þerfor, Lord, þou art God, and haſt ſpoke to þi
ſeruaunt ſo grete benefices;
xxvii and þou haſt bigunne to bleſſe þe hous of þi
ſeruaunt, þat it be euer bifore þee; for, Lord, for þou
bleſſiſt, it ſchal be bleſſid wiþ outen ende.
CAP. XVIII
i Forſoþe it was doon aftir þeſe þingis, þat Dauid ſmoot
Filiſteis, and made hem lowe, and took awey Geth and
vilagis þerof fro þe hond of Filiſteis;
ii and þat he ſmoot Moab; and Moabitis weren maad
ſeruauntis of Dauid, and brouȝten ȝiftis to hym.
iii In þat tyme Dauid ſmoot alſo Adadezer, kyng of
Soba, of þe cuntrey of Emath, whanne he ȝede for to
alarge his empire til to þe flood Eufrates.
iiii Þerfor Dauid took a þouſynde foure horſid cartis of
his, and ſeuene þouſynde of horſmen, and twenti
þouſynde of foot men; and he hoxide alle þe horſis of
charis, outakun an hundrid foure horſid cartis, whiche
he kepte to hym ſilf.
v Forſoþe alſo Sirus of Damaſk cam aboue, to ȝyue help
to Adadezer, kyng of Soba, but Dauid ſmoot alſo of hiſe
two and twenti þouſynde of men;
vi and he ſettide kniȝtis in Damaſk, þat Sirie alſo ſchulde
ſerue hym, and brynge ȝiftis. And þe Lord helpide hym
in alle þingis to whiche he ȝede.
vii And Dauid took goldun arowe caaſis, whiche þe
ſeruauntis of Adadezer hadden, and he brouȝte þo in to
Jeruſalem;
viii alſo and of Thebath and of Chum, þe citees of
Adadezer, he took ful myche of bras, wherof Salomon
made þe braſun ſee, `þat is, waiſchynge veſſel, and
pileris, and braſun veſſels.
ix And whanne Thou, kyng of Emath, hadde herd þis
þing, `þat is, þat Dauid hadde ſmyte al þe ooſt of
Adadezer, kyng of Soba,
x he ſente Aduram, his ſone, to Dauid þe kyng, for to
axe of hym pees, and for to þanke hym, for he hadde
ouercome and hadde ſmyte Adadezer; for whi king
Adadezer was aduerſarie of Thou.
xi But alſo kyng Dauid halewide to þe Lord alle þe
veſſels of gold, and of ſiluer, and of bras; and þe ſiluer,
and þe gold, which þe kyng hadde take of alle folkis, as
wel of Idumee and Moab, and of þe ſones of Amon, as
of Filiſteis and Amalech.
xii Forſoþe Abiſai, þe ſone of Saruye, ſmoot Edom in þe
valei of ſalt pittis, `ten and eiȝte þouſynde.
xiii And he ſettide ſtrong hold in Edom, þat Ydumei
ſchulde ſerue Dauid. And þe Lord ſauide Dauid in alle
þingis, to whiche he ȝede.
xiiii Þerfor Dauid regnede on al Iſrael, and dide doom
and riȝtwiſneſſe to al his puple.
xv Forſoþe Joab, þe ſone of Saruye, was `on þe ooſt; and
Joſaphat, þe ſone of Ayluth, was chaunceler;
xvi forſoþe Sadoch, þe ſone of Achitob, and
Achymalech, þe ſone of Abyathar, weren preeſtis; and
Suſa was ſcribe;
xvii and Banaye, þe ſone of Joiada, was on þe legiouns
Cerethi and Phelethi; ſoþeli þe ſones of Dauid weren þe
firſte at þe hond of þe kyng.
CAP. XIX
i Forſoþe it bifelde, þat Naas, kyng of þe ſones of
Amon, diede, and his ſone regnyde for him.
ii And Dauid ſeide, Y ſchal do mercy wiþ Anoon, þe
ſone of Naas; for his fadir ȝaf merci to me. And Dauid
ſente meſſageris, to coumforte hym on þe deeþ of his
fadir. And whanne þei weren comen in to þe lond of þe
ſones of Amon,
iii for to coumforte Anon, þe princes of þe ſones of
Amon ſeiden to Anon, In hap þou geſſiſt, þat Dauid for
cauſe of onour in to þi fadir ſente men, þat ſchulden
coumforte þee; and þou perſeyueſt not, þat hiſe
ſeruauntis ben comen to þee to aſpie, and enquere, and
ſeche þi lond.
iiii Þerfor Anoon made ballid and ſchauyde þe children
of Dauid, and kittide þe cootis of hem fro þe buttokis of
hem til to þe feet; and lefte hem.
v And whanne þei hadden go, and hadden ſent þis to
Dauid, he ſente in to þe meting of hem; for þei hadden
ſuffrid greet diſpit; and he comaundide, þat þei ſchulden
dwelle in Gerico, til her berde wexide, and þanne þei
ſchulden turne aȝen.
vi Forſoþe þe ſones of Amon ſien, þat þei hadden do
wrong to Dauid, boþe Anoon and þe toþer puple, and
þei ſenten a þouſynde talentis of ſiluer, for to hire to
hem charis and horſmen of Meſopotanye and Sirie, of
Maacha and of Soba;
vii and þei hiriden to hem two and þretti þouſynde of
charis, and þe kyng of Maacha wiþ his puple. And
CCCLXIX
whanne þei weren comen, þei ſettiden tentis euene
aȝens Medaba; and þe ſones of Amon weren gaderid fro
her citees, and camen to batel.
viii And whanne Dauid `hadde herd þis, he ſente Joab,
and al þe ooſt of ſtronge men.
ix And þe ſones of Amon ȝeden out, and dreſſiden
ſcheltrun biſidis þe ȝate of þe citee; but þe kyngis, þat
weren comen to helpe, ſtoden aſidis half in þe feeld.
x Þerfor Joab vndurſtood, þat batel was maad aȝens hym
`euene aȝens and bihynde þe bak, and he chees þe
ſtrongeſte men of al Iſrael, and ȝede aȝens Sirus;
xi ſoþeli he ȝaf þe reſidue part of þe puple vnder þe hond
of Abiſai, his broþer; and þei ȝeden aȝens þe ſones of
Amon.
xii And Joab ſeide, If Sirus ſchal ouercome me, þou
ſchalt helpe me; ſoþeli if þe ſones of Amon ſchulen
ouercome þee, Y ſchal helpe þee; be þou coumfortid,
xiii and do we manli for oure puple, and for þe citees of
oure God; forſoþe þe Lord do þat, þat is good in his ſiȝt.
xiiii Þerfor Joab ȝede, and þe puple þat was wiþ hym,
aȝens Sirus to batel, and he droof hem awei.
xv Soþeli þe ſones of Amon ſien, þat Sirus hadde fled,
and þei fledden fro Abiſay, his broþer, and entriden in to
þe citee; and Joab turnede aȝen in to Jeruſalem.
xvi Forſoþe Sirus ſiȝ, þat he felde doun bifor Iſrael, and
he ſente meſſageris, and brouȝte Sirus, þat was biȝende
þe flood; ſoþeli Sophath, þe prynce of chyualrie of
Adadezer, was þe duyk of hem.
xvii And whanne þis was teld to Dauid, he gaderide al
Iſrael, and paſſide Jordan; and he felde in on hem, and
dreſſide ſcheltrun euene aȝens hem, fiȝtynge aȝenward.
xviii `Forſoþe Sirus fledde fro Iſrael, and Dauid killide of
men of Sirie ſeuene þouſynde of charis, and fourti
þouſynde of foot men, and Sophath, þe prince of þe
ooſt.
xix Soþeli þe ſeruauntis of Adadezer ſiȝen, þat þei weren
ouercomun of Iſrael, and þei fledden ouer to Dauid, and
ſeruiden hym; and Sirie wolde no more ȝyue helpe to þe
ſones of Amon.
CAP. XX
i Forſoþe it was doon after þe ende of a ȝeer, in þat tyme
wherinne kyngis ben wont to go forþ to batels, Joab
gederide þe ooſt, and þe ſtrengþe of chyualrie, and he
waſtide þe lond of þe ſones of Amon, and ȝede, and
biſegide Rabath; forſoþe Dauid dwellide in Jeruſalem,
whanne Joab ſmoot Rabath, and diſtriede it.
ii Forſoþe Dauid took þe coroun of Melchon fro his
heed, and foond þerynne þe weiȝt of gold a talent, and
mooſt precious iemmes, and he made þerof a diademe
to hym ſilf; alſo he took ful many ſpuylis of þe citee.
iii Soþeli he ledde out þe puple þat was þerynne, and
made breris, `eþir inſtrumentis bi whiche cornes ben
brokun, and ſleddis, and irone charis, to paſſe on hem,
ſo þat alle men weren kit in to dyuerſe partis, and weren
al to-brokun; Dauid dide þus to alle þe `cytees of þe
ſones of Amon, and turnede aȝen wiþ al his puple in to
Jeruſalem.
iiii Aftir þeſe þingis a batel was maad in Gazer aȝens
Filiſteis, wherynne Sobochai Vſachites ſlow Saphai of
þe kyn of Raphym, and mekide hem.
v Alſo anoþer batel was don aȝens Filiſteis, in which a
man ȝouun of God, þe ſone of foreſt, a man of
Bethleem, killide Goliath of Geth, þe broþer of giauntis,
of whos ſchaft þe tre was as þe beem of webbis.
vi But alſo anoþer batel bifelde in Geth, in which a ful
long man was, hauynge ſixe fyngris, þat is, togidere
foure and twenti, and he was gendrid of þe generacioun
of Raphaym;
vii he blasfemyde Iſrael, and Jonathan, þe ſone of
Samaa, broþer of Dauid, killide hym. Þeſe ben þe ſones
of Raphaym in Geth, þat felden doun in þe hond of
Dauid and of hiſe ſeruauntis.
CAP. XXI
i Soþeli Sathan roos aȝens Iſrael, and ſtiride Dauid for to
noumbre Iſrael.
ii And Dauid ſeide to Joab, and to þe princes of þe
puple, Go ȝe, and noumbre Iſrael fro Berſabe til to Dan,
and brynge ȝe þe noumbre to me, þat Y wite.
iii And Joab anſweride, Þe Lord encreſſe his puple an
hundrid fold more þan þei ben; my lord þe kyng,
wheþer alle ben not þi ſeruauntis? Whi ſekiþ my lord
þis þing, þat ſchal be arettid in to ſynne to Iſrael?
iiii But þe word of þe kyng hadde more þe maiſtrie; and
Joab ȝede out, and cumpaſſide al Iſrael, and turnede
aȝen in to Jeruſalem.
v And he ȝaf to Dauid þe noumbre of hem, which he
hadde cumpaſſid; and al þe noumbre of Iſrael was
foundun a þouſynde þouſande, and an hundrid þouſynde
of men, drawynge out ſwerd; forſoþe of Juda weren þre
hundrid þouſynde, and ſeuenti þouſynde of werriouris.
vi For Joab noumbride not Leuy and Beniamyn, for
aȝens his wille he dide þe comaundement of þe kyng.
vii Forſoþe þat þat was comaundid diſpleſide þe Lord,
and he ſmoot Iſrael.
viii And Dauid ſeide to God, Y ſynnede greetli þat Y
wolde do þis; Y biſeche, do þou awey þe wickidneſſe of
þi ſeruaunt, for Y dide folili.
ix And þe Lord ſpak to Gad, þe profete of Dauid,
x and ſeide, Go þou, and ſpeke to Dauid, and ſeie to
him, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y ȝeue to þee þe cheſyng
of þre þingis; cheſe þou oon which þou wolt, þat Y do
to þee.
xi And whanne Gad was comen to Dauid, he ſeide to
Dauid, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Cheſe þou þat þat þou
wolt, eþer peſtilence þre ȝeer,
CCCLXX
xii eþer þat þre moneþis þou fle þin enemyes and mow
not aſcape her ſwerd, eþer þat þe ſwerd of þe Lord and
deeþ regne þre daies in þe lond, and þat þe aungel of þe
Lord ſlee in alle þe cooſtis of Iſrael. Now þerfor ſe þou,
what Y ſchal anſwere to hym þat ſente me.
xiii And Dauid ſeide to Gad, Angwiſchis oppreſſe me on
ech part, but it is betere to me, þat Y falle in to þe
hondis of þe Lord, for his merciful doynges ben manye,
þan in to þe hondis of men.
xiiii Þerfor þe Lord ſente peſtilence in to Iſrael, and
ſeuenti þouſynde of men felden doun of Iſrael.
xv Alſo he ſente an aungel in to Jeruſalem, þat he
ſchulde ſmyte it; and whanne it was ſmytun, þe Lord ſiȝ,
and hadde merci on þe greetneſſe of yuel; and
comaundide to þe aungel þat ſmoot, It ſuffiſiþ, now þin
hond ceeſſe. Forſoþe þe aungel of þe Lord ſtood biſidis
þe cornfloor of Ornam Jebuſey.
xvi And Dauid reiſide hiſe iȝen, and ſiȝ þe aungel of þe
Lord ſtondynge bitwixe heuene and erþe, and a drawun
ſwerd in his hond, and turnede aȝens Jeruſalem. And
boþe he and þe grettere men in birþe weren cloþid wiþ
heiris, and felden doun lowe on þe erþe.
xvii And Dauid ſeide to þe Lord, Wheþer Y am not þat
comaundide þat þe puple ſchulde be noumbrid? Y it am
þat ſynnede, Y it am þat dide yuel; what diſſeruid þis
floc? My Lord God, Y biſeche, þin hond be turned `in
to me, and `in to þe hows of my fadir; but þi puple be
not ſmytun.
xviii Forſoþe an aungel of þe Lord comaundide Gad, þat
he ſchulde ſeie to Dauid, `þat he ſchulde ſtie, and bilde
an auter to þe Lord God in þe cornfloor of Ornam
Jebuſei.
xix Þerfor Dauid ſtiede bi þe word of Gad, which he
ſpak to hym bi þe word of þe Lord.
xx Forſoþe whanne Ornam hadde `biholde, and hadde
ſeyn þe aungel, and hiſe foure ſones `wiþ hym `hadde
ſeyn, þei hidden hem, for in þat tyme he þreiſchide
whete in þe cornfloor.
xxi Þerfor whanne Dauid cam to Ornam, Ornam bihelde
Dauid, and ȝede forþ fro þe cornfloor aȝens hym, and
worſchipide hym, lowli on þe ground.
xxii And Dauid ſeide to hym, Ȝyue þe place of þi
cornfloor to me, þat Y bilde þer ynne an auter to þe
Lord; ſo þat þou take as myche ſiluer as it is worþ, and
þat þe veniaunce ceeſſe fro þe puple.
xxiii Forſoþe Ornam ſeide to Dauid, Take þou, and my
lord þe kyng do what euer þing pleſiþ hym; but alſo Y
ȝyue oxis in to brent ſacrifice, and inſtrumentis of tree,
wherbi cornes ben þroiſchun, in to trees, and wheete in
to ſacrifice; Y ȝyue alle þingis wilfully.
xxiiii And `Dauid þe kyng ſeide to hym, It ſchal not be
don ſo, but Y ſchal ȝyue ſiluer as myche as it is worþ;
for Y owe not take awei fro þee, and offre ſo to þe Lord
brent ſacrifices freli ȝouun.
xxv Þerfor Dauid ȝaf to Ornam for þe place ſixe hundrid
ſiclis of gold of moſt iuſt weiȝte.
xxvi And he bildide þere an auter to þe Lord, and he
offride brent ſacrifice and peſible ſacrifices, and he
inwardli clepide God; and God herde hym in fier fro
heuene on þe auter of brent ſacrifice.
xxvii And þe Lord comaundide to þe aungel, and he
turnede his ſwerd in to þe ſcheþe.
xxviii Þerfor anoon Dauid ſiȝ, þat þe Lord hadde herd
hym in þe corn floor of Ornam Jebuſey, and he offride
þere ſlayn ſacrifices.
xxix Forſoþe þe tabernacle of þe Lord, þat Moyſes hadde
maad in þe deſeert, and þe auter of brent ſacrifices, was
in þat tempeſt in þe hiȝ place of Gabaon;
xxx and Dauid myȝte not go to þe auter, to biſeche God
þere, for he was aferd bi ful greet drede, ſeynge þe
ſwerd of þe `aungel of þe Lord.
CAP. XXII
i And Dauid ſeide, Þis is þe hows of God, and þis auter
is in to brent ſacrifice of Iſrael.
ii And he comaundide þat alle conuerſis fro heþeneſſe to
þe lawe of Iſrael `ſchulden be gaderid `of þe lond of
Iſrael; and he ordeynede of hem maſouns for to kytte
ſtoonys and for to poliſche, þat þe hows of þe Lord
ſchulde be bildid;
iii alſo Dauid made redy ful myche yrun to þe nailes of
þe ȝatis, and to þe medlyngis and ioyntouris, and
vnnoumbrable weiȝte of bras;
iiii alſo þe trees of cedre myȝten not be geſſid, whiche þe
men of Sidonye and þe men of Tyre brouȝten to Dauid.
v And Dauid ſeide, Salomon, my ſone, is a litil child and
delicat; ſoþeli þe hows, which Y wole be bildid to þe
Lord, owiþ to be ſich, þat it be named in alle cuntrees;
þerfor Y ſchal make redi neceſſaries to hym. And for þis
cauſe Dauid bifor his deeþ made redi alle coſtis.
vi And he clepide Salomon, his ſone, and comaundide to
hym, þat he ſchulde bilde an hows to þe Lord God of
Iſrael.
vii And Dauid ſeide to Salomon, My ſone, it was my
wille to bilde an hows to þe name of `my Lord God;
viii but þe word of þe Lord was made to me, and ſeide,
Þou haſt ſched out myche blood, and þou haſt fouȝt ful
many batels; þou mayſt not bilde an hows to my name,
for þou haſt ſched out ſo myche blood bifor me;
ix þe ſone þat ſchal be borun to þee, ſchal be a man moſt
peſible, for Y ſchal make hym to haue reſte of alle hiſe
enemyes bi cumpas, and for þis cauſe he ſchal be clepid
peſible, and Y ſchal ȝyue pees and reſte in Iſrael in alle
hiſe daies.
x He ſchal bilde an hows to my name; he ſchal be to me
in to a ſone, and Y ſchal be to hym in to a fadir, and Y
CCCLXXI
ſchal make ſtidefaſt þe ſeete of his rewme on Iſrael
wiþouten ende.
xi Now þerfor, my ſone, þe Lord be wiþ þee, and haue
þou proſperite, and bilde þou an hows to `þi Lord God,
as he ſpak of þee.
xii And þe Lord ȝyue to þee prudence and wit, þat þou
mow gouerne Iſrael, and kepe þe lawe of `þi Lord God.
xiii For þanne þou maiſt profite, if þou kepiſt þe
comaundementis and domes, whiche þe Lord
comaundide to Moiſes, þat he ſchulde teche Iſrael; be
þou coumfortid, and do manli, drede þou not `wiþ
outforþ, neþer drede þou `wiþ ynne.
xiiii Lo! in my pouert Y haue maad redi þe coſtis of þe
hows of þe Lord; an hundrid þouſinde talentis of gold,
and a þouſynde þouſynde talentis of ſiluer; ſoþeli of bras
and irun is no weiȝte, for þe noumbre is ouercomun bi
greetneſſe; Y haue maad redi trees and ſtoonys to alle
coſtis.
xv Alſo þou haſt ful many crafti men, maſouns, and
leggeris of ſtonys, and crafti men of trees, and of alle
craftis,
xvi moſt prudent to make werk, in gold, and ſiluer, and
bras, and in yrun, of which is no noumbre; þerfor riſe
þou, and make, and þe Lord ſchal be wiþ þee.
xvii Alſo Dauid comaundide to alle þe princis of Iſrael,
þat þei ſchulden helpe Salomon,
xviii his ſone, and ſeide, Ȝe ſeen, þat `ȝoure Lord God is
wiþ ȝou, and haþ ȝoue to ȝou reſte `by cumpas, and haþ
bitake alle enemyes in ȝoure hoond, and þe erþe is ſuget
bifor þe Lord, and bifor his puple.
xix Þerfor ȝyue ȝoure hertis and ȝoure ſoulis, þat ȝe ſeke
`ȝoure Lord God; and riſe ȝe togidere, and bilde ȝe a
ſeyntuarie to `ȝoure Lord God, þat þe arke of boond of
pees of þe Lord be brouȝt in, and þat veſſels halewid to
þe Lord be brouȝt in to þe hows, which is bildid to þe
name of þe Lord.
CAP. XXIII
i Þerfor Dauid was eld and ful of daies, and ordeynede
Salomon, his ſone, kyng on Iſrael.
ii And he gaderide togidere alle þe princes of Iſrael, and
þe preeſtis, and dekenes;
iii and þe dekenes weren noumbrid fro twenti ȝeer and
aboue, and eiȝte and þretti þouſynde of men weren
foundun.
iiii And foure and twenty þouſynde men weren choſun
of hem, and weren departid in to þe ſeruyce of þe hows
of þe Lord; ſoþeli of ſouereyns, and iugis, ſixe
þouſynde;
v forſoþe foure þouſynde `porteris weren, and ſo many
ſyngeris, ſyngynge to þe Lord in orguns, whiche Dauid
hadde maad for to ſynge.
vi And Dauid departide hem bi þe whilis of þe ſones of
Leuy, þat is, of Gerſon, and of Caath, and Merary.
vii And þe ſones of Gerſon weren Leedan and Semeye.
viii Þe ſones of Leedan weren þre, þe prince Jehiel, and
Ethan, and Johel.
ix Þe ſones of Semei weren þre, Salamyth, and Oziel,
and Aram; þeſe weren þe princes of þe meynees of
Leedan.
x Forſoþe þe ſones of Semeye weren Leeth, and Ziza,
and Yaus, and Baria, þeſe foure weren þe ſones of
Semei.
xi Soþeli Leeth was þe formere, and Ziza þe ſecounde;
forſoþe Yaus and Baria hadden not ful many ſones, and
þerfor þei weren rikenyd in o meynee and oon hows.
xii Þe ſones of Caath weren foure, Amram, and Yſaac,
Ebron, and Oziel.
xiii Þe ſones of Amram weren Aaron and Moyſes; and
Aaron was departid, þat he ſchulde mynyſtre in þe hooli
þing of hooli þingis, he and hiſe ſones wiþ outen ende,
and to brenne encenſe to þe Lord bi his cuſtom, and to
bleſſe his name wiþ outen ende.
xiiii Alſo þe ſones of Moyſes, man of God, weren
noumbrid in þe lynage of Leuy.
xv Þe ſones of Moiſes weren Gerſon and Elieſer.
xvi Þe ſones of Gerſon; `Subuhel þe firſte.
xvii Soþeli þe ſones of Eliezer weren Roboya þe firſte,
and oþere ſones weren not to Eliezer; forſoþe þe ſones
of Roboia weren multipliede ful miche.
xviii Þe ſones of Iſaar; `Salumuth þe firſte.
xix Þe ſones of Ebron; `Jerian þe firſte, Amarias þe
ſecounde, Jaziel þe þridde, Jethamaan þe fourþe.
xx Þe ſones of Oziel; `Mycha þe firſte, Jeſia þe
ſecounde.
xxi Þe ſones of Merari weren Mooli and Muſi. Þe ſones
of Mooli weren Eleazar, and Cys.
xxii Soþeli Eleazar was deed, and hadde not ſones, but
douȝtris; and þe ſones of Cys, þe briþeren of hem,
weddiden hem.
xxiii Þe ſones of Muſi weren þre, Mooli, and Heder, and
Jerymuth.
xxiiii Þeſe weren þe ſones of Leuy in her kynredis and
meynees, prynces bi whilis, and noumbre of alle heedis,
þat diden þe trauel of þe ſeruyce of þe hows of þe Lord,
fro twenti ȝeer and aboue.
xxv For Dauid ſeide, Þe Lord God of Iſrael haþ ȝoue
reſte to his puple, and a dwellyng in Jeruſalem til in to
wiþ outen ende;
xxvi and it ſchal not be þe office of dekenes for to bere
more þe tabernacle, and alle veſſels þerof for to
mynyſtre.
xxvii Alſo bi þe laſte comaundementis of Dauid þe
noumbre of þe ſones of Leuy ſchulen be rikened fro
twenti ȝeer and aboue;
xxviii and þei ſchulen be vndir þe hond of þe ſones of
Aaron in to þe worſchipe of þe hows of þe Lord, in
CCCLXXII
porchis, and in chaumbris, and in þe place of clenſyng,
and in þe ſeyntuarie, and in alle werkis of þe ſeruyce of
þe temple of þe Lord.
xxix Forſoþe preeſtis ſchulen be ouer þe looues of
propoſicioun, and to þe ſacrifice of flour, and to þe
paſtis ſodun in watir, and to þe þerf looues, and friyng
panne, and to hoot flour, and to ſeenge, and ouer al
weiȝte and meſure.
xxx Forſoþe þe dekenes ſchulen be, þat þei ſtonde eerli,
for to knowleche and ſynge to þe Lord, and lijk maner
at euentide,
xxxi as wel in þe offryng of brent ſacrifices of þe Lord,
as in ſabatis, and kalendis, and oþere ſolempnytees, bi
þe noumbre and cerymonyes of eche þing contynueli
bifor þe Lord;
xxxii and þat þei kepe þe obſeruaunces of þe tabernacle
of þe boond of pees of þe Lord, and þe cuſtum of þe
ſeyntuarie, and þe obſeruaunce of þe ſones of Aaron, her
briþeren, þat þei mynyſtre in þe hows of þe Lord.
CAP. XXIIII
i Forſoþe to þe ſones of Aaron þeſe porciouns ſchulen
be; þe ſones of Aaron weren Nadab, and Abyud,
Eleazar, and Ythamar;
ii but Nadab and Abyud weren deed wiþ out fre children
bifor her fadir, and Eleazar and Ythamar weren ſet in
preſthod.
iii And Dauiþ departide hem, þat is, Sadoch, of þe ſones
of Eleazar, and Achymelech, of þe ſones of Ithamar, by
her whiles and ſeruyce;
iiii and þe ſones of Eleazar weren founden many mo in
þe men princes, þan þe ſones of Ythamar. Forſoþe he
departide to hem, þat is, to þe ſones of Eleazar, ſixtene
prynces bi meynees; and to þe ſones of Ythamar eiȝte
prynces bi her meynees and howſis.
v Soþeli he departide euer eiþir meynees among hem ſilf
bi lottis; for þere weren princes of þe ſeyntuarye, and
princes of þe hows of God, as wel of þe ſones of
Eleazar as of þe ſones of Ithamar.
vi And Semeye, þe ſone of Nathanael, a ſcribe of þe
lynage of Leuy, diſcriuede hem bifore þe king and
pryncis, and bifor Sadoch, þe preeſt, and Achymelech,
þe ſone of Abiathar, and to þe prynces of meynees of þe
preeſtis and of þe dekenes; he diſcriuyde oon hows of
Eleazar, þat was ſouereyn to oþere, and `þe toþer hows
of Ithamar, þat hadde oþere vndir hym.
vii Forſoþe þe firſte lot ȝede out to Joiarib, þe ſecounde
to Jedeie,
viii þe þridde to Aharym, þe fourþe to Seorym,
ix þe fyueþe to Melchie,
x þe ſixte to Maynan, þe ſeuenþe to Accos,
xi þe eiȝþe to Abia, þe nynþe to Hieuſu, þe tenþe to
Sechema, þe elleuenþe to Eliaſib,
xii þe twelueþe to Jacyn,
xiii þe þrittenþe to Opha, þe fourtenþe to Iſbaal,
xiiii þe fiftenþe to Abelga, þe ſixtenþe to Emmer,
xv þe ſeuentenþe to Ezir, þe eiȝtenþe to Ahapſes, þe
nyntenþe to Pheſeye,
xvi þe twentiþe to Jezechel,
xvii þe oon and twentiþe to Jachym, þe two and twentiþe
to Gamul, þe þre and twentiþe to Dalayam,
xviii þe foure and twentiþe to Mazzian.
xix Þeſe weren þe whilis of hem bi her mynyſteries, þat
þei entre in to þe hows of God, and bi her cuſtom vndur
þe hond of Aaron, her fadir, as þe Lord God of Iſrael
comaundide.
xx Forſoþe Sebahel was prince of þe ſones of Leuy þat
weren reſydue, of þe ſones of Amram; and þe ſone of
Sebahel was Jedeie;
xxi alſo Jeſie was prince of þe ſones of Roobie.
xxii Soþeli Salomoth was prince of Iſaaris; and þe ſone
of Salamoth was Janadiath;
xxiii and his firſte ſone was Jeriuans, `Amarie þe
ſecounde, Azihel þe þridde, `Jethmoan þe fourþe.
xxiiii Þe ſone of Ozihel was Mycha; þe ſone of Mycha
was Samyr;
xxv þe broþer of Mycha was Jeſia; and þe ſone of Jeſia
was Zacharie.
xxvi Þe ſones of Merary weren Mooli and Muſi; þe ſone
of Joſyan was Bennon;
xxvii and þe ſone of Merarie was Ozian, and Soen, and
Zaccur, and Hebri.
xxviii Soþeli þe ſone of Mooli was Eleazar, þat hadde not
fre ſones; forſoþe þe ſone of Cys was Jeremyhel;
xxix þe ſones of Muſy weren Mooli,
xxx Eder, Jerymuth. Þeſe weren þe ſones of Leuy, bi þe
houſis of her meynees.
xxxi Alſo and þei ſenten lottis aȝens her briþeren, þe
ſones of Aaron, bifor Dauid þe kyng, and bifor Sadoch,
and Achymelech, and þe princes of meynees of preeſtis
and of dekenes; lot departide euenli alle, boþe þe gretter
and þe leſſe.
CAP. XXV
i Þerfor Dauid, and þe mageſtratis of þe ooſt, departiden
in to þe ſeruyce þe ſones of Aſaph, and of Eman, and of
Idithum, whiche ſchulden profecye in harpis, and
ſawtrees, and cymbalis, bi her noumbre, and ſerue þe
office halewid to hem.
ii Of þe ſones of Aſaph; Zaccur, and Joſeph, and
Nathania, and Aſarela; ſoþeli þe ſones of Aſaph vndir þe
hond of Aſaph profeſieden biſidis þe kyng.
iii Forſoþe þe ſones of Idithum weren þeſe; Idithum,
Godolie, Sori, Jeſie, and Sabaie, and Mathatie, ſixe;
CCCLXXIII
vndur þe hond of hir fadir Idithum, þat profeſiede in an
harpe on men knoulechynge and preyſynge þe Lord.
iiii Alſo þe ſones of Heman weren Heman, Boccia,
Mathanya, Oziel, Subuhel, and Jerymoth, Ananye,
Anan, Elyatha, Gaeldothi, and Romenthi, Ezer, and
Jeſbacaſi, Melothy, Othir, Mazioth;
v alle þeſe ſones of Heman weren profetis of þe kyng in
þe wordis of God, þat he ſchulde enhaunſe þe horn. And
God ȝaf to Heman fourtene ſones, and þre douȝtris.
vi Alle vndur þe hond of her fadir weren `delid, eþir
aſigned, to ſynge in þe temple of þe Lord, in cymbalis,
and ſawtrees, and harpis, in to þe ſeruyces of þe hows of
þe Lord nyȝ þe kyng, þat is to ſeie, Aſaph, and Idithum,
and Heman.
vii Soþeli þe noumbre of hem wiþ her briþeren, þat
tauȝten þe ſonge of þe Lord, alle þe techeris, was twey
hundrid `foure ſcoor and eiȝte.
viii And þei ſenten lottis bi her whiles euenli, as wel þe
gretter as þe leſſe, alſo a wijs man and vnwijs.
ix And þe firſte lot ȝede out to Joſeph, þat was of Aſaph;
þe ſecounde to Godolie, to hym, and hiſe ſones and hiſe
briþeren twelue;
x þe þridde to Zaccur, to hiſe ſones and hiſe breþeren
twelue;
xi þe fourþe to Iſary, to hiſe ſones and hiſe briþeren
twelue; þe fyueþe to Nathanye,
xii to hiſe ſones and hiſe briþeren twelue;
xiii þe ſixte to Boccian, to hiſe ſones and hiſe briþeren
twelue;
xiiii þe ſeuenþe to Iſrahela, to hiſe ſones and briþeren
twelue;
xv þe eiȝþe to Iſaie, to his ſones and briþeren twelue;
xvi þe nynþe to Mathany, to his ſones and briþeren
twelue;
xvii þe tenþe to Semei, to his ſones and briþeren twelue;
xviii þe elleuenþe to Ezrahel, to hiſe ſones and briþeren
twelue;
xix þe twelueþe to Aſabie, to his ſones and briþeren
twelue;
xx þe þrittenþe to Subahel, to hiſe ſones and briþeren
twelue;
xxi þe fourtenþe to Mathathatie, to hiſe ſones and
briþeren twelue; þe fiftenþe to Jerymoth,
xxii to hiſe ſones and briþeren twelue;
xxiii þe ſixtenþe to Ananye, to hiſe ſones and briþeren
twelue;
xxiiii þe ſeuentenþe to Jeſbocaſe, to hiſe ſones and
briþeren twelue;
xxv þe eiȝtenþe to Annam, to hiſe ſones and briþeren
twelue;
xxvi þe nyntenþe to Mollothi, to hiſe ſones and briþeren
twelue; þe twentiþe to Eliatha,
xxvii to hiſe ſones and briþeren twelue;
xxviii þe oon and twentiþe to Othir, to hiſe ſones and
briþeren twelue;
xxix þe two and twentiþe to Godoliathi, to hiſe ſones and
briþeren twelue; þe þre and twentiþe to Mazioth,
xxx to hiſe ſones and briþeren twelue;
xxxi þe foure and twentiþe to Romonathiezer, to his
ſones and briþeren twelue.
CAP. XXVI
i Forſoþe þeſe weren þe departingis of porteris; of þe
ſones of Chore, Melleſemye was þe ſone of Chore, of þe
ſones of Aſaph.
ii Þe ſones of Melleſemie weren Zacharie þe firſte
gendrid, Jedihel þe ſecounde, Zabadie þe þridde,
Yathanyel þe fourþe,
iii Aylam þe fifþe, Johannan þe ſixte, Helioenay þe
ſeuenþe.
iiii Forſoþe þe ſones of Ebededom weren þeſe; Semey þe
firſte gendrid, Jozabab þe ſecounde, Joaha þe þridde,
Seccar þe fourþe, Nathanael þe fyueþe,
v Amyhel þe ſixte, Iſachar þe ſeuenþe, Pollathi þe eiȝþe,
for þe Lord bleſſide hym.
vi Forſoþe to Semeye, his ſone, weren borun ſones,
ſouereyns of her meynees; for þei weren ful ſtronge
men.
vii Þerfor þe ſones of Semeye weren Othyn, and
Raphael, and Obediel, and Zadab; and hiſe briþeren, ful
ſtronge men; alſo Helyu, and Samathie.
viii Alle þeſe weren of þe ſones of Obededom; þei and
her ſones and briþeren, ful ſtronge men for to ſerue, two
and ſixti of Obededom.
ix Soþeli of Melleſemeye, þe ſones and briþeren, ful
ſtronge, `weren eiȝtene.
x Forſoþe of Oza, þat is, of þe ſones of Merarie, Sechri
was prince; for he hadde no firſte gendrid, and þerfor
his fadir ſettide hym in to prince;
xi and Elchias þe ſecounde, Thebelias þe þridde, Zacarie
þe fourþe; alle þeſe þrettene weren þe ſones and
briþeren of Oſa.
xii Þeſe weren departid in to porteris, þat euere þe
princes of kepyngis, as alſo her briþeren, ſchulden
mynyſtre in þe hows of þe Lord.
xiii Þerfor lottis weren ſent euenly, boþe to þe litle and
to þe grete, bi her meyneeis, in to ech of þe ȝatis.
xiiii Þerfor þe lot of þe eeſt bifelde to Semelie; forſoþe
þe norþ cooſt bifelde bi lot to Zacarie, his ſone, a ful
prudent man and lernd;
xv ſoþeli to Obededom and hiſe ſones at þe ſouþe, in
which part of þe hows þe counſel of þe eldre men was;
xvi Sephyma and Thoſa weren at þe weſt, biſidis þe ȝate
þat lediþ to þe weie of ſtiyng, kepyng aȝens kepyng.
CCCLXXIV
xvii Soþeli at þe eeſt weren ſixe dekenes, and at þe norþ
weren foure bi dai; and at þe ſouþ alſo weren foure at þe
myddai; and, where þe counſel was, weren tweyne and
tweyne.
xviii And in þe ſellis, eþir `litle houſis, of porteris at þe
weſt, weren foure in þe weie, and tweyne bi þe ſellis.
xix Þeſe weren þe departyngis of porteris, of þe ſones of
Chore and of Merary.
xx Forſoþe Achias was ouer þe treſours of þe hows of þe
Lord, and ouer þe veſſels of hooli þingis.
xxi Þe ſones of Leedan, þe ſone of Gerſon; of Leedan
weren þe princis of meynees of Leedan, and of Gerſon,
and of Jehiel.
xxii Þe ſones of Jehiel weren, Zethan, and Johel, his
broþer, ouer þe treſours of þe hows of þe Lord,
xxiii Amramytis, and Iſaaritis, and Ebronytis, and
Ezielitis.
xxiiii Forſoþe Subahel, þe ſone of Gerſon, ſone of
Moiſes, was ſouereyn of þe treſour;
xxv and his broþer, Eliezer; whos ſone was Raabia; and
his ſone was Aſaye; his ſone was Joram; and his ſone
was Zechry; but and his ſone was Selemith.
xxvi Þilke Selemith, and his briþeren, weren ouer þe
treſours of hooli þingis, whiche `Dauid þe kyng
halewide, and þe princes of meynees, and þe tribunes,
and þe centuriouns, and þe duykis of þe ooſt,
xxvii of þe batels, and of þe ſpuylis of batels, whiche þei
halewiden to þe reparacioun and purtenaunce of þe
temple of þe Lord.
xxviii Forſoþe Samuel, þe prophete, halewide alle þeſe
þingis, and Saul, þe ſone of Cys, and Abner, þe ſone of
Ner, and Joab, þe ſone of Saruye; and alle halewiden þo
þingis bi þe hond of Salemyth, and of his briþeren.
xxix Soþeli Chonenye was ſouereyn and hiſe ſones to
Iſaaritis, to þe werkis wiþ outforþ on Iſrael, to teche and
to deme hem.
xxx Soþeli of Ebronytis, Aſabie, and Sabie, and hiſe
briþeren, ful ſtronge men, a þouſynde and ſeuene
hundrid, weren ſouereyns on Iſrael biȝende Jordan aȝens
þe weſte, in alle þe werkis of þe Lord, and in to þe
ſeruyce of þe kyng.
xxxi Forſoþe Herie was prynce of Ebronytis, bi her
meynees and kynredis. In þe fourtiþe ȝeer of þe rewme
of Dauid þere weren noumbred and foundun ful ſtronge
men in Jazer Galaad;
xxxii and hiſe briþeren, of ſtrongere age, twei þouſynde
and ſeuene hundrid, princes of meynees. Soþeli `Dauid
þe kyng made hem ſouereyns of Rubenytis and Gaditis,
and of þe half lynage of Manaſſes, `in to al þe ſeruyce
of God and of þe kyng.
CAP. XXVII
i Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael bi her noumbre, þe princes
of meynees, þe tribunes, and centuriouns, and prefectis,
þat mynyſtriden to þe kyng bi her cumpenyes, entrynge
and goynge out bi ech moneþe in þe ȝeer, weren
ſouereyns, ech bi hym ſilf, on foure and twenti
þouſynde.
ii Iſiboam, þe ſone of Zabdihel, was ſouereyn of þe firſte
cumpenye in þe firſte moneþe, and vndur hym weren
foure and twenti þouſynde;
iii of þe ſones of Fares was þe prince of alle princes in
þe ooſt, in þe firſte moneþe.
iiii Dudi Achoites hadde þe cumpany of þe ſecounde
moneþe, and aftir hym ſilf he hadde anoþer man,
Macelloth bi name, þat gouernede a part of þe ooſt of
foure and twenti þouſynde.
v And Bananye, þe ſone of Joiada, þe preeſt, was duyk
of þe þridde cumpenye in þe þridde moneþe, and four
and twenti þouſynde in his departyng;
vi þilke is Bananye, þe ſtrongeſt among þritti, and aboue
þritti; forſoþe Amyzadath, his ſone, was ſouereyn of his
cumpenye.
vii In þe fourþe moneþe, þe fourþe prince was Aſahel,
þe broþer of Joab, and Zabadie, his ſone, aftir hym, and
foure and twenti þouſynde in his cumpeny.
viii In þe fifþe moneþe, þe fifþe prince was Samoth
Jezarites, and foure and twenti þouſynde in his
cumpenye.
ix In þe ſixte moneþe, þe ſixte prince was Ira, þe ſone of
Actes, Techuytes, and foure and twenti þouſynde in his
cumpeny.
x In þe ſeuenþe moneþe, þe ſeuenþe prince was Helles
Phallonites, of þe ſones of Effraym, and foure and
twenti þouſynde in his cumpeny.
xi In þe eiȝþe moneþe, þe eiȝþe prince was Sobothai
Aſſothites, of þe generacioun of Zarai, and foure and
twenti þouſynde in his cumpeny.
xii In þe nynþe moneþe, þe nynþe prince was Abiezer
Anathotites, of þe generacioun of Gemyny, and foure
and tweynti þouſynde in his cumpeny.
xiii In þe tenþe moneþe, þe tenþe prince was Maray, and
he was Neophatites, of þe generacioun of Zaray, and
foure and twenti þouſynde in his cumpany.
xiiii In þe elleuenþe moneþe, þe elleuenþe prince was
Banaas Pharonytes, of þe ſones of Effraym, and foure
and twenti þouſynde in his cumpeny.
xv In þe twelueþe moneþe, þe twelueþe prince was
Holdia Nethophatites, of þe generacioun of Gothonyel,
and foure and twenti þouſynde in his cumpeny.
xvi Forſoþe þeſe weren ſouereyns of þe lynages of Iſrael;
duyk Eliezer, ſone of Zechri, was ſouereyn to
Rubenytis; duyk Saphacie, ſone of Maacha, was
ſouereyn to Symeonytis;
CCCLXXV
xvii Aſabie, þe ſone of Chamuel, was ſouereyn to
Leuytis; Sadoch `was ſouereyn to Aaronytis;
xviii Elyu, þe broþir of Dauid, `was ſouereyn to þe
lynage of Juda; Amry, þe ſone of Mychael, `was
ſouereyn to Iſacharitis;
xix Jeſmaye, þe ſone of Abdie, was ſouereyn to
Zabulonytis; Jerymuth, þe ſone of Oziel, `was ſouereyn
to Neptalitis;
xx Ozee, þe ſone of Ozazym, `was ſouereyn to þe ſones
of Effraym; Johel, þe ſone of Phatae, was ſouereyn to þe
half lynage of Manaſſes;
xxi and Jaddo, þe ſone of Zacarie, `was ſouereyn to þe
half lynage of Manaſſes in Galaad; ſoþeli Jaſihel, þe
ſone of Abner, `was ſouereyn to Beniamyn; forſoþe
Ezriel,
xxii þe ſone of Jeroam, was ſouereyn to Dan; þeſe weren
þe princes of þe ſones of Iſrael.
xxiii Forſoþe Dauid nolde noumbre hem wiþ ynne twenti
ȝeer, for þe Lord ſeide, þat he wolde multiplie Iſrael as
þe ſterris of heuene.
xxiiii Joab, þe ſone of Saruye, bigan for to noumbre, and
he fillide not; for ire fel on Iſrael for þis þing, and
þerfor þe noumbre of hem, þat weren noumbrid, was
not teld in to þe bookis of cronyclis of kyng Dauid.
xxv Forſoþe Azymoth, þe ſone of Adihel, was on þe
treſouris of þe kyng; but Jonathan, þe ſone of Ozie, was
ſouereyn of þeſe treſours, þat weren in cytees, and in
townes, and in touris.
xxvi Soþeli Ezri, þe ſone of Chelub, was ſouereyn on þe
werk of hoſebondrie, and on erþe tiliers, þat tiliden þe
lond;
xxvii and Semeye Ramathites was ſouereyn on tilieris of
vyneris; ſoþeli Zabdie Aphonytes was ſouereyn on þe
wyn celeris;
xxviii for Balanam Gadaritis was on þe olyue placis, and
fige places, þat weren in þe feeldi places; ſoþeli Joas
was on þe ſchoppis, `eþer celeris, of oile;
xxix forſoþe Cethray Saronytis `was ſouereyn of þe
droues, þat weren leſewid in Sarena; and Saphat, þe
ſone of Abdi, was ouer þe oxis in valeys;
xxx ſoþeli Vbil of Iſmael was ouer þe camelis; and Jadye
Meronathites was ouer þe aſſis; and Jazir Aggarene was
ouer þe ſcheep;
xxxi alle þeſe weren princes of þe catel of kyng Dauid.
xxxii Forſoþe Jonathas, broþer of `Dauiþis fader, was a
councelour, a myȝti man, and prudent, and lettrid; he
and Jahiel, þe ſone of Achamony, weren wiþ þe ſones of
þe kyng.
xxxiii Alſo Achitofel was a counſelour of þe kyng; and
Chuſi Arachites was a frend of þe kyng.
xxxiiii Aftir Achitofel was Joiada, þe ſone of Banaye,
and Abyathar; but Joab was prince of þe ooſt of þe
kyng.
CAP. XXVIII
i Þerfor Dauid clepide togidere alle þe princes of Iſrael,
þe duykis of lynagis, and þe ſouereyns of cumpenyes,
þat `mynyſtriden to þe kyng, alſo þe tribunes, and
centuriouns, and hem þat weren ſouereyns ouer þe catel
and poſſeſſiouns of þe kyng, and hiſe ſones, wiþ
`nurchis, and techeris, and alle þe myȝti and ſtrongeſte
men in þe ooſt of Jeruſalem.
ii And whanne þe kyng hadde riſe, and `hadde ſtonde,
he ſeide, My briþeren and my puple, here ȝe me. Y
þouȝte for to bilde an hows, wherynne þe arke of boond
of pees of þe Lord, and þe ſtool of þe feet of oure God
ſchulde reſte; and Y made redi alle þingis to bilde.
iii But God ſeide to me, Þou ſchalt not bilde an hows to
my name, for þou art a man werriour, and haſt ſched
blood.
iiii But þe Lord God of Iſrael chees me of al þe hows of
my fadir, þat Y ſchulde be kyng on Iſrael wiþ outen
ende; for of Juda he chees princes, ſoþeli of þe hows of
Juda he chees þe hows of my fadir, and of þe ſones of
my fadir it pleſide hym to cheſe me kyng on al Iſrael.
v But alſo of my ſones, for þe Lord ȝaf to me many
ſones, he chees Salomon, my ſone, þat he ſchulde ſitte
in þe troone of þe rewme of þe Lord on Iſrael.
vi And he ſeide to me, Salomon, þi ſone, ſchal bilde myn
hows, and myn auters; for Y haue choſe hym to me in to
a ſone, and Y ſchal be to hym in to a fadir;
vii and Y ſchal make ſtidefaſt his rewme til in to wiþ
outen ende, if he ſchal contynue to do myn heeſtis and
domes, as and to dai.
viii Now þerfor bifor al þe cumpeny of Iſrael, `Y ſeie
þeſe þingis þat ſuen in þe heryng of God, kepe ȝe and
ſeke ȝe alle þe comaundementis of `ȝoure Lord God, þat
ȝe haue in poſſeſſioun a good lond, and þat ȝe leeue it to
ȝoure ſones aftir ȝou til in to wiþ outen ende.
ix But þou, Salomon, my ſone, knowe þe God of þi
fadir, and ſerue þou hym wiþ perfit herte, and wilful
ſoule; for þe Lord ſerchiþ alle hertis, and vndirſtondiþ
alle þouȝtis of ſoulis; if þou ſekiſt hym, þou ſchalt fynde
hym; forſoþe if þou forſakiſt hym, he ſchal caſte þee
awei wiþ outen ende.
x Now þerfor, for þe Lord chees þee, for to bilde þe
hows of ſeyntuarie, be þou coumfortid, and parforme.
xi Forſoþe Dauid ȝaf to Salomon, his ſone, þe
diſcryuyng, `eþer enſaumple, of þe porche, and of þe
temple, and of celeris, and of þe ſoler, and of cloſetis in
pryuy places, and of þe hows of propiciacioun, `þat is,
of merſi;
xii alſo and of alle þingis whiche he þouȝte of þe large
places, and of chaumbris bi cumpas, in to þe treſours of
þe hows of þe Lord, and `in to þe treſours of holi þingis,
xiii and of þe departyngis of preeſtis and of dekenes, in
to alle þe werkis of þe hows of þe Lord, and alle veſſels
of þe ſeruyce of þe temple of þe Lord.
CCCLXXVI
xiiii Of gold in weiȝte bi ech veſſel of þe ſeruyce, and of
ſiluer, for dyuerſitee of veſſels, and of werkis;
xv but alſo to goldun candilſtikis, and to her lanternes,
he ȝaf gold, for þe meſure of ech candilſtike and
lanternes; alſo and in ſilueren candilſtikis, and in her
lanternes, he bitook þe weiȝte of ſiluer, for þe dyuerſite
of meſure.
xvi Alſo and he ȝaf gold in to þe bord of ſettyng forþ, for
þe dyuerſite of meſure, alſo and he ȝaf ſiluer in to oþere
ſiluerne boordis;
xvii alſo to fleiſch hookis, and viols, and cenſeris of
pureſte gold; and to litle goldun lyouns, for þe maner of
meſure, he departide a weiȝte in to a litil lyoun and a
litil lioun; alſo and in to ſiluerne liouns he departide
dyuerſe weiȝte of ſiluer.
xviii Forſoþe he ȝaf pureſte gold to þe auter, wherynne
encenſe was brent, þat a lickeneſſe of þe cart of
cherubyns, holdinge forþ wyngis, and hilynge þe arke
of boond of pees of þe Lord, ſchulde be maad þerof.
xix Dauid ſeide, Alle þingis camen writun bi þe hond of
þe Lord to me, þat Y ſchulde vndirſtonde alle þe werkis
of þe ſaumpler.
xx And Dauid ſeide to Salomon, his ſone, Do þou manli,
and be þou coumfortid, and make; drede þou not `wiþ
outforþ, neþer drede þou `wiþ ynne; for `my Lord God
ſchal be wiþ þee, and he ſchal not leeue þee, neþer ſchal
forſake þee, til þou performe al þe werk of þe ſeruyce of
þe hows of þe Lord.
xxi Lo! þe departyngis of preſtis and of dekenes, in to al
þe werk of þe ſeruyce of þe hows of þe Lord, ſchulen
ſtonde niȝ þee; and þei ben redi, and boþe þe princes
and þe puple kunnen do alle þi comaundementis.
CAP. XXIX
i And kyng Dauid ſpak to al þe chirche, God haþ choſe
Salomon, my ſone, ȝit a child and tendre; forſoþe þe
werk is greet, and a dwellyng is not maad redi to man
but to God.
ii Soþeli Y in alle my myȝtis haue maad redi þe coſtis of
þe hows of my God; gold to goldun veſſels, ſiluer in to
ſiluerne veſſels, bras in to braſun veſſels, irun in to irun
veſſels, tre in to trenun veſſels, onychyn ſtonys, and
ſtonys as of þe colour of wymmens oynement, and ech
precious ſtoon of dyuerſe colouris, and marbil of
dyuerſe colouris, moſt plenteuouſly.
iii And ouer þeſe þingis Y ȝyue gold and ſiluer in to þe
temple of my God, whiche Y offride of my propir catel
in to þe hows of my God, outakun þeſe þingis whiche Y
made redi in to þe hooli hows,
iiii þre þouſynde talentis of gold, of þe gold of Ophir,
and ſeuene þouſynde of talentis of ſiluer moſt preuyd, to
ouergilde þe wallis of þe temple;
v and werkis be maad bi þe hondis of crafti men, where
euere gold is nedeful, of gold, and where euere ſiluer is
nedeful, of ſiluer; and if ony man offriþ bi his fre wille,
fille he his hond to dai, and offre he þat þat he wole to
þe Lord.
vi Þerfor þe princes of meynees, and þe duykis of þe
lynagis of Iſrael, and þe tribunes, and þe centuriouns,
and þe princes of þe poſſeſſiouns of þe kyng, bihiȝten;
vii and þei ȝauen in to þe werkis of þe hows of þe Lord,
fyue þouſynde talentis of gold, and ten þouſynde
ſchyllyngis; ten þouſynde talentis of ſiluer, and eiȝtene
þouſynde talentis of bras, and an hundrid þouſynde of
talentis of irun.
viii And at whom euere ſtoonys were foundun, þei ȝauen
in to þe treſour of þe hows of þe Lord, bi þe hond of
Jehiel Gerſonyte.
ix And þe puple was glad, whanne þei bihiȝten avowis
bi her fre wille, for wiþ al þe herte þei offriden þo to þe
Lord. But alſo kyng Dauid was glad wiþ greet ioye, and
bleſſide þe Lord bifor al þe multitude,
x and ſeide, Lord God of Iſrael, oure fadir, þou art
bleſſid fro wiþ outen bigynnyng in to wiþ outen ende;
xi Lord, worþi doyng is þin, and power, and glorie, and
victorie, and heriyng is to þee; for alle þingis þat ben in
heuene and in erþe ben þine; Lord, þe rewme is þin, and
þou art ouer alle princes; ritcheſſis ben þin, and glorie is
þin;
xii þou art Lord of alle; in þin hond is vertu, and power,
and in þin hond is greetneſſe, and lordſchipe of alle.
xiii Now þerfor, oure God, we knoulechen to þee, and
we herien þi noble name.
xiiii Who am Y, and who is my puple, þat we moun
bihete alle þeſe þingis to þee? Alle þingis ben þine, and
we han ȝoue to þee þo þingis, whiche we token of þin
hond.
xv For we ben pilgrimes and comelyngis bifor þee, as
alle oure fadris; oure daies ben as ſchadewe on þe erþe,
and `no dwellyng is.
xvi Oure Lord God, al þis plentee which we han maad
redi, þat an hows ſchulde be byldid to þin hooli name, is
of þin hond; and alle þingis ben þin.
xvii My God, Y woot, þat þou preueſt hertis, and loueſt
ſympleneſſe of herte; wherfor and Y, in þe ſympleneſſe
of myn herte, haue offrid gladli alle þeſe þingis; and Y
ſiȝ wiþ greet ioye þi puple, which is foundun here, offre
ȝiftis to þee.
xviii Lord God of Abraham, and of Yſaac, and of Iſrael,
oure fadris, kepe þou wiþ outen ende þis wille of her
hertis; and þis mynde dwelle euere in to þe worſchipyng
of þee.
xix Alſo ȝyue þou to Salomon, my ſone, a perfit herte,
þat he kepe þin heeſtis, and witneſſyngis, and þi
ceremonyes; and do alle þingis, and þat he bilde þe
hows, whoſe coſtis Y haue maad redi.
xx Forſoþe Dauid comaundide to al þe chirche, Bleſſe ȝe
`oure Lord God. And al þe chirche bleſſide þe Lord God
CCCLXXVII
of her fadris, and þei bowiden hem ſilf, and
worſchipiden God, aftirward þe kyng.
xxi And þei offriden ſlayn ſacrifices to þe Lord, and þei
offriden brent ſacrifices in þe dai ſuynge; a þouſynde
boolis, and a þouſynde rammes, and a þouſynde
lambren, wiþ her fletynge ſacrifices, and al þe cuſtom,
moſt plenteuouſly, in to al Iſrael.
xxii And þei eten and drunken bifor þe Lord in þat dai,
wiþ greet gladneſſe. And þei anoyntiden þe ſecounde
tyme Salomon, þe ſone of Dauid; and þei anoyntiden
hym in to prince to þe Lord, and Sadoch in to biſchop.
xxiii And Salomon ſat on þe trone of þe Lord in to kyng,
for Dauid, his fadir; and it pleſide alle men, and al Iſrael
obeiede to hym.
xxiiii But alſo alle princes, and myȝti men, and alle þe
ſones of kyng Dauid, ȝauen hond, and weren ſuget to
`Salomon þe kyng.
xxv Þerfor þe Lord magnefiede Salomon on al Iſrael,
and ȝaue to hym glorie of þe rewme, what maner glorie
no kyng of Iſrael hadde bifor hym.
xxvi Þerfor Dauid, þe ſone of Yſai, regnede on al Iſrael;
xxvii and þe daies in whiche he regnede on Iſrael weren
fourti ȝeer; in Ebron he regnede ſeuene ȝeer, and in
Jeruſalem þre and þretti ȝeer.
xxviii And he diede in good eelde, and was ful of daies,
and richeſſis, and glorie; and Salomon, his ſone,
regnede for hym.
xxix Forſoþe þe formere and þe laſte dedis of Dauid ben
writun in þe book of Samuel, þe prophete, and in þe
book of Nathan, prophete, and in þe book of Gad, þe
prophete;
xxx and of al his rewme, and ſtrengþe, and tymes, þat
paſſiden vndur hym, eþir in Iſrael, eþir in alle rewmes of
londis.
Here endiþ þe firſte booke of Paralipomenon, and
here bigynneþ þe ſecounde book of Paralipomenon.

II PARALIPOMENON
Heere biginniþ þe ſecounde book of Paralipomynon.
CAP. I
i Þerfor Salomon, þe ſone of Dauid, was coumfortid in
his rewme, and þe Lord was wiþ hym, and magnefiede
hym an hiȝ.
ii And Salomon comaundide to al Iſrael, to tribunes, and
centuriouns, and to duykis, and domeſmen of al Iſrael,
and to þe princes of meynees;
iii and he ȝede wiþ al þe multitude in to þe hiȝ place of
Gabaon, where þe tabernacle of boond of pees of þe
Lord was, which tabernacle Moyſes, þe ſeruaunt of þe
Lord, made in wildirneſſe.
iiii Forſoþe Dauid hadde brouȝt þe arke of God fro
Cariathiarym in to þe place which he hadde maad redy
to it, and where he hadde ſet a tabernacle to it, þat is, in
to Jeruſalem.
v And þe braſun auter, which Beſeleel, þe ſone of Vri,
ſone of Vr, hadde maad, was þere bifor þe tabernacle of
þe Lord; whiche alſo Salomon and al þe chirche ſouȝte.
vi And Salomon ſtiede to þe braſun autir, bifor þe
tabernacle of boond of pees of þe Lord, and offride in it
a þouſynde ſacrifices.
vii Lo! `forſoþe in þat nyȝt God apperide to hym, `and
ſeide, Axe þat þat þou wolt, þat Y ȝyue to þee.
viii And Salomon ſeide to God, Þou haſt do greet merſi
wiþ Dauid, my fadir, and haſt ordeyned me kyng for
hym.
ix Now þerfor, Lord God, þi word be fillid, which þou
bihiȝtiſt to Dauid, my fadir; for þou haſt maad me kyng
on þi greet puple, which is ſo vnnoumbrable as þe duſt
of erþe.
x Ȝiue þou to me wiſdom and vndurſtondyng, þat Y go
in and go out bifor þi puple; for who may deme worþili
þis þi puple, which is ſo greet?
xi Soþeli God ſeide to Salomon, For þis þing pleſide
more þin herte, and þou axidiſt not richeſſis, and catel,
and glorie, neþer þe lyues of þem þat hatiden þee, but
neþer ful many daies of lijf; but þou axidiſt wiſdom and
kunnyng, þat þou maiſt deme my puple, on which Y
ordeynede þee kyng,
xii wiſdom and kunnyng ben ȝouun to þee; forſoþe Y
ſchal ȝyue to þee richeſſis, and catel, and glorie, ſo þat
noon among kyngis, neþer bifor þee neþir aftir þee, be
lijk þee.
xiii Þerfor Salomon cam fro þe hiȝ place of Gabaon in to
Jeruſalem, bifor þe tabernacle of boond of pees, and he
regnede on Iſrael.
xiiii And he gaderide to hym chaaris and knyȝtis, and a
þouſynde and foure hundrid charis weren maad to hym,
and twelue þouſynde of knyȝtis; and he made hem to be
in þe citees of cartis, and wiþ þe kyng in Jeruſalem.
CCCLXXVIII
xv And þe kyng ȝaf in Jeruſalem gold and ſiluer as
ſtoonys, and cedris as ſicomoris, þat comen forþ in
feeldi places in greet multitude.
xvi Forſoþe horſis weren brouȝt to hym fro Egipt, and
fro Choa, bi þe marchauntis of þe kyng, whiche ȝeden,
and bouȝten bi prijs,
xvii `a foure `horſid carte for ſixe hundrid platis of ſiluer,
and an hors for an hundrid and fifti. In lijk maner biyng
was maad of alle þe rewmes of citees, and of þe kingis
of Sirie.
CAP. II
i Forſoþe Salomon demyde to bilde an hows to þe name
of þe Lord, and a paleis to hym ſilf.
ii And he noumbride ſeuenti þouſynde of men berynge
in ſchuldris, and foureſcore þouſynde þat ſchulden kitte
ſtoonys in hillis; and þe ſouereyns of hem þre þouſynde
and ſixe hundrid.
iii And he ſente to Iram, kyng of Tire, and ſeide, As þou
didiſt wiþ my fadir Dauid, and ſentiſt to hym trees of
cedre, þat he ſchulde bilde to hym an hows, in which
alſo he dwellide;
iiii ſo do þou wiþ me, þat Y bilde an hows to þe name of
`my Lord God, and þat Y halewe it, to brenne encenſe
bifor hym, and to make odour of ſwete ſmellynge
ſpiceries, and to euerlaſtynge ſettynge forþ of looues,
and to brent ſacrifices in þe morewtid and euentid, and
in ſabatis, and neomenyes, and ſolempnytees of `oure
Lord God in to wiþ outen ende, þat ben comaundid to
Iſrael.
v For þe hows which Y coueyte to bilde is greet; for
`oure Lord God is greet ouer alle goddis.
vi Who þerfor may haue myȝt to bilde a worþi hows to
hym? For if heuene and þe heuenes of heuenes moun
not take hym, hou greet am Y, þat Y may bilde `an hows
to hym, but to þis þing oonli, þat encenſe be brent bifor
hym?
vii Þerfor ſende þou to me a lernd man, þat can worche
in gold, and ſiluer, bras, and yrun, purpur, rede ſilke,
and iacynct; and þat can graue in grauyng wiþ þeſe
crafti men, which Y haue wiþ me in Judee and
Jeruſalem, whiche Dauid, my fadir, made redi.
viii But alſo ſende þou to me cedre trees, and pyne trees,
and þyne trees of þe Liban; for Y woot, þat þi ſeruauntis
kunnen kitte trees of þe Liban; and my ſeruauntis
ſchulen be wiþ þi ſeruauntis,
ix þat ful many trees be maad redi to me; for þe hows
which Y coueyte to bilde is ful greet and noble.
x Ferþermore to þi ſeruauntis, werk men þat ſchulen
kitte trees, Y ſchal ȝyue in to meetis twenti þouſynde
chorus of whete, and ſo many chorus of barli, and
twenti þouſynde meſuris of oile, þat ben clepid ſata.
xi Forſoþe Iram, king of Tire, ſeide bi lettris whiche he
ſente to Salomon, For þe Lord louyde his puple, þerfor
he made þee to regne on it.
xii And he addide, ſeiynge, Bleſſid be þe Lord God of
Iſrael, þat made heuene and erþe, which ȝaf to `Dauid
þe kyng a wijs ſone, and lernd, and witti, and prudent,
þat he ſchulde bilde an hows to þe Lord, and a paleis to
hym ſilf.
xiii Þerfor Y ſente to þee a prudent man and mooſt
kunnynge, Iram,
xiiii my fadir, þe ſone of a womman of þe lynage of Dan,
whos fadir was a man of Tire; whiche Iram can worche
in gold, and ſiluer, bras, and irun, and marble, and trees,
alſo in purpur, and iacynct, and bijs, and rede ſilke; and
which Iram can graue al grauyng, and fynde prudentli,
what euer þing is nedeful in werk wiþ þi crafti men, and
wiþ þe crafti men of my lord Dauid, þi fadir.
xv Þerfor, my lord, ſende þou to þi ſeruauntis þe whete,
and barli, and oyle, and wyn, whiche þou bihiȝtiſt.
xvi Soþeli we ſchulen kitte trees of þe Liban, how many
euere þou haſt nedeful; and we ſchulen brynge þo in
ſchippis bi þe ſee in to Joppe; forſoþe it ſchal be þin to
lede þo ouer in to Jeruſalem.
xvii Þerfor Salomon noumbride alle men conuertid fro
heþeneſſe, þat weren in þe lond of Iſrael, aftir þe
noumbryng which Dauid, his fadir, noumbride; and an
hundrid þouſynde and þre and fifti þouſynde and ſixe
hundrid weren foundun.
xviii And he made of hem ſeuenti þouſynde, þat ſchulden
bere birþuns in ſchuldris, and `foure ſcore þouſynde, þat
ſchulden kitte ſtonys in hillis; ſoþeli he made þre
þouſynde and ſixe hundrid ſouereyns of werkis of þe
puple.
CAP. III
i And Salomon bigan to bilde þe hows of þe Lord in
Jeruſalem, in þe hil of Moria, þat was ſchewid to Dauid,
his fadir, in þe place which Dauid hadde maad redi in
þe corn floor of Ornam Jebuſei.
ii Forſoþe he bigan to bilde in þe ſecounde moneþe, in
þe fourþe ȝeer of his rewme.
iii And þeſe weren þe foundementis, whiche Salomon
ſettide, þat he ſchulde bilde þe hous of God; ſixti cubitis
of lengþe in þe firſte meſure, twenti cubitis of breede.
iiii Forſoþe he bildide a porche bifor þe frount, þat was
ſtretchid forþ along biſidis þe meſure of þe breede of þe
hows, of twenti cubitis, ſoþeli þe hiȝneſſe was of an
hundrid and twenti cubitis; and he ouergilde it wiþ inne
wiþ clenneſt gold.
v Alſo he hilide þe gretter hows wiþ tablis of beech, and
he faſtnede platis of gold of beſte colour al aboute; and
he grauyde þerynne palmtrees, and as ſmale chaynes
biclipynge hem ſilf togidere.
CCCLXXIX
vi And he arayede þe pawment of þe temple wiþ moſt
preciouſe marble, in myche faireneſſe.
vii Forſoþe þe gold was mooſt preued, of whoſe platis he
hilide þe hows, and þe beemys þerof, and þe poſtis, and
þe wallis, and þe doris; and he grauyde cherubyns in þe
wallis.
viii Alſo he made an hows to þe holi of holi þingis, in
lengþe bi þe breede of þe hows, of twenti cubitis, and
þe breed alſo of twenti cubitis; and he hilide it wiþ
goldun platis, as wiþ ſixe hundrid talentis.
ix But alſo he made goldun nailis, ſo þat ech nail peiſide
fifti ſiclis; and he hilide þe ſolers wiþ gold.
x Alſo he made in þe hows of þe hooli of hooli þingis
twei cherubyns bi þe werk of an ymage makere, and
hilide hem wiþ gold.
xi Þe wyngis of cherubyns weren holdun forþ bi twenti
cubitis, ſo þat o wynge hadde fyue cubitis, and touchide
þe wal of þe hows; and þe toþer wynge hadde fyue
cubitis, and touchide þe wynge of þe toþer cherub.
xii In lijk maner þe wynge of þe toþer cherub hadde
fyue cubitis, and touchide þe wal, and þe toþer wynge
þerof of fyue cubitis touchide þe wynge of þe toþir
cherub.
xiii Þerfor þe wyngis of euer eiþir cherub weren ſpred
abrood, and weren holdun forþ bi twenti cubitis; ſoþeli
þilke cherubyns ſtoden on þe feet reiſid, and her faces
weren turned to þe outermere hows.
xiiii Alſo he made a veil of iacynct and purpur, of reed
ſeelk and bijs; and weuyde cherubyns þerynne.
xv Alſo bifor þe ȝate of þe temple he made twei pilers,
þat hadden fyue and þretti cubitis of heiȝþe; forſoþe þe
heedis of þo weren of fyue cubitis.
xvi Alſo he made and as litle chaynes in Goddis
anſweryng place, and puttide þo on þe heedis of þe
pilers; alſo he made an hundrid pumgarnadis, whiche he
ſettide bitwixe þe litle chaynes.
xvii And he ſettide þo pilers in þe porche of þe temple,
oon at þe riȝtſide, and þe toþer at þe leftſide; he clepide
þat þat was at þe riȝtſide Jachym, and þat þat was at þe
leftſide he clepide Booz.
CAP. IIII
i Alſo he made a braſun auter of twenti cubitis of
lengþe, and of twenti cubitis of breede, and of ten
cubitis of heiȝþe;
ii he made alſo a ȝotun ſee of ten cubitis fro brynke til to
brynke, round bi cumpas; it hadde fyue cubitis of
heiȝþe; and a coorde of þritti cubitis cumpaſſide þe
cumpas þerof.
iii And þe licneſſe of oxis was vndur it, and bi ten
cubitis ſumme grauyngis wiþ outforþ cumpaſſiden þe
brynke of þe ſee as wiþ tweyne ordris; ſoþeli þe oxis
weren ȝotun.
iiii And þilke ſee was ſet on twelue oxis, of whiche oxis
þre bihelden to þe norþ, and oþere þre to þe weſt, ſoþeli
þre oþere bihelden þe ſouþ, and þre `þat weren reſidue
bihelden þe eeſt, and hadden þe ſee ſet aboue; but þe
hyndrere partis of þe oxis weren wiþ ynne vndur þe ſee.
v Soþeli þe þickneſſe þerof hadde þe meſure of a pawm
of þe hond, and þe brynke þerof was as þe brynke of a
cuppe, eþir of a lilie crokid aȝen, and it took þre
þouſynde metretis of meſure.
vi Alſo he made ten holowe veſſels, and ſettide fyue at
þe riȝtſide, and fyue at þe leftſide, þat þei ſchulden
waiſche in þo alle þingis, whiche þei ſchulden offre in
to brent ſacrifice; ſoþeli þe preeſtis weren waiſchun in
þe ſee.
vii Soþeli he made ten goldun candilſtikis bi þe lickneſſe
which he hadde comaundid to be maad, and he ſettide
þo in þe temple, fyue at þe riȝtſide and fyue at þe leftſid.
viii And he made alſo ten boordis, and ſettide þo in þe
temple, fyue at þe riȝtſide and fyue at þe leftſide.
ix Alſo he made an hundrid goldun viols. `Alſo he made
a large place of preeſtis, and a greet hows, and doris in
þe greet hows, which he hilide wiþ bras.
x Forſoþe he ſettide þe ſee in þe riȝtſyde aȝens þe eeſt at
þe ſouþ.
xi Alſo Iram made cawdruns, and fleiſchokis, and viols,
and he fillide al þe werk of þe kyng in þe hows of God,
xii þat is, twei pilers, and pomels, and heedis, and as
ſumme nettis, þat hiliden þe heedis aboue þe pomels;
xiii alſo he made fourti pumgarnadis, and twei werkis
lijk nettis, ſo þat two ordris of pumgarnadis weren
ioyned to ech werk like nettis, which hiliden þe pomels,
and heedis of þe pilers.
xiiii He made alſo foundementis, and holow veſſels,
whiche he ſettide on þe foundementis;
xv he made o ſee, and twelue oxis vndur þe ſee,
xvi and caudruns, and fleiſchookis, and viols. Iram, þe
fadir of Salomon, made to hym alle veſſels in þe hows
of þe Lord of clenneſt bras.
xvii Þe kyng ȝetide þo in þe cuntrey of Jordan, in cleiy
lond bitwixe Socoth and Saredata.
xviii Forſoþe þe multitude of veſſels was vnnoumbrable,
ſo þat þe weiȝte of bras was not knowun.
xix And Salomon made alle þe veſſels of Goddis hows,
þe goldun auter, `and bordis, and loouys of ſettyng forþ
on þo;
xx and candilſtikis of pureſt gold, wiþ her lanternes, þat
þo ſchulden ſchyne bifor Goddis anſwering place bi þe
cuſtom;
xxi and he made ſumme werkis lijk flouris, and
lanternes, and goldun tongis; alle þingis weren maad of
clenneſt gold;
xxii alſo he made pannes for colis to brenne encenſe, and
cenſeris, and viols, and morters, of pureſte gold. And he
CCCLXXX
grauyde doris of þe ynnere temple, þat is, in þe hooli of
hooli þingis, and þe goldun doris of þe temple wiþ out
forþ; and ſo al þe werk was fillid þat Salomon made in
þe hows of þe Lord.
CAP. V
i Þerfor Salomon brouȝte in alle þingis, ſiluer and gold,
whiche Dauid, his fadir, hadde avowid; and he puttide
alle veſſelis in þe treſouris of þe hows of þe Lord.
ii After whiche þingis he gaderide togidere alle þe
grettere men in birþe of Iſrael, and alle þe princes of
lynagis, and þe heedis of meynees, of þe ſones of Iſrael,
in to Jeruſalem, þat þei ſchulden brynge þe arke of
boond of pees of þe Lord fro þe citee of Dauid, which is
Syon.
iii Þerfor alle men of Iſrael camen to þe kyng, in þe
ſolempne dai of þe ſeuenþe moneþe.
iiii And whanne alle þe eldre men of Iſrael `weren
comen, þe dekenes baren þe arke,
v and brouȝten it in, and al þe aray of þe tabernacle.
Forſoþe þe preeſtis wiþ þe dekenes baren þe veſſels of
ſeyntuarie, þat weren in þe tabernacle.
vi Soþeli kyng Salomon, and alle þe cumpenyes of
Iſrael, and alle þat weren gaderid to gidere, offriden
bifor þe arke weþeris and oxis wiþ outen ony noumbre;
for þe multitude of ſlayn ſacrifices was `ſo greet.
vii And preeſtis brouȝten þe arke of boond of pees of þe
Lord in to his place, þat is, to Goddis anſweryng place
of þe temple, in to þe hooli of hooli þingis, vndur þe
wyngis of cherubyns;
viii ſo þat cherubyns ſpredden forþ her wyngis ouer þe
place, in which þe arke was put, and hiliden þilke arke
wiþ hiſe barris.
ix Soþeli þe heedis, by which þe arke was borun, weren
opyn bifor Goddis anſweryng place, for þo heedis
weren a litil lengere; but if a man hadde be a litil wiþ
out forþ, he myȝt not ſe þo barris. Þerfor þe arke was
þere til in to preſent dai;
x and noon oþer þing was in þe arke, no but twei tablis,
whiche Moyſes hadde put in Oreb, whanne þe Lord ȝaf
þe lawe to þe ſones of Iſrael goynge out of Egipt.
xi Forſoþe þe preſtis ȝeden out of þe ſeyntuarie, for alle
preeſtis, þat myȝten be foundun þere, weren halewid,
and þe whiles, and þe ordre of ſeruyces among hem was
not departid ȝit in þat tyme;
xii boþe dekenes and ſyngeris, þat is, boþe þei þat weren
vndur Aſaph, and þei þat weren vndur Eman, and þei
þat weren vndur Idithum, her ſones and briþeren, cloþid
wiþ white lynun cloþis, ſownyden wiþ cymbalis and
ſautrees and harpis, and ſtoden at þe weſt cooſt of þe
auter, and wiþ hem weren ſixe ſcore preeſtis trumpynge.
xiii Þerfor whanne alle ſungen togidur boþ wiþ trumpis,
and vois, and cymbalis, and orguns, and of dyuerſe
kynde of muſikis, and reiſiden þe vois an hiȝ, þe ſown
was herd fer, ſo þat whanne þei hadden bigunne to
preyſe þe Lord, and to ſeie, Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord,
for he is good, for his mercy is in to þe world, `eþer,
wiþ outen ende; þe hows of God was fillid wiþ a
cloude,
xiiii and þe preeſtis miȝten not ſtonde and ſerue for þe
derkneſſe; for þe glorie of þe Lord hadde fillid þe hows
of þe Lord.
CAP. VI
i Þanne Salomon ſeide, Þe Lord bihiȝte, þat he wolde
dwelle in derkneſſe;
ii forſoþe I haue bilde an hows to his name, þat he
ſchulde dwelle þere wiþ outen ende.
iii And Salomon turnede his face, and bleſſide al þe
multitude of Iſrael; for al þe cumpeny ſtood ententif;
and he ſeide,
iiii Bleſſid be þe Lord God of Iſrael, for he fillide in
werk þat þing, þat he ſpak to Dauid, my fadir, and ſeide,
v Fro þe dai in which Y ledde my puple out of þe lond
of Egipt, Y chees not a citee of alle þe lynagis of Iſrael,
þat an hows ſchulde be bildid þerynne to my name,
neþer Y chees ony oþer man, þat he ſchulde be duyk on
my puple Iſrael;
vi but Y chees Jeruſalem, þat my name be þerynne, and
Y chees Dauid, to ordeyne hym on my puple Iſrael.
vii And whanne it was of þe wille of Dauid, my fadir, to
bilde an hows to þe name of þe Lord God of Iſrael,
viii þe Lord ſeide to hym, For þis was þi wille, `þat þou
woldiſt bilde an hows to my name, ſoþeli þou didiſt wel,
ix hauynge ſuche a wil, but þou ſchalt not bilde an hows
to me; neþeles þe ſone, þat ſchal go out of þi leendis, he
ſchal bilde an hows to my name.
x Þerfor þe Lord haþ fillid his word, which he ſpak; and
Y roos for Dauid, my fader, and Y ſat on þe trone of
Iſrael, as þe Lord ſpak, and Y bildide an hous to þe
name of þe Lord God of Iſrael;
xi and I haue put þerynne þe arke, in which is þe
couenaunt of þe Lord, which he `couenauntide wiþ þe
ſones of Iſrael.
xii Þerfor Salomon ſtood bifor þe auter of þe Lord euene
aȝens al þe multitude of Iſrael, and ſtretchide forþ his
hondis.
xiii For Salomon hadde maad a braſun foundement, and
hadde ſet it in þe myddis of þe greet hows, and it hadde
fyue cubitis of lengþe, and fyue of breede, and þre
cubitis of heiȝþe, and he ſtood þeron; and fro þat tyme
he knelide aȝens al þe multitude of Iſrael, and reiſide þe
hondis in to heuene,
xiiii and ſeide, Lord God of Iſrael, noon is lijk þee; `þou
art God in heuene and in erþe, which kepiſt couenaunt
and mercy wiþ þi ſeruauntis, þat goon bifor þee in al her
herte;
CCCLXXXI
xv which haſt ȝoue to Dauid þi ſeruaunt, my fadir, what
euer þingis þou haſt ſpoke to hym, and þow haſt fillid in
werk þo þingis, whiche þou bihiȝtiſt bi mouþ, as alſo
preſent tyme preueþ.
xvi Now þerfor, Lord God of Iſrael, fille þou to þi
ſeruaunt my fadir Dauid, what euer þingis þou haſt
ſpoke, ſeiynge, A man of þee ſchal not faile bifor me,
þat ſchal ſitte on þe trone of Iſrael; ſo neþeles if þi ſones
kepen my weies, and goon in my lawe, as and þou haſt
go bifor me.
xvii And now, Lord God of Iſrael, þi word be maad
ſtidefaſt, which þou ſpakiſt to þi ſeruaunt Dauid.
xviii Þerfor wheþer it is leueful, þat þe Lord dwelle wiþ
men on erþe? If heuene and þe heuenes of heuenes
`taken not þee, how myche more þis hows, which Y
haue bildid?
xix But herto oneli it is maad, þat þou, my Lord God,
biholde þe preier of þi ſeruaunt, and þe biſechyng of
hym, and þat þou here þe preieris, whiche þi ſeruaunt
ſchediþ bifor þee;
xx þat þou opyne þin iȝen on þis hows bi dayes and
nyȝtis, on þe place in which þou bihiȝtiſt, þat þi name
ſchulde be clepid,
xxi and þat þou woldiſt here þe preier, which þi ſeruaunt
preieþ þerynne. Here þou þe preieris of þi ſeruaunt, and
of þi puple Iſrael; who euer preieþ in þis place, here þou
fro þi dwellyng place, þat is, fro heuenes, and do þou
merci.
xxii If ony man ſynneþ aȝens his neiȝbore, and comeþ
redi to ſwere aȝens him, and byndiþ hym ſilf wiþ
curſyng bifor þe auter in þis hows,
xxiii þou ſchalt here fro heuene, and ſchalt do þe doom
of þi ſeruauntis; ſo þat þou ȝelde to þe wickid man his
weie in to his owne heed, and þat þou venge þe iuſt
man, and ȝelde to hym after his riȝtfulneſſe.
xxiiii If þi puple Iſrael is ouercomen of enemyes, for þei
ſchulen do ſynne aȝens þee, and if þei conuertid doen
penaunce, and biſechen þi name, and preien in þis
place,
xxv þou ſchalt here fro heuene, and do þou mercy to þe
ſynne of þi puple Iſrael, and brynge hem aȝen `in to þe
lond, which þou haſt ȝoue to hem, and to `þe fadris of
hem.
xxvi If whanne heuene is cloſid, reyn come not doun for
þe ſynne of þi puple, and þei biſechen þee in þis place,
and knowlechen to þi name, and ben turned fro her
ſynnes, whanne þou haſt turmentid hem,
xxvii here þou, Lord, fro heuene, and forȝyue þou ſynnes
to þi ſeruauntis, and to þi puple Iſrael, and teche þou
hem a good weie, bi which þei ſchulen entre, and ȝyue
þou reyn to þe lond, which þou haſt ȝoue to þi puple to
haue in poſſeſſioun.
xxviii If hungur riſiþ in þe lond, and peſtilence, and ruſt,
and wynd diſtriynge cornes, and a locuſte, and bruke
comeþ, and if enemyes biſegen þe ȝatis of þe citee, aftir
þat þe cuntreis ben diſtried, and al veniaunce and
ſikeneſſe oppreſſiþ;
xxix if ony of þi puple Iſrael biſechiþ, and knowiþ his
veniaunce and ſikeneſſe, and if he ſprediþ abrood hiſe
hondis in þis hows,
xxx þou ſchalt here fro heuene, þat is, fro þin hiȝe
dwellyng place, and do þou mercy, and ȝelde þou to ech
man aftir hiſe weies, whiche þou knowiſt, þat he haþ in
his herte; for þou aloone knowiſt þe hertis of þe ſones of
men;
xxxi þat þei drede þee, and go in þi weies in alle daies,
in which þei lyuen on þe face of erþe, which þou haſt
ȝoue to oure fadris.
xxxii Alſo þou ſchalt here fro heuene, þi mooſt ſtidfaſt
dwellyng place, a ſtraunger, which is not of þi puple
Iſrael, if he comeþ fro a fer lond for þi greet name, and
for þi ſtronge hond, and arm holdun forþ, `and preye in
þis place;
xxxiii and þou ſchalt do alle þingis, for which þilke
pilgrym `inwardli clepiþ þee, þat alle þe puplis of erþe
knowe þi name, and drede þee, as þi puple Iſrael doiþ;
and þat þei knowe, þat þi name is clepid on þis hows,
which Y haue bildid to þi name.
xxxiiii If þi puple goiþ out to batel aȝens hiſe aduerſaries,
bi þe weie in which þou ſendiſt hem, þei ſchulen
worſchipe þee aȝens þe weie in which þis citee is,
which þou haſt choſe, and þe hows which Y bildide to
þi name,
xxxv þat þou here fro heuene her preieris and biſechyng,
and do veniaunce.
xxxvi Forſoþe if þei ſynnen aȝens þee, for no man is þat
ſynneþ not, and if þou art wrooþ to hem, and bitakiſt
hem to enemyes; and enemyes leden hem priſoneris in
to a fer lond, eþer certis which lond is nyȝ;
xxxvii and if þei ben conuertid in her herte in þe lond, to
which þei ben led priſoneris, and þei don penaunce, and
biſechen þee in þe lond of her caitifte, and ſeien, We
han ſynned, we han do wickidly, we diden vniuſtli;
xxxviii and if þei turnen aȝen to þee in al her herte, and in
al her ſoule, in þe lond of her caitifte, to which þei ben
led, þei ſchulen worſchipe þee aȝens þe weie of her
lond, which þou haſt ȝoue to þe fadris of hem, and of þe
citee which þou haſt choſe, and of þe hows which Y
bildide to þi name; þat þou here fro heuene,
xxxix þat is, fro þi ſtidefaſt dwellyng place, þe preieris of
hem, and þat þou make dom, and forȝyue to þi puple,
þouȝ `it be ſynful; for þou art my God;
xl Y biſeche, be þin iȝen openyd, and þin eeris be
ententif to þe preier which is maad in þis place.
xli Now þerfor, Lord God, riſe in to þi reſte, þou and þe
arke of þi ſtrengþe; Lord God, þi preeſtis be cloþid wiþ
helþe, and þi hooli men be glad in goodis.
CCCLXXXII
xlii Lord
God, turne þou not a weie þe face of þi criſt;
haue þou mynde on þe mercyes of Dauid þi ſeruaunt.
CAP. VII
i And whanne Salomon ſchedynge preyeris hadde fillid,
fier cam doun fro heuene, and deuouride brent
ſacrifices, and ſlayn ſacrifices; and þe maieſte of þe
Lord fillide þe hows.
ii And preeſtis myȝten not entre in to þe temple of þe
Lord; for þe maieſte of þe Lord hadde fillid þe temple
of þe Lord.
iii But alſo alle þe ſones of Iſrael ſien fier comynge
doun, and þe glorie of þe Lord on þe hows, and þei
felden down lowe to þe erþe on þe pawment araied wiþ
ſtoon, and þei worſchipiden, and preiſiden þe Lord, For
he is good, for his merci is in to al þe world.
iiii Forſoþe þe kyng and al þe puple offriden ſlayn
ſacrifices bifor þe Lord.
v Þerfor king Salomon killide ſacrifices of oxis two and
twenti þouſynd, of weþeris ſixe ſcore þouſynde; and þe
kyng and al þe puple halewiden þe hows of God.
vi Forſoþe þe preeſtis ſtoden in her offices, and dekenes
in orguns of ſongis of þe Lord, whiche kyng Dauid
made to preiſe þe Lord, For his merci is in to þe world;
and þei ſungen þe ympnes of Dauid bi her hondis; ſoþeli
þe preſtis ſungen wiþ trumpis bifor hem, and al þe puple
of Iſrael ſtood.
vii Þerfor Salomon halewide þe myddil of þe large place
bifor þe temple of þe Lord; for he hadde offrid þere
brent ſacrifices, and þe ynnere fatneſſes of peſible
ſacrifices, for þe braſun auter which he hadde maad
myȝte not ſuſteyne þe brent ſacrifices, and ſacrifices,
and þe innere fatneſſis of peſible ſacrifices.
viii Þerfor Salomon made a ſolempnyte in þat tyme in
ſeuene dayes, and al Iſrael wiþ hym, a ful greete
chirche, fro þe entryng of Emath `til to þe ſtronde of
Egipt.
ix And in þe eiȝþe dai he made a gaderyng of money,
`þat is, for neceſſaries of þe temple, for he hadde
halewid þe auter in ſeuene daies, and `hadde maad
ſolempnytee in ſeuene daies.
x Þerfor in þe þre and twentiþe dai of þe ſeuenþe
moneþe he lete þe puplis go to her tabernaclis, ioiynge
and gladynge on þe good þat God hadde do to Dauid,
and to Salomon, and to his puple Iſrael.
xi And Salomon parformyde þe hows of þe Lord, and þe
hows of þe kyng, and alle þingis which he hadde
diſpoſid in his herte for to do in þe hows of þe Lord and
in his owne hows; and he hadde proſperite.
xii Forſoþe þe Lord aperide to hym in þe nyȝt, and ſeide,
Y haue herd þi preiere, and Y haue choſe þis place to
me in to an hows of ſacrifice.
xiii If Y cloſe heuene, and reyn comeþ not doun, and if Y
ſende, and comaunde to a locuſte, þat he deuoure þe
lond, and if Y ſend peſtilence in to my puple;
xiiii forſoþe if my puple is conuertid, on whiche my
name is clepid, and if it biſechiþ me, and ſekiþ my face,
and doiþ penaunce of hiſe werſte weies, Y ſchal here fro
heuene, and Y ſchal be merciful to þe ſynnes of hem,
and Y ſchal heele þe lond of hem.
xv And myn iȝen ſchulen be openyd, and myn eeren
ſchulen be reiſid to þe preiere of hym, þat preieþ in þis
place;
xvi for Y haue choſe, and halewid þis place, þat my
name be þere wiþ outen ende, and þat myn iȝen and
myn herte dwelle þere in alle daies.
xvii Alſo if þou goſt bifore me, as Dauid þi fadir ȝede,
and doiſt bi alle þingis whiche Y comaundide to þee,
and kepiſt my riȝtwiſneſſis and domes, Y ſchal reiſe þe
trone of þi rewme,
xviii as Y bihiȝte to Dauid þi fadir, and ſeide, A man of þi
generacioun ſchal not be takun awei, þat ſchal be prince
in Iſrael.
xix But if ȝe turnen awey, and forſake my riȝtwiſneſſis
and my comaundementis whiche Y ſettide forþ to ȝou,
and ȝe goen, and ſeruen alien goddis, and worſchipen
hem,
xx Y ſchal drawe ȝou awey fro my lond, which Y ȝaf to
ȝou, and Y ſchal caſte awey fro my face þis hows which
Y haue bildid to my name, and Y ſchal ȝyue it in to a
parable, and in to enſaumple to alle puplis.
xxi And þis hows ſchal be in to a prouerbe to alle men
paſſynge forþ; and þei ſchulen ſeie, wondringe, Whi
dide þe Lord ſo to þis lond, and to þis hows?
xxii And þei ſchulen anſwere, For þei forſoken þe Lord
God of her fadris, þat ledde hem out of þe lond of
Egipt, and þei token alien goddis, and worſchipiden,
and herieden hem; þerfor alle þeſe yuelis camen on
hem.
CAP. VIII
i Forſoþe whanne twenti ȝeer weren fillid, aftir þat
Salomon bildide þe hows of þe Lord,
ii and his owne hows, he bildide þe citees, whiche Iram
hadde ȝoue to Salomon; and he made þe ſones of Iſrael
to dwelle þere.
iii Alſo he ȝede in to Emath of Suba, and gat it.
iiii And he bildide Palmyram in deſeert, and he bildide
oþere `citees maad ful ſtronge in Emath.
v And he bildide þe hiȝere Betheron and þe lowere
Betheron, wallid citees, hauynge ȝatis and lockis and
barris;
vi alſo he bildide Balaath, and alle `citees ful ſtronge þat
weren of Salomon; and alle þe citees of cartis, and þe
citees of knyȝtis kyng Salomon bildide, and diſpoſide
CCCLXXXIII
alle þingis whiche euere he wolde, in Jeruſalem, and in
þe Liban, and in al þe lond of his power.
vii Salomon made ſuget in to tributaries til in to þis dai
al þe puple þat was left of Etheis, and Amorreis, and
Phereſeis, and Eueis, and of Jebuſeis, þat weren not of
þe generacioun of Iſrael, and of þe ſones of hem,
viii and of þe aftircomers of hem, whiche þe ſones of
Iſrael hadden not ſlayn.
ix Soþeli of þe ſones of Iſrael he ſettide not, þat þei
ſchulden ſerue þe werkis of þe kyng; for þei weren men
werriours, and þe firſte duykis, and princes of charis,
and of hiſe knyȝtis;
x forſoþe alle þe princes of þe ooſt of kyng Salomon
weren two hundrid and fifti, þat tauȝten þe puple.
xi Soþeli he tranſlatide þe douȝter of Farao fro þe citee
of Dauid in to þe hows, which he hadde bildid to hir;
for þe kyng ſeide, My wijf ſchal not dwelle in þe hows
of Dauid, kyng of Iſrael, for it is halewid, for þe arke of
þe Lord entride in to þat hows.
xii Þanne Salomon offride brent ſacrifices to þe Lord on
þe auter of þe Lord, which he hadde bildid bifor þe
porche,
xiii þat bi alle daies me ſchulde offre in it, bi þe
comaundement of Moiſes, in ſabatis, and in kalendis,
and in feeſte daies, þries bi þe ȝeer, þat is, in þe
ſolempnyte of þe þerflooues, and in þe ſolempnyte of
woukis, and in þe ſolempnyte of tabernaclis.
xiiii And he ordeynede bi þe ordynaunce of Dauid, his
fadir, þe officis of preeſtis in her ſeruyces, and þe
dekenes in her ordre, þat þei ſchulden preiſe and
mynyſtre bifor preeſtis bi þe cuſtom of ech dai; and he
ordeynede porteris in her departyngis bi ȝate and ȝate.
For Dauid, þe man of God, hadde comaundid ſo;
xv and boþe preeſtis and dekenes paſſiden not fro þe
comaundementis of þe kyng of alle þingis whiche he
hadde comaundid.
xvi And Salomon hadde alle coſtis maad redi in þe
kepingis of treſouris, fro þat dai in whiche he foundide
þe hows of þe Lord til in to þe dai in which he
perfourmyde it.
xvii Þanne Salomon ȝede in to Aſiongaber, and in to
Hailath, at þe brynke of þe reed ſee, which is in þe lond
of Edom.
xviii Þerfor Iram ſente to hym, by þe hondis of his
ſeruauntis, ſchippis, and ſchippe men kynnyng of þe ſee,
and þei ȝeden wiþ þe ſeruauntis of Salomon in to Ophir,
and þei token fro þennus foure hundrid and fifti talentis
of gold, and brouȝten to kyng Salomon.
CAP. IX
i Alſo þe queen of Saba, whanne ſche hadde herd þe
fame of Salomon, cam to tempte hym in derk figuris `in
to Jeruſalem, wiþ grete ritcheſſis, and camels, þat baren
ſwete ſmellynge ſpices, and ful myche of gold, and
preciouſe iemmes, `eþer peerlis. And whanne ſche was
comun to Salomon, ſche ſpak to hym what euer þingis
weren in hir herte.
ii And Salomon expownede to hir alle þingis whiche
ſche hadde put forþ, and no þing was, which he made
not opyn to hir.
iii And aftir þat ſche ſiȝ þeſe þingis, þat is, þe wiſdom of
Salomon, and þe hows which he hadde bildid,
iiii alſo and þe metis of his boord, and þe dwellyng
places of ſeruauntis, and þe offices of hiſe mynyſtris,
and þe cloþis of hem, and þe boteleris, and her cloþis,
and þe ſacrifices whiche he offride in þe hows of þe
Lord, ſpirit was no more in hir for wondryng.
v And ſche ſeide to þe kyng, Þe word `is trewe, which Y
herde in my lond, of þi vertues and wiſdom;
vi Y bileuyde not to telleris, til Y my ſilf hadde come,
and myn yȝen hadden ſeyn, and Y hadde preued þat
vnneþis þe half of þi wiſdom was teld to me; þou haſt
ouercome þe fame bi þi vertues.
vii Bleſſid ben þi men, and bleſſid ben þi ſeruauntis, þeſe
þat ſtonden bifor þee in al tyme, and heren þi wiſdom.
viii Bleſſid be `þi Lord God, þat wolde ordeyne þee on
his trone kyng of þe puple of `þi Lord God; treuli for
God loueþ Iſrael, and wole ſaue hym wiþ outen ende,
þerfor he haþ ſet þee kyng on hym, þat þou do domes
and riȝtfulneſſe.
ix Forſoþe ſche ȝaf to þe kyng ſixe ſcoore talentis of
gold, and ful many ſwete ſmellynge ſpices, and mooſt
preciouſe iemmes; þer weren not ſiche ſwete ſmellynge
ſpices, as þeſe whiche þe queen of Saba ȝaf `to kyng
Salomon.
x But alſo þe ſeruauntis of Iram wiþ þe ſeruauntis of
Salomon brouȝten gold fro Ophir, and trees of þyne,
and moſt preciouſe iemmes; of whiche,
xi þat is, of þe trees of þyne, þe kyng made grees in þe
hows of þe Lord, and in þe hows of þe kyng, `harpis
alſo, and ſautrees to ſyngeris; ſiche trees weren neuere
ſeyn in þe lond of Juda.
xii Forſoþe Salomon ȝaf to þe queen of Saba alle þingis
whiche ſche wolde, and whiche ſche axide, many moo
þan ſche hadde brouȝt to hym. And ſche turnede aȝen,
and ȝede in to hir lond wiþ hir ſeruauntis.
xiii Forſoþe þe weiȝt of gold, þat was brouȝt to Salomon
bi ech ȝeer, was ſixe hundrid and ſixe and ſixti talentis
of gold,
xiiii outakun þat ſumme whiche þe legatis of dyuerſe
folkis, and marchauntis weren wont to brynge, and alle
þe kyngis of Arabie, and þe princes of londis, þat
brouȝten togidere gold and ſiluer to Salomon.
xv Þerfor kyng Salomon made two hundrid goldun
ſperis of þe ſumme of ſixe hundrid `floreyns, eþer peeſis
of gold, þat weren ſpendid in ech ſpere;
xvi and he made þre hundrid goldun ſcheeldis of þre
hundrid floreyns, wiþ whiche ech ſcheeld was hilid; and
CCCLXXXIV
þe kyng puttide þo in þe armure place, þat was ſet in þe
wode.
xvii Alſo þe kyng made a greet ſeete of yuer, and cloþide
it wiþ clenneſt gold;
xviii and he made ſixe grees, bi whiche me ſtiede to þe
ſeete, and a goldun ſtool, and tweyne armes, oon aȝens
`þe toþer, and twei liouns ſtondynge biſidis þe armes;
xix but alſo he made twelue oþere litle liouns ſtondynge
on ſixe grees on euer eiþer ſide. Siche a ſeete was not in
alle rewmes.
xx And alle þe veſſels of þe feeſte of þe kyng weren of
gold, and þe veſſels of þe hows of þe foreſt of þe Liban
weren of pureſte gold; for ſiluer in þo daies was arettid
for nouȝt.
xxi For alſo þe ſchippis of þe kyng ȝeden in to Tharſis
wiþ þe ſeruauntis of Iram onys in þre ȝeer, and brouȝten
fro þennus gold, and ſiluer, and yuer, and apis, and
pokokis.
xxii Þerfor kyng Salomon was magnyfied ouer alle
kyngis of erþe for richeſſis and glorie.
xxiii And alle þe kyngis of londis deſireden to ſe þe face
of Salomon, for to here þe wiſdom which God hadde
ȝoue in his herte; and þei brouȝten to hym ȝiftis,
xxiiii veſſels of ſiluer and of gold, cloþis and armuris,
and ſwete ſmellynge ſpices, horſis and mulis, bi ech
ȝeer.
xxv Alſo Salomon hadde fourti þouſynde of horſis in
ſtablis, and twelue þouſynde of charis and of knyȝtis;
and `he ordeynede hem in þe citees of charis, and where
þe kyng was in Jeruſalem.
xxvi Forſoþe he vſide power on alle þe kyngis, fro þe
flood Eufrates `til to þe lond of Filiſteis, and `til to þe
termes of Egipt.
xxvii And he ȝaf ſo greet plente of ſiluer in Jeruſalem, as
of ſtoonys, and ſo greet multitude of cedris, as of
ſycomoris þat growen in feeldi places.
xxviii Forſoþe horſis weren brouȝt fro Egipt, and fro alle
cuntreis.
xxix Soþeli þe reſidue of þe formere werkis and þe laſte
of Salomon ben writun in þe wordis of Nathan, þe
prophete, and in þe wordis of Achie of Silo, and in þe
viſioun, `eþer propheſie, of Addo, þe prophete, aȝens
Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath.
xxx Soþeli Salomon regnede in Jeruſalem on al Iſrael
fourti ȝeer, and he ſlepte wiþ his fadris; and þei birieden
hym in þe citee of Dauid, and Roboam, his ſone,
regnyde for hym.
CAP. X
i Forſoþe Roboam ȝede forþ in to Sichem; for al Iſrael
came togidere þidur to make hym kyng.
ii And whanne Jeroboam, þe ſone of Nabath, þat was in
Egipt, `for he fledde þidur bifor Salomon, hadde herd
þis, he turnyde aȝen anoon.
iii And þei clepiden hym, and he cam wiþ al Iſrael, and
þei ſpaken to Roboam, and ſeiden,
iiii Þi fadir oppreſſide vs wiþ ful hard ȝok; comaunde
þou liȝtere þingis þan þi fader, þat ſettide on vs a
greuouſe ſeruage; and releeſe þou a litil of `þe birþun,
þat we ſerue þee. And he ſeide,
v After þre daies turne ȝe aȝen to me. And whanne þe
puple was goon, he took counſel wiþ elde men,
vi þat ſtoden bifor his fadir Salomon, while he lyuyde
ȝit, and ſeide, What counſel ȝyuen ȝe, þat Y anſwere to
þe puple?
vii And þei ſeiden to hym, If þou pleſiſt þis puple, and
makiſt hem ſofte bi meke wordis, þei ſchulen ſerue þee
in al tyme.
viii And he forſook þe counſel of elde men, and bigan to
trete wiþ ȝonge men, þat weren nuriſchid wiþ hym, and
weren in his cumpenye.
ix And he ſeide to hem, What ſemeþ to ȝou? eþer what
owe Y anſwere to þis puple, þat ſeide to me, Releeſe
þou þe ȝok, which þi fadir puttide on vs?
x And þei anſweriden, as ȝonge men and nurſchyd wiþ
hym in delicis, and ſeiden, Þus þou ſchalt ſpeke to þe
puple þat ſeide to þee, Þi fadir made greuouſe oure ȝok,
releeſe þou; and þus þou ſchalt anſwere to hem, My
leeſte fyngur is gretter þan þe leendis of my fader;
xi my fadir puttide on ȝou a greuouſe ȝok, and Y ſchal
leie to a gretter birþun; my fadir beet ȝou wiþ ſcourgis,
forſoþe Y ſchal bete ȝou wiþ `ſcorpiouns, þat is, hard
knottid roopis.
xii Þerfor Jeroboam and al þe puple cam to Roboam in
þe þridde dai, as he hadde comaundid to hem.
xiii And `þe kyng anſweride harde þingis, after þat he
hadde forſake þe counſel of þe eldere men,
xiiii and he ſpak bi þe wille of þe ȝonge men, My fadir
puttide on ȝou a greuouſe ȝok, which Y ſchal make
greuouſere; my fadir beet ȝou wiþ ſcourgis, ſoþeli Y
ſchal bete ȝou wiþ ſcorpiouns.
xv And he aſſentide not to þe preieris of þe puple; for it
was þe wille of God, þat his word ſchulde be fillid,
which he hadde ſpoke bi þe hond of Ahie of Silo to
Jeroboam, ſone of Nabath.
xvi Soþeli whanne þe kyng ſeide hardere þingis, al þe
puple ſpak þus to hym, No part is to vs in Dauid, neþer
eritage in þe ſone of Iſai; Iſrael, turne þou aȝen in to þi
tabernaclis, ſoþeli þou, Dauid, feede þin hows. And
Iſrael ȝede in to hiſe tabernaclis.
xvii Forſoþe Roboam regnede on þe ſones of Iſrael, þat
dwelliden in þe citees of Juda.
xviii And kyng Roboam ſente Adhuram, þat was
ſouereyn ouer þe tributis; and þe ſones of Iſrael
CCCLXXXV
ſtonyden hym, and he was deed. Certis kyng Roboam
haſtide to ſtie in to þe chare, and fledde in to Jeruſalem.
xix And Iſrael ȝede awei fro þe hows of Dauid `til to þis
dai. Forſoþe it was doon, whanne al Iſrael hadde herd,
þat Jeroboam turnede aȝen, þei ſenten, and clepiden
hym, whanne þe cumpeny was gaderid, and þei
ordeyneden him king on al Iſrael; and no man, outakun
þe lynage of Juda aloone, ſuede `þe hows of Dauid.
CAP. XI
i Forſoþe Roboam cam in to Jeruſalem, and clepide
togidere al þe hows of Juda and of Beniamyn, `til to
nyne ſcoore þouſynde of choſen men and werriouris, for
to fiȝte aȝens Iſrael, and for to turne his rewme to hym.
ii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Semeye, þe man
of God,
iii and ſeide, Speke þou to Roboam, þe ſone of Salomon,
kyng of Juda, and to al Iſrael, which is in Juda and
Beniamyn; Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
iiii Ȝe ſchulen not ſtie, neþir ȝe ſchulen fiȝte aȝens ȝoure
briþeren; ech man turne aȝen in to his hows, for þis
þing is doon bi my wille. And whanne þei hadden herd
þe word of þe Lord, þei turneden aȝen, and ȝeden not
aȝens kyng Jeroboam.
v Forſoþe Roboam dwellide in Jeruſalem, and he bildide
wallid citees in Juda;
vi and bildide Bethleem, and Ethan, and Thecue, and
Bethſur;
vii and Sochot, and Odollam;
viii alſo and Jeth, and Mareſa, and Ziph;
ix but alſo Huram, and Lachis, and Azecha;
x and Saraa, and Hailon, and Ebron, þat weren in Juda
and Beniamyn, ful ſtrong citees.
xi And whanne he hadde cloſid þo wiþ wallis, he ſettide
`in þo citees princes, and bernes of metis, þat is, of oile,
and of wyn.
xii But alſo in ech citee he made placis of armuris of
ſcheeldis, and ſperis, and he made þo ſtrong wiþ moſt
diligence; and he regnyde on Juda and Beniamyn.
xiii Soþeli þe preeſtis and dekenes, þat weren in al Iſrael,
camen to hym fro alle her ſeetis,
xiiii and forſoken her ſubarbis and poſſeſſiouns, and þei
paſſiden to Juda and to Jeruſalem; for Jeroboam and hiſe
aftir comeris hadden caſt hem a wey, þat þei ſchulden
not be ſet in preeſthod of þe Lord;
xv which Jeroboam made to hym preeſtis of hiȝe places,
and of feendis, and of caluys, which he hadde maad.
xvi But alſo of alle þe linagis of Iſrael, whiche euer
ȝauen her herte to ſeke þe Lord God of Iſrael, þei camen
to Jeruſalem for to offre her ſacrifices bifor þe Lord
God of her fadris.
xvii And þei ſtrengþiden þe rewme of Juda, and
ſtrengþiden Roboam, þe ſone of Salomon, bi þre ȝeer;
for þei ȝeden in þe weies of Dauid, and of Salomon,
oneli bi þre ȝeer.
xviii Forſoþe Roboam weddide a wijf Malaoth, þe
douȝtir of Jerymuth, ſone of Dauid, and Abiail, þe
douȝtir of Heliab, ſone of Yſaye;
xix and ſche childide to hym ſones, Yeus, and Somorie,
and Zerei.
xx Alſo after þis wijf he took Maacha, þe douȝter of
Abiſſalon, and ſche childide to hym Abia, and Thai, and
Ziza, and Salomyth.
xxi Forſoþe Roboam louyde Maacha, þe douȝtir of
Abiſſalon, aboue alle hiſe wyues and ſecundarie wyues.
Forſoþe he hadde weddid eiȝtene wyues, ſoþeli ſixti
ſecundarie wyues; and he gendride eiȝte and twenti
ſones, and ſixti douȝtris.
xxii Soþeli he ordeynede Abia, þe ſone of Maacha, in þe
heed, duyk ouer alle hiſe briþeren; for he þouȝte to
make Abia kyng,
xxiii for he was wiſere and myȝtiere ouer alle hiſe ſones,
and in alle þe cooſtis of Juda and of Beniamyn, and in
alle wallid citees; and he ȝaf to hem ful many metis, and
he had many wyues.
CAP. XII
i And whanne þe rewme of Roboam was maad ſtrong
and coumfortid, he forſook þe lawe of þe Lord, and al
Iſrael wiþ hym.
ii Soþeli in þe fyueþe ȝeer of þe rewme of Roboam
Seſach, þe kyng of Egipt, ſtiede in to Jeruſalem, for þei
ſynneden aȝens þe Lord;
iii and he ſtiede wiþ a þouſynde and two hundrid charys,
and wiþ ſixti þouſynde of horſe men, and no noumbre
was of þe comyn puple, þat cam wiþ hym fro Egipt, þat
is, Libiens, and Trogoditis, and Ethiopiens.
iiii And he took ful ſtronge citees in Juda, and he cam
`til to Jeruſalem.
v Forſoþe Semei, þe prophete, entride to Roboam, and
to þe princes of Juda, whiche fleynge fro Seſach weren
gaderid togidere `in to Jeruſalem. And he ſeide to hem,
Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝe han forſake me, and Y haue
forſake ȝou in þe hond of Seſach.
vi And þe princes of Iſrael and þe kyng weren aſtonyed,
and ſeiden, Þe Lord is iuſt.
vii And whanne þe Lord hadde ſeyn þat þei weren
mekid, þe word of þe Lord was maad to Semey, and
ſeide, For þei ben mekid, Y ſchal not diſtrie hem, and Y
ſchal ȝyue to hem a litil help, and my ſtronge veniaunce
ſchal not droppe on Jeruſalem bi þe hond of Seſach.
viii Neþeles þei ſchulen ſerue hym, þat þei knowe þe
dyuerſitee of my ſeruyce and of þe ſeruyce of þe rewme
of londis.
ix Þerfor Seſach, þe kyng of Egipt, ȝede a wey fro
Jeruſalem, aftir þat he hadde take awei þe treſouris of þe
hows of þe Lord, and of þe kyngis hows; and he took
CCCLXXXVI
alle þingis wiþ hym, and þe goldun ſcheeldis whiche
Salomon hadde maad,
x for whiche þe kyng made braſun ſcheeldis, and took
þo to þe princes of ſcheeld makeris, þat kepten þe
porche of þe paleis.
xi And whanne þe kyng entride in to þe hows of þe
Lord, þe ſcheeldmakeris camen, and token þo, and eft
brouȝten þo to his armure place.
xii Neþeles for þei weren mekid, þe ire of þe Lord was
turned a wei fro hem, and þei weren not don a wei
outirli; for good werkis weren foundyn alſo in Juda.
xiii Þerfor kyng Roboam was coumfortid in Jeruſalem,
and regnede. Forſoþe he was of oon and fourti ȝeer,
whanne he bigan to regne, and he regnyde ſeuentene
ȝeer in Jeruſalem, þe citee which þe Lord chees of alle
þe lynagis of Iſrael, þat he ſchulde conferme his name
þere. Forſoþe þe name of his modir was Naama
Amanytis.
xiiii And he dide yuel, and he made not redi his herte to
ſeke God.
xv Soþeli þe firſte and þe laſte werkis of Roboam ben
writun, and diligentli declarid in þe bookis of Semei þe
profete, and of Abdo þe profete.
xvi And Roboam and Jeroboam fouȝten in alle daies
aȝens hem ſilf. And Roboam ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and
was biried in þe citee of Dauid; and Abia, his ſone,
regnede for hym.
CAP. XIII
i Yn þe eiȝtenþe ȝeer of kyng Jeroboam Abia regnede
on Juda;
ii he regnede þre ȝeer in Jeruſalem; and þe name of hiſe
modir was Mychaie, þe douȝter of Vriel of Gabaa. And
batel was bitwixe Abia and Jeroboam.
iii And whanne Abia hadde bigunne batel, and hadde
moſt chyualrouſe men, and four hundrid þouſynde of
choſun men, Jeroboam arayede aȝenward þe ſcheltroun
wiþ eiȝte hundrid þouſynde of men, and þei weren
choſun men and moſt ſtronge to batels.
iiii Þerfor Abia ſtood on þe hil Semeron, þat was in
Effraym, and ſeide, Here þou, Jeroboam and al Iſrael;
v wheþer ȝe knowen not, þat þe Lord God of Iſrael ȝaf
to Dauid þe rewme on Iſrael wiþ outen ende, to hym
and to hiſe ſones in to þe couenaunt of ſalt, `þat is,
ſtidefaſt and ſtable?
vi And Jeroboam, þe ſone of Nabath, þe ſeruaunt of
Salomon, ſone of Dauid, roos, and rebellide aȝens his
lord.
vii And moſt veyn men and þe ſones of Belial weren
gaderid to hym, and þei hadden myȝt aȝens Roboam, þe
ſone of Salomon. Certis Roboam was buyſtuouſe, `eþer
fonne, and of feerdful herte, and myȝte not aȝenſtonde
hem.
viii Now þerfor ȝe ſeien, þat ȝe moun aȝenſtonde þe
rewme of þe Lord, which he holdiþ in poſſeſſioun bi þe
ſones of Dauid; and ȝe han a greet multitude of puple,
and goldun caluys, whiche Jeroboam made in to goddis
to ȝou.
ix And ȝe han caſte a wei þe preeſtis of þe Lord, þe
ſones of Aaron, and dekenes, and ȝe han maad preeſtis
to ȝou, as alle þe puplis of londis han preeſtis; who euer
comeþ and halewiþ his hond in a bole, in oxis, and in
ſeuene weþeris, anoon he is maad preeſt of hem þat ben
not goddis.
x But oure Lord is God, whom we forſaken not; and
preeſtis of þe ſones of Aaron mynyſtren to þe Lord, and
dekenes ben in her ordre;
xi and þei offren brent ſacrifices to þe Lord bi ech dai in
þe morewtid and euentid, and encenſe maad bi
comaundementis of þe lawe; and loues ben ſet forþ in a
mooſt clene boord; and at vs is þe goldun candilſtik and
his lanterne, þat it be teendid euere at euentid; forſoþe
we kepen þe comaundementis of our God, whom ȝe han
forſake.
xii Þerfor God is duyk in oure ooſt, and hiſe preeſtis, þat
trumpen and ſownen aȝens ȝou; nyle ȝe, ſones of Iſrael,
fiȝte aȝens þe Lord God of ȝoure fadris, for it ſpediþ not
to ȝou.
xiii While he ſpak þeſe þingis, Jeroboam made redi
treſouns bihynde; and whanne he ſtood euene aȝens þe
enemyes, he cumpaſſide wiþ his ooſt Juda vnwitynge.
xiiii And Juda bihelde, and ſiȝ batel neiȝ euene aȝens,
and bihynde þe bak; and he criede to þe Lord, and
preeſtis bigunnen for to trumpe.
xv And alle þe men of Juda crieden, and, lo! while þei
crieden, God made aferd Jeroboam and al Iſrael, þat
ſtood euen aȝens Juda and Abia.
xvi And þe men of Iſrael fledden fro Juda, and God
bitook hem in to þe hondis of men of Juda.
xvii Þerfor Abia and his puple ſmoot hem wiþ a greet
wounde, and þere felden doun of hem fyue hundrid
þouſynde of ſtronge men woundid.
xviii And þe ſones of Iſrael weren maad lowe in þat
tyme, and þe ſones of Juda weren coumfortid ful greetli,
for þei hadden hopid in þe Lord God of her fadris.
xix Forſoþe Abia purſuede Jeroboam fleynge, and took
hiſe cytees, Bethel and hiſe vilagis, and Jeſana wiþ hiſe
vilagis, and Ephron and hiſe vilagis;
xx and Jeroboam miȝte no more aȝenſtonde in þe daies
of Abia, whom þe Lord ſmoot, and he was deed.
xxi Þerfor Abia, whanne his empire was coumforted,
took fourtene wyues, and he gendride two and twenti
ſones, and ſixtene douȝtris.
xxii Þe reſidue of wordis of Abia and of his weyes and
werkis, ben writun ful diligentli in þe book of Abdo, þe
profete.
CCCLXXXVII
CAP. XIIII
i Forſoþe Abia ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and þei birieden
hym in þe citee of Dauid; and Aſa, his ſone, regnede for
hym. In whos daies þe lond reſtide ten ȝeer.
ii And Aſa dide þat, þat was good and pleſaunt in þe ſiȝt
of his God, and he deſtriede þe auteris of ſtraunge
worſchipyng, and `he deſtriede hiȝ places,
iii and brak ymagis, and kittide doun woodis;
iiii and he comaundide Juda to ſeke þe Lord God of her
fadris, and to do þe lawe and alle comaundementis.
v And he took awei fro alle þe citees of Juda auteris and
templis of idols, and he regnede in pees.
vi And he bildide ſtronge cytees in Juda; for he was in
reſte, and no batels riſiden in his tymes, for þe Lord ȝaf
pees.
vii Forſoþe he ſeide to Juda, Bilde we þeſe cytees, and
cumpaſſe we wiþ wallis, and ſtrengþe we wiþ touris and
ȝatis and lockis, as longe as alle þingis ben reſtful fro
batel; for we han ſouȝte þe Lord God of oure fadris, and
he haþ ȝoue to vs pees bi cumpas. Þerfor þei bildiden,
and no lettyng was in bildyng.
viii Soþeli Aſa hadde in his ooſt þre hundrid þouſynde of
men of Juda berynge ſcheldis and ſperis, ſoþeli of
Beniamyn he hadde two hundrid þouſynde and
fourſcoore þouſynde of ſcheeld beeris and of archeris;
alle þeſe weren ful ſtronge men.
ix Forſoþe Zara of Ethiop ȝede out aȝens hem wiþ his
ooſt ten `ſiþis an hundrid þouſynde, and wiþ þre hundrid
charis, and cam `til to Maſera.
x Certis Aza ȝede aȝens hem, and araiede ſcheltrun to
batel in þe valei Sephata, which is biſidis Maſera. And
he inwardli clepide þe Lord God,
xi and ſeide, Lord, no dyuerſitee is anentis þee, wheþer
þou helpe in fewe, eþir in manye; oure Lord God, helpe
þou vs, for we han triſt in þee and in þi name, and
camen aȝens þis multitude; Lord, þou art oure God, a
man haue not þe maiſtrye aȝens þee.
xii Þerfor þe Lord made aferd Ethiopens bifor Aſa and
Juda, and Ethiopens fledden; and Aſa and his puple,
xiii þat was wiþ hym, purſuede hem `til to Gerare. And
Ethiopens felden doun `til to deeþ, for þei weren al to-
brokun bi þe Lord ſleynge, and bi his ooſt fiȝtynge.
Þerfor þei token many ſpuylis,
xiiii and ſmitiden alle þe citees `bi þe cumpas of Gerare;
for greet drede hadde aſſailid alle men. And þei rifliden
cytees, and baren a weye myche prey;
xv but alſo þei deſtrieden þe fooldis of ſcheep, and token
multitude wiþout noumbre of ſcheep and of camels, and
turneden aȝen in to Jeruſalem.
CAP. XV
i Forſoþe Azarie, þe ſone of Obeth, whanne þe ſpirit of
þe Lord was comyn in to hym,
ii ȝede out in to þe metyng of Aſa; and ſeide to hym, Aſa
and al Juda and Beniamyn, here ȝe me; þe Lord is wiþ
ȝou, for ȝe weren wiþ hym; if ȝe ſeken hym, ȝe ſchulen
fynde hym; ſoþeli if ȝe forſaken hym, he ſchal forſake
ȝou.
iii Forſoþe many daies ſchulen paſſe in Iſrael wiþ outen
veri God, and wiþout preeſt, and wiþout techere, and
wiþout lawe.
iiii And whanne þei turnen aȝen in her angwiſch, and
crien to þe Lord God of Iſrael, and ſeken hym, þei
ſchulen fynde hym.
v In þat tyme ſchal not be pees to go out and to go in,
but dredis on al ſide on alle þe dwelleris of londis.
vi For a folk ſchal fiȝte aȝens folk, and a citee aȝens a
citee, for þe Lord ſchal diſturble hem in al anguyſch;
vii but be ȝe coumfortid, and ȝoure hondis be not ſlakid;
for mede ſchal be to ȝoure werk.
viii And whanne Aſa hadde herd þis þing, þat is, þe
wordis and profeſȝe of Aſarie, þe ſone of Obed, þe
profete, he was coumfortid, and he dide a wei alle þe
idols fro al þe lond of Juda and of Beniamyn, and fro þe
citees whiche he hadde take of þe hil of Effraym. And
he halewide þe auter of þe Lord, þat was bifor þe
porche of þe hows of þe Lord.
ix And he gaderide togidere al Juda and Beniamyn, and
wiþ hem þe comelyngis of Effraym, and of Manaſſes,
and of Symeon; for manye of Iſrael, ſeynge þat his Lord
God was wiþ hym, fledden ouer to hym.
x And whanne þei hadden comun in to Jeruſalem, in þe
þridde moneþe, in þe fiftenþe ȝeer of þe rewme of Aſa,
xi þei offriden `to þe Lord in þat dai, boþe of þe ſpuylis
and of þe prey, which þei hadden brouȝt, ſeuene hundrid
oxis, and ſeuene þouſynde weþeris.
xii And Aſa entride bi cuſtom to make ſtrong þe boond
of pees, þat þei ſchulden ſeke þe Lord God of her fadris
in al her herte, and in al her ſoule.
xiii Soþeli he ſeide, If ony man ſekiþ not þe Lord God of
Iſrael, die he, fro þe leeſte `til to þe mooſte, fro man `til
to womman.
xiiii And alle þat weren in Juda ſworen wiþ curſyng to þe
Lord, wiþ greet vois, in hertli ſong, and in ſown of
trumpe, and in ſown of clariouns;
xv for þei ſworen in al her herte, and in al þe wille þei
ſouȝten hym, and founden hym; and þe Lord ȝaf to hem
reſte bi cumpas.
xvi But alſo he puttide doun Maacha, þe modir of `Aſa
þe kyng, fro þe ſtreit empire, for ſche hadde made in a
wode þe ſymylacre, `eþer licneſſe, of a mannus ȝerde;
and he al to-brak al `þat ſymylacre, and pownede it in to
gobetis, and `brente it in þe ſtronde of Cedron.
xvii But hiȝ places weren left in Iſrael; neþeles þe herte
of Aſa was riȝtful in alle hiſe daies.
CCCLXXXVIII
xviii And he brouȝte in to þe hows of þe Lord þo þingis
þat his fadir avowide, ſiluer and gold, and dyuerſe
purtenaunce of veſſels;
xix ſoþeli batel was not `til to þe þrettiþe ȝeer of þe
rewme of Aſa.
CAP. XVI
i Forſoþe in þe ſixe and þrittiþe ȝeer of his rewme Baaſa,
þe kyng of Iſrael, ſtiede in to Juda, and cumpaſſide
Rama wiþ a wal, þat no man of þe rewme of Aſa myȝte
go out eþer entre ſikirli.
ii Soþeli Aſa brouȝte forþ gold and ſiluer fro þe treſours
of þe hows of þe Lord, and fro þe kyngis treſouris; and
ſente to Benadab, kyng of Sirie, þat dwellide in
Damaſk,
iii and ſeide, Boond of pees is bitwixe me and þee, and
my fadir and þi fadir hadden acordyng; wherfor Y ſente
to þee ſiluer and gold, þat whanne þou haſt broke þe
boond of pees, which þou haſt wiþ Baaſa, king of Iſrael,
þou make hym to go awei fro me.
iiii And whanne þis was foundun, Benadab ſente princes
of hiſe ooſtis to þe citees of Iſrael, whiche ſmytiden
Ahion, and Dan, and Abelmaym, and alle þe wallid
citees of Neptalym.
v And whanne Baaſa hadde herd þis, he ceeſſide to bilde
Rama, and left his werk.
vi Forſoþe kyng Aſa took al Juda, and þei token fro
Rama þe ſtonys and trees, whiche Baaſa hadde maad
redi to bildyng; and he bildide of þo Gabaa, and
Maſpha.
vii In þat tyme Anany, þe profete, cam to Aſa, kyng of
Juda, and ſeide to hym, For þou haddiſt triſt in þe kyng
of Sirie, and not in `þi Lord God, herfor þe ooſt of `þe
kyng of Sirie aſchapide fro þin hond.
viii Wheþer `Ethiopiens and Libiens weren not many mo
in charis, and knyȝtis, and ful greet multitude; whiche
whanne þou haddiſt bileuyd to þe Lord, he bitook in to
þin hondis?
ix For þe iȝen of þe Lord biholden al þe erþe, and ȝyuen
ſtrengþe to hem, þat wiþ perfit herte bileuen in to hym.
Þerfor þou haſt do folili, and for þis, ȝhe, in preſent
tyme batels ſchulen riſe aȝens þee.
x And Aſa was wrooþ aȝens þe prophete, and
comaundide hym to be ſent in to ſtockis. Forſoþe þe
Lord hadde indignacioun greetli on þis þing, and killide
ful many of þe puple in þat tyme.
xi Soþeli þe firſte and þe laſte werkis of Aſa ben writun
in þe book of kyngis of Juda and of Iſrael.
xii Forſoþe Aſa was ſijk ful gretli in þe akynge of feet, in
þe nyne and þrittiþe ȝeer of his rewme; and neþer in his
ſikeneſſe he ſouȝte þe Lord, but triſtide more in þe craft
of lechis.
xiii And Aſa ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and he was deed in þe
oon and fourtiþe ȝeer of his rewme.
xiiii Andþei birieden him in his ſepulcre, which he
hadde maad to hym ſilf in þe cytee of Dauid; and þei
puttiden hym on his bed ful of ſwete ſmellynge ſpices
and oynementis of hooris, þat weren `maad togidere bi
þe craft of oynement makeris, and þei brenten on hym
wiþ ful greet coſt.
CAP. XVII
i Forſoþe Joſaphat, his ſone, regnyde for hym; and he
hadde þe maiſtrye aȝens Iſrael.
ii And he ſettide noumbris of knyȝtis in alle þe citees of
Juda, þat weren cumpaſſid wiþ wallis, and he diſpoſide
ſtrong holdis in þe lond of Juda, and in þe citees of
Effraym, whiche Aſa, his fadir, hadde take.
iii And þe Lord was wiþ Joſaphat, whiche ȝede in þe
firſte weies of Dauid, his fadir; he hopide not in
Baalym,
iiii but in þe Lord God of Dauid, his fadir, and he ȝede in
þe comaundementis of God, and not bi þe ſynnes of
Iſrael.
v And þe Lord confermyde þe rewme in his hond; and
al Juda ȝaf ȝiftis to Joſaphat, and ritcheſſis wiþ outen
noumbre, and myche glorie weren maad to hym.
vi And whanne his herte hadde take hardyneſſe for þe
weies of þe Lord, he took awei alſo hiȝ placis and wodis
fro Juda.
vii Forſoþe in þe þridde ȝeer of his rewme he ſente of
hiſe princes Benail, and Abdie, and Zacarie, and
Nathanael, and Mychee, þat þei ſchulden teche in þe
citees of Juda;
viii and wiþ hem he ſente dekenes Semeye, and
Nathanye, and Zabadie, and Azahel, and Semyramoth,
and Jonathan, and Adonye, and Thobie, and Abadonye,
dekenes; and wiþ hem `he ſente Eliſama and Joram,
preeſtis;
ix and þei tauȝten þe puple in Juda, and hadden þe book
of þe lawe of þe Lord; and þei cumpaſſiden alle þe
citees of Juda, and tauȝten al þe puple.
x Þerfor þe drede of þe Lord was maad on al þe rewmes
of londis, þat weren `bi cumpas of Juda; and þo durſten
not fiȝte aȝens Joſaphat.
xi But alſo Filiſteis brouȝten ȝiftis to Joſaphat, and tol of
ſiluer; and men of Arabie brouȝten ſcheep ſeuene
þouſynde, and ſeuene hundrid of weþeris, and ſo many
buckis of geet.
xii Þerfor Joſaphat encreeſſide, and was magnified `til in
to an hiȝ; and he bildide in Juda houſis at þe licneſſe of
touris, and ſtronge citees;
xiii and he made redi many werkis in þe citees of Juda.
Alſo men werriouris and ſtronge men weren in
Jeruſalem;
xiiii of whiche þis is þe noumbre, `bi þe houſis and
meynees of alle in Juda. Duyk Eduas was prince of þe
CCCLXXXIX
ooſt, and wiþ hym weren þre hundrid þouſynde ful
ſtronge men.
xv Aftir hym was Johannan prince, and wiþ hym weren
two hundrid þouſynde and foure ſcoore þouſynde.
xvi After þis alſo Amaſȝe, þe ſone of Zechri, was
halewid to þe Lord, and wiþ hym weren two hundrid
þouſynde of ſtronge men.
xvii Eliada myȝti to batels ſuede þis Amaſie, and wiþ
hym weren two hundrid þouſynde of men holdynge
bouwe and ſcheeld.
xviii Aftir þis was alſo Joſaphat, and wiþ hym weren an
hundrid þouſynde and foure ſcoore þouſynde of redi
knyȝtis.
xix Alle þeſe weren at þe hond of þe kyng, outakun
oþere, whiche he hadde put in wallid cytees and in al
Juda.
CAP. XVIII
i Þerfor Joſaphat was riche and ful noble, and bi
affynyte, `eþir alie, he was ioyned to Achab.
ii And aftir ȝeeris he cam doun to hym in to Samarie; at
whos comyng Achab killide ful many weþeris and oxis,
and to þe puple þat cam wiþ hym; and he counſeilide
hym to ſtie in to Ramoth of Galaad.
iii And Achab, þe kyng of Iſrael, ſeide to Joſaphat, kyng
of Juda, Come þou wiþ me in to Ramoth of Galaad. To
whom he anſweride, As and Y am, þou art; as þi puple,
ſo and my puple; and we ſchulen be wiþ þee in batel.
iiii And Joſaphat ſeide to þe kyng of Iſrael, Y biſeche,
counſele þou in preſent tyme þe word of þe Lord.
v Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael gaderide togidere foure
hundrid `men of prophetis, and ſeide to hem, Owen we
to go in to Ramath of Galaad for to fiȝte, eþir `take
reſte? And þei ſeiden, Stie ȝe, and God ſchal bitake in þe
hond of þe king.
vi And Joſaphat ſeide, Wheþer no profete of þe Lord is
here, þat we `axe alſo of hym?
vii And þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide to Joſaphat, O man is, of
whom we `moun axe þe wille of þe Lord, but and Y
hate hym, for he prophecieþ not good, but yuel to me in
al tyme; ſoþely it is Mychee, þe ſone of Jebla. And
Joſaphat ſeide to hym, Kyng, ſpeke þou not in þis
maner.
viii Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael clepide oon of þe geldyngis,
and ſeide to hym, Clepe þou ſoone Mychee, þe ſone of
Jebla.
ix Forſoþe þe kyng of Iſrael and Joſaphat, þe kyng of
Juda, ſaten euer eiþir in his ſeete, and weren cloþid in
kyngis aray; forſoþe þei ſaten in þe cornfloor, `eþer
large hows, biſidis þe ȝate of Samarie; and alle þe
prophetis profeſieden bifor hem.
x Forſoþe Sedechie, þe ſone of Cananee, made to hym
yrone hornes, and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Wiþ
þeſe þou ſchalt wyndewe Sirie, til þou al to-brake it.
xi And alle prophetis profeſieden in lijk maner, and
ſeiden, Stie þou in to Ramoth of Galaad, and þou ſchalt
haue proſperite; and þe Lord ſchal bitake hem in to þe
hondis of þe kyng.
xii Forſoþe þe meſſanger, þat ȝede to clepe Mychee,
ſeide to hym, Lo! þe wordis of alle prophetis tellen wiþ
o mouþ goodis to þe kyng; þerfor, Y preye þee, þat þi
word diſente not fro hem, and þat þou ſpeke
proſperitees.
xiii To whom Mychee anſweride, Þe Lord lyueþ, for
what euer þingis my Lord ſpekiþ to me, Y ſchal ſpeke
þeſe þingis. Þerfor he cam to þe kyng.
xiiii To whom þe kyng ſeide, Mychee, owen we go in to
Ramoth of Galaad to fiȝte, eþer take reſte? To whom he
anſweride, Stie ȝe, for alle proſperitees ſchulen come,
and enemyes ſchulen be bitakun in to ȝoure hondis.
xv And þe kyng ſeide, Eft and eft Y charge þee, þat þou
ſpeke not to me no but þat þat is ſoþ in þe name of þe
Lord.
xvi And he ſeide, Y ſiȝ al Iſrael ſcaterid in þe hillis, as
ſcheep wiþ out ſcheepherde. And þe Lord ſeide, Þeſe
men han not lordis; ech man turne aȝen in to his hows
in pees.
xvii Þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide to Joſaphat, Wheþer Y ſeide
not to þee, þat he profeſiede not ony good to me, but þo
þingis þat ben yuele?
xviii And þerfor Mychee ſeide, Here ȝe þe word of þe
Lord. Y ſiȝ þe Lord ſittynge in his trone, and al þe ooſt
of heuene ſtondynge nyȝ him at þe riȝtſide and `leftſide.
xix And þe Lord ſeide, Who ſchal diſſeyue Achab, þe
kyng of Iſrael, þat he ſtie, and falle doun in Ramoth of
Galaad? And whanne oon ſeide in þis maner, and
anoþer ſeide in anoþer maner, a ſpirit cam forþ,
xx and ſtood bifor þe Lord, and ſeide, Y ſchal diſſeyue
hym. To whom þe Lord ſeide, `Wherynne, þerfor ſchalt
þou diſſeyue?
xxi And he anſweride, Y ſchal go out, and Y ſchal be a
`fals ſpirit in þe mouþ of alle hiſe profetis. And þe Lord
ſeide, Þou ſchalt diſſeyue, and þou ſchalt haue þe
mayſtri; go þou out, and do ſo.
xxii Now þerfor, lo! þe Lord haþ ȝoue a ſpirit of leeſyng
in þe mouþ of alle þi prophetis, and þe Lord ſpak yuels
of þee.
xxiii Forſoþe Sedechie, þe ſone of Chananee, neiȝide,
and ſmoot `þe cheke of Mychee, and ſeide, Bi what
weye paſſide þe Spirit of þe Lord fro me to ſpeke to
þee?
xxiiii And Mychee ſeide, Þou þi ſilf ſchalt ſe in þat dai,
whanne þou ſchalt entre fro cloſet in to cloſet, þat þou
be hid.
xxv Soþeli þe kyng of Iſrael comaundide, ſeiynge, Take
ȝe Mychee, and lede ȝe hym to Amon, prince of þe
citee, and to Joas, þe ſone of Amalech;
CCCXC
xxvi and ȝe ſchulen ſeie, Þe kyng ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Sende
ȝe þis man in to priſoun, and ȝyue ȝe to hym a litil of
breed, and a litil of watir, til Y turne aȝen in pees.
xxvii And Mychee ſeide, If þou turneſt aȝen in pees, þe
Lord ſpak not in me. And he ſeide, Alle `puplis here ȝe.
xxviii Þerfor þe kyng of Iſrael, and Joſaphat, þe kyng of
Juda, ſtieden in to Ramoth of Galaad.
xxix And þe kyng of Iſrael ſeide to Joſaphat, Y ſchal
chaunge cloþing, and ſo Y ſchal go to fiȝte; but be þou
cloþid in þi cloþis. Þerfor whanne þe kyng of Iſrael
hadde chaungid cloþing, he cam to batel.
xxx Forſoþe þe kyng of Sirie comaundide to þe duykis
of his multitude of knyȝtis, and ſeide, Fiȝte ȝe not aȝens
þe leeſte, neþer aȝens þe mooſte; no but aȝens þe kyng
aloone of Iſrael.
xxxi Þerfor whanne þe princes of þe multitude of knyȝtis
hadden ſeyn Joſaphat, þei ſeiden, Þis is þe kyng of
Iſrael; and þei cumpaſſiden hym, and fouȝten. And he
criede to þe Lord; and þe Lord helpide hym, and
turnede hem awey fro hym.
xxxii Soþeli whanne þe duykis of þe multitude of knyȝtis
hadden herd, þat it was not þe kyng of Iſrael, þei leften
hym.
xxxiii Forſoþe it bifelde, þat oon of þe puple ſchette an
arewe in to vncerteyn, and ſmoot þe kyng of Iſrael
bitwixe þe necke and þe ſchuldris. And he ſeide to his
charietere, Turne þin hond, and lede me out of þe
ſcheltrun; for Y am woundid.
xxxiiii And þe batel was endid in þat dai. Certis þe kyng
of Iſrael ſtood in his chare aȝens men of Sirye `til to
euentid, and he diede, whanne þe ſunne ȝede doun.
CAP. XIX
i Forſoþe Joſaphat, kyng of Juda, turnede aȝen peſibli in
to his hows in to Jeruſalem.
ii Whom þe profete Hieu, þe ſone of Ananye, mette, and
ſeide to hym, Þou ȝyueſt help to a wickid man, and þou
art ioyned bi frendſchip to hem þat haten þe Lord; and
þerfor ſoþeli þou deſeruediſt þe wraþþe of þe Lord;
iii but good werkis ben foundyn in þee, for þou didiſt
awey wodis fro þe lond of Juda, and þou haſt maad redi
þin herte, for to ſeke þe Lord God of þi fadris.
iiii Þerfor Joſaphat dwellide in Jeruſalem; and eft he
ȝede out to þe puple fro Berſabee til to þe hil of
Effraym, and he clepide hem aȝen to þe Lord God of
her fadris.
v And he ordeynede iugis of þe lond in alle þe ſtrengþid
citees of Juda, bi ech place.
vi And he comaundide to þe iugis, and ſeide, Se ȝe, what
ȝe doen; for ȝe vſen not þe doom of man, but of þe
Lord; and what euere þing ȝe demen, ſchal turne `in to
ȝou;
vii þe drede of þe Lord be wiþ ȝou, and do ȝe alle þingis
wiþ diligence; for anentis `ȝoure Lord God is no
wickidneſſe, neþer takynge of perſoones, neþer coueitiſe
of ȝiftis.
viii Alſo in Jeruſalem Joſaphat ordeynede dekenes, and
preeſtis, and þe princes of meynees of Iſrael, þat þei
ſchulden deme þe doom and cauſe of þe Lord to þe
dwellers of it.
ix And he comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Þus ȝe ſchulen
do in þe drede of þe Lord, feiþfuli and in perfite herte.
x Ech cauſe þat comeþ to ȝou of ȝoure briþeren, þat
dwellen in her citees, bitwixe kynrede and kynrede,
where euere is queſtioun of þe lawe, of `þe
comaundement, of cerymonyes, `eþer ſacrifices, of
iuſtifyingis, ſchewe ȝe to hem, þat þei do not ſynne
aȝens þe Lord, and þat wraþþe com not on ȝou and on
ȝoure briþeren. Þerfor ȝe doynge þus ſchulen not do
ſynne.
xi Forſoþe Amarie, ȝoure preeſt and biſchop, ſchal be
ſouereyn in þeſe þingis, þat perteynen to God. Soþeli
Zabadie, þe ſone of Iſmael, which is duyk in þe hows of
Juda, ſchal be on þo werkis þat perteynen to þe office of
þe kyng, and ȝe han maiſtris dekenes bifor ȝou; be ȝe
coumfortid, and do ȝe diligentli, and þe Lord ſchal be
wiþ ȝou in goodis.
CAP. XX
i Aftir þeſe þingis þe ſones of Moab, and þe ſones of
Amon, and wiþ hem of Idumeis, weren gaderid togidere
to Joſaphat, for to fiȝte aȝens hym.
ii And meſſangeris camen, and ſchewiden to Joſaphat,
ſeiden, A greet multitude of þo placis þat ben biȝondis
þe ſee, and of Sirie, is comun aȝens þee; and, lo! þei
ſtonden in Aſaſonthamar, which is Engaddi.
iii Forſoþe Joſaphat was aferd by drede, and `ȝaf hym
ſilf al for to preye `þe Lord, and prechide faſtynge to al
Juda.
iiii And Juda was gaderid togidere for to preye þe Lord,
but alſo alle men camen fro her citees for to biſeche
hym.
v And whanne Joſaphat hadde ſtonde in þe myddis of þe
cumpeny of Juda and of Jeruſalem, in þe hows of þe
Lord, bifor þe newe large place,
vi he ſeide, Lord God of oure fadris, þou art God in
heuene, and þou art lord of alle rewmes of folkis;
ſtrengþe and power ben in þin hond, `and noon may
aȝenſtonde þee.
vii Wheþer not þou, oure God, haſt ſlayn alle þe
dwelleris of þis lond bifor þi puple Iſrael, and haſt ȝoue
it to þe ſeed of Abraham, þi freend, wiþouten ende?
viii And þei dwelliden þerynne, and bildiden þerinne a
ſeyntuarie to þi name, and ſeiden,
ix If yuelis comen on vs, þe ſwerd of doom, peſtilence,
and hungur, we ſchulen ſtonde bifor þis hows wiþouten
CCCXCI
ende in þi ſiȝt, in which hows þi name is clepid, and we
ſchulen crie to þee in oure tribulaciouns; and þou ſchalt
here vs, and ſchalt make vs ſaaf.
x Now þerfor lo! þe ſones of Amon and of Moab and þe
hil of Seir, bi whiche þou grauntidiſt not to þe ſones of
Iſrael for to paſſe, whanne þei ȝeden out of Egipt, but
þei bowiden awei fro hem, and killiden not hem,
xi þei doon aȝenward, and enforſen to caſte vs out of þe
poſſeſſioun, which þou, oure God, haſt ȝoue to vs;
xii þerfor wheþer þou ſchalt not deme hem? Treuli in vs
is not ſo greet ſtrengþe, þat we moun aȝenſtonde þis
multitude, þat felde yn on vs; but ſiþen we witen not
what we owen to do, we `han oneli þis reſidue, þat we
dreſſe oure iȝen to þee.
xiii Soþeli al Juda ſtood bifor þe Lord, wiþ her litle
children and wyues and fre children.
xiiii Forſoþe Hiaziel, þe ſone of Zacarie, ſone of Ananye,
ſone of Hieyel, ſone of Machanye, was a dekene, and of
þe ſones of Aſaph, on whom þe Spirit of þe Lord was
maad in þe myddis of þe cumpeny,
xv and he ſeide, Al Juda, and ȝe þat dwellen in
Jeruſalem, and þou, king Joſaphat, perſeyue ȝe, þe Lord
ſeiþ þeſe þingis to ȝou, Nyle ȝe drede, neþer be ȝe aferd
of þis multitude, for it is not ȝoure batel, but Goddis
batel.
xvi To morewe ȝe ſchulen ſtie `aȝens hem; for þei
ſchulen ſtie bi þe ſide of þe hil, `bi name Seys, and ȝe
ſchulen fynde hem in þe hiȝneſſe of þe ſtronde, which is
aȝens þe wildirneſſe of Jheruhel.
xvii For it ſchulen not be ȝe, þat ſchulen fiȝte; but oneli
ſtonde ȝe truſtili, and ȝe ſchulen ſe þe help of þe Lord on
ȝou. A! Juda and Jeruſalem, nyle ȝe drede, neþer be ȝe
aferd; to morewe ȝe ſchulen go out aȝens hem, and þe
Lord ſchal be wiþ ȝou.
xviii Þerfor Joſaphat, and Juda, and alle þe dwelleris of
Jeruſalem, felden lowli on þe erþe bifor þe Lord, and
worſchypiden hym.
xix Forſoþe þe dekenes of þe ſones of Caath, and of þe
ſones of Chore, herieden þe Lord God of Iſrael wiþ
greet vois an hiȝ.
xx And whanne þei hadden riſe eerli, þei ȝeden not bi þe
deſeert of Thecue; and whanne þei `hadden gon forþ,
Joſaphat ſtood in þe myddis of hem, and ſeide, Juda and
alle þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem, here ȝe me; bileue ȝe in
`ȝoure Lord God, and ȝe ſchulen be ſikur; bileue ȝe to
hiſe prophetis, and alle proſperitees ſchulen come.
xxi And he ȝaf counſel to þe puple, and he ordeynede þe
ſyngeris of þe Lord, þat þei ſchulden herye hym in her
cumpanyes, and þat þei ſchulden go bifor þe ooſt, and
ſeie wiþ acordynge vois, Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord, for
he is good; for his merci is `in to þe world.
xxii And whanne þei bigunnen to ſynge heriyngis, þe
Lord turnede þe buyſchementis of hem `in to hem ſilf,
þat is, of þe ſones of Amon and of Moab and of þe hil
of Seir, þat ȝeden out to fiȝte aȝens Juda; and þei weren
ſlayn.
xxiii For whi þe ſones of Amon and of Moab riſiden
togidere aȝens þe dwelleris of þe hil of Seir, to ſle, and
to do awey hem; and whanne þei hadden do þis in werk,
þei weren `turned alſo `in to hem ſilf, and felden doun
togidere bi woundis ech of oþere.
xxiiii Certis whanne Juda was comun to þe denne, þat
biholdiþ þe wildirneſſe, he ſiȝ afer al þe large cuntrei ful
of deed bodies, and þat noon was left, þat miȝte aſcape
deeþ.
xxv Þerfor Joſaphat cam, and al þe puple wiþ hym, to
drawe awey þe ſpuylis of deed men, and þei founden
among þe deed bodies dyuerſe purtenaunce of houſhold,
and cloþis, and ful preciouſe veſſels; and þei
rauyiſchiden in dyuerſe maneres, ſo þat þei myȝten not
bere alle þingis, neþer þei myȝten take awei þe ſpuylis
bi þre daies, for þe greetneſſe of prey.
xxvi Soþeli in þe fourþe dai þei weren gaderid togidere
in þe valey of Bleſſyng; `forſoþe for þei bleſſiden þe
Lord þere, þei clepiden þat place þe valei of Bleſſyng
`til in to preſent dai.
xxvii And ech man of Juda turnede aȝen, and þe
dwelleris of Jeruſalem, and Joſaphat bifor hem, in to
Jeruſalem wiþ greet gladneſſe; for þe Lord God hadde
ȝoue to hem ioye of her enemyes.
xxviii And þei entriden in to Jeruſalem wiþ ſawtrees, and
harpis, and trumpis, in to þe hows of þe Lord.
xxix Forſoþe þe drede of þe Lord felde on alle þe
rewmes of londis, whanne þei hadden herd, þat þe Lord
hadde fouȝte aȝens þe enemies of Iſrael.
xxx And þe rewme of Joſaphat reſtide; and þe Lord ȝaf
`pees to hym `bi cumpas.
xxxi Þerfor Joſaphat regnede on Juda; and he was of
fyue and þritti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne; ſoþeli he
regnede fyue and twenti ȝeer in Jeruſalem; and þe name
of his modir was Azuba, þe douȝtir of Selathi.
xxxii And he ȝede in þe weie of Aſa his fadir, and
bowide not fro it, and he dide what euer þingis weren
pleſaunt bifor þe Lord.
xxxiii Neþeles he dide not awei hiȝ þingis; ȝit þe puple
hadde not dreſſid her herte to þe Lord God of her fadris.
xxxiiii Forſoþe þe reſidue of þe formere and þe laſte
dedis of Joſaphat ben writun in þe book of Hieu, þe ſone
of Anany, which he ordeynede in þe book of kyngis of
Iſrael.
xxxv After þeſe þingis Joſaphat, kyng of Juda, made
frendſchipis wiþ Ocozie, kyng of Iſrael, whoſe werkis
weren ful yuele;
xxxvi and he was parcener þat þei maden ſchippis, þat
ſchulden go in to Tharſis; and þei maden o ſchip in to
Aſiongaber.
xxxvii Soþeli Eliezer, ſone of Dodan, of Mareſa,
profeſiede to Joſaphat, and ſeide, For þou haddiſt boond
CCCXCII
of pees wiþ Ocozie, þe Lord ſmoot þi werkis; and þe
ſchippis ben brokun, and myȝten not go in to Tharſis.
CAP. XXI
i Forſoþe Joſaphat ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and was biried
wiþ hem in þe citee of Dauid; and Joram, his ſone,
regnede for hym.
ii And he hadde briþeren, þe ſones of Joſaphat, Azarie,
Jahiel, and Zacarie, Anany, and Mychael, and Saphatie;
alle þeſe weren þe ſones of Joſaphat, kyng of Juda.
iii And her fadir ȝaf to hem many ȝiftis of gold and of
ſiluer, and rentis, wiþ ſtrongeſte citees in Juda; but he
ȝaf þe rewme to Joram, for he was þe firſte gendrid.
iiii Forſoþe Joram roos on þe rewme of his fadir; and
whanne he hadde confermyd hym ſilf, he killide alle
hiſe briþeren bi ſwerd, and ſumme of þe princes of Juda.
v Joram was of two and þritti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to
regne; and he regnede eiȝte ȝeer in Jeruſalem.
vi And he ȝede in þe weies of þe kyngis of Iſrael, as þe
hows of Achab hadde do, for þe douȝter of Achab was
his wijf; and he dide yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
vii But þe Lord nolde diſtrie þe hows of Dauid, for þe
couenaunt which he `hadde maad wiþ Dauid, and for he
`hadde bihiȝte to ȝyue to hym a lanterne, and to hiſe
ſones in al tyme.
viii In þo daies Edom rebellide, þat it was not ſuget to
Juda, and it ordeynede a kyng to it ſilf.
ix And whanne Joram hadde paſſide wiþ hiſe princes,
and al þe multitude of knyȝtis, þat was wiþ hym, he
roos bi niȝt, and ſmoot Edom, þat cumpaſſide him, and
alle hiſe duykis of his multitude of knyȝtis.
x Neþeles Edom rebellide, þat it was not vndir þe
lordſchip of Juda `til to þis dai. In þat tyme alſo Lobna
ȝede awei, þat it was not vndur þe hond of hym; for he
hadde forſake þe Lord God of hiſe fadris.
xi Ferþermore he made hiȝe places in þe citees of Juda,
and made þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem to do fornycacioun,
`þat is, idolatrie, and Juda to breke þe lawe.
xii Forſoþe lettris weren brouȝt to hym fro Elie, þe
prophete, in whiche it was writun, Þe Lord God of
Dauid,
xiii þi fadir, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þou `ȝediſt not in þe
weies of Joſaphat, þi fadir, and in þe weie of Aſa, kyng
of Juda, but þou ȝediſt bi þe weie of þe kyngis of Iſrael,
and madiſt Juda and þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem to do
fornicacioun, and ſuediſt þe fornicacioun of þe hows of
Achab; ferþermore and þou haſt ſlayn þi briþeren and
þe hows of þi fadir, `þat weren betere þan þou; lo!
xiiii þe Lord ſchal ſmyte þee wiþ a greet veniaunce, and
þi puple, and þi ſones, and wyues, and al þi catel;
xv ſoþeli þou ſchalt be ſijk `wiþ þe worſte ſorewe of
wombe, til þin entrailis go out litil and litil bi ech dai.
xvi Þerfor þe Lord reiſide aȝens Joram þe ſpirit of
Filiſteis and Arabeis, þat marchen wiþ Ethiopiens; and
þei ſtieden in to þe lond of Juda,
xvii and waſtiden it, and þei token awei al þe catel, þat
was foundun in þe hows of þe kyng, ferþermore and
hiſe ſones, and wyues; and no ſone was left to hym, no
but Joachaz, þat was þe leeſte in birþe.
xviii And ouer alle þeſe þingis þe Lord ſmoot hym wiþ
vncurable ſorewe of þe wombe.
xix And whanne dai cam aftir a dai, and þe ſpaces of
tymes weren turned aboute, þe cours of twey ȝeer was
fillid; and ſo he was waſtid `bi long rot, ſo þat he caſtide
out alſo his entrailis, and ſo he wantide ſorewe and liyf
togidere, and he was deed in þe werſte ſikeneſſe. And þe
puple dide not to hym ſeruyce of deed men bi þe cuſtom
of brennyng, as it hadde do to hiſe grettere, `eþer
auncetris.
xx He was of two and þritti ȝeer whanne he bigan to
regne, and he regnede eiȝte ȝeer in Jeruſalem, and he
ȝede not riȝtfuli; and þei birieden hym in þe citee of
Dauid, neþeles not in þe ſepulcre of kingis.
CAP. XXII
i Forſoþe þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem ordeyneden Ocozie,
`his leeſte ſone, kyng for hym; for þeues of Arabeis, þat
felden in to þe caſtels, hadden ſlayn alle þe grettere `in
birþe, þat weren bifor hym. And Ocozie, þe ſone of
Joram, kyng of Juda, regnede.
ii Ocozie was of two and fourti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to
regne, and he regnede o ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe name of
his modir was Athalia, þe douȝter of Amry.
iii But he entride bi þe weie of þe hows of Achab; for
his modir compellide hym to do yuele.
iiii Þerfor he dide yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, as þe hows
of Achab; for þei weren counſelouris to hym in to his
periſchyng, aftir þe deþ of his fadir;
v and he ȝede in þe counſele of hem. And he ȝede wiþ
Joram, þe ſone of Achab, kyng of Iſrael, in to batel
aȝens Azahel, kyng of Sirye, in to Ramoth of Galaad.
And men of Sirie woundiden Joram;
vi which turnede aȝen for to be heelid in Jezrahel; for he
hadde take many woundis in þe forſeid batel. Þerfor
Ocozie, kyng of Juda, þe ſone of Joram, ȝede doun to
viſite Joram, þe ſone of Achab, ſijk in Jezrahel;
vii for it was Goddis wille aȝens Ocozie, þat he cam to
Joram. And whanne he was comun, he ȝede out wiþ
hym aȝens Hieu, þe ſone of Namſi, whom God
anoyntide, þat he ſchulde do awey þe hows of Achab.
viii Þerfor whanne Hieu deſtriede þe hows of Achab, he
foond þe princis of Juda, and þe ſones of þe briþeren of
Ocozie, þat `mynyſtriden to hym; and he killide hem.
ix And he ſouȝte þilke Ocozie, and cauȝte him hid in
Samarie, and after þat he was brouȝt to Hieu, Hieu
killide hym; and þei birieden hym, for he was þe ſone of
CCCXCIII
Joſaphat, þat hadde ſouȝt God in al his herte. And noon
hope was more, þat ony of þe generacioun of Ocozie
ſchulde regne.
x For Athalia, his modir, ſiȝ, þat hir ſone was deed, and
ſche roos, and killide alle þe kyngis generacioun of þe
hows of Joram.
xi Forſoþe Joſabeth, þe douȝter of þe kyng, took Joas, þe
ſone of Ocozie, and ſtal hym fro þe myddis of þe ſones
of þe kyng, whanne þei weren ſlayn; and ſche hidde
hym wiþ his nurſe in þe cloſet of beddis. Forſoþe
Joſabeth, þat `hadde hid hym, was þe douȝtir of kyng
Joram, and wijf of Joiada, þe biſchop, and þe ſiſter of
Ocozie; and þerfor Athalia killide not hir.
xii Þerfor he was hid wiþ hem in þe hows of God ſixe
ȝeer, in whiche Athalia regnede on þe lond.
CAP. XXIII
i Forſoþe in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer Joiada was coumfortid, and
took centuriouns, þat is, Azarie, ſone of Jeroboam, and
Iſmael, þe ſone of Johannam, and Azarie, þe ſone of
Obeth, and Maaſie, þe ſone of Adaie, and Eliſaphat, þe
ſone of Zechri; and he made wiþ hem a counſel and a
boond of pees.
ii Which cumpaſſiden Juda, and gaderiden togidere
dekenes of alle þe citees of Juda, and þe princes of þe
meynees of Iſrael, and camen in to Jeruſalem.
iii Þerfor al þe multitude made couenaunt in þe hows of
þe Lord wiþ þe kyng. And Joiada ſeide to hem, Lo! þe
ſone of þe kyng ſchal regne, as þe Lord ſpak on þe ſones
of Dauid.
iiii Þerfor þis is þe word, which ȝe ſchulen do.
v Þe þridde part of ȝou þat ben comun to þe ſabat, of
preeſtis, and of dekenes, and of porterys, ſchal be in þe
ȝatis; ſoþeli þe þridde part ſchal be at þe hows of þe
kyng; and þe þridde part ſchal be at þe ȝate, which is
clepid of þe foundement. Forſoþe al þe toþer comyn
puple be in þe large places of þe hows of þe Lord;
vi and noon oþer man entre in to þe hows of þe Lord, no
but preeſtis, and þei þat mynyſtren of þe dekenes; oneli
entre þei, þat ben halewid, and al þe toþer comyn puple
kepe þe kepyngis of þe Lord.
vii Forſoþe þe dekenes cumpaſſe þe kyng, and ech man
haue hiſe armuris; and if ony oþere man entriþ in to þe
temple, be he ſlayn; and be þei wiþ þe kyng entrynge
and goynge out.
viii Þerfor þe dekenes and al Juda diden bi alle þingis,
which Joiada, þe biſchop, hadde comaundid; and alle
token þe men, þat weren wiþ hem, and camen bi þe
ordre of ſabat wiþ hem, þat hadden `fillid now þe ſabat,
and ſchulen go out.
ix For Joiada, þe biſchop, ſuffride not þe cumpenyes to
go awei, þat weren wont to come oon after `þe toþer bi
ech wouke. And Joiada, þe preeſt, ȝaf to þe centuriouns
ſperis, and ſcheeldis, and bokeleris of kyng Dauid,
whiche he hadde halewid in to þe hows of þe Lord.
x And he ordeynede al þe puple, of hem `þat helden
ſwerdis, at þe riȝt ſide of þe temple `til to þe left ſide of
þe temple, bifor þe auter and þe temple, bi cumpas of
þe king.
xi And þei ledden out þe ſone of þe kyng, and ſettiden a
diademe on hym; and þei ȝauen to hym in his hond þe
lawe to be holdun, and þei maden hym kyng. And
Joiada, þe biſchop, and his ſones anoyntiden hym; and
þei preiden hertli, and ſeiden, Þe kyng lyue!
xii And whanne Athalia hadde herd þis þing, þat is, þe
vois of men rennynge and preiſynge þe kyng, ſche
entride to þe puple, in to þe temple of þe Lord.
xiii And whanne ſche hadde ſeyn þe kyng ſtondynge on
þe grees in þe entryng, and þe princes and cumpenyes
of knyȝtis aboute hym, and al þe puple of þe lond
ioiynge, and ſownynge wiþ trumpis, and ſyngynge
togidere wiþ orguns of dyuerſe kynde, and þe vois of
men preiſynge, ſche to-rente hir cloþis, and ſeide,
Treſouns! treſouns!
xiiii Soþeli Joiada, þe biſchop, ȝede out to þe
centuriouns, and princes of þe ooſt, and ſeide to hem,
Lede ȝe hir wiþ out þe `purſeyntis, eþir cloſyngis, of þe
temple, and be ſche ſlayn wiþ outforþ bi ſwerd; and þe
preeſt comaundide, þat ſche ſchulde not be ſlayn in þe
hows of þe Lord.
xv And þei ſettiden hondis on hir nol; and whanne ſhe
hadde entrid in to þe ȝate of þe horſis, of þe kyngis
hows, þei killiden hir þere.
xvi Forſoþe Joiada couenauntide a boond of pees
bitwixe him ſilf and al þe puple and þe kyng, þat it
ſchulde be þe puple of þe Lord.
xvii Þerfor al þe puple entride in to þe hows of Baal, and
diſtrieden it, and braken þe auteris and ſymylacris þerof;
but þei killiden bifor þe auteris Mathan, þe preeſt of
Baal.
xviii Forſoþe Joiada ordeynede ſouereyns in þe hows of
þe Lord, þat vndur þe hondis of preeſtis, and of
dekenes, whiche Dauid departide in þe hows of þe
Lord, þei ſchulden offre brent ſacrifices to þe Lord, as it
is writun in þe book of Moiſes, in ioie and ſongis, by þe
ordynaunce of Dauid.
xix Alſo he ordeynede porteris in þe ȝatis of þe hows of
þe Lord, þat an vnclene man in ony þing ſchulde not
entre in to it.
xx And he took þe centuriouns, and ſtrongeſte men, and
princes of þe puple, and al þe comyn puple of þe lond.
And þei maden þe kyng to go doun fro þe hows of þe
Lord, and to entre bi þe myddis of þe hiȝere ȝate in to
þe hows of þe kyng; and þei ſettiden hym in þe kyngis
trone.
xxi And al þe puple of þe lond was glad, and þe citee
reſtide; forſoþe Athalia was ſlayn bi ſwerd.
CCCXCIV
CAP. XXIIII
i Joas was of ſeuene ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne, and
he regnyde fourti ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe name of his
modir was Sebia of Berſabee.
ii And he dide þat, þat was good bifor þe Lord, in alle
þe daies of Joiada, þe preeſt.
iii Soþeli and Joas took twei wyues, of whyche he
gendride ſones and douȝtris.
iiii After whiche þingis it pleſide Joas to reparele þe
hows of þe Lord.
v And he gaderide togidere preeſtis and dekenes, and
ſeide to hem, Go ȝe out to þe citees of Juda, and gadere
ȝe of al Iſrael money, to þe reparelyng of þe temple of
`ȝoure Lord God, bi ech ȝeer; and do ȝe þis hiȝyngli.
vi Certis þe dekenes diden necgligentli. And þe kyng
clepide Joiada, þe prince, and ſeide to hym, Whi was it
not charge to þee, to conſtreyne þe dekenes to brynge
yn money of Juda and of Jeruſalem, which money was
ordeyned of Moiſes, þe ſeruaunt of `þe Lord, þat al þe
multitude of Iſrael ſchulde brynge it in to þe tabernacle
of witneſſyng?
vii For þe worſte Athalia, and hir ſones, diſtrieden þe
hows of God; and of alle þingis, þat weren halewid to
þe temple of þe Lord, þei ourneden þe temple of
Baalym.
viii Þerfor þe kyng comaundide, and þei maden an arke,
and ſettiden it biſidis þe ȝate of þe Lord wiþ out forþ.
ix And it was prechid in Juda and Jeruſalem, þat ech
man ſchulde brynge to þe Lord þe prijs, which Moyſes,
þe ſeruaunt of God, ordeynede on al Iſrael, in deſeert.
x And alle þe princes and al þe puple weren glad, and
þei entriden, and brouȝten, and ſenten in to þe arke of
þe Lord, ſo þat it was fillid.
xi And whanne it was tyme, þat þei ſchulden bere þe
arke bifor þe kyng bi þe hondis of dekenes, for þei ſien
myche money, þe clerk of þe kyng entride, and he
whom þe firſte preeſt hadde ordeynede, and þei
ſchedden out þe money, þat was in þe arke; ſoþeli þei
baren aȝen þe arke to `his place. And ſo þei diden bi alle
daies, and money wiþ out noumbre was gaderid
togidere;
xii which þe kyng and Joiada ȝauen to hem þat weren
ſouereyns of þe werkis of þe hows of þe Lord. And þei
hiriden þerof kitteris of ſtonys, and crafti men of alle
werkis, þat þei ſchulden reparele þe hows of þe Lord;
alſo þei hiriden ſmyþis of yrun, and of bras, þat þat þing
ſchulde be vndurſet, þat bigan to falle.
xiii Þei þat wrouȝten diden craftili, and þe craſyng of þe
wallis was ſtoppid bi þe hondis of hem; and þei reiſiden
þe hows of þe Lord in to þe formere ſtaat, and maden it
to ſtonde ſtidfaſtli.
xiiii And whanne þei hadden fillid alle werkis, þei
brouȝten bifor þe kyng and Joiada þe toþer part of þe
money, of which money veſſels weren maad in to þe
ſeruyce of þe temple, and to brent ſacrifices; alſo viols,
and oþere veſſels of gold and of ſiluer `weren maad
þerof. And brent ſacrifices weren offrid in þe hows of
þe Lord contynueli, in alle þe daies of Joiada.
xv Forſoþe Joiada ful of daies wexide eld, and he was
deed, whanne he was of an hundrid ȝeer and þritti;
xvi and þei birieden hym in þe citee of Dauid wiþ
kyngis; for he hadde do good wiþ Iſrael, and wiþ his
hows.
xvii But aftir þat Joiada diede, þe princes of Juda
entriden, and worſchipiden þe kyng, which was flaterid
wiþ her ſeruices, and aſſentide to hem.
xviii And þei forſoken þe temple of þe Lord God of her
fadris, and ſeruyden idols in wodis, and grauen ymagis;
and þe ire of þe Lord was maad aȝens Juda and
Jeruſalem for þis ſynne.
xix And he ſente to hem profetis, þat þei ſchulen turne
aȝen to þe Lord; whiche profetis witneſſynge þei nolden
here.
xx Þerfor þe Spirit of þe Lord cloþide Zacharie, þe
preeſt, þe ſone of Joiada; and he ſtood in þe ſiȝt of þe
puple, and ſeide to hem, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Whi
breken ȝe þe comaundement of þe Lord, `which þing
ſchal not profite to ȝou, and ȝe han forſake þe Lord, þat
he ſchulde forſake ȝou?
xxi Whiche weren gaderide togidere aȝens hym, and
ſenten ſtonys, bi comaundement `of þe kyng, in þe large
place of þe hows of þe Lord.
xxii And kyng Joas hadde not mynde on þe merci which
Joiada, þe fadir of Zacharie, hadde doon wiþ hym; but
he killide þe ſone of Joiada. And whanne Zacharie
diede, he ſeide, Þe Lord ſe, and ſeke.
xxiii And whanne a ȝeer was turned aboute, `eþer endid,
þe ooſt of Sirie ſtiede aȝens Joas, and it cam in to Juda
and in to Jeruſalem, and it killide alle þe princes of þe
puple; and þei ſenten al þe prey to þe kyng, to Damaſk.
xxiiii And certeyn, whanne a ful litle noumbre of men of
Sirie was comun, þe Lord bitook in her hondis a
multitude wiþ out noumbre, for þei hadden forſake þe
Lord God of her fadris. Alſo þei vſiden ſchameful
domes in Joas;
xxv and þei ȝeden awei, and leften hym in grete ſorewis.
Soþeli hiſe ſeruauntis riſiden aȝens hym, in to veniaunce
of þe blood of þe ſone of Joiada, preeſt; and killiden
hym in his bed, and he was deed. And þei birieden hym
in þe citee of Dauid, but not in þe ſepulcris of kyngis.
xxvi Forſoþe Sabath, þe ſone of Semath of Amon, and
Joſabeth, þe ſone of Semarith of Moab, ſettiden treſouns
to hym.
xxvii Soþeli hiſe ſones, and þe ſumme of money þat was
gaderid vndur hym, and þe reparelyng of þe hows of
God, ben writun diligentli in þe book of Kyngis.
CCCXCV
CAP. XXV
i Forſoþe Amaſie, `his ſone, regnede for hym; Amaſie
was of fyue and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne,
and he regnyde nyne and twenti ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe
name of his modir was Joiaden, of Jeruſalem.
ii And he dide good in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, neþeles not in
perfit herte.
iii And whanne he ſiȝ þe empire ſtrengþid to hym ſilf, he
ſtranglide þe ſeruauntis, þat killiden þe kyng, his fadir;
iiii but he killide not þe ſones of hem; as it is writun in
þe book of þe lawe of Moiſes, where þe Lord
comaundide, ſeiynge, Fadris ſchulen not be ſlayn for þe
ſones, neþer þe ſones for her fadris; but ech man ſchal
die in his owne ſynne.
v Þerfor Amaſie gaderide togidere Juda, and ordeynede
hem bi meynees and tribunes and centuriouns, in al
Juda and Beniamyn; and he noumbride fro twenti ȝeer
and aboue, and he foonde þritti þouſynde of ȝonge men,
þat ȝeden out to batel, and helden ſpere and ſcheeld.
vi Alſo for mede he hiride of Iſrael an hundrid þouſynde
of ſtronge men, for an hundrid talentis of ſiluer, þat þei
ſchulden fiȝte aȝens þe ſones of Edom.
vii Forſoþe a man of God cam to hym, and ſeide, A!
kyng, þe ooſt of Iſrael go not out wiþ þee, for þe Lord is
not wiþ Iſrael and wiþ alle þe ſones of Effraym;
viii for if þou geſſiſt þat batels ſtonden in þe myȝt of ooſt,
þe Lord ſchal make þee to be ouercomun of enemyes,
for it is of God for to helpe, and to turne in to fliȝt.
ix And Amaſie ſeide to þe man of God, What þerfor
ſchal be doon of þe hundrid talentis, which Y ȝaf to þe
knyȝtis of Iſrael? And þe man of God anſweride to hym,
Þe Lord haþ, wherof he may ȝelde to þee myche mo
þingis þan þeſe.
x Þerfor Amaſie departide þe ooſt þat cam to hym fro
Effraym, þat it ſchulde turne aȝen in to his place; and
þei weren wrooþ greetli aȝens Juda, and turneden aȝen
in to her cuntrei.
xi Forſoþe Amaſie ledde out triſtili his puple, and ȝede in
to þe valei of makyngis of ſalt, and he killide of þe
ſones of Seir ten þouſynde.
xii And þe ſones of Juda token oþere ten þouſynde of
men, and brouȝten to þe hiȝ ſcarre of ſumme ſtoon; and
caſtiden hem doun fro þe hiȝeſte in to þe pit; whiche
alle braken.
xiii And þilke ooſt whom Amaſie hadde ſent aȝen, þat it
ſchulde not go wiþ him to batel, was ſpred abrood in þe
citees of Juda fro Samarie `til to Betheron; and aftir `þat
it hadde ſlayn þre þouſynde, it took awey a greet preie.
xiiii And Amaſie, after þe ſleyng of Idumeis, and after
þat he hadde brouȝt þe goddis of þe ſones of Seir,
ordeynede hem `in to goddis to hym ſilf, and
worſchipide hem, and brente encenſe to hem.
xv Wherfor þe Lord was wrooþ aȝens Amaſie, and ſente
to hym a profete, þat ſeide to hym, Whi worſchipiſt þou
goddis þat `delyueriden not her puple fro þin hond?
xvi Whanne þe profete ſpak þeſe þingis, Amaſie
anſweride to hym, Wheþer þou art a counſelour of þe
king? ceeſſe þou, leſt perauenture Y ſle þee. Þerfor þe
profete ȝede awei, and ſeide, Y woot, þat þe Lord
þouȝte to ſle þee; for þou didiſt þis yuel, and ferþermore
þou aſſentidiſt not to my counſel.
xvii Þerfor Amaſie, þe king of Juda, whanne he hadde
take a ful yuel counſel, ſente to þe kyng of Iſrael Joas,
þe ſone of Joachaz, þe ſone of Hieu, and ſeide, Come
þou, ſe we vs togidere.
xviii And he ſente aȝen meſſangeris, and ſeide, A `cardue,
eþer a taſil, which is in þe Liban ſente to þe cedre of þe
Liban, and ſeide, Ȝyue þi douȝter a wijf to my ſone; and
lo! beeſtis þat weren in þe wode of þe Liban ȝeden and
defouliden þe cardue.
xix Þou ſeidiſt, Y haue ſmyte Edom, and þerfor þin herte
is reyſid in to pride; ſitte þou in þin hows; whi ſtiriſt þou
yuel aȝens þee, þat þou falle, and Juda wiþ þee?
xx Amaſie nolde here, for it was þe wille of þe Lord, þat
he ſchulde be bitakun in to þe hondis of enemyes, for þe
goddis of Edom.
xxi Þerfor Joas, kyng of Iſrael, ſtiede, and þei ſiȝen hem
ſilf togidere. Soþeli Amaſie, þe kyng of Juda, was in
Bethſames of Juda;
xxii and Juda felde doun bifor Iſrael, and fledde in to his
tabernaclis.
xxiii Certis þe kyng of Iſrael took in Bethſames Amaſie,
þe kyng of Juda, þe ſone of Joas, ſone of Joachaz, and
brouȝte in to Jeruſalem; and he deſtriede þe wallis þerof
fro þe ȝate of Effraym `til to þe ȝate of þe corner, bi
foure hundrid cubitis.
xxiiii And be ledde aȝen in to Samarie al þe gold and
ſiluer, and alle veſſels whiche he foond in þe hows of þe
Lord, and at Obededom, in þe treſouris alſo of þe kyngis
hows, alſo and þe ſones of oſtagis.
xxv Forſoþe Amaſie, kyng of Juda, þe ſone of Joas,
lyuede fiftene ȝeer aftir þat Joas, kyng of Iſrael, þe ſone
of Joachaz, was deed.
xxvi Soþeli þe reſidue of þe formere and þe laſte wordis
of Amaſie ben writun in þe book of kyngis of Juda and
of Iſrael.
xxvii And aftir þat he ȝede awei fro þe Lord, þei ſettiden
to hym treſouns in Jeruſalem; and whanne he hadde
fledde to Lachis, þei ſenten and killiden hym þere;
xxviii and þei brouȝten aȝen on horſis, and birieden hym
wiþ his fadris in þe citee of Dauid.
CAP. XXVI
i Forſoþe al þe puple of Juda made kyng, Ozie, his ſone,
`of ſixtene ȝeer, for his fader Amaſie.
CCCXCVI
ii He bildide Hailath, and reſtoride it to þe lordſchipe of
Juda, after þat þe kyng ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris.
iii Ozie was of ſixtene ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne;
and he regnede two and fifti ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe name
of his modir was Hiechelia, of Jeruſalem.
iiii And he dide þat, þat was riȝtful in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord,
bi alle þingis whiche Amaſie, his fadir, hadde do.
v And he ſouȝte þe Lord in þe daies of Zacarie,
vndurſtondynge and ſeynge God; and whanne he ſouȝte
God, God reulide hym in alle þingis.
vi Forſoþe he ȝede out, and fauȝt aȝens Filiſteis, and
diſtriede þe wal of Geth, and þe wal of Jabyne, and þe
wal of Azotus; and he bildide ſtronge places in Azotus
and in Filiſtiym.
vii And þe Lord helpide hym boþe aȝens Filiſteis, and
aȝens Arabeis þat dwelliden in Garbahal, and aȝenus
Amonytis.
viii Amonytis paieden ȝiftis to Ozie, and his name was
puppliſchid `til to þe entryng of Egipt for ofte victories.
ix And Ozie bildide touris in Jeruſalem ouer þe ȝate of
þe corner, and ouer þe ȝate of þe valey, and oþere touris
in þe ſame ſide of þe wal; and made þo ſtidefaſt.
x Alſo he bildide touris in þe wildirneſſe, and he diggide
ful many ciſternes; for he hadde many beeſtis as wel in
þe feeldi places as in þe waſtneſſe of deſeert. Alſo he
hadde vyneris and tiliers of vynes in þe hilles, and in
Carmele; for he was a man ȝouun to erþetilþe.
xi Forſoþe þe ooſt of hiſe werriours, þat ȝeden forþ to
batels, vndur þe hond of Heiel, ſcribe, and of Maſie,
techere, and vndur þe hond of Ananye þat was of þe
duykis of þe kyng; and al þe noumbre of princes, by her
meynees, was of ſtronge men two þouſynde and ſixe
hundrid.
xiii And vndur hem was al þe ooſt, þre hundrid þouſynde
and ſeuen þouſynde and fyue hundrid, þat weren able to
batel, and fouȝten for þe king aȝens aduerſaries.
xiiii And Ozie made redi to hem, þat is, to al þe ooſt,
ſcheldis, and ſperis, and baſynetis, and haburiouns, and
bouwis, and ſlyngis to caſte ſtonys.
xv And he made in Jeruſalem engynes of dyuerſe kynde,
which he ſettide in touris, and in þe corneris of wallis,
þat þo ſchulden caſte arowis and grete ſtoonys; and his
name ȝede out fer, for þe Lord helpide hym, and hadde
maad him ſtrong.
xvi But whanne he was maad ſtrong, his herte was reiſid
in to his periſchyng; and he diſpiſide `his Lord God; and
he entride in to þe temple of þe Lord, and wolde brenne
encenſe on þe auter of encenſe.
xvii And anoon Azarie, þe preeſt, entride after hym, and
wiþ hym þe preeſtis of þe Lord, ſeuenti `men ful noble;
xviii whiche aȝenſtoden þe kyng, and ſeiden, Ozie, it is
not of þin office, þat þou brenne encenſe to þe Lord, but
of þe preeſtis of þe Lord, þat is, of þe ſones of Aaron,
þat ben halewid to ſiche ſeruyce; go þou out of þe
ſeyntuarye; diſpiſe þou not; for þis þing ſchal not be
arettid of þe Lord God to þee in to glorie.
xix And Ozie was wrooþ, and he helde in þe hond þe
cenſere for to offre encence, and manaaſſide þe preeſtis;
and anoon lepre was ſprungun forþ in his forheed, bifor
þe preeſtis in þe hows of þe Lord on þe auter of
encenſe.
xx And whanne Azarie, þe biſchop, hadde biholde hym,
and alle oþere preeſtis `hadden biholde him, þei ſien
lepre in his forheed, and hiyngli þei puttiden hym out;
but alſo he was aferd, and haſtide to go out; for he
feelide anoon þe veniaunce of þe Lord.
xxi Þerfor kyng Ozie was leprouſe `til to þe dai of his
deeþ, and dwellide in an hows bi it ſilf, and he was ful
of lepre; `for which he was caſt out of þe hows of þe
Lord. Forſoþe Joathan, his ſone, gouernyde þe hows of
þe kyng, and demyde þe puple of þe lond.
xxii Soþeli Yſaie, þe prophete, þe ſone of Amos, wroot
þe reſidue `of þe formere and of þe laſte wordis of Ozie.
xxiii And Ozie ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and þei birieden not
hym in þe feeld of þe kyngis ſepulcris, for he was
leprouſe; and Joathan, his ſone, regnyde for hym.
CAP. XXVII
i Joathan was of fyue and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan
to regne, and he regnede ſixtene ȝeer in Jeruſalem; þe
name of his modir was Jeruſa, þe douȝter of Sadoch.
ii He dide þat, þat was riȝtful bifor þe Lord, bi alle
þingis whiche Ozie, his fadir, hadde do; outakun þat he
entride not in to þe temple of þe Lord, and þe puple
treſpaſſide ȝit.
iii He bildide þe hiȝ ȝate of þe hous of þe Lord, and he
bildide manye þingis in þe wal of Ophel;
iiii alſo he bildide citees in þe hillis of Juda, and he
bildide caſtels and touris in foreſtis.
v He fauȝt aȝens þe kyng of þe ſones of Amon, and
ouercam hym; and þe ſones of Amon ȝauen to hym in
þat tyme an hundrid talentis of ſiluer, and ten þouſynde
choris of barli, and ſo many of wheete; þe ſones of
Amon ȝauen þeſe þingis to hym in þe ſecounde and in
þe þridde ȝeer.
vi And Joathan was maad ſtrong, for he hadde dreſſid
hiſe weies bifor `his Lord God.
vii Forſoþe þe reſidue of wordis of Joathan, and alle hiſe
batels, and werkis, ben writun in þe book of kyngis of
Iſrael and of Juda.
viii He was of fyue and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to
regne, and he regnede ſixtene ȝeer in Jeruſalem.
ix And Joathan ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and þei birieden
hym in þe citee of Dauid; and Achaz, his ſone, regnede
for him.
CCCXCVII
CAP. XXVIII
i Achaz was of twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne,
and he regnede ſixtene ȝeer in Jeruſalem; he dide not
riȝtfulneſſe in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, as Dauid, his fadir,
dide;
ii but he ȝede in þe weies of þe kyngis of Iſrael.
Ferþermore and he ȝetyde ymagis to Baalym.
iii He it is þat brente encenſe in þe valey of Beennon,
and purgide hiſe ſones bi fier bi þe cuſtom of heþene
men, whiche þe Lord killide in þe comyng of þe ſones
of Iſrael.
iiii Alſo he made ſacrifice, and brente encenſe in hiȝ
places, and in hillis, and vndur ech tree ful of bowis.
v And `his Lord God bitook hym in þe hond of þe kyng
of Sirie, which ſmoot Achaz, and took a greet preie of
his empire, and brouȝten in to Damaſk. Alſo Achaz was
bitakun to þe hondis of þe kyng of Iſrael, and was
ſmytun wiþ a greet wounde.
vi And Facee, þe ſone of Romelie, killide of Juda ſixe
ſcoore þouſynde in o dai, alle þe men werriours; for þei
hadden forſake þe Lord God of her fadris.
vii In þe ſame tyme Zechry, a myȝti man of Effraym,
killide Maaſie, þe ſone of Rogloth, þe kyng; and `he
killide Ezrica, þe duyk of his hows, and Elcana, þe
ſecounde fro þe kyng.
viii And þe ſones of Iſrael token of her briþeren two
hundrid þouſynde of wymmen and of children and of
damyſels, and prey wiþ out noumbre; and baren it in to
Samarie.
ix In þat tempeſt a profete of þe Lord, Obed bi name,
was þere, which ȝede out aȝens þe ooſt comynge in to
Samarie, and ſeide to hem, Lo! þe Lord God of ȝoure
fadris was wrooþ aȝens Juda, and bitook hem in ȝoure
hondis; and ȝe han ſlayn hem crueli, ſo þat ȝoure cruelte
ſtretchide forþ in to heuene.
x Ferþermore ȝe wolen make ſuget to ȝou þe ſones of
Juda and of Jeruſalem in to ſeruauntis and handmaidis;
which þing is not nedeful to be doon; for ȝe han ſynned
on þis þing to `ȝoure Lord God.
xi But here ȝe my councel, and lede aȝen þe
priſounneris, whyche ȝe han brouȝt of ȝoure briþeren;
for greet veniaunce of þe Lord neiȝiþ to ȝou.
xii Þerfor men of þe princes of þe ſones of Effraym,
Azarie, þe ſone of Johannan, Barachie, þe ſone of
Moſollamoth, Jeſechie, þe ſone of Sellum, and Amaſie,
þe ſone of Adali, ſtoden aȝens hem þat camen fro þe
batel;
xiii and ſeiden to hem, Ȝe ſchulen not brynge in hidur þe
priſoneris, leſt we doen ſynne aȝens þe Lord; whi wolen
ȝe `ley to on ȝoure ſynnes, and heepe elde treſpaſſis? For
it is greet ſynne; þe ire of þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe
Lord neiȝeþ on Iſrael.
xiiii And þe men werriouris leften þe prey, and alle
þingis whiche þei hadden take, bifor þe princes and al
þe multitude.
xv And þe men ſtoden, whiche we remembriden bifore,
and þei token þe priſounneris, and cloþiden of þe
ſpuylis alle þat weren nakid; and whanne þei hadden
cloþid hem, and hadden ſchod, and hadden refreſchid
wiþ mete and drynke, and hadden anoyntid for trauel,
and hadden ȝoue cure, `eþer medecyn, to hem; `þei
puttiden hem on horſis, whiche euere ` myȝten not go,
and weren feble `of bodi, and brouȝten to Jerico, a citee
of palmes, to `þe briþeren of hem; and þei turneden
aȝen in to Samarie.
xvi In þat tyme kyng Achaz ſente to þe kyng of Aſſiriens,
and axide help.
xvii And Ydumeis camen, and killiden many men of
Juda, and token greet prey.
xviii Alſo Filiſteis weren ſpred abrood bi citees of þe
feeldis, and at þe ſouþ of Juda; and þei token
Bethſames, and Hailon, and Gaderoth, and Socoth, and
Thannan, and Zamro, wiþ her villagis; and dwelliden in
þo.
xix For þe Lord made low Juda for Achaz, þe kyng of
Juda; for he hadde maad him nakid of help, and hadde
diſpiſid þe Lord.
xx And þe Lord brouȝte aȝens him Teglat Phalaſar, kyng
of Aſſiriens, þat turmentide hym, and waaſtide hym,
while no man aȝenſtood.
xxi Þerfor Achaz, after þat he hadde ſpuylid þe hows of
þe Lord, and þe hows of þe kyng and of princes, ȝaf
ȝiftis to þe kyng of Aſſiriens, and neþeles it profitide `no
þing to hym.
xxii Ferþermore alſo in þe tyme of his angwiſch he
encreeſſide diſpit aȝens God; þilke kyng Achaz bi
xxiii hym ſilf offride ſacrifices to þe goddis of Damaſk,
hiſe ſmyteris, and ſeide, Þe goddis of þe kyngis of Sirie
helpen hem, whiche goddis Y ſchal pleſe bi ſacrifices,
and þei ſchulen help me; whanne aȝenward þei weren
fallyng to hym, and to al Iſrael.
xxiiii Þerfor aftir þat Achaz hadde take awei, and broke
alle þe veſſels of þe hows of God, he cloſide þe ȝatis of
Goddis temple, and made auteris to hym ſilf in alle þe
corneris of Jeruſalem.
xxv And in alle citees of Juda he bildide auteris to
brenne encence, and he ſtiride þe Lord God of hiſe
fadris to wraþfulneſſe.
xxvi Soþeli þe reſidue of hiſe wordis and of alle hiſe
werkis, þe formere and þe laſte, ben writun in þe book
of kyngis of Juda and of Iſrael.
xxvii And Achaz ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and þei birieden
hym in þe citee of Jeruſalem; for þei reſſeyueden not
hym in þe ſepulcris of þe kyngis of Iſrael; and Ezechie,
his ſone, regnede for hym.
CCCXCVIII
CAP. XXIX
i Þerfor Ezechie bigan to regne, whanne he was of fyue
and twenti ȝeer, and he regnede in Jeruſalem nyne and
twenti ȝeer; þe name of his modir was Abia, þe douȝtir
of Zacharie.
ii And he dide þat, þat was pleaſaunt in þe ſiȝt of þe
Lord, bi alle þingis whiche Dauid, his fadir, hadde do.
iii In þat ȝeer and þe firſte moneþe of his rewme he
openyde þe ȝatis of þe hows of þe Lord, and reſtoride
þo;
iiii and he brouȝte þe preeſtis and dekenes, and gaderide
hem in to þe eeſt ſtrete,
v and ſeide to hem, Sones of Leuy, here ȝe me, and be ȝe
halewid; clenſe ȝe þe hows of þe Lord God of ȝoure
fadris; do ȝe awei al vnclenneſſe fro þe ſeyntuarie.
vi Oure fadris ſynneden, and diden yuel in þe ſiȝt of
`oure Lord God, and forſoken hym; þei turneden awei
her faces fro þe tabernacle of `oure Lord God, and
ȝauen þe bak.
vii Þei cloſiden þe doris þat weren in þe porche, and
quenchiden þe lanternes; and þei brenten not encenſe,
and þei offriden not brent ſacrifices in þe ſeyntuarie of
God of Iſrael.
viii Þerfor þe ſtronge veniaunce of þe Lord was reiſid on
Juda and Jeruſalem; and he ȝaf hem in to ſtiryng, and in
to periſchyng, and in to `hiſſhing, eþer ſcornyng, as ȝe
ſeen wiþ ȝoure iȝen.
ix Lo! oure fadris felden doun bi ſwerdis; oure ſones,
and oure douȝtris, and wyues ben led priſouneris for þis
greet treſpas.
x Now þerfor it pleſiþ me, þat we make a boond of pees
wiþ þe Lord God of Iſrael, and þat he turne fro vs þe
ſtronge veniaunce of his ire.
xi My ſones, nyle ȝe be reccheles; þe Lord haþ choſe
ȝou, þat ȝe ſtonde bifor hym, and ſerue hym, þat ȝe herie
hym, and brenne encenſe to hym.
xii Þerfor þe dekenes riſiden, Mahat, þe ſone of Amaſie,
and Johel, þe ſone of Azarie, of þe ſones of Caath;
ſoþeli of þe ſones of Merarye, Cys, þe ſone of Abdai,
and Azarie, þe ſone of Jelaleel; forſoþe of þe ſones of
Jerſon, Joha, þe ſone of Zemma, and Hedem, þe ſone of
Johaa;
xiii and ſoþeli of þe ſones of Eliſaphan, Samri, and
Jahiel; and of þe ſones of Aſaph, Zacharie, and
Mathanye;
xiiii alſo of þe ſones of Heman, Jahiel, and Semei; but
alſo of þe ſones of Iditum, Semei, and Oziel.
xv And þei gaderiden to gidere her briþeren, and weren
halewid; and þei entriden bi comaundement of þe kyng,
and bi comaundement of þe Lord, for to clenſe þe hows
of þe Lord.
xvi Alſo preeſtis entriden in to þe temple of þe Lord, for
to halewe it, and þei baren out al vnclenneſſe, which þei
founden þer ynne in þe porche, `eþir large place, of þe
hows of þe Lord; which vnclenneſſe þe dekenes token,
and baren out to þe ſtronde of Cedron wiþ outforþ.
xvii Soþeli þei bigunnen to clenſe in þe firſte dai of þe
firſte moneþe, and in þe eiȝte dai of þe ſame moneþe þei
entriden in to þe porche of þe hows of þe Lord, and þei
clenſiden þe temple eiȝte daies; and in þe ſixtenþe dai of
þe ſame moneþe þei filliden þat, þat þei hadden
bigunne.
xviii And þei entriden to Ezechie, þe king, and ſeiden to
hym, We han halewid al þe hows of þe Lord, and þe
auter of brent ſacrifice þerof, and þe veſſels þerof, alſo
and þe boord of ſettyngforþ wiþ alle hiſe veſſels,
xix and al þe purtenaunce of þe temple, `which
purtenaunce king Achaz hadde defoulid in his rewme,
aftir þat he brak þe lawe; and lo! alle þingis ben ſet forþ
bifor þe auter of þe Lord.
xx And Ezechie, þe kyng, roos in þe morwetid, and
gaderide togidere alle þe princes of þe citee, and ſtiede
in to þe hows of þe Lord;
xxi and þei offriden togidere ſeuene bolis, and ſeuene
rammes, ſeuene lambren, and ſeuene buckis of geet, for
ſynne, for þe rewme, for þe ſeyntuarye, and for Juda.
And he ſeide to preeſtis, þe ſones of Aaron, þat þei
ſchulden offre on þe auter of þe Lord.
xxii Þerfor þei killiden bolis, and `þe preeſtis tooken þe
blood, and ſchedden it on þe auter; alſo þei killiden
rammes, and `þe preeſtis ſchedden þe blood of þo on þe
auter; þei offriden lambren, and `þe preeſtis ſchedden þe
blood on þe auter.
xxiii And þei brouȝten buckis of geet `for ſynne bifor þe
kyng and al þe multitude, and þei ſettiden her hondis on
þo;
xxiiii and þe preeſtis offriden þo, and ſpreynten þe blood
of þo bifor þe auter, for þe clenſyng of al Iſrael. For þe
king comaundide, þat brent ſacrifice ſhulde be made for
al Iſrael, and for ſynne.
xxv Alſo he ordeynede dekenes in þe hows of þe Lord,
wiþ cymbalis, and ſawtrees, and harpis, bi þe
ordenaunce of `Dauid þe kyng, and of Gad, þe profete,
and of Nathan, þe profete; for it was þe comaundement
of þe Lord bi þe hond of hiſe prophetis.
xxvi And þe dekenes ſtoden, and helden þe orguns of
Dauid; and preeſtis helden trumpis.
xxvii And Ezechie comaundide, þat þei ſchulden offre
brent ſacrifices on þe auter; and whanne brent ſacrifices
weren offrid, þei bigunnen to ſynge preiſyngis to þe
Lord, and to ſowne wiþ trumpis, and in dyuerſe orguns,
whiche Dauid, þe kyng of Iſrael, hadde maad redi for to
ſowne.
xxviii Forſoþe whanne al þe cumpenye worſchipide,
ſyngeris and þei þat helden trumpis weren in her office,
til þe brent ſacrifice was fillid.
CCCXCIX
xxix And whanne þe offryng was endid, þe kyng was
bowid, and alle þat weren wiþ hym, and þei
worſchipiden God.
xxx And Ezechie and þe princes comaundiden to þe
dekenes, þat þei ſchulden preiſe þe Lord wiþ þe wordis
of Dauiþ, and of Aſaph, þe profete; whiche preiſiden
hym wiþ greet gladneſſe, and kneliden, and
worſchipiden.
xxxi Soþely Ezechie addide alſo þeſe þingis, Ȝe han fillid
ȝoure hondis to þe Lord; neiȝe ȝe, and offre ſacrifices
and preiſyngis in þe hows of þe Lord.
xxxii Þerfor al þe multitude offride wiþ deuoute ſoule
ſacrifices, and preiſyngis, and brent ſacrifices. Soþeli þis
was þe noumbre of brent ſacrifices, whiche þe
multitude offride; ſeuenti bolis, and an hundrid rammes,
two hundrid lambren.
xxxiii Alſo þei halewiden to þe Lord ſixe hundrid oxis,
and þre þouſynde ſheep.
xxxiiii Forſoþe þe preeſtis weren fewe, and myȝten not
ſuffice for to `drawe awei þe ſkynnes of brent ſacrifices;
wherfor and þe dekenes her briþeren helpiden hem, til
þe werk was fillid, and þe preeſtis weren halewid; for
þe dekenes ben halewid bi liȝtere cuſtom þan þe
preeſtis.
xxxv Þerfor þere weren ful many brent ſacrifices, ynnere
fatneſſis of peſible ſacrifices, and þe moyſte ſacrifices of
brent ſacrifices, and þe worſchip, `eþir ournyng, of þe
`Lordis hows was fillid.
xxxvi And Ezechie was glad, and al þe puple, for þe
ſeruyce of þe Lord was fillid; for it pleſide, þat þis was
doon ſodeynly.
CAP. XXX
i And Ezechie ſente to al Iſrael and to Juda, and he
wroot piſtlis to Effraym and to Manaſſes, þat þei
ſchulden come in to þe hous of þe Lord in Jeruſalem,
and make paſke to þe Lord God of Iſrael.
ii Þerfor whanne counſeil was takun of þe kyng, and of
princes, and of al þe cumpeny of Jeruſalem, þei
demyden to make paſke in þe ſecounde moneþ.
iii For þei demyden not to do in his tyme; for þe preeſtis
þat myȝten ſuffice weren not halewid, and þe puple was
not ȝit gaderid in to Jeruſalem.
iiii And þe word pleſide þe king, and al þe multitude.
v And þei demyden to ſende meſſangeris in to al Iſrael,
fro Berſabee `til to Dan, þat þei ſchulden come, and
make paſk to þe Lord God of Iſrael in Jeruſalem; for
many men hadden not do, as it is bifor writun in þe
lawe.
vi And corouris ȝeden forþ wiþ piſtlis, bi comaundement
of þe kyng and of hiſe princis, in to al Iſrael and Juda,
and prechiden bi þat, þat þe kyng hadde comaundid,
Sones of Iſrael, turne ȝe aȝen to þe Lord God of
Abraham, and of Iſaac, and of Iſrael; and he ſchal turne
aȝen to þe reſidue men, þat aſcapiden þe hondis of þe
kyng of Aſſiriens.
vii Nyle ȝe be maad as ȝoure fadris and briþeren, þat
ȝeden awei fro þe Lord God of her fadris; and he ȝaue
hem in to periſchyng, as ȝe ſeen.
viii Nyle ȝe make hard ȝoure nollis, as ȝoure fadris
diden; ȝyue ȝe hondis to þe Lord, and come ȝe to his
ſeyntuarie, which he halewide wiþouten ende; ſerue ȝe
þe Lord God of ȝoure fadris, and þe ire of his ſtrong
veniaunce ſchal `be turned awey fro ȝou.
ix For if ȝe turnen aȝen to þe Lord, ȝoure briþeren and
ȝoure ſones ſchulen haue mercy, bifor her lordis þat
ledden hem priſoneris; and þei ſchulen turne aȝen in to
þis lond. For `oure Lord God is pitouſe, `eþir benygne,
and merciful; and he ſchal not turne awey his face fro
ȝou, if ȝe turne aȝen to hym.
x Þerfor þe corours ȝeden ſwiftli fro cytee in to citee
þorou þe lond of Effraym and of Manaſſes `til to
Zabulon, while þei ſcorniden and bimowiden hem.
xi Neþeles ſum men of Aſer, and of Manaſſes, and of
Zabulon, aſſentiden to þe counſel, and camen in to
Jeruſalem.
xii Forſoþe þe hond of þe Lord was maad in Juda, þat he
ȝaf to hem oon herte, and þat þei diden þe word of þe
Lord, bi þe comaundement of þe kyng and of þe
princes.
xiii And many puplis weren gaderid in to Jeruſalem, for
to make þe ſolempnyte of þerf looues in þe ſecounde
moneþe.
xiiii And þei riſiden, and deſtrieden þe auteris, þat weren
in Jeruſalem; and `þei deſtriynge alle þingis in whiche
encenſe was brent to idols, caſtiden forþ in to þe ſtronde
of Cedron.
xv Forſoþe þei offriden paſk in þe fourtenþe dai of þe
ſecounde moneþe; alſo þe preeſtis and þe dekenes weren
halewid at þe laſte, and offriden brent ſacrifices in þe
hows of þe Lord.
xvi And þei ſtoden in her ordre, bi þe ordynaunce and
lawe of Moiſes, þe man of God. Soþely þe preeſtis
token of þe hondis of dekenes þe blood to be ſched out,
xvii for myche cumpeny was not halewid; and þerfor þe
dekenes offriden paſk for hem, þat myȝten not be
halewid to þe Lord.
xviii Alſo a greet part of þe puple of Effraym, and
Manaſſes, and of Yſachar, and of Zabulon, þat was not
halewid, eet paſk not bi þat þat is writun. And Ezechie
preyde for hem, and ſeide, Þe good Lord ſchal do mercy
to alle men,
xix þat ſeken in al þe herte þe Lord God of her fadris;
and it ſchal not be arettid to hem, þat þei ben not
halewid.
xx And þe Lord herde hym, and was pleſid to þe puple.
xxi And þe ſones of Iſrael, þat weren founden in
Jeruſalem, maden ſolempnyte of þerf looues ſeuene
CD
daies in greet gladneſſe, and herieden þe Lord bi ech
dai; and dekenes and preeſtis `preiſiden þe Lord bi
orguns, þat acordiden to her offices.
xxii And Ezechie ſpak to þe herte of alle þe dekenes, þat
hadden good vndurſtondyng of þe Lord; and þei eeten
bi ſeuene daies of þe ſolempnyte, offrynge ſacrifices of
peſible þingis, and heriynge þe Lord God of her fadris.
xxiii And it pleſide al þe multitude to halewe alſo oþere
ſeuene daies; which þing alſo þei diden wiþ greet ioye.
xxiiii Forſoþe Ezechie, kyng of Juda, ȝaf to þe multitude
a þouſynde bolis, and ſeuene þouſynde of ſcheep; ſoþeli
þe princes ȝauen to þe puple a þouſynde bolis, and ten
þouſynde ſcheep. Þerfor ful greet multitude of preeſtis
was halewid;
xxv and al þe cumpany of Juda was fillid wiþ gladneſſe,
as wel of preeſtis and dekenes, as of al þe multitude, þat
camen fro Iſrael, and `of conuerſis of þe lond of Iſrael,
and of dwelleris in Juda.
xxvi And greet ſolempnytee was maad in Jeruſalem,
which maner ſolempnyte was not in þat citee fro þe
daies of Salomon, ſone of Dauid, kyng of Iſrael.
xxvii Soþeli preeſtis and dekenes ryſyden, and bleſſiden
þe puple; and þe vois of hem was herd, and þe preier
cam in to þe hooli dwelling place of heuene.
CAP. XXXI
i And whanne þeſe þingis weren doon riȝtfuli, al Iſrael
ȝede out, þat was foundun in þe citees of Juda; and þei
braken ſimylacris, and kittiden doun woodis, and
waſtiden hiȝ places, and diſtrieden auteris, not oneli of
al Juda and Beniamyn, but alſo and of Effraym and
Manaſſes, til þei diſtrieden outirli. And alle þe ſones of
Iſrael turneden aȝen in to her poſſeſſiouns and citees.
ii Forſoþe Ezechie ordeynede cumpenyes of preeſtis and
of dekenes bi her departyngis, ech man in his owne
office, þat is, as wel of preeſtis as of dekenes, to brent
ſacrifices and peſible ſacrifices, þat þei ſchulden
mynyſtre, and knowleche, and ſynge in þe ȝatis of þe
caſtels of þe Lord.
iii Soþeli þe part of þe kyng was, þat of his owne catel
brent ſacrifice ſchulde be offrid euere in þe morewtid
and euentide, alſo in ſabatis, and calendis, and oþere
ſolempnytees, as it is writun in þe lawe of Moiſes.
iiii Alſo he comaundide to þe puple of hem þat
dwelliden in Jeruſalem, to ȝyue partis to þe preeſtis and
dekenes, þat þei myȝten ȝyue tent to þe lawe of þe Lord.
v And whanne þis was knowun in þe eeris of þe
multitude, þe ſones of Iſrael offriden ful many firſte
fruytis of wheete, of wyn, of oyle, and of hony; and of
alle þingis whiche þe erþe bringiþ forþ, þei offriden
tiþis.
vi But alſo þe ſones of Iſrael and of Juda, þat dwelliden
in þe citees of Juda, offriden tiþis of oxis and of ſcheep,
and þe tiþis of holi þingis, whiche þei avowiden to `her
Lord God, and þei brouȝten alle þingis, and maden ful
many heepis.
vii In þe þridde moneþe þei bigunnen to leie þe
foundementis of þe heepis, and in þe ſeuenþe moneþe
þei filliden þo heepis.
viii And whanne Ezechie and hiſe princes hadden entrid,
þei ſiȝen þe heepis, and bleſſiden þe Lord, and þe puple
of Iſrael.
ix And Ezechie axide þe preeſtis and dekenes, whi þe
heepis laien ſo.
x Azarie, þe firſte preeſt of þe generacioun of Sadoch,
anſweride to hym, and ſeide, Siþen þe firſte fruytis
bigunnen to be offrid in þe hows of þe Lord, we han ete
and ben fillid, and ful many þingis ben left; for þe Lord
haþ bleſſid his puple; ſoþeli þis plentee, which þou ſeeſt,
is of þe relifs.
xi Þerfor Ezechie comaundide, þat þei ſchulden make
redi bernes in þe hows of þe Lord; and whanne þei
hadden do þis þing,
xii þei brouȝten in feiþfuly boþe þe firſte fruytis, and
tiþis, and what euere þingis þei hadden avowid. Forſoþe
Chonenye, þe dekene, was þe ſouereyn of þo; and
Semei his broþer was þe ſecounde;
xiii aftir whom Jehiel, and Azarie, and Nabath, and
Aſahel, and Jerimoth, `and Jozabad, and Helyel, and
Jeſmahie, and Maath, and Banaie, weren ſouereyns
vndur þe hondis of Chonenye and Semei, his broþer, bi
þe comaundement of `Ezechie þe kyng, and of Azarie,
þe biſchop of þe hows of þe Lord, to whiche alle þingis
perteyneden.
xiiii But Chore, þe ſone of Jemnya, dekene and portere
of þe eeſt ȝate, was ſouereyn of þo þingis þat weren
offrid bi fre wille to þe Lord, and of þe firſte fruytis,
and of þingis halewid in to hooli þingis of þe noumbre
of hooli þingis;
xv and vndur his cure weren Eden, and Beniamyn,
Jeſue, and Semeye, and Amarie, and Sechenye, in þe
citees of preeſtis, þat þei ſchulden departe feiþfuli to her
briþeren þe partis, to þe leſſe and þe grettere,
xvi outakun malis fro þree ȝeer and aboue, þeſe þingis to
alle þat entriden in to þe temple of þe Lord, and what
euer þing bi ech dai was hirid in þe ſeruyce and
obſeruaunces bi her departyngis.
xvii To preeſtis bi meynees, and to dekenes fro `þe
twentiþe ȝeer and aboue bi her ordris and cumpenyes,
and to alle þe multitude,
xviii boþe to þe wyues and fre children of hem of euer
eiþer kynde, metis weren ȝouun feiþfuli of þeſe þingis
þat weren halewid.
xix But alſo men of þe ſones of Aaron weren ordeyned bi
þe feeldis and ſubarbis of alle citees, whyche men
ſchulden dele partis to al þe male kynde of preeſtis and
dekenes.
CDI
xx Þerfor Ezechie dide alle þingis, whiche we ſeiden, in
al Juda, and he wrouȝte þat, þat was riȝtful and good
and trewe bifor `his Lord God,
xxi in al þe religioun of þe ſeruyce of þe hows of þe
Lord, bi þe lawe and cerymonyes; and he wolde ſeke
his Lord God in al his herte, and he dide, and hadde
proſperite.
CAP. XXXII
i Aftir whiche þingis and ſich treuþe, Senacherib, þe
kyng of Aſſiriens, cam and entride in to Juda; and he
biſegide ſtronge citees, and wolde take þo.
ii And whanne Ezechie hadde herd þis þing, þat is, þat
Senacherib was comun, and þat al þe ferſneſſe of batel
was turned aȝens Jeruſalem,
iii he took counſel wiþ þe princes and ſtrongeſt men, þat
þei ſchulden ſtoppe þe heedis of wellis, þat weren
wiþout þe citee; and whanne þe ſentence of alle men
demyde þis,
iiii he gaderide togidere a ful greet multitude, and þei
ſtoppiden alle þe wellis, and þe ryuer, þat flowide in þe
myddis of þe lond; and ſeiden, Leſt þe kyngis of
Aſſiriens comen, and fynden abundance of watris.
v Alſo he dide wittili, and bildide al þe wal þat was
diſtride, and he bildide touris aboue, and an oþer wal
wiþoutforþ. And he reparilide Mello in þe citee of
Dauid; and made armure of al kynde, and ſcheldis.
vi And he ordeynede princes of werriouris in þe ooſt;
and he clepide togidere alle men in þe ſtreet of þe ȝate
of þe citee, and ſpake to þe herte of hem,
vii and ſeide, Do ȝe manli, and be ȝe coumfortid; nyle ȝe
drede, neþer be ȝe aferd of þe kyng of Aſſiriens, and of
al þe multitude which is wiþ him; for many mo ben wiþ
vs þan wiþ him.
viii Fleiſchli arm is wiþ him; `oure Lord God is wiþ vs,
which is oure helpere, and ſchal fiȝte for vs. And þe
puple was coumfortid wiþ ſich wordis of Ezechie, kyng
of Juda.
ix And aftir þat þeſe þingis weren doon, Sennacherib
ſente hiſe ſeruauntis to Jeruſalem; for he `wiþ al þe ooſt
biſegide Lachis. He ſente to Ezechie, kyng of Juda, and
to al þe puple þat was in þe citee,
x and ſeide, Sennacherib, þe kyng of Aſſiriens, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, In whom han ȝe triſt, and ſitten biſegid in
Jeruſalem?
xi Wheþer Ezechie diſſeyueþ ȝou, þat he bitake ȝou to
deeþ in hungur and þirſt, and affermeþ, þat `ȝoure Lord
God ſchal delyuere ȝou fro þe hond of þe kyng of
Aſſyriens?
xii Wheþer not þis is Ezechie, þat diſtriede hiȝ places,
and auteris of hym, and comaundide to Juda and to
Jeruſalem, and ſeide, Ȝe ſchulen worſchipe bifor oon
auter, and þerynne ȝe ſchulen brenne encenſe?
xiii Wheþer ȝe witen not what þingis Y haue do, and my
fadir, to alle þe puplis of londis? Wheþer þe goddis of
folkis and of alle londis myȝten delyuere her cuntrei fro
myn hond?
xiiii Who is of alle goddis of folkis, whiche my fadris
diſtrieden, þat myȝte delyuere his puple fro myn hond,
þat alſo ȝoure God may delyuere ȝou fro þis hond?
xv Þerfor Ezechie diſſeyue not ȝou, neþer ſcorne bi veyn
counſelyng, neþir bileue ȝe to hym; for if no god of alle
folkis and cuntreis myȝte delyuere his puple fro myn
hond, and fro þe hond of my fadris, ſuyngli neþer ȝoure
God ſchal mowe delyuere ȝou fro þis myn hond.
xvi But alſo hiſe ſeruauntis ſpaken many oþir þingis
aȝenus þe Lord God, and aȝens Ezechie, his ſeruaunte.
xvii Alſo he wroot epiſtlis ful of blasfemye aȝens þe
Lord God of Iſrael, and he ſpak aȝens God, As þe
goddis of oþere folkis myȝten not delyuere her puple
fro myn hond, ſo and þe God of Ezechie may not
delyuere his puple fro myn hond.
xviii Ferþermore and wiþ greet cry in þe langage of
Jewis he ſownede aȝens þe puple, þat ſat on þe wallis of
Jeruſalem, to make hem aferd, and to take þe citee.
xix And he ſpake aȝens God of Iſrael, as aȝens þe goddis
of þe puplis of erþe, þe werkis of mennus hondis.
xx Þerfor Ezechie, þe kyng, and Yſaie, þe profete, þe
ſone of Amos, preieden aȝens þis blasfemye, and
crieden til in to heuene.
xxi And þe Lord ſente his aungel, þat killide ech ſtrong
man and werriour, and þe prince of þe ooſt of þe kyng
of Aſſiriens; and he turnede aȝen wiþ ſchenſhip `in to
his lond. And whanne he hadde entrid in to þe hows of
his god, þe ſones, þat ȝeden out of his wombe, killiden
hym wiþ ſwerd.
xxii And þe Lord ſauyde Ezechie, and þe dwelleris of
Jeruſalem, fro þe hond of Senacherib, kyng of Aſſiriens,
and fro þe hond of alle men; and ȝaf to hem reſte bi
cumpas.
xxiii Alſo many men brouȝten offryngis and ſacrifices to
þe Lord in to Jeruſalem, and ȝiftis to Ezechie, kyng of
Juda; which was enhaunſid aftir þeſe þingis bifor alle
folkis.
xxiiii In þo daies Ezechie was ſijk `til to þe deþ, and he
preiede þe Lord; and he herde hym, and ȝaf to hym a
ſigne;
xxv but he ȝeldide not bi þe benefices whiche he hadde
take, for his herte was reiſid; and ire was maad aȝens
hym, and aȝens Juda, and aȝens Jeruſalem.
xxvi And he was mekid aftirward, for his herte was
reiſid; boþe he was mekid, and þe dwelleris of
Jeruſalem; and þerfor þe ire of þe Lord cam not on hem
in þe daies of Ezechie.
xxvii Forſoþe Ezechie was riche, and ful noble, and
gaderide to hym ſilf ful many treſours of ſiluer, of gold,
CDII
and of preciouſe ſtoon, of ſwete ſmellynge ſpices, and of
armuris of al kynde, and of veſſels of greet prijs.
xxviii Alſo he bildide large houſis of wheete, of wyn, and
of oile, and cratchis of alle beeſtis,
xxix and fooldis to ſcheep, and ſixe citees. For he hadde
vnnoumbrable flockis of ſcheep and of grete beeſtis; for
þe Lord hadde ȝoue to hym ful myche catel.
xxx Þilke is Ezechie, þat ſtoppide þe hiȝere welle of þe
watris of Gion, and turnede þo awei vndur þe erþe at þe
weſt of þe citee of Dauid; in alle hiſe werkis he dide `bi
proſperite, what euer þing he wolde.
xxxi Neþeles in þe meſſage of þe princes of Babiloyne,
þat weren ſent to hym for to axe of þe grete wondir, þat
bifelde on þe lond, God forſook hym, þat he were
temptid, and þat alle þingis weren knowun þat weren in
his herte.
xxxii Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Ezechie, and of hiſe
mercies, ben writun in þe profeſie of Yſaie, þe profete,
ſone of Amos, and in þe book of kyngis of Juda and of
Iſrael.
xxxiii And Ezechie ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and þei
birieden hym aboue þe ſepulcris of þe ſones of Dauid.
And al Juda and alle þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem maden
ſolempne þe ſeruyces of his biriyng; and Manaſſes, his
ſone, regnide for him.
CAP. XXXIII
i Manaſſes was of twelue ȝeer, whanne he bygan to
regne, and he regnyde in Jeruſalem fyue and fifti ȝeer.
ii Forſoþe he dide yuel bifor þe Lord bi
abhomynaciouns of heþene men, whiche þe Lord
deſtriede bifor þe ſones of Iſrael.
iii And he turnede, and reſtoride þe hiȝe places, whiche
Ezechie, his fadir, hadde deſtried. And he bildide auteris
to Baalym, and made wodis, and worſchipide al þe
knyȝthod of heuene, and heriede it.
iiii And he bildide auteris in þe hows of þe Lord, of
which þe Lord hadde ſeid, My name ſchal be in
Jeruſalem wiþ outen ende.
v Soþeli he bildide þo auteris to al þe knyȝthod of
heuene in þe twei large places of þe hows of þe Lord.
vi And he made hiſe ſones to paſſe þorouȝ þe fier in þe
valei of Beennon; he kepte dremes; he ſuede fals
diuynyng bi chiteryng of briddis; he ſeruyde witche
craftis; he hadde wiþ hym aſtronomyeris and
enchaunteris, `eþir trigetours, þat diſſeyuen mennus
wittis, and he wrouȝte many yuelis bifor þe Lord to
terre hym to wraþþe.
vii Alſo he ſettide a grauun ſigne and a ȝotun ſigne in þe
hows of þe Lord, of which hows God ſpak to Dauid,
and to Salomon, his ſone, and ſeide, Y ſchal ſette my
name wiþ outen ende in þis hows and in Jeruſalem,
which Y chees of alle þe lynagis of Iſrael;
viii and Y ſchal not make þe foot of Iſrael to moue fro þe
lond which Y ȝaf to her fadris, ſo oneli if þei kepen to
do þo þingis whiche Y comaundide to hem, and al þe
lawe, and cerymonyes, and domes, bi þe hond of
Moiſes.
ix Þerfor Manaſſes diſſeyuede Juda, and þe dwelleris of
Jeruſalem, þat þei diden yuel, more þan alle heþene
men, whiche þe Lord hadde diſtriede fro þe face of þe
ſones of Iſrael.
x And þe Lord ſpak to hym, and to his puple; and þei
nolden take heed.
xi Þerfor þe Lord brouȝte on hem þe princes of þe ooſt
of þe kyng of Aſſiriens; and þei token Manaſſes, and
bounden hym wiþ chaynes, and ſtockis, and ledden hym
in to Babiloyne.
xii And aftir þat he was angwiſchid, he preiede `his Lord
God, and dide penaunce gretli bifor þe God of hiſe
fadris.
xiii And he preiede God, and biſechide ententifli; and
God herde his preier, and brouȝte hym aȝen `in to
Jeruſalem in to his rewme; and Manaſſes knew, þat þe
Lord hym ſilf is God.
xiiii Aftir þeſe þingis he bildide þe wal wiþ out þe citee
of Dauid, at þe weſt of Gion, in þe valei, fro þe entryng
of þe ȝate of fiſchis, bi cumpas `til to Ophel; and he
reiſide it gretli; and he ordeynede princes of þe ooſt in
alle þe ſtronge citees of Juda.
xv And he dide awei alien goddis and ſymylacris fro þe
hows of þe Lord; and he dide awei þe auteris, whiche
he hadde maad in þe hil of þe hows of þe Lord, and in
Jeruſalem, and he caſtide awei alle wiþ out þe citee.
xvi Certis he reſtoride þe auter of þe Lord, and offride
þeronne ſlayn ſacrifices, and peſible ſacrifices, and
preiſyng; and he comaundide Juda to ſerue þe Lord God
of Iſrael.
xvii Neþeles þe puple offride ȝit in hiȝ places to `her
Lord God.
xviii Forſoþe þe reſidue of dedis of Manaſſes, and his
biſechyng to `his Lord God, and þe wordis of profetis,
þat ſpaken to hym in þe name of þe Lord God of Iſrael,
ben conteyned in þe wordis of þe kyngis of Iſrael.
xix And his preier, and þe heryng, and alle ſynnes, and
diſpiſyng, alſo þe places in whiche he bildide hiȝ þingis,
and made wodis and ymagis, bifor þat he dide
penaunce, ben writun in þe bokis of Ozai.
xx Forſoþe Manaſſes ſlepte wiþ hiſe fadris, and þei
birieden hym in his hows; and Amon, his ſone, regnyde
for hym.
xxi Amon was of two and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan
to regne; and he regnyde twei ȝeer in Jeruſalem.
xxii And he dide yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, as Manaſſes,
his fadir, hadde do; and he offride, and ſeruyde to alle
þe idols, whiche Manaſſes hadde maad.
CDIII
xxiii And he reuerenſide not þe face of þe Lord, as
Manaſſes, `his fadir, reuerenſide; and he dide mych
gretter treſpaſſis.
xxiiii And whanne his ſeruauntis `hadden ſwore to gyder
aȝens hym, þei killiden hym in his hows.
xxv Soþeli þe reſidue multitude of þe puple, aftir þat þei
hadden ſlayn hem þat `hadden ſlayn Amon, ordeyneden
Joſie, his ſone, kyng for hym.
CAP. XXXIIII
i Joſie was of eiȝte ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne, and
he regnede in Jeruſalem oon and þritti ȝeer.
ii And he dide þat, þat was riȝtful in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord;
and ȝede in þe waies of Dauid, his fadir, and bowide not
to þe riȝt ſide neþer to þe left ſide.
iii Forſoþe in þe eiȝteþe ȝeer of þe rewme of his empire,
whanne he was ȝit a child, he bigan to ſeke God of his
fadir Dauid; and in þe twelueþe ȝeer after þat he bigan,
he clenſide Juda and Jeruſalem fro hiȝ places, and
wodis, and ſimilacris, and grauun ymagis.
iiii And þei deſtrieden bifor hym þe auteris of Baalym,
and þei deſtrieden þe ſymylacris, þat weren put aboue.
Alſo he hewide doun þe wodis, and grauun ymagis, and
brak to ſmale gobetis; and ſcateride abrood `þe ſmale
gobetis on þe birielis of hem, þat weren wont to offre
`to þo.
v Ferþermore he brente þe boonys of preeſtis in þe
auteris of idols, and he clenſide Juda and Jeruſalem.
vi But alſo he deſtriede alle idols in þe citees of
Manaſſes, and of Effraym, and of Symeon, `til to
Neptalym.
vii And whanne he hadde ſcateride þe auteris, and hadde
al to-broke in to gobetis þe wodis, and grauun ymagis,
and hadde deſtried alle templis of ydols fro al þe lond of
Iſrael, he turnede aȝen in to Jeruſalem.
viii Þerfor in þe eiȝtenþe ȝeer of his rewme, whanne þe
lond and temple `of þe Lord was clenſid nowe, he ſente
Saphan, þe ſone of Helchie, and Maſie, þe prince of þe
citee, and Joa, þe ſone of Joachaz, chaunceler, þat þei
ſchulden reparele þe hous `of his Lord God.
ix Whiche camen to Helchie, þe grete preeſt; and
whanne þei hadden take of hym þe money, which was
brouȝt in to þe hows of þe Lord; and which monei þe
dekenes and porteris hadden gaderid of Manaſſes, and
of Effraym, and of alle þe reſidue men of Iſrael, and of
al Juda and Beniamyn, and of þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem,
x þei ȝauen it in þe hondis of hem þat weren ſouereyns
of þe werk men in þe hows of þe Lord, þat þei ſchulden
reſtore þe temple, and reparele alle feble þingis.
xi And þei ȝauen þat monei to þe crafti men and
maſouns, for to bie ſtoonys hewid out of þe `delues,
eþer quarreris, and trees to þe ioynyngis of þe bildyng,
and to þe coupling of houſis, whiche þe kingis of Juda
hadden deſtried.
xii Whiche men diden feiþfuli alle þingis. Soþeli þe
ſouereyns of worcheris weren Jabath, and Abdie, of þe
ſones of Merari; Zacarie, and Moſallam, of þe ſones of
Caath; whiche haſtiden þe werk; alle weren dekenes,
kunnynge to ſynge wiþ orguns.
xiii Soþeli ouer þem þat baren birþuns to dyuerſe vſis
weren þe ſcribis, and maiſtris of þe dekenes, and
porteris.
xiiii And whanne þei baren out þe monei, þat was borun
in to þe temple of þe Lord, Helchie, `þe preeſt, foond þe
book of þe lawe of þe Lord bi þe hond of Moiſes.
xv And he ſeide to Saphan, þe writere, Y haue founde þe
book of þe lawe in þe hows of þe Lord.
xvi And Helchie took to Saphan, and he bar in þe book
to þe king; and telde to hym, and ſeide, Lo! alle þingis
ben fillid,
whiche þou haſt ȝoue in to þe hondis of þi ſeruauntis.
xvii Þei han wellyd togidere þe ſiluere, which is foundun
in þe hous of þe Lord; and it is ȝouun to þe ſouereyns of
þe crafti men, and makynge dyuerſe werkis;
xviii ferþermore Helchie, þe preeſt, took to me þis book.
And whanne he hadde reherſid þis book in þe preſence
of þe kyng,
xix and he hadde herd þe wordis of þe lawe, he to-rente
hiſe cloþis; and he comaundide to Helchie,
xx and to Aichan, þe ſone of Saphan, and to Abdon, þe
ſone of Mycha, and to Saphan, þe ſcryuen, and to Aſaie,
þe ſeruaunt of þe kyng,
xxi and ſeide, Go ȝe, and preie þe Lord for me, and for
þe reſydue men of Iſrael and of Juda, on alle þe wordis
of þis book, which is foundun. For greet veniaunce of
þe Lord haþ droppid on vs, for oure fadris kepten not þe
wordis of þe Lord, to do alle þingis þat ben writun in
þis book.
xxii Þerfor Helchie ȝede, and þei þat weren ſent togidere
of þe king, to Olda, þe propheteſſe, þe wijf of Sellum,
ſone of Thecuath, ſone of Aſra, kepere of cloþis, which
Olda dwellide in Jeruſalem in þe ſecounde warde; and
þei ſpaken to hir þe wordis, whiche we telden bifore.
xxiii And ſche anſweride to hem, Þe Lord God of Iſrael
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Seie ȝe to þe man, þat ſente ȝou to me,
xxiiii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal brynge ynne
yuels on þis place, and on þe dwelleris þerof, and alle
þe curſyngis þat ben writun in þis book, which þei
redden bifor þe kyng of Juda.
xxv For þei han forſake me, and han ſacrified to alien
goddis, for to terre me to wraþfulneſſe in alle þe werkis
of her hondis; þerfor my ſtrong veniaunce ſchal droppe
on þis place, and it ſchal not be quenchid.
xxvi But ſpeke ȝe þus to þe kyng of Juda, þat ſente ȝou to
preye þe Lord, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
For þou herdiſt þe wordis of þe book,
CDIV
xxvii and þin herte is maad neiſch, and þou art mekid in
þe ſiȝt of þe Lord of þeſe þingis þat ben ſeide aȝens þis
place and þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem, and þou haſt
reuerenſid my face, and haſt to-rente þi cloþis, and haſt
wepte bifor me; alſo Y haue herd þee, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxviii For now Y ſchal gadere þee to þi fadris, and þou
ſchalt be borun in to þi ſepulcre in pees; and þin iȝen
ſchulen not ſe al yuel, which Y ſchal brynge yn on þis
place, and on þe dwelleris þerof. Þerfor þei telden to þe
king alle þingis, whiche Olda hadde ſeid.
xxix And aftir þat he hadde clepid togidere alle þe eldere
men of Juda and of Jeruſalem,
xxx he ſtiede in to þe hows of þe Lord, and togidere alle
þe men of Juda, `and þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem, preeſtis,
and dekenes, and al þe puple, fro þe leeſte `til to þe
moſte; to whiche herynge in þe hows of þe Lord, þe
kyng redde alle þe wordis of þe book.
xxxi And he ſtood in his trone, and ſmoot a boond of
pees bifor þe Lord, for to `go aftir hym, and to kepe þe
comaundementis, and witneſſyngis, and iuſtifiyngis of
hym, in al his herte and in al his ſoule; and to do þo
þingis þat weren writun in þat book, which he hadde
red.
xxxii And he chargide greetli on þis þing alle men, þat
weren foundun in Jeruſalem and Beniamyn; and þe
dwellers of Jeruſalem diden aftir þe couenaunt of þe
Lord God of her fadris.
xxxiii Þerfor Joſie dide awei alle abhomynaciouns fro
alle þe cuntreis of þe ſones of Iſrael; and he made alle
men, þat weren reſidue in Iſrael, to ſerue her Lord God;
in alle þe daies of his lijf þei ȝeden not awei fro þe Lord
God of her fadris.
CAP. XXXV
i Forſoþe Joſie made paſk to þe Lord in Jeruſalem, þat
was offrid in þe fourtenþe dai of þe firſte moneþe;
ii and he ordeynede preſtis in her offices; and he
comaundide hem for to mynyſtre in þe hows of þe Lord.
iii And he ſpak to þe dekenes, at whos techyng al Iſrael
was halewid to þe Lord, Sette ȝe þe arke in þe
ſeyntuarie of þe temple, which Salomon, kyng of Iſrael,
þe ſone of Dauid, bildide; for ȝe ſchulen no more bere
it. But now ſerue `ȝoure Lord God and his puple Iſrael,
iiii and make ȝou redi bi ȝoure houſis and meynees in þe
departyngis of ech bi hym ſilf, as Dauid, king of Iſrael,
comaundide, and Salomon, his ſone, diſcryuede;
v and ſerue ȝe in þe ſeyntuarie bi þe meynees and
cumpenyes of dekenes,
vi and be ȝe halewid, and offre ȝe paſk; alſo `make redi
ȝoure briþeren, þat þei moun `do bi þe wordis, whiche
þe Lord ſpak in þe hond of Moyſes.
vii Ferþermore Joſie ȝaf to al þe puple, þat was foundun
þere in þe ſolempnytee of paſk, lambren, and kidis of þe
flockis, and of reſidue ſcheep `he ȝaf þritti þouſynde,
and of oxis þre þouſynde; þeſe þingis of al þe catel of þe
kyng.
viii And hiſe duykis offriden þo þingis whiche þei
avowiden bi fre wille, as wel to þe puple as to preſtis
and dekenes. Forſoþe Elchie, and Zacharie, and Jehiel,
princes of þe hows of þe Lord, ȝauen to preeſtis, to
make paſk in comyn, two þouſynde and ſixe hundrid
ſcheep, and þre hundrid oxis.
ix Forſoþe Chononye, and Semei, and Nathanael and
hiſe briþeren, alſo Aſabie, Jahiel, and Joſabaz, princis of
dekenes, ȝauen to oþere dekenes, to make paſk, fyue
þouſynde of ſcheep, and fyue hundrid oxis.
x And þe ſeruyce was maad redi; and preeſtis ſtoden in
her office, and dekenes in cumpenyes, bi
comaundement of þe kyng; and paſk was offrid.
xi And preeſtis ſpreynten her hondis wiþ blood, and
dekenes drowen of þe ſkynnes of ſacrifices, and
departiden þo ſacrificis,
xii for to ȝyue bi þe houſis and meyneis of alle men; and
þat þo ſchulden be offrid to þe Lord, as it is writun in þe
book of Moiſes; and of oxis þei diden in lijk maner.
xiii And þei roſtiden paſk on þe fier, bi þat þat is writun
in þe lawe. Soþeli þei ſeþiden peſible ſacrifices in
pannes, and cawdruns, and pottis, and in haſte þei
deliden to al þe puple;
xiiii but þei maden redi aftirward to hem ſilf, and to
preſtis; for preeſtis weren occupied `til to nyȝt in þe
offryng of brent ſacrifices and of ynnere fatneſſis.
Wherfor dekenes maden redi to hem ſilf and to preeſtis,
þe ſones of Aaron, `þe laſte.
xv Forſoþe ſyngeris, þe ſones of Aſaph, ſtoden in her
ordre, bi þe comaundement of Dauid, and of Aſaph, and
of Eman, and of Yditum, þe profetis of þe kyng; but þe
porteris kepten bi ech ȝate, ſo þat þei ȝeden not awei fro
þe ſeruice, ſoþeli in a poynt; wherfor and dekenes, her
briþeren, maden redi metis to hem.
xvi Þerfor al þe religioun of þe Lord was fillid riȝtfuli in
þat day, þat þei maden paſk, and offriden brent
ſacrifices on þe auter of þe Lord, bi þe comaundement
of kyng Joſie.
xvii And þe ſones of Iſrael, þat weren foundun þere,
maden paſk in þat tyme, and þe ſolempnite of þerf
looues ſeuene daies.
xviii No paſk was lijk þis in Iſrael, fro þe daies of
Samuel, þe prophete; but neþir ony of þe kyngis of
Iſrael made paſk as Joſie dide, to preeſtis and dekenes,
and to al Juda and Iſrael, þat was foundun, and to þe
dwelleris of Jeruſalem.
xix Þis paſk was halewid in þe eiȝtenþe ȝeer of `þe
rewme of Joſie.
xx Aftir þat Joſie hadde reparelid þe temple, Nechao, þe
kyng of Egipt, ſtiede to fiȝte in Carcamys biſidis
Eufrates; and Joſie ȝede forþ in to his metyng.
CDV
xxi And he ſeide bi meſſangeris ſent to hym, Kyng of
Juda, what is to me and to þee? Y come not aȝens þee to
dai, but Y fiȝte aȝens anoþer hows, to which God bad
me go in haſte; ceeſſe þou to do aȝens God, which is
wiþ me, leſt he ſle þee.
xxii Joſie nolde turne aȝen, but made redi batel aȝens
hym; and he aſſentide not to þe wordis of Nechao, bi
Goddis mouþ, but he ȝede for to fiȝte in þe feeld of
Magedo.
xxiii And þere he was woundide of archeris, and ſeide to
hiſe children, `Lede ȝe me out of þe batel, for Y am
woundid greetli.
xxiiii Whiche baren hym ouer fro þe chare in to an oþer
chare, þat ſuede hym, bi cuſtom of þe kyng, and `baren
out hym in to Jeruſalem; and he diede, and was biried in
þe ſepulcre of hiſe fadris. And al Juda and Jeruſalem
biweiliden hym,
xxv Jeremye mooſt, of whom alle ſyngeris and
ſyngereſſis `til in to preſent dai reherſen `lamentaciouns,
eþer weilyngis, on Joſie; and it cam forþ as a lawe in
Iſrael, Lo! it is ſeid writun in Lamentaciouns. Forſoþe
þe reſidue of wordis of Joſie, and of hiſe mercies, þat
ben comaundid in þe lawe of þe Lord, and hiſe werkis,
`þe firſte and þe laſte, ben wryten in þe book of kyngis
of Iſrael and of Juda.
CAP. XXXVI
i Þerfor þe puple of þe lond took Joachaz, þe ſone of
Joſie, and ordeynede hym kyng for his fadir in
Jeruſalem.
ii Joachaz was of þre and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan
to regne, and he regnede þre moneþis in Jeruſalem.
iii Soþeli þe kyng of Egipt, `whan he hadde come to
Jeruſalem, remouyde hym, and condempnede þe lond in
an hundrid talentis of ſiluer and in a talent of gold.
iiii And he ordeynede for hym Eliachim, his broþer,
kyng on Juda and Jeruſalem; and turnede his name
Joakym. Soþeli he took þilk Joachaz wiþ hym ſilf, and
brouȝte in to Egipt.
v Joakym was of fyue and twenti ȝeer, whanne he bigan
to regne, and he regnyde eleuene ȝeer in Jeruſalem, and
he dide yuel bifor `his Lord God.
vi Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Caldeis, ſtyede aȝens þis
Joakym, and ledde hym boundun wiþ chaynes in to
Babiloyne.
vii To which Babiloyne he tranſlatide alſo þe veſſels of
þe Lord, and ſettide þo in his temple.
viii Soþeli þe reſidue of wordis of Joakym, and of hiſe
abhomynaciouns whiche he wrouȝte, and þat weren
foundun in hym, ben conteyned in þe book of kyngis of
Iſrael and of Juda. Þerfor Joachym, his ſone, regnede for
hym.
ix Joachym was of eiȝte ȝeer, whanne he bigan to regne,
and he regnede þre moneþis and ten daies in Jeruſalem,
and he dide yuel in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
x And whanne þe cercle of þe ȝeer was turned aboute,
Nabugodonoſor þe kynge ſente men, whiche alſo
brouȝten hym in to Babiloyne, whanne þe mooſt
preciouſe veſſels of þe hows of þe Lord weren borun out
togidir. Soþeli he ordeynede Sedechie, his fadris broþer,
kyng on Juda and Jeruſalem.
xi Sedechie was of oon and twenti ȝeer, whanne he
bigan to regne, and he regnede eleuene ȝeer in
Jeruſalem.
xii And he dide yuel in þe ſiȝt of `his Lord God, and he
was not aſchamed of þe face of Jeremye, þe prophete,
ſpekynge to hym bi þe mouþ of þe Lord.
xiii Alſo he ȝede awey fro þe kyng Nabugodonoſor, þat
hadde made hym to ſwere bi God; and he made hard his
nol and herte, þat he nolde turne aȝen to þe Lord of
Iſrael.
xiiii But alſo alle þe princes of preeſtis and þe puple
treſpaſſiden wickidli, bi alle abhomynaciouns of heþene
men; and þei defouliden þe hows of þe Lord, which he
halewide to hym ſilf in Jeruſalem.
xv Forſoþe þe Lord God of her fadris ſente to hem bi þe
hond of hiſe meſſangeris, and roos bi nyȝt, and
amoneſtide ech day; for he ſparide his puple and
dwellyng place.
xvi And þei ſcorneden þe meſſangeris of God, and
diſpiſiden hiſe wordis, and ſcorneden hiſe prophetis; til
þe greet veniaunce of þe Lord ſtiede on his puple, and
noon heelyng were.
xvii And he brouȝte on hem þe kyng of Caldeis; and
killide þe ȝonge men of hem `bi ſwerd in þe hows of
ſeyntuarie; `he hadde not merci of a ȝong `man, and of a
vergyn, and of an eld man, and ſoþeli neþer of a man
niȝ þe deþ for eldneſſe, but he bitook alle in þe hond of
þat king of Caldeis.
xviii And he tranſlatide in to Babiloyne alle þe veſſels of
þe hows of þe Lord, boþe þe grettere and þe laſſe
veſſels, and þe treſours of þe temple, and of þe kyng,
and of þe princes.
xix Enemyes brenten þe hows of þe Lord; þei diſtrieden
þe wal of Jeruſalem; þei brenten alle þe touris; and þei
diſtrieden what euer þing was preciouſe.
xx If ony man aſcapide þe ſwerd, he was led in to
Babiloyne, and ſeruyde þe kyng and hiſe ſones; til þe
kyng of Peerſis regnyde,
xxi and þe word of þe Lord bi þe mouþ of Jeremye was
fillid, and til þe lond halewide hiſe ſabatis. For in alle þe
daies of deſolacioun it made ſabat, til þat ſeuenti ȝeer
weren fillid.
xxii Forſoþe in þe firſte ȝeer of Cyrus, kyng of Perſis, to
fille þe word of þe Lord, which he hadde ſpoke bi þe
mouþ of Jeremye, þe Lord reiſide þe ſpirit of Cirus,
CDVI
king of Perſis, þat comaundide to be prechid in al his
rewme, ȝhe, bi ſcripture, and ſeide, Cirus,
xxiii þe king of Perſis, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe Lord God of
heuene ȝaf to me alle þe rewmes of erþe, and he
comaundide to me, þat Y ſchulde bilde to hym an hows
in Jeruſalem, which is in Judee. Who of ȝou is in al his
puple? `his Lord God be wiþ hym, and ſtie he `in to
Jeruſalem.
CAP. XXXVII
i Lord God Almyȝti of our fadris, Abraham, Iſaac, and
Jacob, and of her iuſt ſeed, which madiſt heuene and
erþe wiþ al þe ournyng of þo, which haſt markid þe ſee
bi þe word of `þi comaundement, which haſt cloſid to
gidere þe depþe of watris, and haſt markid to þi ferdful
and preyſable name, which alle men dreden, `and
tremblen of þe cheer of þi vertu, and þe ire of þi
manaſſyng on ſynneris `is vnſuffrable, `eþer may not be
ſuſteyned. Soþeli þe merci of þi biheeſt is fulgreet and
`vnſerchable, eþer may not be comprehendid `bi
mannus wit; for `þou art þe Lord mooſt hiȝ ouer al erþe;
þou art pacient, and myche merciful, and `doynge
penaunce on þe malices of men. Treuli, Lord, þou bi þi
goodneſſe haſt bihiȝt penaunce of forȝyueneſſe of
ſynnes; and þou, God of iuſt men, haſt not ſet penaunce
to iuſt men, to Abraham, Yſaac, and Jacob, to hem þat
ſynneden not aȝens þee. For Y haue ſynned more þan þe
noumbre is of þe grauel of þe ſee; my wickidneſſis ben
multiplied. Y am bowid wiþ myche boond of yrun, and
no breþing is to me; for Y haue ſtirid þi wraþfulneſſe,
and Y haue doon yuel bifor þee, `and Y haue ſet
abhomynaciouns, and `Y haue multiplied offenſiouns.
And now Y bowe þe knees of myn herte, and biſeche
goodneſſe of þee, Lord. Y haue ſynned, Lord; Y haue
ſynned, and Y knowleche my wickidneſſe. Y axe, and
preye þee, Lord; forȝyue þou to me, forȝyue þou to me;
leeſe þou me
not togidire wiþ my wickidneſſis, neþer reſerue þou
yuels to me wiþouten ende. For, Lord, bi þi greet merci
þou ſchalt ſaue me vnworþi, and Y ſchal herie þee euere
in alle þe daies of my lijf; for al þe vertu of heuenes
herieþ þee, and to þee is glorie in to worldis of worldis.
Amen.
Here endiþ þe ſecounde book of Paralipomenon, and
here bigynneþ þe firſte book of Eſdre.

I ESDRE
Here bigynneþ þe firſte book of Eſdre.
CAP. I
i In þe firſte ȝeer of Cirus, kyng of Perſis, þat þe word of
þe Lord bi þe mouþ of Jeremye ſchulde be fillid, þe
Lord reiſide þe ſpirit of Cyrus, kyng of Perſis; and he
puppliſchide a vois in al his rewme, ȝe, bi þe ſcripture,
and ſeide, Cirus,
ii þe kyng of Perſis, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe Lord God of
heuene ȝaf to me alle þe rewmes of erþe, and he
comaundide to me, þat Y ſchulde bilde to hym an hows
in Jeruſalem, which is in Judee.
iii Who is among ȝou of al his puple? his God be wiþ
hym; ſtie he in to Jeruſalem, which is in Judee, and
bilde he þe hows of þe Lord God of Iſrael; he is God,
which is in Jeruſalem.
iiii And alle oþere men, `þat dwellen where euere in alle
places, helpe hym; þe men of her place helpe in ſiluer,
and gold, and catel, and ſcheep, outakun þat þat þei
offren wilfulli to þe temple of God, which is in
Jeruſalem.
v And þe princis of fadris of Juda and of Beniamyn
riſiden, and þe preeſtis, and dekenes, and ech man whos
ſpirit God reiſide, for to ſtie to bilde þe temple of þe
Lord, þat was in Jeruſalem.
vi And alle men þat weren `in cumpas helpiden þe
hondis of hem, in veſſelis of ſiluer, and of gold, `in
catel, in purtenaunce of houſhold, and in alle werk
beeſtis, outakun þeſe þingis which þei offriden bi fre
wille.
vii Forſoþe kyng Cyrus brouȝte forþ þe veſſels of þe
temple of þe Lord, whiche Nabugodonoſor hadde take
fro Jeruſalem, and hadde ſet þo in þe temple of his god.
viii Soþeli Cyrus, þe kyng of Perſis, brouȝte forþ þo bi
þe hond of Mytridatis, ſone of Gazabar; and noumbride
þo to Saſabazar, þe prince of Juda.
ix And þis is þe noumbre of þo veſſels; goldun violis,
þritti; ſiluerne viols, a þouſynde; `grete knyues, nyne
and twenti; goldun cuppis, þritti; ſiluerne cuppis,
x two þouſynde foure hundrid and ten; oþere veſſels, a
þouſynde;
xi alle þe veſſels of gold and ſiluere weren fyue
þouſynde foure hundrid. Saſabazar took alle veſſels, wiþ
hem þat ſtieden fro þe tranſmygracioun of Babiloyne, in
to Jeruſalem.
CAP. II
i Forſoþe þeſe ben þe ſones of prouynce, þat ſtieden fro
þe caitifte, which Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne,
hadde tranſlatid in to Babiloyne; and þei turneden aȝen
in to Jeruſalem and in to Juda, ech man in to his citee,
þat camen wiþ Zorobabel;
CDVII
ii Jeſua, Neemie, Saray, Rahelaie, Mardochaa, Belſan,
Mesfar, Begnay, Reum, Baana. Þis is þe noumbre of
men of þe ſones of Iſrael; þe ſones of Phares,
iii two þouſynde an hundrid and two and ſeuenti; þe
ſones of Arethi, ſeuene hundrid and fyue and ſeuenti;
iiii þe ſones of Sephezie, þre hundrid and two and
ſeuenti;
v þe ſones of Area, ſeuene hundrid and fyue and ſeuenti;
vi þe ſones of Phe and of Moab, ſones of Joſue and of
Joab, twei þouſynde nyne hundrid and twelue;
vii þe ſones of Helam, a þouſynde two hundrid and foure
and fifti;
viii þe ſones of Zechua, nyne hundrid and fyue and
fourti;
ix þe ſones of Zahai, ſeuene hundrid and ſixti;
x þe ſones of Bany, ſixe hundrid and two and fourti;
xi þe ſones of Bebai, ſixe hundrid and þre and twenti; þe
ſones of Azgad,
xii a þouſynde two hundrid and two and twenti;
xiii þe ſones of Adonycam, ſixe hundrid and ſixe and
ſixti;
xiiii þe ſones of Beguai, two þouſynde two hundrid and
ſixe and fifti; þe ſones of Adyn,
xv foure hundrid and foure and fifti;
xvi þe ſones of Ather, þat weren of Ezechie, nynti and
eiȝte;
xvii þe ſones of Beſai, þre hundrid and þre and twenti;
xviii þe ſones of Jora, an hundrid and twelue;
xix þe ſones of Aſom, two hundrid and þre and þritti;
xx þe ſones of Gebar weren nynti and fyue;
xxi þe ſones of Bethleem weren an hundrid and eiȝte and
twenti;
xxii þe men of Nechopha, ſixe and fifti;
xxiii þe men of Anathot, an hundrid and eiȝte and twenti;
xxiiii þe ſones of Aſmaneth, two and fourti;
xxv þe ſones of Cariathiarym, Cephiara, and Berhoc,
ſeuene hundrid and þre and fourti;
xxvi þe ſones of Arama and of Gaba, ſixe hundrid and
oon and twenti;
xxvii men of `Mathmas, an hundrid and two and twenti;
men of Bethel and of Gay,
xxviii two hundrid and þre and twenti;
xxix þe ſones of Nebo, two and fifti;
xxx þe ſones of Nebgis, an hundrid and ſixe and fifti;
xxxi þe ſones of þe toþer Helam, a þouſynde two hundrid
and foure and fifti;
xxxii þe ſones of Arym, þre hundrid and twenti;
xxxiii þe ſones of Loradid and of Ono, ſeuene hundrid
and fyue and twenti;
xxxiiii þe ſones of Jerico, þre hundrid and fyue and
fourti;
xxxv þe ſones of Sanaa, þre þouſynde ſixe hundrid and
þritti;
xxxvi preeſtis, þe ſones of Idaie, in þe hows of Jeſue,
nyne hundrid and þre and ſeuenti;
xxxvii þe ſones of Emmeor, a þouſynde and two and fifti;
þe ſones of Pheſur,
xxxviii a þouſynde two hundrid and ſeuene and fourti;
xxxix þe ſones of Arym, a þouſynde and ſeuentene;
dekenes,
xl þe ſones of Jeſue and of Cedynyel, ſones of Odonye,
foure and ſeuenti; ſyngeris,
xli þe ſones of Aſaph, an hundrid and eiȝte and twenti;
xlii þe ſones of porteris, ſones of Sellum, ſones of Ather,
ſones of Thelmon, ſones of Accub, ſones of Aritha,
ſones of Sobar, ſones of Sobai, alle weren an hundrid
and eiȝte and þritty;
xliii Nathynneis, þe ſones of Oſai, ſones of Aſupha, ſones
of Thebaoth, ſones of Ceros,
xliiii ſones of Siſaa, ſones of Phadon,
xlv ſones of Jebana, ſones of Agaba, ſones of Accub,
xlvi ſones of Accab, ſones of Selmai,
xlvii ſones of Annam, ſones of Gaddel, ſones of Gaer,
xlviii ſones of Rahaia, ſones of Raſyn, ſones of Nethoda,
ſones of Gazem, ſones of Aſa,
xlix ſones of Phaſea, ſones of Beſee,
l ſones of Aſennaa, ſones of Numyn, ſones of Nethuſym,
li ſones of Bethuth, ſones of Acupha, ſones of Aryn,
ſones of Beſluth,
lii ſones of Maida, ſones of Arſa,
liii ſones of Bercos, ſones of Siſara, ſones of Thema,
liiii ſones of Naſia, ſones of Acupha,
lv þe ſones of þe ſeruauntis of Salomon, þe ſones of
Sothelthei, þe ſones of Soforeth, þe ſones of Pharuda, þe
ſones of Aſa,
lvi þe ſones of Delcon, þe ſones of Gedeb,
lvii þe ſones of Saphata, þe ſones of Atil, þe ſones of
Phecerethi, þat weren of Aſebam, þe ſones of Ammy;
lviii alle þe Nathyneis, and þe ſones of þe ſeruauntis of
Salomon weren þre hundrid nynti and tweyne.
lix And þei þat ſtieden fro Thelmela, Thelerſa, Cherub,
and Don, and Mey, and myȝten not ſchewe þe hows of
her fadris and her ſeed, wheþer þei weren of Iſrael;
lx þe ſones of Delaya, þe ſones of Thobie, þe ſones of
Nethoda, ſixe hundrid and two and fifti;
lxi and of þe ſones of preſtis, þe ſones of Obia, ſones of
Accos, ſones of Berzellai, which took a wijf of þe
douȝtris of Berſellai Galadite, and was clepid bi þe
name of hem;
lxii þeſe ſouȝten þe ſcripture of her genologie, and
founden not, and þei weren caſt out of preeſthod.
CDVIII
lxiii And Atterſatha ſeide to hem, þat þei ſchulden not ete
of þe hooli of hooli þingis, til a wijs preeſt and perfit
roos.
lxiiii Al þe multitude as o man, two and fourti þouſynde
þre hundrid and ſixti,
lxv outakun þe ſeruauntis of hem and `þe handmaydis,
þat weren ſeuene þouſynde þre hundrid and ſeuene and
þretti; and among hem weren ſyngeris and ſyngereſſis
twei hundrid.
lxvi Þe horſis of hem weren ſixe hundrid and ſixe and
þritti; þe mulis of hem weren foure hundrid and fyue
and fourti;
lxvii þe camels of hem weren foure hundrid and fyue
and þritti; þe aſſis of hem weren ſixe þouſynde ſeuene
hundrid and twenti.
lxviii And of þe princes of fadris, whanne þei entriden in
to þe temple of þe Lord, which is in Jeruſalem, þei
offriden of fre wille in to þe hows of God, to bilde it in
his place;
lxix þei ȝauen `bi her myȝtes þe coſtis of þe werk, oon
and fourti þouſynde platis of gold; fyue þouſynde
beſauntis of ſiluer; and preeſtis cloþis an hundrid.
lxx Þerfor preeſtis and dekenes of þe puple, and ſyngeris,
and porteris, and Nathynneis dwelliden in her citees,
and al Iſrael in her cytees.
CAP. III
i And þanne þe ſeuenþe moneþe was comun, and þe
ſones of Iſrael weren in her citees.
ii Þerfor þe puple was gaderid as o man in to Jeruſalem.
And Joſue, þe ſone of Joſedech, roos, and hiſe briþeren,
preſtis, and Zorobabel, þe ſone of Salatiel, and hiſe
briþeren, and þei bildiden þe auter of God of Iſrael for
to offre þerynne brent ſacrifices, as it is writun in þe
lawe of Moiſes, þe man of God.
iii Forſoþe þei ſettiden þe auter on his foundementis,
while þe puplis of londis bi cumpas maden hem aferd,
and þei offriden on þat auter brent ſacrifice to þe Lord
in þe morewtid and euentid.
iiii And þei maden ſolempnytee of tabernaclis, as it is
writun, and brent ſacrifice ech dai bi ordre, `bi þe werk
of þe dai comaundid in his dai.
v And after þis þei offriden contynuel brent ſacrifice,
boþe in calendis and in alle ſolempnytees of þe Lord,
þat weren halewid, and in alle ſolempnytees, in which
ȝifte was offrid to þe Lord bi fre wille.
vi In þe firſte dai of þe ſeuenþe moneþe þei bigunnen to
offre brent ſacrifice to þe Lord; certis þe temple of God
was not foundid ȝit.
vii But þei ȝauen monei to heweris of ſtoon, and to
liggeris of ſtoon, and þei ȝauen mete, and drynke, and
oile, to men of Sidon, and `to men of Tire, þat þei
ſchulden brynge cedre trees fro þe Liban to þe ſee of
Joppe, bi þat þat Cirus, kyng of Perſis, hadde
comaundid to hem.
viii Forſoþe in þe ſecounde ȝeer of her comyng to þe
temple of God in Jeruſalem, in þe ſecounde moneþe,
Zorobabel, þe ſone of Salatiel, and Joſue,
ix þe ſone of Joſedech, and oþere of her briþeren,
preeſtis and dekenes, and alle þat camen fro þe caitifte
in to Jeruſalem, bigunnen; and þei ordeyneden dekenes,
fro twenti ȝeer and aboue, for to haſte þe werk of þe
Lord; and Joſue ſtood, and hiſe ſones, and hiſe briþeren,
Cedynyel and hiſe ſones, and þe ſones of Juda, as o
man, to be biſi ouer hem þat maden þe werk in þe
temple of God; þe ſones of Benadab, her ſones and her
briþeren, dekenes, `weren biſy.
x Þerfor whanne þe temple `of þe Lord was foundid of
ſtoon leggeris, preſtis ſtoden in her ournement wiþ
trumpis, and dekenes, þe ſones of Aſaph, in cymbalis,
for to herie God bi þe hond of Dauid, kyng of Iſrael.
xi And þei ſungen togidere in ympnes and knoulechyng
to þe Lord, For he is good, for his merci is wiþ outen
ende on Iſrael. And al þe puple criede wiþ greet cry, in
preiſynge þe Lord, for þe temple of þe Lord was
foundid.
xii Alſo ful manye of þe preeſtis, and of þe dekenes, and
þe princes of fadris, and þe eldre men, þat hadden ſeyn
þe formere temple, whanne it was foundid, and þis
temple bifor her iȝen, wepten wiþ greet vois, and many
men criynge in gladneſſe reiſiden þe vois;
xiii and no man myȝte knowe þe vois of cry of men
beynge glad, and þe vois of wepyng of þe puple; for þe
puple criede togidere wiþ greet cry, and þe vois was
herd afer.
CAP. IIII
i Forſoþe þe enemyes of Juda and of Beniamyn herden,
þat þe ſones of caitifte bildiden a temple to þe Lord God
of Iſrael;
ii and þei neiȝeden to Zorobabel, and to þe princes of
fadris, and ſeiden to hem, Bilde we wiþ ȝou, for ſo as
ȝe, we ſeken ȝoure God; lo! we han offrid ſacrificis fro
þe daies of Aſſoraddon, kyng of Aſſur, þat brouȝte vs
hidur.
iii And Zorobabel, and Joſue, and þe oþere princes of þe
fadris of Iſrael, ſeiden to hem, It is not to vs and to ȝou,
þat we bilde an hows to oure God; but we vs ſilf aloone
ſchulen bilde to `oure Lord God, as Cirus, þe kyng of
Perſis, comaundide to vs.
iiii Forſoþe it was doon, þat þe puple of þe lond lettide
þe hondis of þe puple of Juda, and trobliden hem in
bildyng.
v And þei hiriden counſelouris aȝens þe Jewis, þat þei
ſchulden deſtrie þe counſeil of þe Jewis, in alle þe daies
of Cirus, king of Perſis, and `til to þe rewme of Darius,
king of Perſis.
CDIX
vi Forſoþe in þe rewme of Aſſueris, he is Artaxerſis, in
þe bigynnyng of his rewme, þei writiden accuſing aȝens
þe dwellers of Juda and of Jeruſalem;
vii and in þe daies of Artaxarſes, Beſellam wroot,
Mytridates, and Thabel, and oþere, þat weren in þe
counſel of hem, to Artaxarſes, kyng of Perſis. For þe
piſtle of accuſyng was writun in langage of Sirie, and
was red in word of Sirie.
viii Reum, Beel, Theem, and Samſai, þe ſcryuen, writen
ſich oon epiſtle fro Jeruſalem to þe kyng Artaxerſes;
Reum,
ix Beel, Theem, and Samſai, þe writere, and oþere
counſelouris of hem, Dyney, Pharſathei, and Therphalei,
Arphaſei, Harthuei, men of Babiloyne, Suſanne, Thanei,
Dacei, men of Helam,
x and oþere of heþene men, whiche þe grete and
gloriouſe Aſennaphar tranſlatide, and made hem to
dwelle in þe citees of Samarie, and in oþere cuntrees
biȝonde þe flood, `in pees.
xi Þis is þe ſaumplere of þe piſtle, which þei ſenten to þe
kyng. `To Artaxerſes, king, þi ſeruauntis, men `þat ben
biȝende þe flood, ſeyn helþe.
xii Be it knowun to þe kyng, þat þe Jewis, þat ſtieden fro
þee, ben comun to vs `in to Jeruſalem, þe rebel and
worſte citee, which þei bilden, and þei maken þe ground
wallis þerof, and arayen þe wallis aboue.
xiii Nou þerfor be it knowun to þe kyng, þat if þilke
citee be bildid, and þe wallis þerof be reſtorid, þei
ſchulen not ȝyue tribut, and tol, and annuel rentis, and
þis treſpas ſchal come `til to þe kyng.
xiiii Þerfor we ben myndeful of þe ſalt, which we eeten
in þe paleis, and for we holden it vnleueful to ſe þe
harmes of þe kyng, þerfor we han ſent and teld to þe
kyng;
xv þat þou acounte in þe bokis of ſtories of þi fadris, and
þou ſchalt fynde writun in cronyclis, and þou ſchalt
wite, þat þilke citee is a rebel citee, and þat it anoieþ
kyngis and prouynces, and batels ben reiſid þerynne of
elde daies; wherfor alſo þilke citee was diſtried.
xvi We tellen to þe kyng, þat if þilke citee be bildid, and
þe wallis þerof be reſtorid, þou ſchalt not haue
poſſeſſioun biȝende þe flood.
xvii Þe kyng ſente word to Reum, Beel, Theem, and to
Samſai, þe ſcryuen, and to oþere þat weren in þe counſel
of hem, to þe dwelleris of Samarie, and to oþere
biȝendis þe flood, and ſeide, Helþe and pees.
xviii Þe accuſyng, which ȝe ſenten to vs, was red opynli
bifor me;
xix and it was comaundid of me, and þei rekenyden, and
þei foundun, þat þilke citee rebelliþ of elde daies aȝens
kyngis, and diſſenciouns and batels ben reiſid þerynne;
xx for whi `and ful ſtronge kyngis weren in Jeruſalem,
which alſo weren lordis of al þe cuntrei which is
biȝende þe flood; alſo þei token tribut, and tol, and
rentis.
xxi Now þerfor here ȝe þe ſentence, þat ȝe forbede þo
men, and þat þilke citee be not bildid, til if perauenture
it be comaundid of me.
xxii Se ȝe, þat þis be not fillid necgligentli, and yuel
encreeſſe litil `and litil aȝens kyngis.
xxiii Þerfor þe ſaumple of þe comaundement of kyng
Artaxarſes was red bifor Reum, Beel, Theem, and
Samſai, þe ſcryueyn, and her counſeleris; and þei ȝeden
haſtili in to Jeruſalem to þe Jewis, and forbediden hem
wiþ arm and myȝt.
xxiiii Þanne þe werk of Goddis hows in Jeruſalem was
left, and it was not maad til to þe ſecounde ȝeer of
Darius, king of Perſis.
CAP. V
i Forſoþe Aggei, þe prophete, and Zacharie, þe
prophete, þe ſone of Ado, propheſieden, propheſiynge in
þe name of God of Iſrael, to þe Jewis þat weren in Juda
and Jeruſalem.
ii Þanne Zorobabel, þe ſone of Salatiel, and Joſue, þe
ſone of Joſedech, riſiden, and bigunnen to bilde þe
temple of God in Jeruſalem; and wiþ hem ryſyden þe
prophetis of God, helpynge hem.
iii Forſoþe in þat tyme Tatannai, þat was duyk biȝende
þe flood, and Starbuſannay, and þe counſelouris of hem,
camen to hem, and ſeiden þus to hem, Who ȝaf counſel
to ȝou to bilde þis hows, and to reſtore þeſe wallis?
iiii To which þing we anſweriden to hem, whiche weren
þe names of men, autours of þat bildyng.
v Forſoþe þe iȝe of God of hem was maad on þe elde
men of Jewis, and þei myȝten not forbede þe Jewis; and
it pleſide þat þe þing ſchulde be teld to Darius, and
þanne þei ſchulden make ſatisfaccioun aȝens þat
accuſyng.
vi Þis is þe ſaumpler of þe piſtle, which Tathannai, duyk
of þe cuntrey biȝende þe flood, and Starburſannai, and
hiſe counſelouris, Arphaſacei, þat weren biȝende þe
flood, ſenten to kyng Darius.
vii Þe word which þei ſenten to hym was writun þus; Al
pees be to þe kyng Darius.
viii Be it knowun to þe kyng, þat we ȝeden to þe
prouince of Judee, to þe hows of greet God, which is
bildid wiþ ſtoon vnpoliſchid, and trees ben ſet in þe
wallis, and þilke werk is bildid diligently, and encreeſſiþ
in þe hondis of hem.
ix Þerfor we axiden þo elde men, and þus we ſeiden to
hem, Who ȝaf to ȝou power to bilde þis hows, and to
reſtore þeſe wallis?
x But alſo we axiden of hem þe names `of hem, þat we
ſchulden telle to þee; and we han write þe names of
men, whiche þei ben, þat ben princes among hem.
CDX
xi Soþeli þei anſweriden bi ſich word, and ſeiden, We
ben þe ſeruauntis of God of heuene and of erþe; and we
bilden þe temple þat was bildid bifor þeſe many ȝeeris,
and `which temple þe greet kyng of Iſrael `hadde bildid,
and maad.
xii But aftir þat oure fadris ſtiryden God of heuene and
of erþe to wraþfulneſſe, boþe he bitook hem in þe hond
of Nabugodonoſor, Caldey, kyng of Babiloyne; and he
diſtriede þis hows, and tranſlatide þe puple þerof in to
Babiloyne.
xiii Forſoþe in þe firſte ȝeer of Cirus, king of Babiloyne,
Cirus, þe king of Babiloyne, ſettide forþ `a
comaundement, þat þe hows of God ſchulde be bildid.
xiiii For whi kyng Cirus brouȝte forþ `fro þe temple of
Babiloyne alſo þe goldun and ſiluerne veſſels of Goddis
temple, whiche Nabugodonoſor hadde take fro þe
temple, þat was in Jeruſalem, and hadde bore þo awei in
to þe temple of Babiloyne; and þo veſſels weren ȝouun
to Saſabazar bi name, whom `he made alſo prince. And
Cirus ſeide to hym, Take þeſe veſſels,
xv and go, and ſette þo in þe temple, which is in
Jeruſalem; and þe hows of God be bildid in `his place.
xvi Þerfor þanne þilke Saſabazar cam, and ſettide þe
foundementis of Goddis temple in Jeruſalem; and fro
þat tyme `til to now it is bildid, and is not ȝit fillid.
xvii Now þerfor if it `ſemeþ good to þe king, rikene he in
þe biblet of þe kyng, which is in Babiloyne, wheþer it
be comaundid of kyng Cyrus, þat Goddis hows ſchulde
be bildid in Jeruſalem; and ſende he to vs þe wille of þe
kyng `on þis þing.
CAP. VI
i Þanne kyng Darius comaundide, and þei rekenyden in
þe biblet of bokis, þat weren kept in Babiloyne.
ii And o book was foundun in Egbatanys, which is a
caſtel in þe prouynce of Medena, and ſich a ſentence of
þe kyng was writun þerynne.
iii In þe firſt ȝeer of kyng Cirus, Cirus þe kyng demyde,
þat, `Goddis hows, which is in Jeruſalem, ſchulde be
bildid in þe place where þei offren ſacrifices, and þat
þei ſette foundementis ſupportynge þe heiȝþe of ſixti
cubitis, and þe lengþe of ſixti cubitis, þre ordris of
ſtonys vnpoliſchid,
iiii and ſo ordris of newe trees. Soþeli coſtis ſchulen be
ȝouun of þe kyngis hows.
v But alſo þe goldun and ſiluerne veſſels of Goddis
temple, whiche Nabugodonoſor took fro þe temple of
Jeruſalem, and brouȝte þo in to Babiloyne, be ȝoldun,
and borun aȝen in to þe temple of Jeruſalem, and in to
her place, whiche alſo be ſet in þe temple of God.
vi Now þerfor Tathannai, duyk of þe cuntrei which is
biȝende þe flood, and Starbuſannai, and ȝoure
counſeleris, Arphaſacei, þat ben byȝende þe flood,
departe ȝe fer fro hem;
vii and ſuffre ȝe, þat þilke temple of God be maad of þe
duyk of Jewis, and of þe eldre men of hem; and þat þei
bilde þat hows of God in his place.
viii But alſo it is comaundid of me, þat þat bihoueþ to be
maad of þo preeſtis of Jewys, þat þe hows of God be
bildid, þat is, þat coſtis be ȝouun biſili to þo men of þe
arke of þe kyng, þat is, of tributis, þat ben ȝouun of þe
contrei biȝende þe flood, leſt þe werk be lettid.
ix Þat if it be nede, ȝyue þei boþe calues, and lambren,
and kidis in to brent ſacrifice to God of heuene; wheete,
ſalt, and wyn, and oile, bi þe cuſtom of preeſtis þat ben
in Jeruſalem, be ȝouun to hem bi ech dai, þat no pleynt
be in ony þing.
x And offre þei offryngis to God of heuene; and preye
þei for þe lijf of þe kyng and of hiſe ſones.
xi Þerfor þe ſentence is ſet of me, þat if ony man
chaungiþ þis comaundement, a tre be takun of his hows,
and be reiſid, and be he hangid þerynne; ſoþeli his hows
be forfetid.
xii Forſoþe God, þat makiþ his name to dwelle þere,
diſtrie alle rewmes and puple, þat holdiþ forþ her hond
to impugne and deſtrie þilke hows of God, which is in
Jeruſalem. I Darius haue demyd þe ſentence, which Y
wole be fillid diligentli.
xiii Þerfor Tathannai, duyk of þe `cuntrei biȝende þe
flood, and Starbuſannai, and hiſe counſeleris, diden
execucioun, `eþer filliden, ſo diligentli, bi þat þat kyng
Darius hadde comaundid.
xiiii Soþeli þe eldre men of Jewis bildiden, and hadden
proſperite, bi þe profeſie of Aggey, þe profete, and of
Zacarie, þe ſone of Ado; and þei bildiden, and maden,
for God of Iſrael comaundide, and for Cirus, and
Darius, and Artaxerſes, kyngis of Perſis, comaundiden;
xv and þei performyden þis hows of God `til to þe
þridde dai of þe moneþe Adar, which is þe ſixte ȝeer of
þe rewme of king Darius.
xvi Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael, þe preeſtis and dekenes,
and þe oþere of þe ſones of tranſmygracioun, `þat is, þat
camen fro tranſmigracioun, `eþer caitifte, maden þe
halewyng of Goddis hows in ioie;
xvii and offriden, `in þe halewyng of Goddis hows, an
hundrid caluys, twei hundryd weþeris, foure hundrid
lambren, twelue buckis of geet for þe ſynne of al Iſrael,
bi þe noumbre of lynagis of Iſrael.
xviii And þei ordeyneden preeſtis in her ordris, and
dekenes in her whilis, on þe werkis of God in
Jeruſalem, as it is writun in þe book of Moiſes.
xix Forſoþe þe ſones of tranſmygracioun maden paſk, in
þe fourtenþe dai of þe firſte moneþe.
xx For þe preeſtis and dekenes as o man weren clenſid,
alle weren clene for to offre paſk to alle þe ſones of
tranſmygracioun, and to her briþeren preeſtis, and to
hem ſilf.
CDXI
xxi And þe ſones of Iſrael eeten, þat turneden aȝen fro
tranſmygracioun, and ech man eet, þat hadde departid
hym ſilf fro al þe defoulyng of heþene men of þe lond,
for to ſeke þe Lord God of Iſrael.
xxii And þei maden ſolempnyte of þerf looues ſeuene
daies in gladneſſe; for þe Lord hadde maad hem glad,
and hadde turned þe herte of þe kyng of Aſſur to hem,
þat he wolde helpe `her hondis in þe werk of þe hows of
þe Lord God of Iſrael.
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe aftir þeſe wordis Eſdras, þe ſone of Saraie,
ſone of Azarie, ſone of Helchie,
ii ſone of Sellum, ſone of Sadoch, ſone of Achitob,
iii ſone of Amarie, ſone of Azarie,
iiii ſone of Maraioth, ſone of Saraie, ſone of Ozi,
v ſone of Bocci, ſone of Abiſue, ſone of Phynees, ſone of
Eleazar, ſone of Aaron, preeſt at þe bigynnyng, was in
þe rewme of Artaxerſes, king of Perſis; þilke Eſdras
ſtiede fro Babiloyne,
vi and he was a ſwift writere in þe lawe of Moiſes,
which þe Lord God of Iſrael ȝaf; and þe kyng ȝaf to
hym al his axyng, by þe goode hoond of his Lord God
on hym.
vii And þere ſtieden of þe ſones of Iſrael, and of þe ſones
of preeſtis, and of þe ſones of dekenes, and of þe
ſyngeris, and of þe porteris, and of Nathyneis, `in to
Jeruſalem in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer of Artaxerſes, kyng.
viii And þei camen in to Jeruſalem in þe fyueþe moneþe;
þilke is þe ſeuenþe of þe kyng.
ix For in þe firſte dai of þe firſte moneþe he bigan to ſtie
fro Babiloyne, and in þe firſte dai of þe fyueþe moneþe
he cam in to Jeruſalem, bi þe good hond of his God on
hym. Forſoþe
x Eſdras made redi his herte to enquere þe lawe of þe
Lord, and to do, and teche in Iſrael þe comaundement
and doom.
xi Soþeli þis is þe ſaumpler of þe piſtle of þe
comaundement, which þe kyng Artaxerſes ȝaf to Eſdras,
preeſt, writere lerud in þe wordis and comaundementis
of þe Lord, and in hiſe cerymonyes in Iſrael.
xii Artaxerſes, kyng of kyngis, deſiriþ helþe to Eſdras,
þe preeſt, mooſt wijs writere of þe lawe of God of
heuene.
xiii It is demyd of me, þat whom euer it pleſiþ in my
rewme of þe puple of Iſrael, and of hiſe preeſtis, and
dekenes, to go in to Jeruſalem, go he wiþ þee.
xiiii For þou art ſent fro þe face of þe kyng and of hiſe
ſeuene counſeleris, þat þou viſite Judee and Jeruſalem in
þe lawe of þi God, which is in þin hond;
xv and þat þou bere ſiluer and gold, which þe kyng and
hiſe counſeleris han offrid bi fre wille to God of Iſrael,
whos tabernacle is in Jeruſalem.
xvi And take þou freli al ſiluer and gold, which euer þou
fyndiſt in al þe prouynce of Babiloyne, and þe puple
wole offre, and of preeſtis þat offriden bi fre wille to þe
hows of her God, which is in Jeruſalem;
xvii and bie þou biſili of þis monei calues, rammes,
lambren, and ſacrifices, and moiſte ſacrifices of þo; and
offre þou þo on þe auter of þe temple of ȝoure God,
which temple is in Jeruſalem.
xviii But alſo if ony þing pleſiþ to þee, and to þi
briþeren, for to do of þe reſidue ſiluer and gold, do ȝe bi
þe wille of ȝoure God;
xix alſo bitake þou in þe ſiȝt of God in Jeruſalem þe
veſſels, þat ben ȝouun in to þe ſeruyce of þe hows of þi
God.
xx But alſo þou ſchalt ȝyue of þe treſouris of þe kyng,
and of þe comyn arke, `eþir purſe, and of me `oþere
þingis, þat ben nedeful in þe hows of þi God, as myche
euere as is nedeful, þat þou ſpende.
xxi Y Artaxerſes, kyng, haue ordeyned, and demyd to
alle þe keperis of þe comyn arke, þat ben biȝende þe
flood, þat what euer þing Eſdras, þe preeſt, writere of þe
lawe of God of heuene, axiþ of ȝou, ȝe ȝyue wiþ out
tariyng,
xxii `til to an hundrid talentis of ſiluer, and to an hundrid
`meſuris clepid chorus of wheete, and til an hundrid
meſuris clepid baþus of wyn, and `til to an hundrid
`meſuris clepid baþus of oile, ſalt forſoþe wiþout
meſure.
xxiii Al þing þat perteyneþ to þe cuſtom, `eþir religioun,
of God of heuene, be ȝouun diligentli in þe hows of
God of heuene, leſt perauenture he be wrooþ aȝens þe
rewme of þe kyng and of hiſe ſones.
xxiiii Alſo we make knowun to ȝou of alle þe preeſtis,
and dekenes, ſyngeris, and porteris, and Nathyneis, and
mynyſtris of þe hows of þis God, `þat ȝe han not power
to put on hem tol, and tribute, and coſtis for keperis of
þe lond.
xxv Forſoþe þou, Eſdras, bi þe wiſdom of þi God, which
is in þin hond, ordeyne iugis and gouernouris, þat þei
deme to þe puple, which is biȝende þe flood, þat is, to
hem þat kunnen þe lawe of þi God, and þe lawe of þe
kyng; but alſo teche ȝe freli vnkunnynge men.
xxvi And ech man, þat doþ not þe lawe of þi God, and
þe lawe of þe kyng diligentli, doom ſchal be of hym,
eþir in to þe deeþ, eþir in to exilyng, eþir in to
condempnyng of his catel, eþir certis in to priſoun. And
Eſdras, þe writere, ſeide, Bliſſid be þe Lord God of oure
fadris,
xxvii þat ȝaf þis þing in þe herte of þe kyng, þat he
ſchulde glorifie þe hows of þe Lord,
xxviii which is in Jeruſalem, and bowide his mercy in to
me bifor þe kyng, and hiſe counſeleris, and bifore alle
þe myȝti princes of þe kyng. And Y was coumfortid bi
þe hond of `my Lord God, þat was in me, and Y
CDXII
gederide of þe ſones of Iſrael princes, þat ſtieden wiþ
me.
CAP. VIII
i Þerfor þeſe ben þe princes of meynees, and þis is þe
genologie of hem, whiche beynge in þe rewme of
Artaxerſes, kyng, ſtieden wiþ me fro Babiloyne.
ii Of þe ſones of Phynees, Gerſon; of þe ſones of
Ythamar, Danyel; of þe ſones of Dauid, Arcus;
iii of þe ſones of Sechemye and of þe ſones of Pharos,
Zacarie, and wiþ hym weren noumbrid an hundrid and
fifti men;
iiii of þe ſones of Phet, Moab, and Elioneay, þe ſone of
Zacharie, and wiþ hym two hundrid men;
v of þe ſones of Sechemye, þe ſone of Ezechiel, and wiþ
hym þre hundrid men;
vi of þe ſones of Addam, Nabeth, þe ſone of Jonathan,
and wiþ hym fifti men;
vii of þe ſones of Elam, Yſaie, þe ſone of Italie, and wiþ
him ſeuenti men;
viii of þe ſones of Saphacie, Zebedie, þe ſone of Mycael,
and wiþ him foureſcore men;
ix of þe ſones of Joab, Obedie, þe ſone of Jehiel, and
wiþ him two hundrid and eiȝtene men;
x of þe ſones of Salomyth, þe ſone of Joſphie, and wiþ
hym an hundrid and ſixti men; of þe ſones of Belbai,
xi Zacarie, þe ſone of Belbai, and wiþ hym twenti and
eiȝte men;
xii of þe ſones of Ezead, Johannam, þe ſone of Ezethan,
and wiþ hym an hundrid and ten men;
xiii of þe ſones of Adonycam, þat weren þe laſte, and
þeſe ben þe names of hem, Eliphelech, and Eihel, and
Samaie, and wiþ hem weren ſexti men;
xiiii of þe ſones of Beguy, Vtai, and Zaccur, and wiþ
hem weren ſeuenti men.
xv Forſoþe Y gaderide hem togidere at þe flood, þat
renneþ doun to Hanna; and we dwelliden þere þre daies.
And `Y ſouȝte in þe puple, and in þe preſtis of þe ſonus
of Leuy, and Y fonde not þere.
xvi Þerfor Y ſente Eliezer, and Ariehel, and Semeam,
and Helnathan, and Jaubeth, and an oþer Helnathan,
and Nathan, and Zacharie, and Meſollam, princes; and
Joarib, and Elnathan, wiſe men;
xvii and Y ſente hem to Heldo, which is `þe firſte in þe
place of Caſphie, and Y puttide in þe mouþ of hem
wordis, whiche þei ſchulden ſpeke to Heldo, and to hiſe
briþeren, Natynneis, in þe place of Caſphie, for to
brynge to vs þe mynyſtris of þe hows of oure God.
xviii And `þei brouȝten to vs, bi þe good hoond of oure
God on vs, a ful wijs man of þe ſones of Mooli, þe ſone
of Leuy, ſone of Iſrael; and Sarabie, and his ſones
twenti, and his briþeren eiȝtene;
xix and Azabie, and Iſaie, wiþ him of þe ſones of Merari,
þei brouȝten his briþeren, and his ſones, twenti;
xx and of Nathynneis, whiche Dauid and þe princis
hadden ȝoue to þe ſeruyces of dekenes, þei brouȝten
two hundrid and twenti Nathynneis; alle þeſe weren
clepid bi her names.
xxi And `Y prechide þere faſtyng biſidis þe flood of
Hanna, þat we ſchulden be turmentid bifor `oure Lord
God, and þat we ſchulden axe of him þe riȝtful weie to
vs, and to oure ſones, and to al oure catel.
xxii For Y ſchamede to axe of þe kyng help, and horſe
men, þat ſchulden defende vs fro enemyes in þe weie,
for we hadden ſeid to þe king, Þe hond of oure God is
on alle men þat ſeken hym in goodneſſe; and his
lordſchip, and his ſtrengþe, and ſtrong veniaunce ben on
alle men þat forſaken hym.
xxiii Forſoþe we faſtiden, and preieden oure God for þis
þing, and it bifelde to vs `bi proſperite.
xxiiii And `Y departide twelue of þe princes of preſtis,
Sarabie, and Aſabie, and ten of her briþeren wiþ hem;
xxv and Y bitook vndur certeyn weiȝte and noumbre to
hem þe ſiluer and gold, and þe halewid veſſels of þe
hows of oure God, whiche þe kyng hadde offrid, and
hiſe counſeleris, and hiſe princes, and `al Iſrael, of hem
þat weren foundun.
xxvi And Y bitook vndur certeyn weiȝte and noumbre in
þe hondis of hem ſixe hundrid and fifti talentis of ſiluer,
and an hundrid ſiluerne veſſels; an hundrid talentis of
gold,
xxvii and twenti goldun cuppis, þat hadden a þouſynde
peeſis of gold; and twei faire veſſels of beſt bras,
ſchynynge as gold.
xxviii And Y ſeide to hem, Ȝe ben þe hooli men of þe
Lord,
xxix and wake ȝe, and kepe þe hooli veſſels, and ſiluer
and gold, which is offrid bi fre wille to þe Lord God of
oure fadris, til ȝe ȝelde vndur certeyn weiȝte and
noumbre biforþ princes of preſtis, and of dekenes, and
bifor þe duykis of meynees of Iſrael in Jeruſalem, in to
þe treſour of Goddis hows.
xxx Soþeli þe preeſtis and dekenes token þe weiȝte of
ſiluer, and of gold, and of veſſels, for to bere in to
Jeruſalem, in to þe hows of oure God.
xxxi Þerfor we mouyden forþ fro þe flood of Hanna, in
þe twelueþe dai of þe firſte moneþe, for to go in to
Jeruſalem; and þe hond of oure God was on vs, and
delyuerde vs fro þe hond of enemye and of aſpiere in þe
weie.
xxxii And we camen to Jeruſalem, and we dwelliden
þere þre daies.
xxxiii Forſoþe in þe fourþe dai þe ſiluer was ȝoldun
vndur certeyn weiȝte and noumbre, and þe gold, and þe
veſſels, `in þe hows of oure God, by þe noumbre and
weiȝte of alle þingis, bi þe hond of Remmoth, `ſone of
CDXIII
Vrie, preeſt; and wiþ him was Eleazar, þe ſone of
Phynees, and wiþ him weren Jozaded, þe ſone of Joſue,
and Noadaie, þe ſone of Bennoy, dekenes;
xxxiiii and al þe weiȝte was diſcriued in þat tyme.
xxxv But alſo þe ſones of tranſmygracioun, þat camen fro
caitifte, offriden brent ſacrifices to þe Lord God of
Iſrael, `twelue calues for al þe puple of Iſrael, nynti and
ſixe rammes, ſeuene and ſeuenti lambren, twelue buckis
of geet for ſynne; alle þingis in to brent ſacrifice to þe
Lord.
xxxvi Forſoþe þei ȝauen þe comaundementis of þe kyng
to þe princes, þat weren of þe ſiȝt of þe king, and to þe
duykis biȝende þe flood; and þei reiſiden þe puple, and
þe hows of God.
CAP. IX
i Forſoþe after þat þeſe þingis weren fillid, þe princes
neiȝeden to me, and ſeiden, Þe puple of Iſrael, and þe
preſtis, and dekenes, ben not depertid fro þe `puplis of
londis, and fro abhominaciouns of hem, þat is, of
Cananei, of Ethei, and of Phereſei, and of Jebuſei, and
of Amonytis, and of Moabitis, and of Egipcians, and of
Ammorreis.
ii For þei han take `of her douȝtris wyues to hem ſilf,
and to her ſones, and þei han medlid hooli ſeed wiþ þe
puplis of londis; alſo þe hond of princes and of
magiſtratis was þe firſte in þis treſpaſſyng.
iii And whanne Y hadde herd þis word, Y torente my
mentil and coote, and Y pullide awei þe heeris of myn
heed and berd, and Y ſat morenynge.
iiii Forſoþe alle þat dredden þe word of God of Iſrael
camen togidere to me, for þe treſpaſſyng of hem þat
weren comun fro caitifte; and Y ſat ſori `til to þe
ſacrifice of euentid.
v And in þe ſacrifice of euentid Y roos fro myn
afflicioun, and aftir þat Y to-rente þe mentil and coote,
Y bowide my knees, and I ſpredde abrood myn hondis
to `my Lord God,
vi and Y ſeide, My God, Y am confoundid and aſchamed
to reiſe my face to þee, for oure wickidneſſis ben
multiplied `on myn heed, and oure treſpaſſis
encreeſſiden `til to heuene,
vii fro þe daies of oure fadris; but alſo we vs ſilf han
ſynned greuouſli `til to þis dai, and for our wickidneſſis
we, and oure kyngis, and oure preſtis ben bitakun in þe
hondis of kyngis of londis, boþe in to ſwerd, and in to
caitifte, in to raueyn, and in to ſchenſhip of cheer, as
alſo in þis dai.
viii And now as at a litil and at a moment oure preier is
maad anentis `oure Lord God, þat relikis ſchulden be
left to vs, and þat `his pees ſchulde be ȝouun in his hooli
place, and þat oure God ſchulde liȝtne oure iȝen, and
ȝyue to vs a litil lijf in oure ſeruage.
ix For we ben ſeruauntis, and oure God forſoke vs not in
oure ſeruage; and he bowide merci on vs bifor þe king
of Perſis, þat he ſchulde ȝyue lijf to vs, and enhaunſe þe
hows of oure God, and þat he ſchulde bilde þe
wilderneſſis þerof, and ȝyue to vs hope in Juda and in
Jeruſalem.
x And now, `oure Lord God, what ſchulen we ſeie after
þeſe þingis? For we han forſake þi comaundementis,
xi whiche þou comaundidiſt in þe hond of þi ſeruauntis
profetis, and ſeidiſt, Þe lond, to which ȝe ſchulen entre,
to holde it in poſſeſſioun, is an vnclene lond, bi þe
vnclenneſſe of puplis, and of oþere londis, in þe
abhomynaciouns of hem, þat filliden it wiþ her
defoulyng, fro þe mouþ `til to þe mouþ.
xii Now þerfor ȝiue ȝe not ȝoure douȝtris to her ſones,
and take ȝe not her douȝtris to ȝoure ſones; and ſeke ȝe
not þe pees of hem and þe proſperite `of hem `til in to
wiþ outen ende; þat ȝe be coumfortid, and ete þe
goodis, þat ben of þe lond, and þat ȝe haue eiris, ȝoure
ſones, `til in to `þe world.
xiii And after alle þingis þat camen on vs in oure werſte
werkis, and in oure grete treſpas, for þou, oure God, haſt
delyuered vs fro oure wickidneſſe, and haſt ȝoue helþe
to vs,
xiiii as `it is to dai, þat we ſchulden not be turned, and
make voide þi comaundementis, and þat we ſchulden
not ioyne matrimonyes wiþ þe puplis of þeſe
abhomynacouns. Wheþer þou art wrooþ to vs `til to þe
endyng, þat þou ſchuldiſt not leeue to us remenauntis,
and helþe?
xv Lord God of Iſrael, þou art iuſt; for we ben left, þat
ſchulden be ſauyd as in þis day, lo! we ben bifor þee in
oure ſynne; for me may `not ſtonde bifor þee on þis
þing.
CAP. X
i Þerfor while Eſdras preiede ſo, and biſouȝte God, and
wepte, and lai bifor þe temple of God, a ful greet
cumpenye of Iſrael, of men, and of wymmen, and of
children, was gaderid to him; and þe puple wepte bi
myche weping.
ii And Sechenye, þe ſone of Jehiel, of þe ſones of
Helam, anſweride, and ſeide to Eſdras, We han
treſpaſſide aȝens oure God, and han weddid wyues,
alien wymmen, of `þe puplis of þe lond. And now, for
penaunce is in Iſrael on þis þing,
iii ſmyte we boond of pees wiþ `oure Lord God, and
caſte we awei alle `wyues aliens, and hem þat ben
borun of þo wyues, bi þe wille of þe Lord; and of hem
þat dreden þe comaundement of oure God, `be it don bi
þe lawe.
iiii Riſe þou, it `is þin office to deme, and we ſchulen be
wiþ þee; be þou coumfortid, and do.
CDXIV
v Þerfor Eſdras roos, and chargide greetli þe princes of
preſtis, and of dekenes, and of al Iſrael, to do after þis
word; and þei ſworen.
vi And Eſdras roos bifor þe hows of God, and he ȝede to
þe bed of Johannan, ſone of Eliaſiph, and entride þidur;
he eet not breed, and drank not watir; for he biweilide
þe treſpaſſing of hem, þat weren comun fro þe caitifte.
vii And a vois of hem was ſent in to Juda and Jeruſalem,
to alle þe ſones of tranſmygracioun, þat þei ſchulden be
gaderid in to Jeruſalem;
viii and ech man þat comeþ not in þre daies, bi þe
counſel of þe princes and of eldre men, al his catel ſchal
be takun awey fro him, and he ſchal be caſt awei fro þe
cumpeny of tranſmygracioun.
ix Þerfor alle þe men of Juda and of Beniamyn camen
togidere in to Jeruſalem in þre daies; þilke is þe nynþe
moneþe, in þe twentiþe dai of þe moneþe; and al þe
puple ſat in `þe ſtreet of Goddis hows, and trembliden
for ſynne and reyn.
x And Eſdras, þe preeſt, roos, and ſeide to hem, Ȝe han
treſpaſſid, and han weddid wyues, alien wymmen, þat ȝe
ſchulden `leie to on þe treſpas of Iſrael.
xi And now ȝyue ȝe knowlechyng to þe Lord God of
oure fadris, and do ȝe his pleaſaunce, and be ȝe departid
fro þe puplis of þe lond, and fro `wyues aliens.
xii And al þe multitude anſweride, and ſeide wiþ greet
vois, Bi þi word to vs, ſo be it doon.
xiii Neþeles for þe puple is myche, and þe tyme of reyn
is, and we ſuffren not to ſtonde wiþoutforþ, and it is not
werk of o dai, neþer of tweyne; for we han ſynned
greetli in þis word;
xiiii `princes be ordeyned in al þe multitude, and alle
men in oure citees, þat han weddid `wyues aliens, come
in tymes ordeyned, and wiþ hem come þe eldere men,
bi citee and citee, and þe iugis þerof, til þe ire of oure
God be turned awei fro vs on þis ſynne.
xv Þerfor Jonathan, þe ſone of Aſahel, and Jaazie, þe
ſone of Thecue, ſtoden on þis þing; and Moſollam, and
Sebethai, dekenes, helpiden hem.
xvi And þe ſones of tranſmygracioun diden ſo. And
Eſdras, þe preſt, and men, princes of meynees, ȝeden
into þe howſis of her fadris, and alle men bi her names;
and þei ſaten in þe firſte dai of þe tenþe moneþe, for to
ſeke þe þing.
xvii And alle men weren endid, þat hadden weddid
`wyues aliens, `til to þe firſte dai of þe firſte moneþe.
xviii And þere weren foundun of þe ſones of preeſtis, þat
weddiden `wyues aliens; of þe ſones of Joſue, þe ſone of
Joſedech, and hiſe briþeren, Maaſie, and Eliezer, and
Jarib, and Godolie.
xix And þei ȝauen her hondis, þat þei ſchulden caſte out
her wyues, and offre for her treſpas a ram of þe ſcheep.
xx And of þe ſones of Semmer; Anam, and Zebedie.
xxi And of þe ſones of Serym; Maaſie, and Helie, and
Semeie, and Jehiel, and Ozie.
xxii And of þe ſones of Pheſſur; Helioneai, Maaſie,
Hiſmael, Nathanael, and Jozabet, and Elaſa.
xxiii And of þe ſones of dekenes; Joſabeth, and Semey,
and Elaie; he is Calithaphataie; Juda, and Elezer.
xxiiii And of ſyngeris, Eliazub; and of porteris, Sellum,
and Thellem, and Vry.
xxv And of Iſrael, of þe ſones of Pharos; Remea, and
Ezia, and Melchia, and Vnanym, and Eliezer, and
Melchia, and Banea.
xxvi And of þe ſones of Elam; Mathanye, and Zacharie,
and Jehil, and Abdi, and Rymoth, and Helia.
xxvii And of þe ſones of Zechua; Helioneay, Heliaſib,
Mathanye, and Jerymuth, and Zaeth, and Aziza.
xxviii And of þe ſones of Bebai; Johannan, Ananye,
Zabbai, Athalia.
xxix And of þe ſones of Beny; Moſallam, and Melue,
and Azaie, Jaſub, and Saal, and Ramoth.
xxx And of þe ſones of Phaeth; Moab, Edua, and Calal,
Banaie, and Maſſie, Mathanye, Beſeleel, and Bennun,
and Manaſſe.
xxxi And of þe ſones of Erem; Elieer, Jeſue, Melchie,
Semeye, Symeon, Beniamyn, Maloth, Samarie.
xxxii And of þe ſones of Aſom; Mathanai, Mathetha,
xxxiii Zabeth, Eliphelech, Jermai, Manaſſe, Semei.
xxxiiii Of þe ſones of Bany; Maddi, Amram,
xxxv and Huel, Baneas, and Badaie, Cheilian,
xxxvi Biamna, Marymuth, and Eliaſiph, Mathanye,
xxxvii and Jaſy, and Bany, and Bennan,
xxxix and Semei, and Salymas, and Nathan, and Daias,
xl Metuedabai, Siſai, Sarai, Ezrel,
xli and Seloman, Semerie, Sellum,
xlii Amarie, Joſeph.
xliii Of þe ſones of Nebny; Aiel, Mathatie, Zabed,
Zabina, Jebdu, and Johel, Banai.
xliiii Alle þeſe hadden take `wyues aliens, and of hem
weren wymmen, þat hadden bore children.
Here eendiþ þe firſte book of Eſdras, and here
bigynneþ þe ſecound book.

CDXV

II ESDRE
Here bigynneþ þe ſecounde book of Eſdre.
CAP. I
i Þe wordis of Neemye, þe ſone of Helchie. And it was
doon in þe moneþe Caſleu, in þe twentiþe ȝeer, and Y
was in þe caſtel Suſis;
ii and Ananye, oon of my briþeren, cam to me, he and
men of Juda; and Y axide hem of þe Jewis, þat weren
left, and weren alyue of þe caitifte, and of Jeruſalem.
iii And þei ſeiden to me, Þei þat `dwelliden, and ben left
of þe caitifte þere in þe prouynce, ben in greet turment,
and in ſchenſhip; and þe wal of Jeruſalem is deſtried,
and þe ȝatis þerof ben brent wiþ fier.
iiii And whanne Y hadde herd ſiche wordis, Y ſat and
wepte, and morenede many daies, and Y faſtide, and
preiede bifor þe face of God of heuene;
v and Y ſeide, Y biſeche, Lord God of heuene, ſtrong,
greet, and ferdful, which kepiſt couenaunt and merci
wiþ hem, þat louen þee, and kepen þin heeſtis;
vi þin eere be maad herknynge, and þin iȝen openyd, þat
þou here þe preier of þi ſeruaunt, bi which Y preie bifor
þee `to dai, bi nyȝt and dai, for þe ſones of Iſrael, þi
ſeruauntis, and `Y knouleche for þe ſynnes of þe ſones
of Iſrael, bi which þei han ſynned to þee; boþe Y and þe
hows of my fadir han ſynned; we weren diſſeyued bi
vanyte,
vii and we `kepten not `þi comaundement, and
cerymonyes, and domes, which þou comaundidiſt to
Moiſes, þi ſeruaunt.
viii Haue mynde of þe word, which þou comaundidiſt to
þi ſeruaunt Moiſes, and ſeidiſt, Whanne ȝe han
treſpaſſid, Y ſchal ſcatere ȝou in to puplis;
ix and if ȝe turnen aȝen to me, þat ȝe kepe myn heeſtis,
and do þo, ȝhe, þouȝ ȝe ben led awei to þe ferþeſte
þingis of heuene, fro þennus Y ſchal gadere ȝou
togidere, and Y ſchal brynge ȝou in to þe place, which Y
chees, þat my name ſchulde dwelle þere.
x And we ben þi ſeruauntis, and þi puple, whiche þou
`aȝen bouȝtiſt in þi greet ſtrengþe, and in þi ſtrong hond.
xi Lord, Y biſeche, `þin eere be ententif to þe preier of þi
ſeruaunt, and to þe preier of þi ſeruauntis, þat wolen
drede þi name; and dreſſe þi ſeruaunt to dai, and ȝiue
þou merci to him bifor þis man. For Y was þe boteler of
þe kyng.
CAP. II
i Forſoþe it was doon in þe moneþe Nyſan, in þe
twentiþe ȝeer of Artaxerſes, kyng, and wyn was bifor
hym, and Y reyſide þe wyn, and ȝaf to þe kyng, and Y
was as langwiſchynge bifor his face.
CDXVI
ii And þe kyng ſeide to me, Whi is þi cheer ſory, ſiþen Y
ſe not þee ſijk? Þis is not wiþout cauſe; but `yuel, Y not
what, is in þin herte. And Y dredde ful greetli;
iii and ſeide to þe kyng, Kyng, lyue þou wiþouten ende;
whi moreneþ not my cheer? for þe citee of þe hows of
þe ſepulcris of my fadir is deſert, `eþer forſakun, and þe
ȝatis þerof ben brent wiþ fier.
iiii And þe kyng ſeide to me, For what þing axiſt þou?
And Y preiede God of heuene,
v and ſeide to þe kyng, If it ſemeþ good to þe kyng, and
if it pleſiþ þi ſeruauntis bifor þi face, Y biſeche, þat þou
ſende me in to Judee, to þe citee of þe ſepulcre of my
fadir, and Y ſchal bilde it.
vi And þe kyng ſeide to me, and þe queen ſat biſidis
him, `Til to what tyme ſchal þi weie be, and whanne
ſchalt þou turne aȝen? And Y pleſide `bifor þe cheer of
þe kyng, and he ſente me, and Y ordeynede to hym a
time;
vii and Y ſeide to `þe kyng, If it ſemeþ good to kyng,
ȝyue he piſtlis to me to þe duykis of þe cuntrey biȝende
þe flood, þat þei lede me ouer, til Y come in to Judee;
viii `and a piſtle to Aſaph, kepere of þe kyngis foreſt, þat
he ȝyue trees to me, þat Y may hile þe ȝatis of þe tour of
þe hows, and of þe wal of þe citee, and þe hows, into
which Y ſchal entre. And `þe kyng ȝaf to me, bi þe good
hond of my God wiþ me.
ix And Y cam to þe duykis of þe cuntrei biȝende þe
flood, and Y ȝaf to hem þe piſtlis of þe kyng. Soþeli þe
kyng `hadde ſent wiþ me þe princes of knyȝtis, and
horſemen.
x And Sanaballath Oronythes, and Tobie, þe ſeruaunt
Amanytes, herden, and þei weren ſoreuful bi greet
turment, for a man was comun, þat ſouȝte proſperite of
þe ſones of Iſrael.
xi And Y cam in to Jeruſalem, and Y was þere þre daies.
xii And Y roos bi nyȝt, Y and a fewe men wiþ me, and Y
ſchewide not to ony man, what þing God hadde ȝoue in
myn herte, þat Y wolde do in Jeruſalem; and no werk
beeſt was wiþ me, no but þe beeſte, `on which Y ſat.
xiii And Y ȝede out bi þe ȝate of þe valei bi nyȝt, and
bifor þe welle of dragoun, and to þe ȝat of drit; and Y
bihelde þe wal of Jeruſalem diſtried, and þe ȝatis þerof
waſtid bi fier.
xiiii And Y paſſid to þe ȝate of þe welle, and to þe watir
cundit of þe kyng, and no place was to þe hors, `on
which Y ſat `for to paſſe;
xv and Y ſtiede bi þe ſtronde `in nyȝt, and Y bihelde þe
wal, and Y turnede aȝen, and cam to þe ȝate of þe valei,
and Y ȝede aȝen.
xvi Forſoþe þe magiſtratis wiſten not, whidir Y hadde go,
eþir what Y wolde do; but alſo Y hadde not ſchewid ony
þing to þe Jewis, and preſtis, and to þe beſt men, and
mageſtratis, and to oþere men þat maden þe werk, `til to
þat `place, þat is, til to þat tyme.
xvii And Y ſeide to hem, Ȝe knowen þe turment, in
which we ben, for Jeruſalem is deſeert, and þe ȝatis
þerof ben waſtid wiþ fier; come ȝe, bilde we þe wallis
of Jeruſalem, and be we no more ſchenſhip.
xviii And Y ſchewide to hem þe hond of my God, þat it
was good wiþ me, and þe wordis of þe kyng, whiche he
ſpak to me; and Y ſeide, Riſe we, and bilde we; and þe
hondis of hem weren coumfortid in good.
xix Forſoþe Sanballath Oronytes, and Tobie, þe ſeruaunt
Amanytes, and Goſem Arabs, herden, and ſcorneden vs,
and diſpiſiden; and ſeiden, What is þis þing, which ȝe
doon? wheþer ȝe rebellen aȝens þe kyng?
xx And Y ȝeldide to hem a word, and ſeide to hem, God
hym ſilf of heuene helpiþ vs, and we ben hiſe
ſeruauntis; riſe we, and bilde; forſoþe part and
riȝtfulneſſe and mynde in Jeruſalem is not to ȝou.
CAP. III
i And Eliaſiph, þe greet preeſt, roos, and hiſe briþeren,
and preſtis, and þei bildiden þe ȝate of þe floc; þei
maden it ſtidfaſt; and ſettiden þe ȝatis þerof, and `til to
þe tour of an hundrid cubitis, þei maden it ſtidfaſt, `til to
þe tour of Ananehel.
ii And biſidis hym þe men of Jerico bildiden; and biſidis
hem Zaccur, þe ſone of Amry, bildide.
iii Forſoþe þe ſones of Aſamaa bildiden þe ȝatis of
fiſchis; þei hiliden it, and ſettiden þe ȝatis þerof, and
lockis, and barris. And Marymuth, ſone of Vrye, þe ſone
of Accus, bildide biſidis hem.
iiii And Moſolla, ſone of Barachie, þe ſone of Meſeze,
bildide biſidis hym. And Sadoch, þe ſone of Baana,
bildide biſidis him.
v And men of Thecue bildiden biſidis hym; but þe
principal men of hem puttiden not her neckis vndur in
þe werk of her Lord God.
vi And Joiada, þe ſone of Phaſea, and Moſollam, þe ſone
of Beſoyda, bildiden þe elde ȝate; þei hiliden it, and
ſettiden þe ȝatis þerof, and lockis, and barris.
vii And Melchie Gabaonyte, and Jaddon Methonatite,
men of Gabaon and of Maſpha, bildiden biſidis hem, for
þe duyk þat was in þe cuntrei biȝende þe flood.
viii And Eziel, goldſmyȝt, þe ſone of Araie, bildide
biſidis hym; and Annany, þe ſone of `a makere of
oynement, bildide biſidis him; and þei leften Jeruſalem
`til to þe wal of þe largere ſtreet.
ix And Raphaie, þe ſone of Hahul, prince of a ſtreet of
Jeruſalem, bildide biſidis him.
x And Jeieda, þe ſone of Aramath, bildide biſidis him
aȝens his owne hous; and Accus, þe ſone of Aſebonye,
bildide biſidis hym.
xi Forſoþe Melchie, þe ſone of Herem, and Aſub, þe ſone
of Phet Moab, bildiden þe half part of þe ſtreet, and þe
tour of ouenys.
CDXVII
xii Sellum, þe ſone of Aloes, prince of þe half part of a
ſtreet of Jeruſalem, bildide biſidis hym, he and hiſe
ſones.
xiii And Amram, and þe dwelleris of Zanoe, bildiden þe
ȝate of þe valei; þei bildiden it, and ſettiden þe ȝatis
þerof, and lockis, and barris þerof; and þei bildiden a
þouſynde cubitis in þe wal `til to þe ȝate of þe dunghil.
xiiii And Melchie, þe ſone of Rechab, prynce of a ſtreet
of Bethacarem, bildide þe ȝate of þe dunghil; he bildide
it, and ſettide, and hilide þe ȝatis þerof, and lockis, and
barris.
xv And Sellum, þe ſone of Colozai, prince of a toun
Maſpha, bildide þe ȝate of þe welle; he bildide it, and
hilide, and ſettide þe ȝatis þerof, and lockis, and barris;
and he bildide þe wallis of þe ciſterne of Ciloe `til in to
þe orchard of þe kyng, and `til to þe greces of þe kyng,
þat comen doun fro þe citee of Dauid.
xvi Nemye, þe ſone of Azboch, prince of þe half part of
þe ſtreet of Bethſury, bildide after hym til aȝens þe
ſepulcre of Dauid, and `til to þe ciſterne, which is
bildide wiþ greet werk, and `til to þe hous of ſtronge
men.
xvii Dekenes bildiden after hym; and Reum, þe ſone of
Beny, bildide aftir hem. Aſebie, þe prince of half part of
þe ſtreet of Cheile, bildide in his ſtreet aftir hym.
xviii Þe briþeren of hem, Bethyn, þe ſone of Enadab,
prince of þe half part of Cheyla, bildiden after hym.
xix And Aſer, þe ſone of Joſue, prince of Maſpha, bildide
biſidis hym þe ſecounde meſure aȝens þe ſtiyng of þe
`mooſt ſtidefaſt corner.
xx Baruch, þe ſone of Zachay, bildide aftir hym in þe hil
þe ſecounde meſure fro þe corner `til to þe ȝate of þe
hows of Eliaſiph, þe greet preſt.
xxi Marymuth, þe ſone of Vrie, ſone of Zaccur, bildide
after hym þe ſecounde meſure fro þe ȝate of Eliaſiph, as
fer as þe hows of Eliaſiph was ſtretchid forþ.
xxii And preſtis, men of þe feeldi places of Jordan,
bildiden aftir hym.
xxiii Beniamyn and Aſub bildiden after hem aȝens her
hows; and Azarie, þe ſone of Maaſie, ſone of Ananye,
bildide aftir hym aȝens his owne hows.
xxiiii Bennuy, þe ſone of Senadad, bildide after hym þe
ſecounde meſure fro þe hows of Azarie `til to þe
bowyng and `til to þe corner.
xxv Phalel, þe ſone of Ozi, bildide aȝens þe bowyng, and
þe tour þat ſtondiþ forþ, fro þe hiȝ hows of þe kyng, þat
is in þe large place of þe priſoun; Phadaie, þe ſone of
Pheros, bildide after hym.
xxvi Forſoþe Nathynneis dwelliden in Ophel til aȝens þe
ȝate of watris at þe eeſt, and þe tour þat apperide.
xxvii Aftir hym men of Thecue bildiden þe ſecounde
meſure euene aȝens, fro þe greet tour and apperynge `til
to þe wal of þe temple.
xxviii Forſoþe preſtis bildiden aboue at þe ȝate of horſis,
ech man aȝens his hows. Seddo, þe ſone of Enner,
bildide aȝens his hows aftir hem.
xxix And Semeie, þe ſone of Sechenye, þe kepere of þe
eeſt ȝate, bildide after hym.
xxx Ananye, þe ſone of Selemye, and Anon, þe ſixte
ſone of Selon, bildide aftir hym þe ſecounde meſure.
Moſallam, þe ſone of Barachie, bildide aȝenus his
treſorie after hym. Melchie, þe ſone of a goldſmiȝt,
bildide aftir hym `til to þe hows of Nathynneis, and of
men ſillynge ſcheldis aȝens þe ȝate of iugis, and `til to
þe ſoler of þe corner.
xxxi And crafti men and marchauntis bildiden wiþ ynne
þe ſoler of þe corner and þe ȝate of þe kyng.
CAP. IIII
i Forſoþe it was doon, whanne Sanaballath hadde herd,
þat we bildiden þe wal, he was ful wrooþ, and he was
ſtirid greetli, and ſcornede þe Jewis.
ii And he ſeide bifor hiſe briþeren, and þe multitude of
Samaritans, What doen þe feble Jewis? Wheþer heþene
men ſchulen ſuffre hem? Wheþer þei ſchulen fille, and
make ſacrifice in o dai? Wheþer þei moun bilde ſtonys
of þe heepis of þe duſt, þat ben brent?
iii But alſo Tobie Amanytes, his neiȝbore, ſeide, Bilde
þei; if a fox ſtieþ, he ſchal `ſkippe ouer þe ſtony wal `of
hem.
iiii And Neemye ſeide, Oure God, here þou, for we ben
maad diſpiſing; turne þou þe ſchenſchip on her heed,
and ȝyue þou hem in to diſpiſyng in þe lond of caytifte;
v hile þou not þe wickidneſſe of hem, and her ſynnes be
not doon awei bifor þi face; for þei ſcorneden bilderis.
vi Þerfor we bildiden þe wal, and ioyneden togidere al
`til to þe half part, and þe herte of þe puple was exitid to
worche.
vii Forſoþe it was doon, whanne Sanaballat `hadde herd,
and Tobie, and Arabiens, and Amanytys, and men of
Azotus hadden herd, þat þe brekyng of þe wal of
Jeruſalem was ſtoppid, and þat þe craſyngis hadden
bigunne to be cloſid togidere, þei weren ful wroþe.
viii And alle weren gaderid togidere to come and fiȝte
aȝens Jeruſalem, and to caſte treſouns.
ix And we preieden oure Lord God, and we ſettiden
keperis on þe wal bi dai and niȝt aȝens hem.
x Forſoþe Juda ſeide, Þe ſtrengþe of þe berere is maad
feble, and þe erþe is ful myche, and we moun not bilde
þe wal.
xi And oure enemyes ſeiden, Wite þei not, and knowe
þei not, til we comen in to þe myddil of hem, and ſleen
hem, and maken þe werk to ceeſſe.
xii Forſoþe it was doon, whanne Jewis came, þat
dwelliden biſidis hem, and ſeiden to vs `bi ten tymes,
fro alle places fro whiche þei camen to vs,
CDXVIII
xiii Y ordeynede þe puple in ordre, wiþ her ſwerdis, and
ſperis, and bouwis, in a place bihynde þe wal bi
cumpas.
xiiii Y bihelde, and roos, and ſeide to þe principal men,
and magiſtratis, and to `þe toþer part of þe comyn
puple, Nyle ȝe drede of her face; haue ȝe mynde of þe
greet Lord, and ferdful, and fiȝte ȝe for ȝoure briþeren,
and ȝoure ſones, and ȝoure douȝtris, for ȝoure wyues,
and houſis.
xv Forſoþe it was doon, whanne oure enemyes hadden
herd þat it was teld to vs, God diſtriede her counſel; and
alle we turneden aȝen to þe wallis, ech man to his werk.
xvi And it was doon fro þat dai, þe half part of ȝonge
men made werk, and þe half part was redi to batel; `and
ſperis, and ſcheldis, and bouwis, and harburiouns, and
princes aftir hem, in al þe hows of men of Juda,
xvii bildynge in þe wal, and berynge birþuns, and
puttynge on; wiþ her oon hond þei maden werk, and
wiþ þe toþer þei helden ſwerd.
xviii For ech of þe bilderis was gird wiþ þe ſwerd on þe
reynes; and þei bildiden, and ſowneden wiþ clariouns
biſidis me.
xix And Y ſeide to þe principal men, and magiſtratis, and
to þe toþir part of þe comyn puple, Þe werk is greet and
brood, and we ben departid fer in þe wal, oon from
anoþir;
xx in what euer place ȝe heren þe ſown of þe trumpe,
renne ȝe togidere þidur to vs; for oure God ſchal fiȝte
for vs.
xxi And we `vs ſilf ſchal make þe werk, and þe half part
of vs holde ſperis, fro `þe ſtiyng of þe moreutid til þat
ſterris go out.
xxii And `in þat tyme Y ſeide to þe puple, Ech man wiþ
his child dwelle in þe myddil of Jeruſalem, and whilis
be to vs `bi nyȝt and dai to worche.
xxiii But Y, and my briþeren, and my keperis, and
children, þat weren after me, diden not of oure cloþis;
ech man was maad nakid oneli to waiſchyng.
CAP. V
i And greet cry of þe puple and of her wyues was maad
aȝens her briþeren Jewis.
ii And þere weren þat ſeiden, Oure ſones and oure
douȝtris ben ful manye; take we wheete for þe prijs of
hem, and ete we, and lyue.
iii And þere weren þat ſeiden, Sette we forþ oure feeldis,
and vyneris, and oure howſis, and take we wheete in
hungur.
iiii And oþere men ſeiden, Take we money bi borewyng
in to þe tributis of þe kyng, and ȝyue oure feeldis and
vyneris.
v And now as þe fleiſchis of oure briþeren ben, ſo and
oure fleiſchis ben; and as ben þe ſones of hem, ſo and
oure ſones ben; lo! we han maad ſuget oure ſones and
oure douȝtris in to ſeruage, and ſeruauntiſſis ben of oure
douȝtris, and we han not wherof þei moun be
aȝenbouȝt; and oþere men han in poſſeſſioun oure
feeldis, and oure vyneris.
vi And Y was ful wrooþ, whanne Y hadde herde þe cry
of hem bi þeſe wordis.
vii And myn herte þouȝte wiþ me, and Y blamede þe
principal men and magiſtratis; and Y ſeide to hem, Axe
ȝe not vſuris, `ech man of ȝoure briþeren. And Y
gaderide togidire a greet cumpeny aȝens hem,
viii and Y ſeide to hem, As ȝe witen, we bi oure power
aȝenbouȝten oure briþeren Jewis, þat weren ſeeld to
heþene men; and ȝe þerfor ſillen ȝoure briþeren, and
ſchulen we aȝenbie hem? And þei holden ſilence, and
founden not what þei ſchulen anſwere.
ix And Y ſeide to hem, It is not good þing, which ȝe
doon; whi goen ȝe not in þe drede of oure God, and
repreef be not ſeid to vs of heþene men, oure enemyes?
x Boþe Y and my briþeren, and my children, han lent to
ful many men monei and wheete; in comyn axe we not
þis aȝen; forȝyue we alien money, which is due to vs.
xi Ȝelde ȝe to hem to dai her feeldis, and her vyneris,
her olyue places, and her houſis; but raþer ȝyue ȝe for
hem boþe þe hundrid part `of money of wheete, of wyn,
and of oile, which we weren wont to take of hem.
xii And þei ſeiden, We ſchulen ȝelde, and we ſchulen axe
no þing of hem; and we ſchulen do ſo as þou ſpekiſt.
And Y clepide þe preeſtis, and Y made hem to ſwere,
þat þei ſchulden do aftir þat, þat Y hadde ſeid.
xiii Ferþermore Y ſchook my boſum, and Y ſeide, So
God ſchake awei ech man, `þat filliþ not þis word fro
his hows, and hiſe trauels; and be he ſchakun awei, and
be he maad voide. And al þe multitude ſeide, Amen; and
þei herieden God. Þerfor þe puple dide, as it was ſeid.
xiiii Forſoþe fro þat dai in which þe kyng hadde
comaundid to me, þat Y ſchulde be duyk in þe lond of
Juda, fro þe twentiþe ȝeer `til to þe two and þrettiþe
ȝeer of Artaxerſes kyng, bi twelue ȝeer, Y and my
briþeren eeten not ſuſtenauncis, þat weren due to
duykis.
xv But þe firſte duykis, þat weren bifor me, greuyden þe
puple, and token of hem in breed, and in wiyn, and in
monei, ech dai fourti ſiclis; but alſo her myniſtris
oppreſſiden þe puple. Forſoþe Y dide not ſo, for þe
drede of God;
xvi but raþer Y bildide in þe werk of þe wal, and Y
bouȝte no feeld, and alle my children weren gaderid to
þe werk.
xvii Alſo `Jewis and þe magiſtratis of hem, an hundrid
and fifti men; and þei þat camen to me fro heþene men,
þat ben in oure cumpas, weren in my table.
xviii Forſoþe bi ech dai oon oxe was maad redi to me,
ſixe choſun weþeris, outakun volatils, and wiþynne ten
CDXIX
daies dyuerſe wynes; and Y ȝaf many oþere þingis;
ferþermore and Y axide not þe ſuſtenauncis of my
duchee; for þe puple was maad ful pore.
xix My God, haue þou mynde of me in to good, bi alle
þingis whiche Y dide to þis puple.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe it was doon, whanne Sanaballath hadde herd,
and Tobie, and Goſem of Arabie, and oure oþer
enemyes, þat Y hadde bildide þe wal, and nomore
brekyng was þerynne; ſoþeli `til to þat tyme Y hadde
not ſet leeuys of ſchittyng in þe ȝatis;
ii Sanaballath, and Tobie, and Goſem of Arabie ſenten to
me, and ſeiden, Come þou, and ſmyte we boond of pees
in calues, `in o feeld; forſoþe þei þouȝten for to do yuel
to me.
iii Þerfor Y ſente meſſangeris to hem, and Y ſeide, Y
make a greet werk, and Y mai not go doun, leſt
perauenture it be doon retcheleſli, whanne Y come, and
go doun to ȝou.
iiii Soþeli þei ſenten to me `bi þis word bi foure tymes,
and Y anſweride to hem by þe formere word.
v And Sanaballath ſente to me þe fyueþe tyme bi þe
formere word his child; and he hadde in his hond a
piſtle writun in þis maner;
vi It is herd among heþene men, and Goſem ſeide, þat
þou and þe Jewis þenken for to rebelle, and þerfor ȝe
bilden, and þou wolt `reiſe þee king on hem;
vii for which cauſe alſo þou haſt ſet profetis, þat prechen
of þee in Jeruſalem, and ſeien, A king is in Jeruſalem; þe
king ſchal here þeſe wordis; þerfor come þou now, þat
we take counſel togidere.
viii And Y ſente to hem, and ſeide, It is not doon bi þeſe
wordis whiche þou ſpekiſt; for of þin herte þou makiſt
þeſe þingis.
ix Alle þeſe men maden vs aferd, and þouȝten þat oure
hondis ſchulden ceeſſe fro werkis, þat we ſchulden reſte;
for which cauſe Y coumfortide more myn hond.
x And Y entride priueli in to þe hows of Samaie, ſone of
Dalie, þe ſone of Methabehel, which ſeide, Trete we wiþ
vs ſilf in þe hows of God, in þe myddis of þe temple,
and cloſe we þe ȝatis of þe hows; for þei ſchulen come
to ſle þee, `and þei ſchulen come `bi niȝt to ſle þee.
xi And Y ſeide, Wheþer ony man lijk me fledde, and
who as Y ſchal entre in to þe temple, and ſchal lyue?
xii Y ſchal not entre. And Y vndurſtood þat God `hadde
not ſent hym, but `he ſpak as profeſiynge to me; and
Tobie and Sanaballath `hadden hirid hym for meede.
xiii For he hadde take prijs, þat Y ſchulde be aferd, and
do, and þat Y ſchulde do ſynne; and þei ſchulden haue
yuel, which þei ſchulden putte to me wiþ ſchenſchip.
xiiii Lord, haue mynde of me, for Tobye and
Sanaballath, bi ſiche werkis `of hem; but alſo of Noadie,
þe profete, and of oþere profetis, þat maden me aferd.
xv Forſoþe þe wal was fillid in þe fyue and twentiþe dai
of þe moneþe Ebul, in two and fifti daies.
xvi Soþeli it was doon, whanne alle oure enemyes
hadden herd, þat alle heþene men dredden, þat weren in
oure cumpas, and þei felden doun wiþ ynne hem ſilf,
and wiſte, þat þis work was maad of God.
xvii But alſo in þo daies many piſtlis of þe principal men
of Jewis weren ſent to Tobie, and camen fro Tobie to
hem.
xviii For many men weren in Judee, and hadden his ooþ;
for he hadde weddid þe douȝter of Sechenye, þe ſone of
Rotel; and Johannam, his ſone, hadde take þe douȝter of
Moſallam, ſone of Barachie.
xix But alſo þei preiſiden hym bifor me, and telden my
wordis to hym; and Tobie ſente lettris, for to make me
aferd.
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe aftir þat þe wal of Jeruſalem was bildid, and Y
hadde ſet ȝatis, and Y hadde noumbrid porters, and
ſyngeris,
ii and dekenys, Y comaundide to Aneny, my broþer, and
to Ananye, þe prince of þe hows of Jeruſalem; for he
ſemyde a ſoþefaſt man, and dredynge God more þan
oþere men diden;
iii `and Y ſeide `to hem, Þe ȝatis of Jeruſalem ben not
openyd `til to þe heete of þe ſunne; and, whanne Y was
ȝit preſent, þe ȝatis weren cloſid, and lockid. And Y
ſettide keperis of þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem, alle men bi
her whilis, and ech man aȝens his hows.
iiii Soþeli þe citee was ful brood and greet, and litil
puple was in myddis þerof, and houſis weren not bildid.
v Forſoþe God ȝaf in myn herte, and Y gaderide togidere
þe principal men, and magiſtratis, and þe comyn puple,
for to noumbre hem; and Y foond þe book of þe
noumbre of hem, þat hadden ſtied firſt. And it was
foundun writun þer ynne,
vi Þeſe ben þe ſones of þe prouynce, `þat ſtieden fro þe
caitifte of men paſſynge ouer, whiche Nabugodonoſor,
þe kyng of Babiloyne, hadde `tranſlatid, eþer led ouer;
vii and þei þat weren comun wiþ Zorobabel turneden
aȝen in to Jeruſalem and in to Judee, ech man in to his
citee; Joſue, Neemye, Azarie, Raanye, Naanum,
Mardochee, Bethſar, Meſpharath, Beggaay, Naum,
Baana. Þe noumbre of men of þe puple of Iſrael;
viii þe ſones of Pharos, two þouſynde an hundrid and
two and ſeuenti; þe ſones of Saphaie,
ix þre hundrid and two and ſeuenti;
x þe ſones of Area, ſixe hundrid and two and fifti; þe
ſones of Phaeth Moab,
xi of þe ſones of Joſue and of Joab, two þouſynde eiȝte
hundrid and eiȝtene;
CDXX
xii þe ſones of Helam, a þouſynde eiȝte hundrid and
foure and fifti;
xiii þe ſones of Ezecua, eiȝte hundrid and fyue and
fourti;
xiiii þe ſones of Zachai, ſeuene hundrid and ſixti;
xv þe ſones of Bennuy, ſixe hundrid and eiȝte and fourti;
xvi þe ſones of Hebahi, ſixe hundrid and eiȝte and
twenti;
xvii þe ſones of Degad, two þouſynde þre hundrid and
two and twenti;
xviii þe ſones of Azonicam, ſixe hundrid and ſeuene and
ſixti;
xix þe ſones of Bagoamy, two þouſynde and ſeuene and
ſixti;
xx þe ſones of Adyn, ſixe hundrid and fiue and fifti;
xxi þe ſones of Azer, ſone of Ezechie, eiȝte and twenti;
xxii þe ſones of Aſem, þre hundrid and eiȝte and twenti;
þe ſones of Bethſai,
xxiii þre hundrid and foure and twenti;
xxiiii þe ſones of Areph, an hundrid and ſeuene and
twenti;
xxv þe ſones of Zabaon, fyue and twenti;
xxvi þe men of Bethleem and of Necupha, an hundrid
foure ſcore and eiȝte;
xxvii þe men of Anatoth, an hundrid and eiȝte and
twenti;
xxviii þe men of Bethamoth, two and fourti;
xxix þe men of Cariathiarym, of Cephura, and Beroth,
ſeuene hundrid and þre and fourti;
xxx þe men of Rama and of Gabaa, ſixe hundrid and oon
and twenti; þe men of Machimas,
xxxi two hundrid and two and twenti;
xxxii þe men of Bethel and of Hay, an hundrid and þre
and twenti; þe men of þe toþer Nebo,
xxxiii two and fifti;
xxxiiii þe men of þe toþer Helam, a þouſynde two
hundrid and foure and fifti;
xxxv þe ſones of Arem, þre hundrid and twenti;
xxxvi þe ſones of Jerico, þre hundrid and fyue and fourti;
xxxvii þe ſones of Joiadid and Anon, ſeuene hundrid and
oon and twenti;
xxxviii þe ſones of Senaa, þre þouſynde nyne hundrid and
þritti; preeſtis,
xxxix þe ſones of Idaie, in þe hous of Joſua, nyne
hundrid and foure and ſeuenti; þe ſones of Emmer,
xl a þouſynde and two and fifti;
xli þe ſones of Phaſſur, a þouſynd two hundrid and
`ſeuene and fourti;
xlii þe ſones of Arem, a þouſynde and eiȝtene;
xliii dekenes, þe ſones of Joſue and of Gadymel,
xliiii ſones of Odyna, foure and ſeuenti;
xlv ſyngeris, þe ſones of Aſaph, an hundrid and ſeuene
and fourti;
xlvi porteris, þe ſones of Sellum, ſones of Ater, ſones of
Thelmon, ſones of Accub, ſones of Accita, ſones of
Sobai, an hundrid and eiȝte and þretti;
xlvii Nathynneis, ſones of Soa, ſones of Aſpha, ſones of
Thebaoth, ſones of Cheros,
xlviii ſones of Sicca, ſones of Phado, ſones of Lebana,
ſones of Agaba, ſones of Selmon,
xlix ſones of Anan, ſones of Geddel,
l ſones of Gaer, ſones of Raaie, ſones of Raſym,
li ſones of Necuda, ſones of Jezem, ſones of Aſa, ſones
of Phaſcha, ſones of Beſai,
lii ſones of Mynum, ſones of Nephuſym,
liii ſones of Bechue, ſones of Acupha, ſones of Aſſur,
liiii ſones of Belloth, ſones of Meida,
lv ſones of Arſa, ſones of Berchos, ſones of Siſara,
lvi ſones of Thema, ſones of Neſia,
lvii ſones of Atipha, ſones of þe ſeruauntis of Salomon,
ſones of Sothai, ſones of Sophoreth,
lviii ſones of Pherida, ſones of Jacala, ſones of Dalcon,
ſones of Geddel, ſones of Saphatie,
lix ſones of Atthal, þe ſones of Phetereth, `þat was borun
of Abaim, ſone of Amon;
lx alle Natynneis, and þe ſones of þe ſeruauntis of
Salomon, weren þre hundrid and two and twenti.
lxi Forſoþe þeſe it ben þat ſtieden, Dethemel, Mela,
Thelarſa, Cherub, Addo, and Emmer, and myȝten not
ſchewe þe hows of her fadris, and her ſeed, wheþer þei
weren of Iſrael; þe ſones of Dalaie,
lxii þe ſones of Tobie, þe ſones of Nethoda, ſixe hundrid
and two and fourti;
lxiii and of preſtis, þe ſones of Abia, þe ſones of Achos,
þe ſones of Berzellai, þat took a wijf of þe douȝtris of
Berzellai of Galaad, and was clepid bi þe name of hem;
lxiiii þeſe ſouȝten þe ſcripture of her genelogie, and
founden not, and weren caſt out of preſthod.
lxv And Atherſata ſeide to hem, þat þei ſchulden not eete
of þe hooli þingis of hooli men, til a wijs preſt `and
lerud roos.
lxvi Al þe multitude as o man, two and fourti þouſynde
ſixe hundrid and ſixti,
lxvii outakun þe ſeruauntis and handmaidis of hem, þat
weren ſeuene þouſynde þre hundrid and ſeuene and
þretti; and among þe ſyngeris and ſyngereſſis, ſixe
hundrid and fyue and fourti.
lxviii Þe horſis of hem, ſixe hundrid and ſixe and þritti;
þe mulis of hem, two hundrid and fyue and fourti;
lxix þe camels of hem, foure hundrid and fyue and þritti;
þe aſſis of hem, ſixe þouſynde eiȝte hundrid and þritti.
lxx Forſoþe ſumme of þe princes of meynees ȝauen
coſtis in to þe werk of God; Atherſata ȝaf in to þe
CDXXI
treſour, a þouſynde dragmes of gold, fifti viols, fyue
hundrid and þritti cootis of preſtis.
lxxi And of þe prynces of meynees þei ȝauen in to þe
treſour of þe werk, twenti þouſynde dragmes of gold,
and two þouſynde and two hundrid beſauntis of ſiluer.
lxxii And þat þat þe reſidue puple ȝaf, twenti þouſynde
dragmes of gold, and two þouſynde beſauntis of ſiluer,
and ſeuene and ſixti cootis of preſtis. Soþeli preſtis, and
dekenes, and porteris, and ſyngeris, and þe reſidue
puple, and Natynneis, and al Iſrael dwelliden in her
citees.
CAP. VIII
i And þe ſeuenþe moneþe `was comun vndur Eſdras and
Neemye; ſoþeli þe ſones of Iſrael weren in her cytees.
And al þe puple was gaderid togydere as o man, to þe
ſtreet which is bifor þe ȝate of watris. And þei ſeiden to
Eſdras, þe ſcribe, þat he ſchulde brynge þe book of þe
lawe of Moiſes, which þe Lord hadde comaundid to
Iſrael.
ii Þerfor Eſdras, þe preeſt, brouȝte þe lawe bifor þe
multitude of men and of wymmen, and bifor alle þat
myȝten vndurſtonde, `in þe firſte day of þe ſeuenþ
moneþe.
iii And he redde in it opynli in þe ſtreet þat was bifor þe
ȝate of watris, fro þe morewtid `til to myddai, in þe ſiȝt
of men and of wymmen and of wiſe men; and þe eeris
of al þe puple weren reiſid to þe book.
iiii Forſoþe Eſdras þe writere ſtood on þe grees of tree,
which he hadde maad to ſpeke þeron; and Mathatie, and
Semma, and Ananye, and Vrie, and Elchie, and Maaſie
ſtoden biſidis hym at his riȝt half; and Phadaie, Myſael,
and Melchie, Aſſum, and Aſeph, Dana, and Zacharie,
and Moſollam ſtoden at þe left half.
v And Eſdras openyde þe book bifor al þe puple; for he
apperide ouer al þe puple; and whanne he hadde openyd
þe book, al þe puple ſtood.
vi And Eſdras bleſſide þe Lord God wiþ greet vois; and
al þe puple anſweride, Amen, Amen, reiſynge her
hondis. And þei weren bowid, and þei worſchipiden
God, lowli on þe erþe.
vii Forſoþe Joſue, and Baany, and Serebie, Jamyn, Acub,
Septhai, Odia, Maaſie, Celitha, Ayarie, Jozabeth, Anan,
Phallaie, dekenes, maden ſilence in þe puple for to here
þe lawe. Soþeli þe puple ſtood in her degree.
viii And þei redden in þe book of Goddis lawe diſtinctli,
`eþer atreet, and opynli to vndurſtonde; `and þei
vndurſtoden, whanne it was red.
ix Forſoþe Neemye ſeide, he is Atherſata, and Eſdras, þe
preeſt and writere, and þe dekenes, expownynge to al þe
puple, It is a dai halewid to `oure Lord God; nyle ȝe
morne, and nyle ȝe wepe. For al þe puple wepte,
whanne it herde þe wordis of þe lawe.
x And he ſeide to hem, Go ȝe, and `ete ȝe fatte þingis,
and drynke ȝe wiyn `maad ſwete wiþ hony, and ſende ȝe
partis to hem, þat maden not redi to hem ſilf, for it is an
hooli dai of þe Lord; `nyle ȝe be ſory, for þe ioye of þe
Lord is ȝoure ſtrengþe.
xi Soþeli þe dekenes maden ſilence in al þe puple, and
ſeiden, Be ȝe ſtille, for it is an hooli dai, and `nyle ȝe
make ſorewe.
xii Þerfor al þe puple ȝede for to ete, and drynke, and to
ſende partis, and `to make greet gladneſſe; for þei
vndurſtoden þe wordis, whiche he hadde tauȝt hem.
xiii And in þe ſecound dai þe princes of meynees, alle þe
puplis, preſtis, and dekenes, weren gaderid togidere to
Eſdras, þe writere, þat he ſchulde expowne to hem þe
wordis of þe lawe.
xiiii And þei foundun writun in þe lawe, þat þe Lord
comaundide `in þe hond of Moyſes, þat þe ſones of
Iſrael dwelle in tabernaclis in þe ſolempne dai, in þe
ſeuenþe moneþ;
xv and þat þei preche, and puppliſche a vois in alle her
citees, and in Jeruſalem; and ſeie, Go ȝe out in to þe hil,
and brynge ȝe bowis of olyue, and bowis of þe faireſte
tree, þe bowis of a myrte tree, and þe braunchis of a
palm tree, and þe bowis of a `tree ful of wode, þat
tabernaclis be maad, as it is writun.
xvi And al þe puple ȝede out, and þei brouȝten, and
maden to hem ſilf tabernaclis, `ech man in `his hows
roof, and in her ſtretis, `eþer forȝerdis, and in þe large
placis of Goddis hows, and in þe ſtreet of þe ȝate of
watris, and in þe ſtreet of þe ȝate of Effraym.
xvii Þerfor al þe chirche of hem, þat camen aȝen fro
caytifte, made tabernaclis, and þei dwelliden in
tabernaclis. For þe ſones of Iſrael hadden not do ſiche
þingis fro þe daies of Joſue, ſone of Nun, `til to þat dai;
and ful greet gladneſſe was.
xviii Forſoþe Eſdras radde in þe book of Goddis lawe bi
alle daies, fro þe firſte dai `til to þe laſte dai; and þei
maden ſolempnytee bi ſeuene daies, and in þe eiȝte day
þei maden a gaderyng of ſiluer, `bi þe cuſtom.
CAP. IX
i Forſoþe in þe foure and twentiþe dai of þis moneþe, þe
ſones of Iſrael camen togidere in faſtyng,
ii and in ſackis, and `erþe was on hem. And þe ſeed of
þe ſones of Iſrael was departid fro ech alien ſone. And
þei ſtoden bifor þe Lord, and knoulechiden her ſynnes,
and þe wickidneſſis of her fadris.
iii And þei riſiden togidere to ſtonde; and þei redden in
þe book of þe lawe of `her Lord God foureſiþis in þe
dai, and foureſiþis in þe niȝt; þei knoulechiden, and
herieden `her Lord God.
iiii Forſoþe `þei riſiden on þe degree, of dekenes, Jeſuy,
and Bany, Cedynyel, Remmy, Abany, Sarabie, Bany,
and Chanany.
CDXXII
v And þe dekenes crieden wiþ grete vois to her Lord
God. And Jeſue, and Cedyniel, Bonny, Aſſebie, Serebie,
Arabie, Odaie, Sebua, and Facaia, ſeiden, Riſe ȝe, and
bleſſe ȝe `ȝoure Lord God fro wiþout bigynnyng and til
in to wiþ outen ende; and bleſſe þei þe hiȝe name of þi
glorie in al bleſſyng and preyſyng.
vi And Eſdras ſeide, Þou þi ſilf, Lord, art aloone; þou
madiſt heuene and þe heuene of heuenes, and al þe ooſt
of þo heuenes; þou madiſt þe erþe and alle þingis þat
ben þere ynne; `þou madiſt þe ſees and alle þingis þat
ben in þo; and þou quikenyſt alle þeſe þingis; and þe
ooſt of heuene worſchipiþ þee.
vii Þou þi ſilf art þe Lord God, þat cheſidiſt Abram, and
leddiſt hym out of þe fier of Caldeis, and ſettidiſt his
name Abraham;
viii and foundiſt his herte feiþful bifor þee, and þou haſt
ſmyte wiþ hym a boond of pees, þat þou woldiſt ȝyue to
hym þe lond of Cananei, of Ethei, of Euey, and of
Ammorrei, and of Pherezei, and of Jebuzei, and of
Gergeſei, þat þou woldiſt ȝyue it to his ſeed; and þou
haſt fillid þi wordis, for þou art iuſt.
ix And þou haſt ſeyn þe turment of oure fadris in Egipt,
and þou herdiſt þe cry of hem on þe reed ſee.
x And þou haſt ȝoue ſignes and grete wondris in Farao,
and in alle hiſe ſeruauntis, and in al þe puple of þat
lond; for þou knowiſt, þat þei diden proudli aȝens oure
fadris; and þou madiſt to þee a name, as alſo in þis dai.
xi And þou departidiſt þe ſee bifor hem, and þei paſſiden
þorou þe `myddis of þe ſee in þe drie place; forſoþe þou
caſtidiſt doun þe purſueris of hem into depþe, as a ſtoon
in ſtrong watris.
xii And in a piler of cloude þou were þe ledere of hem bi
dai, and in a piler of fier bi nyȝt, þat þe weie, bi which
þei entriden, ſchulde appere to hem.
xiii Alſo þou cameſt doun at þe hil of Synai, and ſpakiſt
wiþ hem fro heuene, and þou ȝaueſt to hem riȝtful
domes, and þe lawe of trewþe, cerymonyes, and goode
comaundementis.
xiiii And þou ſchewidiſt to hem an halewid ſabat; and
þou comaundidiſt `to hem comaundementis, and
cerymonyes, and lawe, in þe hond of Moiſes, þi
ſeruaunt.
xv Alſo þou ȝaueſt to hem breed fro heuene in her
hungur; and þou leddiſt out of þe ſtoon watir to hem
þirſtinge; and þou ſeidiſt to hem, þat þei ſchulden entre,
and haue in poſſeſſioun þe lond, on which lond þou
reiſidiſt þin hond, þat þou ſchuldiſt ȝyue it to hem.
xvi But `þei and oure fadris diden proudli, and maden
hard her nollis, and herden not þi comaundementis.
xvii And þei nolden here; and þei hadden not mynde of
þi merueils, which þou haddiſt do to hem; and þei
maden hard her nollis; and þei ȝauen þe heed, þat þei
`weren al turned to her ſeruage as bi ſtrijf; but þou art
God helpful, meke, and merciful, abidynge longe, `eþer
pacient, and of myche merciful doyng, and forſokiſt not
hem;
xviii and ſoþeli whanne þei hadden maad to hem a ȝotun
calf, as bi ſtrijf, and hadden ſeid, Þis is þi God, þat
`ledde þee out of Egipt, and þei diden grete blasfemyes.
xix But þou in þi many mercyes leftiſt not hem in
deſeert; for a piler of cloude ȝede not awei fro hem bi þe
dai, þat it ſchulde lede hem in to þe weie; and a piler of
fier ȝede not awei `fro hem bi nyȝt, þat it ſchulde
ſchewe to hem þe weie, bi which þei ſchulden entre.
xx And þou ȝaueſt to hem þi good Spirit, þat tauȝte hem;
and þou forbediſt not þin aungels mete fro her mouþ,
and þou ȝaueſt to hem water in þirſt.
xxi Fourti ȝeer þou feddiſt hem in deſeert, and no þing
failide to hem; her cloþis wexiden not elde, and her feet
weren not hirt.
xxii And þou ȝaueſt to hem rewmes, and puplis; and þou
departidiſt lottis, `eþer eritagis, to hem, and þei hadden
in poſſeſſioun þe lond of Seon, and þe lond of þe kyng
of Eſebon, and þe lond of Og, kyng of Baſan.
xxiii And þou multipliediſt þe ſones of hem, as þe ſterris
of heuene; and þou brouȝtiſt hem to þe lond, of which
þou ſeidiſt to her fadris, þat þei ſchulden entre, and
holde it in poſſeſſioun.
xxiiii And þe ſones of Iſrael camen, and hadden þe lond
in poſſeſſioun; and bifor hem þou madiſt low þe
dwellers of þe lond, Cananeis; and þou ȝaueſt hem in to
þe hondis of þe ſones of Iſrael, and þe kyngis of hem,
and þe puplis of þe lond, þat þei diden to hem, as it
pleſide hem.
xxv And þei token citees maad ſtrong, and fat erþe; and
þei hadden in poſſeſſioun houſis fulle of alle goodis,
ciſternes maad of oþere men, vineris, and places of
olyues, and many apple trees. And þei eeten, and weren
fillid, and weren maad fat; and hadden plentee of
ritcheſſis `in þi greet goodneſſe.
xxvi Soþeli þei terriden þee to wraþfulneſſe, and ȝeden
awei fro þee, and caſtiden awei þi lawe bihynde her
backis; and þei killiden þi prophetis, þat witneſſiden to
hem, þat þei ſchulden turne aȝen to þee; and þei diden
grete blasfemyes.
xxvii And þou ȝaueſt hem in to þe hond of her enemyes;
and þei turmentiden hem; and in þe tyme of her
tribulacioun þei crieden to þee; and þou herdiſt þem fro
heuyn, and bi þi many merciful doyngis þou ȝaueſt hem
ſauȝours, þat ſauyden hem fro þe hond of her enemyes.
xxviii And whanne þei hadden reſtid, þei turneden aȝen
to do yuel in þi ſiȝt; and þou forſokiſt hem in þe hond of
her enemyes, and enemyes hadden hem in poſſeſſioun;
and þei weren conuertid, and þei crieden to þee; forſoþe
þou herdiſt hem fro heuene, and delyueridiſt hem `in þi
mercies in many tymes.
xxix And þou witneſſidiſt to hem, þat þei ſchulden turne
aȝen to þi lawe; but þei diden proudli, and herden not
CDXXIII
þin heeſtis, and ſynneden in þi domes, whiche a man þat
ſchal do ſchal lyue in þo; and þei ȝauen þe ſchuldre
goynge awei, and þei maden hard her nol.
iii And þou drowiſt along many ȝeeris on hem, and þou
witneſſidiſt to hem in þi Spirit bi þe hond of þi
prophetis; and þei herden not; and þou ȝaueſt hem in to
þe hond of þe puplis of londis.
xxxi But in þi mercies ful manye þou madiſt not hem in
to waſtyng, neþir þou forſokiſt hem; for þou art God of
merciful doynges, and meke.
xxxii Now þerfor, oure Lord God, greet God, ſtrong, and
ferdful, kepynge couenaunt and merci, turne þou not
awei þi face in al þe trauel þat foond vs, oure kyngis,
and oure princes, and oure fadris, and oure preeſtis, and
oure profetis, and al þi puple, fro þe daies of kyng Aſſur
til to þis dai.
xxxiii And þou art iuſt in alle þingis, þat camen on vs, for
þou didiſt trewþe to vs; but we han do wickidli.
xxxiiii Oure kyngis, and oure princes, oure preſtis, and
fadris `diden not þi lawe; and þei perſeyueden not þin
heeſtis and witneſſyngis, whiche þou witneſſidiſt in
hem.
xxxv And þei in her good rewmes, and in þi myche
goodneſſe, which þou ȝaueſt to hem, and in þe largeſt
lond and fat, whych þou haddiſt ȝoue in þe ſiȝt of hem,
ſerueden not þee, neþer turneden aȝen fro her werſte
ſtudies.
xxxvi Lo! we `vs ſilf ben þrallis to dai; and þe lond
which þou ȝaueſt to oure fadris, þat þei ſchulden ete þe
breed þerof, and þe goodis þat ben þerof, `is þral; and
we `vs ſilf ben þrallis, `eþir boonde men, in þat lond.
xxxvii And þe fruytis þerof ben multiplied to kyngis,
whiche þou haſt ſet on vs for oure ſynnes; and þei ben
lordis of oure bodies, and of oure beeſtis, bi her wille,
and we ben in greet tribulacioun.
xxxviii Þerfor on alle þeſe þingis we `vs ſilf ſmyten and
writen boond of pees, and oure princes, oure dekenes,
and oure preſtis aſeelen.
CAP. X
i Forſoþe þe ſeeleris weren Neemye, Atherſata, þe ſone
of Achilai,
ii and Sedechie, Saraie, Azarie, Jeremye, Phaſur,
iii Amarie, Melchie,
iiii Accus, Sebenye,
v Mellucarem, Nerymuth, Oddie, Danyel,
vi Genton, Baruc, Moſollam, Abia,
vii Mianymy, Mazie, Belga, and Semeie;
viii þeſe weren preſtis.
ix Forſoþe dekenes weren Joſue, þe ſone of Azarie,
Bennuy, of þe ſones of Ennadab,
x Cedinyel, and hiſe briþeren, Sethenye, Odenmye,
Telita, Phalaie, Anam,
xi Myca, Roob, Aſebie
xii Zaccur, Serebie, Sabanye,
xiii Odias, Bany, Hamyn.
xiiii Þe heedis of þe puple, Phetos, Moab, Elam,
xv Zecu, Banny, Bonny, Azgad, Bebay,
xvi Donai, Bogoia, Adyn,
xvii Ather, Azochie, Azur,
xviii Odenye, Aſſuyn, Beſſaie,
xix Ares, Anatoth, Nebai,
xx Methpie, Moſollam, Azir,
xxi Meizabel, Sadoch, Reddua,
xxii Pheltie, Ananye, Oſee,
xxiii Anaie, Azub, Aloes,
xxiiii Phaleam, Sobeth,
xxv Reu, Aſebyne, Mathſie,
xxvi Ethaie, Anam,
xxvii Mellucarem, Baana;
xxviii and oþere of þe puple, preſtis, dekenes, porteris,
and ſyngeris, Natynneis, and alle men þat departiden
hem ſilf fro þe puplis of londis to þe lawe of God, þe
wyues of hem, and `þe ſones of hem, and þe douȝtris of
hem;
xxix alle þat myȝten vndurſtonde, bihetynge for her
briþeren, þe principal men of hem, `and þei þat camen
to biheete, and to ſwere, þat þei ſchulden go in þe lawe
of þe Lord, which he `hadde ȝoue bi þe hond of Moyſes,
his ſeruaunt, þat þei ſchulden do and kepe alle þe heeſtis
of `oure Lord God, and hiſe domes, and hiſe
cerymonyes; and þat we ſchulden not ȝyue
xxx oure douȝtris to þe puple of þe lond, and þat we
ſchulden not take her douȝtris to oure ſones.
xxxi Alſo þe puplis of þe lond, `þat bryngen in þingis ſet
to ſale, and alle þingis to vſs, bi þe dai of ſabat, for to
ſille, we ſchulen not take of hem in þe ſabat, and in a dai
halewid; and we ſchulen leeue þe ſeuenþe ȝeer, and þe
axynge of al hond.
xxxii And we ſchulen ordeyne comaundementis `on vs,
þat we ȝyue þe þridde part of a ſicle `bi þe ȝeer to þe
werk of `oure Lord God,
xxxiii to þe looues of ſettyngforþ, and to þe euerlaſtynge
ſacrifice, `and in to brent ſacrifice euerlaſtynge, in
ſabatis, in calendis, `þat is, bigynnyngis of moneþis, in
ſolempnytees, in halewid daies, and for ſynne, þat `me
preie for Iſrael, and in to al þe vſs of þe hows of oure
God.
xxxiiii `Þerfor we ſenten `lottis on þe offryng of trees,
bitwixe preſtis and dekenes and þe puple, þat þo
ſchulden be brouȝt in to þe hows of oure God, bi þe
houſis of oure fadris bi tymes, fro þe tymes of a ȝeer `til
to a ȝeer, þat `þo ſchulden brenne on þe auter of `oure
Lord God, as it is writun in þe lawe of Moyſes;
CDXXIV
xxxv and þat we bringe þe firſte gendrid þingis of oure
lond, and þe firſte fruytis of al fruyt of ech tree, fro ȝeer
in to ȝeer,
xxxvi in to þe hows of þe Lord, and þe firſte gendrid
þingis of oure ſones, and of oure beeſtis, as it is writun
in þe lawe, and þe firſte gendrid þingis of oure oxis, and
of oure ſcheep, þat þo be offrid in þe hows of oure God,
to preſtis þat mynyſtren in þe hows of oure God;
xxxvii and we ſchulen brynge þe firſte fruytis of oure
metis, and of oure moiſte ſacrifices, and þe applis of ech
tre, and of vendage, and of oile, to `preſtis, at þe treſerie
of þe Lord, and þe tenþe part of oure lond to dekenes;
þilke dekenes ſchulen take tiþis of alle þe citees of oure
werkis.
xxxviii Soþeli a preſt, þe ſone of Aaron, ſchal be wiþ þe
dekenes in þe tiþis of dekenes; and þe dekenes ſchulen
offre þe tenþe part of her tiþe in þe hows of oure God,
`at þe treſorie, in þe hows of treſour.
xxxix For þe ſones of Iſrael and þe ſones of Leuy ſchulen
brynge þe firſte fruytis of wheete, of wiyn, and of oile;
and halewid veſſels ſchulen be þere, and preſtis, and
ſyngeris, and porteris, and mynyſtris; and we ſchulen
not forſake þe hows of `oure God.
CAP. XI
i Forſoþe þe princis of þe puple dwelliden in Jeruſalem;
þe principal men dwelliden in þe myddis of þe puple
wiþ out lot; but þe reſidue puple ſente lot, for to take o
part of ten, `whiche ſchulden dwelle in Jeruſalem, in þe
hooli citee; þe tenþe part of þe puple is choſun for to
dwelle in Jeruſalem, for þe citee was voide; forſoþe þe
nyne partis dwelliden in citees.
ii Forſoþe þe puple bleſſide alle men, þat profriden hem
ſilf bi fre wille to dwelle in Jeruſalem.
iii And ſo þeſe ben þe princes of prouynce, þat
dwelliden in Jeruſalem, and in þe citees of Juda; ſoþely
ech man dwellide in his poſſeſſioun, in her citees of
Iſrael, preſtis, dekenes, Nathynneis, and þe ſones of þe
ſeruauntis of Salomon.
iiii And men of þe ſones of Juda, and of þe ſones of
Beniamyn dwelliden in Jeruſalem; of þe ſones of Juda,
Athaie, þe ſone of Aziam, ſone of Zacarie, ſone of
Amarie, ſone of Saphie, ſone of Malaleel;
v of þe ſones of Phares, Amaſie, þe ſone of Baruch, þe
ſone of Colozay, þe ſone of Azie, þe ſone of Adaie, þe
ſone of Jozarib, þe ſone of Zacarie, þe ſone of
Salonytes; alle þe ſones of Phares,
vi þat dwelliden in Jeruſalem, weren foure hundrid eiȝte
and ſixti, ſtronge men.
vii Soþeli þeſe ben þe ſones of Beniamyn; Sellum, þe
ſone of Moſollam, þe ſone of Joedi, þe ſone of Sadaie,
þe ſone of Colaie, þe ſone of Maſie, þe ſone of Ethel, þe
ſone of Saie;
viii and aftir hym Gabai, Sellai, nynti and eiȝte and
twenti; and Johel, þe ſone of Zechri, was þe ſouereyn of
hem, and Judas, þe ſone of Semyna, was þe ſecounde
man on þe citee.
x And of preſtis; Idaie,
xi ſone of Joarib, Jachyn, Saraie, þe ſone of Helchie, þe
ſone of Moſſollam, þe ſone of Sadoch, þe ſone of
Meraioth, þe ſone of Achitob, `þe princis of `Goddis
hows,
xii and her briþeren, makynge þe werkis of þe temple,
weren eiȝte hundrid and two and twenti. And Adaie, þe
ſone of Jeroam, þe ſone of Pheler, þe ſone of Amſi, þe
ſone of Zacarie, þe ſone of Pheſſur,
xiii þe ſone of Melchie, and þe briþeren of hem, þe
princes of fadris, weren two hundrid and two and fourti.
And Amaſie, þe ſone of Azrihel, þe ſone of Azi, þe ſone
of Moſollamoth, þe ſone of Semyner,
xiiii and her briþeren, ful myȝti men, weren an hundrid
and eiȝte and twenti; and þe ſouereyn of hem was
Zebdiel, þe ſone of myȝty men.
xv And of dekenes; Sechenye, þe ſone of Azab, þe ſone
of Azarie, þe ſone of Azabie, þe ſone of Bone, and
Sabathai;
xvi and Jozabed was ordened of þe princes of dekenes,
on alle þe werkis þat weren wiþ out forþ in Goddis
hows.
xvii And Mathanye, þe ſone of Mycha, þe ſone of
Zebdai, þe ſone of Aſaph, was prince, to herie and to
knowleche in preier; and Bethechie was þe ſecounde of
hiſe briþeren, and Abdie, þe ſone of Sammya, þe ſone of
Galal, þe ſone of Iditum.
xviii Alle þe dekenes in þe hooli citee, weren two
hundrid and foure ſcore and foure.
xix And þe porteris, Accub, Thelmon, and þe briþeren of
hem, þat kepten þe doris, weren an hundrid `and two
and ſeuenti.
xx And oþere men of Iſrael, preſtis, and dekenes, in alle
þe citees of Juda, ech man in his poſſeſſioun.
xxi And Natynneis, þat dwelliden in Ophel, and Siacha,
and Gaſpha; of Natynneis.
xxii And biſchopis of dekenes in Jeruſalem; Azi, þe ſone
of Bany, þe ſone of Aſabie, þe ſone of Mathanye, þe
ſone of Mychee. Of þe ſones of Aſaph, ſyngeris in þe
ſeruyce of Goddis hows.
xxiii For þe comaundement of þe kyng was on hem, and
ordre was in ſyngeris bi alle daies;
xxiiii and Aphataie, þe ſone of Moſezehel, of þe ſones of
Zara, ſone of Juda, in þe hond of þe kyng, bi ech word
of þe puple;
xxv and in þe houſis bi alle þe cuntreis of hem. Of þe
ſones of Juda dwelliden in Cariatharbe, and in þe vilagis
þerof, and in Dibon, and in þe vilagis þerof, and in
Capſeel, and in þe townes þerof;
CDXXV
xxvi and in Jeſue, and in Molada, and in Bethpheleth,
xxvii and in Aſerſual, and in Berſabee, and in þe vilagis
þerof;
xxviii and in Sicheleg, and in Mochone, and in þe vilagis
þerof;
xxix and in Remmon, and in Sara,
xxx and in Jerymuth, Zonocha, Odollam, and in þe
townes `of þo; in Lachis, and in þe cuntreis þerof; in
Azecha and þe vilagis þerof; and þei dwelliden in
Berſabee `til to þe valei of Ennon.
xxxi Forſoþe þe ſones of Beniamyn dwelliden in Areba,
Mechynas, and Aia, and Bethel and vilagis þerof;
xxxii in Anatoth, Nob, Ananya,
xxxiii Aſor, Rama, Jethaym,
xxxiiii Adid, Soboym,
xxxv Nebollaloth, and in Onam, þe valei of crafti men.
xxxvi And of dekenes, `þe porciouns of Juda and of
Beniamyn.
CAP. XII
i Soþeli þeſe weren preſtis and dekenes, þat ſtieden wiþ
Zorobabel, þe ſone of Salatiel, and wiþ Joſue; Saraie,
Jeremye,
ii Eſdras, Amarie, Melluch, Accus,
iii Sechenye, Reum, Merymucth,
iiii Addo, Jethon, Myomyn,
v Abia, Meldaa, Belga, Semeie, and Joarib,
vi Adaie, Sellum, Amoe, Elceia, and Jadie;
vii þeſe weren þe princes of preſtis `and her briþeren, in
þe daies of Joſue.
viii Certis dekenes; Jeſua, Bennuy, Cedynyel, Serabie,
Juda, Mathanye, `weren ouer þe ympnes, `þei and her
briþeren;
ix and Bezechie, and Ezanny, and þe briþeren of hem,
ech man in his office.
x Soþeli Joſue gendride Joachym, and Joachym
gendride Eliaſib, and Eliaſib gendride Joiada,
xi and Joiada gendride Jonathan, and Jonathan gendride
Jeddaia.
xii Forſoþe in þe daies of Joachym weren preſtis, and
princis of meynees of preſtis, Saraie, Amarie, Jeremye,
Ananye, Eſdre,
xiii Moſollam, Amarie, Johannam,
xiiii Mylico, Jonathan, Sebenye,
xv Joſeph, Aram, Edua,
xvi Maraioth, Elchie, Addaie, Zacharie, Genthon,
xvii Moſollam, Abie, Zecherie, Myamyn, and Moadie,
xviii Phelti, Belge, Sannya, Semeie,
xix Jonathan, Joarib, Mathanye, Jodaie, Azi,
xx Sellaye, Mochebor, Helchie,
xxi Aſebie, Idaie, Nathanael.
xxii Dekenes in þe daies of Eliaſib, and of Joiada, and of
Jonam, and of Jedda, weren writun princes of meynees,
`and preſtis in þe rewme of Darius of Perſis.
xxiii Þe ſones of Leuy, princes of meynees, weren writun
in þe book of wordis of daies, and `til to þe daies of
Jonathan, ſone of Eliaſib.
xxiiii `And þe princes of dekenes weren Aſebie, Serebie,
and Jeſue, þe ſone of Cedynyel; and þe briþeren of hem
bi her whiles, þat þei ſchulden herie and knowleche bi
þe comaundement of kyng Dauid, þe man of God, and
þei ſchulden kepe euenli bi ordre.
xxv Mathanye, and Bethbecie, and Obedie, Moſollam,
Thelmon, Accub, weren keperis of þe ȝatis, and of þe
porchis bifor þe ȝatis.
xxvi Þeſe weren in þe daies of Joachym, ſone of Joſue,
ſone of Joſedech, and in þe daies of Neemye, duyk, and
of Eſdras, þe preſt and writere.
xxvii Forſoþe in þe halewyng of þe wal of Jeruſalem þei
ſouȝten dekenes of alle her places, to bryng hem in to
Jeruſalem, and to make þe halewyng in gladneſſe, in þe
doyng of þankyngis, and in ſong, and in cymbalis, and
in ſautrees, and in harpis.
xxviii Soþeli þe ſones of ſyngeris weren gaderid boþe fro
þe feeldi places aboute Jeruſalem, and fro þe townes of
Nethophati,
xxix and fro þe hows of Galgal, and fro þe cuntreis of
Gebez, and of Amanech; for ſyngeris hadden bildid
townes to hem ſilf in þe cumpas of Jeruſalem.
xxx And preſtis and dekenes weren clenſid, and þei
clenſiden þe puple, and þe ȝatis, and þe wal.
xxxi Forſoþe Y made þe princes of Juda to ſtie on þe wal,
and Y ordeynede twei greete queris of men heriynge;
and þei ȝeden to þe riȝt ſide on þe wal, to þe ȝate of þe
dunghil.
xxxii And Oſaie ȝede aftir hem, and þe half part of
prynces of Juda,
xxxiii and Azarie, Eſdras, and Moſollam, Juda, and
Beniamyn, and Semeye, and Jeremye `ȝeden aftir hem.
xxxiiii And of þe ſones of preſtis ſyngynge in trumpis;
Zacharie, þe ſone of Jonathan, þe ſone of Semeie, þe
ſone of Mathanye, þe ſone of Machaie, þe ſone of
Zeccur, þe ſone of Aſaph.
xxxv And hiſe briþeren; Semeie, and Azarel, Malalai,
Galalai, Maai, Nathanael, and Juda, and Amany, in þe
inſtrumentis of ſong of Dauid, þe man of God; and
Eſdras, þe wrytere, bifor hem, in þe ȝate of þe welle.
xxxvi And þei ſtieden aȝens hem in þe greis of þe citee of
Dauid, in þe ſtiyng of þe wal, on þe hows of Dauid, and
`til to þe ȝate of watris at þe eeſt.
xxxvii And þe ſecounde queer of men tellynge þankyngis
ȝede euene aȝens, and Y aftir hym; and þe half part of
þe puple was on þe wal, and on þe tour of ouenys, and
`til to þe broddeſte wal;
CDXXVI
xxxviii and on þe ȝate of Effraym, and on þe elde ȝate,
and on þe ȝate of fiſchis, and on þe toure of Ananeel,
and on þe tour of Emath, and þei camen `til to þe ȝate of
þe floc;
xxxix and þei ſtoden in þe ȝate of kepyng. And twei
queeris of men heriynge ſtoden in þe hows of God, and
Y and þe half part of magiſtratis wiþ me.
xl And þe preſtis, Eliachym, Maaſie, Myamyn, Mychea,
Helioneai, Zacharie, Ananye, in trumpis;
xli and Maaſie, and Senea, and Eleazar, and Azi, and
Johannan, and Melchia, and Elam, and Ezer; and þe
ſyngeris ſungen clereli, and Jezraie, þe ſouereyn.
xlii And þei offriden in þat dai grete ſacrifices, and
weren glad; `for God `hadde maad hem glad wiþ grete
gladneſſe. But alſo her wyues and lawful childre weren
ioiful, and þe gladneſſe of Jeruſalem was herd fer.
xliii Alſo þei noumbriden in þat dai men ouer þe keping
places of treſour, to moiſte ſacrifices, and to þe firſte
fruytis, and to tiþis, þat þe princes of þe citee ſchulden
brynge in bi hem, `in þe faireneſſe of doyng of
þankyngis, preſtis and dekenes; for Juda was glad in
preſtis and dekenes preſent.
xliiii And þei kepten þe kepyng of her God, þe kepyng
of clenſyng; and ſyngeris, and porteris, bi þe
comaundement of Dauid and of Salomon, his ſone;
xlv for in þe daies of Dauid and of Aſaph fro þe
bigynnyng princes of ſyngeris weren ordeyned, heriyng
in ſong, and knoulechynge to God.
xlvi And al Iſrael, in þe daies of Zorobabel, and in þe
daies of Neemye, ȝauen partis to ſyngeris and to
porteris bi alle `þe daies; and þei halewiden dekenes,
and þe dekenes halewiden þe ſones of Aaron.
CAP. XIII
i Forſoþe in þat dai it was red in þe book of Moiſes, in
heryng of þe puple; and it was foundun writun þer
ynne, þat Amonytis and Moabitis owen not entre in to
þe chirche of God til in to wiþ outen ende;
ii for þei metten not þe ſones of Iſrael wiþ breed and
watir, and þei hiriden aȝens þe ſones of Iſrael Balaam,
for to curſe hem; and oure God turnede þe curſyng in to
bleſſyng.
iii Soþeli it was doon, whanne `þei hadden herd þe lawe,
þei departiden ech alien fro Iſrael.
iiii And upon þeſe þingis Eliaſib, þe preſt, `was
blameful, þat was þe ſouereyn in þe treſorie of þe hows
of oure God, and was þe neiȝbore of Tobie.
v Þerfor he made to him a grete treſerie, `þat is, in þe
hows of God; and men kepynge ȝiftis, and encence, and
veſſels, and þe tiþe of wheete, of wyn, and of oile, þe
partis of dekenes, and of ſyngeris, and of porteris, and
þe firſte fruytis of preſtis, `weren þere bifor him.
vi Forſoþe in alle þeſe þingis Y was not in Jeruſalem; for
in þe two and þrittiþe ȝeer of Artaxerſes, kyng of
Babiloyne, Y cam to þe kyng, and in þe ende of daies Y
preiede þe kyng.
vii And Y cam in to Jeruſalem, and Y vndurſtood þe
yuel, which Eliaſib hadde do to Tobie, to make to hym a
treſour in þe porchis of Goddis hows; and to me it
ſemede ful yuel.
viii And Y caſtide forþ þe veſſels of þe hows of Tobie
out of þe treſorie;
ix and Y comaundide, and þei clenſiden þe treſories; and
Y brouȝte aȝen þere þe veſſels of Goddis hous, ſacrifice,
and encence.
x And Y knew þat þe partes of dekenes weren not
ȝouun, and þat ech man of þe dekenes and of þe
ſyngeris, and of hem þat mynyſtriden hadde fledde in to
his cuntrei;
xi and Y dide þe cauſe aȝens magiſtratis, and Y ſeide,
Whi `forſaken we þe hous of God? And Y gaderide hem
togidere, `þat is, dekenes and mynyſtris `þat hadden go
awei, and Y made hem to ſtonde in her ſtondyngis.
xii And al Juda brouȝte þe tiþe of wheete, of wiyn, and
of oile, in to bernes.
xiii And we ordeyneden on þe bernes, Selemye, þe preſt,
and Sadoch, þe writere, and Phadaie, of þe dekenes, and
biſidis hem, Anan, þe ſone of Zaccur, þe ſone of
Mathanye; for þei weren preued feiþful men, and þe
partis of her briþeren weren bitakun to hem.
xiiii My God, haue mynde of me for þis þing, and do
þou not awei my merciful doyngis, whiche Y dide in þe
hows of my God, and in hiſe cerymonyes.
xv Yn þo daies Y ſiȝ in Juda men tredinge preſſours in
þe ſabat, `men bryngynge hepis, and chargynge on aſſis
wiyn, and grapis, and figis, and al birþun, and
`bringynge in to Jeruſalem in þe dai of ſabat; and Y
witneſſide to hem, þat þei ſchulden ſille in þe dai, in
which it was leueful to ſille.
xvi And men of Tire dwelliden `in it, and brouȝten in
fiſchis, and alle þingis ſet to ſale, and þei ſelden `in þe
ſabatis to þe ſones of Juda and of Jeruſalem.
xvii And Y rebuykide þe principal men of Juda, and Y
ſeide to hem, What is þis yuel þing which ȝe doen, and
maken vnhooli þe daie of þe ſabat?
xviii Wheþer oure fadris diden not þeſe þingis, and oure
God brouȝte on vs al þis yuel, and on þis citee? and `ȝe
encreeſſen wraþfulneſſe on Iſrael, in defoulynge þe
ſabat.
xix Forſoþe it was doon, whanne þe ȝatis of Jeruſalem
hadden reſtid in þe dai of ſabat, Y ſeide, Schitte ȝe þe
ȝatis; and þei ſchittiden þe ȝatis; and I comaundide, þat
þei ſchuden not opene þo ȝatis til aftir þe ſabat. And of
my children Y ordeynede noumbris on þe ȝatis, þat no
man ſchulde brynge in a birþun in þe dai of ſabat.
xx And marchauntis, and men ſillinge alle þingis ſet to
ſale dwelliden wiþ out Jeruſalem onys and twies.
CDXXVII
xxi And Y areſonyde hem, and Y ſeide to hem, Whi
dwellen ȝe euene aȝens þe wal? If ȝe doon þis þe
ſecounde tyme, Y ſchal ſette hond on ȝou. Þerfor fro þat
tyme þei camen not in þe ſabat.
xxii Alſo Y ſeide to dekenes, þat þei ſchulden be clenſid,
and þat þei ſchulden come to kepe þe ȝatis, and to
halowe þe dai of ſabat. And þerfor for þis þing, my
God, haue mynde of me, and ſpare me bi þe mychilneſſe
of þi merciful doyngis.
xxiii But alſo in þo daies Y ſiȝ Jewys weddinge wyues,
wymmen of Azotus, and wymmen of Amonytis, and
wymmen of Moabitis.
xxiiii And her children ſpaken half part bi þe ſpeche of
Ayotus, and kouden not ſpeke bi þe ſpeche of Jewis, and
þei ſpaken bi þe langage of puple and of puple.
xxv And Y rebuykide hem, and Y curſide; and Y beet þe
men `of hem, and Y made hem ballid, and Y made hem
to ſwere bi þe Lord, þat þei ſchulden not ȝyue her
douȝtris to þe ſones of `þo aliens, and þat þei ſchulden
not take of þe douȝtris of `þo aliens to her ſones, and to
hem ſilf;
xxvi and Y ſeide, Wheþer Salomon, þe kyng of Iſrael,
ſynnede not in ſiche a þing? And certis in many folkis
was no kyng lijk hym, and he was loued of his God, and
God ſettide hym kyng on al Iſrael, and þerfor alien
wymmen brouȝten hym to ſynne.
xxvii Wheþer alſo we vnobedient ſchulden do al þis grete
yuel, þat we treſpaſſe aȝens `oure Lord God, and wedde
alien wyues?
xxviii Forſoþe Sanabalath Horonyte hadde weddid a
douȝter of þe ſones of Joiada, ſone of Eliaſib, þe grete
preſt, which Sanaballath Y droof awei fro me.
xxix My Lord God, haue mynde aȝens hem, þat defoulen
preſthod, and þe riȝt of preſtis and of dekenes. Þerfor I
clenſide hem fro alle aliens, and I ordeynede ordris of
preſtis and of dekenes,
xxx ech man in his ſeruice, and in þe offring,
xxxi þat is, dreſſing, of trees in tymes ordeyned, and in
þe firſte fruytis. My God, haue mynde of me in to good.
Here eendiþ þe ſecunde book of Eſdre, and here
biginneþ þe book of Tobie.

TOBIE
Here bigynneþ þe book of Tobie.
CAP. I
i Tobie was of þe lynage and citee of Neptalym, which
is in þe hiȝere partis of Galilee, aboue Naaſon, bihynde
þe weie þat lediþ to þe weſt, and haþ in þe lefte ſide þe
citee of Sapheth,
ii whanne he was takun in þe daies of Salmanazar, kyng
of Aſſiriens, neþeles he ſet in caytifte, `eþer takun
priſoner, forſook not þe weie of treuþe,
iii ſo þat he departide ech dai alle þingis whiche he
myȝte haue, wiþ caitif briþeren þat weren of his kyn.
iiii And whanne he was ȝongere þan alle in þe lynage of
Neptalym, neþeles he dide no childiſche þing in werk.
v Forſoþe whanne alle Jewis ȝeden to þe goldun calues,
whiche Jeroboam, þe kyng of Iſrael, made, þis Tobie
aloone fledde þe cumpenyes of alle men;
vi and he ȝede to Jeruſalem, to þe temple of þe Lord,
and þere he worſchipide þe Lord God of Iſrael; and he
offride feiþfuly alle hiſe firſte fruytis, and hiſe tiþis;
vii ſo þat in þe þridde ȝeer he mynyſtride al þe tiþe to
conuerſis and comlyngis.
viii Þe ȝonge man kepte þeſe þingis, and þingis lijk þeſe,
bi þe lawe of God of heuene.
ix Soþeli whanne he was maad a man, he took a wijf,
Anne, of his lynage; and he gendride of hir a ſone, and
puttide his owne name to hym;
x whom he tauȝte fro ȝong childhed for to drede God,
and for to abſteyne fro al ſynne.
xi Þerfor whanne bi caitifte he was comun, wiþ his wijf
and ſone, in to þe citee Nynyue,
xii wiþ al his lynage, and alle men eeten of þe meetis of
heþene men, þis Tobie kepte his ſoule, and was neuere
defoulid in þe metis of hem.
xiii And for he was myndeful of þe Lord in al his herte,
God ȝaf grace to hym in þe ſiȝt of Salamanazar, þe
kyng;
xiiii and he ȝaf to Tobie power to go whidur euer he
wolde, and he hadde fredom to do what euer þingis he
wolde.
xv Þerfor he ȝede bi alle men þat weren in caitifte, and
ȝaf to hem þe heeſtis of helþe.
xvi Soþeli whanne he was comyn in to Rages, a citee of
Medeis, and hadde ten talentis of ſiluer, of þeſe þingis
bi whiche he was onourid of þe kyng;
xvii and ſiȝ Gabelus nedi, þat was of his lynage, wiþ
myche cumpeny of his kyn, Tobie ȝaf to hym, vndur an
obligacioun, þe forſeid weiȝte of ſiluer.
xviii Forſoþe after myche tyme, aftir þat Salamanazar, þe
kyng, was deed, whanne Senacherib, his ſone, regnyde
for hym, and hadde þe ſones of Iſrael hateful in his ſiȝt,
CDXXVIII
xix Tobie ȝede ech dai bi al his kynrede, and
coumfortide hem, and departide of hiſe catels to ech
man, as he myȝte;
xx he fedde hungri men, and ȝaf cloþis to nakid men,
and he `ȝaf biſili ſepulture to deed men and ſlayn.
xxi Soþeli whanne þe kyng Senacherib turnede aȝen,
fleynge fro Judee þe veniaunce þat God `hadde do
aboute hym for his blasfemye, and he was wrooþ, and
killide many of þe ſones of Iſrael, Tobie biriede `þe
bodies of hem.
xxii And aftir þat it was teld to þe kyng, he comaundide
Tobie to be ſlayn, and he took awei al his catel.
xxiii Soþeli Tobie fledde wiþ his ſone and wiþ his wijf,
and was hid nakid, for many men loueden hym.
xxiiii Forſoþe after fyue and fourti daies, þe ſones of þe
kyng kyilliden þe kyng; and Tobie turnede aȝen to his
hows,
xxv and al his catel was reſtorid to hym.
CAP. II
i Forſoþe aftir þeſe þingis, whanne a feeſte dai of þe
Lord was, and a good meete was maad in þe hows of
Tobie, he ſeide to his ſone,
ii Go þou, and brynge ſum men of oure lynage, `þat
dreden God, þat þei ete wiþ vs.
iii And whanne he was goon, he turnede aȝen, and telde
to hym, þat oon of þe ſones of Iſrael lai ſtranglid in þe
ſtreet; and anoon `he ſkippide fro his ſittyng place, and
lefte þe mete, and cam faſtynge to þe bodi; and he took
it,
iiii and bar to his hows pryuely, for to birie hym warli,
whanne þe ſunne was go doun.
v And whanne he hadde hid þe bodi, he eet breed wiþ
morenyng and tremblyng,
vi and remembride þat word, which þe Lord ſeide bi
Amos, þe prophete, Ȝoure feeſte daies ſchulen be turned
in to morenyng and `lamentacioun, eþer weilyng.
vii Soþeli whanne þe ſunne was go doun, Tobie ȝede,
and biriede hym.
viii Forſoþe alle hiſe neiȝboris blameden hym, and
ſeiden, Now for þe cauſe of þis þing þou were
comaundid to be ſlayn, and vnneþis þou aſcapidiſt þe
comaundement of deeþ, and eft `birieſt þou deed men?
ix But Tobie dredde more God þan þe kyng, and took
awei þe bodies of ſlayn men, and hidde in his hows, and
biriede þo in þe myddil of nyȝtis.
x Soþeli it bifelde, þat in ſum day he was maad wery of
biriyng; and he cam hoom, and leide hym ſilf biſidis a
wal, and ſlepte;
xi and while he ſlepte, hoote ordures `fellen doun fro þe
neſt of ſwalewis on hiſe iȝen; and he was maad blynd.
xii Forſoþe herfor þe Lord ſuffride þis temptacioun
bifalle to hym, þat þe ſaumple of his pacience, `as alſo
of ſeynt Job, ſchulde be ȝouun to `after comeris.
xiii For whi whanne he dredde God euere fro his ȝong
childhed, and kepte hiſe comaundementis, he was not
ſory aȝens God, for þe ſikeneſſe of blyndneſſe cam to
hym;
xiiii but he dwellide vnmouable in þe drede of God, and
dide þankyngis to God in alle þe dais of his lijf.
xv For whi as kyngis vpbreididen ſeynt Job, ſo it bifelde
to þis Tobie, hiſe eldris and kyneſmen ſcorneden his lijf,
xvi and ſeiden, Where is þin hope, for which þou didiſt
almes dedis and biriyngis?
xvii Soþeli Tobie blamyde hem, and ſeide,
xviii Nyle ȝe ſpeke ſo, for we ben þe ſones of hooli men,
and we abiden þat lijf, which God ſchal ȝyue to hem þat
chaungen neuere her feiþ fro hym.
xix Forſoþe Anne, his wijf, ȝede ech dai to þe `werk of
weuyng, and brouȝte lyuelode, which ſche myȝte gete
of þe trauel of hir hondis.
xx Wherof it `was doon, þat ſche took a kide of geet,
and brouȝte hoom.
xxi And whanne hir hoſebonde hadde herd þe vois of þis
kide bletynge, he ſeide, Se ȝe, leſt perauenture it be of
þefte, but `ȝelde ȝe it to `hiſe lordis; for it is not leueful
`to vs, eþir to ete eþer to touche ony þing of þefte.
xxii At þeſe þingis his wijf was wrooþ, and anſweride,
Opynli þin hope is maad veyn, and þin almes dedis
apperiden now.
xxiii And bi þeſe and `oþere ſiche wordis ſche ſeide
ſchenſchip to hym.
CAP. III
i Þanne Tobie inwardli ſorewide, and bigan to preye wiþ
teeris, and ſeide, Lord,
ii þou art iuſt, and alle þi domes ben iuſt, and alle þi
weies ben mercy, and treuþe, and doom.
iii And now, Lord, haue þou mynde of me, and take þou
not veniaunce of my ſynnes, neþer haue þou mynde of
my treſpaſſis, eþir of my fadris.
iiii For we `obeieden not to `þi comaundementis, and we
ben takun in to rifelyng, and in to caitifte, and in to deþ,
and in to `a fable, and in to ſchenſchip to alle naciouns,
among whiche þou haſt ſcaterid vs.
v And now, Lord, þi domes ben grete; for we han not do
aftir `þi comaundementis, and we han not go clenli
bifor þee.
vi And now, Lord, bi þi wille do þou merci wiþ me, and
comaunde þou my ſpirit to be reſſeyued in pees; for it
ſpediþ more to me to die þan to lyue.
vii And ſo it bifelde in þe ſame dai, þat Sare, þe douȝter
of Raguel, was in Rages, a citee of Medeis, and ſche
herd ſchenſchip of oon of þe handmaidis of hir fadir;
CDXXIX
viii for ſche was ȝouun to ſeuene hoſebondis, and a
feend, Aſmodeus bi name, killide hem, anoon as þei
hadden entrid to hir.
ix Þerfor whanne ſche blamyde `þe damyſele for her
gilt, þe damiſele anſweride to hir, and ſeide, Þou
ſleereſſe of þin hoſebondis, ſe we `no more a ſone eþer a
douȝter of þee `on erþe;
x wheþer alſo þou wolt ſle me, as alſo þou haſt ſlayn
ſeuene men? At þis vois ſche ȝede in to þe hiȝere cloſet
of hir hows, and þre daies and þre nyȝtis ſche eet not,
neþer drank;
xi but ſche contynuede in preier wiþ teeris, and biſouȝte
God, þat he ſchulde delyuere hir fro þis ſchenſchip.
xii Forſoþe it was doon in þe þridde dai, while ſche
hadde fillid þe preier,
xiii ſche bleſſide þe Lord, and ſeide, God of oure fadris,
þi name is bleſſid, which whanne þou haſt be wrooþ,
ſchalt do merci, and in tyme of tribulacioun forȝyueſt
ſynnes to hem, þat inwardli clepen þee.
xiiii Lord, to þee Y turne togidere my face; to þee `Y
reiſe `myn iȝen.
xv Lord, Y axe, þat þou aſſoile me fro þe boond of þis
ſchenſchip, eþer certis þat þou take me awei fro aboue
þe erþe.
xvi Lord, þou woſt, þat Y neuere coueitide man, and Y
haue kept my ſoule cleene fro al coueitiſe.
xvii Y medlide me neuere wiþ pleieris, neþer Y ȝaf me
parcener wiþ hem þat goon in vnſtableneſſe.
xviii But Y conſentide to take an hoſebonde wiþ þi drede,
not wiþ my luſt.
xix And eþer Y was vnworþi to hem, eþer þei
perauenture weren not worþi to me; for in hap þou haſt
kept me to anoþer hoſebonde.
xx For þi councel is not in þe power of man.
xxi Forſoþe ech þat worſchipiþ þee haþ þis for a certeyn,
þat if his lijf is in preuyng, he ſchal be corowned; ſoþeli
if he is in tribulacioun, he ſchal be delyuerid; and if he
is in chaſtiſyng, it ſchal be leueful to come to þi merci.
xxii For þou delitiſt not in oure loſſis; for after tempeſt
þou makiſt peſible, and after morenyng and wepyng þou
bryngiſt yn ful ioye.
xxiii God of Iſrael, þi name be bleſſid `in to worldis, þat
is, til in to wiþouten ende.
xxiiii In þat tyme þe preieris of boþe weren herd in þe
ſiȝt of glorie of hiȝeſte God; and Raphael,
xxv þe hooli aungel of þe Lord, was ſent for to heele
hem boþe, whoſe preyeris weren reherſid in o tyme in
þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
CAP. IIII
i Þerfor whanne Tobie geſſide his preier to be herd, þat
he myȝte die, he clepide Tobie,
ii his ſone, to hym ſilf, and ſeide to hym, My ſone, here
þou þe wordis of my mouþ, and bilde þou þo as
foundementis in þin herte.
iii Whanne God haþ take my ſoule, byrie þou my bodi;
and `þou ſchal haue onour to þi modir in alle þe daies of
hir lijf;
iiii for þou owiſt to be myndeful, what perels and how
grete ſche ſuffride for þee in hir wombe.
v Forſoþe whanne alſo ſche haþ fillid þe tyme of hir lijf,
þou ſchalt birie hir biſidis me.
vi Soþeli in alle þe daies of þi lijf haue þou God in
mynde, and be þou war, leſt ony tyme þou conſente to
ſynne, and forſake þe heeſtis of oure God.
vii Of þi catel do þou almes, and nyle þou turne awei þi
face fro ony pore man; for ſo it ſchal be doon, þat þe
face of þe Lord be not turned awei fro þee.
viii As þou maiſt, ſo be þou merciful.
ix If þou haſt myche, ȝyue þou plenteuouſli; if þou haſt a
litil, alſo be þou biſi to departe wilfuli a litil.
x For þou treſoriſt to þee a good meede in þe dai of
nede;
xi for whi almes delyuereþ fro al ſynne and fro deeþ,
and ſchal not ſuffre þe ſoule to go in to derkneſſis.
xii Almes ſchal be grete triſt bifor þe hiȝeſte God to alle
men doynge it.
xiii Sone, take heede to þi ſilf, and fle fro al
fornicacioun, and, `outakun þi wijf, ſuffre þou neuere to
know ſynne.
xiiii Suffre þou neuere pride to haue lordſchip in þi wit,
neþer in þi word; for al `los, eþer dampnacioun, took
biginnyng in þat pride.
xv Who euere worchiþ ony þing to þee, ȝelde þou anoon
his mede, and outirli þe hire of `þin hirid man dwelle
not at þee.
xvi Þat þat þou hatiſt to be doon to þee of anoþer man, ſe
þou, leſt ony tyme þou do to anoþer man.
xvii Ete þi breed wiþ hungri men and nedi, and wiþ þi
cloþis hile þou nakid men.
xviii Ordeyne þi breed and þi wiyn on þe ſepulture of a
iuſt man, and nyle þou ete and drynke þerof wiþ
ſynneris.
xix Euere ſeke þou perfitli a counſel of a wijs man.
xx Al tyme bleſſe þou God, and axe þou of hym, þat he
dreſſe þi weies, and alle þi counſels dwelle in hym.
xxi Alſo, my ſone, Y ſchewe to þee, þat þe while þou
were ȝit a litil child, Y ȝaf ten talentis of ſiluer to
Gabelus, in Rages, a citee of Medeis; and Y haue his
obligacioun anentis me;
xxii and þerfor perfitli enquere þou, hou þou ſchalt come
to hym, and reſſeyue of hym þe forſeid weiȝte of ſiluer,
and reſtore to hym his obligacioun.
CDXXX
xxiii My ſone, nyle þou drede; forſoþe we leden a pore
lijf, but we ſchulen haue many goodis, if we dreden
God, and goen awei fro al ſynne, and doen wel.
CAP. V
i Þanne Tobie anſweride to his fadir, and ſeide, Fadir, Y
ſchal do alle þingis, which euer þou comaundidiſt to
me;
ii but Y noot, hou Y ſchal gete þis money; he knowiþ not
me, and Y knowe not him; what tokyn ſchal Y ȝyue to
hym? but neþer Y knew ony tyme þe weie, bi which me
goiþ þidur.
iii Þanne his fadir anſwerid to hym, and ſeide, Soþeli Y
haue þis obligacioun at me, which þe while þou
ſchewiſt to him, he ſchal reſtore anoon þe monei.
iiii But go now, and enquere to þee ſum feiþful man, þat
ſchal go wiþ þee for his hire ſaf, `þe while Y lyue ȝit,
þat þou reſſeyue þat monei.
v Þanne Tobie ȝede out, and foond a ȝong oon
ſtondynge, `ſchynynge, and gird, and as redi to go;
vi and he wiſte not, þat it was þe angel of God. And he
grette þe ȝong oon, and ſeide, Of whennus han we þee,
goode ȝonge man?
vii And he anſweride, Of þe ſones of Iſrael. And Tobie
ſeide to hym, Knowiſt þou þe weie, þat lediþ in to þe
cuntrei of Medeis?
viii To whom he anſweride, Y knowe, and Y haue go
ofte alle þe weies þerof, and Y haue dwellid at Gabelus,
ȝoure broþer, þat dwelliþ in Rages, a citee of Medeis,
which is ſet in `þe hil of Echbathanis.
ix To whom Tobie ſeide, Y biſeche, abide þou me, til Y
telle þeſe þingis to my fader.
x Þanne Tobie entride, and telde alle þeſe þingis to his
fader; on which þingis þe fader wondride, and preiede,
þat he wolde entre to him.
xi Þerfor he entride, and grette Tobie, and ſeide, Ioie be
euere to þee!
xii And Tobie ſeide, What maner ioie ſchal be to me, þat
ſitte in derkneſſis, and ſe not `þe lyȝt of heuene?
xiii To whom þe ȝong oon ſeide, Be þou of ſtrong wit; it
is in þe nexte þat þou be heelid of God.
xiiii Þerfor Tobie ſeide to hym, Wheþer þou maiſt lede
my ſone to Gabelus in to Rages, þe citee of Medeis, and
whanne þou comeſt aȝen, Y ſchal reſtore þi mede to
þee?
xv And þe aungel ſeide to hym, Y ſchal lede, and bringe
aȝen him hool to þee.
xvi To whom Tobie anſweride, Y preie þee, ſchewe to
me, of what hows, eþer of what lynage þou art?
xvii To whom Raphael, þe aungel, ſeide, Axiſt þou þe
kyn of þe hirid man, eþir þe hirid man hym ſilf, þat
ſchal go wiþ þi ſone?
xviii But leſt perauenture Y make þee douteful, Y am
Azarie, þe ſone of grete Ananye.
xix And Tobie anſweride, Þou art of greet kyn; but Y
axe, þat þou be not wrooþ, þat Y wolde knowe þi kyn.
xx Forſoþe þe aungel ſeide to hym, Y ſchal lede þi ſone
hool, and Y ſchal bring aȝen to þee `þi ſone hool.
xxi Soþeli Tobie anſweride, and ſeide, Wel `go ȝe, and þe
Lord be in ȝoure weie, and his aungel go wiþ ȝou.
xxii Þanne whanne alle þingis weren redi, þat ſchulden
be borun in þe weie, Tobie made `farewel to his fadir
and his modir; and `boþe ȝeden togidere.
xxiii And whanne þei weren goon forþ, his modir bigan
to wepe, and to ſeie, Þou haſt take þe ſtaf of oure eelde,
and haſt ſent awey fro vs;
xxiiii `Y wolde þilke monei were neuere, `for which þou
ſentiſt him;
xxv oure pouert ſufficide to vs, þat we ſchulden arette þis
richeſſis, þat we ſien oure ſone.
xxvi And Tobie ſeide to hir, `Nyle þou wepe; oure ſone
ſchal come ſaaf, and he ſchal turne aȝen ſaaf to vs, and
þin iȝen ſchulen ſe hym.
xxvii For Y bileue, þat þe good aungel of God goiþ wiþ
him, and he ſchal diſpoſe wel alle þingis, þat ben doon
aboute hym, ſo þat he turne aȝen wiþ ioie to vs.
xxviii At þis vois his moder ceeſſide to wepe, and was
ſtille.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe Tobie ȝede forþ, and `a dogge ſuede hym, and
he dwellide in þe firſte dwellyng biſidis þe flood of
Tigrys.
ii And he `ȝede out to waiſche hiſe feet; and lo! a greet
fiſch ȝede out to deuoure hym.
iii Which fiſch Tobie dredde, and criede wiþ greet vois,
and ſeide, Sire, he aſſailiþ me.
iiii And þe aungel ſeide to hym, Take `þou his gile, `eþer
iowe, and drawe hym to þee. And whanne he hadde do
þis þing, he drow it in to þe drie place, and it bigan to
ſpraule bifor hiſe feet.
v Þanne þe aungel ſeide to hym, Drawe out þe entrails
of þis fiſch, and kepe to þee his herte and galle and
mawe; for þeſe þingis ben nedeful to medicyns
profitabli.
vi And whanne he hadde do þis þing, he roſtide `hiſe
fleiſchis, and þei token `wiþ hem in þe weie; þei
ſaltiden oþere þingis, þat ſchulde ſuffice to hem in þe
weie, til þei camen in to Rages, þe citee of Medeis.
vii Þanne Tobie axide þe aungel, and ſeide to hym,
Azarie, broþer, Y biſeche þee, þat þou ſeie to me, what
remedie þeſe þingis ſchulen haue, whiche þou
comaundidiſt to be kept of þe fiſch.
viii And þe aungel anſweride, and ſeide to hym, If þou
puttiſt a lytil part of his herte on þe coolis, þe ſmoke
CDXXXI
þerof dryueþ awei al þe kynde of feendis, eþir fro man
eþer fro womman, ſo þat it neiȝe no more to hem.
ix And þe galle is myche worþ to anoynte iȝen, in
whiche is a web, and þo ſchulen be heelid.
x And Tobie ſeide to him, Where wolt þou, þat we
dwelle?
xi And þe aungel anſweride, and ſeide, Here is a man,
Raguel bi name, a nyȝ man of þi lynage, and he haþ a
douȝtir, Sare bi name; but neþer he haþ male neþir ony
oþer femal, outakun hir.
xii Al his catel is due to þee; and it bihoueþ þee haue hir
to wijf.
xiii Þerfor axe þou hir of hir fadir; and he ſchal ȝyue `hir
a wijf to þee.
xiiii Þanne Tobie anſweride, and ſeide, Y haue herd, þat
ſche was ȝouun to ſeuene hoſebondis, and þei ben deed;
but alſo Y herde þis, þat a fend killide hem.
xv Þerfor Y dredde, leſt perauenture alſo þeſe þingis
bifalle to me; and ſiþen Y am oon aloone to my fadir
and modir, Y putte doun `wiþ ſorewe her eelde to hellis.
xvi Þanne þe aungel Raphael ſeide to hym, Here þou me,
and Y ſchal ſchewe to þee, `whiche it ben, ouer whiche
þe fend haþ maiſtrie; ouer hem,
xvii þat taken ſo weddyngys, þat þei cloſe out God fro
hem and fro her mynde; `þe fend haþ power ouer hem,
þat ȝyuen ſo tent to her letcherie, as an hors and mule
doon, `þat han noon vndurſtondyng.
xviii But whanne þou haſt take hir, entre þou in to þe
bed, and bi þre daies be þou continent `fro hir, and to
noon oþer þing þou ſchalt ȝyue tent wiþ hir, no but to
preieris.
xix Forſoþe in þat firſte niȝt, whanne þe mawe of þe
fiſch is brent, þe fend ſchal be dryuun awei.
xx Soþeli in þe ſecounde nyȝt þou ſchalt be reſſeyued in
þe couplyng of hooli patriarkis.
xxi Forſoþe in þe þridde nyȝt þou ſchalt gete bleſſyng,
þat hoole ſones be gendrid of ȝou.
xxii But whanne þe þridde niȝt is paſſid, þou ſchalt take
þe virgyn wiþ þe drede of þe Lord, and þou ſchalt be
led more bi þe loue of children þan of luſt, þat in þe
ſeed of Abraham þou gete bleſſyng in ſones.
CAP. VII
i `Forſoþe þei entriden to Raguel; and Raguel reſſeyuede
hem wiþ ioie.
ii And Raguel bihelde Tobie, and ſeide to Anne, his wijf,
Þis ȝong man is ful lijk my ſiſter ſone.
iii And whanne he hadde ſeid þeſe þingis, he ſeide, Of
whennus ben ȝe, ȝonge men, oure briþeren? And þei
ſeiden, We ben of þe lynage of Neptalym, of þe caitifte
of Nynyue.
iiii And Raguel ſeide to hem, Knowen ȝe Tobi, my
broþer? Whiche anſweriden, We knowen him.
v And `whanne he ſpak manye good þingis of Tobie, þe
aungel ſeide to Raguel, Tobie, of whom þou axiſt, is þe
fadir of þis man.
vi Þanne Raguel bowede doun hym ſilf, and wiþ teeris
he kiſſide Tobie, and he wepte on his necke,
vii and ſeide, My ſone, bleſſyng be to þee; for þou art þe
ſone of a good and `a ful noble man.
viii And Anne, `his wijf, and Sare, `þe douȝtir of hem,
wepten.
ix Forſoþe after þat þei hadden ſpoke, Raguel
comaundide a weþir to be ſlayn, and a feeſte to be maad
redi. And whanne he excitide hem to ſitte doun to mete,
Tobie ſeide,
x Y ſchal not ete, neþir drynke here to dai, no but þou
conferme firſt myn axyng, and biheete to ȝyue to me
Sare, þi douȝter.
xi And whanne þis word was herd, Raguel dredde,
witynge what bifelde to þo ſeuene men; and he bigan
for to drede, leſt perauenture it ſchulde bifalle in lijk
maner to þis Tobie. And whanne he doutide, and ȝaf
noon anſwere to þe axere,
xii þe aungel ſeide to hym, Nyle þou drede to ȝyue hir to
þis man; for þi douȝter `is due wiyf to þis man dredynge
God; þerfor anoþer man myȝte not haue hir.
xiii Þanne Raguel ſeide, Y doute not, þat God haþ
reſſeyued my preieris and teeris in his ſiȝt.
xiiii And Y bileue, þat herfor þe Lord made ȝou come to
me, þat alſo þis womman ſchulde be ioyned to her
kynrede bi þe lawe of Moiſes; and now nyle þou bere
doute, þat Y ſchal ȝyue hir to þee.
xv And he took þe riȝt hond of his douȝter, and ȝaf to þe
riȝt hond of Tobie, and ſeide, God of Abraham, and God
of Iſaac, and God of Jacob, be wiþ ȝou, and he ioyne
ȝou togidere, and `he fille his bleſſyng in ȝou.
xvi And whanne a chartere `was takun, þei maden
`writyng togidere of þe mariage.
xvii And aftir þeſe þingis þei eten, and bleſſiden God.
xviii And Raguel clepide to hym Anne, his wijf, and
comaundide hir to make redi anoþer bed.
xix And ſche ledde Sare, hir douȝtir, in to it, and ſche
wepte; and Anne ſeide to hir, My douȝter, be þou of
ſtrong wit; þe Lord of heuene ȝyue to þee ioie, for þe
anoie þat þou ſuffridiſt.
CAP. VIII
i Forſoþe aftir þat þei hadden ſoupid, þei brouȝten in þe
ȝong man to hir.
ii Þerfor Tobie biþouȝte of þe wordis of þe aungel, and
`brouȝte forþ of his ſcrippe a part of þe mawe, and
puttide it on quike coolis.
iii Þanne Raphael, þe aungel, took þe fend, and boond
hym in þe deſert of hiȝere Egipte.
CDXXXII
iiii Þanne Tobie moneſtide þe virgyn, and ſeide to hir,
Sare, riſe vp, and preye we God to dai, and to morewe,
and `þe ſecounde morewe; for in þeſe þre nyȝtis we ben
ioyned to God; ſoþeli whanne þe þridde nyȝt is paſſid,
we ſchulen be in oure mariage;
v for we ben þe children of hooli men, and we moun not
ſo be ioyned togidere as alſo heþene men, þat knowen
not God.
vi Soþeli þei riſiden togidere, and boþe preȝeden
togidere biſili, þat helþe ſchulde be ȝouun to hem.
vii And Tobie ſeide, Lord God of oure fadris, heuenes,
and londis, and þe ſee, and wellis, and floodis, and ech
creature of þin, which is in þo, bleſſe þee; þou madiſt
Adam of þe ſliym of erþe,
viii and ȝaueſt to hym an help, Eue.
ix And now, Lord, þou wooſt, þat Y take my ſiſtir not for
cauſe of letcherie, but for loue aloone of eeris, in
whiche þi name be bleſſid in to worldis of worldis.
x Þerfor Sare ſeide, Lord, haue þou mercy on vs, haue
þou merci on vs, and waxe we boþe eelde togidere
hoole.
xi And it was doon aboute þe `cockis crowyng, Raguel
made hiſe ſeruauntis to be clepid, and þei ȝeden wiþ
hym to digge a ſepulcre.
xii For he dredde, leſt it bifelde in lijk maner to hym, þat
bifelde alſo to `ſeuene oþere men, þat entriden to hir.
xiii And whanne þei hadden maad redi a pit, Raguel
ȝede aȝen to his wijf, and ſeide to hir,
xiiii Sende oon of þin handmaydis, and ſe ſche, wheþer
`he is deed, þat Y byrie hym, bifor þat þe lyȝt come.
xv And ſche ſente oon of hir handmaidis, which entride
in to þe cloſet, and foond hem ſaaf and ſounde, ſlepynge
togidir wiþ hem ſilf.
xvi And ſche turnede aȝen, and teld good maſſage. And
þei bleſſiden þe Lord, þat is, Raguel and Anne,
xvii his wijf, and ſeiden, Lord God of Iſrael, we bleſſen
þee, for it `bifelde not to vs, as we geſſiden;
xviii for þou haſt do þi merci wiþ vs, and haſt ſchit out
fro vs þe enemy purſuynge vs.
xix Soþeli þou haſt do merci `to tweyne aloone. My
Lord, make þou hem to bleſſe þee fulliere, and for to
offre to þee þe ſacrifice of þi preiſyng, and of her helþe,
þat þe vnyuerſite of folkis knowe, þat þou art God
aloone in al erþe.
xx And anoon Raguel comaundide hiſe ſeruauntis to fille
þe pit, which þei hadden maad, bifor þat þe lyȝt cam.
xxi `Forſoþe he ſeide to his wijf, þat ſche ſchulde araie a
feeſte, and make redi alle þingis, þat weren nedeful to
men makynge iournei.
xxii Alſo he made to be ſlayn twei fatte kien, and foure
weþeris, and metis to be maad redi to alle hiſe neiȝboris,
and alle hiſe frendis.
xxiii And Raguel made Tobie to ſwere, þat he ſchulde
`dwelle twei woukis at Raguel.
xxiiii Soþeli of alle þingis, whiche Raguel hadde in
poſſeſſioun, he ȝaf þe half part to Tobie; and he made
þis ſcripture, þat þe half part, þat was left, ſchulde come
to þe lordſchip of Tobie aftir þe deeþ of hem.
CAP. IX
i Þanne Tobie clepide to hym þe aungel, whom ſoþeli he
geſſide a man. And Tobie ſeide to hym, Azarie, broþer,
Y axe, þat þou herkne my wordis.
ii Þouȝ Y bitake my ſilf ſeruaunt to þee, Y ſchal not be
euene worþi to þi puruyaunce.
iii Neþeles Y biſeche þee, þat þou take to þee beeſtis,
eþir ſeruyces, and go þou to Gabelus `in to Rages, a
citee of Medeis, and ȝelde to hym his obligacioun; and
take of hym þe money, and preie hym to come to my
weddyngis.
iiii For þou wooſt, þat my fadir noumbriþ þe daies, and
yf Y tarie o dai more, his ſoule ſchal be maad ſorie.
v And certis þou ſeeſt, hou Raguel haþ chargid me,
whos chargyng Y mai not diſpiſe.
vi Þanne Raphael took foure of þe ſeruauntis of Raguel,
and twei camels, and ȝede in to Rages, a citee of
Medeis, and he foond Gabelus, and ȝaf to hym his
obligacioun, and reſſeyuede of hym al þe monei;
vii and he ſchewide to hym of Tobie, þe ſone of Tobie,
alle þingis þat weren doon. And he made Gabelus come
wiþ hym to þe weddyngis.
viii And whanne he entride in to þe hows of Raguel, he
foond Tobie ſittynge at þe mete; and `he ſkippide vp,
and þei kiſſiden hem ſilf togidere.
ix And Gabelus wepte, and bleſſide God, and ſeide, Þe
Lord God of Iſrael bleſſe þee, for þou art þe ſone of a ful
good man, and iuſt, and dredynge God, and doynge
almeſdedis;
x and bleſſing be ſeid on þi wijf, and on ȝoure fadris and
modris,
xi and ſe ȝe ȝoure ſones, and þe ſones of ȝoure ſones, til
in to þe þridde and þe fourþe generacioun; and ȝoure
ſeed be bleſſid of God of Iſrael, þat regneþ in `to þe
worldis of worldis.
xii And whanne alle men hadden ſeid Amen, þei ȝeden
to `þe feeſte; but alſo þei vſiden þe feeſte of weddyngis
wiþ þe drede of þe Lord.
CAP. X
i Soþeli whanne Tobie made tariyngis for `þe cauſe of
weddyngis, `Tobie his fadir was angwiſched, ſeiynge,
Geſſiſt þou, whi my ſone tarieþ, eþir whi he is
`wiþoldun þere?
ii Geſſiſt þou, wheþer Gabelus is deed, and no man
ȝeldiþ to hym þe monei?
CDXXXIII
iii `Forſoþe he bigan to be `ſorie ful myche, and Anne,
his wijf, wiþ hym; and boþe bigunnen to wepe togidere,
for her ſone turnede not aȝen to hem `in þe dai ſet.
iiii Þerfor his modir wepte wiþ teeris wiþouten remedie,
and ſeide, Alas to me! my ſone, whi ſenten we þee a
pilgrimage, þe lyȝt of oure iȝen, þe ſtaf of oure eelde, þe
ſolace of oure lijf, þe hope of oure eiris?
v We hadden alle þingis togidere in þee oon, and ouȝte
not leete þee go fro vs.
vi To whom Tobie ſeide, Be ſtille, and nyle þou be
troblid; oure ſone is hool; þilke man is feiþful ynow,
wiþ whom we ſenten hym.
vii Forſoþe ſche myȝte not be coumfortid in ony maner,
but ech dai ſche `ſkippide forþe, and lokide aboute, and
cumpaſſide alle þe weies, bi whiche þe hope of
`comyng aȝen was ſeyn, to ſe hym comynge afer, if it
myȝte be doon.
viii And ſoþeli Raguel ſeide to `þe hoſebonde of his
douȝtir, Dwelle þou here, and Y ſchal ſende a meſſanger
of helþe `of þee to Tobie, þi fadir.
ix To whom Tobie ſeide, Y knowe, þat my fadir and my
modir rekynen now þe daies, and her ſpirit is turmentid
in hem.
x And whanne Raguel preiede Tobie wiþ many wordis,
and he `nolde here Raguel bi ony reſoun, Raguel bitook
to hym Sare, and half `þe part of al his catel, in children
and damyſels, in þe ſcheep and camels, and in kiyn, and
in myche monei; and he delyueride fro hym ſilf Tobie
ſaaf and ioiynge,
xi and ſeide, Þe hooli aungel of þe Lord be in ȝoure
weie, and brynge ȝou ſounde, and fynde ȝe alle þingis
riȝtfuli aboute ȝoure fadir and modir,
xii and myn iȝen ſe ȝoure ſones, bifor þat Y die. And þe
fadir and modir token `her douȝter, and kiſſiden hir,
xiii and leeten hir go, and moneſtiden hir to onour þe
fader and modir of hir hoſebonde, to loue þe hoſebonde,
to reule þe meynee, to gouerne þe hows, and to ſchewe
hir ſelf vnrepreuable.
CAP. XI
i And whanne `þei turneden aȝen, þei camen to Carram,
which is in þe myddil of þe weie aȝens Nynyue, `in þe
eleuenþe dai.
ii And þe aungel ſeide, Tobie broþer, þou wooſt, hou
þou leftiſt þi fadir.
iii Þerfor if it pleſiþ þee, go we bifore; and þe meineis,
wiþ þi wijf togidere and wiþ þe beeſtis, ſue oure weie
wiþ ſoft goynge.
iiii And whanne þis pleſide, þat þei ſchulden go, Raphael
ſeide to Tobie, Take wiþ þee of þe galle of þe fiſch, for
it ſchal be nedeful. Þerfor Tobie took of þat galle, and
þei ȝeden forþ.
v Forſoþe Anne ſat biſidis þe weie ech dai in þe cop of
þe hil, fro whennus ſche myȝte biholde fro afer.
vi And while ſche bihelde fro þe ſame place þe comyng
of hym, ſche ſiȝ a fer, and knew anoon hir ſone
comynge; and ſche ran, and telde to hir hoſebonde, and
ſeide, Lo! þi ſone comeþ.
vii And Raphael ſeide to Tobie, And whanne þou haſt
entrid in to þin hows, anoon worſchipe `þi Lord God,
and do þou þankyngis to hym, and neiȝe to þi fadir, and
kiſſe hym.
viii And anoon anoynte on hiſe iȝen of þis galle of þe
fiſch, which galle þou beriſt wiþ þee; for `whi wite þou,
þat anoon hiſe iȝen ſchulen be openyd, and `þi fadir
ſchal ſe þe lyȝt of heuene, and he ſchal be ioiful in þi
ſiȝt.
ix Þanne þe dogge `ran bifore, `þat was togidere in þe
weie, and made ioie wiþ þe faunyng of his tail, as a
meſſanger comynge.
x And his blynde fadir roos vp, and bigan to renne,
hirtynge `in þe feet, and whanne he hadde ȝoue hond to
a child, he ran aȝens his ſone.
xi And he reſſeyuede and kiſſide hym, `wiþ his wijf, and
boþe bigunnen to wepe for ioie.
xii And whanne þei hadden worſchipid God, and hadden
do þankyngis, þei ſaten togidere.
xiii Þanne Tobie took of þe galle of þe fiſch, and
anoyntide þe iȝen of his fadir.
xiiii And he abood as half an our almeſt, and þe web, as
þe litil ſkyn of an ey, bigan to go out of hiſe iȝen.
xv Which web Tobie took, and drow fro hiſe iȝen, and
anoon he reſſeyuede ſiȝt.
xvi And þei glorifieden God, þat is, he, and his wijf, and
alle þat knewen hym.
xvii And Tobie ſeide, Lord God of Iſrael, Y bleſſe þee,
for þou haſt chaſtiſid me, and þou haſt ſaued me; and lo!
Y ſe Tobie, my ſone.
xviii Alſo Sare, þe wijf of his ſone, entride aftir ſeuene
daies, and alle þe meynees, and þe beeſtis hoole, and
camels, and miche monei of þe wijf, but alſo þe money
which `he hadde reſſeyued of Gabelus.
xix And he telde to his fadir and modir alle þe benefices
of God, whiche he hadde do aboute hym bi þe man, þat
hadde led hym.
xx And Achior and Nabath, þe `ſiſtir ſones of Tobie,
camen ioiful to Tobie, and þankiden hym of alle þe
`goodis, whiche God hadde ſchewid aboute hym.
xxi And bi ſeuene daies þei eeten, and ioyden wiþ greet
ioye.
CAP. XII
i Þanne Tobie clepide to hym his ſone, and ſeide to hym,
What moun we ȝyue to þis hooli man, þat cam wiþ þee?
CDXXXIV
ii Tobie anſweride, and ſeide to his fadir, Fadir, what
meede ſchulen we ȝyue to hym, eþer what mai be worþi
to hiſe benefices?
iii He ledde, and `brouȝte me hool aȝen; he reſſeyuede of
Gabelus þe monei; he made me to haue a wijf, and he
droof awei þe feend fro hir; he made ioie to hir fadir
and moder; he delyuerede `my ſilf fro þe deuouryng of
a fiſch; and he made þee to ſe þe lyȝt of heuene; and we
ben fillid wiþ alle goodis bi hym; what þing worþi to
þeſe þingis moun we ȝyue to hym?
iiii But, fadir, Y axe þee, þat þou preie hym, if
perauenture he ſchal vouche ſaaf to take to hym þe half
of alle þingis, what euer þingis ben brouȝt.
v And þe fadir and þe ſone clepiden hym, and token
hym aſidis half, and bigunnen to preie, þat he wolde
vouche ſaaf to haue acceptable þe half part of alle
þingis, whiche þei hadden brouȝt.
vi Þanne he ſeide to hem priueli, Bleſſe ȝe God of
heuene, and knouleche ȝe to hym bifor alle men
lyuynge, for he haþ do his merci wiþ ȝou.
vii For it is good to hide þe priuyte of a kyng; but it is
worſchipful to ſchewe and knowleche þe werkis of God.
viii Preier is good wiþ faſtyng, and almes, more þan to
hide treſouris of gold;
ix for whi almes delyuereþ fro deþ, and þilke almes it is
þat purgiþ ſynnes, and makiþ to fynde euerlaſtynge lijf.
x Forſoþe þei þat doon ſynne and wickidneſſe, ben
enemyes of her ſoule.
xi Þerfor Y ſchewe trewþe to ȝou, and Y ſchal not hide
fro ȝou a pryuy word.
xii Whane þou preyediſt wiþ teeris, and biryediſt deed
men, and `forſokiſt þe meete, and hiddiſt deed men bi
dai in þin hows, and biriediſt `in þe nyȝt, Y offride þi
preier to þe Lord.
xiii And for þou were acceptable to God, it was nedeful
þat temptacioun ſchulde preue þee.
xiiii And now þe Lord ſente me `for to cure þee, and to
delyuere Sare, þe wijf of þi ſone, fro þe fend.
xv For Y am Raphael, þe aungel, oon of þe ſeuene þat
ben preſent bifor þe Lord.
xvi And whanne þei hadden herd þis, þei weren
diſturblid, and felden tremblynge on her face.
xvii And þe aungel ſeide to hem, Pees be to ȝou, nyle ȝe
drede;
xviii for whanne Y was wiþ ȝou, Y was bi Goddis wille.
Bleſſe ȝe hym, and ſynge ȝe to hym.
xix Soþeli Y ſemyde to ete and drynke wiþ ȝou; but Y
vſe vnuyſible meete, and drynk þat mai not be ſeyn of
men.
xx Þerfor it is tyme, þat Y turne aȝen to hym, þat ſente
me; but bleſſe ȝe God, and telle ȝe out alle hiſe
merueils; bleſſe ȝe hym, and ſynge ȝe to hym.
xxi And whanne he hadde ſeide þeſe þingis, he was
takun awei fro her ſiȝt; and þei myȝten no more ſe hym.
xxii Þanne þei felden doun `bi þre ouris on þe face, and
bleſſiden God; and þei riſynge vp telden alle hiſe
merueils.
CAP. XIII
i Forſoþe þe eldere Tobie openyde his mouþ, and
bleſſide God, and ſeide, Lord, þou art greet wiþ outen
ende, and þi rewme is in to `alle worldis;
ii for þou betiſt, and makiſt ſaaf; þou lediſt doun to
hellis, and `lediſt aȝen; and noon is þat aſcapiþ þin
hoond.
iii Sones of Iſrael, knowleche ȝe to þe Lord, and herye
ȝe hym in þe ſiȝt of heþene men;
iiii for herfor he ſcateride ȝou among heþene men, þat
knowen not God, þat ȝe telle out his merueils, and make
hem to wite, þat noon oþere God is almyȝti outakun
hym.
v He chaſtiſide vs for oure wickidneſſis; and he ſchal
ſaue vs for his mercy.
vi Þerfor biholde ȝe, what þingis he haþ do wiþ ȝou, and
knouleche ȝe to hym wiþ drede and tremblyng; and
enhaunſe ȝe þe kyng of worldis in ȝoure werkis.
vii Forſoþe Y in þe lond of my caitifte ſchal knouleche
to hym; for he ſchewide his maieſte on a ſynful folc.
viii Þerfor, ſynneris, be ȝe conuertid, and do ȝe
riȝtfulneſſe bifor God, and bileue ȝe, þat he ſchal do his
merci wiþ ȝou.
ix Soþeli Y and my ſoule ſchulen be glad in hym.
x Alle choſun of þe Lord, bleſſe ȝe hym; make ȝe þe
daies of gladneſſe, and knouleche ȝe to hym.
xi Jeruſalem, þe citee of God, þe Lord haþ chaſtiſid þee
for þe werkis of þin hondis.
xii Knouleche þou to God in þi goodis, and bleſſe þou
God of worldis, þat he bilde aȝen in þee his tabernacle,
and aȝen clepe to þee alle þi priſoneris; and þat þou
haue ioie in to alle worldis of worldis.
xiii Þou ſchalt ſchyne wiþ briȝt lyȝt, and alle þe cooſtis
of erþe ſchulen worſchipe þee.
xiiii Naciouns ſchulen come fro fer to þee, and þei
ſchulen brynge ȝiftis, and ſchulen worſchipe þe Lord in
þee, and þei ſchulen haue þi lond in to halewyng;
xv for þei ſchulen `clepe in þee þe grete name.
xvi And þei ſchulen be curſid, þat diſpiſen þee, and þei
ſchulen be dampned, þat blasfemen þee; and þei ſchulen
be bleſſid, þat bilden þee.
xvii Forſoþe þou ſchalt be glad in þi ſones, for alle
ſchulen be bleſſid, and ſchulen be gaderid togidere to þe
Lord.
xviii Bleſſid ben alle þat louen þee, and þat han ioie on þi
pees.
CDXXXV
xix My ſoule, bleſſe þou þe Lord, for `oure Lord God
haþ delyuered Jeruſalem, his citee, fro alle tribulaciouns
þerof.
xx Y ſchal be bleſſid, if þe relikis of my ſeed ſchulen be
to ſe þe clereneſſe of Jeruſalem.
xxi Þe ȝatis of Jeruſalem ſchulen be bildid of ſaphire and
ſmaragde, and of preciouſe ſtoon; al þe cumpas of wallis
þerof ſchal be of white and clene ſtoon.
xxii Alle þe ſtretis þerof ſchulen be ſtrewid; and alleluya,
`þat is, þe heriyng of God, ſchal be ſungun bi þe ſtretis
þerof.
xxiii Bleſſid be þe Lord, þat enhaunſide it, þat his rewme
be on it in to worldis of worldis. Amen.
CAP. XIIII
i And þe wordis of Tobie (Note: Tobie Þe preiſable
knowleching of Tobie, and his profecie of heuenli
Jeruſalem. ) weren endid; and aftir þat he was liȝtned,
he lyuede two and fourti ȝeer, and ſiȝ þe ſones of hiſe
ſones ſones.
ii For whanne an hundrid ȝeer and tweyn weren fillid,
he was biried worſchipfuli in Nynyue.
iii `For he of ſixe and fifti ȝeer loſte þe lyȝt of iȝen;
ſoþeli he ſixti ȝeer eeld reſſeyuede `þat lyȝt.
iiii Forſoþe þe reſidue of his lijf was in ioie, and he ȝede
in pees wiþ good encreſyng of Goddis drede.
v Forſoþe in þe our of his deeþ he clepide to hym Tobie,
his ſone, and ſeuene ȝonge ſones of hym, hiſe ſones
ſones,
vi and ſeide to hem, Þe periſchyng of Nynyue ſchal be
niȝ, for þe word of God ſchal not falle doun (Note: ſum
is profeſie of manaas, and þis is chaungid, as þe meritis
of men chaungen; and in þis maner Jonas profeciede þe
diſtriyng of Nynyue, but for þei diden penaunce, þis
peyne was delayed; and whanne þei turneden aȝen to
her ſynnes, God ȝaf ful doom of diſtriynge of Nynyue bi
profeſie of predeſtynacioun eþer of ful doom, as it is in
Goddis knowyng, and þis profeſie eþer doom is neuere
chaungid. ); and ȝoure briþeren, þat ben ſcaterid fro þe
lond of Iſrael, ſchulen turne aȝen to it.
vii Soþeli al deſeert lond þerof ſchal be fillid, and þe
hows of God, which is brent þer ynne, ſchal be bildid
aȝen, and alle þat dreden God ſchulen turne aȝen þidur.
viii And heþene men ſchulen forſake her idols (Note: þis
profeſie was fillid in part, whanne þe Jewis turneden
aȝen fro Babiloyne; but more perfitly it was fillid in þe
tyme of Criſt and hiſe apoſtlis, whanne heþen men
forſoken her idols, and camen to criſten feiþ, and
ſerueden Criſt truly, King of Iſrael. ), and ſchulen come
to Jeruſalem, and ſchulen `enhabite it.
ix And alle þe kyngis of erþe ſchulen haue ioie þer ynne,
and ſchulen worſchipe þe kyng of Iſrael.
x Þerfor, my ſones, here ȝe ȝoure fadir; ſerue ȝe þe Lord
in drede and treuþe; and enquere ȝe to do þo þingis þat
ben pleſaunt to hym.
xi And comaunde ȝe ȝoure ſones to do riȝtfulneſſis and
almeſdedis; þat þei be myndeful of God, and bleſſe God
in al tyme, in treuþe and in al her vertu.
xii Now þerfor, my ſones, here ȝe me, and nyle ȝe dwelle
here, but in what euer dai ȝe han biried ȝoure modir
biſide me in o ſepulcre, fro þat dai dreſſe ȝe ȝoure
ſteppis, þat ȝe go out fro hennus;
xiii for Y ſe þat þe wickidneſſe þerof ſchal `ȝyue an ende
þerto.
xiiii Forſoþe it was doon aftir þe deeþ of his modir,
Tobie ȝede awei fro Nynyue, wiþ his wijf, and ſones,
and wiþ þe ſones of ſones, and turnede aȝen to þe fadir
and modir of his wijf.
xv And he foond hem ſounde in good eelde. And he dide
þe cure of hem, and he cloſide her iȝen; and he took al
þe erytage of þe hows of Raguel, and he ſiȝ þe fyueþe
generacioun, þe ſones of hiſe ſones.
xvi And whanne nynti ȝeer and nyne weren fillid in þe
drede of þe Lord, þei birieden hym wiþ ioie.
xvii Forſoþe al his kynrede, and al his generacioun,
dwellide perfitli in good lijf, and in hooli
conuerſacioun, ſo þat þei weren acceptable boþe to God
and to men, and to alle enhabitynge þe erþe.
Here endiþ þe book of Tobie, and here bigynneþ þe
book of Judith.

CDXXXVI

JUDITH
Here biginneþ þe bok of Judith.
CAP. I
i `And ſo Arphaxat, kyng of Medeis, hadde maad ſuget
many folkis to his empire; and he bildide a ful myȝti
citee, which he clepide Egbathanys.
ii Of ſquarid ſtonys and korfe he made þe wallis þerof,
in þe heiȝþe of þre ſcore cubitis and ten, and in þe
breede of þritti cubitis. Soþeli he ſettide þe touris þerof
in þe heiȝþe of an hundrid cubitis.
iii Forſoþe bi þe ſquare of þo touris euer eiþer ſide was
ſtretchid forþ, bi þe ſpace of twenti feet; and he ſettide
þe ȝatis of þat citee in þe heiȝþe of þe touris.
iiii And he hadde glorie, as miȝti in þe power of his ooſt,
and in þe glorie of hiſe charis.
v Þerfor Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Aſſyriens, þat regnede
in þe grete citee Nynyue, fauȝt in þe twelueþe ȝeer of
his rewme aȝens Arphaxat, and gat him in þe greet
feeld,
vi `which is clepid Ragau, biſidis Eufrates, and Tigris,
and Jadaſa, in þe feeld of Erioch, kyng of Elichoris.
vii Þanne þe rewme of Nabugodonoſor was enhaunſid,
and his herte was reiſid; and he ſente to alle men, þat
dwelliden in Cilicie, and in Damaſk, and in Liban,
viii and to folkis, þat weren in Carmele, and in Cedar,
and to men dwellynge in Galile, and in þe grete feeld of
Eſdrolon, and to alle men,
ix þat weren in Samarie, and biȝende þe flood Jordan,
`til to Jeruſalem; and to al þe lond of Jeſſe, til me come
to þe hillis of Ethiope.
x Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Aſſiriens, ſente meſſangeris
`to alle þeſe men; `which alle aȝenſeiden wiþ o wille,
and ſenten aȝen hem voide, and caſtiden awei wiþ out
onour.
xii Þanne kyng Nabugodonoſor was wrooþ to al þat
lond, and ſwoor bi his rewme and trone, þat he wolde
defende him fro alle þeſe cuntreis.
CAP. II
i In þe þrittenþe ȝeer of kyng Nabugodonoſor, in þe two
and twentiþe dai of þe firſte moneþe, a word was maad
in þe hows of Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Aſſiriens, þat he
wolde defende hym.
ii And he clepide to hym alle þe eldere men, and alle
duykis, hiſe werriouris; and hadde wiþ hem þe priuete
of his counſel.
iii And he ſeide, þat his þouȝte was in þat þing, to make
ſuget ech lond to his empire.
iiii And whanne þis ſeiyng hadde pleſid alle men, `kyng
Nabugodonoſor clepide Holofernes, prince of his
chyualrie,
CDXXXVII
v and ſeide to hym, Go þou out aȝens ech rewme of þe
weſt, and aȝens hem principali, þat diſpiſiden `my
comaundement.
vi Þin iȝen ſchal not ſpare ony rewme, and þou ſchalt
make ſuget to me ech ſtrengþid citee.
vii Þanne Holofernes clepide þe duykis and magiſtratis
of þe vertu of Aſſiriens, and he noumbride men in to þe
makyng redi, as þe kyng `comaundide to hym, ſixe
ſcore þouſynde of foot men fiȝteris, and twelue
þouſynde horſe men and archeris.
viii And he made al his puruyaunce to go bifore in
multitude of vnnoumbrable camels, wiþ þeſe þingis þat
ſuffiſiden plenteuouſli to þe ooſtis, and droues of oxis,
and flockis of ſcheep, of which was noon noumbre.
ix He ordeynede whete to be maad redi of al Sirie `in his
paſſage.
x And he took ful myche gold and ſiluer of þe kyngis
hows.
xi And he, and al his ooſt, ȝede forþ wiþ charis, and
horſe men, and archeris, whiche hiliden þe face of þe
erþe, as locuſtis doon.
xii And whanne he hadde paſſid þe endis of Aſſiriens, he
came to þe grete hillis Auge, þat ben at þe lift half of
Cilicie; and he ſtiede in to alle þe caſtels of hem, and he
gat ech ſtrong place.
xiii Forſoþe he brak þe richeſte, eþir famouſe, citee
Melothi, and robbide alle þe ſones of Tharſis, and þe
ſones of Iſmael, þat weren aȝens þe face of deſert, and at
þe ſouþ of þe lond Celeon.
xiiii And he paſſide Eufrates, and cam in to
Meſopotanye, and he brak alle hiȝe citees þat weren
þere, fro þe ſtronde Manbre til `me come to þe ſee.
xv And he occupiede þe endis þerof fro Cilicie `til to þe
endis of Japhet, þat ben at þe ſouþ.
xvi And he brouȝte alle þe ſones of Madian, and he
`robbide al þe richeſſis of hem; and he killide `bi þe
ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd alle men aȝenſtondynge hym.
xvii And after þeſe þingis he cam doun in to þe feeldis of
Damaſk, in þe daies of ripe corn, and he brente alle
cornes, and he made alle trees and vynes to be kit doun;
xviii and his drede `felde on alle men `enhabitynge þe
lond.
CAP. III
i Þanne kyngis and princes of alle citees and prouynces,
þat is, of Cirie, of Meſopotanye, and of Sirie Sobal, and
of Libie, and of Cilicie, ſente her meſſangeris. `Whiche
comynge to Holofernes, ſeiden,
ii Þin indignacioun ceeſſe aboute vs; for it is betere, þat
we lyue and ſerue Nabugodonoſor, þe grete kyng, and
be ſuget to þee, þan þat we die, and ſuffre wiþ oure
periſchyng þe harmes of oure ſeruage.
iii Ech citee of oure, al poſſeſſioun, alle munteyns, and
litle hillis, and feeldis, and droues of oxes, and flockis
of ſcheep, and of geet,
iiii and of horſis, and of camels, and alle oure richeſſis
and meyneis ben in þi ſiȝt; alle þingis be vndur þi lawe.
v Alſo we and oure children ben þi ſeruauntis.
vi Come þou a peſible lord to vs, and vſe þou oure
ſeruyce, as it pleſiþ þee.
vii Þanne he cam doun fro þe hillis, wiþ knyȝtis in greet
`vertu, þat is, ſtrengþe, and gat ech citee, and ech man
`enhabitynge þe lond.
viii Forſoþe of alle citees he took to hym helperis,
ſtronge men and choſun to batel.
ix And ſo grete drede lay on alle prouynces, þat
enhabiteris of alle citees, princes and `onourid men,
ȝeden togidere out wiþ puplis to meete hym comynge,
x and `reſſeyueden hym wiþ corouns and laumpis, and
ledden daunſis wiþ pipis and tympans.
xi Neþeles þei doynge þeſe þingis myȝten not ſwage þe
ferſneſſe of his herte;
xii for whi boþe he diſtriede her citees, and hew doun
her wodis.
xiii For kyng Nabugodonoſor hadde comaundid to hym,
þat he ſchulde diſtrie alle þe goddis of erþe, þat is, þat
he aloone ſchulde be ſeid god of alle þeſe naciouns, þat
myȝten be maad ſuget bi þe power of Holofernes.
xiiii Forſoþe he paſſide al Sirie Sobal, and al Appanye,
and al Meſopotanye, and cam to Idumeis `in to þe lond
of Gabaa;
xv and he took þe citees of hem, and dwellide þere bi
þritti daies, in whiche daies he comaundide al þe ooſt of
his power to be gaderid togidere.
CAP. IIII
i Þanne þe ſones of Iſrael, þat dwelliden in þe lond of
Juda, herden þeſe þingis, and dredden greetli of `his
face.
ii Alſo tremblyng and hidouſneſſe aſailide þe wittis of
hem, leſt he ſchulde do þis þing to Jeruſalem and to þe
temple of þe Lord, which þing he hadde do to oþere
citees and templis of þo.
iii And þei ſenten in to al Samarie, bi cumpas `til to
Jerico, and bifore ocupieden alle þe coppis of hillis;
iiii and þei cumpaſſiden her townes wiþ wallis, and
gaderiden togidere wheete in to making redi of batel.
v Alſo þe preſt Eliachym wroot to alle men, `þat weren
aȝenus Eſdrelon, which is aȝenus þe face of þe grete
feeld biſidis Dotaym, and to alle men bi whiche paſſage
myȝte be,
vi þat þei ſchulden holde þe ſtiyngis of hillis, bi whiche
weie myȝte be to Jeruſalem, and þat þei ſchulden kepe
þere, where ſtreyt weie miȝte be among hillis.
CDXXXVIII
vii And þe ſones of Iſrael diden aftir þis, þat Eliachym,
preſt of þe Lord, hadde ordeyned to hem.
viii And al þe puple criede to þe Lord wiþ greet
inſtaunce, and þei and þe wymmen of hem mekiden her
ſoulis in faſtyngis.
ix And þe preſtis cloþiden hem ſilf wiþ heyris, and
ȝonge children boweden hem ſilf aȝens þe face of þe
temple of þe Lord, and þei hiliden þe auter of þe Lord
wiþ an heire.
x And þei crieden togidere to þe Lord God of Iſrael, leſt
þe children of hem ſchulden be ȝouun in to prey, and þe
wyues of hem in to departyng, and her citees in to
diſtriyng, and her hooli þingis in to defoulyng.
xi Þanne Eliachym, þe grete preſt of þe Lord,
cumpaſſide al Iſrael,
xii and ſpak to hem, and ſeide, Wite ȝe, þat þe Lord ſchal
here ȝoure preieris, if ȝe dwellinge dwellen perfitli in
faſtyngis and preieris in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
xiii Be ȝe myndful of Moiſes, þe ſeruaunt of þe Lord,
which not in fiȝtynge wiþ irun, but in preiynge wiþ
hooli preieris, caſtide doun Amalech triſtinge in his
vertu, and in his power, and in his ooſt, and in hiſe
ſcheldis, and in hiſe charis, and in hiſe knyȝtis;
xiiii ſo alle þe enemyes of Iſrael ſchulen be caſt doun, if
ȝe continuen in þis werk, which ȝe han bigunne.
xv Þerfor at þis excityng of hym þei preieden hertli þe
Lord, `and dwelliden in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, ſo þat alſo
þei,
xvi þat offriden brent ſacrifices to þe Lord, weren gird
wiþ heiris, and þei offriden ſacrifices to þe Lord, and
`aiſche was on her heedis.
xvii And alle men of al her herte preieden God, þat he
wolde viſite his puple Iſrael.
CAP. V
i And it was teld to Holofernes, prince of þe chiualrie of
Aſſiriens, þat þe children of Iſrael maden redi hem ſilf
to aȝenſtonde, and þat þei hadden cloſid togidere þe
weies of hillis.
ii And bi ouer greet woodneſſe he brente out in to greet
wraþfulneſſe; and he clepide alle þe princes of Moab,
and þe duykis of Amon,
iii and ſeide to hem, Seie ȝe to me, who þis puple is, þat
biſegiþ þe hilli places; eþir whiche, and what maner,
and hou grete ben her citees; alſo what is þe vertu of
hem, eþer what is þe multitude of hem, eþir who is þe
kyng of her chyualrie;
iiii and whi bifor alle men, þat dwellen in þe eeſt, han
þeſe men diſpiſid me, and þei han not go out to reſſeyue
vs wiþ pees?
v Þan Achior, duyk of alle þe ſones of Amon, anſwerde
and ſeide, My lord, if þou vouchiſt ſaaf to here, Y ſchal
ſeie treuþe in þi ſiȝt of þis puple þat dwelliþ in þe hilli
places, and a fals word ſchal not go out of my mouþ.
vi Þis puple is of þe generacioun of Caldeis;
vii þis puple dwellide firſte in Meſopotanye; for þei
nolden ſue þe goddis of her fadris, þat weren in þe lond
of Caldeis.
viii Þerfor þei forſoken þe cerymonyes of her fadris, þat
weren wiþ þe multitude of goddis,
ix and worſchipiden o God of heuene, which alſo
comaundide to hem to go out fro þennus, and to dwelle
in Carram. And whanne hungur hadde hilid al þe lond,
þei ȝeden doun in to Egipt, and þere þei weren ſo
multiplied bi foure hundrid ȝeer, þat þe ooſt of hem
myȝte not be noumbrid.
x And whanne þe kyng of Egipt hadde greuyd hem, and
hadde maad hem ſugetis in þe bildyngis of hiſe citees in
cley and tijl ſtoon, þei crieden to her God, and he ſmoot
al þe lond of Egipt wiþ dyuerſe veniaunces.
xi And whanne Egipcians hadden caſtid out `hem fro
hem ſilf, and þe veniaunce hadde ceeſſid fro hem, and
efte wolden take hem, and aȝen clepe to her ſeruyce,
xii God of heuene openyde þe ſee to þeſe men fleynge,
ſo þat on þis ſide and þat ſide þe watris weren maad ſad
as wallis, and þeſe men wiþ dry foot paſſiden `in
walkynge bi þe depþe of þe ſee.
xiii In which place þe while vnnoumbrable ooſt of
Egipcians purſuede hem, it was ſo kyueryd wiþ watris,
þat þere dwellide not nameli oon, þat ſchulde telle þe
dede to aftir comeris.
xiiii Alſo þei ȝeden out of þe Reed See, and ocupieden
þe deſertis of þe hil Sina, in whiche `neuere man myȝte
dwelle, neþir þe ſone of man reſtyde.
xv Þere bittir wellis weren maad ſwete to hem for to
drynke; and bi fourti ȝeer þei gaten lyuelode fro heuene.
xvi Where euere þei entriden, her God fauȝt for hem,
and ouer cam wiþ out bouwe and arowe, and wiþout
ſcheld and ſwerd.
xvii And `noon was þat caſtide doun þis puple, no but
whanne it ȝede awey fro þe worſchipyng of her Lord
God.
xviii Soþeli as ofte euere as þei worſchipiden an oþer
outakun þilke her God, þei weren ȝouun in to preye,
and in to ſwerd, and in to ſchenſchip.
xix But as ofte euere as þei repentiden þat þei hadden go
awei fro þe worſchipyng of her God, God of heuene ȝaf
to hem vertue to aȝenſtonde.
xx Forſoþe þei caſtiden doun þe kyng Cananei, and
Jebuſei, and Phereſei, and Ethei, and Euey, and
Ammorrei, and alle þe myȝti men of Eſebon, and þei
hadden in poſſeſſioun þe londis of hem, and þe citees of
hem;
CDXXXIX
xxi and til þat þei hadden ſynned in þe ſiȝt of her God,
good þingis weren wiþ hem, for þe God of hem hatiþ
wickidneſſe.
xxii For whi and bifor þeſe ȝeeris, whanne þei hadden go
awei fro þe weie which God hadde ȝoue to hem, þat þei
ſchulden go þer ynne, þei weren diſtried of naciouns bi
many batels, and ful many of hem weren led priſoneris
in to a lond not hern.
xxiii Forſoþe a while agoon þei turneden aȝen to `her
Lord God, and weren gaderid togidere fro þe ſcateryng,
in which þei weren ſcaterid; and þei ſtieden in to alle
þeſe hilli places, and eft þei han Jeruſalem in
poſſeſſioun, where þe hooli of hooli þingis ben.
xxiiii Now þerfor, my lord, enquere þou perfitli, if ony
wickidneſſe of hem is in þe ſiȝt of her God, and ſtie we
to hem; for her God bitakynge ſchal bitake hem to þee,
and þei ſchulen be maad ſuget vndur þe ȝok of þi myȝt.
xxv Trewli if noon offenſe of þis puple is bifor her God,
we moun not aȝenſtonde hem; for þe God of hem ſchal
defende hem, and we ſchulen be in to ſchenſchip to al
erþe.
xxvi And it was doon, whanne Achior hadde ceeſſid to
ſpeke þeſe wordis, alle þe grete men of Holofernes
weren wroþe, and þei þouȝten to ſle hym,
xxvii and ſeiden togidere, Who is þis þat ſeiþ, þat þe
ſones of Iſrael, men wiþ outen armure, and wiþ out
vertu, and wiþ out kunnyng of þe craft of fiȝtynge,
moun aȝenſtonde kyng Nabugodonoſor and hiſe ooſtis?
xxviii Þerfor þat Achior knowe, þat he diſſeyueþ vs, ſtie
we in to þe hilli places; and whanne þe myȝti men of
hem ben takun, þanne he ſchal be perſid wiþ ſwerd wiþ
þe ſame men;
xxix `þat ech folk knowe, þat Nabugodonoſor is god of
erþe, and outakun hym `noon oþer is.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe it was doon, whanne þei hadden ceeſſid to
ſpeke, Holofernes hadde dedeyn gretli,
ii and ſeide to Achior, For þou propheciediſt to vs, and
ſeidiſt, þat þe folk of Iſrael is defendid of her God, þat Y
ſchewe to þee, þat no god is no but Nabugodonoſor;
iii whanne we han ſlayn `hem alle as o man, þanne alſo
þou ſchalt periſche wiþ hem bi þe ſwerd of Aſſiriens,
and al Iſrael ſchal periſche dyuerſeli wiþ þee in
perdicioun; and þou ſchalt preue,
iiii þat Nabugodonoſor is lord of al erþe; and þanne þe
ſwerd of my chyualrie ſchal paſſe þorouȝ þi ſidis, and
þou ſchalt be perſid, and ſchalt falle among þe woundid
men of Iſrael, and þou ſchalt no more breþe aȝen, til þou
be diſtried wiþ hem.
v But certis if þou geſſiſt þi profecie ſoþe, þi cheer falle
not doun; and þe paleneſſe þat haþ gete þi face, go awey
fro þee, if þou geſſiſt þat þeſe my wordis moun not `be
fillid.
vi But þat þou knowe, þat þou ſchalt feele þis þing
togidere wiþ hem, lo! fro þis our þou ſchalt be
felouſchipid to þe puple of hem, þat whanne þei han
take worþi peynes of my ſwerd, þou be ſuget to lijk
veniaunce.
vii Þanne Olofernes comaundide hiſe ſeruauntis to take
Achior, and to lede hym in to Bethulia, and to bitake
hym in to þe hondis of þe ſones of Iſrael.
viii And þe ſeruauntis of Olofernes token him, and ȝeden
forþ bi þe feeldi places, but whanne þei hadden neiȝid
to þe hilli places, ſlingeris ȝeden out aȝens hem.
ix Soþeli þei turneden awei fro þe ſide of þe hil, and
bounden Achior to a tre bi hondis and feet, and ſo þei
leften hym boundun wiþ wiþþis, and turneden aȝen to
her lord.
x Certis þe ſones of Iſrael ȝeden doun fro Bethulia, and
camen to hym, whom þei vnbounden, and ledden to
Bethulia, and þei ſettiden hym in to þe myddis of þe
puple, and axiden, what manere of þinges bifel, þat
Aſſiriens hadden left hym boundun.
xi In þo daies princes weren þere, Ozias, þe ſone of
Mycha, of þe lynage of Symeon, and Charmy, which is
alſo Gothonyel.
xii Þerfor in þe myddis of eldere men, and in þe ſiȝt of
alle men, Achior ſeide alle þingis, whiche he was axid
of Holofernes, and hadde ſpoke, and hou þe puple of
Holofernes wolde ſle hym for þis word,
xiii and hou Holofernes hym ſilf was wrooþ, and
comaundide hym to be bitakun for þis cauſe to men of
Iſrael, þat þe while he ouercam þe ſones of Iſrael, þanne
he comaundide þat alſo þilk Achior periſche bi dyuerſe
turmentis, for þis þat he hadde ſeid, God of heuene is þe
defendere of hem.
xiiii And whanne Achior hadde expowned alle þingis, al
þe puple felde doun on þe face, and worſchipide þe
Lord; and wiþ comyn weilyng and wepyng þei
ſchedden out to þe Lord her preyeris of o wille,
xv ſeiynge, Lord God of heuene and of erþe, biholde þe
pride of hem, and biholde þou to oure mekeneſſe, and
perſeyue þe face of þi ſeyntis, and ſchewe þat þou
forſakiſt not men triſtynge of þee, and þou makiſt low
men triſtynge of hem ſilf, and `men hauynge glorie of
her vertu.
xvi Þerfor whanne þe wepyng was endid, and þe preier
of þe puple bi al þe dai was fillid,
xvii þei coumfortiden Achior, and ſeiden, God of oure
fadris, whos vertu þou prechidiſt, he is rewardere, and
ſchal ȝyue to þee þis while, þat þou ſe more þe
periſchyng of hem.
xviii Forſoþe whanne `oure Lord God haþ ȝoue þis
fredom to hiſe ſeruauntis, alſo þe Lord be wiþ þee in þe
myddis of vs, þat as it pleſiþ þee, ſo þou lyue wiþ `alle
þi þingis.
CDXL
xix Þanne after þat þe counſel was endid, Ozias
reſſeyuede hym in to his hows, and made a greet ſoper
to hym.
xx And whanne alle þe preſtis weren clepid togidere,
aftir þat þe faſtyng was fillid, þei refreiſchiden Achior
`and hem ſilf.
xxi Forſoþe aftirward al þe puple was clepid togidere,
and þei preieden bi al þe niȝt wiþ ynne þe chirche, and
axiden help of God of Iſrael.
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe in `þe toþer dai Holofernes comaundide hiſe
ooſtis to ſtie aȝens Bethulia.
ii Forſoþe þere weren ſixe ſcore þouſynde `foot men of
fiȝteris, and twelue þouſynde knyȝtis, `outakun þe
makyng redi of þo men, whiche caitifte hadde ocupied,
and weren brouȝt fro prouynces and citees, of alle
ȝongþe.
iii Alle togidere maden hem redi to batel aȝens þe ſones
of Iſrael; and þei camen bi þe ſide of þe hil `til to þe
cop, þat biholdiþ Dothaym, fro þe place which is ſeid
Belma `til to Selmon, which is aȝens Eſdrolon.
iiii Forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael, as þei ſien þe multitude of
hem, bowiden doun hem ſilf on þe erþe, and ſenten
aiſche on her heedis, and preiden wiþ o wille, þat God
of Iſrael ſchulde ſchewe his merci on his puple.
v And þei token her armuris of batel, and ſaten bi þe
places `þat dreſſen þe paþ of ſtreyt weie bitwixe hilli
places, and þei kepten þo places al þe dai and nyȝt.
vi Certis Holofernes, þe while he ȝede aboute bi
cumpas, foonde þat þe welle, þat flowide in to þe watir
cundit of hem, was dreſſid at þe ſouþ part wiþ out þe
citee, and he comaundide her watir cundit to be kit.
vii Neþeles wellis weren not fer fro þe wallis, of whiche
wellis þei weren ſeyn to drawe watir bi þefte, raþer to
refreiſche þan to drynke.
viii But þe ſones of Amon and of Moab neiȝiden to
Holofernes, and ſeiden, Þe ſones of Iſrael triſten not in
ſpere and arowe, but hillis defenden hem, and litle hillis
ſet in þe rooche of ſtoon maken hem ſtronge.
ix Þerfor þat þou maiſt ouercome hem wiþout aſailyng
of batel, ſette þou keperis of wellis, þat þei drawe not of
þo; and þou ſchalt ſle hem wiþout ſwerd, eþir certis þei
maad feynt ſchulen bitake her citee, which þei geſſen `to
mow not be ouercomun `in þe hillis.
x And þeſe wordis pleſiden bifor Holofernes, and bifor
alle hiſe knyȝtis; and he ordeynede bi cumpas bi ech
welle an hundrid men.
xi And whanne `þis kepyng was fillid bi twenti daies,
ciſternes and gaderyngis of watris fayliden to alle men
dwellynge in Bethulia, ſo þat þere was not wiþ ynne þe
citee, wherof þei ſchulden be fillid, nameli o dai, for þe
watir was ȝouun at meſure to þe puplis ech dai.
xii Þanne alle men and wymmen, ȝonge men and elde,
and litle children, weren gaderid togidere to Ozie, and
alle þei ſeiden to gidere wiþ o vois,
xiii Þe Lord deme bitwixe vs and þee, for þou, not
wyllynge ſpeke peſibli wiþ Aſſiriens, haſt `do yuels
aȝenus vs, and for þis þing God haþ ſeld vs in þe hondis
of hem.
xiiii And þerfor `noon is þat helpiþ, whanne we ben caſt
doun in þirſt, and in greet los bifor her iȝen.
xv And now gadere ȝe togidere alle men, þat ben in þe
citee, þat alle we puplis bitake vs bi fre wille to
Holofernes.
xvi It is betere þat we priſoneris bleſſe God and lyue, þan
þat we die, and be ſchenſchip to ech man, ſiþen we ſeen
þat oure wyues and oure ȝonge children dien bifor oure
iȝen.
xvii We clepen in to witneſſyng to dai heuene and erþe,
and þe God of oure fadris, þat puniſchiþ vs aftir oure
ſynnes, þat nowe ȝe bitake þe citee in to þe hondis of þe
chyualrie of Holofernes, and oure ende be ſchort in þe
ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, which ende is maad lengere in þe
dryneſſe of þirſt.
xviii And whanne þei hadden ſeid þeſe þingis, greet
wepyng and ȝellyng was maad of alle men in þe grete
chirche, and bi many ouris þei crieden `wiþ o vois to þe
Lord,
xix and ſeiden, We and oure fadris han ſynned, we han
do vniuſtli, we diden wickidneſſe.
xx Þou, for þou art mercyful, haue mercy on vs, and
venge oure wickidneſſis in þi ſcourge; and nyle þou
bitake men knoulechynge þee to a puple þat knowiþ not
þee,
xxi þat þei ſeie not amonge heþene men, Where is þe
God of hem?
xxii And whanne þei weren maad feynt wiþ þeſe cries,
and weren maad wery wiþ þeſe wepyngis, and weren
ſtille,
xxiii Ozie roos up, biſched wiþ teeris, and ſeide,
Briþeren, be ȝe pacient, and bi þeſe fyue daies abide we
mercy of þe Lord;
xxiiii for in hap he ſchal kitte a wei his indignacioun, and
ſchal ȝyue glorie to his name.
xxv Soþeli if whanne þeſe fyue daies ben paſſid, help
comeþ not, we ſchulen do þeſe wordis whiche ȝe han
ſpoke.
CAP. VIII
i And it was doon, whanne Judith, þe widowe, had herd
þeſe wordis, whiche Judith was þe douȝter of Merary,
þe ſone of Idor, þe ſone of Joſeph, þe ſone of Ozie, þe
ſone of Elai, þe ſone of Jamnor, þe ſone of Jedeon, þe
ſone of Raphony, þe ſone of Achitob, þe ſone of
Melchie, þe ſone of Euam, þe ſone of Mathanye, þe
ſone of Salatiel, þe ſone of Symeon, þe ſone of Ruben.
CDXLI
ii And hir hoſebonde was Manaſſes, þat was deed in þe
daies of barli herueſt;
iii for he ſtood biſili ouer men byndynge togidere reepis
in þe feeld, and heete cam on his heed, and he was deed
in Bethulia his citee, and was biried þere wiþ hiſe
fadris.
iiii Soþeli Judith left of hym was widewe þanne þre ȝeer
and ſixe moneþis. And in þe hiȝere partis of hir hows
ſche made to hir a priuy cloſet, in which ſche dwellide
cloos wiþ hir dameſels;
vi and ſche hadde an heire on her leendis, and faſtide
alle þe daies of hir lijf, outakun ſabatis, and þe
`bigynnyngis of moneþis, and þe feeſtis of þe hows of
Iſrael.
vii Soþeli ſche was of ful ſemeli biholdyng, to whom hir
hoſebonde hadde left many richeſſis, and plenteuouſe
meynee, and poſſeſſiouns ful of droues of oxis, and of
flockis of ſcheep.
viii And þis Judith was mooſt famouſe among alle men;
for ſche dredde God greetli, neþir ony was þat ſpak of
hir an yuel word.
ix Þerfor whanne þis Judith hadde herd, þat Ozie hadde
bihiȝte, þat whanne þe fyueþe day was paſſid, he wolde
bitake þe citee, ſche ſente to þe preſtis Cambri and
Carmy.
x And þei camen to hir; and ſche ſeide to hem, What is
þis word, in which Ozie conſentide to bitake þe citee to
Aſſiriens, if wiþ ynne fyue daies help comeþ not to vs?
xi And who ben ȝe þat tempten þe Lord?
xii Þis `word is not þat ſtiriþ merci; but raþer þat ſtiriþ
ire, and kyndliþ woodneſſe.
xiii Han ȝe ſet tyme of þe merciful doynge of þe Lord,
and in ȝoure wille `ȝe han ſet a dai to hym?
xiiii But for þe Lord is pacient, do we penaunce for þis
ſynne, and axe we wiþ teeris his forȝyueneſſe;
xv for God ſchal not manaaſſe ſo as man, neþir as `a ſone
of man he ſchal be enflawmed to wraþfulneſſe.
xvi And þerfor meke we oure ſoulis to hym, and in
contrit ſpirit and maad meke ſerue we hym;
xvii and ſeie we wepynge to þe Lord, þat aftir his wille
ſo he do his merci wiþ vs; and as oure herte is troblid in
þe pride of hem, ſo haue we glorie `alſo of oure
mekeneſſe.
xviii For we `ſueden not þe ſynnes of oure fadris, þat
forſoken her God, and worſchipiden alien goddis;
xix for which greet treſpas þei weren ȝouun to her
enemyes in to ſwerd, and in to raueyn, and in to
confuſioun; but we knowen not an oþir God outakun
hym.
xx `Abide we meke his coumfort, and he ſchal ſeke oure
blood of þe turmentis of oure enemies; and he ſchal
make meke alle folkis, whiche euer riſen aȝens vs; and
oure Lord God ſchal make hem wiþout onour.
xxi And now, briþeren, for ȝe ben preſtis in þe puple of
God, and þe ſoule of hem hangiþ of ȝou, reiſe ȝe her
hertis at ȝoure ſpeche, þat þei be myndeful, þat oure
fadris weren temptid, þat þei ſchulden be preued,
wheþir þei worſchipiden God verili.
xxii Þei owen to be myndeful, hou oure fadir Abraham
was temptid, and he was preuyd bi many tribulaciouns,
and was maad þe frend of God.
xxiii So Iſaac, ſo Jacob, ſo Moyſes, and alle þat pleſiden
`þe Lord, paſſiden feiþful bi many tribulaciouns.
xxiiii Soþeli þei þat reſſeyueden not temptaciouns wiþ þe
drede of þe Lord, and brouȝten forþ her vnpacience, and
þe ſchenſchip of her grutchyng `aȝens þe Lord,
xxv weren diſtried of a diſtriere, and periſchiden of
ſerpentis.
xxvi And þerfor venge we not vs for þeſe þingis whiche
we ſuffren;
xxvii but arette we, þat þeſe ſame turmentis ben leſſe þan
oure ſynnes, and bileue we, as ſeruauntis of þe Lord þat
ben chaſtiſid, þat þe betyngis of þe Lord ben comun to
amendyng, and not to oure perdicioun.
xxviii And Ozie and þe preſtis ſeiden to hir, Alle þingis,
whiche þou haſt ſpoke, ben ſoþe, and no repreuyng is in
þi wordis.
xxix Now þerfor preie þou for vs, for þou art an hooli
womman, and dredynge God.
xxx And Judith ſeide to hem, As ȝe knowen, þat þis, þat
Y myȝte ſpeke, is of God,
xxxi ſo preue ȝe, if þis þat Y purpoſide to do, is of God;
and preie ȝe, þat God make ſtidfaſt my counſel.
xxxii Ȝe ſchulen ſtonde at þe ȝate þis niȝt, and Y ſchal go
out wiþ my fre handmayde; and preie ȝe, þat, as ȝe
ſeiden, þe Lord biholde his puple Iſrael in fyue daies.
xxxiii But Y nyle, þat ȝe enquere my doyng, and til þat Y
telle to ȝou, `noon oþir þing be doon, no but preier for
me to oure Lord God.
xxxiiii And Ozie, þe prince of Juda, ſeide to hir, Go þou
in pees, and þe Lord be wiþ þee in þe veniaunce of oure
enemyes. And þei turneden aȝen, and ȝeden awey.
CAP. IX
i And while þei ȝeden awei, Judith entride in to hir
oratorie, and ſche cloþide hir ſilf wiþ an heire, and
puttide aiſche on hir heed; and ſche bowide doun hir ſilf
to þe Lord, and criede to þe Lord, and ſeide,
ii Lord God of my fadir Symeon, which ȝaueſt to hym a
ſwerd in to defence of aliens, þat weren defouleris in
her defoulyng, and maden nakid þe hipe of a virgyn in
to confuſioun;
iii and þou ȝaueſt þe wymmen of hem in to prey, þe
douȝtris of hem in to caitifte, and al þe prey in to
departyng to þi ſeruauntis, þat loueden feruentli þi
feruent loue; Lord, Y biſeche, helpe þou me a widewe.
CDXLII
iiii For þou madiſt þe formere þingis, and þouȝtiſt þo
þingis aftir þo, and þis þing is maad, which þou woldiſt.
v For alle þi weies ben redi, and þou has ſet þi domes in
þi puruyaunce.
vi Biholde þou þe caſtels of Aſſiriens now, as þou
vouchidiſt ſaaf to biholde þanne þe caſtels of Egipcians,
whanne þei runnen armed after þi ſeruauntis, and
triſtiden in charis, and in multitude of her knyȝtis, and
in multitude of werriours.
vii But þou biheldiſt on þe caſtels of hem, and derkneſſis
maden hem feynt; þe botme of þe ſee helde her feet,
viii and watris hiliden hem.
ix Lord, `alſo þeſe men be maad ſo, þat triſten in her
multitude, and in her charis, and in ſcharp ſchaftis wiþ
oute irun, and in her arowis; and han glorie in her
ſperis;
x and witen not, þat þou þi ſilf art oure God, þat `al to-
brekiſt batels fro þe bigynnyng, and þe Lord is name to
þee.
xi Reiſe þin arm as at þe bigynnyng, and hurle doun þe
power of hem `in þi vertu; þe power of hem falle doun
in þi wraþfulneſſe, whiche biheten hem to defoule `þin
hooli þingis, and to defoule þe tabernacle of þi name,
and to caſt doun wiþ her ſwerd þe horn of þin auter.
xii Lord, make þou þat þe pride of hem be kit of wiþ her
owne ſwerd;
xiii be he takun wiþ þe ſnare of hiſe iȝen in me; and þou
ſchalt ſmyte hym wiþ þe lippis of my charite.
xiiii Ȝyue þou to me ſtidfaſtneſſe in ſoule, þat Y diſpiſe
hym and his vertu, and diſtrie hym.
xv For it ſchal be a memorial of þi name, whanne þe
hondis of a womman han caſt hym doun.
xvi For whi, Lord, þi vertu is not in multitude, neþer þi
wille is in þe ſtrengþis of horſis; and proude ſpiritis
pleſiden not þee at þe bigynnyng, but þe preier of meke
men and mylde `pleſide euere þee.
xvii God of heuenes, þe creatour of watris, and Lord of
alle creature, here þou me wretchid womman preiynge
and triſtynge of þi merci.
xviii Lord, haue þou mynde of þi teſtament, and ȝyue
þou a word in my mouþ, and make þou ſtrong þe
counſel in myn herte, þat þin hows dwelle perfitly in
þin halewyng;
xix and þat alle folkis knowe, þat þou art God, and noon
oþer is outakun þee.
CAP. X
i Forſoþe it was doon, whanne ſche hadde ceeſſid to crie
to þe Lord, ſche roos fro þe place, in which ſche lay
bowid doun to þe Lord.
ii And ſche clepide hir fre handmaide, and cam doun in
to hir hows; and ſche took awei fro hir þe heire, and
vncloþide hir ſilf fro þe cloþing of hir widewehod.
iii And ſche waiſchide hir bodi, and anoyntide hir wiþ
beſte myrre, and ſche ſchedide þe heer of hir heed, and
ſettide a mytre on hir heed, and ſche cloþide hir wiþ þe
cloþis of hyr gladneſſe, and cloþide hir feet wiþ
ſandalies; and ſche took ournementis of þe armes, and
lilies, and eeryngis, and ryngis, and ournede hir ſilf wiþ
alle hir ournementis.
iiii To whom alſo þe Lord ȝaf briȝtneſſe, for al þis
ourenement hangide not of letcherie, but of vertu; and
þerfor þe Lord `made large þis fairneſſe on hir, þat bi
`vncomparable fairneſſe ſche apperide to þe iȝen of alle
men.
v Þerfor ſche puttide on hir fre handmaide a botel of
wyn, and a veſſel of oile, and meet maad of meele, and
dried figus, and looues, and cheeſe, and ȝeden forþ.
vi And whanne þei weren comen to þe ȝate of þe citee,
þei founden Ozie and þe preſtis of þe citee abidynge hir.
vii And whanne þei hadden ſeyn hir, þei weren aſtonyed,
and wondriden ful myche on hir fairneſſe.
viii Neþeles þei axiden hir no þing, and leeten paſſe, and
ſeiden, Þe God of oure fadris ȝyue grace to þee, and
make ſtrong wiþ his vertu al þe counſel of þin herte, and
Jeruſalem haue glorie on þee, and þi name be in þe
noumbre of hooli and iuſt men.
ix And alle þei, þat weren þere, ſeiden wiþ o vois, Be it
doon! be it doon!
x Þerfor Judith preiede þe Lord, and paſſide þorouȝ þe
ȝatis, ſche and hir fre handmayde.
xi Forſoþe it was doon, whanne ſche cam doun of þe hil
aboute þe riſynge of þe dai, þe aſpieris of Aſſiriens
metten hir, and helden hir, and ſeiden, Fro whennus
comeſt þou, eþer whidur goiſt þou?
xii And ſche anſweride, Y am a douȝter of Ebreis, and
þerfor Y fledde fro þe face of hem, for Y knew, þat it
ſchal come, þat þei ſchulen be ȝouun to ȝou in to prey,
for þei diſpiſiden ȝou, and nolde bitake hem ſilf wilfuli,
þat þei ſchulden fynde grace in ȝoure ſiȝt.
xiii For þis cauſe Y þouȝte wiþ me, and ſeide, Y ſchal go
to þe face of þe prynce Holofernes, for to ſchewe to
hym þe priuytees of hem, and Y ſchal ſchewe to hym, bi
what entryng he mai gete hem, ſo þat not o man of his
ooſt falle doun.
xiiii And whanne þo men hadden herd þe wordis of hir,
þei bihelden hir face, and wondryng was in her iȝen, for
þei wondriden greetli on hir fairneſſe.
xv And þei ſeiden to hir, Þou haſt kept þi lijf, for þou
haſt founde ſich a counſel, þat þou woldiſt come doun to
oure lord.
xvi Soþeli wite þou þis, þat, whanne þou `haſt ſtonde in
his ſiȝt, he ſchal do wel to þee, and þou ſchalt be mooſt
acceptable in his herte. And þei ledden hir to þe
tabernacle of Holofernes, and þei ſchewiden hir to hym.
xvii And whanne ſche hadde entrid bifor his face, anoon
Holofernes was takun bi hiſe iȝen.
CDXLIII
xviii And hiſe knyȝtis ſeiden to hym, Who ſchal diſpiſe
þe puple of Jewis, whiche han ſo faire wymmen, þat we
owen not to fiȝte ſkilfuli aȝenus hem for þeſe wymmen?
xix Þerfor Judith ſiȝ Holofernes ſittynge in a curteyn,
round byneþe and ſcharp aboue, þat was wouun of
purpur, and gold, and ſmaragde, and mooſt preciouſe
ſtoonys,
xx and whanne ſche hadde lokid in to his face, ſche
worſchipide hym, and bowide doun hir ſilf on þe erþe;
and þe ſeruauntis of Holofernes reiſiden hir, for her lord
comaundide.
CAP. XI
i Þanne Holofernes ſeide to hir, Be þou coumfortid, and
nyle þou drede in þin herte, for Y neuere anoyede man,
þat wolde ſerue Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng.
ii Soþeli if þi puple hadde not diſpiſid me, Y hadde not
reiſid `myn hond on it.
iii But `now ſeie to me, for what cauſe ȝediſt þou awei
fro hem, and it pleſide þee to come to vs.
iiii And Judith ſeide, Take þou þe wordis of þin
handmaide; for, if þou ſueſt þe wordis of þin
handmaide, þe Lord ſchal make a perfit þing wiþ þee.
v Forſoþe Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng of erþe, lyueþ, and
his vertu lyueþ, which is in þee to þe chaſtiſyng of alle
ſoulis errynge; for not oneli men ſchulen ſerue hym `bi
þee, but alſo beeſtis of þe feeld obeien to hym.
vi For þe prudence of þi ſoule is teld to alle folkis; and it
is ſchewid to al þe world, þat þou aloon art good and
myȝti in al his rewme; and þi techyng is prechid in alle
prouyncis.
vii Neþer þis þing is hid, which Achior ſpak, neþer þat
þing is vnknowun, which þou comaundidiſt to bifalle to
hym.
viii For it is knowun, þat oure God is ſo offendid bi
ſynnes, þat he ſente bi hiſe profetis to þe puple, þat he
wolde bitake hem for her ſynnes.
ix And for þe ſones of Iſrael witen, þat þei han offendid
`her Lord God, þe tremblyng of hym is on hem.
x Ferþermore alſo hungur haþ aſailid hem, and for
dryneſſe of watir þei ben rikenyd now among deed men.
xi Forſoþe þei ordeynen þis, þat þei ſle her beeſtis, and
drynke her blood;
xii and þei þouȝten to ȝyue þeſe hooli þingis `of her Lord
in wheete, wyn, and oile, whiche God comaundide to be
not touchid, and þei wolen waſte þe þingis, which þei
ouȝten not touche wiþ hondis; þerfor for þei doen þeſe
þingis, it is certeyn þat þei ſchulen be ȝouun in to
perdicioun.
xiii Which þing Y, þin handmaide, knew, and fledde fro
hem, and þe Lord ſente me to telle þeſe ſame þingis to
þee.
xiiii For Y,þin handmaide, worſchipe God, alſo now at
þee; and þin handmaide ſchal go out, and Y ſchal preie
God;
xv and he ſchal ſeie to me, whanne he ſchal ȝelde to hem
her ſynne; and Y ſchal come, and telle to þee, ſo þat Y
brynge þee þorouȝ þe myddis of Jeruſalem, and þou
ſchalt haue al þe puple of Iſrael as ſcheep `to whiche is
no ſcheepherde, and þer ſchal not berke aȝens þee
nameli oon;
xvi for þeſe þingis ben ſeid to me bi þe puruyaunce of
God.
xvii And for God is wrooþ to hem, Y am ſente to telle to
þee þeſe ſame þingis.
xviii Soþeli alle þeſe wordis pleſiden bifor Holofernes,
and bifore hiſe children; and þei wondriden at þe
wiſdom of hir; and oon ſeide to anoþer,
xix Þer is not ſich a womman on erþe in ſiȝt, in
faireneſſe, and in wit of wordis.
xx And Holofernes ſeide to hir, God dide wel, þat ſente
þee bifor þe puple, þat þou ȝyue it in myn hondis;
xxi and for þi biheeſt is good, if þi God doiþ þeſe þingis
to me, he ſchal be alſo my God, and þow ſchalt be greet
in þe hows of Nabugodonoſor, and þi name ſchal be
nemyd in al erþe.
CAP. XII
i Þanne Holofernes comaundide hir to entre, where his
treſouris weren kept, and he comaundide hir to dwelle
þere; and he ordeynede, what ſchulde be ȝouun to hir of
his feeſte.
ii To whom Judith anſweride, and ſeide, Now Y may not
ete of þeſe þingis, which þou comaundidiſt to be ȝouun
to me, leſt offence come on me; but Y ſchal ete of þeſe
þingis, whiche Y brouȝte wiþ me.
iii To whom Holofernes ſeide, If þeſe þingis failen,
whiche þou brouȝtiſt wiþ þee, what ſchulen we do to
þee?
iiii And Judith ſeide, Lord, þi ſoule lyueþ, for þin
handmaide ſchal not ſpende alle þeſe þingis, til God
ſchal do in myn hondis þeſe þingis which Y þouȝte. And
hiſe ſeruauntis ledden hir in to þe tabernacle, whidur he
hadde comaundid.
v And ſche axide, þe while ſche entride, þat fredom
ſchulde be ȝouun to hir to go out to preier, in þe nyȝt,
and bifor þe lyȝt, and to biſeche þe Lord.
vi And he comaundide to his chaumberleyns, þat, as it
pleſide hir, ſche ſchulde go out, and entre, for to preie
hir God bi þre daies.
vii And ſche ȝede out in nyȝtis in to þe valei of Bethulia,
and waiſchide hir ſilf in þe welle of watir.
viii And as ſche ſtiede, ſche preiede þe Lord God of
Iſrael, þat he wolde dreſſe hir weie to þe delyueraunce
of his puple.
CDXLIV
ix And ſche entride, and dwellide clene in þe tabernacle,
til þat ſche took hir mete in þe euentid.
x And it was doon in þe fourþe dai, Holofernes made a
ſoper to hiſe ſeruauntis, and he ſeide to Vagao, þe
chaumburleyn, Go þou, and councele þat Ebrew
womman, þat ſche conſente wilfuli to dwelle wiþ me.
xi For it is foul anentis Aſſiriens, if a womman ſcorne a
man, in doynge þat ſche paſſe `wiþ out part fro hym.
xii Þanne Vagao entride to Judith, and ſeide, A good
dameſele be not aſchamed to entre to my lord, þat ſche
be onourid bifor his face, and þat ſche eete wiþ hym,
and drynke wiyn wiþ gladneſſe.
xiii To whom Judith anſweryde, Who am Y, þat Y
aȝenſeie my lord?
xiiii Y ſchal do al þing, þat ſchal be good and beſt bifor
hiſe iȝen. Soþeli what euer þing pleſiþ hym, þis ſchal be
beſt to me in alle þe daies of my lijf.
xv And ſche roos, and ournede hir ſilf wiþ hir cloþis, and
entride, and ſtood bifor `his face.
xvi Forſoþe þe herte of Holofernes was ſtirid; for he was
brennynge in þe coueitiſe of hir.
xvii And Holofernes ſeide to hir, Drynke þou now, and
take mete in gladneſſe; for þou haſt founde grace bifor
me.
xviii And Judith ſeide, Lord, Y ſchal drynke, for my
ſoule is magnyfied to dai bifor alle þe daies of my lijf.
xix And ſche took, and eet, and drank bifor hym þo
þingis, whiche hir handmayde hadde maad redi to hir.
xx And Holofernes was maad glad `to hir, and he drank
ful myche wiyn, hou myche he hadde neuere drank in o
dai in his lijf.
CAP. XIII
i Forſoþe as euentid was maad, hiſe ſeruauntis haſtiden
to her ynnes; and Vagao cloſid togidere þe doris of þe
cloſet, and ȝede forþ.
ii For alle men weren maad feynt of wiyn;
iii and Judith aloone was in þe cloſet.
iiii Certis Holofernes lai in þe bed, aſlepid wiþ ful
myche drunkeneſſe.
v And Judith ſeide to hir dameſele, þat ſche ſchulde
ſtonde wiþ outforþ bifor þe dore of þe cloſet, and aſpie.
vi And Judith ſtood bifor þe bed, preiynge wiþ teeris,
and wiþ ſtiryng of lippis `in ſilence,
vii ſeiynge, Lord God of Iſrael, conferme me, and
biholde in þis our to þe werkis of myn hondis, þat, as
þou bihiȝtiſt, þou reiſe Jeruſalem þi citee; and þat Y
performe þis þing, which þing Y bileuynge þouȝte to
mow be doon bi þee.
viii And whanne ſche hadde ſeid þis, ſche neiȝede to þe
piler þat was at þe heed of his bed, and ſche loſide his
ſwerd, þat hangide boundun `þer ynne.
ix And whanne ſche hadde drawe out of þe ſcheeþ þilke
ſwerd, ſche took þe heer of his heed; and ſeide, Lord
God of Iſrael, conferme me in þis our.
x And ſche ſmoot twies on his necke, and kittide awei
his heed; and ſche took awei his curteyn fro þe pileris,
and walewide awei his bodi heedles.
xi And aftir a litil ſche ȝede out, and bitook þe heed of
Holofernes to hir handmaide, and comaundide, þat ſche
ſchulde putte it in to hir ſcrippe.
xii And þe twei wymmen ȝeden out `bi her cuſtom as to
preier, and paſſiden þe caſtels of Aſſiriens, and þei
cumpaſſiden þe valei, and camen to þe ȝate of þe citee.
xiii And Judith ſeide afer to þe keperis of þe wallis,
`Opene ȝe þe ȝatis, for God is wiþ vs, þat haþ do greet
vertu in Iſrael.
xiiii And it was doon, whanne þe men hadden herd `her
vois, þei clepiden þe preſtis of þe citee.
xv And alle men fro þe leeſt `til to þe mooſte runnen to
hir; for þei hopiden not, þat ſche ſchulde come now.
xvi And þei teendiden liȝtis, and alle men cumpaſſiden
aboute hir. Soþeli ſche ſtiede in to an hiȝere place, and
comaundide ſilence to be maad. And whanne alle men
weren ſtille,
xvii Judith ſeide, Herie ȝe `oure Lord God, þat haþ not
forſake hem þat hopen in hym,
xviii and bi me, his handmaide, he haþ fillid his merci,
which he bihiȝte to þe hows of Iſrael, and haþ ſlayn in
myn hond þe enemye of his puple `in þis niȝt.
xix And ſche `brouȝte forþ of þe ſcrippe þe heed of
Holofernes, and ſchewide it to hem, and ſeide, Lo! þe
heed of Holofernes, prince of þe chiualrie of Aſſiriens;
and, lo! his curteyn, in which he lay in his drunkeneſſe,
where alſo oure Lord God killide hym bi þe hond of a
womman.
xx Forſoþe þe Lord God lyueþ, for his aungel kepte me,
boþe goynge fro hennus, and dwellynge þere, and
turnynge aȝen fro þennus hidur; and þe Lord `ſuffride
not his handmaide to be defoulid, but wiþ out defoulyng
of ſynne he aȝen clepid me to ȝou, and Y haue ioie in
his victorie, and in `my ſcapyng, and in ȝoure
delyueraunce.
xxi Knouleche ȝe alle to hym, for he is good, for his
mercy is in to `þe world.
xxii Soþeli alle men worſchipiden þe Lord, and ſeiden to
hir, Þe Lord haþ bleſſid þee in his vertu, for bi þee he
haþ brouȝt to nouȝt oure enemyes.
xxiii Certis Ozie, prince of þe puple of Iſrael, ſeide to hir,
Douȝtir, þou art bleſſid of þe hiȝ Lord God, bifor alle
wymmen on erþe.
xxiiii Bleſſid be þe Lord, þat made heuene and erþe, and
þat dreſſide þee in to þe woundis of þe heed of þe prince
of oure enemyes;
CDXLV
xxv for to dai he haþ magnefied ſo þi name, þat þi
preiſyng go not awei fro þe mouþ of men, þat ſchulen
be myndeful of þe vertu of þe Lord wiþ outen ende; for
whiche þou ſparidiſt not þi lijf for þe angwiſchis and
tribulaciouns of þi kyn, but helpidiſt þe fallinge bifor þe
ſiȝt of oure God.
xxvi And al þe puple ſeide, `Be it! be it!
xxvii Forſoþe Achior was clepid, and cam; and Judith
ſeide to hym, Þilke God of Iſrael, to whom þou ȝaueſt
witneſſyng, þat he auengiþ hym of hiſe enemyes, haþ kit
of þe heed of alle vnbileueful men in þis niȝt bi myn
hond.
xxviii And þat þou preue þat it is ſo, lo! þe heed of
Holofernes, which in þe diſpit of his pride diſpiſide God
of Iſrael, and manaaſſide deþ to þee, and ſeide, Whanne
þe puple of Iſrael is takun, Y ſchal comaunde þi ſidis to
be perſid wiþ a ſwerd.
xxix Soþeli Achior ſiȝ þe heed of Holofernes, and was
angwiſchid for drede, and felde doun on his face on þe
erþe, and his ſoule ſuffride eneyntiſyng.
xxx Soþeli aftir þat he hadde take aȝen ſpirit, and was
coumfortid, he felde doun at `hir feet, and worſchipide
hir,
xxxi and ſeide, Bleſſid art þou of þi God in al þe
tabernacle of Jacob; for in ech folk, þat ſchal here þi
name, God of Iſrael ſchal be magnyfied in þee.
CAP. XIIII
i Forſoþe Judith ſeide to al þe puple, Briþeren, here ȝe;
hang ȝe þis heed on ȝoure wallis.
ii And it ſchal be, whanne þe ſunne `goiþ out, ech man
take hiſe armuris, and go ȝe out wiþ feerſneſſe, not þat
ȝe go doun bineþe, but as makyng aſauȝt.
iii Þanne it ſchal be nede, þat þe ſpieris of þe lond fle to
reiſe her prynce to batel.
iiii And whanne þe duykis of hem rennen togidere to þe
tabernacle of Holofernes, and fynden hym heedles,
waltrid in his blood, dreed ſchal falle doun on hem.
v And whanne ȝe knowen þat þei fleen, go ȝe ſikirli aftir
hem, for God ſchal al to-breke hem vndur ȝoure feet.
vi Þanne Achior ſiȝ þe vertu þat God of Iſrael hadde do,
and he forſook þe cuſtom of heþeneſſe, and bileuede to
God; and he circumcidede þe fleiſch of his ȝerde, and
he was put to þe puple of Iſrael, and al þe aftircomyng
of his kyn `til in to þis dai.
vii Forſoþe anoon as þe dai roos, þei hangiden þe heed
of Holofernes on þe wallis; and ech man took his
armuris, and þei ȝeden out wiþ grete noiſe and ȝellyng.
viii Which þing þe aſpieris ſien, and runnen to þe
tabernacle of Holofernes.
ix Certis þei, þat weren in þe tabernacle, camen, and
maden noiſe bifore þe entryng of þe bed, and
ymagyneden by craft vnreſtfulneſſe for cauſe of reiſyng,
þat Holofernes ſchulde awake not of þe reiſeris, but of
ſowneris.
x For no man was hardi to opene þe tabernacle of þe
vertu of Aſſiriens bi knockyng eþir bi entryng.
xi But whanne hiſe duykis, and tribunes, and alle þe
grettere men of þe ooſt of þe kyng of Aſſiriens weren
comen, þei ſeiden to þe chaumburleyns, Entre ȝe, and
reiſe ȝe hym;
xii for myis ben goon out of her caues, and doren excite
vs to batel.
xiii Þanne Vagao entride in to his cloſet, and ſtood bifor
þe curtyn, and made betyng togidere wiþ hiſe hondis;
for he ſuppoſide hym to ſlepe wiþ Judith.
xiiii But whanne he perſeyuede not `wiþ wit of eeris ony
ſtiryng of Holofernes liggynge, he cam neiȝynge to þe
curtyn, and he `reiſide it, and ſiȝ þe deed bodi wiþ out
þe heed `of Holofernes `maad ſlow in his blood ligge on
þe erþe, and he criede bi grete vois wiþ weping, and to-
rente hiſe cloþis.
xv And he entride in to þe tabernacle of Judith, and
foond not hir, and he ſkippide out to þe puple,
xvi and ſeide, Oon Ebrew womman haþ maad
confuſioun in þe hows of kyng Nabugodonoſor; for lo!
Holofernes liggiþ in þe erþe, and his heed is not in hym.
xvii And whanne þe prynces of þe vertu of Aſſiriens
hadden herd þis þing, alle þei to-renten her cloþis, and
vnſuffrable drede and tremblyng felde doun on hem,
and her ſoulis weren troblid greetli.
xviii And `vncomparable cry was maad `bi þe myddil of
her tentis.
CAP. XV
i And whanne al þe ooſt hadde herd Holofernes
biheedid, mynde and councel fledde fro hem, and þei
`ſchakun bi tremblyng and drede aloone token þe help
of fliȝt,
ii ſo þat no man ſpak wiþ his neiȝbore; but `whanne þe
heed was bowid doun, and alle þingis `weren forſakun,
þei weren biſy to aſcape Ebreis, which þei hadden herd
to come armed on hem; and þei fledden bi þe weies of
feeldis, and bi þe paþis of litle hillis.
iii Þerfor þe ſones of Iſrael ſiȝen Aſſiriens fleynge, and
ſueden hem, and camen doun, and ſowneden wiþ
trumpis, and ȝelliden aftir hem.
iiii And for Aſſiriens not gaderid togidere ȝeden
heedlyng in to fliȝt, forſoþe þe ſones of Iſrael purſuynge
wiþ o cumpeny maden feble alle, whiche þei myȝten
fynde.
v And Ozie ſente meſſangeris bi alle þe citees and
cuntreis of Iſrael.
vi Þerfor ech cuntrei and ech citee ſente choſun ȝonge
men armed after hem; and þei purſueden `þilke Aſſiriens
wiþ þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, til þei camen to þe laſte
part of her cooſtis.
CDXLVI
vii Forſoþe þe reſidue men, þat weren in Bethulia,
entriden in to þe tentis of Aſſiriens, and token awey wiþ
hem þe prey, which Aſſiriens fleynge hadden left, and
þei weren chargid gretli.
viii But þei þat weren ouercomerys, turneden aȝen to
Bethulia, and þei token awei wiþ hem alle þingis which
euer weren of þo Aſſiriens, ſo þat no noumbre was in
ſcheep, and beeſtis, and in alle mouable þingis of hem,
þat fro þe leeſte `til to þe mooſte alle men weren maad
riche of her preies.
ix Forſoþe Joachym, þe hiȝeſte biſchop, cam fro
Jeruſalem in to Bethulia wiþ alle þe preſtis, to ſe Judith.
x And whanne ſche hadde goon out to hym, alle
bleſſiden hir wiþ o vois, and ſeiden, Þou art þe glorie of
Jeruſalem, and þou art þe gladneſſe of Iſrael, þou art þe
onour of oure puple,
xi which haſt do manli, and þin herte was coumfortid,
for þou louediſt chaſtite, and aftir þin hoſebonde þou
knowiſt not anoþer; þerfor and þe hond of þe Lord
coumfortide þee, and þerfor þou ſchalt be bleſſid wiþ
outen ende.
xii And al þe puple ſeide, `Be it! be it!
xiii Forſoþe bi þritti daies vnneþis þe ſpuylis of Aſſiriens
weren gaderid of þe puple of Iſrael.
xiiii Certis þei ȝauen to Judith alle þingis, þat weren
preued to be propir, `eþer ſynguler, of Holofernes, in
gold, and ſiluer, and in cloþis, and in gemmes, and in
alle purtenaunce of houſhold; and alle þingis weren
ȝouun to hir of þe puple.
xv And alle puplis `maden ioye, wiþ wymmen, and
vergynes, and ȝonge men, in organs and harpis.
CAP. XVI
i Þanne Judith ſong `þis ſong to þe Lord, and ſeide,
Bigynne ȝe in tympans;
ii ſynge ȝe to þe Lord in cymbalis; ſynge ȝe ſwetli a
newe ſalm to hym; fulli make ȝe ioye, and inwardli
clepe ȝe his name.
iii Þe Lord al to-brekiþ batels, þe Lord is name to hym;
iiii þat haþ ſet hiſe caſtels in þe myddis of his puple, for
to deliuere vs fro þe hond of alle oure enemyes.
v Aſſur cam fro þe hillis, fro þe norþ, in þe multitude of
his ſtrengþe; whoſe multitude ſtoppide ſtrondis, and þe
horſis of hem hiliden valeis.
vi And he ſeide, þat he ſchulde brenne my cooſtis, and
ſle my ȝonge men bi ſwerd, to ȝiue my ȝonge children in
to prei, virgyns in to caitifte.
vii But þe Lord Almyȝti anoiede hym, and bitook hym in
to þe hondis of a womman, and ſchente hym.
viii For þe myȝti of hem felde not doun of ȝonge men,
neþer þe ſones of giauntis killiden hym, neþer hiȝe
giauntis puttiden hem ſilf to hym; but Judith, þe douȝtir
of Merari, ouercam hym bi þe fairneſſe of hir face.
ix For ſche vncloþide hir fro þe cloþ of widewehod, and fre. And ſche was deed, and biried wiþ hir hoſebonde in
cloþide hir wiþ þe cloþ of gladneſſe, in þe ful ioiyng of Bethulia;
þe ſones of Iſrael. xxix and al þe puple biweilide hir ſeuene daies.
x Sche anoyntide hir face wiþ oynement, and boond xxx Forſoþe in al þe ſpace of her lijf noon `was
togidere þe treſſis of hir heeris wiþ a coronal, to diſturblide Iſrael, and many ȝeeris aftir hir deeþ.
diſſeyue hym. xxxi Soþeli þe day of þe victorie of þis feeſte is takun of
xi `Hir ſandalies rauyſchiden hiſe iȝen, hir fairneſſe made Ebreis in þe noumbre of hooli daies, and it is
his ſoule caitif; wiþ a ſwerd ſche kittide of his necke. worſchipid of þe Jewis fro þat tyme til in to preſent day.
xii Men of Perſis hadden hidouſneſſe of hir ſtidfaſtneſſe,
Here endiþ þe book of Judith.
and Medeis of hyr hardyneſſe.
xiii Þanne þe caſtels of Aſſiriens ȝelliden, whanne my
meke men, wexinge drie for þirſt, apperiden.
xiiii Þe ſones of dameſels prickiden hem, and killiden
hem as children fleynge; þei periſchiden in batel fro þe
face of my God.
xv `Synge we an ympne to þe Lord, ſynge we a newe
ympne to oure God.
xvi Lord, Lord God, þou art grete, and ful cleer in þi
vertu, and whom no man may ouercome.
xvii Ech creature of þin ſerue þee, for þou ſeidiſt, and
þingis weren maad; þou ſentiſt þi ſpirit, and þingis
weren maad of nouȝt; and noon is þat aȝenſtondiþ þi
comaundement.
xviii Hillis ſchulen be moued fro foundementis wiþ
watris; ſtonys ſchulen flete a brood as wex bifor þi face.
xix Soþeli þei þat dreden þee, ſchulen be grete anentis
þee bi alle þingis.
xx Woo to þe folk ryſynge on my kyn; for þe Lord
Almyȝti ſchal take veniaunce in hem, in þe dai of doom
he ſchal viſite hem.
xxi For he ſchal ȝyue fier and wormes in þe fleiſchis of
hem, þat þei be brent, and lyue, and feele til in to wiþ
outen ende.
xxii And it was doon aftir þeſe þingis, al þe puple aftir
þe victorie cam to Jeruſalem to worſchipe þe Lord; and
anoon as þei weren clenſid, alle men offriden brent
ſacrifices, and a vowis, and her biheeſtis.
xxiii Certis Judith ȝaf in to þe curſyng of forȝetyng alle
þe armuris of batel of Holofernes, whiche þe puple ȝaf
to hir, and þe curteyn, which ſche hadde take awei.
xxiiii Forſoþe al þe puple was myrie aftir þe face of hooli
men; and bi þre moneþis þe ioye of þis victorie was
halewid wiþ Judith.
xxv Soþeli aftir þo daies ech man ȝede aȝen in to his
owne; and Judith was maad greet in Bethulia, and ſche
was more cleer þanne alle wymmen of þe lond of Iſrael.
xxvi For chaſtite was ioyned to hir vertu, ſo þat ſche
knewe not man alle þe daies of hir lijf, ſiþen Manaſſes,
hir hoſebonde, was deed.
xxvii Soþeli in `feeſte daies ſche cam forþ wiþ greet
glorie.
xxviii Forſoþe ſche dwellide in þe hows of hir hoſebonde
an hundrid ȝeer and fyue; and ſche lefte hir handmaide

CDXLVII

HESTER
Here bigynneþ þe book of Heſter.
CAP. I
i In þe daies of kyng Aſſuerus, þat regnede fro Ynde `til
to Ethiopie, on an hundrid and ſeuene and twenti
prouynces, whanne he ſat in þe ſeete of his rewme,
ii þe citee Suſa was þe bigynnyng of his rewme.
iii Þerfor in þe þridde ȝeer of his empire he made a greet
feeſte to alle hiſe princes and children, þe ſtrongeſte
men of Perſis, and to þe noble men of Medeis, and to þe
prefectis of prouynces, bifor him ſilf,
iiii to ſchewe þe richeſſis of þe glorie of his rewme, and
þe gretneſſe, and booſt of his power in myche tyme, þat
is, an hundrid and `foure ſcoor daies.
v And whanne þe daies of þe feeſte weren fillid, he
clepide to feeſte al þe puple þat was foundun in Suſa,
fro þe mooſt `til to þe leeſte; and he comaundide þe
feeſte to be maad redi bi ſeuene daies in þe porche of þe
orcherd and wode, þat was ſet wiþ þe kyngis ournement
and hond.
vi And tentis of `þe colour of þe eir, and of gold, and of
iacynct, ſuſteyned wiþ coordis of bijs, and of purpur,
hangiden on ech ſide, whiche weren ſet in cerclis of
yuer, and weren vndur ſet wiþ pilers of marble; alſo
ſeetis at þe maner of beddis of gold and of ſiluer `weren
diſpoſid on þe pawment arayede wiþ ſmaragde and
dyuerſe ſtoon; which pawment peynture made fair bi
wondurful dyuerſite.
vii Soþeli þei, þat weren clepid to meet, drunkun in
goldun cuppis, and metes weren borun in wiþ oþere
`and oþere veſſels; alſo plenteuouſe wiyn, and `þe beſt
was ſet, as it was worþi to þe greet doyng of þe kyng.
viii And `noon was þat conſtreynede `men not willynge
to drynke; but ſo þe kyng hadde ordeyned, `makynge
ſouereyns of hiſe princes `to alle boordis, þat ech man
ſchulde take þat, þat he wolde.
ix Alſo Vaſthi, þe queen, made a feeſte of wymmen in þe
paleis, where kyng Aſſuerus was wont to dwelle.
x Þerfor in þe ſeuenþe dai, whanne þe kyng was
gladdere, and was hoot of wiyn aftir ful myche
drinkyng, he comaundide Nauman, and Baracha, and
Arbana, and Gabatha, and Zarath, and Abgatha, and
Charchas, ſeuene oneſte and chaſt ſeruauntis, `þat
myniſtriden in his ſiȝt,
xi þat þei ſchulden brynge in bifor þe kyng þe queen
Vaſti, wiþ a diademe ſet on hir heed, to ſchewe hir
fairneſſe to alle þe puplis and prynces; for ſche was ful
fair.
xii And ſche forſook, and diſpiſide to come at þe
comaundement of þe kyng, which he hadde ſent bi þe
oneſte and chaſt ſeruauntes. Wherfor þe kyng was
CDXLVIII
wrooþ, and kyndlid bi fulgreet woodneſſe; and he axide
þe wiſe men,
xiii whiche bi þe `kyngis cuſtom weren euere wiþ hym,
and he dide alle þingis bi þe counſel of hem, kunnynge
þe lawis and ritis of grettere men;
xiiii forſoþe þe firſte and þe nexte weren Carſena, and
Sechaaba, Admatha, and Tharſis, and Mares, and
Marſana, and Manucha, ſeuene duykis of Perſis and of
Medeis, þat ſien þe face of þe kyng, and weren wont to
ſitte þe firſte aftir hym;
xv `þe kyng axide hem, to what ſentence þe queen Vaſthi
ſchulde be ſuget, þat nolde do þe comaundement of
kyng Aſſuerus, which he hadde ſent bi þe oneſt and
chaſt ſeruauntis.
xvi And Manucha anſweride, in audience of þe kyng and
of þe pryncis, Þe queen Vaſthi haþ not oneli diſpiſid þe
kyng, but alle þe pryncis and puplis, þat ben in alle
prouynces of kyng Aſſuerus.
xvii For þe word of þe queen ſchal go out to alle
wymmen, þat þei diſpiſe her hoſebondis, and ſeie, Kyng
Aſſuerus comaundide, þat þe queen Vaſthi ſchulde entre
to hym, and ſche nolde.
xviii And bi þis ſaumple alle þe wyues of prynces of
Perſis and of Medeis ſchulen diſpiſe þe comaundementis
of hoſebondis; wherfor þe indignacioun of þe kyng is
iuſt.
xix If it pleſiþ to þee, `a comaundement go out fro þi
face, and `be writun bi þe lawe of Perſis and of Medeis,
which it is vnleueful to be paſſid, þat Vaſthi entre no
more to þe kyng, but anoþir womman, which is betere
þan ſche, take `þe rewme of hir.
xx And be þis pupliſchid in to al þe empire of þi
prouynces, which is ful large, þat alle wyues, boþ of
grettere men and of leſſe, ȝyue onour to her hoſebondis.
xxi His counſel pleſide þe kyng and þe prynces, and þe
kyng dide bi þe counſel of Manucha;
xxii and he ſente piſtlis bi alle þe prouyncis of his
rewme, as ech folk myȝte here and rede, in dyuerſe
langagis and lettris, þat hoſebondis ben prynces and þe
grettere in her houſis; and `he ſente, þat þis be
puppliſchid bi alle puplis.
CAP. II
i Þerfor whanne þeſe þingis weren doon, aftir þat þe
indignacioun of kyng Aſſuerus was coold, he biþouȝte
of Vaſthi, and what þingis ſche hadde do, eþir what
þingis ſche ſuffride.
ii And þe children and þe mynyſtris of þe kyng ſeiden to
`þe kyng, Damyſelis, virgyns `and faire, be ſouȝt to þe
kyng; and `men ben ſent,
iii þat ſchulen biholde bi alle prouinces dameſels faire
and virgyns; and brynge þei hem to þe citee Suſa, and
bitake þei in to þe hows of wymmen, vndur þe hond of
Egei, þe oneſt ſeruaunt and chaſt, which is þe ſouereyn
and kepere of þe kyngis wymmen; and take þe dameſels
ournement of wymmen, and oþer þingis nedeful to vſis.
iiii And which euer dameſele among alle pleſiþ þe iȝen
of þe kyng, regne ſche for Vaſti. Þe word pleſide þe
kyng; and he comaundide to be don ſo, as þei
counceliden.
v Forſoþe a man, a Jew, was in þe citee Suſa, Mardoche
bi name, þe ſone of Jair, ſone of Semei, ſone of Cys, of
þe generacioun of Gemyny;
vi þat was tranſlatid fro Jeruſalem in þat tyme, wherynne
Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, hadde tranſlatid
Jechonye, kyng of Juda;
vii which Mardoche was þe nurſchere of Ediſſa, þe
douȝter of his broþir, which douȝtir was clepid Heſter bi
anoþir name, and ſche hadde loſt boþe fadir and modir;
ſche was ful fair, and ſemeli of face; and whanne hir
fadir and modir weren deed, Mardoche `purchaſide hir
in to a douȝtir to hymſilf.
viii And whanne þe comaundement of þe kyng was ofte
puppliſchid, and bi his comaundement many faire
virgyns weren brouȝt to Suſa, and weren bitakun to
Egey, þe oneſt ſeruaunt and chaſt, alſo Heſter among
oþere dameſels was bytakun to hym, þat ſche ſchulde be
kept in þe noumbre of wymmen.
ix And ſche pleſide hym, and foond grace in his ſiȝt, þat
he haſtide þe ournement of wymmen, and bitook to hir
her partis, and ſeuene þe faireſte dameſels of þe kyngis
hows; and he ournede and araiede boþe hir and
dameſels ſuynge hir feet.
x And `ſche nolde ſchewe to hym hir puple and hir
cuntrei; for Mardoche hadde comaundid to hir, þat in al
maner ſche ſchulde be ſtille of þis þing.
xi And he walkide ech dai bifor þe porche of þe dore, in
which þe choſun virgyns weren kept, and he dide þe
cure of þe helþe of Heſter, and wolde wite, what bifelde
to hyr.
xii And whanne þe tyme of alle dameſels bi ordre was
comun, þat þei ſchulden entre to þe kyng, whanne alle
þingis weren fillid þat perteyneden to wymmens atire,
þe twelueþe moneþe was turned; ſo oneli þat þei weren
anoyntid wiþ oile of `myrte tre bi ſixe moneþis, and bi
oþere ſixe moneþis `þei vſiden ſumme pymentis and
ſwete-ſmellynge oynementis.
xiii And þei entriden to þe kyng, and what euer þing
perteynynge to ournement þei axiden, þei token; and
þei weren araied as it pleſide hem, and paſſiden fro þe
chaumbre of wymmen to þe kyngis bed.
xiiii And ſche þat hadde entrid in þe euentid, ȝede out in
þe morwetid; and fro þennus þei weren led forþ in to þe
ſecounde houſis, þat weren vndur þe hond of Sagazi,
oneſt ſeruaunt and chaſt, þat was gouernour of þe kyngis
concubyns; and ſche hadde not power to go aȝen more
to þe kyng, no but þe kyng wolde, `and had comaundid
hir to come bi name.
CDXLIX
xv Soþeli whanne þe tyme was turned aboute bi ordre,
þe dai neiȝede, wherynne Heſter, þe douȝter of Abiahel,
broþer of Mardoche, `whom he hadde purchaſid in to a
douȝter to hym ſilf, ouȝte entre to þe kyng; and ſche
axide not wymmenus ournement, but what euer þingis
Egei, þe oneſt ſeruaunt and chaſt, kepere of virgyns,
wolde, he ȝaf þeſe þingis to hir to ournement; for ſche
was ful ſchapli, and of fairneſſe þat may not liȝtli be
bileuyd, and ſche ſemyde graciouſe and amyable to þe
iȝen of alle men.
xvi Þerfor ſche was lad to þe bed of kyng Aſſuerus, in þe
tenþe moneþe, which is clepid Cebeth, in þe ſeuenþe
ȝeer of his rewme.
xvii And þe kyng feruentli louyde hir more þan alle
wymmen, and ſche hadde grace and mercy bifor hym
ouer alle wymmen; and he ſettide þe diademe of rewme
`on hir heed, and he made hir to regne in þe ſtide of
Vaſthi.
xviii And he comaundide a ful worſchipful feeſte to be
maad redi to alle hiſe princes and ſeruauntis, for þe
ioynyng togidere and þe weddyngis of Heſter; and he
ȝaf reſt to alle prouynces, and ȝaf ȝiftis aftir þe
worſchipful doyng of a prynce.
xix And whanne virgyns weren ſouȝt alſo þe ſecounde
tyme, and weren gaderid togidere, Mardochee dwellide
at þe ȝate of þe kyng.
xx Heſter hadde not ȝit ſchewid hir cuntrei and puple, bi
comaundement of hym; for whi what euer þing he
comaundide, Heſter kepte, and ſche dide ſo alle þingis,
as ſche was wont in þat tyme, in which he nurſchide hir
a litil child.
xxi Þerfor in þat tyme, wherynne Mardochee dwellide at
þe `ȝate of þe king, Bagathan and Thares, twei
ſeruauntis of þe kyng, weren wroþe, `þat weren porteris,
and ſaten in þe firſt þreisfold of þe paleis; and þei
wolden riſe aȝens þe kyng, and ſle hym.
xxii Which þing was not hid fro Mardochee, and anoon
he telde to þe queen Heſter, and ſche to þe kyng, bi þe
name of Mardochee, þat hadde teld þe þing to hir.
xxiii It was ſouȝt, and it was foundun, and ech of hem
was hangid in a iebat; and `it was ſent to ſtoryes, and
was bitakun to bookis of ȝeeris, `bifor þe kyng.
CAP. III
i Aftir þeſe þingis kyng Aſſuerus enhaunſide Aaman, þe
ſone of Amadathi, þat was of þe kynrede of Agag, and
ſettide his trone aboue alle þe princes whiche he hadde.
ii And alle þe ſeruauntis of þe kyng, þat lyuyden in þe
ȝatis of þe paleis, kneliden, and worſchipiden Aaman;
for þe emperour hadde comaundid ſo to hem;
Mardochee aloone bowide not þe knees, neþir
worſchipide hym.
iii `To whom þe children of þe kyng ſeiden, þat ſaten
bifore at þe ȝatis of þe paleis, Whi kepiſt `þou not þe
comaundementis of þe kyng, oþere wiſe þan oþere
men?
iiii And whanne þei ſeiden ful ofte þeſe þingis, and he
nolde here, þei tolden to Aaman, `and wolden wite,
wheþer he contynuede in ſentence; for he hadde ſeid to
hem, þat he was a Jew.
v And whanne Aaman hadde herd þis þing, and hadde
preued `bi experience, þat Mardochee bowide not þe
kne to hym, neþir worſchipide hym, he was ful wrooþ,
vi and he ledde for nouȝt to ſette hiſe hondis on
Mardochee aloone; for he hadde herd, þat Mardochee
was of þe folc of Jewis, and more he wolde leeſe al þe
nacioun of Jewis, þat weren in þe rewme of Aſſuerus.
vii In þe firſte moneþe, whos nam is Nyſan, in þe
twelueþe ȝeer of þe rewme of Aſſuerus, lot was ſent in
to a veſſel, which lot is ſeid in Ebrew phur, `bifor
Aaman, in what dai and in what moneþe þe folk of
Jewis ouȝte to be ſlayn; and þe twelueþe moneþe ȝede
out, which is clepid Adar.
viii And Aaman ſeide to þe king Aſſuerus, A puple is
ſcaterid bi alle þe prouynces of þi rewme, and is
departid fro it ſilf togidere, and vſiþ newe lawis and
cerymonyes, and ferþermore it diſpiſiþ alſo þe
comaundementis of þe kyng; and þou knoweſt beſt, þat
it ſpediþ not to þi rewme, `þat it encreeſſe in malice bi
licence.
ix If it pleſiþ þee, `deme þou þat it periſch, and Y ſchal
paie ten þouſynde of talentis to þe keperis of þi treſour.
x Þerfor þe kyng took `fro his hond þe ryng which he
vſide, and ȝaf it to Aaman, þe ſone of Amadathi, of þe
kynrede of Agag, to þe enemy of Jewis.
xi And þe kyng ſeide to hym, Þe ſiluer, which þou
bihiȝtiſt, be þin; do þou of þe puple þat, þat pleſiþ þee.
xii And þe ſcryuens of þe kyng weren clepid in þe firſte
moneþe Nyſan, in þe þrettenþe dai of þe ſame moneþe;
and it was writun, as Aaman hadde comaundid, to alle
prynces of þe kyng, and to domeſmen of prouynces and
of dyuerſe folkis, þat ech folk myȝte rede and here, `for
dyuerſite of langagis, bi þe name of kyng Aſſuerus. And
lettris aſeelid wiþ
xiii þe ring of þe kyng weren ſent bi þe corouris of þe
kyng to alle hiſe prouynces, þat þei ſchulden ſle, and `do
awei alle Jewis, fro a child to an eld man, litle children
and wymmen, in o dai, þat is, in þe þrittenþe dai of þe
twelueþe moneþe, which is clepid Adar; and þat þei
ſchulden take awei þe goodis of Jewis.
xiiii Forſoþe þe ſentence `in ſchort of þe piſtlis was þis,
þat alle prouyncis ſchulden wite, and make hem redi to
þe forſeid dai. And þe coroures, þat weren ſent, haſtiden
to fille þe comaundement of þe kyng; and anoon þe
comaundement hangide in Suſa, `while þe kyng and
Aaman maden feeſte, and `þe while þat alle Jewis
wepten, þat weren in þe citee.
CDL
CAP. IIII
i And whanne Mardochee hadde herd þeſe þingis, he to-
rente hiſe cloþis, and he was cloþid in a ſak, and ſpreynt
aiſche on þe heed, and he criede wiþ greet vois in þe
ſtreet of þe myddis of þe citee, and ſchewide þe
bitterneſſe of his ſoule,
ii and he ȝede wiþ þis ȝellyng `til to þe ȝatis of þe paleis;
for it was not leueful a man cloþid wiþ a ſak to entre in
to þe halle of þe kyng.
iii Alſo in alle prouynces, citees, and places, to which þe
cruel ſentence of þe king was comun, was greet
weilyng, faſtyng, ȝellyng, and wepyng anentis þe Jewis,
and many Jewis vſiden ſak and aiſche for bed.
iiii Soþeli þe dameſelis and oneſt ſeruauntis and chaſt of
Heſter entriden, and telden to hir; which þing ſche
herde, and was aſtonyed; and ſche ſente a cloþ to
Mardochee, þat whanne þe ſak was takun a wei, he
ſchulde cloþe hym þerynne; which cloþ he nolde take.
v And aftir þat Athac, þe oneſt ſeruaunt and chaſt, `was
clepid, whom þe kyng hadde ȝoue a mynyſtre to hir,
ſche comaundide, þat he ſchulde go to Mardochee, and
lerne of hym, whi he dide þis þing.
vi And Athac ȝede out, and ȝede to Mardochee
ſtondynge in þe ſtreet of þe citee, bifor þe dore of þe
paleis;
vii which ſchewide to Athac alle þingis þat bifelden, hou
Aaman hadde bihiȝt to bryng ſiluer in to treſours of þe
kyng for þe deeþ of Jewis.
viii Alſo he ȝaf to Athac þe copie of þe comaundement,
þat hangide in Suſa, to ſchewe to þe queen, and to
moneſte hir for to entre to þe kyng, and to biſeche hym
for hir puple.
ix And Athac ȝede aȝen, and telde to Heſter alle þingis,
whiche Mardochee hadde ſeid.
x And ſche anſweryde to hym, and ſeide, þat he ſchulde
ſeie to Mardochee, Alle þe ſeruauntis of þe kyng,
xi and alle prouyncis þat ben vndur his lordſchip,
knowen, þat wheþer a man eþer a womman not clepid
entriþ in to þe ynnere halle of þe kyng, he ſchal be ſlayn
anoon wiþ outen ony tariyng, no but in hap þe kyng
holdiþ forþ þe goldun ȝerde `to hym for `þe ſigne of
merci, and he mai lyue ſo; þerfor hou mai Y entre to þe
kyng, which am not clepid to hym now bi þritti daies?
xii And whanne Mardochee hadde herd `þis þing, he
ſente efte to Heſter,
xiii and ſeide, Geſſe þou not, þat þou ſchalt delyuer oonli
þi lijf, for þou art in þe hows of þe kyng, bifor alle
Jewis;
xiiii for if þou art ſtille now, Jewis ſchulen be delyuered
bi anoþer occaſioun, and þou and þe hows of þi fadir
ſchulen periſche; and who knowiþ, wheþer herfor þou
camiſt to þe rewme, þat þou ſchuldiſt be maad redi in
ſich a tyme?
xv And eft Heſter ſente þeſe wordis to Mardochee,
xvi Go þou, and gadere togidere alle Jewis, whiche þou
fyndiſt in Suſa, and preie ȝe for me; ete ȝe not, neþer
drynke ȝe in þre daies and þre nyȝtis, and Y wiþ myn
handmaydis ſchal faſt in lijk maner; and þanne Y not
clepid ſchal entre to þe kyng, and Y ſchal do aȝens þe
lawe, and Y ſchal bitake me to deþ and to perel.
xvii Þerfor Mardochee ȝede, and dide alle þingis, whiche
Heſter hadde comaundid to hym.
CAP. V
i Forſoþe in þe þridde dai Heſter was cloþid in `þe
kyngis cloþis, and ſtood in þe porche of þe kyngis
hows, þat was `þe ynnere aȝens þe kyngis halle; and he
ſat on his trone, in þe conſiſtorie of þe paleis, aȝens þe
dore of þe hows.
ii And whanne he hadde ſeyn Heſter, þe queen,
ſtondynge, ſche pleſide hiſe iȝen, and he helde forþ
aȝens hir þe goldun ȝerde, which he helde in þe hond;
and ſche neiȝide, and kiſſide þe hiȝneſſe of his ȝerde.
iii And þe king ſeide to hir, Heſter, þe queen, what `wolt
þou? what is þin axyng? Ȝhe, þouȝ þou axiſt þe half part
of my rewme, it ſchal be ȝouun to þee.
iiii And ſche anſweride, If it pleſiþ þe kyng, Y biſeche,
þat þou come to me to dai, and Aaman wiþ þee, to þe
feeſte, which Y haue maad redi.
v And anoon þe king ſeide, Clepe ȝe Aaman ſoone, þat
he obeie to þe wille of Heſter. Þerfor þe kyng and
Aaman camen to þe feeſte, which þe queen hadde maad
redi to hem.
vi And þe king ſeide to hir, aftir þat he hadde drunk
wiyn plenteuouſli, What axiſt þou, þat it be ȝouun to
þee, and for what þing axiſt þou? Ȝhe, þouȝ þou axiſt þe
half part of my rewme, þou ſchalt gete.
vii To whom Heſter anſweride, My axyng and preieris
ben þeſe.
viii If Y haue founde grace in þe ſiȝt of þe kyng, and if it
pleſiþ þe kyng, þat he ȝyue to me þat, þat Y axe, and þat
he fille myn axyng, þe kyng and Aaman come to þe
feeſte, which Y haue maad redi to hem; and to morewe
Y ſchal opene my wille to þe kyng.
ix Þerfor Aaman ȝede out glad and ſwift `in þat dai. And
whanne he hadde ſeyn Mardochee ſittynge bifor þe ȝatis
of þe paleys, and not oneli to haue not riſe to hym, but
ſoþeli neþer moued fro þe place of his ſittyng, he was
ful wrooþ;
x and `whanne þe ire was diſſymelid, he turnede aȝen in
to his hows, and he clepide togidire `to him ſilf frendis,
and Zares, his wijf;
xi and he declaride to hem þe greetneſſe of his richeſſis,
and þe cumpeny of children, and wiþ hou greet glorie
þe kyng hadde enhaunſid hym aboue alle hiſe princis
and ſeruauntis.
xii And he ſeide after þeſe þinges, Alſo þe queen Heſter
clepide noon oþer man wiþ þe kyng to þe feeſte,
CDLI
outakun me, anentis `which queen Y ſchal ete alſo to
morewe wiþ þe kyng.
xiii And whanne Y haue alle þeſe þingis, Y geſſe þat Y
haue no þing, as long as Y ſe Mardochee, Jew, ſittynge
bifor þe `kyngis ȝatis.
xiiii And Zares, his wijf, and oþere frendis anſweriden to
hym, Comaunde þou an hiȝ beem to be maad redi,
hauynge fifti cubitis of heiȝþe; and ſeie þou eerly to þe
kyng, þat Mardochee be hangid þeronne; and ſo þou
ſchalt go glad wiþ þe kyng to þe feeſte.
xv And þe counſel pleſyde him, and he comaundide an
hiȝ cros to be maad redi.
CAP. VI
i Þe kyng ledde þat nyȝt wiþ out ſleep, and he
comaundide þe ſtories and þe bookis of ȝeeris `of
formere tymes to be brouȝt to hym. And whanne þo
weren red in his preſenſe,
ii me cam to þe place, where it was writun, hou
Mardochee hadde teld þe treſouns of Gabathan and
Thares, oneſte ſeruauntis, couetynge to ſtrangle kyng
Aſſuerus.
iii And whanne þe kyng hadde herd þis, he ſeide, What
onour and meede gat Mardochee for þis feiþfulneſſe?
And hiſe ſeruauntis and mynyſtris ſeiden to hym, Outirli
he took no meede.
iiii And anoon þe kyng ſeide, Who is in þe halle? Soþeli
Aaman hadde entrid in to þe ynnere halle of þe kyngis
hows, to make ſuggeſtioun to þe kyng, þat he ſchulde
comaunde Mardochee to be hangid on þe iebat, which
was maad redi to him.
v And þe children anſweriden, Aaman ſtondiþ in þe
halle.
vi And þe kyng ſeide, Entre he. And whanne he was
comun yn, þe kyng ſeide to hym, What owiþ to be don
to þe man, whom þe kyng deſiriþ onoure? Aaman
þouȝte in his herte, and geſſide, þat þe kyng wolde
onoure noon oþere man no but hym ſilf;
vii and he anſweride, Þe man, whom þe kyng couetiþ to
onoure,
viii owiþ to be cloþid wiþ þe kyngis cloþis, and to be ſet
on þe hors which is of þe kyngis ſadel, and to take þe
kyngis diademe on his heed;
ix and þe firſte of þe princes and ſtronge men of þe kyng
holde his hors, and go bi þe ſtretis of þe citee, and crie,
and ſeie, Þus he ſchal be onourid, whom euer þe kyng
wole onoure.
x Þerfor þe kyng ſeide to hym, Haſte þou, and whanne
`a ſtoole and hors is takun, do þou, as þou haſt ſpoke, to
Mardochee þe Jew, þat ſittiþ bifor þe ȝatis of þe paleis;
be þou war, þat þou leeue not out ony þing of þeſe,
whiche þou haſt ſpoke.
xi Þerfor Aaman took `a ſtoole and hors, and ȝede, and
criede bifor Mardochee cloþid in þe ſtrete of þe citee,
and ſet on `þe hors, He is worþi þis onour, whom euer
þe kyng wole onoure.
xii And Mardochee turnede aȝen to þe ȝate of þe paleis,
and Aaman haſtide to go in to his hows, morenynge,
and wiþ þe heed hilid.
xiii And he teld to Zares, his wijf, and to frendis alle
þingis þat hadden bifelde to hym. To whom þe wiſe
men, whiche he hadde in counſel, and his wijf,
anſweriden, If Mardochee, bifor whom þou haſt
bigunne to falle, is of þe ſeed of Jewis, þou ſchalt not
mowe aȝenſtonde hym, but þou ſchalt falle in his ſiȝt.
xiiii Ȝit while þei ſpaken, þe oneſte ſeruauntis and chaſt
of þe kyng camen, and compelliden hym to go ſoone to
þe feeſte, which þe queen hadde maad redi.
CAP. VII
i Þerfor þe kyng and Aaman entriden to þe feeſte, to
drynke wiþ þe queen.
ii And þe kyng ſeide to hir, ȝhe, in þe ſecounde dai, aftir
þat he was hoot of þe wiyn, Heſter, what is þin axyng,
þat it be ȝouun to þee, and what wolt þou be doon? Ȝhe,
þouȝ þou axiſt þe half part of my rewme, þou ſchalt
gete.
iii To whom ſche anſweride, A! king, if Y haue founde
grace in þin iȝen, and if it pleſiþ þee, ȝyue þou my lijf to
me, for which Y preie, and my puple, for which Y
biſeche.
iiii For Y and my puple ben ȝouun, þat we be defoulid,
and ſtranglid, and þat we periſche; `and Y wolde, þat we
weren ſeeld in to ſeruauntis and ſeruaunteſſis, `and þe
yuel `were ſuffrable, and Y `were ſtille weilynge; but
now oure enemy is, whos cruelte turneþ `in to þe kyng.
v And kyng Aſſuerus anſweride, and ſeide, Who is þis,
and of what power, þat he be hardi to do þeſe þingis?
vi And Heſter ſeide, Oure worſte aduerſarie and enemy
is þis Aaman. Which þing he herde, and was aſtonyde
anoon, and `ſuffride not to bere þe ſemelaunt of þe kyng
and of þe queen.
vii Forſoþe þe kyng roos wrooþ, and fro þe place of þe
feeſte he entride in to a gardyn biſet wiþ trees. And
Aaman roos for to preie Heſter, þe queen, for his lijf;
for he vndurſtood yuel maad redi of þe kyng to hym.
viii And whanne þe kyng turnede aȝen fro þe gardyn
`biſet wiþ wode, and hadde entrid in to þe place of
feeſte he foond þat Aaman felde doun on þe bed,
wherynne Heſter lai. And þe king ſeide, `Alſo he wole
oppreſſe þe queen, while Y am preſent, in myn hows. Þe
word was not ȝit goon out of þe kyngis mouþ, and
anoon þei hiliden his face.
ix And Arbona ſeide, oon of þe oneſt ſeruauntis and
chaſt, þat ſtoden in þe ſeruyce of þe kyng, Lo! þe tre
hauynge fifti cubitis of heiȝþe ſtondiþ in þe hows of
Aaman, which tre he hadde maad redi to Mardochee,
CDLII
þat ſpak for þe kyng. To whom þe kyng ſeide, Hange ȝe
Aaman in þat tre.
x Þerfor Aaman was hangid in þe iebat, which he hadde
maad redi to Mardochee, and þe ire of þe kyng reſtide.
CAP. VIII
i In þat dai kyng Aſſuerus ȝaf to Heſter, þe queen, þe
hows of Aaman, aduerſarie of Jewis. And Mardochee
entride bifor þe face of þe kyng; for Heſter knoulechide
to hym, þat he was `hir fadris broþer.
ii Þerfor þe kyng took þe ryng, which he hadde
comaundid to be reſſeyued fro Aaman, and ȝaf to
Mardochee. Forſoþe Heſter ordeynede Mardochee ouer
hir hows.
iii And Heſter was not appaied wiþ þeſe þingis, and
felde doun to þe feet of þe kyng, and wepte, and ſpak to
hym, and preiede, þat he ſchulde comaunde þe malice
of Aaman of Agag, and hiſe worſte caſtis, whiche he
hadde þouȝte out aȝens Jewis, `to be maad voide.
iiii And þe kyng bi cuſtom helde forþ þe goldun ȝerde of
þe kyng wiþ his hond, bi which þe ſigne of merci was
ſchewid. `Þerfor ſche roos vp,
v and ſtood bifor hym, and ſeide, If it pleſiþ þe kyng,
and if Y haue founde grace bifor hiſe iȝen, and if my
preier is not ſeyn `to be contrarie to hym, Y biſeche, þat
þe elde lettris of Aaman, traitour and enemy of Jewis,
by whiche he hadde comaundid hem to periſche in alle
þe prouynces of þe kyng, be amendid bi newe piſtlis;
vi for hou ſchal Y mowe ſuffre þe deþ, and þe ſleyng of
my puple?
vii And kyng Aſſuerus anſweride to Heſter, þe queen,
and to Mardochee, Jew, Y grauntide þe hows of Aaman
to Heſter, þe queen, and Y comaundide hym to be
hangid `on þe cros, for he was hardi to ſette hond aȝens
þe Jewis.
viii Þerfor write ȝe to Jewis, as it pleſiþ to ȝou, `bi þe
name of þe kyng, and aſeele ȝe þe lettris wiþ my ring.
For þis was þe cuſtom, þat no man durſte aȝenſeie þe
piſtlis, þat weren ſente in þe kyngis name, and weren
aſeelid wiþ his ryng.
ix And whanne þe dyteris and `writeris of þe kyng
weren clepid; `ſoþeli it was þe tyme of þe þridde
moneþe, which is clepid Siban, in þe þre and twentiþe
dai of þat moneþe; piſtlis weren writun, as Mardochee
wolde, to Jewis, and to princes, and to procuratouris,
and to iugis, þat weren ſouereyns of an hundrid and
ſeuene and twenti prouynces, fro Iynde `til to Ethiope,
to prouynce and to prouynce, to puple and to puple, bi
her langagis and lettris, and to Jewis, þat þei myȝten
rede and here.
x And þo piſtlis, þat weren ſent `bi þe kyngis name,
weren aſeelid wiþ his ryng, and ſent bi meſſangeris,
whiche runnen aboute bi alle prouynces, and camen wiþ
newe meſſagis bifor þe elde lettris.
xi To whiche þe kyng comaundide, þat þei ſchulden
clepe togidere þe Jewis bi alle citees, `and comaunde to
be gaderid togidere, þat þei ſchulden ſtonde for her
lyues; and ſchulden ſle, and do awei alle her enemyes,
wiþ her wyues and children, and alle howſis.
xii And o dai of veniaunce, þat is, in þe þrittenþe dai of
þe twelueþe moneþe Adar, was ordeined bi alle
prouynces.
xiii And þe ſchort ſentence of þe piſtle was þis, þat it
were maad knowun in alle londis and puplis, þat weren
ſuget to þe empire of kyng Aſſuerus, þat þe Jewis ben
redi to take veniaunce of her enemyes.
xiiii And þe meſſangeris ȝeden out, bifor berynge ſwift
meſſages; and þe comaundement of þe kyng hangide in
Suſa.
xv Soþeli Mardochee ȝede out of þe paleis and of þe
kyngis ſiȝt, and ſchynede in þe kyngis cloþis, þat is, of
iacynct and of colour of þe eir, and he bar a goldun
coroun in his heed, and was cloþid wiþ a mentil of ſelk
and of purpur; and al þe citee fulli ioiede, and was glad.
xvi Forſoþe a newe lyȝt ſemede to riſe to þe Jewis,
xvii ioie, onour, and daunſyng, at alle puplis, citees, and
alle prouynces, whidur euere þe comaundementis of þe
kyng camen, a wondurful ioie, metis, and feeſtis, and an
hooli dai, in ſo myche, þat many of an oþer folk and ſect
weren ioyned to þe religioun and cerymonyes of hem;
for þe greet drede of þe name of Jewis `hadde aſaylid
alle hem.
CAP. IX
i Þerfor in þe þrittenþe dai of þe twelueþe moneþe,
which we ſeiden now bifore to be clepid Adar, whanne
ſleyng was maad redi to alle Jewis, and her enemyes
ſettiden treſoun to blood, aȝenward Jewes bigunnen to
be þe hiȝere, and to venge hem of aduerſaries.
ii And þei weren gaderid togidere bi alle citees, caſtels,
and places, to ſtretche forþ hond aȝens her enemyes and
purſueris; and no man was hardi to aȝenſtonde, for þe
drede of her gretneſſe hadde perſid alle puplis.
iii For whi boþe þe iugis, duykis, and procuratouris of
prouynces, and ech dignyte, þat weren ſouereyns of alle
places and werkis, enhaunſiden Jewis, for þe drede of
Mardochee,
iiii whom þei knewen to be prince of þe paleis, and to
mow do ful myche; and þe fame of his name encreeſide
ech dai, and flei bi þe mouþis of alle men.
v Þerfor þe Jewis ſmytiden her enemyes wiþ greet
veniaunce, and killiden hem, and ȝeldiden to þo
enemyes þat, þat þei hadden maad redi to do to `þe
Jewis,
vi in ſo myche, þat alſo in Suſa þei killiden fyue hundrid
men, wiþ out þe ten ſones of Aaman of Agag, þe
enemye of Jewis, of whiche þeſe ben þe names;
vii Phaſandatha, Delphon, and Eſphata,
CDLIII
viii and Phorata, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
ix and Ephermeſta, and Ariſai, and Aridai, and Vaizatha.
x And whanne þe Jewis hadden ſlayn hem, þei nolden
take preies of þe catels of hem.
xi And anoon þe noumbre of hem, þat weren ſlayn in
Suſa, was teld to þe kyng.
xii Which ſeide to þe queen, Jewis han ſlayn fyue
hundrid men in þe citee of Suſa, and oþere ten ſones of
Aaman; hou grete ſleyng geſſiſt þou, þat þei haunten in
alle prouynces? what axiſt þou more? and what wolt
þou, þat Y comaunde to be doon?
xiii To whom ſche anſweride, If it pleſiþ þe kyng, power
be ȝouun to þe Jewis, þat as þei han do to dai in Suſa, ſo
do þei alſo to morewe, and þat þe ten ſones of Aaman
be hangid vp in iebatis.
xiiii And þe kyng comaundide, þat it ſchulde be doon ſo;
and anoon þe comaundement hangide in Suſa, and þe
ten ſones of Aaman weren hangid.
xv Þerfor whanne þe Jewis weren gaderid togidere, in þe
fourtenþe dai of þe moneþe Adar, þre hundrid men
weren ſlayn in Suſa, and þe Jewis token not awei þe
catel of þo men.
xvi But alſo bi alle þe prouynces, þat weren ſuget to þe
lordſchip of þe kyng, Jewis ſtoden for her lyues,
whanne her enemyes and purſueris weren ſlayn, in ſo
myche, þat fyue and ſeuenti þouſynde of ſlayn men
`weren fillid, and no man touchide ony þing of þe
catelis of hem.
xvii Forſoþe þe þrittenþe dai of þe moneþe Adar was o
dai of ſleyng at alle Jewis, and in þe fourtenþe dai þei
ceeſſiden to ſle; which þei ordeyneden to be ſolempne,
þat þerynne in ech tyme aftirward þei ſchulden ȝyue
tent to metis, to ioye, and to feeſtis.
xviii And þei, þat hauntiden ſleyng in þe citee of Suſa,
`lyueden in ſleyng in þe þrittenþe and fourtenþe dai of
þe ſame moneþe. But in þe fiftenþe dai þei ceeſſiden to
ſle; and þerfor þei ordeyneden þe ſame dai ſolempne of
feeſtis and of gladneſſe.
xix Forſoþe þeſe Jewis, þat dwelliden in borow townes
not wallid and vilagis, demeden þe fourtenþe dai of þe
moneþe Adar of feeſtis, and of ioie, ſo þat þei be ioiful
þerynne, and ſende ech to oþer partis of feeſtis and of
metis.
xx Þerfor Mardochee wroot alle þeſe þingis, and ſente
þeſe þingis comprehendid bi lettris to þe Jewis, þat
dwelliden in alle prouynces of þe kyng, as wel to Jewis
ſet nyȝ as fer,
xxi þat þei ſchulden reſſeyue þe fourtenþe and þe
fiftenþe dai of þe moneþe Adar `for feeſtis, and euer
whanne þe ȝeer turneþ aȝen, `þei ſchulden halowe wiþ
ſolempne onour;
xxii for in þo daies þe Jewis vengiden hem ſilf of her
enemyes, and morenyng and ſorewe weren turned in to
gladneſſe and ioie; and þeſe daies ſchulden be daies of
feeſtis, and of gladneſſe, and `þat þei ſchulden ſende ech
to oþer partis of metis, and `ȝyue litle ȝiftis to pore men.
xxiii Forſoþe þe Jewis reſſeyueden in to ſolempne cuſtom
alle þingis, whiche þei bigunnen to do in þat tyme, and
whiche þingis Mardochee hadde comaundid bi lettris to
be doon.
xxiiii Soþeli Aaman, þe ſone of Amadathi, of þe kynrede
of Agag, þe enemy and aduerſarie of Jewis, þouȝte yuel
aȝens hem, to ſle hem and to do awei, and he ſente phur,
which is interpretid in oure langage `in to lot.
xxv And afterward Heſter entride to þe kyng, and
biſouȝte, þat `hiſe enforſyngis ſchulden be maad voide
bi þe lettris of þe kyng, and þat þe yuel, which he hadde
þouȝt aȝenus þe Jewis, ſchulde turne aȝen in to his heed.
`Forſoþe þei hangiden on þe cros `boþe hym and hiſe
ſones.
xxvi And fro þat tyme þeſe daies weren clepid `Phurym,
þat is, of lottis, for `phur, þat is, lot, was ſent in to a
veſſel; and þe Jewis reſſeyueden on hem ſilf, and on her
ſeed, and on alle men þat wolden be couplid to her
religioun, alle þingis þat weren doon, and ben
conteyned in þe volym of þe piſtle, `þat is, of þis book,
xxvii and whiche þingis þei ſuffriden, and whiche þingis
weren chaungid aftirward, þat it be not leueful to ony
man to paſſe wiþ out ſolempnyte þeſe `daies, which þe
ſcripture witneſſiþ, and certeyn tymes axen, while þe
ȝeeris comen contynuely oon aftir an oþer.
xxviii Þeſe ben þe daies, whiche neuer ony forȝetyng
ſchal do awei, and bi alle generaciouns alle prouynces,
þat ben in al þe world, ſchulen halewe; neþer `ony citee
is, in which þe daies of Phurym, þat is, of lottis, ſchulen
not be kept of Jewis, and of þe generacioun of hem,
which is bounden to þeſe cerymonyes.
xxix And Heſter, þe queen, þe douȝter of Abiahel, and
Mardochee, þe Jew, writiden alſo þe ſecounde piſtle, þat
þis ſolempne dai ſchulde be halewid aftirward wiþ al
biſyneſſe.
xxx And þei ſenten to þo Jewis, þat dwelliden in an
hundrid and ſeuene and twenti prouynces of kyng
Aſſuerus, þat þei ſchulden haue pees, and reſſeyue þe
trewþe,
xxxi and kepe þe daies of lottis, and halewe wiþ ioie in
her tyme, as Mardochee and Heſter hadden ordeyned;
and þei reſſeiueden þe faſtyngis, and þe cries, and þe
daies of lottis, to be kept of hem ſilf and of her ſeed,
xxxii and `þat þei ſchulden reſſeyue among hooli bookis
alle þingis þat ben conteyned in þe ſtorie of þis book,
which is clepid Heſter.
CAP. X
i Forſoþe kyng Aſſuerus made tributarye ech lond, and
alle þe ilis of þe ſee;
CDLIV
ii whos ſtrengþe and empire and dignyte and hiȝneſſe,
by which he enhaunſide Mardochee, ben writun in þe
bookis of Medeis and of Perſis;
iii and how Mardochee of þe kyn of Jewis was þe
ſecounde fro king Aſſuerus, and was greet anentis Jewis,
and acceptable to þe puple of hiſe briþeren, and he
ſouȝte goodis to his puple, and ſpak þo þingis, þat
perteyneden to þe pees of his ſeed.
Here endiþ þe text of Ebrew. I haue ſet opynli wiþ
ful feiþ þo þingis, þat ben had in Ebrew; but Y foond
þeſe þingis, þat ſuen, writun in þe comyn
tranſlacioun, þat ben conteyned in þe langage and
lettris of Grekis; and in þe meene tyme þis chapitre
was ſeid after þe ende of þe book, `which chapitre we
bi oure cuſtom han bifor markid `wiþ a ſpite.
iiii And
Mardochee ſeide, Þeſe þingis ben doon of God.
v Y haue mynde on þe dreem, which `Y ſiȝ, ſignifiynge
þeſe ſame þingis, and no þing of þo was voide.
vi A litil welle, þat wexide in to a flood, and was turned
in to þe lyȝt and ſunne, and turnede aȝen in to ful many
watris, is Heſter, whom þe kyng took in to wijf, and
wolde þat ſche were his queen.
vii Soþeli twei dragouns, Y am and Aaman;
viii folkis þat camen togidere, ben þeſe, þat enforſiden to
do a wei þe name of Jewis.
ix Soþeli my folk Iſrael it is, þat criede to þe Lord; and
þe Lord made ſaaf his puple, and delyueride vs fro alle
yuels, and dide grete ſignes and wondris among heþene
men;
x and he comaundide twei lottis to be, oon of Goddis
puple, and þe toþer of alle heþene men.
xi And euer eiþer lot cam in to `determynd dai þanne fro
þat tyme bifor God and alle folkis.
xii And þe Lord hadde mynde on his puple, and hadde
merci on his eritage.
xiii And þeſe daies ſchulen be kept in þe moneþe Adar,
in þe fourtenþe `and þe fiftenþe dai of þe ſame moneþe,
wiþ al biſyneſſe and ioie of þe puple gaderid in to o
cumpenye, in to alle generaciouns of þe puple of Iſrael
aftirward.
CAP. XI
i In þe fourþe ȝeer, whanne Ptolome and Cleopatra
regneden, Doſitheus, þat ſeide hym ſilf to be a preſt and
of þe kyn of Leuy, and Ptolome, his ſone, brouȝten þis
piſtle of lottis in to Jeruſalem, which piſtle þei ſeiden,
þat Lyſimachus, þe ſone of Ptolome, tranſlatide.
Alſo þis bigynnyng was in þe comyn tranſlacioun,
which bigynnyng is not teld in Ebreu, neþir at ony of
þe tranſlatouris.
ii In
þe ſecounde ȝeer, whanne Artaxerſes þe mooſt
regnyde, Mardochee, þe ſone of Jairy, ſone of Semei,
ſone of Cys, of þe lynage of Beniamyn, ſiȝ a dreem in
þe firſte dai of þe moneþe Nyſan;
iii and Mardochee was a man Jew, þat dwellide in þe
citee of Suſa, a grete man, and amonge þe firſte men of
þe kyngis halle.
iiii Soþeli he was of þat noumbre of priſoneris, which
Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng of Babiloyn, hadde tranſlatid
fro Jeruſalem wiþ Jeconye, kyng of Judee.
v And þis was `his dreem. Voices and noiſes and þundris
and erþemouyngis and troblyng apperiden on þe erþe.
vi And lo! twei grete dragouns, and maad redi aȝens
hem ſilf in to batel;
vii at þe cry `of which alle naciouns weren ſtirid
togidere, to fiȝte aȝens þe folc of iuſt men.
viii And þat was a day of derkneſſis, and of perel, of
tribulacioun, and of angwiſch, and grete drede was on
erþe.
ix And þe folc of iuſt men dredynge `her yuels was
diſturblid, and maad redi to deeþ.
x And þei crieden to God; and whanne þei crieden, a
litil welle encreeſſide in to a ful greet flood, and turnede
aȝen in to ful many watris.
xi Þe lyȝt and þe ſunne roos; and meke men weren
enhaunſid, and deuouriden noble men.
xii And whanne Mardochee hadde ſeyn þis þing, and
hadde riſe fro þe bed, he þouȝte, what God wolde do,
and he hadde faſt ſet in ſoule, and couetide to wite, what
þe dreem ſignyfiede.
CAP. XII
i Forſoþe Mardochee dwellide þat tyme in þe halle of þe
kyng, wiþ Bagatha and Thara, oneſte ſeruauntis of þe
kyng, þat weren porteris of þe paleis.
ii And whanne he hadde vndurſtonde þe þouȝtis of hem,
and hadde bifor ſeyn ful diligentli þe biſyneſſis, he
lurnyde þat þei enforſiden to ſet hond on kyng
Artaxerſes, and he telde of þat þing to þe kyng.
iii And whanne enqueryng was had of euer eiþir, þe
kyng comaundide hem, `þat knoulechiden, to be led to
deþ.
iiii Forſoþe þe kyng wroot in bookis þat, þat was doon,
but alſo Mardochee bitook þe mynde of þe þing to
lettris.
v And þe kyng comaundide hym, þat he ſchulde dwelle
in þe halle of þe paleis, and ȝaf to hym ȝiftis for þe
tellynge.
vi Forſoþe Aaman, þe ſone of Amadathi, a bugei, was
mooſt glorius bifor þe kyng, and he wolde anoye
Mardochee, and his puple, for þe `tweyne oneſte
ſeruauntis of þe king `þat weren ſlayn.
CDLV
Hidur to is þe prohemye; þo þingis, þat ſuen, weren
ſet in þat place, where it was writun in þe book, And
þei token awey þe goodis, eþer þe catels of hem;
whiche þingis we founden in þe comyn tranſlacioun.
Soþeli þis was þe ſaumpler of þe piſtle.
CAP. XIII
i Þe gretteſte kyng Artaxerſes, fro Iynde `til to Ethiope,
ſeiþ helþe to þe princes and duykys of an hundrid and
ſeuene and twenti prouynces, whiche princes and
duykis ben ſuget to his empire.
ii Whanne Y was lord of ful many folkis, and Y hadde
maad ſuget al þe world to my lordſchip, Y wolde not
myſuſe þe greetneſſe of power, but gouerne ſugetis bi
merci and ſoftneſſe, þat þei, ledynge lijf in ſilence wiþ
outen ony drede, ſchulden vſe pees couetid of alle
deedli men.
iii Soþeli whanne Y axide of my counſelours, hou þis
myȝte be fillid, oon, Aaman bi name, þat paſſide oþere
men in wiſdom and `feiþfulneſſe, and was þe ſecounde
aftir þe kyng,
iiii ſchewide to me, þat a puple was ſcaterid in al þe
roundneſſe of londis, which puple vſide newe lawis, and
dide aȝens þe cuſtom of alle folkis, and diſpiſide þe
comaundementis of kyngis, and defoulide bi his
diſcencioun þe acordyng of alle naciouns.
v And whanne we hadden lerned þis þing, and ſien, þat
o folk rebel aȝens al þe kynde of men vſide weiward
lawis, and was contrarie to oure comaundementis, and
diſturblide þe pees and acording of prouynces ſuget to
vs,
vi `we comaundiden, þat whiche euere Aaman
`ſchewide, which is ſouereyn of alle prouynces, and is
þe ſecounde fro þe kyng, and whom we onouren in `þe
place of fadir, þei wiþ her wiues and children be doon
awei of her enemyes, and noon haue merci on hem, in
þe fourtenþe dai of þe twelfiþe moneþe Adar, of preſent
ȝeer;
vii þat curſid men go doun to hellis in o dai, and ȝelde
pees to oure empire, which þei hadden troblid.
Hidur to is þe ſaumpler of þe piſtle; þeſe þingis, þat
ſuen, Y foond writun aftir þat place, where it is red
And Mardochee ȝede, and dide alle þingis, whiche
Heſter hadde comaundide to hym; neþeles þo þingis
ben not hadde in Ebrew, and outirli þo ben not ſeid
at ony of þe tranſlatours.
viii Forſoþe Mardochee biſouȝte þe Lord, and was
myndeful of alle `hiſe werkys, and ſeide,
ix Lord God, kyng almyȝti, alle þingis ben ſet in þi
lordſchip, `eþir power, and `noon is, þat may aȝenſtonde
þi wille; if þou demeſt for to ſaue Iſrael, we ſchulen be
delyuered anoon.
x Þou madiſt heuene and erþe, and what euer þing is
conteyned in þe cumpas of heuene.
xi Þou art Lord of alle þingis, and `noon is þat
aȝenſtondiþ þi maieſte.
xii Þou knowiſt alle þingis, and wooſt, þat not for pride
and diſpit and ony coueytiſe of glorie Y dide þis þing,
þat Y worſchipide not Aaman mooſt proud;
xiii for Y was redi `wilfuli to kiſſe, ȝhe, þe ſteppis of hiſe
feet for þe helþe of Iſrael, but Y dredde,
xiiii leſt Y ſchulde bere ouere to a man þe onour of my
God, and leſt Y ſchulde worſchipe ony man outakun my
God.
xv And now, Lord kyng, God of Abraham, haue þou
merci on þi puple, for oure enemyes wolen leeſe vs, and
do awei þin eritage;
xvi diſpiſe not þi part, which þou aȝenbouȝtiſt fro Egipt.
xvii Here þou my preier, and be þou merciful to þe lot,
and þe part of þin eritage; and turne þou oure morenyng
in to ioie, þat we lyuynge herie þi name, Lord; and cloſe
þou not þe mouþis of men heriynge þee.
xviii And al Iſrael wiþ lijk mynde and biſechyng criede
to þe Lord, for certeyn deeþ neiȝede to hem.
CAP. XIIII
i Alſo þe queen Heſter fledde to þe Lord, and dredde þe
perel, þat neiȝede.
ii And whanne ſche hadde put awei þe kyngis cloþis,
ſche took cloþis couenable to wepyngis and morenyng;
and for dyuerſe oynementis ſche `fillide þe heed wiþ
aiſche and duſt, and `made meke hir bodi wiþ faſtyngys;
and wiþ tobreidyng awei of heeris, ſche fillide alle
places, in which ſche was wont to be glad;
iii and biſouȝte þe Lord God of Iſrael, and ſeide, My
Lord, which aloone art oure kyng, helpe me a womman
left aloone, and of whom noon oþere helpere is outakun
þee;
iiii my perel is in my hondis.
v Y haue herd of my fadir, þat þou, Lord, tokiſt awei
Iſrael fro alle folkis, and oure fadris fro alle her grettere
men bifore, þat þou ſchuldiſt welde euerlaſtynge eritage;
and þou haſt do to hem, as þou haſt ſpoke.
vi We ſynneden in þi ſiȝt, and þerfor þou haſt bitake vs
in to þe hondis of oure enemyes;
vii for we worſchipiden þe goddis of hem.
viii Lord, þou art iuſt; and now it ſuffiſiþ not to hem, þat
þei oppreſſen vs wiþ hardeſte ſeruage, but þei aretten þe
ſtrengþe of her hondis to þe power of idols,
ix and wolen chaunge þi biheeſtis, and do awei þin
eritage, and cloſe þe mouþis of men heriynge þee, and
quenche þe glorie of þi temple and auter,
x þat þei opene þe mouþis of heþene men, and preiſe þe
ſtrengþe of ydols, and preche a fleiſchli kyng wiþ outen
ende.
CDLVI
xi Lord, ȝyue þou not þi kyngis ȝerde to hem, þat ben
noȝt, leſt þei leiȝen at oure fallyng; but turne þou þe
councel of hem on hem, and diſtrie þou hym, þat bigan
to be cruel aȝens vs.
xii Lord, haue þou mynde, and ſchewe þee to vs in þe
tyme of tribulacioun; and, Lord, kyng of goddis and of
al power, ȝyue þou triſt to me;
xiii ȝyue þou a word wel dreſſid in my mouþ in þe ſiȝt of
þe lioun, and turne ouer his herte in to þe hatrede of
oure enemy, þat boþe he periſche, and oþere men þat
conſenten to hym.
xiiii But delyuere vs in þin hond, and helpe me, hauynge
noon oþere help no but þee, Lord, þat haſt þe kunnyng
of alle þingis;
xv and knowiſt þat Y hate þe glorie of wickid men, and
þat Y wlate þe bed of vncircumcidid men, and of ech
alien.
xvi Þou knowiſt my freelte and nede, þat Y holde
abhomynable þe ſigne of my pride and glorie, which is
on myn heed in þe daies of my ſchewyng, and þat Y
wlate it `as þe cloþ of a womman hauynge vncleene
blood, and Y bere not in þe daies of my ſtilleneſſe,
xvii and þat Y eet not in þe boord of Aaman, neþer þe
feeſte of þe kyng pleſide me, and Y drank not þe wiyn
of moiſte ſacrifices,
xviii and þat þin handmayde `was neuere glad, ſiþen Y
was tranſlatid hidur til in to preſent dai, no but in þee,
Lord God of Abraham.
xix `God ſtronge aboue alle, here þou þe vois of hem,
þat han noon oþere hope, and delyuere þou vs fro þe
hond of wickid men, and delyuere þou me fro my
drede.
Alſo Y foond `þeſe wordis in þe comyn tranſlacioun.
CAP. XV
i And `he ſente to hir, no doute þat ne Mardochee ſente
to Heſter, þat ſche ſchulde entre to þe kyng, and preie
for hir puple, and for hir cuntrei.
ii He ſeide, Be þou myndeful of þe daies of þi
mekeneſſe, hou þou were nurſchid in myn hond; for
Aaman, ordeyned þe ſecounde fro þe kyng, ſpak aȝens
vs in to deþ;
iii and þou inwardli clepe þe Lord, and ſpeke to þe kyng
for vs, and delyuere vs fro deeþ.
iiii Forſoþe in þe þridde dai ſche `puttide of þe cloþis of
hir ournyng, and was cumpaſſid wiþ hir glorie.
v And whanne ſche `ſchinede in þe kyngis cloþing, and
hadde inwardli clepid þe Gouernour of alle þingis and
þe ſauȝour God, ſche took twei ſeruauntis,
vi and ſoþeli ſche leenyde on oon, as not ſuſteynynge to
bere hir body, for delices and ful greet tendirneſſe;
vii but þe toþer `of þe ſeruaunteſſis ſuede þe ladi, and bar
vp þe cloþis fletinge doun `in to þe erþe.
viii `Soþeli ſche was biſched wiþ `colour of rooſis `in þe
cheer, and wiþ pleaſaunt and ſchynynge iȝen ſche hilide
þe ſoreuful ſoule, and drawun togidere wiþ ful myche
drede.
ix Þerfor ſche entride þorouȝ alle þe doris bi ordre, and
ſtood aȝens þe kyng, where he ſat on þe ſeete of his
rewme, and was cloþid in þe kyngis cloþis, and
ſchynyde in gold and preciouſe ſtoonys, and was
dredeful in ſiȝt.
x And whanne he hadde reiſid þe face, and hadde
ſchewid þe woodneſſe of herte wiþ brennynge iȝen, þe
queen felde doun; and whanne þe colour was chaungid
in to paleneſſe, ſche reſtide þe heed ſlidun on þe
handmaide.
xi And God turnede þe ſpirit of þe kyng in to
myldeneſſe, and he haſtide, and dredde, `and ſkippyde
out of þe ſeete; and he `ſuſteynede hir wiþ hiſe armes, til
ſche cam aȝen to hir ſelf; and he ſpak faire bi þeſe
wordis,
xii Heſter, what haſt þou? Y am þi broþer; nyle þou
drede, þou ſchalt not die;
xiii for þis lawe is not maad for þee, but for alle men.
xiiii Þerfor neiȝe þou, and touche þe ceptre, `þat is, þe
kyngis ȝerde.
xv And whanne ſche was ſtille, he took þe goldun ȝerde,
and `puttide on hir necke; and he kiſſide hir, and ſeide,
Why ſpekiſt þou not to me?
xvi And ſche anſweride, Lord, Y ſiȝ þee as an aungel of
God, and myn herte was troblid for þe drede of þi
glorye;
xvii for, lord, þou art ful wondurful, and þi face is ful of
graces.
xviii And whanne ſche ſpak, eft ſche felde doun, and was
almeſt deed.
xix Soþeli þe kyng was troblid, and alle hiſe mynyſtris
coumfortiden hir.
Þe ſaumpler of `þe lettre of þe kyng Artaxerſes,
which he ſente for þe Jewis to alle þe prouynces of
his rewme; and þe ſame ſaumpler is not had in þe
book of Ebreu.
CAP. XVI
i Þe grete kyng Artaxerſes, fro Yinde `til to Ethiopie,
ſeiþ helþe to þe duykis and pryncis of an hundrid and
ſeuene and twenti prouynces, þat obeien to oure
comaundement.
ii Many men myſuſen in to pride þe goodneſſe and
onour of princes, which is ȝouun to hem;
iii and not oneli þei enforſen to oppreſſe ſugetis to
kyngis, but þei beren not glorie ȝouun to hem, and
maken redy treſouns aȝens hem, þat ȝauen þe glorie.
iiii And þei ben not apaied to do not þankyngis for
benefices, and to defoule in hem ſilf þe lawis of
CDLVII
curteſie; but alſo þei demen, þat þei moun fle þe
ſentence of God ſeynge alle þingis.
v And þei breken out in to ſo mych woodneſſe, þat þei
enforſen wiþ þe roopis of leeſyngis to diſtrie hem, þat
kepen diligentli offices bitakun to hem, and doen ſo alle
þingis, þat þei ben worþi þe preiſyng of alle men;
vi while bi ſutil fraude `falſe men diſſeyuen þe ſymple
eeris of kyngis, `and geſſynge oþere men bi her owne
kynde.
vii Which þing is preuyd boþe bi elde ſtories, and bi þeſe
þingis þat ben doen ech dai; hou þe ſtudies of kyngis
ben maad ſchrewid bi yuele ſuggeſtiouns of ſummen.
viii Wherfor it is to purueye for þe pees of alle
prouynces.
ix And þouȝ we comaunden dyuerſe þingis, ȝe owen not
to geſſe, þat it comeþ of þe vnſtableneſſe of oure ſoule;
but þat we ȝyuen ſentence for þe maner and nede of
tymes, as þe profit of þe comyn þing axiþ.
x And þat ȝe vndurſtonde opynliere þat, þat we ſeyen;
Aaman, þe ſone of Amadathi, a man of Macedoyne bi
ſoule and folk, and an alien fro þe blood of Perſis, and
defoulynge oure pitee wiþ his cruelte, was a pilgrym,
eþir a ſtraunger, and was reſſeyued of vs;
xi and he feelide in hym ſilf ſo grete curteſie of vs, þat
he was clepid oure fadir, and was worſchipid of alle
men þe ſecounde aftir þe kyng;
xii which Aaman was reiſid in to ſo greet bolnyng of
pride, þat he enforſide to pryue us of þe rewme and
ſpirit.
xiii For bi ſumme newe and vnherd caſtis he axide in to
deeþ Mardochee, bi whos feiþ and benefices we liuen,
and þe felowe of oure rewme Heſter, wiþ al hir folk;
xiiii and he þouȝte þeſe þingis, þat whanne þei weren
ſlayn, he ſchulde ſette treſoun to `oure alooneneſſe, and
þat he ſchulde tranſlate þe rewme of Perſis in to
Macedoynes.
xv Forſoþe we founden not þe Jewis in ony gilt outirli,
þat weren ordeyned to deþ by þe worſte of deedli men;
but aȝenward þat þei vſen iuſt lawis,
xvi and ben þe ſones of þe hiȝeſte and moſte God, and
`euere lyuynge, bi whos benefice þe rewme was ȝouun
boþe to oure fadris and to vs, and is kept `til to dai.
xvii Wherfor wyte ȝe, þat þo lettris ben voide, whiche
þilke Aaman ſente vndur oure name.
xviii For which greet treſpas boþe he þat ymagynede,
and al his kynrede, hangiþ in iebatis bifor þe ȝatis of þis
citee, `þat is, Suſa; for not we, but God ȝeldide to hym
þat, þat he deſſeruyde.
xix Forſoþe þis comaundement, which we ſenden now,
be ſet forþ in alle citees, þat it be leueful to Jewis to vſe
her lawis.
xx `Whyche Jewis ȝe owen helpe, þat þei moun ſle hem,
þat maden hem ſilf redi to þe deeþ of Jewis, in þe
þrittenþe dai of þe twelueþe moneþe, which is clepyd
Adar;
xxi for Almyȝti God turneþ þis dai of weilyng and
morenyng in to ioye to hem.
xxii Wherfor and ȝe han þis dai among oþere feeſte
daies, and halowe it wiþ al gladneſſe; þat it be knowun
aftirward,
xxiii þat alle men, þat obeien feiþfuli to Perſis, reſſeyuen
worþi meed for feiþ; ſoþeli þat þei, þat ſetten treſoun to
þe rewme of hem, periſchen for þe felony.
xxiiii Forſoþe ech prouynce and citee, þat wole not be
parcenere of þis ſolempnytee, periſche bi ſwerd and fier;
and be it `doon awey ſo, þat not oneli it be wiþ out weie
to men but alſo to beeſtis wiþ outen ende, for enſaumple
of diſpiſyng and vnobedience.
Here endiþ þe book of Heſter, and here bygynneþ þe
book of Job.

CDLVIII

JOOB
Here bigynniþ þe bok of Joob.
CAP. I
i `A man, Joob bi name, was in þe lond of Hus; and
þilke man was ſymple, and riȝtful, and dredynge God,
and goynge awey fro yuel.
ii And ſeuene ſones and þre douȝtris weren borun to
hym;
iii and his poſſeſſioun was ſeuene þouſynde of ſcheep,
and þre þouſynde of camels, and fyue hundrid ȝockis of
oxis, and fyue hundrid of femal aſſis, and ful myche
meynee; and `þilke man was grete among alle men of
þe eeſt.
iiii And hiſe ſones ȝeden, and maden feeſtis bi houſis,
ech man in his day; and þei ſenten, and clepiden her þre
ſiſtris, `þat þei ſchulden ete, and drynke wiyn wiþ hem.
v And whanne þe daies of feeſte hadden paſſid in to þe
world, Joob ſente to hem, and halewide hem, and he
roos eerli, and offride brent ſacrifices `bi alle. For he
ſeide, Leſt perauenture my ſones do ſynne, and curſe
God in her hertis. Joob dide ſo in alle daies.
vi Forſoþe in ſum day, whanne þe ſones of God `weren
comun to be preſent bifor þe Lord, alſo Sathan cam
among hem.
vii To whom þe Lord ſeide, Fro whennus comeſt þou?
Which anſweride, and ſeide, Y haue cumpaſſid þe erþe,
and Y haue walkid þorouȝ it.
viii And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Wheþer þou haſt biholde
my ſeruaunt Joob, þat noon in erþe is lyik hym; he is a
ſymple man, and riȝtful, and dredynge God, and goynge
awei fro yuel?
ix To whom Sathan anſweride, Wheþer Joob drediþ God
veynli?
x Wheþir þou haſt not cumpaſſid hym, and his hows,
and al his catel bi cumpas? Þou haſt bleſſid þe werkis of
hiſe hondis, and hiſe poſſeſſioun encreeſſide in erþe.
xi But ſtretche forþ þin hond a litil, and touche þou alle
þingis whiche he haþ in poſſeſſioun; if he curſiþ not þee
`in þe face, `bileue not to me.
xii Þerfor þe Lord ſeide to Sathan, Lo! alle þingis,
whiche he haþ, ben in þin hond; oneli ſtretche þou not
forþ þin hond in to hym. And Sathan ȝede out fro þe
face of þe Lord.
xiii Soþeli whanne in ſum dai `hiſe ſones and douȝtris
eeten, and drunken wiyn in þe hows of her firſte
gendrid broþir,
xiiii a meſſanger cam to Job, `whiche meſſanger ſeide,
Oxis eriden, and femal aſſis `weren leſewid biſidis þo;
xv and Sabeis felden yn, and token awey alle þingis, and
`ſmytiden þe children wiþ ſwerd; and Y aloone aſcapide
for to telle to þee.
CDLIX
xvi And whanne he ſpak ȝit, anoþir cam, and ſeide, Fier
of God cam doun fro heuene, and waſtide ſcheep, and
`children touchid; and Y aloone aſcapide for to telle `to
þee.
xvii But ȝit þe while he ſpak, alſo anoþir cam, and ſeide,
Caldeis maden þre cumpenyes, and aſſailiden þe
camels, and token þo awei, and þei ſmytiden `alſo þe
children wiþ ſwerd; and Y aloone aſcapide to telle to
þee.
xviii And ȝit he ſpak, and, lo! anoþir entride, and ſeide,
While þi ſones and douȝtris eeten, and drunken wiyn in
þe hows of her firſte gendrid broþir,
xix a greet wynde felde yn ſudenli fro þe cooſt of deſert,
and ſchook foure corneris of þe hows, `which felde
doun, and oppreſſide þi children, and þei ben deed; and
Y aloone fledde to telle to þee.
xx Þanne Joob roos, and to-rente hiſe cloþis, and `wiþ
pollid heed he felde doun on þe erþe, and worſchipide
God,
xxi and ſeide, Y ȝede nakid out of þe wombe of my
modir, Y ſchal turne aȝen nakid þidur; þe Lord ȝaf, þe
Lord took awei; as it pleſide þe Lord, ſo `it is doon; þe
name of þe Lord be bleſſid.
xxii In alle þeſe þingis Joob ſynnede not in hiſe lippis,
neþer ſpak ony fonned þing aȝens God.
CAP. II
i Forſoþe it was doon, whanne in ſum dai þe ſones of
God `weren comun, and ſtoden bifor þe Lord, and
Sathan `was comun among hem, and ſtood in his ſiȝt,
ii þat þe Lord ſeide to Sathan, Fro whennus comeſt þou?
Which anſweride, and ſeide, Y haue cumpaſſid þe erþe,
`and Y haue go þury it.
iii And þe Lord ſeide to Sathan, Wheþir þou haſt biholde
my ſeruaunt Joob, þat noon in erþe is lijk hym; he is a
ſymple man, and riȝtful, and dredynge God, and goynge
awei fro yuel, and ȝit holdynge innocence? `But þou
haſt moued me aȝens him, þat `Y ſchulde turmente hym
in veyn.
iiii To whom Sathan anſweride, and ſeide, `A man ſchal
ȝyue ſkyn for ſkyn, and alle þingis þat he haþ for his
lijf;
v `ellis ſende þin hond, and touche his boon and fleiſch,
and þanne þou ſchalt ſe, þat he ſchal curſe þee in þe
face.
vi Þerfor þe Lord ſeide to Sathan, Lo! he is in `þin hond;
neþeles kepe þou his lijf.
vii Þerfor Sathan ȝede out fro þe face of þe Lord, and
ſmoot Joob wiþ `a ful wickid botche fro þe ſole of þe
foot `til to his top;
viii which Joob ſchauyde þe quytere wiþ a ſchelle, `and
ſat in þe dunghil.
ix Forſoþe his wijf ſeide to hym, Dwelliſt þou ȝit in þi
ſympleneſſe? Curſe þou God, and die.
x And Joob ſeide, Þou haſt ſpoke as oon of þe fonned
wymmen; if we han take goodis of þe hond of þe Lord,
whi forſoþe ſuffren we not yuels? In alle þeſe þingis
Joob ſynnede not in hiſe lippis.
xi Þerfor þre frendis of Joob herden al þe yuel, þat
hadde bifelde to hym, and camen ech man fro his place,
Eliphath Temanytes, and Baldach Suythes, and Sophar
Naamathites; for þei `hadden ſeide togidere to hem ſilf,
þat þei wolden come togidere, and viſite hym, and
coumforte.
xii And whanne þei hadden reiſid afer `her iȝen, þei
knewen not hym; and þei crieden, and wepten, and to-
renten her cloþis, and ſpreynten duſt on her heed `in to
heuene.
xiii And þei ſaten wiþ hym in þe erþe ſeuene daies and
ſeuene nyȝtis, and no man ſpak a word to hym; for þei
ſien, þat his ſorewe was greet.
CAP. III
i Aftir þeſe þingis Joob openyde his mouþ,
ii and curſide his dai, and ſeide, Periſche þe dai in which
Y was borun,
iii and þe nyȝt in which it was ſeid, Þe man is
conceyued.
iiii Þilke dai be turnede in to derkneſſis; God ſeke not it
aboue, and be it not in mynde, neþir be it liȝtned wiþ
lyȝt.
v Derkneſſis make it derk, and þe ſchadewe of deeþ and
myiſt occupie it; and be it wlappid wiþ bittirneſſe.
vi Derk whirlwynde holde þat niȝt; be it not rikynyd
among þe daies of þe ȝeer, neþir be it noumbrid among
þe moneþes.
vii Þilke nyȝt be ſoleyn, and not worþi of preiſyng.
viii Curſe þei it, þat curſen þe dai, þat ben redi to reiſe
Leuyathan.
ix Sterris be maad derk wiþ þe derkneſſe þerof; abide it
lyȝt, and ſe it not, neþir þe bigynnyng of þe morwetid
riſyng vp.
x For it cloſide not þe doris of þe wombe, þat bar me,
neþir took awei yuels fro min iȝen.
xi Whi was not Y deed in þe wombe? whi ȝede Y out of
þe wombe, and periſchide not anoon?
xii Whi was Y takun on knees? whi was Y ſuclid wiþ
teetis?
xiii For now Y ſlepynge ſchulde be ſtille, and ſchulde
reſte in my ſleep,
xiiii wiþ kyngis, and conſuls of erþe, þat bilden to hem
ſoleyn places;
xv eþir wiþ prynces þat han gold in poſſeſſioun, and
fillen her houſis wiþ ſiluer;
CDLX
xvi eþir as a `þing hid not borun Y ſchulde not ſtonde,
eþir whiche conſeyued ſien not lyȝt.
xvii Þere wickid men ceeſſiden of noiſe, and þere men
maad wery of ſtrengþe reſtiden.
xviii And ſum tyme boundun togidere wiþ out diſeſe þei
herden not þe voys of þe wrongful axere.
xix A litil man and greet man be þere, and a ſeruaunt
free fro his lord.
xx Whi is lyȝt ȝouun to þe wretche, and lijf to hem þat
ben in bitterneſſe of ſoule?
xxi Whiche abiden deeþ, and it comeþ not;
xxii as men diggynge out treſour and ioien greetly,
whanne þei han founde a ſepulcre?
xxiii Whi is lyȝt ȝouun to a man, whos weie is hid, and
God haþ cumpaſſid hym wiþ derkneſſis?
xxiiii Bifore þat Y ete, Y ſiȝhe; and as of watir flowynge,
ſo is my roryng.
xxv For þe drede, which Y dredde, cam to me; and þat,
þat Y ſchamede, bifelde.
xxvi Wheþer Y diſſymilide not? wheþer Y was not ſtille?
wheþer Y reſtide not? and indignacioun comeþ on me.
CAP. IIII
i Forſoþe Eliphat Themanytes anſweride, and ſeide,
ii If we bigynnen to ſpeke to þee, in hap þou ſchalt take
it heuyli; but who may holde a word conſeyued?
iii Lo! þou haſt tauȝt ful many men, and þou haſt
ſtrengþid hondis maad feynt.
iiii Þi wordis confermyden men doutynge, and þou
coumfortidiſt knees tremblynge.
v But now a wounde is comun on þee, and þou haſt
failid; it touchide þee, and þou art diſturblid.
vi Where is þi drede, þi ſtrengþe, and þi pacience, and
þe perfeccioun of þi weies?
vii Y biſeche þee, haue þou mynde, what innocent man
periſchide euere, eþir whanne riȝtful men weren doon
awei?
viii Certis raþir Y ſiȝ hem, þat worchen wickidneſſe, and
ſowen ſorewis,
ix and repen þo, to haue periſchid bi God blowynge, and
to be waſtid bi þe ſpirit of his ire.
x Þe roryng of a lioun, and þe vois of a lioneſſe, and þe
teeþ of `whelpis of liouns ben al to-brokun.
xi Tigris periſchide, for ſche hadde not prey; and þe
whelpis of a lioun ben diſtried.
xii Certis an hid word was ſeid to me, and myn eere took
as þeueli þe veynes of priuy noiſe þerof.
xiii In þe hidouſneſſe of `nyȝtis ſiȝt, whanne heuy ſleep is
wont to occupie men,
xiiii drede and tremblyng helde me; and alle my boonys
weren aferd.
xv And whanne þe ſpirit `ȝede in my preſence, þe heiris
of `my fleiſch hadden hidouſneſſe.
xvi Oon ſtood, whos chere Y knewe not, an ymage bifor
myn iȝen; and Y herde a vois as of ſofte wynd.
xvii Wheþer a man ſchal be maad iuſt in compariſoun of
God? eþir wheþir a man ſchal be clennere þan his
Makere?
xviii Lo! þei þat ſeruen hym ben not ſtidefaſt; and he
findiþ ſchrewidneſſe in hiſe aungels.
xix Hou myche more þei þat dwellen in houſis of cley,
þat han an erþeli foundement, ſchulen be waſtyd as of a
mouȝte.
xx Fro morewtid til to euentid þei ſchulen be kit doun;
and for no man vndurſtondiþ, þei ſchulen periſche wiþ
outen ende.
xxi Soþeli þei, þat ben reſidue, ſchulen be takun awei;
þei ſchulen die, and not in wiſdom.
CAP. V
i Þerfor clepe þou, if `ony is þat ſchal anſwere þee, and
turne þou to ſumme of ſeyntis.
ii Wraþfulneſſe ſleeþ `a fonned man, and enuye ſleeþ a
litil child.
iii Y ſiȝ a fool wiþ ſtidefaſt rote, and Y curſide his
feirneſſe anoon.
iiii Hiſe ſones ſchulen be maad fer fro helþe, and þei
ſchulen be defoulid in þe ȝate, and `noon ſchal be þat
ſchal delyuere hem.
v Whos ripe corn an hungri man ſchal ete, and an armed
man ſchal rauyſche hym, and þei, þat þirſten, ſchulen
drynke hiſe richeſſis.
vi No þing is doon in erþe wiþ out cauſe, and ſorewe
ſchal not go out of þe erþe.
vii A man is borun to labour, and a brid to fliȝt.
viii Wherfor Y ſchal biſeche þe Lord, and Y ſchal ſette
my ſpeche to my God.
ix Þat makiþ grete þingis, and þat moun not be ſouȝt out,
and wondurful þingis wiþ out noumbre.
x Which ȝyueþ reyn on þe face of erþe, and moiſtiþ alle
þingis wiþ watris.
xi Which ſettiþ meke men an hiȝ, and reiſiþ wiþ helþe
hem þat morenen.
xii Which diſtrieþ þe þouȝtis of yuel willid men, þat her
hondis moun not fille þo þingis þat þei bigunnen.
xiii Which takiþ cautelouſe men in þe felneſſe `of hem,
and diſtrieþ þe counſel of ſchrewis.
xiiii Bi dai þei ſchulen renne in to derkneſſis, and as in
nyȝt ſo þei ſchulen grope in myddai.
xv Certis God ſchal make ſaaf a nedi man fro þe ſwerd
of her mouþ, and a pore man fro þe hond of þe violent,
`eþir rauynour.
CDLXI
xvi And hope ſchal be to a nedi man, but wickidneſſe
ſchal drawe togidere his mouþ.
xvii Bleſſid is þe man, which is chaſtiſid of þe Lord;
þerfor repreue þou not þe blamyng of þe Lord.
xviii For he woundiþ, and doiþ medicyn; he ſmytiþ, and
hiſe hondis ſchulen make hool.
xix In ſixe tribulaciouns he ſchal delyuere þee, and in þe
ſeuenþe tribulacioun yuel ſchal not touche þee.
xx In hungur he ſchal delyuere þee fro deeþ, and in batel
fro þe power of ſwerd.
xxi Þou ſchalt be hid fro þe ſcourge of tunge, and þou
ſchalt not drede myſeiſte, `eþir wretchidneſſe, whanne it
comeþ.
xxii In diſtriyng maad of enemyes and in hungur þou
ſchalt leiȝe, and þou ſchalt not drede þe beeſtis of erþe.
xxiii But þi couenaunt ſchal be wiþ þe ſtonys of erþe,
and beeſtis of erþe ſchulen be peſible to þee.
xxiiii And þou ſchalt wite, þat þi tabernacle haþ pees,
and þou viſitynge þi fairneſſe ſchalt not do ſynne.
xxv And þou ſchalt wite alſo, þat þi ſeed ſchal be many
fold, and þi generacioun ſchal be as an erbe of erþe.
xxvi In abundaunce þou ſchalt go in to þe ſepulcre, as an
heep of wheete is borun in his tyme.
xxvii Lo! þis is ſo, as we han ſouȝt; which þing herd,
trete þou in minde.
CAP. VI
i Forſoþe Joob anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Y wolde, þat my ſynnes, bi whiche Y `deſſeruede ire,
and þe wretchidneſſe which Y ſuffre, weren peiſid in a
balaunce.
iii As þe grauel of þe ſee, þis wretchidneſſe ſchulde
appere greuouſere; wherfor and my wordis ben ful of
ſorewe.
iiii For þe arowis of þe Lord ben in me, þe indignacioun
of whiche drynkiþ vp my ſpirit; and þe dredis of þe
Lord fiȝten aȝens me.
v Wheþer a feeld aſſe ſchal rore, whanne he haþ gras?
Eþir wheþer an oxe ſchal lowe, whanne he ſtondiþ byfor
a `ful cratche?
vi Eþer wheþir a þing vnſauery may be etun, which is
not maad ſauery bi ſalt? Eþer wheþer ony man may
taaſte a þing, which taſtid bryngiþ deeþ? For whi to an
hungri ſoule, ȝhe, bittir þingis ſemen to be ſwete; þo
þingis whiche my ſoule nolde touche bifore, ben now
my meetis for angwiſch.
viii Who ȝyueþ, þat myn axyng come; and þat God ȝyue
to me þat, þat Y abide?
ix And he þat bigan, al to-breke me; releeſſe he his
hond, and kitte me doun?
x And `þis be coumfort to me, þat he turmente me wiþ
ſorewe, and ſpare not, and þat Y aȝenſeie not þe wordis
of þe hooli.
xi For whi, what is my ſtrengþe, þat Y ſuffre? eþir which
is myn ende, þat Y do pacientli?
xii Neþir my ſtrengþe is þe ſtrengþe of ſtoonus, neþer
my fleiſch is of bras.
xiii Lo! noon help is to me in me; alſo my meyneal
frendis `ȝeden awey fro me.
xiiii He þat takiþ awei merci fro his frend, forſakiþ þe
drede of þe Lord.
xv My briþeren paſſiden me, as a ſtronde doiþ, þat paſſiþ
ruſchyngli in grete valeis.
xvi Snow ſchal come on hem, þat dreden froſt.
xvii In þe tyme wherynne þei ben ſcaterid, þei ſchulen
periſche; and as þei ben hoote, þei ſchulen be vnknyt fro
her place.
xviii Þe paþis of her ſteppis ben wlappid; þei ſchulen go
in veyn, and ſchulen periſche.
xix Biholde ȝe þe paþis of Theman, and þe weies of
Saba; and abide ȝe a litil.
xx Þei ben ſchent, for Y hopide; and þei camen `til to
me, and þei ben hilid wiþ ſchame.
xxi Now ȝe ben comun, and now ȝe ſeen my wounde,
and dreden.
xxii Wheþer Y ſeide, Brynge ȝe to me, and ȝiue ȝe of
ȝoure catel to me? eþir,
xxiii Delyuere ȝe me fro þe hond of enemy, and rauyſche
ȝe me fro þe hond of ſtronge men?
xxiiii Teche ȝe me, and Y ſchal be ſtille; and if in hap Y
vnknew ony þing, teche ȝe me.
xxv Whi han ȝe depraued þe wordis of trewþe? ſiþen
noon is of ȝou, þat may repreue me.
xxvi Ȝe maken redi ſpechis oneli for to blame, and ȝe
bryngen forþ wordis in to wynde.
xxvii Ȝe fallen in on a fadirles child, and enforſen to
peruerte ȝoure frend.
xxviii Neþeles fille ȝe þat, þat ȝe han bigunne; ȝyue ȝe þe
eere, and ſe ȝe, wheþer Y lie.
xxix Y biſeche, anſwere ȝe wiþ out ſtrijf, and ſpeke ȝe,
and deme ȝe þat, þat is iuſt.
xxx And ȝe ſchulen not fynde wickidneſſe in my tunge,
neþir foli ſchal ſowne in my chekis.
CAP. VII
i Knyȝthod is lijf of man on erþe, and his daies ben as
þe daies of an hired man.
ii As an hert deſireþ ſchadowe, and as an hirede man
abideþ þe ende of his werk;
iii ſo and Y hadde voide moneþis, and Y noumbrede
trauailous niȝtes to me.
iiii If Y ſchal ſlepe, Y ſchal ſeie, Whanne ſchal Y riſe?
and eft Y ſchal abide þe euentid, and Y ſchal be fillid
wiþ ſorewis `til to derkneſſis.
CDLXII
v Mi fleiſch is cloþid wiþ rot, and filþis of duſt; my ſkyn
driede vp, and is drawun togidere.
vi My daies paſſiden ſwiftliere þanne a web is kit doun
`of a webſtere; and þo daies ben waſtid wiþ outen ony
hope.
vii God, haue þou mynde, for my lijf is wynde, and myn
iȝe ſchal not turne aȝen, þat it ſe goodis.
viii Neþir þe ſiȝt of man ſchal biholde me; but þin iȝen
ben in me, and Y ſchal not `be in deedli lijf.
ix As a cloude is waſtid, and paſſiþ, ſo he þat goiþ doun
to helle, ſchal not ſtie;
x neþer ſchal turne aȝen more in to his hows, and his
place ſchal no more knowe hym.
xi Wherfor and Y ſchal not ſpare my mouþ; Y ſchal
ſpeke in þe tribulacioun of my ſpirit, Y ſchal talke
togidere wiþ þe bitterneſſe of my ſoule.
xii Wheþer Y am þe ſee, eþir a whal, for þou haſt
cumpaſſid me wiþ priſoun?
xiii If Y ſeie, My bed ſchal coumfort me, and Y ſchal be
releeuyd, ſpekynge wiþ me in my bed;
xiiii þou ſchalt make me aferd bi dremys, and þou ſchalt
ſchake me wiþ `orrour, eþir hidouſneſſe, `bi ſiȝtis.
xv Wherfor my ſoule `chees hangyng, and my boonys
cheeſiden deþ.
xvi `Y diſpeiride, now Y ſchal no more lyue; Lord, ſpare
þou me, for my daies ben nouȝt.
xvii What is a man, for þou `magnifieſt hym? eþer what
ſettiſt þou þin herte toward hym?
xviii Þou viſitiſt hym eerly, and ſudeynli þou preueſt
hym.
xix Hou long ſpariſt þou not me, neþer ſuffriſt me, þat Y
ſwolowe my ſpotele?
xx Y haue ſynned; A! þou kepere of men, what ſchal Y
do to þee? Whi haſt þou ſet me contrarie to þee, and Y
am maad greuouſe to my ſilf?
xxi Whi doiſt þou not awei my ſinne, and whi takiſt þou
not awei my wickidneſſe? Lo! now Y ſchal ſlepe in duſt,
and if þou ſekiſt me eerli, Y ſchal not abide.
CAP. VIII
i Soþeli Baldath Suytes anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Hou longe ſchalt þou ſpeke ſiche þingis? Þe ſpirit of
þe word of þi mouþ is manyfold.
iii Wheþer God ſupplauntiþ, `eþir diſſeyueþ, doom, and
wheþer Almyȝti God diſtrieþ þat, þat is iuſt?
iiii Ȝhe, þouȝ þi ſones ſynneden aȝens hym, and he lefte
hem in þe hond of her wickidneſſe;
v neþeles, if þou riſiſt eerli to God, and biſechiſt
`Almyȝti God, if þou goiſt clene and riȝtful,
vi anoon he ſchal wake fulli to þee, and ſchal make
peſible þe dwellyng place of þi ryȝtfulneſſe;
vii in ſo miche þat þi formere þingis weren litil, and þat
þi laſte þingis be multiplied greetli.
viii For whi, axe þou þe formere generacioun, and ſeke
þou diligentli þe mynde of fadris. For we ben men of
ȝiſtirdai, and `kunnen not; for oure daies ben as
ſchadewe on þe erþe.
x And þei ſchulen teche þee, þei ſchulen ſpeke to þee,
and of her herte þei ſchulen bring forþ ſpechis.
xi Wheþer a ruſche may lyue wiþ out moyſture? eþir a
ſpier `may wexe wiþ out watir?
xii Whanne it is ȝit in þe flour, neþir is takun wiþ hond,
it wexeþ drie bifor alle erbis.
xiii So þe weies of alle men, þat forȝeten God; and þe
hope of an ypocrite ſchal periſche.
xiiii His cowardiſe ſchal not pleſe hym, and his triſt ſchal
be as a web of yreyns.
xv He ſchal leene, `eþer reſte, on his hows, and it ſchal
not ſtonde; he ſchal vndurſette it, and it ſchal not riſe
togidere.
xvi Þe ruſche ſemeþ moiſt, bifor þat þe ſunne come; and
in þe riſyng of þe ſunne þe ſeed þerof ſchal go out.
xvii Rootis þerof ſchulen be maad þicke on an heep of
ſtoonys, and it ſchal dwelle among ſtoonys.
xviii If a man drawiþ it out of `his place, his place ſchal
denye it, and ſchal ſeie, Y knowe þee not.
xix For þis is þe gladneſſe of his weie, þat eft oþere
ruſchis ſpringe out of þe erþe.
xx Forſoþe God ſchal not caſte a wei a ſymple man,
neþir ſchal dreſſe hond to wickid men;
xxi til þi mouþ be fillid wiþ leiȝtir, and þi lippis wiþ
hertli ſong.
xxii Þei þat haten þee ſchulen be cloþid wiþ ſchenſchip;
and þe tabernacle of wickid men ſchal not ſtonde.
CAP. IX
i Joob anſweride, and ſeide, Verili Y woot, þat it is ſo,
ii and þat a man compariſound to God ſchal not be maad
iuſt.
iii If he wole ſtryue wiþ God, he may not anſwere to
God oon for a þouſynde.
iiii He is wiys in herte, and ſtrong in myȝt; who
aȝenſtood hym, and hadde pees?
v Which bar hillis fro o place to anoþir, and þei wiſten
not; whiche he diſtriede in his ſtrong veniaunce.
vi Which ſtiriþ þe erþe fro his place, and þe pilers þerof
ſchulen `be ſchakun togidere.
vii Which comaundiþ to þe ſunne, and it riſiþ not; and he
cloſiþ þe ſterris, as vndur a ſignet.
viii Which aloone ſtretchiþ forþ heuenes, and goiþ on þe
wawis of þe ſee.
ix Which makiþ Ariture, and Orionas, and Hiadas, `þat
is, ſeuene ſterris, and þe innere þingis of þe ſouþ.
CDLXIII
x Which makiþ grete þingis, and þat moun not be ſouȝt
out, and wondurful þingis, of whiche is noon noumbre.
xi If he comeþ to me, `þat is, bi his grace, Y ſchal not ſe
hym; if he goiþ awey, `þat is, in wiþdrawynge his grace,
Y ſchal not vndurſtonde.
xii If he axiþ ſodeynli, who ſchal anſwere to hym? eþir
who may ſeie to hym, Whi doiſt þou ſo?
xiii `God is he, whos wraþþe no man may wiþſtonde;
and vndur whom þei ben bowid, þat beren þe world.
xiiii Hou greet am Y, þat Y anſwere to hym, and ſpeke bi
my wordis wiþ hym?
xv Which alſo ſchal not anſwere, þouȝ Y haue ony þing
iuſt; but Y ſchal biſeche my iuge.
xvi And whanne he haþ herd me inwardli clepynge, Y
bileue not, þat he haþ herd my vois.
xvii For in a whirlewynd he ſchal al to-breke me, and he
ſchal multiplie my woundis, ȝhe, wiþout cauſe.
xviii He grauntiþ not, þat my ſpirit haue reſte, and he
filliþ me wiþ bittirneſſes.
xix If ſtrengþe is ſouȝt, `he is mooſt ſtrong; if equyte of
doom is ſouȝt, no man dar ȝelde witneſſynge for me.
xx If Y wole make me iuſt, my mouþ ſchal dampne me;
if Y ſchal ſchewe me innocent, he ſchal preue me a
ſchrewe.
xxi Ȝhe, þouȝ Y am ſymple, my ſoule ſchal not knowe
þis ſame þing; and it ſchal anoye me of my lijf.
xxii O þing is, which Y ſpak, he ſchal waſte `bi deþ alſo
þe innocent and wickid man.
xxiii If he betiþ, ſle he onys, and leiȝe he not of þe
peynes of innocent men.
xxiiii Þe erþe is ȝouun in to þe hondis of þe wickid; he
hiliþ þe face of iugis; þat if he is not, who þerfor is?
xxv Mi daies weren ſwiftere þan a corour; þei fledden,
and ſien not good.
xxvi Þei paſſiden as ſchippis berynge applis, as an egle
fleynge to mete.
xxvii Whanne Y ſeie, Y ſchal not ſpeke ſo; Y chaunge my
face, and Y am turmentid wiþ ſorewe.
xxviii Y drede alle my werkis, witynge þat þou `woldiſt
not ſpare þe treſpaſſour.
xxix Soþeli if Y am alſo þus wickid, whi haue Y trauelid
in veyn?
xxx Þouȝ Y am waiſchun as wiþ watris of ſnow, and
þouȝ myn hondis ſchynen as mooſt cleene,
xxxi neþeles þou ſchalt dippe me in filþis, and my cloþis,
`þat is, werkis, ſchulen holde me abhomynable.
xxxii Trewli Y ſchal not anſwere a man, which is lijk me;
neþer þat may be herd euenli wiþ me in doom.
xxxiii `Noon is, þat may repreue euer eiþir, and ſette his
hond in boþe.
xxxiiii Do he awei his ȝerde fro me, and his drede make
not me aferd.
xxxv Y ſchal
ſpeke, and Y ſchal not drede hym; for Y
may not anſwere dredynge.
CAP. X
i Yt anoieþ my ſoule of my lijf; Y ſchal lete my ſpeche
aȝens me, Y ſchal ſpeke in þe bitterneſſe of my ſoule.
ii Y ſchal ſeie to God, Nyle þou condempne me; ſchewe
þou to me, whi þou demeſt me ſo.
iii Wheþer it ſemeþ good to þee, if þou `falſli chalengiſt
and oppreſſiſt me, þe werk of þin hondis; and if þou
helpiſt þe counſel of wickid men?
iiii Wheþir fleiſchli iȝen ben to þee, eþir, as a man ſeeþ,
alſo þou ſchalt ſe?
v Wheþer þi daies ben as þe daies of man, and `þi ȝeeris
ben as mannus tymes;
vi þat þou enquere my wickidneſſe, and enſerche my
ſynne?
vii And wite, þat Y haue do no `wickid þing; ſiþen no
man is, þat may delyuere fro þin hond?
viii Þin hondis han maad me, and han formed me al in
cumpas; and þou caſtiſt me doun ſo ſodeynli.
ix Y preye, haue þou mynde, þat þou madiſt me as cley,
and ſchalt brynge me aȝen in to duſt.
x Wheþer þou haſt not mylkid me as mylk, and haſt
cruddid me togidere as cheeſe?
xi Þou cloþidiſt me wiþ ſkyn and fleiſch; þou haſt ioyned
me togidere wiþ boonys and ſenewis.
xii Þou haſt ȝoue lijf and mercy to me, and þi viſiting
haþ kept my ſpirit.
xiii Þouȝ þou heliſt þeſe þingis in þin herte, neþeles Y
woot, þat þou haſt mynde of alle þingis.
xiiii If Y dide ſynne, and þou ſparidiſt me at an our; whi
ſuffriſt þou not me to be cleene of my wickidneſſe?
xv And if Y was wickid, wo is to me; and if Y was iuſt,
Y fillid wiþ turment and wretchidneſſe `ſchal not reiſe
þe heed.
xvi And if Y reiſe `þe heed for pride, þou ſchalt take me
as a lioneſſe; and þou turneſt aȝen, and turmentiſt me
wondirli.
xvii Þou gaderiſt in ſtore þi witneſſis aȝens me, and þou
multiplieſt þin yre, `þat is, veniaunce, aȝens me; and
peynes holden knyȝthod in me.
xviii Whi haſt þou led me out of þe wombe? `And Y
wolde, þat Y were waſtid, leſt an iȝe `ſchulde ſe me.
xix Þat Y hadde be, as if Y were not, and `were
tranſlatid, eþir borun ouer, fro þe wombe to þe ſepulcre.
xx Wheþer þe fewneſſe of my daies ſchal not be endid in
ſchort? Þerfor ſuffre þou me, þat Y biweile `a litil my
ſorewe,
xxi bifor þat Y go, and turne not aȝen, to þe derk lond,
and hilid wiþ þe derkneſſe of deþ, to þe lond of
wrecchidneſſe and of derkneſſis;
CDLXIV
xxii whereis ſchadewe of deeþ, and noon ordre, but
euerlaſtynge hidouſneſſe dwelliþ.
CAP. XI
i Forſoþe Sophar Naamathites anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Wheþer he, þat ſpekiþ many þingis, ſchal not alſo
here? eþer wheþir a man ful of wordis ſchal be maad
iuſt?
iii Schulen men be ſtille to þee aloone? whanne þou haſt
ſcorned oþere men, ſchalt þou not be ouercomun of ony
man?
iiii For þou ſeidiſt, My word is cleene, and Y am cleene
in þi ſiȝt.
v And `Y wolde, þat God ſpak wiþ þee, and openyde
hiſe lippis to þee;
vi to ſchewe to þee þe priuetees of wiſdom, and þat his
lawe is manyfold, and þou ſchuldiſt vndurſtonde, þat
þou art requirid of hym to paie myche leſſe þingis, þan
þi wickidneſſe diſſerueþ.
vii In hap þou ſchalt comprehende þe ſteppis of God,
and þou ſchalt fynde Almyȝti God `til to perfeccioun.
viii He is hiȝere þan heuene, and what ſchalt þou do? he
is deppere þan helle, and wherof ſchalt þou knowe?
ix His meſure is lengere þan erþe, and brodere þan þe
ſee.
x If he diſtrieþ alle þingis, eþir dryueþ ſtreitli `in to oon,
who ſchal aȝenſeie hym? Eþir who may ſeie to hym,
Whi doeſt þou ſo?
xi For he knowiþ þe vanyte of men; and wheþer he
ſeynge byholdiþ not wickidneſſe?
xii A veyn man is reiſid in to pride; and geſſiþ hym ſilf
borun fre, as þe colt of a wilde aſſe.
xiii But þou haſt maad ſtidefaſt þin herte, and haſt ſpred
abrood þin hondis to hym.
xiiii If þou doeſt awei `fro þee þe wickidneſſe, which is
in þin hond, and vnriȝtfulneſſe dwelliþ not in þi
tabernacle,
xv þanne þou ſchalt mowe reiſe þi face wiþ out wem,
and þou ſchalt be ſtidefaſt, and þou ſchalt not drede.
xvi And þou ſchalt forȝete wretchidneſſe, and þou ſchalt
not þenke of it, as of watris þat han paſſid.
xvii And as myddai ſchynynge it ſchal reiſe to þee at
euentid; and whanne þou geſſiſt þee waſtid, þou ſchalt
riſe vp as þe dai ſterre.
xviii And þou ſchalt haue triſt, while hope ſchal be ſet
forþ to þee; and þou biried ſchalt ſlepe ſikurli.
xix Þou ſchalt reſte, and `noon ſchal be þat ſchal make
þee aferd; and ful many men ſchulen biſeche þi face.
xx But þe iȝen of wickid men ſchulen faile; and ſocour
ſchal periſche fro hem, and þe hope of hem ſchal be
abhominacyioun of ſoule.
CAP. XII
i Soþeli Joob anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Þerfor ben ȝe men aloone, þat wiſdom dwelle wiþ
ȝou?
iii And to me is an herte, as and to ȝou, and Y am not
lowere þan ȝe; for who knowiþ not þeſe þingis, whiche
ȝe knowen?
iiii He þat is ſcorned of his frend, as Y am, ſchal inwardli
clepe God, and God ſchal here hym; for þe ſympleneſſe
of a iuſt man is ſcorned.
v A laumpe is diſpiſid at þe þouȝtis of riche men, and þe
laumpe is maad redi to a tyme ordeyned.
vi Þe tabernaclis of robberis ben plenteuouſe, `eþer ful
of goodis; and boldli þei terren God to wraþþe, whanne
he haþ ȝoue alle þingis in to her hondis.
vii No wondur, ax þou beeſtis, and þo ſchulen teche þee;
and axe þou volatilis of þe eir, and þo ſchulen ſchewe to
þee.
viii Speke þou to þe erþe, and it ſchal anſwere þee; and
þe fiſchis of þe ſee ſchulen telle þo þingis.
ix Who knowiþ not þat þe hond of þe Lord made alle
þeſe þingis?
x In whos hond þe ſoule is of ech lyuynge þing, and þe
ſpirit, `þat is, reſonable ſoule, of ech fleiſch of man.
xi Wheþer þe eere demeþ not wordis, and þe chekis of
þe etere demen ſauour?
xii Wiſdom is in elde men, and prudence is in myche
tyme.
xiii Wiſdom and ſtrengþe is at God; he haþ counſel and
vndurſtondyng.
xiiii If he diſtrieþ, no man is þat bildiþ; if he ſchittiþ in a
man, `noon is þat openiþ.
xv If he holdiþ togidere watris, alle þingis ſchulen be
maad drie; if he ſendiþ out þo watris, þo ſchulen diſtrie
þe erþe.
xvi Strengþe and wiſdom is at God; he knowiþ boþe
hym þat diſſeyueþ and hym þat is diſſeyued.
xvii And he bryngiþ conſelours in to a fonned eende, and
iugis in to wondryng, eþir aſtonying.
xviii He vnbindiþ þe girdil of kyngis, and girdiþ her
reynes wiþ a coorde.
xix He lediþ her preſtis wiþ out glorie, and he diſſeyueþ
þe principal men, `eþir counſelours;
xx and he chaungiþ þe lippis of ſoþefaſt men, and takiþ
awei þe doctrine of elde men.
xxi He ſchediþ out diſpiſyng on princes, and releeueþ
hem, þat weren oppreſſid.
xxii Which ſchewiþ depe þingis fro derkneſſis; and
bryngiþ forþ in to lyȝt þe ſchadewe of deeþ.
xxiii Which multiplieþ folkis, and leeſiþ hem, and
reſtoriþ hem deſtried in to þe hool.
CDLXV
xxiiii Which chaungiþ þe herte of princes of þe puple of
erþe; and diſſeyueþ hem, þat þei go in veyn out of þe
weie.
xxv Þei ſchulen grope, as in derkneſſis, and not in lyȝt;
and he ſchal make hem to erre as drunken men.
CAP. XIII
i Lo! myn iȝe ſiȝ alle þingis, and myn eere herde; and Y
vndurſtood alle þingis.
ii Euene wiþ ȝoure kunnyng alſo Y kan, and Y am not
lowere þan ȝe.
iii But neþeles Y ſchal ſpeke to Almyȝti God, and Y
coueite to diſpute wiþ God;
iiii and firſte Y ſchewe ȝou makeris of leeſyng, and
louyeris of weyward techyngis.
v And `Y wolde þat ȝe weren ſtille, þat ȝe weren geſſid
to be wiſe men.
vi Þerfor here ȝe my chaſtiſyngis; and perſeyue ȝe þe
doom of my lippis.
vii Wheþer God haþ nede to ȝoure leeſyng, þat ȝe ſpeke
gilis for hym?
viii Wheþer ȝe taken his face, and enforſen to deme for
God?
ix Eþir it ſchal pleſe hym, fro whom no þing mai be hid?
Wheþer he as a man ſchal be diſſeyued wiþ ȝoure
falſneſſis?
x He ſchal repreue ȝou; for ȝe taken his face in hiddlis.
xi Anoon as he ſchal ſtire hym, he ſchal diſturble ȝou;
and his drede ſchal falle on ȝou.
xii Ȝoure mynde ſchal be compariſound to aiſche; and
ȝoure nollis ſchulen be dryuun in to clei.
xiii Be ȝe ſtille a litil, þat Y ſpeke, what euer þing þe
mynde haþ ſchewid to me.
xiiii Whi to-rende Y my fleiſchis wiþ my teeþ, and bere
my lijf in myn hondis?
xv Ȝhe, þouȝ God ſleeþ me, Y ſchal hope in hym;
neþeles Y ſchal preue my weies in his ſiȝt.
xvi And he ſchal be my ſauȝour; for whi ech ypocrite
ſchal not come in his ſiȝt.
xvii Here ȝe my word, and perſeyue ȝe wiþ eeris derke
and harde figuratif ſpechis.
xviii Yf Y ſchal be demed, Y woot þat Y ſchal be
foundun iuſt.
xix Who is he þat is demed wiþ me? Come he; whi am Y
ſtille, and am waſtid?
xx Do þou not to me twei þingis oneli; and þanne Y
ſchal not be hid fro þi face.
xxi Make þin hond fer fro me; and þi drede make not me
aferd.
xxii Clepe þou me, and Y ſchal anſwere þee; eþir certis Y
ſchal ſpeke, and þou ſchalt anſwere me.
xxiii Hou grete ſynnes and wickidneſſis haue Y? Schewe
þou to me my felonyes, and treſpaſſis.
xxiiii Whi hidiſt þou þi face, and demeſt me þin enemy?
xxv Þou ſchewiſt þi myȝt aȝens a leef, which is rauyſchid
wiþ þe wynd; and þou purſueſt drye ſtobil.
xxvi For þou writiſt bitterneſſis aȝens me; and wolt waſte
me wiþ þe ſynnes of my ȝong wexynge age.
xxvii Þou haſt ſet my foot in a ſtok, and þou haſt kept alle
my paþis; and þou haſt biholde þe ſteppis of my feet.
xxviii And Y ſchal be waſtid as rot, and as a cloþ, which
is etun of a mouȝte.
CAP. XIIII
i A man is borun of a womman, and lyueþ ſchort tyme,
and is fillid wiþ many wretchidneſſis.
ii Which goiþ out, and is defoulid as a flour; and fleeþ
as ſchadewe, and dwelliþ neuere perfitli in þe ſame
ſtaat.
iii And geſſiſt þou it worþi to opene þin iȝen on ſiche a
man; and to brynge hym in to doom wiþ þee?
iiii Who may make a man clene conſeyued of vnclene
ſeed? Wheþer not þou, which art aloone?
v Þe daies of man ben ſchorte, þe noumbre of his
moneþis is at þee; þou haſt ſet, eþir ordeyned, hiſe
termes, whiche moun not be paſſid.
vi Þerfor go þou awey fro hym a litil, `þat is, bi
wiþdrawyng of bodili lijf, þat he haue reſte; til þe
meede coueitid come, and his dai is as þe dai of an hirid
man.
vii A tree haþ hope, if it is kit doun; and eft it wexiþ
greene, and hiſe braunches ſpreden forþ.
viii If þe roote þerof is eeld in þe erþe, and þe ſtok þerof
is nyȝ deed in duſt;
ix it ſchal buriowne at þe odour of watir, and it ſchal
make heer, as whanne it was plauntid firſt.
x But whanne a man is deed, and maad nakid, and
waſtid; Y preye, where is he?
xi As if watris goen awei fro þe ſee, and a ryuer maad
voide wexe drie,
xii ſo a man, whanne he haþ ſlept, `þat is, deed, he ſchal
not riſe aȝen, til heuene be brokun, `þat is, be maad
newe; he ſchal not wake, neþer he ſchal ryſe togidere
fro his ſleep.
xiii Who ȝiueþ þis to me, þat þou defende me in helle,
and þat þou hide me, til þi greet veniaunce paſſe; and
þou ſette to me a tyme, in which þou haue mynde on
me?
xiiii Geſſiſt þou, wheþir a deed man ſchal lyue aȝen? In
alle þe daies, in whiche Y holde knyȝthod, now Y abide,
til my chaungyng come.
xv Þou ſchalt clepe me, and Y ſchal anſwere þee; þou
ſchalt dreſſe þe riȝt half, `þat is, blis, to þe werk of þin
hondis.
CDLXVI
xvi Soþeli þou haſt noumbrid my ſteppis; but ſpare þou
my ſynnes.
xvii Þou haſt ſeelid as in a bagge my treſpaſſis, but þou
haſt curid my wickidneſſe.
xviii An hil fallynge droppiþ doun; and a rooche of ſtoon
is borun ouer fro his place.
xix Watris maken ſtoonys holowe, and þe erþe is waſtid
litil and litil bi waiſchyng a wey of watir; and þerfor
þou ſchalt leeſe men in lijk maner.
xx Þou madiſt a man ſtrong a litil, þat he ſchulde paſſe
wiþ outen ende; þou ſchalt chaunge his face, and ſchalt
ſende hym out.
xxi Wheþer hiſe ſones ben noble, eþer vnnoble, he ſchal
not vndurſtonde.
xxii Neþeles his fleiſch, while he lyueþ, ſchal haue
ſorewe, and his ſoule ſchal morne on hym ſilf.
CAP. XV
i Forſoþe Eliphat Themanytes anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Wheþer a wiſe man ſchal anſwere, as ſpekynge aȝens
þe wynd, and ſchal fille his ſtomac wiþ brennyng, `þat
is, ire?
iii For þou repreueſt hym bi wordis, which is not lijk
þee, and þou ſpekiſt þat, þat ſpediþ not to þee.
iiii As myche as is in þee, þou haſt avoidid drede; and
þou haſt take awey preyeris bifor God.
v For wickidneſſe haþ tauȝt þi mouþ, and þou ſueſt þe
tunge of blasfemeris.
vi Þi tunge, and not Y, ſchal condempne þee, and þi
lippis ſchulen anſwere þee.
vii Wheþer þou art borun þe firſte man, and art formed
bifor alle little hillis?
viii Wheþer þou herdiſt þe counſel of God, and his
wiſdom is lower þan þou?
ix What þing knowiſt þou, whiche we knowen not?
What þing vndurſtondiſt þou, whiche we witen not?
x Boþe wiſe men and elde, myche eldre þan þi fadris,
ben among vs.
xi Wheþer it is greet, þat God coumforte þee? But þi
ſchrewid wordis forbeden þis.
xii What reiſiþ þin herte þee, and þou as þenkynge grete
þingis haſt iȝen aſtonyed?
xiii What bolneþ þi ſpirit aȝens God, þat þou brynge forþ
of þi mouþ ſiche wordis?
xiiii What is a man, þat he be wiþ out wem, and þat he
borun of a womman appere iuſt?
xv Lo! noon among hiſe ſeyntis is vnchaungable, and
heuenes ben not cleene in his ſiȝt.
xvi How myche more a man abhomynable and
vnprofitable, þat drynkiþ wickidneſſe as water?
xvii I ſchal ſchewe to þee, here þou me; Y ſchal telle to
þee þat, þat Y ſiȝ.
xviii Wiſe men knoulechen, and hiden not her fadris.
xix To whiche aloone þe erþe is ȝouun, and an alien
ſchal not paſſe bi hem.
xx A wickid man is proud in alle hiſe daies; and þe
noumbre of hiſe ȝeeris and of his tirauntrie is vncerteyn.
xxi Þe ſown of drede is euere in hiſe eeris, and whanne
pees is, he ſuppoſiþ euere treſouns.
xxii He bileueþ not þat he may turne aȝen fro derkneſſis
to lyȝt; and biholdiþ aboute on ech ſide a ſwerd.
xxiii Whanne he ſtiriþ hym to ſeke breed, he woot, þat þe
dai of derkneſſis is maad redi in his hond.
xxiiii Tribulacioun ſchal make hym aferd, and angwiſch
ſchal cumpas hym, as a kyng which is maad redi to
batel.
xxv For he helde forþ his hond aȝens God, and he was
maad ſtrong aȝens Almyȝti God.
xxvi He ran wiþ neck reiſid aȝens God, and he was
armed wiþ fat nol.
xxvii Fatneſſe, þat is, pride `comyng forþ of temporal
aboundaunce, hilide his face, `þat is, þe knowyng of
vndurſtondyng, and outward fatneſſe hangiþ doun of his
ſidis.
xxviii He ſchal dwelle in deſolat citees, and in deſeert,
`eþir forſakun, houſis, þat ben turned in to biriels.
xxix He ſchal not be maad riche, neþer his catel ſchal
dwelle ſtidefaſtli; neþer he ſchal ſende his roote in þe
erþe,
xxx neþer he ſchal go awei fro derkneſſis. Flawme ſchal
make drie hiſe braunchis, and he ſchal be takun a wey bi
þe ſpirit of his mouþ.
xxxi Bileue he not veynli diſſeyued bi errour, þat he ſchal
be aȝenbouȝt bi ony prijs.
xxxii Bifor þat hiſe daies ben fillid, he ſchal periſche, and
hiſe hondis ſchulen wexe drye;
xxxiii he ſchal be hirt as a vyne in þe firſte flour of his
grape, and as an olyue tre caſtinge awei his flour.
xxxiiii For þe gaderyng togidere of an ipocrite is bareyn,
and fier ſchal deuoure þe tabernaclis of hem, þat taken
ȝiftis wilfuli.
xxxv He conſeyuede ſorewe, and childide wickidneſſe,
and his wombe makiþ redi tretcheries.
CAP. XVI
i Forſoþe Joob anſweride, and ſeide, Y `herde ofte ſiche
þingis;
ii alle ȝe ben heuy coumfortouris.
iii Wheþer wordis ful of wynd ſchulen haue an ende?
eþer ony þing is diſeſeful to þee, if þou ſpekiſt?
iiii Alſo Y myȝte ſpeke þingis lijk to ȝou, and `Y wolde,
þat ȝoure ſoule were for my ſoule;
v and Y wolde coumfort ȝou by wordis, and Y wolde
moue myn heed on ȝou;
CDLXVII
vi Y wolde make ȝou ſtronge bi my mouþ, and Y wolde
moue lippis as ſparynge ȝou.
vii But what ſchal Y do? If Y ſpeke, my ſorewe reſtiþ
not; and if Y am ſtille, it goiþ not awei fro me.
viii But now my ſorewe haþ oppreſſid me, and alle my
lymes ben dryuun in to nouȝt.
ix My ryuelyngis ſeien witneſſyng aȝens me, and a fals
ſpekere is reiſid aȝens my face, and aȝenſeiþ me.
x He gaderide togidere his woodneſſe in me, and he
manaaſſide me, and gnaſtide aȝens me wiþ his teeþ;
myn enemye bihelde me wiþ ferdful iȝen.
xi Þei openyden her mouþis on me, and þei ſeiden
ſchenſchip, and ſmytiden my cheke; and þei ben fillid
wiþ my peynes.
xii God haþ cloſid me togidere at þe wickid, and haþ
ȝoue me to þe hondis of wickid men.
xiii Y þilke riche man and famouſe ſum tyme, am al to
brokun ſudeynli; `he helde my nol; he haþ broke me,
and haþ ſet me as in to a ſigne.
xiiii He haþ cumpaſſide me wiþ hiſe ſperis, he woundide
togidere my leendis; he ſparide not, and ſchedde out
myn entrails in to þe erþe.
xv He beet me wiþ wounde on wounde; he as a giaunt
felde in on me.
xvi Y ſewide togidere a ſak on my ſkyn; and Y hilide my
fleiſch wiþ aiſche.
xvii My face bolnyde of wepynge, and myn iȝeliddis
wexiden derke.
xviii Y ſuffride þeſe þingis wiþ out wickidneſſe of myn
hond, `þat is, werk, whanne Y hadde cleene preieris to
God.
xix Erþe, hile þou not my blood, and my cry fynde not
in þee a place of hidyng.
xx `For, lo! my witneſſe is in heuene; and þe knowere
of my conſience is in hiȝe places.
xxi A! my frendis, ful of wordis, myn iȝe droppiþ to
God.
xxii And `Y wolde, þat a man were demed ſo wiþ God,
as þe ſone of man is demed wiþ his felowe.
xxiii `For lo! ſchorte ȝeeris paſſen, and Y go a paþ, bi
which Y ſchal not turne aȝen.
CAP. XVII
i Mi ſpirit ſchal be maad feble; my daies ſchulen be
maad ſchort, and oneli þe ſepulcre is left to me.
ii Y haue not ſynned, and myn iȝe dwelliþ in bittirneſſis.
iii Lord, delyuere þou me, and ſette þou me biſidis þee;
and þe hond of ech fiȝte aȝens me.
iiii Þou haſt maad þe herte of hem fer fro doctryn, `eþir
knowyng of treuþe; þerfor þei ſchulen not be enhaunſid.
v He bihetiþ prey to felowis, and þe iȝen of hiſe ſones
ſchulen faile.
vi He haþ ſet as in to a prouerbe of þe comyn puple, and
his ſaumple bifor hem.
vii Myn `iȝe daſewide at indignacioun; and my membris
ben dryuun as in to nouȝt.
viii Iuſt men ſchulen wondre on þis þing; and an
innocent ſchal be reiſid aȝens an ypocrite.
ix And a iuſt man ſchal holde his weie, and he ſchal adde
ſtrengþe to clene hondis.
x Þerfor alle `ȝe be conuertid, and come ȝe; and Y ſchal
not fynde in ȝou ony wiys man.
xi My daies ben paſſid; my þouȝtis ben ſcaterid,
turmentynge myn herte.
xii Þo han turned þe nyȝt `in to day; and eft aftir
derkneſſis hope lyȝt.
xiii If Y `ſuſteyne, eþer ſuffre pacientli, helle is myn
hous; and Y haue arayede my bed in derkneſſis.
xiiii Y ſeide to rot, Þou art my fadur; and to wormes, Ȝe
ben my modir and my ſiſter.
xv Þerfor where is now myn abidyng? and who biholdiþ
my pacience?
xvi Alle my þingis ſchulen go doun in to deppeſte helle;
geſſiſt þou, wheþer reſte ſchal be to me, nameli þere.
CAP. XVIII
i Forſoþe Baldach Suythes anſweride, and ſeide,
ii `Til to what ende ſchalt þou booſte wiþ wordis?
Vndurſtonde þou firſt, and ſo ſpeke we.
iii Whi ben we arettid as beeſtis, and han we be foule
bifor þee?
iiii What leeſiſt þou þi ſoule in þi woodnes? Wheþer þe
erþe ſchal be forſakun `for þee, and hard ſtoonys ſchulen
be borun ouer fro her place?
v Wheþir þe lyȝt of a wickid man ſchal not be quenchid;
and þe flawme of his fier ſchal not ſchyne?
vi Liȝt ſchal wexe derke in his tabernacle; and þe
lanterne, which is on hym, ſchal be quenchid.
vii Þe ſteppis of his vertu ſchulen be maad ſtreit; and his
counſel ſchal caſte hym doun.
viii For he haþ ſent hiſe feet in to a net; and he goiþ in þe
meſchis þerof.
ix His foot ſchal be holdun wiþ a ſnare; and þirſt ſchal
brenne out aȝens hym.
x Þe foot trappe of hym is hid in þe erþe, and his ſnare
on þe paþ.
xi Dredis ſchulen make hym aferd on ech ſide, and
ſchulen biwlappe hiſe feet.
xii His ſtrengþe be maad feble bi hungur; and pouert
aſaile hiſe ribbis.
xiii Deuoure it þe fairneſſe of his ſkyn; þe firſte gendrid
deþ waſte hiſe armes.
xiiii His triſt be takun awei fro his tabernacle; and
periſchyng, as a kyng, aboue trede on hym.
CDLXVIII
xv Þe felowis of hym þat is not, dwelle in his tabernacle;
brymſton be ſpreynt in his tabernacle.
xvi Þe rootis of hym be maad drie byneþe; ſoþeli his ripe
corn be al to-brokun aboue.
xvii His mynde periſche fro þe erþe; and his name be not
maad ſolempne in ſtretis.
xviii He ſchal put hym out fro `lyȝt in to derkneſſis; and
he ſchal bere hym ouer fro þe world.
xix Neþir his ſeed neþer kynrede ſchal be in his puple,
neþer ony relifs in hiſe cuntreis.
xx Þe laſte men ſchulen wondre in hiſe daies; and
hidouſneſſe ſchal aſaile þe firſte men.
xxi Þerfor þeſe ben þe tabernaclis of a wickid man; and
þis is þe place of hym, þat knowiþ not God.
CAP. XIX
i Forſoþe Joob anſweride, and ſeide, Hou long turmente
ȝe my ſoule,
ii and al to-breken me wiþ wordis?
iii Lo! ten ſiþis ȝe ſchenden me, and ȝe ben not
aſchamed, oppreſſynge me.
iiii Forſoþe and if Y `koude not, myn vnkynnyng ſchal
be wiþ me.
v And ȝe ben reiſid aȝens me, and repreuen me wiþ my
ſchenſchipis.
vi Nameli now vndurſtonde ȝe, þat God haþ turmentid
me not bi euene doom, and haþ cumpaſſid me wiþ hiſe
betyngis.
vii Lo! Y ſuffrynge violence ſchal crye, and no man
ſchal here; Y ſchal crye loude, and `noon is þat demeþ.
viii He biſette aboute my paþ, and Y may not go; and he
ſettide derkneſſis in my weie.
ix He haþ ſpuylid me of my glorye, and haþ take awey
þe coroun fro myn heed.
x He haþ diſtried me on ech ſide, and Y periſchide; and
he haþ take awei myn hope, as fro a tre pullid vp bi þe
roote.
xi His ſtronge veniaunce was wrooþ aȝens me; and he
hadde me ſo as his enemye.
xii Hiſe þeues camen togidere, and `maden to hem a wei
bi me; and biſegiden my tabernacle in cumpas.
xiii He made fer my briþeren fro me; and my knowun as
aliens ȝeden awei fro me.
xiiii My neiȝboris forſoken me; and þei þat knewen me
han forȝete me.
xv Þe tenauntis of myn hows, and myn handmaydis
hadden me as a ſtraunger; and Y was as a pilgrym bifor
her iȝen.
xvi Y clepide my ſeruaunt, and he anſweride not to me;
wiþ myn owne mouþ Y preiede hym.
xvii My wijf wlatide my breeþ; and Y preiede þe ſones
of my wombe.
xviii Alſo foolis diſpiſiden me; and whanne Y was goon
awei fro hem, þei bacbitiden me.
xix Þei, þat weren my counſelouris ſum tyme, hadden
abhomynacioun of me; and he, whom Y louede mooſt,
was aduerſarie to me.
xx Whanne fleiſchis weren waſtid, my boon cleuyde to
my ſkyn; and `oneli lippis ben left aboute my teeþ.
xxi Haue ȝe merci on me, haue ȝe merci on me, nameli,
ȝe my frendis; for þe hond of þe Lord haþ touchid me.
xxii Whi purſuen ȝe me, as God purſueþ; and ben fillid
wiþ my fleiſchis?
xxiii Who ȝyueþ to me, þat my wordis be writun? Who
ȝyueþ to me,
xxiiii þat þo be writun in a book wiþ an yrun poyntil,
eþir wiþ a plate of leed; eþir wiþ a chiſel be grauun in a
flynt?
xxv For Y woot, þat myn aȝenbiere lyueþ, and in þe laſte
dai Y ſchal riſe fro þe erþe;
xxvi and eft Y ſchal be cumpaſſid wiþ my ſkyn, and in
my fleiſch Y ſchal ſe God, my ſauȝour.
xxvii Whom Y my ſilf ſchal ſe, and myn iȝen ſchulen
biholde, and not an oþer man. Þis myn hope is kept in
my boſum.
xxviii Whi þerfor ſeien ȝe now, Purſue we hym, and
fynde we þe roote of a word aȝens hym?
xxix Þerfor fle ȝe fro þe face of þe ſwerd; for þe ſwerd is
þe vengere of wickidneſſis, and wite ȝe, þat doom
ſchal be.
CAP. XX
i Forſoþe Sophar Naamathites anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Þerfor my þouȝtis dyuerſe comen oon aftir anoþir; and
þe mynde is rauyiſchid in to dyuerſe þingis.
iii Y ſchal here þe techyng, bi which þou repreueſt me;
and þe ſpirit of myn vndurſtondyng ſchal anſwere me.
iiii Y woot þis fro þe bigynnyng, ſiþen man was ſet on
erþe,
v þat þe preiſyng of wickid men is ſchort, and þe ioie of
an ypocrite is at þe licneſſe of a poynt.
vi Þouȝ his pride `ſtieþ in to heuene, and his heed
touchiþ þe cloudis,
vii he ſchal be loſt in þe ende, as a dunghil; and, þei þat
ſien hym, ſchulen ſeie, Where is he?
viii As a dreem fleynge awei he ſchal not be foundun; he
ſchal paſſe as `a nyȝtis ſiȝt.
ix Þe iȝe þat ſiȝ hym ſchal not ſe; and his place ſchal no
more biholde him.
x Hiſe ſones ſchulen be `al to-brokun wiþ nedyneſſe; and
hiſe hondis ſchulen ȝelde to hym his ſorewe.
xi Hiſe boonys ſchulen be fillid wiþ þe vices of his ȝong
wexynge age; and ſchulen ſlepe wiþ hym in duſt.
CDLXIX
xii For whanne yuel was ſwete in his mouþ, he hidde it
vndur his tunge.
xiii He ſchal ſpare it, and ſchal not forſake it; and ſchal
hide in his þrote.
xiiii His breed in his wombe ſchal be turned in to galle
of ſnakis wiþynne.
xv He ſchal ſpue out þe richeſſis, whiche he deuouride;
and God ſchal drawe þo ritcheſſis out of his wombe.
xvi He ſchal ſouke þe heed of ſnakis; and þe tunge of an
addre ſchal ſle hym.
xvii Se he not þe ſtremys of þe flood of þe ſtronde, of
hony, and of botere.
xviii He ſchal ſuffre peyne for alle þingis whiche he haþ
do, neþeles he ſchal not be waſtid; aftir þe multitude of
his fyndyngis, ſo and `he ſchal ſuffre.
xix For he brake, and made nakid þe hows of a pore
man; he rauyſchide, and bildide it not.
xx And his wombe was not fillid; and whanne he haþ
þat, þat he couetide, he may not holde in poſſeſſioun.
xxi `No þing lefte of his mete; and þerfor no þing ſchal
dwelle of his goodis.
xxii Whanne he is fillid, he ſchal be maad ſtreit; he ſchal
`be hoot, and alle ſorewe ſchal falle in on hym.
xxiii `Y wolde, þat his wombe be fillid, þat he ſende out
in to hym þe ire of his ſtrong veniaunce, and reyne his
batel on hym.
xxiiii He ſchal fle yrun armuris, and he ſchal falle in to a
braſun boowe.
xxv Led out, and goynge out `of his ſcheþe, and
ſchynynge, `eþer ſmytinge wiþ leit, `in to his bittirneſſe;
orrible fendis ſchulen go, and ſchulen come on hym.
xxvi Alle derkneſſis ben hid in hiſe priuytees; fier, which
is not teendid, ſchal deuoure hym; he ſchal be turmentid
left in his tabernacle.
xxvii Heuenes ſchulen ſchewe his wickidneſſe; and erþe
ſchal riſe togidere aȝens hym.
xxviii Þe ſeed of his hows ſchal be opyn; it ſchal be
drawun doun in þe dai of þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe
Lord.
xxix Þis is þe part of a wickid man, `which part is ȝouun
of God, and þe eritage of hiſe wordis of þe Lord.
CAP. XXI
i Forſoþe Joob anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Y preye, here ȝe my wordis, and do ȝe penaunce.
iii Suffre ȝe me, þat Y ſpeke; and leiȝe ȝe aftir my
wordis, if it ſchal ſeme worþi.
iiii Wheþer my diſputyng is aȝens man, þat ſkilfuli Y
owe not to be ſori?
v Perſeyue ȝe me, and be ȝe aſtonyed; and ſette ȝe
fyngur on ȝoure mouþ.
vi And whanne Y biþenke, Y drede, and tremblyng
ſchakiþ my fleiſch.
vii Whi þerfor lyuen wickid men? Þei ben enhaunſid,
and coumfortid wiþ richeſſis.
viii Her ſeed dwelliþ bifor hem; þe cumpeny of
kyneſmen, and of ſones of ſones dwelliþ in her ſiȝt.
ix Her houſis ben ſikur, and peſible; and þe ȝerde of God
is not on hem.
x Þe cow of hem conſeyuede, and caluede not a deed
calf; þe cow caluyde, and is not priued of hir calf.
xi Her litle children goen out as flockis; and her ȝonge
children `maken fulli ioye wiþ pleies.
xii Þei holden tympan, and harpe; and ioien at þe ſoun of
orgun.
xiii Þei leden in goodis her daies; and in a point þei goen
doun to hellis.
xiiii Whiche men ſeiden to God, Go þou awei fro us; we
nylen þe kunnyng of þi weies.
xv Who is Almiȝti God, þat we ſerue him? and what
profitiþ it to vs, if we preien him?
xvi Neþeles for her goodis ben not in her hond, `þat is,
power, þe counſel of wickid men be fer fro me.
xvii Hou ofte ſchal þe lanterne of wickid men be
quenchid, and flowing ſchal come on hem, and God
ſchal departe þe ſorewis of his ſtronge veniaunce?
xviii Þei ſchulen be as chaffis bifor þe face of þe wynd;
and as a deed ſparcle, whiche þe whirlewynd ſcateriþ
abrood.
xix God ſchal kepe þe ſorewe of þe fadir to hiſe ſones;
and whanne he haþ ȝoldun, þanne he ſchal wite.
xx Hiſe iȝen ſchulen ſe her ſleyng; and he ſchal drynke of
þe ſtronge veniaunce of Almyȝti God.
xxi For whi what perteyneþ it to hym of his hows aftir
hym, þouȝ þe noumbre of his moneþis be half takun
awey?
xxii Wheþer ony man ſchal teche God kunnyng, which
demeþ hem þat ben hiȝe?
xxiii Þis yuel man dieþ ſtrong and hool, riche and
blesful, `þat is, myrie.
xxiiii Hiſe entrails ben ful of fatneſſe; and hiſe boonys
ben moiſtid wiþ merowis.
xxv Soþeli anoþir wickid man dieþ in þe bittirneſſe of
his ſoule, and wiþ outen ony richeſſis.
xxvi And neþeles þei ſchulen ſlepe togidere in duſt, and
wormes ſchulen hile hem.
xxvii Certis Y knowe ȝoure wickid þouȝtis, and ſentenſis
aȝens me.
xxviii For ȝe ſeien, Where is þe hows of þe prince? and
where ben þe tabernaclis of wickid men?
xxix Axe ȝe ech of `þe weie goeris; and ȝe ſchulen
knowe, þat he vndurſtondiþ þeſe ſame þingis,
xxx þat an yuel man ſchal be kept in to þe dai of
perdicioun, and ſchal be led to þe dai of woodneſſe.
CDLXX
xxxi Who ſchal repreue hiſe weies bifor hym? and who
ſchal ȝelde to hym þo þingis, whiche he haþ doon?
xxxii He ſchal be led to þe ſepulcris; and he ſchal wake
in þe heep of deed men.
xxxiii He was ſwete to þe `ſtoonys, eþer filþis, of helle;
and drawiþ ech man aftir hym, and vnnoumbrable men
bifor him.
xxxiiii Hou þerfor coumforten ȝe me in veyn, ſiþen ȝoure
anſweris ben ſchewid to `repugne to treuþe?
CAP. XXII
i Forſoþe Eliphat Themanytes anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Wheþer a man, ȝhe, whanne he is of perfit kunnyng,
mai be compariſound to God?
iii What profitiþ it to God, if þou art iuſt? eþir what
ſchalt þou ȝyue to hym, if þi lijf is wiþout wem?
iiii Wheþer he ſchal drede, and ſchal repreue þee, and
ſchal come wiþ þee in to doom,
v and not for þi ful myche malice, and þi wickidneſſis
wiþ out noumbre, `þeſe peynes bifelden iuſtli to þee?
vi For þou haſt take awei wiþ out cauſe þe wed of þi
briþeren; and haſt ſpuylid nakid men of cloþis.
vii Þou ȝaueſt not watir to þe feynt man; and þou
wiþdrowiſt breed fro þe hungri man.
viii In þe ſtrengþe of þin arm þou haddiſt þe lond in
poſſeſſioun; and þou mooſt myȝti heldiſt it.
ix Þou leftiſt widewis voide; and al to-brakiſt þe
ſchuldris of fadirles children.
x Þerfor þou art cumpaſſid wiþ ſnaris; and ſodeyn drede
diſturbliþ þee.
xi And þou geſſidiſt, þat þou ſchuldiſt not ſe derkneſſis;
and þat þou ſchuldiſt not be oppreſſid wiþ þe ferſneſſe of
watris flowyng.
xii Wheþer þou þenkiſt, þat God is hiȝere þan heuene,
and is enhaunſid aboue þe coppe of ſterris?
xiii And þou ſeiſt, What ſoþeli knowiþ God? and, He
demeþ as bi derkneſſe.
xiiii A cloude is his hidyng place, and he biholdiþ not
oure þingis, and he `goiþ aboute þe herris of heuene.
xv Wheþer þou coueitiſt to kepe þe paþ of worldis,
which wickid men han ofte go?
xvi Whiche weren takun awei bifor her tyme, and þe
flood diſtriede þe foundement of hem.
xvii Whiche ſeiden to God, Go þou awei fro vs; and as if
Almyȝti God may do no þing, þei geſſiden hym,
xviii whanne he hadde fillid her houſis wiþ goodis; þe
ſentence of whiche men be fer fro me.
xix Iuſt men ſchulen ſe, and ſchulen be glad; and an
innocent man ſchal ſcorne hem.
xx Wheþer þe reiſyng of hem is not kit doun, and fier
ſchal deuoure þe relifs of hem?
xxi Þerfor aſſente þou to God, and haue þou pees; and bi
þeſe þingis þou ſchalt haue beſt fruytis.
xxii Take þou þe lawe of his mouþ, and ſette þou hiſe
wordis in þin herte.
xxiii If þou turneſt aȝen to Almyȝti God, þou ſchalt be
bildid; and þou ſchalt make wickidneſſe fer fro þi
tabernacle.
xxiiii He ſchal ȝyue a flynt for erþe, and goldun ſtrondis
for a flynt.
xxv And Almyȝti God ſchal be aȝens þin enemyes; and
ſiluer ſchal be gaderid togidere to þee.
xxvi Þanne on Almyȝti God þou ſchalt flowe wiþ delicis;
and þou ſchalt reiſe þi face to God.
xxvii Þou ſchalt preye hym, and he ſchal here þee; and
þou ſchalt ȝelde þi vowis.
xxviii Þou ſchalt deme a þing, and it ſchal come to þee;
and lyȝt ſchal ſchyne in þi weies.
xxix For he þat is mekid, ſchal be in glorie; and he þat
bowiþ doun hiſe iȝen, ſchal be ſaued.
xxx An innocent ſchal be ſaued; ſoþeli he ſchal be ſaued
in þe clenneſſe of hiſe hondis.
CAP. XXIII
i Soþeli Joob anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Now alſo my word is in bitterneſſe, and þe hond of my
wounde is agreggid on my weilyng.
iii Who ȝyueþ to me, þat Y knowe, and fynde hym, and
come `til to his trone?
iiii Y ſchal ſette doom bifor hym, and Y ſchal fille my
mouþ wiþ blamyngis;
v þat Y kunne þe wordis, whiche he ſchal anſwere to
me, and þat Y vnderſtonde, what he ſchal ſpeke to me.
vi Y nyle, þat he ſtryue wiþ me bi greet ſtrengþe, neþer
oppreſſe me wiþ þe heuyneſſe of his greetneſſe.
vii Sette he forþ equite aȝens me, and my doom come
perfitli to victorie.
viii If Y go to þe eeſt, God apperiþ not; if Y go to þe
weſt, Y ſchal not vndurſtonde hym; if Y go to þe left
ſide,
ix what ſchal Y do? Y ſchal not take hym; if Y turne me
to þe riȝt ſide, Y ſchal not ſe hym.
x But he knowiþ my weie, and he ſchal preue me as
gold, þat paſſiþ þorouȝ fier.
xi My foot ſuede hiſe ſteppis; Y kepte his weie, and Y
bowide not awey fro it.
xii Y ȝede not awei fro þe comaundementis of hiſe
lippis; and Y hidde in my boſum þe wordis of his mouþ.
xiii For he is aloone, and no man may turne awei hiſe
þouȝtis; and what euer þing he wolde, his wille dide þis
þing.
xiiii Whanne he haþ fillid his wille in me, alſo many
oþere lijk þingis ben redi to hym.
CDLXXI
xv And þerfor Y am diſturblid of his face, and Y
biholdynge hym am anguyſchid for drede.
xvi God haþ maad neiſche myn herte, and Almyȝti God
haþ diſturblid me.
xvii For Y periſchide not for derkneſſis neiȝynge; neþir
myiſt hilide my face.
CAP. XXIIII
i Tymes ben not hid fro Almyȝti God; ſoþeli þei þat
knowen hym, knowen not hiſe daies.
ii Oþere men turneden ouer þe termes of neiȝboris
eritage, þei token awei flockis, and fedden þo.
iii Þei driueden awei þe aſſe of fadirleſſe children, and
token awei þe cow of a widewe for a wed.
iiii Þei diſtrieden þe weie of pore men, and þei
oppreſſiden togidere þe mylde men of erþe.
v Oþere men as wielde aſſis in deſeert goon out to her
werk; and þei waken to prey, and bifor maken redy
breed to her children.
vi Þei kitten doun a feeld not hern, and þei gaderen
grapis of his vyner, whom þei han oppreſſid bi violence.
vii Þei leeuen men nakid, and taken awei þe cloþis, to
whiche men is noon hiling in coold;
viii whiche men þe reynes of munteyns weeten, and þei
han noon hilyng, and biclippen ſtoonys.
ix Þei diden violence, and robbiden fadirles and
modirles children; and þei ſpuyliden, `eþer robbiden, þe
comynte of pore men.
x Þei token awey eeris of corn fro nakid men, and
goynge wiþ out cloþ, and fro hungry men.
xi Þei weren hid in myddai among þe heepis of þo men,
þat þirſten, whanne þe preſſes ben trodun.
xii Þei maden men of citees to weile, and þe ſoulis of
woundid men ſchulen crye; and God ſuffriþ it not to go
awei vnpunyſchid.
xiii Þei weren rebel to lyȝt; þei knewen not þe weyes
þerof, neþer þei turneden aȝen bi þe paþis þerof.
xiiii A manſleere riſiþ ful eerli, and ſleeþ a nedi man, and
a pore man; ſoþeli bi nyȝt he ſchal be as a nyȝt þeef.
xv Þe iȝe of avouter kepiþ derkneſſe, and ſeiþ, An yȝe
ſchal not ſe me; and he ſchal hile his face.
xvi Þei mynen houſis in derkneſſis, as þei ſeiden togidere
to hem ſilf in þe dai; and þei knewen not lyȝt.
xvii If þe morewtid apperiþ ſudeynli, þei demen þe
ſchadewe of deþ; and ſo þei goon in derkneſſis as in
lyȝt.
xviii He is vnſtablere þan þe face of þe water; his part in
erþe be curſid, and go he not bi þe weie of vyneris.
xix Paſſe he to ful greet heete fro þe watris of ſnowis,
and þe ſynne of hym `til to hellis.
xx Merci forȝete hym; his ſwetneſſe be a worm; be he
not in mynde, but be he al to-brokun as `a tre
vnfruytful.
xxi For he fedde þe bareyn, and hir þat childiþ not, and
he dide not wel to þe widewe.
xxii He drow doun ſtronge men in his ſtrengþe; and
whanne he ſtondiþ in `greet ſtate, he ſchal not bileue to
his lijf.
xxiii God ȝaf to hym place of penaunce, and he myſuffiþ
þat in to pride; for þe iȝen of God ben in þe weies of þat
man.
xxiiii Þei ben reiſid at a litil, and þei ſchulen not ſtonde;
and þei ſchulen be maad low as alle þingis, and þei
ſchulen be takun awei; and as þe hyȝneſſis of eeris of
corn þei ſchulen be al to-brokun.
xxv Þat if it is not ſo, who may repreue me, þat Y liede,
and putte my wordis bifor God?
CAP. XXV
i Forſoþe Baldach Suytes anſweride, and ſeide,
ii Power and drede is anentis hym, þat is, God, þat
makiþ acordyng in hiſe hiȝe þingis.
iii Wheþer noumbre is of hiſe knyȝtis? and on whom
ſchyneþ not his lyȝt?
iiii Wheþer a man compariſound to God mai be iuſtified,
eþer borun of a womman mai appere cleene?
v Lo! alſo þe moone ſchyneþ not, and ſterris ben not
cleene in `his ſiȝt;
vi hou miche more a man rot, and þe ſone of a man a
worm, is vncleene `and vile, if he is compariſound to
God.
CAP. XXVI
i Forſoþe Joob anſweride, and ſeide, Whos helpere art
þou?
ii wheþer `of þe feble, and ſuſteyneſte þe arm of hym,
which is not ſtrong?
iii To whom haſt þou ȝoue counſel? In hap to hym þat
haþ not wiſdom; and þou haſt ſchewid ful myche
prudence.
iiii Eþer whom woldiſt þou teche? wheþer not hym, þat
made breþing?
v Lo! giauntis weilen vnder watris, and þei þat dwellen
wiþ hem.
vi Helle is nakid bifor hym, and noon hilyng is to
perdicioun.
vii Which God ſtretchiþ forþ þe norþ on voide þing, and
hangiþ þe erþe on nouȝt.
viii `Which God byndiþ watris in her cloudis, þat þo
breke not out togidere dounward.
ix `Whych God holdiþ þe cheer of his ſeete, and ſprediþ
abrood þeron his cloude.
CDLXXII
x He haþ cumpaſſid a terme to watris, til þat lyȝt and
derkneſſis be endid.
xi Þe pilers of heuene tremblen, and dreden at his wille.
xii In þe ſtrengþe of hym þe ſees weren gaderid togidere
ſudeynly, and his prudence ſmoot þe proude.
xiii His ſpiryt ournede heuenes, and þe crokid ſerpent
was led out bi his hond, ledynge out as a mydwijf lediþ
out a child.
xiiii Lo! þeſe þingis ben ſeid in partie of `hiſe weyes; and
whanne we han herd vnneþis a litil drope of his word,
who may ſe þe þundur of his greetneſſe?
CAP. XXVII
i Alſo Joob addide, takynge his parable, and ſeide,
ii God lyueþ, þat haþ take awey my doom, and Almyȝti
God, þat haþ brouȝt my ſoule to bitterneſſe.
iii For as long as breeþ is in me, and þe ſpirit of God is
in my noſe þirlis,
iiii my lippis ſchulen not ſpeke wickidneſſe, neþer my
tunge ſchal þenke a leeſyng.
v Fer be it fro me, þat Y deme ȝou iuſt; til Y faile, Y
ſchal not go awei fro myn innocence.
vi Y ſchal not forſake my iuſtifiyng, which Y bigan to
holde; for myn herte repreueþ me not in al my lijf.
vii As my wickid enemy doþ; myn aduerſarie is as
wickid.
viii For what is þe hope of an ypocrite, if he rauyſchiþ
gredili, and God delyueriþ not his ſoule?
ix Wheþer God ſchal here þe cry of hym, whanne
angwiſch ſchal come on hym?
x eþer wheþer he may delite in Almyȝti God, and
inwardli clepe God in al tyme?
xi Y ſchal teche ȝou bi þe hond of God, what þingis
Almyȝti God haþ; and Y ſchal not hide.
xii Lo! alle ȝe knowen, and what ſpeken ȝe veyn þingis
wiþ out cauſe?
xiii Þis is þe part of a wickid man anentis God, and þe
eritage of violent men, eþer rauenours, whiche þei
ſchulen take of Almyȝti God.
xiiii If hiſe children ben multiplied, þei ſchulen be ſlayn
in ſwerd; and hiſe ſones ſones ſchulen not be fillid wiþ
breed.
xv Þei, þat ben reſidue of hym, ſchulen be biried in
periſchyng; and þe widewis of hym ſchulen not wepe.
xvi If he gaderiþ togidere ſiluer as erþe, and makiþ redi
cloþis as cley;
xvii ſoþeli he made redi, but a iuſt man ſchal be cloþid in
þo, and an innocent man ſchal departe þe ſiluer.
xviii As a mouȝte he haþ bildid his hous, and as a kepere
he made a ſchadewyng place.
xix A riche man, whanne he ſchal die, ſchal bere no þing
wiþ hym; he ſchal opene hiſe iȝen, and he ſchal fynde
no þing.
xx Pouert as water ſchal take hym; and tempeſte ſchal
oppreſſe hym in þe nyȝt.
xxi Brennynge wynd ſchal take hym, and ſchal do awei;
and as a whirlewynd it ſchal rauyſche hym fro his place.
xxii He ſchal ſende out turmentis on hym, and ſchal not
ſpare; he fleynge ſchal `fle fro his hond.
xxiii He ſchal ſtreyne hiſe hondis on him, and he ſchal
hiſſe on hym, and ſchal biholde his place.
CAP. XXVIII
i Siluer haþ bigynnyngis of his veynes; and a place is to
gold, in which it is wellid togidere.
ii Irun is takun fro erþe, and a ſtoon reſolued, `eþir
meltid, bi heete, is turned in to money.
iii God haþ ſet tyme to derkneſſis, and he biholdiþ þe
ende of alle þingis.
iiii Alſo a ſtronde departiþ a ſtoon of derkneſſe, and þe
ſchadewe of deþ, fro þe puple goynge in pilgrymage; it
departiþ þo hillis, whiche þe foot of a nedi man forȝat,
and hillis wiþ out weie.
v Þe erþe, wher of breed cam forþ in his place, is
deſtried bi fier.
vi Þe place of ſaphir ben ſtoonys þerof, and þe clottis
þerof ben gold.
vii A brid knewe not þe weie, and þe iȝe of a vultur, eþir
rauenouſe brid, bihelde it not.
viii Þe ſones of marchauntis tretiden not on it, and a
lyoneſſe paſſide not þerbi.
ix God ſtretchide forþ his hond to a flynt; he diſtriede
hillis fro þe rootis.
x He hewide doun ryuers in ſtoonys; and his iȝe ſiȝ al
precious þing.
xi And he ſouȝte out þe depþis of floodis; and he brouȝte
forþ hid þingis in to lyȝt.
xii But where is wiſdom foundun, and which is þe place
of vndurſtondyng?
xiii A man noot þe prijs þerof, neþer it is foundun in þe
lond of men lyuynge ſwetli, `eþer delicatli.
xiiii Þe depþe of watris ſeiþ, It is not in me; and þe ſee
ſpekiþ, It is not wiþ me.
xv Gold ful cleene ſchal not be ȝouun for wiſdom, neþer
ſiluer ſchal be weied in þe chaungyng þerof.
xvi It ſchal not be comparyſound to þe died colours of
Iynde, not to þe mooſt preciouſe ſtoon of ſardius, neþer
to ſaphir.
xvii Neþer gold, neþer glas ſchal be maad euene worþ
þerto;
xviii and hiȝe and fer apperynge veſſels of gold ſchulen
not be chaungid for wiſdom, neþer ſchulen be had in
CDLXXIII
mynde in compariſoun þerof. Forſoþe wiſdom is drawun
of pryuy þingis;
xix topaſie of Ethiope ſchal not be maad euene worþ to
wiſdom, and mooſt preciouſe diyngis ſchulen not be ſet
togidere in prijs, `eþer compariſound, þerto.
xx Þerfor wherof comeþ wiſdom, and which is þe place
of vndurſtondyng?
xxi It is hid fro þe iȝen of alle lyuynge men; alſo it is hid
fro briddis of heuene.
xxii Perdicioun and deeþ ſeiden, Wiþ oure eeris we
herden þe fame þerof.
xxiii God vndurſtondiþ þe weye þerof, and he knowiþ þe
place þerof.
xxiiii For he biholdiþ þe endis of þe world, and biholdiþ
alle þingis þat ben vndur heuene.
xxv `Which God made weiȝte to wyndis, and weiede
watris in meſure.
xxvi Whanne he ſettide lawe to reyn, and weie to
tempeſtis ſownynge;
xxvii þanne he ſiȝ wiſdom, and telde out, and made redi,
and ſouȝte out.
xxviii And he ſeide to man, Lo! þe drede of þe Lord,
þilke is wiſdom; and to go awei fro yuel, is
vndurſtondyng.
CAP. XXIX
i Alſo Joob addide, takynge his parable, and ſeide,
ii Who ȝyueþ to me, þat I be biſidis þe elde moneþis, bi
þe daies in whiche God kepte me?
iii Whanne his lanterne ſchynede on myn heed, and Y
ȝede in derkneſſis at his lyȝt.
iiii As Y was in þe daies of my ȝongþe, whanne in
priuete God was in my tabernacle.
v Whanne Almyȝti God was wiþ me, and my children
weren in my cumpas;
vi whanne Y waiſchide my feet in botere, and þe ſtoon
ſchedde out to me þe ſtremes of oile;
vii whanne Y ȝede forþ to þe ȝate of þe citee, and in þe
ſtreet þei maden redi a chaier to me.
viii Ȝonge men, `þat is, wantoun, ſien me, and weren
hid, and elde men riſynge vp ſtoden;
ix princes ceeſſiden to ſpeke, and puttiden þe fyngur on
her mouþ;
x duykis refreyneden her vois, and her tunge cleuyde to
her þrote.
xi An eere herynge bleſſide me, and an iȝe ſeynge
ȝeldide witneſſyng to me;
xii for Y hadde delyueride a pore man criynge, and a
fadirles child, þat hadde noon helpere.
xiii Þe bleſſyng of a man `to periſche cam on me, and Y
coumfortide þe herte of a widewe.
xiiii Y was cloþid wiþ riȝtfulneſſe; and Y cloþide me as
wiþ a cloþ, and wiþ my `doom a diademe.
xv Y was iȝe `to a blynde man, and foot to a crokyd
man.
xvi Y was a fadir of pore men; and Y enqueride moſt
diligentli þe cauſe, which Y knew not.
xvii Y al tobrak þe grete teeþ of þe wickid man, and Y
took awei prey fro hiſe teeþ.
xviii And Y ſeide, Y ſchal die in my neſt; and as a palm
tre Y ſchal multiplie daies.
xix My roote is openyde biſidis watris, and deew ſchal
dwelle in my repyng.
xx My glorie ſchal euere be renulid, and my bouwe ſchal
be aſtorid in myn hond.
xxi Þei, þat herden me, abiden my ſentence; and þei
weren ententif, and weren ſtille to my counſel.
xxii Þei durſten no þing adde to my wordis; and my
ſpeche droppide on hem.
xxiii Þei abididen me as reyn; and þei openyden her
mouþ as to þe ſofte reyn `comynge late.
xxiiii If ony tyme Y leiȝide to hem, þei bileueden not;
and þe lyȝt of my cheer felde not doun in to erþe.
xxv If Y wolde go to hem, Y ſat þe firſte; and whanne Y
ſat as kyng, while þe ooſt ſtood aboute, neþeles Y was
comfortour of hem þat morenyden.
CAP. XXX
i But now ȝongere men in tyme ſcornen me, whos fadris
Y deymede not to ſette wiþ þe doggis of my flok.
ii Of whiche men þe vertu of hondis was for nouȝt to
me, and þei weren geſſid vnworþi to þat lijf.
iii Þei weren bareyn for nedyneſſe and hungur; þat
gnawiden in wildirneſſe, and weren pale for pouert and
wretchidneſſe;
iiii and eeten eerbis, aud þe ryndis of trees; and þe roote
of iunyperis was her mete.
v Whiche men rauyſchiden þeſe þingis fro grete valeis;
and whanne þei hadden foundun ony of alle, þei runnen
wiþ cry to þo.
vi Þei dwelliden in deſeertis of ſtrondis, and in caues of
erþe, eþir on grauel, `eþir on cley.
vii Whiche weren glad among ſiche þingis, and arettiden
delices to be vndur buſchis.
viii Þe ſones of foolis and of vnnoble men, and outirli
apperynge not in erþe.
ix But now Y am turned in to þe ſong of hem, and Y am
maad a prouerbe to hem.
x Þei holden me abhomynable, and fleen fer fro me, and
dreden not to ſpete on my face.
xi For God haþ openyd his arowe caas, and haþ
turmentid me, and haþ ſet a bridil in to my mouþ.
CDLXXIV
xii At þe riȝtſide of þe eeſt my wretchidneſſis riſiden
anoon; þei turneden vpſedoun my feet, and oppreſſiden
wiþ her paþis as wiþ floodis.
xiii Þei deſtrieden my weies; þei ſettiden treſoun to me,
and hadden þe maiſtri; and `noon was þat helpide.
xiiii Þei felden in on me as bi a brokun wal, and bi ȝate
openyd, and weren ſtretchid forþ to my wretchidneſſis.
xv Y am dryuun in to nouȝt; he took awei my deſir as
wynd, and myn helpe paſſide awei as a cloude.
xvi But now my ſoule fadiþ in my ſilf, and daies of
turment holden me ſtidfaſtly.
xvii In nyȝt my boon is perſid wiþ ſorewis; and þei, þat
eten me, ſlepen not.
xviii In þe multitude of þo my cloþ is waſtid, and þei han
gird me as wiþ coler of a coote.
xix Y am compariſound to cley, and Y am maad lijk to a
deed ſparcle and aiſch.
xx Y ſchal cry to þee, and þou ſchalt not here me; Y
ſtonde, and þou biholdiſt not me.
xxi Þou art chaungid in to cruel to me, and in þe
hardneſſe of þin hond þou art aduerſarie to me.
xxii Þou haſt reiſid me, and haſt ſet as on wynd; and haſt
hurtlid me doun ſtrongli.
xxiii Y woot, þat þow ſchalt bitake me to deeþ, where an
hows is ordeyned to ech lyuynge man.
xxiiii Neþeles þou ſendiſt not out þin hond to þe waſtyng
of hem; and if þei fallen doun, þou ſchalt ſaue.
xxv Y wepte ſum tyme on him, þat was turmentid, and
my ſoule hadde compaſſioun on a pore man.
xxvi Y abood goodis, and yuelis ben comun to me; Y
abood lyȝt, and derkneſſis braken out.
xxvii Myn ynnere þingis buyliden out wiþ outen my
reſte; daies of turment camen bifor me.
xxviii Y ȝede morenynge, and Y roos wiþ out woodneſſe
in þe cumpenye, and criede.
xxix Y was þe broþer of dragouns, and þe felow of
oſtrigis.
xxx My ſkyn was maad blak on me, and my boonys
drieden for heete.
xxxi Myn harpe is turned in to morenyng, and myn
orgun in to þe vois of weperis.
CAP. XXXI
i I made couenaunt wiþ myn iȝen, þat Y ſchulde not
þenke of a virgyn.
ii For what part ſchulde God aboue haue in me, and
eritage Almyȝti God of hiȝe þingis?
iii Wheþer perdicioun is not to a wickid man, and
alienacioun of God is to men worchynge wickidneſſe?
iiii Wheþer he biholdiþ not my weies, and noumbriþ alle
my goyngis?
v If Y ȝede in vanyte, and my foot haſtide in gile,
vi God weie me in a iuſt balaunce, and knowe my
ſympleneſſe.
vii If my ſtep bowide fro þe weie; if myn iȝe ſuede myn
herte, and a ſpotte cleuede to myn hondis;
viii ſowe Y, and anoþer ete, and my generacioun be
drawun out bi þe root.
ix If myn herte was diſſeyued on a womman, and if Y
ſettide aſpies at þe dore of my frend; my wijf be þe
hoore of anoþir man,
x and oþir men be bowid doun on hir.
xi For þis is vnleueful, and þe mooſt wickidneſſe.
xii Fier is deourynge `til to waſtyng, and drawynge vp bi
þe roote alle generaciouns.
xiii If Y diſpiſide to take doom wiþ my ſeruaunt and myn
hand mayde, whanne þei ſtryueden aȝens me.
xiiii What ſoþeli ſchal Y do, whanne God ſchal riſe to
deme? and whanne he ſchal axe, what ſchal Y anſwere
to hym?
xv Wheþer he, þat wrouȝte alſo hym, made not me in þe
wombe, and o God formede me in þe wombe?
xvi If Y denyede to pore men þat, þat þei wolden, and if
Y made þe iȝen of a wydewe to abide;
xvii if Y aloone eet my muſſel, and a faderles child eet
not þerof;
xviii for merciful doyng encreeſſide wiþ me fro my ȝong
childhed, and ȝede out of my modris wombe wiþ me;
xix if Y diſpiſide a man paſſynge forþ, for he hadde not a
cloþ, and a pore man wiþ out hilyng;
xx if hiſe ſidis bleſſiden not me, and was not maad hoot
of þe fleeces of my ſcheep;
xxi if Y reiſide myn hond on a fadirles child, ȝhe,
whanne Y ſiȝ me þe hiȝere in þe ȝate;
xxii my ſchuldre falle fro his ioynt, and myn arm wiþ
hiſe boonys be al to-brokun.
xxiii For euere Y dredde God, as wawis wexynge gret on
me; and `Y myȝte not bere his birþun.
xxiiii If Y geſſide gold my ſtrengþe, and if Y ſeide to
purid gold, Þou art my triſt;
xxv if Y was glad on my many ritcheſſis, and for myn
hond foond ful many þingis;
xxvi if Y ſiȝ þe ſunne, whanne it ſchynede, and þe moone
goynge clereli;
xxvii and if myn herte was glad in priuyte, and if Y
kiſſide myn hond wiþ my mouþ;
xxviii which is þe mooſt wickidneſſe, and deniyng aȝens
hiȝeſte God;
xxix if Y hadde ioye at þe fallyng of hym, þat hatide me,
and if Y ioide fulli, þat yuel hadde founde hym;
xxx for Y ȝaf not my þrote to do ſynne, þat Y ſchulde
aſaile and curſe his ſoule;
CDLXXV
xxxi if þe men of my tabernacle ſeiden not, Who ȝyueþ,
þat we be fillid of hiſe fleiſchis? a pilgryme dwellide
not wiþ outforþ;
xxxii my dore was opyn to a weiegoere;
xxxiii if Y as man hidde my ſynne, and helide my
wickidneſſe in my boſum;
xxxiiii if Y dredde at ful greet multitude, and if diſpiſyng
of neyȝboris made me aferd; and not more Y was ſtille,
and ȝede not out of þe dore;
xxxv who ȝyueþ an helpere to me, þat Almyȝti God here
my deſire? þat he þat demeþ,
xxxvi write a book, þat Y bere it in my ſchuldre, and
cumpaſſe it as a coroun to me?
xxxvii Bi alle my degrees Y ſchal pronounce it, and Y
ſchal as offre it to þe prynce.
xxxviii If my lond crieþ aȝens me, and hiſe forewis
wepen wiþ it;
xxxix if Y eet fruytis þerof wiþ out money, and Y
turmentide þe ſoule of erþetileris of it;
xl a brere growe to me for wheete, and a þorn for barli.
CAP. XXXII
i Forſoþe þeſe þre men leften of to anſwere Joob, for he
ſemyde a iuſt man to hem.
ii And Helyu, þe ſone of Barachel Buzites, of þe
kynrede of Ram, was wrooþ, and hadde indignacioun;
forſoþe he was wrooþ aȝens Joob, for he ſeide hym ſilf
to be iuſt bifor God.
iii Soþeli Helyu hadde indignacioun aȝens þe þre frendis
of hym, for þei hadden not founde reſonable anſwere,
but oneli hadde condempned Joob.
iiii Þerfor Helyu abood Joob ſpekynge, for þei, þat
ſpaken, weren eldere men.
v But whanne he hadde ſeyn, þat þre men myȝten not
anſwere, he was wrooþ greetly.
vi And Helyu, þe ſone of Barachel Buzites, anſweride,
and ſeyde, Y am ȝongere in tyme, ſoþeli ȝe ben eldere;
þerfor wiþ heed holdun doun Y dredde to ſchewe to ȝou
my ſentence.
vii For Y hopide þat lengere age ſchulde ſpeke, and þat
þe multitude of ȝeeris ſchulden teche wiſdom.
viii But as Y ſe, ſpirit is in men, and þe enſpiryng `eþer
reuelacioun, of Almyȝti God ȝyueþ vndurſtondyng.
ix Men of long lijf ben not wiſe, and elde men
vndurſtonden not doom.
x Þerfor Y ſchal ſeie, Here ȝe me, and Y alſo ſchal
ſchewe my kunnyng to ȝou.
xi For Y abood ȝoure wordis, Y herde ȝoure prudence, as
long as ȝe diſpuytiden in ȝoure wordis.
xii And as long as Y geſſide ȝou to ſeie ony þing, Y
bihelde; but as Y ſe, `noon is of ȝou, þat may repreue
Joob, and anſwere to hiſe wordis;
xiii leſtperauenture ȝe ſeien, We han founde wiſdom;
God, and not man, haþ caſt hym awei.
xiiii Joob ſpak no þing to me, and Y not bi ȝoure wordis
ſchal anſwere hym.
xv Þei dredden, and anſweriden no more, and token awei
ſpeche fro hem ſilf.
xvi Þerfor for Y abood, and þei ſpaken not, þei ſtoden,
and anſweriden no more; alſo Y ſchal anſwere my part,
xvii and Y ſchal ſchewe my kunnyng.
xviii For Y am ful of wordis, and þe ſpirit of my wombe,
`þat is, mynde, conſtreyneþ me.
xix Lo! my wombe is as muſt wiþ out `ſpigot, eþer a
ventyng, þat brekiþ newe veſſels.
xx Y ſchal ſpeke, and breþe aȝen a litil; Y ſchal opene
my lippis, and Y ſchal anſwere.
xxi Y ſchal not take þe perſoone of man, and Y ſchal not
make God euene to man.
xxii For Y woot not hou long Y ſchal abide, and if my
Makere take me awei `after a litil tyme.
CAP. XXXIII
i Þerfor, Joob, here þou my ſpechis, and herkene alle my
wordis.
ii Lo! Y haue openyd my mouþ, my tunge ſchal ſpeke in
my chekis.
iii Of ſymple herte ben my wordis, and my lippis
ſchulen ſpeke clene ſentence.
iiii Þe ſpirit of God made me, and þe breþing of Almyȝti
God quykenyde me.
v If þou maiſt, anſwere þou to me, and ſtoonde þou
aȝens my face.
vi Lo! God made me as and þee; and alſo Y am formyd
of þe ſame cley.
vii Neþeles my myracle make þee not afeerd, and myn
eloquence be not greuouſe to þee.
viii Þerfor þou ſeidiſt in myn eeris, and Y herde þe vois
of þi wordis;
ix Y am cleene, and wiþ out gilt, and vnwemmed, and
wickidneſſe is not in me.
x `For God foond querels in me, þerfor he demyde me
enemy to hym ſilf.
xi He haþ ſet my feet in a ſtok; he kepte alle my paþis.
xii Þerfor þis þing it is, in which þou art not maad iuſt; Y
ſchal anſwere to þee, þat God is more þan man.
xiii Þou ſtryueſt aȝenus God, þat not at alle wordis he
anſweride to þee.
xiiii God ſpekiþ onys, and þe ſecounde tyme he reherſiþ
not þe ſame þing.
xv God ſpekiþ bi a dreem in þe viſioun of nyȝt, whanne
ſleep falliþ on men, and þei ſlepen in þe bed.
xvi Þanne he openiþ þe eeris of men, and he techiþ hem,
`and techiþ prudence;
CDLXXVI
xvii þat he turne awei a man fro þeſe þingis whiche he
made, and delyuere hym fro pride; delyuerynge his
ſoule fro corrupcioun,
xviii and his lijf, þat it go not in to ſwerd.
xix Alſo God blameþ a ſynnere bi ſorewe in þe bed, and
makiþ alle þe boonys of hym `to fade.
xx Breed is maad abhomynable to hym in his lijf, and
mete deſirable `bifor to his ſoule.
xxi His fleiſch ſchal faile for rot, and hiſe boonys, þat
weren hilid, ſchulen be maad nakid.
xxii His ſoule ſchal neiȝe to corrupcioun, and his lijf to
þingis `bryngynge deeþ.
xxiii If an aungel, oon of a þouſynde, is ſpekynge for
hym, þat he telle þe equyte of man, God ſchal haue
mercy on hym,
xxiiii and ſchal ſeie, Delyuere þou hym, þat he go not
doun in to corrupcioun; Y haue founde in what þing Y
ſchal do merci to hym.
xxv His fleiſch is waſtid of turmentis; turne he aȝen to þe
daies of his ȝonge wexynge age.
xxvi He ſchal biſeche God, and he ſchal be quemeful to
hym; and he ſchal ſe his face in hertly ioye, and he ſchal
ȝelde to man his riȝtfulneſſe.
xxvii He ſchal biholde men, and he ſchal ſeie, Y haue
ſynned, and verili Y haue treſpaſſid; and Y haue not
reſſeyued, as Y was worþi.
xxviii For he delyueride his ſoule, þat it ſchulde not go in
to periſchyng, but þat he lyuynge ſchulde ſe lyȝt.
xxix Lo! God worchiþ alle þeſe þingis in þre tymes bi
alle men;
xxx þat he aȝen clepe her ſoulis fro corrupcioun, and
liȝtne in þe lyȝt of lyuynge men.
xxxi Þou, Joob, perſeyue, and here me, and be þou ſtille,
þe while Y ſpeke.
xxxii Soþeli if þou haſt what þou ſchalt ſpeke, anſwere
þou to me, ſpeke þou; for Y wole, þat þou appere iuſt.
xxxiii Þat if þou haſt not, here þou me; be þou ſtille, and
Y ſchal teche þee wiſdom.
CAP. XXXIIII
i And Helyu pronounſide, and ſpak alſo þeſe þingis,
ii Wiſe men, here ȝe my wordis, and lerned men, herkne
ȝe me; for þe eere preueþ wordis,
iii and þe þrote demeþ metis bi taaſt.
iiii Cheſe we doom to vs; and ſe we among vs, what is
þe betere.
v For Job ſeide, Y am iuſt, and God haþ diſtried my
doom.
vi For whi leſynge is in demynge me, and myn arowe is
violent wiþ out ony ſynne.
vii Who is a man, as Joob is, þat drynkiþ ſcornyng as
watir?
viii þat goiþ wiþ men worchynge wickidneſſe, and goiþ
wiþ vnfeiþful men?
ix For he ſeide, A man ſchal not pleſe God, ȝhe, þouȝ he
renneþ wiþ God.
x Þerfor ȝe men hertid, `þat is, vndurſtonde, here ȝe me;
vnpite, `eþir cruelte, be fer fro God, and wickidneſſe fro
Almyȝti God.
xi For he ſchal ȝelde þe werk of man to hym; and bi þe
weies of ech man he ſchal reſtore to hym.
xii For verili God ſchal not condempne wiþ out cauſe;
neþer Almyȝti God ſchal diſtrie doom.
xiii What oþere man haþ he ordeyned on þe lond? eþer
whom haþ he ſet on þe world, which he made?
xiiii If God dreſſiþ his herte to hym, he ſchal drawe to
hym ſilf his ſpirit and blaſt.
xv Ech fleiſch ſchal faile togidere; `and a man ſchal
turne aȝen in to aiſch.
xvi Þerfor if þou haſt vndurſtondyng, here þou þat þat is
ſeid, and herkne þe vois of my ſpeche.
xvii Wheþer he þat loueþ not doom may be maad hool?
and hou condempneſt þou ſo myche him, þat is iuſt?
xviii Which ſeiþ to þe kyng, Þou art apoſtata; which
clepiþ þe duykis vnpitouſe, `eþir vnfeiþful.
xix `Which takiþ not þe perſoones of princes, neþer
knew a tyraunt, whanne he ſtryuede aȝens a pore man;
for alle men ben þe werk of hiſe hondis.
xx Þei ſchulen die ſudeynli, and at mydnyȝt puplis
ſchulen be troblid, `eþir ſchulen be bowid, as oþere
bookis han; and ſchulen paſſe, and ſchulen take `awei `a
violent man wiþ out hond.
xxi For þe iȝen of God ben on þe weies of men, and
biholdiþ alle goyngis of hem.
xxii No derkneſſis ben, and no ſchadewe of deeþ is, þat
þei, þat worchen wickidneſſe, be hid þere;
xxiii for it is `no more in þe power of man, þat he come
to God in to doom.
xxiiii God ſchal al to-breke many men and
vnnoumbrable; and ſchal make oþere men to ſtonde for
hem.
xxv For he knowiþ þe werkis of hem; þerfor he ſchal
brynge yn niȝt, and þei ſchulen be al to-brokun.
xxvi He ſmoot hem, as vnpitouſe men, in þe place of
ſeinge men.
xxvii Whiche ȝeden awei fro hym bi `caſtyng afore, and
nolden vndurſtonde alle hiſe weies.
xxviii Þat þei ſchulden make þe cry of a nedi man to
come to hym, and þat he ſchulde here þe vois of pore
men.
xxix For whanne he grauntiþ pees, who is þat
condempneþ? Siþen he hidiþ his cheer, who is þat ſeeþ
hym? And on folkis and on alle men `he haþ power `to
do ſiche þingis.
CDLXXVII
xxx Which makiþ `a man ypocrite to regne, for þe
ſynnes of þe puple.
xxxi Þerfor for Y haue ſpoke to God, alſo Y ſchal not
forbede þee.
xxxii If Y erride, teche þou me; if Y ſpak wickidneſſe, Y
ſchal no more adde.
xxxiii Wheþer God axiþ þat wickidneſſe of þee, for it
diſpleſide þee? For þou haſt bigunne to ſpeke, and not
Y; þat if þou knowiſt ony þing betere, ſpeke þou.
xxxiiii Men vndurſtondynge, ſpeke to me; and a wiſe
man, here me.
xxxv Forſoþe Joob ſpak folili, and hiſe wordis ſownen
not techyng.
xxxvi My fadir, be Joob preuede `til to þe ende; ceeſſe
þou not fro þe man of wickidneſſe,
xxxvii `þat addiþ blasfemye ouer hiſe ſynnes. Be he
conſtreyned among vs in þe meene tyme; and þanne bi
hiſe wordis ſtire he God to þe doom.
CAP. XXXV
i Þerfor Helyu ſpak eft þeſe þingis, Wheþir þi þouȝt
ſemeþ euene,
ii `eþer riȝtful, to þee, þat þou ſchuldiſt ſeie, Y am
riȝtfulere þan God?
iii For þou ſeidiſt, Þat, þat is good, pleſiþ not þee; eþir
what profitiþ it to þee, if Y do ſynne?
iiii Þerfor Y ſchal anſwere to þi wordis, and to þi frendis
wiþ þee.
v Se þou, and biholde heuene, and biholde þou þe eir,
þat God is hiȝere þan þou.
vi If þou ſynneſt `aȝens hym, what ſchalt þou anoye
hym? and if þi wickidneſſis ben multiplied, what ſchalt
þou do aȝens hym?
vii Certis if þou doiſt iuſtli, what ſchalt þou ȝyue to hym;
eþer what ſchal he take of þin hond?
viii Þi wickidneſſe ſchal anoie a man, which is lijk þee;
and þi riȝtfulneſſe ſchal helpe þe ſone of a man.
ix Þei ſchulen cry for þe multitude of fals chalengeris,
and þei ſchulen weile for þe violence of þe arm of
tirauntis.
x And Joob ſeide not, Where is God, þat made me, and
þat ȝaf ſongis in þe nyȝt?
xi Which God techiþ vs aboue þe beeſtis of erþe, and he
ſchal teche vs aboue þe briddis of heuene.
xii Þere þei ſchulen crye, and God ſchal not here, for þe
pride of yuele men.
xiii For God ſchal not here wiþ out cauſe, and Almyȝti
God ſchal biholde þe cauſis of ech man.
xiiii Ȝhe, whanne þou ſeiſt, He biholdiþ not; be þou
demed bifor hym, and abide þou hym.
xv For now he bryngiþ not in his ſtrong veniaunce,
neþer vengiþ `greetli felonye.
xvi Þerfor
Joob openiþ his mouþ in veyn, and multiplieþ
wordis wiþ out kunnyng.
CAP. XXXVI
i Alſo Helyu addide, and ſpak þeſe þingis,
ii Suffre þou me a litil, and Y ſchal ſchewe to þee; for ȝit
Y haue þat, þat Y ſchal ſpeke for God.
iii Y ſchal reherſe my kunnyng fro þe bigynnyng; and Y
ſchal preue my worchere iuſt.
iiii For verili my wordis ben wiþ out leeſyng, and perfit
kunnyng ſchal be preued to þee.
v God caſtiþ not awei myȝti men, ſiþen he is myȝti;
vi but he ſaueþ not wickid men, and he ȝyueþ dom to
pore men.
vii He takiþ not awei hiſe iȝen fro a iuſt man; and he
ſettiþ kyngis in ſeete wiþ out ende, and þei ben reiſid
þere.
viii And if þei ben in chaynes, and ben boundun wiþ þe
roopis of pouert,
ix he ſchal ſhewe to hem her werkis, and her grete
treſpaſſis; for þei weren violent, `eþir rauenours.
x Alſo he ſchal opene her eere, þat he chaſtiſe; and he
ſchal ſpeke, þat þei turne aȝen fro wickidneſſe.
xi If þei heren, and kepen, þei ſchulen fille her daies in
good, and her ȝeris in glorie.
xii Soþeli if þei heren not, þei ſchulen paſſe bi ſwerd,
and þei ſchulen be waſtid in foli.
xiii Feyneris and falſe men ſtiren þe ire of God; and þei
ſchulen not crye, whanne þei ben boundun.
xiiii Þe ſoule of hem ſchal die in tempeſt; and þe lijf of
hem among `men of wymmens condiciouns.
xv He ſchal delyuere a pore man fro his angwiſch; and
he ſchal opene `þe eere of hym in tribulacioun.
xvi Þerfor he ſchal ſaue þee fro þe ſtreit mouþ of þe
broddeſte tribulacioun, and not hauynge a foundement
vndur it; ſoþeli þe reſt of þi table ſchal be ful of fatneſſe.
xvii Þi cauſe is demed as þe cauſe of a wickid man;
forſoþe þou ſchalt reſſeyue þi cauſe and doom.
xviii Þerfor ire ouercome þee not, þat þou oppreſſe ony
man; and þe multitude of ȝiftis bowe þee not.
xix Putte doun þi greetneſſe wiþ out tribulacioun, and
putte doun alle ſtronge men bi ſtrengþe.
xx Dilaie þou not nyȝt, þat puplis ſtie for hem.
xxi Be þou war, þat þou bowe not to wickidneſſe; for
þou haſt bigunne to ſue þis wickidneſſe aftir
wretchidneſſe.
xxii Lo! God is hiȝ in his ſtrengþe, and noon is lijk hym
among þe ȝyueris of lawe.
xxiii Who mai ſeke out þe weies of God? eþir who dar
ſeie to hym, Þou haſt wrouȝt wickidneſſe?
xxiiii Haue þou mynde, þat þou knowiſt not his werk, of
whom men ſungun.
CDLXXVIII
xxv Alle men ſeen God; ech man biholdiþ afer.
xxvi Lo! God is greet, ouercomynge oure kunnyng; þe
noumbre of hiſe ȝeeris is wiþ out noumbre.
xxvii Which takiþ awei þe dropis of reyn; and ſchediþ
out reynes at þe licneſſe of floodȝatis,
xxviii whiche comen doun of þe cloudis, þat hilen alle
þingis aboue.
xxix If he wole ſtretche forþe cloudis as his tente,
xxx and leite wiþ his lyȝt fro aboue, he ſchal hile, ȝhe,
xxxi þe herris of þe ſee. For bi þeſe þingis he demeþ
puplis, and ȝyueþ mete to many deedli men.
xxxii In hondis he hidiþ lyȝt; and comaundiþ it, þat it
come eft.
xxxiii He telliþ of it to his freend, þat it is his poſſeſſioun;
and þat he may ſtie to it.
CAP. XXXVII
i Myn herte dredde of þis þing, and is moued out of his
place.
ii It ſchal here an heryng in þe feerdfulneſſe of his vois,
and a ſown comynge forþ of his mouþ.
iii He biholdiþ ouere alle heuenes; and his lyȝt is ouere
þe termes of erþe.
iiii Sown ſchal rore aftir hym, he ſchal þundre wiþ þe
vois of his greetneſſe; and it ſchal not be ſouȝt out,
whanne his vois is herd.
v God ſchal þundre in his vois wondurfulli, þat makiþ
grete þingis and þat moun not be ſouȝt out.
vi Which comaundiþ to þe ſnow to come doun on erþe,
and to þe reynes of wijntir, and to þe reynes of his
ſtrengþe.
vii Which markiþ in þe hond of alle men, þat alle men
knowe her werkis.
viii An vnreſonable beeſte ſchal go in to his denne, and
ſchal dwelle in his caue, `eþir derke place.
ix Tempeſtis ſchulen go out fro þe ynnere þingis, and
coold fro Arturus.
x Whanne God makiþ blowyng, froſt wexiþ togidere;
and eft ful brood watris ben ſched out.
xi Whete deſiriþ cloudis, and cloudis ſpreeden abrood
her lyȝt.
xii Whiche cloudes cumpaſſen alle þingis bi cumpas,
whidur euere þe wil of þe gouernour lediþ þo, to al þing
which he comaundiþ `to þo on þe face of þe world;
xiii wheþer in o lynage, eþir in his lond, eþer in what
euer place of his merci he comaundiþ þo to be foundun.
xiiii Joob, herkene þou þeſe þingis; ſtonde þou, and
biholde þe meruels of God.
xv Wheþir þou wooſt, whanne God comaundide to þe
reynes, þat þo ſchulen ſchewe þe lyȝt of hiſe cloudis?
xvi Wheþer þou knowiſt þe grete weies of cloudis, and
perfit kunnyngis?
xvii Wheþer þi clooþis ben not hoote, whanne þe erþe is
blowun wiþ þe ſouþ?
xviii In hap þou madiſt wiþ hym heuenes, which mooſt
ſad ben foundid, as of bras.
xix Schewe þou to vs, what we ſchulen ſeie to hym; for
we ben wlappid in derkneſſis.
xx Who ſchal telle to hym, what þingis Y ſpeke? ȝhe, if
he ſpekiþ, a man ſchal be deuourid.
xxi And now men ſeen not lyȝt; þe eir ſchal be maad
þicke ſudenli in to cloudis, and wynd paſſynge ſchal
dryue awei þo.
xxii Gold ſchal come fro þe norþ, and ferdful preiſyng of
God.
xxiii For we moun not fynde him worþili; he is greet in
ſtrengþe, and in doom, and in riȝtfulneſſe, and may not
be teld out.
xxiiii Þerfor men ſchulen drede hym; and alle men, þat
ſemen to hem ſilf to be wiſe, ſchulen not be hardi to
biholde.
CAP. XXXVIII
i Forſoþe þe Lord anſweride fro þe whirlewynd to Joob,
ii and ſeide, Who is þis man, wlappynge ſentences wiþ
vnwiſe wordis?
iii Girde þou as a man þi leendis; Y ſchal axe þee, and
anſwere þou to me.
iiii Where were þou, whanne Y ſettide þe foundementis
of erþe? ſchewe þou to me, if þou haſt vndurſtondyng.
v Who ſettide meſures þerof, if þou knowiſt? eþir who
ſtretchide forþ a lyne þeronne?
vi On what þing ben þe foundementis þerof maad faſt?
eþer who ſente doun þe corner ſtoon þerof,
vii whanne þe morew ſterris herieden me togidere, and
alle þe ſones of God ſungun ioyfuli?
viii Who cloſide togidere þe ſee wiþ doris, whanne it
brak out comynge forþ as of þe wombe?
ix Whanne Y ſettide a cloude þe hilyng þerof, and Y
wlappide it wiþ derkneſſe, as wiþ cloþis of ȝong
childhed.
x Y cumpaſſide it wiþ my termes, and Y ſettide a barre,
and doris;
xi and Y ſeide, `Til hidur þou ſchalt come, and þou ſchalt
not go forþ ferþere; and here þou ſchalt breke togidere
þi bolnynge wawis.
xii Wheþir aftir þi birþe þou comaundiſt to þe
bigynnyng of dai, and ſchewidiſt to þe morewtid his
place?
xiii Wheþir þou heldiſt ſchakynge togidere þe laſte partis
of erþe, and ſchakediſt awei wickid men þerfro?
xiiii A ſeeling ſchal be reſtorid as cley, and it ſchal ſtonde
as a cloþ.
CDLXXIX
xv Þe lyȝt of wickid men ſchal be takun awey fro hem,
and an hiȝ arm ſchal be brokun.
xvi Wheþir þou entridiſt in to þe depþe of þe ſee, and
walkidiſt in þe laſte partis of þe occian?
xvii Wheþer þe ȝatis of deeþ ben openyd to þee, and
`ſieſt þou þe derk doris?
xviii Wheþir þou haſt biholde þe brede of erþe? Schewe
þou to me, if þou knowiſt alle þingis,
xix in what weie þe lyȝt dwelliþ, and which is þe place
of derkneſſe;
xx þat þou lede ech þing to hiſe termes, and þou
vndurſtonde þe weies of his hows.
xxi Wiſtiſt þou þanne, þat þou ſchuldiſt be borun, and
knew þou þe noumbre of þi daies?
xxii Wheþir þou entridiſt in to þe treſours of ſnow, eþer
biheldiſt þou þe treſours of hail?
xxiii whiche þingis Y made redy in to þe tyme of an
enemy, in to þe dai of fiȝtyng and of batel.
xxiiii Bi what weie is þe lyȝt ſpred abrood, heete is
departid on erþe?
xxv Who ȝaf cours to þe ſtrongeſte reyn,
xxvi and weie of þe þundur ſownynge? Þat it ſchulde
reyne on þe erþe wiþ out man in deſert, where noon of
deedli men dwelliþ?
xxvii Þat it ſchulde fille a lond wiþ out weie and deſolat,
and ſchulde brynge forþ greene eerbis?
xxviii Who is fadir of reyn, eþer who gendride þe dropis
of deew?
xxix Of whos wombe ȝede out iys, and who gendride
froſt fro heuene?
xxx Watris ben maad hard in þe licneſſe of ſtoon, and þe
ouer part of occian is ſtreyned togidere.
xxxi Wheþer þou ſchalt mowe ioyne togidere ſchynynge
ſterris Pliades, eþir þou ſchalt mowe diſtrie þe cumpas
of Arturis?
xxxii Wheþer þou bryngiſt forþ Lucifer, `þat is, dai
ſterre, in his tyme, and makiſt euene ſterre to riſe on þe
ſones of erþe?
xxxiii Wheþer þou knowiſt þe ordre of heuene, and ſchalt
ſette þe reſoun þerof in erþe?
xxxiiii Wheþir þou ſchalt reiſe þi vois in to a cloude, and
þe ferſneſſe of watris ſchal hile þee?
xxxv Wheþir þou ſchalt ſende leitis, and þo ſchulen go,
and þo ſchulen turne aȝen, and ſchulen ſeie to þee, We
ben preſent?
xxxvi Who puttide wiſdoom in þe entrailis of man, eþir
who ȝaf vndurſtondyng to þe cok?
xxxvii Who ſchal telle out þe reſoun of heuenes, and who
ſchal make acordyng of heuene to ſleep?
xxxviii Whanne duſt was foundid in þe erþe, and clottis
weren ioyned togidere?
xxxix Wheþer þou ſchalt take prey to þe lioneſſe, and
ſchalt fille þe ſoulis of hir whelpis,
xl whanne þo liggen in caues, and aſpien in dennes?
xli Who makiþ redi for þe crowe his mete, whanne hiſe
briddis crien to God, and wandren aboute, for þo han
not meetis?
CAP. XXXIX
i Wheþir þou knowiſt þe tyme of birþe of wielde geet in
ſtoonys, eþir haſt þou aſpied hyndis bryngynge forþ
calues?
ii Haſt þou noumbrid þe moneþis of her conſeyuyng,
and haſt þou knowe þe tyme of her caluyng?
iii Þo ben bowid to þe calf, and caluen; and ſenden out
roryngis.
iiii Her calues ben departid, and goen to paſture; þo goen
out, and turnen not aȝen to `þo hyndis.
v Who let go þe wielde aſſe fre, and who loſide þe
boondis of hym?
vi To whom Y haue ȝoue an hows in wildirneſſe, and þe
tabernacles of hym in þe lond of ſaltneſſe.
vii He diſpiſiþ þe multitude of citee; he heriþ not þe cry
of an axere.
viii He lokiþ aboute þe hillis of his leſewe, and he ſekiþ
alle greene þingis.
ix Wheþer an vnycorn ſchal wilne ſerue þee, eþir ſchal
dwelle at þi cratche?
x Wheþer þou ſchalt bynde þe vnicorn wiþ þi chayne,
for to ere, eþir ſchal he breke þe clottis of valeis aftir
þee?
xi Wheþer þou ſchalt haue triſt in his grete ſtrengþe, and
ſchalt þou leeue to hym þi traueils?
xii Wheþer þou ſchalt bileue to hym, þat he ſchal ȝelde
ſeed to þee, and ſchal gadere togidere þi cornfloor?
xiii Þe feþere of an oſtriche is lijk þe feþeris of a
gerfawcun, and of an hauk;
xiiii which oſtrige forſakiþ hiſe eirun in þe erþe, in hap
þou ſchalt make þo hoot in þe duſt.
xv He forȝetiþ, þat a foot trediþ þo, eþir þat a beeſte of
þe feeld al tobrekiþ þo.
xvi He is maad hard to hiſe briddis, as if þei ben not hiſe;
he traueilide in veyn, while no drede conſtreynede.
xvii For God haþ priued hym fro wiſdom, and `ȝaf not
vnderſtondyng to hym.
xviii Whanne tyme is, he reiſiþ þe wengis an hiȝ; he
ſcorneþ þe hors, and his ridere.
xix Wheþer þou ſchalt ȝyue ſtrengþe to an hors, eþer
ſchal ȝyue neiyng `aboute his necke?
xx Wheþer þou ſchalt reyſe hym as locuſtis? Þe glorie of
hiſe noſeþirlis is drede.
xxi He diggiþ erþe wiþ þe foot, he `fulli ioieþ booldli; he
goiþ aȝens armed men.
CDLXXX
xxii He diſpiſiþ ferdfulneſſe, and he ȝyueþ not ſtide to
ſwerd.
xxiii An arowe caas ſchal ſowne on hym; a ſpere and
ſcheeld ſchal floriſche.
xxiiii He is hoot, and gnaſtiþ, and ſwolewiþ þe erþe; and
he arettiþ not þat þe crie of þe trumpe ſowneþ.
xxv Whanne he heriþ a clarioun, he `ſeiþ, Joie! he
ſmelliþ batel afer; þe excityng of duykis, and þe ȝellyng
of þe ooſt.
xxvi Wheþer an hauk ſpredinge abrood hiſe wyngis to þe
ſouþ, bigynneþ to haue feþeris bi þi wiſdom?
xxvii Wheþer an egle ſchal be reiſid at þi comaundement,
and ſchal ſette his neſt in hiȝ places?
xxviii He dwelliþ in ſtoonys, and he dwelliþ in flyntis
brokun bifor, and in rochis, to whiche `me may not
neiȝe.
xxix Fro þennus he biholdiþ mete, and hiſe iȝen loken
fro fer.
xxx Hiſe briddis ſouken blood, and where euere a careyn
is, anoon he is preſent.
xxxi And þe Lord addide, and ſpak to Joob,
xxxii Wheþer he, þat ſtryueþ wiþ God, ſchal haue reſt ſo
liȝtli? Soþeli he, þat repreueþ God, owiþ for to anſwere
to hym.
xxxiii Forſoþe Joob anſweride to þe Lord,
xxxiiii and ſeide, What may Y anſwere, which haue ſpoke
liȝtli? Y ſchal putte myn hond on my mouþ.
xxxv Y ſpak o þing, which þing Y wold, þat Y hadde not
ſeid; and Y ſpak anoþir þing, to which Y ſchal no more
adde.
CAP. XL
i Forſoþe þe Lord anſweride to Joob fro þe whirlewynd,
ii and ſeide, Girde þou as a man þi leendis, and Y ſchal
axe þee, and ſchewe þou to me.
iii Wheþer þou ſchalt make voide my doom, and ſchalt
condempne me, þat þou be maad iuſt?
iiii And if þou haſt an arm, as God haþ, and if þou
þundriſt wiþ lijk vois, `take þou fairneſſe aboute þee,
v and be þou reiſid an hiȝ, and be þou gloriouſe, and be
þou cloþid `in faire cloþis.
vi Diſtrie þou proude men in þi woodneſſe, and biholde
þou, and make lowe ech boſtere.
vii Biholde þou alle proude men, and ſchende þou hem;
and al to-breke þou wickid men in her place.
viii Hide þou hem in duſt togidere, and drenche doun her
faces in to a diche.
ix And Y ſchal knowleche, þat þi riȝt hond may ſaue
þee.
x Lo! behemot, whom Y made wiþ þee, ſchal as an oxe
ete hey.
xi His ſtrengþe is in hiſe leendis, and his vertu is in þe
nawle of his wombe.
xii He ſtreyneþ his tail as a cedre; þe ſenewis of his
`ſtones of gendrure ben foldid togidere.
xiii Hiſe boonys ben as þe pipis of bras; þe griſtil of hym
is as platis of yrun.
xiiii He is þe bigynnyng of þe weies of God; he, þat
made hym, ſchal ſette his ſwerd to hym.
xv Hillis beren eerbis to þis behemot; alle þe beeſtis of
þe feeld pleien þere.
xvi He ſlepiþ vndur ſchadewe, in þe pryuete of rehed, in
moiſte places.
xvii Schadewis hilen his ſchadewe; þe ſalewis of þe
ryuer cumpaſſen hym.
xviii He ſchal ſoupe vp þe flood, and he ſchal not
wondre; he haþ triſt, þat Jordan ſchal flowe in to his
mouþ.
xix He ſchal take hem bi `þe iȝen of hym, as bi an hook;
and bi ſcharpe ſchaftis he ſchal perſe hiſe noſeþirlis.
xx Wheþer þou ſchalt mowe drawe out leuyaþan wiþ an
hook, and ſchalt bynde wiþ a roop his tunge?
xxi Wheþir þou ſchalt putte a ryng in hiſe noſeþirlis, eþir
ſchalt perſe hyſe cheke wiþ `an hook?
xxii Wheþer he ſchal multiplie preieris to þee, eþer ſchal
ſpeke ſofte þingis to þee?
xxiii Wheþer he ſchal make couenaunt wiþ þee, and `þou
ſchalt take him a ſeruaunt euerlaſtinge?
xxiiii Wheþer þou ſchalt ſcorne hym as a brid, eþir ſchalt
bynde hym to þin handmaidis?
xxv Schulen frendis `kerue hym, ſchulen marchauntis
departe hym?
xxvi Wheþer þou ſchalt fille nettis wiþ his ſkyn, and a
`leep of fiſchis wiþ his heed?
xxvii Schalt þou putte þin hond on hym? haue þou
mynde of þe batel, and adde no more to ſpeke.
xxviii Lo! his hope ſchal diſſeyue hym; and in þe ſiȝt of
alle men he ſchal be caſt doun.
CAP. XLI
i I not as cruel ſchal reiſe hym; for who may aȝenſtonde
my face?
ii And who `ȝaf to me bifore, þat Y ȝelde to hym? Alle
þingis, þat ben vndur heuene, ben myne.
iii Y ſchal not ſpare hym for myȝti wordis, and maad
faire to biſeche.
iiii Who ſchal ſchewe þe face of his cloþing, and who
ſchal entre in to þe myddis of his mouþ?
v Who ſchal opene þe ȝatis of his cheer? ferdfulneſſe is
bi þe cumpas of hiſe teeþ.
vi His bodi is as ȝotun ſcheldys of bras, and ioyned
togidere wiþ ſcalis ouerleiynge hem ſilf.
CDLXXXI
vii Oon is ioyned to anoþer; and ſoþeli breþing goiþ not
þorouȝ þo.
viii Oon ſchal cleue to anoþir, and þo holdynge hem ſilf
ſchulen not be departid.
ix His fneſynge is as ſchynynge of fier, and hiſe iȝen ben
as iȝelidis of þe morewtid.
x Laumpis comen forþ of his mouþ, as trees of fier, þat
ben kyndlid.
xi Smoke comeþ forþ of hiſe noſeþirlis, as of a pot ſet on
þe fier `and boilynge.
xii His breeþ makiþ colis to brenne, and flawme goiþ
out of his mouþ.
xiii Strengþe ſchal dwelle in his necke, and nedyneſſe
ſchal go bifor his face.
xiiii Þe membris of hiſe fleiſchis ben cleuynge togidere
to hem ſilf; God ſchal ſende floodis aȝens hym, and þo
ſchulen not be borun to an oþer place.
xv His herte ſchal be maad hard as a ſtoon; and it ſchal
be ſtreyned togidere as þe anefeld of a ſmiþ.
xvi Whanne he ſchal be takun awei, aungels ſchulen
drede; and þei aferd ſchulen be purgid.
xvii Whanne ſwerd takiþ hym, it may not ſtonde, neþir
ſpere, neþer haburioun.
xviii For he ſchal arette irun as chaffis, and bras as rotun
tre.
xix A man archere ſchal not dryue hym awei; ſtoonys of
a ſlynge ben turned in to ſtobil to hym.
xx He ſchal arette an hamer as ſtobil; and he ſchal ſcorne
a floriſchynge ſpere.
xxi Þe beemys of þe ſunne ſchulen be vndur hym; and he
ſchal ſtrewe to hym ſilf gold as cley.
xxii He ſchal make þe depe ſe to buyle as a pot; and he
ſchal putte, as whanne oynementis buylen.
xxiii A paþ ſchal ſchyne aftir hym; he ſchal geſſe þe greet
occian as wexynge eld.
xxiiii No power is on erþe, þat ſchal be compariſound to
hym; which is maad, þat he ſchulde drede noon.
xxv He ſeeþ al hiȝ þing; he is kyng ouer alle þe ſones of
pride.
CAP. XLII
i Forſoþe Joob anſweride to þe Lord, and ſeide,
ii Y woot, þat þou maiſt alle þingis, and no þouȝt is hid
fro þee (Note: Joob wiſte wel, þat in remembringe his
riȝtfulneſſe he ſuffride ſum ſtiring of veynglorie, which
is wont to come liȝtly in ſiche þingis, ȝhe, in men þat
ben perfit. in preiſinge my riȝtfulneſſe. in enqueringe
ouer myche þe reſouns of Goddis domes. ).
iii Who is þis, þat heliþ counſel wiþ out kunnyng?
Þerfor Y ſpak vnwiſeli, and þo þingis þat paſſiden ouer
meſure my kunnyng.
iiii Here þou, and Y ſchal ſpeke; Y ſchal axe þee, and Here endiþ þe book of Joob, and here bigynneþ þe
anſwere þou to me. Sauter, which is red comynli in chirchis.
v Bi heryng of eere Y herde þee, but now myn iȝe ſeeþ
þee.
vi Þerfor Y repreue me, and do penaunce in deed ſparcle
and aiſche.
vii Forſoþe aftir þat þe Lord ſpak þeſe wordis to Joob, he
ſeide to Eliphat Themanytes, My ſtronge veniaunce is
wrooþ aȝens þee, and aȝens þi twey frendis (Note: God
ſeiþ not aȝenus Helyu, eþer aȝenus Joob; for whi to do
ſynne bi preſumpcioun, eþer bi vnwar ſpeking, as Helyu
and Joob diden, is not ſo greuouſe ſynne as to do ſynne
bi afermyng of falſneſſe, which bifelde to þeſe þre men.
for he ſynnede liȝtly, and dide penaunce þerfor
perfitly. ); for ȝe `ſpaken not bifor me riȝtful þing, as my
ſeruaunt Joob dide.
viii Þerfor take ȝe to ȝou ſeuene bolis, and ſeuene
rammes; and go ȝe to my ſeruaunt Joob, and offre ȝe
brent ſacrifice for ȝou. Forſoþe Joob, my ſeruaunt, ſchal
preie for ȝou; Y ſchal reſſeyue his face, þat foli be not
arettid to ȝou (Note: to euerlaſtinge peyne. ); for ȝe
`ſpaken not bifor me riȝtful þing, as my ſeruaunt Joob
dide.
ix Þerfor Eliphat Themanytes, and Baldach Suythes, and
Sophar Naamathites, ȝeden, and diden, as þe Lord
hedde ſpoke to hem; and þe Lord reſſeyuede þe face of
Joob.
x Alſo þe Lord was conuertid to þe penaunce of Joob,
whanne he preiede for hiſe frendis. And þe Lord addide
alle þingis double, whiche euere weren of Joob.
xi Soþeli alle hiſe briþeren, and alle hiſe ſiſtris, and alle
þat knewen hym bifore, camen to hym; and þei eeten
breed wiþ hym in his hows, and moueden þe heed on
hym; and þei coumfortiden hym of al þe yuel, which þe
Lord hadde brouȝt in on hym; and þei ȝauen to hym ech
man o ſcheep, and o goldun eere ring.
xii Forſoþe þe Lord bleſſide þe laſte þingis of Joob, more
þan þe bigynnyng of hym; and fouretene þouſynde of
ſcheep weren maad to hym, and ſixe þouſinde of
camels, and a þouſynde ȝockis of oxis, and a þouſynde
femal aſſis.
xiii And he hadde ſeuene ſones (Note: þe formere ſones
and douȝtris weren in þe weye of ſaluacioun, and ſo not
deed outirly. ), and þre douȝtris; and he clepide þe name
of o douȝtir Dai, and þe name of þe ſecounde douȝtir
Caſſia, and þe name of þe þridde douȝtir `An horn of
wymmens oynement.
xiiii `Soþeli no wymmen weren foundun ſo faire in al
erþe, as þe douȝtris of Joob; and her fadir ȝaf eritage to
hem among her briþeren.
xv Forſoþe Joob lyuede aftir þeſe betyngis an hundrid
and fourti ȝeer, and `ſiy hiſe ſones, and þe ſones of hiſe
ſones, `til to þe fourþe generacioun; and he was deed
eld, and ful of daies.

CDLXXXII

SAUTER
Here bigynneþ þe Sauter, which is red comynly in
chirchis.
PSALM I
Þe firſte ſalm.
i Bleſſid is þe man, þat ȝede not in þe councel of wickid
men; and ſtood not in þe weie of ſynneris, and ſat not in
þe chaier of peſtilence.
ii But his wille is in þe lawe of þe Lord; and he ſchal
biþenke in þe lawe of hym dai and nyȝt.
iii And he ſchal be as a tree, which is plauntid biſidis þe
rennyngis of watris; which tre ſchal ȝyue his fruyt in his
tyme. And his leef ſchal not falle doun; and alle þingis
which euere he ſchal do ſchulen haue proſperite.
iiii Not ſo wickid men, not ſo; but þei ben as duſt, which
þe wynd caſtiþ awei fro þe face of erþe.
v Þerfor wickid men riſen not aȝen in doom; neþir
ſynneres in þe councel of iuſt men.
vi For þe Lord knowiþ þe weie of iuſt men; and þe weie
of wickid men ſchal periſche.
PSALM II
Þe ſecounde ſalm.
i Whi gnaſtiden wiþ teeþ heþene men; and puplis
þouȝten veyn þingis?
ii Þe kyngis of erþe ſtoden togidere; and princes camen
togidere aȝens þe Lord, and aȝens his Criſt?
iii Breke we þe bondis of hem; and caſt we awei þe ȝok
of hem fro vs.
iiii He þat dwelliþ in heuenes ſchal ſcorne hem; and þe
Lord ſchal bimowe hem.
v Þanne he ſchal ſpeke to hem in his ire; and he ſchal
diſturble hem in his ſtronge veniaunce.
vi Forſoþe Y am maad of hym a kyng on Syon, his hooli
hil;
vii prechynge his comaundement. Þe Lord ſeide to me,
Þou art my ſone; Y haue gendrid þee to dai.
viii Axe þou of me, and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee heþene men
þin eritage; and þi poſſeſſioun þe termes of erþe.
ix Þou ſchalt gouerne hem in an yrun ȝerde; and þou
ſchalt breke hem as þe veſſel of a pottere.
x And now, ȝe kyngis, vndurſtonde; ȝe þat demen þe
erþe, be lerud.
xi Serue ȝe þe Lord wiþ drede; and make ȝe ful ioye to
hym wiþ tremblyng.
xii Take ȝe lore; leſt þe Lord be wrooþ ſumtyme, and leſt
ȝe periſchen fro iuſt waie. Whanne his `ire brenneþ out
in ſchort tyme; bleſſed ben alle þei, þat triſten in hym.
CDLXXXIII
PSALM III
Þe title of þe þridde ſalm. `Þe ſalm of Dauid, whanne
he fledde fro þe face of Abſolon, his ſone.
i Lord, whi ben þei multiplied þat diſturblen me? many
men ryſen aȝens me.
ii Many men ſeien of my ſoule, Noon helþe is to hym in
his God.
iii But þou, Lord, art myn vptakere; my glorye, and
enhaunſyng myn heed.
iiii Wiþ my vois Y criede to þe Lord; and he herde me
fro his hooli hil.
v I ſlepte, and `was quenchid, and Y roos vp; for þe
Lord reſſeyuede me.
vi I ſchal not drede þouſyndis of puple cumpaſſynge me;
vii Lord, riſe þou vp; my God, make þou me ſaaf. For
þou haſt ſmyte alle men beynge aduerſaries to me wiþ
out cauſe; þou haſt al to-broke þe teeþ of ſynneris.
viii Helþe is of þe Lord; and þi bleſſyng, Lord, is on þi
puple.
PSALM IIII
Þe title of þe fourþe ſalm. `To þe victorie in orguns;
þe ſalm of Dauid.
i Whanne Y inwardli clepid, God of my riȝtwiſneſſe
herde me; in tribulacioun þou haſt alargid to me. Haue
þou mercy on me; and here þou my preier.
ii Sones of men, hou long ben ȝe of heuy herte? whi
louen ȝe vanite, and ſeken a leeſyng?
iii And wite ȝe, þat þe Lord haþ maad merueilous his
hooli man; þe Lord ſchal here me, whanne Y ſchal crye
to hym.
iiii Be ȝe wroþe, and nyle ȝe do ſynne; `and for þo þingis
whiche ȝe ſeien in ȝoure hertis and in ȝoure beddis, be
ȝe compunct.
v Sacrifie ȝe `þe ſacrifice of riȝtfulneſſe, and hope ȝe in
þe Lord;
vi many ſeien, Who ſchewide goodis to vs? Lord, þe lyȝt
of þi cheer is markid on vs;
vii þou haſt ȝoue gladneſſe in myn herte. Þei ben
multiplied of þe fruit of whete, and of wyn; and of her
oile.
viii In pees in þe ſame þing; Y ſchal ſlepe, and take reſte.
For þou, Lord; haſt ſet me ſyngulerli in hope.
PSALM V
Þe title of þe fyueþe ſalm. To þe ouercomere on þe
eritagis, þe ſong of Dauid.
i Lord, perſeyue þou my wordis wiþ eeris; vndurſtonde
þou my cry.
ii Mi kyng, and my God; ȝyue þou tent to þe vois of my
preier.
iii For, Lord, Y ſchal preie to þee; here þou eerly my
vois. Eerli Y ſchal ſtonde nyȝ þee, and Y ſchal ſe;
iiii for þou art God not willynge wickidneſſe.
v Neþir an yuel willid man ſchal dwelle biſidis þee;
neþir vniuſt men ſchulen dwelle bifor þin iȝen. Þou
hatiſt alle þat worchen wickidneſſe;
vi þou ſchalt leeſe alle þat ſpeken leeſyng. Þe Lord ſchal
holde abhomynable a manquellere, and gileful man.
vii But, Lord, in þe multitude of þi merci Y ſchal entre in
to þin hows; Y ſchal worſchipe to þin hooli temple in þi
drede.
viii Lord, lede þou forþ me in þi riȝtfulneſſe for myn
enemyes; dreſſe þou my weie in þi ſiȝt.
ix For whi treuþe is not in her mouþ; her herte is veyn.
Her þrote is an opyn ſepulcre, þei diden gilefuli wiþ her
tungis;
x God, deme þou hem. Falle þei doun fro her þouȝtis, vp
þe multitude of her wickidneſſis caſte þou hem doun;
for, Lord, þei han terrid þee to ire.
xi And alle þat hopen in þee, be glad; þei ſchulen make
fulli ioye wiþ outen ende, and þou ſchalt dwelle in hem.
And alle þat louen þi name ſchulen haue glorie in þee;
xii for þou ſchalt bleſſe a iuſt man. Lord, þou haſt
corouned vs, as wiþ þe ſcheeld of þi good wille.
PSALM VI
Þe title of þe ſixte ſalm. To þe ouercomere in ſalmes,
þe ſalm of Dauid, `on þe eiȝþe.
i Lord, repreue þou not me in þi ſtronge veniaunce;
neþer chaſtice þou me in þin ire.
ii Lord, haue þou merci on me, for Y am ſijk; Lord,
make þou me hool, for alle my boonys ben troblid.
iii And my ſoule is troblid greetli; but þou, Lord, hou
long?
iiii Lord, be þou conuertid, and delyuere my ſoule; make
þou me ſaaf, for þi merci.
v For noon is in deeþ, which is myndful of þee; but in
helle who ſchal knouleche to þee?
vi I traueilide in my weilyng, Y ſchal waiſche my bed bi
ech nyȝt; Y ſchal moiſte, `eþer make weet, my bedſtre
wiþ my teeris.
vii Myn iȝe is diſturblid of woodneſſe; Y waxe eld
among alle myn enemyes.
viii Alle ȝe þat worchen wickidneſſe, departe fro me; for
þe Lord haþ herd þe vois of my wepyng.
ix Þe Lord haþ herd my biſechyng; þe Lord haþ
reſſeyued my preier.
x Alle my enemyes be aſchamed, and be diſturblid
greetli; be þei turned togidere, and be þei aſchamed ful
ſwiftli.
CDLXXXIV
PSALM VII
Þe title of þe ſeuenþe ſalm. For þe ignoraunce of
Dauid, which he ſonge to þe Lord on þe wordis of
Ethiopien, þe ſone of Gemyny.
i Mi Lord God, Y haue hopid in þee; make þou me ſaaf
fro alle þat purſuen me, and delyuere þou me.
ii Leſt ony tyme he as a lioun rauyſche my ſoule; þe
while noon is þat aȝenbieþ, neþer þat makiþ ſaaf.
iii Mi Lord God, if Y dide þis þing, if wickidneſſe is in
myn hondis;
iiii if Y `ȝeldide to men ȝeldynge to me yuels, falle Y `bi
diſſeruyng voide fro myn enemyes;
v myn enemy purſue my ſoule, and take, and defoule my
lijf in erþe; and brynge my glorie in to duſt.
vi Lord, riſe þou vp in þin ire; and be þou reyſid in þe
cooſtis of myn enemyes. And, my Lord God, riſe þou in
þe comaundement, which þou `haſt comaundid;
vii and þe ſynagoge of puplis ſchal cumpaſſe þee. And
for þis go þou aȝen an hiȝ;
viii þe Lord demeþ puplis. Lord, deme þou me bi my
riȝtfulneſſe; and bi myn innocence on me.
ix Þe wickidneſſe of ſynneris be endid; and þou, God,
ſekyng þe hertis and reynes, ſchalt dreſſe a iuſt man.
x Mi iuſt help is of þe Lord; þat makiþ ſaaf riȝtful men
in herte.
xi Þe Lord is a iuſt iuge, ſtronge and pacient; wheþer he
is wrooþ bi alle daies?
xii If ȝe ben `not conuertid, he ſchal floriſche his ſwerd;
he haþ bent his bouwe, and made it redi.
xiii And þerynne he haþ maad redi þe veſſels of deþ; he
haþ fulli maad his arewis wiþ brennynge þingis.
xiiii Lo! he conſeyuede ſorewe; he peynfuli brouȝte forþ
vnriȝtfulneſſe, and childide wickidneſſe.
xv He openide a lake, and diggide it out; and he felde in
to þe dich which he made.
xvi His ſorewe ſchal be turned in to his heed; and his
wickidneſſe ſchal come doun in to his necke.
xvii I ſchal knouleche to þe Lord bi his riȝtfulneſſe; and
Y ſchal ſynge to þe name of þe hiȝeſte Lord.
PSALM VIII
Þe title of þe eiȝþe ſalm. To þe ouercomere, for
preſſours, þe ſalm of Dauid.
i Lord, þou art oure Lord; þi name is ful wonderful in al
erþe. For þi greet doyng is reiſid, aboue heuenes.
ii Of þe mouþ of ȝonge children, not ſpekynge and
ſoukynge mylk, þou madiſt perfitli heriyng, for þin
enemyes; þat þou deſtrie þe enemy and auengere.
iii For Y ſchal ſe þin heuenes, þe werkis of þi fyngris; þe
moone and ſterris, whiche þou haſt foundid.
iiii What is a man, þat þou art myndeful of hym; eþir þe
ſone of a virgyn, for þou viſitiſt hym?
v Þou haſt maad hym a litil leſſe þan aungels; þou haſt
corouned hym wiþ glorie and onour,
vi and haſt ordeyned hym aboue þe werkis of þin
hondis.
vii Þou haſt maad ſuget alle þingis vndur hiſe feet; alle
ſcheep and oxis, ferþermore and þe beeſtis of þe feeld;
viii þe briddis of þe eir, and þe fiſchis of þe ſee; þat
paſſen bi þe paþis of þe ſee.
ix Lord, `þou art oure Lord; þi name `is wondurful in al
erþe.
PSALM IX
Þe title of þe nynþe ſalm. In to þe ende, for þe
pryuytees of þe ſone, þe ſalm of Dauid.
i Lord, Y ſchal knouleche to þee in al myn herte; Y ſchal
telle alle þi merueils.
ii Þou hiȝeſte, Y ſchal be glad, and Y ſchal be fulli
ioieful in þee; Y ſchal ſynge to þi name.
iii For þou turneſt myn enemy abac; þei ſchulen be maad
feble, and ſchulen periſche fro þi face.
iiii For þou haſt maad my doom and my cauſe; þou, þat
demeſt riȝtfulneſſe, `haſt ſet on þe trone.
v Þou blamediſt heþene men, and þe wickid periſchide;
þou haſt do awei þe name of hem in to þe world, and in
to þe world of world.
vi Þe ſwerdis of þe enemy failiden in to þe ende; and
þou haſt diſtried þe citees of hem. Þe mynde of hem
periſchide wiþ ſown;
vii and þe Lord dwelliþ wiþ outen ende. He made redi
his trone in doom;
viii and he ſchal deme þe world in equite, he ſchal deme
puplis in riȝtfulneſſe.
ix And þe Lord is maad refuyt, `eþer help, `to a pore
man; an helpere in couenable tymes in tribulacioun.
x And þei, þat knowen þi name, haue hope in þee; for
þou, Lord, haſt not forſake hem þat ſeken þee.
xi Synge ȝe to þe Lord, þat dwelliþ in Syon; telle ȝe hiſe
ſtudyes among heþene men.
xii God forȝetiþ not þe cry of pore men; for he haþ
mynde, and ſekiþ þe blood of hem.
xiii Lord, haue þou merci on me; ſe þou my mekeneſſe
of myn enemyes. Which enhaunſiſt me fro þe ȝatis of
deeþ;
xiiii þat Y telle alle þi preiſyngis in þe ȝatis of þe douȝter
of Syon. Y ſchal `be fulli ioyeful in þin helþe;
xv heþene men ben faſt ſet in þe periſching, which þei
maden. In þis ſnare, which þei hidden, þe foot of hem is
kauȝt.
xvi Þe Lord makynge domes ſchal be knowun; þe
ſynnere is takun in þe werkis of hiſe hondis.
xvii Synneris be turned togidere in to helle; alle folkis,
þat forȝeten God.
CDLXXXV
xviii For þe forȝetyng of a pore man ſchal not be in to þe
ende; þe pacience of pore men ſchal not periſche in to
þe ende.
xix Lord, riſe þou vp, a man be not coumfortid; folkis be
demyd in þi ſiȝt.
xx Lord, ordeine þou a lawe makere on hem; wite folkis,
þat þei ben men.
xxi Lord, whi haſt þou go fer awei? þou diſpiſiſt `in
couenable tymes in tribulacioun.
xxii While þe wickid is proud, þe pore man is brent; þei
ben taken in þe counſels, bi whiche þei þenken.
xxiii Forwhi þe ſynnere is preiſid in þe deſiris of his
ſoule; and þe wickid is bleſſid.
xxiiii Þe ſynnere `wraþþide þe Lord; vp þe multitude of
his ire he ſchal not ſeke. God is not in his ſiȝt;
xxv hiſe weies ben defoulid in al tyme. God, þi domes
ben takun awei fro his face; he ſchal be lord of alle hiſe
enemyes.
xxvi For he ſeide in his herte, Y ſchal not be moued, fro
generacioun in to generacioun wiþout yuel.
xxvii `Whos mouþ is ful of curſyng, and of bitterneſſe,
and of gyle; trauel and ſorewe is vndur his tunge.
xxviii He ſittiþ in aſpies wiþ ryche men in priuytees; to
ſle þe innocent man. Hiſe iȝen biholden on a pore man;
xxix he ſettiþ aſpies in hid place, as a lioun in his denne.
He ſettiþ aſpies, for to rauyſche a pore man; for to
rauyſche a pore man, while he drawiþ þe pore man. In
his ſnare he ſchal make meke þe pore man;
xxx he ſchal bowe hym ſilf, and ſchal falle doun, whanne
he haþ be lord of pore men.
xxxi For he ſeide in his herte, God haþ forȝete; he haþ
turned awei his face, þat he ſe not in to þe ende.
xxxii Lord God, riſe þou vp, and þin hond be enhaunſid;
forȝete þou not pore men.
xxxiii For what þing terride þe wickid man God to
wraþþe? for he ſeide in his herte, God ſchal not ſeke.
xxxiiii Þou ſeeſt, for þou biholdiſt trauel and ſorewe; þat
þou take hem in to þin hondis. Þe pore man is left to
þee; þou ſchalt be an helpere to þe fadirles and
modirles.
xxxv Al to-breke þou þe arme of þe ſynnere, and yuel
willid; his ſynne ſchal be ſouȝt, and it ſchal not be
foundun.
xxxvi Þe Lord ſchal regne wiþ outen ende, and in to þe
world of world; folkis, ȝe ſchulen periſche fro þe lond
of hym.
xxxvii Þe Lord haþ herd þe deſir of pore men; þin eere
haþ herd þe makyng redi of her herte.
xxxviii To deme for þe modirles `and meke; þat a man
`leie to no more to `magnyfie hym ſilf on erþe.
PSALM X
Þe title of þe tenþe ſalm. To þe victorie of Dauid.
iI
triſte in þe Lord; hou ſeien ȝe to my ſoule, Paſſe þou
ouere in to an hil, as a ſparowe doiþ?
ii For lo! ſynneris han bent a bouwe; þei han maad redi
her arowis in an arowe caas; `for to ſchete in derkneſſe
riȝtful men in herte.
iii For þei han diſtryed, whom þou haſt maad perfit; but
what dide þe riȝtful man?
iiii Þe Lord is in his hooli temple; he is Lord, his ſeete is
in heuene. Hiſe iȝen biholden on a pore man; hiſe
iȝelidis axen þe ſones of men.
v Þe Lord axiþ a iuſt man, and vnfeiþful man; but he,
þat loueþ wickidneſſe, hatiþ his ſoule.
vi He ſchal reyne ſnaris on `ſynful men; fier, brymſton,
and þe ſpirit of tempeſtis ben þe part of þe cuppe of
hem.
vii For þe Lord is riȝtful, and louede riȝtfulneſſis; his
cheer ſiȝ equite, `eþir euenneſſe.
PSALM XI
Þe title of þe eleuenþe ſalm. To þe victorie on þe
eiȝte, þe ſong of Dauid.
i Lord, make þou me ſaaf, for þe hooli failide; for
treuþis ben maad litle fro þe ſones of men.
ii Þei ſpaken veyn þingis, ech man to hys neiȝbore; þei
han gileful lippis, þei ſpaken in herte and herte.
iii Þe Lord deſtrie alle gileful lippis; and þe greet
ſpekynge tunge.
iiii Whiche ſeiden, We ſchulen magnyfie oure tunge, our
lippis ben of vs; who is oure lord?
v For þe wretchedneſſe of nedy men, and for þe weilyng
of pore men; now Y ſchal ryſe vp, ſeiþ þe Lord. I ſchal
ſette inhelþe; Y ſchal do triſtili in hym.
vi Þe ſpechis of þe Lord ben chaſt ſpechis; ſiluer
examynyd bi fier, preued fro erþe, purgid ſeuen fold.
vii Þou, Lord, ſchalt kepe vs; and þou `ſchalt kepe vs fro
þis generacioun wiþ outen ende.
viii Wickid men goen in cumpas; bi þin hiȝneſſe þou haſt
multiplied þe ſones of men.
PSALM XII
Þe title of þe twelfþe ſalm. To þe victorie of Dauid.
i Lord, hou long forȝetiſt þou me in to þe ende? hou
long turneſt þou awei þi face fro me?
ii Hou long ſchal Y ſette counſels in my ſoule; ſorewe in
my herte bi dai?
iii Hou long ſchal myn enemy be reiſid on me?
iiii My Lord God, biholde þou, and here þou me. Liȝtne
þou myn iȝen, leſt ony tyme Y ſlepe in deþ;
CDLXXXVI
v leſtony tyme myn enemye ſeie, Y hadde þe maiſtri
aȝens hym. Þei, þat troblen me, ſchulen haue ioie, if Y
ſchal be ſtirid; forſoþe Y hopide in þi merci.
vi Myn herte ſchal fulli haue ioie in þin helþe; Y ſchal
ſynge to þe Lord, þat ȝyueþ goodis to me, and Y ſchal
ſeie ſalm to þe name of þe hiȝeſte Lord.
PSALM XIII
Þe `title of þe þrettenþe ſalm. To þe victorie of
Dauid.
i Þe vnwiſe man ſeide in his herte, God is not. Þei ben
corrupt, and ben maad abhomynable in her ſtudies;
noon is þat doiþ good, noon is til to oon.
ii Þe Lord bihelde fro heuene on þe ſones of men; þat he
ſe, if ony is vndurſtondynge, eþir ſekynge God.
iii Alle bowiden awei, togidere þei ben maad
vnprofitable; noon is þat doþ good, noon is `til to oon.
Þe þrote of hem is an open ſepulcre, þei diden gilefuli
wiþ her tungis; þe venym of ſnakis is vndur her lippis.
Whos mouþ is ful of curſyng and bittirneſſe; her feet
ben ſwift to ſchede out blood. Sorewe and curſidneſſe is
in þe weies of hem, and þei knewen not þe weie of
pees; þe drede of God is not bifor her iȝen.
iiii Wheþer alle men þat worchen wickidneſſe ſchulen
not knowe; þat deuowren my puple, as mete of breed?
Þei clepeden not þe Lord;
v þei trembliden þere for dreed, where was no drede; for
þe Lord is in a riȝtful generacioun.
vi Þou haſt ſchent þe counſel of a pore man; for þe Lord
is his hope.
vii Who ſchal ȝyue fro Syon helþe to Iſrael? Whanne þe
Lord haþ turned awei þe caitifte of his puple; Jacob
ſchal `fulli be ioiful, and Iſrael ſchal be glad.
PSALM XIIII
Þe title of þe fourtenþe ſalm. Þe ſalm of Dauid.
i Lord,
who ſchal dwelle in þi tabernacle; eþer who
ſchal reſte in þin hooli hil?
ii He þat entriþ wiþ out wem; and worchiþ riȝtfulneſſe.
Which ſpekiþ treuþe in his herte;
iii which dide not gile in his tunge. Neþir dide yuel to
his neiȝbore; and took not ſchenſchip aȝens hiſe
neiȝboris.
iiii A wickid man is brouȝt to nouȝt in his ſiȝt; but he
glorifieþ hem þat dreden þe Lord. Which ſweriþ to his
neiȝbore, and diſſeyueþ not;
v which ȝaf not his money to vſure; and took not ȝiftis
on þe innocent. He, þat doiþ þeſe þingis, ſchal not be
moued wiþ outen ende.
PSALM XV
Þe title of þe fiuetenþe ſalm. `Of þe meke and
ſymple, þe ſalm of Dauid.
i Lord, kepe þou me, for Y haue hopid in þee;
ii Y ſeide to þe Lord, Þou art my God, for þou haſt no
nede of my goodis.
iii To þe ſeyntis þat ben in þe lond of hym; he made
wondurful alle my willis in hem.
iiii Þe ſikeneſſis of hem ben multiplied; aftirward þei
haſtiden. I ſchal not gadire togidere þe conuenticulis,
`eþir litle couentis, of hem of bloodis; and Y ſchal not
be myndeful of her names bi my lippis.
v Þe Lord is part of myn eritage, and of my paſſion; þou
art, þat ſchalt reſtore myn eritage to me.
vi Coordis felden to me in ful clere þingis; for myn
eritage is ful cleer to me.
vii I ſchal bleſſe þe Lord, þat ȝaf vndurſtondyng to me;
ferþermore and my reynes blameden me `til to nyȝt.
viii I purueide euere þe Lord in my ſiȝt; for he is on þe
riȝthalf to me, þat Y be not moued.
ix For þis þing myn herte was glad, and my tunge
ioyede fulli; ferþermore and my fleiſch ſchal reſte in
hope.
x For þou ſchalt not forſake my ſoule in helle; neþer þou
ſchalt ȝyue þin hooli to ſe corrupcioun.
xi Þou haſt maad knowun to me þe weies of lijf; þou
ſchalt fille me of gladneſſe wiþ þi cheer; delityngis ben
in þi riȝthalf `til in to þe ende.
PSALM XVI
Þe title of þe ſixtenþe ſalm. Þe preier of Dauid.
i Lord, here þou my riȝtfulneſſe; biholde þou my preier.
Perſeuye þou wiþ eeris my preier; not maad in gileful
lippis.
ii Mi doom come `forþ of þi cheer; þin iȝen ſe equite.
iii Þou haſt preued myn herte, and haſt viſitid in niȝt;
þou haſt examynyd me bi fier, and wickidneſſe is not
foundun in me.
iiii Þat my mouþ ſpeke not þe werkis of men; for þe
wordis of þi lippis Y haue kept harde weies.
v Make þou perfit my goyngis in þi paþis; þat my
ſteppis be not moued.
vi I criede, for þou, God, herdiſt me; bowe doun þin eere
to me, and here þou my wordis.
vii Make wondurful þi mercies; þat makiſt ſaaf `men
hopynge in þee.
viii Kepe þou me as þe appil of þe iȝe; fro `men
aȝenſtondynge þi riȝt hond. Keuere þou me vndur þe
ſchadewe of þi wyngis;
ix fro þe face of vnpitouſe men, þat han turmentid me.
Myn enemyes han cumpaſſid my ſoule;
CDLXXXVII
x þei han cloſide togidere her fatneſſe; þe mouþ of hem
ſpak pride.
xi Þei caſtiden me forþ, and han cumpaſſid me now; þei
ordeyneden to bowe doun her iȝen in to erþe.
xii Þei, as a lioun maad redi to prey, han take me; and as
þe whelp of a lioun dwellynge in hid places.
xiii Lord, riſe þou vp, bifor come þou hym, and diſſeyue
þou hym; delyuere þou my lijf fro þe `vnpitouſe,
xiiii delyuere þou þi ſwerd fro þe enemyes of þin hond.
Lord, departe þou hem fro a fewe men of `þe lond in þe
lijf of hem; her wombe is fillid of þin hid þingis. Þei
ben fillid wiþ ſones; and þei leften her relifis to her litle
children.
xv But Y in riȝtfulneſſe ſchal appere to þi ſiȝt; Y ſchal be
fillid, whanne þi glorie ſchal appere.
PSALM XVII
Þe title of þe ſeuenetenþe ſalm. To victorie, þe word
of þe Lord to Dauid; which ſpak þe wordis of þis
ſong, in þe dai in which þe Lord delyuerede hym fro
þe hond of alle hiſe enemyes, and fro þe hond of
Saul; and he ſeide:
i Lord, my ſtrengþe, Y ſchal loue þee; þe Lord is my
ſtidfaſtneſſe, and my refuyt, and mi deliuerere.
ii Mi God is myn helpere; and Y ſchal hope in to hym.
My defendere, and þe horn of myn helþe; and myn
vptakere.
iii I ſchal preiſe, and ynwardli clepe þe Lord; and Y ſchal
be ſaaf fro myn enemyes.
iiii Þe ſorewis of deþ cumpaſſiden me; and þe ſtrondis of
wickidneſſe diſturbliden me.
v Þe ſorewis of helle cumpaſſiden me; þe ſnaris of deeþ
`bifor ocupieden me.
vi In my tribulacioun Y inwardli clepide þe Lord; and Y
criede to my God. And he herde my vois fro his hooli
temple; and my cry in his ſiȝt entride in to hiſe eeris.
vii Þe erþe was mouede togidere, and tremblede
togidere; þe foundementis of hillis weren troblid
togidere, and weren moued togidere; for he was wrooþ
to hem.
viii Smoke ſtiede in þe ire of hym, and fier brente out fro
his face; coolis weren kyndlid of hym.
ix He bowide doun heuenes, and cam doun; and
derkneſſe was vndur hiſe feet.
x And he ſtiede on cherubym, and flei; he fley ouer þe
pennes of wyndis.
xi And he ſettide derkneſſes his hidyng place, his
tabernacle `in his cumpas; derk water was in þe cloudes
of þe lowere eir.
xii Ful cleer cloudis paſſiden in his ſiȝt; hail and þe
coolis of fier.
xiii And þe Lord þundrid fro heuene; and þe hiȝeſte ȝaf
his vois, hail and þe coolis of fier `camen doun.
xiiii And he ſente hiſe arowis, and diſtriede þo men; he
multipliede leytis, and diſturblide þo men.
xv And þe wellis of watris apperiden; and þe
foundementis of þe erþe weren ſchewid. Lord, of þi
blamyng; of þe breþing of þe ſpirit of þin ire.
xvi He ſente fro þe hiȝeſte place, and took me; and he
took me fro many watris.
xvii He delyuerede me fro my ſtrongeſte enemyes; and
fro hem þat hatiden me, fro þei weren coumfortid on
me.
xviii Þei camen bifor me in þe dai of my turment; and þe
Lord was maad my defendere.
xix And he ledde out me in to breede; he maad me ſaaf,
for he wolde me.
xx And þe Lord ſchal ȝelde to me bi my riȝtfulneſſe; and
he ſchal ȝelde to me bi þe clenneſſe of myn hondis.
xxi For Y kepte þe weies of þe Lord; and Y dide not
vnfeiþfuli fro my God.
xxii For alle hiſe domes ben in my ſiȝt; and Y puttide not
awei fro me hiſe riȝtfulneſſis.
xxiii And Y ſchal be vnwemmed wiþ hym; and Y ſchal
kepe me fro my wickidneſſe.
xxiiii And þe Lord ſchal ȝelde to me bi my riȝtfulneſſe;
and bi þe clenneſſe of myn hondis in þe ſiȝt of hiſe iȝen.
xxv Wiþ þe hooli, þou ſchalt be hooli; and wiþ `a man
innocent, þou ſchalt be innocent.
xxvi And wiþ a choſun man, þou ſchalt be choſun; and
wiþ a weiward man, þou ſchalt be weiward.
xxvii For þou ſchalt make ſaaf a meke puple; and þou
ſchalt make meke þe iȝen of proude men.
xxviii For þou, Lord, liȝtneſt my lanterne; my God, liȝtne
þou my derkneſſis.
xxix For bi þee Y ſchal be delyuered fro temptacioun;
and in my God Y ſchal `go ouer þe wal.
xxx Mi God, his weie is vndefoulid, þe ſpeches of þe
Lord ben examyned bi fier; he is defendere of alle men
hopynge in hym.
xxxi For whi, who is God out takun þe Lord? eþir who is
God outakun oure God?
xxxii God þat haþ gird me wiþ vertu; and haþ ſet my
weie vnwemmed.
xxxiii Which made perfit my feet as of hertis; and
ordeynynge me on hiȝe þingis.
xxxiiii Which techiþ myn hondis to batel; and þou haſt
ſet myn armys as a braſun bouwe.
xxxv And þou haſt ȝoue to me þe kyueryng of þin helþe;
and þi riȝthond haþ vptake me. And þi chaſtiſyng
amendide me in to þe ende; and þilke chaſtiſyng of þee
ſchal teche me.
CDLXXXVIII
xxxvi Þou alargidiſt my paaces vndur me; and my ſteppis
ben not maad vnſtidefaſt.
xxxvii Y ſchal purſue myn enemyes, and Y ſchal take
hem; and Y ſchal not turne til þei failen.
xxxviii I ſchal al to-breke hem, and þei ſchulen not mowe
ſtonde; þei ſchulen falle vndur my feet.
xxxix And þou haſt gird me wiþ vertu to batel; and þou
haſt `ſupplauntid, eþer diſſeyued, vndur me men riſynge
aȝens me.
xl And þou haſt ȝoue myn enemyes abac to me; and þou
haſt diſtried `men hatynge me.
xli Þei crieden, and noon was þat maad hem ſaaf; `þei
crieden to þe Lord, and he herde not hem.
xlii And Y ſchal al to-breke hem, as duſt bifor þe face of
wynd; Y ſchal do hem awei, as þe cley of ſtretis.
xliii Þou ſchalt delyuere me fro aȝenſeiyngis of þe puple;
þou ſchalt ſette me in to þe heed of folkis. e puple,
which Y knewe not, ſeruede me;
xliiii Þin þe herynge of eere it obeiede to me. Alien ſones
lieden to me,
xlv alien ſones wexiden elde; and crokiden fro þi paþis.
xlvi Þe Lord lyueþ, and my God be bleſſid; and þe God
of myn helþe be enhaunſid.
xlvii God, þat ȝaueſt veniaunces to me, and makiſt ſuget
puplis vndur me;
xlviii my delyuerere fro my wraþful enemyes. And þou
ſchalt enhaunſe me fro hem, þat riſen aȝens me; þou
ſchalt delyuere me fro a wickid man.
xlix Þerfor, Lord, Y ſchal knouleche to þee among
naciouns; and Y ſchal ſeie ſalm to þi name.
l Magnyfiynge þe helþis of his kyng; and doynge merci
to his criſt Dauid, and to his ſeed til in to þe world.
PSALM XVIII
Þe title of þe eiȝtenþe ſalm. To victorie, þe ſalm of
Dauid.
i Heuenes tellen out þe glorie of God; and þe firmament
telliþ þe werkis of hiſe hondis.
ii Þe dai telliþ out to þe dai a word; and þe nyȝt ſchewiþ
kunnyng to þe nyȝt.
iii No langagis ben, neþer wordis; of whiche þe voices
of hem ben not herd.
iiii Þe ſoun of hem ȝede out in to al erþe; and þe wordis
of hem `ȝeden out in to þe endis of þe world. In þe
ſunne he haþ ſet his tabernacle;
v and he as a ſpouſe comynge forþ of his chaumbre. He
fulli ioyede, as a giaunt, to renne his weie;
vi his goynge out was fro hiȝeſte heuene. And his goyng
aȝen was to þe hiȝeſte þerof; and noon is þat hidiþ hym
ſilf fro his heet.
vii Þe lawe of þe Lord is wiþ out wem, and conuertiþ
ſoulis; þe witneſſyng of þe Lord is feiþful, and ȝyueþ
wiſdom to litle children.
viii Þe riȝtfulneſſis of þe Lord ben riȝtful, gladdynge
hertis; þe comaundement of þe Lord is cleere, liȝtnynge
iȝen.
ix Þe hooli drede of þe Lord dwelliþ in to world of
world; þe domes of þe Lord ben trewe, iuſtified in to
hem ſilf.
x Deſirable more þan gold, and a ſtoon myche preciouſe;
and ſwettere þan hony and honycoomb.
xi `Forwhi þi ſeruaunt kepiþ þoo; myche ȝeldyng is in
þo to be kept.
xii Who vndurſtondiþ treſpaſſis? make þou me cleene fro
my priuy ſynnes;
xiii and of alien ſynnes ſpare þi ſeruaunt. `If þe forſeid
defautis ben not, Lord, of me, þan Y ſchal be wiþ out
wem; and Y ſchal be clenſid of þe mooſte ſynne.
xiiii And þe ſpechis of my mouþ ſchulen be, þat þo pleſe;
and þe þenkynge of myn herte euere in þi ſiȝt. Lord,
myn helpere; and myn aȝenbiere.
PSALM XIX
Þe title of þe nyntenþe ſalm. To victorie, þe ſalm of
Dauid.
i Þe Lord here þee in þe dai of tribulacioun; þe name of
God of Jacob defende þee.
ii Sende he helpe to þee fro þe hooli place; and fro Syon
defende he þee.
iii Be he myndeful of al þi ſacrifice; and þi brent
ſacrifice be maad fat.
iiii Ȝyue he to þee aftir þin herte; and conferme he al þi
counſel.
v We ſchulen be glad in þin helþe; and we ſchulen be
magnyfied in þe name of oure God. Þe Lord fille alle
þin axyngis;
vi nowe Y haue knowe, þat þe Lord haþ maad ſaaf his
criſt. He ſchal here hym fro his hooly heuene; þe helþe
of his riȝt hond is in poweris.
vii Þes in charis, and þeſe in horſis; but we ſchulen
inwardli clepe in þe name of oure Lord God.
viii Þei ben boundun, and felden doun; but we han riſe,
and ben reiſid.
ix Lord, make þou ſaaf þe kyng; and here þou vs in þe
dai in which we inwardli clepen þee.
PSALM XX
Þe title of þe twentiþe ſalm. To victorie, þe ſalm of
Dauid.
i Lord, þe kyng ſchal be glad in þi vertu; and he ſchal
ful out haue ioye greetli on þin helþe.
CDLXXXIX
ii Þou haſt ȝoue to hym þe deſire of his herte; and þou
haſt not defraudid hym of þe wille of hiſe lippis.
iii For þou haſt bifor come hym in þe bleſſyngis of
ſwetneſſe; þou haſt ſet on his heed a coroun of preciouſe
ſtoon.
iiii He axide of þee lijf, and þou ȝaueſt to hym; þe
lengþe of daies in to þe world, `and in to þe world of
world.
v His glorie is greet in þin helþe; þou ſchalt putte glorie,
and greet fayrneſſe on hym.
vi For þou ſchalt ȝyue hym in to bleſſing in to þe world
of world; þou ſchalt make hym glad in ioye wiþ þi
cheer.
vii For þe kyng hopiþ in þe Lord; and in þe merci of þe
hiȝeſte he ſchal not be moued.
viii Þyn hond be foundun to alle þin enemyes; þi
riȝthond fynde alle hem þat haten þee.
ix Þou ſchalt putte hem as a furneis of fier in þe tyme of
þi cheer; þe Lord ſchal diſturble hem in his ire, and fier
ſchal deuoure hem.
x Þou ſchalt leeſe þe fruyt of hem fro erþe; and `þou
ſchalt leeſe þe ſeed of hem fro þe ſones of men.
xi For þei bowiden yuels aȝens þee; þei þouȝten
counſeils, whiche þei myȝten not ſtabliſche.
xii For þou ſchalt putte hem abac; in þi relifs þou ſchalt
make redi þe cheer of hem.
xiii Lord, be þou enhaunſid in þi vertu; we ſchulen
ſynge, and ſeie opinly þi vertues.
PSALM XXI
Þe `title of þe oon and twentiþe ſalm. To ouercome,
for `þe morewtid hynd; þe ſalm of Dauid.
i God, my God, biholde þou on me, whi haſt þou forſake
me? þe wordis of my treſpaſſis ben fer fro myn helþe.
ii Mi God, Y ſchal crye bi dai, and þou ſchalt not here;
and bi nyȝt, and not to vnwiſdom to me.
iii Forſoþe þou, þe preiſyng of Iſrael, dwelliſt in
holyneſſe;
iiii oure fadris hopiden in þee, þei hopiden, and þou
delyueridiſt hem.
v Þei crieden to þee, and þei weren maad ſaaf; þei
hopiden in þee, and þei weren not ſchent.
vi But Y am a worm, and not man; þe ſchenſchip of
men, and þe outcaſtyng of þe puple.
vii Alle men ſeynge me ſcorneden me; þei ſpaken wiþ
lippis, and ſtiriden þe heed.
viii He hopide in þe Lord, delyuere he hym; make he
hym ſaaf, for he wole hym.
ix For þou it art þat drowiſt me out of þe wombe, þou art
myn hope fro þe tetis of my modir;
x in to þee Y am caſt forþ fro þe wombe. Fro þe wombe
of my modir þou art my God;
xi departe þou not fro me. For tribulacioun is next; for
noon is þat helpiþ.
xii Many calues cumpaſſiden me; fatte bolis biſegiden
me.
xiii Þei openyden her mouþ on me; as doiþ a lioun
rauyſchynge and rorynge.
xiiii I am ſched out as watir; and alle my boonys ben
ſcaterid. Myn herte is maad, as wex fletynge abrood; in
þe myddis of my wombe.
xv Mi vertu driede as a tiyl ſtoon, and my tunge cleuede
to my chekis; and þou haſt brouȝt forþ me in to þe duſt
of deþ.
xvi For many doggis cumpaſſiden me; þe counſel of
wickid men biſegide me. Þei delueden myn hondis and
my feet;
xvii þei noumbriden alle my boonys. Soþeli þei lokiden,
and bihelden me;
xviii þei departiden my cloþis to hem ſilf, and þei ſenten
lot on my cloþ.
xix But þou, Lord, delaie not þin help fro me; biholde
þou to my defence.
xx God, delyuere þou my lijf fro ſwerd; and delyuere
þou myn oon aloone fro þe hond of þe dogge.
xxi Make þou me ſaaf fro þe mouþ of a lioun; and my
mekeneſſe fro þe hornes of vnycornes.
xxii I ſchal telle þi name to my briþeren; Y ſchal preiſe
þee in þe myddis of þe chirche.
xxiii Ȝe þat dreden þe Lord, herie hym; alle þe ſeed of
Jacob, glorifie ȝe hym. Al þe ſeed of Iſrael drede hym;
xxiiii for he forſook not, neþir diſpiſide þe preier of a
pore man. Neþir he turnede awei his face fro me; and
whanne Y criede to hym, he herde me.
xxv Mi preiſyng is at þee in a greet chirche; Y ſchal
ȝelde my vowis in þe ſiȝt of men dredynge hym.
xxvi Pore men ſchulen ete, and ſchulen be fillid, and þei
ſchulen herie þe Lord, þat ſeken hym; þe hertis of hem
ſchulen lyue in to þe world of world.
xxvii Alle þe endis of erþe ſchulen biþenke; and ſchulen
be conuertid to þe Lord. And alle þe meynees of heþene
men; ſchulen worſchipe in his ſiȝt.
xxviii For þe rewme is þe Lordis; and he ſchal be Lord of
heþene men.
xxix Alle þe fatte men of erþe eeten and worſchipiden;
alle men, þat goen doun in to erþe, ſchulen falle doun in
his ſiȝt. And my ſoule ſchal lyue to hym;
xxx and my ſeed ſchal ſerue him. A generacioun to
comyng ſchal be teld to þe Lord;
xxxi and heuenes ſchulen telle his riȝtfulneſſe to þe puple
þat ſchal be borun, whom þe Lord made.
CDXC
PSALM XXII
Þe title of þe two and twentiþe ſalm. `Þe ſalm, eþer
þe ſong of Dauid.
i Þe Lord gouerneþ me, and no þing ſchal faile to me;
ii in þe place of paſture þere he haþ ſet me. He nurſchide
me on þe watir of refreiſchyng;
iii he conuertide my ſoule. He ledde me forþ on þe paþis
of riȝtfulneſſe; for his name.
iiii For whi þouȝ Y ſchal go in þe myddis of ſchadewe of
deeþ; Y ſchal not drede yuels, for þou art wiþ me. Þi
ȝerde and þi ſtaf; þo han coumfortid me.
v Þou haſt maad redi a boord in my ſiȝt; aȝens hem þat
troblen me. Þou haſt maad fat myn heed wiþ oyle; and
my cuppe, `fillinge greetli, is ful cleer.
vi And þi merci ſchal ſue me; in alle þe daies of my lijf.
And þat Y dwelle in þe hows of þe Lord; in to þe
lengþe of daies.
PSALM XXIII
Þe title of þe `þre and twentiþe ſalm. þe ſong of
Dauid.
i Þe erþe and þe fulneſſe þerof is `þe Lordis; þe world,
and alle þat dwellen þerynne `is þe Lordis.
ii For he foundide it on þe ſees; and made it redi on
floodis.
iii Who ſchal ſtie in to þe hil of þe Lord; eþir who ſchal
ſtonde in þe hooli place of hym?
iiii Þe innocent in hondis, and in cleene herte; whiche
took not his ſoule in veyn, neþer ſwoor in gile to his
neiȝbore.
v `Þis man ſchal take bleſſyng of þe Lord; and mercy of
God his helþe.
vi Þis is þe generacioun of men ſekynge hym; of men
ſekynge þe face of God of Jacob.
vii Ȝe princes, take vp ȝoure ȝatis, and ȝe euerelaſtynge
ȝatis, be reiſid; and þe kyng of glorie ſchal entre.
viii Who is þis kyng of glorie? þe Lord ſtrong and myȝti,
þe Lord myȝti in batel.
ix Ȝe princes, take vp ȝoure ȝatis, and ȝe euerlaſtynge
ȝatis, be reiſid; and þe kyng of glorie ſchal entre.
x Who is þis kyng of glorie? þe Lord of vertues, he is þe
kyng of glorie.
PSALM XXIIII
Þe title of þe foure and twentiþe ſalm. To Dauid.
i Lord, to þee Y haue reiſid my ſoule;
ii my God, Y truſte in þee, be Y not aſchamed. Neþir
myn enemyes ſcorne me;
iii for alle men þat ſuffren þee ſchulen not be ſchent.
Alle men doynge wickyd þingis ſuperfluli; be ſchent.
iiii Lord, ſchewe þou þi weies to me; and teche þou me
þi paþis.
v Dreſſe þou me in þi treuþe, and teche þou me, for þou
art God my ſauȝour; and Y ſuffride þee al dai.
vi Lord, haue þou mynde of þi merciful doyngis; and of
þi mercies þat ben fro þe world.
vii Haue þou not mynde on þe treſpaſſis of my ȝongþe;
and on myn vnkunnyngis. Þou, Lord, haue mynde on
me bi þi merci; for þi goodneſſe.
viii Þe Lord is ſwete and riȝtful; for þis he ſchal ȝyue a
lawe to men treſpaſſynge in þe weie.
ix He ſchal dreſſe deboner men in doom; he ſchal teche
mylde men hiſe weies.
x Alle þe weies of þe Lord ben mercy and treuþe; to
men ſekynge his teſtament, and hiſe witneſſyngis.
xi Lord, for þi name þou ſchalt do merci to my ſynne;
for it is myche.
xii Who is a man, þat drediþ þe Lord? he ordeyneþ to
hym a lawe in þe weie which he chees.
xiii His ſoule ſchal dwelle in goodis; and his ſeed ſchal
enerite þe lond.
xiiii Þe Lord is a ſadneſſe to men dredynge hym; and his
teſtament is, þat it be ſchewid to hem.
xv Myn iȝen ben euere to þe Lord; for he ſchal breide
awey my feet fro þe ſnare.
xvi Biholde þou on me, and haue þou mercy on me; for
Y am
xvii oon aloone and pore Þe tribulaciouns of myn herte
ben multiplied; delyuere þou me of my nedis.
xviii Se þou my mekeneſſe and my trauel; and forȝyue
þou alle my treſpaſſis.
xix Bihold þou myn enemyes, for þei ben multiplied;
and þei haten me bi wickid hatrede.
xx Kepe þou my ſoule, and delyuere þou me; be Y not
aſchamed, for Y hopide in þee.
xxi Innocent men and riȝtful cleuyden to me; for Y
ſuffride þee.
xxii God, delyuere þou Iſrael; fro alle hiſe tribulaciouns.
PSALM XXV
Þe title of þe fyue and twentiþe ſalm. `To Dauid.
i Lord,
deme þou me, for Y entride in myn innocens;
and Y hopynge in þe Lord ſchal not be made vnſtidfaſt.
ii Lord, preue þou me, and aſaie me; brenne þou my
reynes, and myn herte.
iii For whi þi merci is bifor myn iȝen; and Y pleſide in þi
treuþe.
iiii I ſat not wiþ þe counſel of vanyte; and Y ſchal not
entre wiþ men doynge wickid þingis.
v I hatide þe chirche of yuele men; and Y ſchal not ſitte
wiþ wickid men.
CDXCI
vi I ſchal waiſche myn hondis among innocentis; and,
Lord, Y ſchal cumpaſſe þin auter.
vii Þat Y here þe vois of heriyng; and þat Y telle out alle
þi merueils.
viii Lord, Y haue loued þe fairneſſe of þin hows; and þe
place of þe dwellyng of þi glorie.
ix God, leeſe þou not my ſoule wiþ vnfeiþful men; and
my lijf wiþ men of bloodis.
x In whoſe hondis wyckidneſſis ben; þe riȝthond of hem
is fillid wiþ ȝiftis.
xi But Y entride in myn innocens; aȝenbie þou me, and
haue merci on me.
xii Mi foot ſtood in riȝtfulneſſe; Lord, Y ſchal bleſſe þee
in chirchis.
PSALM XXVI
Þe title of þe ſixe and twentiþe ſalm. To Dauid.
i Þe Lord is my liȝtnyng, and myn helþe; whom ſchal Y
drede? Þe Lord is defendere of my lijf; for whom ſchal
Y tremble?
ii Þe while noiful men neiȝen on me; for to ete my
fleiſchis. Myn enemyes, þat trobliden me; þei weren
maad ſijk and felden doun.
iii Þouȝ caſtels ſtonden togidere aȝens me; myn herte
ſchal not drede. Þouȝ batel riſiþ aȝens me; in þis þing Y
ſchal haue hope.
iiii I axide of þe Lord o þing; Y ſchal ſeke þis þing; þat Y
dwelle in þe hows of þe Lord alle þe daies of my lijf.
Þat Y ſe þe wille of þe Lord; and þat Y viſite his temple.
v For he hidde me in his tabernacle in þe dai of yuelis;
he defendide me in þe hid place of his tabernacle. He
enhaunſide me in a ſtoon;
vi and now he enhaunſide myn heed ouer myn enemyes.
I cumpaſſide, and offride in his tabernacle a ſacrifice of
criyng; Y ſchal ſynge, and Y ſchal ſeie ſalm to þe Lord.
vii Lord, here þou my vois, bi which Y criede to þee;
haue þou merci on me, and here me.
viii Myn herte ſeide to þee, My face ſouȝte þee; Lord, Y
ſchal ſeke eft þi face.
ix Turne þou not awei þi face fro me; bouwe þou not
awei in ire fro þi ſeruaunt. Lord, be þou myn helpere,
forſake þou not me; and, God, myn helþe, diſpiſe þou
not me.
x For my fadir and my modir han forſake me; but þe
Lord haþ take me.
xi Lord, ſette þou a lawe to me in þi weie; and dreſſe
þou me in þi paþ for myn enemyes.
xii Bitake þou not me in to þe ſoules of hem, þat troblen
me; for wickid witneſſis han riſe aȝens me, and
wickydneſſe liede to it ſilf.
xiii I bileue to ſee þe goodis of þe Lord; in þe lond of
`hem þat lyuen.
xiiii Abide
þou þe Lord, do þou manli; and þin herte be
coumfortid, and ſuffre þou þe Lord.
PSALM XXVII
Þe title of þe ſeuen and twentiþe ſalm. To Dauid.
i Lord, Y ſchal crye to þee; my God, be þou not ſtille fro
me, be þou not ſtille `ony tyme fro me; and Y ſchal be
maad lijk to hem, þat goen doun in to þe lake.
ii Lord, here þou þe vois of my biſechyng, while Y preie
to þee; whyle Y reiſe myn hondis to þin hooli temple.
iii Bitake þou not me togidere wiþ ſynneris; and leeſe
þou not me wiþ hem þat worchen wickidneſſe. Whyche
ſpeken pees wiþ her neiȝbore; but yuels ben in her
hertis.
iiii Ȝyue þou to hem vpe þe werkis of hem; and vpe þe
wickidneſſe of her fyndyngis. Ȝyue þou to hem vpe þe
werkis of her hondis; ȝelde þou her ȝeldyng to hem.
v For þei vndurſtoden not þe werkis of þe Lord, and bi
þe werkis of hiſe hondis þou ſchalt deſtrie hem; and þou
ſchalt not bilde hem.
vi Bliſſid be þe Lord; for he herde þe vois of my
biſechyng.
vii Þe Lord is myn helpere and my defendere; and myn
herte hopide in hym, and Y am helpid. And my fleiſch
flouride aȝen; and of my wille Y ſchal knowleche to
hym.
viii Þe Lord is þe ſtrengþe of his puple; and he is
defendere of þe ſauyngis of his criſt.
ix Lord, make þou ſaaf þi puple, and bleſſe þou þin
eritage; and reule þou hem, and enhaunſe þou hem til in
to wiþ outen ende.
PSALM XXVIII
Þe title of þe eiȝt and twentiþe ſalm. þe ſalm, eþir
ſong of Dauid.
i Ȝe ſones of God, brynge to þe Lord; brynge ȝe to þe
Lord þe ſones of rammes.
ii Brynge ȝe to þe Lord glorie and onour; brynge ȝe to
þe Lord glorie to his name; herie ȝe þe Lord in his hooli
large place.
iii Þe vois of þe Lord on watris, God of mageſte
þundride; þe Lord on many watris.
iiii Þe vois of þe Lord in vertu; þe vois of þe Lord in
greet doyng.
v Þe vois of þe Lord brekynge cedris; and þe Lord ſchal
breke þe cedris of þe Liban.
vi And he ſchal al to-breke hem to duſt as a calf of þe
Liban; and þe derling was as þe ſone of an vnycorn.
vii Þe vois of þe Lord departynge þe flawme of fier;
viii þe vois of þe Lord ſchakynge deſert; and þe Lord
ſchal ſtire togidere þe deſert of Cades.
CDXCII
ix Þe vois of þe Lord makynge redi hertis, and he ſchal
ſchewe þicke þingis; and in his temple alle men ſchulen
ſeie glorie.
x Þe Lord makiþ to enhabite þe greet flood; and þe Lord
ſchal ſitte kyng wiþ outen ende.
xi Þe Lord ſchal ȝyue vertu to his puple; þe Lord ſchal
bleſſe his puple in pees.
PSALM XXIX
Þe title of þe nyne and twentiþe ſalm. þe ſalm of
ſong, for þe halewyng of þe hows of Dauid.
i Lord, Y ſchal enhaunſe þee, for þou haſt vp take me;
and þou delitidiſt not myn enemyes on me.
ii Mi Lord God, Y criede to þee; and þou madiſt me
hool.
iii Lord, þou leddiſt out my ſoule fro helle; þou ſauediſt
me fro hem þat goen doun into þe lake.
iiii Ȝe ſeyntis of þe Lord, ſynge to þe Lord; and
knowleche ȝe to þe mynde of his hoolyneſſe.
v For ire is in his indignacioun; and lijf is in his wille.
Wepyng ſchal dwelle at euentid; and gladneſſe at þe
morewtid.
vi Forſoþe Y ſeide in my plentee; Y ſchal not be moued
wiþ outen ende.
vii Lord, in þi wille; þou haſt ȝoue vertu to my fairneſſe.
Þou turnediſt awei þi face fro me; and Y am maad
diſturblid.
viii Lord, Y ſchal crye to þee; and Y ſchal preye to my
God.
ix What profit is in my blood; while Y go doun in to
corrupcioun? Wheþer duſt ſchal knouleche to þee; eþir
ſchal telle þi treuþe?
x Þe Lord herde, and hadde merci on me; þe Lord is
maad myn helpere.
xi Þou haſt turned my weilyng in to ioye to me; þou haſt
to-rent my ſak, and haſt cumpaſſid me wiþ gladneſſe.
xii Þat my glorie ſynge to þee, and Y be not compunct;
my Lord God, Y ſchal knouleche to þee wiþ outen ende.
PSALM XXX
Þe title of þe þrittiþe ſalm. To victorie, þe ſalm of
Dauid.
i Lord, Y hopide in þee, be Y not ſchent wiþ outen ende;
delyuere þou me in þi riȝtfulneſſe.
ii Bouwe doun þin eere to me; haaſte þou to delyuere
me. Be þou to me in to God defendere, and in to an
hows of refuyt; þat þou make me ſaaf.
iii For þou art my ſtrengþe and my refuyt; and for þi
name þou ſchalt lede me forþ, and ſchalt nuriſche me.
iiii Þou ſchalt lede me out of þe ſnare, which þei hidden
to me; for þou art my defendere.
vI bitake my ſpirit in to þin hondis; Lord God of treuþe,
þou haſt aȝen bouȝt me.
vi Þou hatiſt hem þat kepen vanytees ſuperfluli. Forſoþe
Y hopide in þe Lord;
vii Y ſchal haue fulli ioie, and ſchal be glad in þi merci.
For þou byheldiſt my mekeneſſe; þou ſauediſt my lijf fro
nedis.
viii And þou cloſidiſt not me togidere wiþynne þe hondis
of þe enemy; þou haſt ſett my feet in a large place.
ix Lord, haue þou merci on me, for Y am troblid; myn
iȝe is troblid in ire, my ſoule and my wombe `ben
troblid.
x For whi my lijf failide in ſorewe; and my ȝeeris in
weilynges. Mi vertu is maad feble in pouert; and my
boonys ben diſturblid.
xi Ouer alle myn enemyes Y am maad ſchenſhip greetli
to my neiȝboris; and drede to my knowun. Þei þat ſien
me wiþ outforþ, fledden fro me;
xii Y am ȝouun to forȝetyng, as a deed man fro herte. I
am maad as a lorun veſſel;
xiii for Y herde diſpiſyng of many men dwellynge in
cumpas. In þat þing þe while þei camen togidere aȝens
me; þei counceliden to take my lijf.
xiiii But, Lord, Y hopide in þee; Y ſeide, Þou art my
God;
xv my tymes ben in þin hondis. Delyuer þou me fro þe
hondis of mynen enemyes; and fro hem þat purſuen me.
xvi Make þou cleer þi face on þi ſeruaunt; Lord, make
þou me ſaaf in þi merci;
xvii be Y not ſchent, for Y inwardli clepide þee.
Vnpitouſe men be aſchamed, and be led forþ in to helle;
xviii gileful lippys be maad doumbe. Þat ſpeken
wickidneſſe aȝens a iuſt man; in pride, and in myſuſyng.
xix Lord, þe multitude of þi ſwetneſſe is ful greet; which
þou haſt hid to men dredynge þee. Þou haſt maad a
perfit þing to hem, þat hopen in þee; in þe ſiȝt of þe
ſones of men.
xx Þou ſchalt hide hem in þe priuyte of þi face; fro
diſturblyng of men. Þou ſchalt defende hem in þi
tabernacle; fro aȝenſeiyng of tungis.
xxi Bleſſid be þe Lord; for he haþ maad wondurful his
merci to me in a ſtrengþid citee.
xxii Forſoþe Y ſeide in þe paſſyng of my ſoule; Y am caſt
out fro þe face of þin iȝen. Þerfor þou herdiſt þe vois of
my preier; while Y criede to þee.
xxiii Alle ȝe hooli men of þe Lord, loue hym; for þe
Lord ſchal ſeke treuþe, and he ſchal ȝelde plenteuouſli to
hem þat doen pride.
xxiiii Alle ȝe þat hopen in þe Lord, do manli; and ȝoure
herte be coumfortid.
CDXCIII
PSALM XXXI
Þe title of þe oon and þrittiþe ſalm. Lernyng to
Dauid.
i Bleſſid ben þei, whoſe wickidneſſis ben forȝouun; and
whoſe ſynnes ben hilid.
ii Bleſſid is þe man, to whom þe Lord arrettide not
ſynne; neþir gile is in his ſpirit.
iii For Y was ſtille, my boonys wexiden elde; while Y
criede al dai.
iiii For bi dai and nyȝt þin `hond was maad greuouſe on
me; Y am turned in my wretchedneſſe, while þe þorn is
ſet in.
v I made my ſynne knowun to þee; and Y hidde not my
vnriȝtfulneſſe. I ſeide, Y ſchal knouleche aȝens me myn
vnriȝtfulneſſe to þe Lord; and þou haſt forȝoue þe
wickidneſſe of my ſynne.
vi For þis þing ech hooli man ſchal preye to þee; in
couenable tyme. Neþeles in þe greet flood of many
watris; þo ſchulen not neiȝe to þee.
vii Þou art my refuyt fro tribulacioun, þat cumpaſſide
me; þou, my fulli ioiyng, delyuere me fro hem þat
cumpaſſen me.
viii Y ſchal ȝyue vnderſtondyng to þee, and Y ſchal teche
þee; in þis weie in which þou ſchalt go, Y ſchal make
ſtidefaſt myn iȝen on þee.
ix Nile ȝe be maad as an hors and mule; to whiche is
noon vndurſtondyng. Lord, conſtreyne þou þe chekis of
hem wiþ a bernacle and bridil; þat neiȝen not to þee.
x Many betyngis ben of þe ſynnere; but merci ſchal
cumpaſſe hym þat hopiþ in þe Lord.
xi Ȝe iuſt men, be glad, and make fulli ioie in þe Lord;
and alle ȝe riȝtful of herte, haue glorie.
PSALM XXXII
Þe two and þrettiþe ſalm haþ no title.
i Ȝe
iuſt men, haue fulli ioye in þe Lord; preſyng
togidere bicomeþ riȝtful men.
ii Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord in an harpe; ſynge ȝe to hym
in a ſautre of ten ſtrengis.
iii Synge ȝe to hym a newe ſong; ſeie ȝe wel ſalm to hym
in criyng.
iiii For þe word of þe Lord is riȝtful; and alle hiſe werkis
ben in feiþfulneſſe.
v He loueþ merci and doom; þe erþe is ful of þe merci
of þe Lord.
vi Heuenes ben maad ſtidfaſt bi þe word of þe Lord; and
`al þe vertu of þo bi þe ſpirit of his mouþ.
vii And he gaderiþ togidere þe watris of þe ſee as in a
bowge; and ſettiþ depe watris in treſours.
viii Al erþe drede þe Lord; ſoþeli alle men enhabitynge
þe world ben mouyd of hym.
ix For he ſeide, and þingis weren maad; he comaundide,
and þingis weren maad of nouȝt.
x Þe Lord diſtrieþ þe counſels of folkis, forſoþe he
repreueþ þe þouȝtis of puplis; and he repreueþ þe
counſels of prynces.
xi But þe counſel of þe Lord dwelliþ wiþ outen ende; þe
þouȝtis of his herte dwellen in generacioun and into
generacioun.
xii Bleſſid is þe folk, whoſe Lord is his God; þe puple
which he chees into eritage to hym ſilf.
xiii Þe Lord bihelde fro heuene; he ſiȝ alle þe ſones of
men.
xiiii Fro his dwellyng place maad redi bifor; he bihelde
on alle men, þat enhabiten þe erþe.
xv Which made ſyngulerli þe ſoules of hem; which
vndurſtondiþ all þe werkis of hem.
xvi A kyng is not ſauyd bi myche vertu; and a giaunt
ſchal not be ſauyd in þe mychilneſſe of his vertu.
xvii An hors is falſe to helþe; forſoþe he ſchal not be
ſauyd in þe habundaunce, `eþer plentee, of his vertu.
xviii Lo! þe iȝen of þe Lord ben on men dredynge hym;
and in hem þat hopen on his merci.
xix Þat he delyuere her ſoules fro deþ; and feede hem in
hungur.
xx Oure ſoule ſuffreþ þe Lord; for he is oure helpere and
defendere.
xxi For oure herte ſchal be glad in him; and we ſchulen
haue hope in his hooli name.
xxii Lord, þi merci be maad on vs; as we hopiden in þee.
PSALM XXXIII
Þe title of þe þre and þrittiþe ſalm. To Dauid,
whanne he chaungide his mouþ bifor Abymalech,
and he `droof out Dauid, `and he ȝede forþ.
i I ſchal bleſſe þe Lord in al tyme; euere his heriyng is in
my mouþ.
ii Mi ſoule ſchal be preiſid in þe Lord; mylde men here,
and be glad.
iii Magnyfie ȝe þe Lord wiþ me; and enhaunſe we his
name into it ſilf.
iiii I ſouȝte þe Lord, and he herde me; and he delyueride
me fro alle my tribulaciouns.
v Neiȝe ȝe to him, and be ȝe liȝtned; and ȝoure faces
ſchulen not be ſchent.
vi Þis pore man criede, and þe Lord herde hym; and
ſauyde hym fro alle hiſe tribulaciouns.
vii Þe aungel of þe Lord ſendiþ in þe cumpas of men
dredynge hym; and he ſchal delyuere hem.
viii Taaſte ȝe, and ſe, for þe Lord is ſwete; bleſſid is þe
man, þat hopiþ in hym.
ix Alle ȝe hooli men of þe Lord, drede hym; for no
nedyneſſe is to men dredynge hym.
CDXCIV
x Riche men weren nedi, and weren hungri; but men þat
ſeken þe Lord ſchulen not faile of al good.
xi Come, ȝe ſones, here ȝe me; Y ſchal teche ȝou þe
drede of þe Lord.
xii Who is a man, þat wole lijf; loueþ to ſe good daies?
xiii Forbede þi tunge fro yuel; and þi lippis ſpeke not
gile.
xiiii Turne þou awei fro yuel, and do good; ſeke þou
pees, and perfitli ſue þou it.
xv Þe iȝen of þe Lord ben on iuſt men; and hiſe eeren
ben to her preiers.
xvi But þe cheer of þe Lord is on men doynge yuels; þat
he leeſe þe mynde of hem fro erþe.
xvii Juſt men crȝeden, and þe Lord herde hem; and
delyueride hem fro alle her tribulaciouns.
xviii Þe Lord is nyȝ hem þat ben of troblid herte; and he
ſchal ſaue meke men in ſpirit.
xix Many tribulaciouns ben of iuſt men; and þe Lord
ſchal delyuere hem fro alle þeſe.
xx Þe Lord kepiþ alle þe boonys of hem; oon of þo ſchal
not be brokun.
xxi Þe deþ of ſynneris is werſt; and þei þat haten a iuſt
man ſchulen treſpaſſe.
xxii Þe Lord ſchal aȝenbie þe ſoulis of hiſe ſeruauntis;
and alle, þat hopen in him, ſchulen not treſpaſſe.
PSALM XXXIIII
Þe title of þe foure and þrittiþe ſalm. `To Dauid.
i Lord, deme þou hem, þat anoien me; ouercome þou
hem, þat fiȝten aȝens me.
ii Take þou armeris and ſcheeld; and riſe vp into help to
me.
iii Schede out þe ſwerd, and cloſe togidere aȝens hem
þat purſuen me; ſeie þou to my ſoule, Y am þin helþe.
iiii Þei þat ſeken my lijf; be ſchent, and aſchamed. Þei
þat þenken yuels to me; be turned awei bacward, and be
ſchent.
v Be þei maad as duſt bifor þe face of þe wynd; and þe
aungel of þe Lord make hem ſtreit.
vi Her weie be maad derkneſſe, and ſlydirneſſe; and þe
aungel of þe Lord purſue hem.
vii For wiþ out cauſe þei hidden to me þe deþ of her
ſnare; in veyn þei diſpiſiden my ſoule.
viii Þe ſnare which he knoweþ not come to hym, and þe
takyng which he hidde take hym; and fall he in to þe
ſnare in þat þing.
ix But my ſoule ſchal fulli haue ioye in þe Lord; and
ſchal delite on his helþe.
x Alle my boonys ſchulen ſeie, Lord, who is lijk þee?
Þou delyueriſt a pore man fro þe hond of his ſtrengere; a
nedi man and pore fro hem þat diuerſely rauiſchen hym.
xi Wickid witneſſis riſynge axiden me þingis, whiche Y
knewe not.
xii Þei ȝeldiden to me yuels for goodis; bareynneſſe to
my ſoule.
xiii But whanne þei weren diſeſeful to me; Y was cloþid
in an heire. I mekide my ſoule in faſtyng; and my preier
ſchal be turned `wiþ ynne my boſum.
xiiii I pleſide ſo as oure neiȝbore, as oure broþer; Y was
`maad meke ſo as morenynge and ſorewful.
xv And þei weren glad, and camen togidere aȝens me;
turmentis weren gaderid on me, and Y knew not.
xvi Þei weren ſcaterid, and not compunct, þei temptiden
me, þei ſcornyden me wiþ mowyng; þei gnaſtiden on
me wiþ her teeþ.
xvii Lord, whanne þou ſchalt biholde, reſtore þou my
ſoule fro þe wickidneſſe of hem; `reſtore þou myn oon
aloone fro liouns.
xviii I ſchal knowleche to þee in a greet chirche; Y ſchal
herie þee in a ſad puple.
xix Þei þat ben aduerſaries wickidli to me, haue not ioye
on me; þat haten me wiþ out cauſe, and bikenen wiþ
iȝen.
xx For ſoþeli þei ſpaken peſibli to me; and þei ſpekynge
in wraþfulneſſe of erþe þouȝten giles.
xxi And þei maden large her mouþ on me; þei ſeiden,
Wel, wel! oure iȝen han ſien.
xxii Lord, þou haſt ſeen, be þou not ſtille; Lord, departe
þou not fro me.
xxiii Riſe vp, and ȝyue tent to my doom; my God and my
Lord, biholde in to my cauſe.
xxiiii Mi Lord God, deme þou me bi þi riȝtfulneſſe; and
haue þei not ioye on me.
xxv Seie þei not in her hertis, Wel, wel, to oure ſoule;
neþer ſeie þei, We ſchulen deuoure hym.
xxvi Shame þei, and drede þei togidere; þat þanken for
myn yuels. Be þei cloþid wiþ ſchame and drede; þat
ſpeken yuele þingis on me.
xxvii Haue þei ful ioie, and be þei glad þat wolen my
riȝtfulneſſe; and ſeie þei euere, Þe Lord be magnyfied,
whiche wolen þe pees of his ſeruaunt.
xxviii And my tunge ſchal biþenke þi riȝtfulneſſe; al day
þin heriyng.
PSALM XXXV
Þe title of þe fyue and þrittiþe ſalm. `To victorie, to
Dauid, `þe ſeruaunt of þe Lord.
i Þe vniuſt man ſeide, þat he treſpaſſe in hym ſilf; þe
drede of God is not bifor hiſe iȝen.
ii For he dide gilefuli in þe ſiȝt of God; þat his
wickidneſſe be foundun to hatrede.
iii Þe wordis of his mouþ ben wickidneſſe and gile, he
nolde vndirſtonde to do wel.
CDXCV
iiii He þouȝte wickidneſſe in his bed, he ſtood nyȝ al
weie not good; forſoþe he hatide not malice.
v Lord, þi merci is in heuene; and þi treuþe is `til to
cloudis.
vi Þi riȝtfulneſſe is as þe hillis of God; þi domes ben
myche depþe of watris. Lord, þou ſchalt ſaue men and
beeſtis;
vii as þou, God, haſt multiplied þi merci. But þe ſones of
men; ſchulen hope in þe hilyng of þi wyngis.
viii Þei ſchulen be fillid gretli of þe plentee of þin hows;
and þou ſchalt ȝyue drynke to hem wiþ þe ſteef ſtreem
of þi likyng.
ix For þe wel of life is at þee; and in þi lyȝt we ſchulen
ſe lyȝt.
x Lord, ſette forþ þi mercy to hem, þat knowen þee; and
þi ryȝtfulneſſe to hem þat ben of riȝtful herte.
xi Þe foot of pryde come not to me; and þe hond of þe
ſynnere moue me not.
xii Þere þei felden doun, þat worchen wickidneſſe; þei
ben caſt out, and myȝten not ſtonde.
PSALM XXXVI
Þe title of þe ſixe and þrittiþe ſalm. To Dauiþ.
i Nile
þou ſue wickid men; neþer loue þou men doynge
wickidneſſe.
ii For þei ſchulen wexe drie ſwiftli as hey; and þei
ſchulen falle doun ſoone as þe wortis of eerbis.
iii Hope þou in þe Lord, and do þou goodneſſe; and
enhabite þou þe lond, and þou ſchalt be fed wiþ hiſe
richeſſis.
iiii Delite þou in þe Lord; and he ſchal ȝyue to þee þe
axyngis of þin herte.
v Schewe þi weie to þe Lord; and hope þou in hym, and
he ſchal do.
vi And he ſchal lede out þi riȝtfulneſſe as lyȝt, and þi
doom as myddai;
vii be þou ſuget to þe Lord, and preye þou hym. Nile
þou ſue hym, þat haþ proſperite in his weie; a man
doynge vnriȝtfulneſſis.
viii Ceeſe þou of ire, and forſake woodneſſe; nyle þou
ſue, þat þou do wickidli.
ix For þei, þat doen wickidli, ſchulen be diſtried; but þei
þat ſuffren þe Lord, ſchulen enerite þe lond.
x And ȝit a litil, and a ſynnere ſchal not be; and þou
ſchalt ſeke his place, and ſchalt not fynde.
xi But mylde men ſchulen enerite þe lond; and ſchulen
delite in þe multitude of pees.
xii A ſynnere ſchal aſpie a riȝtful man; and he ſchal
gnaſte wiþ hiſe teeþ on hym.
xiii But þe Lord ſchal ſcorne þe ſynnere; for he biholdiþ
þat his day comeþ.
xiiii Synners drowen out ſwerd; þei benten her bouwe.
To diſſeyue a pore man and nedi; to ſtrangle riȝtful men
of herte.
xv Her ſwerd entre in to þe herte of hem ſilf; and her
bouwe be brokun.
xvi Betere is a litil þing to a iuſt man; þan many richeſſis
of ſynneris.
xvii For þe armes of ſynneris ſchal be al to-brokun; but
þe Lord confermeþ iuſt men.
xviii Þe Lord knowiþ þe daies of vnwemmed; and her
heritage ſchal be wiþouten ende.
xix Þei ſchulen not be ſchent in þe yuel tyme, and þei
ſchulen be fillid in þe dayes of hungur;
xx for ſynneris ſchulen periſche. Forſoþe anoon as þe
enemyes of þe Lord ben onourid, and enhaunſid; þei
failynge ſchulen faile as ſmoke.
xxi A ſynnere ſchal borewe, and ſchal not paie; but a iuſt
man haþ merci, and ſchal ȝyue.
xxii For þei þat bleſſen þe Lord ſchulen enerite þe lond;
but þei þat curſen hym ſchulen periſche.
xxiii Þe goyng of a man ſchal be dreſſid anentis þe Lord;
and he ſchal wilne his weie.
xxiiii Whanne he falliþ, he ſchal not be hurtlid doun; for
þe Lord vndurſettiþ his hond.
xxv I was ȝongere, and ſoþeli Y wexide eld, and Y ſiȝ not
a iuſt man forſakun; neþir his ſeed ſekynge breed.
xxvi Al dai he haþ merci, and leeneþ; and his ſeed ſchal
be in bleſſyng.
xxvii Bouwe þou awei fro yuel, and do good; and dwelle
þou in to þe world of world.
xxviii For þe Lord loueþ doom, and ſchal not forſake hiſe
ſeyntis; þei ſchulen be kept wiþ outen ende. Vniuſt men
ſchulen be punyſchid; and þe ſeed of wickid men ſchal
periſche.
xxix But iuſt men ſchulen enerite þe lond; and ſchulen
enabite þeronne in to þe world of world.
xxx Þe mouþ of a iuſt man ſchal biþenke wiſdom; and
his tunge ſchal ſpeke doom.
xxxi Þe lawe of his God is in his herte; and hiſe ſteppis
ſchulen not be diſſeyued.
xxxii A ſynnere biholdiþ a iuſt man; and ſekiþ to ſle hym.
xxxiii But þe Lord ſchal not forſake hym in hiſe hondis;
neþir ſchal dampne hym, whanne it ſchal be demed
aȝens hym.
xxxiiii Abide þou þe Lord, and kepe þou his weie, and he
ſchal enhaunſe þee, þat bi eritage þou take þe lond;
whanne ſynneris ſchulen periſche, þou ſchalt ſe.
xxxv I ſiȝ a wickid man enhaunſid aboue; and reiſid vp as
þe cedris of Liban.
xxxvi And Y paſſide, and lo! he was not; Y ſouȝte hym,
and his place is not foundun.
CDXCVI
xxxvii Kepe þou innocence, and ſe equite; for þo ben
relikis to a peſible man.
xxxviii Forſoþe vniuſt men ſchulen periſche; þe relifs of
wickid men ſchulen periſche togidere.
xxxix But þe helþe of iuſt men is of þe Lord; and he is
her defendere in þe tyme of tribulacioun.
xl And þe Lord ſchal helpe hem, and ſchal make hem
fre, and he ſchal delyuere hem fro ſynneris; and he ſchal
ſaue hem, for þei hopiden in hym.
PSALM XXXVII
Þe title of þe ſeuene and þrittiþe ſalm. `Þe ſalm of
Dauid, to byþenke on þe ſabat.
i Lord, repreue þou not me in þi ſtrong veniaunce; neþer
chaſtice þou me in þin ire.
ii For þin arowis ben fitchid in me; and þou haſt
confermed þin hond on me.
iii Noon helþe is in my fleiſch fro þe face of þin ire; no
pees is to my boonys fro þe face of my ſynnes.
iiii For my wickidneſſis ben goon ouer myn heed; as an
heuy birþun, þo ben maad heuy on me.
v Myn heelid woundis weren rotun, and ben brokun; fro
þe face of myn vnwiſdom.
vi I am maad a wretche, and Y am bowid doun til in to
þe ende; al dai Y entride ſorewful.
vii For my leendis ben fillid wiþ ſcornyngis; and helþe is
not in my fleiſch.
viii I am turmentid, and maad low ful greetli; Y roride
for þe weilyng of myn herte.
xi Lord, al my deſire is bifor þee; and my weilyng is not
hid fro þee.
x Myn herte is diſturblid in me, my vertu forſook me;
and þe lyȝt of myn iȝen `forſook me, and it is not wiþ
me.
xi My frendis and my neiȝboris neiȝiden; and ſtoden
aȝens me. And þei þat weren biſidis me ſtoden afer;
xii and þei diden violence, þat ſouȝten my lijf. And þei
þat ſouȝten yuels to me, ſpaken vanytees; and þouȝten
gilis al dai.
xiii But Y as a deef man herde not; and as a doumb man
not openynge his mouþ.
xiiii And Y am maad as a man not herynge; and not
hauynge repreuyngis in his mouþ.
xv For, Lord, Y hopide in þee; my Lord God, þou ſchalt
here me.
xvi For Y ſeide, Leſt ony tyme myn enemyes haue ioye
on me; and þe while my feet ben mouyd, þei ſpaken
grete þingis on me.
xvii For Y am redi to betyngis; and my ſorewe is euere
in my ſiȝt.
xviii For Y ſchal telle my wickidneſſe; and Y ſchal þenke
for my ſynne.
xix But myn enemyes lyuen, and ben confermed on me;
and þei ben multiplyed, þat haten me wickidli.
xx Þei þat ȝelden yuels for goodis, backbitiden me; for Y
ſuede goodneſſe.
xxi My Lord God, forſake þou not me; go þou not awei
fro me.
xxii Lord God of myn helþe; biholde þou in to myn help.
PSALM XXXVIII
Þe title of þe eiȝte and þrettiþe ſalm. For victorie, to
Iditum, þe ſong of Dauid.
iI
ſeide, Y ſchal kepe my weies; þat Y treſpaſſe not in
my tunge. I ſettide kepyng to my mouþ; whanne a
ſynnere ſtood aȝens me.
ii I was doumb, and was mekid ful gretli, and was ſtille
fro goodis; and my ſorewe was renulid.
iii Myn herte was hoot wiþ ynne me; and fier ſchal
brenne out in my þenkyng.
iiii I ſpak in my tunge; Lord, make þou myn eende
knowun to me. And þe noumbre of my daies what it is;
þat Y wite, what failiþ to me.
v Lo! þou haſt ſet my daies meſurable; and my
ſubſtaunce is as nouȝt bifor þee. Neþeles al vanytee; ech
man lyuynge.
vi Neþeles a man paſſiþ in ymage; but alſo he is
diſturblid veynli. He treſoriþ; and he noot, to whom he
`ſchal gadere þo þingis.
vii And now which is myn abiding? wheþer not þe
Lord? and my ſubſtaunce is at þee.
viii Delyuere þou me fro alle my wickidneſſis; þou haſt
ȝoue me ſchenſchip to þe vnkunnynge.
ix I was doumbe, and openyde not my mouþ; for þou
haſt maad,
x remoue þou þi woundis fro me. Fro þe ſtrengþe of þin
hond Y failide in blamyngis;
xi for wickidneſſe þou haſt chaſtiſid man. And þou
madiſt his lijf to faile as an yreyne; neþeles ech man is
diſturblid in veyn.
xii Lord, here þou my preier and my biſechyng; perſeyue
þou wiþ eeris my teeris. Be þou not ſtille, for Y am a
comelyng at þee; and a pilgrime, as alle my fadris.
xiii Forȝyue þou to me, þat Y be refreiſchid, bifor þat Y
go; and Y ſchal no more be.
PSALM XXXIX
Þe title of þe nyne and þrettiþe ſalm. For victorie, þe
ſong of Dauid.
i Y abidynge
abood þe Lord; and he ȝaf tent to me. And
he herde my preieris;
ii and he ledde out me fro þe lake of wretchidneſſe, and
fro þe filþe of draft. And he ordeynede my feet on a
ſtoon; and he dreſſide my goyngis.
CDXCVII
iii And he ſente in to my mouþ a newe ſong; a ſong to
oure God. Many men ſchulen ſe, and ſchulen drede; and
ſchulen haue hope in þe Lord.
iiii Bleſſid is þe man, of whom þe name of þe Lord is his
hope; and he bihelde not in to vanitees, and in to falſe
woodneſſes.
v Mi Lord God, þou haſt maad þi merueils manye; and
in þi þouȝtis noon is, þat is lijk þee. I teld, and Y ſpak;
and þei ben multiplied aboue noumbre.
vi Þou noldiſt ſacrifice and offryng; but þou madiſt
perfitli eeris to me. Þou axidiſt not brent ſacrifice, and
ſacrifice for ſynne;
vii þanne Y ſeide, Lo! Y come. In þe heed of þe book it
is writun of me,
viii þat Y ſchulde do þi wille; my God, Y wolde; and þi
lawe in þe myddis of myn herte.
ix I telde þi riȝtfulneſſe in a greet chirche; lo! Y ſchal not
refreine my lippis, Lord, þou wiſtiſt.
x I hidde not þi riȝtfulneſſe in myn herte; Y ſeide þi
treuþe and þin helþe. I hidde not þi mercy and þi treuþe;
fro a myche counſel.
xi But þou, Lord, make not fer þi merciful doyngis fro
me; þi mercy and treuþe euere token me vp.
xii For whi yuels, of whiche is no noumbre, cumpaſſiden
me; my wickidneſſis token me, and Y myȝte not, þat Y
ſchulde ſe. Þo ben multiplied aboue þe heeris of myn
heed; and myn herte forſook me.
xiii Lord, pleſe it to þee, þat þou delyuere me; Lord,
biholde þou to helpe me.
xiiii Be þei ſchent, and aſchamed togidere; þat ſeken my
lijf, to take awei it. Be þei turned abac, and be þei
ſchamed; þat wolen yuels to me.
xv Bere þei her confuſioun anoon; þat ſeien to me, Wel!
wel! `þat is, in ſcorn.
xvi Alle men þat ſeken þee, be fulli ioyful, and be glad
on þee; and ſeie þei, þat louen þin helþe, Þe Lord be
magnyfied euere.
xvii Forſoþe Y am a beggere and pore; þe Lord is biſi of
me. Þou arte myn helpere and my defendere; my God,
tarie þou not.
PSALM XL
Þe title of þe fourtiþe ſalm. For victorie, þe ſong of
Dauid.
i Bleſſid is he þat vndurſtondiþ `on a nedi man and pore;
þe Lord ſchal delyuere hym in þe yuel dai.
ii Þe Lord kepe hym, and quykene hym, and make hym
blesful in þe lond; and bitake not hym in to þe wille of
his enemyes.
iii Þe Lord bere help to hym on þe bed of his ſorewe;
þou haſt ofte turned al his bed ſtre in his ſijkneſſe.
iiii Iſeide, Lord, haue þou mercy on me; heele þou my
ſoule, for Y ſynnede aȝens þee.
v Myn enemyes ſeiden yuels to me; Whanne ſchal he
die, and his name ſchal periſche?
vi And if he entride for to ſe, he ſpak veyn þingis; his
herte gaderide wickidneſſe to hym ſilf. He ȝede wiþ out
forþ; and ſpak to þe ſame þing.
vii Alle myn enemyes bacbitiden pryuyli aȝens me;
aȝens me þei þouȝten yuels to me.
viii Þei ordeineden an yuel word aȝens me; Wheþer he
þat ſlepiþ, ſchal not leie to, þat he riſe aȝen?
ix For whi þe man of my pees, in whom Y hopide, he
þat eet my looues; made greet diſſeit on me.
x But þou, Lord, haue merci on me, and reiſe me aȝen;
and Y ſchal ȝelde to hem.
xi In þis þing Y knew, þat þou woldiſt me; for myn
enemye ſchal not haue ioye on me.
xii Forſoþe þou haſt take me vp for ynnocence; and haſt
confermed me in þi ſiȝt wiþ outen ende.
xiii Bleſſid be þe Lord God of Iſrael, fro þe world and in
to þe world; be it doon, be it doon.
PSALM XLI
Þe title of þe oon and fourtiþe ſalm. To victorie, to þe
ſones of Chore.
i As an hert deſiriþ to þe wellis of watris; ſo þou, God,
my ſoule deſiriþ to þee.
ii Mi ſoule þirſtide to God, `þat is a `quik welle; whanne
ſchal Y come, and appere bifor þe face of God?
iii Mi teeris weren looues to me bi dai and nyȝt; while it
is ſeid to me ech dai, Where is þi God?
iiii I biþouȝte of þeſe þingis, and Y ſchedde out in me
my ſoule; for Y ſchal paſſe in to þe place of þe
wondurful tabernacle, til to þe hows of God. In þe vois
of ful out ioiyng and knoulechyng; is þe ſown of þe
etere.
v Mi ſoule, whi art þou ſory; and whi diſturbliſt þou me?
Hope þou in God, for ȝit Y ſchal knouleche to hym; he
is þe helþe of my cheer,
vi and my God. My ſoule is diſturblid at my ſilf; þerfor,
God, Y ſchal be myndeful of þee fro þe lond of Jordan,
and fro þe litil hil Hermonyim.
vii Depþe clepiþ depþe; in þe vois of þi wyndows. Alle
þin hiȝe þingis and þi wawis; paſſiden ouer me.
viii Þe Lord ſente his merci in þe dai; and his ſong in þe
nyȝt. At me is a preier to þe God of my lijf;
ix Y ſchal ſeie to God, Þou art my `takere vp. Whi
forȝetiſt þou me; and whi go Y ſorewful, while þe
enemy turmentiþ me?
x While my boonys ben brokun togidere; myn enemyes,
þat troblen me, diſpiſeden me. While þei ſeien to me, bi
alle daies; Where is þi God?
CDXCVIII
xi Mi ſoule, whi art þou ſori; and whi diſturbliſt þou me?
Hope þou in God, for ȝit Y ſchal knouleche to hym; `he
is þe helþe of my cheer, and my God.
PSALM XLII
`Þe two and fourtiþe ſalm.
i God, deme þou me, and departe þou my cauſe fro a
folc not hooli; delyuere þou me fro a wickid man, and
gileful.
ii For þou art God, my ſtrengþe; whi haſt þou put me
abac, and whi go Y ſoreuful, while þe enemy turmentiþ
me?
iii Sende out þi lyȝt, and þi treuþe; þo ledden me forþ,
and brouȝten in to þin hooli hil, and in to þi tabernaclis.
iiii And Y ſchal entre to þe auter of God; to God, þat
gladiþ my ȝongþe. God, my God, Y ſchal knowleche to
þee in an harpe; my ſoule,
v whi art þou ſory, and whi trobliſt þou me? Hope þou in
God, for ȝit Y ſchal knouleche to hym; he is þe helþe of
my cheer, and my God.
PSALM XLIII
Þe title of þe þre and fourtiþe ſalm. `To victorie,
lernyng to þe ſones of Chore.
i God, we herden wiþ oure eeris; oure fadris telden to
vs. Þe werk, which þou wrouȝtiſt in þe daies of hem;
and in elde daies.
ii Þin hond loſt heþene men, and þou plauntidiſt hem;
þou turmentidiſt puplis, and caſtidiſt hem out.
iii For þe children of Iſrael weldiden þe lond not bi her
ſwerd; and þe arm of hem ſauyde not hem. But þi riȝt
hond, and þin arm, and þe liȝtnyng of þi cheer; for þou
were pleſid in hem.
iiii Þou art þi ſilf, my kyng and my God; þat ſendiſt
helþis to Jacob.
v Bi þee we ſchulen wyndewe oure enemyes wiþ horn;
and in þi name we ſchulen diſpiſe hem, þat riſen aȝen
vs.
vi For Y ſchal not hope in my bouwe; and my ſwerd
ſchal not ſaue me.
vii For þou haſt ſaued vs fro men turmentinge vs; and
þou haſt ſchent men hatinge vs.
viii We ſchulen be preiſid in God al dai; and in þi name
we ſchulen knouleche to þee in to þe world.
ix But now þou haſt put vs abac, and haſt ſchent vs; and
þou, God, ſchalt not go out in oure vertues.
x Þou haſt turned vs awei bihynde aftir oure enemyes;
and þei, þat hatiden vs, rauyſchiden dyuerſeli to hem
ſilf.
xi Þou haſt ȝoue vs as ſcheep of meetis; and among
heþene men þou haſt ſcaterid vs.
xii Þou haſt ſeeld þi puple wiþ out prijs; and multitude
was not in þe chaungyngis of hem.
xiii Þou haſt ſet vs ſchenſchip to oure neiȝboris;
mouwyng and ſcorn to hem þat ben in oure cumpas.
xiiii Þou haſt ſet vs into licneſſe to heþene men; ſtiryng
of heed among puplis.
xv Al dai my ſchame is aȝens me; and þe ſchenſchipe of
my face hilide me.
xvi Fro þe vois of diſpiſere, and yuele ſpekere; fro þe
face of enemy, and purſuere.
xvii Alle þeſe þingis camen on vs, and we han not
forȝete þee; and we diden not wickidli in þi teſtament.
xviii And oure herte ȝede not awei bihynde; and þou haſt
bowid awei oure paþis fro þi weie.
xix For þou haſt maad vs lowe in þe place of turment;
and þe ſchadewe of deþ hilide vs.
xx If we forȝaten þe name of oure God; and if we helden
forþ oure hondis to an alien God.
xxi Wheþer God ſchal not ſeke þeſe þingis? for he
knowiþ þe hid þingis of herte.
xxii For whi we ben ſlayn al dai for þee; we ben demed
as ſcheep of ſleyng.
xxiii Lord, riſe vp, whi ſlepiſt þou? riſe vp, and putte not
awei in to þe ende.
xxiiii Whi turneſt þou awei þi face? þou forȝetiſt oure
pouert, and oure tribulacioun.
xxv For oure lijf is maad low in duſt; oure wombe is
glued togidere in þe erþe.
xxvi Lord, riſe vp þou, and helpe vs; and aȝenbie vs for
þi name.
PSALM XLIIII
Þe title of þe foure and fourtiþe ſalm. To þe
ouercomere for þe lilies, þe moſt loued ſong of
lernyng of þe ſones of Chore.
i Myn herte haþ teld out a good word; Y ſeie my workis
`to þe kyng. Mi tunge is `a penne of a writere; writynge
ſwiftli.
ii Criſt, þou art fairer in ſchap þan þe ſones of men;
grace is ſpred abrood in þi lippis; þerfor God bleſſid þee
wiþouten ende.
iii Be þou gird wiþ þi ſwerd; on þi hipe moſt myȝtili.
Biholde þou in þi ſchaplyneſſe and þi fairneſſe;
iiii come þou forþ wiþ proſperite, and regne þou. For
treuþe, and myldeneſſe, and riȝtfulneſſe; and þi riȝt hond
ſchal lede forþ þee wondurfuli.
v Þi ſcharpe arowis ſchulen falle in to þe hertis of þe
enemyes of þe kyng; puplis ſchulen be vndur þee.
vi God, þi ſeete is in to þe world of world; þe ȝerde of þi
rewme is a ȝerde of riȝt reulyng, `eþir of equite.
CDXCIX
vii Þou louediſt riȝtfulneſſe, and hatidiſt wickidneſſe;
þerfor þou, God, þi God, anoyntide þee wiþ þe oile of
gladneſſe, more þan þi felowis.
viii Mirre, and gumme, and caſſia, of þi cloþis, of þe
`houſis yuer;
ix of whiche þe douȝtris of kyngis delitiden þee. A
queen ſtood nyȝ on þi riȝt ſide in cloþing ouergildid;
cumpaſſid wiþ dyuerſitee.
x Douȝter, here þou, and ſe, and bowe doun þin eere;
and forȝete þi puple, and þe hows of þi fadir.
xi And þe kyng ſchal coueyte þi fairneſſe; for he is þi
Lord God, and þei ſchulen worſchipe hym.
xii And þe douȝtris of Tire in ȝiftis; alle þe riche men of
þe puple ſchulen biſeche þi cheer.
xiii Al þe glorye of þat douȝter of þe kyng is wiþ ynne in
goldun hemmes;
xiiii ſche is cloþid aboute wiþ dyuerſitees. Virgyns
ſchulen be brouȝt to þe kyng aftir hir; hir neiȝboreſſis
ſchulen be brouȝt to þee.
xv Þei ſchulen be brouȝt in gladneſſe, and ful out ioiyng;
þei ſchulen be brouȝt in to þe temple of þe kyng.
xvi Sones ben borun to þee, for þi fadris; þou ſchalt
ordeyne hem princes on al erþe.
xvii Lord, þei ſchulen be myndeful of þi name; in ech
generacioun, and in to generacioun. Þerfor puplis
ſchulen knouleche to þee wiþouten ende; and in to þe
world of world.
PSALM XLV
Þe title of þe fiue and fourtiþe ſalm. To þe
ouercomere, þe ſong of þe ſones `of Chore, `for
ȝongþis.
i Oure God, þou art refuyt, and vertu; helpere in
tribulacions, þat han founde vs greetly.
ii Þerfor we ſchulen not drede, while þe erþe ſchal be
troblid; and þe hillis ſchulen be borun ouer in to þe
herte of þe ſee.
iii Þe watris of hem ſowneden, and weren troblid; hillis
weren troblid togidere in þe ſtrengþe of hym.
iiii Þe feerſneſſe of flood makiþ glad þe citee of God; þe
hiȝeſte God haþ halewid his tabernacle.
v God in þe myddis þerof ſchal not be moued; God ſchal
helpe it eerli in þe grey morewtid.
vi Hethene men weren diſturblid togidere, and rewmes
weren bowid doun; God ȝaf his vois, þe erþe was
moued.
vii Þe Lord of vertues is wiþ vs; God of Jacob is oure
vptakere.
viii Come ȝe, and ſe þe werkis of þe Lord; whiche
wondris he haþ ſet on þe erþe.
ix He doynge awei batels til to þe ende of þe lond; ſchal
al to-breke bouwe, and ſchal breke togidere armuris,
and ſchal brenne ſcheldis bi fier.
x Ȝyue ȝe tent, and ſe ȝe, þat Y am God; Y ſchal be
enhaunſid among heþene men; and Y ſchal be enhaunſid
in erþe.
xi Þe Lord of vertues is wiþ vs; God of Jacob is oure
vptakere.
PSALM XLVI
Þe title of þe ſixte and fourtiþe ſalm. To victorie, a
ſalm to þe ſones of Chore.
i Alle ȝe folkis, make ioie wiþ hondis; ſynge ȝe hertli to
God in þe vois of ful out ioiyng.
ii For þe Lord is hiȝ and ferdful; a greet kyng on al erþe.
iii He made puplis ſuget to vs; and heþene men vndur
oure feet.
iiii He chees his eritage to vs; þe fairneſſe of Jacob,
whom he louyde.
v God ſtiede in hertli ſong; and þe Lord in þe vois of a
trumpe.
vi Synge ȝe to oure God, ſynge ȝe; ſynge ȝe to oure
kyng, ſynge ȝe.
vii For God is kyng of al erþe; ſynge ȝe wiſeli.
viii God ſchal regne on heþene men; God ſittiþ on his
hooli ſeete.
ix Þe princes of puplis ben gaderid togidere wiþ God of
Abraham; for þe ſtronge goddis of erþe ben reiſid
greetli.
PSALM XLVII
Þe title of þe ſeuene and fourtiþe ſalm. þe ſong of
ſalm, of þe ſones of Chore.
i Þe Lord is greet, and worþi to be preiſid ful myche; in
þe citee of oure God, in þe hooli hil of hym.
ii It is foundid in þe ful out ioiyng of al erþe; þe hil of
Syon; þe ſidis of þe norþ, þe citee of þe greet kyng.
iii God ſchal be knowun in þe houſis þerof; whanne he
ſchal take it.
iiii For lo! þe kyngis of erþe weren gaderid togidere; þei
camen into o place.
v Þei ſeynge ſo wondriden; þei weren diſturblid, þei
weren mouyd togidere, tremblyng took hem.
vi Þere ſorewis as of a womman trauelynge of child;
vii in a greet ſpirit þou ſchalt al to-breke þe ſchippis of
Tharſis.
viii As we herden, ſo we ſien, in þe citee of þe Lord of
vertues, in þe citee of oure God; God haþ foundid þat
citee wiþ outen ende.
ix God, we han reſſeyued þi mercy; in þe myddis of þi
temple.
D
x Aftir þi name, God, ſo þin heriyng is ſpred abrood in
to þe endis of erþe; þi riȝt hond is ful of riȝtfulneſſe.
xi Þe hil of Sion be glad, and þe douȝtris of Judee be
fulli ioiful; for þi domes, Lord.
xii Cumpaſſe ȝe Syon, and biclippe ȝe it; telle ȝe in þe
touris þerof.
xiii Sette ȝe ȝoure hertis in þe vertu of him; and departe
ȝe þe houſis of hym, þat ȝe telle out in an oþer
generacioun.
xiiii For þis is God, oure God, in to wiþouten ende, and
in to þe world of world; he ſchal gouerne vs in to
worldis.
PSALM XLVIII
Þe title of þe eiȝte and fourtiþe ſalm. To victorie, a
ſalm to þe ſones of Chore.
i Alle ȝe folkis, here þeſe þingis; alle ȝe þat dwellen in
þe world, perſeyue wiþ eeris.
ii Alle þe ſones of erþe and þe ſones of men; togidere þe
riche man and þe pore in to oon.
iii Mi mouþ ſchal ſpeke wiſdom; and þe þenkyng of myn
herte ſchal ſpeke prudence.
iiii I ſchal bouwe doun myn eere in to a parable; Y ſchal
opene my reſoun ſet forþ in a ſautree.
v Whi ſchal Y drede in þe yuel dai? þe wickidneſſe of
myn heele ſchal cumpaſſe me.
vi Whiche triſten in her owne vertu; and han glorie in þe
multitude of her richeſſis.
vii A broþer aȝenbieþ not, ſchal a man aȝenbie? and he
ſchal not ȝyue to God his pleſyng.
viii And he ſchal not ȝyue þe prijs of raunſum of his
ſoule; and he ſchal trauele wiþ outen ende,
ix and he ſchal lyue ȝit in to þe ende. He ſchal not ſe
periſchyng,
x whanne he ſchal ſe wiſe men diynge; þe vnwiſe man
and fool ſchulen periſche togidere. And þei ſchulen
leeue her richeſſis to aliens;
xi and þe ſepulcris of hem ben þe houſis of hem wiþ
outen ende. Þe tabernaclis of hem ben in generacioun
and generacioun; þei clepiden her names in her londis.
xii A man, whanne he was in honour, vndurſtood not; he
is compariſound to vnwiſe beeſtis, and he is maad lijk to
þo.
xiii Þis weie of hem is ſclaundir to hem; and aftirward
þei ſchulen pleſe togidere in her mouþ.
xiiii As ſcheep þei ben ſet in helle; deþ ſchal gnawe hem.
And iuſt men ſchulen be lordis of hem in þe morewtid;
and þe helpe of hem ſchal wexe eld in helle, for þe
glorie of hem.
xv Neþeles God ſchal aȝenbie my ſoule from þe power
of helle; whanne he ſchal take me.
xvi Drede þou not, whanne a man is maad riche; and þe
glorie of his hows is multiplied.
xvii For whanne he ſchal die, he ſchal not take alle
þingis; and his glorie ſchal not go doun wiþ him.
xviii For his ſoule ſchal be bleſſid in his lijf; he ſchal
knouleche to þee, whanne þou haſt do wel to hym.
xxi He ſchal entre til in to þe generaciouns of hiſe fadris;
and til in to wiþ outen ende he ſchal not ſe lyȝt.
xx A man, whanne he was in honour, vndurſtood not; he
is compariſound to vnwiſe beeſtis, and is maad lijk to
þo.
PSALM XLIX
Þe title of þe nyne and fourtiþe ſalm. þe ſalm of
Aſaph.
i God, þe Lord of goddis, ſpak; and clepide þe erþe, fro
þe riſynge of þe ſunne til to þe goyng doun.
ii Þe ſchap of his fairneſſe fro Syon,
iii God ſchal come opynli; oure God, and he ſchal not be
ſtille. Fier ſchal brenne an hiȝe in his ſiȝt; and a ſtrong
tempeſt in his cumpas.
iiii He clepide heuene aboue; and þe erþe, to deme his
puple.
v Gadere ȝe to hym hiſe ſeyntis; þat ordeynen his
teſtament aboue ſacrifices.
vi `And heuenes ſchulen ſchewe his riȝtfulneſſe; for God
is þe iuge.
vii Mi puple, here þou, and Y ſchal ſpeke to Iſrael; and Y
ſchal witneſſe to þee, Y am God, þi God.
viii I ſchal not repreue þee in þi ſacrifices; and þi brent
ſacrifices ben euere bifor me.
ix I ſchal not take calues of þin hows; neþir geet buckis
of þi flockis.
x For alle þe wyelde beeſtis of wodis ben myne; werk
beeſtis, and oxis in hillis.
xi I haue knowe alle þe volatils of heuene; and þe
fairneſſe of þe feeld is wiþ me.
xii If Y ſchal be hungry, Y ſchal not ſeie to þee; for þe
world and þe fulneſſe þerof is myn.
xiii Wheþer Y ſchal eete þe fleiſchis of boolis? eþir ſchal
Y drynke þe blood of geet buckis?
xiiii Offre þou to God þe ſacrifice of heriyng; and ȝelde
þin avowis to þe hiȝeſte God.
xv And inwardli clepe þou me in þe dai of tribulacioun;
and Y ſchal delyuere þee, and þou ſchalt onoure me.
xvi But God ſeide to þe ſynnere, Whi telliſt þou out my
riȝtfulneſſis; and takiſt my teſtament bi þi mouþ?
xvii Soþeli þou hatidiſt lore; and haſt caſt awey my
wordis bihynde.
xviii If þou ſiȝeſt a þeef, þou `haſt runne wiþ hym; and
þou ſettidiſt þi part wiþ avowtreris.
DI
xix Þi mouþ was plenteuouſe of malice; and þi tunge
medlide togidere giles.
xx Þou ſittynge ſpakiſt aȝens þi broþer, and þou ſettidiſt
ſclaundir aȝens þe ſone of þi modir;
xxi þou didiſt þeſe þingis, and Y was ſtille. Þou geſſidiſt
wickidli, þat Y ſchal be lijk þee; Y ſchal repreue þee,
and Y ſchal ſette aȝens þi face.
xxii Ȝe þat forȝeten God, vndurſtonde þeſe þingis; leſt
ſum tyme he rauyſche, and noon be þat ſchal delyuere.
xxiii Þe ſacrifice of heriyng ſchal onoure me; and þere is
þe weie, where ynne Y ſchal ſchewe to hym þe helþe of
God.
PSALM L
Þe title of þe fiftiþe ſalm. To victorie, þe ſalm of
Dauid; `whanne Nathan þe prophete cam to hym,
whanne he entride to Berſabee.
i God, haue þou merci on me; bi þi greet merci. And bi
þe mychilneſſe of þi merciful doyngis; do þou awei my
wickidneſſe.
ii More waiſche þou me fro my wickidneſſe; and clenſe
þou me fro my ſynne.
iii For Y knouleche my wickidneſſe; and my ſynne is
euere aȝens me.
iiii I haue ſynned to þee aloone, and Y haue do yuel
bifor þee; þat þou be iuſtified in þi wordis, and
ouercome whanne þou art demed. For lo!
v Y was conſeyued in wickedneſſis; and my modir
conceyuede me in ſynnes.
vi For lo! þou louediſt treuþe; þou haſt ſchewid to me þe
vncerteyn þingis, and pryuy þingis of þi wiſdom.
vii Lord, ſprenge þou me wiþ yſope, and Y ſchal be
clenſid; waiſche þou me, and Y ſchal be maad whijt
more þan ſnow.
viii Ȝyue þou ioie, and gladneſſe to myn heryng; and
boonys maad meke ſchulen ful out make ioye.
ix Turne awei þi face fro my ſynnes; and do awei alle
my wickidneſſes.
x God, make þou a clene herte in me; and make þou
newe a riȝtful ſpirit in my entrailis.
xi Caſte þou me not awei fro þi face; and take þou not
awei fro me þin hooli ſpirit.
xii Ȝiue þou to me þe gladneſſe of þyn helþe; and
conferme þou me wiþ þe principal ſpirit.
xiii I ſchal teche wickid men þi weies; and vnfeiþful
men ſchulen be conuertid to þee.
xiiii God, þe God of myn helþe, delyuere þou me fro
bloodis; and my tunge ſchal ioyfuli ſynge þi riȝtfulneſſe.
xv Lord, `opene þou my lippis; and my mouþ ſchal telle
þi preyſyng.
xvi For if þou haddiſt wold ſacrifice, Y hadde ȝoue;
treuli þou ſchalt not delite in brent ſacrifices.
xvii A ſacrifice to God is a ſpirit troblid; God, þou ſchalt
not diſpiſe a contrit herte and `maad meke.
xviii Lord, do þou benygneli in þi good wille to Syon;
þat þe wallis of Jeruſalem be bildid.
xix Þanne þou ſchalt take pleſauntli þe ſacrifice of
riȝtfulneſſe, offryngis, and brent ſacrifices; þanne þei
ſchulen putte calues on þin auter.
PSALM LI
Þe title of þe oon and fiftiþe ſalm. To victorie, þe
ſalm of Dauid, `whanne Doech Idumei cam, and
telde to Saul, and ſeide to him, Dauid cam in to þe
hows of Abymelech.
i What haſt þou glorie in malice; which art miȝti in
wickidneſſe?
ii Al dai þi tunge þouȝte vnriȝtfulneſſe; as a ſcharp
raſour þou haſt do gile.
iii Þou louediſt malice more þan benygnite; `þou
louediſt wickidneſſe more þan to ſpeke equite.
iiii Þou louediſt alle wordis of caſting doun; wiþ a
gileful tunge.
v Þerfor God ſchal diſtrie þee in to þe ende, he ſchal
drawe þee out bi þe roote, and he ſchal make þee to
paſſe awei fro þi tabernacle; and þi roote fro þe lond of
lyuynge men.
vi Iuſt men ſchulen ſe, and ſchulen drede; and þei
ſchulen leiȝe on hym, and þei ſchulen ſeie,
vii Lo! þe man þat ſettide not God his helpere. But he
hopide in þe multitude of his richeſſis; and hadde
maiſtrie in his vanite.
viii Forſoþe Y, as a fruytful olyue tre in þe hous of God;
hopide in þe merci of God wiþ outen ende,
ix and in to þe world of world. Y ſchal knowleche to þee
in to þe world, for þou haſt do mercy to me; and Y ſchal
abide þi name, for it is good in þe ſiȝt of þi ſeyntis.
PSALM LII
Þe title of þe two and fiftiþe ſalm. To þe ouercomer
bi þe quere, þe lernyng of Dauid.
i Þe vnwiſe man ſeide in his herte; God is not. Þei ben
`corrupt, and maad abhomynable in her wickidneſſis;
noon is þat doiþ good.
ii God bihelde fro heuene on þe ſones of men; þat he ſe,
if `ony is vndurſtondynge, eþer ſekynge God.
iii Alle boweden awei, þei ben maad vnprofitable
togidre; noon is þat doiþ good, þer is not til to oon.
iiii Wheþer alle men, þat worchen wickidneſſe, ſchulen
not wite; whiche deuouren my puple as þe mete of
breed? Þei clepiden not God;
v þere þei trembliden for drede, where no drede was.
For God haþ ſcaterid þe boones of hem, þat pleſen men;
þei ben ſchent, for God haþ forſake hem.
DII
vi Who ſchal ȝyue fro Syon helþe to Iſrael? whanne þe
Lord haþ turned þe caitifte of his puple, Jacob ſchal `ful
out make ioie, and Iſrael ſchal be glad.
PSALM LIII
Þe title of þe þre and fiftiþe ſalm. To victorie in
orguns, eþer in ſalmes, þe lernyng of Dauid,
`whanne Zyfeys camen, and ſeiden to Saul, Wheþir
Dauid is not hid at vs?
i God, in þi name make þou me ſaaf; and in þi vertu
deme þou me.
ii God, here þou my preier; wiþ eeris perſeyue þou þe
wordis of my mouþ.
iii For aliens han riſe aȝens me, and ſtronge men ſouȝten
my lijf; and þei ſettiden not God bifor her ſiȝt.
iiii For, lo! God helpiþ me; and þe Lord is vptaker of my
ſoule.
v Turne þou awei yuelis to myn enemyes; and leeſe þou
hem in þi treuþe.
vi Wilfuli Y ſchal make ſacrifice to þee; and, Lord, Y
ſchal knouleche to þi name, for it is good.
vii For þou delyueridiſt me fro al tribulacioun; and myn
iȝe diſpiſide on myn enemyes.
PSALM LIIII
Þe title of þe foure and fiftiþe ſalm. `In Ebreu þus,
To victorie in orguns, þe lernyng of Dauid. `In
Jeroms tranſlacioun þus, To þe ouercomer in ſalmes
of Dauid lernid.
i God, here þou my preier, and diſpiſe þou not my
biſeching;
ii ȝyue þou tent to me, and here þou me. I am ſorewful
in myn exerciſing;
iii and Y am diſturblid of þe face of þe enemye, and of
þe tribulacioun of þe ſynner. For þei bowiden
wickidneſſis in to me; and in ire þei weren diſeſeful to
me.
iiii Myn herte was diſturblid in me; and þe drede of deþ
felde on me.
v Drede and trembling camen on me; and derkneſſis
hiliden me.
vi And Y ſeide, Who ſchal ȝyue to me feþeris, as of a
culuer; and Y ſchal fle, and ſchal take reſt?
vii Lo! Y ȝede fer awei, and fledde; and Y dwellide in
wildirneſſe.
viii I abood hym, þat made me ſaaf fro þe litilneſſe, `eþer
drede, of ſpirit; and fro tempeſt.
ix Lord, caſte þou doun, departe þou þe tungis of hem;
for Y ſiȝ wickidneſſe and aȝenſeiyng in þe citee.
x Bi dai and nyȝt wickidneſſe ſchal cumpaſſe it on þe
wallis þerof;
xi and trauel and vnriȝtfulneſſe ben in þe myddis þerof.
And vſure and gile failide not; fro þe ſtretis þerof.
xii For if myn enemye hadde curſid me; ſoþeli Y hadde
ſuffride. And if he, þat hatide me, hadde ſpoke greet
þingis on me; in hap Y hadde hid me fro hym.
xiii But þou art a man of o wille; my leeder, and my
knowun.
xiiii Which tokiſt togidere ſwete meetis wiþ me; we
ȝeden wiþ conſent in þe hous of God.
xv Deþ come on hem; and go þei doun quyk in to helle.
For weiwardneſſis ben in þe dwelling places of hem; in
þe myddis of hem.
xvi But Y criede to þee, Lord; and þe Lord ſauede me.
xvii In þe euentid and morewtid and in myddai Y ſchal
telle, and ſchewe; and he ſchal here my vois.
xviii He ſchal aȝenbie my ſoule in pees fro hem, þat
neiȝen to me; for among manye þei weren wiþ me.
xix God ſchal here; and he þat is bifore þe worldis ſchal
make hem low. For chaungyng is not to hem, and þei
dredden not God;
xx he holdiþ forþ his hoond in ȝelding. Þei defouliden
his teſtament,
xxi þe cheris þerof weren departid fro ire; and his herte
neiȝede. Þe wordis þerof weren ſofter þan oyle; and þo
ben dartis.
xxii Caſte þi cure on þe Lord, and he ſchal fulli nuriſche
þee; and he ſchal not ȝyue wiþ outen ende flotering to a
iuſt man.
xxiii But þou, God, ſchalt lede hem forþ; in to þe pit of
deþ. Menquelleris and gilours ſchulen not haue half her
daies; but, Lord, Y ſchal hope in þee.
PSALM LV
Þe title of þe fyue and fiftiþe ſalm. `In Ebreu þus, To
þe ouercomyng on þe doumb culuer of fer drawing
awei, þe comely ſong of Dauid, whanne Filiſteis
helden hym in Geth. `In Jeroms tranſlacioun þus, To
þe ouercomer for þe doumb culuer, for it ȝede awei
fer.
i God,
haue þou merci on me, for a man haþ defoulid
me; al dai he impugnyde, and troublide me.
ii Myn enemyes defouliden me al dai; for manye fiȝteris
weren aȝens me.
iii Of þe hiȝneſſe of dai Y ſchal drede; but God Y ſchal
hope in þee.
iiii In God Y ſchal preiſe my wordis; Y hopide in God, Y
ſchal not drede what þing fleiſch ſchal do to me.
v Al dai þei curſiden my wordis; aȝens me alle her
þouȝtis weren in to yuel.
vi Þei ſchulen dwelle, and ſchulen hide; þei ſchulen aſpie
myn heele. As þei abiden my lijf,
DIII
vii fornouȝt ſchalt þou make hem ſaaf; in ire þou ſchalt
breke togidre puplis.
viii God, Y ſchewide my lijf to þee; þou haſt ſet my
teeris in þi ſiȝt. As and in þi biheeſt, Lord;
ix þanne myn enemyes ſchulen be turned abak. In what
euere dai Y ſchal inwardli clepe þee; lo! Y haue knowe,
þat þou art my God.
x In God Y ſchal preiſe a word; in þe Lord Y ſchal
preyſe a word.
xi Y ſchal hope in God; Y ſchal not drede what þing a
man ſchal do to me.
xii God, þin auowis ben in me; whiche Y ſchal ȝelde
heriyngis to þee.
xiii For þou haſt delyuerid my lijf fro deþ, and my feet
fro ſlidyng; þat Y pleeſe bifore God in þe lyȝt of hem
þat lyuen.
PSALM LVI
Þe title of þe ſixte and fiftiþe ſalm. `In Ebreu þus, To
þe victorie, leſe þou not þe ſemeli ſong, `eþer þe
`ſwete ſong of Dauid, `whanne he fledde fro þe face
of Saul in to þe denne. `In Jeroms tranſlacioun þus,
For victorie, þat þou leſe not Dauid, meke and
ſimple, whanne he fledde fro þe face of Saul in to þe
denne.
i God, haue þou merci on me, haue þou merci on me;
for my ſoule triſtiþ in þee. And Y ſchal hope in þe
ſchadewe of þi wyngis; til wickidneſſe paſſe.
ii I ſchal crye to God alþerhiȝeſte; to God þat dide wel to
me.
iii He ſente fro heuene, and delyuerede me; he ȝaf in to
ſchenſchip hem þat defoulen me. God ſente his merci
and his treuþe,
iiii and delyuerede my ſoule fro þe myddis of whelpis of
liouns; Y ſlepte diſturblid. Þe ſones of men, þe teeþ of
hem ben armuris and arowis; and her tunge is a ſcharp
ſwerd.
v God, be þou enhaunſid aboue heuenes; and þi glorie
aboue al erþe.
vi Þei maden redi a ſnare to my feet; and þei greetly
boweden my lijf. Þei delueden a diche bifore my face;
and þei felden doun in to it.
vii God, myn herte is redi, myn herte is redi; Y ſchal
ſinge, and Y ſchal ſeie ſalm.
viii Mi glorie, riſe þou vp; ſautrie and harpe, riſe þou vp;
Y ſchal riſe vp eerli.
ix Lord, Y ſchal knouleche to þee among puplis; and Y
ſchal ſeie ſalm among heþene men.
x For þi merci is magnified til to heuenes; and þi treuþe
til to cloudis.
xi God, be þou enhaunſid aboue heuenes; and þi glorie
ouer al erþe.
PSALM LVII
Þe title of þe ſeuene and fiftiþe ſalm. `In Ebreu þus,
To victorie; `leſe þou not þe ſwete ſong, eþer þe
ſemely ſalm, of Dauid. `In Jeroms tranſlacioun þus,
To þe ouercomere, þat þou leſe not Dauid, meke and
ſimple.
i Forſoþe
if ȝe ſpeken riȝtfulneſſe verili; ȝe ſones of men,
deme riȝtfuli.
ii For in herte ȝe worchen wickidneſſe in erþe; ȝoure
hondis maken redi vnriȝtfulneſſis.
iii Synneris weren maad aliens fro þe wombe; þei
erriden fro þe wombe, þei ſpaken falſe þingis.
iiii Woodneſſe is to hem, bi þe licneſſe of a ſerpent; as of
a deef ſnake, and ſtoppynge hiſe eeris.
v Which ſchal not here þe vois of charmeris; and of a
venym makere charmynge wiſeli.
vi God ſchal al to-breke þe teeþ of hem in her mouþ; þe
Lord ſchal breke togidere þe greet teeþ of liouns.
vii Þei ſchulen come to nouȝt, as water rennynge awei;
he bente his bouwe, til þei ben maad ſijk.
viii As wexe þat fletiþ awei, þei ſchulen be takun awei;
fier felle aboue, and þei ſiȝen not þe ſunne.
ix Bifore þat ȝoure þornes vndurſtoden þe ramne; he
ſwolewiþ hem ſo in ire, as lyuynge men.
x Þe iuſt man ſchal be glad, whanne he ſchal ſe
veniaunce; he ſchal waiſche hiſe hondis in þe blood of a
ſynner.
xi And a man ſchal ſeie treuli, For fruyt is to a iuſt man;
treuli God is demynge hem in erþe.
PSALM LVIII
Þe title of þe eiȝte and fiftiþe ſalm. `In Jeroms
tranſlacioun þus, To þe ouercomer, þat þou leſe not
Dauid, meke and ſimple, `whanne Saul ſente and
kepte þe hous, to ſlee hym. `In Ebreu þus, To þe
ouercomyng, leeſe þou not þe ſemeli ſong of Dauid,
and ſo forþ.
i Mi
God, delyuer þou me fro myn enemyes; and
delyuer þou me fro hem þat riſen aȝens me.
ii Delyuer þou me fro hem þat worchen wickidneſſe;
and ſaue þou me fro menquelleris.
iii For lo! þei han take my ſoule; ſtronge men fellen in
on me. Neþir my wickidneſſe, neþer my ſynne; Lord,
iiii Y ran wiþ out wickidneſſe, and dreſſide `my werkis.
Riſe vp þou in to my meetyng, and ſe;
v and þou, Lord God of vertues, art God of Iſrael. Ȝyue
þou tent to viſite alle folkis; do þou not merci to alle þat
worchen wickidneſſe.
vi Þei ſchulen be turned at euentid, and þei as doggis
ſchulen ſuffre hungir; and þei ſchulen cumpas þe citee.
vii Lo! þei ſchulen ſpeke in her mouþ, and a ſwerd in her
lippis; for who herde?
DIV
viii And þou, Lord, ſchalt ſcorne hem; þou ſchalt bringe
alle folkis to nouȝt.
ix I ſchal kepe my ſtrengþe to þee; for God is myn
vptaker,
x my God, his mercy ſchal come byfore me. God
ſchewide to me on myn enemyes,
xi ſlee þou not hem; leſt ony tyme my puples forȝete.
Scatere þou hem in þi vertu; and, Lord, my defender,
putte þou hem doun.
xii Putte þou doun þe treſpas of her mouþ, and þe word
of her lippis; and be þei takun in her pride. And of
curſyng and of leeſyng; þei ſchulen be ſchewid in þe
endyng.
xiii In þe ire of ending, and þei ſchulen not be; and þei
ſchulen wite, þat þe Lord ſchal be Lord of Jacob, and of
þe endis of erþe.
xiiii Þei ſchulen be turned at euentid, and þei as doggis
ſchulen ſuffre hungur; and þei ſchulen cumpas þe citee.
xv Þei ſchulen be ſcaterid abrood, for to eete; ſoþeli if
þei ben not fillid, and þei ſchulen grutche.
xvi But Y ſchal ſynge þi ſtrengþe; and eerli Y ſchal
enhaunſe þi merci. For þou art maad myn vptaker; and
my refuyt, in þe dai of my tribulacioun.
xvii Myn helper, Y ſchal ſynge to þee; for þou art God,
myn vptaker, my God, my mercy.
PSALM LIX
Þe title of þe nyne and fiftiþe ſalm. `In Ebreu þus, To
victorie, on þe witneſſyng of rooſe, þe ſwete ſong of
Dauid, to teche, `whanne he fauȝte aȝens Aram of
floodis, and Sirie of Soba; and Joab turnede aȝen,
and ſmoot Edom in þe `valei of ſalt pittis, twelue
þouſynde. `In Jeroms tranſlacioun þus, To þe
ouercomer for lilies, þe witneſſing of meke and parfit
Dauid, to teche, whanne he fauȝte aȝens Sirie of
Meſopotamye, and Soba, and ſo forþ.
i God, þou haſt put awei vs, and þou haſt diſtried vs; þou
were wrooþ, and þou haſt do merci to vs.
ii Þou mouediſt þe erþe, and þou diſturblidiſt it; make
þou hool þe ſorewis þerof, for it is moued.
iii Þou ſchewidiſt harde þingis to þi puple; þou ȝaueſt
drynk to vs wiþ þe wyn of compunccioun.
iiii Þou haſt ȝoue a ſignefiyng to hem þat dreden þee; þat
þei fle fro þe face of þe bouwe.
v Þat þi derlyngis be delyuered; make þou ſaaf wiþ þi
riȝt hond `þe puple of Iſrael, and here þou me.
vi God ſpak bi his hooli; Y ſchal be glad, and Y ſchal
departe Siccimam, and Y ſchal meete þe greet valei of
tabernaclis.
vii Galaad is myn, and Manaſſes is myn; and Effraym is
þe ſtrengþe of myn heed. Juda is my king;
viii Moab is þe pot of myn hope. In to Idumee Y ſchal
ſtretche forþ my ſcho; aliens ben maad ſuget to me.
ix Who ſchal lede me in to a citee maad ſtrong; who
ſchal leede me til in to Ydumee?
x Wheþer not þou, God, þat haſt put awei vs; and ſchalt
þou not, God, go out in oure vertues?
xi Lord, ȝyue þou to vs help of tribulacioun; for þe
heelþe of man is veyn.
xii In God we ſchulen make vertu; and he ſchal bringe to
nouȝt hem þat diſturblen vs.
PSALM LX
Þe titil of þe ſixtiþe ſalm. To þe victorie on orgun, to
Dauid hym ſilf.
i God, here þou my biſeching; ȝyue þou tent to my
preyer.
ii Fro þe endis of þe lond Y criede to þee; þe while myn
herte was angwiſchid, þou enhaunſidiſt me in a ſtoon.
Þou laddeſt me forþ,
iii for þou art maad myn hope; a tour of ſtrengþe fro þe
face of þe enemye.
iiii I ſchal dwelle in þi tabernacle in to worldis; Y ſchal
be keuered in þe hilyng of þi wengis.
v For þou, my God, haſt herd my preier; þou haſt ȝoue
eritage to hem þat dreden þi name.
vi Þou ſchalt adde daies on þe daies of þe king; hiſe
ȝeeris til in to þe dai of generacioun and of generacioun.
vii He dwelliþ wiþ outen ende in þe ſiȝt of God; who
ſchal ſeke þe merci and treuþe of hym?
viii So Y ſchal ſeie ſalm to þi name in to þe world of
world; þat Y ȝelde my vowis fro dai in to dai.
PSALM LXI
Þe titil of þe oon and ſixtiþe ſalm. To þe victorie on
Iditum, þe ſalm of Dauid.
i Wheþer my ſoule ſchal not be ſuget to God; for myn
heelþe is of hym.
ii For whi he is boþe my God, and myn heelþe; my
`taker vp, Y ſchal no more be moued.
iii Hou longe fallen ȝe on a man? alle ȝe ſleen; as to a
wal bowid, and a wal of ſtoon wiþ out morter caſt doun.
iiii Neþeles þei þouȝten to putte awei my prijs, Y ran in
þirſt; wiþ her mouþ þei bleſſiden, and in her herte þei
curſiden.
v Neþeles, my ſoule, be þou ſuget to God; for my
pacience is of hym.
vi For he is my God, and my ſaueour; myn helpere, Y
ſchal not paſſe out.
vii Myn helþe, and my glorie is in God; God is þe ȝyuer
of myn help, and myn hope is in God.
viii Al þe gaderyng togidere of þe puple, hope ȝe in God,
ſchede ȝe out ȝoure hertis bifore hym; God is oure
helpere wiþ outen ende.
DV
ix Neþeles þe ſones of men ben veyne; þe ſones of men
ben liers in balauncis, þat þei diſſeyue of vanytee in to
þe ſame þing.
x Nile ȝe haue hope in wickidneſſe, and nyle ȝe coueyte
raueyns; if ritcheſſis be plenteuouſe, nyle ȝe ſette þe
herte þerto.
xi God ſpak onys, Y herde þeſe twei þingis, þat power is
of God,
xii and, þou Lord, mercy is to þee; for þou ſchalt ȝelde
to ech man bi hiſe werkis.
PSALM LXII
Þe titil of þe two and ſixtiþe ſalm. `Þe ſalm of Dauid,
`whanne he was in þe deſert of Judee.
i God, my God, Y wake to þee ful eerli. Mi ſoule
þirſtide to þee; my fleiſch þirſtide to þee ful many foold.
In a lond forſakun wiþ out wei, and wiþ out water,
ii ſo Y apperide to þee in hooli; þat Y ſchulde ſe þi vertu,
and þi glorie.
iii For þi merci is betere þan lyues; my lippis ſchulen
herie þee.
iiii So Y ſchal bleſſe þee in my lijf; and in þi name Y
ſchal reiſe myn hondis.
v Mi ſoule be fillid as wiþ inner fatneſſe and vttermere
fatneſſe; and my mouþ ſchal herie wiþ lippis of ful out
ioiyng.
vi So Y hadde mynde on þee on my bed, in morewtidis
Y ſhal þenke of þee;
vii for þou were myn helpere. And in þe keueryng of þi
wyngis Y ſchal make `ful out ioye,
viii my ſoule cleuede after þee; þi riȝthond took me vp.
ix Forſoþe þei ſouȝten in veyn my lijf, þei ſchulen entre
in to þe lower þingis of erþe;
x þei ſchulen be bitakun in to þe hondis of ſwerd, þei
ſchulen be maad þe partis of foxis.
xi But þe king ſchal be glad in God; and alle men
ſchulen be preyſid þat ſweren in hym, for þe mouþ of
hem, þat ſpeken wickid þingis, is ſtoppid.
PSALM LXIII
Þe titil of þe þre and ſixtiþe ſalm. `In Ebrewe þus, To
þe victorie, þe ſalm of Dauid. `In Jerom `þus, To þe
ouercomer, þe ſong of Dauid.
i God, here þou my preier, whanne Y biſeche; delyuere
þou my ſoule fro þe drede of þe enemy.
ii Þou haſt defendid me fro þe couent of yuele doers; fro
þe multitude of hem þat worchen wickidneſſe.
iii For þei ſcharpiden her tungis as a ſwerd, þei benten a
bowe, a bittir þing;
iiii for to ſchete in priuetees hym þat is vnwemmed.
Sodeynli þei ſchulen ſchete hym, and þei ſchulen not
drede;
v þei maden ſtidefaſt to hem ſilf a wickid word. Þei
telden, þat þei ſchulden hide ſnaris; þei ſeiden, Who
ſchal ſe hem?
vi Þei ſouȝten wickidneſſis; þei ſouȝten, and failiden in
ſekinge. A man neiȝhe to deep herte;
vii and God ſchal be enhaunſid. Þe arowis of `litle men
ben maad þe woundis of hem;
viii and þe tungis of hem ben maad ſijk aȝens hem. Alle
men ben diſturblid, þat ſien hem;
ix and ech man dredde. And þei telden þe werkis of
God; and vndurſtoden þe dedis of God.
x Þe iuſt man ſchal be glad in þe Lord, and ſchal hope in
hym; and alle men of riȝtful herte ſchulen be preiſid.
PSALM LXIIII
Þe titil of þe foure and ſixtiþe ſalm. `To victorie, `þe
ſalm of þe ſong of Dauid.
i God, heriyng bicomeþ þee in Syon; and a vow ſchal be
ȝolden to þee in Jeruſalem.
ii Here þou my preier; ech man ſchal come to þee.
iii Þe wordis of wickid men hadden þe maiſtrye ouer vs;
and þou ſchalt do merci to oure wickidneſſis.
iiii Bleſſid is he, whom þou haſt choſe, and haſt take; he
ſchal dwelle in þin hallis. We ſchulen be fillid wiþ þe
goodis of þin hous; þi temple is hooli,
v wondurful in equite. God, oure heelþe, here þou vs;
þou art hope of alle cooſtis of erþe, and in þe ſee afer.
vi And þou makeſt redi hillis in þi vertu, and art gird
wiþ power;
vii which diſturbliſt þe depþe of þe ſee, þe ſoun of þe
wawis þerof. Folkis ſchulen be diſturblid,
viii and þei þat dwellen in þe endis ſchulen drede of þi
ſignes; þou ſchalt delite þe outgoingis of þe morewtid
and euentid.
ix Þou haſt viſitid þe lond, and haſt greetli fillid it; þou
haſt multiplied to make it riche. Þe flood of God was
fillid wiþ watris; þou madiſt redi þe mete of hem, for þe
makyng redi þerof is ſo.
x Þou fillynge greetli þe ſtremes þerof, multiplie þe
fruytis þerof; þe lond bringinge forþ fruytis ſchal be
glad in goteris of it.
xi Þou ſchalt bleſſe þe coroun of þe ȝeer of þi good
wille; and þi feeldis ſchulen be fillid wiþ plentee of
fruytis.
xii Þe feire þingis of deſert ſchulen wexe fatte; and litle
hillis ſchulen be cumpaſſid wiþ ful out ioiyng.
xiii Þe weþeris of ſcheep ben cloþid, and valeis ſchulen
be plenteuouſe of wheete; þei ſchulen crye, and ſoþeli
þei ſchulen ſeye ſalm.
DVI
PSALM LXV
Þe titil of þe fyue and ſixtiþe ſalm. To þe victorie, þe
ſong of ſalm.
i Al þe erþe, make ȝe ioie hertli to God,
ii ſeie
ȝe ſalm to his name; ȝyue ȝe glorie to his heriyng.
iii Seie ȝe to God, Lord, þi werkis ben dredeful; in þe
multitude of þi vertu þin enemyes ſchulen lie to þee.
iiii God, al þe erþe worſchipe þee, and ſynge to þee; ſeie
it ſalm to þi name.
v Come ȝe and ſe ȝe þe werkis of God; ferdful in
counſeils on þe ſones of men.
vi Which turnede þe ſee in to drie lond; in þe flood þei
ſchulen paſſe wiþ foot, þere we ſchulen be glad in hym.
vii Which is Lord in his vertu wiþouten ende, hiſe iȝen
biholden on folkis; þei þat maken ſcharp be not
enhaunſid in hem ſilf.
viii Ȝe heþen men, bleſſe oure God; and make ȝe herd þe
vois of his preiſing.
ix Þat haþ ſet my ſoule to lijf, and ȝaf not my feet in to
ſtiryng.
x For þou, God, haſt preued vs; þou haſt examyned vs bi
fier, as ſiluer is examyned.
xi Þou leddiſt vs in to a ſnare, þou puttidiſt tribulaciouns
in oure bak;
xii þou ſettidiſt men on oure heedis. We paſſiden bi fier
and water; and þou leddiſt vs out in to refreſchyng.
xiii I ſchal entre in to þin hous in brent ſacrifices; Y ſchal
ȝelde to þee my vowis,
xiiii which my lippis ſpaken diſtinctly. And my mouþ
ſpake in my tribulacioun;
xv Y ſhal offre to þee brent ſacrificis ful of merowȝ, wiþ
þe brennyng of rammes; Y ſchal offre to þee oxis wiþ
buckis of geet.
xvi Alle ȝe þat dreden God, come and here, and Y ſchal
telle; hou grete þingis he haþ do to my ſoule.
xvii I criede to hym wiþ my mouþ; and Y ioyede fulli
vndir my tunge.
xviii If Y bihelde wickidneſſe in myn herte; þe Lord
ſchal not here.
xix Þerfor God herde; and perſeyuede þe vois of my
biſechyng.
xx Bleſſid be God; þat remeued not my preyer, and `took
not awei his merci fro me.
PSALM LXVI
Þe titil of þe ſixe and ſixtiþe ſalm. `In Ebreu þus, To
þe victorie in orguns, þe ſalm of þe ſong. `In Jerom
`þus, To þe ouercomer in ſalmes, þe ſong of writing
of a delitable þing wiþ metre.
i God haue merci on vs, and bleſſe vs; liȝtne he his cheer
on vs, and haue merci on vs.
ii Þat we knowe þi weie on erþe; þin heelþe in alle
folkis.
iii God, puplis knowleche to þee; alle puplis knouleche
to þee.
iiii Hethen men be glad, and make fulli ioye, for þou
demeſt puplis in equite; and dreſſiſt heþene men in erþe.
v God, puplis knouleche to þee, alle puplis knouleche to
þee;
vi þe erþe ȝaf his fruyt. God, oure God bleſſe vs,
vii God bleſſe vs; and alle þe cooſtis of erþe drede hym.
PSALM LXVII
Þe titil of þe ſeuene and ſixtiþe ſalm. To þe victorie,
þe ſalm `of þe ſong `of Dauid.
i God riſe vp, and hiſe enemyes be ſcaterid; and þei þat
haten hym fle fro his face.
ii As ſmoke failiþ, faile þei; as wax fletiþ fro þe face of
fier, ſo periſche ſynneris fro þe face of God.
iii And iuſt men eete, and make fulli ioye in þe ſiȝt of
God; and delite þei in gladneſſe.
iiii Synge ȝe to God, ſeie ȝe ſalm to his name; make ȝe
weie to hym, þat ſtieþ on þe goyng doun, þe Lord is
name to hym. Make ȝe fulli ioye in his ſiȝt, enemyes
ſchulen be diſturblid fro þe face of hym,
v which is þe fadir of fadirles and modirles children;
and þe iuge of widewis. God is in his hooli place;
vi God þat makiþ men of o wille to dwelle in þe hous.
Which leediþ out bi ſtrengþe hem þat ben boundun; in
lijk maner hem þat maken ſcharp, þat dwellen in
ſepulcris.
vii God, whanne þou ȝediſt out in þe ſiȝt of þi puple;
whanne þou paſſidiſt forþ in þe deſert.
viii Þe erþe was moued, for heuenes droppiden doun fro
þe face of God of Synay; fro þe face of God of Iſrael.
ix God, þou ſchalt departe wilful reyn to þin eritage, and
it was ſijk; but þou madiſt it parfit.
x Þi beeſtis ſchulen dwelle þerynne; God, þou haſt maad
redi in þi ſwetneſſe to þe pore man.
xi Þe Lord ſchal ȝyue a word; to hem þat prechen þe
goſpel wiþ myche vertu.
xii Þe kyngis of vertues ben maad loued of þe derlyng;
and to þe fairneſſe of þe hous to departe ſpuylis.
xiii If ȝe ſlepen among þe myddil of eritagis, þe feþeris
of þe culuer ben of ſiluer; and þe hyndrere þingis of þe
bak þerof ben in þe ſhynyng of gold.
xiiii While þe king of heuene demeþ kyngis þeronne, þei
ſchulen be maad whitter þen ſnow in Selmon;
xv þe hille of God is a fat hille. Þe cruddid hil is a fat
hil;
xvi wherto bileuen ȝe falſli, cruddid hillis? Þe hil in
which it pleſiþ wel God to dwelle þer ynne; for þe Lord
ſchal dwelle `in to þe ende.
DVII
xvii Þe chare of God is manyfoold wiþ ten þouſynde, a
þouſynde of hem þat ben glad; þe Lord was in hem, in
Syna, in þe hooli.
xviii Þou ſtiediſt an hiȝ, þou tokiſt caitiftee; þou
reſſeyuediſt ȝiftis among men. For whi þou tokiſt hem
þat bileueden not; for to dwelle in þe Lord God.
xix Bleſſid be þe Lord ech dai; þe God of oure heelþis
ſchal make an eeſie wei to vs.
xx Oure God is God to make men ſaaf; and outgoyng fro
deeþ is of þe Lord God.
xxi Neþeles God ſchal breke þe heedis of hiſe enemyes;
þe cop of þe heere of hem þat goen in her treſpaſſis.
xxii Þe Lord ſeide, Y ſchal turne fro Baſan; Y ſchal turne
in to þe depþe of þe ſee.
xxiii Þat þi foot be deppid in blood; þe tunge of þi
doggis be dippid in blood of þe enemyes of hym.
xxiiii God, þei ſien þi goyngis yn; þe goyngis yn of my
God, of my king, which is in þe hooli.
xxv Prynces ioyned wiþ ſyngeris camen bifore; in þe
myddil of ȝonge dameſelis ſyngynge in tympans.
xxvi In chirchis bleſſe ȝe God; bleſſe ȝe þe Lord fro þe
wellis of Iſrael.
xxvii Þere Beniamyn, a ȝonge man; in þe rauyſchyng of
mynde. Þe princis of Juda weren þe duykis of hem; þe
princis of Zabulon, þe princis of Neptalym.
xxviii God, comaunde þou to þi vertu; God, conferme
þou þis þing, which þou haſt wrouȝt in vs.
xxix Fro þi temple, which is in Jeruſalem; kyngis ſchulen
offre ȝiftis to þee.
xxx Blame þou þe wielde beeſtis of þe reheed, þe
gaderyng togidere of bolis is among þe kien of puplis;
þat þei exclude hem þat ben preuyd bi ſiluer. Diſtrie þou
folkis þat wolen batels,
xxxi legatis ſchulen come fro Egipt; Ethiopie ſchal come
bifore þe hondis þerof to God.
xxxii Rewmes of þe erþe, ſynge ȝe to God; ſeie ȝe ſalm to
þe Lord.
xxxiii Singe ȝe to God; þat ſtiede on þe heuene of heuene
at þe eeſt. Lo! he ſchal ȝyue to his vois þe vois of vertu,
xxxiiii ȝyue ȝe glorie to God on Iſrael; his greet doyng
and his vertu is in þe cloudis.
xxxv God is wondirful in hiſe ſeyntis; God of Iſrael, he
ſchal ȝyue vertu, and ſtrengþe to his puple; bleſſid be
God.
PSALM LXVIII
Þe title of þe eiȝte and ſixtiþe ſalm. `In Ebreu þus, To
þe victorie, on þe rooſis of Dauid. `In Jerom þus, To
þe ouercomer, for þe ſones of Dauid.
i God, make þou me ſaaf; for watris `entriden til to my
ſoule.
ii I am ſet in þe ſliym of þe depþe; and `ſubſtaunce is
not. I cam in to þe depþe of þe ſee; and þe tempeſt
drenchide me.
iii I traueilide criynge, my cheekis weren maad hooſe;
myn iȝen failiden, þe while Y hope in to my God.
iiii Þei þat hatiden me wiþ out cauſe; weren multiplied
aboue þe heeris of myn heed. Myn enemyes þat
purſueden me vniuſtli weren coumfortid; Y paiede
þanne þo þingis, whiche Y rauiſchide not.
v God, þou knowiſt myn vnkunnyng; and my treſpaſſis
ben not hid fro þee.
vi Lord, Lord of vertues; þei, þat abiden þee, be not
aſchamed in me. God of Iſrael; þei, þat ſeken þee, be not
ſchent on me.
vii For Y ſuffride ſchenſchipe for þee; ſchame hilide my
face.
viii I am maad a ſtraunger to my briþeren; and a
pilgryme to þe ſones of my modir.
ix For þe feruent loue of þin hous eet me; and þe
ſchenſchipis of men ſeiynge ſchenſchipis to þee fellen
on me.
x And Y hilide my ſoule wiþ faſtyng; and it was maad in
to ſchenſchip to me.
xi And Y puttide my cloþ an heire; and Y am maad to
hem in to a parable.
xii Þei, þat ſaten in þe ȝate, ſpaken aȝens me; and þei, þat
drunken wien, ſungen of me.
xiii But Lord, Y dreſſe my preier to þee; God, Y abide þe
tyme of good pleſaunce. Here þou me in þe multitude of
þi mercy; in þe treuþe of þin heelþe.
xiiii Delyuer þou me fro þe cley, þat Y be not faſte ſet in;
delyuere þou me fro hem þat haten me, and fro depþe of
watris.
xv Þe tempeſt of watir drenche not me, neþir þe depþe
ſwolowe me; neþir þe pit make ſtreit his mouþ on me.
xvi Lord, here þou me, for þi merci is benygne; vp þe
multitude of þi merciful doyngis biholde þou in to me.
xvii And turne not awei þi face fro þi child; for Y am in
tribulacioun, here þou me ſwiftli.
xviii Ȝyue þou tente to my ſoule, and delyuer þou it; for
myn enemyes delyuere þou me.
xix Þou knowiſt my ſchenſchip, and my diſpyſyng; and
my ſchame. Alle þat troblen me ben in þi ſiȝt;
xx myn herte abood ſchendſchipe, and wretchidneſſe.
And Y abood hym, þat was ſory togidere, and noon
was; and þat ſchulde coumforte, and Y foond not.
xxi And þei ȝauen galle in to my meete; and in my þirſt
þei ȝauen `to me drinke wiþ vynegre.
xxii Þe boord of hem be maad bifore hem in to a ſnare;
and in to ȝeldyngis, and in to ſclaundir.
xxiii Her iȝen be maad derk, þat þei ſe not; and euere
bouwe doun þe bak of hem.
DVIII
xxiiii Schede out þin ire on hem; and þe ſtrong veniaunce
of þin ire take hem.
xxv Þe habitacioun of hem be maad forſakun; and `noon
be þat dwelle in þe tabernaclis of hem.
xxvi For þei purſueden hym, whom þou haſt ſmyte; and
þei addiden on þe ſorewe of my woundis.
xxvii Adde þou wickidneſſe on þe wickidneſſe of hem;
and entre þei not in to þi riȝtwiſneſſe.
xxviii Be þei don awei fro þe book of lyuynge men; and
be þei not writun wiþ iuſt men.
xxix I am pore and ſorewful; God, þin heelþe took me
vp.
xxx I ſchal herye þe name of God wiþ ſong; and Y ſchal
magnefye hym in heriyng.
xxxi And it ſchal pleſe God more þan a newe calf;
bryngynge forþ hornes and clees.
xxxii Pore men ſe, and be glad; ſeke ȝe God, and ȝoure
ſoule ſchal lyue.
xxxiii For þe Lord herde pore men; and diſpiſide not hiſe
boundun men.
xxxiiii Heuenes and erþe, herye hym; þe ſe, and alle
crepynge beſtis in þo, herye hym.
xxxv For God ſchal make ſaaf Syon; and þe citees of
Juda ſchulen be bildid. And þei ſchulen dwelle þere; and
þei ſchulen gete it bi eritage.
xxxvi And þe ſeed of hiſe ſeruauntis ſchal haue it in
poſſeſſioun; and þei þat louen his name, ſchulen dwelle
þer ynne.
PSALM LXIX
Þe titil of þe nyne and ſixtiþe ſalm. To þe victorie `of
Dauid, `to haue mynde.
i God,
biholde þou in to myn heelp; Lord, haſt þou to
helpe me.
ii Be þei ſchent, and aſchamed; þat ſeken my lijf. Be þei
turned a bak; and ſchame þei, þat wolen yuels to me.
iii Be þei turned awei anoon, and ſchame þei; þat ſeien
to me, Wel! wel!
iiii Alle men þat ſeken þee, make fulli ioie, and be glad
in þee; and þei þat louen þin heelþe, ſeie euere, Þe Lord
be magnyfied.
v Forſoþe Y am a nedi man, and pore; God, helpe þou
me. Þou art myn helper and my delyuerere; Lord, tarye
þou not.
PSALM LXX
Þe ſeuentiþe ſalm haþ no title.
i Lord, Y hopide in þee, be Y not ſchent wiþ outen ende;
ii inþi riȝtwiſneſſe delyuere þou me, and rauyſche me
out. Bowe doun þin eere to me; and make me ſaaf.
iii Be þou to me in to God a defendere; and in to a
ſtrengþid place, þat þou make me ſaaf. For þou art my
ſtidefaſtneſſe; and my refuit.
iiii My God, delyuere þou me fro þe hoond of þe ſynner;
and fro þe hoond of a man doynge aȝens þe lawe, and
of þe wickid man.
v For þou, Lord, art my pacience; Lord, þou art myn
hope fro my ȝongþe.
vi In þee Y am confermyd fro þe wombe; þou art my
defendere fro þe wombe of my modir. My ſyngyng is
euere in þee;
vii Y am maad as a greet wonder to many men; and þou
art a ſtrong helpere.
viii My mouþ be fillid wiþ heriyng; þat Y ſynge þi
glorie, al dai þi greetneſſe.
ix Caſte þou not awei me in þe tyme of eldneſſe; whanne
my vertu failiþ, forſake þou not me.
x For myn enemyes ſeiden of me; and þei þat kepten my
lijf maden counſel togidere.
xi Seiynge, God haþ forſake hym; purſue ȝe, and take
hym; for noon is þat ſchal delyuere.
xii God, be þou not maad afer fro me; my God, biholde
þou in to myn help.
xiii Men þat bacbiten my ſoule, be ſchent, and faile þei;
and be þei hilid wiþ ſchenſchip and ſchame, þat ſeken
yuels to me.
xiiii But Y ſchal hope euere; and Y ſchal adde euere ouer
al þi preiſing.
xv Mi mouþ ſchal telle þi riȝtfulneſſe; al dai þin helþe.
For Y knewe not lettrure,
xvi Y ſchal entre in to þe poweres of þe Lord; Lord, Y
ſchal biþenke on þi riȝtfulneſſe aloone.
xvii God, þou haſt tauȝt me fro my ȝongþe, and `til to
now; Y ſchal telle out þi merueilis.
xviii And til in to `þe eldneſſe and þe laſte age; God,
forſake þou not me. Til Y telle þin arm; to eche
generacioun, þat ſchal come. Til Y telle þi myȝt,
xix and þi riȝtfulneſſe, God, til in to þe hiȝeſte grete
dedis which þou haſt do; God, who is lijk þee?
xx Hou grete tribulaciouns many and yuele haſt þou
ſchewid to me; and þou conuertid haſt quykenyd me,
and haſt eft brouȝt me aȝen fro þe depþis of erþe.
xxi Þou haſt multiplied þi greet doyng; and þou
conuertid haſt coumfortid me.
xxii For whi and Y ſchal knowleche to þee, þou God, þi
treuþe in þe inſtrumentis of ſalm; Y ſchal ſynge in an
harpe to þee, þat art þe hooli of Iſrael.
xxiii Mi lippis ſchulen make fulli ioye, whanne Y ſchal
ſynge to þee; and my ſoule, which þou aȝen bouȝtiſt.
xxiiii But and my tunge ſchal þenke al dai on þi
riȝtfulneſſe; whanne þei ſchulen be ſchent and
aſchamed, þat ſeken yuelis to me.
DIX
PSALM LXXI
Þe title of þe oon and ſeuentiþe ſalm. `To Salomon.
i God,
ȝyue þi doom to þe king; and þi riȝtfulneſſe to þe
ſone of a king.
ii To deme þi puple in riȝtfulneſſe; and þi pore men in
doom.
iii Mounteyns reſſeyue pees to þe puple; and litle hillis
reſſeyue riȝtfulneſſe.
iiii He ſchal deme þe pore men of þe puple, and he ſchal
make ſaaf þe ſones of pore men; and he ſchal make low
þe falſe chalengere.
v And he ſchal dwelle wiþ þe ſunne, and bifore þe
moone; in generacioun and in to generacioun.
vi He ſchal come doun as reyn in to a flees; and as
goteris droppinge on þe erþe.
vii Riȝtfulneſſe ſchal come forþ in hiſe dayes, and þe
aboundaunce of pees; til þe moone be takun awei.
viii And he ſchal be lord fro þe-ſee `til to þe ſee; and fro
þe flood til to þe endis of þe world.
ix Ethiopiens ſchulen falle doun bifore hym; and hiſe
enemyes ſchulen licke þe erþe.
x Þe kyngis of Tarſis and ilis ſchulen offre ȝiftis; þe
kyngis of Arabie and of Saba ſchulen brynge ȝiftis.
xi And alle kyngis ſchulen worſchipe hym; alle folkis
ſchulen ſerue hym.
xii For he ſchal delyuer a pore man fro þe miȝti; and a
pore man to whom was noon helpere.
xiii He ſchal ſpare a pore man and nedi; and he ſchal
make ſaaf þe ſoulis of pore men.
xiiii He ſchal aȝen bie þe ſoulis of hem fro vſuris, and
wickidneſſe; and þe name of hem is onourable bifor
hym.
xv And he ſchal lyue, and me ſchal ȝyue to hym of þe
gold of Arabie; and þei ſchulen euere worſchipe of hym,
al dai þei ſchulen bleſſe hym.
xvi Stidefaſtneſſe ſchal be in þe erþe, in þe hiȝeſte places
of mounteyns; þe fruyt þerof ſchal be enhaunſid aboue
þe Liban; and þei ſchulen bloſme fro þe citee, as þe hey
of erþe doiþ.
xvii His name be bleſſid in to worldis; his name dwelle
bifore þe ſunne. And all þe lynagis of erþe ſchulen be
bleſſid in hym; alle folkis ſchulen magnyfie hym.
xviii Bleſſid be þe Lord God of Iſrael; which aloone
makiþ merueiylis.
xix Bleſſid be þe name of his maieſte wiþ outen ende;
and al erþe ſchal be fillid wiþ his maieſte; be it doon, be
it doon.
xx `Þe preieris of Dauid, þe ſone of Yſay, ben endid.
PSALM LXXII
Þe `title of þe two and ſeuentiþe ſalm. `Þe ſalm of
Aſaph.
i God of Iſrael is ful good; to hem þat ben of riȝtful
herte.
ii But my feet weren moued almeeſt; my ſteppis weren
ſched out almeeſt.
iii For Y louede feruentli on wickid men; ſeynge þe pees
of ſynneris.
iiii For biholdyng is not to þe deþ of hem; and
ſtidefaſtneſſe in þe ſikeneſſe of hem.
v Þei ben not in þe trauel of men; and þei ſchulen not be
betun wiþ men.
vi Þerfore pride helde hem; þei weren hilid wiþ her
wickidneſſe and vnfeiþfulneſſe.
vii Þe wickidneſſe of hem cam forþ as of fatneſſe; þei
ȝeden in to deſire of herte.
viii Þei þouȝten and ſpaken weiwardneſſe; þei ſpaken
wickidneſſe an hiȝ.
ix Þei puttiden her mouþ in to heuene; and her tunge
paſſide in erþe.
x Þerfor my puple ſchal be conuertid here; and fulle
daies ſchulen be foundun in hem.
xi And þei ſeiden, How woot God; and wheþer kunnyng
is an heiȝe, `þat is, in heuene?
xii Lo! þilke ſynneris and hauynge aboundance in þe
world; helden richeſſis.
xiii And Y ſeide, Þerfor wiþout cauſe Y iuſtifiede myn
herte; and waiſchide myn hoondis among innocentis.
xiiii And Y was betun al dai; and my chaſtiſyng was in
morutidis.
xv If Y ſeide, Y ſchal telle þus; lo! Y repreuede þe
nacioun of þi ſones.
xvi I geſſide, þat Y ſchulde knowe þis; trauel is bifore
me.
xvii Til Y entre in to þe ſeyntuarie of God; and
vndurſtonde in þe laſt þingis of hem.
xviii Neþeles for gilis þou haſt put to hem; þou caſtidiſt
hem doun, while þei weren reiſid.
xix Hou ben þei maad into deſolacioun; þei failiden
ſodeynli, þei periſchiden for her wickidneſſe.
xx As þe dreem of men þat riſen; Lord, þou ſchalt dryue
her ymage to nouȝt in þi citee.
xxi For myn herte is enflaumed, and my reynes ben
chaungid;
xxii and Y am dryuun to nouȝt, and Y wiſte not. As a
werk beeſte Y am maad at þee;
xxiii and Y am euere wiþ þee. Þou heldiſt my riȝthond,
xxiiii and in þi wille þou leddiſt me forþ; and wiþ glorie
þou tokiſt me vp.
xxv For whi what is to me in heuene; and what wolde Y
of þee on erþe?
DX
xxvi Mi fleiſche and myn herte failide; God of myn
herte, and my part is God wiþouten ende.
xxvii For lo! þei þat drawen awei fer hem ſilf fro þee, `bi
deedli ſynne, ſchulen periſche; þou haſt loſt alle men þat
doen fornycacioun fro þee.
xxviii But it is good to me to cleue to God; and to ſette
myn hope in þe Lord God. Þat Y telle alle þi
prechyngis; in þe ȝatis of þe douȝter of Syon.
PSALM LXXIII
Þe title of þe þre and ſeuentiþe ſalm. þe lernyng of
Aſaph.
i God, whi haſt þou put awei in to þe ende; þi ſtrong
veniaunce is wrooþ on þe ſcheep of þi leeſewe?
ii Be þou myndeful of þi gadering togidere; which þou
haddiſt in poſſeſſioun fro þe bigynnyng. Þou
aȝenbouȝtiſt þe ȝerde of þin eritage; þe hille of Syon in
which þou dwellidiſt þer ynne.
iii Reiſe þin hondis in to þe prides of hem; hou grete
þingis þe enemy dide wickidli in þe hooli.
iiii And þei þat hatiden þee; hadden glorie in þe myddis
of þi ſolempnete. Þei ſettiden her ſignes, `eþir baneris,
ſignes on þe hiȝeſte, as in þe outgoing; and þei knewen
not.
v As in a wode of trees þei heweden doun wiþ axis þe
ȝatis þerof in to it ſilf;
vi þei caſtiden doun it wiþ an ax, and a brood fallinge
ax.
vii Þei brenten wiþ fier þi ſeyntuarie; þei defouliden þe
tabernacle of þi name in erþe.
viii Þe kynrede of hem ſeiden togidere in her herte;
Make we alle þe feeſt daies of God to ceeſſe fro þe erþe.
ix We han not ſeyn oure ſignes, now `no profete is; and
he ſchal no more knowe vs.
x God, hou long ſchal þe enemye ſeie diſpit? þe
aduerſarie terriþ to ire þi name in to þe ende.
xi Whi turneſt þou awei þin hoond, and `to drawe out þi
riȝthond fro þe myddis of þi boſum, til in to þe ende?
xii Forſoþe God oure kyng bifore worldis; wrouȝte
heelþe in þe mydis of erþe.
xiii Þou madiſt ſad þe ſee bi þi vertu; þou haſt troblid þe
heedis of dragouns in watris.
xiiii Þou haſt broke þe heedis of `þe dragoun; þou haſt
ȝoue hym to mete to þe puplis of Ethiopiens.
xv Þou haſt broke wellis, and ſtrondis; þou madiſt drie
þe flodis of Ethan.
xvi Þe dai is þin, and þe niȝt is þin; þou madiſt þe
moreutid and þe ſunne.
xvii Þou madiſt alle þe endis of erþe; ſomer and veer
tyme, þou fourmediſt þo.
xviii Be þou myndeful of þis þing, þe enemye haþ ſeid
ſchenſchip to þe Lord; and þe vnwijs puple haþ excitid
to ire þi name.
xix Bitake þou not to beeſtis men knoulechenge to þee;
and forȝete þou not in to þe ende þe ſoulis of þi pore
men.
xx Biholde in to þi teſtament; for þei þat ben maad derk
of erþe, ben fillid wiþ þe houſis of wickidneſſis.
xxi A meke man be not turned awei maad aſchamed; a
pore man and nedi ſchulen herie þi name.
xxii God, riſe vp, deme þou þi cauſe; be þou myndeful of
þin vpbreidyngis, of þo þat ben al dai of þe vnwiſe man.
xxiii Forȝete þou not þe voices of þin enemyes; þe pride
of hem þat haten þee, ſtieþ euere.
PSALM LXXIIII
Þe title of þe foure and ſeuentiþe ſalm. `To þe
ouercomere; leeſe þou not þe ſalm of þe ſong of
Aſaph.
i God, we ſchulen knouleche to þee, `we ſchulen
knouleche; and we ſchulen inwardli clepe þi name. We
ſchulen telle þi merueilis;
ii whanne Y ſchal take tyme, Y ſchal deme riȝtfulneſſes.
iii Þe erþe is meltid, and alle þat duellen þer ynne; Y
confermede þe pileris þerof.
iiii I ſeide to wickid men, Nyle ȝe do wickidli; and to
treſpaſſouris, Nyle ȝe enhaunce þe horn.
v Nyle ȝe reiſe an hiȝ ȝoure horn; nyle ȝe ſpeke
wickidneſſe aȝens God.
vi For neþer fro þe eeſt, neþir fro þe weſt, neþir fro
deſert hillis;
vii for God is þe iuge. He mekiþ þis man, and enhaunſiþ
hym;
viii for a cuppe of cleene wyn ful of meddling is in þe
hoond of þe Lord. And he bowide of þis in to þat;
neþeles þe draſt þerof is not anyntiſchid; alle ſynneris of
erþe ſchulen drinke þerof.
ix Forſoþe Y ſchal telle in to þe world; Y ſchal ſynge to
God of Jacob.
x And Y ſchal breke alle þe hornes of ſynneris; and þe
hornes of þe iuſt man ſchulen be enhaunſid.
PSALM LXXV
Þe title of þe fyue and ſeuentiþe ſalm. To þe victorie
in orguns, `þe ſalm of þe ſong of Aſaph.
i God is knowun in Judee; his name is greet in Iſrael.
ii And
his place is maad in pees; and his dwellyng is in
Syon.
iii Þer he brak poweris; bowe, ſcheeld, ſwerd, and batel.
iiii And þou, God, liȝtneſt wondirfuli fro euerlaſtynge
hillis;
DXI
v alle vnwiſe men of herte weren troblid. Þei ſlepten her
ſleep; and alle men founden no þing of richeſſis in her
hondis.
vi Þei þat ſtieden on horſis; ſlepten for þi blamyng, þou
God of Jacob.
vii Þou art feerful, and who ſchal aȝenſtonde þee? fro þat
tyme þin ire.
viii Fro heuene þou madiſt doom herd; þe erþe
tremblide, and reſtide.
ix Whanne God roos vp in to doom; to make ſaaf al þe
mylde men of erþe.
x For þe þouȝt of man ſchal knouleche to þee; and þe
relifs of þouȝt ſchulen make a feeſte dai to þee.
xi Make ȝe a vow, and ȝelde ȝe to ȝoure Lord God; alle
þat bringen ȝiftis in þe cumpas of it.
xii To God ferdful, and to him þat takiþ awei þe ſpirit of
prynces; to þe ferdful at þe kyngis of erþe.
PSALM LXXVI
Þe `title of þe ſixte and ſeuentiþe ſalm. `To þe
ouercomere on Yditum, `þe ſalm of Aſaph.
i Wiþ my vois Y criede to þe Lord; wiþ my vois to God,
and he ȝaf tent to me.
ii In þe dai of my tribulacioun Y ſouȝte God wiþ myn
hondis; in þe nyȝt `to fore hym, and Y am not diſſeyued.
Mi ſoule forſook to be coumfortid;
iii Y was myndeful of God, and Y delitide, and Y was
exerciſid; and my ſpirit failide.
iiii Myn iȝen bifore took wakyngis; Y was diſturblid, and
Y ſpak not.
v I þouȝte elde daies; and Y hadde in mynde euerlaſtinge
ȝeeris.
vi And Y þouȝte in þe nyȝt wiþ myn herte; and Y was
exerciſid, and Y clenſid my ſpirit.
vii Wheþer God ſchal caſte awei wiþ outen ende; eþer
ſchal he not lei to, þat he be more pleſid ȝit?
viii Eþir ſchal he kitte awei his merci into þe ende; fro
generacioun in to generacioun?
ix Eþir ſchal God forȝete to do mercy; eþir ſchal he
wiþholde his mercies in his ire?
x And Y ſeide, Now Y bigan; þis is þe chaunging of þe
riȝthond of `þe hiȝe God.
xi I hadde mynde on þe werkis of þe Lord; for Y ſchal
haue mynde fro þe bigynnyng of þi merueilis.
xii And Y ſchal þenke in alle þi werkis; and Y ſchal be
occupied in þi fyndyngis.
xiii God, þi weie was in þe hooli; what God is greet as
oure God?
xiiii þou art God, þat doiſt merueilis. Þou madiſt þi vertu
knowun among puplis;
xv þou aȝenbouȝtiſt in þi arm þi puple, þe ſones of Jacob
and of Joſeph.
xvi God, watris ſien þee, watris ſien þee, and dredden;
and depþis of watris weren diſturblid.
xvii Þe multitude of þe ſoun of watris; cloudis ȝauen
vois. For whi þin arewis paſſen;
xviii þe vois of þi þundir was in a wheel. Þi liȝtnyngis
ſchyneden to þe world; þe erþe was moued, and
tremblid.
xix Þi weie in þe ſee, and þi paþis in many watris; and þi
ſteppis ſchulen not be knowun.
xx Þou leddiſt forþ þi puple as ſcheep; in þe hond of
Moyſes and of Aaron.
PSALM LXXVII
Þe `title of þe ſeuene and ſeuentiþe ſalm. þe lernyng
of Aſaph.
i Mi
puple, perſeyue ȝe my lawe; bowe ȝoure eere in to
þe wordis of my mouþ.
ii I ſchal opene my mouþ in parablis; Y ſchal ſpeke
perfite reſouns fro þe bigynnyng.
iii Hou grete þingis han we herd, aud we han knowe þo;
and oure fadris. telden to vs.
iiii Þo ben not hid fro þe ſones of hem; in anoþir
generacioun. And þei telden þe heriyngis of þe Lord,
and þe vertues of hym; and hiſe merueilis, whyche he
dide.
v And he reiſide witneſſyng in Jacob; and he ſettide lawe
in Iſrael. Hou grete þingis comaundide he to oure fadris,
to make þo knowun to her ſones;
vi þat anoþer generacioun knowe. Sones, þat ſchulen be
born, and ſchulen riſe vp; ſchulen telle out to her ſones.
vii Þat þei ſette her hope in God, and forȝete not þe
werkis of God; and þat þei ſeke hiſe comaundementis.
viii Leſt þei be maad a ſchrewid generacioun; and
terrynge to wraþþe, as þe fadris of hem. A generacioun
þat dreſſide not his herte; and his ſpirit was not bileued
wiþ God.
ix Þe ſones of Effraym, bendinge a bouwe and ſendynge
arowis; weren turned in þe dai of batel.
x Þei kepten not þe teſtament of God; and þei nolden go
in his lawe.
xi And þei forȝaten hiſe benefices; and hiſe merueils,
whiche he ſchewide to hem.
xii He dide merueils bifore þe fadris of hem in þe loond
of Egipt; in þe feeld of Taphneos.
xiii He brak þe ſee, and ledde hem þorou; and he
ordeynede þe watris as in a bouge.
xiiii And he ledde hem forþ in a cloude of þe dai; and al
niȝt in þe liȝtnyng of fier.
xv He brak a ſtoon in deſeert; and he ȝaf watir to hem as
in a myche depþe.
xvi And he ledde watir out of þe ſtoon; and he ledde forþ
watris as floodis.
DXII
xvii And þei `leiden to ȝit to do ſynne aȝens hym; þei
excitiden hiȝe God in to ire, in a place wiþ out water.
xviii And þei temptiden God in her hertis; þat þei axiden
meetis to her lyues.
xix And þei ſpaken yuel of God; þei ſeiden, Wheþer God
may make redi a bord in deſert?
xx For he ſmoot a ſtoon, and watris flowiden; and
ſtreemys ȝeden out in aboundaunce. Wheþer alſo he
may ȝyue breed; eþer make redi a bord to his puple?
xxi Þerfor þe Lord herde, and delaiede; and fier was
kindelid in Jacob, and þe ire of God ſtiede on Iſrael.
xxii For þei bileueden not in God; neþer hopiden in his
heelþe.
xxiii And he comaundide to þe cloudis aboue; and he
openyde þe ȝatis of heuene.
xxiiii And he reynede to hem manna for to eete; and he
ȝaf to hem breed of heuene.
xxv Man eet þe breed of aungels; he ſent to hem meetis
in aboundance.
xxvi He turnede ouere þe ſouþ wynde fro heuene; and he
brouȝte in bi his vertu þe weſte wynde.
xxvii And he reynede fleiſchis as duſt on hem; and `he
reinede volatils feþered, as þe grauel of þe ſee.
xxviii And þo felden doun in þe myddis of her caſtels;
aboute þe tabernaclis of hem.
xxix And þei eeten, and weren fillid greetli, and he
brouȝte her deſire to hem;
xxx þei weren not defraudid of her deſier. Ȝit her metis
weren in her mouþ;
xxxi and þe ire of God ſtiede on hem. And he killide þe
fatte men of hem; and he lettide þe choſene men of
Iſrael.
xxxii In alle þeſe þingis þei ſynneden ȝit; and bileuede
not in þe merueils of God.
xxxiii And þe daies of hem failiden in vanytee; and þe
ȝeeris of hem faileden wiþ haſte.
xxxiiii Whanne he killide hem, þei ſouȝten hym; and
turneden aȝen, and eerli þei camen to hym.
xxxv And þei biþouȝten, þat God is þe helper of hem;
and `þe hiȝ God is þe aȝenbier of hem.
xxxvi And þei loueden hym in her mouþ; and wiþ her
tunge þei lieden to hym.
xxxvii Forſoþe þe herte of hem was not riȝtful wiþ hym;
neþir þei weren had feiþful in his teſtament.
xxxviii But he is merciful, and he ſchal be maad merciful
to þe ſynnes of hem; and he ſchal not deſtrie hem. And
he dide greetli, to turne awei his yre; and he kyndelide
not al his ire.
xxxix And he biþouȝte, þat þei ben fleiſche; a ſpirit
goynge, and not turnynge aȝen.
xl Hou oft maden þei hym wrooþ in deſert; þei ſtireden
hym in to ire in a place wiþ out watir.
xli And þei weren turned, and temptiden God; and þei
wraþþiden þe hooli of Iſrael.
xlii Þei biþouȝten not on his hond; in þe dai in þe which
he aȝen bouȝte hem fro þe hond of þe trobler.
xliii As he ſettide hiſe ſignes in Egipt; and hiſe grete
wondris in þe feeld of Taphneos.
xliiii And he turnede þe flodis of hem and þe reynes of
hem in to blood; þat þei ſchulden not drynke.
xlv He ſente a fleiſch flie in to hem, and it eet hem; and
he ſente a paddok, and it loſte hem.
xlvi And he ȝaf þe fruytis of hem to ruſt; and he ȝaf þe
trauels of hem to locuſtis.
xlvii And he killide þe vynes of hem bi hail; and þe
moore trees of hem bi a froſt.
xlviii And he bitook þe beeſtis of hem to hail; and þe
poſſeſſioun of hem to fier.
xlix He ſente in to hem þe ire of his indignacioun;
indignacioun, and ire, and tribulacioun, ſendingis in bi
iuel aungels.
l He made weie to þe paþ of his ire, and he ſparide not
fro þe deþ of her lyues; and he cloſide togidere in deþ
þe beeſtis of hem.
li And he ſmoot al þe firſt gendrid þing in þe lond of
Egipt; þe firſt fruytis of alle þe trauel of hem in þe
tabernaclis of Cham.
lii And he took awei his puple as ſcheep; and he ledde
hem forþ as a flok in deſert.
liii And he ledde hem forþ in hope, and þei dredden not;
and þe ſee hilide þe enemyes of hem.
liiii And he brouȝte hem in to þe hil of his halewyng; in
to þe hil which his riȝthond gat.
lv And he caſtide out heþene men fro þe face of hem;
and bi lot he departide to hem þe lond in a cord of
delyng. And he made þe lynagis of Iſrael to dwelle in þe
tabernaclis of hem.
lvi And þei temptiden, and wraþþiden heiȝ God; and þei
kepten not hiſe witneſſyngis.
lvii And þei turneden awei hem ſilf, and þei kepten not
couenaunt; as her fadris weren turned in to a ſchrewid
bouwe.
lviii Þei ſtiriden him in to ire in her litle hillis; and þei
terriden hym to indignacioun of her grauen ymagis.
lix God herde, and forſook; and brouȝte to nouȝt Iſrael
greetli.
lx And he puttide awei þe tabernacle of Sylo; his
tabernacle where he dwellide among men.
lxi And he bitook þe vertu of hem in to caitiftee; and þe
fairneſſe of hem in to þe hondis of þe enemye.
lxii And he cloſide togidere his puple in ſwerd; and he
diſpiſide his erytage.
lxiii Fier eet þe ȝonge men of hem; and þe virgyns of
hem weren not biweilid.
DXIII
lxiiii Þepreſtis of hem fellen doun bi ſwerd; and þe
widewis of hem weren not biwept.
lxv And þe Lord was reiſid, as ſlepynge; as miȝti greetli
fillid of wiyn.
lxvi And he ſmoot hiſe enemyes on þe hynderere partis;
he ȝaf to hem euerlaſtyng ſchenſchipe.
lxvii And he puttide awei þe tabernacle of Joſeph; and he
chees not þe lynage of Effraym.
lxviii But he chees þe lynage of Juda; he chees þe hil of
Syon, which he louede.
lxix And he as an vnicorn bildide his hooli place; in þe
lond, which he foundide in to worldis.
lxx And he chees Dauid his ſeruaunt, and took hym vp
fro þe flockis of ſcheep;
lxxi he took hym fro bihynde ſcheep wiþ lambren. To
feed Jacob his ſeruaunt; and Iſrael his eritage.
lxxii And he fedde hem in þe innocens of his herte; and
he ledde hem forþ in þe vndurſtondyngis of his hondis.
PSALM LXXVIII
Þe `title of þe eiȝte and ſeuentiþe ſalm. of Aſaph.
i God,
heþene men cam in to þin eritage; þei defouliden
þin hooli temple, þei ſettiden Jeruſalem in to þe keping
of applis.
ii Þei ſettiden þe ſlayn bodies of þi ſeruauntis, meetis to
þe volatilis of heuenes; þe fleiſchis of þi ſeyntis to þe
beeſtis of þe erþe.
iii Þei ſchedden out þe blood of hem, as watir in þe
cumpas of Jeruſalem; and noon was þat biriede.
iiii We ben maad ſchenſchipe to oure neiȝboris;
mowynge and ſcornynge to hem, þat ben in oure
cumpas.
v Lord, hou longe ſchalt þou be wrooþ in to þe ende?
ſchal þi veniaunce be kyndelid as fier?
vi Schede out þin ire in to heþene men, þat knowen not
þee; and in to rewmes, þat clepiden not þi name.
vii For þei eeten Jacob; and maden deſolat his place.
viii Haue þou not mynde on oure elde wickidneſſes; þi
mercies bifore take vs ſoone, for we ben maad pore
greetli.
ix God, oure heelþe, helpe þou vs, and, Lord, for þe
glorie of þi name delyuer þou vs; and be þou merciful
to oure ſynnes for þi name.
x Leſt perauenture þei ſeie among heþene men, Where is
þe God of hem? and be he knowun among naciouns
bifore oure iȝen. Þe veniaunce of þe blood of þi
ſeruauntis, which is ſched out; þe weilyng of feterid
men entre in þi ſiȝt.
xi Vpe þe greetneſſe of þin arm; welde þou þe ſones of
ſlayn men.
xii And ȝelde þou to oure neiȝboris ſeuenfoold in þe
boſum of hem; þe ſchenſchip of hem, which þei diden
ſchenſchipfuli to þee, þou Lord.
xiii But we þat ben þi puple, and þe ſcheep of þi leeſewe;
ſchulen knouleche to þee in to þe world. In generacioun
and in to generacioun; we ſchulen telle þin heriyng.
PSALM LXXIX
Þe title of þe nyne and ſeuentiþe ſalm. To victorie;
þis ſalm is witneſſing of Aſaph for lilies.
i Þou þat gouerneſt Iſrael, ȝyue tent; þat leediſt forþ
Joſeph as a ſcheep. Þou þat ſittiſt on cherubym;
ii be ſchewid bifore Effraym, Beniamyn, and Manaſſes.
Stire þi power, and come þou; þat þou make vs ſaaf.
iii God of vertues, turne þou vs; and ſchewe þi face, and
we ſchulen be ſaaf.
iiii Lord God of vertues; hou longe ſchalt þou be wrooþ
on þe preier of þi ſeruaunt?
v Hou longe ſchalt þou feede vs wiþ þe breed of teeris;
and ſchalt ȝyue drynke to vs wiþ teeris in meſure?
vi Þou haſt ſet vs in to aȝenſeiyng to oure neiȝboris; and
oure enemyes han ſcornyde vs.
vii God of vertues, turne þou vs; and ſchewe þi face, and
we ſchulen be ſaaf.
viii Þou tranſlatidiſt a vyne fro Egipt; þou caſtidiſt out
heþene men, and plauntidiſt it.
ix Þou were leeder of þe weie in þe ſiȝt þerof; and þou
plauntidiſt þe rootis þerof, and it fillide þe lond.
x Þe ſchadewe þerof hilide hillis; and þe braunchis þerof
filliden þe cedris of God.
xi It ſtreiȝte forþ hiſe ſiouns til to þe ſee, and þe
generacioun þer of `til to þe flood.
xii Whi haſt þou deſtried þe wal þerof; and alle men þat
goen forþ bi þe weie gaderiden awei þe grapis þerof?
xiii A boor of þe wode diſtriede it; and a ſinguler wielde
beeſte deuouride it.
xiiii God of vertues, be þou turned; biholde þou fro
heuene, and ſe, and viſite þis vyne.
xv And make þou it perfit, which þi riȝthond plauntide;
and biholde þou on þe ſone of man, which þou haſt
confermyd to þee.
xvi Þingis brent wiþ fier, and vndurmyned; ſchulen
periſche for þe blamyng of þi cheer.
xvii Þin hond be maad on þe man of þi riȝthond; and on
þe ſone of man, whom þou haſt confermed to þee.
xviii And we departiden not fro þee; þou ſchalt quykene
vs, and we ſchulen inwardli clepe þi name.
xix Lord God of vertues, turne þou vs; and ſchewe þi
face, and we ſchulen be ſaaf.
DXIV
PSALM LXXX
Þe title of þe eiȝtetiþe ſalm. To þe ouercomer in þe
preſſours of Aſaph.
i Make ȝe fulli ioye to God, oure helpere; ſynge ȝe hertli
to God of Jacob.
ii Take ȝe a ſalm, and ȝyue ȝe a tympan; a myrie ſautere
wiþ an harpe.
iii Blowe ȝe wiþ a trumpe in Neomenye; in þe noble dai
of ȝoure ſolempnite.
iiii For whi comaundement is in Iſrael; and doom is to
God of Jacob.
v He ſettide þat witneſſing in Joſeph; whanne he ȝede
out of þe lond of Egipt, he herde a langage, which he
knew not.
vi He turnede a wei his bak fro birþens; hiſe hondis
ſerueden in a coffyn.
vii In tribulacioun þou inwardli clepidiſt me, and Y
delyuerede þee; Y herde þee in þe hid place of tempeſt,
Y preuede þee at þe water of aȝenſeiyng.
viii My puple, here þou, and Y ſchal be witneſſe aȝens
þee; Iſrael, if þou heriſt me,
ix a freſche God ſchal not be in þee, and þou ſchalt not
worſchipe an alien god.
x For Y am þi Lord God, þat ladde þee out of þe lond of
Egipt; make large þi mouþ, and Y ſchal fille it.
xi And my puple herde not my vois; and Iſrael ȝaue not
tente to me.
xii And Y lefte hem aftir þe deſiris of her herte; þei
ſchulen go in her fyndyngis.
xiii If my puple hadde herde me; if Iſrael hadde go in my
weies.
xiiii For nouȝt in hap Y hadde maad low her enemyes;
and Y hadde ſend myn hond on men doynge
tribulacioun to hem.
xv Þe enemyes of þe Lord lieden to hym; and her tyme
ſchal be in to worldis.
xvi And he fedde hem of þe fatneſſe of whete; and he
fillide hem wiþ hony of þe ſtoon.
PSALM LXXXI
Þe title of þe oon and eiȝtetiþe ſalm. of Aſaph.
i God ſtood in þe ſynagoge of goddis; forſoþe he demeþ
goddis in þe myddil.
ii Hou longe demen ȝe wickidneſſe; and taken þe faces
of ſynneris?
iii Deme ȝe to þe nedi man, and to þe modirles child;
iuſtifie ȝe þe meke man and pore.
iiii Raueiſche ȝe out a pore man; and delyuere ȝe þe nedi
man fro þe hond of þe ſynner.
v Þei knewen not, neþer vndirſtoden, þei goen in
derkneſſis; alle þe foundementis of erþe ſchulen be
moued.
vi I ſeide, Ȝe ben goddis; and alle ȝe ben þe ſones of hiȝ
God.
vii But ȝe ſchulen die as men; and ȝe ſchulen falle doun
as oon of þe princis.
viii Ryſe, þou God, deme þou þe erþe; for þou ſchalt
haue eritage in alle folkis.
PSALM LXXXII
Þe title of þe two and eiȝtetiþe ſalm. þe ſong of þe
ſalm of Aſaph.
i God,
who ſchal be lijk þee? God, be þou not ſtille,
neþer be þou peeſid.
ii For lo! þin enemyes ſowneden; and þei þat haten þee
reiſiden þe heed.
iii Þei maden a wickid counſel on þi puple; and þei
þouȝten aȝens þi ſeyntis.
iiii Þei ſeiden, Come ȝe, and leeſe we hem fro þe folk;
and þe name of Iſrael be no more hadde in mynde.
v For þei þouȝten wiþ oon acord;
vi þe tabernaclis of Ydumeys, and men of Iſmael
diſpoſiden a teſtament togidere aȝens þee. Moab, and
Agarenus,
vii Jebal, and Amon, and Amalech; alienys wiþ hem þat
dwellen in Tyre.
viii For Aſſur comeþ wiþ hem; þei ben maad in to help
to þe ſones of Loth.
ix Make þou to hem as to Madian, and Siſara; as to
Jabyn in þe ſtronde of Siſon.
x Þei periſchiden in Endor; þei weren maad as a toord of
erþe.
xi Putte þou þe prynces of hem as Oreb and Zeb; and
Zebee and Salmana.
xii Alle þe princis of hem, þat ſeiden; Holde we bi
eritage þe ſeyntuarie of God.
xiii My God, putte þou hem as a whele; and as ſtobil
bifor þe face of þe wynde.
xiiii As fier þat brenneþ a wode; and as flawme
brynnynge hillis.
xv So þou ſchalt purſue hem in þi tempeſte; and þou
ſchalt diſturble hem in þin ire.
xvi Lord, fille þou þe faces of hem wiþ ſchenſchipe; and
þei ſchulen ſeke þi name.
xvii Be þei aſchamed, and be þei diſturblid in to world of
world; and be þei ſchent and periſche þei.
xviii And knowe þei, þat þe Lord is name to þee; þou
aloone art þe hiȝeſte in ech lond.
PSALM LXXXIII
Þe title of þe þre and eiȝtetiþe ſalm. þe ſalm of þe
ſones of Chore.
i Lord
of vertues, þi tabernaclis ben greetli loued;
DXV
ii my ſoule coueitiþ, and failiþ in to þe porchis of þe
Lord. Myn herte and my fleiſche; ful out ioȝeden in to
quyk God.
iii For whi a ſparewe fyndiþ an hous to it ſilf; and a
turtle fyndiþ a neſte to it ſilf, where it `ſchal kepe hiſe
bryddis. Lord of vertues, þin auteris; my king, and my
God.
iiii Lord, bleſſid ben þei þat dwellen in þin hous; þei
ſchulen preiſe þee in to þe worldis of worldis.
v Bleſſid is þe man, whos help is of þee; he haþ diſpoſid
ſtiyngis in his herte,
vi in þe valei of teeris, in þe place which he haþ ſet. For
þe ȝyuer of þe lawe ſchal ȝyue bleſſyng,
vii þei ſchulen go fro vertu in to vertu; God of goddis
ſchal be ſeyn in Sion.
viii Lord God of vertues, here þou my preier; God of
Jacob, perſeyue þou wiþ eeris.
ix God, oure defender, biholde þou; and biholde in to þe
face of þi criſt.
x For whi o dai in þin hallis is bettere; þan a þouſynde. I
chees to be `an out caſt in þe hous of my God; more þan
to dwelle in þe tabernaclis of ſynneris.
xi For God loueþ merci and treuþe; þe Lord ſchal ȝyue
grace and glorie. He ſchal not depriue hem fro goodis,
þat gon in innocence;
xii Lord of vertues, bleſſid is þe man, þat hopiþ in þee.
PSALM LXXXIIII
Þe title of þe foure and eiȝtetiþe ſalm. of þe ſones of
Chore.
i Lord, þou haſt bleſſid þi lond; þou haſt turned awei þe
caitifte of Jacob.
ii Þou haſt forȝoue þe wickidneſſe of þi puple; þou haſt
hilid alle þe ſynnes of hem.
iii Þou haſt aſwagid al þin ire; þou haſt turned awei fro
þe ire of þin indignacioun.
iiii God, oure helþe, conuerte þou vs; and turne awei þin
ire fro vs.
v Wheþer þou ſchalt be wrooþ to vs wiþouten ende;
eþer ſchalt þou holde forþ þin ire fro generacioun in to
generacioun?
vi God, þou conuertid ſchalt quykene vs; and þi puple
ſchal be glad in þee.
vii Lord, ſchewe þi merci to vs; and ȝyue þin helþe to vs.
viii I ſchal here what þe Lord God ſchal ſpeke in me; for
he ſchal ſpeke pees on his puple. And on hiſe hooli men;
and on hem þat ben turned to herte.
ix Neþeles his helþe is niȝ men dredynge him; þat glorie
dwelle in oure lond.
x Merci and treuþe metten hem ſilf; riȝtwiſneſſe and
pees weren kiſſid.
xi Treuþe cam forþ of erþe; and riȝtfulneſſe bihelde fro
heuene.
xii For þe Lord ſchal ȝyue benignyte; and oure erþe ſchal
ȝyue his fruyt.
xiii Riȝtfulneſſe ſchal go bifore him; and ſchal ſette hiſe
ſteppis in þe weie.
PSALM LXXXV
Þe `title of þe fyue and eiȝtetiþe ſalm. þe preier of
Dauid.
i Lord, bowe doun þin eere, and here me; for Y am nedi
and pore.
ii Kepe þou my lijf, for Y am holi; my God, make þou
ſaaf þi ſeruaunt hopynge in þee.
iii Lord, haue þou merci on me, for Y criede al day to
þee;
iiii make þou glad þe ſoule of þi ſeruaunt, for whi, Lord,
Y haue reiſid my ſoule to þee.
v For þou, Lord, art ſwete and mylde; and of myche
merci to alle men inwardli clepynge þee.
vi Lord, perſeyue þou my preier wiþ eeris; and ȝyue þou
tente to þe vois of my biſechyng.
vii In þe dai of my tribulacioun Y criede to þee; for þou
herdiſt me.
viii Lord, noon among goddis is lijk þee; and noon is
euene to þi werkis.
ix Lord, alle folkis, whiche euere þou madiſt, ſchulen
come, and worſchipe bifore þee; and þei ſchulen glorifie
þi name.
x For þou art ful greet, and makinge merueils; þou art
God aloone.
xi Lord, lede þou me forþ in þi weie, and Y ſchal entre
in þi treuþe; myn herte be glad, þat it drede þi name.
xii Mi Lord God, Y ſchal knouleche to þee in al myn
herte; and Y ſchal glorifie þi name wiþouten ende.
xiii For þi merci is greet on me; and þou deliueridiſt my
ſoule fro þe lower helle.
xiiii God, wickid men han riſe vp on me; and þe
ſynagoge of myȝti men han ſouȝt my lijf; and þei han
not ſet forþ þee in her ſiȝt.
xv And þou, Lord God, doynge merci, and merciful;
pacient, and of myche merci, and ſoþefaſt.
xvi Biholde on me, and haue mercy on me, ȝyue þou þe
empire to þi child; and make þou ſaaf þe ſone of þin
handmayden.
xvii Make þou wiþ me a ſigne in good, þat þei ſe, þat
haten me, and be aſchamed; for þou, Lord, haſt helpid
me, and haſt coumfortid me.
DXVI
PSALM LXXXVI
Þe title of þe ſixte and eiȝtetiþe ſalm. `Þe ſalm of þe
ſong of þe ſones of Chore.
i Þe foundementis þerof ben in hooli hillis;
ii þe Lord loueþ þe ȝatis of Sion, more þan alle þe
tabernaclis of Jacob.
iii Þou citee of God, wiþ outen ende; gloriouſe þingis
ben ſeide of þee.
iiii I ſchal be myndeful of Raab, and Babiloyne;
knowynge me. Lo! aliens, and Tyre, and þe puple of
Ethiopiens; þei weren þere.
v Wheþer a man ſchal ſeie to Sion, And a man is born
þer ynne; and þat man alþerhiȝeſte foundide it?
vi Þe Lord ſchal telle in þe ſcripturis of puplis; and of
þeſe princis, þat weren þer ynne.
vii As þe dwellyng `of alle þat ben glad; is in þee.
PSALM LXXXVII
Þe title of þe ſeuene and eiȝtetiþe ſalm. þe ſong of
ſalm, to þe ſones of Chore, to victorie on Mahalat,
for to anſwere, þe lernyng of Heman Ezraite.
i Lord God of myn helþe; Y criede in dai and nyȝt bifore
þee.
ii Mi preier entre bifore þi ſiȝt; bowe doun þin eere to
my preier.
iii For my ſoule is fillid wiþ yuels; and my lijf neiȝede to
helle.
iiii I am geſſid wiþ hem þat goon doun in to þe lake; Y
am maad as a man wiþ outen help,
v and fre among deed men. As men woundid ſlepinge in
ſepulcris, of whiche men noon is myndeful aftir; and þei
ben put awei fro þin hond.
vi Þei han put me in þe lower lake; in derke places, and
in þe ſchadewe of deþ.
vii Þi ſtrong veniaunce is confermed on me; and þou haſt
brouȝt in alle þi wawis on me.
viii Þou haſt maad fer fro me my knowun; þei han ſet me
abhomynacioun to hem ſilf. I am takun, and Y ȝede not
out;
ix myn iȝen weren ſijk for pouert. Lord, Y criede to þee;
al dai Y ſpredde abrood myn hondis to þee.
x Wheþir þou ſchalt do merueils to deed men; eþer
leechis ſchulen reiſe, and þei ſchulen knouleche to þee?
xi Wheþer ony man in ſepulcre ſchal telle þi merci; and
þi treuþe in perdicioun?
xii Wheþer þi merueilis ſchulen be knowun in
derkneſſis; and þi riȝtfulneſſe in þe lond of forȝetyng?
xiii And, Lord, Y criede to þee; and erli my preier ſchal
bifor come to þee.
xiiii Lord, whi puttiſt þou awei my preier; turneſt awei þi
face fro me?
xv I am pore, and in traueils fro my ȝongþe; ſoþeli Y am
enhaunſid, and Y am maad low, and diſturblid.
xvi Þi wraþþis paſſiden on me; and þi dredis diſturbliden
me.
xvii Þei cumpaſſiden me as watir al dai; þei cumpaſſiden
me togidere.
xviii Þou madiſt fer fro me a frend and neiȝbore; and my
knowun fro wretchidneſſe.
PSALM LXXXVIII
Þe title of þe eiȝte and eiȝtetiþe ſalm. þe lernyng of
Ethan, Ezraite.
iI ſchal ſynge wiþ outen ende; þe mercies of þe Lord. In
generacioun and in to generacioun; Y ſchal telle þi
treuþe wiþ my mouþ.
ii For þou ſeidiſt, Wiþ outen ende merci ſchal be bildid
in heuenes; þi treuþe ſchal be maad redi in þo.
iii I diſpoſide a teſtament to my choſun men; Y ſwoor to
Dauid, my ſeruaunt,
iiii Til in to wiþ outen ende I ſchal make redi þi ſeed.
And Y ſchal bilde þi ſeete; in generacioun, and in to
generacioun.
v Lord, heuenes ſchulen knouleche þi merueilis; and þi
treuþe in þe chirche of ſeyntis.
vi For who in þe cloudis ſchal be maad euene to þe
Lord; ſchal be lijk God among þe ſones of God?
vii God, which is glorified in þe counſel of ſeyntis; is
greet, and dreedful ouere alle þat ben in his cumpas.
viii Lord God of vertues, who is lijk þee? Lord, þou art
miȝti, and þi treuþe is in þi cumpas.
ix Þou art Lord of þe power of þe ſee; forſoþe þou
aſwagiſt þe ſtiryng of þe wawis þerof.
x Þou madiſt lowe þe proude, as woundid; in þe arm of
þi vertu þou haſt ſcaterid þin enemyes.
xi Heuenes ben þin, and erþe is þin; þou haſt foundid þe
world, and þe fulneſſe þerof;
xii þou madiſt of nouȝt þe norþ and þe ſee. Thabor and
Hermon ſchulen make ful out ioye in þi name;
xiii þin arm wiþ power. Þin hond be maad ſtidefaſt, and
þi riȝthond be enhaunſid;
xiiii riȝtfulneſſe and doom is þe makyng redy of þi ſeete.
Merci and treuþe ſchulen go bifore þi face;
xv bleſſid is þe puple þat kan hertli ſong. Lord, þei
ſchulen go in þe lyȝt of þi cheer;
xvi and in þi name þei ſchulen make ful out ioye al dai;
and þei ſchulen be enhaunſid in þi riȝtfulneſſe.
xvii For þou art þe glorie of þe vertu of hem; and in þi
good pleſaunce oure horn ſchal be enhaunſid.
xviii For oure takyng vp is of þe Lord; and of þe hooli of
Iſrael oure kyng.
DXVII
xix Þanne þou ſpakiſt in reuelacioun to þi ſeyntis, and
ſeidiſt, Y haue ſet help in þe myȝti; and Y haue
enhaunſid þe choſun man of my puple.
xx I foond Dauid, my ſeruaunt; Y anoyntide hym wiþ
myn hooli oile.
xxi For myn hond ſchal helpe him; and myn arm ſchal
conferme hym.
xxii Þe enemye ſchal no þing profite in him; and þe ſone
of wickidneſſe ſchal not `ley to, for to anoye him.
xxiii And Y ſchal ſle hiſe enemyes fro his face; and Y
ſchal turne in to fliȝt hem þat haten hym.
xxiiii And my treuþe and mercy ſchal be wiþ him; and
his horn ſchal be enhaunſid in my name.
xxv And Y ſchal ſette his hond in þe ſee; and his riȝt
hoond in flodis.
xxvi He ſchal inwardli clepe me, Þou art my fadir; my
God, and þe vptaker of myn heelþe.
xxvii And Y ſchal ſette him þe firſte gendrid ſone; hiȝer
þan þe kyngis of erþe.
xxviii Wiþ outen ende Y ſchal kepe my merci to hym;
and my teſtament feiþful to him.
xxix And Y ſchal ſette his ſeed in to þe world of world;
and his trone as þe daies of heuene.
xxx Forſoþe if hiſe ſones forſaken my lawe; and goen not
in my domes.
xxxi If þei maken vnhooli my riȝtfulneſſis; and kepen not
my comaundementis.
xxxii I ſchal viſite in a ȝerde þe wickidneſſis of hem; and
in betyngis þe ſynnes of hem.
xxxiii But Y ſchal not ſcatere my mercy fro hym; and in
my treuþe Y ſchal not anoye hym.
xxxiiii Neþir Y ſchal make vnhooli my teſtament; and Y
ſchal not make voide þo þingis þat comen forþ of my
lippis.
xxxv Onys Y ſwoor in myn hooli; Y ſchal not lie to
Dauid,
xxxvi his ſeed ſchal dwelle wiþ outen ende. And his trone
as ſunne in my ſiȝt,
xxxvii and as a perfit mone wiþ outen ende; and a feiþful
witneſſe in heuene.
xxxviii But þou haſt put awei, and haſt diſpiſid; and haſt
dilaied þi criſt.
xxxix Þou haſt turned awei þe teſtament of þi ſeruaunt;
þou madiſt vnhooli his ſeyntuarie in erþe.
xl Þou diſtriediſt alle þe heggis þerof; þou haſt ſet þe
ſtidefaſtneſſe þerof drede.
xli Alle men paſſynge bi þe weie rauyſchiden him; he is
maad ſchenſchipe to hiſe neiȝboris.
xlii Þou haſt enhaunſid þe riȝthond of men oppreſſinge
him; þou haſt gladid alle hiſe enemyes.
xliii Þou haſt turned awei þe help of his ſwerd; and þou
helpidiſt not hym in batel.
xliiii Þou deſtriediſt him fro clenſing; and þou haſt hurtlid
doun his ſeete in erþe.
xlv Þou haſt maad leſſe þe daies of his time; þou haſt
biſched him wiþ ſchenſchip.
xlvi Lord, hou longe turneſt þou awei in to þe ende; ſchal
þin ire brenne out as fier?
xlvii Biþenke þou what is my ſubſtaunce; for wheþer þou
haſt ordeyned veynli alle þe ſones of men?
xlviii Who is a man, þat ſchal lyue, and ſchal not ſe deþ;
ſchal delyuere his ſoule fro þe hond of helle?
xlix Lord, where ben þin elde mercies; as þou haſt ſwore
to Dauid in þi treuþe?
l Lord, be þou myndeful of þe ſchenſchipe of þi
ſeruauntis, of many heþene men; whiche Y helde
togidere in my boſum.
li Whiche þin enemyes, Lord, diden ſchenſchipfuli; for
þei diſpiſiden þe chaungyng of þi criſt.
lii Bleſſid be þe Lord wiþ outen ende; be it don, be it
don.
PSALM LXXXIX
Þe title of þe nyne and eiȝtetiþe ſalm. þe preier of
Moiſes, þe man of God.
i Lord, þou art maad help to vs; fro generacioun in to
generacioun.
ii Bifore þat hillis weren maad, eþer þe erþe and þe
world was formed; fro þe world and in to þe world þou
art God.
iii Turne þou not awei a man in to lowneſſe; and þou
ſeidiſt, Ȝe ſones of men, be conuertid.
iiii For a þouſynde ȝeer ben bifore þin iȝen; as ȝiſtirdai,
which is paſſid, and as keping in þe niȝt.
v Þe ȝeeris of hem ſchulen be; þat ben had for nouȝt.
vi Eerli paſſe he, as an eerbe, eerli floriſche he, and
paſſe; in þe euentid falle he doun, be he hard, and wexe
drie.
vii For we han failid in þin ire; and we ben diſturblid in
þi ſtrong veniaunce.
viii Þou haſt ſet oure wickidneſſis in þi ſiȝt; oure world in
þe liȝtning of þi cheer.
ix For alle oure daies han failid; and we han failid in þin
ire. Oure ȝeris ſchulen biþenke, as an yreyn;
x þe daies of oure ȝeeris ben in þo ſeuenti ȝeeris.
Forſoþe, if foureſcoor ȝeer ben in myȝti men; and þe
more tyme of hem is trauel and ſorewe. For myldeneſſe
cam aboue; and we ſchulen be chaſtiſid.
xi Who knew þe power of þin ire; and durſte noumbre
þin ire for þi drede?
xii Make þi riȝthond ſo knowun; and make men lerned
in herte bi wiſdom.
xiii Lord, be þou conuertid ſumdeel; and be þou able to
be preied on þi ſeruauntis.
DXVIII
xiiii Weweren fillid eerli wiþ þi merci; we maden ful
out ioye, and we delitiden in alle oure daies.
xv We weren glad for þe daies in whiche þou madiſt vs
meke; for þe ȝeeris in whiche we ſiȝen yuels.
xvi Lord, biholde þou into þi ſeruauntis, and in to þi
werkis; and dreſſe þou þe ſones of hem.
xvii And þe ſchynyng of oure Lord God be on vs; and
dreſſe þou þe werkis of oure hondis on vs, and dreſſe
þou þe werk of oure hondis.
PSALM XC
`Þe nyntiþe ſalm.
i He þat dwelliþ in þe help of þe hiȝeſte God; ſchal
dwelle in þe proteccioun of God of heuene.
ii He ſchal ſeie to þe Lord, Þou art myn vptaker, and my
refuit; my God, Y ſchal hope in him.
iii For he delyuered me fro þe ſnare of hunteris; and fro
a ſcharp word.
iiii Wiþ hiſe ſchuldris he ſchal make ſchadowe to þee;
and þou ſchalt haue hope vnder hiſe feþeris. His treuþe
ſchal cumpaſſe þee wiþ a ſcheld;
v þou ſchalt not drede of nyȝtis drede. Of an arowe
fliynge in þe dai,
vi of a gobelyn goynge in derkneſſis; of aſailing, and a
myddai feend.
vii A þouſynde ſchulen falle doun fro þi ſide, and ten
þouſynde fro þi riȝtſide; forſoþe it ſchal not neiȝe to þee.
viii Neþeles þou ſchalt biholde wiþ þin iȝen; and þou
ſchalt ſe þe ȝelding of ſynneris.
ix For þou, Lord, art myn hope; þou haſt ſet þin help
alþerhiȝeſte.
x Yuel ſchal not come to þee; and a ſcourge ſchal not
neiȝe to þi tabernacle.
xi For God haþ comaundid to hiſe aungels of þee; þat
þei kepe þee in alle þi weies.
xii Þei ſchulen beere þee in þe hondis; leſte perauenture
þou hirte þi foot at a ſtoon.
xiii Þou ſchalt go on a ſnake, and a cocatrice; and þou
ſchalt defoule a lioun and a dragoun.
xiiii For he hopide in me, Y ſchal delyuere hym; Y ſchal
defende him, for he knew my name.
xv He criede to me, and Y ſchal here him, Y am wiþ him
in tribulacioun; Y ſchal delyuere him, and Y ſchal
glorifie hym.
xvi I ſchal fille hym wiþ þe lengþe of daies; and Y ſchal
ſchewe myn helþe to him.
PSALM XCI
Þe `title of þe oon and nyntiþe ſalm. `Þe ſalm of
`ſong, in þe dai of ſabath.
i It
is good to knouleche to þe Lord; and to ſynge to þi
name, þou hiȝeſte.
ii To ſchewe eerli þi merci; and þi treuþe bi nyȝt.
iii In a ſautrie of ten cordis; wiþ ſong in harpe.
iiii For þou, Lord, haſt delitid me in þi makyng; and Y
ſchal make ful out ioye in þe werkis of þin hondis.
v Lord, þi werkis ben magnefied greetli; þi þouȝtis ben
maad ful depe.
vi An vnwiſe man ſchal not knowe; and a fool ſchal not
vndirſtonde þeſe þingis.
vii Whanne ſynneris comen forþ, as hey; and alle þei
apperen, þat worchen wickidneſſe.
viii Þat þei periſche in to þe world of world; forſoþe þou,
Lord, art þe hiȝeſt, wiþouten ende. For lo!
ix Lord, þin enemyes, for lo! þin enemyes ſchulen
periſche; and alle ſchulen be ſcaterid þat worchen
wickidneſſe.
x And myn horn ſchal be reiſid as an vnicorn; and myn
eelde in plenteuouſe merci.
xi And myn iȝe diſpiſide myn enemyes; and whanne
wickid men ryſen aȝens me, myn eere ſchal here.
xii A iuſt man ſchal floure as a palm tree; he ſchal be
multiplied as a cedre of Liban.
xiii Men plauntid in þe hous of þe Lord; ſchulen floure
in þe porchis of þe hous of oure God.
xiiii Ȝit þei ſchulen be multiplied in plenteuouſe elde;
and þei ſchulen be ſuffryng wel.
xv Þat þei telle, þat oure Lord God is riȝtful; and no
wickidneſſe is in hym.
PSALM XCII
Þe two and nyntiþe ſalm.
i Þe Lord haþ regned, he is cloþid wiþ fairneſſe; þe Lord
is cloþid wiþ ſtrengþe, and haþ gird hym ſilf. For he
made ſtidefaſt þe world; þat ſchal not be moued.
ii God, þi ſeete was maad redi fro þat tyme; þou art fro
þe world.
iii Lord, þe flodis han reiſid; þe flodis han reiſid her
vois. Flodis reiſiden her wawis; of þe voicis of many
watris.
iiii Þe reiſyngis of þe ſee ben wondurful; þe Lord is
wondurful in hiȝe þingis.
v Þi witneſſingis ben maad able to be bileued greetli;
Lord, holyneſſe bicomeþ þin hous, in to þe lengþe of
daies.
PSALM XCIII
Þe þre and nyntiþe ſalm.
i God
is Lord of veniauncis; God of veniauncis dide
freli.
ii Be þou enhaunſid þat demeſt þe erþe; ȝelde þou
ȝeldinge to proude men.
iii Lord, hou longe ſynneris; hou longe ſchulen ſynneris
haue glorie?
DXIX
iiii Þei ſchulen telle out, and ſchulen ſpeke wickidneſſe;
alle men ſchulen ſpeke þat worchen vnriȝtfulneſſe.
v Lord, þei han maad lowe þi puple; and þei han diſeſid
þin eritage.
vi Þei killiden a widowe and a comelyng; and þei han
ſlayn fadirles children and modirles.
vii And þei ſeiden, Þe Lord ſchal not ſe; and God of
Jacob ſchal not vndurſtonde.
viii Ȝe vnwiſe men in þe puple, vndirſtonde; and, ȝe
foolis, lerne ſum tyme.
ix Schal not he here, þat plauntide þe eere; eþere
biholdiþ not he, þat made þe iȝe?
x Schal not he repreue, þat chaſtiſiþ folkis; which techiþ
man kunnyng?
xi Þe Lord knowiþ þe þouȝtis of men; þat þo ben veyne.
xii Bleſſid is þe man, whom þou, Lord, haſt lerned; and
haſt tauȝt him of þi lawe.
xiii Þat þou aſwage hym fro yuele daies; til a diche be
diggid to þe ſynner.
xiiii For þe Lord ſchal not putte awei his puple; and he
ſchal not forſake his eritage.
xv Til riȝtfulneſſe be turned in to dom; and who ben niȝ
it, alle þat ben of riȝtful herte.
xvi Who ſchal riſe wiþ me aȝens myſdoeris; eþer who
ſchal ſtonde wiþ me aȝens hem þat worchen
wickidneſſe?
xvii No but for þe Lord helpide me; almeſt my ſoule
hadde dwellid in helle.
xviii If Y ſeide, My foot was ſtirid; Lord, þi merci
helpide me.
xix Aftir þe multitude of my ſorewis in myn herte; þi
coumfortis maden glad my ſoule.
xx Wheþer þe ſeete of wickidneſſe cleueþ to þee; þat
makiſt trauel in comaundement?
xxi Þei ſchulen take aȝens þe ſoule of a iuſt man; and þei
ſchulen condempne innocent blood.
xxii And þe Lord was maad to me in to refuyt; and my
God was maad in to þe help of myn hope.
xxiii And he ſchal ȝelde to hem þe wickidneſſe of hem;
and in þe malice of hem he ſchal leſe hem, oure Lord
God ſchal leſe hem.
PSALM XCIIII
Þe foure and nyntiþe ſalm.
i Come ȝe, make we ful out ioie to þe Lord; hertli ſynge
we to God, oure heelþe.
ii Bifore ocupie we his face in knowleching; and hertli
ſynge we to him in ſalmes.
iii For God is a greet Lord, and a greet king aboue alle
goddis; for þe Lord ſchal not putte awei his puple.
iiii For alle þe endis of erþe ben in his hond; and þe
hiȝneſſes of hillis ben hiſe.
v For þe ſee is his, and he made it; and hiſe hondis
formeden þe drie lond.
vi Come ȝe, herie we, and falle we doun bifore God,
wepe we bifore þe Lord þat made vs;
vii for he is oure Lord God. And we ben þe puple of his
leſewe; and þe ſcheep of his hond. If ȝe han herd his
vois to dai;
viii nyle ȝe make hard ȝoure hertis. As in þe terryng to
wraþþe; bi þe dai of temptacioun in deſert.
ix Where ȝoure fadris temptiden me; þei preueden and
ſien my werkis.
x Fourti ȝeer I was offendid to þis generacioun; and Y
ſeide, Euere þei erren in herte. And þeſe men knewen
not my weies;
xi to whiche Y ſwoor in myn ire, þei ſchulen not entre in
to my reſte.
PSALM XCV
Þe fyue and nyntiþe ſalm haþ no title.
i Singe ȝe a newe ſong to þe Lord; al erþe, ſynge ȝe to
þe Lord.
ii Synge ȝe to þe Lord, and bleſſe ȝe his name; telle ȝe
his heelþe fro dai in to dai.
iii Telle ȝe his glorie among heþene men; hiſe merueilis
among alle puplis.
iiii For þe Lord is greet, and worþi to be preiſid ful
myche; he is ferdful aboue alle goddis.
v For alle þe goddis of heþene men ben feendis; but þe
Lord made heuenes.
vi Knouleching and fairneſſe is in his ſiȝt; hoolyneſſe
and worþi doyng is in his halewing.
vii Ȝe cuntrees of heþene men, brynge to þe Lord,
bringe ȝe glorye and onour to þe Lord;
viii bringe ȝe to þe Lord glorie to hys name. Take ȝe
ſacrificis, and entre ȝe in to þe hallis of hym;
ix herie ȝe þe Lord in his hooli halle. Al erþe be moued
of his face;
x ſeie ȝe among heþene men, þat þe Lord haþ regned.
And he haþ amendid þe world, þat ſchal not be moued;
he ſchal deme puplis in equite.
xi Heuenes be glad, and þe erþe make ful out ioye, þe
ſee and þe fulneſſe þerof be moued togidere;
xii feeldis ſchulen make ioye, and alle þingis þat ben in
þo. Þanne alle þe trees of wodis ſchulen make ful out
ioye,
xiii for þe face of þe Lord, for he comeþ; for he comeþ
to deme þe erþe. He ſchal deme þe world in equite; and
puplis in his treuþe.
DXX
PSALM XCVI
Þe ſixe and nyntiþe ſalm.
i Þe Lord haþ regned, þe erþe make ful out ioye; many
ilis be glad.
ii Cloude and derkneſſe in his cumpas; riȝtfulneſſe and
doom is amending of his ſeete.
iii Fier ſchal go bifore him; and ſchal enflawme hiſe
enemyes in cumpas.
iiii Hiſe leitis ſchyneden to þe world; þe erþe ſiȝ, and
was moued.
v Hillis as wax fletiden doun fro þe face of þe Lord; al
erþe fro þe face of þe Lord.
vi Heuenes telden his riȝtfulneſſe; and alle puplis ſien his
glorie.
vii Alle þat worſchipen ſculptilis be ſchent, and þei þat
han glorie in her ſymelacris; alle ȝe aungels of þe Lord,
worſchipe him.
viii Sion herde, and was glad, and þe douȝtris of Juda
maden ful out ioye; for `þi domes, Lord.
ix For þou, Lord, art þe hiȝeſte on al erþe; þou art greetli
enhaunſid ouere alle goddis.
x Ȝe þat louen þe Lord, hate yuel; þe Lord kepiþ þe
ſoulis of hiſe ſeyntis; he ſchal delyuer hem fro þe hond
of þe ſynner.
xi Liȝt is riſun to þe riȝtful man; and gladneſſe to riȝtful
men of herte.
xii Juſte men, be ȝe glad in þe Lord; and knouleche ȝe to
þe mynde of his halewyng.
PSALM XCVII
Þe ſeuen and nyntiþe ſalm haþ no title.
i Singe ȝe a newe ſong to þe Lord; for he haþ do
merueils. His riȝt hond and his hooli arm; haþ maad
heelþe to hym.
ii Þe Lord haþ maad knowun his heelþe; in þe ſiȝt of
heþene men he haþ ſchewid his riȝtfulneſſe.
iii He biþouȝte on his merci; and on his treuþe, to þe
hous of Iſrael. Alle þe endis of erþe; ſien þe heelþe of
oure God.
iiii Al erþe, make ȝe hertli ioye to God; ſynge ȝe, and
make ȝe ful out ioye, and ſeie ȝe ſalm.
v Singe ȝe to þe Lord in an harpe, in harpe and vois of
ſalm;
vi in trumpis betun out wiþ hamer, and in vois of a
trumpe of horn. Hertli ſynge ȝe in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, þe
king;
vii þe ſee and þe fulneſſe þerof be moued; þe world, and
þei þat dwellen þerynne.
viii Flodis ſchulen make ioie wiþ hond, togidere hillis
ſchulen make ful out ioye,
ix for ſiȝt of þe Lord; for he comeþ to deme þe erþe. He
ſchal deme þe world in riȝtfulneſſe; and puplis in equite.
PSALM XCVIII
Þe eiȝte and nyntiþe ſalm.
i Þe
Lord haþ regned, puplis ben wrooþ; þou þat ſittiſt
on cherubyn, þe erþe be moued.
ii Þe Lord is greet in Sion; and hiȝ aboue alle puplis.
iii Knouleche þei to þi greet name, for it is ferdful and
hooli;
iiii and þe onour of þe king loueþ doom. Þou haſt maad
redi dreſſyngis; þou haſt maad doom and riȝtfulneſſe in
Jacob.
v Enhaunſe ȝe oure Lord God; and worſchipe ȝe þe ſtool
of hiſe feet, for it is hooli.
vi Moiſes and Aaron weren among hiſe preeſtis; and
Samuel was among hem þat inwardli clepen his name.
Þei inwardli clepiden þe Lord, and he herde hem;
vii in a piler of cloude he ſpak to hem. Þei kepten hiſe
witneſſyngis; and þe comaundement which he ȝaf to
hem.
viii Oure Lord God, þou herdiſt hem; God, þou were
merciful to hem, and þou tokiſt veniaunce on al her
fyndyngis.
ix Enhaunſe ȝe oure Lord God, and worſchipe ȝe in his
hooli hil; for oure Lord God is hooli.
PSALM XCIX
Þe titil of þe nyne and nyntiþe ſalm. `A ſalm to
knouleche; `in Ebrew `þus, A ſalm for knouleching.
i Al erþe, ſinge ȝe hertli to God;
ii ſerue
ȝe þe Lord in gladneſſe. Entre ȝe in his ſiȝt; in ful
out ioiyng.
iii Wite ȝe, þat þe Lord hym ſilf is God; he made vs, and
not we maden vs. His puple, and þe ſcheep of his
leſewe,
iiii entre ȝe in to hiſe ȝatis in knoulechyng; entre ȝe in to
hiſe porchis, `knouleche ȝe to him in ympnes. Herye ȝe
his name,
v for þe Lord is ſwete, his merci is wiþ outen ende; and
his treuþe is in generacioun and in to generacioun.
PSALM C
Þe titil of þe hundrid ſalm. `Þe ſalm of Dauid.
i Lord, Y ſchal ſynge to þee; merci and doom. I ſchal
ſynge,
ii and Y ſchal vndurſtonde in a weie wiþ out wem;
whanne þou ſchalt come to me. I ȝede perfitli in þe
innocence of myn herte; in þe myddil of myn hous.
iii I ſettide not forþ bifore myn iȝen an vniuſt þing; Y
hatide hem þat maden treſpaſſyngis.
iiii A ſchrewide herte cleuede not to me; Y knewe not a
wickid man bowynge awei fro me.
DXXI
vI purſuede hym; þat bacbitide priueli his neiȝbore. Wiþ
þe proude iȝe and an herte vnable to be fillid; Y eet not
wiþ þis.
vi Myn iȝen weren to þe feiþful men of erþe, þat þei ſitte
wiþ me; he þat ȝede in a weie wiþ out wem, mynyſtride
to me.
vii He þat doiþ pride, ſchal not dwelle in þe myddil of
myn hous; he þat ſpekiþ wickid þingis, ſeruede not in þe
ſiȝt of myn iȝen.
viii In þe morutid Y killide alle þe ſynners of erþe; þat Y
ſchulde leeſe fro þe citee of þe Lord alle men
worchynge wickidneſſe.
PSALM CI
Þe title of þe `hundrid and o ſalm. Þe preier of a
pore man, whanne he was angwiſhid, and ſchedde
out his ſpeche bifore þe Lord.
i Lord, here þou my preier; and my crie come to þee.
ii Turne not awei þi face fro me; in what euere dai Y am
troblid, bowe doun þin eere to me. In what euere day Y
ſchal inwardli clepe þee; here þou me ſwiftli.
iii For my daies han failid as ſmoke; and my boonus han
dried vp as critouns.
iiii I am ſmytun as hei, and myn herte dried vp; for Y
haue forȝete to eete my breed.
v Of þe vois of my weilyng; my boon cleuede to my
fleiſche.
vi I am maad lijk a pellican of wildirneſſe; Y am maad
as a niȝt crowe in an hous.
vii I wakide; and Y am maad as a ſolitarie ſparowe in þe
roof.
viii Al dai myn enemyes diſpiſiden me; and þei þat
preiſiden me ſworen aȝens me.
ix For Y eet aſchis as breed; and Y meddlide my drinke
wiþ weping.
x Fro þe face of þe ire of þin indignacioun; for þou
reiſinge me haſt hurtlid me doun.
xi Mi daies boweden awei as a ſchadewe; and Y wexede
drie as hei.
xii But, Lord, þou dwelliſt wiþ outen ende; and þi
memorial in generacioun and in to generacioun.
xiii Lord, þou riſinge vp ſchalt haue merci on Sion; for
þe tyme `to haue merci þerof comeþ, for þe tyme
comeþ.
xiiii For þe ſtones þerof pleſiden þi ſeruauntis; and þei
ſchulen haue merci on þe lond þerof.
xv And, Lord, heþen men ſchulen drede þi name; and
alle kingis of erþe ſchulen drede þi glori.
xvi For þe Lord haþ bildid Sion; and he ſchal be ſeen in
his glorie.
xvii He bihelde on þe preier of meke men; and he
diſpiſide not þe preier of hem.
xviii Be þeſe þingis writun in an oþere generacioun; and
þe puple þat ſchal be maad ſchal preiſe þe Lord.
xix For he bihelde fro his hiȝe hooli place; þe Lord
lokide fro heuene in to erþe.
xx For to here þe weilingis of feterid men; and for to
vnbynde þe ſones of ſlayn men.
xxi Þat þei telle in Sion þe name of þe Lord; and his
preiſing in Jeruſalem.
xxii In gaderinge togidere puplis in to oon; and kingis,
þat þei ſerue þe Lord.
xxiii It anſweride to hym in þe weie of his vertu; Telle
þou to me þe fewneſſe of my daies.
xxiiii Aȝenclepe þou not me in þe myddil of my daies; þi
ȝeris ben in generacioun and in to generacioun.
xxv Lord, þou foundidiſt þe erþe in þe bigynnyng; and
heuenes ben þe werkis of þin hondis.
xxvi Þo ſchulen periſche, but þou dwelliſt perfitli; and
alle ſchulen wexe eelde as a clooþ. And þou ſchalt
chaunge hem as an hiling, and þo ſchulen be chaungid;
xxvii but þou art þe ſame þi ſilf, and þi ȝeeris ſchulen not
faile.
xxviii Þe ſones of þi ſeruauntis ſchulen dwelle; and þe
ſeed of hem ſchal be dreſſid in to þe world.
PSALM CII
Þe title of þe `hundred and ſecounde ſalm. `Of
Dauid.
i Mi ſoule, bleſſe þou þe Lord; and alle þingis þat ben
wiþ ynne me, bleſſe his hooli name.
ii Mi ſoule, bleſſe þou þe Lord; and nyle þou forȝete alle
þe ȝeldyngis of him.
iii Which doiþ merci to alle þi wickidneſſis; which
heeliþ alle þi ſijkneſſis.
iiii Which aȝenbieþ þi lijf fro deþ; which corowneþ þee
in merci and merciful doyngis.
v Which filliþ þi deſijr in goodis; þi ȝongþe ſchal be
renulid as þe ȝongþe of an egle.
vi Þe Lord doynge mercies; and doom to alle men
ſuffringe wrong.
vii He made hiſe weies knowun to Moiſes; hiſe willis to
þe ſones of Iſrael.
viii Þe Lord is merciful doer, and merciful in wille;
longe abidinge, and myche merciful.
ix He ſchal not be wrooþ wiþ outen ende; and he ſchal
not þretne wiþ outen ende.
x He dide not to vs aftir oure ſynnes; neþer he ȝeldide to
vs aftir oure wickidneſſis.
xi For bi þe hiȝneſſe of heuene fro erþe; he made ſtrong
his merci on men dredynge hym.
xii As myche as þe eeſt is fer fro þe weſt; he made fer
oure wickidneſſis fro vs.
DXXII
xiii As a fadir haþ merci on ſones, þe Lord hadde merci
on men dredynge him;
xiiii for he knewe oure makyng. He biþouȝte þat we ben
duſt,
xv a man is as hey; his dai ſchal flowre out ſo as a flour
of þe feeld.
xvi For þe ſpirit ſchal paſſe in hym, and ſchal not abide;
and ſchal no more knowe his place.
xvii But þe merci of þe Lord is fro wiþ out bigynnyng,
and til in to wiþ outen ende; on men dredinge hym. And
his riȝtfulneſſe is in to þe ſones of ſones;
xviii to hem þat kepen his teſtament. And ben myndeful
of hiſe comaundementis; to do þo.
xix Þe Lord haþ maad redi his ſeete in heuene; and his
rewme ſchal be lord of alle.
xx Aungels of þe Lord, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; ȝe myȝti in
vertu, doynge his word, to here þe vois of hiſe wordis.
xxi Alle vertues of þe Lord, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; ȝe
mynyſtris of hym þat doen his wille.
xxii Alle werkis of þe Lord, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord, in ech
place of his lordſchipe; my ſoule, bleſſe þou þe Lord.
PSALM CIII
Þe hundrid and þridde ſalm.
i Mi ſoule, bleſſe þou þe Lord; my Lord God, þou art
magnyfied greetli. Þou haſt cloþid knouleching and
fairneſſe;
ii and þou art cloþid wiþ lyȝt, as wiþ a cloþ. And þou
ſtretchiſt forþ heuene as a ſkyn;
iii and þou hiliſt wiþ watris þe hiȝer partis þerof. Which
ſettiſt a cloude þi ſtiyng; which goeſt on þe feþeris of
wyndis.
iiii Which makiſt ſpiritis þin aungels; and þi mynyſtris
brennynge fier.
v Which haſt foundid þe erþe on his ſtableneſſe; it ſchal
not be bowid in to þe world of world.
vi Þe depþe of watris as a cloþ is þe cloþing þerof;
watris ſchulen ſtonde on hillis.
vii Þo ſchulen fle fro þi blamyng; men ſchulen be aferd
of þe vois of þi þundur.
viii Hillis ſtien vp, and feeldis goen doun; in to þe place
which þou haſt foundid to þo.
ix Þou haſt ſet a terme, which þo ſchulen not paſſe; neþer
þo ſchulen be turned, for to hile þe erþe.
x And þou ſendiſt out wellis in grete valeis; watris
ſchulen paſſe bitwix þe myddil of hillis.
xi Alle þe beeſtis of þe feeld ſchulen drynke; wielde aſſis
ſchulen abide in her þirſt.
xii Briddis of þe eir ſchulen dwelle on þo; fro þe myddis
of ſtoonys þei ſchulen ȝyue voices.
xiii And þou moiſtiſt hillis of her hiȝer þingis; þe erþe
ſchal be fillid of þe fruyt of þi werkis.
xiiii And þou bringiſt forþ hei to beeſtis; and eerbe to þe
ſeruyce of men. Þat þou bringe forþ breed of þe erþe;
xv and þat wiyn make glad þe herte of men. Þat he make
glad þe face wiþ oile; and þat breed make ſtidefaſt þe
herte of man.
xvi Þe trees of þe feeld ſchulen be fillid, and þe cedris of
þe Liban, whiche he plauntide;
xvii ſparewis ſchulen make neſt þere. Þe hous of þe
gerfaukun is þe leeder of þo;
xviii hiȝe hillis ben refute to hertis; a ſtoon is refutt to
irchouns.
xix He made þe moone in to tymes; þe ſunne knewe his
goyng doun.
xx Þou haſt ſet derkneſſis, and nyȝt is maad; alle beeſtis
of þe wode ſchulen go þer ynne.
xxi Liouns whelpis rorynge for to rauyſche; and to ſeke
of God meete to hem ſilf.
xxii Þe ſunne is riſun, and þo ben gaderid togidere; and
þo ſchulen be ſet in her couchis.
xxiii A man ſchal go out to his werk; and to his
worching, til to þe euentid.
xxiiii Lord, þi werkis ben magnefiede ful myche, þou
haſt maad alle þingis in wiſdom; þe erþe is fillid wiþ þi
poſſeſſioun.
xxv Þis ſee is greet and large to hondis; þere ben
crepinge beeſtis, of which is noon noumbre. Litil beeſtis
wiþ grete;
xxvi ſchippis ſchulen paſſe þere. Þis dragoun which þou
haſt formyd; for to ſcorne hym.
xxvii Alle þingis abiden of þee; þat þou ȝyue to hem
meete in tyme.
xxviii Whanne þou ſchalt ȝyue to hem, þei ſchulen
gadere; whanne þou ſchalt opene þin hond, alle þingis
ſchulen be fillid wiþ goodneſſe.
xxix But whanne þou ſchalt turne awey þe face, þei
ſchulen be diſturblid; þou ſchalt take awei þe ſpirit of
þem, and þei ſchulen faile; and þei ſchulen turne aȝen in
to her duſt.
xxx Sende out þi ſpirit, and þei ſchulen be formed of þe
newe; and þou ſchalt renule þe face of þe erþe.
xxxi Þe glorie of þe Lord be in to þe world; þe Lord
ſchal be glad in hiſe werkis.
xxxii Which biholdiþ þe erþe, and makiþ it to tremble;
which touchiþ hillis, and þo ſmoken.
xxxiii I ſchal ſinge to þe Lord in my lijf; Y ſchal ſeie ſalm
to my God, as longe as Y am.
xxxiiii Mi ſpeche be myrie to him; forſoþe Y ſchal delite
in þe Lord.
xxxv Synneris faile fro þe erþe, and wickid men faile, ſo
þat þei be not; my ſoule, bleſſe þou þe Lord.
DXXIII
PSALM CIIII
Þe title of þe hundrid and fourþe ſalm. Alleluya.
i Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord, and inwardli clepe ȝe his
name; telle ȝe hiſe werkis among heþen men.
ii Synge ȝe to hym, and ſeie ȝe ſalm to him, and telle ȝe
alle hiſe merueylis;
iii be ȝe preiſid in his hooli name. Þe herte of men
ſekynge þe Lord be glad;
iiii ſeke ȝe þe Lord, and be ȝe confermed; ſeke ȝe euere
his face.
v Haue ȝe mynde on hiſe merueilis, whiche he dide; on
his grete wondris, and domes of his mouþ.
vi Þe ſeed of Abraham, his ſeruaunt; þe ſones of Jacob,
his choſun man.
vii He is oure Lord God; hiſe domes ben in al þe erþe.
viii He was myndeful of his teſtament in to þe world; of
þe word which he comaundide in to a þouſynde
generaciouns.
ix Which he diſpoſide to Abraham; and of his ooþ to
Iſaac.
x And he ordeynede it to Jacob in to a comaundement;
and to Iſrael in to euerlaſtinge teſtament.
xi And he ſeide, I ſhal ȝiue to þee þe lond of Canaan; þe
cord of ȝoure eritage.
xii Whanne þei weren in a litil noumbre; and þe
comelingis of hem weren ful fewe.
xiii And þei paſſiden fro folk in to folk; and fro a rewme
in to anoþer puple.
xiiii He lefte not a man to anoye hem; and he chaſtiſide
kyngis for hem.
xv Nile ȝe touche my criſtis; and nyle ȝe do wickidli
among my prophetis.
xvi And God clepide hungir on erþe; and he waſtide al
þe ſtidefaſtneſſe of breed.
xvii He ſente a man bifore hem; Joſeph was ſeeld in to a
ſeruaunt.
xviii Þei maden lowe hiſe feet in ſtockis, irun paſſide by
his ſoule;
xix til þe word of him cam. Þe ſpeche of þe Lord
enflawmede him;
xx þe king ſente and vnbond hym; þe prince of puplis
ſente and delyuerede him.
xxi He ordeynede him þe lord of his hous; and þe prince
of al his poſſeſſioun.
xxii Þat he ſchulde lerne hiſe princis as him ſilf; and þat
he ſchulde teche hiſe elde men prudence.
xxiii And Iſrael entride in to Egipt; and Jacob was a
comeling in þe lond of Cham.
xxiiii And God encreeſſide his puple greetli; and made
hym ſtidefaſt on hiſe enemyes.
xxv He turnede þe herte of hem, þat þei hatiden his
puple; and diden gile aȝens hiſe ſeruauntis.
xxvi He ſent Moiſes, his ſeruaunt; þilke Aaron, whom he
chees.
xxvii He puttide in hem þe wordis of hiſe myraclis; and
of hiſe grete wondris in þe lond of Cham.
xxviii He ſente derkneſſis, and made derk; and he made
not bitter hiſe wordis.
xxix He turnede þe watris of hem in to blood; and he
killide þe fiſchis of hem.
xxx And þe lond of hem ȝaf paddoks; in þe priue places
of þe kyngis of hem.
xxxi God ſeide, and a fleiſche flie cam; and gnattis in
alle þe cooſtis of hem.
xxxii He ſettide her reynes hail; fier brennynge in þe
lond of hem.
xxxiii And he ſmoot þe vynes of hem, and þe fige trees
of hem; and al to-brak þe tree of þe cooſtis of hem.
xxxiiii He ſeide, and a locuſte cam; and a bruk of which
was noon noumbre.
xxxv And it eet al þe hey in þe lond of hem; and it eet al
þe fruyt of þe lond of hem.
xxxvi And he killide ech þe firſte gendrid þing in þe lond
of hem; þe firſte fruitis of alle þe trauel of hem.
xxxvii And he ledde out hem wiþ ſiluer and gold; and
noon was ſijk in þe lynagis of hem.
xxxviii Egipt was glad in þe goyng forþ of hem; for þe
drede of hem lai on Egipcians.
xxxix He ſpredde abrood a cloude, in to þe hiling of hem;
and fier, þat it ſchynede to hem bi nyȝt.
xl Þei axiden, and a curlew cam; and he fillide hem wiþ
þe breed of heuene.
xli He brak a ſtoon, and watris flowiden; floodis ȝeden
forþ in þe drye place.
xlii For he was myndeful of his hooli word; which he
hadde to Abraham, his child.
xliii And he ledde out his puple in ful out ioiyng; and
hiſe choſun men in gladneſſe.
xliiii And he ȝaf to hem þe cuntreis of heþen men; and
þei hadden in poſſeſſioun þe trauels of puplis.
xlv Þat þei kepe hiſe iuſtifiyngis; and ſeke his lawe.
PSALM CV
Þe `title of þe hundrid and fifþe ſalm. Alleluya.
i Kouleche
ȝe to þe Lord, for he is good; for his mercy
is wiþ outen ende.
ii Who ſchal ſpeke þe powers of þe Lord; ſchal make
knowun alle hiſe preiſyngis?
iii Bleſſid ben þei þat kepen dom; and doon riȝtfulneſſe
in al tyme.
iiii Lord, haue þou mynde on vs in þe good pleſaunce of
þi puple; viſite þou vs in þin heelþe.
v To ſe in þe goodneſſe of þi choſun men, to be glad in
þe gladnes of þi folk; þat þou be heried wiþ þin eritage.
DXXIV
vi We han ſynned wiþ oure fadris; we han do vniuſtli,
we han do wickidneſſe.
vii Oure fadris in Egipt vndirſtoden not þi merueils; þei
weren not myndeful of þe multitude of þi merci. And
þei ſtiynge in to þe ſee, in to þe reed ſee, terreden to
wraþþe;
viii and he ſauede hem for his name, þat `he ſchulde
make knowun his power.
ix And he departide þe reed ſee, and it was dried; and he
lede forþ hem in þe depþis of watris as in deſeert.
x And he ſauede hem fro þe hond of hateris; and he aȝen
bouȝte hem fro þe hond of þe enemye.
xi And þe watir hilide men troublynge hem; oon of hem
abood not.
xii And þei bileueden to hiſe wordis; and þei preiſiden
þe heriynge of hym.
xiii Þei hadden `ſoone do, þei forȝaten hiſe werkis; and
þei abididen not his councel.
xiiii And þei coueitiden coueitiſe in deſeert; and
temptiden God in a place wiþ out watir.
xv And he ȝaf to hem þe axyng of hem; and he ſente
fulneſſe in to þe ſoulis of hem.
xvi And þei wraþþiden Moyſes in þe caſtels; Aaron, þe
hooli of þe Lord.
xvii Þe erþe was opened, and ſwolewid Datan; and hilide
on þe congregacioun of Abiron.
xviii And fier brente an hiȝe in þe ſynagoge of hem;
flawme brente ſynneris.
xix And þei maden a calf in Oreb; and worſchipiden a
ȝotun ymage.
xx And þei chaungiden her glorie; in to þe likneſſe of a
calf etynge hei.
xxi Þei forȝaten God, þat ſauede hem, þat dide grete
werkis in Egipt,
xxii merueils in þe lond of Cham; feerdful þingis in þe
reed ſee.
xxiii And God ſeide, þat he wolde leeſe hem; if Moiſes,
his choſun man, hadde not ſtonde in þe brekyng of his
ſiȝt. Þat he ſchulde turne awei his ire; leſt he loſte hem.
xxiiii And þei hadden þe deſirable lond for nouȝt, þei
bileueden not to his word,
xxv and þei grutchiden in her tabernaclis; þei herden not
þe vois of þe Lord.
xxvi And he reiſide his hond on hem; to caſte doun hem
in deſert.
xxvii And to caſte awei her ſeed in naciouns; and to leeſe
hem in cuntreis.
xxviii And þei maden ſacrifice to Belfagor; and þei eeten
þe ſacrificis of deed beeſtis.
xxix And þei wraþþiden God in her fyndyngis; and
fallyng was multiplied in hem.
xxx And Fynees ſtood, and pleeſide God; and þe
veniaunce ceeſſide.
xxxi And it was arrettid to hym to riȝtfulneſſe; in
generacioun and in to generacioun, til in to wiþ outen
ende.
xxxii And þei wraþþiden God at þe watris of aȝenſeiyng;
and Moiſes was trauelid for hem,
xxxiii for þei maden bittere his ſpirit, and he departide in
his lippis.
xxxiiii Þei loſten not heþen men; whiche þe Lord ſeide to
hem.
xxxv And þei weren meddlid among heþene men, and
lerneden þe werkis of hem,
xxxvi and ſerueden þe grauen ymagis of hem; and it was
maad to hem in to ſclaundre.
xxxvii And þei offriden her ſones; and her douȝtris to
feendis.
xxxviii And þei ſchedden out innocent blood, þe blood of
her ſones and of her douȝtris; whiche þei ſacrificiden to
þe grauun ymagis of Chanaan. And þe erþe was ſlayn in
bloodis,
xxxix and was defoulid in þe werkis of hem; and þei
diden fornicacioun in her fyndyngis.
xl And þe Lord was wrooþ bi ſtrong veniaunce aȝens his
puple; and hadde abhominacioun of his eritage.
xli And he bitook hem in to þe hondis of heþene men;
and þei þat hatiden hem, weren lordis of hem.
xlii And her enemyes diden tribulacioun to hem, and þei
weren mekid vndir þe hondis of enemyes;
xliii ofte he delyuerede hem. But þei wraþþiden hym in
her counſel; and þei weren maad low in her
wickidneſſis.
xliiii And he ſiȝe, whanne þei weren ſet in tribulacioun;
and he herde þe preyer of hem.
xlv And he was myndeful of his teſtament; and it
repentide hym bi þe multitude of his merci.
xlvi And he ȝaf hem in to mercies; in þe ſiȝt of alle men,
þat hadden take hem.
xlvii Oure Lord God, make þou vs ſaaf; and gadere
togidere vs fro naciouns. Þat we knouleche to þin hooli
name; and haue glorie in þi preiſyng.
xlviii Bleſſid be þe Lord God of Iſrael fro þe world and
til in to þe world; and al þe puple ſchal ſeye, Be it don,
be it don.
PSALM CVI
Þe `title of þe hundrid and ſixte ſalm. Alleluya.
i Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord, for he is good; for his merci
is in to þe world.
ii Sei þei, þat ben aȝen bouȝt of þe Lord; whiche he aȝen
bouȝte fro þe hond of þe enemye,
DXXV
iii fro cuntreis he gaderide hem togidere. Fro þe riſyng
of þe ſunne, and fro þe goyng doun; fro þe norþ, and fro
þe ſee.
iiii Þei erriden in wildirneſſe, in a place wiþ out watir;
þei founden not weie of þe citee of dwellyng place.
v Þei weren hungri and þirſti; her ſoule failide in hem.
vi And þei crieden to þe Lord, whanne þei weren ſet in
tribulacioun; and he delyuerede hem fro her nedyneſſes.
vii And he ledde forþ hem in to þe riȝt weie; þat þei
ſchulden go in to þe citee of dwelling.
viii Þe mercies of þe Lord knouleche to hym; and hiſe
merueilis knouleche to þe ſones of men.
ix For he fillide a voide man; and he fillide wiþ goodis
an hungry man.
x God delyuerede men ſittynge in derkneſſis, and in þe
ſchadowe of deþ; and men priſoned in beggerye and in
yrun.
xi For þei maden bitter þe ſpechis of God; and
wraþþiden þe councel of þe hiȝeſte.
xii And þe herte of hem was maad meke in trauelis; and
þei weren ſijk, and noon was þat helpide.
xiii And þei crieden to þe Lord, whanne þei weren ſet in
tribulacioun; and he delyuerede hem from her
nedyneſſis.
xiiii And he ledde hem out of derkneſſis, and ſchadowe
of deþ; and brak þe boondis of hem.
xv Þe mercies of þe Lord knouleche to hym; and hiſe
merueils knouleche to þe ſones of men.
xvi For he al to-brak braſun ȝatis; and he brak yrun
barris.
xvii He vptook hem fro þe weie of her wickidneſſe; for
þei weren maad lowe for her vnriȝtfulneſſes.
xviii Þe ſoule of hem wlatide al mete; and þei neiȝeden
`til to þe ȝatis of deþ.
xix And þei crieden to þe Lord, whanne þei weren ſet in
tribulacioun; and he delyuerede hem fro her nedyneſſis.
xx He ſente his word, and heelide hem; and delyuerede
hem fro þe periſchingis of hem.
xxi Þe mercies of þe Lord knouleche to hym; and hiſe
merueils to þe ſones of men.
xxii And offre þei þe ſacrifice of heriyng; and telle þei
hiſe werkis in ful out ioiyng.
xxiii Þei þat gon doun in to þe ſee in ſchippis; and maken
worching in many watris.
xxiiii Þei ſien þe werkis of þe Lord; and hiſe merueilis in
þe depþe.
xxv He ſeide, and þe ſpirit of tempeſt ſtood; and þe
wawis þerof weren arerid.
xxvi Þei ſtien til to heuenes, and goen doun `til to þe
depþis; þe ſoule of hem failide in yuelis.
xxvii Þei weren troblid, and þei weren moued as a
drunkun man; and al þe wiſdom of hem was deuourid.
xxviii And þei crieden to þe Lord, whanne þei weren ſet
in tribulacioun; and he ledde hem out of her nedyneſſis.
xxix And he ordeynede þe tempeſt þerof in to a ſoft
wynde; and þe wawis þerof weren ſtille.
xxx And þei weren glad, for þo weren ſtille; and he
ladde hem forþ in to þe hauene of her wille.
xxxi Þe mercies of þe Lord knouleche to hym; and hiſe
merueilis to þe ſones of men.
xxxii And enhaunſe þei him in þe chirche of þe puple;
and preiſe þei him in þe chaier of eldre men.
xxxiii He haþ ſet floodis in to deſeert; and þe out goingis
of watris in to þirſt.
xxxiiii He haþ ſet fruytful lond in to ſaltneſſe; for þe
malice of men dwellyng þer ynne.
xxxv He haþ ſet deſeert in to pondis of watris; and erþe
wiþ out watir in to outgoyngis of watris.
xxxvi And he ſettide þere hungri men; and þei maden a
citee of dwelling.
xxxvii And þei ſowiden feeldis, and plauntiden vynes;
and maden fruyt of birþe.
xxxviii And he bleſſide hem, and þei weren multiplied
greetli; and he made not leſſe her werk beeſtis.
xxxix And þei weren maad fewe; and þei weren trauelid
of tribulacioun of yuelis and of ſorewis.
xl Strijf was ſched out on princes; and he made hem for
to erre wiþout þe weie, and not in þe weie.
xli And he helpide þe pore man fro pouert; and ſettide
meynees as a ſcheep bringynge forþ lambren.
xlii Riȝtful men ſchulen ſe, and ſchulen be glad; and al
wickidneſſe ſchal ſtoppe his mouþ.
xliii Who is wijs, and ſchal kepe þeſe þingis; and ſchal
vndirſtonde þe mercies of þe Lord?
PSALM CVII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and ſeuenþe ſalm. þe ſong of
`þe ſalm of Dauid.
i Min herte is redi, God, myn herte is redi; Y ſchal ſinge,
and Y ſchal ſeie ſalm in my glorie.
ii My glorie, ryſe þou vp, ſautrie and harp, riſe þou vp; Y
ſchal riſe vp eerli.
iii Lord, Y ſchal knouleche to þee among puplis; and Y
ſchal ſeie ſalm to þee among naciouns.
iiii For whi, God, þi merci is greet on heuenes; and þi
treuþe is til to þe cloudis.
v God, be þou enhaunſid aboue heuenes; and þi glorie
ouer al erþe.
vi Þat þi derlingis be delyuerid, make þou ſaaf wiþ þi
riȝthond, and here me;
vii God ſpak in his hooli. I ſchal make ful out ioye, and
Y ſchal departe Siccimam; and Y ſchal mete þe grete
valei of tabernaclis.
DXXVI
viii Galaad is myn, and Manaſſes is myn; and Effraym is
þe vptaking of myn heed. Juda is my king;
ix Moab is þe caudron of myn hope. In to Ydume Y
ſchal ſtretche forþ my ſcho; aliens ben maad frendis to
me.
x Who ſchal lede me forþ in to a ſtronge citee; who ſchal
lede me forþ til in to Idume?
xi Wheþer not þou, God, þat haſt put vs awei; and, God,
ſchalt þou not go out in oure vertues?
xii Ȝyue þou help to vs of tribulacioun; for þe heelþe of
man is veyn.
xiii We ſchulen make vertu in God; and he ſchal bringe
oure enemyes to nouȝt.
PSALM CVIII
Þe title of þe hundrid and eiȝtþe ſalm. To victorye, þe
ſalm of Dauid.
i God, holde þou not ſtille my preiſyng;
ii for þe mouþ of þe ſynner, and þe mouþ of þe gileful
man is openyd on me.
iii Þei ſpaken aȝens me wiþ a gileful tunge, and þei
cumpaſſiden me wiþ wordis of hatrede; and fouȝten
aȝens me wiþ out cauſe.
iiii For þat þing þat þei ſchulden loue me, þei bacbitiden
me; but Y preiede.
v And þei ſettiden aȝens me yuelis for goodis; and
hatrede for my loue.
vi Ordeyne þou a ſynner on him; and þe deuel ſtonde on
his riȝt half.
vii Whanne he is demed, go he out condempned; and his
preier `be maad in to ſynne.
viii Hiſe daies be maad fewe; and anoþer take his
biſchopriche.
ix Hiſe ſones be maad faderles; and his wijf a widewe.
x Hiſe ſones tremblinge be born ouer, and begge; and be
caſt out of her habitaciouns.
xi An vſurere ſeke al his catel; and aliens rauyſche hiſe
trauelis.
xii Noon helpere be to him; neþer ony be þat haue
mercy on hiſe modirles children.
xiii Hiſe ſones be maad in to periſching; þe name of him
be don awei in oon generacioun.
xiiii Þe wickidneſſe of hiſe fadris come aȝen in to mynde
in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord; and þe ſynne of his modir be not
don awei.
xv Be þei maad euere aȝens þe Lord; and þe mynde of
hem periſche fro erþe.
xvi For þat þing þat he þouȝte not to do merci, and he
purſuede a pore man and beggere; and to ſlee a man
compunct in herte.
xvii And he louede curſing, and it ſchal come to hym;
and he nolde bleſſing, and it ſchal be maad fer fro him.
xviii And he cloþide curſing as a cloþ, and it entride as
water in to hiſe ynnere þingis; and as oile in hiſe
boonus.
xix Be it maad to him as a cloþ, wiþ which he is hilyd;
and as a girdil, wiþ which he is euere gird.
xx Þis is þe werk of hem þat bacbiten me anentis þe
Lord; and þat ſpeke yuels aȝens my lijf.
xxi And þou, Lord, Lord, do wiþ me for þi name; for þi
merci is ſwete. Delyuere þou me,
xxii for Y am nedi and pore; and myn herte is diſturblid
wiþ ynne me.
xxiii I am takun awei as a ſchadowe, whanne it bowiþ
awei; and Y am ſchakun awei as locuſtis.
xxiiii Mi knees ben maad feble of faſting; and my
fleiſche was chaungid for oile.
xxv And Y am maad ſchenſchipe to hem; þei ſien me,
and moueden her heedis.
xxvi Mi Lord God, helpe þou me; make þou me ſaaf bi
þi merci.
xxvii And þei ſchulen wite, þat þis is þin hond; and þou,
Lord, haſt do it.
xxviii Þei ſchulen curſe, and þou ſchalt bleſſe, þei þat
riſen aȝens me, be ſchent; but þi ſeruaunt ſchal be glad.
xxix Þei þat bacbiten me, be cloþid wiþ ſchame; and be
þei hilid wiþ her ſchenſchipe as wiþ a double cloþ.
xxx I ſchal knouleche to þe Lord greetli wiþ my mouþ;
and Y ſchal herie hym in þe myddil of many men.
xxxi Which ſtood nyȝ on þe riȝt half of a pore man; to
make ſaaf my ſoule fro purſueris.
PSALM CIX
Þe `title of þe hundrid and nynþe ſalm. `Þe ſalm of
Dauiþ.
i Þe Lord ſeide to my Lord; Sitte þou on my riȝt ſide. Til
Y putte þin enemyes; a ſtool of þi feet.
ii Þe Lord ſchal ſende out fro Syon þe ȝerde of þi vertu;
be þou lord in þe myddis of þin enemyes.
iii Þe bigynnyng is wiþ þee in þe dai of þi vertu, in þe
briȝtneſſis of ſeyntis; Y gendride þee of þe wombe
before þe dai ſterre.
iiii Þe Lord ſwoor, and it ſchal not repente him; Þou art a
preeſt wiþ outen ende, bi þe ordre of Melchiſedech.
v Þe Lord on þi riȝt ſide; haþ broke kyngis in þe dai of
his veniaunce.
vi He ſchal deme among naciouns, he ſchal fille
fallyngis; he ſchal ſchake heedis in þe lond of many
men.
vii He dranke of þe ſtronde in þe weie; þerfor he
enhaunſide þe heed.
DXXVII
PSALM CX
Þe `title of þe hundrid and tenþe ſalm. Alleluya.
i Lord, Y ſchal
knouleche to þee in al myn herte; in þe
counſel and congregacioun of iuſt men.
ii Þe werkis of þe Lord ben greete; ſouȝt out in to alle
hiſe willis.
iii His werk is knoulechyng and grete doyng; and his
riȝtfulneſſe dwelliþ in to þe world of world.
iiii Þe Lord merciful in wille, and a merciful doere, haþ
maad a mynde of hiſe merueilis;
v he haþ ȝoue meete to men dredynge hym. He ſchal be
myndeful of his teſtament in to þe world;
vi he ſchal telle to his puple þe vertu of hiſe werkis. Þat
he ȝyue to hem þe eritage of folkis;
vii þe werkis of hiſe hondis ben treuþe and doom. Alle
hiſe comaundementis ben feiþful,
viii confermed in to þe world of world; maad in treuþe
and equite.
ix Þe Lord ſente redempcioun to hys puple; he
comaundide his teſtament wiþ outen ende. His name is
hooli and dreedful;
x þe bigynnyng of wiſdom is þe drede of þe Lord. Good
vndirſtondyng is to alle þat doen it; his preiſing dwelliþ
in to þe world of world.
PSALM CXI
Þe `title of þe hundrid and enleuenþe ſalm. Alleluya.
i Bliſſid is þe man þat drediþ þe Lord; he ſchal wilne ful
myche in hiſe comaundementis.
ii His ſeed ſchal be myȝti in erþe; þe generacioun of
riȝtful men ſchal be bleſſid.
iii Glorie and richeſſis ben in his hous; and his
riȝtfulneſſe dwelliþ in to þe world of world.
iiii Liȝt is riſun vp in derkneſſis to riȝtful men; þe Lord is
merciful in wille, and a merciful doere, and riȝtful.
v Þe man is merye, þat doiþ merci, and leeneþ; he
diſpoſiþ hiſe wordis in dom;
vi for he ſchal not be moued wiþ outen ende. A iuſt man
ſchal be in euerlaſtinge mynde;
vii he ſchal not drede of an yuel heryng. His herte is redi
for to hope in þe Lord;
viii his herte is confermed, he ſchal not be moued, til he
diſpiſe hiſe enemyes.
ix He ſpredde abrood, he ȝaf to pore men; his
riȝtwiſneſſe dwelliþ in to þe world of world; his horn
ſchal be reiſid in glorie.
x A ſynner ſchal ſe, and ſchal be wrooþ; he ſchal gnaſte
wiþ hiſe teeþ, and ſchal faile; þe deſijr of ſynneris ſchal
periſche.
PSALM CXII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and twelfþe ſalm. Alleluya.
i Children, preiſe ȝe þe Lord; preiſe ȝe þe name of þe
Lord.
ii Þe name of þe Lord be bleſſid; fro þis tyme now and
til in to þe world.
iii Fro þe riſyng of þe ſunne til to þe goyng doun; þe
name of þe Lord is worþi to be preiſid.
iiii Þe Lord is hiȝ aboue alle folkis; and his glorie is
aboue heuenes.
v Who is as oure Lord God, þat dwelliþ in hiȝe þingis;
vi and biholdiþ meke þingis in heuene and in erþe?
vii Reiſynge a nedi man fro þe erþe; and enhaunſinge a
pore man fro drit.
viii Þat he ſette hym wiþ princes; wiþ þe princes of his
puple.
ix Which makiþ a bareyn womman dwelle in þe hous; a
glad modir of ſones.
PSALM CXIII
Þe titil of þe hundrid and þrittenþe ſalm. Alleluya.
i In þe goyng out of Iſrael fro Egipt; of þe hous of Jacob
fro þe heþene puple.
ii Judee was maad þe halewyng of hym; Iſrael þe power
of hym.
iii Þe ſee ſiȝ, and fledde; Jordan was turned abac.
iiii Munteyns ful out ioȝeden as rammes; and litle hillis
as þe lambren of ſcheep.
v Þou ſee, what was to þee, for þou fleddiſt; and þou,
Jordan, for þou were turned abak?
vi Munteyns, ȝe maden ful out ioye as rammes; and litle
hillis, as þe lambren of ſcheep.
vii Þe erþe was moued fro þe face of `þe Lord; fro þe
face of God of Jacob.
viii Which turnede a ſtoon in to pondis of watris; and an
hard rooch in to wellis of watris.
ix Lord, not to vs, not to vs; but ȝyue þou glorie to þi
name.
x On þi merci and þi treuþe; leſt ony tyme heþene men
ſeien, Where is þe God of hem?
xi Forſoþe oure God in heuene; dide alle þingis, whiche
euere he wolde.
xii Þe ſymulacris of heþene men ben ſiluer and gold; þe
werkis of mennus hondis.
xiii Þo han mouþ, and ſchulen not ſpeke; þo han iȝen,
and ſchulen not ſe.
xiiii Þo han eeris, and ſchulen not here; þo han noſe
þurls, and ſchulen not ſmelle.
xv Þo han hondis, and ſchulen not grope; þo han feet,
and ſchulen not go; þo ſchulen not crye in her þrote.
DXXVIII
xvi Þei þat maken þo ben maad lijk þo; and alle þat triſte
in þo.
xvii Þe hous of Iſrael hopide in þe Lord; he is þe helpere
`of hem, and þe defendere of hem.
xviii Þe hous of Aaron hopide in þe Lord; he is þe
helpere of hem, and þe defendere of hem.
xix Þei þat dreden þe Lord, hopiden in þe Lord; he is þe
helpere of hem, and þe defendere of hem.
xx Þe Lord was myndeful of vs; and bleſſide vs. He
bleſſide þe hous of Iſrael; he bleſſide þe hous of Aaron.
xxi He bleſſide alle men þat dreden þe Lord; `he bleſſide
litle `men wiþ þe grettere.
xxii Þe Lord encreeſſe on ȝou; on ȝou and on ȝoure
ſones.
xxiii Bleſſid be ȝe of þe Lord; þat made heuene and erþe.
xxiiii Heuene of `heuene is to þe Lord; but he ȝaf erþe to
þe ſones of men.
xxv Lord, not deed men ſchulen herie þee; neþer alle
men þat goen doun in to helle.
xxvi But we þat lyuen, bleſſen þe Lord; fro þis tyme now
and til in to þe world.
PSALM CXIIII
Þe titil of þe hundrid and fourtenþe ſalm. Alleluia.
iI louede `þe Lord; for þe Lord ſchal here þe vois of my
preier.
ii For he bowide doun his eere to me; and Y ſchal
inwardli clepe in my daies.
iii Þe ſorewis of deþ cumpaſſiden me; and þe perelis of
helle founden me. I foond tribulacioun and ſorewe;
iiii and Y clepide inwardli þe name of þe Lord. Þou,
Lord, delyuere my ſoule;
v þe Lord is merciful, and iuſt; and oure God doiþ
merci.
vi And þe Lord kepiþ litle children; Y was mekid, and
he delyuerede me.
vii Mi ſoule, turne þou in to þi reſte; for þe Lord haþ do
wel to þee.
viii For he haþ delyuered my ſoule fro deþ; myn iȝen fro
wepingis, my feet fro fallyng doun.
ix I ſchal pleſe þe Lord; in þe cuntrei of hem þat lyuen.
PSALM CXV
Þe titil of þe hundrid and fiftenþe ſalm. Alleluya.
iI bileuede, for which þing Y ſpak; forſoþ Y was maad
low ful myche.
ii I ſeide in my paſſing; Ech man is a lier.
iii What ſchal Y ȝelde to þe Lord; for alle þingis which
he ȝeldide to me?
iiii I ſchal take þe cuppe of heelþe; and Y ſchal inwardli
clepe þe name of þe Lord.
vI ſchal ȝelde my vowis to þe Lord bifor al his puple;
vi þe deþ of ſeyntis of þe Lord is precious in his ſiȝt.
vii O! Lord, for Y am þi ſeruant; Y am þi ſeruaunt, and
þe ſone of þi handmaide. Þou haſt broke my bondys,
viii to þee Y ſchal offre a ſacrifice of heriyng; and Y
ſchal inwardli clepe þe name of þe Lord.
ix I ſchal ȝelde my vowis to þe Lord, in þe ſiȝt of al his
puple;
x in þe porchis of þe hous of þe Lord, in þe myddil of
þee, Jeruſalem.
PSALM CXVI
Þe title of þe hundrid and ſixtenþe ſalm. Alleluya.
i Alle
heþen men, herie ȝe þe Lord; alle puplis, herie ȝe
hym.
ii For his merci is confermyd on vs; and þe treuþe of þe
Lord dwelliþ wiþ outen ende.
PSALM CXVII
Þe titil of þe hundrid and ſeuentenþe ſalm. Alleluia.
i Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord, for he is good; for his merci
is wiþ outen ende.
ii Iſrael ſeie now, for he is good; for his merci is wiþ
outen ende.
iii Þe hous of Aaron ſeie now; for his merci is wiþ outen
ende.
iiii Þei þat dreden þe Lord, ſeie now; for his merci is
wiþouten ende.
v Of tribulacioun Y inwardli clepide þe Lord; and þe
Lord herde me in largeneſſe.
vi Þe Lord is an helpere to me; Y ſchal not drede what a
man ſchal do to me.
vii Þe Lord is an helpere to me; and Y ſchal diſpiſe myn
enemyes.
viii It is betere for to triſt in þe Lord; þan for to triſte in
man.
ix It is betere for to hope in þe Lord; þan for to hope in
princes.
x Alle folkis cumpaſſiden me; and in þe name of þe
Lord it bifelde, for Y am auengide on hem.
xi Þei cumpaſſinge cumpaſſiden me; and in þe name of
þe Lord, for Y am auengid on hem.
xii Þei cumpaſſiden me as been, and þei brenten out as
fier doiþ among þornes; and in þe name of þe Lord, for
Y am auengid on hem.
xiii I was hurlid, and turnede vpſedoun, þat Y ſchulde
falle doun; and þe Lord took me vp.
xiiii Þe Lord is my ſtrengþe, and my heryyng; and he is
maad to me in to heelþe.
xv Þe vois of ful out ioiyng and of heelþe; be in þe
tabernaclis of iuſt men.
DXXIX
xvi Þe riȝt hond of þe Lord haþ do vertu, þe riȝt hond of
þe Lord enhaunſide me; þe riȝt hond of þe Lord haþ do
vertu.
xvii I ſchal not die, but Y ſchal lyue; and Y ſchal telle þe
werkis of þe Lord.
xviii Þe Lord chaſtiſinge haþ chaſtiſid me; and he ȝaf not
me to deþ.
xix Opene ȝe to me þe ȝatis of riȝtfulneſſe, and Y ſchal
entre bi þo, and Y ſchal knouleche to þe Lord;
xx þis ȝate is of þe Lord, and iuſt men ſchulen entre bi it.
xxi I ſchal knouleche to þee, for þou herdiſt me; and art
maad to me in to heelþe.
xxii Þe ſtoon which þe bilderis repreueden; þis is maad
in to þe heed of þe corner.
xxiii Þis þing is maad of þe Lord; and it is wonderful
bifore oure iȝen.
xxiiii Þis is þe dai which þe Lord made; make we ful out
ioye, and be we glad þer ynne.
xxv O! Lord, make þou me ſaaf, O! Lord, make þou wel
proſperite;
xxvi bleſſid is he þat comeþ in þe name of þe Lord. We
bleſſeden ȝou of þe hous of þe Lord;
xxvii God is Lord, and haþ ȝoue lyȝt to vs. Ordeyne ȝe a
ſolempne dai in þicke puplis; til to þe horn of þe auter.
xxviii Þou art my God, and Y ſchal knouleche to þee;
þou art my God, and Y ſchal enhaunſe þee. I ſchal
knouleche to þee, for þou herdiſt me; and þou art maad
to me in to heelþe.
xxix Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord, for he is good; for his
merci is wiþ outen ende.
PSALM CXVIII
`Þe titil of þe hundrid and eiȝtenþe ſalm. Alleluia.
i Bleſſid ben men wiþ out wem in þe weie; þat gon in þe
lawe of þe Lord.
ii Bleſſid ben þei, þat ſeken hiſe witneſſingis; ſeken him
in al þe herte.
iii For þei þat worchen wickidneſſe; ȝeden not in hiſe
weies.
iiii Þou haſt comaundid; þat þin heeſtis be kept greetly.
v I wolde þat my weies be dreſſid; to kepe þi
iuſtifiyngis.
vi Þanne Y ſchal not be ſchent; whanne Y ſchal biholde
perfitli in alle þin heeſtis.
vii I ſchal knouleche to þee in þe dreſſing of herte; in þat
þat Y lernyde þe domes of þi riȝtfulneſſe.
viii I ſchal kepe þi iuſtifiyngis; forſake þou not me on
ech ſide.
ix In what þing amendiþ a ȝong waxinge man his weie?
in keping þi wordis.
x In al myn herte Y ſouȝte þee; putte þou me not awei
fro þin heeſtis.
xi In myn herte Y hidde þi ſpechis; þat Y do not ſynne
aȝens þee.
xii Lord, þou art bleſſid; teche þou me þi iuſtifiyngis.
xiii In my lippis Y haue pronounſid; alle þe domes of þi
mouþ.
xiiii I delitide in þe weie of þi witneſſingis; as in alle
richeſſis.
xv I ſchal be ocupied in þin heeſtis; and Y ſchal biholde
þi weies.
xvi I ſchal biþenke in þi iuſtifiyngis; Y ſchal not forȝete
þi wordis.
xvii Ȝelde to þi ſeruaunt; quiken þou me, and Y ſchal
kepe þi wordis.
xviii Liȝtne þou myn iȝen; and Y ſchal biholde þe
merueils of þi lawe.
xix I am a comeling in erþe; hide þou not þin heeſtis fro
me.
xx Mi ſoule coueitide to deſire þi iuſtifiyngis; in al tyme.
xxi Þou blamediſt þe proude; þei ben curſid, þat bowen
awei fro þin heeſtis.
xxii Do þou awei `fro me ſchenſchipe and diſpiſing; for
Y ſouȝte þi witneſſingis.
xxiii For whi princis ſaten, and ſpaken aȝens me; but þi
ſeruaunt was exerciſid in þi iuſtifiyngis.
xxiiii For whi and þi witneſſyngis is my þenkyng; and
my counſel is þi iuſtifiyngis.
xxv Mi ſoule cleuede to þe pawment; quykine þou me bi
þi word.
xxvi I telde out my weies, and þou herdiſt me; teche þou
me þi iuſtifiyngis.
xxvii Lerne þou me þe weie of þi iuſtifiyngis; and Y
ſchal be exerciſid in þi merueils.
xxviii Mi ſoule nappide for anoye; conferme þou me in
þi wordis.
xxix Remoue þou fro me þe weie of wickidneſſe; and in
þi lawe haue þou merci on me.
xxx I chees þe weie of treuþe; Y forȝat not þi domes.
xxxi Lord, Y cleuede to þi witneſſyngis; nyle þou
ſchende me.
xxxii I ran þe weie of þi comaundementis; whanne þou
alargidiſt myn herte.
xxxiii Lord, ſette þou to me a lawe, þe weie of þi
iuſtifiyngis; and Y ſchal ſeke it euere.
xxxiiii Ȝyue þou vndurſtonding to me, and Y ſchal ſeke þi
lawe; and Y ſchal kepe it in al myn herte.
xxxv Lede me forþ in þe paþ of þin heeſtis; for Y wolde
it.
xxxvi `Bowe þou myn herte in to þi witneſſingus; and not
in to aueryce.
xxxvii Turne þou awei myn iȝen, þat `þo ſeen not vanyte;
quykene þou me in þi weie.
xxxviii Ordeyne þi ſpeche to þi ſeruaunt; in þi drede.
DXXX
xxxix Kitte awey my ſchenſchip, which Y ſuppoſide; for
þi domes ben myrie.
xl Lo! Y coueitide þi comaundementis; quikene þou me
in þin equite.
xli And, Lord, þi merci come on me; þin heelþe come bi
þi ſpeche.
xlii And Y ſchal anſwere a word to men ſeiynge
ſchenſchipe to me; for Y hopide in þi wordis.
xliii And take þou not awei fro my mouþ þe word of
treuþe outerli; for Y hopide aboue in þi domes.
xliiii And Y ſchal kepe þi lawe euere; in to þe world, and
in to þe world of world.
xlv And Y ȝede in largeneſſe; for Y ſouȝte þi
comaundementis.
xlvi And Y ſpak of þi witneſſyngis in þe ſiȝt of kingis;
and Y was not ſchent.
xlvii And Y biþouȝte in þin heeſtis; whiche Y louede.
xlviii And Y reiſide myn hondis to þi comaundementis,
whiche Y louede; and Y ſchal be excerciſid in þi
iuſtifiyngis.
xlix Lord, haue þou mynde on þi word to þi ſeruaunt; in
which word þou haſt ȝoue hope to me.
l Þis coumfortide me in my lowneſſe; for þi word
quikenede me.
li Proude men diden wickidli bi alle þingis; but Y
bowide not awei fro þi lawe.
lii Lord, Y was myndeful on þi domes fro þe world; and
Y was coumfortid.
liii Failing helde me; for ſynneris forſakinge þi lawe.
liiii Þi iuſtifiyngis weren delitable to me to be ſungun; in
þe place of my pilgrimage.
lv Lord, Y hadde mynde of þi name bi niȝt; and Y kepte
þi lawe.
lvi Þis þing was maad to me; for Y ſouȝte þi iuſtifiyngis.
lvii Lord, my part; Y ſeide to kepe þi lawe.
lviii I biſouȝte þi face in al myn herte; haue þou merci on
me bi þi ſpeche.
lix I biþouȝte my weies; and Y turnede my feet in to þi
witneſſyngis.
lx I am redi, and Y am not diſturblid; to kepe þi
comaundementis.
lxi Þe coordis of ſynneris han biclippid me; and Y haue
not forȝete þi lawe.
lxii At mydnyȝt Y roos to knouleche to þee; on þe domes
of þi iuſtifiyngis.
lxiii I am parcener of alle þat dreden þee; and kepen þin
heeſtis.
lxiiii Lord, þe erþe is ful of þi merci; teche þou me þi
iuſtifiyngis.
lxv Lord, þou haſt do goodneſſe wiþ þi ſeruaunt; bi þi
word.
lxvi Teche þou me goodneſſe, and loore, and kunnyng;
for Y bileuede to þin heeſtis.
lxvii Bifor þat Y was maad meke, Y treſpaſſide; þerfor Y
kepte þi ſpeche.
lxviii Þou art good; and in þi goodneſſe teche þou me þi
iuſtifiyngis.
lxix Þe wickidneſſe of hem þat ben proude, is multiplied
on me; but in al myn herte Y ſchal ſeke þin heeſtis.
lxx Þe herte of hem is cruddid as mylk; but Y biþouȝte
þi lawe.
lxxi It is good to me, þat þou haſt maad me meke; þat Y
lerne þi iuſtifiyngis.
lxxii Þe lawe of þi mouþ is betere to me; þan þouſyndis
of gold and of ſiluer.
lxxiii Þin hondis maden me, and fourmeden me; ȝyue
þou vndurſtondyng to me, þat Y lerne þin heeſtis.
lxxiiii Þei þat dreden þee ſchulen ſe me, and ſchulen be
glad; for Y hopide more on þi wordis.
lxxv Lord, Y knewe, þat þi domes ben equite; and in þi
treuþ þou haſt maad me meke.
lxxvi Þi merci be maad, þat it coumforte me; bi þi ſpeche
to þi ſeruaunt.
lxxvii Þi merciful doyngis come to me, and Y ſchal lyue;
for þi lawe is my þenkyng.
lxxviii Þei þat ben proude be ſchent, for vniuſtli þei diden
wickidneſſe aȝens me; but Y ſchal be exerciſid in þin
heeſtis.
lxxix Þei þat dreden þee be turned to me; and þei þat
knowen þi witneſſyngis.
lxxx Myn herte be maad vnwemmed in þi iuſtifiyngis;
þat Y be not ſchent.
lxxxi Mi ſoule failide in to þin helþe; and Y hopide more
on þi word.
lxxxii Myn iȝen failiden in to þi ſpeche; ſeiynge, Whanne
ſchalt þou coumforte me?
lxxxiii For Y am maad as a bowge in froſt; Y haue not
forȝete þi iuſtifiyngis.
lxxxiiii Hou many ben þe daies of þi ſeruaunt; whanne
þou ſchalt make doom of hem þat purſuen me?
lxxxv Wickid men telden to me ianglyngis; but not as þi
lawe.
lxxxvi Alle þi comaundementis ben treuþe; wickid men
han purſued me, helpe þou me.
lxxxvii Almeeſt þei endiden me in erþe; but I forſook not
þi comaundementis.
lxxxviii Bi þi merſi quikene þou me; and Y ſchal kepe þe
witneſſingis of þi mouþ.
lxxxix Lord, þi word dwelliþ in heuene; wiþ outen ende.
xc Þi treuþe dwelliþ in generacioun, and in to
generacioun; þou haſt foundid þe erþe, and it dwelliþ.
xci Þe dai laſtiþ contynueli bi þi ordynaunce; for alle
þingis ſeruen to þee.
DXXXI
xcii No but þat þi lawe was my þenking; þanne
perauenture Y hadde periſchid in my lowneſſe.
xciii Wiþ outen ende Y ſchal not forȝete þi iuſtifiyngis;
for in þo þou haſt quikened me.
xciiii I am þin, make þou me ſaaf; for Y haue ſouȝt þi
iuſtifiyngis.
xcv Synneris aboden me, for to leeſe me; Y vndurſtood
þi witneſſingis.
xcvi I ſiȝ þe ende of al ende; þi comaundement is ful
large.
xcvii Lord, hou louede Y þi lawe; al dai it is my þenking.
xcviii Aboue myn enemyes þou madiſt me prudent bi þi
comaundement; for it is to me wiþ outen ende.
xcix I vndurſtood aboue alle men techinge me; for þi
witneſſingis is my þenking.
c I vndirſtood aboue eelde men; for Y ſouȝte þi
comaundementis.
ci I forbeed my feet fro al euel weie; þat Y kepe þi
wordis.
cii I bowide not fro þi domes; for þou haſt ſet lawe to
me.
ciii Þi ſpechis ben ful ſwete to my cheekis; aboue hony
to my mouþ.
ciiii I vnderſtood of þin heeſtis; þerfor Y hatide al þe
weie of wickidneſſe.
cv Þi word is a lanterne to my feet; and lyȝt to my paþis.
cvi I ſwoor, and purpoſide ſtidefaſtli; to kepe þe domes
of þi riȝtfulneſſe.
cvii I am maad low bi alle þingis; Lord, quykene þou me
bi þi word.
cviii Lord, make þou wel pleſinge þe wilful þingis of my
mouþ; and teche þou me þi domes.
cix Mi ſoule is euere in myn hondis; and Y forȝat not þi
lawe.
cx Synneris ſettiden a ſnare to me; and Y erride not fro
þi comaundementis.
cxi I purchaſſide þi witneſſyngis bi eritage wiþ outen
ende; for þo ben þe ful ioiyng of myn herte.
cxii I bowide myn herte to do þi iuſtifiyngis wiþ outen
ende; for reward.
cxiii I hatide wickid men; and Y louede þi lawe.
cxiiii Þou art myn helpere, and my `taker vp; and Y
hopide more on þi word.
cxv Ȝe wickide men, bowe awei fro me; and Y ſchal ſeke
þe comaundementis of my God.
cxvi Vp take þou me bi þi word, and Y ſchal lyue; and
ſchende þou not me fro myn abydyng.
cxvii Helpe þou me, and Y ſchal be ſaaf; and Y ſchal
biþenke euere in þi iuſtifiyngis.
cxviii Þou haſt forſake alle men goynge awey fro þi
domes; for þe þouȝt of hem is vniuſt.
cxix I arettide alle þe ſynneris of erþe brekeris of þe
lawe; þerfor Y louede þi witneſſyngis.
cxx Naile þou my fleiſchis wiþ þi drede; for Y dredde of
þi domes.
cxxi I dide doom and riȝtwiſneſſe; bitake þou not me to
hem þat falſli chalengen me.
cxxii Take vp þi ſeruaunt in to goodneſſe; þei þat ben
proude chalenge not me.
cxxiii Myn iȝen failiden in to þin helþe; and in to þe
ſpeche of þi riȝtfulneſſe.
cxxiiii Do þou wiþ þi ſeruaunt bi þi merci; and teche þou
me þi iuſtifiyngis.
cxxv I am þi ſeruaunt, ȝyue þou vndurſtondyng to me;
þat Y kunne þi witneſſingis.
cxxvi Lord, it is tyme to do; þei han diſtried þi lawe.
cxxvii Þerfor Y louede þi comaundementis; more þan
gold and topazion.
cxxviii Þerfor Y was dreſſid to alle þin heeſtis; Y hatide al
wickid weie.
cxxix Lord, þi witneſſingis ben wondirful; þerfor my
ſoule ſouȝte þo.
cxxx Declaring of þi wordis liȝtneþ; and ȝyueþ
vnderſtonding to meke men.
cxxxi I openede my mouþ, and drouȝ þe ſpirit; for Y
deſiride þi comaundementis.
cxxxii Biholde þou on me, and haue merci on me; bi þe
dom of hem þat louen þi name.
cxxxiii Dreſſe þou my goyingis bi þi ſpeche; þat al
vnriȝtfulneſſe haue not lordſchip on me.
cxxxiiii Ayeyn bie þou me fro þe falſe chalengis of men;
þat Y kepe þin heeſtis.
cxxxv Liȝtne þi face on þi ſeruaunt; and teche þou me þi
iuſtifiyngis.
cxxxvi Myn iȝen ledden forþ þe outgoynges of watris; for
þei kepten not þi lawe.
cxxxvii Lord, þou art iuſt; and þi dom is riȝtful.
cxxxviii Þou haſt comaundid riȝtfulneſſe, þi witneſſingis;
and þi treuþe greetli to be kept.
cxxxix Mi feruent loue made me to be meltid; for myn
enemys forȝaten þi wordis.
cxl Þi ſpeche is greetli enflawmed; and þi ſeruaunt
louede it.
cxli I am ȝong, and diſpiſid; Y forȝat not þi iuſtifiyngis.
cxlii Lord, þi riȝtfulneſſe is riȝtfulneſſe wiþ outen ende;
and þi lawe is treuþe.
cxliii Tribulacioun and angwiſche founden me; þin
heeſtis is my þenking.
cxliiii Þi witneſſyngis is equite wiþ outen ende; ȝyue þou
vndirſtondyng to me, and Y ſchal lyue.
cxlv I criede in al myn herte, Lord, here þou me; and Y
ſchal ſeke þi iuſtifiyngis.
DXXXII
cxlvi I criede to þee, make þou me ſaaf; þat Y kepe þi
comaundementis.
cxlvii I bifor cam in ripeneſſe, and Y criede; Y hopide
aboue on þi wordis.
cxlviii Myn iȝen bifor camen to þee ful eerli; þat Y
ſchulde biþenke þi ſpeches.
cxlix Lord, here þou my vois bi þi merci; and quykene
þou me bi þi doom.
cl Þei þat purſuen me neiȝden to wickidneſſe; forſoþe þei
ben maad fer fro þi lawe.
cli Lord, þou art nyȝ; and alle þi weies ben treuþe.
clii In þe bigynnyng Y knewe of þi witneſſingis; for þou
haſt foundid þo wiþ outen ende.
cliii Se þou my mekeneſſe, and delyuere þou me; for Y
forȝat not þi lawe.
cliiii Deme þou my dom, and aȝenbie þou me; quikene
þou me for þi ſpeche.
clv Heelþe is fer fro ſynners; for þei ſouȝten not þi
iuſtifiyngis.
clvi Lord, þi mercies ben manye; quykene þou me bi þi
dom.
clvii Þei ben manye þat purſuen me, and doen
tribulacioun to me; Y bowide not awei fro þi
witneſſingis.
clviii I ſiȝ brekers of þe lawe, and Y was meltid; for þei
kepten not þi ſpechis.
clix Lord, ſe þou, for Y louede þi comaundementis;
quikene þou me in þi merci.
clx Þe bigynnyng of þi wordis is treuþe; alle þe domes
of þi riȝtwiſneſſe ben wiþouten ende.
clxi Princes purſueden me wiþ outen cauſe; and my herte
dredde of þi wordis.
clxii I ſchal be glad on þi ſpechis; as he þat fyndiþ many
ſpuylis.
clxiii I hatide and wlatide wickidneſſe; forſoþe Y louede
þi lawe.
clxiiii I ſeide heriyngis to þee ſeuene ſiþis in þe dai; on þe
domes of þi riȝtfulneſſe.
clxv Miche pees is to hem þat louen þi lawe; and no
ſclaundir is to hem.
clxvi Lord, Y abood þin heelþe; and Y louede þin heeſtis.
clxvii Mi ſoule kepte þi witneſſyngis; and louede þo
greetli.
clxviii I kepte þi `comaundementis, and þi witneſſingis;
for alle my weies ben in þi ſiȝt.
clxix Lord, my biſeching come niȝ in þi ſiȝt; bi þi ſpeche
ȝyue þou vndurſtonding to me.
clxx Myn axing entre in þi ſiȝt; bi þi ſpeche delyuere þou
me.
clxxi Mi lippis ſchulen telle out an ympne; whanne þou
haſt tauȝte me þi iuſtifiyngis.
clxxii Mi tunge ſchal pronounce þi ſpeche; for whi alle þi
comaundementis ben equite.
clxxiii Þin hond be maad, þat it ſaue me; for Y haue choſe
þin heeſtis.
clxxiiii Lord, Y coueitide þin heelþe; and þi lawe is my
þenking.
clxxv Mi ſoule ſchal lyue, and ſchal herie þee; and þi
domes ſchulen helpe me.
clxxvi I erride as a ſcheep þat periſchide; Lord, ſeke þi
ſeruaunt, for Y forȝat not þi comaundementis.
PSALM CXIX
Þe `title of þe hundrid and nyntenþe ſalm. þe ſong of
greces.
i Whanne Y was
ſet in tribulacioun, Y criede to þe Lord;
and he herde me.
ii Lord, delyuere þou my ſoule fro wickid lippis; and fro
a gileful tunge.
iii What ſchal be ȝouun to þee, eþer what ſchal be leid to
þee; to a gileful tunge?
iiii Scharpe arowis of þe myȝti; wiþ colis þat maken
deſolat.
v Allas to me! for my dwelling in an alien lond is maad
long, Y dwellide wiþ men dwellinge in Cedar; my ſoule
was myche a comelyng.
vi I was peſible wiþ hem þat hatiden pees;
vii whanne Y ſpak to hem, þei aȝenſeiden me wiþ outen
cauſe.
PSALM CXX
Þe `title of þe hundrid and twentiþe ſalm. þe ſong of
greces.
iI reiſide myn iȝen to þe hillis; fro whannus help ſchal
come to me.
ii Myn help is of þe Lord; þat made heuene and erþe.
iii Þe Lord ȝyue not þi foot in to mouyng; neþer he
nappe, þat kepiþ þee.
iiii Lo! he ſchal not nappe, neþer ſlepe; þat kepiþ Iſrael.
v Þe Lord kepiþ þee; þe Lord is þi proteccioun aboue þi
riȝthond.
vi Þe ſunne ſchal not brenne þee bi dai; neþer þe moone
bi nyȝt.
vii Þe Lord kepe þee fro al yuel; þe Lord kepe þi ſoule.
viii Þe Lord kepe þi goyng in and þi goyng out; fro þis
tyme now and in to þe world.
PSALM CXXI
Þe `title of þe hundrid and oon and twentiþe ſalm. þe
ſong of þe grecis of Dauid.
iI am glad in þeſe þingis, þat ben ſeid to me; We
ſchulen go in to þe hous of þe Lord.
DXXXIII
ii Oure feet weren ſtondynge; in þi hallis, þou Jeruſalem.
iii Jeruſalem, which is bildid as a citee; whos part taking
þerof is in to þe ſame þing.
iiii For þe lynagis, þe lynagis of þe Lord ſtieden þidir, þe
witneſſing of Iſrael; to knouleche to þe name of þe
Lord.
v For þei ſaten þere on ſeetis in doom; ſeetis on þe hous
of Dauid.
vi Preie ȝe þo þingis, þat ben to þe pees of Jeruſalem;
and abundaunce be to hem þat louen þee.
vii Pees be maad in þi vertu; and abundaunce in þi
touris.
viii For my briþeren and my neiȝboris; Y ſpak pees of
þee.
ix For þe hous of oure Lord God; Y ſouȝte goodis to þee.
PSALM CXXII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and two and twentiþe ſalm.
`Þe ſong of grecis.
i To þee Y haue reiſid myn iȝen; þat dwelliſt in heuenes.
ii Lo! as þe iȝen of ſeruauntis; ben in þe hondis of her
lordis. As þe iȝen of þe handmaide ben in þe hondis of
her ladi; ſo oure iȝen ben to oure Lord God, til he haue
mercy on vs.
iii Lord, haue þou merci on vs, haue þou merci on vs;
for we ben myche fillid wiþ diſpiſyng.
iiii For oure ſoule is myche fillid; we ben ſchenſchipe to
hem þat ben abundaunte wiþ richeſſis, and diſpiſing to
proude men.
PSALM CXXIII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and þre and twentiþe `ſalm.
þe ſong of grecis `of Dauiþ.
i Iſrael ſeie now, No but for þe Lord was in vs;
ii no but for `þe Lord was in vs. Whanne men riſiden vp
aȝens vs;
iii in hap þei hadden ſwalewid vs quike. Whanne þe
woodneſſe of hem was wrooþ aȝens vs;
iiii in hap watir hadde ſope vs vp. Oure ſoule paſſide
þoruy a ſtronde;
v in hap oure ſoule hadde paſſide þoruy a watir
vnſuffrable.
vi Bleſſid be þe Lord; þat `ȝaf not vs in taking to þe teeþ
of hem.
vii Oure ſoule, as a ſparowe, is delyuered; fro þe ſnare of
hunters. Þe ſnare is al to-brokun; and we ben delyuered.
viii Oure helpe is in þe name of þe Lord; þat made
heuene and erþe.
PSALM CXXIIII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and foure and twentiþe ſalm.
`Þe ſong of greces.
i Þei þat triſten in þe Lord ben as þe hil of Syon; he
ſchal not be moued wiþ outen ende,
ii þat dwelliþ in Jeruſalem. Hillis ben in þe cumpas of it,
and þe Lord is in þe cumpas of his puple; fro þis tyme
now and in to þe world.
iii For þe Lord ſchal not leeue þe ȝerde of ſynneris on þe
part of iuſt men; þat iuſt men holde not forþ her hondis
to wickidneſſe.
iiii Lord, do þou wel; to good men, and of riȝtful herte.
v But þe Lord ſchal lede þem þat bowen in to
obligaciouns, wiþ hem þat worchen wickidneſſe; pees
be on Iſrael.
PSALM CXXV
Þe `title of þe hundrid and fyue and twentiþe `ſalm.
þe ſong of grecis.
i Whanne þe Lord turnede þe caitifte of Sion; we weren
maad as coumfortid.
ii Þanne oure mouþ was fillid wiþ ioye; and oure tunge
wiþ ful out ioiyng. Þanne þei ſchulen ſeie among
heþene men; Þe Lord magnefiede to do wiþ hem.
iii Þe Lord magnefiede to do wiþ vs; we ben maad glad.
iiii Lord, turne þou oure caitifte; as a ſtronde in þe ſouþ.
v Þei þat ſowen in teeris; ſchulen repe in ful out ioiyng.
vi Þei goynge ȝeden, and wepten; ſendynge her ſeedis.
But þei comynge ſchulen come wiþ ful out ioiyng;
berynge her handfullis.
PSALM CXXVI
Þe `title of þe hundrid and ſixe and twentiþe `ſalm.
þe ſong of greces of Salomon.
i `No but þe Lord bilde þe hous; þei þat bilden it han
trauelid in veyn. No but þe Lord kepiþ þe citee; he
wakiþ in veyn þat kepiþ it.
ii It is veyn to ȝou to riſe bifore þe lyȝt; riſe ȝe after þat
ȝe han ſete, þat eten þe breed of ſorewe. Whanne he
ſchal ȝyue ſleep to his loued; lo!
iii þe eritage of þe Lord `is ſones, þe mede is þe fruyt of
wombe.
iiii As arowis ben in þe hond of þe miȝti; ſo þe ſones of
hem þat ben ſchakun out.
v Bleſſid is þe man, þat haþ fillid his deſier of þo; he
ſchal not be ſchent, whanne he ſchal ſpeke to hiſe
enemyes in þe ȝate.
DXXXIV
PSALM CXXVII
Þe title of þe hundrid and ſeuene and twentiþe ſalm.
þe ſong of greces.
i Bleſſid ben alle men, þat dreden þe Lord; þat gon in
hiſe weies.
ii For þou ſchalt ete þe trauels of þin hondis; þou art
bleſſid, and it ſchal be wel to þee.
iii Þi wijf as a plenteous vyne; in þe ſidis of þin hous. Þi
ſones as þe newe ſprenges of olyue trees; in þe cumpas
of þi bord.
iiii Lo! ſo a man ſchal be bleſſid; þat drediþ þe Lord.
v Þe Lord bleſſe þee fro Syon; and ſe þou þe goodis of
Jeruſalem in alle þe daies of þi lijf.
vi And ſe þou þe ſones of þi ſones; ſe þou pees on Iſrael.
PSALM CXXVIII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and eiȝte and twentiþe `ſalm.
þe ſong of greces.
i Iſrael ſeie now; Ofte þei fouȝten aȝens me fro my
ȝongþ.
ii Ofte þei fouȝten aȝens me fro my ȝongþe; and ſoþeli
þei miȝten not to me.
iii Synneris forgeden on my bak; þei maden long her
wickidneſſe.
iiii Þe `iuſt Lord ſchal beete þe nollis of ſynneris;
v alle þat haten Sion be ſchent, and turned abak.
vi Be þei maad as þe hey of hous coppis; þat driede vp,
bifore þat it be drawun vp.
vii Of which hei he þat ſchal repe, ſchal not fille his
hond; and he þat ſchal gadere hondfullis, ſchal not fille
his boſum.
viii And þei þat paſſiden forþ ſeiden not, Þe bleſſing of
þe Lord be on ȝou; we bleſſiden ȝou in þe name of þe
Lord.
PSALM CXXIX
Þe `title of þe hundrid and nyne and twentiþe `ſalm.
þe ſong of greces.
i Lord, Y criede to þee fro depþes; Lord, here þou mi
vois.
ii Þin eeris be maad ententif; in to þe vois of my
biſeching.
iii Lord, if þou kepiſt wickidneſſis; Lord, who ſchal
ſuſteyne?
iiii For merci is at þee; and, Lord, for þi lawe Y abood
þee.
v Mi ſoule ſuſteynede in his word; my ſoule hopide in þe
Lord.
vi Fro þe morewtid keping til to niȝt;
vii Iſrael hope in þe Lord. For whi merci is at þe Lord;
and plenteous redempcioun is at hym.
viii And he ſchal aȝen bie Iſrael; fro alle þe wickidneſſis
þerof.
PSALM CXXX
Þe title of þe hundrid and þrittiþe ſalm. þe ſong of
greces, `to Dauiþ himſelf.
i Lord, myn herte is not enhaunſid; neþer myn iȝen ben
reiſid. Neþer Y ȝede in þe grete þingis; neþer in
merueilis aboue me.
ii If Y feelide not mekely; but enhaunſide my ſoule. As a
childe wenyde on his modir; ſo ȝelding be in my ſoule.
iii Iſrael hope in þe Lord; fro þis tyme now and in to þe
world.
PSALM CXXXI
Þe title of þe hundrid and oon and þrittiþe ſalm. þe
ſong of greces.
i Lord, haue þou mynde on Dauid; and of al his
myldeneſſe.
ii As he ſwoor to þe Lord; he made a vowe to God of
Jacob.
iii I ſchal not entre in to þe tabernacle of myn hous; Y
ſchal not ſtie in to þe bed of mi reſtyng.
iiii I ſchal not ȝyue ſleep to myn iȝen; and napping to
myn iȝe liddis.
v And reſt to my templis, til Y fynde a place to þe Lord;
a tabernacle to God of Jacob.
vi Lo! we herden þat arke of teſtament in Effrata, `þat is,
in Silo; we founden it in þe feeldis of þe wode.
vii We ſchulen entre in to þe tabernacle of hym; we
ſchulen worſchipe in þe place, where hiſe feet ſtoden.
viii Lord, riſe þou in to þi reſte; þou and þe ark of þin
halewing.
ix Þi preſtis be cloþid wiþ riȝtfulneſſe; and þi ſeyntis
make ful out ioye.
x For Dauid, þi ſeruaunt; turne þou not awei þe face of
þi criſt.
xi Þe Lord ſwoor treuþe to Dauid, and he ſchal not make
hym veyn; of þe fruyt of þi wombe Y ſchal ſette on þi
ſeete.
xii If þi ſones ſchulen kepe my teſtament; and my
witneſſingis, þeſe whiche Y ſchal teche hem. And þe
ſones of hem til in to þe world; þei ſchulen ſette on þi
ſeete.
xiii For þe Lord chees Sion; he chees it in to dwelling to
hym ſilf.
xiiii Þis is my reſte in to þe world of world; Y ſchal
dwelle here, for Y chees it.
xv I bleſſynge ſchal bleſſe þe widewe of it; Y ſchal fille
wiþ looues þe pore men of it.
DXXXV
xvi I ſchal cloþe wiþ heelþe þe preeſtis þerof; and þe
hooli men þerof ſchulen make ful out ioye in ful
reioiſinge.
xvii Þidir Y ſchal bringe forþ þe horn of Dauid; Y made
redi a lanterne to my criſt.
xviii I ſchal cloþe hiſe enemyes wiþ ſchame; but myn
halewing ſchal floure out on hym.
PSALM CXXXII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and two and þrittiþe ſalm. þe
ſong of grecis.
i Lo! hou good and hou myrie it is; þat briþeren dwelle
togidere.
ii As oynement in þe heed; þat goiþ doun in to þe beerd,
in to þe beerd of Aaron. Þat goiþ doun in to þe coler of
his cloþ;
iii as þe dew of Ermon, þat goiþ doun in to þe hil of
Sion. For þere þe Lord ſente bleſſing; and lijf til in to þe
world.
PSALM CXXXIII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and þre and þrittiþe ſalm. þe
ſong of greces.
i Lo! now bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; alle þe ſeruauntis of þe
Lord. Ȝe þat ſtonden in þe hous of þe Lord; in þe hallis
of `þe hous of oure God.
ii In nyȝtis reiſe ȝoure hondis in to hooli þingis; and
bleſſe ȝe þe Lord.
iii Þe Lord bleſſe þee fro Syon; which Lord made
heuene and erþe.
PSALM CXXXIIII
Þe title of þe hundrid and foure and þrittiþe ſalm.
Alleluya.
i Herie ȝe þe name of þe Lord; ȝe ſeruauntis of þe Lord,
herie ȝe.
ii Ȝe þat ſtonden in þe hous of þe Lord; in þe hallis of
`þe hous of oure God.
iii Herie ȝe þe Lord, for þe Lord is good; ſinge ȝe to his
name, for it is ſwete.
iiii For þe Lord chees Jacob to him ſilf; Iſrael in to
poſſeſſioun to him ſilf.
v For Y haue knowe, þat þe Lord is greet; and oure God
bifore alle goddis.
vi Þe Lord made alle þingis, what euere þingis he
wolde, in heuene and in erþe; in þe ſee, and in alle
depþis of watris.
vii He ledde out cloudis fro þe ferþeſt part of erþe; and
made leitis in to reyn. Which bringiþ forþ wyndis fro
hiſe treſours;
viii which killide þe firſte gendrid þingis of Egipt, fro
man `til to beeſte.
ix He ſente out ſignes and grete wondris, in þe myddil of
þee, þou Egipt; in to Farao and in to alle hiſe ſeruauntis.
x Which ſmoot many folkis; and killide ſtronge kingis.
xi Seon, þe king of Ammorreis, and Og, þe king of
Baſan; and alle þe rewmes of Chanaan.
xii And he ȝaf þe lond of hem eritage; eritage to Iſrael,
his puple.
xiii Lord, þi name is wiþ outen ende; Lord, þi memorial
be in generacioun and in to generacioun.
xiiii For þe Lord ſchal deme his puple; and he ſchal be
preied in hiſe ſeruauntis.
xv Þe ſymulacris of heþene men ben ſiluer and gold; þe
werkis of þe hondis of men.
xvi Þo han a mouþ, and ſchulen not ſpeke; þo han iȝen,
and ſchulen not ſe.
xvii Þo han eeris, and ſchulen not here; for `neþer ſpirit
is in þe mouþ of þo.
xviii Þei þat maken þo, be maad lijk þo; and alle þat
triſten in þo.
xix Þe hous of Iſrael, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; þe hous of
Aaron, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord.
xx Þe hous of Leuy, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; ȝe þat dreden þe
Lord, `bleſſe ȝe þe Lord.
xxi Bleſſid be þe Lord of Syon; þat dwelliþ in Jeruſalem.
PSALM CXXXV
Þe title of þe hundrid and fyue and þrittiþe ſalm.
Alleluya.
i Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord, for he is good, for his merci
is wiþouten ende.
ii Knouleche ȝe to þe God of goddis.
iii Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord of lordis.
iiii Which aloone makiþ grete merueils.
v Which made heuenes bi vndurſtondyng.
vi Which made ſtidefaſt erþe on watris.
vii Which made grete liȝtis.
viii Þe ſunne in to þe power of þe dai.
ix Þe moone and ſterris in to þe power of þe niȝt.
x Which ſmoot Egipt wiþ þe firſte gendrid þingis of
hem.
xi Which ledde out Iſrael fro þe myddil of hem.
xii In a miȝti hond and in an hiȝ arm.
xiii Whiche departide þe reed ſee in to departyngis.
xiiii And ledde out Iſrael þoruy þe myddil þerof.
xv And he `caſte a down Farao and his pouer in þe reed
ſee.
xvi Which ledde ouer his puple þoruy deſert.
xvii Which ſmoot grete kingis.
xviii And killide ſtrong kingis.
xix Seon, þe king of Amorreis.
xx And Og, þe king of Baaſan.
DXXXVI
xxi And he ȝaf þe lond of hem eritage.
xxii Eritage to Iſrael, his ſeruaunt.
xxiii For in oure lowneſſe he hadde mynde on vs.
xxiiii And he aȝenbouȝte vs fro oure enemyes.
xxv Which ȝyueþ mete to ech fleiſch. Knouleche ȝe to
God of heuene.
xxvi Knouleche ȝe to þe Lord of lordis; for his merci is
wiþ outen ende.
PSALM CXXXVI
Þe hundrid and ſixe and þrittiþe ſalm.
i On þe floodis of Babiloyne þere we ſaten, and wepten;
while we biþouȝten on Syon.
ii In ſalewis in þe myddil þerof; we hangiden vp oure
orguns.
iii For þei þat ledden vs priſoners; axiden vs þere þe
wordis of ſongis. And þei þat ledden awei vs ſeiden;
Synge ȝe to vs an ympne of þe ſongis of Syon.
iiii Hou ſchulen we ſinge a ſonge of þe Lord; in an alien
lond?
v If Y forȝete þee, Jeruſalem; my riȝt hond be ȝouun to
forȝeting.
vi Mi tunge cleue to my chekis; if Y biþenke not on þee.
If Y purpoſide not of þee, Jeruſalem; in þe bigynnyng of
my gladneſſe.
vii Lord, haue þou mynde on þe ſones of Edom; for þe
dai of Jeruſalem. Whiche ſeien, Anyntiſche ȝe,
anyntiſche ȝe; `til to þe foundement þer ynne.
viii Þou wretchid douȝter of Babiloyne; he is bleſſid, þat
`ſchal ȝelde to þee þi ȝelding, which þou ȝeldidiſt to vs.
ix He is bleſſid, þat ſchal holde; and hurtle doun hiſe litle
children at a ſtoon.
PSALM CXXXVII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and ſeuene and þrittiþe ſalm.
`To Dauiþ him ſilf.
i Lord, Y ſchal knouleche to þee in al myn herte; for þou
herdiſt þe wordis of my mouþ. Mi God, Y ſchal ſinge to
þee in þe ſiȝt of aungels;
ii Y ſchal worſchipe to þin hooli temple, and Y ſchal
knouleche to þi name. On þi merci and þi treuþe; for
þou haſt magnefied þin hooli name aboue al þing.
iii In what euere dai Y ſchal inwardli clepe þee, here þou
me; þou ſchalt multipli vertu in my ſoule.
iiii Lord, alle þe kingis of erþe knouleche to þee; for þei
herden alle þe wordis of þi mouþ.
v And ſinge þei in þe weies of þe Lord; for þe glorie of
þe Lord is greet.
vi For þe Lord is hiȝ, and biholdiþ meke þingis; and
knowiþ afer hiȝ þingis.
vii If Y ſchalgo in þe myddil of tribulacioun, þou ſchalt
quikene me; and þou ſtretchidiſt forþ þin hond on þe ire
of myn enemyes, and þi riȝt hond made me ſaaf.
viii Þe Lord ſchal ȝelde for me, Lord, þi merci is wiþ
outen ende; diſpiſe þou not þe werkis of þin hondis.
PSALM CXXXVIII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and eiȝte and þrittiþe ſalm.
`To victorie, þe ſalm of Dauiþ.
i Lord, þou haſt preued me, and haſt knowe me;
ii þou haſt knowe my ſitting, and my riſing aȝen. Þou
haſt vndirſtonde my þouȝtis fro fer;
iii þou haſt enquerid my paþ and my corde. And þou haſt
bifor ſeien alle my weies;
iiii for no word is in my tunge. Lo! Lord, þou haſt
knowe alle þingis,
v þe laſte þingis and elde; þou haſt formed me, and haſt
ſet þin hond on me.
vi Þi kunnyng is maad wondirful of me; it is coumfortid,
and Y ſchal not mowe to it.
vii Whidir ſchal Y go fro þi ſpirit; and whider ſchal Y fle
fro þi face?
viii If Y ſchal ſtie in to heuene, þou art þere; if Y ſchal go
doun to helle, þou art preſent.
ix If Y ſchal take my feþeris ful eerli; and ſchal dwelle in
þe laſt partis of þe ſee.
x And ſoþeli þider þin hond ſchal leede me forþ; and þi
riȝt hond ſchal holde me.
xi And Y ſeide, In hap derkneſſis ſchulen defoule me;
and þe nyȝt is my liȝtnyng in my delicis.
xii For whi derkneſſis ſchulen not be maad derk fro þee,
aud þe niȝt ſchal be liȝtned as þe dai; as þe derkneſſis
þerof, ſo and þe lyȝt þerof.
xiii For þou haddiſt in poſſeſſioun my reines; þou tokiſt
me vp fro þe wombe of my modir.
xiiii I ſchal knouleche to þee, for þou art magnefied
dreedfuli; þi werkis ben wondirful, and my ſoule ſchal
knouleche ful miche.
xv Mi boon, which þou madiſt in priuete, is not hyd fro
þee; and my ſubſtaunce in þe lower partis of erþe.
xvi Þin iȝen ſien myn vnperfit þing, and alle men ſchulen
be writun in þi book; daies ſchulen be formed, and no
man is in þo.
xvii Forſoþe, God, þi frendis ben maad onourable ful
myche to me; þe princeheed of hem is coumfortid ful
myche.
xviii I ſchal noumbre hem, and þei ſchulen be multiplied
aboue grauel; Y roos vp, and ȝit Y am wiþ þee.
xix For þou, God, ſchalt ſlee ſynneris; ȝe menquelleris,
bowe awei fro me.
xx For ȝe ſeien in þouȝt; Take þei her citees in vanite.
DXXXVII
xxi Lord, wheþer Y hatide not hem þat hatiden þee; and
Y failide on þin enemyes?
xxii Bi perfite haterede Y hatide hem; þei weren maad
enemyes to me.
xxiii God, preue þou me, and knowe þou myn herte; axe
þou me, and knowe þou my paþis.
xxiiii And ſe þou, if weie of wickidneſſe is in me; and
lede þou me forþ in euerlaſtinge wei.
PSALM CXXXIX
Þe `title of þe hundrid and nyne and þrittiþe `ſalm.
To victorie, þe ſalm of Dauiþ.
i Lord, delyuere þou me fro an yuel man; delyuere þou
me fro a wickid man.
ii Whiche þouȝten wickidneſſes in þe herte; al dai þei
ordeyneden batels.
iii Þei ſcharpiden her tungis as ſerpentis; þe venym of
ſnakis vndir þe lippis of hem.
iiii Lord, kepe þou me fro þe hond of þe ſynnere; and
delyuere þou me fro wickid men. Which þouȝten to
diſſeyue my goyngis;
v proude men hidden a ſnare to me. And þei leiden forþ
cordis in to a ſnare; þei ſettiden ſclaundir to me biſidis
þe weie.
vi I ſeide to þe Lord, Þou art mi God; Lord, here þou þe
vois of my biſeching.
vii Lord, Lord, þe vertu of myn heelþe; þou madiſt
ſchadowe on myn heed in þe dai of batel.
viii Lord, bitake þou not me fro my deſire to þe ſynnere;
þei þouȝten aȝens me, forſake þou not me, leſt
perauenture þei ben enhaunſid.
ix Þe heed of þe cumpas of hem; þe trauel of her lippis
ſchal hile hem.
x Colis ſchulen falle on hem, þou ſchalt caſte hem doun
in to fier; in wretchidneſſis þei ſchulen not ſtonde.
xi A man a greet ianglere ſchal not be dreſſid in erþe;
yuels ſchulen take an vniuſt man in periſching.
xii I haue knowe, þat þe Lord ſchal make dom of a nedi
man; and þe veniaunce of pore men.
xiii Neþeles iuſt men ſchulen knouleche to þi name; and
riȝtful men ſchulen dwelle wiþ þi cheer.
PSALM CXL
Þe `title of þe hundrid and fourtiþe ſalm. `Þe ſalm
`of Dauiþ.
i Lord, Y criede to þee, here þou me; ȝyue þou tent to
my vois, whanne Y ſchal crye to þee.
ii Mi preier be dreſſid as encenſe in þi ſiȝt; þe reiſyng of
myn hondis be as þe euentid ſacrifice.
iii Lord, ſette þou a keping to my mouþ; and a dore of
ſtonding aboute to my lippis.
iiii Bowe þou not myn herte in to wordis of malice; to
excuſe excuſingis in ſynne. Wiþ men worchinge
wickidneſſe; and Y ſchal not comyne wiþ þe choſun
men of hem.
v A iuſt man ſchal repreue me in merſi, and ſchal blame
me; but þe oile of a ſynner make not fat myn heed. For
whi and ȝit my preier is in þe wel pleſaunt þingis of
hem;
vi for þe domeſmen of hem ioyned to þe ſtoon weren
ſopun vp. Here þei my wordis, for þo weren myȝti.
vii As fatneſſe is brokun out on þe erþe; oure bonys ben
ſcatered niȝ helle.
viii Lord, Lord, for myn iȝen ben to þee, Y hopide in
þee; take þou not awei my ſoule.
ix Kepe þou me fro þe ſnare which þei ordeyneden to
me; and fro þe ſclaundris of hem þat worchen
wickidneſſe.
x Synneris ſchulen falle in þe nett þerof; Y am aloone til
Y paſſe.
PSALM CXLI
Þe `title of þe hundrid and oon and fourtiþe ſalm. þe
lernyng of Dauid; `his preier, `whanne he was in þe
denne.
i Wiþ my vois Y criede to þe Lord; wiþ my vois Y
preiede hertli to þe Lord.
ii I ſchede out my preier in his ſiȝt; and Y pronounce my
tribulacioun bifor him.
iii While my ſpirit failiþ of me; and þou haſt knowe my
paþis. In þis weie in which Y ȝede; proude men hidden
a ſnare to me.
iiii I bihelde to þe riȝt ſide, and Y ſiȝ; and noon was þat
knew me. Fliȝt periſchide fro me; and noon is þat ſekiþ
my ſoule.
v Lord, Y criede to þee, Y ſeide, Þou art myn hope; my
part in þe lond of lyueris.
vi Ȝyue þou tent to my biſeching; for Y am maad low ful
greetli. Delyuere þou me fro hem þat purſuen me; for
þei ben coumfortid on me.
vii Lede my ſoule out of keping to knouleche to þi
name; iuſt men abiden me, til þou ȝelde to me.
PSALM CXLII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and two and fourtiþe ſalm. þe
ſalm of Dauid.
i Lord, here þou my preier, wiþ eeris perſeyue þou my
biſeching; in þi treuþe here þou me, in þi riȝtwiſneſſe.
ii And entre þou not in to dom wiþ þi ſeruaunt; for ech
man lyuynge ſchal not be maad iuſt in þi ſiȝt.
iii For þe enemy purſuede my ſoule; he made lowe my
lijf in erþe. He haþ ſet me in derk placis, as þe deed
men of þe world,
DXXXVIII
iiii andmy ſpirit was angwiſchid on me; myn herte was
diſturblid in me.
v I was myndeful of elde daies, Y biþouȝte in alle þi
werkis; Y biþouȝte in þe dedis of þin hondis.
vi I helde forþ myn hondis to þee; my ſoule as erþe wiþ
out water to þee.
vii Lord, here þou me ſwiftli; my ſpirit failide. Turne
þou not a wei þi face fro me; and Y ſchal be lijk to hem
þat gon doun in to þe lake.
viii Make þou erli þi merci herd to me; for Y hopide in
þee. Make þou knowun to me þe weie in which Y ſchal
go; for Y reiſide my ſoule to þee.
ix Delyuere þou me fro myn enemyes, Lord, Y fledde to
þee;
x teche þou me to do þi wille, for þou art my God. Þi
good ſpirit ſchal lede me forþ in to a riȝtful lond;
xi Lord, for þi name þou ſchalt quikene me in þin equite.
Þou ſchalt lede my ſoule out of tribulacioun;
xii and in þi merci þou ſchalt ſcatere alle myn enemyes.
And þou ſchalt leeſe alle þem, þat troublen my ſoule;
for Y am þi ſeruaunt.
PSALM CXLIII
Þe title of þe hundrid and þre and fourtiþe ſalm. `A
ſalm.
i Bleſſid be my Lord God, þat techiþ myn hondis to
werre; and my fyngris to batel.
ii Mi merci, and my refuyt; my takere vp, and my
delyuerer. Mi defender, and Y hopide in him; and þou
makiſt ſuget my puple vnder me.
iii Lord, what is a man, for þou haſt maad knowun to
him; eþer þe ſone of man, for þou arettiſt him of ſum
valu?
iiii A man is maad lijk vanyte; hiſe daies paſſen as
ſchadow.
v Lord, bowe doun þin heuenes, and come þou doun;
touche þou hillis, and þei ſchulen make ſmoke.
vi Leite þou ſchynyng, and þou ſchalt ſcatere hem; ſende
þou out þin arowis, and þou ſchalt diſturble hem.
vii Sende out þin hond fro an hiȝ, rauyſche þou me out,
and delyuere þou me fro many watris; and fro þe hond
of alien ſones.
viii Þe mouþ of which ſpak vanite; and þe riȝthond of
hem is þe riȝt hond of wickidneſſe.
ix God, Y ſchal ſynge to þee a new ſong; I ſchal ſeie ſalm
to þee in a ſautre of ten ſtringis.
x Which ȝyueſt heelþe to kingis; which aȝen bouȝtiſt
Dauid, þi ſeruaunt, fro þe wickid ſwerd rauiſche þou out
me.
xi And delyuere þou me fro `þe hond of alien ſones; þe
mouþ of whiche ſpak vanyte, and þe riȝthond of hem is
þe riȝt hond of wickidneſſe.
xii Whoſe ſones ben; as new plauntingis in her ȝongþe.
Þe douȝtris of hem ben arayed; ourned about as þe
licneſſe of þe temple.
xiii Þe ſelers of hem ben fulle; bringinge out fro þis
veſſel in to þat. Þe ſcheep of hem ben wiþ lambre,
plenteuouſe in her goingis out;
xiiii her kien ben fatte. `No falling of wal is, neþer
paſſing ouere; neþer cry is in þe ſtretis of hem.
xv Þei ſeiden, `Þe puple is bleſſid, þat haþ þeſe þingis;
bleſſid is þe puple, whos Lord is þe God of it.
PSALM CXLIIII
Þe title of þe hundrid and foure and fourtiþe ſalm.
`Þe ympne of Dauiþ.
i Mi God king, Y ſchal enhaunſe þee; and Y ſchal bleſſe
þi name in to þe world, and in to þe world of world.
ii Bi alle daies Y ſchal bleſſe þee; and Y ſchal herie þi
name in to þe world, and in to þe world of þe world.
iii Þe Lord is greet, and worþi to be preiſid ful myche;
and noon ende is of his greetneſſe.
iiii Generacioun and generacioun ſchal preiſe þi werkis;
and þei ſchulen pronounſe þi power.
v Þei ſchulen ſpeke `þe greet doyng of þe glorie of þin
holyneſſe; and þei ſchulen telle þi merueils.
vi And þei ſchulen ſeye þe vertu of þi ferdful þingis; and
þei ſchulen telle þi greetneſſe.
vii Þei ſchulen bringe forþ þe mynde of þe abundaunce
of þi ſwetneſſe; and þei ſchulen telle wiþ ful out ioiyng
þi riȝtfulneſſe.
viii Þe Lord is a merciful doere, and merciful in wille;
paciente, and myche merciful.
ix Þe Lord is ſwete in alle þingis; and hiſe merciful
doyngis ben on alle hiſe werkis.
x Lord, alle þi werkis knouleche to þee; and þi ſeyntis
bleſſe þee.
xi Þei ſchulen ſeie þe glorie of þi rewme; and þei ſchulen
ſpeke þi power.
xii Þat þei make þi power knowun to þe ſones of men;
and þe glorie of þe greetneſſe of þi rewme.
xiii Þi rewme is þe rewme of alle worldis; and þi
lordſchipe is in al generacioun and in to generacioun. Þe
Lord is feiþful in alle hiſe wordis; and hooli in alle hiſe
werkis.
xiiii Þe Lord liftiþ vp alle þat fallen doun; and reiſiþ alle
men hurtlid doun.
xv Lord, þe iȝen of alle beeſtis hopen in þee; and þou
ȝyueſt þe mete of hem in couenable tyme.
xvi Þou openeſt þin hond; and þou filliſt ech beeſte wiþ
bleſſing.
xvii Þe Lord is iuſt in alle hiſe weies; and hooli in alle
hiſe werkis.
DXXXIX
xviii ÞeLord is niȝ to alle þat inwardli clepen him; to
alle þat inwardli clepen him in treuþe.
xix He ſchal do þe wille of hem, þat dreden him, and he
ſchal here þe biſeching of hem; and he ſchal make hem
ſaaf.
xx Þe Lord kepiþ alle men louynge him; and he ſchal
leeſe alle ſynners.
xxi Mi mouþ ſchal ſpeke þe heriyng of þe Lord; and ech
man bleſſe his hooli name in to þe world, and in to þe
world of world.
PSALM CXLV
Þe `title of þe hundred and fyue and fourtiþe `ſalm.
Alleluya.
i Mi ſoule, herie þou þe Lord;
ii Y ſchal herie þe Lord in my lijf, Y ſchal ſynge to my
God as longe as Y ſchal be.
iii Nile ȝe triſte in princis; neþer in þe ſones of men, in
whiche is noon helþe.
iiii Þe ſpirit of hym ſchal go out, and he ſchal turne aȝen
in to his erþe; in þat dai alle þe þouȝtis of hem ſchulen
periſche.
v He is bleſſid, of whom þe God of Jacob is his helpere,
his hope is in his Lord God,
vi þat made heuene and erþe; þe ſee, and alle þingis þat
ben in þo. Which kepiþ treuþe in to þe world,
vii makiþ dom to hem þat ſuffren wrong; ȝyueþ mete to
hem þat ben hungri. Þe Lord vnbyndiþ feterid men;
viii þe Lord liȝtneþ blynde men. Þe Lord reiſiþ men
hurtlid doun; þe Lord loueþ iuſt men.
ix Þe Lord kepiþ comelyngis, he ſchal take vp a
modirles child, and widewe; and he ſchal diſtrie þe
weies of ſynners.
x Þe Lord ſchal regne in to þe worldis; Syon, þi God
ſchal regne in generacioun and in to generacioun.
PSALM CXLVI
Þe `title of þe hundrid and ſixe and fourtiþe ſalm.
Alleluya.
i Herie ȝe þe Lord, for þe ſalm is good; heriyng be
myrie, and fair to oure God.
ii Þe Lord ſchal bilde Jeruſalem; and ſchal gadere
togidere þe ſcateryngis of Iſrael.
iii Which Lord makiþ hool men contrit in herte; and
byndiþ togidere þe ſorewes of hem.
iiii Which noumbriþ þe multitude of ſterris; and clepiþ
names to alle þo.
v Oure Lord is greet, and his vertu is greet; and of his
wiſdom is no noumbre.
vi Þe Lord takiþ vp mylde men; forſoþe he makiþ low
ſynneris `til to þe erþe.
vii Bifore ſynge ȝe to þe Lord in knoulechyng; ſeye ȝe
ſalm to oure God in an harpe.
viii Which hiliþ heuene wiþ cloudis; and makiþ redi
reyn to þe erþe. Which bryngiþ forþ hei in hillis; and
eerbe to þe ſeruice of men.
ix Which ȝyueþ mete to her werk beeſtis; and to þe
briddys of crowis clepinge hym.
x He ſchal not haue wille in þe ſtrengþe of an hors;
neþer it ſchal be wel pleſaunt to hym in þe leggis of a
man.
PSALM CXLVII
þe hundrid and ſeuene and fourtiþe ſalm.
i It is wel pleſaunt to þe Lord on men þat dreden hym;
and in hem þat hopen on his mercy.
ii Jeruſalem, herie þou þe Lord; Syon, herie þou þi God.
iii For he haþ coumfortid þe lockis of þi ȝatis; he haþ
bleſſid þi ſones in þee.
iiii Which haþ ſet þi cooſtis pees; and filliþ þee wiþ þe
fatneſſe of wheete.
v Which ſendiþ out his ſpeche to þe erþe; his word
renneþ ſwiftli.
vi Which ȝyueþ ſnow as wolle; ſprediþ abrood a cloude
as aiſche.
vii He ſendiþ his criſtal as muſſels; who ſchal ſuffre
bifore þe face of his cooldneſſe?
viii He ſchal ſende out his word, and ſchal melte þo; his
ſpirit ſchal blowe, and watris ſchulen flowe.
ix Which telliþ his word to Jacob; and hiſe riȝtfulneſſis
and domes to Iſrael.
x He dide not ſo to ech nacioun; and he ſchewide not
hiſe domes to hem.
PSALM CXLVIII
Þe `title of þe hundrid and eiȝte and fourtiþe ſalm.
Alleluya.
i Ȝe of heuenes, herie þe Lord; herie ȝe hym in hiȝe
þingis.
ii Alle hiſe aungels, herie ȝe hym; alle hiſe vertues,
herye ȝe hym.
iii Sunne and moone, herie ȝe hym; alle ſterris and lyȝt,
herie ȝe hym.
iiii Heuenes of heuenes, herie ȝe hym; and þe watris þat
ben aboue heuenes,
v herie ȝe þe name of þe Lord. For he ſeide, and þingis
weren maad; he comaundide, and þingis weren maad of
nouȝt.
vi He ordeynede þo þingis in to þe world, and in to þe
world of world; he ſettide a comaundement, and it ſchal
not paſſe.
vii Ȝe of erþe, herie ȝe þe Lord; dragouns, and alle
depþis of watris.
DXL
viii Fier,hail, ſnow, iys, ſpiritis of tempeſtis; þat don his
word.
ix Mounteyns, and alle litle hillis; trees berynge fruyt,
and alle cedris.
x Wielde beeſtis, and alle tame beeſtis; ſerpentis, and
feþerid briddis.
xi Þe kingis of erþe, and alle puplis; þe princis, and alle
iugis of erþe.
xii Ȝonge men, and virgyns, elde men wiþ ȝongere,
xiii herie ȝe þe name of þe Lord; for þe name of hym
aloone is enhaunſid. His knouleching be on heuene and
erþe;
xiiii and he haþ enhaunſid þe horn of his puple. An
ympne be to alle hiſe ſeyntis; to þe children of Iſrael, to
a puple neiȝynge to hym.
PSALM CXLIX
Þe `title of þe hundrid and nyne and fourtiþe ſalm.
Alleluya.
i Synge ȝe to þe Lord a newe ſong; hiſe heriyng be in þe
chirche of ſeyntis.
ii Iſrael be glad in hym þat made hym; and þe douȝtris
of Syon make ful out ioye in her king.
iii Herie þei his name in a queer; ſeie þei ſalm to hym in
a tympan, and ſautre.
iiii For þe Lord is wel pleſid in his puple; and he haþ
reiſid mylde men in to heelþe.
v Seyntis ſchulen make ful out ioye in glorie; þei
ſchulen be glad in her beddis.
vi Þe ful out ioiyngis of God in þe þrote of hem; and
ſwerdis ſcharp on `ech ſide in þe hondis of hem.
vii To do veniaunce in naciouns; blamyngis in puplis.
viii To bynde þe kyngis of hem in ſtockis; and þe noble
men of hem in yrun manaclis.
ix Þat þei make in hem doom writun; þis is glorye to
alle hiſe ſeyntis.
PSALM CL
Þe title of þe hundrid and fiftiþe ſalm. Alleluya.
i Herie ȝe þe Lord in hiſe ſeyntis; herie ȝe hym in þe
firmament of his vertu.
ii Herie ȝe hym in hiſe vertues; herie ȝe hym bi þe
multitude of his greetneſſe.
iii Herie ȝe hym in þe ſoun of trumpe; herie ȝe hym in a
ſautre and harpe.
iiii Herie ȝe hym in a tympane and queer; herie ȝe hym
in ſtrengis and orgun.
v Herie ȝe hym in cymbalis ſownynge wel, herye ȝe
hym in cymbalis of iubilacioun;
vi ech ſpirit, herye þe Lord.
Here endiþ þe Sautere; and here bigynneþ þe
Prouerbis of Salomon.

DXLI

PROUERBIS
Here bigynnen þe Prouerbis of Salomon.
CAP. I
i Þe parablis of Salomon, þe ſone of Dauid, king of
Iſrael;
ii to kunne wiſdom and kunnyng;
iii to vndurſtonde þe wordis of prudence; and to take þe
lernyng of teching; to take riȝtfulneſſe, and dom, and
equyte;
iiii þat felneſſe be ȝouun to litle children, and kunnyng,
and vndurſtonding to a ȝong wexynge man.
v A wiſe man heringe ſchal be wiſere; and a man
vndurſtondinge ſchal holde gouernails.
vi He ſchal perſeyue a parable, and expownyng; þe
wordis of wiſe men, and þe derk figuratif ſpechis of
hem.
vii Þe drede of þe Lord is þe bigynning of wiſdom;
foolis diſpiſen wiſdom and teching.
viii My ſone, here þou þe teching of þi fadir, and forſake
þou not þe lawe of þi modir;
ix þat grace be addid, eþir encreeſſid, to þin heed, and a
bie to þi necke.
x Mi ſone, if ſynneris flateren þee, aſſente þou not to
hem.
xi If þei ſeien, Come þou wiþ vs, ſette we aſpies to
blood, hide we ſnaris of diſſeitis aȝens an innocent
wiþout cauſe;
xii ſwolowe we him, as helle ſwolowiþ a man lyuynge;
and al hool, as goynge doun in to a lake; we ſchulen
fynde al preciouſe catel,
xiii we ſchulen fille oure houſis wiþ ſpuylis; ſende þou
lot wiþ vs,
xiiii o purs be of vs alle;
xv my ſone, go þou not wiþ hem; forbede þi foot fro þe
paþis of hem.
xvi For þe feet of hem rennen to yuel; and þei haſten to
ſchede out blood.
xvii But a net is leid in veyn bifore þe iȝen of briddis, þat
han wengis.
xviii Alſo `þilke wickid diſſeyueris ſetten aſpies aȝens her
owne blood; and maken redi fraudis aȝens her ſoulis.
xix So þe paþis of ech auerouſe man rauyſchen þe ſoulis
of hem þat welden.
xx Wiſdom prechiþ wiþ outforþ; in ſtretis it ȝyueþ his
vois.
xxi It crieþ ofte in þe heed of cumpenyes; in þe leeues of
ȝatis of þe citee it bringiþ forþ hiſe wordis,
xxii and ſeiþ, Hou long, ȝe litle men in wit, louen ȝong
childhod, and foolis ſchulen coueyte þo þingis, þat ben
DXLII
harmful to hem ſilf, and vnprudent men ſchulen hate
kunnyng?
xxiii Be ȝe conuertid at my repreuyng; lo, Y ſchal profre
forþ to ȝou my ſpirit, and Y ſchal ſchewe my wordis.
xxiiii For Y clepide, and ȝe forſoken; Y helde forþ myn
hond, and noon was þat bihelde.
xxv Ȝe diſpiſiden al my councel; and chargiden not my
blamyngis.
xxvi And Y ſchal leiȝe in ȝoure periſching; and Y ſchal
ſcorne ȝou, whanne þat, þat ȝe dreden, comeþ to ȝou.
xxvii Whanne ſodeyne wretchidneſſe falliþ in, and
periſching bifalliþ as tempeſt; whanne tribulacioun and
angwiſch comeþ on ȝou.
xxviii Þanne þei ſchulen clepe me, and Y ſchal not here;
þei ſchulen riſe eerli, and þei ſchulen not fynde me.
xxix For þei hatiden teching, and þei token not þe drede
of þe Lord,
xxx neþer aſſentiden to my councel, and depraueden al
myn amendyng.
xxxi Þerfor þei ſchulen ete þe fruytis of her weie; and þei
ſchulen be fillid wiþ her counſeils.
xxxii Þe turnyng awei of litle men in wit ſchal ſle hem;
and þe proſperite of foolis ſchal leeſe hem.
xxxiii But he þat heriþ me, ſchal reſte wiþ outen drede;
and he ſchal vſe abundaunce, whanne þe drede of yuels
is takun awei.
CAP. II
i Mi ſone, if þou reſſeyueſt my wordis, `and hidiſt myn
heeſtis anentis þee;
ii þat þin eere here wiſdom, bowe þin herte to knowe
prudence.
iii For if þou inwardli clepiſt wiſdom, and bowiſt þin
herte to prudence;
iiii if þou ſekiſt it as money, and diggiſt it out as treſours;
v þanne þou ſchalt vndirſtonde þe drede of þe Lord, and
ſchalt fynde þe kunnyng of God.
vi For þe Lord ȝyueþ wiſdom; and prudence and
kunnyng is of his mouþ.
vii He ſchal kepe þe heelþe of riȝtful men, and he ſchal
defende hem þat goen ſympli.
viii And he ſchal kepe þe paþis of riȝtfulneſſe, and he
ſchal kepe þe weies of hooli men.
ix Þanne þou ſchalt vndirſtonde riȝtfulneſſe, and dom,
and equytee, and ech good paþ.
x If wyſdom entriþ in to þin herte, and kunnyng pleſiþ þi
ſoule,
xi good councel ſchal kepe þee, and prudence ſchal kepe
þee; þat þou be delyuered fro an yuel weie,
xii and fro a man þat ſpekiþ weiward þingis.
xiii Whiche forſaken a riȝtful weie, and goen bi derk
weies;
xiiii whiche ben glad, whanne þei han do yuel, and
maken ful out ioye in worſte þingis;
xv whoſe weies ben weywerd, and her goyingis ben of
yuel fame.
xvi Þat þou be delyuered fro an alien womman, and fro a
ſtraunge womman, þat makiþ ſoft hir wordis;
xvii and forſakiþ þe duyk of hir tyme of mariage,
xviii and haþ forȝete þe couenaunt of hir God. For þe
hous of hir is bowid to deeþ, and hir paþis to helle.
xix Alle þat entren to hir, ſchulen not turne aȝen, neþer
ſchulen catche þe paþis of lijf.
xx Þat þou go in a good weie, and kepe þe paþis of iuſt
men.
xxi Forſoþe þei þat ben riȝtful, ſchulen dwelle in þe
lond; and ſymple men ſchulen perfitli dwelle þer ynne.
xxii But vnfeiþful men ſchulen be loſt fro þe loond; and
þei þat doen wickidli, ſchulen be takun awey fro it.
CAP. III
i Mi ſone, forȝete þou not my lawe; and þyn herte kepe
my comaundementis.
ii For þo ſchulen ſette to þee þe lengþe of daies, and þe
ȝeeris of lijf, and pees.
iii Merci and treuþe forſake þee not; bynde þou þo to þi
þrote, and write in þe tablis of þin herte.
iiii And þou ſchalt fynde grace, and good teching bifore
God and men.
v Haue þou triſt in þe Lord, of al þin herte; and triſte
þou not to þi prudence.
vi In alle þi weies þenke þou on hym, and he ſchal dreſſe
þi goyngis.
vii Be þou not wijs anentis þi ſilf; drede þou God, and
go awei fro yuel.
viii For whi helþe ſchal be in þi nawle, and moiſting of
þi boonys.
ix Onoure þou þe Lord of þi catel, and of þe beſte of alle
þi fruytis ȝyue þou to pore men;
x and þi bernes ſchulen be fillid wiþ abundaunce, and
preſſours ſchulen flowe wiþ wiyn.
xi My ſone, caſte þou not awei þe teching of þe Lord;
and faile þou not, whanne þou art chaſtiſid of him.
xii For þe Lord chaſtiſiþ hym, whom he loueþ; and as a
fadir in þe ſone he pleſiþ hym.
xiii Bleſſid is þe man þat fyndiþ wiſdom, and which
flowiþ wiþ prudence.
xiiii Þe geting þerof is betere þan þe marchaundie of
gold and of ſiluer; þe fruytis þerof ben þe firſte and
clenneſte.
xv It is preciouſere þan alle richeſſis; and alle þingis þat
ben deſirid, moun not be compariſound to þis.
xvi Lengþe of daies is in þe riȝthalf þerof, and richeſſis
and glorie ben in þe lifthalf þerof.
DXLIII
xvii Þe weies þerof ben feire weies, and alle þe paþis
þerof ben peſible.
xviii It is a tre of lijf to hem þat taken it; and he þat
holdiþ it, is bleſſid.
xix Þe Lord foundide þe erþe bi wiſdom; he ſtabliſchide
heuenes bi prudence.
xx Þe depþis of watris braken out bi his wiſdom; and
cloudis wexen togidere bi dewe.
xxi My ſone, þeſe þingis flete not awey fro þin iȝen;
kepe þou my lawe, and my counſel;
xxii and lijf ſchal be to þi ſoule, and grace `ſchal be to þi
chekis.
xxiii Þanne þou ſchalt go triſtili in þi weie; and þi foot
ſchal not ſnapere.
xxiiii If þou ſchalt ſlepe, þou ſchalt not drede; þou ſchalt
reſte, and þi ſleep ſchal be ſoft.
xxv Drede þou not bi ſudeyne feer, and þe powers of
wickid men fallynge in on þee.
xxvi For þe Lord ſchal be at þi ſide; and he ſchal kepe þi
foot, þat þou be not takun.
xxvii Nil þou forbede to do wel him þat mai; if þou
maiſt, and do þou wel.
xxviii Seie þou not to þi frend, Go, and turne þou aȝen,
and to morewe Y ſchal ȝyue to þee; whanne þou maiſt
ȝyue anoon.
xxix Ymagyne þou not yuel to þi freend, whanne he haþ
triſt in þee.
xxx Stryue þou not aȝens a man wiþ out cauſe, whanne
he doiþ noon yuel to þee.
xxxi Sue þou not an vniuſt man, ſue þou not hiſe weies.
xxxii For ech diſſeyuer is abhomynacioun of þe Lord;
and his ſpeking is wiþ ſimple men.
xxxiii Nedineſſe is ſent of þe Lord in þe hous of a wickid
man; but þe dwelling places of iuſt men ſchulen be
bleſſid.
xxxiiii He ſchal ſcorne ſcorneris; and he ſchal ȝyue grace
to mylde men.
xxxv Wiſe men ſchulen haue glorie; enhaunſing of foolis
is ſchenſchipe.
CAP. IIII
i Sones, here ȝe þe teching of þe fadir; and perſeiue ȝe,
þat ȝe kunne prudence.
ii Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou a good ȝifte; forſake ȝe not my
lawe.
iii For whi and Y was þe ſone of my fadir, a tendir ſone,
and oon `gendride bifore my modir.
iiii And my fadir tauȝte me, and ſeide, Þin herte reſſeyue
my wordis; kepe þou myn heeſtis, and þou ſchalt lyue.
v Welde þou wiſdom, welde þou prudence; forȝete þou
not, neþir bowe þou awey fro þe wordis of my mouþ.
vi Forſake þou not it, and it ſchal kepe þee; loue þou it,
and it ſchal kepe þee.
vii Þe bigynnyng of wiſdom, welde þou wiſdom; and in
al þi poſſeſſioun gete þou prudence.
viii Take þou it, and it ſchal enhaunſe þee; þou ſchalt be
glorified of it, whanne þou haſt biclippid it.
ix It ſchal ȝyue encreſyngis of graces to þin heed; and a
noble coroun ſchal defende þee.
x Mi ſone, here þou, and take my wordis; þat þe ȝeris of
lijf be multiplied to þee.
xi Y ſchal ſchewe to þee þe weie of wiſdom; and Y ſchal
lede þee bi þe paþis of equyte.
xii In to whiche whanne þou haſt entrid, þi goyngis
ſchulen not be maad ſtreit; and þou ſchalt rennen, and
ſchalt not haue hirtyng.
xiii Holde þou teching, and forſake it not; kepe þou it,
for it is þi lijf.
xiiii Delite þou not in þe paþis of wyckid men; and þe
weie of yuele men pleſe not þee.
xv Fle þou fro it, and paſſe þou not þerbi; bowe þou
awei, and forſake it.
xvi For þei ſlepen not, `no but þei han do yuele; and
ſleep is rauyſchid fro hem, no but þei han diſſeyued.
xvii Þei eten þe breed of vnpite, and drinken þe wyn of
wickidneſſe.
xviii But þe paþ of iuſt men goiþ forþ as lyȝt ſchynynge,
and encreeſſiþ til to perfit dai.
xix Þe weie of wickid men is derk; þei witen not where
þei ſchulen falle.
xx Mi ſone, herkene þou my wordis; and bowe doun þin
eeris to my ſpechis.
xxi Go not þo awei fro þyn iȝen; kepe þou hem in þe
myddil of þin herte.
xxii For þo ben lijf to men fyndynge þoo, and heelþe `of
al fleiſch.
xxiii Wiþ al keping kepe þin herte, for lijf comeþ forþ of
it.
xxiiii Remoue þou a ſchrewid mouþ fro þee; and
backbitynge lippis be fer fro þee.
xxv Þin iȝen ſe riȝtful þingis; and þin iȝeliddis go bifore
þi ſteppis.
xxvi Dreſſe þou paþis to þi feet, and alle þi weies ſchulen
be ſtabliſchid.
xxvii Bowe þou not to þe riȝtſide, neþer to þe leftſide;
turne awei þi foot fro yuel. For þe Lord knowiþ þe
weies þat ben at þe riȝtſide; but þe weies ben weiward,
þat ben at þe leftſide. Forſoþe he ſchal make þi goyngis
riȝtful; and þi weies ſchulen be brouȝt forþ in pees.
CAP. V
i Mi ſone, perſeyue þou my wiſdom, and bowe doun þin
eere to my prudence; þat þou kepe þi þouȝtis,
DXLIV
ii and þi lippis kepe teching. Ȝyue þou not tent to þe
falſneſſe of a womman;
iii for þe lippis of an hoore ben an hony coomb
droppinge, and hir þrote is clerere þan oile;
iiii but þe laſt þingis ben bittir as wormod, and hir tunge
is ſcharp as a ſwerd keruynge on ech ſide.
v Hir feet gon doun in to deeþ; and hir ſteppis perſen to
hellis.
vi Þo goon not bi þe paþ of lijf; hir ſteppis ben
vncerteyn, and moun not be ſouȝt out.
vii Now þerfor, my ſone, here þou me, and go not awei
fro þe wordis of my mouþ.
viii Make fer þi weie fro hir, and neiȝe þou not to þe
doris of hir hous.
ix Ȝyue þou not þin onour to aliens, and þi ȝeeris to þe
cruel;
x leſt perauenture ſtraungeris be fillid wiþ þi ſtrengþis,
and leſt þi trauels be in an alien hous;
xi and þou biweile in þe laſte daies, whanne þou haſt
waſtid þi fleſchis, and þi bodi; and þou ſeie,
xii Whi wlatide Y teching, and myn herte aſſentide not
to blamyngis;
xiii neþer Y herde þe voys of men techinge me, and Y
bowide not doun myn eere to maiſtris?
xiiii Almeſt Y was in al yuel, in þe myddis of þe chirche,
and of þe ſynagoge.
xv Drinke þou watir of þi ciſterne, and þe floodis of þi
pit.
xvi Þi wellis be ſtremed forþ; and departe þi watris in
ſtretis.
xvii Haue þou aloone `þo watris; and aliens be not þi
parceneris.
xviii Þi veyne be bleſſid; and be þou glad wiþ þe
womman of þi ȝong wexynge age.
xix An hynde mooſt dereworþe; and an hert calf mooſt
acceptable. Hir teetis fille þee in al tyme; and delite þou
contynueli in þe loue of hir.
xx Mi ſone, whi art þou diſſeyued of an alien womman;
and art foſtrid in þe boſum of an oþere?
xxi Þe Lord ſeeþ þe weie of a man; and biholdiþ alle hiſe
ſteppis.
xxii Þe wickidneſſis of a wyckid man taken hym; and he
is boundun wiþ þe roopis of hiſe ſynnes.
xxiii He ſchal die, for he hadde not lernyng; and he ſchal
be diſſeyued in þe mychilneſſe of his fooli.
CAP. VI
i Mi ſone, if þou haſt bihiȝt for þi freend; þou haſt
faſtned þin hoond at a ſtraunger.
ii Þou art boundun bi þe wordis of þi mouþ; and þou art
takun wiþ þin owne wordis.
iii Þerfor, my ſone, do þou þat þat Y ſeie, and delyuere
þi ſilf; for þou haſt fallun in to þe hond of þi neiȝbore.
Renne þou aboute, haſte þou, reiſe þi freend;
iiii ȝyue þou not ſleep to þin iȝen, neþer þin iȝeliddis
nappe.
v Be þou rauyſchid as a doo fro þe hond; and as a bridde
fro aſpiyngis of þe foulere.
vi O! þou ſlowe man, go to þe `amte, eþer piſſemyre;
and biholde þou hiſe weies, and lerne þou wiſdom.
vii Which whanne he haþ no duyk, neþir comaundour,
neþer prince;
viii makiþ redi in ſomer mete to hym ſilf, and gaderiþ
togidere in herueſt þat, þat he ſchal ete.
ix Hou long ſchalt þou, ſlow man, ſlepe? whanne ſchalt
þou riſe fro þi ſleep?
x A litil þou ſchalt ſlepe, a litil þou ſchalt nappe; a litil
þou ſchalt ioyne togidere þin hondis, þat þou ſlepe.
xi And nedyneſſe, as a weigoere, ſchal come to þee; and
pouert, as an armed man. Forſoþe if þou art not ſlow, þi
ripe corn ſchal come as a welle; and nedyneſſe ſchal fle
fer fro þee.
xii A man apoſtata, a man vnprofitable, he goiþ wiþ a
weiward mouþ;
xiii he bekeneþ wiþ iȝen, he trampiþ wiþ þe foot, he
ſpekiþ wiþ þe fyngur,
xiiii bi ſchrewid herte he ymagyneþ yuel, and in al tyme
he ſowiþ diſſenciouns.
xv His perdicioun ſchal come to hym anoon, and he
ſchal be brokun ſodeynli; and he ſchal no more haue
medecyn.
xvi Sixe þingis ben, whyche þe Lord hatiþ; and hiſe
ſoule curſiþ þe ſeuenþe þing.
xvii Hiȝe iȝen, a tunge liere, hondis ſchedinge out
innocent blood,
xviii an herte ymagynynge worſte þouȝtis, feet ſwifte to
renne in to yuel,
xix a man bringynge forþ leſingis, a fals witneſſe; and
him þat ſowiþ diſcordis among briþeren.
xx Mi ſone, kepe þe comaundementis of þi fadir; and
forſake not þe lawe of þi modir.
xxi Bynde þou þo continueli in þin herte; and cumpaſſe
`to þi þrote.
xxii Whanne þou goiſt, go þo wiþ þee; whanne þou
ſlepiſt, kepe þo þee; and þou wakynge ſpeke wiþ þo.
xxiii For þe comaundement of God is a lanterne, and þe
lawe is lyȝt, and þe blamyng of techyng is þe weie of
lijf;
xxiiii `þat þe comaundementis kepe þee fro an yuel
womman, and fro a flaterynge tunge of a ſtraunge
womman.
xxv Þin herte coueite not þe fairneſſe of hir; neþer be
þou takun bi þe ſignes of hir.
DXLV
xxvi For þe prijs of an hoore is vnneþe of o loof; but a
womman takiþ þe preciouſe ſoule of a man.
xxvii Wheþer a man mai hide fier in his boſum, þat hiſe
cloþis brenne not;
xxviii eþir go on colis, and hiſe feet be not brent?
xxix So he þat entriþ to þe wijf of his neiȝbore; ſchal not
be cleene, whanne he haþ touchid hir.
xxx It is not greet ſynne, whanne a man ſteliþ; for he
ſteliþ to fille an hungri ſoule.
xxxi And he takun ſchal ȝelde þe ſeuenþe fold; and he
ſchal ȝyue al þe catel of his hous, and ſchal delyuere
hym ſilf.
xxxii But he þat is avouter; ſchal leeſe his ſoule, for þe
pouert of herte.
xxxiii He gaderiþ filþe, and ſclaundriþ to hym ſilf; and
his ſchenſchip ſchal not be don awei.
xxxiiii For þe feruent loue and ſtrong veniaunce of þe
man ſchal not ſpare in þe dai of veniaunce,
xxxv neþer ſchal aſſente to þe preieris of ony; neþer ſchal
take ful many ȝiftis for raunſum.
CAP. VII
i Mi ſone, kepe þou my wordis; and kepe myn heeſtis to
þee. Sone, onoure þou þe Lord, and þou ſchalt be
`myȝti; but outakun hym drede þou not an alien.
ii Kepe þou myn heeſtis, and þou ſchalt lyue; and my
lawe as þe appil of þin iȝen.
iii Bynde þou it in þi fyngris; write þou it in þe tablis of
þin herte.
iiii Seie þou to wiſdom, Þou art my ſiſtir; and clepe þou
prudence þi frendeſſe.
v Þat it kepe þee fro a ſtraunge womman; and fro an
alien womman, þat makiþ hir wordis ſwete.
vi For whi fro þe wyndow of myn hous bi þe latijs Y
bihelde; and Y ſe litle children.
vii I biholde a ȝong man coward,
viii þat paſſiþ bi þe ſtretis, biſidis þe corner; and he
ix goiþ niȝ þe weie of hir hous in derk tyme, whanne þe
dai drawiþ to niȝt, in þe derkneſſis and myſt of þe nyȝt.
x And lo! a womman, maad redi wiþ ournement of an
hoore to diſſeyue ſoulis, meetiþ hym, and ſche is a
ianglere, and goynge about,
xi and vnpacient of reſte, and mai not ſtonde in þe hous
wiþ hir feet;
xii and now wiþout forþ, now in ſtretis, now biſidis
corneris ſche `aſpieþ.
xiii And ſche takiþ, and kiſſiþ þe ȝong man; and flateriþ
wiþ wowynge cheer, and ſeiþ, Y ouȝte ſacrifices for
heelþe;
xiiii to dai Y haue ȝolde my vowis.
xv Þerfor Y ȝede out in to þi meetyng, and Y deſiride to
ſe þee; and Y haue founde þee.
xvi Y haue maad my bed wiþ coordis, Y haue arayed
wiþ tapetis peyntid of Egipt;
xvii Y haue biſpreynt my bed wiþ myrre, and aloes, and
canel.
xviii Come þou, be we fillid wiþ tetis, and vſe we
collyngis þat ben coueitid; til þe dai bigynne to be cleer.
xix For myn hoſebonde is not in his hows; he is goon a
ful long weie.
xx He took wiþ hym a bagge of money; he ſchal turne
aȝen in to his hous in þe dai of ful moone.
xxi Sche boonde hym wiþ many wordis; and ſche drow
forþ hym wiþ flateryngis of lippis.
xxii Anoon he as an oxe led to ſlayn ſacrifice ſueþ hir,
and as a ioli lomb and vnkunnynge; and þe fool woot
not, þat he is drawun to bondys,
xxiii til an arowe perſe his mawe. As if a brid haſtiþ to þe
ſnare; and woot not, þat it is don of þe perel of his lijf.
xxiiii Now þerfor, my ſone, here þou me; and perſeyue
þe wordis of my mouþ.
xxv Leſt þi ſoule be drawun awei in þe weies of hir;
neþer be þou diſſeyued in þe paþis of hir.
xxvi For ſche caſtide doun many woundid men; and alle
ſtrongeſte men weren ſlayn of hir.
xxvii Þe weies of helle is hir hous; and perſen in to
ynnere þingis of deeþ.
CAP. VIII
i Wheþer wiſdom crieþ not ofte; and prudence ȝyueþ his
vois?
ii In ſouereyneſte and hiȝ coppis, aboue þe weie, in þe
myddis of paþis,
iii and it ſtondiþ biſidis þe ȝate of þe citee, in þilke
cloſyngis, and ſpekiþ, and ſeiþ, A!
iiii ȝe men, Y crie ofte to ȝou; and my vois is to þe ſones
of men.
v Litle children, vndirſtonde ȝe wiſdom; and ȝe vnwiſe
men, `perſeyue wiſdom.
vi Here ȝe, for Y ſchal ſpeke of grete þingis; and my
lippis ſchulen be openyd, to preche riȝtful þingis.
vii My þrote ſchal biþenke treuþe; and my lippis ſchulen
curſe a wickid man.
viii My wordis ben iuſt; no ſchrewid þing, neþer
weiward is in þo.
ix `My wordis ben riȝtful to hem þat vndurſtonden; and
ben euene to hem þat fynden kunnyng.
x Take ȝe my chaſtiſyng, and not money; cheſe ȝe
teching more þan treſour.
xi For wiſdom is betere þan alle richeſſis mooſt
preciouſe; and al deſirable þing mai not be
compariſound þerto.
xii Y, wiſdom, dwelle in counſel; and Y am among
lernyd þouȝtis.
DXLVI
xiii Þe drede of þe Lord hatiþ yuel; Y curſe booſt, and
pride, and a ſchrewid weie, and a double tungid mouþ.
xiiii Counſeil is myn, and equyte `is myn; prudence is
myn, and ſtrengþe `is myn.
xv Kyngis regnen bi me; and þe makeris of lawis demen
iuſt þingis bi me.
xvi Princis comaunden bi me; and myȝti men demen
riȝtfulneſſe bi me.
xvii I loue hem þat louen me; and þei þat waken eerli to
me, ſchulen fynde me.
xviii Wiþ me ben rycheſſis, and glorie; ſouereyn richeſſis,
and riȝtfulneſſe.
xix My fruyt is betere þan gold, and precyouſe ſtoon;
and my ſeedis ben betere þan choſun ſiluer.
xx Y go in þe weies of riȝtfulneſſe, in þe myddis of paþis
of doom;
xxi þat Y make riche hem þat louen me, and þat Y fille
her treſouris.
xxii Þe Lord weldide me in þe bigynnyng of hiſe weies;
bifore þat he made ony þing, at þe bigynnyng.
xxiii Fro wiþ out bigynnyng Y was ordeined; and fro
elde tymes, bifor þat þe erþe was maad.
xxiiii Depþis of watris weren not ȝit; and Y was
conſeyued þanne. Þe wellis of watris hadden not brokun
out ȝit,
xxv and hillis ſtoden not togidere ȝit bi ſad heuyneſſe;
bifor litil hillis Y was born.
xxvi Ȝit he hadde not maad erþe; and floodis, and þe
herris of þe world.
xxvii Whanne he made redi heuenes, Y was preſent;
whanne he cumpaſſide þe depþis of watris bi certeyn
lawe and cumpas.
xxviii Whanne he made ſtidfaſt þe eir aboue; and weiede
þe wellis of watris.
xxix Whanne he cumpaſſide to þe ſee his marke; and
ſettide lawe to watris, þat þo ſchulden not paſſe her
cooſtis. Whanne he peiſide þe foundementis of erþe;
xxx Y was making alle þingis wiþ him. And Y delitide bi
alle daies, and pleiede bifore hym in al tyme,
xxxi and Y pleiede in þe world; and my delices ben to be
wiþ þe ſones of men.
xxxii Now þerfor, ſones, here ȝe me; bleſſid ben þei þat
kepen my weies.
xxxiii Here ȝe teching, and be ȝe wiſe men; and nile ȝe
caſte it awei.
xxxiiii Bleſſid is þe man þat heriþ me, and þat wakiþ at
my ȝatis al dai; and kepiþ at þe poſtis of my dore.
xxxv He þat fyndiþ me, ſchal fynde lijf; and ſchal drawe
helþe of þe Lord.
xxxvi But he þat ſynneþ aȝens me, ſchal hurte his ſoule;
alle þat haten me, louen deeþ.
CAP. IX
i Wiſdom bildide an hous to him ſilf; he hewide out
ſeuene pileris,
ii he offride his ſlayn ſacrifices, he medlide wijn, and
ſettide forþ his table.
iii He ſente hiſe handmaides, þat þei ſchulden clepe to þe
tour; and to þe wallis of þe citee.
iiii If ony man is litil; come he to me. And wiſdom ſpak
to vnwiſe men,
v Come ȝe, ete ȝe my breed; and drynke ȝe þe wiyn,
which Y haue medlid to ȝou.
vi Forſake ȝe ȝong childhed, and lyue ȝe; and go ȝe bi þe
weyes of prudence.
vii He þat techiþ a ſcornere, doiþ wrong to him ſilf; and
he þat vndirnymmeþ a wickid man, gendriþ a wem to
him ſilf.
viii Nile þou vndirnyme a ſcornere; leſt he hate þee.
Vndirnyme þou a wiſe man; and he ſchal loue þee.
ix Ȝyue þou occaſioun to a wiſe man; and wiſdom ſchal
be encreeſſid to hym. Teche þou a iuſt man; and he ſchal
haſte to take.
x Þe bigynnyng of wiſdom is þe dreed of þe Lord; and
prudence is þe kunnyng of ſeyntis.
xi For þi daies ſchulen be multiplied bi me; and ȝeeris of
lijf ſchulen be encreeſſid to þee.
xii If þou art wijs; þou ſchalt be to þi ſilf, and to þi
neiȝboris. Forſoþe if þou art a ſcornere; þou aloone
ſchalt bere yuel.
xiii A fonned womman, and ful of cry, and ful of
vnleueful luſtis, and þat kan no þing outirli,
xiiii ſittiþ in þe doris of hir hous, on a ſeete, in an hiȝ
place of þe cite;
xv to clepe men paſſinge bi þe weie, and men goynge in
her iournei.
xvi Who is a litil man `of wit; bowe he to me. And ſche
ſpak to a coward,
xvii Watris of þefte ben ſwettere, and breed hid is
ſwettere.
xviii And wiſte not þat giauntis ben þere; and þe geſtis
`of hir ben in þe depþis of helle. Soþeli he þat ſchal be
applied, eþer faſtned, to hir; ſchal go doun to hellis. For
whi he þat goiþ awei fro hir; ſchal be ſaued.
CAP. X
i Þe parablis of Salomon. A wijs ſone makiþ glad þe
fadir; but a fonned ſone is þe ſorewe of his modir.
ii Treſouris of wickidneſſe ſchulen not profite; but
riȝtfulneſſe ſchal delyuere fro deþ.
iii Þe Lord ſchal not turmente þe ſoule of a iuſt man wiþ
hungur; and he ſchal diſtrie þe treſouns of vnpitouſe
men.
iiii A ſlow hond haþ wrouȝt nedyneſſe; but þe hond of
ſtronge men makiþ redi richeſſis. Forſoþe he þat
DXLVII
enforſiþ to gete `ony þing bi leeſyngis, fediþ þe wyndis;
ſoþeli þe ſame man ſueþ briddis fleynge.
v He þat gaderiþ togidere in herueſt, is a wijs ſone; but
he þat ſlepiþ in ſommer, is a ſone of confuſioun.
vi Þe bleſſing of God is ouer þe heed of a iuſt man; but
wickidneſſe hiliþ þe mouþ of wickid men.
vii Þe mynde of a iuſt man ſchal be wiþ preiſingis; and
þe name of wickid men ſchal wexe rotun.
viii A wijs man ſchal reſſeyue comaundementis wiþ
herte; a fool is betun wiþ lippis.
ix He þat goiþ ſimpli, goiþ triſtili; but he þat makiþ
ſchrewid hiſe weies, ſchal be opyn.
x He þat bekeneþ wiþ þe iȝe, ſchal ȝyue ſorewe; a fool
ſchal be betun wiþ lippis.
xi Þe veyne of lijf is þe mouþ of a iuſt man; but þe mouþ
of wickid men hiliþ wickidneſſe.
xii Hatrede reiſiþ chidingis; and charite hiliþ alle ſynnes.
xiii Wiſdom is foundun in þe lippis of a wiſe man; and a
ȝerd in þe bak of him þat is nedi of herte.
xiiii Wiſe men hiden kunnyng; but þe mouþ of a fool is
nexte to confuſioun.
xv Þe catel of a riche man is þe citee of his ſtrengþe; þe
drede of pore men is þe nedyneſſe of hem.
xvi Þe werk of a iuſt man is to lijf; but þe fruyt of a
wickid man is to ſynne.
xvii Þe weie of lijf is to him þat kepiþ chaſtiſing; but he
þat forſakiþ blamyngis, erriþ.
xviii Falſe lippis hiden hatrede; he þat bringiþ forþ
diſpiſinge is vnwijs.
xix Synne ſchal not faile in myche ſpekyng; but he þat
meſuriþ hiſe lippis, is mooſt prudent.
xx Choſun ſiluer is þe tunge of a iuſt man; þe herte of
wickid men is for nouȝt.
xxi Þe lippis of a iuſt man techen ful manye men; but þei
þat ben vnlerned, ſchulen die in nedineſſe of herte.
xxii Þe bleſſing of þe Lord makiþ riche men; and
turment ſchal not be felowſchipid to hem.
xxiii A fool worchiþ wickidneſſe as bi leiȝyng; but
`wiſdom is prudence to a man.
xxiiii Þat þat a wickid man drediþ, ſchal come on hym;
þe deſire of iuſt men ſchalbe ȝouun to hem.
xxv As a tempeſte paſſynge, a wickid man ſchal not be;
but a iuſt man ſchal be as an euerlaſtynge foundement.
xxvi As vynegre noieþ þe teeþ, and ſmoke noieþ þe iȝen;
ſo a ſlow man noieþ hem þat ſenten hym in þe weie.
xxvii Þe drede of þe Lord encreeſiþ daies; and þe ȝeeris
of wickid men ſchulen be maad ſchort.
xxviii Abiding of iuſt men is gladneſſe; but þe hope of
wickid men ſchal periſche.
xxix Þe ſtrengþe of a ſymple man is þe weie of þe Lord;
and drede to hem þat worchen yuel.
xxx A iuſt man ſchal not be moued wiþ outen ende; but
wickid men ſchulen not dwelle on þe erþe.
xxxi Þe mouþ of a iuſt man ſchal bringe forþ wiſdom; þe
tunge of ſchrewis ſchal periſche.
xxxii Þe lippis of a iuſt man biholden pleaſaunt þingis;
and þe mouþ of wickid men byholdiþ weiward þingis.
CAP. XI
i A gileful balaunce is abhominacioun anentis God; and
an euene weiȝte is his wille.
ii Where pride is, þere alſo diſpiſing ſchal be; but where
meekneſſe is, þere alſo is wiſdom.
iii Þe ſimpleneſſe of iuſt men ſchal dreſſe hem; and þe
diſſeyuyng of weiward men ſchal deſtrie hem.
iiii Richeſſis ſchulen not profite in þe dai of veniaunce;
but riȝtfulneſſe ſchal delyuere fro deþ.
v Þe riȝtfulneſſe of a ſimple man ſchal dreſſe his weie;
and a wickid man ſchal falle in his wickidneſſe.
vi Þe riȝtfulneſſe of riȝtful men ſchal delyuere hem; and
wickid men ſchulen be takun in her aſpiyngis.
vii Whanne a wickid man is deed, noon hope ſchal be
ferþer; and abidyng of biſy men ſchal periſche.
viii A iuſt man is delyuered from angwiſch; and a wickid
man ſchal be ȝouun for hym.
ix A feynere bi mouþ diſſeyueþ his freend; but iuſt men
ſchulen be deliuered bi kunnyng.
x A citee ſchal be enhaunſid in þe goodis of iuſt men;
and preyſyng ſchal be in þe perdicioun of wickid men.
xi A citee ſchal be enhaunſid bi bleſſing of iuſt men; and
it ſchal be diſtried bi þe mouþ of wickid men.
xii He þat diſpiſiþ his freend, is nedi in herte; but a
prudent man ſchal be ſtille.
xiii He þat goiþ gilefuli, ſchewiþ priuetees; but he þat is
feiþful, heliþ þe priuetee of a freend.
xiiii Where a gouernour is not, þe puple ſchal falle; but
helþe `of þe puple is, where ben many counſels.
xv He þat makiþ feiþ for a ſtraunger, ſchal be turmentid
wiþ yuel; but he þat eſchewiþ ſnaris, ſchal be ſikur.
xvi A graciouſe womman ſchal fynde glorie; and ſtronge
men ſchulen haue richeſſis.
xvii A merciful man doiþ wel to his ſoule; but he þat is
cruel, caſtiþ awei, ȝhe, kynneſmen.
xviii A wickid man makiþ vnſtable werk; but feiþful
mede is to hym, þat ſowiþ riȝtfulneſſe.
xix Merci ſchal make redi lijf; and þe ſuyng of yuels
`ſchal make redi deþ.
xx A ſchrewid herte is abhomynable to þe Lord; and his
wille is in hem, þat goen ſymply.
xxi Þouȝ hond be in þe hond, an yuel man ſchal not be
innocent; but þe ſeed of iuſt men ſchal be ſauyd.
xxii A goldun `ſercle, eþer ryng, in þe `noſe þrillis of a
ſowe, a womman fair and fool.
DXLVIII
xxiii Þe deſir of iuſt men is al good; abiding of wickid
men is woodneſſe.
xxiiii Sum men departen her owne þingis, and ben maad
richere; oþer men rauyſchen þingis, þat ben not hern,
and ben euere in nedyneſſe.
xxv A ſoule þat bleſſiþ, ſchal be maad fat; and he þat
filliþ, ſchal be fillid alſo.
xxvi He þat hidiþ wheete `in tyme, ſchal be curſid among
þe puplis; but bleſſyng ſchal come on þe heed of ſilleris.
xxvii Wel he riſiþ eerli, þat ſekiþ good þingis; but he þat
is a ſerchere of yuels, ſchal be oppreſſid of þo.
xxviii He þat triſtiþ in hiſe richeſſis, ſchal falle; but iuſt
men ſchulen buriowne as a greene leef.
xxix He þat diſturbliþ his hows, ſchal haue wyndis in
poſſeſſioun; and he þat is a fool, ſchal ſerue a wijs man.
xxx Þe fruyt of a riȝtful man is þe tre of lijf; and he þat
takiþ ſoulis, is a wijs man.
xxxi If a iuſt man receyueþ in erþe, how miche more an
vnfeiþful man, and ſynnere.
CAP. XII
i He þat loueþ chaſtiſyng, loueþ kunnyng; but he þat
hatiþ blamyngis, is vnwijs.
ii He þat is good, ſchal drawe to hym ſilf grace of þe
Lord; but he þat triſtiþ in hiſe þouȝtis, doiþ wickidli.
iii A man ſchal not be maad ſtrong by wyckidneſſe; and
þe root of iuſt men ſchal not be moued.
iiii A diligent womman is a coroun to hir hoſebond; and
rot is in þe boonys of þat womman, þat doiþ þingis
worþi of confuſioun.
v Þe þouȝtis of iuſt men ben domes; and þe counſelis of
wickid men ben gileful.
vi Þe wordis of wickid men ſetten treſoun to blood; þe
mouþ of iuſt men ſchal delyuere hem.
vii Turne þou wickid men, and þei ſchulen not be; but þe
houſis of iuſt men ſchulen dwelle perfitli.
viii A man ſchal be knowun bi his teching; but he þat is
veyn and hertles, ſchal be open to diſpiſing.
ix Betere is a pore man, and ſufficient to him ſilf, þan a
gloriouſe man, and nedi of breed.
x A iuſt man knowiþ þe ſoulis of hiſe werk beeſtis; but
þe entrailis of wickid men ben cruel.
xi He þat worchiþ his lond, ſchal be fillid wiþ looues;
but he þat ſueþ idilneſſe, is mooſt fool. He þat is ſwete,
lyueþ in temperaunces; and in hiſe moneſtyngis he
forſakiþ diſpiſyngis.
xii Þe deſir of a wickid man is þe memorial of worſte
þingis; but þe roote of iuſt men ſchal encreeſſe.
xiii For þe ſynnes of lippis `falling doun neiȝeþ to an
yuel man; but a iuſt man ſchal ſcape fro angwiſch.
xiiii Of þe fruyt of his mouþ ech man ſchal be fillid wiþ
goodis; and bi þe werkis of hiſe hondis it ſchal be
ȝoldun to him.
xv Þe weie of a fool is riȝtful in hiſe iȝen; but he þat is
wijs, heriþ counſels.
xvi A fool ſchewiþ anoon his ire; but he þat diſſymeliþ
wrongis, is wijs.
xvii He þat ſpekiþ þat, þat he knowiþ, is a iuge of
riȝtfulneſſe; but he þat lieþ, is a gileful witneſſe.
xviii A man is þat bihetiþ, and he is prickid as wiþ þe
ſwerd of conſcience; but þe tunge of wiſe men is helþe.
xix Þe lippe of treuþe ſchal be ſtidfaſt wiþ outen ende;
but he þat is a ſudeyn witneſſe, makiþ redi þe tunge of
leeſyng.
xx Gile is in þe herte of hem þat þenken yuels; but ioye
ſueþ hem, þat maken counſels of pees.
xxi What euere bifalliþ to a iuſt man, it ſchal not make
hym ſori; but wickid men ſchulen be fillid wiþ yuel.
xxii Falſe lippis is abhominacioun to þe Lord; but þei þat
don feiþfuli, pleſen him.
xxiii A fel man hiliþ kunnyng; and þe herte of vnwiſe
men ſtiriþ foli.
xxiiii Þe hond of ſtronge men ſchal haue lordſchip; but þe
hond þat is ſlow, ſchal ſerue to tributis.
xxv Morenynge in þe herte of a iuſt man ſchal make hym
meke; and he ſchal be maad glad bi a good word.
xxvi He þat diſpiſiþ harm for a frend, is a iuſt man; but
þe weie of wickid men ſchal diſſeyue hem.
xxvii A gileful man ſchal not fynde wynnyng; and þe
ſubſtaunce of man ſchal be þe prijs of gold.
xxviii Lijf is in þe paþ of riȝtfulneſſe; but þe wrong weie
leediþ to deeþ.
CAP. XIII
i A wijs ſone is þe teching of þe fadir; but he þat is a
ſcornere, heriþ not, whanne he is repreuyd.
ii A man ſchal be fillid wiþ goodis of þe fruit of his
mouþ; but þe ſoule of vnpitouſe men is wickid.
iii He þat kepiþ his mouþ, kepiþ his ſoule; but he þat is
vnwar to ſpeke, ſchal feel yuels.
iiii A ſlow man wole, and wole not; but þe ſoule of hem
þat worchen ſchal be maad fat.
v A iuſt man ſchal wlate a fals word; but a wickid man
ſchendiþ, and ſchal be ſchent.
vi Riȝtfulneſſe kepiþ þe weie of an innocent man; but
wickidneſſe diſſeyueþ a ſynnere.
vii A man is as riche, whanne he haþ no þing; and a man
is as pore, whanne he is in many richeſſis.
viii Redempcioun of þe ſoule of man is hiſe richeſſis; but
he þat is pore, ſuffriþ not blamyng.
ix Þe lyȝt of iuſt men makiþ glad; but þe lanterne of
wickid men ſchal be quenchid.
DXLIX
x Stryues ben euere a mong proude men; but þei þat don
alle þingis wiþ counſel, ben gouerned bi wiſdom.
xi Haſtid catel ſchal be maad leſſe; but þat þat is gaderid
litil and litil wiþ hond, ſchal be multiplied.
xii Hope which is dilaied, turmentiþ þe ſoule; a tre of lijf
is deſir comyng.
xiii He þat bacbitiþ ony þing, byndiþ hym ſilf in to tyme
to comynge; but he þat drediþ þe comaundement, ſchal
lyue in pees.
xiiii Þe lawe of a wiſe man is a welle of lijf; þat he bowe
awei fro þe falling of deþ.
xv Good teching ſchal ȝyue grace; a ſwolowe is in þe
weie of diſpiſeris.
xvi A fel man doiþ alle þingis wiþ counſel; but he þat is
a fool, ſchal opene foli.
xvii Þe meſſanger of a wickid man ſchal falle in to yuel;
a feiþful meſſanger is helþe.
xviii Nedyneſſe and ſchenſchip is to him þat forſakiþ
techyng; but he þat aſſentiþ to a blamere, ſchal be
glorified.
xix Deſir, if it is fillid, delitiþ þe ſoule; foolis wlaten hem
þat fleen yuels.
xx He þat goiþ wiþ wijs men, ſchal be wijs; þe freend of
foolis ſchal be maad lijk hem.
xxi Yuel purſueþ ſynneris; and goodis ſchulen be ȝoldun
to iuſt men.
xxii A good man ſchal leeue aftir him eiris, ſones, and þe
ſones of ſones; and þe catel of a ſynnere is kept to a iuſt
man.
xxiii Many meetis ben in þe new tilid feeldis of fadris;
and ben gaderid to oþere men wiþ out doom.
xxiiii He þat ſpariþ þe ȝerde, hatiþ his ſone; but he þat
loueþ him, techiþ biſili.
xxv A iuſt man etiþ, and filliþ his ſoule; but þe wombe of
wickid men is vnable to be fillid.
CAP. XIIII
i A wijs womman bildiþ hir hous; and an unwijs
womman ſchal diſtrie wiþ hondis an hous bildid.
ii A man goynge in riȝtful weie, and dredinge God, is
diſpiſid of hym, þat goiþ in a weie of yuel fame.
iii Þe ȝerde of pride is in þe mouþ of a fool; þe lippis of
wijs men kepen hem.
iiii Where oxis ben not, þe cratche is void; but where ful
many cornes apperen, þere þe ſtrengþe of oxe is opyn.
v A feiþful witneſſe ſchal not lie; a gileful witneſſe
bringiþ forþ a leeſing.
vi A ſcornere ſekiþ wiſdom, and he fyndiþ not; þe
teching of prudent men is eſy.
vii Go þou aȝens a man a fool; and he ſchal not knowe
þe lippis of prudence.
viii Þe wiſdom of a fel man is to vndirſtonde his weie;
and þe vnwarneſſe of foolis erriþ.
ix A fool ſcorneþ ſynne; grace ſchal dwelle among iuſt
men.
x Þe herte þat knowiþ þe bittirneſſe of his ſoule; a
ſtraunger ſchal not be meddlid in þe ioie þerof.
xi Þe hous of wickid men ſchal be don awei; þe
tabernaclis of iuſt men ſchulen buriowne.
xii Soþeli a weie is, þat ſemeþ iuſt to a man; but þe laſte
þingis þerof leden forþ to deþ.
xiii Leiȝyng ſchal be medlid wiþ ſorewe; and morenyng
ocupieþ þe laſte þingis of ioye.
xiiii A fool ſchal be fillid wiþ hiſe weies; and a good
man ſchal be aboue hym.
xv An innocent man bileueþ to eche word; a felle man
biholdiþ hiſe goyngis.
xvi A wijs man drediþ, and bowiþ awei fro yuel; a fool
ſkippiþ ouer, and triſtiþ.
xvii A man vnpacient ſchal worche foli; and a gileful
man is odiouſe.
xviii Litle men of wit ſchulen holde foli; and felle men
ſchulen abide kunnyng.
xix Yuel men ſchulen ligge bifor goode men; and
vnpitouſe men bifor þe ȝatis of iuſt men.
xx A pore man ſchal be hateful, ȝhe, to his neiȝbore; but
many men ben frendis of riche men.
xxi He þat diſpiſiþ his neiȝbore, doiþ ſynne; but he þat
doiþ merci to a pore man, ſchal be bleſſid. He þat
bileueþ in þe Lord, loueþ merci;
xxii þei erren þat worchen yuel. Merci and treuþe maken
redi goodis;
xxiii abundaunce `ſchal be in ech good werk. Soþeli
where ful many wordis ben, þere nedyneſſe is ofte.
xxiiii Þe coroun of wiſe men is þe richeſſis of hem; þe
fooli of foolis is vnwarneſſe.
xxv A feiþful witneſſe delyuereþ ſoulis; and a fals man
bringiþ forþ leeſyngis.
xxvi In þe drede of þe Lord is triſte of ſtrengþe; and hope
ſchal be to þe ſones of it.
xxvii Þe drede of þe Lord is a welle of lijf; þat it bowe
awei fro þe fallyng of deþ.
xxviii Þe dignite of þe king is in þe multitude of puple;
and þe ſchenſchipe of a prince is in þe fewneſſe of
puple.
xxix He þat is pacient, is gouerned bi myche wiſdom;
but he þat is vnpacient, enhaunſiþ his foli.
xxx Helþe of herte is þe lijf of fleiſchis; enuye is rot of
boonys.
xxxi He þat falſli chalengiþ a nedi man, diſpiſiþ his
maker; but he þat haþ merci on a pore man, onouriþ þat
makere.
DL
xxxii A wickid man is put out for his malice; but a iuſt
man hopiþ in his deþ.
xxxiii Wiſdom reſtiþ in þe herte of a wijs man; and he
ſchal teche alle vnlerned men.
xxxiiii Riȝtfulneſſe reiſiþ a folc; ſynne makiþ puplis
wretchis.
xxxv A mynyſtre vndurſtondynge is acceptable to a
kyng; a mynyſtre vnprofitable ſchal ſuffre þe
wraþfulneſſe of him.
CAP. XV
i A ſoft anſwere brekiþ ire; an hard word reiſiþ
woodneſſe.
ii Þe tunge of wiſe men ourneþ kunnyng; þe mouþ of
foolis buyliþ out foli.
iii In ech place þe iȝen of þe Lord biholden good men,
and yuel men.
iiii A pleſaunt tunge is þe tre of lijf; but þe tunge which
is vnmeſurable, ſchal defoule þe ſpirit.
v A fool ſcorneþ þe techyng of his fadir; but he þat
kepiþ blamyngis, ſchal be maad wiſere. Mooſt vertu
ſchal be in plenteuouſe riȝtfulneſſe; but þe þouȝtis of
wickid men ſchulen be drawun vp bi þe roote.
vi Þe hous of a iuſt man is mooſt ſtrengþe; and
diſturbling is in þe fruitis of a wickid man.
vii Þe lippis of wiſe men ſchulen ſowe abrood kunnyng;
þe herte of foolis ſchal be vnlijc.
viii Þe ſacrifices of wickyd men ben abhomynable to þe
Lord; avowis of iuſt men ben pleſaunt.
ix Þe lijf of þe vnpitouſe man is abhomynacioun to þe
Lord; he þat ſueþ riȝtfulneſſe, ſchal be loued of þe Lord.
x Yuel teching is of men forſakinge þe weie of lijf; he
þat hatiþ blamyngis, ſchal die.
xi Helle and perdicioun ben open bifor þe Lord; hou
myche more þe hertis of ſones of men.
xii A man ful of peſtilence loueþ not hym þat repreueþ
him; and he goiþ not to wyſe men.
xiii A ioiful herte makiþ glad þe face; þe ſpirit is caſt
doun in þe morenyng of ſoule.
xiiii Þe herte of a wijs man ſekiþ techyng; and þe mouþ
of foolis is fed wiþ vnkunnyng.
xv Alle þe daies of a pore man ben yuele; a ſikir ſoule is
a contynuel feeſte.
xvi Betere is a litil wiþ þe drede of þe Lord, þan many
treſouris and vnfillable.
xvii It is betere to be clepid to wortis wiþ charite, þan
wiþ hatrede to a calf maad fat.
xviii A wraþful man reiſiþ chidyngis; he þat is pacient,
ſwagiþ chidyngis reiſid.
xix Þe weie of ſlow men is an hegge of þornes; þe weie
of iuſt men is wiþ out hirtyng.
xx A wiſe ſone makiþ glad þe fadir; and a fonned man
diſpiſiþ his modir.
xxi Foli is ioye to a fool; and a prudent man ſchal dreſſe
hiſe ſteppis.
xxii Þouȝtis ben diſtried, where no counſel is; but where
many counſeleris ben, þo ben confermyd.
xxiii A man is glad in þe ſentence of his mouþ; and a
couenable word is beſt.
xxiiii Þe paþ of lijf is on a lernyd man; þat he bowe awei
fro þe laſte helle.
xxv Þe Lord ſchal diſtrie þe hows of proude men; and he
ſchal make ſtidefaſt þe cooſtis of a widewe.
xxvi Iuele þouȝtis is abhomynacioun of þe Lord; and a
cleene word mooſt fair ſchal be maad ſtidfaſt of hym.
xxvii He þat ſueþ aueryce, diſturbliþ his hous; but he þat
hatiþ ȝiftis ſchal lyue. Synnes ben purgid bi merci and
feiþ; ech man bowiþ awei fro yuel bi þe drede of þe
Lord.
xxviii Þe ſoule of a iuſt man biþenkiþ obedience; þe
mouþ of wickid men is ful of yuelis.
xxix Þe Lord is fer fro wickid men; and he ſchal here þe
preyers of iuſt men.
xxx Þe lyȝt of iȝen makiþ glad þe ſoule; good fame
makiþ fat þe boonys.
xxxi Þe eere þat heriþ þe blamyngis of lijf, ſchal dwelle
in þe myddis of wiſe men.
xxxii He þat caſtiþ awei chaſtiſyng, diſpiſiþ his ſoule; but
he þat aſſentiþ to blamyngis, is peſible holdere of þe
herte.
xxxiii Þe drede of þe Lord is teching of wiſdom; and
mekeneſſe goiþ bifore glorie.
CAP. XVI
i It perteyneþ to man to make redi þe ſoule; and it
perteyneþ to þe Lord to gouerne þe tunge.
ii Alle þe weies of men ben opyn to þe iȝen of God; þe
Lord is a weiere of ſpiritis.
iii Schewe þi werkys to þe Lord; and þi þouȝtis ſchulen
be dreſſid.
iiii Þe Lord wrouȝte alle þingis for hym ſilf; and he
made redi a wickid man to þe yuel dai.
v Abhomynacioun of þe Lord is ech proude man; ȝhe,
þouȝ þe hond is to þe hond, he ſchal not be innocent. Þe
bigynnyng of good weie is to do riȝtwiſneſſe; forſoþe it
is more acceptable at God, þan to offre ſacrifices.
vi Wickidneſſe is aȝen bouȝt bi merci and treuþe; and me
bowiþ awei fro yuel bi þe drede of þe Lord.
vii Whanne þe weyes of man pleſen þe Lord, he ſchal
conuerte, ȝhe, hiſe enemyes to pees.
viii Betere is a litil wiþ riȝtfulneſſe, þan many fruytis wiþ
wickidneſſe.
DLI
ix Þe herte of a man ſchal diſpoſe his weie; but it
perteyneþ to þe Lord to dreſſe hiſe ſteppis.
x Dyuynyng is in þe lippis of a king; his mouþ ſchal not
erre in doom.
xi Þe domes of þe Lord ben weiȝte and a balaunce; and
hiſe werkis ben alle þe ſtoonys of þe world.
xii Þei þat don wickidli ben abhomynable to þe king; for
þe trone of þe rewme is maad ſtidfaſt bi riȝtfulneſſe.
xiii Þe wille of kyngis is iuſt lippis; he þat ſpekiþ riȝtful
þingis, ſchal be dreſſid.
xiiii Indignacioun of þe kyng is meſſangeris of deþ; and
a wijs man ſchal pleſe him.
xv Lijf is in þe gladneſſe of þe `cheer of þe king; and his
merci is as a reyn comynge late.
xvi Welde þou wiſdom, for it is betere þan gold; and gete
þou prudence, for it is precyouſere þan ſiluer.
xvii Þe paþ of iuſt men bowiþ awei yuelis; þe kepere of
his ſoule kepiþ his weie.
xviii Pride goiþ bifore ſorewe; and þe ſpirit ſchal be
enhaunſid byfor fallyng.
xix It is betere to be maad meke wiþ mylde men, þan to
departe ſpuylis wiþ proude men.
xx A lerned man in word ſchal fynde goodis; and he þat
hopiþ in þe Lord is bleſſid.
xxi He þat is wijs in herte, ſchal be clepid prudent; and
he þat is ſwete in ſpeche, ſchal fynde grettere þingis.
xxii Þe welle of lijf is þe lernyng of him þat weldiþ; þe
techyng of foolis is foli.
xxiii Þe herte of a wijs man ſchal teche his mouþ; and
ſchal encreeſſe grace to hiſe lippis.
xxiiii Wordis wel ſet togidere is a coomb of hony; helþe
of boonys is þe ſwetneſſe of ſoule.
xxv A weye is þat ſemeþ riȝtful to a man; and þe laſte
þingis þerof leden to deþ.
xxvi Þe ſoule of a man trauelinge traueliþ to hym ſilf; for
his mouþ compellide hym.
xxvii An vnwijs man diggiþ yuel; and fier brenneþ in
hiſe lippis.
xxviii A weiward man reiſiþ ſtryues; and a man ful of
wordis departiþ princis.
xxix A wickid man flateriþ his frend; and lediþ hym bi a
weie not good.
xxx He þat þenkiþ ſchrewid þingis wiþ iȝen aſtonyed,
bitiþ hiſe lippis, and parformeþ yuel.
xxxi A coroun of dignyte is eelde, þat ſchal be foundun
in þe weies of riȝtfulneſſe.
xxxii A pacient man is betere þan a ſtronge man; and he
þat `is lord of his ſoule, is betere þan an ouercomere of
citees.
xxxiii Lottis ben ſent into þe boſum; but þo ben temperid
of þe Lord.
CAP. XVII
i Betere is a drie muſſel wiþ ioye, þan an hous ful of
ſacrifices wiþ chidyng.
ii A wijs ſeruaunt ſchal be lord of fonned ſones; and he
ſchal departe eritage among briþeren.
iii As ſiluer is preued bi fier, and gold is preued bi a
chymnei, ſo þe Lord preueþ hertis.
iiii An yuel man obeieþ to a wickid tunge; and a fals
man obeieþ to falſe lippis.
v He þat diſpiſiþ a pore man, repreueþ his maker; and he
þat is glad in þe fallyng of anoþer man, ſchal not be
vnpunyſchid.
vi Þe coroun of elde men is þe ſones of ſones; and þe
glorie of ſones is þe fadris of hem.
vii Wordis wel ſet togidere biſemen not a fool; and a
liynge lippe bicomeþ not a prince.
viii A preciouſe ſtoon mooſt acceptable is þe abiding of
hym þat ſekiþ; whidur euere he turneþ hym ſilf, he
vndurſtondiþ prudentli.
ix He þat heliþ treſpas, ſekiþ frenſchipis; he þat reherſiþ
bi an hiȝ word, departiþ hem, þat ben knyt togidere in
pees.
x A blamyng profitiþ more at a prudent man, þan an
hundryd woundis at a fool.
xi Euere an yuel man ſekiþ ſtryues; forſoþe a cruel
aungel ſchal be ſent aȝens hym.
xii It ſpediþ more to meete a femal bere, whanne þe
whelpis ben rauyſchid, þan a fool triſtynge to hym ſilf in
his foli.
xiii Yuel ſchal not go a wei fro þe hous of hym, þat
ȝeldiþ yuels for goodis.
xiiii He þat leeueþ watir, is heed of ſtryues; and bifor þat
he ſuffriþ wrong, he forſakiþ dom.
xv Boþe he þat iuſtifieþ a wickid man, and he þat
condempneþ a iuſt man, euer eþir is abhomynable at
God.
xvi What profitiþ it to a fool to haue richeſſis, ſiþen he
mai not bie wiſdom? He þat makiþ his hous hiȝ, ſekiþ
falling; and he þat eſchewiþ to lerne, ſchal falle in to
yuels.
xvii He þat is a frend, loueþ in al tyme; and a broþer is
preuyd in angwiſchis.
xviii A fonned man ſchal make ioie wiþ hondis, whanne
he haþ bihiȝt for his frend.
xix He þat biþenkiþ diſcordis, loueþ chidingis; and he
þat enhaunſiþ his mouþ, ſekiþ fallyng.
xx He þat is of weiward herte, ſchal not fynde good; and
he þat turneþ þe tunge, ſchal falle in to yuel.
xxi A fool is borun in his ſchenſchipe; but neþer þe fadir
ſchal be glad in a fool.
xxii A ioiful ſoule makiþ likinge age; a ſorewful ſpirit
makiþ drie boonys.
DLII
xxiii A wickid man takiþ ȝiftis fro þe boſum, to mys
turne þe paþis of doom.
xxiiii Wiſdom ſchyneþ in þe face of a prudent man; þe
iȝen of foolis ben in þe endis of erþe.
xxv A fonned ſone is þe ire of þe fadir, and þe ſorewe of
þe modir þat gendride hym.
xxvi It is not good to brynge in harm to a iuſt man; neþer
to ſmyte þe prince þat demeþ riȝtfuli.
xxvii He þat meſuriþ his wordis, is wijs and prudent; and
a lerud man is of preciouſe ſpirit.
xxviii Alſo a foole, if he is ſtille, ſchal be geſſid a wijs
man; and, if he preſſiþ togidre hiſe lippis, he `ſchal be
geſſid an vndurſtondynge man.
CAP. XVIII
i He þat wole go a wei fro a frend, ſekiþ occaſiouns; in
al tyme he ſchal be diſpiſable.
ii A fool reſſeyueþ not þe wordis of prudence; `no but
þou ſeie þo þingis, þat ben turned in his herte.
iii A wickid man, whanne he comeþ in to depþe of
ſynnes, diſpiſiþ; but ſclaundre and ſchenſchipe ſueþ
hym.
iiii Deep watir is þe wordis of þe mouþ of a man; and a
ſtronde fletinge ouer is þe welle of wiſdom.
v It is not good to take þe perſoone of a wickid man in
doom, þat þou bowe awei fro þe treuþe of dom.
vi Þe lippis of a fool medlen hem ſilf wiþ chidyngis; and
his mouþ excitiþ ſtryues.
vii Þe mouþ of a fool is defoulyng of hym; and hiſe
lippis ben þe fallynge of his ſoule.
viii Þe wordis of a double tungid man ben as ſymple;
and þo comen `til to þe ynnere þingis of þe wombe.
Drede caſtiþ doun a ſlowe man; forſoþe þe ſoulis of men
turned in to wymmens condicioun ſchulen haue hungur.
ix He þat is neiſch, and vnſtidfaſt in his werk, is þe
broþer of a man diſtriynge hiſe werkis.
x A ſtrongeſte tour is þe name of þe Lord; a iuſt man
renneþ to hym, and ſchal be enhaunſid.
xi Þe catel of a riche man is þe citee of his ſtrengþe; and
as a ſtronge wal cumpaſſinge hym.
xii Þe herte of man is enhaunſid, bifor þat it be brokun;
and it is maad meke, bifore þat it be glorified.
xiii He þat anſweriþ bifore þat he heriþ, ſhewiþ hym ſilf
to be a fool; and worþi of ſchenſchipe.
xiiii Þe ſpirit of a man ſuſteyneþ his febleneſſe; but who
may ſuſteyne a ſpirit lyȝt to be wrooþ?
xv Þe herte of a prudent man ſchal holde ſtidfaſtli
kunnyng; and þe eere of wiſe men ſekiþ techyng.
xvi Þe ȝift of a man alargiþ his weie; and makiþ ſpace to
hym bifore princes.
xvii A iuſt man is þe firſt accuſere of hym ſilf; his frend
comeþ, and ſchal ſerche hym.
xviii Lot ceeſſiþ aȝenſeiyngis; and demeþ alſo among
miȝti men.
xix A broþer þat is helpid of a broþir, is as a ſtidfaſt
citee; and domes ben as þe barris of citees.
xx A mannus wombe ſchal be fillid of þe fruit of his
mouþ; and þe ſeedis of hiſe lippis ſchulen fille hym.
xxi Deþ and lijf ben in þe werkis of tunge; þei þat louen
it, ſchulen ete þe fruytis þerof.
xxii He þat fyndiþ a good womman, fyndiþ a good þing;
and of þe Lord he ſchal drawe vp myrþe. He þat puttiþ a
wey a good womman, puttiþ awei a good þing; but he
þat holdiþ auowtreſſe, is a fool and vnwijs.
xxiii A pore man ſchal ſpeke wiþ biſechingis; and a riche
man ſchal ſpeke ſterneli.
xxiiii A man freendli to felouſchipe ſchal more be a
frend, þan a broþir.
CAP. XIX
i Betere is a pore man, þat goiþ in his ſimpleneſſe, þan a
riche man bitynge hiſe lippis, and vnwijs.
ii Where is not kunnyng of þe ſoule, is not good; and he
þat is haſti, in feet hirtiþ.
iii Þe foli of a man diſſeyueþ hiſe ſteppis; and he
brenneþ in his ſoule aȝens God.
iiii Richeſſis encreeſſen ful many freendis; forſoþe alſo
þei ben departid fro a pore man, whiche he hadde.
v A fals witneſſe ſchal not be vnpunyſchid; and he þat
ſpekiþ leeſingis, ſchal not aſcape.
vi Many men onouren þe perſoone of a myȝti man; and
ben frendis of hym þat deeliþ ȝiftis.
vii Þe briþeren of a pore man haten hym; ferþermore
and þe freendis ȝeden awei fer fro hym. He þat ſueþ
wordis oonli, ſchal haue no þing;
viii but he þat holdiþ ſtabli þe mynde, loueþ his ſoule,
and þe kepere of prudence ſchal fynde goodis.
ix A fals witneſſe ſchal not be vnpunyſchid; and he þat
ſpekiþ leeſyngis, ſchal periſche.
x Delices bicomen not a fool; neþer `it bicomeþ a
ſeruaunt to be lord of princes.
xi Þe teching of a man is knowun bi pacience; and his
glorie is to paſſe ouere wickid þingis.
xii As þe gnaſting of a lioun, ſo and þe ire of þe king;
and as deewe on eerbe, ſo and þe gladneſſe of þe kyng.
xiii Þe ſorewe of þe fadir is a fonned ſone; and roofes
droppynge contynueli is a womman ful of chiding.
xiiii Houſis and richeſſis ben ȝouun of fadir and modir;
but a prudent wijf is ȝouun propirli of þe Lord.
xv Slouþ bringiþ in ſleep; and a negligent ſoule ſchal
haue hungur.
xvi He þat kepiþ þe comaundement of God, kepiþ his
ſoule; but he þat chargiþ not his weie, ſchal be ſlayn.
DLIII
xvii He þat haþ mercy on a pore man, leeneþ to þe Lord;
and he ſchal ȝelde his while to hym.
xviii Teche þi ſone, and diſpeire þou not; but ſette þou
not þi ſoule to þe ſleyng of hym.
xix Forſoþe he þat is vnpacient, ſchal ſuffre harm; and
whanne he haþ rauyſchid, he ſchal leie to anoþir þing.
xx Here þou counſel, and take þou doctryn; þat þou be
wijs in þi laſte þingis.
xxi Many þouȝtis ben in þe herte of a man; but þe wille
of þe Lord ſchal dwelle.
xxii A nedi man is merciful; and betere is a pore iuſt
man, þan a man liere.
xxiii Þe drede of þe Lord lediþ to lijf `of blis; and he `þat
drediþ God ſchal dwelle in plentee, wiþ outen viſityng
`of þe worſte.
xxiiii A ſlow man hidiþ his hond vndur þe armpit; and
putteþ it not to his mouþ.
xxv Whanne a man ful of peſtilence is betun, a fool ſchal
be wiſere. If þou blamiſt a wijs man, he ſchal
vndurſtonde techyng.
xxvi He þat turmentiþ þe fadir, and fleeþ fro þe modir,
ſchal be ful of yuel fame, and ſchal be curſid.
xxvii Sone, ceeſſe þou not to here techyng; and knowe
þou þe wordis of kunnyng.
xxviii A wickid witneſſe ſcorneþ doom; and þe mouþ of
vnpitouſe men deuouriþ wickidneſſe.
xxix Domes ben maad redi to ſcorneris; and hameris
ſmytynge ben maad redi to þe bodies of foolis.
CAP. XX
i Wiyn is a letcherouſe þing and drunkeneſſe is ful of
noiſe; who euere delitiþ in þeſe, ſchal not be wijs.
ii As þe roryng of a lioun, ſo and þe drede of þe kyng;
he þat terriþ hym to ire, ſynneþ aȝens his owne lijf.
iii It is onour to a man þat departiþ hym ſilf fro
ſtryuyngis; but fonned men ben medlid wiþ diſpiſyngis.
iiii A ſlow man nolde ere for coold; þerfor he ſchal
begge in ſomer, and me ſchal not ȝyue to hym.
v As deep watir, ſo counſel is in þe herte of a man; but a
wijs man ſchal drawe it out.
vi Many men ben clepid merciful; but who ſchal fynde a
feiþful man?
vii Forſoþe a iuſt man þat goiþ in his ſimpleneſſe, ſchal
leeue bleſſid ſones aftir hym.
viii A king þat ſittiþ in þe ſeete of doom, diſtrieþ al yuel
bi his lokyng.
ix Who may ſeie, Myn herte is clene; Y am clene of
ſynne?
x A weiȝte and a weiȝte, a meſure and a meſure, euer
eiþir is abhomynable at God.
xi A child is vndurſtondun bi hiſe ſtudies, yf his werkis
ben riȝtful and cleene.
xii An eere heringe, and an iȝe ſeynge, God made euere
eiþir.
xiii Nyle þou loue ſleep, leſt nedyneſſe oppreſſe þee;
opene þin iȝen, and be þou fillid wiþ looues.
xiiii Ech biere ſeiþ, It is yuel, it is yuel; and whanne he
haþ go awey, þanne he ſchal haue glorie.
xv Gold, and þe multitude of iemmes, and a preciouſe
veſſel, ben þe lippis of kunnyng.
xvi Take þou awei þe cloþ of hym, þat was borewe of an
oþere man; and for ſtraungeris take þou awei a wed fro
hym.
xvii Þe breed of a leeſing is ſweet to a man; and
aftirward his mouþ ſchal be fillid wiþ rikenyng.
xviii Þouȝtis ben maad ſtrong bi counſelis; and bateils
ſchulen be tretid bi gouernals.
xix Be þou not medlid wiþ him þat ſchewiþ pryuetees,
and goiþ gylefulli, and alargiþ hiſe lippis.
xx Þe lyȝt of hym þat curſiþ his fadir and modir, ſchal be
quenchid in þe myddis of derkneſſis.
xxi Eritage to which me haaſtiþ in þe bigynnyng, ſchal
wante bleſſing in þe laſte tyme.
xxii Seie þou not, Y ſchal ȝelde yuel for yuel; abide þou
þe Lord, and he ſchal delyuere þee.
xxiii Abhomynacioun at God is weiȝte and weiȝte; a
gileful balaunce is not good.
xxiiii Þe ſteppis of man ben dreſſid of þe Lord; who
forſoþe of men mai vndurſtonde his weie?
xxv Falling of man is to make auow to ſeyntis, and
aftirward to wiþdrawe þe vowis.
xxvi A wijs kyng ſcateriþ wickid men; and bowiþ a
bouwe of victorie ouer hem.
xxvii Þe lanterne of þe Lord is þe ſpirit of man, þat ſekiþ
out alle þe priuetees of þe wombe.
xxviii Merci and treuþe kepen a kyng; and his trone is
maad ſtrong bi mekeneſſe.
xxix Þe ful out ioiyng of ȝonge men is þe ſtrengþe of
hem; and þe dignyte of elde men is hoorneſſe.
xxx Þe wanneſſe of wounde ſchal wipe aweie yuels, and
woundis in þe priuyere þingis of þe wombe.
CAP. XXI
i As departyngis of watris, ſo þe herte of þe kyng is in
þe power of þe Lord; whidur euer he wole, he ſchal
bowe it.
ii Ech weye of a man ſemeþ riȝtful to hym ſilf; but þe
Lord peiſiþ þe hertis.
iii To do merci and doom pleſiþ more þe Lord, þan
ſacrifices doen.
iiii Enhaunſyng of iȝen is alargyng of þe herte; þe
lanterne of wickid men is ſynne.
v Þe þouȝtis of a ſtronge man ben euere in abundaunce;
but ech ſlow man is euere in nedyneſſe.
DLIV
vi He þat gaderiþ treſours bi þe tunge of a leeſing, is
veyne, and wiþ outen herte; and he ſchal be hurtlid to þe
ſnaris of deþ.
vii Þe raueyns of vnpitouſe men ſchulen drawe hem
doun; for þei nolden do doom.
viii Þe weiward weie of a man is alien fro God; but þe
werk of hym þat is cleene, is riȝtful.
ix It is betere to ſitte in þe corner of an hous wiþ oute
roof, þan wiþ a womman ful of chydyng, and in a
comyn hous.
x Þe ſoule of an vnpitouſe man deſiriþ yuel; he ſchal not
haue merci on his neiȝbore.
xi Whanne a man ful of peſtilence is punyſchid, a litil
man of wit ſchal be þe wiſere; and if he ſueþ a wijs man,
he ſchal take kunnyng.
xii A iuſt man of þe hous of a wickid man þenkiþ, to
wiþdrawe wickid men fro yuel.
xiii He þat ſtoppiþ his eere at þe cry of a pore man, ſchal
crye alſo, and ſchal not be herd.
xiiii A ȝift hid quenchiþ chidyngis; and a ȝift in boſum
quenchiþ þe mooſt indignacioun.
xv It is ioye to a iuſt man to make doom; and it is drede
to hem þat worchen wickidneſſe.
xvi A man þat erriþ fro þe weie of doctryn, ſchal dwelle
in þe cumpany of giauntis.
xvii He þat loueþ metis, ſchal be in nedyneſſe; he þat
loueþ wiyn and fatte þingis, ſchal not be maad riche.
xviii An vnpitouſe man ſchal be ȝouun for a iuſt man;
and a wickid man ſchal be ȝouun for a riȝtful man.
xix It is betere to dwelle in a deſert lond, þan wiþ a
womman ful of chidyng, and wraþful.
xx Deſirable treſoure and oile is in þe dwelling places of
a iuſt man; and an vnprudent man ſchal diſtrie it.
xxi He þat ſueþ riȝtfulneſſe and mercy, ſchal fynde lijf
and glorie.
xxii A wijs man ſtiede `in to þe citee of ſtronge men, and
diſtriede þe ſtrengþe of triſt þerof.
xxiii He þat kepiþ his mouþ and his tunge, kepiþ his
ſoule from angwiſchis.
xxiiii A proude man and booſteere is clepid a fool, þat
worchiþ pride in ire.
xxv Deſiris ſleen a ſlow man; for hiſe hondis nolden
worche ony þing.
xxvi Al dai he coueitiþ and deſiriþ; but he þat is a iuſt
man, ſchal ȝyue, and ſchal not ceeſſe.
xxvii Þe offringis of wickid men, þat ben offrid of greet
treſpas, ben abhomynable.
xxviii A fals witneſſe ſchal periſche; a man obedient ſchal
ſpeke victorie.
xxix A wickid man makiþ ſad his cheer vnſchamefaſtli;
but he þat is riȝtful, amendiþ his weie.
xxx No wiſdom is, no prudence is, no counſel is aȝens þe
Lord.
xxxi An hors is maad redi to þe dai of batel; but þe Lord
ſchal ȝyue helþe.
CAP. XXII
i Betere is a good name, þan many richeſſis; for good
grace is aboue ſiluer and gold.
ii A riche man and a pore man metten hem ſilf; þe Lord
is worchere of euer eiþir.
iii A felle man ſeeþ yuel, and hidiþ him ſilf; and an
innocent man paſſid, and he was turmentid bi harm.
iiii Þe ende of temperaunce is þe drede of þe Lord;
richeſſis, and glorye, and lijf.
v Armuris and ſwerdis ben in þe weie of a weiward
man; but þe kepere of his ſoule goiþ awey fer fro þo.
vi It is a prouerbe, A ȝong wexynge man biſidis his weie,
and whanne he haþ wexe elde, he ſchal not go awei fro
it.
vii A riche man comaundiþ to pore men; and he þat
takiþ borewyng, is þe ſeruaunt of þe leenere.
viii He þat ſowiþ wickidnes, ſchal repe yuels; and þe
ȝerde of his yre ſchal be endid.
ix He þat is redi to merci, ſchal be bleſſid; for of his
looues he ȝaf to a pore man. He þat ȝyueþ ȝiftis, ſchal
gete victorie and onour; forſoþe he takiþ awei þe ſoule
of þe takeris.
x Caſte þou out a ſcornere, and ſtrijf ſchal go out wiþ
hym; and cauſis and diſpiſyngis ſchulen ceeſſe.
xi He þat loueþ þe clenneſſe of herte, ſchal haue þe kyng
a freend, for þe grace of hiſe lippis.
xii Þe iȝen of þe Lord kepen kunnyng; and þe wordis of
a wickid man ben diſſeyued.
xiii A ſlow man ſchal ſeie, A lioun is wiþoutforþ; Y ſchal
be ſlayn in þe myddis of þe ſtretis.
xiiii Þe mouþ of an alien womman is a deep diche; he to
whom þe Lord is wrooþ, ſchal falle in to it.
xv Foli is boundun togidere in þe herte of a child; and a
ȝerde of chaſtiſyng ſchal dryue it awey.
xvi He þat falſli chalengiþ a pore man, to encreeſſe hiſe
owne richeſſis, ſchal ȝyue to a richere man, and ſchal be
nedi.
xvii My ſone, bowe doun þin eere, and here þou þe
wordis of wiſe men; but ſette þou þe herte to my
techyng.
xviii Þat ſchal be fair to þee, whanne þou haſt kept it in
þin herte, and it ſchal flowe aȝen in þi lippis.
xix Þat þi triſt be in þe Lord; wherfor and Y haue
ſchewid it to þee to dai.
xx Lo! Y haue diſcryued it in þre maneres, in þouȝtis
and kunnyng,
DLV
xxi þat Y ſchulde ſchewe to þee þe ſadneſſe and ſpechis
of trewþe; to anſwere of þeſe þingis to hem, þat ſenten
þee.
xxii Do þou not violence to a pore man, for he is pore;
neþir defoule þou a nedi man in þe ȝate.
xxiii For þe Lord ſchal deme his cauſe, and he ſchal
turmente hem, þat turmentiden his ſoule.
xxiiii Nyle þou be freend to a wraþful man, neþer go þou
wiþ a wood man;
xxv leſt perauenture þou lerne hiſe weies, and take
ſclaundir to þi ſoule.
xxvi Nyle þou be wiþ hem þat obliſchen her hondis, and
þat proferen hem ſilf borewis for dettis; for if he haþ not
wherof he ſchal reſtore,
xxvii what of cauſe is, þat þou take awei hilyng fro þi
bed?
xxviii Go þou not ouer þe elde markis, whiche þi faders
han ſet.
xxix Þou haſt ſeyn a man ſmert in his werk; he ſchal
ſtonde bifore kyngis, and he ſchal not be bifor vnnoble
men.
CAP. XXIII
i Whanne þou ſittiſt, to ete wiþ þe prince, perſeyue þou
diligentli what þingis ben ſet bifore þi face,
ii and ſette þou a wiþholding in þi þrote. If neþeles þou
haſt power on þi ſoule,
iii deſire þou not of his metis, in whom is þe breed of `a
leeſing.
iiii Nyle þou trauele to be maad riche, but ſette þou
meſure to þi prudence.
v Reiſe not þin iȝen to richeſſis, whiche þou maiſt not
haue; for þo ſchulen make to hem ſilf pennes, as of an
egle, and þo ſchulen flee in to heuene.
vi Ete þou not wiþ an enuyouſe man, and deſire þou not
hiſe metis;
vii for at þe licneſſe of a fals dyuynour and of a
coniectere, he geſſiþ þat, þat he knowiþ not. He ſchal
ſeie to þee, Ete þou and drinke; and his ſoule is not wiþ
þee.
viii Þou ſchalt brake out þe metis, whiche þou haſt ete;
and þou ſchalt leeſe þi faire wordis.
ix Speke þou not in þe eeris of vnwiſe men; for þei
ſchulen diſpiſe þe teching of þi ſpeche.
x Touche þou not þe termes of litle children; and entre
þou not in to þe feeld of fadirles and modirles children.
xi For þe neiȝbore of hem is ſtrong, and he ſchal deme
her cauſe aȝens þee.
xii Þin herte entre to techyng, and þin eeris `be redi to þe
wordis of kunnyng.
xiii Nile þou wiþdrawe chaſtiſyng fro a child; for þouȝ
þou ſmyte hym wiþ a ȝerde, he ſchal not die.
xiiii Þou ſchalt ſmyte hym wiþ a ȝerde, and þou ſchalt
delyuere his ſoule fro helle.
xv Mi ſone, if þi ſoule is wijs, myn herte ſchal haue ioye
wiþ þee;
xvi and my reynes ſchulen make ful out ioye, whanne þi
lippis ſpeken riȝtful þing.
xvii Þin herte ſue not ſynneris; but be þou in þe drede of
þe Lord al dai.
xviii For þou ſchalt haue hope at þe laſte, and þin
abidyng ſchal not be don awei.
xix Mi ſone, here þou, and be þou wijs, and dreſſe þi
ſoule in þe weie.
xx Nyle þou be in þe feeſtis of drinkeris, neþer in þe ofte
etyngis of hem, þat bryngen togidere fleiſchis to ete.
xxi For men ȝyuynge tent to drinkis, and ȝyuyng muſſels
togidere, ſchulen be waaſtid, and napping ſchal be
cloþid wiþ cloþis.
xxii Here þi fadir, þat gendride þee; and diſpiſe not þi
modir, whanne ſche is eld.
xxiii Bie þou treuþe, and nyle þou ſille wiſdom, and
doctryn, and vndurſtonding.
xxiiii Þe fadir of a iuſt man ioieþ ful out wiþ ioie; he þat
gendride a wijs man, ſchal be glad in hym.
xxv Þi fadir and þi modir haue ioye, and he þat gendride
þee, make ful out ioye.
xxvi My ſone, ȝyue þin herte to me, and þin iȝen kepe
my weyes.
xxvii For an hoore is a deep diche, and an alien womman
is a ſtreit pit.
xxviii Sche ſettiþ aſpie in þe weie, as a þeef; and ſche
ſchal ſle hem, whiche ſche ſchal ſe vnwar.
xxix To whom is wo? to whos fadir is wo? to whom ben
chidingis? to whom ben dichis? to whom ben woundis
wiþ out cauſe? to whom is puttyng out of iȝen?
xxx Wheþer not to hem, þat dwellen in wyn, and ſtudien
to drynke al of cuppis?
xxxi Biholde þou not wyn, whanne it ſparcliþ, whanne
þe colour þerof ſchyneþ in a ver.
xxxii It entriþ ſwetli, but at þe laſte it ſchal bite as an
eddre doiþ, and as a cocatrice it ſchal ſchede abrood
venyms.
xxxiii Þin iȝen ſchulen ſe ſtraunge wymmen, and þi herte
ſchal ſpeke weiwerd þingis.
xxxiiii And þou ſchalt be as a man ſlepinge in þe myddis
of þe ſee, and as a gouernour aſlepid, whanne þe ſteere
is loſt.
xxxv And þou ſchalt ſeie, Þei beeten me, but Y hadde not
ſorewe; þei drowen me, and Y feelide not; whanne ſchal
Y wake out, and Y ſchal fynde wynes eft?
CAP. XXIIII
i Sue þou not yuele men, deſire þou not to be wiþ hem.
DLVI
ii For þe ſoule of hem biþenkiþ raueyns, and her lippis
ſpeken fraudis.
iii An hous ſchal be bildid bi wiſdom, and ſchal be maad
ſtrong bi prudence.
iiii Celeris ſchulen be fillid in teching, al riches
preciouſe and ful fair.
v A wijs man is ſtrong, and a lerned man is ſtalworþ and
miȝti.
vi For whi batel is bigunnun wiþ ordenaunce, and helþe
ſchal be, where many counſels ben.
vii Wiſdom is hiȝ to a fool; in þe ȝate he ſchal not opene
his mouþ.
viii He þat þenkiþ to do yuels, ſchal be clepid a fool.
ix Þe þouȝte of a fool is ſynne; and a bacbitere is
abhomynacioun of men.
x If þou þat haſt ſlide, diſpeiriſt in þe dai of angwiſch, þi
ſtrengþe ſchal be maad leſſe.
xi Delyuere þou hem, þat ben led to deþ; and ceeſſe þou
not to delyuere hem, þat ben drawun to deþ.
xii If þou ſeiſt, Strengþis ſuffiſen not; he þat is biholdere
of þe herte, vndirſtondiþ, and no þing diſſeyueþ þe
kepere of þi ſoule, and he ſchal ȝelde to a man bi hiſe
werkis.
xiii Mi ſone, ete þou hony, for it is good; and an
honycomb ful ſwete to þi þrote.
xiiii `So and þe techyng of wiſdom is good to þi ſoule;
and whanne þou haſt founde it, þou ſchalt haue hope in
þe laſte þingis, and þin hope ſchal not periſche.
xv Aſpie þou not, and ſeke not wickidneſſe in þe hous of
a iuſt man, neþer waſte þou his reſte.
xvi For a iuſt man ſchal falle ſeuene ſiþis in þe dai, and
ſchal riſe aȝen; but wickid men ſchulen falle in to yuele.
xvii Whanne þin enemye falliþ, haue þou not ioye; and
þin herte haue not ful out ioiyng in his fal;
xviii leſt perauenture þe Lord ſe, and it diſpleſe hym, and
he take awei his ire fro hym.
xix Stryue þou not wiþ `þe worſte men, neþer ſue þou
wickid men.
xx For whi yuele men han not hope of þingis to
comynge, and þe lanterne of wickid men ſchal be
quenchid.
xxi My ſone, drede þou God, and þe kyng; and be þou
not medlid wiþ bacbiteris.
xxii For her perdicioun ſchal riſe togidere ſudenli, and
who knowiþ þe fal of euer eiþer?
xxiii Alſo þeſe þingis þat ſuen ben to wiſe men. It is not
good to knowe a perſoone in doom.
xxiiii Puplis ſchulen curſe hem, þat ſeien to a wickid
man, Þou art iuſt; and lynagis ſchulen holde hem
abhomynable.
xxv Þei þat repreuen iuſtli ſynners, ſchulen be preiſid;
and bleſſing ſchal come on hem.
xxvi He þat anſweriþ riȝtful wordis, ſchal kiſſe lippis.
xxvii Make redi þi werk wiþ outforþ, and worche þi
feelde dilygentli, þat þou bilde þin hous aftirward.
xxviii Be þou not a witneſſe wiþ out reſonable cauſe
aȝens þi neiȝbore; neþer flatere þou ony man wiþ þi
lippis.
xxix Seie þou not, As he dide to me, ſo Y ſchal do to
him, and Y ſchal ȝelde to ech man aftir his werk.
xxx I paſſide bi þe feeld of a ſlow man, and bi þe vyner
of a fonned man; and, lo!
xxxi nettlis hadden fillid al, þornes hadden hilid þe
hiȝere part þerof, and þe wal of ſtoonys wiþ out morter
was diſtried.
xxxii And whanne Y hadde ſeyn þis þing, Y ſettide in
myn herte, and bi enſaumple Y lernyde techyng.
xxxiii Hou longe ſlepiſt þou, ſlow man? whanne ſchalt
þou ryſe fro ſleep? Soþeli þou ſchalt ſlepe a litil, þou
ſchalt nappe a litil, þou ſchalt ioyne togidere þe hondis a
litil, to take reſte;
xxxiiii and þi nedyneſſe as a currour ſchal come to þee,
and þi beggerie as an armed man.
CAP. XXV
i Alſo þeſe ben þe Parablis of Salomon, whiche þe men
of Ezechie, kyng of Juda, tranſlatiden.
ii Þe glorie of God is to hele a word; and þe glorie of
kyngis is to ſeke out a word.
iii Heuene aboue, and þe erþe byneþe, and þe herte of
kyngis is vnſerchable.
iiii Do þou a wei ruſt fro ſiluer, and a ful cleene veſſel
ſchal go out.
v Do þou awei vnpite fro þe cheer of þe kyng, and his
trone ſchal be maad ſtidfaſt bi riȝtfulneſſe.
vi Appere þou not gloriouſe bifore þe kyng, and ſtonde
þou not in þe place of grete men.
vii For it is betere, þat it be ſeid to þee, Stie þou hidur,
þan þat þou be maad low bifore þe prince.
viii Brynge þou not forþ ſoone þo þingis in ſtrijf, whiche
þin iȝen ſien; leſt aftirward þou maiſt not amende,
whanne þou haſt maad þi frend vnhoneſt.
ix Trete þi cauſe wiþ þi frend, and ſchewe þou not
priuyte to a ſtraunge man;
x leſt perauenture he haue ioye of þi fal, whanne he haþ
herde, and ceeſſe not to do ſchenſchipe to þee. Grace
and frenſchip delyueren, whiche kepe þou to þee, þat
þou be not maad repreuable.
xi A goldun pomel in beddis of ſiluer is he, þat ſpekiþ a
word in his time.
xii A goldun eere ryng, and a ſchinynge peerle is he, þat
repreueþ a wijs man, and an eere obeiynge.
xiii As þe coold of ſnow in þe dai of herueſt, ſo a feiþful
meſſanger to hym þat ſente `þilke meſſanger, makiþ his
ſoule to haue reſte.
DLVII
xiiii A cloude and wind, and reyn not ſuynge, is a
gloriouſe man, and not fillynge biheeſtis.
xv A prince ſchal be maad ſoft bi pacience; and a ſoft
tunge ſchal breke hardneſſe.
xvi Þou haſt founde hony, ete þou þat þat ſuffiſiþ to þee;
leſt perauenture þou be fillid, and brake it out.
xvii Wiþdrawe þi foot fro þe hous of þi neiȝbore; leſt
ſum tyme he be fillid, and hate þee.
xviii A dart, and a ſwerd, and a ſcharp arowe, a man þat
ſpekiþ fals witneſſing aȝens his neiȝbore.
xix A rotun tooþ, and a feynt foot is he, þat hopiþ on an
vnfeiþful man in þe dai of angwiſch,
xx and leeſiþ his mentil in þe dai of coold. Vynegre in a
veſſel of ſalt is he, þat ſingiþ ſongis to þe worſte herte.
As a mouȝte noieþ a cloþ, and a worm noieþ a tree, ſo
þe ſorewe of a man noieþ þe herte.
xxi If þin enemy hungriþ, feede þou him; if he þirſtiþ,
ȝyue þou watir to hym to drinke;
xxii for þou ſchalt gadere togidere coolis on his heed;
and þe Lord ſchal ȝelde to þee.
xxiii Þe norþ wind ſcatereþ reynes; and a ſorewful face
diſtrieþ a tunge bacbitinge.
xxiiii It is betere to ſitte in þe corner of an hous wiþout
roof, þan wiþ a womman ful of chidyng, and in a
comyn hous.
xxv Coold watir to a þirſti man; and a good meſſanger
fro a fer lond.
xxvi A welle diſturblid wiþ foot, and a veyne brokun, a
iuſt man fallinge bifore a wickid man.
xxvii As it is not good to hym þat etiþ myche hony; ſo he
þat is a ſerchere of maieſte, ſchal be put doun fro glorie.
xxviii As a citee opyn, and wiþ out cumpas of wallis; ſo
is a man þat mai not refreyne his ſpirit in ſpeking.
CAP. XXVI
i As ſnow in ſomer, and reyn in herueſt; ſo glorie is
vnſemeli to a fool.
ii For whi as a brid fliynge ouer to hiȝ þingis, and a
ſparowe goynge in to vncerteyn; ſo curſing brouȝt forþ
wiþ out reſonable cauſe ſchal come aboue in to ſum
man.
iii Beting to an hors, and a bernacle to an aſſe; and a
ȝerde in þe bak of vnprudent men.
iiii Anſwere þou not to a fool bi his foli, leſt þou be
maad lijk hym.
v Anſwere þou a fool bi his fooli, leſt he ſeme to him ſilf
to be wijs.
vi An haltinge man in feet, and drinkinge wickidneſſe,
he þat ſendiþ wordis by a fonned meſſanger.
vii As an haltinge man haþ faire leggis in veyn; ſo a
parable is vnſemeli in þe mouþ of foolis.
viii As he þat caſteþ a ſtoon in to an heep of mercurie; ſo
he þat ȝyueþ onour to an vnwijs man.
ix As if a þorn growiþ in þe hond of a drunkun man; ſo a
parable in þe mouþ of foolis.
x Doom determyneþ cauſis; and he þat ſettiþ ſilence to a
fool, ſwagiþ iris.
xi As a dogge þat turneþ aȝen to his ſpuyng; ſo is an
vnprudent man, þat reherſiþ his fooli.
xii Þou haſt ſeyn a man ſeme wijs to hym ſilf; an
vnkunnyng man ſchal haue hope more þan he.
xiii A ſlow man ſeiþ, A lioun is in þe weie, a liounneſſe is
in þe foot paþis.
xiiii As a dore is turned in his hengis; ſo a ſlow man in
his bed.
xv A ſlow man hidiþ hiſe hondis vndur his armpit; and
he traueliþ, if he turneþ þo to his mouþ.
xvi A ſlow man ſemeþ wyſere to hym ſilf, þan ſeuene
men ſpekynge ſentenſis.
xvii As he þat takiþ a dogge bi þe eeris; ſo he þat paſſiþ,
and is vnpacient, and is meddlid wiþ þe chiding of
anoþir man.
xviii As he is gilti, þat ſendiþ ſperis and arowis in to deþ;
xix ſo a man þat anoieþ gilefuli his frend, and whanne he
is takun, he ſchal ſeie, Y dide pleiynge.
xx Whanne trees failen, þe fier ſchal be quenchid; and
whanne a priuy bacbitere is wiþdrawun, ſtryues reſten.
xxi As deed coolis at quic coolis, and trees at þe fier; ſo
a wraþful man reiſiþ chidyngis.
xxii Þe wordis of a pryuei bacbitere ben as ſymple; and
þo comen til to þe ynneſte þingis of þe herte.
xxiii As if þou wolt ourne a veſſel of erþe wiþ foul ſiluer;
ſo ben bolnynge lippis felouſchipid wiþ `þe werſte
herte.
xxiiii An enemy is vndirſtondun bi hiſe lippis, whanne he
tretiþ giles in þe herte.
xxv Whanne he `makiþ low his vois, bileue þou not to
hym; for ſeuene wickidneſſis ben in his herte.
xxvi Þe malice of hym þat hiliþ hatrede gilefuli, ſchal be
ſchewid in a counſel.
xxvii He þat delueþ a diche, ſchal falle in to it; and if a
man walewiþ a ſtoon, it ſchal turne aȝen to hym.
xxviii A fals tunge loueþ not treuþ; and a ſlidir mouþ
worchiþ fallyngis.
CAP. XXVII
i Haue þou not glorie on þe morewe, `not knowynge
what þing þe dai to comynge ſchal bringe forþ.
ii Anoþer man, and not þi mouþ preiſe þee; a ſtraunger,
and not þi lippis `preiſe þee.
iii A ſtoon is heuy, and grauel is chariouſe; but þe ire of
a fool is heuyere þan euer eiþir.
DLVIII
iiii Irehaþ no merci, and woodneſſe brekynge out `haþ
no merci; and who mai ſuffre þe ferſneſſe of a ſpirit
ſtirid?
v Betere is opyn repreuyng, þan loue hid.
vi Betere ben þe woundis of hym þat loueþ, þan þe
gileful coſſis of hym þat hatiþ.
vii A man fillid ſchal diſpiſe an hony coomb; but an
hungri man ſchal take, ȝhe, bittir þing for ſwete.
viii As a brid paſſinge ouer fro his neſt, ſo is a man þat
forſakiþ his place.
ix Þe herte delitiþ in oynement, and dyuerſe odours; and
a ſoule is maad ſwete bi þe good counſels of a frend.
x Forſake þou not þi frend, and þe frend of þi fadir; and
entre þou not in to þe hous of þi broþir, in þe dai of þi
turment. Betere is a neiȝbore nyȝ, þan a broþir afer.
xi Mi ſone, ſtudie þou a boute wiſdom, and make þou
glad myn herte; þat þou maiſt anſwere a word to a
diſpiſere.
xii A fel man ſeynge yuel was hid; litle men of wit
paſſinge forþ ſuffriden harmes.
xiii Take þou awei his clooþ, þat bihiȝte for a ſtraunger;
and take þou awei a wed fro hym for an alien man.
xiiii He þat bleſſiþ his neiȝbore wiþ greet vois; and riſiþ
bi niȝt, ſchal be lijk hym þat curſiþ.
xv Roouȝs droppynge in þe dai of coold, and a womman
ful of chidyng ben compariſond.
xvi He þat wiþholdiþ hir, as if he holdiþ wynd; and
auoidiþ þe oile of his riȝt hond.
xvii Yrun is whettid bi irun; and a man whettiþ þe face
of his frend.
xviii He þat kepiþ a fige tre, ſchal ete þe fruytis þerof;
and he þat is a kepere of his lord, ſchal be glorified.
xix As þe cheris of men biholdinge ſchynen in watris; ſo
þe hertis of men ben opyn to prudent men.
xx Helle and perdicioun ſchulen not be fillid; ſo and þe
iȝen of men moun not be fillid.
xxi As ſiluer is preuyd in a wellyng place, and gold `is
preued in a furneys; ſo a man is preued bi þe mouþ of
preyſeris. Þe herte of a wickid man ſekiþ out yuels; but
a riȝtful herte ſekiþ out kunnyng.
xxii Þouȝ þou beetiſt a fool in a morter, as wiþ a peſtel
ſmytynge aboue dried barli; his foli ſchal not be don
awei fro him.
xxiii Knowe þou diligentli þe cheere of þi beeſte; and
biholde þou þi flockis.
xxiiii For þou ſchalt not haue power contynueli; but a
coroun ſchal be ȝouun to þee in generacioun and in to
generacioun.
xxv Medewis ben openyd, and greene eerbis apperiden;
and hey is gaderid fro hillis.
xxvi Lambren be to þi cloþing; and kidis be to þe prijs of
feeld.
xxvii Þe
mylke of geete ſuffice to þee for þi meetis; in to
þe neceſſarie þingis of þin hous, and to lijflode to þin
handmaidis.
CAP. XXVIII
i A wickid man fleeþ, whanne no man purſueþ; but a
iuſt man as a lioun triſtynge ſchal be wiþ out
ferdfulneſſe.
ii For þe ſynnes of þe lond ben many princis þerof; and
for þe wiſdom of a man, and for þe kunnyng of þeſe
þingis þat ben ſeid, þe lijf of þe duyk ſchal be lengere.
iii A pore man falſli calengynge pore men, is lijk a grete
reyn, wherynne hungur is maad redi.
iiii Þei þat forſaken þe lawe, preiſen a wickid man; þei
þat kepen `þe lawe, ben kyndlid aȝens hym.
v Wickid men þenken not doom; but þei þat ſeken þe
Lord, perſeyuen alle þingis.
vi Betere is a pore man goynge in his ſympilneſſe, þan a
riche man in ſchrewid weies.
vii He þat kepiþ þe lawe, is a wijs ſone; but he þat fediþ
glotouns, ſchendiþ his fadir.
viii He þat gaderiþ togidere richeſſis bi vſuris, and fre
encrees, gaderiþ þo togidere aȝens pore men.
ix His preyer ſchal be maad curſid, þat bowiþ awei his
eere; þat he here not þe lawe.
x He þat diſſeyueþ iuſt men in an yuel weye, ſchal falle
in his periſching; and iuſte men ſchulen welde hiſe
goodis.
xi A ryche man ſemeþ wijs to him ſilf; but a pore man
prudent ſchal ſerche him.
xii In enhaunſing of iuſt men is miche glorie; whanne
wickid men regnen, fallyngis of men ben.
xiii He þat hidiþ hiſe grete treſpaſſis, ſchal not be maad
riȝtful; but he þat knoulechiþ and forſakiþ þo, ſchal gete
merci.
xiiii Bleſſid is þe man, which is euere dredeful; but he
þat is `harde of ſoule, ſchal falle in to yuel.
xv A rorynge lioun, and an hungry bere, is a wickid
prince on a pore puple.
xvi A duyk nedi of prudence ſchal oppreſſe many men bi
fals chalenge; but þe daies of hym þat hatiþ aueryce,
ſchulen be maad longe.
xvii No man ſuſteyneþ a man þat falſly chalengiþ þe
blood of a man, if he fleeþ `til to þe lake.
xviii He þat goiþ ſimpli, ſchal be ſaaf; he þat goiþ bi
weiward weies, ſchal falle doun onys.
xix He þat worchiþ his lond, ſchal be fillid wiþ looues;
he þat ſueþ ydelneſſe, ſchal be fillid wiþ nedyneſſe.
xx A feiþful man ſchal be preiſid myche; but he þat
haſtiþ to be maad riche, ſchal not be innocent.
xxi He þat knowiþ a face in doom, doiþ not wel; þis man
forſakiþ treuþe, ȝhe, for a muſſel of breed.
DLIX
xxii A man þat haſtiþ to be maad riche, and haþ enuye to
oþere men; woot not þat nedineſſe ſchal come on hym.
xxiii He þat repreueþ a man, ſchal fynde grace aftirward
at hym; more þan he þat diſſeyueþ bi flateryngis of
tunge.
xxiiii He þat wiþdrawiþ ony þing fro his fadir and fro his
modir, and ſeiþ þat þis is no ſynne, is parcener of a
manquellere.
xxv He þat auauntiþ hym ſilf, and alargiþ, reiſiþ ſtryues;
but he þat hopiþ in þe Lord, ſchal be ſauyd.
xxvi He þat triſtiþ in his herte, is a fool; but he þat goiþ
wiſeli,
xxvii ſchal be preyſid. He þat ȝyueþ to a pore man, ſchal
not be nedi; he þat diſpiſiþ `a pore man biſechynge,
ſchal ſuffre nedyneſſe.
xxviii Whanne vnpitouſe men riſen, men ſchulen be hid;
whanne þo `vnpitouſe men han periſchid, iuſt men
ſchulen be multiplied.
CAP. XXIX
i Sodeyn periſchyng ſchal come on þat man, þat wiþ
hard nol diſpiſiþ a blamere; and helþ ſchal not ſue hym.
ii Þe comynalte ſchal be glad in þe multipliyng of iuſt
men; whanne wickid men han take prinſhod, þe puple
ſchal weyle.
iii A man þat loueþ wiſdom, makiþ glad his fadir; but he
þat nurſchiþ `an hoore, ſchal leeſe catel.
iiii A iuſt king reiſiþ þe lond; an auerouſe man ſchal
diſtrie it.
v A man þat ſpekiþ bi flaterynge and feyned wordis to
his frend; ſprediþ abrood a net to hiſe ſteppis.
vi A ſnare ſchal wlappe a wickid man doynge ſynne; and
a iuſt man ſchal preiſe, and ſchal make ioye.
vii A iuſt man knowiþ þe cauſe of pore men; an
vnpitouſe man knowiþ not kunnyng.
viii Men ful of peſtilence diſtryen a citee; but wiſe men
turnen awei woodneſſe.
ix If a wijs man ſtryueþ wiþ a fool; wheþer he be wrooþ,
`eþer he leiȝiþ, he ſchal not fynde reſte.
x Menquelleris haten a ſimple man; but iuſt men ſeken
his ſoule.
xi A fool bringiþ forþ al his ſpirit; a wiſe man dilaieþ,
and reſerueþ in to tyme comynge afterward.
xii A prince þat heriþ wilfuli þe wordis of a leeſyng;
ſchal haue alle mynyſtris vnfeiþful.
xiii A pore man and a leenere metten hem ſilf; þe Lord is
liȝtnere of euer eþir.
xiiii If a kyng demeþ pore men in treuþe; his trone ſchal
be maad ſtidfaſt wiþ outen ende.
xv A ȝerde and chaſtiſyng ſchal ȝyue wiſdom; but a
child, which is left to his wille, ſchendiþ his modir.
xvi Grete treſpaſſis ſchulen be multiplied in þe
multipliyng of wickid men; and iuſt men ſchulen ſe þe
fallyngis of hem.
xvii Teche þi ſone, and he ſchal coumforte þee; and he
ſchal ȝyue delicis to þi ſoule.
xviii Whanne propheſie fayliþ, þe puple ſchal be diſtried;
but he þat kepiþ þe lawe, is bleſſid.
xix A ſeruaunt mai not be tauȝt bi wordis; for he
vndirſtondiþ þat þat þou ſeiſt, and diſpiſiþ for to
anſwere.
xx Þou haſt ſeyn a man ſwift to ſpeke; foli ſchal be hopid
more þan his amendyng.
xxi He þat nurſchiþ his ſeruaunt delicatli fro childhod;
ſchal fynde hym rebel aftirward.
xxii A wraþful man terriþ chidingis; and he þat is lyȝt to
haue indignacioun, ſchal be more enclynaunt to ſynnes.
xxiii Lowneſſe ſueþ a proude man; and glorie ſchal vp
take a meke man of ſpirit.
xxiiii He þat takiþ part wiþ a þeef, hatiþ his ſoule; he
heriþ a man chargynge greetli, and ſchewiþ not.
xxv He þat drediþ a man, ſchal falle ſoon; he þat hopiþ
in þe Lord, ſhal be reiſid.
xxvi Many men ſeken þe face of þe prince; and þe doom
of alle men ſchal go forþ of þe Lord.
xxvii Iuſt men han abhomynacioun of a wickid man; and
wickid men han abhomynacioun of hem, þat ben in a
riȝtful weye. A ſone kepynge a word, ſchal be out of
perdicioun.
CAP. XXX
i Þe wordis of hym þat gaderiþ, of þe ſone ſpuynge. Þe
propheſie which a man ſpak, wiþ whom God was, and
which man was coumfortid bi God dwellyng wiþ hym,
ii and ſeide, Y am þe mooſt fool of men; and þe wiſdom
of men is not wiþ me.
iii Y lernede not wiſdom; and Y knew not þe kunnyng of
hooli men.
iiii Who ſtiede in to heuene, and cam doun? Who helde
togidere þe ſpirit in hiſe hondis? who bonde togidere
watris as in a cloþ? Who reiſide alle þe endis of erþe?
What is name of hym? and what is þe name of his ſone,
if þou knowiſt?
v Ech word of God is a ſcheld ſet a fiere, to alle þat
hopen in hym.
vi Adde þou not ony þing to þe wordis of hym, and þou
be repreued, and be foundun a liere.
vii I preiede þee twei þingis; denye not þou to me, bifor
þat Y die.
viii Make þou fer fro me vanyte and wordis of leeſyng;
ȝyue þou not to me beggery and richeſſis; ȝyue þou
oneli neceſſaries to my lijflode;
DLX
ix leſt perauenture Y be fillid, and be drawun to denye,
and ſeie, Who is þe Lord? and leſt Y compellid bi
nedyneſſe, ſtele, and forſwere þe name of my God.
x Accuſe þou not a ſeruaunt to his lord, leſt perauenture
he curſe þee, and þou falle doun.
xi A generacioun þat curſiþ his fadir, and þat bleſſiþ not
his modir.
xii A generacioun þat ſemeþ cleene to it ſilf, and neþeles
is not waiſchun fro hiſe filþis.
xiii A generacioun whoſe iȝen ben hiȝ, and þe iȝe liddis
þerof ben reiſid in to hiȝ þingis.
xiiii A generacioun þat haþ ſwerdis for teeþ, and etiþ wiþ
hiſe wank teeþ; þat it ete nedi men of erþe, and þe
porails of men.
xv Þe watir leche haþ twei douȝtris, ſeiynge, Brynge,
bringe. Þre þingis ben vnable to be fillid, and þe fourþe,
þat ſeiþ neuere, It ſuffiſiþ;
xvi helle, and þe mouþ of þe wombe, and þe erþe which
is neuere fillid wiþ water; but fier ſeiþ neuere, It ſuffiſiþ.
xvii Crowis of þe ſtronde picke out þilke iȝe, þat ſcorneþ
þe fadir, and þat diſpiſiþ þe child beryng of his modir;
and þe briddis of an egle ete þat iȝe.
xviii Þre þingis ben hard to me, and outirli Y knowe not
þe fourþe þing;
xix þe weye of an egle in heuene, þe weie of a ſerpent on
a ſtoon, þe weie of a ſchip in þe myddil of þe ſee, and þe
weie of a man in ȝong wexynge age.
xx Siche is þe weie of a womman auowtreſſe, which
etiþ, and wipiþ hir mouþ, and ſeiþ, Y wrouȝte not yuel.
xxi Þe erþe is moued bi þre þingis, and þe fourþe þing,
which it may not ſuſteyne;
xxii bi a ſeruaunt, whanne he regneþ; bi a fool, whanne
he is fillid wiþ mete;
xxiii bi an hateful womman, whanne ſche is takun in
matrymonye; and bi an handmaide, whanne ſche is eir
of hir ladi.
xxiiii Foure ben þe leeſte þingis of erþe, and þo ben
wiſere þan wiſe men;
xxv amtis, a feble puple, þat maken redi mete in herueſt
to hem ſilf;
xxvi a hare, a puple vnmyȝti, þat ſettiþ his bed in a ſtoon;
xxvii a locuſt haþ no kyng, and al goiþ out bi
cumpanyes; an euete enforſiþ wiþ hondis,
xxviii and dwelliþ in þe houſis of kingis.
xxix Þre þingis ben, þat goon wel, and þe fourþe þing,
þat goiþ richeli.
xxx A lioun, ſtrongeſte of beeſtis, ſchal not drede at þe
meetyng of ony man;
xxxi a cok gird þe leendis, and a ram, and noon is þat
ſchal aȝenſtonde him.
xxxii He þat apperiþ a fool, aftir þat he is reiſid an hiȝ; xxii Sche made to hir a ray cloþ; bijs and purpur is þe
for if he hadde vndurſtonde, he hadde ſett hond on his cloþ of hir.
mouþ. xxiii Hir hoſebonde is noble in þe ȝatis, whanne he ſittiþ
xxxiii Forſoþe he þat þriſtiþ ſtrongli teetis, to drawe out wiþ þe ſenatours of erþe.
mylk, þriſtiþ out botere; and he þat ſmytiþ greetli, xxiiii Sche made lynnun cloþ, and ſelde; and ȝaf a girdil
drawiþ out blood; and he þat ſtiriþ iris, bringiþ forþ to a Chananei.
diſcordis. xxv Strengþe and fairneſſe is þe cloþing of hir; and ſche
ſchal leiȝe in þe laſte dai.
CAP. XXXI xxvi Sche openyde hir mouþ to wiſdom; and þe lawe of
i Þe wordis of Lamuel, þe king; þe viſioun bi which his
merci is in hir tunge.
modir tauȝte hym. xxvii Sche bihelde þe paþis of hir hous; and ſche eet not
ii What my derlyng? what þe derlyng of my wombe?
breed idili.
what þe derlyng of my deſiris? xxviii Hir ſones riſiden, and prechiden hir mooſt bleſſid;
iii Ȝyue þou not þi catel to wymmen, and þi richeſſis to
hir hoſebonde roos, and preiſide hir.
do awei kyngis. xxix Many douȝtris gaderiden richeſſis; þou paſſidiſt alle.
iiii A! Lamuel, nyle þou ȝiue wyn to kingis; for no
xxx Fairneſſe is diſſeiuable grace, and veyn; þilke
pryuete is, where drunkeneſſe regneþ. womman, þat drediþ þe Lord, ſchal be preiſid.
v Leſt perauenture þei drynke, and forȝete domes, and
xxxi Ȝyue ȝe to hir of þe fruyt of hir hondis; and hir
chaunge þe cauſe of þe ſones of a pore man. werkis preiſe hir in þe ȝatis.
vi Ȝyue ȝe ſidur to hem þat morenen, and wyn to hem
Here endiþ þe book of Prouerbis, and here biginneþ
þat ben of bitter ſoule.
vii Drinke þei, and forȝete þei her nedineſſe; and þenke
Eccleſiaſtes.
þei no more on her ſorewe.
viii Opene þi mouþ for a doumb man,
ix and opene þi mouþ for þe cauſes of alle ſones þat
paſſen forþ. Deme þou þat þat is iuſt, and deme þou a
nedi man and a pore man.
x Who ſchal fynde a ſtronge womman? þe prijs of her is
fer, and fro þe laſte endis.
xi Þe herte of hir hoſebond triſtiþ in hir; and ſche ſchal
not haue nede to ſpuylis.
xii Sche ſchal ȝelde to hym good, and not yuel, in alle þe
daies of hir lijf.
xiii Sche ſouȝte wolle and flex; and wrouȝte bi þe
counſel of hir hondis.
xiiii Sche is maad as þe ſchip of a marchaunt, þat beriþ
his breed fro fer.
xv And ſche roos bi nyȝt, and ȝaf prey to hir meyneals,
and metis to hir handmaidis.
xvi Sche bihelde a feeld, and bouȝte it; of þe fruyt of hir
hondis ſche plauntide a vyner.
xvii Sche girde hir leendis wiþ ſtrengþe, and made ſtrong
hir arm.
xviii Sche taaſtide, and ſiȝ, þat hir marchaundie was
good; hir lanterne ſchal not be quenchid in þe niȝt.
xix Sche putte hir hondis to ſtronge þingis, and hir
fyngris token þe ſpyndil.
xx Sche openyde hir hond to a nedi man, and ſtretchide
forþ hir hondis to a pore man.
xxi Sche ſchal not drede for hir hous of þe cooldis of
ſnow; for alle hir meyneals ben cloþid wiþ double
cloþis.

DLXI

ECCLESIASTES
Here bigynneþ Eccleſiaſtes.
CAP. I
i Þe wordis of Eccleſiaſtes, ſone of Dauid, þe kyng of
Jeruſalem.
ii Þe vanyte of vanytees, ſeide Eccleſiaſtes; þe vanyte of
vanytees, and alle þingis ben vanite.
iii What haþ a man more of alle his trauel, bi which he
traueiliþ vndur þe ſunne?
iiii Generacioun paſſiþ awei, and generacioun comeþ;
but þe erþe ſtondiþ wiþ outen ende.
v Þe ſunne riſiþ, and goiþ doun, and turneþ aȝen to his
place;
vi and þere it riſiþ aȝen, and cumpaſſiþ bi þe ſouþ, and
turneþ aȝen to þe norþ. Þe ſpirit cumpaſſynge alle þingis
goiþ `in cumpas, and turneþ aȝen in to hiſe cerclis.
vii Alle floodis entren in to þe ſee, and þe ſee fletiþ not
ouer þe markis ſet of God; þe floodis turnen aȝen to þe
place fro whennus þo comen forþ, þat þo flowe eft.
viii Alle þingis ben hard; a man may not declare þo
þingis bi word; þe iȝe is not fillid bi ſiȝt, neþer þe eere
is fillid bi hering.
ix What is þat þing þat was, þat þat ſchal come? What is
þat þing þat is maad, þat þat ſchal be maad?
x No þing vndir þe ſunne is newe, neþer ony man may
ſeie, Lo! þis þing is newe; for now it ȝede bifore in
worldis, þat weren bifore vs.
xi Mynde of þe formere þingis is not, but ſoþeli neþer
þenkyng of þo þingis, þat ſchulen come afterward, ſchal
be at hem þat ſchulen come in þe laſt tyme.
xii I Eccleſiaſtes was king of Iſrael in Jeruſalem;
xiii and Y purpoſide in my ſoule to ſeke and enſerche
wiſeli of alle þingis, þat ben maad vndur þe ſunne. God
ȝaf þis werſte ocupacioun to þe ſones of men, þat þei
ſchulden be ocupied þerynne.
xiiii I ſiȝ alle þingis þat ben maad vndur þe ſunne, and
lo! alle þingis ben vanyte and turment of ſpirit.
xv Weiward men ben amendid of hard; and þe noumbre
of foolis is greet wiþ outen ende.
xvi I ſpak in myn herte, and Y ſeide, Lo! Y am made
greet, and Y paſſide in wiſdom alle men, þat weren
bifore me in Jeruſalem; and my ſoule ſiȝ many þingis
wiſeli, and Y lernede.
xvii And Y ȝaf myn herte, þat Y ſchulde knowe prudence
and doctryn, and errours and foli. And Y knew þat in
þeſe þingis alſo was trauel and turment of ſpirit;
xviii for in myche wiſdom is myche indignacioun, and
he þat encreſſiþ kunnyng, encreeſſiþ alſo trauel.
DLXII
CAP. II
i Þerfor Y ſeide in myn hertez, Y ſchal go, and Y ſchal
flowe in delicis, and Y ſchal vſe goodis; and Y ſiȝ alſo
þat þis was vanyte.
ii And leiȝyng Y arrettide errour, and Y ſeide to ioye,
What art þou diſſeyued in veyn?
iii I þouȝte in myn herte to wiþdrawe my fleiſch fro
wyn, þat Y ſchulde lede ouer my ſoule to wiſdom, and
þat Y ſchulde eſchewe foli, til Y ſchulde ſe, what were
profitable to þe ſones of men; in which dede þe
noumbre of daies of her lijf vndur þe ſunne is nedeful.
iiii Y magnefiede my werkis, Y bildide houſis to me, and
Y plauntide vynes; Y made ȝerdis and orcherdis,
v and Y ſettide þo wiþ þe trees of al kynde;
vi and Y made ciſternes of watris, for to watre þe wode
of trees growynge.
vii I hadde in poſſeſſioun ſeruauntis and handmaidis; and
Y hadde myche meynee, and droues of grete beeſtis,
and grete flockis of ſcheep, ouer alle men þat weren
bifore me in Jeruſalem.
viii Y gaderide togidere to me ſiluer and gold, and þe
caſtels of kingis and of prouyncis; Y made to me
ſyngeris and ſyngereſſis, and delicis of þe ſones of men,
and cuppis and veſſels in ſeruyce, to helde out wynes;
ix and Y paſſide in richeſſis alle men, þat weren bifor me
in Jeruſalem. Alſo wiſdom dwellide ſtabli wiþ me,
x and alle þingis whiche myn iȝen deſiriden, Y denyede
not to hem; neþer Y refreynede myn herte, þat ne it
vſide al luſt, and delitide it ſilf in þeſe þingis whiche I
hadde maad redi; and Y demyde þis my part, if Y vſide
my trauel.
xi And whanne Y hadde turned me to alle werkis whiche
myn hondys hadden maad, and to þe trauels in whiche
Y hadde ſwet in veyn, Y ſiȝ in alle þingis vanyte and
turment of þe ſoule, and þat no þing vndir ſunne dwelliþ
ſtabli.
xii I paſſide to biholde wiſdom, errours, and foli; Y ſeide,
What is a man, þat he may ſue þe king, his maker?
xiii And Y ſiȝ, þat wiſdom ȝede ſo mych bifor foli, as
miche as lyȝt is dyuerſe fro derkneſſis.
xiiii Þe iȝen of a wijs man ben in his heed, a fool goiþ in
derkneſſis; and Y lernede, þat o periſching was of euer
eiþer.
xv And Y ſeide in myn herte, If o deþ ſchal be boþe of
þe fool and of me, what profitiþ it to me, þat Y ȝaf more
biſyneſſe to wiſdom? And Y ſpak wiþ my ſoule, and
perſeyuede, þat þis alſo was vanyte.
xvi For mynde of a wijs man ſchal not be, in lijk maner
as neþer of a fool wiþ outen ende, and tymes to
comynge ſchulen hile alle þingis togidere wiþ
forȝetyng; a lerned man dieþ in lijk maner and an
vnlerned man.
xvii And þerfor it anoiede me of my lijf, ſeynge þat alle
þingis vndur ſunne ben yuele, and þat alle þingis ben
vanyte and turment of þe ſpirit.
xviii Eft Y curſide al my biſyneſſe, bi which Y trauelide
mooſt ſtudiouſli vndur ſunne, and Y ſchal haue an eir
after me,
xix whom Y knowe not, wheþer he ſchal be wijs eþer a
fool; and he ſchal be lord in my trauels, for whiche Y
ſwatte greetli, and was biſi; and is ony þing ſo veyn?
xx Wherfor Y ceeſſide, and myn herte forſook for to
trauele ferþere vnder ſunne.
xxi For whi whanne anoþer man traueliþ in wiſdom, and
techyng, and biſyneſſe, he leeueþ þingis getun to an idel
man; and þerfor þis is vanyte, and greet yuel.
xxii For whi what ſchal it profite to a man of al his
trauel, and turment of ſpirit, bi which he was turmentid
vndur ſunne?
xxiii Alle hiſe daies ben ful of ſorewis and meſchefs, and
bi nyȝt he reſtiþ not in ſoule; and wheþer þis is not
vanyte?
xxiiii Wheþer it is not betere to ete and drynke, and to
ſchewe to hiſe ſoule goodis of hiſe trauels? and þis þing
is of þe hond of God.
xxv Who ſchal deuoure ſo, and ſchal flowe in delicis, as
Y dide?
xxvi God ȝaf wiſdom, and kunnyng, and gladneſſe to a
good man in his ſiȝt; but he ȝaf turment, and ſuperflu
biſyneſſe to a ſynnere, þat he encreeſſe, and gadere
togidere, and ȝyue to hym þat pleſiþ God; but alſo þis is
vanyte, and veyn biſyneſſe of ſoule.
CAP. III
i Alle þingis han tyme, and alle þingis vndur ſunne
paſſen bi her ſpaces.
ii Tyme of birþe, and time of diyng; tyme to plaunte,
and tyme to drawe vp þat þat is plauntid.
iii Tyme to ſle, and tyme to make hool; tyme to diſtrie,
and tyme to bilde.
iiii Tyme to wepe, and tyme to leiȝe; tyme to biweile,
and tyme to daunſe.
v Tyme to ſcatere ſtoonys, and tyme to gadere togidere;
tyme to colle, and tyme to be fer fro collyngis.
vi Tyme to wynne, and tyme to leeſe; tyme to kepe, and
tyme to caſte awei.
vii Tyme to kitte, and tyme to ſewe togidere; tyme to be
ſtille, and tyme to ſpeke.
viii Tyme of loue, and tyme of hatrede; tyme of batel,
and tyme of pees.
ix What haþ a man more of his trauel?
x I ſiȝ þe turment, which God ȝaf to þe ſones of men, þat
þei be occupied þerynne.
xi God made alle þingis good in her tyme, and ȝaf þe
world to diſputyng of hem, þat a man fynde not þe werk
DLXIII
which God haþ wrouȝt fro þe bigynnyng `til in to þe
ende.
xii And Y knew þat no þing was betere `to a man, `no
but to be glad, and to do good werkis in his lijf.
xiii For whi ech man þat etiþ and drinkiþ, and ſeeþ good
of his trauel; þis is þe ȝifte of God.
xiiii I haue lerned þat alle werkis, whiche God made,
laſten ſtidfaſtli `til in to wiþ outen ende; we moun not
adde ony þing to þo, neþer take awei fro þo þingis,
whiche God made, þat he be dred.
xv Þat þing þat is maad, dwelliþ perfitli; þo þingis þat
ſchulen come, weren bifore; and God reſtoriþ þat, þat is
goon.
xvi I ſiȝ vndur ſunne vnfeiþfulneſſe in þe place of doom;
and wickidneſſe in þe place of riȝtfulneſſe.
xvii And Y ſeide in myn herte, Þe Lord ſchal deme a iuſt
man, and an vnfeiþful man; and þe tyme of ech þing
ſchal be þanne.
xviii I ſeide in myn herte of þe ſones of men, þat God
ſchulde preue hem, and ſchewe þat þei ben lijk
vnreſonable beeſtis.
xix Þerfor oon is þe periſching of man and of beeſtis,
and euene condicioun is of euer eiþir; as a man dieþ, `ſo
and þo beeſtis dien; alle beeſtis breþen in lijk maner,
and a man haþ no þing more þan a beeſte.
xx Alle þingis ben ſuget to vanyte, and alle þingis goen
to o place; þo ben maad of erþe, and þo turnen aȝen
togidere in to erþe.
xxi Who knowiþ, if þe ſpirit of þe ſones of Adam ſtieþ
vpward, and if þe ſpirit of beeſtis goiþ dounward?
xxii And Y perſeyuede þat no þing is betere, þan þat a
man be glad in his werk, and þat þis be his part; for who
ſchal brynge hym, þat he knowe þingis þat ſchulen
come after hym?
CAP. IIII
i I turnede me to oþere þingis, and Y ſiȝ fals chalengis,
þat ben don vndur þe ſunne, and þe teeris of innocentis,
and no man coumfortour; and þat þei forſakun of þe
help of alle men, moun not aȝenſtonde þe violence of
hem.
ii And Y preiſide more deed men þan lyuynge men;
iii and Y demyde hym, þat was not borun ȝit, and ſiȝ not
þe yuels þat ben don vndur þe ſunne, to be blisfulere
þan euer eiþir.
iiii Eft Y bihelde alle þe trauelis of men, and biſyneſſes;
and Y perſeyuede þat þo ben opyn to þe enuye of
neiȝbore; and þerfor in þis is vanyte, and ſuperflu
biſyneſſe.
v A fool foldiþ togidere hiſe hondis, and etiþ hiſe
fleiſchis,
vi and ſeiþ, Betere is an handful wiþ reſte, þan euer eiþer
hondful wiþ trauel and turment of ſoule.
vii I bihelde and foond alſo anoþer vanytee vndir þe
ſunne;
viii oon is, and he haþ not a ſecounde; not a ſone, not a
broþer; and neþeles he ceeſiþ not for to trauele, neþer
hiſe iȝen ben fillid wiþ richeſſis; neþer he biþenkiþ, and
ſeiþ, To whom trauele Y, and diſſeyue my ſoule in
goodis? In þis alſo is vanyte, and þe worſte turment.
ix Þerfor it is betere, þat tweyne be togidere þan oon; for
þei han profite of her felouſchipe.
x If oon falliþ doun, he ſchal be vndurſet of þe toþere;
wo to hym þat is aloone, for whanne he falliþ, he haþ
noon reiſynge him.
xi And if tweyne ſlepen, þei ſchulen be nurſchid
togidere; hou ſchal oon be maad hoot?
xii And if ony man haþ maiſtri aȝens oon, tweyne aȝen
ſtonden hym; a þrefolde corde is brokun of hard.
xiii A pore man and wijs is betere þan an eld kyng and
fool, þat kan not bifore ſe in to tyme to comynge.
xiiii For ſum tyme a man goiþ out boþe fro pryſoun and
chaynes to a rewme; and anoþir borun in to a rewme is
waſtid bi nedyneſſe.
xv I ſiȝ alle men lyuynge þat goen vndur þe ſunne, wiþ
þe ſecounde ȝong wexynge man, þat ſchal riſe for hym.
xvi Þe noumbre of puple, of alle þat weren bifore hym,
is greet wiþ outen meſure, and þei þat ſchulen come
aftirward, ſchulen not be glad in hym; but alſo þis is
vanyte and turment of þe ſpirit.
xvii Þou þat entriſt in to þe hous of God, kepe þi foot,
and neiȝe þou for to here; for whi myche betere is
obedience þan þe ſacrifices of foolis, þat witen not what
yuel þei don.
CAP. V
i Speke þou not ony þing folily, neþer þin herte be ſwift
to brynge forþ a word bifore God; for God is in heuene,
and þou art on erþe, þerfor þi wordis be fewe.
ii Dremes ſuen many biſyneſſis, and foli ſchal be
foundun in many wordis.
iii If þou haſt avowid ony þing to God, tarie þou not to
ȝelde; for an vnfeiþful and fonned biheeſt diſpleſiþ hym;
but `ȝelde þou what euer þing þou haſt avowid;
iiii and it is myche betere to make not a vowe, þan aftir
a vowe to ȝelde not biheeſtis.
v Ȝyue þou not þi mouþ, þat þou make þi fleiſch to do
ſynne; neþer ſeie þou bifor an aungel, No puruyaunce
is; leſt perauenture þe Lord be wrooþ on þi wordis, and
diſtruye alle þe werkis of þin hondis.
vi Where ben many dremes, ben ful many vanytees, and
wordis wiþ out noumbre; but drede þou God.
vii If þou ſeeſt falſe chalengis of nedi men, and violent
domes, and þat riȝtfulneſſe is diſtried in þe prouynce,
wondre þou not on þis doyng; for anoþer is hiȝere þan
DLXIV
an hiȝ man, and alſo oþere men ben more hiȝe aboue
þeſe men;
viii and ferþermore þe kyng of al erþe comaundiþ to þe
ſeruaunt.
ix An auerouſe man ſchal not be fillid of monei; and he
þat loueþ richeſſis ſchal not take fruytis of þo; and
þerfor þis is vanyte.
x Where ben many richeſſis, alſo many men ben, þat
eten þo; and what profitiþ it to þe haldere, no but þat he
ſeeþ richeſſis wiþ hiſe iȝen?
xi Slepe is ſwete to hym þat worchiþ, wheþer he etiþ litil
eþer myche; but þe fulneſſe of a ryche man ſuffriþ not
hym to ſlepe.
xii Alſo anoþir ſijkneſſe is ful yuel, which Y ſiȝ vndur þe
ſunne; richeſſis ben kept in to þe yuel of her lord.
xiii For þei periſchen in þe worſte turment; he gendride a
ſone, þat ſchal be in ſouereyn nedyneſſe.
xiiii As he ȝede nakid out of his modris wombe, ſo he
ſchal turne aȝen; and he ſchal take awei wiþ hym no
þing of his trauel.
xv Outirli it is a wretchid ſijkneſſe; as he cam, ſo he ſchal
turne aȝen. What þerfor profitiþ it to hym, þat he
trauelide in to þe wynde?
xvi In alle þe daies of his lijf he eet in derkneſſis, and in
many biſineſſis, and in nedyneſſe, and ſorewe.
xvii Þerfor þis ſemyde good to me, þat a man ete, and
drynke, and vſe gladneſſe of his trauel, in which he
trauelide vndir þe ſunne, in þe noumbre of daies of his
lijf, which God ȝaf to hym; and þis is his part.
xviii And to ech man, to whom God ȝaf richeſſis, and
catel, and ȝaf power to hym to ete of þo, and to vſe his
part, and to be glad of his trauel; þis is þe ȝifte of God.
xix For he ſchal not biþenke miche on þe daies of his
lijf, for God ocupieþ his herte wiþ delicis.
CAP. VI
i Alſo anoþer yuel is, which Y ſiȝ vndur þe ſunne; and
certis it is oft vſid anentis men.
ii A man is, to whom God ȝaf richeſſis, and catel, and
onour; and no þing failiþ to his ſoule of alle þingis
which he deſiriþ; and God ȝyueþ not power to hym, þat
he ete þerof, but a ſtraunge man ſhal deuoure it. Þis is
vanyte, and a greet wretchidneſſe.
iii If a man gendriþ an hundrid fre ſones, and lyueþ
many ȝeris, and haþ many daies of age, and his ſoule
vſiþ not þe goodis of his catel, and wantiþ biriyng; Y
pronounce of þis man, þat a deed borun child is betere
þan he.
iiii For he comeþ in veyn, and goiþ to derkneſſis; and his
name ſchal be don a wei bi forȝetyng.
v He ſiȝ not þe ſunne, neþer knew dyuerſyte of good and
of yuel;
vi alſo þouȝ he lyueþ twei þouſynde ȝeeris, and vſiþ not
goodis; wheþer alle þingis haſten not to o place?
vii Al þe trauel of a man is in his mouþ, but þe ſoule of
hym ſchal not be fillid wiþ goodis.
viii What haþ a wijs man more þan a fool? and what haþ
a pore man, no but þat he go þidur, where is lijf?
ix It is betere to ſe þat, þat þou coueitiſt, þan to deſire
þat, þat þou knowiſt not; but alſo þis is vanyte, and
preſumpcioun of ſpirit.
x Þe name of hym þat ſchal come, is clepid now, and it
is knowun, þat he is a man, and he mai not ſtryue in
doom aȝens a ſtrongere þan hym ſilf.
xi Wordis ben ful manye, and han myche vanyte in
diſpuytinge.
CAP. VII
i What nede is it to a man to ſeke grettere þingis þan
hym ſilf; ſiþen he knowiþ not, what ſchal bifalle to hym
in his lijf, in þe noumbre of daies of his pilgrimage, and
in þe tyme þat paſſiþ as ſchadowe? eþer who may
ſchewe to hym, what þing vndur ſunne ſchal come aftir
hym?
ii A good name is betere þan preciouſe oynementis; and
þe dai of deþ is betere þan þe dai of birþe.
iii It is betere to go to þe hous of morenyng, þan to þe
hous of a feeſte; for in þat hous `of morenyng þe ende
of alle men is moneſtid, and a man lyuynge þenkiþ,
what is to comynge.
iiii Yre is betere þan leiȝyng; for þe ſoule of a treſpaſſour
is amendid bi þe heuyneſſe of cheer.
v Þe herte of wiſe men is where ſorewe is; and þe herte
of foolis is where gladneſſe is.
vi It is betere to be repreued of a wijs man, þan to be
diſſeyued bi þe flateryng of foolis;
vii for as þe ſown of þornes brennynge vndur a pot, ſo is
þe leiȝyng of a fool. But alſo þis is vanyte.
viii Fals chalenge diſturbliþ a wijs man, and it ſchal leeſe
þe ſtrengþe of his herte.
ix Forſoþe þe ende of preyer is betere þan þe bigynnyng.
A pacient man is betere þan a proud man.
x Be þou not ſwift to be wrooþ; for ire reſtiþ in þe
boſum of a fool.
xi Seie þou not, What geſſiſt þou is of cauſe, þat þe
formere tymes weren betere þan ben now? for whi ſiche
axyng is fonned.
xii Forſoþe wiſdom wiþ richeſſis is more profitable, and
profitiþ more to men ſeynge þe ſunne.
xiii For as wiſdom defendiþ, ſo money defendiþ; but
lernyng and wiſdom haþ þis more, þat þo ȝyuen lijf to
`her weldere.
xiiii Biholde þou þe werkis of God, þat no man may
amende hym, whom God haþ diſpiſid.
DLXV
xv In a good day vſe þou goodis, and bifore eſchewe þou
an yuel day; for God made ſo þis dai as þat dai, þat a
man fynde not iuſt playnyngis aȝens hym.
xvi Alſo Y ſiȝ þeſe þingis in þe daies of my natyuyte; a
iuſt man periſchiþ in his riȝtfulneſſe, and a wickid man
lyueþ myche tyme in his malice.
xvii Nyle þou be iuſt myche, neþer vndurſtonde þou
more þan is nedeful; leſt þou be aſtonyed.
xviii Do þou not wickidli myche, and nyle þou be a fool;
leſt þou die in a tyme not þin.
xix It is good, þat þou ſuſteyne a iuſt man; but alſo
wiþdrawe þou not þin hond from hym; for he þat drediþ
God, is not necligent of ony þing.
xx Wiſdom haþ coumfortid a wiſe man, ouer ten pryncis
of a citee.
xxi Forſoþe no iuſt man is in erþe, þat doiþ good, and
ſynneþ not.
xxii But alſo ȝyue þou not þin herte to alle wordis, þat
ben ſeid; leſt perauenture þou here þi ſeruaunt curſynge
þee;
xxiii for þi conſcience woot, þat alſo þou haſt curſid ofte
oþere men.
xxiiii I aſayede alle þingis in wiſdom; Y ſeide, I ſchal be
maad wijs, and it ȝede awei ferþere fro me, myche more
þan it was;
xxv and þe depþe is hiȝ, who ſchal fynde it?
xxvi I cumpaſſide alle þingis in my ſoule, to kunne, and
biholde, and ſeke wiſdom and reſoun, and to knowe þe
wickidneſſe of a fool, and þe errour of vnprudent men.
xxvii And Y foond a womman bitterere þan deþ, which
is þe ſnare of hunteris, and hir herte is a net, and hir
hondis ben boondis; he þat pleſiþ God ſchal aſcape hir,
but he þat is a ſynnere, ſchal be takun of hir.
xxviii Lo! Y foond þis, ſeide Eccleſiaſtes, oon and oþer,
þat Y ſchulde fynde reſoun, which my ſoule ſekiþ ȝit;
xxix and Y foond not. I foond o man of a þouſynde; Y
foond not a womman of alle.
xxx I foond þis oonli, þat God made a man riȝtful; and
he medlide hym ſilf wiþ queſtiouns wiþ out noumbre.
Who is ſiche as a wijs man? and who knowiþ þe
expownyng of a word?
CAP. VIII
i Þe wiſdom of a man ſchyneþ in his cheer; and þe
myȝtieſte ſchal chaunge his face.
ii I kepe þe mouþ of þe kyng, and þe comaundementis
and ſweryngis of God.
iii Haſte þou not to go awei fro his face, and dwelle þou
not in yuel werk. For he ſchal do al þing, þat he wole;
iiii and his word is ful of power, and no man mai ſeie to
hym, Whi doiſt þou ſo?
v He þat kepiþ þe comaundement of God `in þis lijf,
ſchal not feele ony þing of yuel; þe herte of a wijs man
vndurſtondiþ tyme and anſwer.
vi Tyme and ceſoun is to ech werk; and myche turment
is of a man,
vii for he knowiþ not þingis paſſid, and he mai not
knowe bi ony meſſanger þingis to comynge.
viii It is not in þe power of man to forbede þe ſpirit,
neþir he haþ power in þe dai of deþ, neþir he is ſuffrid
to haue reſte, whanne þe batel neiȝeþ; neþir wickidneſſe
ſchal ſaue a wickid man.
ix I bihelde alle þes þingis, and Y ȝaf myn herte in alle
werkis, þat ben don vndur þe ſunne. Sum tyme a man is
lord of a man, to his yuel.
x Y ſiȝ wickid men biryed, which, whanne þei lyueden
ȝit, weren in hooli place; and þei weren preiſid in þe
citee, as men of iuſt werkis; but alſo þis is vanyte.
xi Forſoþe for þe ſentence is not brouȝt forþ ſoone aȝens
yuele men, þe ſones of men doon yuels wiþ outen ony
drede.
xii Neþeles of þat, þat a ſynnere doiþ yuel an hundrid
ſiþis, and is ſuffrid bi pacience, Y knew þat good ſchal
be to men dredynge God, þat reuerenſen his face.
xiii Good be not to þe wickid man, neþir hiſe daies be
maad longe; but paſſe þei as ſchadewe, þat dreden not
þe face of þe Lord.
xiiii Alſo anoþer vanyte is, which is don on erþe. Iuſt
men ben, to whiche yuels comen, as if þei diden þe
werkis of wickid men; and wickid men ben, þat ben ſo
ſikur, as if þei han þe dedis of iuſt men; but Y deme alſo
þis mooſt veyn.
xv Þerfor Y preyſid gladneſſe, þat no good was to a man
vndur þe ſunne, no but to ete, and drynke, and to be
ioiful; and þat he ſchulde bere awei wiþ hym ſilf oneli
þis of his trauel, in þe daies of his lijf, whiche God ȝaf
to hym vndur þe ſunne.
xvi And Y ſettide myn herte to knowe wiſdom, and to
vndurſtonde þe departing, which is turned in erþe. A
man is, þat bi daies and niȝtis takiþ not ſleep wiþ iȝen.
xvii And Y vndurſtood, þat of alle þe werkis of God, a
man may fynde no reſoun of þo þingis, þat ben don
vndur þe ſunne; and in as myche as he traueiliþ more to
ſeke, bi ſo myche he ſchal fynde leſſe; ȝhe, þouȝ a wijs
man ſeiþ þat he knowiþ, he ſchal not mow fynde.
CAP. IX
i I tretide alle þeſe þingis in myn herte, to vndirſtonde
diligentli. Iuſt men, and wiſe men ben, and her werkis
ben in þe hond of God; and neþeles a man noot, wheþer
he is worþi of loue or of hatrede.
ii But alle þingis ben kept vncerteyn in to tyme to
comynge; for alle þingis bifallen euenli to a iuſt man
and to a wickid man, to a good man and to an yuel man,
to a cleene man and to an vnclene man, to a man
DLXVI
offrynge offryngis and ſacrifices, and to a man
diſpiſynge ſacrifices; as a good man, ſo and a ſynnere;
as a forſworun man, ſo and he þat greetli ſweriþ treuþe.
iii Þis þing is þe worſte among alle þingis, þat ben don
vndur þe ſunne, þat þe ſame þingis bifallen to alle men;
wherfor and þe hertis of þe ſones of men ben fillid wiþ
malice and diſpiſyng in her lijf; and aftir þeſe þingis þei
ſchulen be led doun to hellis.
iiii No man is, þat lyueþ euere, and þat haþ triſt of þis
þing; betere is a quik dogge þan a deed lioun.
v For þei þat lyuen witen þat þei ſchulen die; but deed
men knowen no þing more, neþer han meede ferþere;
for her mynde is ȝouun to forȝetyng.
vi Alſo þe loue, and hatrede, and enuye periſchiden
togidere; and þei han no part in þis world, and in þe
werk þat is don vndur þe ſunne.
vii Þerfor go þou, iuſt man, and ete þi breed in gladneſſe,
and drynke þi wiyn wiþ ioie; for þi werkis pleſen God.
viii In ech tyme þi cloþis be white, and oile faile not fro
þin heed.
ix Vſe þou lijf wiþ þe wijf which þou loueſt, in alle þe
daies of lijf of þin vnſtableneſſe, þat ben ȝouun to þee
vndur ſunne, in al þe tyme of þi vanyte; for þis is þi part
in þi lijf and trauel, bi which þou traueliſt vndur þe
ſunne.
x Worche þou biſili, what euer þing þin hond mai do; for
neþer werk, neþer reſoun, neþir kunnyng, neþer wiſdom
ſchulen be at hellis, whidir þou haaſtiſt.
xi I turnede me to anoþer þing, and Y ſiȝ vndur ſunne,
þat rennyng is not of ſwift men, neþir batel is of ſtronge
men, neþer breed is of wiſe men, neþer richeſſis ben of
techeris, ne grace is of crafti men; but tyme and hap is
in alle þingis.
xii A man knowiþ not his ende; but as fiſchis ben takun
wiþ an hook, and as briddis ben takun wiþ a ſnare, ſo
men ben takun in yuel tyme, whanne it comeþ ſudeynli
on hem.
xiii Alſo Y ſiȝ þis wiſdom vndur þe ſunne, and Y preuede
it þe mooſte.
xiiii A litil citee, and a fewe men þer ynne; a greet kyng
cam aȝens it, and cumpaſſide it wiþ palis, and he bildide
ſtrengþis bi cumpas; and biſegyng was maad perfit.
xv And a pore man and a wijs was foundun þer ynne;
and he delyuerede þe citee bi his wiſdom, and no man
biþouȝte aftirward on þat pore man.
xvi And Y ſeide, þat wiſdom is betere þan ſtrengþe; hou
þerfor is þe wiſdom of a pore man diſpiſid, and hiſe
wordis ben not herd?
xvii Þe wordis of wiſe men ben herd in ſilence, more þan
þe cry of a prince among foolis.
xviii Betere is wiſdom þan armuris of batel; and he þat
ſynneþ in o þing, ſchal leeſe many goodis.
CAP. X
i Flies `þat dien, leeſen þe ſwetneſſe of oynement. Litil
foli at a tyme is preciouſere þan wiſdom and glorie.
ii Þe herte of a wijs man is in his riȝt ſide; and þe herte
of a fool is in his left ſide.
iii But alſo a fool goynge in þe weie, whanne he is
vnwijs, geſſiþ alle men foolis.
iiii If þe ſpirit of hym, þat haþ power, ſtieþ on þee,
forſake þou not þi place; for heeling ſchal make
gretteſte ſynnes to ceeſſe.
v An yuel is, which Y ſiȝ vndur þe ſunne, and goiþ out
as bi errour fro þe face of þe prince; a fool ſet in hiȝ
dignyte,
vi and riche men ſitte byneþe.
vii I ſiȝ ſeruauntis on horſis, and princes as ſeruauntis
goynge on þe erþe.
viii He þat diggiþ a diche, ſchal falle in to it; and an
eddre ſchal bite hym, þat diſtrieþ an hegge.
ix He þat beriþ ouer ſtoonys, ſchal be turmentid in þo;
and he þat kittiþ trees, ſchal be woundid of þo.
x If yrun is foldid aȝen, and þis is not as bifore, but is
maad blunt, it ſchal be maad ſcharp wiþ myche trauel;
and wiſdom ſchal ſue aftir biſyneſſe.
xi If a ſerpent bitiþ, it bitiþ in ſilence; he þat bacbitiþ
priueli, haþ no þing leſſe þan it.
xii Þe wordis of þe mouþ of a wijs man is grace; and þe
lippis of an vnwijs man ſchulen caſte hym doun.
xiii Þe bigynnyng of hiſe wordis is foli; and þe laſte þing
of his mouþ is þe worſte errour.
xiiii A fool multiplieþ wordis; a man noot, what was
bifore hym, and who mai ſchewe to hym þat, þat ſchal
come aftir hym?
xv Þe trauel of foolis ſhal turment hem, þat kunnen not
go in to þe citee.
xvi Lond, wo to þee, whos kyng is a child, and whoſe
princes eten eerli.
xvii Bleſſid is þe lond, whos kyng is noble; and whoſe
princis eten in her tyme, to ſuſteyne þe kynde, and not
to waſte.
xviii Þe hiȝneſſe of houſis ſchal be maad low in ſlouþis;
and þe hous ſchal droppe in þe febleneſſe of hondis.
xix In leiȝyng þei diſpoſen breed and wyn, þat þei
drynkynge ete largeli; and alle þingis obeien to monei.
xx In þi þouȝt bacbite þou not þe kyng, and in þe priuete
of þi bed, curſe þou not a riche man; for þe briddis of
heuene ſchulen bere þi vois, and he þat haþ pennys,
ſchal telle þe ſentence.
CAP. XI
i Sende þi breed on watris paſſynge forþ, for aftir many
tymes þou ſchalt fynde it.
ii Ȝyue þou partis ſeuene, and alſo eiȝte; for þou wooſt
not, what yuel ſchal come on erþe.
DLXVII
iii If cloudis ben filled, þo ſchulen ſchede out reyn on þe
erþe; if a tre falliþ doun to þe ſouþ, eþer to þe norþ, in
what euer place it falliþ doun, þere it ſchal be.
iiii He þat aſpieþ þe wynd, ſowiþ not; and he þat
biholdiþ þe cloudis, ſchal neuere repe.
v As þou knowiſt not, which is þe weye of þe ſpirit, and
bi what reſoun boonys ben ioyned togidere in þe
wombe of a womman wiþ childe, ſo þou knowiſt not þe
werkis of God, which is makere of alle þingis.
vi Eerli ſowe þi ſeed, and þin hond ceeſſe not in þe
euentid; for þou wooſt not, what ſchal come forþ more,
þis eþir þat; and if euer eiþir comeþ forþ togidere, it
ſchal be þe betere.
vii Þe lyȝt is ſweet, and delitable to þe iȝen to ſe þe
ſunne.
viii If a man lyueþ many ȝeeris, and is glad in alle þeſe,
he owiþ to haue mynde of derk tyme, and of many
daies; and whanne þo ſchulen come, þingis paſſid
ſchulen be repreued of vanyte.
ix Þerfor, þou ȝonge man, be glad in þi ȝongþe, and þin
herte be in good in þe daies of þi ȝongþe, and go þou in
þe weies of þin herte, and in þe biholdyng of þin iȝen;
and wite þou, þat for alle þeſe þingis God ſhal brynge
þee in to doom.
x Do þou awei ire fro þin herte, and remoue þou malice
fro þi fleiſch; for whi ȝongþe and luſt ben veyne þingis.
CAP. XII
i Haue þou mynde on þi creatour in þe daies of þi
ȝongþe, bifore þat þe tyme of þi turment come, and þe
ȝeris of þi deþ neiȝe, of whiche þou ſchalt ſeie, Þo
pleſen not me.
ii `Haue þou mynde on þi creatour, bifor þat þe ſunne be
derk, and þe lyȝt, and ſterrys, and þe mone; and cloude
turne aȝen after reyn.
iii Whanne þe keperis of þe hous ſchulen be mouyd, and
ſtrongeſte men ſchulen tremble; and grynderis ſchulen
be idel, whanne þe noumbre ſchal be maad leſſe, and
ſeeris bi þe hoolis ſchulen wexe derk;
iiii and ſchulen cloſe þe doris in þe ſtreet, in þe lowneſſe
of vois of a gryndere; and þei ſchulen riſe at þe vois of a
brid, and alle þe douȝtris of ſong ſchulen wexe deef.
v And hiȝ þingis ſchulen drede, and ſchulen be aferd in
þe weie; an alemaunde tre ſchal floure, a locuſte ſchal
be maad fat, and capparis ſchal be diſtried; for a man
ſchal go in to þe hous of his euerlaſtyngneſſe, and
weileris ſchulen go aboute in þe ſtreet.
vi Haue þou mynde on þi creatour, byfore þat a ſiluerne
roop be brokun, and a goldun lace renne aȝen, and a
watir pot be al to-brokun on þe welle, and a wheele be
brokun togidere on þe ciſterne;
vii and duſt turne aȝen in to his erþe, wherof it was, and
þe ſpirit turne aȝen to God, þat ȝaf it.
viii Þe vanyte of vanytees, ſeide Eccleſiaſtes, þe vanyte
of vanytees, and alle þingis ben vanyte.
ix And whanne Eccleſiaſtes was mooſt wijs, he tauȝte þe
puple, and he telde out þe þingis whiche he dide,
x and he ſouȝte out wiſdom, and made many parablis; he
ſouȝte profitable wordis, and he wroot mooſt riȝtful
wordis, and ful of treuþe.
xi Þe wordis of wiſe men ben as prickis, and as nailis
faſtned deepe, whiche ben ȝouun of o ſcheepherde bi þe
counſels of maiſtris.
xii My ſone, ſeke þou no more þan þeſe; noon ende is to
make many bookis, and ofte þenkyng is turment of
fleiſch.
xiii Alle we here togydere þe ende of ſpekyng. Drede
þou God, and kepe hiſe heeſtis; `þat is to ſeie, ech man.
xiiii God ſchal brynge alle þingis in to dom, þat ben don;
for ech þing don bi errour, wheþer it be good, eþer yuel.
Here endiþ Eccleſiaſtes, and here bigynneþ þe Song
of Songis.

DLXVIII

SONGES OF SONGES
Here biginneþ þe bok of þe Songes of Songes.
CAP. I
i Kiſſe he me wiþ þe cos of his mouþ.
ii For þi tetis ben betere þan wyn, and ȝyuen odour wiþ
beſte oynementis. Þi name is oile ſched out; þerfor
ȝonge dameſels loueden þee.
iii Drawe þou me after þee; we ſchulen renne in to þe
odour of þin oynementis. Þe kyng ledde me in to hiſe
celeris; we myndeful of þi teetis aboue wyn, ſchulen
make ful out ioye, and ſchulen be glad in þee; riȝtful
men louen þee.
iiii Ȝe douȝtris of Jeruſalem, Y am blak, but fair, as þe
tabernaclis of Cedar, as þe ſkynnes of Salomon.
v Nyle ȝe biholde me, þat Y am blak, for þe ſunne haþ
diſcolourid me; þe ſones of my modir fouȝten aȝens me,
þei ſettiden me a kepere in vyners; Y kepte not my
vyner.
vi Þou ſpouſe, whom my ſoule loueþ, ſchewe to me,
where þou leſewiſt, where þou reſtiſt in myddai; leſt Y
bigynne to wandre, aftir þe flockis of þi felowis.
vii A! þou faireſt among wymmen, if þou knowiſt not þi
ſilf, go þou out, and go forþ aftir þe ſteppis of þi flockis;
and feede þi kidis, biſidis þe tabernaclis of ſcheepherdis.
viii Mi frendeſſe, Y licnede þee to myn ooſt of knyȝtis in
þe charis of Farao.
ix Þi chekis ben feire, as of a turtle; þi necke is as
brochis.
x We ſchulen make to þee goldun ournementis, departid
and maad dyuerſe wiþ ſiluer.
xi Whanne þe kyng was in his reſtyng place, my narde
ȝaf his odour.
xii My derlyng is a bundel of myrre to me; he ſchal
dwelle bitwixe my tetis.
xiii My derlyng is to me a cluſter of cipre tre, among þe
vyneres of Engaddi.
xiiii Lo! my frendeſſe, þou art fair; lo! þou art fair, þin
iȝen ben þe iȝen of culueris.
xv Lo, my derling, þou art fair, and ſchapli; oure bed is
fair as flouris.
xvi Þe trees of oure houſis ben of cedre; oure couplis ben
of cipreſſe.
CAP. II
i I am a flour of þe feeld, and a lilye of grete valeis.
ii As a lilie among þornes, ſo is my frendeſſe among
douȝtris.
iii As an apple tre among þe trees of wodis, ſo my
derlyng among ſones. I ſat vndur þe ſhadewe of hym,
whom Y deſiride; and his fruyt was ſwete to my þrote.
DLXIX
iiii Þe king ledde me in to þe wyn celer; he ordeynede
charite in me.
v Biſette ȝe me wiþ flouris, cumpaſſe ȝe me wiþ applis;
for Y am ſijk for loue.
vi His left hond is vndur myn heed; and his riȝt hond
ſchal biclippe me.
vii Ȝe douȝtris of Jeruſalem, Y charge ȝou greetli, bi
capretis, and hertis of feeldis, þat ȝe reiſe not, neþer
make to awake þe dereworþe ſpouſeſſe, til ſche wole. Þe
vois of my derlyng; lo!
viii þis derlyng comeþ leepynge in mounteyns, and
ſkippynge ouer litle hillis.
ix My derlyng is lijk a capret, and a calf of hertis; lo! he
ſtondiþ bihynde oure wal, and biholdiþ bi þe wyndows,
and lokiþ þorouȝ þe latiſis.
x Lo! my derlyng ſpekiþ to me, My frendeſſe, my
culuer, my faire ſpouſeſſe, riſe þou, haaſte þou, and
come þou;
xi for wyntir is paſſid now, reyn is goon, and is departid
awei.
xii Flouris apperiden in oure lond, þe tyme of ſchridyng
is comun; þe vois of a turtle is herd in oure lond,
xiii þe fige tre haþ brouȝt forþ hiſe buddis; vyneris
flourynge han ȝoue her odour. My frendeſſe, my fayre
ſpouſeſſe, riſe þou, haaſte þou, and come þou.
xiiii My culuer is in þe hoolis of ſtoon, in þe chyne of a
wal wiþ out morter. Schewe þi face to me, þi vois
ſowne in myn eeris; for þi vois is ſwete, and þi face is
fair.
xv Catche ȝe litle foxis to vs, þat deſtrien þe vyneris; for
oure vyner haþ flourid.
xvi My derlyng is to me, and Y am to hym, which is fed
among lilies;
xvii til þe dai ſprynge, and ſchadewis be bowid doun.
My derlyng, turne þou aȝen; be þou lijk a capret, and a
calf of hertis, on þe hillis of Betel.
CAP. III
i In my litle bed Y ſouȝte hym bi niȝtis, whom my ſoule
loueþ; Y ſouȝte hym, and Y foond not.
ii I ſhal riſe, and Y ſchal cumpaſſe þe citee, bi litle ſtretis
and large ſtretis; Y ſchal ſeke hym, whom my ſoule
loueþ; I ſouȝte hym, and Y foond not.
iii Wakeris, þat kepen þe citee, founden me. Wheþer ȝe
ſien hym, whom my ſoule loueþ?
iiii A litil whanne Y hadde paſſid hem, Y foond hym,
whom my ſoule loueþ; Y helde hym, and Y ſchal not
leeue hym, til Y brynge him in to þe hous of my modir,
and in to þe cloſet of my modir.
v Ȝe douȝtris of Jeruſalem, Y charge ȝou greetli, bi þe
capretis, and hertis of feeldis, þat ȝe reiſe not, neþer
make to awake þe dereworþe ſpouſeſſe, til ſche wole.
vi Who is þis womman, þat ſtieþ bi þe deſeert, as a ȝerde
of ſmoke of ſwete ſmellynge ſpices, of mirre, and of
encence, and of al poudur of an oynement makere?
vii Lo! ſixti ſtronge men of þe ſtrongeſte men of Iſrael
cumpaſſen þe bed of Salomon; and alle þei holden
ſwerdis,
viii and ben mooſt witti to batels; þe ſwerd of ech man is
on his hipe, for þe drede of nyȝtis.
ix Kyng Salomon made to hym a ſeete, of þe trees of
Liban;
x he made þe pilers þerof of ſiluer; he made a goldun
reſtyng place, a ſtiyng of purpur; and he arayede þe
myddil þingis wiþ charite, for þe douȝtris of Jeruſalem.
xi Ȝe douȝtris of Sion, go out, and ſe kyng Salomon in
þe diademe, bi which his modir crownede hym, in þe
dai of his ſpouſyng, and in þe dai of þe gladneſſe of his
herte.
CAP. IIII
i Mi frendeſſe, þou art ful fair; þin iȝen ben of culueris,
wiþ outen þat þat is hid wiþ ynne; þin heeris ben as þe
flockis of geete, þat ſtieden fro þe hil of Galaad.
ii Þi teeþ ben as þe flockis of clippid ſheep, þat ſtieden
fro waiſchyng; alle ben wiþ double lambren, and no
bareyn is among þo.
iii Þi lippis ben as a reed lace, and þi ſpeche is ſwete; as
þe relif of an appil of Punyk, ſo ben þi chekis, wiþ
outen þat, þat is hid wiþ ynne.
iiii Þi necke is as þe tour of Dauid, which is bildid wiþ
ſtrengþis maad bifore for defenſe; a þouſynde ſcheldis
hangen on it, al armure of ſtronge men.
v Þi twei tetis ben as twey kidis, twynnes of a capret,
þat ben fed in lilies,
vi til þe dai ſprynge, and ſhadewis ben bowid doun. Y
ſchal go to þe mounteyn of myrre, and to þe litil hil of
encenſe.
vii My frendeſſe, þou art al faire, and no wem is in þee.
viii My ſpouſeſſe, come þou fro þe Liban; come þou fro
þe Liban, come þou; þou ſchalt be corowned fro þe
heed of Amana, fro þe cop of Sanyr and Hermon, fro þe
dennys of liouns, fro þe hillis of pardis.
ix My ſiſter ſpouſeſſe, þou haſt woundid myn herte; þou
haſt woundid myn herte, in oon of þin iȝen, and in oon
heer of þi necke.
x My ſiſtir ſpouſeſſe, þi tetis ben ful faire; þi tetis ben
feirere þan wyn, and þe odour of þi cloþis is aboue alle
ſwete ſmellynge oynementis.
xi Spouſeſſe, þi lippis ben an hony coomb droppynge;
hony and mylk ben vndur þi tunge, and þe odour of þi
cloþis is as þe odour of encence.
xii Mi ſiſter ſpouſeſſe, a gardyn cloſid togidere; a gardyn
cloſid togidere, a welle aſeelid.
DLXX
xiii Þi ſendingis out ben paradis of applis of Punyk, wiþ
þe fruytis of applis, cipre trees, wiþ narde;
xiiii narde, and ſaffrun, an erbe clepid fiſtula, and canel,
wiþ alle trees of þe Liban, myrre, and aloes, wiþ alle þe
beſte oynementis.
xv A welle of gardyns, a pit of wallynge watris, þat
flowen wiþ ferſneſſe fro þe Liban.
xvi Riſe þou norþ wynd, and come þou, ſouþ wynd;
blowe þou þorouȝ my gardyn, and þe ſwete ſmellynge
oynementis þerof ſchulen flete.
CAP. V
i Mi derlyng, come in to his gardyn, to ete þe fruyt of
hiſe applis. Mi ſiſter ſpouſeſſe, come þou in to my
gardyn. Y haue rope my myrre, wiþ my ſwete ſmellynge
ſpices; Y haue ete an hony combe, wiþ myn hony; Y
haue drunke my wyn, wiþ my mylk. Frendis, ete ȝe, and
drynke; and dereworþeſte frendis, be ȝe fillid greetli.
ii Y ſlepe, and myn herte wakiþ. Þe vois of my derlyng
knockynge; my ſiſter, my frendeſſe, my culuer, my
ſpouſeſſe vnwemmed, opene þou to me; for myn heed is
ful of dew, and myn heeris ben ful of dropis of niȝtis.
iii I haue vncloþid me of my coote; hou ſchal Y be
cloþid þer ynne? I haue waiſche my feet; hou ſchal Y
defoule þo?
iiii Mi derlyng putte his hond bi an hoole; and my
wombe tremblide at þe touchyng þerof.
v Y roos, for to opene to my derlyng; myn hondis
droppiden myrre, and my fyngris weren ful of myrre
mooſt preued.
vi Y openede þe wiket of my dore to my derlyng; and he
hadde bowid awei, and hadde paſſid. My ſoule was
meltid, as þe derlyng ſpak; Y ſouȝte, and Y foond not
hym; Y clepide, and he anſwerde not to me.
vii Keperis þat cumpaſſiden þe citee founden me; þei
ſmytiden me, and woundiden me; þe keperis of wallis
token awey my mentil.
viii Ȝe douȝtris of Jeruſalem, Y biſeche ȝou bi an hooli
þing, if ȝe han founde my derlyng, þat ȝe telle to hym,
þat Y am ſijk for loue.
ix A! þou faireſte of wymmen, of what manner
condicioun is þi derlyng `of þe louede? of what manner
condicioun is þi derling of a derling? for þou haſt
biſouȝt vs bi an hooli þing.
x My derling is whyt and rodi; choſun of þouſyndis.
xi His heed is beſt gold; hiſe heeris ben as þe bowis of
palm trees, and ben blake as a crowe.
xii Hiſe iȝen ben as culueris on þe ſtrondis of watris, þat
ben waiſchid in mylk, and ſitten beſidis fulleſte ryueris.
xiii Hiſe chekis ben as gardyns of ſwete ſmellynge
ſpices, ſet of oynement makeris; hiſe lippis ben lilies,
droppynge doun þe beſt myrre.
xiiii Hiſehondis ben able to turne aboute, goldun, and
ful of iacynctis; his wombe is of yuer, ourned wiþ
ſafiris.
xv Hiſe lippis ben pilers of marble, þat ben foundid on
foundementis of gold; his ſchapplineſſe is as of þe
Liban, he is choſun as cedris.
xvi His þrote is mooſt ſwete, and he is al deſirable. Ȝe
douȝtris of Jeruſalem, ſiche is my derlyng, and þis is my
freend.
xvii Þou faireſte of wymmen, whidur ȝede þi derlyng?
whidur bowide þi derlyng? and we ſchulen ſeke hym
wiþ þee.
CAP. VI
i My derlyng ȝede doun in to his orcherd, to þe gardyn
of ſwete ſmellynge ſpices, þat he be fed þere in
orcherdis, and gadere lilyes.
ii Y to my derlyng; and my derlyng, þat is fed among þe
lilies, be to me.
iii Mi frendeſſe, þou art fair, ſwete and ſchappli as
Jeruſalem, þou art ferdful as þe ſcheltrun of ooſtis ſet in
good ordre.
iiii Turne awei þin iȝen fro me, for þo maden me to fle
awei; þin heeris ben as þe flockis of geet, þat apperiden
fro Galaad.
v Þi teeþ as a flok of ſcheep, þat ſtieden fro waiſchyng;
alle ben wiþ double lambren, `eþer twynnes, and no
bareyn is among þo. As þe rynde of a pumgranate, ſo
ben þi chekis, wiþout þi priuytees.
vii Sixti ben queenys, and eiȝti ben ſecundarie wyues;
and of ȝong dameſels is noon noumbre.
viii Oon is my culuer, my perfit ſpouſeſſe, oon is to hir
modir, and is þe choſun of hir modir; þe douȝtris of
Syon ſien hir, and prechiden hir mooſt bleſſid; queenys,
and ſecundarie wyues preiſiden hir.
ix Who is þis, þat goiþ forþ, as þe moreutid riſynge, fair
as þe moone, choſun as þe ſunne, ferdful as þe ſcheltrun
of ooſtis ſet in good ordre?
x Y cam doun in to myn orcherd, to ſe þe applis of grete
valeis, and to biholde, if vyneris hadden flourid, and if
pumgranate trees hadden buriowned.
xi Y knew not; my ſoule diſturblide me, for þe charis of
Amynadab.
xii Turne aȝen, turne aȝen, þou Sunamyte; turne aȝen,
turne aȝen, þat we biholde þee. What ſchalt þou ſe in þe
Sunamyte, no but cumpenyes of ooſtis?
CAP. VII
i Douȝtir of þe prince, þi goyngis ben ful faire in
ſchoon; þe ioyncturis of þi heppis ben as brochis, þat
ben maad bi þe hond of a crafti man.
DLXXI
ii Þi nawle is as a round cuppe, and wel formed, þat haþ
neuere nede to drynkis; þi wombe is as an heep of
whete, biſet aboute wiþ lilies.
iii Þi twei teetis ben as twei kidis, twynnes of a capret.
iiii Þi necke is as a tour of yuer; þin iȝen ben as ciſternes
in Eſebon, þat ben in þe ȝate of þe douȝter of multitude;
þi noſe is as þe tour of Liban, þat biholdiþ aȝens
Damaſk.
v Þin heed is as Carmele; and þe heeres of þin heed ben
as þe kyngis purpur, ioyned to trowȝis.
vi Dereworþe ſpouſeſſe, þou art ful fair, and ful ſchappli
in delices.
vii Þi ſtature is licned to a palm tree, and þi tetis to
cluſtris of grapis.
viii I ſeide, Y ſchal ſtie in to a palm tree, and Y ſchal take
þe fruytis þerof. And þi tetis ſchulen be as þe cluſtris of
grapis of a vyner; and þe odour of þi mouþ as þe odour
of pumgranatis;
ix þi þrote ſchal be as beſte wyn. Worþi to my derlyng
for to drynke, and to hiſe lippis and teeþ to chewe.
x Y ſchal cleue by loue to my derlyng, and his turnyng
ſchal be to me.
xi Come þou, my derlyng, go we out in to þe feeld;
dwelle we togidere in townes.
xii Ryſe we eerli to þe vyner; ſe we, if þe vyner haþ
flourid, if þe flouris bryngen forþ fruytis, if pumgranatis
han flourid; þere I ſchal ȝyue to þee my tetis.
xiii Mandrogoris han ȝoue her odour in oure ȝatis; my
derlyng, Y haue kept to þee alle applis, new and elde.
CAP. VIII
i Who `mai grante to me þee, my broþer, ſoukynge þe
tetis of my modir, þat Y fynde þee aloone wiþout forþ,
and þat Y kiſſe þee, and no man diſpiſe me þanne?
ii Y ſchal take þee, and Y ſchal lede þee in to þe hous of
my modir, and in to þe cloſet of my modir; þere þou
ſchalt teche me, and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee drink of wyn
maad ſwete, and of þe muſt of my pumgranatis.
iii His lefthond vndur myn heed, and his riȝthond ſchal
biclippe me.
iiii Ȝe douȝtris of Jeruſalem, Y charge ȝou greetli, þat ȝe
reiſe not, neþer make þe dereworþe ſpouſeſſe to awake,
til ſche wole.
v Who is þis ſpouſeſſe, þat ſtieþ fro deſert, and flowiþ in
delices, and reſtiþ on hir derlynge? Y reiſide þee vndur
a pumgranate tre; þere þi modir was corrupt, þere þi
modir was defoulid.
vi Set þou me as a ſignet on þin herte, as a ſignet on þin
arm; for loue is ſtrong as deþ, enuy is hard as helle; þe
laumpis þerof ben laumpis of fier, and of flawmes.
vii Many watris moun not quenche charite, neþer floodis
ſchulen oppreſſe it. Þouȝ a man ȝyue al þe catel of his
hous for loue, he ſchal diſpiſe `þat catel as nouȝt.
viii Oure ſiſtir is litil, and haþ no tetys; what ſchulen we
do to oure ſiſtir, in þe dai whanne ſche ſchal be ſpokun
to?
ix If it is a wal, bilde we þeronne ſiluerne touris; if it is a
dore, ioyne we it togidere wiþ tablis of cedre.
x I am a wal, and my tetis ben as a tour; ſiþen Y am
maad as fyndynge pees bifore hym.
xi A vyner was to þe peſible; in þat citee, þat haþ puplis,
he bitook it to keperis; a man bryngiþ a þouſynde platis
of ſiluer for þe fruyt þerof.
xii Þe vyner is bifore me; a þouſynde ben of þee peſible,
and two hundrid to hem þat kepen þe fruytis þerof.
xiii Frendis herkene þee, þat dwelliſt in orchertis; make
þou me to here þi vois.
xiiii My derlyng, fle þou; be þou maad lijk a capret, and
a calf of hertis, on þe hillis of ſwete ſmellynge ſpices.
Here endiþ þe Songe of Songis, and here bigynneþ
Sapiens.

DLXXII

WYSEDOM
Here biginneþ þe bok of Sapience or Wyſedom.
CAP. I
i Ȝe þat demen þe erþe, loue riȝtfulneſſe; feele ȝe of þe
Lord in goodneſſe, and ſeke ȝe hym in þe ſympleneſſe of
herte.
ii For he is foundun of hem, þat tempten not hym;
forſoþe he apperiþ to hem, þat han feiþ in to hym.
iii For whi weiward þouȝtis departen fro God; but
preued vertu repreueþ vnwiſe men.
iiii For whi wiſdom ſchal not entre in to an yuel willid
ſoule; neþir ſchal dwelle in a bodi ſuget to ſynnes.
v Forſoþe þe Hooli Gooſt of wiſdom ſchal fle awei fro `a
feyned man, and he ſchal take awei hym ſilf fro þouȝtis,
þat ben wiþ out vnderſtondyng; and þe man ſchal be
punyſchid of wyckidneſſe comynge aboue.
vi For þe ſpirit of wiſdom is benyngne, and he ſchal not
delyuere a curſid man fro hiſe lippis; for whi God is
witneſſe of hiſe reynes, and þe ſerchere of his herte is
trewe, and þe herere of his tunge.
vii For whi þe Spirit of þe Lord haþ fillid þe world; and
þis þing, þat conteyneþ alle þingis, haþ þe kunnyng of
vois.
viii For þis he þat ſpekiþ wickid þingis, may not be hid;
and doom punyſchynge ſchal not paſſe hym.
ix For whi axyng ſchal be in þe þouȝtis of a wickid man.
x Forſoþe þe heryng of hiſe wordis ſchal come to God,
and to þe punyſchyng of hiſe wickidneſſis; for þe eere of
feruent loue heriþ alle þingis, and þe noiſe of
grutchyngis ſchal not be hyd.
xi Þerfor kepe ȝe ȝou fro grutchyng, þat profitiþ no þing,
and fro bacbityng ſpare ȝe þe tunge; for a derk word
ſchal not go in to veyn; forſoþe þe mouþ þat lieþ, ſleeþ
þe ſoule.
xii Nyle ȝe coueyte deþ, in þe errour of ȝoure lijf, neþer
gete ȝe perdicioun in þe werkis of ȝoure hondis; for
God made not deþ,
xiii neþer is glad in þe perdicioun of lyuynge men.
xiiii For whi God made of nouȝt alle þingis, þat þo
ſchulden be; and he made þe naciouns of þe world able
to be heelid. Forwhi medecyn of diſtriyng is not in þo
men, neþer þe rewme of hellis is in erþe.
xv For riȝtfulneſſe is euerlaſtynge, and vndeedli; but
vnriȝtfulneſſe is getyng of deeþ.
xvi Forſoþe wickid men clepiden þat vnriȝtfulneſſe bi
hondis and wordis, and þei geſſiden it a frendeſſe, and
fletiden awei, and þei puttiden biheeſtis to it; for þei ben
worþi þe deþ, þat ben of þe part þerof.
DLXXIII
CAP. II
i Forſoþe wickid men ſeiden, þenkynge anentis hem ſilf
not riȝtfuli, Þe tyme of oure lijf is litil, and wiþ anoye;
no refreiſching is in þe ende of a man, and noon is, þat
is knowun, þat turnede aȝen fro hellis.
ii For we weren borun of nouȝt, and aftir þis tyme we
ſchulen be, as if we hadden not be; forwhi ſmoke is
blowun out in oure noſe þirlis, and a word of ſparcle to
ſtire oure herte.
iii For oure bodi ſchal be quenchid aiſche, and þe ſpirit
ſchal be ſcaterid abrood as ſoft eir; and oure lijf ſchal
paſſe as þe ſtep of a cloude, and it ſchal be departid as a
myſt, which is dryuun awey of þe beemys of þe ſunne,
and is greued of þe heete þerof.
iiii And oure name ſchal take forȝeting bi tyme; and no
man ſchal haue mynde of oure werkis.
v Forwhi oure tyme is þe paſſyng of a ſchadewe, and no
turnyng aȝen of oure ende is; for it is aſeelid, and no
man turneþ aȝen.
vi Þerfor come ȝe, and vſe we þe goodis þat ben, and vſe
we a creature, as in ȝongþe, ſwiftli.
vii Fille we vs wiþ preciouſe wyn and oynementis; and
þe flour of tyme paſſe not vs.
viii Corowne we vs wiþ rooſis, bifor þat þo welewen; no
medewe be, `bi which oure letcherie paſſe not.
ix No man of vs be wiþ out part of oure letcherie; euery
where leeue we þe ſignes of gladneſſe; for þis is oure
part, and þis is oure eritage.
x Oppreſſe we a pore iuſt man, and ſpare we not a
widewe, neþer reuerence we hoor heeris of an old man
of myche tyme.
xi But oure ſtrengþe be þe lawe of riȝtfulneſſe; forwhi
þat þat is feble, is foundun vnprofitable.
xii Þerfor diſſeyue we a iuſt man, for he is vnprofitable
to vs, and he is contrarie to oure werkis; and he
vpbreidiþ to vs þe ſynnes of lawe, and he defameþ on vs
þe ſynnes of oure techyng.
xiii He biheetiþ þat he haþ þe kunnyng of God, and he
nemeþ hym ſilf þe ſone of God.
xiiii He is maad to us in to ſchewyng of oure þouȝtis.
xv He is greuouſe to vs, ȝhe, to ſe; forwhi his lyf is
vnlijk to oþer men, and hiſe weies ben chaungid.
xvi We ben geſſid of hym to be triffleris, and he
abſteyneþ hym ſilf fro oure weies, as fro vncleneſſis;
and he bifore ſettiþ þe laſte þingis of iuſt men, and he
haþ glorie, þat he haþ God a fadir.
xvii Þerfor ſe we, if hiſe wordis ben trewe; and aſaie we,
what þingis ſchulen come to hym; and we ſchulen wite,
what ſchulen be þe laſte þingis of hym.
xviii For if he is þe very ſone of God, he ſchal vp take
hym, and ſchal delyuere hym fro þe hondis of hem þat
ben contrarie.
xix Axe we hym bi diſpiſyng and turment, þat we knowe
his reuerence, and þat we preue his pacience.
xx Bi fouleſte deþ condempne we hym; for whi
biholdyng ſchal be of hiſe wordis.
xxi Þei þouȝten þeſe þingis, and þei erriden; for whi her
malice blyndide hem.
xxii And þei knewen not þe ſacramentis of God, neþir
þei hopiden þe meede of riȝtfulneſſe, neþer þei
demyden þe onour of hooli ſoulis.
xxiii For whi God made man vnable to be diſtried, and
God made man to þe ymage of his licneſſe.
xxiiii But bi enuye of þe deuel deþ entride in to þe
world;
xxv for ſoþe þei ſuen hym, þat ben of his part.
CAP. III
i Forſoþe þe ſoulis of iuſt men ben in þe hond of God;
and þe turment of deþ ſchal not touche hem.
ii Þei ſemyden to þe iȝen of vnwiſe men to die; and
turment was demed þe outgoyng of hem.
iii And fro iuſt weie þei ȝeden in to diſtriyng, and þat þat
is of vs þe weie of diſtriyng; but þei ben in pees.
iiii Þouȝ þei ſufriden turmentis bifore men, þe hope of
hem is ful of vndeedlyneſſe.
v Þei weren trauelid in a fewe þingis, and þei ſchulen be
diſpoſid wel in many þingis; for whi God aſaiede hem,
and foond hem worþi to hym ſilf.
vi He preuede hem as gold in a furneis, and he took hem
as þe offryng of brent ſacrifice; and þe biholdyng of
hem ſchal be in tyme of ȝelding.
vii Iuſt men ſchulen ſchyne, and ſchulen renne aboute as
ſparclis in a place of rehed.
viii Þei ſchulen deme naciouns, and ſchulen be lordis of
puplis; and þe Lord of hem ſchal regne wiþ outen ende.
ix Þei þat truſten on hym, ſchulen vnderſtonde treuþe;
and feiþful men in loue ſchulen aſſente to hym; for whi
ȝifte and pees is to hiſe choſun men.
x But wickid men, bi þo þingis þat þei þouȝten, ſchulen
haue punyſchyng; whiche diſpiſiden iuſt þing, and ȝeden
awei fro þe Lord.
xi For he þat caſtiþ awei wiſdom and lore, is curſid; and
þe hope of wickid men is voide, and her trauels ben
wiþout fruyt, and her werkis ben vnhabitable, and
vnprofitable.
xii Þe wymmen of hem ben vnwitti, and þe ſones of hem
ben ful weiward.
xiii Þe creature of hem is curſid; for whi a womman
bareyn and vndefoulid is bleſſid, þat `knew not bed in
treſpas; ſche ſchal haue fruyt in þe biholdyng of holy
ſoulis.
xiiii And a man vnmyȝti to gendre is bleſſid, þat
`wrouȝte not wickidneſſe bi hiſe hondis, neþer þouȝte
mooſt weiward þingis aȝens þe Lord; for whi a choſun
DLXXIV
ȝifte of feiþ ſchal be ȝouun to hym, and a moſt
acceptable eritage in þe temple of God.
xv For whi þe fruyt of good trauels is gloriouſe, and þe
roote of wiſdom þat falliþ not doun.
xvi But þe ſones of avowtreris ſchulen be in diſtriyng,
and þe ſeed of a wickid bed ſchal be deſtried.
xvii And ſoþeli þouȝ þei ſchulen be of long lijf, þei
ſchulen be arettid in to nouȝt; and þe laſte eelde of hem
ſchal be wiþouten onour.
xviii And if þei ben deed ſwiftliere, þei ſchulen not haue
hope, neþer alowyng in þe dai of knowyng.
xix Forſoþe wickide naciouns ben of hard ending.
CAP. IIII
i A! hou fair is chaſt generacioun wiþ clereneſſe; for þe
mynde þerof is vndeedli, for it is knowun, boþ anentis
God, and anentis men.
ii Whanne it is preſent, þei ſuen it; and þei deſiren it,
whanne it haþ led out it ſilf, and it ouercomyng getiþ bi
victorie þe mede of batels vndefoulid, and is corouned
wiþ outen ende.
iii But þe many fold gendrid multitude of wickid men
ſchal not be profitable; and plauntyngis of auoutrie
ſchulen not ȝyue deepe rootis, neþer ſchulen ſette ſtable
ſtidfaſtneſſe.
iiii Þouȝ þei buriounen in bowis in time, þei ſet
vnſtidfaſtli ſchulen be moued of þe wynd, and ſchulen
be drawun out bi þe roote of þe greetneſſe of wyndys.
v For whi bowis vnperfit ſchulen be brokun togidere;
and þe fruytis of hem ben vnprofitable, and ſoure to ete,
and couenable to no þing.
vi For whi alle ſones, þat ben borun of wickid men, ben
witneſſis of wickidneſſe aȝens fadirs and modris, in her
axyng.
vii But a iuſt man, þouȝ he be bifore ocupied bi deþ,
ſchal be in refreiſchyng.
viii For whi worſchipful eelde is not of long tyme, neþer
is rikened bi þe noumbre of ȝeeris; þe wittis of a man
ben hoore,
ix and þe age of eelde is lijf wiþouten wem.
x He pleſide God, and was maad dereworþ, and he
lyuynge among ſynneris was `borun ouer; he was
rauyſchid,
xi leſt malice ſchulde chaunge his vnderſtondyng, eþir
leſt feynyng ſchulde diſſeyue his ſoule.
xii For whi diſſeyuyng of trifelyng makiþ derk goode
þingis, and þe vnſtableneſſe of coueitiſe turneþ ouer þe
wit wiþout malice.
xiii He was endid in ſchort tyme, and fillide many
tymes;
xiiii for whi his ſoule was pleſant to God; for þis þing
God haſtide to lede hym out fro þe myddis of
wickidneſſes; but puplis ſien and vndurſtoden not, neþer
ſettiden ſiche þingis in `þe inwardneſſes.
xv For whi þe grace and merci of God is on hiſe ſeyntis,
and biholdyng of `Goddis coumfort is on hiſe choſun
men.
xvi Forſoþe a iuſt man deed condempneþ quyke wickid
men; and ȝongþe endid ſwiftliere condempneþ long lijf
of an vniuſt man.
xvii For þei ſchulen ſe þe ende of a wiſe man, and þei
ſchulen not vndurſtonde, what þing God þouȝte of hym,
and whi þe Lord made hym leſſe.
xviii For þei ſchulen ſe, and ſchulen diſpiſe hym; but þe
Lord ſchal ſcorne hem.
xix And aftir þeſe þingis þei ſchulen be fallynge doun
wiþouten onour, and in diſpiſyng among deed men wiþ
outen ende. For he ſchal al to-breke hem bolnyd wiþ out
vois, and he ſchal moue hem fro þe foundementis; and
þei ſchulen be deſolat til to þe laſte þing. And þei
ſchulen be weilynge, and þe mynde of hem ſchal
periſche.
xx Þei ſchulen come ferdful in þe þouȝt of her ſynnes;
and her wickidneſſis on þe contrarie ſide ſchulen lede
hem ouer.
CAP. V
i Þanne iuſt men ſchulen ſtonde in greet ſtidfaſtneſſe
aȝens hem þat angwiſchiden `iuſt men, and whiche
token awei her trauelis.
ii Þei ſchulen ſe, and ſchulen be diſturblyd wiþ orrible
drede, and þei ſchulen wondre in þe ſudeynte of heelþe
vnhopid; and þei ſchulen weile for angwiſch of ſpirit,
iii and þei ſchulen ſeie, doynge penaunce wiþynne hem
ſilf, and weilyng for þe angwyſch of ſpirit, Þeſe men it
ben, whiche we hadden ſum tyme in to ſcorn, and in to
licneſſe of vpbreidyng.
iiii We woode men geſſiden her lijf woodneſſe, and þe
ende of hem wiþ oute onour;
v hou þerfor ben þei rekened among þe ſones of God,
and her part is among ſeyntis?
vi Þerfor we erriden fro þe weie of treuþe, and þe lyȝt of
riȝtfulneſſe ſchynede not to us, and þe ſunne of
vndurſtondyng roos not vp to us.
vii We weren maad weri in þe weie of wickidneſſe and
of perdicioun; and we ȝeden hard weies.
viii But we knewen not þe weie of þe Lord; what
profitide pride to vs, eþir what brouȝte þe booſt of
richeſſis to vs?
ix All þo þingis paſſiden as ſchadewe, and as a
meſſanger bifore rennynge.
x And as a ſchip, þat paſſiþ þorou þe flowynge watir, of
which whanne it haþ paſſid, it is not to fynde a ſtep,
neþir þe paþ of þe botme þerof in wawys.
DLXXV
xi Eþir as a bryd, þat flieþ ouer in þe eir, of which no
preef is foundun of þe weie þerof, but oneli þe ſown of
wengis betynge lyȝt wynde, and keruynge þe eir by þe
myȝt of weie, and wiþ wyngis moued togidere it flei
ouer, and aftir þis no ſigne is foundun of þe weie þerof.
xii Eþir as an arowe ſhot out in to a place ordeyned, þe
eir is departid, and is cloſid aȝen anoon, þat þe paſſyng
þerof be not knowun.
xiii `So and we borun ceeſſiden anoon to be, and ſoþeli
we myȝten ſchewe no ſigne of vertu; but we weren
waſtid in oure malice.
xiiii Þei þat ſynneden, ſeiden ſiche þingis in helle.
xv For þe hope of a wickid man is as þe flour of a brere
which is takun awei of þe wynd, and as ſmal froþ which
is ſcaterid of a tempeſt, and as ſmoke which is ſpred
abrood of wynd, and as þe mynde of `an herborid man
of o dai, þat paſſiþ forþ.
xvi But iuſt men ſchulen lyue wiþouten ende, and þe
meede of hem is anentis þe Lord; and þe þouȝt of hem
is anentis þe hiȝeſte.
xvii Þerfor þei ſchulen take of þe hond of þe Lord þe
rewme of fairneſſe, and þe diademe of comelyneſſe; for
he ſchal gouerne hem wiþ his riȝthond, and he ſchal
defende hem wiþ his hooli arm.
xviii And his feruent loue ſchal take armure, and he ſchal
arme þe creature to þe venieaunce of enemyes.
xix He ſchal cloþe riȝtfulneſſe for an haburioun, and he
ſchal take certeyn doom for a baſynet;
xx he ſchal take a ſcheeld þat may not be ouercomun,
equyte;
xxi forſoþe he ſchal whette hard wraþþe in to a ſpere,
and þe world ſchal fiȝte wiþ him aȝens vnwitti men.
xxii Streiȝte ſendyngis out of leytis ſchulen go, and as þe
ſidis of a reynbouwe, whanne þe bouwe of cloudis is
crokid, þei ſchulen be deſtried; and þei ſchulen ſkippe in
to a certeyn place.
xxiii And fulle hailſtones ſchulen be ſent fro a ſtony
wreþþe, and þe watir of þe ſee ſchal wexe whijt aȝens
hem, and floodis ſchulen renne togider harde.
xxiiii Þe ſpirit of vertu ſchal ſtonde aȝens hem, and as þe
whirlyng of wind it ſchal departe hem; and þe
wickidneſſe of hem ſchal brynge al þe lond to deſert,
and malice ſchal diſtrye þe ſeetis of myȝti men.
CAP. VI
i Wiſdom is beter þan ſtrengþis, and a prudent man doiþ
more þan a ſtrong man.
ii Þerfor, ȝe kyngis, here, and vndurſtonde; and ȝe iugis
of þe cooſtis of erþe, lerne.
iii Ȝe þat holden togidere multitudis, and pleſen ȝou in
þe cumpenyes of naciouns, ȝyue eeris;
iiii forwhi power is ȝouun of þe Lord to ȝou, and vertu is
ȝouun of þe hiȝeſte, þat ſchal axe ȝoure werkis, and
ſchal ſerche þouȝtis.
v For whanne ȝe weren mynyſtris of his rewme, ȝe
demeden not riȝtfuli, neþer ȝe kepten þe lawe of
riȝtfulneſſe, neþer ȝe ȝeden bi þe wille of God.
vi Hidouſli and ſoone he ſchal appere to ȝou; forwhi
hardeſte doom ſchal be maad in hem, þat ben ſouereyns.
vii Forſoþe merci is grauntid to a litil man; but miȝti
men ſchulen ſuffre turmentis miȝtili.
viii For þe Lord, which is lord of alle þingis, ſchal not
wiþdrawe þe perſoone of ony man, neþer he ſchal drede
þe greetneſſe of ony man; for he made þe litil man and
þe greet man, and charge is to hym euenli of alle men.
ix But ſtrongere turment neiȝeþ to ſtrongere men.
x Þerfor, ȝe kyngis, þeſe my wordis ben to ȝou, þat ȝe
lerne wiſdom, and þat ȝe falle not doun.
xi For þei þat kepen riȝtfulneſſe, ſchulen be deemed
riȝtfuli; and þei, þat lernen iuſt þingis, ſchulen fynde,
what þei ſchulen anſwere.
xii Þerfor coueite ȝe my wordis, and loue ȝe þo; and ȝe
ſchulen haue techyng.
xiii Wiſdom is cleer, and þat ſchal neuer fade; and it is
ſeyn liȝtli of hem þat louen it, and it is foundun of hem
þat ſeken it.
xiiii It bifore ocupieþ hem þat coueyten it, þat it ſchewe
it ſilf þe formere to hem.
xv He þat wakiþ bi lyȝt to it, ſchal not trauele; forſoþe he
ſchal fynde it ſittynge nyȝ hiſe ȝatis.
xvi Þerfor to þenke on wiſdom is parfit wit, and he þat
wakiþ for it, ſchal ſoone be ſikir.
xvii For whi it goiþ aboute, and ſekiþ men worþi to it;
and in her weies it ſchal ſchewe it ſilf gladli to hem, and
in al puruyaunce it ſchal meete hem.
xviii For whi þe bigynnyng of wiſdom is þe verieſte
coueytiſe of lernyng.
xix Þerfor þe biſyneſſe of lernyng is loue; and loue is þe
kepyng of lawis þerof. Soþeli þe kepyng of lawis is
perfeccioun of vncorrupcioun;
xx forſoþe vncorrupcioun makiþ to be next to God.
xxi Þerfor þe coueitiſe of wiſdom ſchal brynge to
euerlaſtynge rewme.
xxii Þerfor if ȝe, kyngis of þe puple, deliten in ſeetis, and
in kyngis ȝerdis, `eþer regaltees, loue ȝe wiſdom, þat ȝe
regne wiþ outen ende.
xxiii Alle ȝe, þat ben ſouereyns to puplis, loue þe lyȝt of
wiſdom.
xxiiii Soþeli what is wiſdom, and hou it is maad, Y ſchal
telle; and Y ſchal not hide fro ȝou þe ſacramentis of
God; but fro þe bigynnyng of birþe Y ſchal ſeke, and Y
ſchal ſette in to þe lyȝt þe kunnyng þerof, and Y ſchal
not paſſe treuþe.
DLXXVI
xxv And Y ſchal not haue weye wiþ enuye wexynge
rotun; for ſiche a man ſchal not be parcener of wiſdom.
xxvi Forſoþe þe multitude of wiſe men is þe helþe of þe
world; and a wijs kyng is þe ſtabliſchyng of þe puple.
xxvii Þerfor take ȝe techyng bi my wordis, and it ſchal
profite to ȝou.
CAP. VII
i Forſoþe and Y am a deedli man, lijk men, and of erþli
kynde of hym þat was maad firſt, and in þe wombe of
þe modir Y was fourmed fleiſche.
ii In þe time of ten moneþis Y was cruddid togidere in
blood, of þe ſeed of man, and bi acordynge delit of
ſleep.
iii And Y was borun, and took comyn eir, and in lijk
maner Y felle doun in to þe erþe maad; and Y wepynge
ſente out þe firſte vois, lijk alle men.
iiii Y was nurſchid in wrappyngis, and in greet
biſyneſſes;
v for whi no man of kyngis hadde oþere bigynnyng of
birþe.
vi Þerfor oon entryng to lijf is to alle men, and lijk
goyng out.
vii Herfor Y deſiride, and wit was ȝouun to me; and Y
inwardli clepide, and þe ſpirit of wiſdom cam in to me.
viii And Y ſettide wiſdom bifore rewmes, and ſeetis; and
Y ſeide, þat richeſſis ben nouȝt in compariſoun þerof,
ix and Y compariſonede not a preciouſe ſtoon to it;
forwhi al gold in compariſoun þerof is a litil grauel, and
ſiluer ſchal be arettid as cley in þe ſiȝt þerof.
x Y louyde wiſdom more þan helþe and fairneſſe; and Y
purpoſide to haue it for lyȝt, for þe lyȝt þerof may not
be quenchid.
xi Forſoþe alle goodis camen togidere to me wiþ it; and
vnnoumbrable oneſte is by þe werkys þerof.
xii And Y was glad in alle þingis; for þis wiſdom ȝede
bifore me, and Y knew not, for it is þe modir of alle
goodis.
xiii Which wiſdom Y lernyde wiþ out feynyng, and Y
comyne wiþout enuye; and Y hide not þe oneſte þerof.
xiiii For it is treſour wiþ out noumbre to men, and þei,
þat vſiden þat treſour, weren maad parceneris of Goddis
frenſchip, and weren preiſid for þe ȝiftis of kunnyng.
xv Forſoþe God ȝaf to me to ſeie of ſentence, and to
bifore take worþi þingis of þeſe þingis þat ben ȝouun to
me; for he is þe ledere of wiſdom, and amendere of wiſe
men.
xvi For whi boþe we, and oure wordis, and al wiſdom,
and lernyng of kunnyng of werkis ben in his hond.
xvii Forſoþe he ȝaf to me þe veri kunnyng of þeſe þingis
þat ben, þat Y knowe þe diſpoſicioun of þe world, and
þe vertues of elementis;
xviii þe bigynnyng, and þe endyng, and þe myddil of
tymes; þe chaungyngis of whilis, and þe endyngis of
tymes; þe chaungyngis of maneres, and departyngis of
tymes; þe courſis of þe ȝeer,
xix and þe diſpoſiciouns of ſterris;
xx þe kyndis of beeſtis, and þe wraþþis of wielde beeſtis;
þe ſtrengþe of wyndis, and þe þouȝtis of men; þe
differences of trees, and þe vertues of rootis.
xxi And Y lernede what euer þingis ben hid and
vnpurueyed; for whi wiſdom, þe crafti maker of alle
þingis, tauȝte me.
xxii For in þat wiſdom vnmaad is þe ſpirit of
vndurſtonding, hooli, many fold, oon aloone, ſutil,
temperat, wijs, mouable, vndefoulid, certeyn, ſwete,
louynge a good dede, which ſpirit forbediþ no þing to
do wel;
xxiii curteis, benynge, ſtable, ſikur, hauynge al vertu,
biholdynge alle þingis, and which takiþ alle ſpiritis able
to vndurſtonde, and he is clene, and ſutil.
xxiiii For whi wiſdom is more mouable þan alle mouable
þingis; forſoþe it ſtretchiþ forþ euery where, for his
clenneſſe.
xxv For it is a breþing of Goddis vertu, and it is ſum
cleene comyngforþ of þe clereneſſe of Almiȝti God;
xxvi and þerfor no defoulid þing renneþ in to it. For it is
briȝtneſſe of euerlaſtynge lyȝt, and it is a myrrour wiþ
out wem of Goddis maieſte, and it is an ymage of his
goodneſſe.
xxvii And whanne it is oon, it may alle þingis; and it
dwelliþ in it ſilf, and renuliþ alle þingis, and bi naciouns
it beriþ ouer it ſilf in to hooli ſoulis; it makiþ þe frendis
of God and profetis.
xxviii For God loueþ no man, no but hym þat dwelliþ
wiþ wiſdom.
xxix Forwhi þis wiſdom is fairere þan þe ſunne, and is
aboue al þe diſpoſicioun of ſterris; wiſdom
compariſound to lyȝt, is foundun þe formere.
xxx Forwhi niȝt comeþ aftir þat lyȝt; but wyſdom
ouercomeþ malice.
CAP. VIII
i Þerfor wiſdom ſtretchiþ forþ fro þe ende til to þe ende
ſtrongli, and diſpoſiþ alle þingis ſwetly.
ii I louede þis wiſdom maad, and Y ſouȝte it out fro my
ȝongþe; and Y ſouȝte to take it a ſpouſeſſe to me, and Y
am maad a louyere of þe fairneſſe þerof.
iii He þat haþ þe felouſchip of God, glorifieþ þe
gentilneſſe þerof; but alſo þe Lord of alle þingis louede
it.
iiii For it is þe techereſſe of þe lernyng of God, and
cheſereſſe of hiſe werkis.
v And if richeſſis ben coueitid in lijf, what is richere þan
wiſdom, þat worchiþ alle þingis?
DLXXVII
vi Soþeli if wit worchiþ, who is a crafti maker more þan
wiſdom, of þeſe þingis þat ben?
vii And if a man loueþ riȝtfulneſſe, þe trauels of þis
wiſdom han grete vertues; for it techiþ ſobreneſſe, and
prudence, and riȝtfulneſſe, and vertu; and no þing is
profitablere þan þeſe in lijf to men.
viii And if a man deſiriþ multitude of kunnyng, wiſdom
knowiþ þingis paſſid, and geſſiþ of þingis to comynge; it
kan þe felneſſis of wordis, and aſoilyngis of argumentis;
it kan ſignes and ſchewyngis of þingis to comynge,
bifore þat þo ben maad; and þe bifallyngis of tymes and
of worldus.
ix Þerfor Y purpoſide to brynge to me þis wiſdom, to
lyue togidere; witynge þat it ſchal comyne wiþ me of
goodis, and ſpekyng togidere of my þouȝt, and of myn
anoi ſchal be.
x For þis wiſdom Y ſchal haue clereneſſe at cumpenyes,
and onour at eldre men;
xi Y ſchal be foundun ȝong and ſcharp in doom, and in
þe ſiȝt of myȝti men Y ſchal be wondurful, and þe faces
of princes ſchulen worſchipe me.
xii Þei ſchulen abide me, beynge ſtille, and þei ſchulen
biholde me, ſpekynge; and þe while I ſpeke many
þingis, þei ſchulen ſette hondis on her mouþ.
xiii Ferþermore bi þis wiſdom Y ſchal haue
vndedlyneſſe; and Y ſchal leeue euerlaſtynge mynde to
hem, þat ſchulen come aftir me.
xiiii I ſchal diſpoſe puplis; and naciouns ſchulen be ſuget
to me.
xv Hidouſe kyngis herynge me ſchulen drede; and in
multitude Y ſchal be ſeyn good, and ſtrong in batel.
xvi Y ſchal entre in to myn hous, and Y ſchal reſte wiþ
wiſdom; for þe conuerſacioun þerof haþ no bitterneſſe,
and þe dwellynge togidere þerof haþ noon anoye, but
gladneſſe and ioye.
xvii Y þouȝte þeſe þingis at me, and Y remembride in
myn herte; forwhi wiſdom is vndeedli in þouȝt,
xviii and good delityng is in þe frendſchipe þerof; and
oneſtee wiþout defaute is in þe werkis of hondis þerof;
and wiſdom is in þe ſtrijf of ſpeche þerof; and greet
clereneſſe is in þe comyning of wordis þerof; Y ȝede
aboute, ſekinge to take wiſdom to me.
xix Forſoþe Y was a witti child, and Y gat a good ſoule.
xx And whanne Y was more good, Y cam to a bodi
vndefoulid.
xxi And as Y knew, þat ellis Y mai not be chaſte, no but
God ȝyue, and þis ſame þing was wiſdom, to wite whos
þis ȝifte was; Y ȝede to þe Lord, and Y biſouȝte hym,
and Y ſeide, of alle myn entralis.
CAP. IX
i God of my fadris, and Lord of merci, þat madiſt alle
þingis bi þi word,
ii and ordeynediſt man bi þi wiſdom, þat he ſchulde be
lord of creature, which is maad of þee,
iii þat he diſpoſe þe world in equite and riȝtfulneſſe, and
deme doom in riȝt reulyng of herte;
iiii ȝyue þou to me wiſdom, þat ſtondiþ nyȝ þi ſeetis; and
nyle þou repreue me fro þi children.
v For Y am þi ſeruaunt, and þe ſone of þin hand mayde;
Y am a ſijk man, and of litil tyme, and leſſe to þe
vndurſtondyng of doom and of lawis.
vi And if ony man is perfit among þe ſones of men, if þi
wiſdom fleeþ awei fro hym, he ſchal be rikenyd in to
nouȝt.
vii Forſoþe þou haſt choſe me kyng to þi puple, and a
iuge of þi ſones and douȝtris;
viii and þou ſeidiſt, þat Y ſchulde bilde a temple in þin
holi hil, and an auter in þe citee of þi dwellyng place;
þe licneſſe of þin hooli tabernacle, which þou madiſt
redi at þe bigynnyng.
ix And þi wiſdom is wiþ þee, þat knowiþ þi werkis,
which alſo was preſent þanne, whanne þou madiſt þe
world, and wiſte what was pleſaunt to þin iȝen, and
what was dreſſid in þi comaundementis.
x Sende þou þat wiſdom fro þin hooli heuenes, and fro
þe ſeete of þi greetneſſe, þat it be wiþ me, and trauele
wiþ me; and þat Y wyte what is acceptable anentis þee.
xi Forwhi þilke wiſdom knowiþ and vndirſtondiþ alle
þingis; and it ſchal lede me forþ in my werkis ſobrely,
and it ſchal kepe me in his power.
xii And my werkis ſchulen be acceptable, and Y ſchal
diſpoſe þi puple iuſtli, and Y ſchal be worþi of þe ſeetis
of my fadir.
xiii For who of men mai knowe þe counſel of God? eþer
who mai þenke, what wole God?
xiiii For whi þe þouȝtis of deedli men ben dreedful, and
oure puruyaunces ben vncerteyn.
xv For whi þe bodi þat is corrupt, greueþ þe ſoule; and
erþeli dwellyng preſſiþ doun þe wit, þenkynge many
þingis.
xvi And of hard we geſſen þo þingis, þat ben in erþe; and
we fynden wiþ trauel þo þingis, þat ben in biholdyng.
xvii But who ſchal ſerche þo þingis, þat ben in heuenes?
But who ſchal knowe þi wit, `no but þou ȝyue wiſdom,
and ſende þin Hooli Spirit fro hiȝeſte þingis?
xviii And if þe paþis of hem, þat ben in londis, ben
amendid, and if men han lernyd þo þingis, þat pleſen
þee.
xix For whi, Lord, whiche euer pleſiden þee fro þe
bigynnyng, weren maad hool bi wiſdom.
CAP. X
i Þis wiſdom `of God kepte hym, þat was formed firſt of
God, þe fadir of þe world, whanne he aloone was maad
of nouȝt.
DLXXVIII
ii And `þis wiſdom ledde hym out of his treſpas, and
ledde hym out of þe ſliym of erþe, and ȝaf to hym vertu
to holde togider alle þingis.
iii As þe vnjuſt man in his ire ȝede awei fro þis wiſdom,
broþerhed periſchide bi þe ire of manquellyng.
iiii For which þing whanne watir dide awei þe erþe,
wiſdom heelide eft; gouernynge a iuſt man bi a
diſpiſable tre.
v Þis wiſdom alſo in þe conſent of pride, whanne
naciouns hadden reiſid hem ſilf, knew a iuſt man, and
kept wiþ out playnt to God; and þis wiſdom kepte ſtrong
merci in ſones.
vi `Þis wiſdom deliuerede a iuſt man fleynge fro wickid
men periſchinge, whanne fier cam doun in to þe place
of fyue cytees.
vii For whiche wickid men þe lond ſmokynge is maad
deſeert, in to witneſſyng of weiwardneſſe, and trees
hauynge fruytis in vncerteyn tyme; and þe mynde of an
vnbileueful ſoule ſtondynge an ymage of ſalt.
viii For whi men paſſynge wiſdom, not oneli fellen in
þis, þat þei knewen not goodis, but alſo þei leften to
men þe mynde of her vnwiſdom, þat in þeſe ſynnes,
whiche þei diden, þei miȝten not be hid.
ix Forſoþe wiſdom delyuerede hem fro ſorewis, þat
kepen it.
x Soþeli þis wiſdom ledde forþ a iuſt man bi riȝtful
weies, þat fledde fro þe ire of his broþer; and it
ſchewide to hym þe rewme of God, and ȝaf to hym þe
kunnyng of ſeyntis; it made hym oneſt in trauels, and
fillide hiſe trauelis.
xi It helpide hym in þe fraude of diſſeyueris, and made
hym oneſt.
xii It kepte hym fro enemyes and defendide hym fro
diſſeyueris; and it ȝaf to him a ſtrong batel, þat he ſhulde
ouercome, and wite, þat wiſdom is þe myȝtieſte of alle.
xiii Þis wiſdom forſook not a iuſt man ſeeld, but
delyuerede hym fro ſynneris;
xiiii and it ȝede doun wiþ hym in to a diche; and it
forſook not hym in boondis, til it brouȝte to hym þe
ceptre of þe rewme, and power aȝens hem þat
oppreſſiden hym; and it ſchewide hem lieris, þat
defouliden hym, and it ȝaf to hym euerlaſtynge
clereneſſe.
xv Þis wiſdom delyuerede a iuſt puple, and hooli wiþout
pleynt, fro naciouns þat oppreſſiden it.
xvi Wiſdom entride in to þe ſoule of Goddis ſeruaunt,
and he ſtood aȝens hidouſe kyngis, in grete wondris and
myraclis.
xvii And it ȝeldide to iuſt men þe meede of her trauelis,
and ledde hem forþ in a wondurful weie; and it was to
hem in hilyng of þe dai, and in þe lyȝt of ſterris bi nyȝt.
xviii And it `ledde ouer hem þorouȝ þe reede ſee; and bar
hem ouer þoruy ful myche watir.
xix But it drenchide doun þe enemyes of hem in to þe
ſee; and ledde hem out fro þe depþe of hellis. Þerfor iuſt
men taken awei þe ſpuylis of wickid men;
xx and, Lord, þei magnefieden in ſong þin hooli name,
and preyſeden togidere þin hond ouercomer.
xxi Forwhi wiſdom openyde þe mouþ of doumbe men,
and made þe tungis of ȝonge children not ſpekynge to
be wiſe.
CAP. XI
i He dreſſide þe werkis of hem, in þe hondis of an hooli
profete.
ii Þei maden iourney bi deſertis, þat weren not
enhabitid; and þei maden litle houſis in deſert places.
iii Þei ſtoden aȝens kyngis, and vengiden hem of
enemyes.
iiii Þei þirſtiden, and þei inwardli clepiden þee; and
watir of a ful hiȝ ſtoon was ȝouun to hem, and reſte of
þirſt was ȝouun to hem of an hard ſtoon.
v For bi whiche þingis þe enemyes of hem ſuffriden
peynes, for defaute of her drink, and þe ſones of Iſrael
weren glad, whanne þei hadden plentee;
vi bi þeſe þingis, whanne þeſe failiden to þo enemyes, it
was don wel wiþ hem.
vii For ſoþeli for þe welle of euerlaſtynge flood, þou
ȝaueſt mannus blood to vniuſt men.
viii And whanne þei weren maad leſſe, in þe leding awei
of ȝonge children ſlayn, þou ȝaueſt ſudeynli plenteuouſe
watir to hem; and ſchewidiſt bi þe þirſt,
ix þat was þanne, hou þou woldiſt enhaunſe þi
ſeruauntis, and woldiſt ſle þe aduerſaries of hem.
x For whanne þei weren aſaied, ſoþeli þei token
chaſtiſyng wiþ merci; þei wiſten, hou wickid men
demed wiþ ire, ſchulden ſuffre turmentis.
xi Soþeli þou amoneſtynge as a fadir, preuediſt þeſe
men; but þou as an hard kyng axynge condempnediſt
hem.
xii For whi men abſent and men preſent weren turmentid
in lijk maner.
xiii For whi double anoye hadde take hem, and weilyng
wiþ þe mynde of þingis paſſid.
xiiii Soþeli whanne þei herden, þat it was don wel wiþ
hem ſilf bi her turmentis, þei biþouȝten on þe Lord, and
wondriden on þe ende of þe out goyng.
xv For at þe ende of þe bifallyng, þei worſchipiden him,
whom þei ſcorneden caſt out in ſchrewid puttyng forþ;
and þou didiſt not in lijk maner to iuſt men.
xvi Forſoþe for vnwiſe þouȝtis þe wickidneſſis of hem
weren punyſchid; for ſummen errynge worſchipiden
doumbe ſerpentis, and ſuperflu beeſtis, þou ſentiſt in to
hem a multitude of doumbe beeſtis, in to veniaunce; þat
þei ſchulden wite,
DLXXIX
xvii þat bi what þingis a man ſynneþ, he is turmentid alſo
bi þeſe þingis.
xviii For whi þin hond almyȝti, þat made þe world of
mater vnſeyn, was not vnmyȝti to ſende in to hem a
multitude of beeris, eþer hardi liouns,
xix eþer beeſtis of newe kynde ful of ire, and vnknowun
beeſtis, eþer beeſtis froþinge heete of firis, eþir
bryngynge forþ þe odour of ſmoke, eþir ſendynge out
fro þe iȝen hidouſe ſparclis;
xx of whiche beeſtis not oneli þe hirtyng myȝte diſtrie
hem, but alſo þe ſiȝt myȝte ſle bi drede.
xxi For whi and wiþ oute þeſe beeſtis þei myȝten be
ſlayn bi o ſpirit, and ſuffre perſecucioun of þo her owne
dedis, and be ſcaterid by þe ſpirit of þi vertu. But and
þou haſt diſpoſid alle þingis in meſure, and in noumbre,
and in weiȝte;
xxii for it was left euere to þee aloone to mow do
myche; and who ſchal aȝenſtonde þe vertu of þin arm?
xxiii For as þe tunge of a balaunce, ſo is þe world bifore
þee; and as a drope of dew ryſynge bifore þe lyȝt, þat
comeþ doun in to erþe.
xxiiii And þou haſt merci of alle þingis, for þou maiſt
alle þingis; and þou diſſymeliſt þe ſynnes of men, for
penaunce.
xxv For þou loueſt alle þingis þat ben, and þou hatiſt no
þing of þo, þat þou madiſt; for þou not hatynge ony
þing ordeynediſt, eþer madiſt.
xxvi But hou myȝte ony þing dwelle, `no but þou
woldiſt? eþer hou ſchulde a þing be kept, þat were not
clepid of þee?
xxvii But, Lord, þat loueſt ſoulis, þou ſpariſt alle þingis;
for þo þingis ben þine.
CAP. XII
i Lord, hou good, and hou ſwete is þi Spirit in alle
þingis;
ii and þerfor þou chaſtiſiſt bi partis þeſe men þat erren;
and þou moneſtiſt; of whiche þingis þei ſynnen, and þou
ſpekiſt to hem, þat whanne þei han forſake malice, þei
bileue in þee, Lord.
iii For þou woldiſt leeſe þilke elde dwelleris of þin hooli
lond, whiche þou wlatidiſt;
iiii for þei diden werkis hateful to þee, bi medicynes,
and vniuſt ſacrifices;
v and þe ſlears of her ſones, wiþ out merci, and eteris of
entrailis of men,
vi and deuowreris of blood; and bi þe hondis of oure
fadris þou woldiſt leeſe fro þi myddil ſacrament fadris
and modris, autours of ſoulis vnhelpid;
vii þat oure fadris ſchulden take þe worþi pilgrymage of
Goddis children, which is to þee þe dereworþeſte lond
of alle.
viii But alſo þou ſparidiſt þeſe as men, and þou ſentiſt
waſpis, þe bifore goeris of þin ooſt, þat þo ſchulden
deſtrie hem litil and litil.
ix Not for þou were vnmyȝti to make wickid men ſuget
to iuſt men in batel;
x but þou demydiſt bi partis, and ȝaueſt place to
penaunce, and wiſtiſt, þat þe nacioun of hem was
weiward, and her malice was kyndli, and þat her þouȝt
myȝte not be chaungid wiþ outen ende.
xi For it was a curſid ſeed at þe bigynnyng. And þou not
dredynge ony man, ȝaueſt forȝyueneſſe to þe ſynnes of
hem.
xii For whi who ſchal ſeie to þee, What haſt þou do?
eþer who ſchal ſtonde aȝens þi doom? eþir who ſchal
come in þi ſiȝt, to be auengere of wickid men? eþer who
ſchal arette to þee, if naciouns periſchen, whiche þou
madiſt?
xiii For whi noon oþer þan þou is God, to whom is
charge of alle þingis, þat þou ſchewe, þat þou demeſt
doom not vniuſtli.
xiiii Neþer king neþer tiraunt in þi ſiȝt ſchulen enquere
of þeſe men, whiche þou haſt loſt.
xv Þerfor ſiþen þou art iuſt, þou diſpoſiſt iuſtli alle
þingis; alſo, fadir, þou condempneſt hym, þat owiþ not
to be punyſchid, and þou geſſiſt hym a ſtraunger fro þi
vertu.
xvi For whi þi vertu is þe bigynnyng of riȝtfulneſſe; and
for þis, þat þou art lord of alle men, þou makiſt þee to
ſpare alle men.
xvii For þou, þat art not bileued to be perfit in vertu,
ſchewiſt vertu; and þou lediſt ouer þeſe men, þat
knowen not þee, in hardyneſſe.
xviii But þou, lord of vertu, demeſt wiþ peſibleneſſe, and
diſpoſiſt vs wiþ greet reuerence; for it is ſuget to þee to
mow, whanne þou wolt.
xix Forſoþe þou haſt tauȝt þi puple bi ſiche werkis, þat it
bihoueþ a iuge to be iuſt, and benygne; and þou madiſt
þi ſones of good hope, for þou demeſt, and ȝyueſt place
to penaunce in ſynnes.
xx For if þou turmentidiſt þe enemyes of þi ſeruauntis,
and men due to deþ wiþ ſo greet perſeyuyng, and
delyueridiſt, and ȝaueſt tyme and place, bi which þei
myȝten be chaungid fro malice;
xxi wiþ hou greet diligence demeſt þou þi ſones, to whos
fadris þou ȝaueſt oþis and couenauntis of good
biheeſtis?
xxii Þerfor whanne þou ȝyueſt chaſtiſyng to vs, þou betiſt
many fold oure enemyes, þat we demynge þenke þi
goodneſſe; and whanne it is demyd of vs, þat we hope
þi merci.
xxiii Wherfor and to hem, þat lyueden vnwiſeli, and
vniuſtli in her lijf, þou ȝaueſt ſouereyn turmentis, bi þeſe
þingis whiche þei worſchipiden.
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xxiiii Forþei erriden ful longe in þe weie of errour, and
geſſiden goddis þeſe þingis þat ben ſuperflu in beeſtis,
and lyueden bi cuſtom of ȝonge children vnwitti.
xxv For þis þing þou ȝaueſt doom, in to ſcorn, as to
children vnwitti;
xxvi but þei, þat weren not amendid bi ſcornyngis and
blamyngis, feeliden þe worþi doom of God.
xxvii For þei baren heuyli in þeſe þingis, whiche þei
ſuffriden, in whiche þingis þei ſuffrynge hadden
indignacioun; þei ſeynge hym, whom þei denȝeden ſum
tyme hem to knowe, knewen hym veri God, bi þeſe
þingis whiche þei geſſiden goddis among hem, whanne
þo weren deſtried; for which þing and þe ende of her
condempnacioun ſchal come on hem.
CAP. XIII
i Forſoþe alle men ben veyn, in whiche þe kunnyng of
God is not; and of þeſe þingis þat ben ſeyn goode, þei
myȝten not vndurſtonde him, þat is, and þei
perſeyuynge þe werkis knewen not, who was þe
worchere;
ii but þei geſſiden goddis gouernours of þe world, eþir
þe fier, eþer þe wynd, eþir þe eir maad ſwift, eþer þe
cumpas of ſterris, eþer ful myche watir, eþir þe ſunne
and moone;
iii and if þei delitiden in þe fairneſſe of þo þingis, and
geſſiden þo goddis, wite þei, hou myche þe lord of þo is
fairere þan þo; for whi þe gendrere of fairneſſe made
alle þeſe þingis.
iiii Eþir if þei wondriden on þe vertu and werkis of þo
þingis, vndurſtonde þei of þo, þat he þat made þeſe
þingis, is ſtrongere þan þo;
v for bi þe greetneſſe of fairneſſe and of creature þe
creatour of þeſe þingis myȝte be ſeyn knowyngli.
vi But neþeles ȝit in þeſe men is leſſe playnt; for þei
erren, in hap ſekynge God, and willynge to fynde.
vii For whanne þei lyuen in hiſe werkis, þei ſeken, and
holden for a ſoþ, þat þo þingis ben goode, þat ben ſeyn.
viii Eft ſoþeli it owiþ not to be forȝouun to þeſe men.
ix For if þei miȝten wite ſo myche, þat þei miȝten geſſe
þe world, hou founden þei not liȝtliere þe lord þerof?
x forſoþe þei ben curſid, and þe hope of hem is among
deed men, þat clepiden goddis þe werkis of mennus
hondis, gold, and ſiluer, þe fyndyng of craft, and
licneſſis of beeſtis, eþer a ſtoon vnprofitable, þe werk of
an eld hond.
xi Eþir if ony crafti man, a carpenter, hewiþ doun of þe
wode a ſtreiȝt tre, and raſiþ awei perfitli al þe riynde
þerof, and vſiþ his craft diligentli, and makiþ a veſſel ful
profitable in to conuerſacioun of lijf;
xii ſoþeli he vſiþ þe relifs of þis werk to þe makyng redi
of mete; and þe reſidue of þeſe þingis,
xiii which he makiþ to no werk, a crokid tre, and ful of
knottis, he graueþ diligentli bi his voidneſſe, and bi þe
kunnyng of his craft he figuriþ it, and licneþ it to þe
ymage of a man,
xiiii eþer makiþ it lijk to ſum of beeſtis, and anoyntiþ
wiþ reed colour, and makiþ þe colour þerof rodi wiþ
peynture, and anoyntiþ eche ſpotte which is in it,
xv and makiþ to it a worþi dwellyng place, and ſettiþ it
in þe wal, and he faſtneþ it wiþ irun,
xvi leſt perauenture it falle doun; and he purueyeþ for it,
and woot, þat it may not helpe it ſilf; for it is an ymage,
and help is nedeful þerto.
xvii And he makiþ auowe, and enqueriþ of his catel, and
of hiſe ſones, and of weddyngis; he is not aſchamed to
ſpeke wiþ hym, þat is wiþ out ſoule;
xviii and ſoþeli for helþe he biſechiþ a þing vnmyȝti, and
for lijf he preieþ a þing wiþ out lijf, and he clepiþ an
vnprofitable þing in to help.
xix And for iourney he axiþ of þat þing, þat mai not go;
and of getyng, and of worchyng, and of bifallyng of alle
þingis he axiþ of hym, which is vnprofitable in alle
þingis.
CAP. XIIII
i Eft an oþer man þenkynge to ſeile in ſchip, and
bigynnynge to make iournei þorouȝ ferſe wawis,
inwardli clepiþ a tre frelere þan þe tre þat beriþ hym.
ii For whi couetiſe to gete money foond þat idol; and a
crafti man made it bi his wiſdom.
iii But þou, fadir, gouerneſt bi puruyaunce, for þou
ȝaueſt weie in þe ſee, and a moſt ſtidfaſt paþ among
wawis;
iiii ſchewynge þat þou art miȝti to make hool of alle
þingis, ȝhe, if a man goiþ to þe ſee wiþ out ſchip;
v but þat þe werkis of þi wiſdom ſchulden not be voide,
for þis þing men bitaken her lyues, ȝhe, to a litil tre, and
þei paſſen þe ſee, and ben delyuered bi a ſchip.
vi But at þe bigynnyng, whanne proude giauntis
periſchiden, þe hope of þe world fledde to a ſchip, and
ſente efte ſeed of birþe to þe world, which was
gouerned bi þin hond.
vii For whi bleſſid is þe tree, bi which riȝtfulneſſe was
maad.
viii But þe idol which is maad bi hond is curſid, boþe it,
and he þat made it, for ſoþeli he wrouȝte grete treſpas;
ſoþeli þat idol, whanne it was freel, was nemyd God.
ix Forſoþe in lijk maner þe wickid man and his
wickidneſſe ben hateful to God.
x For whi þat þat is maad ſchal ſuffre turmentis, wiþ
hym þat made it.
xi For þis þing and to þe idols of naciouns ſchal not be
biholdyng; for þe creaturis of God ben maad in to
DLXXXI
hatrede, and in to temptacioun to þe ſoule of men, and
in to a trappe to þe feet of vnwiſe men.
xii For þe bigynnyng of fornycacioun is þe ſekyng out of
idols, and þe fynding of þo idols is þe corrupcioun of
lijf.
xiii Forſoþe þo weren not at þe bigynnyng, neþir þo
ſchulen be wiþ out ende.
xiiii For whi þe voidneſſe of men foond þeſe idols in to
þe world; and þerfor þe ende of þo is foundun ſchort.
xv For whi þe fadir makinge ſorewe wiþ bittir
morenyng, made ſoone to hym an ymage of þe ſone `þat
was rauyſchid; and bigan to worſchipe hym now as a
god, þat was deed þanne as a man; and he ordeynede
hooli þingis and ſacrifices among hiſe ſeruauntis.
xvi Aftirward in tyme comynge bitwixe, whanne þe
wickid cuſtom was ſtrong, þis errour was kept as a lawe,
and ymagis weren worſchipid bi lordſchip of tirauntis.
xvii Þe figure of hem was brouȝt fro fer, whiche þe men
miȝten not onoure in opyn, for þei weren fer; and þei
maden an opyn ymage of þe kyng, whom þei wolden
onoure; þat bi her biſyneſſe þei ſchulden worſchipe hym
as preſent, þat was abſent.
xviii Forſoþe þe noble diligence of a crafti man brouȝte
in alſo hem, þat knewen not, to þe worſchipyng of þes
kyngis.
xix For he willynge more to pleſe þat kyng, þat took
hym, trauelide perfitli bi his craft, to make a licneſſe in
to betere.
xx Soþeli þe multitude of men, diſſeyued bi þe fairneſſe
of werk, geſſiden hym now a god, þat was onourid as a
man bifore þat tyme.
xxi And þis was þe diſſeit of mannys lijf; for whi men
ſeruynge greetli, eþir to affeccioun, eþir to kyngis,
puttiden to ſtoonys and trees þe name þat mai not be
comynyd.
xxii And it ſuffiſide not, þat þei erriden aboute þe
kunnyng of God; but alſo þei lyuynge in greet batel of
vnkunnyng, clepen ſo many and ſo grete yuels pees.
xxiii For eþir þei ſleynge her ſones in ſacrifice, eþir
makynge derk ſacrifices, eþir hauynge wakyngis ful of
woodneſſe,
xxiiii kepen now neþer cleene lijf, neþer cleene
weddyngis; but alſo o man ſleeþ anoþer man bi enuye,
eþir doynge auowtrie makiþ ſory his neiȝbore.
xxv And alle þingis ben medlid togidere, blood,
manſleyng, þefte, and feynyng, corrupcioun,
vnfeiþfulneſſe, diſturblyng, and forſweryng,
xxvi noiſe, forȝetyng of goodis of þe Lord, defoulyng of
ſoulis, chaungyng of birþe, vnſtidfaſtneſſe of
weddyngis, vnordeyning of letcherie and of vnchaſtite.
xxvii For whi þe worſchipyng of curſid idols is þe cauſe,
and þe bigynnyng, and þe ende of al yuel.
xxviii For whi eþir þei wexen woode, while þei ben glad;
eþer certis þei profecien falſe þingis, eþir þei lyuen
vniuſtli, eþir þei forſweren ſoone.
xxix For þe while þei triſten in idols, þat ben wiþ out
ſoule, þei ſweren yuele, and hopen not, þat þei ſchulen
be anoyed.
xxx Þerfor euer eiþir ſchulen come to hem worþili; for
þei demeden yuele of God, and ȝauen tent to idols, and
þei ſworen vniuſtli in an idol, and þei diſpiſiden
riȝtfulneſſe.
xxxi For whi an ooþ is not vertu, but þe peyne of
ſynneris goiþ forþ euere, in to þe breking of iuſt þingis.
CAP. XV
i Forſoþe þou, oure God, art ſwete, and trewe, and
pacient, and diſpoſiſt alle þingis in merci.
ii For if we ſynnen, we ben þin, and knowen þi
greetneſſe; and if we ſynnen not, we witen, þat we ben
acountid at þee.
iii For whi to knowe þee, is parfit riȝtfulneſſe; and to
kunne þi riȝtfulneſſe and vertu, is þe root of
vndedlyneſſe.
iiii Forſoþe þe þenkyng out of yuel craft of men brouȝte
not vs in to errour, neþer þe ſchadewe of peynture trauel
wiþout fruyt, an ymage grauun bi dyuerſe colours;
v whos biholdyng ȝyueþ coueytiſe to an vnwiſe man,
and he loueþ þe licneſſe of a deed ymage wiþ out ſoule.
vi Þe louyers of yuels ben worþi þe deeþ, þat han hope
in ſiche; and þei þat maken þo, and þei þat louen, and
þei þat worſchipen ben worþi þe deþ.
vii But alſo a pottere, þriſtynge neiſche erþe, bi greet
trauel makiþ ech veſſel to oure vſis; and of þe ſame clei
he makiþ veſſels þat ben clene to vſs, and in lijk maner
þo þat ben contrarie to þeſe; forſoþe what vſs is of þeſe
veſſels, þe pottere is iuge.
viii And he þat was maad of erþe a litil bifore, makiþ a
god of þe ſame clei wiþ veyn trauel; and þe pottere,
axid to ȝelde þe dette of ſoule which he hadde, lediþ
hym ſilf aftir a litil tyme to þe erþe, fro whennus he was
takun.
ix But he haþ care, not for he ſchal trauele, neþer for his
lijf is ſchort, but he ſtryueþ wiþ gold ſmyþis and ſiluer
ſmyþis; but alſo he ſueþ worcheris of bras, and ſettiþ
bifore glorie; for he makiþ ſuperflu þingis.
x For þe herte of hym is aiſche, and ſuperflu erþe is his
hope, and his lijf is vilere þan clei.
xi For he knew not God, þat made him, and þat enſpiride
a ſoule to hym; and he loueþ þo þingis whiche he haþ
wrouȝt; and he knew not God, þat blowide in hym a
ſpirit of lijf.
xii But þei geſſiden fleiſchli delityng to be oure lijf, and
þe conuerſacioun of lijf to be maad to wynnyng, and þat
it bihoueþ to gete on ech ſide, ȝhe, of yuel.
DLXXXII
xiii Forſoþe þis man þat makiþ freele veſſels, and grauun
ymagis of þe mater of erþe, woot þat he treſpaſſiþ aboue
alle men.
xiiii Forſoþe, Lord, alle vnwiſe men and curſid ben
proude ouer þe meſure of her ſoule, and ben enemyes of
þi puple, and vpbreyden it;
xv for þei geſſiden alle þe idols of naciouns to be goddis,
þat han neþir ſiȝt of iȝen to ſe, neþir noſe þirlis to
perſeyue a ſpirit, eþir wynd, neþer eeris to here, neþir
fyngris of hondis to touche, but alſo her feet ben ſlowe
to go.
xvi For whi a man made þo, and he þat borewide a ſpirit,
made þo; forwhi no man mai make a god lijk hym ſilf.
xvii For ſiþen he is deedli, bi wickid hondis he makiþ a
deed idol; for he is betere þan þeſe goddis, whiche he
worſchipiþ; for ſoþeli he liuyde, whanne he was deedli,
but þei lyueden neuere.
xviii But alſo mooſt wretchid men worſchipen beeſtis; for
whi vnreſonable beeſtis, compariſound to þeſe men, ben
worſe þan þei.
xix But neþer bi ſiȝt ony man mai of þeſe beeſtis biholde
goodis; forſoþe þei han dryue awei þe heriyng of God,
and his bleſſyng.
CAP. XVI
i For þeſe þingis, and þingis lijk þeſe, þei ſuffriden
turmentis worþili, and þei weren deſtried bi multitude
of beeſtis.
ii For whiche turmentis þou diſpoſidiſt wel þi puple, to
whiche þou ȝaueſt coueitiſe of her delityng a new
ſauour, makynge redi mete to hem a curlew.
iii Þat ſoþeli þei coueitynge mete, weren turned awei,
ȝhe, fro nedeful coueityng, for þo þingis þat weren
ſchewid, and ſent to hem; but þeſe men maad pore in
ſchort tyme, taſtiden newe mete.
iiii For ſoþeli it bihofte periſchyng to come on hem wiþ
outen excuſyng, vſynge tirauntri; but to ſchewe oneli to
þeſe Ebries, hou her enemyes weren deſtried.
v Forſoþe whanne þe feers ire of beeſtis cam on hem,
þei weren deſtried bi þe bityngis of weiward ſerpentis.
vi But, Lord, þin ire dwellide not wiþ outen ende; but
þei weren troblid in ſchort time to amendyng, and
hadden a ſigne of helþe, to remembryng of þe
comaundement of þi lawe.
vii For he þat was conuertid, was heelid not bi þat he ſiȝ,
but bi þee, ſauȝour of alle men.
viii Forſoþe in þis þou ſchewidiſt to oure enemyes, þat
þou it art, þat delyueriſt fro al yuel.
ix Forſoþe þe bityngis of locuſtis and of flies killiden
hem, and heelþe of her lijf was not foundun; for þei
weren worþi to be deſtried of ſiche þingis.
x But neþer þe teeþ of dragouns, neþir of venemouſe
beeſtis ouercamen þi children; for whi þi merci cam,
and heelide hem.
xi For þei weren turmentid in mynde of þi wordis, and
þei weren heelid ſwiftli; leſt þei fallynge in to deep
forȝetyng of God, miȝten not vſe þin help.
xii For neþir eerbe, neþir plaſtere heelide hem; but,
Lord, þi word, þat heeliþ alle þingis.
xiii Lord, þou art, þat haſt power of lijf and of deþ; and
lediſt forþ to þe ȝatis of deþ, and lediſt aȝen.
xiiii But ſoþeli a man ſleeþ his ſoule bi malice; and
whanne þe ſpirit is goen out, it ſchal not turne aȝen,
neþer þe bodi ſchal aȝen clepe þe ſoule, which is
reſſeyued;
xv but it is vnpoſſible to aſcape þin hond.
xvi Forwhi wickid men, denying to knowe þee, weren
turmentid bi ſtrengþe of þin arm; þei ſuffriden
perſecuſioun bi newe watris, and hailis, and reines, and
weren waſtid bi fier.
xvii For whi þat was wondurful, þe fier hadde more miȝt
in þe watir, þat quenchiþ alle þingis; for whi þe world
was veniere of iuſt men.
xviii For whi ſum tyme þe fier was mylde, leſt þe beeſtis
ſchulden be brent, þat weren ſent to wickid men; but þat
þei ſeynge ſchulden wite, þat þei ſuffren perſecucioun bi
þe doom of God.
xix And ſum tyme þe fier brente an hiȝ on ech ſide in þe
water, aboue þe vertu of fier, to deſtrie þe wickid
nacioun of þe lond.
xx For whiche þingis þou nuriſchidiſt þi puple wiþ mete
of aungels, and þou ȝaueſt fro heuene breed maad redi
to hem, wiþ out trauel; hauynge al delityng in it ſilf, and
þe ſwetneſſe of al ſauour.
xxi For þou ſchewidiſt þi catel, and þi ſwetneſſe, which
þou haſt, to ſones; and þe breed ſeruynge to þe wille of
eche man, was turned to þat, þat ech man wolde.
xxii Forſoþe ſnow and iys ſuffriden þe miȝt of fier, and
meltiden not; þat þei ſchulden wite, þat fier brennynge,
in hail and reyn leytynge, deſtryede þe fruytis of
enemyes.
xxiii Soþeli eft þis was wondirful, alſo fier forȝat his
vertu, þat iuſt men ſchulden be nurſchid.
xxiiii For whi þe creature ſeruynge to þee þe makere,
wexiþ whijt in to turment aȝens vniuſt men, and is maad
liȝtere to do wel, for hem þat triſten in þee.
xxv For þis þing and alle þingis transfigurid þanne
ſeruyden to þi grace, nuriſchere of alle þingis, to þe
wille of hem, þat ben deſirid of þee;
xxvi þat, Lord, þi ſones ſchulden wite, whiche þou
louediſt, þat not þe fruytis of birþe feeden men, but þi
word kepeþ hem, þat bileuen in þee.
xxvii For whi þat þat miȝte not be diſtried of fier, meltide
anoon as it was maad hoot of a litil beem of þe ſunne;
DLXXXIII
xxviii þatit were knowun to alle men, þat it bihoueþ to
come bifore þe ſunne to þi bleſſing, and to worſchipe
þee at þe riſyng of þe lyȝt.
xxix Forſoþe þe hope of an vnkynde man ſchal melte
awei as iys of wyntir, and ſchal periſche as ſuperflu
watir.
CAP. XVII
i Forſoþe, Lord, þi domes ben greet, and þi wordis
moun not be fulli teld out; vnlerned ſoulis erriden for
þeſe.
ii For þe while wickid men holden for ſtidfaſt, þat þei
moun be lordis of hooli nacioun, þei weren feterid wiþ
boondis of derkneſſis, and of long niȝt, and weren cloſid
vndur rooues; and þei fugityues weren ſuget to
euerlaſtinge puruyaunce.
iii And þe while þei geſſen hem to be hid in derk ſynnes,
þei weren ſcaterid bi derk hidyng of forȝetyng,
dredynge hidouſli, and diſturblid wiþ ful greet
wondryng.
iiii For þe denne þat wiþhelde hem, kepte not wiþ out
drede; for whi ſown comynge doun diſturblide hem, and
ſoreuful perſoones apperynge to hem, ȝauen drede to
hem.
v And ſoþeli no myȝt of fier myȝte ȝyue lyȝt to hem, and
þe cleer flawmes of ſterris myȝten not liȝtne þat hidouſe
nyȝt.
vi Soþeli ſodeyn fier ful of drede apperide to hem; and
þei weren ſmytun wiþ þe drede of þat face, þat was not
ſeyn, and geſſiden þo þingis to be worſe, þat weren ſeyn.
vii And ſcornes of whitche craft weren leid to, and þe
glorie of wiſdom was chaſtiſyng wiþ diſpiſyng.
viii For þei, þat bihiȝten hem ſilf to putte awei dredis and
diſturblyngis fro a ſijk ſoule, weren ful wiþ ſcorn, and
weren ſijk for drede.
ix For whi þouȝ no þing of þe wondris aȝens kynde
diſturblide hem, þei weren mouyd bi þe paſſyng of
beeſtis, and bi þe hiſſyng of eddris, and trembliden, and
periſchiden; and denȝeden, þat þei ſien þe eyr, which a
man myȝte not aſcape bi ony reſoun; for whi worſte
þingis bifore ocupien ofte, while þe conſcience
repreueþ.
x For ſiþen wickidneſſe is dreedful, it is ȝouun in to
condempnacioun of alle men; for whi a conſcience
diſturblid preſumeþ euere wickid þingis.
xi For whi drede is no þing, no but help of
preſumpcioun, and ſchewyng of þouȝt of helpis.
xii And þe while leſſe abydyng is fro wiþ ynne, it geſſiþ
gretter power of þat cauſe, of which it ȝyueþ turment.
xiii Forſoþe þei, þat camen in to a myȝti niȝt, and
comynge aboue fro loweſte þingis, and fro hiȝeſte
þingis, þei ſlepynge þe ſame ſleep,
xiiii weren hurlid ſum tyme bi drede of wondris aȝens
kynde, ſum tyme þe ſoulis failiden bi ledyng ouer; for
why ſudeyn drede and vnhopid, cam on hem.
xv Afterward if ony of hem hadde fel doun, he was kept
cloſid in priſoun, wiþ out yrun;
xvi for if ony cheerl was, eþir ſcheepherd, eþir a werk
man of feeldis, and was bifore ocupied, he ſuffride nede
þat miȝte not be aſcapid.
xvii For whi alle men weren boundun togidere bi o
chayne of derkneſſis; eþer a wynd hiſſynge, eþer ſwete
ſown of briddis bitwixe þe þicke bowis of trees, eþir þe
feerſneſſe of watir rennynge doun greetli,
xviii eþir a ſtrong ſoun of ſtoonys caſt doun, eþir þe
rennyng vnſeyn of beeſtis pleiynge, eþir þe ſtrong vois
of beeſtis lowynge, eþir ecco ſownynge aȝen fro hiȝeſte
hillis, maden hem failynge for drede.
xix Forſoþe al þe world was liȝtned wiþ cleer lyȝt, and
was not wiþholdun in werkis lettid.
xx But a greuouſe niȝt, þe ymage of derkneſſis, þat was
to comyng on hem, was ſet on hem aloone; þerfor þei
weren greuouſere to hem ſilf þan þe derkneſſis.
CAP. XVIII
i But ful greet lyȝt was to þin hooli ſeruauntis, and
ſoþeli enemyes herden þe vois of hem, but þei ſien not
þe figure, eþir ſchap; and for alſo þei ſuffriden not bi þe
ſame þingis, þei magnefieden þee.
ii And for þei weren hirt bifore, þei diden þankyngis to
þee, for þei weren not hirt; and þat difference ſchulde
be bitwixe hem and Egipcians, þei axiden þee, God.
iii For which þing þei hadden a brennynge piler of fier,
þe ledere of vnknowun weie; and þou ȝaueſt þe ſunne,
wiþ out hirtyng of good herbore.
iiii Forſoþe þei weren worþi to wante lyȝt, and to ſuffre
þe priſoun of derkneſſis, whiche helden þi ſones
encloſid; bi whiche ſones þe vncorrupt lijt of lawe bigan
to be ȝouun to þe world.
v Whanne þei þouȝten to ſle þe ȝonge children of iuſt
men; and whanne o ſone was put forþ, and delyuered,
þou tokiſt awei þe multitude of ſones, for þe ledyng
ouer of hem, and þou loſtiſt hem togidere in ſtrong
watir.
vi Forſoþe þilke nyȝt was knowun bifore of oure fadris,
þat þei witynge verili to whiche oþis þei bileuyden,
ſchulden be more paciente.
vii Forſoþe helþe of iuſt men was reſſeyued verili of þi
puple, `and alſo diſtriyng of vniuſt men.
viii For as þou hirtidiſt oure aduerſaries, ſo þou excitidiſt
alſo vs, and magnefiediſt vs.
ix For whi iuſt children of goode men maden ſacrifice
priueli, and diſpoſiden þe lawe of riȝtfulneſſe in to
acordyng; þei diſpoſiden iuſt men to reſſeyue goodis and
DLXXXIV
yuels in lijk maner, and ſungen heriyngis to þe fadir of
alle men.
x But vnſemeli vois of enemyes ſownede, and wepeful
weilyng of biweperis of ȝonge children was herd.
xi Forſoþe þe ſeruaunt was turmentid bi lijk peyne wiþ
þe lord; and a man of þe puple ſuffride þingis lijk þe
kyng.
xii Þerfor in lijk maner alle men bi o name of deþ
hadden deed men vnnoumbrable, for neþer quyke men
ſuffiſeden to birie; for whi þe nacioun of hem, þat was
clerere þan oþere, was deſtried in o moment.
xiii Forſoþe of alle Egipcians men not bileuynge for
benefices, bihiȝten hem þanne to be Goddis puple,
whanne þe diſtriyng of þe firſte gendryd þingis was firſt.
xiiii Forſoþe whanne alle þingis helden reſtful ſilence,
and þe nyȝt hadde þe myddil weie in his cours,
xv Lord, þi word almyȝti comynge ſwiftli fro heuene,
cam fro þe kyngis ſeetis;
xvi a ſcharp ſwerd berynge þi comaundement not
feyned, cam forþ, ouercomere in to þe myddil of þe
lond of deſtriyng; and it ſtood, and fillide alle þingis
wiþ deeþ, and it ſtood in erþe, and ſtretchide forþ til to
heuene.
xvii Þanne anoon þe ſiȝtis of yuel dremes diſturbliden
hem, and dredis not hopid camen aboue.
xviii And anoþer man caſt forþ half quyk in an oþer
place, ſchewide for what cauſe of deþ he diede.
xix For whi ſiȝtis þat diſturbliden hem, bifore warneden
þeſe þingis, þat þei ſchulden periſche not vnwityngli,
why þei ſuffriden yuels.
xx Forſoþe temptacioun of deþ touchide þanne alſo iuſt
men, and mouyng togidere of multitude was maad in
deſert; but þin ire dwellide not longe.
xxi For a man wiþout pleynt haſtide to biſeche for
puplis, and he brouȝte forþ preier þe ſcheld of his
ſeruyce, and he aleggide preier bi encence, and aȝen
ſtood ire; and he ſettide an ende to þe nede, and
ſchewide þat he was þi ſeruaunt.
xxii Forſoþe he ouercam cumpenyes, not bi vertu of
bodi, neþer bi armure of power; but he remembride þe
oþis, and þe teſtament of fadris, and bi word he made
hym ſuget, þat trauelide hym ſilf.
xxiii For whanne deed men fellen doun bi heepis, ech on
oþer, he ſtood bitwixe `deed men and lyuynge, and
kittide awei þe feerſneſſe of brennyng, and departide þat
weie, þat ledde to quyke men.
xxiiii For whi al þe world was in þe cloþ laſtynge to þe
heelis, which he hadde; and þe grete þingis of fadris
weren grauun in foure ordris of ſtoonys; and, Lord, þi
magnyficence was writun in þe diademe of his heed.
xxv Forſoþe he þat diſtriede, ȝaf ſtide to þeſe þingis, and
dredde þeſe þingis; for whi þe temptacioun aloone was
ſufficient to ire.
CAP. XIX xvi Forſoþe þei weren ſmytun wiþ blyndneſſe, as þei in
i Forſoþe ire wiþ out merci cam on wickid men til in to þe ȝatis of þe iuſt man, whanne þei weren hilid wiþ
þe laſte; forwhi God bifore knew alſo þe þingis to ſudeyne derkneſſis; ech man ſouȝte þe paſſyng of his
comynge of hem. dore.
ii For whanne þei weren turned, and hadden ſuffrid, þat xvii Forſoþe while elementis ben turned in to hem ſilf, as
þei ſchulden lede out hem, and hadden bifor ſent hem þe ſown of maner is chaungid in orgun, and alle þingis
wiþ greet byſyneſſe, þe dedis of repentyng ſueden hem. kepen her ſown; wherfor it mai be geſſid of þat certeyn
iii For þei hauynge ȝit morenyng bitwixe þe hondis, and ſiȝt.
þei biwepynge at þe ſepulcris of deed men, token to xviii Beeſtis of þe feeld weren turned in to beeſtis of
hem anoþir þouȝt of vnkunnyng; and þei purſueden þo watir; what euer weren ſwymmynge þingis, ȝeden in þe
Ebreis, as fleeris awei, whiche þei preiynge hadden ſent lond.
forþ. xix Fier in watir hadde power aboue his vertu; and water
iiii For whi worþi nede ledde hem to þis ende, and þei forȝat þe kynde quenchynge.
loſten remembryng of þeſe þingis, þat hadden bifeld, þat xx Aȝenward flawmes of corruptible beeſtis diſeſiden
punyſchyng ſchulde fille þo þingis, þat failiden of not þe fleiſchis of Ebreis goynge togidere; neþir
turmentis, departiden þat good mete, þat was departid liȝtly as iys.
v and þat ſoþeli þi puple ſchulde paſſe wondurfuli; Forſoþe, Lord, þou magnefiediſt þi puple in alle þingis,
forſoþe þat þei ſchulden fynde a newe deþ. and onouridiſt; and diſpiſidiſt not, and helpidiſt hem in
vi For whi ech creature ſeruynge to þin heeſtis, was ech tyme and in ech place.
refourmed to his kynde at þe bigynnyng, þat þi children Here endiþ þe book of Wiſdom, and here bigynneþ
ſchulden be kept vnhirt. þe book of Eccleſiaſtici.
vii For whi a cloude biſchadewide þe caſtels of hem, and
drie erþe apperide in watir þat was bifore; and a weie
wiþ out letting apperide in þe reed ſee, and a feeld
buriownynge fro ful greet depþe; bi which feeld al þe
nacioun paſſide,
viii þat was hilid wiþ þin hond; forſoþe þei ſien þi
merueilis and wondris.
ix For þei as horſis deuouriden mete, and as lambren þei
maden ful out ioye, magnefiynge þee, Lord, þat
delyuerediſt hem.
x For þei weren myndeful ȝit of þo þingis, þat weren
don in þe dwellyng of hem among Egipcians; hou þe
lond brouȝte forþ flies, for þe nacioun of beeſtis, and þe
flood brouȝte forþ multitude of paddokis, for fiſchis.
xi Forſoþe at þe laſt þei ſien a newe creature of briddis,
whanne þei weren led bi coueitiſe, and axiden metis of
feeſte.
xii For in þe ſpekynge to of her deſir, a curlew ſtiede to
hem fro þe ſee; and diſeeſis camen on ſynneris, and not
wiþ out preuyngis of þo þingis, þat weren don bifor bi
þe feerſneſſe of floodis. For þei ſuffriden iuſtli, bi her
wickidneſſis;
xiii for þei ordeyneden more abhomynable vnoſpitalite.
Soþeli ſumme reſſeyueden not vnknowun comelyngis;
ſoþeli oþere token good men herborid in to þraldom.
xiiii And not oneli þei diden þeſe þingis, but ſoþeli alſo
anoþer biholding of hem was, þat þei aȝens her wille
reſſeyueden ſtraungeris.
xv Forſoþe þei þat vſiden þe ſame ordynaunces,
turmentiden wiþ crueleſt ſorewis hem, þat reſſeyueden
wiþ gladneſſe.

DLXXXV

ECCLESIASTICUS
Here bigynneþ þe book of Eccleſiaſtici.
CAP. I
i Al wiſdom is of þe Lord God, and was euere wiþ hym,
and is bifore þe world.
ii Who noumbride þe grauel of þe ſee, and þe dropis of
reyn, and þe daies of þe world? Who meſuride þe
hiȝneſſe of heuene, and þe breed of erþe, and þe depþe
of þe ſee?
iii Who enſerchide þe wiſdom of God, þat goiþ bifore
alle þingis?
iiii Wiſdom was formed firſte of alle þingis, and þe
vndurſtonding of prudence, fro þe world.
v Þe welle of wiſdom is þe ſone of God in hiȝ þingis;
and þe entryng of þat wiſdom is euerlaſtynge
comaundementis.
vi To whom was þe roote of wiſdom ſchewid? and who
knewe þe ſutilites þerof?
vii To whom was þe lore of wiſdom ſhewid, and maad
opyn? and who vndurſtood þe multipliyng of þe entryng
þerof?
viii Oon is þe hiȝeſte creatour of alle þingis, almyȝti, and
a myȝti kyng, and worþi to be dred ful miche, ſittynge
on þe trone of þat wiſdom, and God hauynge lordſchipe.
ix He fourmyde `þat wiſdom in þe Hooli Ghoſt, and he
ſiȝ, and noumbride, and he meſuride.
x And he ſchedde out it on alle hiſe werkis, and on ech
fleiſch bi his ȝifte; he ȝyueþ it to hem þat louen hym.
xi Þe drede of þe Lord is glorie, and gloriyng, and
gladneſſe, and a coroun of ful out ioiyng.
xii Þe drede of þe Lord ſchal delite þe herte; and ſchal
ȝyue gladneſſe and ioie in to lengþe of daies.
xiii To hym þat drediþ God, it ſchal be wel in þe laſte
þingis; and he ſchal be bleſſid in þe dai of his deþ.
xiiii Forſoþe þei to whiche wiſdom apperiþ in ſiȝt, louen
it in ſiȝt, and in knowyng of hiſe grete þingis.
xv Þe loue of God is onourable wiſdom.
xvi Þe bigynnyng of wiſdom is þe drede of þe Lord; and
it is formyd togidere in þe wombe wiþ feiþful men, and
it goiþ wiþ choſun wymmen, and is knowun wiþ iuſt
men and feiþful.
xvii Þe drede of þe Lord is religiouſte of kunnyng.
xviii Religiouſte ſchal kepe, and ſchal iuſtifie þe herte;
and ſchal ȝyue myrþe and ioie.
xix It ſchal be wel to hym þat drediþ God; and he ſchal
be bleſſid in þe daies of his coumfort.
xx Þe fulneſſe of wiſdom is for to drede God; and
fulneſſe is of þe fruytis þerof.
xxi It ſchal fille ech ȝifte of hym of generaciouns, and
reſeitis of þe treſouris þerof.
DLXXXVI
xxii Þe coroun of wiſdom is þe drede of þe Lord, and
filliþ pees, and þe fruyt of heelþe.
xxiii And he ſiȝ, and noumbride it; forſoþe euer eiþir ben
þe ȝiftis of God.
xxiiii Wiſdom ſchal departe þe kunnyng and
vndurſtondyng of prudence; and it enhaunſiþ þe glorie
of hem, þat holden it.
xxv Þe roote of wiſdom is for to drede God; forſoþe þe
braunchis þerof ben longe durynge.
xxvi Vndurſtonding, and religiouſte of kunnyng ben in
þe treſouris of wiſdom; but wiſdom is abhomynacioun
to ſynners.
xxvii Þe drede of þe Lord puttiþ awei ſynne,
xxviii for he þat is wiþ out drede, mai not be iuſtified; for
whi þe wraþfulneſſe of his pride is þe deſtriyng of hym.
xxix A pacient man ſchal ſuffre til in to tyme; and
aftirward ſchal be ȝelding of mirþe.
xxx Good wit ſchal hide þe wordis of hym til in to a
tyme; and þe lippis of many men ſchulen telle out þe
wit of hym.
xxxi In þe treſouris of wiſdom is ſignefiyng of kunnyng;
xxxii but þe worſchipyng of God is abhomynacioun to a
ſynnere.
xxxiii A! ſone, coueitynge wiſdom, kepe þou riȝtfulneſſe,
and God ſchal ȝyue it to þee.
xxxiiii For whi þe drede of þe Lord is wiſdom, and
kunnyng, and þat
xxxv þat is wel pleſaunt to hym is feiþ and myldeneſſe;
and God ſchal fille þe treſſours of hym.
xxxvi Be þou not rebel, and vnbileueful to þe drede of þe
Lord; and neiȝe þou not to hym in double herte.
xxxvii Be þou not an ypocrite in þe ſiȝt of men; and be
þou not ſclaundrid in þi lippis.
xxxviii Take þou kepe to þo, leſt þou falle, and brynge
diſonour to þi ſoule; and leſt God ſchewe þi priuytees,
xxxix and hurtle þee doun in þe myddis of þe ſynagoge;
xl for þou neiȝidiſt wickidli to þe Lord, and þin herte
was ful of gile and of falſneſſe.
CAP. II
i Sone, neiȝynge to þe ſeruyce of God, ſtonde þou in
riȝtfulneſſe, and drede; and make redi þi ſoule to
temptacioun.
ii Bere doun þin herte, and ſuffre, and bowe doun þin
eere, and take þe wordis of vndirſtonding, and haaſte
þou not in to þe tyme of deeþ.
iii Suffre þou þe ſuſteynyngis of God; be þou ioyned to
God, and abide þou, þat þi lijf wexe in þe laſt tyme.
iiii Take þou alle þing þat is ſet to þee, and ſuffre þou in
ſorewe, and haue þou pacience in þi lowneſſe.
v For whi gold and ſiluer is preued in fier; forſoþe men
worþi to be reſſeyued ben preued in þe chymeney of
lowneſſe.
vi Bileue þou to God, and he ſchal rekeuere þee; and
dreſſe þou þi weie, and hope þou in to hym. Kepe þou
his drede, and wexe þou eld þer ynne.
vii Ȝe þat dreden þe Lord, abide his merci, and boowe ȝe
not awei fro hym, leſt ȝe falle doun.
viii Ȝe þat dreden þe Lord, bileue to hym, and ȝoure
mede ſchal not be auoidid.
ix Ȝe þat dreden þe Lord, hope into hym, and merci
ſchal come to ȝou into delityng.
x Ȝe þat dreden þe Lord, loue hym, and ȝoure hertis
ſchulen be liȝtned.
xi Sones, biholde ȝe þe naciouns of men, and wite ȝe,
þat no man hopide in þe Lord, and was ſchent;
xii noon dwellide in hiſe heeſtis, and was forſakun; eþer
who inwardli clepide hym, and he deſpiſide hym `þat
clepide?
xiii For whi God is pitouſe, and merciful, and he ſchal
forȝyue ſynnes in þe dai of tribulacioun; and he is
defendere to alle men, þat ſeken hym in treuþe.
xiiii Woo to þe `man wiþ double herte, and wiþ curſid
lippis, and miſdoynge hondys; and to a ſynnere
entrynge in to þe lond bi twei weies.
xv Wo to hem þat ben diſſolute of herte, þat bileuen not
to God; and þerfor þei ſchulen not be defendid of him.
xvi Wo to hem þat han loſt pacience, and þat han forſake
riȝtful weies, and han turned awei in to ſchrewid weies.
xvii And what ſchulen þei do, whanne þe Lord ſchal
bigynne to biholde?
xviii Þei þat dreden þe Lord, ſchulen not be vnbileueful
to his word; and þei þat louen hym, ſchulen kepe his
weie.
xix Þei þat dreden þe Lord, ſchulen enquere þo þingis,
þat ben wel pleſaunt to hym; and þei þat louen him,
ſchulen be fillid wiþ his lawe.
xx Þei þat dreden þe Lord, ſchulen make redi her hertis,
and ſchulen halewe her ſoulis in his ſiȝt.
xxi Þei þat dreden þe Lord, ſchulen kepe hiſe
comaundementis, and ſchulen haue pacience til to þe
biholdyng of hym;
xxii and ſchulen ſeie, If we doon not penaunce, we
ſchulen falle in to þe hondis of þe Lord, and not in to þe
hondis of men.
xxiii For bi þe greetneſſe of hym, ſo and his merci is wiþ
hym.
CAP. III
i Þe ſones of wiſdom ben þe chirche of iuſt men, and þe
nacioun of hem is obedience and loue.
ii Dereworþe ſones, here ȝe þe doom of þe fadir; and do
ȝe ſo, þat ȝe be ſaaf.
DLXXXVII
iii For whi God onouride þe fadir in ſones, and he ſekiþ,
and haþ maad ſtidfaſt þe doom of þe modir in to ſones.
iiii He þat loueþ God, ſchal preie for ſynnes, and he ſchal
abſteyne hym ſilf fro þo, and he ſchal be herd in þe
preier of daies.
v And as he þat treſouriþ, ſo and he þat onouriþ his
modir.
vi He þat onouriþ his fadir, ſchal be maad myrie in
ſones, and he ſchal be herd in þe dai of his preier.
vii He þat onouriþ his fadir, ſchal lyue bi lengere lijf;
and he þat obeieþ to þe fader, ſchal refreiſche þe modir.
viii He þat drediþ þe Lord, onouriþ fadir and modir; and
he ſchal ſerue in werk, and word,
ix and al pacience to hem þat gendriden hym as to
lordis.
x Onoure þi fadir, þat þe bleſſyng of God come to þee;
and his bleſſing dwelliþ in þe laſte.
xi Þe bleſſyng of þe fadir makiþ ſtidfaſt þe houſis of
ſones; but þe curſyng of þe modir drawiþ out þe
foundementis.
xii Haue þou not glorie in þe diſpiſyng of þi fadir; for it
is not glorie to þee, but confuſioun.
xiii For whi þe glorie of a man is of þe onour of his
fadir; and þe ſchenſchip of þe ſone is a fadir wiþ out
onour.
xiiii Sone, reſſeyue þe elde of þi fadir, and make þou not
hym ſori in his lijf;
xv and if he failiþ in wit, ȝyue þou forȝyueneſſe, and
diſpiſe þou not hym in þi vertu; for whi þe almes of þe
fadir ſchal not be forȝetyng.
xvi For whi good ſchal be reſtorid to þee for þe ſynne of
þe modir,
xvii and bildyng ſchal be maad to þee in riȝtfulneſſe; and
it ſchal remembre of þee in dai of tribulacioun, and þi
ſynnes ſchulen be releeſſid, as iys in clereneſſe of þe
ſunne.
xviii He is of ful yuel fame, þat forſakiþ þe fadir; and he
þat wraþþiþ þe modir, is curſid of God.
xix Sone, performe þi werkis in myldeneſſe, and þou
ſchalt be loued ouer þe glorie of men.
xx In as myche as þou art greet, make þee meke in alle
þingis, and þou ſchalt fynde grace bifore God; for whi
þe power of God aloon is greet,
xxi and he is onourid of meke men.
xxii Seke þou not hiȝere þingis þan þou, and enquere
þou not ſtrongere þingis þan þou; but euere þenke þou
þo þingis, whiche God comaundide to þee; and be þou
not curiouſe in ful many werkis of hym.
xxiii For it is not nedeful to þee to ſe wiþ þin iȝen þo
þingis, þat ben hid.
xxiiii In ſuperflu þingis nyle þou ſeke manyfold; and be
þou not curiouſe in many werkis of hym;
xxv for whi ful many þingis aboue þe wit of men ben
ſchewid to þee.
xxvi For þe ſuſpecioun of many men haþ diſſeyued hem,
and wiþhelde her wittis in vanytee.
xxvii And hard herte ſchal haue yuel in þe laſte tyme;
and he þat loueþ perel, ſchal periſche þer ynne.
xxviii An herte þat entriþ bi tweie weies, ſchal not haue
proſperitees, eþer reſte; and a man of ſchrewid herte
ſchal be ſclaundrid in þo.
xxix A wickid herte ſchal be greuyd in ſorewis; and a
ſynnere ſchal `hepe to do ſynne.
xxx Helþe ſchal not be to þe ſynagoge of proude men;
for whi þe þicke wode of ſynne ſchal be drawun out bi
þe roote in hem, and it ſchal not be vndurſtondun.
xxxi Þe herte of a wiſe man is vndurſtondun in wiſdom,
and a good eere ſchal here wiſdom wiþ al coueitiſe.
xxxii A wijs herte and able to vndurſtonde ſchal abſteyne
it ſilf fro ſynnes, and ſchal haue proſperitees in þe
werkis of riȝtfulneſſe.
xxxiii Watir quenchiþ fier brennynge, and almes
aȝenſtondiþ ſynnes.
xxxiiii And God, þe biholdere of hym þat ȝeldiþ grace,
haþ mynde aftirward; and he ſchal fynde ſtidefaſtneſſe
in þe tyme of his fal.
CAP. IIII
i Sone, defraude þou not þe almes of a pore man, and
turne not ouere þin iȝen fro a pore man.
ii Diſpiſe þou not an hungri man, and wraþþe þou not a
pore man in his nedyneſſe.
iii Turmente þou not þe herte of a nedi man, and tarie
þou not þe ȝifte to a man þat is ſet in angwiſch.
iiii Caſte þou not awei þe preiyng of a man ſet in
tribulacioun, and turne not awei þi face fro a nedi man.
v Turne not awei þi iȝen fro a pore man for ire, and ȝyue
not occaſioun to men axynge to curſe þee byhynde.
vi For þe preyer of hym þat curſiþ þee in þe bitterneſſe
of ſoule, ſchal be herd; forſoþe he þat made hym, ſchal
here hym.
vii Make þee eeſi to ſpeke to þe congregacioun of pore
men, and make meke þi ſoule to a preeſt, and make
meke þin heed to a greet man.
viii Boowe doun wiþ out ſorewe þin eere to a pore man,
and ȝelde þi debt, and anſwere þou peſibli in
myldeneſſe.
ix Delyuere þou hym þat ſuffriþ wrong fro þe hond of a
proude man, and bere þou not heuyli in þi ſoule.
x In demynge be þou merciful as a fadir to fadirles
children, and be þou for an hoſebonde to þe modir of
hem;
xi and þou ſchalt be as an obedient ſone of þe hiȝeſte,
and he ſchal haue merci on þee more þan a modir `haþ
merci on hir child.
DLXXXVIII
xii Wiſdom enſpiriþ lijf to hiſe ſones, and reſſeyueþ men
ſekinge hym, and ſchal go bifore in þe wei of
riȝtfulneſſe; and he þat loueþ þat wiſdom,
xiii loueþ lijf, and þei þat waken to it, ſchulen biclipe þe
peſibleneſſe, eþer ſwetneſſe, þerof.
xiiii Þei þat holden it, ſchulen enherite lijf; and whidir it
ſchal entre, God ſchal bleſſe.
xv Þei þat ſeruen it, ſchulen be obeiynge to þe hooli; and
God loueþ hem, þat louen it.
xvi He þat heriþ it, demeþ folkis; and he þat biholdiþ it,
ſchal dwelle triſtili.
xvii If a man bileueþ to it, he ſchal dwelle, and enherite
it; and þe creaturis of hem ſchulen be in confermyng.
xviii For in temptacioun it goiþ wiþ hym, and among þe
firſte it cheſiþ hym.
xix It ſchal brynge in on hym drede, and feer, and
preuyng, and it ſchal turmente hym in þe tribulacioun of
his doctryn, til it tempte hym in hiſe þouȝtis, and bileue
to his ſoule.
xx And it ſchal make hym ſtidefaſt, and ſchal brynge riȝt
weie to hym, and it ſchal make hym glad;
xxi and ſchal make nakid hiſe priuytees to hym, and
ſchal treſore on hym kunnyng, and vndurſtondyng of
riȝtfulneſſe.
xxii Forſoþe if he erriþ, God ſchal forſake hym, and ſchal
bitake hym in to þe hondis of his enemy.
xxiii Sone, kepe þou tyme, and eſchewe þou fro yuel.
xxiiii Be þou not aſchamed for þi lijf to ſeie treuþe; for
whi þer is ſchame þat bryngiþ ſynne,
xxv and þer is ſchame þat bryngiþ glorie and grace.
xxvi Take þou not a face aȝens þi face, neþir a leeſyng
aȝens þi ſoule.
xxvii Schame þou not þi neiȝbore in his fal,
xxviii neþer wiþholde þou a word in þe tyme of helþe.
Hide not þi wiſdom in þe fairneſſe þerof;
xxix for whi wiſdom is knowun in tunge, and wit, and
kunnyng, and techyng in þe word of a wijs man; and
ſtidfaſtneſſe is in þe werkis of riȝtfulneſſe.
xxx Aȝenſeie þou not þe word of treuþe in ony maner;
and be þou aſchamed of þe leeſyng of þi miſlernyng.
xxxi Be þou not aſchamed to knouleche þi ſynnes; and
make þee not ſuget to ech man for ſynne.
xxxii Nyle þou ſtonde aȝens þe face of þe myȝti, neþir
enforſe þou aȝens þe ſtrok of þe flood.
xxxiii For riȝtfulneſſe fiȝte þou for þi ſoule, and til to þe
deþ ſtryue þou for riȝtfulneſſe; and God ſchal ouercome
þin enemyes for þee.
xxxiiii Nyle þou be ſwift in þi tunge, and vnprofitable
and ſlak in þi werkis.
xxxv Nyle þou be as a lioun in þin hous, turnynge
vpſedoun þi meneals, and oppreſſynge hem þat ben
ſugetis to þee.
xxxvi Þin hond be not redi to take, and cloſid togidere to
ȝyue.
CAP. V
i Nile þou take heed to wickid poſſeſſiouns, and ſeie þou
not, Sufficient lijf is to me; for it ſchal no þing profite in
þe tyme of veniaunce, and of failynge, eþer deþ.
ii Sue þou not þe coueitiſe of þin herte in þi ſtrengþe,
iii and ſeie þou not, As Y myȝte, eþer who ſchal make
me ſuget for my dedis? For whi God vengynge ſchal
venge.
iiii Seie þou not, Y haue ſynned, and what ſorewful þing
bifelle to me? For þe hiȝeſte is a pacient ȝeldere.
v Of þe forȝyueneſſe of ſynnes, nyle þou be wiþout
drede, neþer heepe þou ſynne on ſynne.
vi And ſeie þou not, Þe merciful doyng of God is greet;
he ſchal haue merci on þe multitude of my ſynnes.
vii For whi merci and ire neiȝeþ ſoone fro hym, and his
ire biholdiþ on ſynneris.
viii Tarie þou not to be conuertid to þe Lord, and dilaie
þou not fro dai in to dai.
ix For whi his ire ſchal come ſodeynli, and he ſchal leeſe
þee in þe time of veniaunce.
x Nyle þou be angwiſchid in vniuſt richeſſis; for þo
ſchulen not profite in þe dai of failing, eþer of deþ, and
of veniaunce.
xi Wyndewe þee not in to ech wynd, and go þou not in
to ech weie; for ſo a ſynnere is preued in double tunge.
xii Be þou ſtidfaſt in þe weie of þe Lord, and in treuþe
and kunnyng of þi wit; and þe word of pees and
riȝtfulneſſe ſue þee perfitli.
xiii Be þou mylde to here þe word of God, þat þou
vndurſtonde, and wiþ wiſdom brynge þou forþ a trewe
anſwere.
xiiii If þou haſt vndirſtondyng, anſwere þi neiȝbore; ellis
þin hond be on þi mouþ, leſt þou be takun in a word
vnwiſeli tauȝt, and be aſchamed.
xv Onour and glorie is in þe word of a wijs man; but þe
tunge of an vnprudent man is his diſtriyng.
xvi Be þou not clepid a preuy yuel ſpekere in þi lijf, and
be þou not takun in þi tunge, and be aſchamed.
xvii Schame and penaunce is on a þeef, and worſt
ſchenſchip is on a man of double tunge. Forſoþe hatrede
and enemytee and diſpiſyng is to a preuy bacbitere.
xviii Iuſtifie þou a litil man and a greet man in lijk
maner.
CAP. VI
i Nile þou for a freend be maad enemye to þe neiȝbore;
for whi an yuele man ſchal enherite vpbreidyng and
diſpiſyng, and ech ſynnere enuyouſe and double tungid.
ii Enhaunſe þee not in þe þouȝt of þi ſoule, as a bole
doiþ; leſt þi vertu be hurtlid doun bi foli,
DLXXXIX
iii and it ete þi leeues, and leeſe þi fruytis, and þou be
left as a drye tree in deſeert.
iiii Forſoþe a wickid ſoule ſchal leeſe hym þat haþ it, and
it ȝyueþ hym in to þe ioie of þe enemye, and it ſchal
leede forþ in to þe part of wickid men.
v A ſwete word multiplieþ frendis, and ſwagiþ enemyes;
and a tunge wel graciouſe ſchal be plenteuouſe in a
good man.
vi Many peſible men be to þee, and oon of a þouſynde
be a counſelour to þee.
vii If þou haſt a frend, haue hym in temptacioun, and
bitake not liȝtli þi ſilf to hym.
viii For þer is a frend bi his time, and he ſchal not dwelle
in þe dai of tribulacioun.
ix And þer is a frend which is turned to enemytee; and
þer is a freend, þat ſchal ſchewe opynli hatrede, and
chiding, and diſpiſyngis.
x Forſoþe þer is a frend, felowe of table, and dwelliþ not
in þe dai of nede.
xi If a frend dwelliþ ſtidfaſt, he ſchal be as a man euene
wiþ þee, and he ſchal do triſtili in þi meyneal þingis.
xii If he mekiþ hym ſilf bifore þee, and hidiþ hym fro þi
face, þou ſchalt haue good frendſchip of oon acord.
xiii Be þou departid fro þin enemyes, and take heede of
þi frendis.
xiiii A feiþful frend is a ſtrong defendyng; forſoþe he þat
fyndiþ him, fyndiþ treſour.
xv No compariſoun is to a feiþful frend; weiyng of gold
and of ſiluer is not worþi aȝens þe goodneſſe of his
feiþfulneſſe.
xvi A feiþful frend is medicyn of lijf, and of
vndeedlyneſſe; and þei þat dreden þe Lord, ſchulen
fynde hym.
xvii He þat drediþ þe Lord, ſchal haue euenli good
frendſchip; for whi his frend ſchal be at þe licneſſe of
hym.
xviii Sone, fro þi ȝongþe take þou doctryn, and til to
hoor heeris þou ſchalt fynde wiſdom.
xix As he þat eriþ, and þat ſowiþ, neiȝe þou to it, and
abide þou þe goode fruytis þerof.
xx For þou ſchalt trauele a litil in þe werk þerof, and þou
ſchalt ete ſoone of þe generaciouns þerof.
xxi Wiſdom is ouer ſcharp to vntauȝt men, and an hertles
man ſchal not dwelle þere ynne.
xxii As þe vertu of a ſtoon, preuyng ſchal be in hem; and
þei ſchulen not tarie to caſte awei it.
xxiii Forſoþe þe wiſdom of techyng is bi þe name þerof,
and it is not opyn to many men; but it dwelliþ wiþ hem,
of whiche it is knowun, til to þe ſiȝt of God.
xxiiii Sone, here þou, and take þe counſel of
vndurſtondyng, and caſte þou not awei my counſel.
xxv Set in þi foot in to þe ſtockis þerof, and þi necke in
to þe bies þerof.
xxvi Make ſuget þi ſchuldir, and bere it, and be þou not
anoied in þe boondis þerof.
xxvii In al þi wille go to it, and in al þi vertu kepe þe
weies þerof.
xxviii Enquere þou it, and it ſchal be maad opyn to þee;
and þou made holdinge wiſdom forſake not it.
xxix For in þe laſte þingis þou ſchalt fynde reſte þer
ynne, and it ſchal turne to þee in to deliting.
xxx And þe ſtockis þerof ſchulen be to þee in defence of
ſtrengþe, and þe foundementis of vertu, and þe bie þerof
in a ſtoole of glorie.
xxxi For whi þe fairneſſe of lijf is in wiſdom, and þe
boondis þerof ben heelful byndyng.
xxxii Þou ſchalt `were it as a ſtoole of glorie, and þou
ſchalt ſette on þee a coroun of þankyng.
xxxiii Sone, if þou takiſt heede to me, þou ſchalt lerne
wiſdom; and if þou ȝyueſt þi wille, þou ſchalt be wijs.
xxxiiii If þou bowiſt doun þin eere, þou ſchalt take
teching; and if þou loueſt for to here, þou ſchalt be wijs.
xxxv Stonde þou in þe multitude of prudent preeſtis, and
be þou ioyned of herte to þe wiſdom of hem; þat þou
maiſt here ech telling of God, and þe prouerbis of
preiſyng fle not awey fro þee.
xxxvi And if þou ſeeſt a wijs man, wake þou to hym, and
þi foot trede on þe greeces of his doris.
xxxvii Haue þou þouȝt in þe comaundementis of God,
and be þou moſt biſi in his heeſtis; and he ſchal ȝyue to
þee herte, and coueitiſe of wiſdom ſchal be ȝouun to
þee.
CAP. VII
i Nile þou do yuels, and þo ſchulen not take þee.
ii Departe þou fro wickidneſſe, and yuels ſchulen faile
fro þee.
iii Sowe þou not yuels in þe forewis of vnriȝtfulneſſe,
and þou ſchalt not repe þo in ſeuene fold.
iiii Nyle þou ſeke of a man ledyng, neþir of a kyng þe
chaier of onour.
v Iuſtifie þou not þee bifore God, for he is þe knowere
of þe herte; and nyle þou wilne to be ſeyn wijs anentis
þe king.
vi Nile þou ſeke to be maad a iuge, no but þou maiſt
breke wickidneſſis bi vertu; leſt þou drede þe face of a
myȝti man, and ſette ſclaundre in þi ſwiftneſſe.
vii Do þou not ſynne in þe multitude of a cytee, neþer
ſende þee in to þe puple;
viii neþer bynde þou double ſynnes, for þou ſchalt not be
giltles in oon.
ix Nyle þou be a coward in þi ſoule, to preie;
x and diſpiſe þou not to do almes.
DXC
xi Seie þou not, God ſchal biholde in þe multitude of my
ȝiftis; and whanne Y ſchal offre to God alþer hiȝeſte, he
ſchal take my ȝiftis.
xii Scorne þou not a man in þe bitterneſſe of ſoule; for
whi God is þe biholdere, þat makiþ meke, and
enhaunſiþ.
xiii Nyle þou loue a leeſyng aȝens þi broþer; neþer do
þou in lijk maner aȝens a frend.
xiiii Nyle þou wilne to lie ony leeſing; for whi þe
contynuaunce þerof is not good.
xv Nyle þou be a ianglere in þe multitude of preeſtis;
and reherſe þou not a word in þi preier.
xvi Haate þou not trauelouſe werkis, and erþetilþe maad
of þe hiȝeſte.
xvii Arette þou not þee in þe multitude of vnlernyd men.
xviii Haue þou mynde on ire, for it ſchal not tarie.
xix Make þou meke greetli þi ſpirit, for whi þe
veniaunce of þe fleiſch of an vnpitouſe man is fier, and
worm.
xx Nyle þou treſpaſſe aȝens þi frend dilaiynge monei;
neþer diſpiſe þou a ful dereworþ broþer for gold.
xxi Nyle þou departe fro a wijs womman, and good,
whom þou haſt gete in þe drede of þe Lord; for whi þe
grace of hir ſchamefaſtneſſe is aboue gold.
xxii Hirte þou not a ſeruaunt worchynge in treuþe, neþer
an hirid man ȝyuynge his lijf.
xxiii A witti ſeruaunt be dereworþe to þee as þi ſoule;
defraude þou not hym of fredom, neþer forſake þou
hym nedi.
xxiiii Beeſtis ben to þee? take þou heede to þo; and if þo
ben profitable, dwelle þo ſtille at þee.
xxv Sones ben to þee? teche þou hem, and bowe þou
hem fro her childheed.
xxvi Douȝtris ben to þee? kepe þou þe bodi of hem, and
ſchewe þou not glad face to hem.
xxvii Ȝyue þi douȝter to mariage, and þou doiſt a greet
werk; and ȝyue þou hir to a wijs man.
xxviii If a womman is to þee aftir þi ſoule, caſte hir not
awei; and bitake þou not þee in alle þin herte to an
hateful womman.
xxix Onoure þi fadir; and forȝete þou not þe weilyngis of
þi modir.
xxx Haue þou mynde þat þou haddiſt not be, no but bi
hem, and ȝelde þou to hem as and þei diden to þee.
xxxi In al þi ſoule drede þou God, and halewe þou hiſe
preeſtis.
xxxii In al þi vertu loue þou him þat made þee; and
forſake þou not hiſe mynyſtris.
xxxiii Onoure þou God of al þi ſoule; and onoure þou
preeſtis, and clenſe þee wiþ armes.
xxxiiii Ȝyue þou to hem þe part of þe firſte fruytis, and of
purgyng, as alſo it is comaundid to þee; and of þi
negligence purge þou þee wiþ fewe men.
xxxv Þou ſchalt offre to þe Lord þe ȝyfte of þin armes,
and þe ſacrifice of halewyng, þe bigynnyngis of hooli
men.
xxxvi And dreſſe þin hond to a pore man, þat þi merci
and bleſſyng be performyd.
xxxvii Grace is ȝouun in þe ſiȝt of ech þat lyueþ; and
forbede þou not grace to a deed man.
xxxviii Faile þou not in coumfort to hem þat wepen; and
go þou wiþ hem þat morenen.
xxxix Be þou not ſlow to viſite a ſijk man; for bi þeſe
þingis þou ſchalt be maad ſtidfaſt in loue.
xl In alle þi werkis haue þou mynde on þi laſte þingis;
and þou ſchalt not do ſynne wiþouten ende.
CAP. VIII
i Chide þou not wiþ a miȝti man, leſte þou falle in to
hiſe hondis.
ii Stryue þou not wiþ a riche man, leſt perauenture he
make ple aȝenward to þee.
iii For whi gold and ſiluer haþ loſt many men; and it
ſtretchiþ forþ til to þe herte of kyngis, and turneþ.
iiii Chide þou not wiþ a man, a ianglere, and leie þou
not trees in to his fier.
v Comyne þou not wiþ an vntauȝt man, leſt he ſpeke
yuele of þi kynrede.
vi Diſpiſe þou not a man turnynge awei hym ſilf fro
ſynne, neþer vpbreide þou hym; haue þou mynde, þat
alle we ben in corrupcioun.
vii Diſpiſe þou not a man in his eelde; for whi of vs men
wexen eld.
viii Nyle þou make ioye of þin enemy deed, witynge þat
alle we dien, and wolen not come in to ioie of oure
enemys.
ix Diſpiſe þou not þe tellyng of wiſe preeſtes, and be þou
conuerſaunt in þe prouerbis of hem;
x for of hem þou ſchalt lerne wiſdom, and techyng of
vndurſtondyng, and to ſerue wiþout pleynt to grete men.
xi Þe tellyng of eldere men paſſe not þee; for þei han
lerned of her fadris.
xii For of hem þou ſchalt lerne vndurſtondyng; and in þe
tyme of nede þou ſchalt ȝyue anſwere.
xiii Kyndle þou not þe coolis of ſynneris, and repreue
hem; and be þou not brent wiþ þe flawme of fier of her
ſynnes.
xiiii Stonde þou not aȝens þe face of a man ful of
diſpiſyng; leſt he ſitte as a ſpiere to þi mouþ.
xv Nyle þou leene to a man ſtrongere þan þou; þat if þou
haſt lent, haue þou it as loſt.
DXCI
xvi Biheete þou not aboue þi power; þat if þou haſt
bihiȝt, biþenke þou as ȝeldynge.
xvii Deme þou not aȝens a iuge; for he demeþ vp þat, þat
is iuſt.
xviii Go þou not in þe weie wiþ an hardi man, leſt
perauenture he agregge hiſe yuels in þee; for he goiþ
aftir his wille, and þou ſchalt periſche togidere wiþ his
foli.
xix Make þou not chidyng wiþ a wraþful man, and go
þou not in to deſert wiþ an hardi man; for whi blood is
as nouȝt bifore hym, and where noon help is, he ſchal
hurtle þee doun.
xx Haue þou not councel wiþ foolis; for þei moun not
loue, no but þo þingis þat pleſen hem.
xxi Make þou not a counſel bifore a ſtraunger; for þou
nooſt, what he ſchal bringe forþ. Make not þin herte
knowun to ech man; leſt perauenture he brynge to þee
fals grace, and diſpiſe þee.
CAP. IX
i Loue þou not gelouſli þe womman of þi boſum; leſt
ſche ſchewe on þee þe malice of yuel doctryn.
ii Ȝyue þou not to a womman þe power of þi ſoule; leſt
ſche entre in þi vertu, and þou be ſchent.
iii Biholde þou not a womman of many willis; leſt
perauenture þou falle in to þe ſnaris of hir.
iiii Be þou not cuſtomable wiþ a daunſereſſe, neþir here
þou hir; leſt perauenture þou periſche in þe ſpedi werk
of hir.
v Biholde þou not a virgyn; leſt perauenture þou be
ſclaundrid in þe feirneſſe of hir.
vi Ȝyue not þi ſoule to hooris in ony þing; leſt þou leeſe
þee, and þi ſoule, and þin eritage.
vii Nyle þou biholde aboute in þe lanys of þe cytee;
neþir erre þou in þe large ſtreetis þerof.
viii Turne awei þi face fro a womman `wel arayed; and
biholde þou not aboute þe fairneſſe of oþere.
ix Many men han periſchid for þe fairneſſe of a
womman; and `herbi couetiſe brenneþ `an hiȝ as fier.
x Ech womman which is an hoore, eþir cuſtomable to
fornycacioun, ſchal be defoulid as a fen in þe weie.
xi Many men wondrynge on þe fairneſſe of an alien
womman weren maad repreuable, for whi þe ſpeche of
hir brenneþ an hiȝ as fier.
xii Sitte þou not in ony maner wiþ an alien womman,
neþer reſte þou wiþ hir on a bed;
xiii and iangle þou not wiþ hir in wyn, leſt perauenture
þin herte boowe in to hir, and þou falle in to perdicioun
bi þi blood.
xiiii Forſake þou not an eld frend; for a newe frend ſchal
not be lijk hym.
xv Newe wijn is a newe frend; it ſchal wexe eld, and þou
ſchalt drinke it wiþ ſwetneſſe.
xvi Coueyte þou not þe glorie and richeſſis of a ſynnere;
for þou nooſt, what diſtriyng of hym ſchal come.
xvii Þe wrong of vniuſt men pleſe not þee, and wite þou
þat a wickid man ſchal not pleſe til to hellis.
xviii Be þou fer fro a man þat haþ power to ſle, and þou
ſchalt not haue ſuſpicioun of þe drede of deþ;
xix and if þou neiȝeſt to hym, nyle þou do ony treſpaſſe,
leſt perauenture he take awei þi lijf.
xx Knowe þou þe comynyng of deþ; for þou ſchalt entre
in to þe myddis of ſnaris, and þou ſchalt go on þe
armuris of hem þat ſorewen.
xxi Bi þi vertu kepe þee fro þi neiȝbore; and trete þou
wiþ wiſe men and prudent men.
xxii Juſt men be geſtis, eþir mete feris, to þee; and
gloriyng be `to þee in þe dreed of God.
xxiii And þe þouȝt of God be to þee in wit; and al þi
tellynge be in þe heeſtis of þe hiȝeſte.
xxiiii Werkis ſchulen be preiſid in þe hond of crafti men,
and þe prince of þe puple in þe wiſdom of his word;
forſoþe in þe wit of eldere men a word.
xxv A man, a ianglere, is dredeful in his citee; and a fool
hardi man in his word ſchal be hateful.
CAP. X
i A wijs iuge ſchal deme his puple; and þe prinſhed of a
witti man ſchal be ſtidfaſt.
ii Aftir þe iuge of þe puple, ſo and hiſe mynyſtris; and
what maner man is þe gouernour of þe citee, ſiche ben
alſo men dwellinge þer ynne.
iii An vnwijs king ſchal leeſe his puple; and citees
ſchulen be enhabitid bi þe wit of prudent men.
iiii Þe power of erþe is in þe hond of God, and al þe
wickidneſſe of heþene men is abhomynable; and he
ſchal reiſe a profitable gouernour at a tyme on it.
v Þe power of man is in þe hond of God; and he ſchal
ſette his onour on þe face of a wijs man in þe lawe.
vi Haue þou not mynde on al þe wrong of þe neiȝbore;
and do þou no þing in þe werkis of wrong.
vii Pride is hateful bifore God and men; and al þe
wickidneſſe of heþene men is abhomynable.
viii A rewme is tranſlatid fro a folk in to folk, for
vnriȝtfulneſſis, and wrongis, and diſpiſyngis, and
dyuerſe gilis.
ix No þing is curſidere þan an auerouſe man. What art
þou proude, þou erþe and aiſche?
x No þing is worſe, þan for to loue monei; for whi þis
man haþ alſo his ſoule ſet to ſale, for in his lijf he haþ
caſt awei hiſe ynneſte þingis.
xi Ech power is ſchort lijf; lengere ſikneſſe greueþ þe
leche.
xii A leche kittiþ awei ſchort ſikneſſe; ſo and a king is to
dai, and to morewe he ſchal die.
DXCII
xiii Forſoþe whanne a man ſchal die, he ſchal enherite
ſerpentis, and beeſtis, and wormes.
xiiii Þe bigynnyng of pride of man was to be apoſtata fro
God;
xv for his herte ȝede awei fro hym þat made hym. For
whi pride is þe bigynnyng of al ſynne; he þat holdiþ it,
ſchal be fillid wiþ curſyngis, and it ſchal diſtrye hym in
to þe ende.
xvi Þerfor þe Lord haþ ſchent þe couentis of yuele men,
and haþ deſtried hem til `in to þe ende.
xvii God deſtriede þe ſeetis of proude duykis; and made
mylde men to ſitte for hem.
xviii God made drie þe rootis of proude folkis; and
plauntide meke men of þo folkis.
xix Þe Lord deſtriede þe londis of folkis; and loſte þo `til
to þe foundement.
xx He made drie þe rootis of hem, and loſte hem; and
made þe mynde of hem to ceeſſe fro þe erþe.
xxi God loſte þe mynde of proude men; and lefte þe
mynde of meke men in wit.
xxii Pride was not maad to men; neþer wraþfulneſſe to
þe nacioun of wymmen.
xxiii Þis ſeed of men þat drediþ God, ſchal be onourid;
but þis ſeed ſchal be diſonourid, þat paſſiþ þe
comaundementis of þe Lord.
xxiiii In þe myddis of briþeren þe gouernour of hem is in
onour; and þei þat dreden God, ſchulen be in hiſe iȝen.
xxv Þe glorie of riche men onourid and of pore men is
þe drede of God.
xxvi Nyle þou diſpiſe a iuſt pore man; and nyle þou
magnefie a riche ſynful man.
xxvii Þe iuge is greet, and is miȝti in onour; and he is not
grettere þan þat man þat drediþ God.
xxviii Fre children ſeruen a witti ſeruaunt; and a prudent
man and lerned ſchal not grutche, whanne he is blamed,
and an vnkunnynge man ſchal not be onourid.
xxix Nyle þou enhaunſe þee in þi werk to be don; and
nyle þou be ſlow in þe tyme of angwiſch.
xxx He is betere þat worchiþ, and haþ plente in alle
þingis, þan he þat haþ glorie, and nediþ breed.
xxxi Sone, kepe þi ſoule in myldeneſſe; and ȝyue þou
onour to it, aftir his merit.
xxxii Who ſchal iuſtifie hym þat ſynneþ aȝens his ſoule?
and who ſchal onoure hym þat diſonouriþ his ſoule?
xxxiii A pore man haþ glorie bi his lernyng and drede;
and þer is a man þat is onourid for his catel.
xxxiiii Forſoþe if a man haþ glorie in pouert, hou myche
more in catel? and he þat haþ glorie in catel, drede
pouerte.
CAP. XI
i Þe wiſdom of a man maad meke ſchal enhaunſe his
heed; and ſchal make hym to ſitte in þe middis of grete
men.
ii Preiſe þou not a man in his fairneſſe; neþer diſpiſe þou
a man in his ſiȝt.
iii A bee is litil among briddis; and his fruyt haþ þe
bigynnyng of ſwetneſſe.
iiii Haue þou neuere glorie in cloþing, and be þou not
enhaunſid in þe dai of þin onour; for whi þe werkis of
þe hiȝeſte aloon ben wondurful, and hiſe werkis ben
gloriouſe, and hid, and vnſeyn.
v Many tyrauntis han ſete in trone; and a man of whom
was no ſuppoſyng bar þe diademe.
vi Many myȝty men ben oppreſſid ſtrongli; and gloriouſe
men ben ȝouun in to þe hondis of oþere men.
vii Bifore þat þou axe, blame þou not ony man; and
whanne þou haſt axid, blame þou iuſtli.
viii Bifor þat þou here, anſwere þou not a word; and in
þe myddis of eldere men adde þou not to ſpeke.
ix Stryue þou not, of þat þing þat diſeſiþ not þee; and
ſtonde þou not in þe dom of ſynnes.
x Sone, þi dedis be not in many þingis; and if þou art
riche, þou ſchalt not be wiþ out part of gilt. For if þou
ſueſt, þou ſchalt not take; and þou ſchalt not aſcape, if
þou renniſt bifore.
xi Þer is a man trauelynge, and haſtynge, and
ſorewynge, and vnpitouſe; and bi ſo myche more he
ſchal not haue plentee.
xii Þer is a man fade, nedi of rekyueryng, failynge more
in vertu, and plenteuouſe in pouert;
xiii and þe iȝe of God bihelde hym in good, and reiſide
hym fro his lowneſſe, and enhaunſid his heed; and many
men wondriden in him, and onouriden God.
xiiii Goodis and yuels, lijf and deþ, pouert and oneſte,
ben of God.
xv Wiſdom, and lernyng, and kunnyng of þe lawe ben
anentis þe Lord; loue and þe weies of goode men ben at
him.
xvi Errour and derkneſſis ben maad togidere to ſynneris;
forſoþe þei þat maken ful out ioye in yuel, wexen eld
togidere in to yuels.
xvii Þe ȝifte of God dwelliþ to iuſt men; and
encreeſſyngis of hym ſchulen haue proſperitees wiþout
ende.
xviii A man is þat is maad riche in doynge ſcarſli, and þis
is þe part of his mede,
xix in þat þat he ſeiþ, Y haue founden reſte to me, and
now Y aloone ſchal ete of my goodis.
xx And he noot þat tyme paſſiþ hym, and deþ neiȝeþ,
and he ſchal leeue alle þingis to oþere men, and ſchal
die.
DXCIII
xxi Stonde þou in þi teſtament, and ſpeke þou togidere in
it; and wexe þou eld in þe werk of þin heeſtis.
xxii Dwelle þou not in þe werkis of ſynneris; but triſte
þou in God, and dwelle in þi place.
xxiii For it is eſy in þe iȝen of God, ſudeynli to make
oneſt a pore man.
xxiiii Þe bleſſing of God haaſtiþ in to þe meede of a iuſt
man; and þe going forþ of hym makiþ fruyt in ſwift
onour.
xxv Seie þou not, What is nede to me? and what goodis
ſchulen be me her aftir?
xxvi Seie þou not, Y am ſufficient, and what ſchal Y be
maad worſe heraftir?
xxvii In þe dai of goodis be þou not vnmyndeful of
yuels, and in þe dai of yuels be þou not vnmyndeful of
goodis;
xxviii for it is eſi bifor God to ȝelde in þe dai of deþ to
ech man aftir hiſe weies.
xxix Þe malice of oon our makiþ forȝeting of mooſt
letcherie; and in þe ende of a man is makyng nakid of
hiſe werkis.
xxx Preiſe þou not ony man bifore his deþ; for whi a
man is knowun in hiſe ſones.
xxxi Brynge þou not ech man in to þin hous; for whi
many treſouns ben of a gileful man.
xxxii For whi as þe entrailis of ſtynkynge þingis breken
out, and as a partrich is led in to a trap, eþer net, and as
a capret is led in to a ſnare, ſo and þe herte of proude
men; and as a biholdere ſeynge þe fal of his neiȝbore.
xxxiii For he turneþ goodis in to yuels, and ſettiþ
treſouns, and puttiþ a wem on choſun men.
xxxiiii Fier is encreeſſid of a ſparcle, and blood is
encreeſſid of a gileful man; for whi a ſynful man ſettiþ
treſoun to blood.
xxxv Take heede to þee fro a gileful man, for he makiþ
yuels; leſt perauenture he bringe yn on þee ſcornyng
wiþ outen ende.
xxxvi Reſſeyue þou an alien to þee, and he ſchal diſtrie
þee in whirlwynd, and he ſchal make þee alien fro þin
owne weies.
CAP. XII
i If þou doiſt wel, wite þou to whom þou doiſt; and
miche grace ſchal be to þi goodis.
ii Do þou wel to a iuſt man, and þou ſchalt fynde greet
ȝelding; þouȝ not of hym, certis of þe Lord.
iii It is not wel to hym þat is cuſtomable in yuels, and to
hym þat ȝyueþ not almes; for whi þe hiȝeſte boþe hatiþ
ſynneris, and doiþ merci to hem þat doen penaunce.
iiii Ȝyue þou to a merciful man, and reſſeyue þou not a
ſynnere; God ſchal ȝelde veniaunce boþe to vnfeiþful
men and to ſynneris, kepynge hem in þe dai of
veniaunce.
v Ȝyue þou to a good man, and reſſeyue þou not a
ſynnere.
vi Do þou good to a meke man, and ȝyue þou not to an
vnpitouſe man; forbede þou to ȝyue looues to hym, leſt
in þo he be myȝtiere þan þou.
vii For þou ſchalt fynde double yuels in alle goodis,
whiche euere þou doiſt to hym; for whi þe hiȝeſte boþe
hatiþ ſynneris, and ſchal ȝelde veniaunce to vnfeiþful
men.
viii A frend ſchal not be knowun in goodis, and an
enemy ſchal not be hid in yuels.
ix In þe goodis of a man hiſe enemyes ben ſori; and a
frend is knowun in þe ſorewe and malice of him.
x Bileue þou neuer to þin enemy; for his wickidneſſe
rouſtiþ as irun.
xi Þouȝ he be maad meke, and go lowe, caſte awei þi
ſoule, and kepe þee fro him.
xii Sette þou not him biſidis þee, neþer ſitte he at þi
riȝtſide, leſt he turne and ſtonde in þi place; leſt
perauenture he turne in to þi place, and enquere þi
chaier, and in þe laſte tyme þou know mi wordis, and be
prickid in my wordis.
xiii Who ſchal do medecyn to an enchauntere ſmytun of
a ſerpent, and to alle men þat neiȝen to beeſtis, and to
him þat goiþ wiþ an yuel man, and is wlappid in þe
ſynnes of him?
xiiii In oon our he ſchal dwelle wiþ þee; ſoþeli if þou
bowiſt awei, he ſchal not bere vp.
xv Þe enemy makiþ ſwete in hiſe lippis, and in his herte
he ſettiþ treſoun to ouerturne þee in to þe dich.
xvi Þe enemy wepiþ in hiſe iȝen; and if he fyndiþ tyme,
he ſchal not be fillid of blood.
xvii If yuels bifallen to þee, þou ſchalt fynde hym þe
formere þere.
xviii Þe enemy ſchal wepe bifore þin iȝen, and he as
helpynge ſchal vndurmyne þi feet.
xix He ſchal ſtire his heed, and he ſchal beete wiþ hond;
and he ſchal ſpeke priuyli many yuels of þee, and ſchal
chaunge his chere.
CAP. XIII
i He þat touchiþ pitch, ſchal be defoulid of it; and he þat
comyneþ wiþ a proude man, ſchal cloþe pride.
ii He reiſiþ a weiȝte on hym ſilf, þat comyneþ wiþ a
more oneſt man þan hym ſilf; and be þou not felowe to
a man richere þan þou.
iii What ſchal a cawdroun comyne to a pot? for whanne
þo hirtlen hem ſilf togidere, þe pot ſchal be brokun.
iiii A riche man ſchal do vniuſtli, and ſchal gnaſte; but a
pore man hirt ſchal be ſtille.
v If þou ȝyueſt, he ſchal take þee; and if þou haſt not, he
ſchal forſake þee.
DXCIV
vi If þou haſt, he ſchal lyue togidere wiþ þee, and ſchal
make þee voide; and he ſchal not haue ſorewe on þee.
vii If þou art nedeful to hym, he ſchal diſſeyue þee; and
he ſchal flatere, and ſchal ȝyue hope, tellinge to þee alle
goodis; and ſchal ſeie, What is nede to þee?
viii And he ſchal ſchende þee in hiſe metis, til he
anyntiſche þee twies and þries, and at þe laſte he ſchal
ſcorne þee; aftirward he ſchal ſe, and ſchal forſake þee,
and he ſchal moue his heed to þee.
ix Be þou maad meke to God, and abide þou hiſe
hondis.
x Take heede, leſt þou be diſſeyued, and be maad lowe
in foli.
xi Nyle þou be lowe in þi wiſdom, leſt þou be maad low,
and be diſſeyued in to foli.
xii Whanne þou art clepid of a miȝtiere man, go þou
awei; for bi þis he ſchal more clepe þee.
xiii Be þou not greetli preſſyng, leſt þou be hurtlid doun;
and be þou not fer fro hym, leſt þou go in to forȝetyng.
xiiii Wiþolde þou not to ſpeke wiþ hym euenli, and
bileue þou not to hiſe many wordis; for of myche ſpeche
he ſchal tempte þee, and he ſchal leiȝe priuyli, and ſchal
axe þee of þin hid þingis.
xv His cruel ſoule ſchal kepe þi wordis, and he ſchal not
ſpare of malice, and of bondis.
xvi Be war to þee, and take heede diligentli to þin
heryng; for þou goiſt wiþ þi diſtriyng.
xvii But þou heringe þo þingis, ſe as in ſleep, and þou
ſchalt wake.
xviii In al þi lijf loue þou God, and inwardli clepe þou
him in þin heelþe.
xix Ech beeſte loueþ a beeſte lijk it ſilf; ſo and ech man
owiþ to loue his neiȝbore.
xx Ech fleiſch ſchal be ioyned to fleiſch lijk it ſilf, and
ech man ſchal be felouſchipid to a man lijk hym ſilf.
xxi As a wulf ſchal comyne ſum tyme wiþ a lomb, ſo a
ſynnere wiþ a iuſt man.
xxii What comininge is of an hooli man to a dogge? eþir
what good part is of a riche man to a pore man?
xxiii Þe huntyng of a lioun is a wielde aſſe in deſert; ſo
þe leſewis of riche men ben pore men.
xxiiii And as mekeneſſe is abhomynacioun to a proude
man, ſo and a pore man is abhomynacioun of a riche
man.
xxv A riche man moued is confermed of hiſe frendis; but
a meke man, whanne he falliþ, ſchal be caſt out, ȝhe, of
knowun men.
xxvi Many rekyuereris ben to a riche man diſſeyued; he
ſpak proudli, and þei iuſtifieden hym.
xxvii A meke man is diſſeiued, ferþermore alſo he is
repreuyd; he ſpak wiſeli, and no place was ȝouun to
hym.
xxviii Þeriche man ſpak, and alle men weren ſtille; and
þei ſchulen brynge his word til to þe cloudis.
xxix A pore man ſpak, and þei ſeien, Who is þis? and if
he offendiþ, þei ſchulen deſtrye hym.
xxx Catel is good to hym, to whom is no ſynne in
conſcience; and `þe worſte pouert is in þe mouþ of a
wickid man.
xxxi Þe herte of a man chaungiþ his face, eþir in good
eþir in yuel.
xxxii Of hard and wiþ trauel þou ſchalt fynde þe ſtep of a
good herte, and a good face.
CAP. XIIII
i Bleſſid is þe man, þat ſtood not bi þe word of his
mouþ, and was not prickid in þe ſorewe of treſpas.
ii He is bleſſid, þat haþ not ſorewe of his ſoule, and
falliþ not doun fro his hope.
iii Catel is wiþ out reſoun to a coueitouſe man, and hard
nygard; and wherto is gold to an enuyouſe man?
iiii He þat gaderiþ of his wille vniuſtli, gaderiþ to oþere
men; and anoþer man ſchal mak waſt in hiſe goodis.
v To what oþere man ſchal he be good, which is wickid
to hym ſilf? and he ſchal not be myrye in hiſe goodis.
vi No þing is worſe, þan he þat haþ enuye to hym ſilf;
and þis is þe ȝelding of his malice.
vii And if he doiþ good, he doiþ vnwityngli, and not
wilfuli; and at þe laſte he ſchewiþ his malice.
viii Þe iȝe of an enuyous man is wickid, and turnynge
awei þe face, and diſpiſynge his ſoule.
ix Þe iȝe of þe coueitouſe man is neuere fillid; he ſchal
not be fillid in to þe part of wickidneſſe, til he performe
vnriȝtfulneſſe, and make drie his ſoule.
x An yuel iȝe to yuels, and þe nedi man ſchal not be
fillid of breed; and he ſchal be in ſorewe on his table.
xi Sone, if þou haſt, do wel wiþ þi ſilf, and offre þou
worþi offryngis to God.
xii Be þou myndeful þat deþ ſchal not tarie, and þe
teſtament of hellis, which is ſchewid to þee; for whi þe
teſtament of þis world ſchal die bi deþ.
xiii Bifore deþ do þou good to þi frend, and bi þi miȝtis
ſtretche þou forþ, and ȝyue to a pore man.
xiiii Be þou not diſſeyued of a good dai, and a litil part
of a good day paſſe not þee.
xv Wheþer þou ſchalt not leeue to oþere men þi ſorewis,
and trauels?
xvi In þe departyng of lot ȝyue þou, and take; and iuſtifie
þi ſoule.
xvii Bifore þi deþ worche þou riȝtfulneſſe; for at hellis it
is not to fynde mete.
xviii Ech man ſchal wexe eld as hey, and as a leef
bryngynge fruit in a greene tree.
DXCV
xix Oþere ben gendrid, and oþere ben caſt doun; ſo þe
generacioun of fleiſch and blood, anoþer is endid, and
anoþer is borun.
xx Ech corruptible werk ſchal faile in þe ende; and he
þat worchiþ it, ſchal go wiþ it.
xxi And al choſun werk ſchal be iuſtified; and he þat
worchiþ it, ſchal be onourid in it.
xxii Bleſſid is þe man, þat ſchal dwelle in wiſdom, and
þat ſchal biþenke in riȝtfulneſſe, and ſchal þenke in wit
þe biholding of God.
xxiii Which þenkiþ out, eþer fyndiþ out, þe weies of
hym in his herte, and ſchal be vndurſtondynge in þe hid
þingis of hym; goynge as a ſerchere aftir it, and
ſtondynge in þe weies of it.
xxiiii Which biholdiþ bi þe wyndows þerof, and heriþ in
þe ȝatis þerof;
xxv which reſtiþ nyȝ þe hous þerof, and ſettiþ a ſtak in þe
wallis þerof. He ſchal ſette his litil hous at þe hondis of
hym, and goodis ſchulen reſte in his litil hous, bi duryng
of þe world;
xxvi he ſchal ſette hiſe ſones vndur þe hilyng þerof, and
he ſchal dwelle vndur þe boowis þerof;
xxvii he ſchal be kyuerid vndur þe hilyng þerof fro heete,
and he ſchal reſte in þe glorie þerof.
CAP. XV
i He þat drediþ God, ſchal do goode werkis; and he þat
holdiþ riȝtfulneſſe, ſchal take it.
ii And it as a modir onourid ſchal meete hym, and as a
womman fro virgynyte it ſchal take hym.
iii It ſhal feede hym wiþ þe breed of lijf, and of
vndurſtonding; and it ſchal ȝyue drynke to hym wiþ
watir of heelful wiſdom; it ſchal be maad ſtidfaſt in
hym, and he ſchal not be bowid.
iiii And it ſchal holde hym, and he ſchal not be ſchent;
and it ſchal enhaunſe hym at his neiȝboris.
v And in þe myddis of þe chirche he ſchal opene his
mouþ; and God ſchal fille hym wiþ þe ſpirit of wiſdom,
and of vndurſtonding, and ſchal cloþe hym wiþ þe ſtoole
of glorie.
vi God ſchal treſore on hym myrþe, and ful out ioiyng;
and ſchal enherite hym wiþ euerlaſtynge name.
vii Fonned men ſchulen not take þat wiſdom, and witti
men ſchulen meete it. Fonned men ſchulen not ſe it; for
whi it goiþ awey fer fro pride, and gile.
viii Men leeſyngmongeris ſchulen not be myndful þerof,
and ſoþefaſt men ben foundun þer ynne; and ſchulen
haue proſperite `til to þe biholding of God.
ix Preiſyng is not fair in þe mouþ of a ſynnere, for he is
not ſent of þe Lord.
x For whi wiſdom ȝede forþ fro God; forſoþe heriyng
ſchal ſtonde nyȝ þe wiſdom of God, and it ſchal be
plenteuouſe in a feiþful mouþ, and þe Lord ſchal ȝyue it
to him.
xi Seie þou not, It goiþ awei bi God; for whi do þou not
þo þingis, whiche God hatiþ.
xii Seie þou not, He made me for to erre; for whi wickid
men ben not nedeful to hym.
xiii Þe Lord hatiþ al curſidneſſe of errour, and it ſchal not
be amyable to hem, þat dreden hym.
xiiii At þe bigynnyng God made man, and lefte him in
þe hond of his councel.
xv He addide hiſe comaundementis, and lawis;
xvi if þou wolt kepe þe comaundementis, þo ſchulen
kepe þee, and kepe pleſaunt feiþ wiþ outen ende.
xvii He haþ ſet to þee watir and fier; dreſſe þin hond to
þat, þat þou wolt.
xviii Bifor man is lijf and deþ, good and yuel; þat, þat
pleſiþ hym, ſchal be ȝouun to hym.
xix For whi þe wiſdom of God is myche, and he is ſtrong
in power, and ſeeþ alle men wiþout ceeſſing.
xx Þe iȝen of þe Lord ben to hem, þat dreden hym; and
he knowiþ al þe trauel of man.
xxi He comaundide not to ony man to do wickidli; and
he ȝaf not to ony man ſpace to do ſynne.
xxii For he coueytiþ not þe multitude of ſones vnfeiþful
and vnprofitable.
CAP. XVI
i Be þou not glad in wickid ſones, if þei ben multiplied;
neþer delite þou on hem, if þe drede of God is not in
hem.
ii Bileue þou not to þe lijf of hem, and biholde þou not
in to þe trauels of hem.
iii For whi betere is oon dredynge God, þan a þouſynde
wickid ſones.
iiii And it is more profitable to die wiþ out ſones, þan to
leeue wickid ſones.
v A cuntrei ſhal be enhabitid of o witti man; and it ſchal
be maad deſert of þre wickid men.
vi Myn iȝe ſiȝ many oþere þingis, and myn eere herde
ſtrongere þingis þan þeſe.
vii Fier ſchal brenne an hiȝ in þe ſynagoge of ſynneris,
and yre ſchal brenne an hiȝ in a folk vnbileuful.
viii Elde giauntis þat weren diſtried, triſtynge on her
vertu, preieden not for her ſynnes;
ix and God ſparide not þe pilgrymage of hem, but he
killide hem, and curſide hem, for þe pride of her word.
x He hadde not merci on hem, and he loſte al þe folk
enhaunſynge hem ſilf in her ſynnes.
xi And as he killide ſixe hundrid þouſynde of foot men,
þat weren gaderid togidere in þe hardneſſe of her herte;
and if oon hadde be hard nollid, wondur if he hadde be
giltles.
DXCVI
xii For whi merci and ire is wiþ hym; preier is myȝti,
and ſchedynge out ire.
xiii Bi his merci, ſo is þe chaſtiſyng of ech man; he is
demyd bi hiſe werkis.
xiiii A ſynnere in raueyn ſchal not aſcape; and þe
ſufferaunce of hym þat doiþ merci ſchal not tarie.
xv Al merci ſchal make place to ech man, aftir þe merit
of his werkis, and aftir þe vndurſtonding of his
pilgrymage.
xvi Seie þou not, Y ſchal be hid fro God; and fro þe
hiȝeſte, who ſchal haue mynde on me?
xvii Seie þou not, Y ſchal not be knowun in a greet
puple; for whi which is my ſoule in ſo greet a creature?
xviii Lo! heuene, and þe heuenes of heuenes, þe greet
occian, and al erþe, and þo þingis þat ben in þo, ſchulen
be mouyd in his ſiȝt;
xix munteyns togidere, and litle hillis, and þe
foundementis of erþe; and whanne God biholdiþ þo, þo
ſchulen be ſchakun togidere wiþ tremblyng.
xx And in alle þeſe þingis þe herte is vnwijs, and ech
herte is vndurſtondun of hym.
xxi And who vndurſtondiþ hiſe weies? and `who
vndurſtondiþ a tempeſt, which þe iȝe of man ſiȝ not?
xxii For whi ful many werkis of hym ben `in hid þingis,
but who ſchal telle out þe werkis of his riȝtfulneſſe, eþer
who ſchal ſuffre? For whi þe teſtament is fer fro ſumme
men; and þe axyng of men is in þe endyng.
xxiii He þat is maad litil in herte, þenkiþ veyn þingis;
and a man vnprudent and a fool þenkiþ fonned þingis.
xxiiii Sone, here þou me, and lerne þou techyng of wit,
and ȝyue þou tent to my wordis in þin herte; and Y ſchal
ſeie techyng in equyte, and Y ſchal ſeke to telle out
wiſdom. And ȝyue þou tent to my wordis in þin herte;
xxv and Y ſeie in equyte of ſpirit þe vertues, whiche God
haþ ſet on hiſe werkis at þe bigynnyng, and in treuþe Y
telle out þe kunnyng of him.
xxvi In þe doom of God ben hiſe werkis fro þe
bigynnyng; and in þe ordynaunce of þo he departyde þe
partis of þo, and he departide þe bigynnyngis of þo in
hiſe folkis.
xxvii He ournede wiþ outen ende þe werkis of hem; þei
hungriden not, neþer traueliden, and þei ceeſſiden not of
her werkis.
xxviii Ech ſchal not make ſtreit þe nexte to hym, til in to
wiþ outen ende.
xxix Be þou not vnbileueful to þe word of him.
xxx Aftir þeſe þingis God bihelde `in to þe erþe, and
fillide it wiþ hiſe goodis.
xxxi Forſoþe þe ſoule of ech lyuynge þing teld bifore his
face; and þilke ſoule is eft þe turnyng aȝen of þo þinges.
CAP. XVII
i God formede man of erþe; and aftir his ymage he
made man.
ii And eft he turnede man in to þat ymage; and aftir hym
ſilf he cloþide hym wiþ vertu.
iii He ȝaf to hym þe noumbre of daies, and tyme; and he
ȝaf to him power of þo þingis þat ben on erþe.
iiii He ſettide þe drede of man on al fleiſch, and he was
lord of beeſtis and fliynge briddis.
v He formyde of man an help lijk hym; he ȝaf to hem
councel, and tunge, and iȝen, and eeris, and herte to
þenke out; and he fillide hem wiþ techyng of
vndurſtondyng.
vi He made to hem þe kunnyng of ſpirit, he fillide þe
herte of hem wiþ wit; and he ſchewide to hem yuels and
goodis.
vii He ſettide þe iȝe of hem on þe hertes of hem, to
ſchewe to hem þe grete þingis of hiſe werkis,
viii þat þei preiſe togidere þe name of halewyng; and to
haue glorie in hiſe meruels, þat þei telle out þe grete
þingis of hiſe werkis.
ix He addide to hem techyng; and he enheritide hem wiþ
þe lawe of lijf.
x He ordeynyde an euerlaſtynge teſtament wiþ hem; and
he ſchewide to hem hiſe riȝtfulneſſe, and domes.
xi And þe iȝe of hem ſiȝ þe grete þingis of his onour, and
þe eeris of hem herden þe onour of vois; and he ſeide to
hem, Take heede to ȝou fro al wickid þing.
xii And he comaundide to hem, to ech man of his
neiȝbore.
xiii Þe weies of hem ben euere bifore hym; þo ben not
hid fro hiſe iȝen.
xiiii On ech folk he made ſouereyn a gouernour;
xv and Iſrael was maad þe opyn part of God.
xvi And alle þe werkis of hem ben as þe ſunne in þe ſiȝt
of God; and hiſe iȝen biholden wiþ out ceeſſyng in þe
weies of hem.
xvii Teſtamentis weren not hid fro þe wickidneſſe of
hem; and alle þe wickydneſſis of hem weren in þe ſiȝt of
God.
xviii Þe almes of a man is as a bagge wiþ hym, and it
ſchal kepe þe grace of a man as þe appil of þe iȝe;
xix and afterward man ſchal riſe aȝen, and it ſchal ȝelde
to hem a ȝelding, to ech man in to þe heed of hem; and
ſchal turne in to þe lower partis of erþe.
xx Forſoþe it ȝaf to men repentinge þe weie of
riȝtfulneſſe, and confermede men failynge to ſuffre, and
ordeynede to hem þe part of treuþe.
xxi Turne þou to þe Lord, and forſake þi ſynnes;
xxii preye þou bifore þe face of þe Lord, and make þou
leſſe hirtingis.
xxiii Turne þou aȝen to þe Lord, and turne þou awei fro
þin vnriȝtfulneſſe, and hate þou greetli curſyng.
DXCVII
xxiiii And knowe þou þe riȝtfulneſſis, and domes of God;
and ſtonde þou in þe part of good purpos, and of preier
of þe hiȝeſte God.
xxv Go þou in to þe partis of þe hooli world, wiþ men
lyuynge, and ȝyuynge knouleching to God.
xxvi Dwelle þou not in þe errour of wickid men.
Knouleche þou bifore deþ; knouleching periſchiþ fro a
deed man, as no þing.
xxvii Lyuynge þou ſchalt knouleche, lyuynge and hool
þou ſchalt knowleche, and ſchalt herie God; and þou
ſchalt haue glorie in þe merciful doyngis of hym.
xxviii Þe merci of God is ful greet, and his help to hem
þat conuerten to hym.
xxix For whi not alle þingis moun be in men; for whi þe
ſone of man is not vndeedli, and malices pleſiden in to
vanyte.
xxx What is clerere þan þe ſunne? and þis ſchal faile;
eþir what is worſe þan þat, þat fleiſch and blood þouȝte
out? and of þis he ſchal be repreued.
xxxi He biholdiþ þe vertu of hiȝneſſe of heuene; and alle
men ben erþe and aiſche.
CAP. XVIII
i He þat lyueþ wiþ out bigynnyng and ende, made of
nouȝt alle þingis togidere; God alone ſchal be iuſtified,
and he dwelliþ a king vnouercomun wiþ outen ende.
ii Who ſchal ſuffice to telle out his werkis?
iii for whi who ſchal ſeke þe grete þingis of hym?
iiii But who ſchal telle out þe vertu of his greetneſſe?
eþer who ſchal leie to for to telle out his mercy?
v It is not to make leſſe, neþer to leie to; neþir it is to
fynde þe grete þingis of God.
vi Whanne a man haþ endid, þanne he ſchal bigynne;
and whanne he haþ reſtid, he ſchal worche.
vii What is a man, and what is þe glorie of him? and
what is good, eþer what is þe wickid þing of him?
viii Þe noumbre of þe daies of men, þat ben comynli an
hundrid ȝeer, ben arettid as þe dropis of þe watir of þe
ſee; and as þe ſtoon of grauel, ſo a fewe ȝeeris in þe dai
of euerlaſtyngneſſe.
ix For þis þing God is pacient in hem, and ſchediþ out
on hem his merci.
x He ſiȝ þe preſumpcioun of her herte, for it was yuel;
and he knew þe diſtriyng of hem, for it was wickid.
xi Þerfor he fillide his merci in hem, and ſchewide to
hem þe weie of equite.
xii Þe merciful doyng of man is aboute his neiȝbore; but
þe merci of þe Lord is ouer ech fleiſch.
xiii He þat haþ merci, and techiþ, and chaſtiſiþ as a
ſcheepherde his floc,
xiiii do merci, takynge þe techyng of merciful doyng;
and he þat haſtiþ in þe domes þerof.
xv Sone, in goodis ȝyue þou not pleynt, and in ech ȝifte
ȝyue þou not heuyneſſe of an yuel word.
xvi Wheþer dew ſchal not kele heete? ſo and a word is
betere þan ȝifte.
xvii Lo! wheþer a word is not aboue a good ȝifte? but
euer eþir is wiþ a man iuſtified.
xviii A fool ſchal vpbreide ſcharpli; and þe ȝifte of an
vntauȝt man makiþ iȝen to faile.
xix Bifore þe doom make þou redi riȝtfulneſſe to þee;
and lerne þou, bifore þat þou ſpeke.
xx Bifore ſikeneſſe ȝyue þou medicyn; and bifore þe
doom axe þi ſilf, and þou ſchalt fynde merci in þe ſiȝt of
God.
xxi Bifore ſikeneſſe make þe meke, and in þe tyme of
ſikeneſſe ſchewe þi lyuyng.
xxii Be þou not lettid to preye euere, and drede þou not
to be iuſtified til to deþ; for whi þe meede of God
dwelliþ wiþ outen ende.
xxiii Bifore preier make redi þi ſoule; and nyle þou be as
a man þat temptiþ God.
xxiiii Haue þou mynde of ire in þe dai of endyng; and
make þou in lyuyng þe tyme of ȝelding.
xxv Haue þou mynde of pouert in þe dai of abundaunce;
and þe nede of pouert in þe tyme of richeſſis.
xxvi Fro þe morewtid `til to þe euentid þe tyme ſchal be
chaungid; and alle þeſe þingis ben ſwift in þe iȝen of
God.
xxvii A wiſe man ſchal drede in alle þingis; and in þe
daies of treſpaſſis he ſchal fle fro vnkunnyng, eþer
ſlouþe.
xxviii Ech fel man knowiþ wiſdom; and to hym þat
fyndiþ it, he ſchal ȝyue knouleching.
xxix Witti men in wordis alſo þei diden wiſeli, and
vndurſtoden treuþe, and riȝtfulneſſe; and biſouȝten
prouerbis and domes.
xxx Go þou not aftir þi coueitiſes; and be þou turned
awei fro þi wille.
xxxi If þou ȝyueſt to þi ſoule þe coueitiſis þerof, it ſchal
make þee in to ioie to þin enemyes.
xxxii Delite þou not in cumpenyes, neþer in litle
cumpenyes; for whi þe ſynnyng of hem is contynuel.
xxxiii Be þou not meene in þe ſtryuyng of looue, and ſum
þing is to þee in þe world; for whi þou ſchalt be
enuyouſe to þi ſoule.
CAP. XIX
i A drunkelew werk man ſchal not be maad riche; and
he þat chargiþ not litle ſynnes, falliþ doun litil and litil.
ii Wyn and wymmen maken to be apoſtataas, ȝhe, wiſe
men; and þei repreuen witti men.
iii And he þat ioyneþ hym ſilf to hooris, ſchal be wickid;
rot and wormes ſchulen enherite hym, and he ſchal be
DXCVIII
ſet an hiȝ in to more enſaumple, and his ſoule ſchal be
takun awei fro noumbre.
iiii He þat bileueþ ſoone, is vnſtable in herte, and ſchal
be maad leſſe; and he þat treſpaſſiþ aȝens his ſoule, ſchal
be had ferþermore.
v He þat ioieþ in wickidneſſe, ſchal be curſid; and he þat
hatiþ blamyng, ſchal be maad leſſe in lijf; and he þat
hatiþ ianglyng, quenchiþ malice.
vi He þat ſynneþ aȝens his ſoule, ſchal repente; and he
þat is myrie in malice, ſchal be curſid.
vii Reherſe þou not an hard word, and wickid; and þou
ſchalt not be maad leſſe.
viii Nyle þou telle þi wit to frend and enemye; and if
treſpas is to þee, nyle þou make nakid.
ix For he ſchal here þee, and ſchal kepe þee, and he as
defendynge þe ſynne ſchal hate þee; and ſo he ſchal be
euere wiþ þee.
x Þou haſt herd a word aȝens þi neiȝbore; die it togidere
in þee, and triſte þou þat it ſchal not breke þee.
xi A fool traueliþ greetli of þe face of a word, as þe
ſorewe of beryng of a ȝong child.
xii An arowe faſtned in þe hipe of a dogge, ſo a word in
þe herte of a fool.
xiii Repreue þou a frend, leſt perauenture he vndurſtonde
not, and ſeie, Y dide not; eþer if he haþ do, leſt he adde
to do eft.
xiiii Repreue þou a neiȝbore, leſt perauenture he ſeie not;
and if he ſeiþ, leſt perauenture he reherſe.
xv Repreue þou a frend, for whi treſpaſſynge is don ofte;
xvi and bileue þou not to ech word. Þer is a man þat
falliþ bi his tunge, but not of wille.
xvii For `whi who is he, þat treſpaſſiþ not in his tunge?
Repreue þou a neiȝbore, bifore þat þou manaaſſe;
xviii and ȝyue þou place to þe drede of þe hiȝeſte. For
whi al wiſdom is þe drede of God, and in þat wiſdom
for to drede God; and þe ordynaunce of lawe is in al
wiſdom.
xix And þe teching of wickidneſſe is not wiſdom; and þe
prudence of ſynnes is not good þouȝt.
xx Þer is wickidneſſe of prudence, and curſidneſſe is þer
ynne; and þer is an vnwijs man, which is maad litil in
wiſdom.
xxi Betere is a man þat haþ litil in wiſdom, and failynge
in wit in þe drede of God, þan he þat haþ plentee of wit,
and brekiþ þe lawe of þe hiȝeſte.
xxii Þer is certeyn ſutilte, and it is wickid.
xxiii And þer is a man, þat ſendiþ out a certeyn word,
tellynge out treuþe. Þer is a man, þat mekiþ hym ſilf
wickidly; and hiſe ynnere þingis ben ful of gile.
xxiiii And þer is a iuſt man, þat makiþ low greetli hym
ſilf of myche mekeneſſe; and þer is a iuſt man, þat
bowiþ þe face, and feyneþ hym to ſe not þat, þat is
vnknowun.
xxv Þouȝ he is forbodun of febleneſſe of ſtrengþis to do
ſynne; if he fyndiþ tyme to do yuele, he ſchal do yuel.
xxvi A man is knowun bi ſiȝt; and a witti man is knowun
bi meetyng of face.
xxvii Þe cloþing of bodi, and þe leiȝyng of teeþ, and þe
entring of a man, tellen out of hym.
xxviii Þer is fals repreuyng in þe ire of a man ful of
diſpiſyng; and þer is dom which is not preued to be
good; and þer is a ſtille man, and he is prudent.
CAP. XX
i It is ful good to repreue, more þan to be wrooþ, and to
forbede not a man knoulechyng in preiere.
ii Þe coueitiſe of a geldyng haþ defoulid þe maidynhed
of a ȝong womman,
iii ſo he þat makiþ wickid dom bi violence.
iiii It is ful good, þat a man `þat is repreued ſchewe
opynli penaunce; for ſo þou ſchalt aſcape wilful ſynne.
v Þer is a ſtil man, which is foundun wijs; and he is
hateful, which is fool hardi to ſpeke.
vi Soþeli þer is a ſtille man, not hauynge wit of ſpeche;
and þer is a ſtille man, knowynge þe ſeſoun of
couenable tyme.
vii A wijs man ſchal be ſtille til to tyme; but a ioli man
and vnprudent man ſchulen not kepe tyme.
viii He þat vſiþ many wordis, hirtiþ his ſoule; and he þat
takiþ power to hym ſilf vniuſtli, ſchal be hatid.
ix Þer is goyng forþ in yuels to a man vnlernyd; and þer
is fyndyng in to peiryng.
x Þer is a ȝifte, which is not profitable; and þer is a ȝifte,
whos ȝeldyng is double.
xi Þer is makyng leſſe for glorie; and þer is a man,
which ſchal reiſe þe heed fro mekeneſſe.
xii Þer is a man, þat aȝen bieþ many ſynnes for litil prijs,
and reſtoriþ þo in ſeuenfold.
xiii A wijs man in wordis makiþ hym ſilf amyable; but
þe graces of foolis ſchulen be ſched out.
xiiii Þe ȝifte of an vnwijs man ſchal not be profitable to
þee; for hiſe iȝen ben ſeuenfold.
xv He ſchal ȝyue litle þingis, and he ſchal vpbreide many
þingis; and þe openyng of his mouþ is enflawming.
xvi To dai a man leeneþ, and to morewe he axiþ; and
ſiche a man is hateful.
xvii A frend ſchal not be to a fool, and grace ſchal not be
to hiſe goodis.
xviii For þei þat eten his breed, ben of fals tunge; hou
ofte and hou many men ſchulen ſcorne hym?
xix For he departiþ not bi euene wit þat, þat was worþi
to be had; in lijk maner and þat, þat was not worþi to be
had.
xx Þe falling of a fals tunge is as he þat falliþ in þe
pawment; ſo þe fallis of yuele men ſchulen come haſtili.
DXCIX
xxi A man wiþ out grace is as a veyn fable; and it ſchal
be cuſtomable in þe mouþ of vnlerned men.
xxii A parable ſchal be repreued of þe mouþ of a fool;
for he ſeiþ not it in his tyme. Þer is a man, þat is
forbodun to do ſynne, for pouert; and he ſchal be
prickid in his reſte.
xxiii Þer is a man, þat ſchal leeſe his ſoule for ſchame;
and for þe vnprudence of a perſoone he ſchal leeſe it.
xxiiii Forſoþe he ſchal leeſe hym ſilf for þe takyng of a
perſoone.
xxv Þer is a man, þat for ſchame biheetiþ to a frend; and
he haþ gete hym enemy wiþ out cauſe.
xxvi Leeſyng is a wickid ſchenſchip in a man; and it
ſchal be cuſtomabli in þe mouþ of vnlerned men.
xxvii Betere is a þeef þan þe cuſtomableneſſe of a man, a
leeſyngmongere; forſoþe boþe þei ſchulen enherite
perdicioun.
xxviii Þe maneres of men leeſyngmongeris ben wiþ
outen onour; and her ſchenſchype is wiþ hem wiþ out
ceeſſyng.
xxix A wijs man in wordis ſchal brynge forþ hym ſilf;
and a prudent man ſchal pleeſe grete men.
xxx He þat worchiþ his lond, ſhal make hiȝ þe heep of
fruytis; and he þat worchiþ riȝtfulneſſe, ſchal be
enhaunſid. Soþeli he þat pleſiþ grete men, ſchal aſcape
wickidneſſe.
xxxi Preſentis and ȝiftis blynden þe iȝen of iugis; and as
doumb in þe mouþ it turneþ awei þe chaſtiſyngis of
hem.
xxxii Wiſdom hid, and treſour vnſeyn, what profit is in
euer eiþir?
xxxiii He is betere, þat hidiþ his vnwiſdom, þan a man
þat hidiþ his wiſdom.
CAP. XXI
i Sone, þou haſt do ſynne? adde þou not eft; but biſeche
þou for þe formere ſynnes, þat þo be forȝouun to þee.
ii As fro þe face of a ſerpent fle þou ſynnes; and if þou
neiȝeſt to `þo ſynnes, þo ſchulen take þee.
iii Þe teeþ of a lioun ben þe teeþ þerof, þat ſleen þe
ſoulis of men.
iiii Al wickidneſſe is as a ſcharp ſwerd on eiþer ſyde;
heelþe is not to þe wounde þerof.
v Chidyngis and wrongis ſchulen diſtrie catel; and an
houe þat is ouer riche, ſchal be diſtriede bi pride; ſo þe
catel of a proude man ſchal be drawun vp bi þe roote.
vi Þe preyer of a pore man ſchal come fro þe mouþ `til
to eeris; and doom ſchal come to hym haſtili.
vii He þat hatiþ repreuyng, is a ſtep of þe ſynnere; and
he þat drediþ God, ſchal be turned to his herte.
viii A miȝti man wiþ an hardi tunge is knowun afer; and
a witti man kan kepe him ſilf fro þat man.
ix He þat bildiþ his hous wiþ oþere mennus coſtis, is as
he þat gaderiþ hiſe ſtonys in wyntir.
x Scheuys gaderid togidere is þe ſynagoge of ſynneris;
and þe endyng of hem is þe flawme of fier.
xi Þe weie of ſynneris is ſet togidere wiþ ſtoonys; and in
þe ende of hem ben hellis, and derkneſſis, and peynes.
xii He þat kepiþ riȝtfulneſſe, ſchal holde þe wit þerof.
xiii Þe perfeccioun of Goddis drede is wiſdom and wit.
xiiii He ſchal not be tauȝt, which is not wijs in good.
xv Forſoþe vnwiſdom is, which is plenteuouſe in yuel;
and wit is not, where is bittirneſſe.
xvi Þe kunnyng of a wijs man ſchal be plenteuouſe as
flowyng; and þe councel of hym dwelliþ as a welle of
lijf.
xvii Þe herte of a fool is as a brokun veſſel; and it ſchal
not holde ony wiſdom.
xviii What euer wijs word a kunnynge man heriþ, he
ſchal preiſe, and leie to. A letcherouſe man herde, and it
ſchal diſpleſe hym; and he ſchal caſte it awei bihynde
his bak.
xix Þe tellynge of a fool is as a birþun in þe weie; for
whi grace ſchal be foundun in þe lippis of a wijs man.
xx Þe mouþ of a prudent man is ſouȝt in þe chirche; and
men ſchulen þenke hiſe wordis in her hertis.
xxi As an hous diſtried, ſo is wiſdom to a fool; and þe
kunnyng of an vnwijs man is wordis þat moun not be
teld out.
xxii Stockis in þe feet is techyng to a fool; and as bondis
of hondis on þe riȝt hond.
xxiii A fool enhaunſiþ his vois in leiȝyng; but a wijs man
ſchal leiȝe vnneþis ſtilli.
xxiiii Techyng is a goldun ournement to a prudent man;
and as an ournement of þe arm in þe riȝt arm.
xxv Þe foot of a fool is lyȝt in to þe hous of a neiȝbore;
and a wijs man ſchal be aſchamed of þe perſoone of a
miȝti man.
xxvi A fool biholdiþ fro þe wyndow in to þe hous; but a
lerned man ſchal ſtonde wiþ out forþ.
xxvii It is foli of a man to herkene bi þe dore; and a
prudent man ſchal be greuyd bi diſpiſyng.
xxviii Þe lippis of `vnprudent men ſchulen telle fonned
þingis; but þe wordis of prudent men ſchulen be weied
in a balaunce.
xxix Þe herte of foolis is in her mouþ; and þe mouþ of
wiſe men is in her herte.
xxx Whanne a wickid man curſiþ þe deuel, he curſiþ his
owne ſoule.
xxxi A priuy bacbitere ſchal defoule his ſoule, and in alle
þingis he ſchal be hatid, and he þat dwelliþ, ſchal be
hatid; a ſtil man and wijs ſchal be onourid.
DC
CAP. XXII
i A ſlow man is ſtonyd in a ſtoon of cley; and alle men
ſchulen ſpeke on þe diſpiſyng of him.
ii A ſlow man is ſtonyd of þe dung of oxis; and ech man
þat touchiþ hym, ſchal ſchake þe hondis.
iii Þe ſchame of a fadir is of a ſone vnlerned; but a
fonned douȝter ſchal be in decreeſſyng.
iiii A prudent douȝter is eritage to hir hoſebonde; for
ſche þat ſchendiþ hir hoſebonde, is in diſpiſyng of þe
fadir.
v A `ſchameles womman ſchendiþ þe fadir and
hoſebonde, and ſchal not be maad leſſe þan vnfeiþful
men; forſoþe ſche ſchal not be onourid of euer eiþer.
vi Melodie in morenyng is vncouuenable tellyng;
betyngis and techyng in al tyme wiþ wiſdom.
vii He þat techiþ a fool, as he þat glueþ togidere a tiel
ſtoon.
viii He þat telliþ a word to hym þat heriþ not, is as he þat
reiſiþ a man ſlepynge fro a greuouſe ſleep.
ix He þat telliþ wiſdom to a fool, ſpekiþ wiþ a man
ſlepynge; and in þe ende of þe tellyng he ſchal ſeie,
Who is þis?
x Wepe þou on a deed man, for whi his lyȝt failide; and
wepe þou on a fool, for he failide of wit.
xi Wepe þou a litil on a deed man, for he haþ reſtid.
xii Forſoþe þe lijf of a ful wickid man is ful wickid,
more þan þe deþ of a fool.
xiii Þe morenyng of a deed man is ſeuene daies; but þe
morenyng of a fool and of a wickid man is alle þe daies
of her lijf.
xiiii Speke þou not myche wiþ a fool, and go þou not
wiþ an vnwijs man.
xv Keep þee fro hym, þat þou haue not diſeſe; and þou
ſchalt not be defoulid in þe ſynne of hym.
xvi Boowe þou awei fro hym, and þou ſchalt fynde reſte;
and be þou not anoied by his foly.
xvii What ſchal be maad heuyere þan leed? and what
oþere name þan a fool is to it?
xviii It is liȝtere to bere grauel, and ſalt, and a gobet of
yrun, þan a man vnprudent, and a fool, and vnfeiþful.
xix As an heep of trees, boundun togidere in þe
foundement of þe bilding, ſchal not be vnboundun, ſo
and an herte confermed in þe þouȝt of counſel.
xx Þe þouȝt of a wijs man ſhal not be maad ſchrewid in
ony tyme, neþer drede.
xxi As chaffis in hiȝe places, and ſoond wiþ out medling
of hym, ſet aȝens þe face of wynd, ſchulen not dwelle;
xxii ſo and a dreedful herte in þe þouȝt of a fool
aȝenſtondiþ not aȝens þe feerſneſſe of drede.
xxiii As ournyng, eþer pargetyng, ful of grauel in a cleer
wal, ſo and a ferdful herte in þe þouȝt of a fool ſchal not
drede in ony tyme; ſo and he þat dwelliþ euere in þe
heeſtis of God.
xxiiii He þat prickiþ þe iȝe, ſchal leede out teeris; and he
þat prickiþ þe herte, bryngiþ forþ wit.
xxv He þat caſtiþ a ſtoon to briddis, ſchal caſte doun þo;
ſo and he þat doiþ wrong to a frend, departiþ frenſchipe.
xxvi Þouȝ þou bryngiſt forþ a ſwerd to a frend, diſpeire
þou not; for þer is going aȝen to þe frend.
xxvii If he openeþ a ſoreuful mouþ, drede þou not; for
whi þer is acordyng, outakun diſpiſynge, and
ſchenſchipe, and pride, and ſchewyng of preuyte, and a
tretcherouſe wounde; in alle þeſe þingis a frend ſchal fle
awei.
xxviii Haue þou feiþ wiþ a frend in his pouert, þat þou be
glad alſo in hiſe goodis.
xxix In þe tyme of his tribulacioun dwelle þou feiþful to
hym, þat alſo þou be euene eir in þe eritage of hym.
xxx Heete and ſmook of fier is maad hiȝ bifore þe fier of
a chymenei; ſo and curſyngis, and diſpiſyngis, and
manaaſſis, comen bifore blood.
xxxi I ſchal not be aſchamed for to grete a frend, and Y
ſchal not hide me fro his face; þouȝ yuels comen to me
bi hym, Y ſchal ſuffre.
xxxii Ech man þat ſchal here, ſchal kepe warli hym ſilf
fro hym.
xxxiii Who ſchal ȝyue keping to my mouþ, and a certeyn
ceelyng on my lippis, þat Y falle not bi þo, and þat my
tunge leeſe not me?
CAP. XXIII
i Lord, fadir, and lordli gouernour of my lijf, forſake
þou me not in þe þouȝt and counſel of hem; neþer ſuffre
þou me to falle in þat ſchenſchipe.
ii Who ſettiþ aboue in my þouȝt beetyngis, and in myn
hert þe techyng of wiſdom, þat in þe vnkunnyngis of
hem he ſpare not me, and þat þe treſpaſſis of hem appere
not?
iii Leſt myn vnkunnyngis encreeſſe, and my treſpaſſis be
multiplied, and my ſynnes be plenteuouſe; and leſt Y
falle in þe ſiȝt of myn aduerſaries, and myn enemy haue
ioie.
iiii Lord, fadir, and God of my lijf, forſake þou not me in
þe þouȝt of hem.
v Ȝyue þou not to me enhaunſyng of myn iȝen; and
turne þou awei fro me al ſchrewid deſijr.
vi Do þou awei fro me þe coueitiſis of þe wombe, and
þe coueitiſis of letcherie take me not; and ȝyue þou not
`me to a ſoule vnreuerent and vndiſcreet.
vii Sones, here ȝe þe techyng of mouþ; and he þat kepiþ
it, ſchal not periſche bi hiſe lippis, neþer ſchal be
viii ſclaundrid in worſte werkis A ſynnere and proude
man ſchal be takun in his vanite; and a curſid man ſchal
be ſclaundrid in þo.
ix Þy mouþ be not cuſtomable to ſwering; for whi many
fallyngis ben þer ynne.
DCI
x Forſoþe þe nemyng of God be not cuſtomable in þi
mouþ, and be þou not meddlid to þe names of ſeyntis;
for þou ſchalt not be giltles of hem.
xi For as a ſeruaunt þat is axid biſili, ſchal not wante
wanneſſe; ſo ech man ſwerynge and nemynge ſchal not
be purgid of ſynne in al.
xii A man ſwerynge myche ſchal be fillid wiþ
wickidneſſe; and veniaunce ſchal not go awei fro his
hous.
xiii And if he diſſeyueþ a broþer, his treſpas ſchal be
aboue hym; and if he feyneþ, he ſchal treſpaſſe doubli.
xiiii And if he ſweriþ in veyn, he ſchal not be iuſtified;
for whi his hous ſchal be fillid wiþ worſt ȝelding.
xv Alſo aȝenward anoþer ſpeche is in to deþ; be it not
found in þe eritage of Jacob.
xvi For whi alle þeſe þingis ſchulen be don awei fro
merciful men; and þei ſchulen not delite in treſpaſſis.
xvii Þi mouþ be not cuſtomable to vnreuerent ſpeche; for
whi a word of ſynne is in it.
xviii Haue þou mynde on þi fadir and modir; for þou
ſtondiſt in þe myddis of grete men.
xix Leſt perauenture God forȝete þee in þe ſiȝt of hem;
and leſt þou maad a fool bi þi cuſtomableneſſe, ſuffre
ſchenſchipe, and haddiſt leuere to be not borun, and
curſe þe dai of þi birþe.
xx A man cuſtomable in þe wordis of ſchenſchipe, in alle
daies ſchal not be tauȝt.
xxi Twei kyndis ben plenteuouſe in ſynnes, and þe
þridde bringiþ ire and perdicioun.
xxii An hoot ſoule brennynge as fier ſchal not be
quenchid, til it ſwolewe ſum þing;
xxiii and a wickid man in þe mouþ of his fleiſch ſchal
not faile, til he kyndle fier.
xxiiii Ech breed is ſwete to a letcherouſe man; he ſchal
not be maad weri, treſpaſſynge `til to þe ende.
xxv Ech man þat paſſiþ his bed, doiþ diſpit aȝens his
ſoule, and ſeiþ, Who ſeeþ me?
xxvi Derkneſſis cumpaſſen me, and wallis kyueren me,
and no man biholdiþ me. Whom drede Y? Þe hiȝeſte
ſchal not haue mynde on my ſynnes.
xxvii And he vndirſtondiþ not, þat þe iȝe of him ſeeþ alle
þingis; for whi þe drede of ſiche a man puttiþ awei fro
him þe drede of God, and þe iȝen of men þat dreden
hym putten awei fro hym Goddis drede.
xxviii And he knew not, þat þe iȝen of þe Lord ben
myche more clerere þan þe ſunne, and biholden alle þe
weies of men, and þe depþe of þe ſee, and biholden þe
hertis of men in to hid partis.
xxix For whi alle þingis weren knowun to þe Lord,
bifore þat þei weren maad of nouȝt; ſo and aftir þe
makyng he biholdiþ alle þingis.
xxx Þis man ſchal be punyſchid in þe ſtretis of þe citee;
he ſchal be dryuun a wei as an horſe colt, and he ſchal
be takun, where he hopiþ not.
xxxi And he ſchal be ſchenſchip to alle men; for he
vndurſtood not þe drede of þe Lord.
xxxii So and ech womman forſakynge hir hoſebonde
ſchal do ſynne, and ordeynynge eritage of an alien
matrimonye.
xxxiii For firſte ſche was vnbileueful in þe lawe of þe
hiȝeſte, and þe ſecounde tyme ſche forſook hir
hoſebonde; and þe þridde tyme ſche was defoulid in
auowtrie, and ordeynede to hym ſones of anoþer man.
xxxiiii `Þis womman ſchal be brouȝt in to þe chirche, and
me ſchal biholde on hir ſones.
xxxv Hir ſones ſchulen not ȝyue rootis, and hir braunchis
ſchulen not ȝyue fruyt.
xxxvi Þei ſchulen leeue þe mynde of hir in to curſyng,
and þe ſchenſchipe of hir ſchal not be don awei.
xxxvii And þei þat ben left ſchulen knowe, þat no þing is
betere þan þe drede of God, and noþing is ſwettere þan
to biholde in þe comaundementis of þe Lord.
xxxviii It is greet glorie to ſue þe Lord; for whi lengþe of
daies ſchulen be takun of hym.
CAP. XXIIII
i Wiſdom ſchal preiſe his ſoule, and he ſchal be onourid
in God; and he ſchal haue glorie in þe myddis of his
puple.
ii And he ſchal opene his mouþ in þe chirchis of þe
hiȝeſte; and he ſchal haue glorie in þe ſiȝt of his vertu.
iii And he ſchal be enhaunſid in þe myddis of his puple;
and he ſchal wondre in hooli plentee.
iiii And in þe multitude of choſun men he ſchal haue
preiſyng; and among bleſſid men he ſchal be bleſſid,
v and ſeie, I, þe firſte gendrid bifore ech creature, cam
forþ fro þe mouþ of þe hiȝeſte.
vi I made in heuenes, þat lyȝt neuere failynge roos vp,
and as a cloude Y hilide al erþe.
vii Y dwellide in hiȝeſte þingis, and my trone in a piler
of cloude.
viii Y aloone ȝede aboute þe cumpas of heuene, and Y
perſide þe depþe of þe ſee; and Y ȝede in þe wawis of
þe ſee,
ix and Y ſtood in al þe lond.
x And Y hadde þe firſte dignite in ech puple, and in ech
folk;
xi and Y trad bi vertu on þe neckis of alle excelent men
and meke; and in alle þeſe men Y ſouȝte reſte, and Y
ſchal dwelle in þe eritage of þe Lord.
xii Þanne þe creatour of alle comaundide, and ſeide to
me; and he þat formyde me, reſtide in my tabernacle;
and he ſeide to me,
DCII
xiii Dwelle þou in Jacob, and take þou eritage in Iſrael,
and ſende þou rootis in my choſun men.
xiiii Y was gendrid of þe bigynnyng and bifore worldis,
and Y ſchal not faile `til to þe world to comynge; and Y
mynyſtride in an hooli dwellyng bifore hym.
xv And ſo Y was maad ſtidfaſt in Syon, and in lijk maner
Y reſtide in a citee halewid, and my power was in
Jeruſalem.
xvi And Y rootid in a puple onourid; and þe eritage
þerof in to þe partis of my God, and my wiþolding in þe
plentee of ſeyntis.
xvii Y was enhaunſid as a cedre in Liban, and as a
cipreſſe tree in þe hil of Syon.
xviii Y was enhaunſid as a palm tree in Cades, and as þe
plauntyng of rooſe in Jeryco.
xix As a fair olyue tree in feeldis; and Y was enhaunſid
as a plane tree biſidis watir in ſtretis.
xx As canel and bawme ȝyuynge greet ſmelle, Y ȝaf
odour; as choſun myrre Y ȝaf þe ſwetneſſe of odour.
xxi And as ſtorax, and galban, and vngula, and gumme,
and as Liban not kit doun, Y made hoot my dwellyng
place; and myn odour as bawme not meddlid.
xxii Y as a terebynte ſtretchide forþ my boowis; and my
boowis ben boowis of onour, and of glorie.
xxiii Y as a vyne made fruyt þe ſwetneſſe of odour; and
my flouris ben þe fruytis of onour, and of oneſte.
xxiiii I am a modir of fair loue, and of drede, and of
knowyng, and of hooli hope.
xxv In me is al grace of weie, and of treuþe; in me is al
hope of lijf and of vertu.
xxvi Alle ȝe þat coueiten me, paſſe to me; and be ȝe fillid
of my generaciouns.
xxvii For whi my ſpirit is ſwete aboue hony; and myn
eritage is aboue hony, and hony comb.
xxviii My mynde is in þe generacioun of worldis.
xxix Þei þat eten me, ſchulen hungre ȝit; and þei þat
drynken me, ſchulen þirſte ȝit.
xxx He þat heriþ me, ſhal not be ſchent; and þei þat
worchen in me, ſchulen not do ſynne; and þei þat
declaren me,
xxxi ſchulen haue euere laſtynge lijf.
xxxii Alle þeſe þingis is þe book of lijf, and þe teſtament
of þe hiȝeſte, and þe knowyng of treuþe.
xxxiii Moiſes comaundide a lawe in þe comaundementis
of riȝtfulneſſis, and eritage to þe hous of Jacob, and
biheeſtis to Iſrael.
xxxiiii He ſettide to Dauid, his child, to reiſe of hym a
kyng mooſt ſtrong, and ſittynge wiþ outen ende in þe
trone of onour.
xxxv Which kyng filliþ wiſdom, as Phiſon ſchediþ out
watir; and as Tigris in þe daies of newe þingis.
xxxvi Which, as Eufrates, filliþ wit; which multiplieþ, as
Jordan in þe tyme of herueſt.
xxxvii Which ſendiþ techyng as lyȝt; and is niȝ alle men,
as Gion in þe dai of vendage.
xxxviii Which makiþ perfitli firſt to knowe þat wiſdom;
and a feblere man ſchal not enſerche it.
xxxix For whi þe þouȝt þerof ſchal be plenteuouſe of þe
ſee; and his counſel in þe greet occian.
xl Y wiſdom ſchedde out floodis;
xli Y as a weie of ful greet watir of þe flood. Y as þe
flood Dorix, and as a watir cundit Y ȝede out of paradis.
xlii Y ſeide, I ſchal watir my gardyn of plauntyngis; and
Y ſchal greetli fille þe fruyt of my child beryng.
xliii And lo! a plenteuouſe weie of watir is maad to me;
and my flood neiȝede to þe ſee.
xliiii For Y liȝtne techyng as þe cheer morewtid to alle
men; and Y ſchal telle out it `til to fer.
xlv Y ſchal perſe alle þe lowere partis of erþe, and Y
ſchal biholde alle þat ſlepen; and Y ſchal liȝtne alle þat
hopen in þe Lord.
xlvi Ȝit Y ſchal ſchede out teching as profeſie, and Y
ſchal leeue it to hem þat ſeken wiſdom; and Y ſchal not
faile in to þe generaciouns of hem, til in to þe hooli
world.
xlvii Se ȝe, þat Y trauelide not to me aloone, but to alle
þat ſeken out treuþe.
CAP. XXV
i In þre þingis it is pleſid to my ſpirit, which ben
appreued bifore God and men; acordyng of briþeren,
ii and loue of neiȝboris, a man and womman wel
conſentynge to hem ſilf.
iii My ſoule hatide þre ſpicis, and Y am greued greetli to
þe ſoule of hem;
iiii a pore man proud, and a riche man liere, and an eld
man a fool and vnwitti.
v Hou ſchalt þou fynde in þin eelde þo þingis, whiche
þou gaderiſt not in þi ȝongþe?
vi Doom is ful fair in hoorneſſe, and to preeſtis to knowe
councel.
vii Wiſdom is ful fair to eelde men, and gloriouſe
vndirſtondyng, and councel.
viii Þe coroun of eelde men is in myche kunnyng; and þe
glorie of hem is þe drede of God.
ix I magnefiede nyne þingis vnſuſpect of þe herte; and Y
ſchal ſeie þe tenþe þing bi tunge to men.
x A man which lyuynge is myrie in ſones, and ſeynge þe
diſtriyng of hiſe enemyes.
xi He is bleſſid þat dwelliþ wiþ a witty womman, and he
þat felle not bi his tunge, and he þat ſeruyde not to men
vnworþi to hym ſilf.
DCIII
xii He is bleſſid þat fyndiþ a very frend, and he þat telliþ
out riȝtfulneſſe to an eere heringe.
xiii He is ful greet þat fyndiþ wiſdom and kunnyng; but
he is not aboue him þat drediþ God.
xiiii Þe drede of God haþ ſet it ſilf aboue alle þingis.
xv Bleſſid is þe man to whom it is ȝouun to haue þe
drede of God; to whom ſchal he be licned, þat holdiþ
þat drede?
xvi Þe drede of God is þe bigynnyng of his loue; forſoþe
þe bigynnyng of feiþ is to be faſte ioyned þerto.
xvii Þe ſorewe of herte is ech wounde; and þe
wickidneſſe of a womman is al malice.
xviii A leche ſhal ſe ech wounde, and not þe wounde of
herte; and al wickidneſſe,
xix and not þe wickidneſſe of a womman;
xx and ech hilyng, and not hilyng of hateris;
xxi and ech veniaunce, and not þe veniaunce of
enemyes.
xxii Noon heed is worſe þan þe heed of an eddre
dwellynge in ſchadewe;
xxiii and noon ire is aboue þe ire of a womman. It ſchal
pleſe more to dwelle wiþ a lioun and a dragoun, þan to
dwelle wiþ a wickid womman.
xxiiii Þe wickidneſſe of a womman chaungiþ hir face;
and ſche blyndide her cheer as a beer doiþ, and ſche
ſchal ſchewe as a ſak in þe myddis of neiȝboris.
xxv Hir hoſebonde weilide; and his wickid wijf herde,
and ſiȝyide a litil.
xxvi Al malice is ſchort on þe malice of a womman; þe
parte of ſynneris falle on hir.
xxvii As a ſtiynge ful of grauel in þe feet of an elde man,
ſo is a womman a greet ianglere to a peſible man.
xxviii Biholde þou not þe fairneſſe of a womman, and
coueyte þou not a womman for fairneſſe.
xxix Þe ire and vnreuerence of a womman is grete
ſchenſchipe.
xxx If a womman haþ þe firſte dignyte, eþir cheef
gouernail, ſche is contrarie to hir hoſebonde.
xxxi A low herte, and ſoreuful face, and wounde of deeþ,
is a wickid womman.
xxxii Feble hondis and knees vnboundun, a womman þat
bleſſiþ not hir hoſebonde.
xxxiii Þe bygynnyng of ſynne was maad of a womman;
and alle we dien bi hir.
xxxiiii Ȝyue þou not iſſu to þi watir, ȝhe, not a litil iſſu;
neþer to a wickid womman fredom of goyng forþ.
xxxv If ſche goiþ not at þin hond, ſche ſchal ſchende þee
in þe ſiȝt of enemyes.
xxxvi Kitte hir a wei fro þi fleiſchis, leſt euere ſche
myſuſe þee.
CAP. XXVI
i Þe hoſebonde of a good womman is bleſſid; for whi þe
noumbre of her ȝeeris is double.
ii A ſtrong womman delitiþ hir hoſebonde; and ſhal fille
in pees þe ȝeeris of his lijf.
iii A good womman is a good part; in þe good part of
hem þat dreden God, ſche ſchal be ȝouun to a man for
goode dedis.
iiii Forſoþe þe herte of a riche man and of a pore man is
good; in al tyme her cheer is glad.
v Myn herte dredde of þre þingis, and my face dredde in
þe fourþe þing.
vi Bitraiyng of a citee, and þe gadering togidere of
puple,
vii and fals chaleng; alle þingis greuouſe on deþ.
viii Þe ſorewe of herte, and morenyng is a ielouſe
womman.
ix In a gelouſe womman is betyng of tunge, and ſche
comyneþ wiþ alle men.
x As a ȝok of oxis which is mouyd, ſo and a wickid
womman; he þat holdiþ hir, is as he þat takiþ a
ſcorpioun.
xi A drunkelew womman is greet ire, and diſpiſyng; and
hir filþe ſchal not be hilid.
xii Þe fornycacioun of a womman is in þe reiſyng of
yȝen; and ſchal be knowun in þe iȝe liddis of hir.
xiii Make þou ſad kepyng in a douȝtir not turnynge a wei
hir ſilf; leſt ſche myſuſe hir ſilf, if ſche fyndiþ occaſioun.
xiiii Be þou war of al vnreuerence of hir iȝen; and
wondre þou not, if ſche diſpiſiþ þee.
xv As a weiegoere þirſtynge ſchal opene þe mouþ at a
welle, and ſchal drynke of ech watir next; and þe forſeid
douȝtir ſchal ſitte aȝens ech pale, and ſchal opene þe
arowe caas aȝens ech arowe, til ſche faile.
xvi Þe grace of a biſi womman ſchal delite hir
hoſebonde; and ſchal make fat hiſe boonus.
xvii Þe kunnyng of hir is þe ȝifte of God.
xviii A wijs womman and ſtille is not chaungyng of a
lernyd ſoule.
xix Grace on grace is an hooli womman, and ſchamfaſt.
xx Forſoþe al weiyng is not worþ a contynent ſoule.
xxi As þe ſunne riſynge in þe world in þe hiȝeſte þingis
of God, ſo þe fairneſſe of a good womman is in to þe
ournement of hir hous.
xxii A lanterne ſchynynge on an hooli candilſtike, and þe
fairneſſe of a face on ſtidfaſt age.
xxiii Goldun pileris on ſiluerne foundementis, and
ſtidfaſt feet on þe ſoolis of a ſtidfaſt womman.
xxiiii Euerlaſtynge foundementis on a ſad ſtoon, and þe
heeſtis of God in þe herte of an hooli womman.
xxv In twei þingis myn herte was maad ſori, and in þe
þridde þing wraþfulneſſe cam to me.
DCIV
xxvi A man a werriour failynge bi nedyneſſe, and a wijs
man diſpiſid.
xxvii And God haþ maad hym redi to þe ſwerd, þat paſſiþ
ouer fro riȝtfulneſſe to ſynne.
xxviii Twei ſpices apperiden harde and perilouſe to me; a
marchaunt is delyuered of hard fro his necgligence, and
a tauerner ſchal not be iuſtified of ſynnes of lippis.
CAP. XXVII
i Many men han treſpaſſid for nedyneſſe; and he þat
ſekiþ to be maad riche, turneþ a wei his iȝe.
ii As a ſtake is faſtned in þe myddis of a heep of ſtoonys,
ſo and a man ſchal be angwiſchid bi ſynnes bitwixe þe
middis of ſillyng and biyng.
iii Treſpas ſchal be al to-brokun wiþ hym þat treſpaſſiþ.
iiii If þou holdiſt not þee diligentli in þe drede of þe
Lord, þin hous ſchal ſoone be turned vpſedoun.
v As duſt ſchal dwelle in þe hoolis of a riddil, ſo þe
angwiſch of a man ſchal dwelle in þe þouȝt of hym.
vi A furneis preueþ þe veſſels of a pottere; and þe
temptacioun of tribulacioun preueþ iuſt men.
vii As cherliche trauel aboute a tree ſchewiþ þe fruyt
þerof, ſo a word of þouȝt ſchewiþ þe herte of man.
viii Preiſe þou not a man bifore a word; for whi þis is þe
temptacioun of men.
ix If þou ſueſt riȝtfulneſſe, þou ſchalt take it; þou ſchalt
cloþe it as a long cloþ of onour, and þou ſchalt dwelle
wiþ it, and it ſchal defende þee wiþ outen ende, and in
þe dai of knowing þou ſhalt fynde ſtidfaſtneſſe.
x Volatilis comen togidere to briddis lijk hem ſilf; and
treuþe ſchal turne aȝen to hem þat worchen it.
xi A lioun ſettiþ aſpies euere to huntyng; ſo ſynnes to
hem þat worchen wickidneſſe.
xii An hooly man dwelliþ in wiſdom, as þe ſunne
dwelliþ ſtabli; for whi a fool is chaungid as þe moone.
xiii In þe myddis of vnwiſe men kepe þou a word to
tyme; but be þou biſi in þe myddis of hem þat þenken
þe lawe of God.
xiiii Þe tellyng of ſynneris is hateful; and þe leiȝyng of
hem is in þe treſpaſſis of ſynne.
xv Speche ſweringe myche ſchal make ſtondyng up of
heeris, for aſtonying, to þe heed; and vnreuerence þerof
is ſtoppyng of eeris.
xvi Þe ſchedyng out of blood is in þe chidyng of proude
men; and þe curſyng of hem is greuouſe heryng.
xvii He þat ſchewiþ opynli þe priuytees of a frend, leeſiþ
feiþfulneſſe; and he ſchal not fynde a frend to his ſoule.
xviii Loue þou a neiȝbore, and be þou ioyned wiþ hym in
feiþ.
xix For if þou ſchewiſt opynli þe priuytees of hym, þou
ſchalt not perfitli ſue aftir hym.
xx For as a man þat leeſiþ his frend, ſo he þat leeſiþ þe
frenſchipe of his neiȝbore.
xxi And as a man þat latiþ go a brid fro his hond, ſo þou
þat haſt forſake þi neiȝbore, and þou ſchalt not take
hym.
xxii Þou ſchalt not ſue hym, for he is fer abſent; for he
aſcapid as a capret fro a ſnare, for þe ſoule of hym is
woundid.
xxiii Þou ſchalt no more mow bynde hym togidere; but
of yuel ſeiyng is acordyng.
xxiiii Soþeli to ſchewe opynli þe pryuytees of a frend, is
diſpeir of a ſoule vnbleſſid.
xxv He þat twyncliþ wiþ þe iȝe, makiþ wickid þingis;
xxvi and no man ſchal caſte hym awei. In þe ſiȝt of þin
iȝen he ſchal defoule his mouþ, and he ſchal wondre on
þi wordis; but at þe laſte he ſchal turne weiwerdli his
mouþ, and in his wordis he ſchal ȝyue ſclaundre.
xxvii Y herde mani þingis, and Y made not euene to
hym; and þe Lord ſchal hate hym.
xxviii If a man þrowiþ a ſtoon an hiȝ, it ſchal falle on his
heed; and þe gileful wounde of a gyleful man ſchal
departe woundis.
xxix And he þat diggiþ a diche, ſchal falle in to it; and he
þat ſettiþ a ſtoon to a neiȝbore, ſchal offende þerynne;
and he þat ſettiþ a ſnare to a noþer man, ſchal periſche
þer ynne.
xxx If a man makiþ worſt councel, it ſchal be turned on
hym; and he ſchal not knowe fro whennus it ſchal come
to him.
xxxi Þe ſcornyng and diſpiſyng of proude men and
veniaunce ſchal ſette a ſpie to hym, as a lioun doiþ.
xxxii Þei þat deliten in þe fal of iuſt men, ſchulen
periſche bi a ſnare; forſoþe ſorewe ſchal waſte hem,
bifore þat þei dien.
xxxiii Ire and woodneſſe, euer eiþer ben abhomynable;
and a ſynful man ſchal holde þo.
CAP. XXVIII
i He þat wole be vengid, ſchal fynde of þe Lord
veniaunce; and he kepynge ſchal kepe hiſe ſynnes.
ii Forȝyue þou to þi neiȝbore þat anoieþ þee, and þanne
ſynnes ſchulen be releeſſid to þee preiynge.
iii A man kepiþ ire to man; and ſekiþ he of God
medicyn?
iiii He haþ no merci on a man lijk hym ſilf; and biſechiþ
he þe hiȝeſte for hiſe owne ſynnes?
v He þe while he is fleiſch, reſerueþ ire; and axiþ he of
God merci? who ſchal preie for hiſe ſynnes?
vi Haue þou mynde on þe laſte þingis, and ceeſſe þou to
be enemy.
vii For whi failyng and deþ neiȝen not in þe
comaundementis of God.
DCV
viii Haue þou mynde on þe drede of þe Lord, and be þou
not wrooþ to þe neiȝbore.
ix Haue þou mynde on þe teſtament of þe hiȝeſte, and
diſpiſe þou þe ignoraunce of þi neiȝbore.
x Abſteyne þee fro ſtrijf, and þou ſchalt abregge ſynnes.
xi For whi a wraþful man kyndliþ ſtrijf; and a ſynful
man ſchal diſturble frendis, and he ſchal ſende in
enemyte in þe myddis of men hauynge pees.
xii For whi aftir þe trees of þe wode, ſo fier ſchal brenne
an hiȝ; and after þe myȝte of a man, ſo his wraþfulneſſe
ſchal be, and aftir his catel he ſchal enhaunſe his ire.
xiii Haſti ſtryuyng ſchal kyndle fier, and haſti chidyng
ſchal ſchede out blood; and a tunge berynge witneſſing
ſchal brynge deþ.
xiiii If þou blowiſt, as fier it ſchal brenne an hiȝ; and if
þou ſpetiſt þeron, it ſchal be quenchid; euer eiþer comen
forþ of þe mouþ.
xv A preuy bacbiter, and a double tungid man is curſid;
for he diſturblide many men hauynge pees.
xvi Þe þridde tunge haþ ſtirid many men, and haþ
ſcaterid hem fro folc in to folc.
xvii It haþ diſtried wallid citees of riche men, and haþ
myned doun þe houſis of grete men.
xviii It haþ kit doun þe vertues of puplis, and haþ vnknit
ſtrong folkis.
xix Þe þridde tunge haþ caſt out weddid wymmen, and
haþ priued hem of her trauelis.
xx He þat biholdiþ þe þridde tunge, ſchal not haue reſt;
neþer ſchal haue a frend, in whom he ſchal reſte.
xxi Þe wounde of betyng makiþ wanneſſe; but þe
wounde of tunge ſchal make leſſe þe boonys.
xxii Many men fellen doun bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd;
but not ſo as þei þat periſchiden bi her tunge.
xxiii He is bleſſid þat is kyuerid fro a wickid tunge; and
he þat paſſide not in þe wraþfulneſſe þerof, and he þat
drow not þe ȝok þerof, and was not boundun in þe
bondis þerof.
xxiiii For whi þe ȝok þerof is an irun ȝok, and þe boond
þerof is a braſun boond.
xxv Þe deþ þerof is þe worſte deþ; and helle is more
profitable þan it.
xxvi Þe perſeueraunce þerof ſchal not dwelle, but it ſchal
holde þe weies of vniuſt men; in his flawme it ſchal not
brenne iuſt men.
xxvii Þei þat forſaken God, ſchulen falle in to it; and it
ſchal brenne greetli in hem, and it ſchal not be
quenchid; and as a lioun it ſchal be ſent in to hem, and
as a parde it ſchal hirte hem.
xxviii Biſette þin eeris wiþ þornes, and nyle þou here a
wickid tunge; and make þou doris to þi mouþ, and
lockis to þin eeris.
xxix Welle þou togidere þi gold, and þi ſiluer; and make
þou a balaunce to þi wordis, and riȝtful bridels to þi
mouþ.
xxx And take heede, leſt perauenture þou ſlide in tunge,
and falle in þe ſiȝt of enemyes, ſettynge treſoun to þee,
and þi falle be vncurable in to deþ.
CAP. XXIX
i He þat doiþ merci, leeneþ to his neiȝbore; and he þat is
ful myȝti in hond, kepiþ þe comaundementis.
ii Leene þou to þi neiȝbore in þe tyme of his nede; and
eft ȝelde þou to a neiȝbore in his tyme.
iii Conferme þou a word, and do þou feiþfuli wiþ hym;
and in al tyme þou ſchalt fynde þat, þat is nedeful to
þee.
iiii Many men geſſiden borewyng as fyndyng, and ȝauen
diſeſe to þo men þat helpiden hem.
v Til þei taken, þei kiſſen þe hondis of þe ȝyuer; and in
biheeſtis þei maken meke her vois.
vi And in þe time of ȝelding he ſchal axe tyme, and he
ſchal ſpeke wordis of anoie, and of grutchingis, and he
ſchal calenge falſli þe tyme.
vii Forſoþe if he mai ȝelde, he ſchal be aduerſarie; of a
ſchilling vnneþis he ſchal ȝelde þe half, and he ſchal
rekyn þat as fyndyng.
viii Ellis he ſchal defraude him in his monei, and þe
leenere ſchal haue him an enemy wiþ outen cauſe.
ix And he ſchal ȝelde to hym, þat is, to þe leenere,
wrongis and curſyngis; and for onour and benefice he
ſchal ȝelde to hym diſpiſyng.
x Many men lenten not `to pore neiȝboris, not for cauſe
of wickidneſſe, but þei dredden to be defraudid wiþ
outen cauſe.
xi Neþeles on a meke man in ſoule be þou ſtrongere; and
for almes drawe þou not hym.
xii For þe comaundement of God take þou a pore man;
and for his nedyneſſe leeue þou not hym voide.
xiii Leeſe þou monei for a broþer and frend, and hide
þou not it vndur a ſtoon, in to perdicioun.
xiiii Putte þi treſour in þe comaundementis of þe hiȝeſte;
and it ſchal profite to þee more þan gold `ſchal profite.
xv Cloſe þou almes in þe boſum of a pore man; and þis
almes ſchal preye for þee `to be delyuered of God fro al
yuel.
xvi Þe almes of a man is as a bagge wiþ hym; and it
ſchal kepe þe grace of man as þe appil of þe iȝe.
xvii And aftirward it ſchal riſe aȝen, and ſchal ȝelde to
hem a ȝelding, to ech man in to þe heed of hem.
xviii Aboue a ſcheld of þe myȝti man, and aboue a ſpere
it ſchal fiȝte aȝens þin enemye.
xix A good man makiþ feiþ to his neiȝbore; and he þat
leeſiþ, ſchal leeue ſchame to hym.
DCVI
xx Forȝete þou not þe grace of þe borewe; for he ȝaf his
lijf for þee.
xxi A ſynful man and vncleene fleeþ þe biheetere.
xxii A ſynnere arretteþ to hym ſilf þe goode wordis of þe
borowe; and þe vnkynde man in wit forſakiþ a man
delyuerynge hym.
xxiii A man biheetiþ for his neiȝbore; and whanne `þe
neiȝbore haþ loſt reuerence, þe borew ſchal be forſakun
of hym.
xxiiii Worſt biheeſt haþ loſt many louynge men, and haþ
moued hem as þe wawis of þe ſee.
xxv It goynge in cumpas made myȝti men to paſſe ouer;
and þei wandriden aboute among alien folkis.
xxvi A ſynnere brekynge þe comaundement of þe Lord
ſchal falle in to a wickid biheeſt; and he þat enforſiþ to
do many þingis, ſchal falle in to dom.
xxvii Rekiuere þi neiȝbore bi þi vertu; and take heed to
þi ſilf, leſt þou falle.
xxviii Þe bigynnyng of lijf of a man is watir, and breed,
and cloþing, and hous hilynge filþe.
xxix Betere is þe lijflode of a pore man vndur þe hilyng
of ſparris, þan ſchynynge feeſtis in pilgrymage wiþ
outen hous.
xxx Þe leeſte þing pleeſe þee for a greet þing; and þou
ſchalt not here þe ſchenſchipe of pilgrymage.
xxxi It is wickid lijf to ſeke herbore fro hous in to hous;
and where he ſchal be herborid, he ſchal not do triſtili,
neþir he ſchal opene þe mouþ.
xxxii He ſchal be herborid, and he ſchal feede, and ȝyue
drinke to vnkynde men; and ȝit he ſchal here bittir
þingis.
xxxiii Paſſe, þou þat art herborid, and araye a table; and
ȝyue þou meetis to oþere men, þo þingis þat þou haſt in
þe hond.
xxxiiii Go þou out fro þe face of þe onour of my frendis,
for þe frendſchipe, eþir affinyte, of myn hous; bi
herboryng þou art maad a broþer to me.
xxxv Þeſe þingis ben greuouſe to a man hauynge wit; þe
repreuyng of hous, and þe diſpiſing of þe vſurer.
CAP. XXX
i He þat loueþ his ſone, ȝyueþ biſili betingis to hym, þat
he be glad in hiſe laſte þing, and þat þe ſone touche not
þe doris of neiȝboris.
ii He þat techiþ his ſone, ſchal be preiſid in hym; and
ſchal haue glorie in hym in þe myddis of menyals.
iii He þat techiþ his ſone, ſendiþ þe enemye in to enuye;
and in þe myddis of frendis he ſchal haue glorie in þat
ſone.
iiii Þe fadir of hym is deed, and he is as not deed; for he
haþ left aftir hym a ſone lijk hym.
v He ſiȝ in his lijf, and was glad in hym; and in his deþ
he was not ſori, neþer was aſchamed bifore enemyes.
vi For he lefte a defendere of þe hous aȝens enemyes;
and ȝeldynge grace to frendis.
vii For þe ſoulis of ſones he ſchal bynde togidere hiſe
woundis; and hiſe entrails ſchulen be diſturblid on ech
vois.
viii An hors vntemyd, `eþer vnchaſtiſid, ſchal aſcape
hard, and a ſone vnchaſtiſid ſchal aſcape heedi.
ix Flatere þou þe ſone, and he ſchal make þee dredinge;
pleie þou wiþ hym, and he ſchal make þee ſory.
x Leiȝe þou not wiþ hym, leſt þou haue ſorewe togidere,
and at þe laſte þi teeþ ſchulen be aſtonyed.
xi Ȝyue þou not power to hym in ȝongþe, and diſpiſe
þou not hiſe þouȝtis.
xii Boowe þou his necke in ȝongþe, and bete þou hiſe
ſidis, while he is a ȝong child; leſt perauenture he wexe
hard, and bileue not to þee, and he ſchal be ſorewe of
ſoule to þee.
xiii Teche þi ſone, and worche in hym; leſt þou offende
in to þe filþe of hym.
xiiii Betere is a pore man hool, and ſtrong in myȝtis, þan
a riche man feble, and betun wiþ malice.
xv Þe helþe of ſoule is in þe hoolyneſſe of riȝtfulneſſe,
and it is betere þan ony gold and ſiluer; and a ſtrong
bodi is betere þan ful myche catel.
xvi No catel is aboue þe catel of helþe of bodi; and no
likyng is aboue þe ioie of herte.
xvii Betere is deþ þan bittir lijf, and euerlaſtinge reſte is
betere þan ſikneſſe dwellynge contynueli.
xviii Goodis hid in a cloſid mouþ ben as ſettyngis forþ of
metis ſet aboute a ſepulcre.
xix What ſchal ſacrifice profite to an idol? for whi it
ſchal not ete, neþer ſchal ſmelle.
xx So he þat is dryuun awei fro þe Lord, and beriþ þe
medis of wickidneſſe,
xxi ſeynge wiþ iȝen and weilynge inwardli, as a
geldynge biclippynge a virgyn, and ſiȝȝynge.
xxii Ȝyue þou not ſorewe to þi ſoule, and turmente not þi
ſilf in þi counſel.
xxiii Mirþe of herte, þis is þe lijf of man, and is treſour
of hoolyneſſe wiþ outen failyng; and ful out ioiyng of a
man is long lijf.
xxiiii Haue þou mercy on þi ſoule, and pleſe þou God;
and holde togidere and gadere togidere þin herte in þe
hoolyneſſe of hym, and putte fer awei ſorewe fro þee.
xxv For whi ſorewe haþ ſlayn many men; and noon
heelþe is þer ynne.
xxvi Enuye and wraþfulneſſe ſchulen make leſſe daies;
and þouȝtys ſchulen brynge eldneſſe bifore þe tyme.
xxvii A ſchynynge herte is good in metis; for whi meetis
þerof ben maad diligentli.
DCVII
CAP. XXXI
i Wakyng of oneſte ſchal make fleiſchis to faile; and
þouȝt þerof ſchal take awei ſleep.
ii Þouȝt of bifore knowyng turneþ awey wit; and
greuouſe ſikneſſe makiþ ſobre þe ſoule.
iii A ryche man trauelide in þe gaderyng of catel; and in
his reſte he ſchal be fillyd wiþ hiſe goodis.
iiii A pore man trauelide in decreeſſyng of lijflode; and
in þe ende he is maad nedi.
v He þat loueþ gold, ſchal not be iuſtified; and he þat
ſueþ waſtyng, ſchal be fillid þerof.
vi Many men ben ȝouun in to þe fallyngis of gold; and
þe perdicioun of hem was maad in þe feirneſſe þerof.
vii A tre of offencioun is þe gold of hem þat maken
ſacrifice; wo to hem þat ſuen it, and ech vnprudent man
ſchal periſche þer ynne.
viii Bliſſid is a riche man, which is foundun wiþ out
wem; and þat ȝede not aftir gold, neþer hopide in
money, and treſouris.
ix Who is þis, and we ſchulen preyſe hym? for he dide
merueils in his lijf.
x Which is preued þer ynne, and is foundun perfit, and
euerlaſtynge glorye ſchal be to hym? which myȝte
treſpaſſe, and treſpaſſide not, and do yuels, and dide not.
xi Þerfor hiſe goodis ben ſtabliſchid in þe Lord; and al
þe chirche of ſeyntis ſchal telle out hiſe almeſdedis.
xii Þou haſt ſete at a greet boord; opene þou not firſte þi
cheke on it.
xiii Seie þou not, wheþer þo ben many þingis, þat ben on
it.
xiiii Haue þou mynde, þat an yuel iȝe is weiward.
xv What þing worſe, þan an iȝe is maad? þerfor of al his
face he ſchal wepe, whanne he ſeeþ.
xvi Stretche þou not forþ firſt þin hond; and þou
defoulid bi enuye, be aſchamed.
xvii Be þou not oppreſſid of wyn in a feeſte.
xviii Vnderſtonde of þi ſilf þe þingis, þat ben of þi
neiȝbore.
xix Vſe þou as a diſcreet and temperat man þeſe þingis
þat ben ſet forþ to þee; and be þou not hatid, whanne
þou etiſt myche.
xx Ceeſſe þou firſt bicauſe of lernyng, eþir nurture; and
nyle þou be outrageouſe, leſt perauenture þou offende.
xxi And if þou haſt ſete in þe myddis of many men,
ſtretche not forþ þin hond ſunnere þan þei; and axe þou
not firſte for to drynke.
xxii A litil wyn is ful ſufficient to a lerned man; and in
ſlepynge þou ſchalt not trauele for þat wyn, and þou
ſchalt not feele trauel.
xxiii Wakyng, and colre, eþer bittir moiſture, and
gnawyng to an vndiſcreet `eiþer vntemperat man.
xxiiii But þe ſleep of heelþe is in a ſcars man; he ſchal
ſlepe `til to þe morewtid, and his ſoule ſchal delite wiþ
hym.
xxv And if þou art conſtreyned in etyng myche, ryſe þou
fro þe myddis, and brake þou; and it ſchal refreiſche
þee, and þou ſchalt not brynge ſikeneſſe to þi bodi.
xxvi Sone, here þou me, and diſpiſe þou not me; and at
þe laſte þou ſchalt fynde my wordis.
xxvii In alle þi werkis be þou ſwift; and al ſikeneſſe ſchal
not come to þee.
xxviii Þe lippis of many men ſchulen bleſſe a ſchynynge
man in looues; and þe witneſſyng of his treuþe is
feiþful.
xxix Þe citee ſchal grutche in þe worſte breed; and þe
witneſſyng of wickidneſſe þerof is ſoþ.
xxx Nyle þou excite hem þat ben diligent in wyn; for
whi wyn haþ diſtried many men.
xxxi Fier preueþ hard irun; ſo wyn drunkun in
drunkeneſſe ſchal repreue þe hertis of proude men.
xxxii Euene lijf to men is wyn drunkun in ſobreneſſe; if
þou drynkiſt it meſurably, þou ſchalt be ſobre.
xxxiii What is þe lijf which is maad leſſe bi wyn?
xxxiiii What defraudiþ lijf? deþ.
xxxv Wyn was maad in gladneſſe, not in drunkeneſſe, at
þe bigynnyng.
xxxvi Wyn drunkun meſurabli is ful out ioiyng of ſoule
and of bodi.
xxxvii Sobre drynk is helþe of ſoule and of bodi.
xxxviii Wyn drunkun myche makiþ avoiding, and ire,
and many fallyngis.
xxxix Wyn drunkun myche is bitterneſſe of ſoule.
xl Strengþe of drunkeneſſe and hirting of an vnprudent
man makiþ vertu leſſe, and makynge woundis.
xli In þe feeſte of wyn repreue þou not a neiȝbore; and
diſpiſe þou not hym in his mirþe.
xlii Seye þou not wordis of ſchenſchipe to hym; and
oppreſſe þou not hym in axynge.
CAP. XXXII
i Þei han ſet þee a gouernour, nyle þou be enhaunſid; be
þou among hem as oon of hem.
ii Haue þou cure of hem, and ſo biholde þou; and
whanne al þi cure is fillid, ſitte þou to mete.
iii Þat þou be glad for hem, and take þe ournement of
grace; and gete coroun, and dignyte of congregacioun.
iiii Speke þou þe gretter man in birþe;
v for whi þe word of hym þat loueþ kunnyng bicome
þee firſt; and lette þou not muſik.
vi Where heryng is not, ſchede þou not out a word; and
nyle þou be enhaunſid vncouenabli in þi wiſdom.
vii A iemme of carbuncle in þe ournement of gold; and
compariſoun of muſikis in þe feeſte of wyn.
DCVIII
viii As in þe makyng of gold is a ſigne of ſmaragde, ſo
þe noumbre of muſikis is in myrie and meſurable wyn.
ix Here þou ſtille, and good grace ſchal come to þee for
reuerence.
x Ȝonge man, ſpeke þou vnneþis in þi cauſe, whanne
nede is.
xi If þou art axid twies, þe heed haue þin anſwere.
xii In many þingis be þou as vnkunnyng, and here þou
ſtille togidere and axynge.
xiii And preſume þou not to ſpeke in þe myddis of grete
men; and where elde men ben, ſpeke þou not myche.
xiiii Leityng ſchal go bifore hail, and grace ſchal go
bifore ſchamfaſtneſſe, and good grace ſchal come to þee
for reuerence.
xv And in þe our of riſyng tifle þee not; forſoþe renne
þou bifore firſt in to þin hous, and þere clepe þou þee to
anſwer, and þere pleie þou.
xvi And do þi conſeitis, and not in ſynnes, and in a proud
word.
xvii On alle þeſe þingis bleſſe þou þe Lord, þat made
þee, and fillynge þee greetli of alle hiſe goodis.
xviii He þat drediþ God, ſchal take his techyng; and þei
þat waken to hym, ſchulen fynde bleſſyng.
xix He þat ſekiþ þe lawe, ſchal be fillid þerof; and he þat
doiþ tretourouſli, ſchal be ſclaundrid þer ynne.
xx Þei þat dreden God, ſchulen fynde iuſt dom; and
ſchulen kyndle riȝtfulneſſe as lyȝt.
xxi A ſynful man ſchal eſchewe blamyng; and aftir his
wille he ſchal fynde compariſoun.
xxii A man of counſel ſchal not leeſe vndirſtonding; a
man alien and proud ſchal not drede dredyng.
xxiii Ȝhe, aftir þat he haþ do wiþ þat drede wiþ out
councel, and he ſchal be repreued bi hiſe ſuyngis.
xxiiii Sone, do þou no þing wiþ out councel; and aftir þe
dede þou ſchalt not repente.
xxv Go þou not in þe weie of fallyng, and offende þou
not aȝens ſtoonys. Bitake þou not þee to a trauelouſe
weie, leſt þou ſette ſclaundir to þi ſoule;
xxvi and be þou war of þi ſones, and perſeyue þou of þi
meyneals.
xxvii In al þi werk bileue þou bi feiþ of þi ſoule; for whi
þis is þe keping of comaundementis.
xxviii He þat bileueþ to God, takiþ heede to þe
comaundementis; and he þat triſtiþ in hym, ſchal not be
maad leſſe.
CAP. XXXIII
i Iuelis ſchulen not come to hym þat drediþ God; but
God ſchal kepe hym in temptacioun, and ſchal delyuere
fro yuelis.
ii A wijs man hatiþ not þe comaundementis, and
riȝtfulneſſis; and he ſchal not be hurtlid doun, as in þe
tempeſt of a ſchip.
iii A wijs man bileeueþ to þe lawe of God, and þe lawe
is feiþful to hym.
iiii He þat makiþ opene axyng, ſchal make redi a word;
and ſo he ſchal preie, and ſchal be herd, and he ſchal
kepe techyng, and þanne he ſchal anſwere.
v Þe entraylis of a fool ben as a wheel of a carte, and his
þouȝtis as an extre able to turne aboute.
vi An hors a ſtaloun, ſo and a frend a ſcornere, neiȝeþ
vndur ech ſittynge aboue.
vii Whi a dai ouercomeþ a dai, and eft þe lyȝt
ouercomeþ lyȝt, and a ȝeer ouercomeþ a ȝeer, þe ſunne
ouercomeþ þe ſunne?
viii Þo ben departid of þe kunnyng of þe Lord, bi þe
ſunne maad, and kepynge þe comaundement of God.
ix And it ſchal chaunge tymes and þe feeſte daies of
hem, and in þo tymes þe Jewis halewiden hali daies at
an our.
x God enhaunſide and magnyfiede of þo hali daies; and
of þo he ſettide in to þe noumbre of daies; and God
made alle men of ſad erþe, and of neiſche erþe, whereof
Adam was formed.
xi In þe multitude of kunnyng of þe Lord he departide
hem, and chaungide þe weies of hem.
xii Of hem God bleſſide, and enhaunſide; and of hem he
halewide, and chees to hym ſilf; of hem he curſide, and
made lowe, and turnyde hem fro þe departyng of hem.
xiii As cley of a pottere is in þe hond of hym,
xiiii to make and diſpoſe, þat alle þe weies þerof ben
aftir þe ordynaunce of hym; ſo a man is in þe hond of
hym þat made hym; and he ſchal ȝelde to hym bi his
dom.
xv Aȝens yuel is good, and aȝens lijf is deþ; ſo and a
ſynnere is aȝens a iuſt man. And ſo biholde þou in to
alle þe werkis of þe hiȝeſte; twey þingis aȝens tweyne,
and o þing aȝens oon.
xvi And Y þe laſte wakide, and as he þat gaderiþ draf of
grapis, aftir þe gadereris of grapis.
xvii And Y hopide in þe bleſſyng of God; and as he þat
gaderiþ grapis, Y fillide þe preſſour.
xviii Biholde ȝe, for Y trauelide not to me aloone, but to
alle þat ſeken kunnyng.
xix Grete men, and alle puplis, here ȝe me; and ȝe
gouernouris of þe chirche, perſeyue wiþ eeris.
xx Ȝyue þou not power ouer þee in þi lijf to a ſone, and
to a womman, to a broþir, and to a freend; and ȝyue þou
not þi poſſeſſioun to anoþer man, leſt perauenture it
repente þee, and þou biſeche for þo.
xxi While þou art alyue, and breþiſt ȝit, ech man ſchal
not chaunge þee.
DCIX
xxii For it is betere, þat þi ſones preye þee, þan þat þou
biholde in to þe hondis of þi ſones.
xxiii In alle þi werkis be þou ſouereyn;
xxiiii ȝyue þou not a wem in to þi glorie. In þe day of
endyng of daies of þi lijf, and in tyme of þi goyng out
departe þin erytage.
xxv Metis, and a ȝerde, and birþun to an aſſe; breed, and
chaſtiſyng, and werk to a ſeruaunt.
xxvi He worchiþ in chaſtiſyng, and ſekiþ to haue reſte;
ſlake þou hondis to hym, and he ſekiþ fredom.
xxvii A ȝok and bridil bowen doun an hard necke; and
biſi worchingis bowen doun a ſeruaunt.
xxviii Turment and ſtockis to an yuel willid ſeruaunt;
ſende þou hym in to worchyng, leſt he be ydel;
xxix for whi idilneſſe haþ tauȝte miche malice.
xxx Ordeyne þou hym in werk, for ſo it bicomeþ hym;
þat if he obeieþ not, bowe þou doun hym in ſtockis, and
make þou not hym large ouer ony man, but wiþ out
dom do þou no þing greuouſe.
xxxi If a feiþful ſeruaunt is to þee, be he as þi ſoule to
þee; trete þou him ſo as a broþer, for þou haſt bouȝt hym
in þe blood of lijf.
xxxii If þou hurtiſt hym vniuſtli, he ſchal be turned in to
fleyng awei;
xxxiii and if he enhaunſynge goiþ awei, þou nooſt whom
þou ſchalt ſeke, and in what weie þou ſchalt ſeke hym.
CAP. XXXIIII
i Veyn hope and a leeſyng to an vnwijs man; and dremes
enhaunſen vnprudent men.
ii As he þat takiþ ſchadewe, and purſueþ wynd, ſo and
he þat takiþ heede to leeſyngis ſeyn.
iii Vpe þis þing is þe ſiȝt of dremes; bifore þe face of a
man is þe licneſſe of anoþer man.
iiii What ſchal be clenſid of him þat is vnclene, and what
trewe þing ſchal be ſeid of a liere?
v Fals dyuynyng of errour, and fals dyuynyngis bi
chiteryng of briddis, and dremes of witchis, is vanyte.
vi And as þe herte of a womman trauelynge of child, þin
herte ſuffriþ fantaſies; no but viſitacioun is ſent out of þe
hiȝeſte, ȝyue þou not þin herte in þo dremes.
vii For whi dremes han maad many men for to erre, and
men hopynge in þo fellen doun.
viii Þe word of þe lawe `of God and of hiſe profetis,
ſchal be maad perfit wiþ out leeſyng; and wiſdom in þe
mouþ of a feiþful man ſchal be maad pleyn.
ix What kan he, þat is not aſaied? A man aſaied in many
þingis, ſchal þenke many þingis; and he þat lernyde
many þingis, ſchal telle out vndirſtondyng.
x He þat is not aſaied, knowiþ fewe þingis; forſoþe he
þat is a fool in many þingis, ſchal multiplie malice.
xi What maner þingis kan he, þat is not aſaied? He þat is
not plauntid, ſchal be plenteuouſe in wickidneſſe.
xii I ſiȝ many þingis in tellyng out, and ful many
cuſtoms of wordis.
xiii Sum tyme Y was in perel `til to deþ, for þe cauſe of
þeſe þingis; and Y was delyuered bi þe grace of God.
xiiii Þe ſpirit of hem þat dreden God is ſouȝt, and ſchal
be bleſſid in þe biholding of hym.
xv For whi þe hope of hem is in to God ſauynge hem;
and þe iȝen of þe Lord ben in to hem, þat louen hym.
xvi He þat drediþ God, ſchal not tremble for ony þing,
and he ſchal not drede; for whi God is his hope.
xvii Þe ſoule of hym þat drediþ þe Lord, is bleſſid.
xviii To whom biholdiþ he, and who is his ſtrengþe?
xix Þe iȝen of þe Lord ben on hem þat dreden hym. God
is a defendere of myȝt, ſtidfaſtneſſe of vertu, hilyng of
heete, and a ſchadewyng place of myddai;
xx biſechyng of offendyng, and help of fallyng,
enhaunſynge þe ſoule, and liȝtnynge þe iȝen, and
ȝyuynge heelþe, and lijf, and bleſſyng.
xxi Þe offryng of hym þat offriþ of wickid þing, is
defoulid; and þe ſcornyngis of vniuſt men ben not wel
pleſaunt.
xxii Þe Lord aloone is to hem þat abiden hym in þe weie
of treuþe, and of riȝtfulneſſe.
xxiii Þe hiȝeſte appreueþ not þe ȝiftis of wickid men,
neþir biholdiþ in þe offryngis of wickid men, neþer in
þe multitude of her ſacrifices he ſchal do mercy to
ſynnes.
xxiiii He þat offriþ ſacrifice of þe catel of pore men, is as
he þat ſleeþ þe ſone in þe ſiȝt of his fadir.
xxv Þe breed of nedi men is þe lijf of a pore man; he þat
defraudiþ hym, is a man of blood.
xxvi He þat takiþ awei breed in ſwoot, is as he þat ſleeþ
his neiȝbore.
xxvii He þat ſchediþ out blood, and he þat doiþ fraude to
an hirid man, ben briþeren.
xxviii Oon bildynge, and oon diſtriynge; what profitiþ it
to hem, no but trauel?
xxix Oon preiynge, and oon curſynge; whos vois ſchal þe
Lord here?
xxx What profitiþ þe waiſchyng of hym, þat is waiſchun
for a deed bodi, and touchiþ eft a deed bodi?
xxxi So a man þat faſtiþ in hiſe ſynnes, and eft doynge þe
ſame ſynnes, what profitiþ he in mekynge hym ſilf? who
ſchal here his preyer?
CAP. XXXV
i He þat kepiþ þe word, multiplieþ preier.
ii Heelful ſacrifice is to take heede to þe
comaundementis, and to departe fro al wickidneſſe.
DCX
iii And to offre þe pleſyng of ſacrifice for vnriȝtfulneſſes,
and biſechyng for ſynnes, is to go awey fro
vnriȝtfulneſſe.
iiii He þat offriþ pureſt flour of wheete, ſchal ȝelde
grace; and he þat doiþ merci, offriþ a ſacrifice.
v It is wel pleſaunt to þe Lord, to go awei fro
wickidneſſe; and preier is to go awei fro vnriȝtfulneſſe.
vi Þou ſchalt not appere voide bifore þe ſiȝt of God;
vii for whi alle þeſe þingis ben doon for þe heeſtis of
God.
viii Þe offryng of a iuſt man makiþ fat þe auter, and is
odour of ſwetneſſe in þe ſiȝt of þe hiȝeſte.
ix Þe ſacrifice of a iuſt man is acceptable, and þe Lord
ſchal not forȝete þe mynde of hym.
x Wiþ good wille ȝelde þou glorie to God, and make
þou not leſſe þe firſte fruytis of þin hondis.
xi In ech ȝifte make glad þi cheer, and in ful out ioiyng
halewe þi tiþis.
xii Ȝyue þou to þe hiȝeſte aftir his ȝifte; and wiþ good
iȝe make þou þe fyndyng of þin hondis.
xiii For whi þe Lord is a ȝeldere, and he ſchal ȝelde
ſeuene fold ſo myche to þee.
xiiii Nyle þou offre ſchrewid ȝiftis; for he ſchal not
reſſeyue þo.
xv And nyle þou biholde an vniuſt ſacrifice; for þe Lord
is iuge, and glorie of perſoone is not at hym.
xvi Þe Lord ſchal not take a perſoone aȝens a pore man;
and he ſchal here þe preier of hym þat is hirt.
xvii He ſchal not diſpiſe þe preyeris of a fadirles child,
neþer a widewe, if ſche ſchediþ out ſpeche of weilyng.
xviii Wheþer þe teeris of a widew goen not doun to þe
cheke, and þe criyng of hir on hym þat lediþ forþ þo
teeris?
xix For whi þo ſtien fro þe cheke `til to heuene, and þe
Lord herere ſchal not delite in þo.
xx He þat worſchipiþ God in delityng, ſchal be
reſſeyued; and his preyer ſchal neiȝe `til to þe clowdis.
xxi Þe preier of hym þat mekiþ hym ſilf ſchal perſe
clowdis, and til it neiȝeþ, he ſchal not be coumfortid,
and he ſchal not go awey, til þe hiȝeſte biholde.
xxii And þe Lord ſchal not be fer, but he ſchal iuge iuſt
men, and ſchal make doom; and þe ſtrongeſte ſchal not
haue pacience in þo, þat he troble þe bak of hem.
xxiii And he ſchal ȝelde veniaunce to folkis, til he take
awei þe fulneſſe of proude men, and troble togidere þe
ceptris of wickid men;
xxiiii til he ȝelde to men aftir her dedis, and aftir þe
werkis of Adam, and aftir þe preſumpcioun of hym;
xxv til he deme þe dome of his puple, and ſchal delite
iuſt men in his merci.
xxvi Þe merci of God is fair in þe tyme of tribulacioun,
as clowdis of reyn in þe tyme of dryneſſe.
CAP. XXXVI
i God of alle þingis, haue þou merci on vs; and biholde
þou vs, and ſchewe þou to vs þe lyȝt of þi merciful
doyngis.
ii And ſende þi drede on heþene men, þat ſouȝten not
þee, þat þei knowe þat no God is, no but þou; þat þei
telle out þi grete dedis.
iii Reiſe þin hond on heþene men aliens, þat þei ſe þi
power.
iiii For as þou were halewid in vs in þe ſiȝt of hem, ſo in
oure ſiȝt þou ſchalt be magnefyed in hem;
v þat þei knowe þee, as and we han knowe, þat noon
oþere is God, outakun þee, Lord.
vi Make þou newe ſignes, and chaunge þou merueilis;
vii glorifie þe hond, and þe riȝt arm.
viii Reiſe þou ſtronge veniaunce, and ſchede out ire;
ix take awei þe aduerſarie, and turmente þe enemye.
x Haaſte þou þe tyme, and haue þou mynde on þe ende,
þat þei telle out þi merueils.
xi And he þat is ſauyd, be deuourid in þe ire of flawme;
and þei þat treten worſt þi puple, fynde perdicioun.
xii Al to-breke þou þe heed of princis, and of enemyes,
ſeiynge, Noon oþere is, outakun vs.
xiii Gadere þou togidere alle þe lynagis of Jacob, and
knowe þei þat no God is, no but þou, þat þei telle out þi
grete dedis; and þou ſchalt enherite hem, as at þe
bigynnyng.
xiiii Haue þou merci on þi puple, on which þi name is
clepid in to help; and on Iſrael, whom þou madiſt euene
to þi firſte gendrid ſone.
xv Haue þou merci on Jeruſalem, þe citee of þin
halewyng, on þe citee of þi reſte.
xvi Fille þou Syon wiþ þi vertues, þat moun not be teld
out, and fille þi puple wiþ þi glorie.
xvii Ȝyue þou witneſſyng, þat at þe bigynnyng þei weren
þi creaturis; and reiſe þou preieris, whiche þe formere
profetis ſpaken in þi name.
xviii Lord, ȝyue þou meede to hem þat abiden þee, þat þi
prophetis be foundun trewe; and here þou þe preier of
þi ſeruauntis.
xix Aftir þe bleſſyng of Aaron ȝyue þou to þi puple, and
dreſſe þou vs in to þe weie of riȝtfulneſſe; þat alle men
wite, þat dwellen in erþe, þat þou art God, þe biholdere
of worldis.
xx Þe wombe ſchal ete alle mete, and o mete is betere
þan anoþer mete.
xxi Chekis touchen mete almeſt, and an vnwiſe herte
reſſeyueþ falſe wordis.
xxii A ſchrewid herte ſchal ȝyue heuyneſſe, and a wijs
man ſchal aȝenſtonde it.
xxiii A womman ſchal take ech knaue child, and a
douȝtir is betere þan a ſone.
DCXI
xxiiii Þefairneſſe of a womman makiþ glad þe face of hir
hoſebonde, and ſche ſchal brynge deſir ouer al þe
coueitiſe of man.
xxv If þer is a tunge of heelyng, þer is alſo of ſwagyng,
and of merci; þe hoſebonde of hir is not aftir þe ſones of
men.
xxvi He þat haþ in poſſeſſioun a good womman,
bigynneþ poſſeſſioun; ſche is an help lijk hym, and a
piler as reſte.
xxvii Where an hegge is not, þe poſſeſſioun ſchal be
rauyſchid awei; and where a womman is not, a nedi
man weiliþ.
xxviii To whom bileueþ he þat haþ no neſt, and bowiþ
doun where euer it is derk, as a þeef girt, ſkippynge out
fro citee in to citee?
CAP. XXXVII
i Ech frend ſchal ſeie, And Y haue couplid frenſchip; but
þat is a frend, a frend bi name aloone. Wheþer ſorewe is
not til to deþ?
ii Forſoþe a felowe of table and a frend ſchulen be
turned to enemyte.
iii A! þe worſte preſumpcioun, wherof art þou maad to
hile drie malice, and þe gilefulneſſe þerof?
iiii A felowe of table ſchal be myrie wiþ a frend in
delityngis, and in þe dai of tribulacioun he ſchal be
aduerſarie.
v A felowe of table ſchal haue ſorewe wiþ a frend, for
cauſe of þe wombe; and he ſchal take ſcheeld aȝens an
enemye.
vi Forȝete þou not þi frend in þi ſoule, and be þou not
vnmyndeful of hym in þi werkis.
vii Nyle þou take councel wiþ þe fadir of þi wijf; and
hide þou councel fro hem þat han enuye to þee.
viii Ech councelour ſchewiþ councel, but þer is a
councelour to hym ſilf.
ix Kepe þi ſoule fro an yuel counſelour; firſte wite þou,
what is his nede, and what he ſchal þenke in his ſoule;
x leſt perauenture he ſende a ſtake in to þe erþe, and ſeie
to þee,
xi Þi weie is good, and he ſtonde aȝenward, to ſe what
ſchal bifalle to þee.
xii Wiþ an vnreligiouſe man trete þou of holyneſſe, and
wiþ an vniuſt man of riȝtfulneſſe, and wiþ a womman of
þeſe þingis whiche ſche hatiþ. Wiþ a ferdful man trete
þou of batel, wiþ a marchaunt, of cariyng ouer of
marchaundies to chepyng; wiþ a biere, of ſillyng, wiþ
an enuyouſe man, of graces to be don;
xiii wiþ an vnpitouſe man, of pytee, wiþ an vnoneſt man,
of oneſte, wiþ a werk man of þe feeld, of ech werk;
xiiii wiþ a werk man hirid bi þe ȝeer, of þe endyng of þe
ȝeer, wiþ a ſlowe ſeruaunt, of myche worchyng. Ȝyue
þou not tent to þeſe men in al councel,
xv but be þou biſi wiþ an hooli man, whom euere þou
knowiſt kepynge Goddis drede,
xvi whos ſoule is aftir þi ſoule. Who euer doutiþ in
derkneſſis, ſchal not haue ſorewe wiþ þee.
xvii And ſtabliſche þou þe herte of good councel wiþ
þee; for whi anoþer þing is not more þan it to þee.
xviii Þe ſoule of an hooli man telliþ out treuþis ſum
tyme; more þan ſeuene biholderis ſittynge an hiȝ for to
biholde.
xix And in alle þeſe þingis biſeche þou þe hiȝeſte, þat he
dreſſe þi weie in treuþe.
xx Bifore alle werkis a ſoþefaſt word go bifore þee; and
a ſtidfaſt councel go bifore ech dede.
xxi A wickid word ſchal chaunge þe herte, of which
herte foure partis comen forþ; good and yuel, lijf and
deþ; and a biſi tunge is lord of þo.
xxii A wijs man haþ tauȝt many men, and he is ſwete to
his ſoule.
xxiii He þat ſpekiþ `bi ſoffym, is hateful; he ſchal be
defraudid in ech þing.
xxiiii For whi grace is not ȝouun of þe Lord to hym, for
he is defraudid of al wiſdom.
xxv A wijs man is wijs to his ſoule, and þe fruytis of his
wit ben worþi to be preiſid.
xxvi A wijs man techiþ his puple, and þe fruytis of his
wit ben feiþful.
xxvii A wijs man ſchal be fillid wiþ bleſſyngis, and þei
þat ſeen hym ſchulen preiſe hym.
xxviii Þe lijf of a man is in þe noumbre of daies; but þe
daies of Iſrael ben vnnoumbrable.
xxix A wijs man in þe puple ſchal enherite onour, and his
name ſchal be lyuynge wiþ outen ende.
xxx Sone, aſaie þi ſoule in þi lijf; and if it is wickid, ȝyue
þou not power to it;
xxxi for whi not alle þingis ſpeden to alle men, and not
ech kynde pleſiþ ech ſoule.
xxxii Nyle þou be gredi in ech etyng, and ſchede þou not
out þee on ech mete.
xxxiii For in many metis ſchal be ſikeneſſe, and
gredyneſſe ſchal neiȝe `til to colrye.
xxxiiii Many men dieden for glotenye; but he þat is
abſtinent, ſchal encreeſſe lijf.
CAP. XXXVIII
i Onoure þou a leche, for nede; for whi þe hiȝeſte haþ
maad hym.
ii For whi al medicyn is of God; and he ſchal take of þe
kyng a ȝifte.
iii Þe kunnyng of a leche ſchal enhaunſe his heed; and
he ſchal be preiſid in þe ſiȝt of grete men.
iiii Þe hiȝeſte haþ maad of þe erþe medicyn; and a
prudent man ſchal not wlate it.
DCXII
v Wheþer bittir watir was not maad ſwete of a tre?
vi Þe vertu of þo þingis cam bi experience to þe
knowing of men; and þe hiȝeſte ȝaf kunnyng to men, for
to be onourid in his merueils.
vii A man heelynge in þeſe þingis ſchal aſwage ſorewe,
and an oynement makere ſchal make pymentis of
ſwetneſſe, and ſchal make anoyntyngis of heelþe; and
hiſe werkis ſchulen not be endid.
viii For whi þe pees of God is on þe face of erþe.
ix Mi ſone, diſpiſe not þi ſilf in þi ſikeneſſe; but preie
þou þe Lord, and he ſchal heele þee.
x Turne þou awei fro ſynne, and dreſſe þin hondis, and
clenſe þin herte fro al ſynne.
xi Ȝyue þou ſwetneſſe, and þe mynde of cleene flour of
wheete, and make þou fat offryng; and ȝyue þou place
to a leche.
xii For þe Lord made hym, and departe he not fro þee;
for hiſe werkis ben nedeful to þee.
xiii For whi tyme is, whanne þou ſchalt falle in to þe
hondis of hem.
xiiii Forſoþe þei ſchulen biſeche þe Lord, þat he dreſſe þe
werk of hem, and helþe for her lyuyng.
xv He þat treſpaſſiþ in þe ſiȝt of hym, þat made hym,
ſchal falle in to þe hondis of þe leche.
xvi Sone, brynge þou forþ teeris on a deed man, and þou
as ſuffrynge hard þingis bigynne to wepe; and bi doom
hile þou þe bodi of hym, and diſpiſe þou not his biriyng.
xvii But for bacbityng bere þou bittirli þe morenyng of
hym o dai; and be þou coumfortid for ſorewe.
xviii And make þou morenyng aftir his merit o dai, eþer
tweyne, for bacbityng.
xix For whi deþ haſtiþ of ſorewe, and hiliþ vertu; and þe
ſorewe of herte bowiþ þe heed.
xx Sorewe dwelliþ in ledyng awei; and þe catel of a nedi
man is aftir his herte.
xxi Ȝyue þou not þin herte in ſorewe, but put it awei fro
þee; and haue þou mynde on þe laſte þingis, and nyle
þou forȝete.
xxii For whi no turning is, and þou ſchalt no þing profite
to þis deed man; and þou ſchalt harme worſte þi ſilf.
xxiii Be þou myndeful of mi dom; for alſo þin ſchal be
þus, to me ȝiſtirdai, and to þee to dai.
xxiiii In þe reſte of a deed man make þou hys mynde to
haue reſte; and coumforte þou hym in þe goyng out of
his ſpirit.
xxv Write þou wiſdom in þe tyme of voideneſſe; and he
þat is made leſſe in dede, ſchal perſeyue wiſdom; for he
ſchal be fillid of wiſdom.
xxvi He þat holdiþ þe plow, and he þat haþ glorie in a
gohode, dryueþ oxis wiþ a pricke, and he lyueþ in þe
werkis of þo; and his tellyng is in þe ſones of bolis.
xxvii He ſchal ȝyue his herte to turne forewis; and his
wakyng ſchal be aboute þe fatneſſe of kien.
xxviii So ech carpenter, and principal werk man, þat
paſſiþ þe niȝt as þe dai; þat graueþ ymagis grauun, and
þe biſyneſſe of hym dyuerſiþ þe peynture; he ſchal ȝyue
his herte to þe licneſſe of peynture, and bi his wakyng
he perfourmeþ þe werk.
xxix So a ſmyþ ſittynge biſidis þe anefelt, and
biholdynge þe werk of yrun, þe heete of fier brenneþ
hiſe fleiſchis; and he ſtryueþ in þe heete of þe furneis.
xxx Þe vois of a hamer makiþ newe his eere; and his iȝe
is aȝens þe licneſſe of a veſſel.
xxxi He ſchal ȝyue his herte in to þe perfourmyng of
werkis; and bi his wakyng he ſchal ourne
vnperfeccioun.
xxxii So a potter ſittynge at his werk, turnynge a wheel
wiþ hiſe feet, which is put euere in biſyneſſe for his
werk; and al his worchyng is vnnoumbrable.
xxxiii In his arm he ſchal fourme clei; and bifore hiſe feet
he ſchal bowe his vertu.
xxxiiii He ſchal ȝyue his herte to ende perfitli ſum þing;
and bi his wakyng he ſchal clenſe þe furneis.
xxxv Alle þeſe men hopiden in her hondis; and ech man
is wijs in his craft.
xxxvi A citee is not bildid wiþ outen alle þeſe men.
xxxvii And þei ſchulen not dwelle, neþer go; and þei
ſchulen not ſkippe ouer in to þe chirche.
xxxviii Þei ſchulen not ſitte on þe ſeete of a iuge; and þei
ſchulen not vndirſtonde þe teſtament of doom, neþer þei
ſchulen make opyn techyng and doom; and þei ſchulen
not be foundun in parablis.
xxxix But þei ſchulen conferme þe creature of þe world,
and her preyer is in þe worching of craft; and þei ȝyuen
her ſoule, and þei axen togidere in þe lawe of þe hiȝeſte.
CAP. XXXIX
i A wijs man ſchal ſeke out þe wiſdom of alle elde men;
and he ſchal ȝyue tent in profetis.
ii He ſchal kepe þe tellyng of named men; and he ſchal
entre togidere in to þe hard ſentenſis of parablis.
iii He ſchal ſeke out þe pryuy þingis of prouerbis; and he
ſchal be conuerſaunt in þe hid þingis of parablis.
iiii He ſchal mynyſtre in þe myddis of grete men; and he
ſchal appere in þe ſiȝt of þe cheef iuge.
v He ſchal paſſe in to þe lond of alien folkis; for he ſchal
aſaie goodis, and yuels in alle þingis.
vi He ſchal ȝyue his herte to wake eerli to þe Lord þat
made hym; and he ſchal biſeche in þe ſiȝt of þe hiȝeſte.
vii He ſchal opene his mouþ in preier; and he ſchal
biſeche for hiſe treſpaſſis.
viii For if þe grete Lord wole, he ſchal fille hym wiþ þe
ſpirit of vndurſtondyng.
ix And he ſchal ſende þe wordis of his wiſdom, as
reynes; and in preier he ſchal knouleche to þe Lord.
DCXIII
x And he ſchal dreſſe his counſel, and techyng; and ſchal
councele in hiſe hid þingis.
xi He ſchal make opene þe wiſdom of his techyng; and
he ſchal haue glorie in þe lawe of þe teſtament of þe
Lord.
xii Many men ſchulen preyſe his wiſdom; and it ſchal
not be don awey til in to þe world.
xiii His mynde ſchal not go awei; and his name ſchal be
ſouȝt fro generacioun in to generacioun.
xiiii Folkis ſchulen telle out his wiſdom; and þe chirche
ſchal telle his preiſyng.
xv If his name dwelliþ, he ſchal leeue more þan a
þouſynde; and if he reſtiþ, it ſchal profite to hym.
xvi Ȝit Y ſchal take councel to telle out, for Y am fillid
as wiþ woodneſſe;
xvii and myn ynnere ſpirit ſeiþ in vois, Ȝe fruytis of God,
here me, and make ȝe fruyt, as rooſis plauntide on þe
ryuers of watris.
xviii Haue ȝe odour of ſwetneſſe, as þe Liban haþ.
xix Bringe forþ flouris, as a lilee; ȝyue ȝe odour, and
make ȝe boowis in to grace. And preiſe ȝe togidere a
ſong; and bleſſe ȝe þe Lord in hiſe werkis.
xx Ȝyue ȝe greet onour to his name, and knouleche ȝe to
him in þe vois of ȝoure lippis, in ſongis of lippis, and in
harpis; and þus ȝe ſchulen ſeie in knouleching,
xxi Alle þe werkis of þe Lord ben ful goode.
xxii Forſoþe watir as an heepe of ſtoonys ſtood at his
word; and as reſettis of watris in þe word of his mouþ.
xxiii For whi peſibleneſſe is maad in his comaundement;
and no defaute is in þe heelþe of hym.
xxiiii Þe werkis of ech fleiſch ben bifore hym; and no
þing is hid fro hiſe iȝen.
xxv He biholdiþ fro þe world til in to þe world; and no
þing is wondurful in his ſiȝt.
xxvi It is not to ſeie, What is þis þing, eþer, What is þat
þing? for whi alle þingis ſchulen be ſouȝt in her tyme.
xxvii Þe bleſſyng of hym ſchal flowe as a flood;
xxviii and as þe grete flood fillide greteli þe erþe, ſo his
yre ſchal enherite in folkis, þat ſouȝten not hym.
xxix As he turnede watris in to dryneſſis, and þe erþe
was dried, and hiſe weies weren dreſſid to þe weies of
hem; ſo offenciouns in his ire ben dreſſid to ſynneris.
xxx Goode þingis weren maad at þe bigynnyng to goode
men; ſo goode þingis and yuele ben maad to worſte
men.
xxxi Þe bigynnyng of nedeful þing to þe lijf of men,
watir, fier, and yrun, and ſalt, and mylk, and breed of
cleene flour of whete, and hony, and a cluſtre of grape,
and oile, and cloþ.
xxxii Alle þeſe þingis ſchulen turne to hooli men in to
goodis; ſo and to vnfeiþful men and ſynneris in to yuels.
xxxiii Spiritis ben þat ben maad to veniaunce; and in her
woodneſſe þei confermyden her turmentis.
xxxiiii And in þe tyme of endyng þei ſchulen ſchede out
vertu; and þei ſchulen confounde þe ſtrong veniaunce of
hym þat made hem.
xxxv Fier, hail, hungur, and deþ; alle þeſe þingis ben
maad to veniaunce; þe teeþ of beeſtis,
xxxvi and ſcorpiouns, and ſerpentis, and a ſwerd
punyſchynge wickid men in to deſtriyng.
xxxvii In þe comaundementis of hym þo ſchulen ete, and
þo ſchulen be maad redi on þe erþe in nede; and in her
tymes þo ſchulen not paſſe o word.
xxxviii Þerfor fro þe bigynnyng Y was confermed; and Y
counſelide, and þouȝte, and lefte writun.
xxxix Alle þe werkis of þe Lord ben goode; and ech
werk ſchal ſerue in his our.
xl It is not to ſeie, Þis is worſe þan þat; for whi alle
þingis ſchulen be preued in her tyme.
xli And now in al þe herte and mouþ preiſe ȝe togidere,
and bleſſe ȝe þe name of þe Lord.
CAP. XL
i Greet occupacioun is maad to alle men, and an heuy
ȝok on þe ſones of Adam, fro þe dai of þe goyng out of
þe wombe of her modir, til in to þe dai of biriyng in to
þe modir of alle men.
ii Þe þouȝtis of hem, and þe dredis of herte, fyndyngis
of abidyng, and þe dai of endyng;
iii fro hym þat ſittiþ bifore on a gloriouſe ſeete, `til to a
man maad lowe in to erþe and aiſche;
iiii fro hym þat vſiþ iacynct, and beriþ a coroun, `til to
hym þat is hilid wiþ raw lynnun cloþ, woodneſſe,
enuye, noiſe, doutyng, and drede of deþ, wraþfulneſſe
dwellynge contynueli, and ſtrijf;
v and in þe tyme of reſtyng in þe bed, þe ſleep of nyȝt
chaungiþ his kunnyng.
vi Forſoþe a litil is as nouȝt in reſte; biholdyng is of hym
in ſleep as in þe dai.
vii He is diſturblid in þe ſiȝt of his herte, as he þat
aſcapiþ in þe dai of batel. He roos vp in þe dai of his
helþe, and dredynge not at ony drede, wiþ al fleiſch,
viii fro man `til to beeſte, and ſeuenefold ſchal come on
ſynneris.
ix At þeſe þingis, deþ, blood, ſtryuyng, and ſwerd,
oppreſſyngis, hungur, and ſorewe, and beetyngis;
x alle þeſe þingis ben maad on wickid men, and þe greet
flood was maad for hem.
xi For whi alle þingis þat ben of þe erþe, ſchulen turne
in to þe erþe; and alle watris ſchulen turne in to þe ſee.
xii Al ȝifte and wickidneſſe ſchal be don awei; and feiþ
ſchal ſtonde in to þe world.
xiii Þe richeſſis of vniuſt men ſchulen be maad drie as a
flood; and ſchulen ſowne as a greet þundur in reyn.
DCXIV
xiiii An vniuſt man ſchal be glad in openynge hiſe
hondis; ſo treſpaſſouris ſchulen faile in þe ende.
xv Þe ſones of ſones of wickid men ſchulen not multiplie
braunchis; and vncleene rootis ſownen on þe cop of a
ſtoon.
xvi Greneneſſe biſidis ech watir; and at þe brynk of þe
flood it ſchal be drawun out bi þe roote bifor al hey.
xvii Grace as paradiſs in bleſſyngis; and merci dwelliþ in
to þe world.
xviii Þe lijf of a werk man ſufficient to hym ſilf ſchal be
maad ſwete; and þou ſchalt fynde treſour þer ynne.
xix Bildyng of a citee ſchal conferme a name; and a
womman wiþ out wem ſchal be rikenyd aboue þis.
xx Wyn and muſik maken glad þe herte; and loue of
wiſdom gladiþ aboue euer eiþer.
xxi Pipis and ſawtree maken ſwete melodie; and a ſwete
tunge aboue euer eiþer.
xxii An yȝe ſchal deſire grace and fairneſſe; and greene
ſowyngis aboue þeſe þingis.
xxiii A frend and felowe comynge togidere in tyme; and
a womman wiþ man aboue euer eiþer.
xxiiii Briþeren in to help in þe tyme of tribulacioun
`coumforten myche; and merci ſchal delyuere more þan
þei.
xxv Gold and ſiluer, and ſettyng of feet; and counſel wel
pleſing is aboue euer eiþer.
xxvi Richeſſis and vertues enhaunſen þe herte; and þe
drede of þe Lord more þan þis.
xxvii Making leſſe is not in þe drede of þe Lord; and in
þat drede it is not to ſeke help.
xxviii Þe drede of þe Lord is as paradijs of bleſſyng; and
`þe bleſſyngis of God kyueriden hym aboue al glorie.
xxix Sone, in þe tyme of þi lijf be þou not nedi; for it is
betere to die, þan to be nedi.
xxx A man biholdinge in to anoþer mannus boord, his
lijf is not in þe þouȝt of lijflode; for he ſuſteyneþ his lijf
wiþ oþere mennus metis.
xxxi Forſoþe a chaſtiſid man and lernd ſchal kepe him
ſilf.
xxxii Nedyneſſe ſchal be defoulid in þe mouþ of an
vnprudent man; and fier ſchal brenne in his wombe.
CAP. XLI
i A! deþ, þi mynde is ful bittir to an vniuſt man, and
hauynge pees in hiſe richeſſis;
ii to a reſtful man, and whoſe weies ben dreſſid in alle
þingis, and ȝit myȝti to take mete.
iii A! deþ, þi doom is good to a nedi man, and which is
maad leſſe in ſtrengþis,
iiii and failiþ for age, and to whom is care of alle þingis,
and vnbileueful, þat leeſiþ wiſdom.
v Nyle þou drede þe doom of deþ; haue þou mynde
what þingis weren byfore þee, and what þingis ſchulen
come on þee; þis dom is of þe Lord to ech man.
vi And þo þingis þat ſchulen come on þee in þe good
pleſaunce of þe hiȝeſte; wheþir ten ȝeer, eþer an
hundrid, eþer a þouſynde.
vii For whi noon accuſyng of lijf is in helle.
viii Þe ſones of abhomynaciouns ben þe ſones of
ſynneris; and þei þat dwellen biſidis þe houſis of wickid
men.
ix Þe eritage of þe ſones of ſynneris ſchal periſche; and
þe contynuaunce of ſchenſchipe wiþ þe ſeed of hem.
x Sones playnen of a wickid fadir; for þei ben in
ſchenſchip for hym.
xi Wo to ȝou, ȝe wickid men, þat han forſake þe lawe of
þe hiȝeſte.
xii And if ȝe be borun, ȝe ſchulen be borun in
curſidneſſe; and if ȝe ben deed, ȝoure part ſchal be in
curſidneſſe.
xiii Alle þingis þat ben of þe erþe, ſchulen turne in to þe
erþe; ſo wickid men ſchulen turne fro curſyng in to
perdicioun.
xiiii Þe morenyng of men is in þe bodi of hem; but þe
name of wickid men ſchal be doon awei.
xv Haue þou biſyneſſe of a good name; for whi þis ſchal
dwelle more wiþ þee, þan a þouſynde treſouris grete and
preciouſe.
xvi Þe noumbre of daies is þe terme of good lijf; but a
good name ſchal dwelle wiþ outen ende.
xvii Sones, kepe ȝe techyng in pees; for whi wiſdom hid,
and treſour vnſeyn, what profit is in euer eiþer?
xviii Betere is a man þat hidiþ his foli, þan a man þat
hidiþ his wiſdom.
xix Neþeles turne ȝe aȝen in þeſe þingis þat comen forþ
of my mouþ.
xx For it is not good to kepe alle vnreuerence, and not
alle þingis pleſen alle men in feiþ.
xxi Be ȝe aſchamed of fornycacioun, bifor fadir, and
bifor modir; and of a leeſyng, bifore a iuſtice, and bifore
a myȝti man;
xxii and of treſpas, bifor a prince, and bifore a iuge; and
of wickidneſſe, bifore a ſynagoge, and a puple; and of
vnriȝtwiſneſſe,
xxiii bifore a felow, and a frend;
xxiiii and of þefte, in þe place where ynne þou dwelliſt;
of þe treuþe and teſtament of God; of ſittyng at þe mete
in looues, and of þe blemyſchyng of ȝifte, and takyng;
xxv of ſtilneſſe, bifore hem þat greeten; of þe biholdyng
of a letcherouſe womman, and of þe turnyng a wey of
þe cheer of a coſyn.
xxvi Turne þou not awey þe face fro þi neiȝbore; and be
þou war of takyng a wei a part, and not reſtorynge.
DCXV
xxvii Biholde þou not þe womman of an oþere man; and
enſerche þou not her hand maide, neþer ſtonde þou at
hir bed.
xxviii Be þou war of frendis, of þe wordis of vpbreidyng;
and whanne þou haſt ȝoue, vpbreide þou not.
CAP. XLII
i Double þou not a word of heryng, of þe ſchewyng of
an hid word; and þou ſchalt be verily wiþ out ſchame,
and þou ſchalt fynde grace in þe ſiȝt of alle men. Be þou
not ſchent for alle þeſe þingis; and take þou not a
perſoone, þat þou do treſpas.
ii Be þou war of þe lawe and teſtament of þe hiȝeſte, of
doom to iuſtifie a wickid man;
iii of þe word of felowis, and of weigoeris, and of þe
ȝyuyng of eritage of frendis;
iiii of þe euenneſſe of balaunce, and of weiȝtis, of þe
getyng
of many þingis, and of fewe þingis;
v of corrupcioun of biyng, and of marchauntis, and of
myche chaſtiſing of ſones; and of a worſte ſeruaunt, to
make þe ſide to bleede.
vi A ſeelyng is good on a wickid man.
vii Where ben many hondis, cloſe þou; and what euer
þing þou ſchalt bitake, noumbre þou, and weie þou;
forſoþe diſcryue þou, eþer write, ech ȝifte, and takyng.
viii Abſteine þou fro þe techyng of an vnwitti man, and
fool, and of eldere men þat ben demed of ȝonge men;
and þou ſchalt be lernd in alle þingis, and þou ſchalt be
comendable in þe ſiȝt of alle men.
ix An hid douȝter of a fadir is wakynge and biſyneſſe of
hym; ſche ſchal take awei ſleep; leſt perauenture ſche be
maad auowtreſſe in hir ȝong wexynge age, and leſt ſche
dwellynge wiþ þe hoſebonde, be maad hateful;
x leſt ony tyme ſche be defoulid in hir virginytee, and be
foundun wiþ child in þe kepyng of hir fadir; leſte
perauenture ſche dwellynge wiþ þe hoſebonde, do
treſpaſſe, eþer certis be maad bareyn.
xi Ordeyne þou kepyng on a letcherouſe douȝter, leſt
ony tyme ſche make þee to come in to ſchenſchipe to
enemyes, of bacbityng in þe citee, and of caſtyng out of
þe puple; and ſche make þee aſchamed in þe multitude
of puple.
xii Nyle þou take heed to ech man in þe fairneſſe; and
nyle þou dwelle in þe myddis of wymmen.
xiii For whi a mouȝte comeþ forþ of cloþis, and þe
wickidneſſe of a man comeþ forþ of a womman.
xiiii For whi þe wickidneſſe of a man is betere þan a
womman doynge wel, and a womman ſchendyng in to
ſchenſchipe.
xv Þerfor be þou myndeful of þe werkis of þe Lord; and
Y ſchal telle þe werkis of þe Lord, whiche Y ſiȝ, in þe
wordis of þe Lord.
xvi Þe ſunne liȝtnynge bihelde by alle þingis; and þe
werk þerof is ful of þe glorie of þe Lord.
xvii Wheþer þe Lord made not hooli men to telle out alle
hiſe merueilis, whiche þe Lord almyȝti ſtidfaſt in his
glorie ſchal conferme?
xviii He ſchal enſerche þe depþe, and þe herte of men;
and he ſchal þenke in þe felneſſe of hem.
xix For þe Lord knew al kunnyng, and bihelde in to þe
ſigne of þe world; tellynge þo þingis þat ben paſſid, and
þo þingis þat ſchulen come; ſchewynge þe ſteppis of hid
þingis.
xx And no þouȝt paſſiþ hym, and no word hidiþ it ſilf fro
hym.
xxi He made fair þe grete werkis of his wiſdom, which is
bifore þe world, and til in to þe world; neþer ony þing is
encreeſſid,
xxii neþer is decreeſſid, and he haþ no nede to þe counſel
of ony.
xxiii Alle hiſe werkis ben ful deſirable, and to biholde, as
a ſparcle which is.
xxiiii Alle þeſe þingis lyuen, and dwellen in to þe world;
and alle þingis obeien to hym in al nede.
xxv Alle þingis ben double, oon aȝens oon; and he made
not ony þing to faile. He ſchal conferme þe goodis of
ech; and who ſchal be fillid, ſeynge his glorie?
CAP. XLIII
i Þe firmament of hiȝneſſe is þe fairneſſe þerof; þe
fairneſſe of heuene in þe ſiȝt of glorie.
ii Þe ſunne in biholdyng, tellynge in goyng out, is a
woundurful veſſel, þe werk of hiȝ God.
iii In þe tyme of myddai it brenneþ þe erþe; and who
ſchal mow ſuffre in þe ſiȝt of his heete? Kepynge a
furneis in þe werkis of heete;
iiii þe ſunne brennynge hillis in þre maneris, ſendynge
out beemys of fier, and ſchynynge aȝen wiþ hiſe
beemys, blyndiþ iȝen.
v Þe Lord is greet, þat made it; and in þe wordis of hym
it haſtide iourney.
vi And þe moone in alle men in his tyme is ſhewing of
tyme, and a ſigne of þe world.
vii A ſigne of þe feeſte dai is takun of þe moone; þe lyȝt
which is maad litil in þe ende.
viii Þe moneþe is encreeſſynge bi þe name þerof,
wondirfuli
in to þe ending.
ix A veſſel of caſtels in hiȝ þingis, ſchynynge gloriouſli
in þe firmament of heuene.
x Þe fairneſſe of heuene is þe glorie of ſterris; þe Lord
an hiȝ liȝtneþ þe world.
xi In þe wordis of þe hooli þo ſchulen ſtonde at þe
doom; and þo ſchulen not faile in her wakyngis.
DCXVI
xii Se þou þe bouwe, and bleſſe þou hym þat made it; it
is ful fair in his ſchynyng.
xiii It ȝede aboute heuene in þe cumpas of his glorie; þe
hondis of hiȝ God openyden it.
xiiii Bi his comaundement he haſtide þe ſnow; and he
haſtiþ to ſende out þe leiȝtyngis of his dom.
xv Þerfor treſouris weren opened, and clowdis fledden
out as been.
xvi In his greetneſſe he ſettide clowdis; and ſtoonys of
hail weren brokun.
xvii Hillis ſchulen be moued in his ſiȝt; and þe ſouþ
wynd ſchal blowe in his wille.
xviii Þe vois of his þundur ſchal beete þe erþe; þe
tempeſt of þe norþ, and þe gaderyng togidere of wynd.
xix And as a brid puttynge doun to ſitte ſprengiþ ſnow,
and þe comyng doun of þat ſnow is as a locuſt
drenchynge doun.
xx Þe iȝe ſchal wondre on þe fairneſſe of whitneſſe
þerof; and an herte drediþ on þe reyn þerof.
xxi He ſchal ſchede out froſt as ſalt on þe erþe; and while
þe wynd blowiþ, it ſchal be maad as coppis of a brere.
xxii Þe coold norþun wynd blew, and criſtal of watir
frees togidre; it reſtiþ, on al þe gedering togidere of
watris, and it cloþiþ it ſilf wiþ watris, as wiþ an
haburioun.
xxiii And it ſchal deuoure hillis, and it ſchal brenne þe
deſert; and it ſchal quenche grene þing as fier.
xxiiii Þe medicyn of alle þingis is in þe haaſting of a
cloude; a deewe, meetynge þe heete comynge of
brennyng, ſchal make it low.
xxv Þe wynd was ſtille in þe word of God; bi his þouȝt
he made peeſible þe depþe of watris; and þe Lord Jheſu
plauntide it.
xxvi Þei þat ſeilen in þe ſee, tellen out þe perels þerof;
and we heeringe wiþ oure eeris ſchulen wondre.
xxvii Þere ben ful cleer werkis, and wonderful, dyuerſe
kindis of beeſtis, and of alle litle beeſtis, and þe creature
of wondurful fiſchis.
xxviii Þe ende of weie is confermyd for it; and alle
þingis ben maad in þe word of hym.
xxix We ſeien many þingis, and we faylen in wordis;
forſoþe he is þe endyng of wordis.
xxx To what þing ſchulen we be myȝti, þat han glorie in
alle þingis? for he is al myȝti aboue alle hiſe werkis.
xxxi Þe Lord is ferdful, and ful greet; and his power is
wondurful.
xxxii Glorifie ȝe þe Lord as myche as euere ȝe moun, ȝit
he ſchal be myȝtiere; and his grete doynge is wondurful.
xxxiii Ȝe bleſſynge þe Lord, enhaunſe hym as myche as
ȝe moun; for he is more þan al preiſyng.
xxxiiii Ȝe enhaunſynge hym ſchulen be fillid wiþ vertu;
trauele ȝe not, for ȝe ſchulen not take perfitli.
xxxv Who ſiȝ hym, and ſchal telle out? and who ſchal
magnefie hym, as he is fro þe bigynnyng?
xxxvi Many þingis gretter þan þeſe ben hid fro vs; for we
han ſeyn fewe þingis of hiſe werkis.
xxxvii Forſoþe þe Lord made alle þingis; and he ȝaf
wiſdom to men doynge feiþfuli.
CAP. XLIIII
i Preiſe we gloriouſe men, and oure fadris in her
generacioun.
ii Þe Lord made myche glorie bi his greet doyng, fro þe
world.
iii Grete men in vertu weren lordis in her poweris, and
riche in her prudence; tellynge in profetis þe dignete of
profetis, and comaundynge in preſent puple,
iiii and tellynge hoolieſte wordis to puplis, bi þe vertu of
prudence.
v Sekynge maneres of muſik in her childhod, and
tellynge ſongis of ſcripturis.
vi Riche men in vertu, hauynge þe ſtudie of fairneſſe,
makynge pees in her houſis.
vii Alle þeſe men gaten glorie in þe generaciouns of her
folk; and ben had in preyſyngis in her daies.
viii Þei þat weren borun of hem, leften a name to telle þe
preiſyngis of hem.
ix And ſumme ben, of whiche is no mynde; þei
periſchiden as þei þat weren not, and þei weren borun
as not borun; and her ſones periſchiden wiþ hem.
x But alſo þo men of mercy ben, whoſe pitees failiden
not;
xi and good eritage dwellide contynueli wiþ þe ſeed of
hem.
xii And þe ſeed of her ſones ſones ſtood in teſtament,
xiii and þe eritage of her ſones dwelliþ for hem, til in to
wiþ outen ende; þe ſeed of hem, and þe glorie of hem,
ſchal not be forſakun.
xiiii Þe bodies of hem ben biried in pees; and þe name of
hem ſchal lyue in to generaciouns and generaciouns.
xv Puplis tellen þe wiſdom of hem; and þe chirche telliþ
þe preyſyng of hem.
xvi Enok pleſide God, and was tranſlatid in to paradis,
þat he ȝyue wiſdom to folkis.
xvii Noe was foundun parfit and iuſt, and he was maad
recouncelynge in þe tyme of wraþfulneſſe.
xviii Þerfor reſidue ſeed was left to erþe, whanne þe
greet flood was maad.
xix Teſtamentis of þe world weren ſet anentis hym, leſt
al fleiſch myȝte be doon awei bi þe greet flood.
xx Abraham was þe greet fadir of þe multitude of folkis;
and noon was foundun lijk hym in glorie, which kepte
þe lawe of hiȝ God, and was in þe teſtament wiþ hym.
DCXVII
xxi He made a teſtament to ſtonde in his fleiſch; and he
was foundun feiþful in temptacioun.
xxii Þerfor God wiþ an ooþ ȝaf to hym glorie in his folk;
God made hym to encreeſſe, as an heep of erþe,
xxiii and to enhaunſe his ſeed as ſterris, and to enherite
hem fro þe ſee `til to þe ſee, and fro þe flood `til to þe
endis of erþe.
xxiiii And to Iſaac God dide in þe ſame maner, for
Abraham, his fadir.
xxv Þe Lord ȝaf to hym þe bleſſing of alle folkis; and
confermyde his teſtament on þe heed of Jacob.
xxvi He knew hym in hiſe bleſſyngis, and ȝaf eritage to
hym; and departide to hym a part in twelue lynagis.
xxvii And he kepte to hym men of merci, fyndynge
grace in þe ſiȝt of eche man.
CAP. XLV
i Moiſes was loued of God and of men; whoſe mynde is
in bleſſyng.
ii He made him lijk in þe glorie of ſeyntis, and he
magnefiede hym in þe drede of enemyes; and in his
wordis he made peeſible þe wondris aȝens kynde.
iii He glorifiede hym in þe ſiȝt of kyngis, and he
`comaundide to hym bifore his puple, and ſchewide his
glorie to hym.
iiii In þe feiþ and myldeneſſe of hym God made hym
hooli; and chees him of alle men.
v For he herde hym, and his vois; and ledde in hym in a
cloude.
vi And ȝaf to hym an herte to comaundementis, and to
þe lawe of lijf, and of techyng; to teche Jacob a
teſtament, and Iſrael hiſe domes.
vii He made hiȝ Aaron, his broþer, and lijk hym of þe
lynage of Leuy.
viii He ordeynede to hym euerlaſtynge teſtament, and ȝaf
to hym þe preeſthod of þe folk. And he made hym
bliſſful in glorie,
ix and girte hym wiþ a girdil of riȝtfulneſſe; and cloþide
hym wiþ a ſtoole of glorie, and crownede hym in þe
ournementis of vertu.
x He ſettide on hym ſandalies, and breeches, and a clooþ
on þe ſchuldur, and girte hym aboute wiþ ful many
ſmall goldun bellis in cumpas;
xi to ȝyue ſoun in his goyng, to make ſoun herd in þe
temple, in to mynde to þe ſones of his folk.
xii God ȝaf to hym an hooli ſtoole, a wouun werk, wiþ
gold, and iacynct, and purpur, þe werk of a wijs man,
maad riche wiþ doom and treuþe;
xiii þe werk of a crafti man, in wriþun reed þreed, wiþ
preciouſe iemmes grauun in þe byndyng of gold, and
grauun bi þe werk of a crafti man of ſtoonys, in to
mynde, bi þe noumbre of þe lynagis of Iſrael.
xiiii A goldun coroun on his mytre, ſet forþ wiþ þe ſigne
of hoolyneſſe, þe glorie of onour, and þe werk of vertu,
ourned to deſijr of iȝen.
xv Siche þingis ſo faire weren not bifore hym, `til to þe
eeſt.
xvi Noon alien was cloþid þer ynne, but oneli hiſe ſones,
and hiſe ſones ſones aloone, bi al tyme.
xvii Hiſe ſacrifices weren endid ech dai bi fyer.
xviii Moiſes fillide hiſe hondis, and anoyntide hym wiþ
hooli oile.
xix It was maad to hym in to euerlaſtynge teſtament, and
to his ſeed as þe daies of heuene, to vſe preſthod, and to
haue preiſyng, and to glorifie his puple in his name.
xx God chees hym of ech lyuynge man, to offre ſacrifice
to God, encenſe, and good odour, in to mynde, for to
pleſe for his puple.
xxi And he ȝaf to hym power in hiſe comaundementis,
and in þe teſtamentis of domes, to teche Jacob
witneſſyngis, and in his lawe to ȝyue lyȝt to Iſrael.
xxii For aliens ſtooden aȝens hym, and men þat weren
wiþ Datan and Abiron, and þe congregacioun of Chore,
in wraþfulneſſe cumpaſſiden hym for enuye, in deſert.
xxiii Þe Lord ſiȝ, and it pleſide not hym; and þei weren
waſtid in þe feerſneſſe of wraþfulneſſe.
xxiiii He made to hem wondris aȝens kynde, and in þe
flawme of fier he waſtide hem.
xxv And he encreeſſide glorie to Aaron, and ȝaf eritage
to hym; and he departide to Aaron þe firſte þingis of
fruytis of þe erþe.
xxvi He made redi his breed in þe firſte þingis, in to
fulneſſe; for whi and þei ſhulen ete þe ſacrifices of þe
Lord, whiche he ȝaf to hym, and to his ſeed.
xxvii But in þe lond of his folk he ſchal not haue eritage,
and no part is to hym among þe folk; for whi God is þe
part and eritage of hym.
xxviii Fynees, þe ſone of Eleazarus, was þe þridde in
glorie, in ſuynge hym in þe drede of God,
xxix and to ſtonde in þe reuerence of folk; in þe
goodneſſe and gladneſſe of his ſoule he pleſide God of
Iſrael.
xxx Þerfor God ordeynede to hym þe teſtament of pees,
and made hym prince of hooli men, and of his folk; þat
þe dignete of preſthod be to hym and to his ſeed, wiþ
outen ende.
xxxi And þe teſtament of Dauid, þe ſone of Jeſſe, of þe
lynage of Juda, was eritage to hym, and to his ſeed; þat
he ſchulde ȝyue wiſdom in to oure herte, to deme his
folk in riȝtfulneſſe, leſt her goodis ſchulen be don awei;
and he made þe glorie of hem to be euerlaſtinge, in þe
folk of hem.
DCXVIII
CAP. XLVI
i Jheſus Naue, þe ſucceſſour of Moiſes in profetis, was
ſtrong in batel, þat was greet bi his name.
ii Þe gretteſte in to þe helþe of choſun men of God, to
ouercome enemyes riſynge aȝens hem, þat he ſchulde
gete þe erytage of Iſrael.
iii Which glorie he gat in reyſynge his hondis, and in
caſtynge ſcharpe arowis aȝens citees.
iiii Who bifore hym aȝenſtood ſo? for whi þe Lord hym
ſilf ſmoot þe enemyes.
v Wheþer þe ſunne was not lettid in þe wraþfulneſſe of
hym, and o dai was maad as tweyne?
vi He clepide to help þe hiȝeſte God, myȝti in
ouercomynge enemyes on ech ſide; and God, greet and
hooli, herde hym, in ſtoonys of hail of ful greet vertu.
vii He made aſauȝt aȝens þe folk enemy, and in þe
comynge doun he loſte þe aduerſaries;
viii þat heþene men knowe þe myȝt of hym, for it is not
eſy to fiȝte aȝens þe Lord; and he ſuede myȝti men at þe
bak.
ix And in þe daies of Moiſes he and Caleph, þe ſone of
Jephone, diden merci; to ſtonde aȝens þe enemye, and
to forbede þe folk fro ſynnes, and to refreyne þe
grutchyng of malice.
x And þei tweyne weren ſtidfaſt, and weren delyuered
fro perel, of þe noumbre of ſixe hundrid þouſynde `foot
men, to brynge hem in to þe eritage, in to þe lond þat
flowiþ mylk and hony.
xi And þe Lord ȝaf ſtrengþe to þilke Caleph, and til in to
elde vertu dwellide perfitli to hym; þat he ſtiede in to þe
hiȝ place of þe lond, and his ſeed gat eritage.
xii And alle þe children of Iſrael ſien, þat it is good to
obeie to hooli God.
xiii And alle iugis bi her name, þe herte of whiche was
not corrupt, weren ſtrong in batel, which weren not
turned awei fro þe Lord;
xiiii þat þe mynde of hem be in bleſſyng, and her boonys
apperen fro her place;
xv and her name dwelliþ wiþ outen ende, for þe glorie
of hooli men dwelliþ at þe ſones of hem.
xvi Samuel, þe profete of þe Lord, þat was louyd of his
Lord God, made newe þe empire, and anoyntide
prynces in his folk.
xvii In þe lawe of þe Lord he demyde þe congregacioun,
and he ſiȝ þe Lord of Jacob, and in his feiþ he was
preued a profete.
xviii And he was knowun feiþful in hiſe wordis, for he
ſiȝ þe Lord of lyȝt.
xix And he clepide in to help þe Lord almyȝti, in
ouercomynge enemyes ſtondynge aboute on ech ſide, in
þe offrynge of a man vndefoulid.
xx And þe Lord þundride fro heuene, and in greet ſoun
he made his vois herd.
xxi And he al to-brak þe princes of men of Tyre, and alle
þe duykis of Filiſteis.
xxii And bifore þe tyme of ende of his lijf, and of þe
world, he ȝaf witneſſyng in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, and of
Criſt; he took not of ony man richeſſis, ȝhe, til to
ſchoon; and no man accuſide hym.
xxiii And after þis he ſlepte, and he made knowun to þe
kyng, and he ſchewide to hym þe ende of his lijf; and he
enhaunſide his vois fro þe erþe in profeſie, to do awei
þe wickidneſſe of þe folc.
CAP. XLVII
i Aftir þeſe þingis Nathan, þe profete, roos, in þe daies
of Dauid.
ii And as ynnere fatneſſe departide fro þe fleiſch, ſo
Dauid fro þe ſones of Iſrael.
iii He pleiede wiþ liouns, as wiþ lambren; he dide in lijk
maner wiþ beris, as wiþ lambren of ſcheep.
iiii Wheþer in his ȝongþe he killide not a giaunt, and
took awei ſchenſchip fro þe folk?
v In reiſynge þe hond in a ſtoon of a ſlynge, he caſtide
doun þe ful out ioiyng of Golias,
vi where he clepide to help þe Lord almyȝti; and he ȝaf
in his riȝt hond to do awei a ſtronge man in batel, and to
enhaunſe þe horn of his folk.
vii So he glorifiede hym in ten þouſynde, and he preiſide
hym in þe bleſſyngis of þe Lord, in offrynge to hym þe
coroun of glorie.
viii For he al to-brak enemyes on ech ſide, and drow out
bi þe roote Filiſteis contrarie, `til in to þis dai; he al to-
brak þe horn of hem, `til in to wiþ outen ende.
ix Dauid in ech werk ȝaf knouleching to hooli God, and
hiȝ in þe word of glorie.
x Of al his herte he heriede God, and he louyde þe Lord
þat made hym, and ȝaf to hym power aȝens enemyes.
xi And he made ſyngeris to ſtonde aȝens þe auter; and he
made ſwete motetis in þe ſoun of hem.
xii And he ȝaf fairneſſe in halewyngis, and he ournede
tymes `til to þe endyng of lijf; þat þei ſchulden preiſe þe
hooli name of þe Lord, and make large eerli þe
hoolyneſſe of God.
xiii Criſt purgide þe ſynnes of hym, and enhaunſide his
horn wiþ outen ende; and he ȝaf to hym þe teſtament of
kyngis, and þe ſeete of glorie in Iſrael.
xiiii Aftir hym roos a witti ſone; and for hym he caſtide
doun al þe power of enemyes.
xv Salomon regnede in þe daies of pees, to whom God
made ſuget alle enemyes, þat he ſchulde make an hous
in þe name of God, and make redi hoolyneſſe wiþ outen
ende, as he was lerned in his ȝongþe.
xvi And he was fillid wiþ wiſdom as a flood is fillid; and
his ſoule vnhilide þe erþe.
DCXIX
xvii And þou, Salomon, fillidiſt derk figuratif ſpechis in
licneſſis; and þi name was puppliſchid to ilis afer, and
þou were louyde in þi pees.
xviii Londis wondriden in ſongis, and in prouerbis, and
in licneſſis, and interpretyngis, eþer expoſiciouns; and
in þe name of þe Lord,
xix to whom þe ſurname is God of Iſrael.
xx Þou gaderidiſt togidere gold as latoun, and þou
fillidiſt ſiluer as leed.
xxi And þou bouwidiſt þi þies to wymmen; þou haddiſt
power in þi bodi.
xxii Þou haſt ȝoue a wem in þi glorie, and madiſt vnhooli
þi ſeed, to brynge in wraþfulneſſe to þi children, and þi
foli in oþere men;
xxiii þat þou ſchuldiſt make þe rewme departid in to
tweyne, and of Effrem to comaunde an hard
comaundement.
xxiiii But God ſchal not forſake his merci, and ſchal not
diſtrie, neþer do awei hiſe werkis, neþer he ſchal leeſe
fro generacioun þe ſones ſones of his choſun kyng
Dauid; and he ſchal not diſtrie þe ſeed of hym þat loueþ
þe Lord.
xxv Forſoþe God ȝaf remenaunt to Jacob, and to Dauid
of þat generacioun.
xxvi And Salomon hadde an ende wiþ hiſe fadris.
xxvii And he lefte aftir hym of his ſeed Roboam,
xxviii þe foli of þe folk, and made leſſe fro prudence;
which Roboam turnede awei þe folk bi his councel.
xxix And Jeroboam, þe ſone of Nabath, þat made Iſrael
to do ſynne, and ȝaf to Effraym weie to do ſynne; and
ful many ſynnes of hem weren plenteuouſe,
xxx for þei turneden hem awei greetli fro her lond.
xxxi And þe lynage of Effraym ſouȝte al wickidneſſis, til
defence cam to hem; and delyuerede hem fro alle
ſynnes.
CAP. XLVIII
i And Elie, þe profete, roos as fier; for whi his word
brente as a brond.
ii Which brouȝte yn hungur on hem, and þei ſuynge hym
weren maad fewe for enuye; for þei myȝten not ſuffre
þe comaundementis of þe Lord.
iii Bi þe word of þe Lord he held togidere heuene, and
caſtide doun fro it fier to þe erþe.
iiii So Elie was alargid in his merueils; and who may
haue glorie in lijk maner wiþ þee, which tokiſt awei a
deed man fro hellis,
v fro þe eritage of deþ, in þe word of þe Lord God?
vi Which caſtidiſt doun kyngis to deþ, and haſt broke
togidere liȝtli þe power of hem, and gloriouſe men fro
her bed.
vii Which herdiſt dom in Syna, and in Oreb domes of
defence.
viii Which anoyntiſt kyngis to penaunce, and makiſt
prophetis ſucceſſouris aftir þee.
ix Which were reſeyued in a whirlwynde of fier, in a
chare of horſis of fier.
x Which art writun in þe domes of tymes, to pleſe þe
wraþfulneſſe of þe Lord, to recounſele þe herte of þe
fadir to þe ſone, and to reſtore þe lynagis of Jacob.
xi Þei ben bleſſid, þat ſiȝen þee, and weren maad feir in
þi frenſchipe;
xii for whi we lyuen oneli in lijf, but after deþ oure
name ſchal not be ſiche.
xiii Elie, þat was hilid in a whirlewynd; and his ſpirit
was fillid in Eliſee. Eliſee in hiſe daies dredde not þe
prince, and no man ouercam hym bi power;
xiiii neþer ony word ouercam hym, and his deed bodi
profeſiede.
xv In his lijf he dide wondris aȝens kynde; and in deþ he
wrouȝte merueilis.
xvi In alle þeſe þingis þe puple dide not penaunce, and
ȝeden not awei fro her ſynnes, til whanne þei weren caſt
awei fro her lond, and weren ſcatered in to ech lond.
xvii And a ful fewe folk was left, and a prince in þe hous
of Dauid.
xviii Summe of hem diden þat, þat pleſide God; but
oþere diden many ſynnes.
xix Ezechie maad ſtrong his citee, and brouȝte watir in
to þe myddis þerof; and diggide a rooche wiþ irun, and
bildide a pit to watir.
xx In hiſe daies Senacherib ſtiede, and ſente Rapſaces;
and he reiſide his hond aȝens hem, and he reiſide his
hond aȝens Syon, and was maad proud in his power.
xxi Þanne þe hertis and hondis of hem weren moued;
and þei hadden ſorewe as wymmen trauelynge of child.
xxii And þei clepiden to help þe merciful Lord, and þei
ſpredden abrood þe hondis, and reiſiden to heuene; and
þe hooli Lord God herde ſoone þe vois of hem.
xxiii He hadde not mynde on her ſynnes, neþer ȝaf hem
to her enemyes; but he purgide hem in þe hond of Iſaie,
þe hooli profete.
xxiiii Þe aungel of þe Lord caſtide doun þe caſtels of
Aſſiriens, and al to-brak hem.
xxv For whi Ezechie dide þat þat pleſide þe Lord, and
ȝede ſtrongli in þe weie of Dauiþ, his fadir; which weie
Iſaie, þe grete profete, and feiþful in þe ſiȝt of God,
comaundide to hym.
xxvi In þe daies of hym þe ſunne ȝede aȝen abak; and
God encreeſſide lijf to þe kyng.
xxvii Wiþ greet ſpirit Yſaie ſiȝ þe laſte þingis; and he
coumfortide þe moreneris in Sion, `in to wiþ outen
ende.
xxviii He ſchewide þingis to comynge, and hid þingis,
bifore þat þo camen.
DCXX
CAP. XLIX
i Þe mynde of Joſie maad in þe makyng of odour, is þe
werk of a pyment makere.
ii In ech mouþ his mynde ſchal be maad ſwete as hony,
and as muſik in þe feeſte of wyn.
iii He was dreſſid of God in þe penaunce of folk; and he
took awei þe abhomynaciouns of wickidneſſe.
iiii And þe herte of hym gouernede to þe Lord; and in þe
daies of ſynnes he ſtrengþide pitee.
v Outakun Dauid, Ezechie and Joſie, alle kyngis diden
ſynne.
vi For whi þe kyngis of Juda leften þe lawe of myȝti
God, and diſpiſiden þe drede of God.
vii For þei ȝauen her rewme to oþere men, and her glorie
to an alien folk.
viii Þei brenten þe choſun citee of hoolyneſſe; and þei
maden þe weies þerof forſakun in þe hond of Jeremye.
ix For þei tretiden yuel hym, which from þe wombe of
þe modir was halewid a profete, to turne vpſedoun, and
to leeſe, and efte to bilde, and make newe.
x Ezechiel, þat ſiȝ þe ſiȝt of glorie, which þe Lord
ſchewide to hym in þe chare of cherubyn.
xi For he made mynde of enemyes in reyn, to do wel to
hem, þat ſchewiden riȝtful weies.
xii And þe boonys of twelue profetis apperen fro her
place; and þei ſtrengþiden Jacob, and aȝenbouȝten hem
in þe feiþ of her vertu.
xiii Hou ſchulen we alarge Zorobabel? for whi and he
was a ſigne in þe riȝt hond of God to Iſrael;
xiiii and Jheſu, þe ſone of Joſedech? whiche in her daies
bildiden an hous, and enhaunſiden þe hooli temple to þe
Lord, maad redi in to euerlaſtynge glorie.
xv And Neemye in þe mynde of myche tyme, þat reiſide
to vs þe wallis, `þat weren caſt doun, and made þe ȝatis
and lockis to ſtonde; which Neemye reiſide oure houſis.
xvi No man borun in erþe was ſuch as Enok; for whi and
he was reſſeyued fro þe erþe.
xvii And Joſeph, þat was borun a man, þe prince of
briþeren, þe ſtidfaſtneſſe of folk, þe gouernour of
briþeren, þe ſtabliſchyng of puple;
xviii and his boonys weren viſitid, and profeſieden after
deþ.
xix Seth and Sem, þeſe gaten glorie anentis men, and
ouer ech man in þe generacioun of Adam.
CAP. L
i Symount, þe ſone of Onyas, was a greet preeſt, which
in his lijf vndurſettide þe hous, and in hiſe daies
ſtrengþide þe temple.
ii Alſo þe hiȝneſſe of þe temple was bildide of hym, þe
double bildyng, and hiȝ wallis of þe temple.
iii In þe daies of hym þe pittis of watris camen forþ; and
as þe ſee þo weren fillid aboue meſure.
iiii Which Symount helide his folk, and delyuerede it fro
perdicioun.
v Which was myȝti to alarge þe citee; which gat glorie
in þe conuerſacioun of folk; and alargide þe entryng of
þe hous, and of þe large cumpas aboute.
vi As þe dai ſterre in þe myddis of a cloude, and as a ful
moone ſchyneþ in hiſe daies;
vii and as þe ſunne ſchynynge, ſo he ſchynede in þe
temple of God;
viii as a reyn bouwe ſchynynge among þe cloudis of
glorie, and as a flour of roſis in þe daies of veer, and as
lilies, þat ben in þe paſſyng of watir, and as encenſe
ſmellynge in þe daies of ſomer; as fier ſchynynge,
ix and enſence brennynge in fier;
x as a ſad veſſel of gold, ourned wiþ ech preciouſe ſtoon;
xi as an olyue tree ſpryngynge forþ, and a cipreſſe tree
reiſynge it ſilf an hiȝ; while he took þe ſtoole of glorie,
and was cloþid in þe perfeccioun of vertu.
xii In þe ſtiyng of þe hooli auter, þe cloþing of
hoolyneſſe ȝaf glorie.
xiii Forſoþe in takynge partis of þe hoond of preſtis, and
he ſtood biſidis þe auter. Þe coroun of briþeren, as a
plauntyng of cedre in þe hil Liban, was aboute hym;
xiiii ſo þei ſtoden aboute hym as boowis of palm tree,
and alle þe ſones of Aaron ſtoden in her glorie.
xv Soþeli þe offryng of þe Lord was in þe hondis of
hem, bifore al þe ſynagoge of Iſrael; and he vſide ful
endyng on þe auter, to alarge þe offryng of þe hiȝ kyng.
xvi And he dreſſide his hond in moiſte ſacrifice; and
ſacrifiſide in þe blood of grape.
xvii He ſchedde out in þe foundement of þe auter, þe
odour of God to þe hiȝ prince.
xviii Þanne þe ſones of Aaron crieden lowde; þei
ſowneden in trumpis betun out wiþ hameris, and maden
a grete vois herd in to mynde bifore God.
xix Þanne al þe puple haſtiden togidere, and fellen doun
on þe face on þe erþe, for to worſchipe her Lord God,
and to ȝyue preyers to almyȝti God an hiȝ.
xx And men ſyngynge in her voices alargiden; and a
ſoun ful of ſwetneſſe was maad in þe greet hous.
xxi And þe puple preiede þe hiȝ Lord in preier, til þat þe
onour of þe Lord was doon perfitli, and þei
parformeden her ȝifte.
xxii Þanne Symount cam doun, and reiſide hiſe hondis in
to al þe congregacioun of þe ſones of Iſrael, to ȝyue
glorie to God bi hiſe lippis, and to haue glorie in þe
name of hym.
xxiii And he reherſide his preier, willynge to ſchewe þe
vertu of God.
xxiiii And he preyede more þe Lord of alle, þat made
grete þingis in ech lond; which encreeſſide oure daies
fro þe wombe of oure modir, and dide wiþ vs bi his
mercy.
DCXXI
xxv Ȝyue he gladneſſe of herte to vs, and þat pees be
maad in Iſrael bi euerlaſtynge daies;
xxvi þat Iſrael bileue, þat Goddis merci is wiþ vs, þat he
delyuere hem in her dayes.
xxvii Mi ſoule hatiþ twei folkis; but þe þridde is not a
folk, whom Y hate.
xxviii Þei þat ſitten in þe hil of Seir, and þe Filiſteis, and
þe fonned puple, þat dwelliþ in Sichemys.
xxix Jheſus, þe ſone of Sirach, a man of Jeruſalem, wroot
in þis book þe techyng of wiſdom, and of kunnyng; and
he renulide wiſdom of his herte.
xxx He is bleſſid, þat dwelliþ in þeſe goodis; he þat ſettiþ
þo in his herte, ſchal euere be wijs.
xxxi For if he doiþ þeſe þingis, he ſchal be miȝti to alle
þingis; for whi þe lyȝt of God is þe ſtep of hym.
CAP. LI
i Lord kyng, Y ſchal knouleche to þee; and Y ſchal
togidere herie þee, my ſauȝour.
ii Y ſchal knouleche to þi name, for þou art maad an
helpere and defendere to me;
iii and þou haſt delyuered my bodi fro perdicioun, fro þe
ſnare of a wickid tunge, and fro þe lippis of hem þat
worchen a leeſyng; and in þe ſiȝt of hem þat ſtonden nyȝ
þou art maad an helpere to me.
iiii And þou haſt delyuered me, bi þe multitude of merci
of þi name, fro roreris maad redi to mete;
v fro þe hondis of hem þat ſouȝten my ſoule, and fro
many tribulaciouns þat cumpaſſiden me;
vi fro ouerleiyng of flawme þat cumpaſſide me, and in
þe myddis of fier Y was not brent;
vii fro þe depþe of þe wombe of helle, and fro a tunge
defoulyd, and fro a word of leeſyng; fro a wickid kyng,
and fro a tunge vniuſt.
viii `Til to þe deþ my ſoule ſchal preiſe þee, Lord;
ix and my lijf was neiȝynge in helle byneþe.
x Þei cumpaſſiden me on ech ſide, and noon was þat
helpide; Y was biholdynge to þe help of men, and noon
was.
xi Lord, Y hadde mynde on þi merci, and on þi
worchyng togidere, þat ben fro þe world;
xii for þou delyuerſt hem þat abiden þee, and þou
delyuerſt hem fro þe hond of heþene men.
xiii Þou enhaunſidiſt my dwellyng on erþe; and Y
biſouȝte for deþ fletynge doun.
xiiii Y clepyde to help þe Lord, fadir of my Lord, þat he
forſake not me in þe dai of my tribulacioun, and forſake
not me wiþ outen help, in þe tyme of hem þat ben
proude.
xv Y ſchal preiſe þi name contynueli, and Y ſchal herie it
togidere in knoulechyng; and my preier is herd.
xvi And þou haſt delyuered me fro perdicioun, and þou
haſt delyuered me fro þe wickid tyme.
xvii Þerfor Y ſchal knouleche, and Y ſchal ſeie heriyng to
þee; and Y ſchal bleſſe þe name of þe Lord.
xviii Whanne ȝit Y was ȝongere, bifore þat Y erride, Y
ſouȝte wiſdom opynli in my preier.
xix Bifore þe tyme of eelde Y axide for it, and `til in to
þe laſte þingis Y ſchal enquere it; and it ſchal flour as a
grape ripe bifore oþere.
xx Myn herte was glad þer ynne, my foot ȝede a riȝtful
weye; fro my ȝongþe Y ſouȝte it.
xxi Y bowide doun a litil myn eere, and Y took it.
xxii Y foonde myche wiſdom in my ſilf, and Y profitide
myche þer ynne.
xxiii Y ſchal ȝyue glorie to hym, þat ȝyueþ wiſdom to
me.
xxiiii For whi Y took councel to do it; Y loued feruentli
good, and Y ſchal not be ſchent.
xxv My ſoule wraſtlide togidere þer ynne; and Y was
confermyd in doynge it.
xxvi Y ſtretchide forþ myn hondis an hiȝ; and my ſoule
ſchynede in þe wiſdom of hym, and he liȝtnyde myn
vnkunnyngis.
xxvii Y dreſſide my ſoule to it; and Y foond it in
knowyng.
xxviii Y hadde peſibli fro þe bigynnyng an herte wiþ þo;
for þis þing Y ſchal not be forſakun.
xxix My ſoule was diſturblid in ſekynge it; þerfor Y ſchal
haue peſibli a good poſſeſſioun.
xxx For whi þe Lord ȝaf to me a tunge my meede; and in
it Y ſchal preiſe hym.
xxxi Ȝe vntauȝt men, neiȝe to me; and gadere ȝe ȝou in to
þe hous of techyng.
xxxii What tarien ȝe ȝit? and what ſeien ȝe in þeſe
þingis? ȝoure ſoules þriſten greetli.
xxxiii Y openyde my mouþ, and Y ſpak, Bie ȝe wiſdom
to ȝou wiþ out ſiluer,
xxxiiii and make ȝoure necke ſuget to þe ȝok þerof, and
ȝoure ſoule reſſeyue techyng; for whi it is in þe nexte to
fynde it.
xxxv Se ȝe wiþ ȝoure iȝen, þat Y trauelide a litil, and Y
foond myche reſte to me.
xxxvi Take ȝe techyng in myche noumbre of ſiluere, and
welde ȝe plenteuouſe gold þer ynne.
xxxvii Ȝoure ſoule be glad in þe merci of hym; and ȝe
ſchulen not be ſchent in þe preyſing of hym.
xxxviii Worche ȝe ȝoure werk bifore þe tyme; and he
ſchal ȝyue to ȝou ȝoure meede in his tyme.
Here endiþ þe book of Eccleſiaſtici, and here
bigynneþ þe prolog of Yſaie and of oþere profetis.

DCXXII
 of Joſue, Judicum, Regum, and Paralipomenon, and of
YSAIE oþere hiſtorial bookis ſchulen be wel lokid; and ſchortli
Here bigynneþ a general prolog for alle þe bokis of to ſeie, þe profetis ſchulen be expouned bi þe text of
profetis ſuynge. Moiſes lawe, and of oþere hiſtorial bookis of þe Elde
Teſtament, eþer bi þe text of þe Newe Teſtament. Þe
As ſeynt Jerom ſeiþ in þe prolog of Yſaie, Iſaie is ful
literal vndurſtondyng of hooli ſcripture is þe ground of
witti and ful opyn in his writyng in Ebreu, þouȝ þe
al goſtli vndurſtondyng þerof, þat is, of allegorik, of
tranſlacioun in to Latyn miȝte not kepe þe fairneſſe of
moral, and of anagogik. No gooſtli vndurſtondyng is
ſpeche. Iſaye is worþi to be ſeid not oneli a profete, but
autentik, no but it be groundid in þe text opynli, eþer in
more, a goſpellere, for he declariþ ſo opynli þe
opyn reſoun, ſuynge of principlis, eþer reulis of feiþ, as
myſteries of Criſt and of hooli chirche, þat þou geſſe
ſeynt Auſtin witneſſiþ opynli in his piſtle to Vincente,
hym not oneli to ordeyne a profeſie of þing to comynge,
Donatiſte, and in his book of Soliloquies, and Jerom on
but to ordeyne a ſtorie of þingis paſſid. Yſaie profeſiede
Jonas, and Lire on þe bigynnyng of Geneſis, and in
in Jeruſalem and in Judee, whanne þe ten lynagis of
many placis of hooli ſcripture, and Ardmakan in his
Iſrael weren not ȝit led in to caitiftee; and he ordeyneþ a
book of Queſtiouns of Armenyes. Þerfor men moten
profeſie of euer eiþer rewme, ſum tyme of boþ togidere,
ſeke þe treuþe of þe text, and be war of gooſtli
ſum tyme of ech bi it ſilf. And whanne Yſaie biholdiþ
vndurſtondyng, eþer moral fantaſie, and ȝyue not ful
ſum tyme to þe preſent ſtorie, and ſignefieþ þe comynge
aȝen of þe puple in to Judee aftir þe caitifte of credence þerto, no but it be groundid opynly in þe text
of hooli writ, in o place eþer oþer, eþir in opyn reſoun,
Babiloyne, neþeles al his biſyneſſe, þat is, principal
þat may not be auoidid; for ellis it wole as likyngli be
entent, is of þe clepyng of heþene men, and of þe
applied to falſneſſe as to treuþe, and it haþ diſſeyued
comyng of Criſt. Al þis is þe ſentence of Jerom in þe
grete men in oure daies, bi ouer greet triſt to her
prolog of Yſaie. Here it is to vndurſtonde, þat Iſaie
fantaſies. Literal eþer hiſtorial vndurſtondyng techiþ
bigan to profeſie bifore þat þe ten lynagis weren led in
what þing is don; allegorik techiþ what we owen for to
to caitiftee of Aſſiriens, as Jerom ſeiþ here; but he
bileue; moral eþer tropologik techiþ what we owen to
profeſiede aftir þis caitiftee, aftir Ezechies deþ, in þe
do to fle vices, and kepe vertues; anagogik techiþ what
tyme of Manaſſes, as it is ſeid in þe fourþe book of
we owen to hope of euerlaſtynge meede in heuene. Of
Kyngis þe twentiþe chapitre, and in many mo places.
þeſe foure vndurſtondyngis `ſchal be ſeid pleynlier, `if
Þis ſeiþ `a poſtille on Jeroms prolog on Yſaie. For as
God wole, on þe bigynnyng of Geneſis. Alſo it is to
Ebreis ſeien, and Lire witneſſiþ on þe firſte chapitre of
wyte, þat þe profetis ſpeken ſum tyme bi figuratif
Iſaie, Manaſſes ordeynede and demyde Iſaye to be ſawid
ſpeche, and liknen men to vnreſonable beeſtis, and
wiþ ynne a cedre tree, þat cloſid hym wiþ ynne it ſilf bi
clepen men bi figuratif ſpeche, liouns, beris, culueris,
myracle, whanne Manaſſes hadde demed hym vniuſtli to
and ofte oþere vnreſonable beeſtis, for certeyn ſynnes
deþ. Alſo alle profetis þat ben not teld opynli in þe text,
whiche þei vſen acordynge wiþ þe kyndis of
whanne and in what tyme þei profeſieden, profeſieden
vnreſonable beeſtis; as men ben clepid liouns for pride,
in þe ſame tyme in which þe profetis goynge next bifore
eþer raueyn, eþer ſum oþer ſynne; and ſum tyme a lioun
profeſieden, þat ben teld in þe text vndur whiche kyngis
ſignefieþ Criſt, for his power, and ſum tyme a lioun
and tymes þei profeſieden, as Jerom ſeiþ in his prologe
ſignefieþ þe deuel, for tirauntrie and raueyn; and men
on þe twelue Profetis, and it is ſette in þe bigynnyng of
ben clepid beeris, for gredyneſſe eþer glotonye, and
Oſee. Comynli alle þe derk places of þe profetis moun
mulis, for letcherie; and ſo of oþere beeſtis and oþere
be vndurſtondun liȝtli bi þre reulis. Þe firſte is þis, þat
ſynnes. Men ben clepid culueris ſum time for madneſſe,
þe principal entent of þe profetis is to declare þe
and ſum tyme for innocence, ſympleneſſe, and charite.
myſterie of Criſtis incarnacioun, paſſioun, reſurreccioun,
Bi þeſe reulis and biſi ſtudiyng of þe text, men moun
aſcenſioun, and þe comyng to þe general doom, and þe
liȝtli vndurſtonde þe derk placis of profetis; and algatis
puppliſchyng of þe goſpel, and þe conuercioun of
loke wel þat þe ſentence takun of þe text be trewe, and
heþene men, and þe tribulacioun of hooli chirche in þis
acorde wiþ charyte, and þanne it is þe ſentence of þe
lijf, and þe blis of heuene þerfor. Þe ſecounde reule is
Hooli Gooſt, as ſeynt Auſtyn ſeiþ.
þis, þat þe profetis warnen þe puple of Jewis of her
grete ſynnes, and exciten hem to do penaunce; and Here endiþ þe prolog on Yſaye.
þanne þei ſchulen gete remyſſioun of her ſynnes, and Here bigynniþ þe bok of Yſaie profete.
grace in preſent tyme, and glorie wiþ outen ende; ellis
þei ſchulen haue tribulacioun in þis lijf, and peyn wiþ CAP. I
outen ende. Þe þridde reule is þis, þat þe profetis i Þe viſioun, eþer profeſie, of Yſaie, þe ſone of Amos,
reherſen ofte benefices ȝouun of God bifor to þe Jewis, which he ſiȝ on Juda and Jeruſalem, in þe daies of Oſie,
to coumforte hem to ȝyue credence to goodis bihiȝt in of Joathan, of Achas, and of Ezechie, kyngis of Juda.
her profeſies; and þanne þe ſtories of Moiſes lawe, eþer

DCXXIII
ii Ȝe heuenes, here, and þou erþe, perſeyue wiþ eeris,
for þe Lord ſpak. Y haue nurſchid and Y haue enhaunſid
ſones; ſoþeli þei han diſpiſid me.
iii An oxe knew his lord, and an aſſe knew þe cratche of
his lord; but Iſrael knewe not me, and my puple
vndurſtood not.
iiii Wo to þe ſynful folk, to þe puple heuy in
wickidneſſe, to þe weiward ſeed, to þe curſid ſones; þei
han forſake þe Lord, þei han blasfemyd þe hooli of
Iſrael, þei ben aliened bacward.
v On what þing ſchal Y ſmyte ȝou more, þat encreeſſen
treſpaſſyng? Ech heed is ſijk, and ech herte is
morenynge.
vi Fro þe ſole of þe foot til to þe nol, helþe is not þer
ynne; wounde, and wanneſſe, and betyng bolnynge is
not boundun aboute, neþer curid bi medicyn, neþer
nurſchid wiþ oile.
vii Ȝoure lond is forſakun, ȝoure citees ben brent bi fier;
aliens deuouren ȝoure cuntrei bifore ȝou, and it ſchal be
diſolat as in þe diſtriyng of enemyes.
viii And þe douȝtir of Sion, `þat is, Jeruſalem, ſchal be
forſakun as a ſchadewynge place in a vyner, and as an
hulke in a place where gourdis wexen, and as a citee
which is waſtid.
ix If þe Lord of ooſtis hadde not left ſeed to vs, we
hadden be as Sodom, and we hadden be lijk as
Gomorre.
x Ȝe princes of men of Sodom, here þe word of þe Lord;
and ȝe puple of Gommorre, perſeyue wiþ eeris þe lawe
of ȝoure God.
xi Wherto offren ȝe to me þe multitude of ȝoure
ſacrifices? ſeiþ þe Lord. Y am ful; Y wolde not þe brent
ſacrifices of weþeris, and þe ynnere fatneſſe of fatte
beeſtis, and þe blood of calues, and of lambren, and of
buckis of geet.
xii Whanne ȝe camen bifore my ſiȝt, who axide of ȝoure
hondis þeſe þingis, þat ȝe ſchulden go in myn hallys?
xiii Offre ȝe no more ſacrifice in veyn; encenſe is
abhomynacioun to me; Y ſchal not ſuffre neomenye,
and ſabat, and oþere feeſtis.
xiiii Ȝoure cumpenyes ben wickid; my ſoule hatiþ ȝoure
calendis and ȝoure ſolempnytees; þo ben maad diſeſeful
to me, Y trauelide ſuffrynge.
xv And whanne ȝe ſtretchen forþ ȝoure hondis, Y ſchal
turne awei myn iȝen fro ȝou; and whanne ȝe multiplien
preyer, Y ſchal not here; for whi ȝoure hondis ben ful of
blood.
xvi Be ȝe waiſchun, be ȝe clene; do ȝe awei þe yuel of
ȝoure þouȝtis fro myn iȝen; ceeſſe ȝe to do weiwardli,
lerne ȝe to do wel.
xvii Seke ȝe doom, helpe ȝe hym þat is oppreſſid, deme
ȝe to þe fadirles and modirles child, defende ȝe a
widewe.
DCXXIV
xviii And come ȝe, and repreue ȝe me, ſeiþ þe Lord. Þouȝ
ȝoure ſynnes ben as blood reed, þo ſchulen be maad
whijt as ſnow; and þouȝ þo ben reed as vermylioun, þo
ſchulen be whijt as wolle.
xix If ȝe wolen, and heren me, ȝe ſchulen ete þe goodis
of erþe.
xx Þat if ȝe nylen, and ȝe terren me to wraþfulneſſe,
ſwerd ſchal deuoure ȝou; for whi þe mouþ of þe Lord
ſpak.
xxi Hou is þe feiþful citee ful of dom maad an hoore?
riȝtfulneſſe dwellide þer ynne; but now menquelleris
dwellen þer ynne.
xxii Þi ſiluer is turned in to dros, eþer filþe; þi wyn is
medlid wiþ watir.
xxiii Þi princes ben vnfeiþful, þe felowis of þeuys; alle
louen ȝiftis, ſuen meedis; þei demen not to a fadirles
child, and þe cauſe of a widewe entriþ not to hem.
xxiiii For þis þing, ſeiþ þe Lord God of ooſtis, þe ſtronge
of Iſrael, Alas! Y ſchal be coumfortid on myn enemyes,
and Y ſchal be vengid on myn enemyes.
xxv And Y ſchal turne myn hond to þee, and Y ſchal ſeþe
out þi filþe to þe cleene, and Y ſchal do awei al þi tyn.
xxvi And Y ſchal reſtore þi iuges, as þei weren bifor to,
and þi counſelours, as in elde tyme. Aftir þeſe þingis
þou ſchalt be clepid þe citee of þe riȝtful, a feiþful citee.
xxvii Sion ſchal be aȝen bouȝt in dom, and þei ſchulen
bringe it aȝen in to riȝtfulneſſe;
xxviii and God ſchal al to-breke curſid men and ſynneris
togidere, and þei þat forſoken þe Lord, ſchulen be
waſtid.
xxix For þei ſchulen be aſchamed of idols, to whiche þei
maden ſacrifice; and ȝe ſhulen be aſchamid on þe
orcherdis, whiche ȝe cheſiden.
xxx Whanne ȝe ſchulen be as an ook, whanne þe leeues
fallen doun, and as an orcherd wiþ out watir.
xxxi And ȝoure ſtrengþe ſchal be as a deed ſparcle of
bonys, `eþer of herdis of flex, and ȝoure werk ſchal be
as a quyk ſparcle; and euer eiþer ſchal be brent togidere,
and noon ſchal be þat ſchal quenche.
CAP. II
i Þe word which Yſaie, þe ſone of Amos, ſiȝ on Juda and
Jeruſalem.
ii And in þe laſte daies þe hil of þe hous of þe Lord ſchal
be maad redi in þe cop of hillis, and ſchal be reiſid
aboue litle hillis. And alle heþene men ſchulen flowe to
hym;
iii and many puplis ſchulen go, and ſchulen ſeie, Come
ȝe, ſtie we to þe hil of þe Lord, and to þe hous of God of
Jacob; and he ſchal teche vs hiſe weies, and we ſchulen
go in þe paþis of hym. For whi þe lawe ſchal go out of
Syon, and þe word of þe Lord fro Jeruſalem.
iiii And he ſchal deme heþene men, and he ſchal repreue
many puplis; and þei ſchulen welle togidere her ſwerdes
in to ſcharris, and her ſperis in to ſikelis, eþer ſiþes; folk
ſchal no more reiſe ſwerd aȝens folk, and þei ſchulen no
more be exerciſid to batel.
v Come ȝe, þe hous of Jacob, and go we in þe lyȝt of þe
Lord.
vi Forſoþe þou haſt caſt awei þi puple, þe hous of Jacob,
for þei ben fillid as ſum tyme bifore; and þei hadden
falſe dyuynouris bi þe chiteryng of briddis, as Filiſteis,
and þei cleuyden to alien children.
vii Þe lond is fillid wiþ ſiluer and gold, and noon ende is
of þe treſouris þerof; and þe lond þerof is fillid wiþ
horſis, and þe foure horſid cartis þerof ben
vnnoumbrable.
viii And þe lond þerof is fillid wiþ ydols, and þei
worſchipiden þe werk of her hondis, which her fyngris
maden;
ix and a man bowide hymſilf, and a man of ful age was
maad low. Þerfor forȝyue þou not to hem.
x Entre þou, puple of Juda, in to a ſtoon, be þou hid in a
diche in erþe, fro þe face of þe drede of þe Lord, and
fro þe glorie of his mageſte.
xi Þe iȝen of an hiȝ man ben maad low, and þe hiȝneſſe
of men ſchal be bowid doun; forſoþe þe Lord aloone
ſchal be enhaunſid in þat dai.
xii For þe dai of þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal be on ech proud
man and hiȝ, and on ech booſtere, and he ſchal be maad
low;
xiii and on alle þe cedres of þe Liban hiȝe and reiſid, and
on alle þe ookis of Baiſan,
xiiii and on alle hiȝ munteyns, and on alle litle hillis, `þat
ben reiſid;
xv and on ech hiȝ tour, and on ech ſtrong wal;
xvi and on alle ſchippis of Tharſis, and on al þing which
is fair in ſiȝt.
xvii And al þe hiȝneſſe of men ſchal be bowid doun, and
þe hiȝneſſe of men ſchal be maad low; and þe Lord
aloone ſchal be reiſid in þat dai,
xviii and idols ſchulen be brokun togidere outirli.
xix And þei ſchulen entre in to dennes of ſtoonys, and in
to þe ſwolewis of erþe, fro þe face of þe inward drede
of þe Lord, and fro þe glorie of his maieſte, whanne he
ſchal ryſe to ſmyte þe lond.
xx In þat dai a man ſchal caſte awei þe idols of his ſiluer,
and þe ſymylacris of his gold, whiche he hadde maad to
hym ſilf, for to worſchipe moldewarpis and backis,
`eþer rere myis.
xxi And he ſchal entre in to chynnis, eþir craſyngis, of
ſtoonys, and in to þe caues of hard roochis, fro þe face
of þe inward drede of þe Lord, and fro þe glorie of his
mageſte, whanne he ſchal ryſe to ſmyte þe lond.
DCXXV
xxii Þerfor ceeſſe ȝe fro a man, whos ſpirit is in hiſe noſe
þirlis, for he is arettid hiȝ.
CAP. III
i For lo! þe lordli gouernour, þe Lord of ooſtis, ſchal
take awei fro Jeruſalem and fro Juda a myȝti man, and
ſtrong, and al þe ſtrengþe of breed, and al þe ſtrengþe of
watir;
ii a ſtrong man, and a man a werriour, and a domeſman,
and a profete, and a falſe dyuynour in auteris, and an
elde man,
iii a prince ouer fifti men, and a worſchipful man in
cheer, and a counſelour, and a wijs man of principal
crafti men, and a prudent man of myſtik, eþir gooſtli,
ſpeche.
iiii And Y ſchal ȝyue children þe princes of hem, and
men of wymmens condiciouns ſchulen be lordis of hem.
v And þe puple ſchal falle doun, a man to a man, ech
man to his neiȝbore; a child ſchal make noyſe aȝens an
eld man, and an vnnoble man aȝens a noble man.
vi For a man ſchal take his broþer, þe meneal of his
fadir, and ſchal ſeie, A clooþ is to þee, be þou oure
prince; forſoþe þis fallyng be vndur þin hond.
vii And he ſchal anſwere in þat dai, and ſeie, Y am no
leche, and neþer breed, neþer cloþ is in myn hous; nyle
ȝe make me prince of þe puple.
viii For whi Jeruſalem felle doun, and Juda felle doun
togidere; for þe tunge of hem, and þe fyndingis of hem
weren aȝens þe Lord, for to terre to wraþþe þe iȝen of
his mageſte.
ix Þe knowyng of her cheer ſchal anſwere to hem; and
þei prechiden her ſynne, as Sodom dide, and hidden not.
Wo to þe ſoule of hem, for whi yuels ben ȝoldun to
hem.
x Seie ȝe to þe iuſt man, þat it ſchal be to hym wel; for
he ſchal ete þe fruyt of hiſe fyndyngis.
xi Wo to þe wickid man in to yuel; for whi þe ȝeldyng of
hiſe hondis ſchal be maad to hym.
xii Þe wrongful axeris of my puple robbiden it, and
wymmen weren lordis þerof. Mi puple, þei þat ſeien þee
bleſſid, diſſeyuen þee, and diſtrien þe weie of þi ſteppis.
xiii Þe Lord ſtondiþ for to deme, and `þe Lord ſtondiþ
for to deme puplis;
xiiii þe Lord ſchal come to doom, wiþ þe eldere men of
his puple, and wiþ hiſe princes; for ȝe han waſtid my
vyner, and þe raueyn of a pore man is in ȝoure hous.
xv Whi al to-breken ȝe my puple, and grynden togidere
þe faces of pore men? ſeiþ þe Lord God of ooſtis.
xvi And þe Lord God ſeide, For þat þat þe douȝtris of
Syon weren reiſid, and ȝeden wiþ a necke ſtretchid forþ,
and ȝeden bi ſignes of iȝen, and flappiden wiþ hondis,
and ȝeden, and wiþ her feet ȝeden in wel araied goyng,
xvii þe Lord ſchal make ballyd þe nol of þe douȝtris of
Sion, and þe Lord ſchal make nakid þe heer of hem.
xviii In þat dai þe Lord ſchal take awei þe ournement of
ſchoon, and goldun litle bellis lijk þe moone,
xix and ribans, and brochis, and ournementis of armes
nyȝ þe ſchuldris, and mytris, eþer chapelettis,
xx and coombis, and ournementis of armes niȝ þe
hondis, and goldun ourenementis lijk laumpreis, and
litil veſſels of oynementis,
xxi and eere ryngis, and ryngis, and preciouſe ſtoonys
hangynge in þe forheed,
xxii and chaungynge cloþis, and mentils, and ſchetis,
eþer ſmockis, and needlis,
xxiii and myrouris, and ſmal lynun cloþis aboute þe
ſchuldris, and kercheues, and roketis.
xxiiii And ſtynk ſhal be for ſwete odour, and a corde for
þe girdil; ballidneſſe ſchal be for criſpe heer, and an
heire for a breſt girdil.
xxv Alſo þi faireſte men ſchulen falle bi ſwerd, and þi
ſtronge men ſchulen falle in batel.
xxvi And þe ȝatis þerof ſchulen weile, and morene; and
it ſchal ſitte deſolat in erþe.
CAP. IIII
i And ſeuene wymmen ſchulen catche o man in þat dai,
and ſchulen ſeie, We ſchulen ete oure breed, and we
ſchulen be hilid wiþ oure cloþis; oneli þi name be clepid
on vs, do þou awei oure ſchenſchip.
ii In þat dai þe buriownyng of þe Lord ſchal be in greet
worſchip and glorie; and þe fruyt of erþe ſchal be hiȝ,
and ful out ioye `ſchal be to hem þat ſchulen be ſauyd of
Iſrael.
iii And it ſchal be, ech þat is left in Sion, and is reſydue
in Jeruſalem, ſchal be clepid hooli; ech þat is writun in
lijf in Jeruſalem;
iiii if þe Lord waiſchiþ awei þe filþis of þe douȝtris of
Sion, and waiſchiþ þe blood of Jeruſalem fro þe myddis
þerof, in þe ſpirit of doom, and in þe ſpirit of heete.
v And þe Lord made on ech place of þe hille of Sion,
and where he was clepid to help, a cloude bi dai, and
ſmoke, and briȝtneſſe of fier flawmynge in þe niȝt; for
whi hilyng ſchal be aboue al glorie.
vi And a tabernacle ſchal be in to a ſchadewynge place
of þe dai, fro heete, and in to ſikirneſſe and in to hidyng,
fro whirlewynd and fro reyn.
CAP. V
i I ſchal ſynge for my derlyng þe ſong of myn vnclis
ſone, of his vyner. A vyner was maad to my derlyng, in
þe horne in þe ſone of oile.
ii And he heggide it, and chees ſtoonys þerof, and
plauntide a choſun vyner; and he bildide a tour in þe
myddis þerof, and rerede a preſſe þer ynne; and he
DCXXVI
abood, þat it ſchulde bere grapis, and it bare wielde
grapis.
iii Now þerfor, ȝe dwelleris of Jeruſalem, and ȝe men of
Juda, deme bitwixe me and my viner.
iiii What is it þat Y ouȝt to do more to my vyner, and Y
dide not to it? wheþer þat Y abood, þat it ſchulde bere
grapis, and it bare wielde grapis?
v And now Y ſchal ſchewe to ȝou, what Y ſchal do to my
vyner. Y ſchal take awei þe hegge þerof, and it ſchal be
in to rauyſchyng; Y ſchal caſte doun þe wal þerof, and it
ſchal be in to defoulyng; and Y ſchal ſette it deſert,
vi eþer forſakun. It ſchal not be kit, and it ſchal not be
diggid, and breris and þornes ſchulen `growe vp on it;
and Y ſchal comaunde to cloudis, þat þo reyne not reyn
on it.
vii Forſoþe þe vyner of þe Lord of ooſtis is þe hous of
Iſrael, and þe men of Juda ben þe delitable buriownyng
of hym. Y abood, þat it ſchal make doom, and lo!
wickidneſſe; and þat it ſchulde do riȝtfulneſſe, and lo!
cry.
viii Wo to ȝou þat ioynen hows to hous, and couplen
feeld to feeld, `til to þe ende of place. Wheþer ȝe aloone
ſchulen dwelle in þe myddis of þe lond?
ix Þeſe þingis ben in þe eeris of me, þe Lord of ooſtis; if
many houſis ben not forſakun, grete houſis and faire,
wiþ outen dwellere, bileue ȝe not to me.
x For whi ten acris of vynes ſchulen make a potel, and
þretti buſchels of ſeed ſchulen make þre buſchels.
xi Wo to ȝou þat riſen togidere eerli to ſue drunkenneſſe,
and to drinke `til to euentid, þat ȝe brenne wiþ wyn.
xii Harpe, and giterne, and tympan, and pipe, and wyn
ben in ȝoure feeſtis; and ȝe biholden not þe werk of þe
Lord, neþer ȝe biholden þe werkis of hiſe hondis.
xiii Þerfor my puple is led priſoner, for it hadde not
kunnyng; and þe noble men þerof periſchiden in
hungur, and þe multitude þerof was drye in þirſt.
xiiii Þerfor helle alargide his ſoule, and openyde his
mouþ wiþ outen ony ende; and ſtrong men þerof, and þe
puple þerof, and þe hiȝ men, and gloriouſe men þerof,
ſchulen go doun to it.
xv And a man ſchal be bowid doun, and a man of age
ſchal be maad low; and þe iȝen of hiȝ men ſchulen be
preſſid doun.
xvi And þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal be enhaunſid in doom,
and hooli God ſchal be halewid in riȝtfulneſſe.
xvii And lambren ſchulen be fed bi her ordre, and
comelyngis ſchulen ete deſert places turned in to
plentee.
xviii Wo to ȝou þat drawen wickydneſſe in þe cordis of
vanyte, and drawen ſynne as þe boond of a wayn; and
ȝe ſeien,
xix Þe werk of hym haaſte, and come ſoone, þat we ſe;
and þe counſel of þe hooli of Iſrael neiȝ, and come, and
we ſchulen knowe it.
xx Wo to ȝou þat ſeien yuel good, and good yuel; and
putten derkneſſis lyȝt, and lyȝt derkneſſis; and putten
bittir þing in to ſwete, and ſwete þing in to bittir.
xxi Wo to ȝou þat ben wiſe men in ȝoure iȝen, and ben
prudent bifor ȝou ſilf.
xxii Wo to ȝou þat ben myȝti to drynke wyn, and ben
ſtronge to meddle drunkeneſſe;
xxiii and ȝe iuſtifien a wickid man for ȝiftis, and ȝe taken
awei þe riȝtfulneſſe of a iuſt man fro hym.
xxiiii For þis þing, as þe tunge of fier deuouriþ ſtobil,
and þe heete of flawme brenneþ, ſo þe roote of hem
ſchal be as a deed ſparcle, and þe ſeed of hem ſchal ſtie
as duſt; for þei caſtiden awei þe lawe of þe Lord of
ooſtis, and blasfemyden þe ſpeche of þe hooli of Iſrael.
xxv Þerfor þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord was wrooþ
aȝens his puple, and he ſtretchide forþ his hond on it,
and ſmoot it; and hillis weren diſturblid, and þe deed
bodies of hem weren maad as a toord in þe myddis of
ſtretis. In alle þeſe þingis þe ſtronge vengeaunce of him
was not turned awei, but ȝit his hond was ſtretchid forþ.
xxvi And he ſchal reiſe a ſigne among naciouns afer, and
he ſchal hiſſe to hym fro þe endis of erþe; and lo! he
ſchal haaſte, and ſchal come ſwiftli.
xxvii Noon is failynge neþir trauelynge in þat ooſt; he
ſchal not nappe, neþer ſlepe, neþer þe girdil of his
reynes ſchal be vndo, neþer þe lace of his ſcho ſchal be
brokun.
xxviii Hiſe arowis ben ſcharpe, and alle hiſe bowis ben
bent; þe houȝs of hiſe horſis ben as a flynt, and hiſe
wheelis ben as þe feerſneſſe of tempeſt.
xxix His roryng ſchal be as of lioun; he ſchal rore as þe
whelpis of liouns; and he ſchal gnaſte, and ſchal holde
prey, and ſchal biclippe, and noon ſchal be, þat ſchal
delyuere.
xxx And he ſchal ſowne on it in þat dai, as doiþ þe ſoun
of þe ſee; we ſchulen biholde in to þe erþe, and lo!
derkneſſis of tribulacioun, and lyȝt is maad derk in þe
derkneſſe þerof.
CAP. VI
i In þe ȝeer in which þe kyng Oſie was deed, Y ſiȝ þe
Lord ſittynge on an hiȝ ſeete, and reiſid; and þe hous
was ful of his mageſte, and þo þingis þat weren vndur
hym, filliden þe temple.
ii Serafyn ſtoden on it, ſixe wyngis weren to oon, and
ſixe wyngis to þe toþir; wiþ twei wyngis þei hiliden þe
face of hym, and wiþ twei wyngis þei hiliden þe feet of
hym, and wiþ twei wyngis þei flowen.
iii And þei crieden `þe toon to þe toþer, and ſeiden,
Hooli, hooli, hooli is þe Lord God of ooſtis; al erþe is
ful of his glorie.
DCXXVII
iiii And þe lyntels aboue of þe herris were moued
togidere of þe vois of þe criere, and þe hous was fillid
wiþ ſmoke.
v And Y ſeide, Wo to me, for Y was ſtille; for Y am a
man defoulid in lippis, and Y dwelle in þe myddis of þe
puple hauynge defoulid lippis, and Y ſiȝ wiþ myn iȝen
þe kyng Lord of ooſtis.
vi And oon of ſerafyn flei to me, and a brennynge cole
was in his hond, which cole he hadde take wiþ a tonge
fro þe auter.
vii And he touchide my mouþ, and ſeide, Lo! Y haue
touchid þi lippis wiþ þis cole, and þi wickidneſſe ſchal
be don awei, and þi ſynne ſchal be clenſid.
viii And Y herde þe vois of þe Lord, ſeiynge, Whom
ſchal Y ſende, and who ſchal go to ȝou? And Y ſeide,
Lo! Y; ſende þou me.
ix And he ſeide, Go þou, and þou ſchalt ſeie to þis puple,
Ȝe herynge here, and nyle ȝe vndurſtonde; and ſe ȝe þe
profeſie, and nyle ȝe knowe.
x Make þou blynde þe herte of þis puple, and aggrege
þou þe eeris þerof, and cloſe þou þe iȝen þerof; leſt
perauenture it ſe wiþ hiſe iȝen, and here wiþ hiſe eeris,
and vndurſtonde wiþ his herte, and it be conuertid, and
Y make it hool.
xi And Y ſeide, Lord, hou long? And he ſeide, Til citees
ben maad deſolat wiþ out dwellere, and houſis wiþ out
man. And þe lond ſchal be left deſert,
xii and þe Lord ſchal make men fer. And þat þat was
forſakun in þe myddil of erþe, ſchal be multiplied, and
ȝit tiþing ſchal be þer ynne;
xiii and it ſchal be conuertid, and it ſchal be in to
ſchewyng, as a terebynte is, and as an ook, þat ſprediþ
abrood hiſe boowis; þat ſchal be hooli ſeed, þat ſchal
ſtonde þer ynne.
CAP. VII
i And it was don in þe daies of Achas, þe ſone of
Joathan, þe ſone of Oſias, kyng of Juda, Raſyn, þe kyng
of Sirie, and Facee, þe ſone of Romelie, þe kyng of
Iſrael, ſtieden to Jeruſalem, for to fiȝte aȝens it; and þei
myȝten not ouercome it.
ii And þei telden to þe hous of Dauid, and ſeiden, Sirie
haþ reſtid on Effraym, and þe herte of hym and of his
puple was mouyd togidere, as þe trees of wodis ben
mouyd of þe face of þe wynd.
iii And þe Lord ſeide to Iſaie, Go þou out, and Jaſub, þi
ſone, which is left, in to þe meetyng of Achas, at þe
laſte ende of þe water cundijt of þe hiȝere ciſterne, in þe
weie of þe feeld of þe fullere.
iiii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Se þou, þat þou be ſtille;
nyle þou drede, and þin herte be not aferd of twei tailis
of þeſe brondis ſmokynge in þe wraþþe of woodneſſe, of
Raſyn, kynge of Sirie, and of þe ſone of Romelye.
v For Sirie, and Effraym, and þe ſone of Romelie, han
bigunne yuel councel aȝens þee, and ſeien, Stie we to
Juda,
vi and reiſe we hym, and drawe we hym out to vs; and
ſette we a kyng in þe myddis þerof, þe ſone of Tabeel.
vii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þis ſchal not be, and it
ſchal not ſtonde;
viii but Damaſk ſchal be þe heed of Sirie, and Raſyn
`ſchal be þe heed of Damaſk; and ȝit ſixti ȝeer and fiue,
and Effraym ſchal faile to be a puple;
ix and Samarie ſhal faile to be þe heed of Effraym, and
þe ſone of Romelie `ſchal faile to be heed of Samarie.
Forſoþe if ȝe ſchulen not bileue, ȝe ſchulen not dwelle.
x And þe Lord addide to ſpeke to Achas,
xi and ſeide, Axe þou to þee a ſigne of þi Lord God, in
to þe depþe of helle, eþir in to heiȝþe aboue.
xii And Achas ſeide, Y ſchal not axe, and Y ſchal not
tempte þe Lord.
xiii And Yſaie ſeide, Þerfor þe hous of Dauid, here ȝe;
wheþer it is litil to ȝou to be diſeſeful to men, for ȝe ben
diſeſeful alſo to my God?
xiiii For þis þing þe Lord hym ſilf ſchal ȝyue a ſigne to
ȝou. Lo! a virgyn ſchal conſeyue, and ſchal bere a ſone;
and his name ſchal be clepid Emanuel.
xv He ſchal ete botere and hony, þat he kunne repreue
yuel, and cheeſe good.
xvi For whi bifore þat þe child kunne repreue yuel, and
cheſe good, þe lond, which þou wlatiſt, ſchal be
forſakun of þe face of her twei kyngis.
xvii Þe Lord ſchal brynge on þee, and on þi puple, and
on þe hous of þi fadir, daies þat camen not fro þe daies
of departyng of Effraym fro Juda, wiþ þe kyng of
Aſſiriens.
xviii And it ſchal be, in þat dai þe Lord ſchal hiſſe to a
flie, which is in þe laſte parte of þe floodis of Egipt; and
to a bee, which is in þe lond of Aſſur;
xix and `alle ſo ſchulen come, and ſchulen reſte in þe
ſtrondis of valeis, and in caues of ſtoonis, and in alle
places of buyſchis, and in alle hoolis.
xx And in þat dai þe Lord ſchal ſchaue wiþ a ſcharp
raſour in þeſe men, þat ben biȝendis þe flood, in þe
kyng of Aſſiriens, þe heed, and heeris of þe feet, and al
þe beerd.
xxi And it ſchal be, in þat day a man ſchal nuriſche a
cow of oxis, and twei ſcheep,
xxii and for þe plentee of mylk he ſchal ete botere; for
whi ech man þat ſchal be left in þe myddis of þe lond,
ſchal ete boter and hony.
xxiii And it ſchal be, in þat dai ech place where a
þouſand vyneris ſchulen be worþ a þouſynde platis of
ſiluer, and ſchulen be in to þornes and breeris,
xxiiii men ſchulen entre þidur wiþ bouwis and arowis;
for whi breris and þornes ſchulen be in al þe lond.
DCXXVIII
xxv And alle hillis þat ſchulen be purgid wiþ a ſarpe, þe
drede of þornes and of breris ſchal not come þidir; and
it ſchal be in to leſewe of oxen, and in to treding of
ſcheep.
CAP. VIII
i And þe Lord ſeide to me, Take to þee a greet book, and
write þer ynne wiþ þe poyntil of man, Swiftli drawe
þou awei ſpuylis, take þou prey ſoone.
ii And Y ȝaf to me faiþful witneſſis, Vrie, þe preſt, and
Sacarie, þe ſone of Barachie.
iii And Y neiȝede to þe profeteſſe; and ſche conſeyuede,
and childide a ſone. And þe Lord ſeide to me, Clepe þou
his name Haſte þou to drawe awei ſpuylis, haaſte þou
for to take prey.
iiii For whi bifor þat þe child kan clepe his fadir and his
modir, þe ſtrengþe of Damaſk ſchal be doon awei, and
þe ſpuylis of Samarie, bifor þe kyng of Aſſiriens.
v And þe Lord addide to ſpeke ȝit to me, and he ſeide,
vi For þat þing þat þis puple haþ caſte awei þe watris of
Siloe, þat goen wiþ ſilence, and haþ take more Raſyn,
and þe ſone of Romelie, for þis þing lo!
vii þe Lord ſchal brynge on hem þe ſtronge and many
watris of þe flood, þe king of Aſſiriens, and al his
glorie; and he ſchal ſtiȝe on alle þe ſtremes þerof, and he
ſchal flowe on alle þe ryueris þerof.
viii And he ſchal go flowynge bi Juda, and he ſchal paſſe
til to þe necke, and ſchal come; and þe ſpredyng forþ of
hiſe wyngis ſchal be, and ſchal fille þe breede of þi
lond, þou Emanuel.
ix Puplis, be ȝe gaderid togidere, and be ȝe ouercomun;
and alle londis afer, here ȝe. Be ȝe coumfortid, and be
ȝe ouercomun; gird ȝe ȝou, and be ȝe ouercomun;
x take ȝe councel, and it ſchal be deſtried; ſpeke ȝe a
word, and it ſchal not be doon, for God is wiþ vs.
xi For whi þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to me, as he tauȝte
me in a ſtronge hond, þat Y ſchulde not go in to þe weie
of þis puple,
xii and ſeide, Seie ȝe not, It is ſweryng togidere, for whi
alle þingis which þis puple ſpekiþ is ſweryng togidere;
and drede ȝe not þe ferdfulneſſe þerof, neþer be ȝe
aferd.
xiii Halowe ȝe þe Lord hym ſilf of ooſtis; and he ſchal be
ȝoure inward drede, and he ſchal be ȝoure ferdfulneſſe,
and he ſchal be to ȝou in to halewyng.
xiiii Forſoþe he ſchal be in to a ſtoon of hirtyng, and in to
a ſtoon of ſclaundre, to tweyne houſis of Iſrael; in to a
ſnare, and in to fallyng, to hem þat dwellen in
Jeruſalem.
xv And ful many of hem ſchulen offende, and ſchulen
falle, and þei ſchulen be al to-brokun, and þei ſchulen
be boundun, and ſchulen be takun.
xvi Bynde þou witneſſyng, mark þou þe lawe in my
diſciplis.
xvii Y ſchal abide þe Lord, þat haþ hid his face fro þe
hous of Jacob, and Y ſchal abide hym.
xviii Lo! Y and my children, whiche þe Lord ȝaf to me in
to a ſigne, and greet wondur to Iſrael, of þe Lord of
ooſtis þat dwelliþ in þe hil of Sion.
xix And whanne þei ſeien to ȝou, Axe ȝe of coniureris,
and of falſe dyuynouris, þat gnaſten in her
enchauntyngis, wheþer þe puple ſchal not axe of her
God a reuelacioun for quyke men and deed?
xx It is to go to þe lawe more and to þe witneſſyng, þat if
þei ſeien not after þis word, morewtide lyȝt ſchal not be
to hem.
xxi And it ſchal paſſe bi þat, and it ſchal falle doun, and
it ſchal hungre. And whanne it ſchal hungre, it ſchal be
wrooþ, and ſchal curſe his kyng and his God, and it
ſchal biholde vpward.
xxii And it ſchal loke to þe erþe, and lo! tribulacioun,
and derkneſſis, and vnbyndyng, eþer diſcoumfort, and
angwiſch, and myiſt purſuynge; and it ſchal not mow fle
awei fro his angwiſch.
CAP. IX
i In þe firſte tyme þe lond of Zabulon and þe lond of
Neptalym was releeſſid; and at þe laſte þe weie of þe ſee
biȝende Jordan of Galile of heþene men was maad heuy.
ii Þe puple þat ȝede in derkneſſis ſiȝ a greet lyȝt; whanne
men dwelliden in þe cuntre of ſchadewe of deþ, lyȝt
roos vp to hem.
iii Þou multipliediſt folk, þou magnefiediſt not
gladneſſe; þei ſchulen be glad bifore þee, as þei þat ben
glad in herueſt, as ouercomeris maken ful out ioie,
whanne þei han take a prey, whanne þei departen þe
ſpuylis.
iiii For þou haſt ouercome þe ȝok of his birþun, and þe
ȝerde of his ſchuldre, and þe ceptre of his wrongful
axere, as in þe day of Madian.
v For whi al violent raueyn wiþ noiſe, and a cloþ
meddlid wiþ blood ſchal be in to brennyng, and `ſchal
be þe mete of fier.
vi Forſoþe a litil child is borun to vs, and a ſone is ȝouun
to vs, and prinſehod is maad on his ſchuldre; and his
name ſchal be clepid Wondurful, A counſelour, God,
Strong, A fadir of þe world to comynge, A prince of
pees.
vii His empire ſchal be multiplied, and noon ende ſchal
be of his pees; he ſchal ſitte on þe ſeete of Dauid, and on
þe rewme of hym, þat he conferme it, and make ſtronge
in doom and riȝtfulneſſe, fro hennus forþ and til in to
wiþ outen ende. Þe feruent loue of þe Lord of ooſtis
ſchal make þis.
viii Þe Lord ſente a word in to Jacob, and it felle in
Iſrael.
DCXXIX
ix And al þe puple of Effraym ſchal wite, and þei þat
dwellen in Samarie, ſeiynge in þe pride and greetneſſe
of herte,
x Tijl ſtoonys fellen doun, but we ſchulen bilde wiþ
ſquare ſtoonys; þei han kit doun ſicomoris, but we
ſchulen chaunge cedris.
xi And þe Lord ſchal reiſe þe enemyes of Raſyn on hym,
and he ſchal turne þe enemyes of hym in to noyſe;
xii God ſchal make Sirie to come fro þe eeſt, and
Filiſteis fro þe weſt; and wiþ al þe mouþ þei ſchulen
deuoure Iſrael. In alle þeſe þingis þe ſtronge veniaunce
of þe Lord is not turned awei, but ȝit his hond is
ſtretchid forþ;
xiii and þe puple is not turned aȝen to þe Lord ſmytynge
it, and þei ſouȝten not þe Lord of ooſtis.
xiiii And þe Lord ſchal leeſe fro Iſrael þe heed and þe
tail; crokynge and biſchrewynge, eþer refreynynge, in o
dai.
xv An elde man and onourable, he is þe heed, and a
profete techynge a leeſyng, he is þe tail.
xvi And þei þat bleſſen his puple, ſchulen be diſſeyueris,
and þei þat ben bleſſid, ſchulen be caſt doun.
xvii For þis þing þe Lord ſchal not be glad on þe ȝonge
men þerof, and he ſchal not haue merci on þe fadirles
children and widewis þerof; for ech man is an ypocrite
and weiward, and ech mouþ ſpak foli. In alle þeſe þingis
þe ſtronge veniaunce of hym is not turned awei, but ȝit
his hond is ſtretchid forþ;
xviii and þe puple is not turned aȝen to þe Lord
ſmytynge it. For whi wickidneſſe is kyndlid as fier; it
ſchal deuoure þe breris and þornes, and it ſchal be
kyndlid in þe þickeneſſe of þe foreſt, and it ſchal be
wlappid togidere in þe pride of ſmoke.
xix In þe wraþþe of þe Lord of ooſtis þe lond ſchal be
diſturblid, and þe puple ſchal be as þe mete of fier; a
man ſchal not ſpare his broþir.
xx And he ſchal boowe to þe riȝt half, and he ſchal
hungre, and he ſchal ete at þe left half, and he ſchal not
be fillid; ech man ſchal deuoure þe fleiſch of his arm.
Manaſſes ſchal deuoure Effraym, and Effraym `ſchal
deuoure Manaſſes, and þei togidere aȝens Juda.
xxi In alle þeſe þingis þe ſtrong veniaunce of hym is not
turned awei, but ȝit his hoond is ſtretchid forþ.
CAP. X
i Wo to þem þat maken wickid lawis, and þei writynge
han wryte vnriȝtfulneſſe, for to oppreſſe pore men in
doom,
ii and to do violence to þe cauſe of meke men of my
puple; þat widewis ſchulen be þe prey of þem, and þat
þei ſchulden rauyſche fadirles children.
iii What ſchulen ȝe do in þe dai of viſitacioun, and of
wretchidneſſe comynge fro fer? To whos help ſchulen ȝe
fle? and where ſchulen ȝe leeue ȝoure glorie,
iiii þat ȝe be not bowid doun vndur boond, and falle not
doun wiþ ſlayn men? On alle þeſe þingis his ſtrong
veniaunce is not turned awei, but ȝit his hond is
ſtretchid forþ.
v Wo to Aſſur, he is þe ȝerde and ſtaf of my ſtrong
veniaunce; myn indignacioun is in þe hond of þem.
vi Y ſchal ſend hym to a fals folk, and Y ſchal comaunde
to hym aȝens þe puple of my ſtrong veniaunce; þat he
take awei þe ſpuylis, and departe prey, and þat he ſette
þat puple in to defouling, as þe fen of ſtretis.
vii Forſoþe he ſchal not deme ſo, and his herte ſchal not
geſſe ſo, but his herte ſchal be for to al to-breke, and to
þe ſleynge of many folkis.
viii For he ſchal ſeie, Wheþer my princes ben not kyngis
to gidere?
ix Wheþer not as Carcamys, ſo Calanno; and as Arphat,
ſo Emath? wheþer not as Damaſk, ſo Samarie?
x As myn hond foond þe rewmes of idol, ſo and þe
ſymylacris of hem of Jeruſalem and of Samarie.
xi Wheþer not as Y dide to Samarie, and to þe idols
þerof, ſo Y ſchal do to Jeruſalem, and to þe ſimylacris
þerof?
xii And it ſchal be, whanne þe Lord haþ fillid alle hiſe
werkis in þe hil of Syon and in Jeruſalem, Y ſchal viſite
on þe fruit of þe greet doynge herte of þe kyng of Aſſur,
and on þe glorie of þe hiȝneſſe of hiſe iȝen.
xiii For he ſeide, Y haue do in þe ſtrengþe of myn honde,
and Y haue underſtonde in my wiſdom; and Y haue take
awei þe endis of peplis, and Y haue robbid þe princes of
þem, and Y as a myȝti man haue drawun doun þem þat
ſaten an hiȝ.
xiiii And myn hond foond þe ſtrengþe of puplis as a neſt,
and as eirun ben gaderid togidere þat ben forſakun, ſo Y
gaderid togidere al erþe; and noon was þat mouyde a
feþere, and openyde þe mouþ, and grutchide.
xv Wheþer an ax ſchal haue glorie aȝens hym þat kittiþ
wiþ it? eþer a ſawe ſchal be enhaunſid aȝens hym of
whom it is drawun? as if a ȝerde is reiſid aȝens hym þat
reiſiþ it, and a ſtaf is enhaunſid, which ſoþeli is a tre.
xvi For þis þing þe lordli gouernour, Lord of ooſtis, ſchal
ſende þinneſſe in þe fatte men of hym, and his glorie
kyndlid vndur ſchal brenne as `þe brenning of fier.
xvii And þe lyȝt of Iſrael ſchal be in fier, and þe hooli of
it in flawme; and þe þorn of him and brere ſchal be
kyndlid and deuourid in o dai.
xviii And þe glorie of his foreſt and of his Carmele ſchal
be waſtid, fro þe ſoule `til to fleiſch; and he ſchal be
fleynge awei for drede.
xix And þe relifs of þe tree of his foreſt ſchulen be
noumbrid for fewneſſe, and a child ſchal write hem.
DCXXX
xx And it ſchal be in þat dai, þe remenaunt of Iſrael, and
þei þat fledden of þe houſe of Jacob, ſchal not adde for
to triſte on hym þat ſmytiþ hem; but it ſchal triſte on þe
hooli Lord of Iſrael, in treuþe.
xxi Þe relifs, Y ſeie, þe relifs of Jacob, ſchulen be
conuertid to þe ſtronge Lord.
xxii Forwhi, Iſrael, if þi puple is as þe grauel of þe ſee,
þe relifs ſchulen be turned þerof; an endyng maad ſchort
ſchal make riȝtfulneſſe to be plenteuouſe.
xxiii For whi þe Lord God of ooſtis ſchal make an
endyng and a breggyng in þe myddis of al erþe.
xxiiii For þis þing þe Lord God of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
My puple, þe dwellere of Sion, nyle þou drede of Aſſur,
for he ſchal ſmite þee in a ȝerde, and he ſchal reiſe his
ſtaf on þee in þe weie of Egipt.
xxv Forwhi ȝit a litil, and a litil, and myn indignacioun
and my ſtrong veniaunce ſchal be endid on þe greet
treſpas of hem.
xxvi And þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal reiſe a ſcourge on hym
bi þe veniaunce of Madian in þe ſtoon of Oreb, and bi
his ȝerde on þe ſee; and he ſchal reiſe þat ȝerde in þe
wei of Egipt.
xxvii And it ſchal be in þat dai, his birþun ſchal be takun
awei fro þi ſchuldre, and his ȝok fro þi necke; and þe
ȝok ſchal wexe rotun fro þe face of oile.
xxviii He ſchal come in to Aioth, he ſchal paſſe in to
Magron, at Magynas he ſchal bitake his veſſels to
kepyng.
xxix Þei paſſiden ſwiftli, Gabaa is oure ſeete, Rama was
aſtonyed, Gabaa of Saul fled.
xxx Þou douȝtir of Gallym, weile wiþ þi vois; þou Laiſa,
perſeyue, þou pore Anatot.
xxxi Medemena paſſide; þe dwelleris of Gabyn fledden;
be ȝe coumfortid.
xxxii Ȝit it is dai, þat me ſtonde in Nobe; he ſchal dryue
his hond on þe hil of þe douȝter of Syon, on þe litil hil
of Jeruſalem.
xxxiii Lo! þe lordli gouernour, þe Lord of ooſtis, ſchal
breke a potel in drede, and hiȝ men of ſtature ſchulen be
kit doun.
xxxiiii And proude men ſchulen be maade low, and þe
þicke þingis of þe foreſt ſchulen be diſtried bi irun; and
þe Liban wiþ hiȝ þingis ſchal falle doun.
CAP. XI
i And a ȝerde ſchal go out of þe roote of Jeſſe, and a
flour ſchal ſtie of þe roote of it.
ii And þe Spirit of þe Lord ſchal reſte on hym, þe ſpirit
of wiſdom and of vndurſtondyng, þe ſpirit of counſel
and of ſtrengþe, þe ſpirit of kunnyng and of pitee;
iii and þe ſpirit of þe drede of þe Lord ſchal fille him. He
ſchal deme not bi þe ſiȝt of iȝen, neþer he ſchal repreue
bi þe heryng of eeris;
iiii buthe ſchal deme in riȝtfulneſſe pore men, and he
ſchal repreue in equyte, for þe mylde men of erþe. And
he ſchal ſmyte þe lond wiþ þe ȝerde of his mouþ, and bi
þe ſpirit of his lippis he ſchal ſle þe wickid man.
v And riȝtfulneſſe ſchal be þe girdil of hiſe leendis, and
feiþ ſchal be þe girdyng of hiſe reynes.
vi A wolf ſchal dwelle wiþ a lombe, and a parde ſchal
reſte wiþ a kide; a calf, and a lioun, and a ſcheep
ſchulen dwelle togidere, and a litil child ſchal dryue
hem.
vii A calf and a beere ſchulen be leſewid togidere; þe
whelpis of hem ſchulen reſte, and a lioun as an oxe ſchal
ete ſtre.
viii And a ȝonge ſoukyng child fro þe tete ſchal delite on
þe hole of a ſnake, and he þat is wenyd ſchal putte his
hond in þe caue of a cocatrice.
ix Þei ſchulen not anoye, and ſchulen not ſle in al myn
hooli hil; forwhi þe erþe is fillid wiþ þe kunnyng of þe
Lord, as watris of þe ſee hilynge.
x In þat dai þe roote of Jeſſe, þat ſtondiþ in to þe ſigne of
puplis; heþene men ſchulen biſeche hym, and his
ſepulchre ſchal be gloriouſe.
xi And it ſchal be in þat day, þe Lord ſchal adde þe
ſecounde tyme his hond to haue in poſſeſſioun þe
reſidue of his puple þat ſchal be left, of Aſſiriens, and of
Egipt, and of Fethros, and of Ethiope, and of Elan, and
of Sennar, and of Emath, and of ylis of þe ſee.
xii And he ſchal reiſe a ſygne to naciouns, and ſchal
gadere togidere þe fleeris awei of Iſrael; and he ſchal
gadere togidere þe ſcaterid men of Juda fro foure cooſtis
of erþe.
xiii And þe enuye of Effraym ſchal be don awei, and þe
enemyes of Juda ſchulen periſche; Effraym ſchal not
haue enuye to Juda, and Juda ſchal not fiȝte aȝens
Effraym.
xiiii And þei ſchulen flie in to þe ſchuldris of Filiſteis bi
þe ſee, þei ſchulen take prey togidere of þe ſones of þe
eeſt; Ydume and Moab ſchulen be þe comaundement of
þe hond of hem, and þe ſones of Amon ſchulen be
obedient.
xv And þe Lord ſchal make deſolat þe tunge of þe ſee of
Egipt, and he ſchal reiſe his hond on þe flood in þe
ſtrengþe of his ſpirit; and he ſchal ſmyte, eþir departe, it
in ſeuene ryueris, ſo þat ſchood men paſſe bi it.
xvi And a weie ſchal be to my reſidue puple þat ſchal be
left, of Aſſiriens, as it was to Iſrael, in þe dai in which it
ſtiede fro þe lond of Egipt.
CAP. XII
i And þou ſchalt ſeie in þat dai, Lord, Y ſchal knouleche
to þee, for þou were wrooþ to me; þi ſtrong venieaunce
is turned, and þou haſt coumfortid me.
DCXXXI
ii Lo! God is my ſauȝour, Y ſchal do feiþfuli, and Y ſchal
not drede. For whi þe Lord is my ſtrengþe and my
preyſyng, and he is maad to me in to helþe.
iii Ȝe ſchulen drawe watris wiþ ioie of þe wellis of þe
ſauȝour.
iiii And ȝe ſchulen ſeie in þat dai, Knouleche ȝe to þe
Lord, and clepe ȝe his name in to help; make ȝe knowun
hiſe fyndyngis among puplis; haue ȝe mynde, þat his
name is hiȝ.
v Synge ȝe to þe Lord, for he haþ do worſchipfuli; telle
ȝe þis in al erþe.
vi Þou dwellyng of Syon, make ful out ioie, and preiſe;
for whi þe hooli of Iſrael is greet in þe myddis of þee.
CAP. XIII
i Þe birþun of Babiloyne, which birþun Yſaie, þe ſone of
Amos, ſiȝ.
ii Reiſe ȝe a ſigne on a myiſti hil, and enhaunſe ȝe vois;
reiſe ȝe þe hond, and duykis entre bi þe ȝatis.
iii Y haue comaundid to myn halewid men, and Y clepid
my ſtronge men in my wraþþe, þat maken ful out ioie in
my glorie.
iiii Þe vois of multitude in hillis, as of many puplis; þe
vois of ſown of kyngis, of heþene men gaderit togidere.
Þe Lord of ooſtis comaundide to þe chyualry of batel,
v to men comynge fro a fer lond. Þe Lord comeþ fro þe
hiȝneſſe of heuene, and þe veſſels of his ſtrong
veniaunce, þat he diſtrie al þe lond.
vi Ȝelle ȝe, for þe dai of þe Lord is niȝ; as waſtyng it
ſchal come of þe Lord.
vii For þis þing alle hondis ſchulen be vnmyȝti, and eche
herte of man ſchal faile,
viii and ſchal be al to-brokun. Gnawyngis and ſorewis
ſchulen holde Babiloyns; þei ſchulen haue ſorewe, as
þey þat trauelen of child. Ech man ſchal wondre at his
neiȝbore; her cheris ſchulen be brent faces.
ix Lo! þe dai of þe Lord ſchal come, cruel, and ful of
indignacioun, and of wraþþe, and of woodneſſe; to ſette
þe lond into wildirneſſe, and to al to-breke þe ſynneris
þerof fro þat lond.
x For whi þe ſterris of heuene and þe ſchynyng of þo
ſchulen not ſprede abrood her lyȝt; þe ſunne is maade
derk in his riſyng, and þe moone ſchal not ſchine in hir
lyȝt.
xi And Y ſchal viſite on þe yuels of þe world, and Y
ſchal viſite aȝens wickid men þe wickidneſſe of hem;
and Y ſchal make þe pride of vnfeiþful men for to reſte,
and Y ſchal make low þe booſt of ſtronge men.
xii A man of ful age ſchal be preciouſere þan gold, and a
man ſchal be preciouſere þan pure gold and ſchynyng.
xiii On þis þing I ſchal diſturble heuene, and þe erþe
ſchal be moued fro his place; for þe indignacioun of þe
Lord of ooſtis, and for þe dai of wraþþe of his ſtrong
veniaunce.
xiiii And it ſchal be as a doo fleynge, and as a ſcheep,
and noon ſchal be þat ſchal gadere togidere; ech man
ſchal turne to his puple, and alle bi hem ſilf ſchulen fle
to her lond.
xv Ech man þat is foundun, ſchal be ſlayn; and ech man
þat comeþ aboue, ſchal falle doun bi ſwerd.
xvi Þe ȝonge children of þem ſchulen be hurtlid doun
bifore þe iȝen of þem; her houſis ſchulen be rauiſchid,
and her wyues ſchulen be defoulid.
xvii Lo! Y ſchal reiſe on þem Medeis, þat ſeken not
ſiluer, neþir wolen gold;
xviii but þei ſhulen ſle litle children bi arowis, and þei
ſchulen not haue merci on wombis ȝyuynge mylk, and
þe iȝe of þem ſchal not ſpare on ſones.
xix And Babiloyne, þilke gloriouſe citee in rewmes,
noble in þe pride of Caldeis, ſchal be deſtried, as God
deſtried Sodom and Gomore.
xx It ſhall not be enhabitid til in to þe ende, and it ſchal
not be foundid til to generacioun and generacioun; a
man of Arabie ſchal not ſette tentis þere, and
ſcheepherdis ſchulen not reſte þere.
xxi But wielde beeſtis ſchulen reſte þere, and þe houſis
of hem ſchulen be fillid wiþ dragouns; and oſtrichis
ſchulen dwelle þere, and heeri beeſtis ſchulen ſkippe
þere.
xxii And bitouris ſchulen anſwere þere in þe houſis
þerof, and fliynge ſerpentis in þe templis of luſt.
CAP. XIIII
i It is niȝ þat þe tyme þerof come, and þe daies þerof
ſchulen not be maad fer; for whi þe Lord ſchal haue
merci of Jacob, and he ſchal cheſe ȝit of Iſrael, and ſchal
make þem for to reſte on her lond; a comelyng ſchal be
ioyned to þem, and ſchal cleue to þe houſe of Jacob.
ii And puplis ſchulen holde hem, and ſchulen brynge
hem in to her place. And þe hous of Iſrael ſchal haue
hem in poſſeſſioun in to ſeruauntis and handmaidis on
þe lond of þe Lord; and þei ſchulen take þo men þat
token hem, and þei ſchulen make ſuget her wrongful
axeris.
iii And it ſchal be in þat dai, whanne God ſchal ȝyue to
þee reſte of þi trauel, and of þi ſhakyng, and of hard
ſeruage, in which þou ſeruediſt bifore,
iiii þou ſchalt take þis parable aȝens þe kyng of
Babiloyne, and þou ſchalt ſei, Hou ceeſſide þe wrongful
axere, reſtide tribute?
v Þe Lord haþ al to-broke þe ſtaf of wickid men, þe
ȝerde of lordis,
vi þat beet puplis in indignacioun, wiþ vncurable
wounde, þat ſugetide folkis in woodneſſe, þat purſuede
cruely.
DCXXXII
vii Ech lond reſtide, and was ſtille; it was ioiful, and
made ful out ioie.
viii Alſo fir trees and cedris of þe Liban weren glad on
þee; ſiþen þou ſleptiſt, noon ſtieþ þat kittiþ vs doun.
ix Helle vndur þee is diſturblid for þe meeting of þi
comyng; he ſchal reiſe giauntis to þee; alle þe princes of
erþe han riſe fro her ſeetis, alle þe princes of naciouns.
x Alle þei ſchulen anſwere, and þei ſhulen ſeie to þee,
And þou art woundid as and we, þou art maad lijk vs.
xi Þi pride is drawun doun to hellis, þi deed careyn felle
doun; a mouȝte ſchal be ſtrewyd vndur þee, and þin
hilyng ſchal be wormes.
xii A! Lucifer, þat riſidiſt eerli, hou feldiſt þou doun fro
heuene; þou þat woundiſt folkis, feldiſt doun togidere in
to erþe.
xiii Which ſeidiſt in þin herte, Y ſchal ſtie in to heuene, Y
ſchal enhaunſe my ſeete aboue þe ſtaris of heuene; Y
ſchal ſitte in þe hil of teſtament, in þe ſidis of þe norþ.
xiiii Y ſchal ſtie on þe hiȝneſſe of cloudis; Y ſchal be lijk
þe hiȝeſte.
xv Neþeles þou ſchalt be drawun doun to helle, in to þe
depþe of þe lake.
xvi Þei þat ſchulen ſe þee, ſchulen be bowid doun to þee,
and ſchulen biholde þee. Wheþer þis is þe man, þat
diſturblid erþe, þat ſchook togidere rewmes?
xvii þat ſettide þe world deſert, and diſtried þe citees
þerof, and openyde not þe priſoun to þe boundun men
of hym?
xviii Alle þe kyngis of heþene men, alle ſlepten in glorie,
a man in his hous.
xix But þou art caſt out of þi ſepulcre, as an vnprofitable
ſtok, as defoulid wiþ rot; and wlappid wiþ hem þat ben
ſlayn wiþ ſwerd, and ȝeden doun to þe foundement of
þe lake.
xx As a rotun careyn, þou ſchalt not haue felouſchipe,
neþir wiþ hem in ſepulture, for þou haſt loſt þi lond, þou
haſt ſlayn þe puple; þe ſeed of þe worſt men ſchal not be
clepid wiþ outen ende.
xxi Make ȝe redi hiſe ſones to ſleying, for þe wickidneſſe
of her fadris; þei ſchulen not riſe, neþer þei ſchulen
enherite þe lond, neþer þei ſchulen fille þe face of þe
roundeneſſe of citees.
xxii And Y ſchal riſe on hem, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, and
Y ſchal leeſe þe name of Babyloyne, and þe relifs, and
generacioun, and ſeed, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxiii And Y ſchal ſette þat Babiloyne in to poſſeſſioun of
an irchoun, and in to mareiſis of watris; and Y ſchal
ſwepe it wiþ a beeſme, and Y ſchal ſtampe, ſeiþ þe Lord
of ooſtis.
xxiiii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſwoor, ſeiynge, Wheþer it ſchal
not be ſo, as Y geſſide, and it ſchal bifalle ſo, as Y
tretide in ſoule?
xxv Þat Y al to-breke þe kyng of Aſſiriens in my lond,
and þat Y defoule hym in myn hillis; and his ȝok ſchal
be takun awei fro hem, and his birþun ſchal be takun
awei fro þe ſchuldur of hem.
xxvi Þis is þe councel which Y þouȝte on al þe lond, and
þis is þe hond ſtretchid forþ on alle folkis.
xxvii For whi þe Lord of ooſtis haþ demed, and who mai
make vnſtidfaſte? and his hond is ſtretchid forþ, and
who ſchal turne it awei?
xxviii Þe birþun of Filiſteis. In þe ȝeer wheryne kyng
Achas diede, þis birþun was maad.
xxix Al þou Filiſtea, be not glad, for þe ȝerde of þi
ſmytere is maad leſſe; for whi a cocatrice ſchal go out of
þe roote of an eddre, and his ſeed ſchal ſoupe up a brid.
xxx And þe firſte gendrid of pore men ſchulen be fed,
and pore men ſchulen reſte feiþfuli; and Y ſchal make þi
þrote to periſch in hungur, and Y ſchal ſle þi relifs.
xxxi Ȝelle, þou ȝate; cry, þou citee, al Filiſtea is caſt
doun; for whi ſmoke ſchal come fro þe norþ, and noon
is þat ſchal aſcape his ooſt.
xxxii And what ſchal be anſwerid to þe meſſangeris of
folk? for þe Lord haþ foundid Sion, and þe pore men of
his puple ſchulen hope in hym.
CAP. XV
i Þe birþun of Moab. For Ar was deſtried in niȝt, Moab
was ſtille; for þe wal was diſtried in þe niȝt, Moab was
ſtille.
ii Þe kingis hous, and Dybon ſtieden to hiȝ places, in to
weilyng; on Nabo, and on Medaba Moab ſchal ȝelle. In
alle hedis þerof ſchal be ballidneſſe, and ech beerd ſchal
be ſchauun.
iii In þe meetyng of þre weies þerof þei ben gird in a
ſak, alle ȝellyng on þe houſis þerof and in þe ſtretis
þerof; it ſchal go doun in to wepyng.
iiii Eſebon ſchal crie, and Eleale, þe vois of hem is herd
`til to Jaſa; on þis þing þe redi men of Moab ſchulen
ȝelle, þe ſoule þerof ſchal ȝelle to it ſilf.
v Myn herte ſchal crie to Moab, þe barris þerof `til to
Segor, a cow calf of þre ȝeer. For whi a wepere ſchal
ſtie bi þe ſtiyng of Luith, and in þe weie of Oronaym þei
ſchulen reiſe cry of ſorewe.
vi For whi þe watris of Nemrym ſchulen be forſakun; for
þe eerbe dried up, buriownyng failide, al greneneſſe
periſchide.
vii Bi þe greetneſſe of werk, and þe viſityng of hem, to
þe ſtronde of ſalewis þei ſchulen lede hem.
viii For whi cry cumpaſſide þe ende of Moab; `til to
Galym þe ȝellyng þerof, and þe cry þerof `til to þe pit of
Helym.
ix For þe watris of Dibon ben fillid wiþ blood; for Y
ſchal ſette encreeſſyngis on Dibon, to þo men of Moab
þat fledden fro þe lioun, and to þe relifs of þe lond.
DCXXXIII
CAP. XVI
i Lord, ſende þou out a lomb, þe lordli gouernour of
erþe, fro þe ſtoon of deſert to þe hil of þe douȝter of
Sion.
ii And it ſchal be as a foule fleynge, and briddis fleynge
awei fro þe neſt, ſo ſchulen be þe douȝtris of Moab in þe
paſſyng ouer of Arnon.
iii Take þou councel, conſtreyne þou councel; ſette þou
as niȝt þi ſchadewe in myddai, hide þou hem þat fleen,
and bitraye þou not men of vnſtidfaſt dwellyng.
iiii My fleeris awei ſchulen dwelle at þee. Moab, be þou
þe hidyng place of hem fro þe face of diſtriere. For whi
duſt is endid, þe wretchid is waſtid; he þat defoulide þe
lond failude.
v And þe kyngis ſeete ſchal be maade redi in merci, and
he ſchal ſitte on it in treuþe, in þe tabernacle of Dauid,
demynge, and ſekynge doom, and ȝeldynge ſwiftli þat
þat is iuſt.
vi We han herd þe pride of Moab, he is ful proud; his
pride, and his booſt, and his indignacioun is more þan
his ſtrengþe.
vii Þerfor Moab ſchal ȝelle to Moab, al Moab ſhal ȝelle
to hem þat ben glad on þe wallis of bakun tijl ſtoon;
ſpeke ȝe her woundis.
viii For whi þe ſubarbis of Eſebon and þe vyner of
Sabama ben forſakun. Þe lordis of heþene men han kit
doun þe ſiouns þerof; þei camen `til to Jaſer, þei erriden
in deſert. Þe bowis þerof ben forſakun, þei paſſiden þe
ſee.
ix On þis þing Y ſchal wepe in þe weping of Jaſer, and
on þe vyner of Sabama. Eſebon and Eleale, Y ſchal fille
þee wiþ my teer; for þe vois of defouleris fellen on þi
vyndage, and on þi herueſt.
x And gladneſſe and ful out ioiyng ſchal be takun awei
fro Carmele; and noon ſchal make ful out ioye, neþer
ſchal ſynge hertli ſong in vyneris. He þat was wont to
wringe out, ſchal not wrynge out wyn in a preſſour; Y
haue take awei þe vois of wryngeris out.
xi On þis þing my wombe ſchal ſowne as an harpe to
Moab, and myn entrails to þe wal of bakun tiel ſtoon.
xii And it ſchal be, whanne it ſchal appere, þat Moab haþ
trauelid on hiſe places, it ſchal entre to hiſe hooli þingis,
þat it biſeche, and it ſchal not be worþ.
xiii Þis is þe word which þe Lord ſpak to Moab fro þat
tyme.
xiiii And now þe Lord ſpak, ſeiynge, In þre ȝeer þat
weren as þe ȝeeris of an hirid man, þe glorie of Moab
ſchal be takun awei on al þe myche puple; and þer ſchal
be left in it as a litil raſyn, and a litil, and not myche.
CAP. XVII
i Þe birþun of Damaſk. Lo! Damaſk ſchal faile to be a
citee, and it ſchal be as an heep of ſtoonys in fallyng.
ii Þe forſakun citees of Aroer ſchulen be to flockis; and
þo ſchulen reſte þere, and noon ſchal be þat ſchal make
aferd.
iii And help ſchal ceeſſe fro Effraym, and a rewme fro
Damaſk; and þe relifs of Sirie ſchulen be as þe glorie of
þe ſones of Iſrael, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
iiii And it ſchal be, in þat dai þe glorie of Jacob ſchal be
maad þinne, and þe fatneſſe of his fleiſch ſhal fade.
v And it ſchal be as gaderyng togidere þat þat is left in
herueſt, and his arm ſchal gadere eeris of corn, and it
ſchal be as ſekynge eeris of corn in þe valei of
Raphaym.
vi And þere ſchal be left in it as a raſyn, and as þe
ſchakyng doun of þe fruyt of olyue tre, as of tweyne
eþer of þre olyue trees in þe hiȝneſſe of a braunche, eþer
of foure eþer of fyue; in þe cooppis þerof ſchal be þe
fruyt þerof, ſeiþ þe Lord God of Iſrael.
vii In þat dai a man ſchal be bowid to his maker, and hiſe
iȝen ſchulen biholde to þe hooli of Iſrael.
viii And he ſchal not be bowid to þe auteris, whiche hiſe
hondis maden, and whiche hiſe fyngris wrouȝten; he
ſchal not biholde wodis, and templis of idols.
ix In þat dai þe citees of ſtrengþe þerof ſchulen be
forſakun as plowis, and cornes þat weren forſakun of þe
face of þe ſones of Iſrael; and þou ſchalt be forſakun.
x For þou haſt forȝete God, þi ſauȝour, and haddiſt not
mynde on þi ſtronge helpere; þerfor þou ſchalt plaunte a
feiþful plauntyng, and þou ſchalt ſowe an alien ſeed.
xi In þe dai of þi plauntyng ſchal be a wielde vyne, and
erli þi ſeed ſchal floure; ripe corne is takun awei in þe
dai of eritage, and Iſrael ſchal make ſorewe greuouſli.
xii Wo to þe multitude of many puplis, as þe multitude
of þe ſee ſownynge, and þe noiſe of cumpenyes as þe
ſown of many watris.
xiii Puplis ſchulen ſowne as þe ſown of flowynge watris,
and God ſchal blame hym; and he ſchal fle fer, and he
ſchal be rauyſchid as þe duſt of hillis fro þe face of þe
wynd, and as a whirlewynd bifor tempeſt.
xiiii In þe time of euentide, and lo! diſturbling; in þe
morewtid, and he ſchal not abide. Þis is þe part of hem
þat deſtrieden vs, and þe part of hem þat rauyſchiden vs.
CAP. XVIII
i Wo to þe lond, þe cymbal of wyngis, which is biȝende
þe flood of Ethiopie; þat ſendiþ meſſangeris bi þe ſee,
ii and in veſſels of papirus on watris. Go, ȝe meſſangeris,
to þe folk drawun up and to-rent; to a ferdful puple,
aftir which is noon oþer; to þe folk abidynge and
defoulid, whos lond þe flodis han rauyſchid; to þe hil of
þe name of þe Lord of ooſtis, to þe hil of Sion.
iii Alle ȝe dwelleris of þe world, þat dwellen in þe lond,
ſchulen ſe whanne a ſigne ſchal be reiſid in þe hillis, and
ȝe ſchulen here þe cry of a trumpe.
DCXXXIV
iiii Forwhi þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to me, Y ſchal reſte,
and Y ſchal biholde in my place, as þe myddai lyȝt is
cleer, and as a cloude of dew in þe dai of herueſt.
v For whi al flouride out bifore herueſt, aud vnripe
perfeccioun buriownede; and þe litle braunchis þerof
ſchulen be kit doun wiþ ſiþis, and þo þat ben left,
ſchulen be kit awei. Þei ſchulen be ſchakun out,
vi and ſchulen be left togidere to þe briddis of hillis, and
to þe beeſtis of erþe; and briddis ſchulen be on hym by a
ſomer euerlaſtinge, and alle þe beeſtis of erþe ſchulen
dwelle bi wyntir on hym.
vii In þat tyme a ȝifte ſchal be brouȝt to þe Lord of
ooſtis, of þe puple drawun up and to-rent; of þe puple
ferdful, aftir which was noon oþer; of þe folk abidynge
and defoulid, whos lond floodis rauyſchiden; þe ȝifte
ſchal be brouȝt to þe place of þe name of þe Lord of
ooſtis, to þe hil of Sion.
CAP. XIX
i Þe birþun of Egipt. Lo! þe Lord ſchal ſtie on a lyȝt
cloude, and he ſchal entre in to Egipt; and þe ſymilacris
of Egipt ſchulen be mouyd fro his face, and þe herte of
Egipt ſchal faile in þe myddis þerof.
ii And Y ſchal make Egipcians to renne togidere aȝens
Egipcians, and a man ſchal fiȝte aȝens his broþer, and a
man aȝens his frend, a citee aȝens a citee, and a rewme
aȝens a rewme.
iii And þe ſpirit of Egipt ſchal be brokun in þe entrailis
þerof, and Y ſchal caſte doun þe councel þerof; and þei
ſchulen axe her ſymylacris, and her falſe diuinouris, and
her men þat han vncleene ſpiritis ſpekinge in þe wombe,
and her dyuynouris bi ſacrifices maad on auteris to
feendis.
iiii And Y ſchal bitake Egipt in to þe hond of cruel
lordis, and a ſtrong kyng ſchal be lord of hem, ſeiþ þe
Lord God of ooſtis.
v And watir of þe ſee ſchal wexe drie, and þe flood ſchal
be deſolat, and ſchal be dried.
vi And þe floodis ſchulen faile, and þe ſtrondis of þe
feeldis ſchulen be maad þynne, and ſchulen be dried; a
rehed and ſpier ſchal fade.
vii Þe botme of watir ſchal be maad nakid, and ſtremys
fro her welle; and þe moiſte place of al ſeed ſchal be
dried, ſchal waxe drie, and ſchal not be.
viii And fiſcheris ſchulen morne, and alle þat caſten
hook in to þe flood, ſchulen weile; and þei þat ſpreden
abrood a net on þe face of watris, ſchulen fade.
ix Þei ſchulen be ſchent, þat wrouȝten flex, foldynge and
ordeynynge ſutil þingis.
x And þe watir places þerof ſchulen be drye; alle þat
maden poondis to take fiſchis, ſchulen be ſchent.
xi Þe fonned princes of Tafnys, þe wiſe counſelouris of
Farao, ȝauen vnwiſe counſel; hou ſchulen ȝe ſeie to
Farao, Y am þe ſone of wiſe men, þe ſone of elde
kyngis?
xii Where ben now þi wiſe men? Telle þei to þee, and
ſchewe þei, what þe Lord of ooſtis þouȝte on Egipt.
xiii Þe princes of Tafnys ben maad foolis; þe princes of
Memphis fadiden; þei diſſeyueden Egipt, a corner of þe
puplis þerof.
xiiii Þe Lord meddlid a ſpirit of errour in þe myddis
þerof; and þei maden Egipt for to erre in al his werk, as
a drunkun man and ſpuynge erriþ.
xv And werk ſchal not be to Egipt, þat it make an heed
and tail bowynge and refreynynge.
xvi In þat dai Egipt ſchal be as wymmen, and þei ſchulen
be aſtonyed, and ſchulen drede of þe face of þe
mouynge of þe hoond of þe Lord of ooſtis, which he
mouede on it.
xvii And þe lond of Juda ſchal be to Egipt in to drede;
ech þat ſchal þenke on it, ſchal drede of þe face of þe
counſel of þe Lord of ooſtis, whiche he þouȝte on it.
xviii In þat dai fyue citees ſchulen be in þe lond of Egipt,
and ſchulen ſpeke wiþ þe tunge of Canaan, and ſchulen
ſwere bi þe Lord of ooſtis; þe citee of þe ſunne ſchal be
clepid oon.
xix In þat dai þe auter of þe Lord ſchal be in þe myddis
of þe lond of Egipt, and þe title of þe Lord ſchal be
biſidis þe ende þerof;
xx and it ſchal be in to a ſigne and witneſſyng to þe Lord
of ooſtis, in þe lond of Egipt. For þei ſchulen crie to þe
Lord fro þe face of þe troblere, and he ſchal ſende a
ſauȝour to hem, and a forfiȝtere, þat ſchal delyuere hem.
xxi And þe Lord ſchal be knowun of Egipt, and
Egipcians ſchulen knowe þe Lord in þat dai; and þei
ſchulen worſchipe hym in ſacrifices and ȝiftis, and þei
ſchulen make vowis to þe Lord, and þei ſchulen paie.
xxii And þe Lord ſchal ſmyte Egipt wiþ a wounde, and
ſchal make it hool; and Egipcians ſchulen turne aȝen to
þe Lord, and he ſchal be pleſid in hem, and he ſchal
make hem hool.
xxiii In þat dai a wei ſchal be fro Egipt in to Aſſiriens,
and Egipcians ſchulen ſerue Aſſur; and Aſſur ſchal entre
in to Egipt, and Egipt in to Aſſiriens.
xxiiii In þat dai Iſrael ſchal be þe þridde to Egipt and to
Aſſur, þe bleſſyng in þe myddil of erþe;
xxv whom þe Lord of ooſtis bleſſide, ſeiynge, Bleſſid be
my puple of Egipt, and þe werk of myn hondis be to
Aſſiriens; but myne eritage be to Iſrael.
CAP. XX
i In þe ȝeer wherynne Tharthan entride in to Azotus,
whanne Sargon, þe kyng of Aſſiriens, hadde ſent hym,
and he hadde fouȝte aȝens Azotus, and hadde take it;
ii in þat tyme þe Lord ſpak in þe hond of Iſaye, þe ſone
of Amos, and ſeide, Go þou, and vnbynde þe ſak fro þi
DCXXXV
leendis, and take awei þi ſchoon fro þi feet. And he dide
ſo, goynge nakid and vnſchood.
iii And þe Lord ſeide, As my ſeruaunt Yſaie ȝede nakid
and vnſchood, a ſigne and greet wondur of þre ȝeer
ſchal be on Egipt, and on Ethiopie;
iiii ſo þe kyng of Aſſiriens ſchal dryue þe caitifte of
Egipt, and þe paſſyng ouer of Ethiopie, a ȝong man and
an eld man, nakid and vnſchood, wiþ þe buttokis
vnhilid, to þe ſchenſchipe of Egipt.
v And þei ſchulen drede, and ſchulen be ſchent of
Ethiopie, her hope, and of Egipt, her glorie.
vi And a dwellere of þis ile ſchal ſeie in þat dai, Þis was
our hope, to which we fledden for help, þat þei ſchulden
delyuere vs fro þe face of þe kyng of Aſſiryens; and hou
moun we aſcape?
CAP. XXI
i Þe birþun of þe forſakun ſee. As whirlewyndis comen
fro þe ſouþweſt, it comeþ fro deſert, fro þe orible lond.
ii An hard reuelacioun is teld to me; he þat is vnfeiþful,
doiþ vnfeiþfuli; and he þat is a diſtriere, diſtrieþ. Þou
Helam, ſtie, and þou, Meda, biſeche; Y made al þe
weilyng þerof for to ceeſſe.
iii Þerfor my leendis ben fillid wiþ ſorewe; angwiſche
weldide me, as þe angwiſch of a womman trauelynge of
child; Y felle doun, whanne Y herde; Y was diſturblid,
whanne Y ſiȝ.
iiii Myn herte fadide, derkneſſis aſtonieden me;
Babiloyne, my derlyng, is ſet to me in to myracle.
v Sette þou a boord, biholde þou in to a toting place;
riſe, ȝe princes, etynge and drynkynge, take ȝe ſcheeld.
vi For whi þe Lord ſeide þeſe þingis to me, Go þou, and
ſette a lokere; and telle he, what euer þing he ſeeþ.
vii And he ſiȝ þe chare of tweyne horſe men, þe ſtiere of
an aſſe, and þe ſtiere of a camel; and he bihelde
diligentli wiþ myche lokyng,
viii and criede as a lioun, Y ſtonde contynueli bi dai on
þe totyng place of þe Lord, and Y ſtonde bi alle nyȝtis
on my kepyng.
ix Lo! þis comeþ, a man ſtiere of a carte of horſe men.
And Iſaie criede, and ſeide, Babiloyne felle doun, felle
doun; and alle þe grauun ymagis of goddis þerof ben al
to-brokun in to erþe.
x Mi þreſchyng, and þe douȝter of my cornfloor, Y haue
teld to ȝou what þingis Y herde of þe Lord of ooſtis, of
God of Iſrael.
xi Þe birþun of Duma. It crieþ fro Seir to me, Kepere,
what our of þe niȝt? `kepere, what our of þe niȝt?
xii Þe kepere ſeide, Morewtid comeþ, and niȝt; if ȝe
ſeken, ſeke ȝe, and be ȝe conuertid, and `come ȝe.
xiii Þe birþun in Arabie. In þe foreſt at euentid ȝe ſchulen
ſlepe, in þe paþis of Dodanym.
xiiii Ȝeþat dwellen in þe lond of þe ſouþ, renne, and
bere watir to þe þriſti; and renne ȝe wiþ looues to hym
þat fleeþ.
xv For þei fledden fro þe face of ſwerdis, fro þe face of
ſwerd neiȝynge, fro þe face of bouwe bent, fro þe face
of greuouſe batel.
xvi For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to me, Ȝit in o ȝeer, as in
þe ȝeer of an hirid man, and al þe glorie of Cedar ſchal
be takun awei.
xvii And þe remenauntis of þe noumbre of ſtronge
archeris of þe ſones of Cedar ſchulen be maad leſſe; for
whi þe Lord God of Iſrael ſpak.
CAP. XXII
i Þe birþun of þe valei of viſioun. What alſo is to þee,
for and al þou ſtiediſt in to roouȝs,
ii þou ful of cry, a citee of myche puple, a citee ful out
ioiynge? þi ſlayn men weren not ſlayn bi ſwerd, neþer þi
deed men weren deed in batel.
iii Alle þi princes fledden togidere, and weren boundun
harde; alle þat weren foundun, weren boundun togidere,
þei fledden fer.
iiii Þerfor Y ſeide, Go ȝe awei fro me, Y ſchal wepe
bittirli; nyle ȝe be biſie to coumforte me on þe diſtriyng
of þe douȝter of my puple.
v For whi a dai of ſleyng, and of defoulyng, and of
wepyngis, is ordeined of þe Lord God of ooſtis, in þe
valei of viſioun; and he ſerchiþ þe walle, and is
worſchipful on þe hil.
vi And Helam took an arowe caas, and þe chare of an
horſe man; and þe ſcheeld made nakid þe wal.
vii And þi choſun valeis, Jeruſalem, ſchulen be ful of
cartis; and knyȝtis ſchulen putte her ſeetis in þe ȝate.
viii And þe hilyng of Juda ſchal be ſchewid; and þou
ſchalt ſe in þat dai þe place of armuris of þe hous of þe
foreſt;
ix and ȝe ſchulen ſe þe craſyngis of þe citee of Dauid, for
þo ben multiplied. Ȝe gaderiden togidere þe watris of þe
lowere ciſterne,
x and ȝe noumbriden þe houſis of Jeruſalem, and ȝe
diſtrieden houſis, to make ſtrong þe wal; and ȝe maden a
lake bitwixe twei wallis,
xi and ȝe reſtoriden þe watir of þe elde ſiſterne; and ȝe
biholden not to hym, þat made `þilke Jeruſalem, and ȝe
ſien not þe worchere þerof afer.
xii And þe Lord God of ooſtis ſchal clepe in þat dai to
wepyng, and to morenyng, and to ballidneſſe, and to a
girdil of ſak; and lo!
xiii ioie and gladneſſe is to ſle caluys, and to ſtrangle
weþeris, to ete fleiſch, and to drynke wyn; ete we, and
drynke we, for we ſchulen die to morewe.
DCXXXVI
xiiii And þe vois of þe Lord of ooſtis is ſchewid in myn
eeris, Þis wickidneſſe ſchal not be forȝouun to ȝou, til ȝe
dien, ſeiþ þe Lord God of ooſtis.
xv Þe Lord God of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Go þou, and
entre to hym þat dwelliþ in þe tabernacle, to Sobna, þe
ſouereyn of þe temple; and þou ſchalt ſeie to hym,
xvi What þou here, eþir as who here? for þou haſt hewe
to þee a ſepulcre here, þou haſt hewe a memorial in hiȝ
place diligentli, a tabernacle in a ſtoon to þee.
xvii Lo! þe Lord ſchal make þee to be borun out, as a
kapoun is borun out, and as a cloþ, ſo he ſhal reiſe þee.
xviii He crowninge ſchal crowne þee wiþ tribulacioun;
he ſchal ſende þee as a bal in to a large lond and wijd;
þere þou ſchalt die, and þere ſchal be þe chare of þi
glorie, and þe ſchenſchipe of þe hous of þi Lord.
xix And Y ſchal caſte þee out of þi ſtondyng, and Y ſchal
putte þee doun of þi ſeruyce.
xx And it ſchal be, in þat dai Y ſchal clepe my ſeruaunt
Eliachim, þe ſone of Helchie; and Y ſchal cloþe hym in
þi coote,
xxi and Y ſchal coumforte hym wiþ þi girdil, and Y ſhal
ȝyue þi power in to þe hondis of hym; and he ſchal be
as a fadir to hem þat dwellen in Jeruſalem, and to þe
hous of Juda.
xxii And Y ſchal ȝyue þe keie of þe hous of Dauyd on
his ſchuldre; and he ſchal opene, and noon ſchal be þat
ſchal ſchitte; and he ſchal ſchitte, and noon ſchal be þat
ſchal opene.
xxiii And Y ſchal ſette hym a ſtake in a feiþful place, and
he ſchal be in to þe ſeete of glorie of þe hous of his
fadir.
xxiiii And þou ſchalt hange on hym al þe glorie of þe
hous of his fadir, diuerſe kindis of veſſels, eche litil
veſſel, fro þe veſſelis of cuppis `til to ech veſſel of
muſikis.
xxv In þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, þe ſtake þat was ſet
in þe feiþful place, ſchal be takun awei, and it ſchal be
brokun, and ſchal falle doun; and ſchal periſche þat
hangide þerynne, for þe Lord ſpak.
CAP. XXIII
i Þe birþun of Tire. Ȝe ſchippis of þe ſee, ȝelle, for þe
hous is diſtried, fro whennus coumfort was wont to
come; fro þe lond of Cethym, and was ſchewid to hem.
ii Be ȝe ſtille, þat dwellen in þe ile, þe marchaundie of
Sidon; men paſſynge þe ſee filliden þee in many watris;
iii þe ſeed of Nylus is herueſt, þe flood is þe corn þerof,
and it is maad þe marchaundie of heþene men.
iiii Þou, Sidon, be aſchamed, ſeide þe ſee, þe ſtrengþe of
þe ſee, and ſeide, Y trauelide not of child, and Y
childide not, and Y nurſchide not ȝonge men, and Y
brouȝte not fulli virgyns to encreeſſyng.
v Whanne it ſchal be herd in Egipt, þei ſchulen make
ſorewe, whanne þei heren of Tire.
vi Paſſe ȝe þe ſees; ȝelle ȝe, þat dwellen in þe ile.
vii Wheþer þis citee is not ȝoure, þat hadde glorie fro
elde daies in his eldneſſe? þe feet þerof ſchulen lede it
fer, to go in pilgrymage.
viii Who þouȝte þis þing on Tire ſum tyme crownede,
whos marchauntis weren princes, þe ſelleris of
marchaundie þerof weren noble men of erþe?
ix Þe Lord of ooſtis þouȝte þis þing, þat he ſchulde
drawe doun þe pride of al glorie, and þat he ſchulde
bringe to ſchenſchipe alle þe noble men of erþe.
x Þou douȝter of þe ſee, paſſe þi lond as a flood; a girdil
is no more to þee.
xi It ſtretchide forþ his hond aboue þe ſee, and
diſturblide rewmes. Þe Lord ſente aȝenes Canaan, for to
al to-breke þe ſtronge men þerof;
xii and he ſeide, Þou maide, þe douȝter of Sidon, þat
ſuffriſt caleng, ſchalt no more adde, þat þou haue glorie.
Riſe þou, and paſſe ouer þe ſee in to Sechym; þere alſo
no reſte ſchal be to þee.
xiii Lo! þe lond of Caldeis, ſich a puple was not; Aſſur
foundide þat Tyre; þei ledden ouer in to caitifte þe
ſtrong men þerof; þei myneden þe houſis þerof, þei
ſettiden it in to fallyng.
xiiii Ȝelle, ȝe ſchippis of þe ſee, for ȝoure ſtrengþe is
diſtried.
xv And it ſchal be, in þat dai, þou Tire, ſchalt be in
forȝetyng bi ſeuenti ȝeer, as þe daies of o king; but aftir
ſeuenti ȝeer, as þe ſong of an hoore ſchal be to Tyre.
xvi Þou hoore, ȝouun to forȝetyng, take an harpe,
cumpaſſe þe citee; ſynge þou wel, vſe þou ofte a ſong,
þat mynde be of þee.
xvii And it ſchal be, aftir ſeuenti ȝeer, þe Lord ſchal viſite
Tire, and ſchal brynge it aȝen to hiſe hiris; and eft it
ſchal be, whanne it ſchal do fornycacioun wiþ alle
rewmes of erþe, on þe face of erþe.
xviii And þe marchaundies þerof and þe meedis þerof
ſchulen be halewid to þe Lord; þo ſchulen not be hid,
neþir ſchulen be leid vp; for whi þe marchaundie þerof
ſchal be to hem þat dwellen bifore þe Lord, þat þei ete
to fulneſſe, and be cloþid `til to eldneſſe.
CAP. XXIIII
i Lo! þe Lord ſchal diſtrie þe erþe, and ſchal make it
nakid, and ſchal turmente þe face þerof; and he ſchal
ſcater abrood þe dwelleris þerof.
ii And it ſchal be, as þe puple, ſo þe preeſt; as þe
ſeruaunt, ſo his lord; as þe handmaide, ſo þe ladi of hir;
as a biere, ſo he þat ſilliþ; as þe leenere, ſo he þat takiþ
borewyng; as he þat axiþ aȝen, ſo he þat owiþ.
DCXXXVII
iii Bi diſtriyng þe lond ſchal be diſtried, and ſchal be
maad nakid by rauyſchyng; for whi þe Lord ſpak þis
word.
iiii Þe erþe morenyde, and fleet awei, and is maad ſijk;
þe world fleet awei, þe hiȝneſſe of þe puple of erþe is
maad ſijk,
v and þe erþe is ſlayn of hiſe dwelleris. For þei paſſiden
lawis, chaungiden riȝt, diſtrieden euerlaſtynge boond of
pees.
vi For þis þing curſyng ſchal deuoure þe erþe, and þe
dwelleris þerof ſchulen do ſynne; and þerfor þe louyeris
þerof ſchulen be woode, and fewe men ſchulen be left.
vii Vyndage morenyde, þe vyne is ſijk; alle men þat
weren glad in herte weiliden.
viii Þe ioie of tympans ceeſſide, þe ſowne of glad men
reſtide; þe ſwetneſſe of harpe wiþ ſong was ſtille.
ix Þei ſchulen not drynke wyn; a bittere drynk ſchal be
to hem þat ſchulen drynke it.
x Þe citee of vanyte is al to-brokun; ech hous is cloſid,
for no man entriþ.
xi Cry ſchal be on wyn in ſtreetis, al gladneſſe is
forſakun, þe ioie of erþe is `takun awei.
xii Deſolacioun is left in þe citee, and wretchidneſſe
ſchal oppreſſe þe ȝatis.
xiii For þeſe þingis ſchulen be in þe myddis of erþe, in
þe myddis of puplis, as if a fewe fruitis of olyue trees
þat ben left ben ſchakun of fro þe olyue tre, and racyns,
whanne þe vyndage is endid.
xiiii Þeſe men ſchulen reiſe her vois, and ſchulen preiſe,
whanne þe Lord ſchal be glorified; þei ſchulen ſchewe
ſignes of gladneſſe fro þe ſee.
xv For þis þing glorifie ȝe þe Lord in techyngis; in þe
ilis of þe ſee glorifie ȝe þe name of þe Lord God of
Iſrael.
xvi Fro þe endis of erþe we han herd heriyngis, þe
glorye of þe iuſt. And Y ſeide, My priuyte to me, my
pryuyte to me. Wo to me, treſpaſſours han treſpaſſid, and
han treſpaſſid bi treſpaſſyng of brekeris of þe lawe.
xvii Ferdfulneſſe, and a diche, and a ſnare on þee, þat art
a dwellere of erþe.
xviii And it ſchal be, he þat ſchal fle fro þe face of
ferdfulneſſe, ſchal falle in to þe diche; and he þat ſchal
delyuere hym ſilf fro þe dich, ſchal be holdun of þe
ſnare; for whi þe wyndows of hiȝe þingis ben openyd,
and þe foundementis of erþe ſchulen be ſchakun
togidere.
xix Þe erþe ſchal be brokun wiþ brekyng,
xx þe erþe ſchal be defoulid wiþ defoulyng, þe erþe
ſchal be mouyd wiþ mouyng, þe erþe ſchal be ſchakun
wiþ ſchakyng, as a drunkun man.
xxi And it ſchal be takun awei, as þe tabernacle of o
nyȝt, and þe wickidneſſe þerof ſchal greue it; and it
ſchal falle down, and it ſchal not adde, for to riſe aȝen.
And it ſchal be, in þat dai þe Lord ſchal viſite on þe
knyȝthod of heuene an hiȝ, and on þe kyngis of erþe,
þat ben on erþe.
xxii And þei ſchulen be gaderid togidere in þe gadering
togidere of a bundel in to þe lake, and þei ſchulen be
cloſid þere in priſoun; and aftir many daies þei ſchulen
be viſited.
xxiii And þe moone ſchal be aſchamed, and þe ſunne
ſchal be confoundid, whanne þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal
regne in þe hil of Sion, and in Jeruſalem, and ſchal be
glorified in þe ſiȝt of hiſe eldre men.
CAP. XXV
i Lord, þou art my God, Y ſchal enhaunſe þee, and Y
ſchal knouleche to þi name; for þou haſt do marueils,
þin elde feiþful þouȝtis.
ii Amen. For þou haſt ſet þe citee in to a biriel, a ſtrong
citee in to fallyng, þe hous of aliens, þat it be not a
citee, and be not bildid wiþ outen ende.
iii For þis þyng a ſtrong puple ſchal herie þee, þe citee of
ſtrong folkis ſchal drede þee.
iiii For þou art maad ſtrengþe to a pore man, ſtrengþe to
a nedi man in his tribulacioun, hope fro whirlwynd, a
ſchadewyng place fro heete; for whi þe ſpirit of ſtronge
men is as a whirlewynd hurlynge þe wal.
v As bi heete in þirſt, þou ſchalt make meke þe noiſe of
aliens; and as bi heete vndur a cloude brennynge, þou
ſchalt make þe ſiouns of ſtronge men to fade.
vi And þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal make in þis hil to alle
puplis þe feeſte of fatte þingis, þe feeſte of vyndage of
fatte þingis ful of merow, of vyndage wel fyned.
vii And he ſchal caſte doun in þis hil þe face of boond,
boundun togidere on alle puplis, and þe web which he
weuyde on alle naciouns.
viii And he ſchal caſte doun deþ wiþ outen ende, and þe
Lord God ſchal do awey ech teer fro ech face; and he
ſchal do awei þe ſchenſchipe of his puple fro ech lond;
for þe Lord ſpak.
ix And þei ſchulen ſeie in þat dai, Lo! þis is oure God;
we abididen hym, and he ſchal ſaue vs; þis is þe Lord;
we ſuffriden him, and we ſchulen make ful out ioie, and
ſchulen be glad in his helþe.
x For whi þe hond of þe Lord ſchal reſte in þis hil, and
Moab ſchal be þreiſchid vndur hym, as chaffis ben
ſtampid in a wayn.
xi And he ſchal ſtretche forþ hiſe hondis vndur hym, as a
ſwymmere ſtretchiþ forþ to ſwymme; and he ſchal make
low þe glorye of him wiþ hurtlyng doun of hiſe hondis.
xii And þe ſtrengþingis of þin hiȝ wallis ſchulen falle
doun, and ſchulen be maad low, and ſchulen be drawun
doun to þe erþe, `til to þe duſt.
DCXXXVIII
CAP. XXVI
i In þat dai þis ſong ſchal be ſungun in þe lond of Juda.
Þe citee of oure ſtrengþe; þe ſauȝour ſchal be ſet þer
ynne, þe wal and þe `fore wal.
ii Opene ȝe þe ȝatis, and þe iuſt folk ſchal entre, kepynge
treuþe.
iii Þe elde errour is gon awei; þou ſchalt kepe pees, pees,
for þou, Lord, we hopiden in þee.
iiii Ȝe han hopid in þe Lord, in euerlaſtynge worldis, in
þe Lord God, ſtrong wiþ outen ende.
v For he ſchal bowe doun hem þat dwellen an hiȝ, and
he ſchal make low an hiȝ citee; he ſchal make it low `til
to þe erþe; he ſchal drawe it doun `til to þe duſt.
vi Þe foot of a pore man ſchal defoule it, and þe ſteppis
of nedi men ſchulen defoule it.
vii Þe weie of a iuſt man is riȝtful, þe paþ of a iuſt man is
riȝtful to go.
viii And in þe weie of þi domes, Lord, we ſuffriden þee;
þi name, and þi memorial is in deſir of ſoule.
ix My ſoule ſchal deſire þee in þe niȝt, but alſo wiþ my
ſpirit in myn entrails; fro þe morewtid Y ſchal wake to
þee. Whanne þou ſchalt make þi domes in erþe, alle
dwelleris of þe world ſchulen lerne riȝtfulneſſe.
x Do we merci to þe wickid man, and he ſchal not lerne
to do riȝtfulneſſe; in þe lond of ſeyntis he dide wickid
þingis, and he ſchal not ſe þe glorie of þe Lord.
xi Lord, þin hond be enhaunſid, þat þei ſe not; puplis
hauynge enuye ſe, and be ſchent, and fier deuoure þin
enemyes.
xii Lord, þou ſchalt ȝyue pees to vs, for þou haſt wrouȝt
alle oure werkis in vs.
xiii Oure Lord God, lordis hadden vs in poſſeſſioun,
wiþouten þee; oneli in þee haue we mynde of þi name.
xiiii Þei þat dien, lyue not, and giauntis riſen not aȝen.
Þerfor þou haſt viſityd, and haſt al-to broke hem, and
þou haſt loſt al þe mynde of hem; and Lord, þou haſt
forȝoue to a folc,
xv þou haſt forȝoue to a folc. Wheþer þou art glorified?
þou haſt maad fer fro þee all þe endis of erþe.
xvi Lord, in angwiſch þei ſouȝten þee; in þe tribulacioun
of grutchyng þi doctryn to hem.
xvii As ſche þat conſeyuede, whanne ſche neiȝeþ
ſorewful to þe child beryng, crieþ in her ſorewis, ſo we
ben maad, Lord, of þi face.
xviii We han conſeyued, and we han as trauelid of child,
and we han childid þe ſpirit of helþe; we diden not
riȝtfulneſſe in erþe. Þerfor þe dwelleris of erþe fellen
not doun; þi deed men ſchulen lyue,
xix and my ſlayn men ſchulen riſe aȝen. Ȝe þat dwellen
in duſt, awake, and herie; for whi þe deew of lyȝt is þi
deew, and þou ſchalt drawe doun þe lond of giauntis in
to fallyng.
xx Go þou, my puple, entre in to þi beddis, cloſe þi doris
on þee, be þou hid a litil at a moment, til indignacioun
paſſe.
xxi For lo! þe Lord ſchal go out of his place, to viſite þe
wickidneſſe of þe dwellere of erþe aȝens hym; and þe
erþe ſchal ſchewe his blood, and ſchal no more hile hiſe
ſlayn men.
CAP. XXVII
i In þat dai þe Lord ſchal viſite in his hard ſwerd, and
greet, and ſtrong, on leuyaþan, ſerpent, a barre, and on
leuyaþan, þe crookid ſerpent; and he ſchal ſle þe whal,
which is in þe ſee.
ii In þat dai þe vyner of cleen wyn and good ſchal ſynge
to him.
iii Y am þe Lord þat kepe þat vyner; ſudeynli Y ſchal
ȝyue drynke to it, leſt perauenture it be viſitid aȝens it;
iiii nyȝt and dai Y kepe it, indignacioun is not to me.
Who ſchal ȝyue me a þorn and brere? In batel Y ſchal
go on it, Y ſchal brenne it togidere.
v Wheþer raþere Y ſchal holde my ſtrengþe? It ſchal
make pees to me, it ſchal make pees to me, for
vi þe merit of hem þat ſchulen go out wiþ ferſneſſe fro
Jacob. Iſrael ſchal floure and brynge forþ ſeed, and þei
ſchulen fille þe face of þe world wiþ ſeed.
vii Wheþer he ſmoot it bi þe wounde of þe puple of
Jewis ſmytynge hym? eþer as it killide þe ſlayn men of
hym, ſo it was ſlayn?
viii In meſure aȝens meſure, whanne it ſchal be caſt awei,
he ſchal deme it; he biþouȝte in his hard ſpirit, bi þe dai
of heete.
ix Þerfor on þis þing wickidneſſe ſchal be forȝouun to þe
hous of Jacob, and þis ſchal be al þe fruyt, þat þe ſynne
þerof be don awei, whanne it haþ ſet all þe ſtoonys of þe
auter as þe ſtoonys of aiſche hurtlid doun. Wodis and
templis ſchulen not ſtonde.
x Forſoþe þe ſtrong citee ſchal be deſolat, þe fair citee
ſchal be left, and ſchal be forſakun as a deſert; þere a
calf ſchal be leſewid, and ſchal ligge þere, and ſchal
waſte þe hiȝneſſis þerof.
xi In þe dryneſſe of ripe corn þerof wymmen comynge,
and þei þat techen it, ſchulen be al to-brokun. Forſoþe it
is not a wijs puple, þerfor he þat made it, ſchal not haue
mercy on it; and he þat formyde it, ſchal not ſpare it.
xii And it ſchal be, in þat dai þe Lord ſchal ſmyte þee,
fro þe botme of þe flood `til to þe ſtronde of Egipt; and
ȝe ſones of Iſrael, ſchulen be gaderid oon and oon.
xiii And it ſchal be, in þat dai me ſchal come wiþ a greet
trumpe, and þei þat weren loſt, ſchulen come fro þe lond
of Aſſiriens, and þei þat weren caſt out, ſchulen come
fro þe lond of Egipt; and þey ſchulen worſchipe þe
Lord, in þe hooli hil in Jeruſalem.
DCXXXIX
CAP. XXVIII
i Wo to þe coroun of pride, to þe drunkun men of
Effraym, and to þe flour fallynge doun of þe glorie of
þe ful out ioiyng þerof, þat weren in þe cop of þe
fatteſte valei, and erriden of wyn.
ii Lo! þe myȝti and ſtrong Lord, as þe feerſneſſe of hail,
a whirlwynd brekynge togidere, as þe ferſneſſe of many
watris flowynge, and ſent out on a large lond.
iii Þe coroun of pride of þe drunken men of Effraym
ſchal be defoulid wiþ feet,
iiii and þe flour of glorie of þe ful out ioiyng of hym, þat
is on þe cop of valei of fat þingis, ſchal be fallyng doun,
as a tymeli þing bifore þe ripeneſſe of herueſt; which
whanne a man ſeynge biholdiþ, anoon as he takiþ wiþ
hond, he ſchal deuoure it.
v In þat dai þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal be a coroun of glorie,
and a garlond of ful out ioiyng, to þe reſidue of his
puple;
vi and a ſpirit of doom to hym þat ſittiþ on þe trone, and
ſtrengþe to hem þat turnen aȝen fro batel to þe ȝate.
vii But alſo þei knewen not for wyn, and erriden for
drunkeneſſe; þe preeſt and profete knewen not for
drunkeneſſe; þei weren ſopun up of wyn, þei erriden in
drunkeneſſe; þei knewen not a profete, þei knewen not
doom.
viii For whi alle bordis weren fillid wiþ ſpuyng and
filþis, ſo þat þer was no more place.
ix Whom ſchal he teche kunnyng, and whom ſchal he
make to vndurſtonde heryng? Men wenyd fro mylk,
men drawun awei fro tetis.
x For whi comaunde þou, comaunde þou aȝen;
comaunde þou, comaunde þou aȝen; abide þou, abide
þou aȝen; abide þou, abide þou aȝen; a litil þere, a litil
þere.
xi For whi in ſpeche of lippe, and in oþer langage he
ſchal ſpeke to þis puple,
xii to which he ſeide, Þis is my reſte; refreiſche ȝe a weri
man, and þis is my refreiſchyng; and þei nolden here.
xiii And þe word of þe Lord ſchal be to hem, Sende þou,
ſende þou aȝen; ſend þou, ſende þou aȝen; abide þou,
abide þou aȝen; abide þou, abide þou aȝen; a litil þere, a
litil þere; þat þei go, and falle backward, and be al to-
brokun, and be ſnarid, and be takun.
xiiii For þis þing, ȝe men ſcorneris, þat ben lordis ouer
my puple which is in Jeruſalem, here þe word of þe
Lord.
xv For ȝe ſeiden, We han ſmyte a boond of pees wiþ deþ,
and we han maad couenaunt wiþ helle; a ſcourge
flowynge whanne it ſchal paſſe, ſchal not come on vs,
for we han ſet a leeſyng oure hope, and we ben kyuered
wiþ a leeſyng.
xvi Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
ſende in þe foundementis of Sion a corner ſtoon
preciouſe, preuyd, foundid in þe foundement; he þat
bileueþ, ſchal not haaſte.
xvii And Y ſchal ſette doom in weiȝte, and riȝtfulneſſe in
meſure; and hail ſchal diſtrie þe hope of leeſyng, and
watris ſchulen flowe on proteccioun. And ȝoure boond
of pees wiþ deþ ſchal be don awei,
xviii and ȝoure couenaunt wiþ helle ſchal not ſtonde;
whanne þe ſcourge flowynge ſchal paſſe, ȝe ſchulen be
to it in to defoulyng.
xix Whanne euer it ſchal paſſe, it ſchal take awei ȝow;
for whi erli in þe grey morewtid it ſchal paſſe, in dai and
niȝt; and oonli trauel aloone ſchal ȝyue vndurſtondyng
to heryng.
xx Forſoþe þe bed is ſtreit, ſo þat þe toþer falle doun;
and a ſchort mentil ſchal not hile euer eiþer.
xxi For as in þe hil of departyngis þe Lord ſchal ſtonde,
as in þe valei, which is in Gabaon, he ſchal be wroþ, þat
he do his werk; his werk alien, þat he worche his werk;
his werk is ſtraunge fro hym.
xxii And now nyle ȝe ſcorne, leſt perauenture ȝoure
boondis be maad ſtreit togidere; for Y herde of þe Lord
God of ooſtis, endyng and abreggyng on al erþe.
xxiii Perſeyue ȝe wiþ eeris, and here ȝe my vois;
perſeyue ȝe, and here ȝe my ſpeche.
xxiiii Wheþer he þat eriþ, ſchal ere al dai, for to ſowe,
and ſchal be kerue, and purge his londe?
xxv Wheþer whanne he haþ maad euene þe face þerof,
ſchal he not ſowe giþ, and ſprenge abrood comyn? and
he ſchal not ſette wheete bi ordre, and barli, and
mylium, and fetchis in his cooſtis?
xxvi And his God ſchal teche hym, in doom he ſchal
teche hym.
xxvii Forſoþe giþ ſchal not be þreiſchid in ſawis, and a
wheel of a wayn ſchal not cumpaſſe on comyn; but giþ
ſchal be betun out wiþ a ȝerd, and comyn wiþ a ſtaf.
xxviii Soþeli breed ſchal be maad leſſe, but he þat
þreiſchiþ ſchal not þreiſche it wiþ outen ende, neþer
ſchal trauele it wiþ a wheel of a wayn, neþer ſchal make
it leſſe wiþ hiſe clees.
xxix And þis þing ȝede out of þe Lord God of ooſtis, þat
he ſchulde make wondirful councel, and magnefie
riȝtfulneſſe.
CAP. XXIX
i Wo! Ariel, Ariel, þe citee which Dauid ouercam; ȝeer
is addid to ȝeer, ſolempnytees ben paſſyd.
ii And Y ſchal cumpaſſe Ariel, and it ſchal be ſoreuful
and morenynge; and Jeruſalem ſchal be to me as Ariel.
iii And Y ſchal cumpaſſe as a round trendil in þi
cumpaſſe, and Y ſchal caſte erþe aȝens þee, and Y ſchal
ſette engynes in to þi biſegyng.
iiii Þou ſchalt be maad low, þou ſchalt ſpeke of erþe, and
þi ſpeche ſchal be herd fro þe erþe; and þi vois ſchal be
DCXL
as þe vois of a deed man reiſid bi coniuring, and þi
ſpeche ſchal ofte grutche of þe erþe.
v And þe multitude of hem þat wyndewen þee, ſchal be
as þynne duſt; and þe multitude of hem þat hadden þe
maiſtrie aȝens þee, ſchal be as a deed ſparcle paſſynge.
vi And it ſchal be ſudenli, anoon it ſchal be viſitid of þe
Lord of ooſtis, in þundur, and in mouyng of þe erþe,
and in greet vois of whirlwynd, and of tempeſt, and of
flawme of fier deuowrynge.
vii And þe multitude of alle folkis þat fouȝten aȝens
Ariel ſchal be as þe dreem of a nyȝtis viſioun; and alle
men þat fouȝten, and biſegiden, and hadden þe maiſtrie
aȝens it.
viii And as an hungry man dremyþ, and etiþ, but whanne
he is awakid, his ſoule is voide; and as a þirſti man
dremeþ, and drynkiþ, and after þat he is awakid, he is
weri, and þirſtiþ ȝit, and his ſoule is voide, ſo ſchal be þe
multitude of alle folkis, þat fouȝten aȝens þe hil of Sion.
ix Be ȝe aſtonyed, and wondre; wake ȝe, and douȝte ȝe;
be ȝe drunken, and not of wyn; be ȝe moued, and not
wiþ drunkeneſſe.
x For þe Lord haþ meddlid to ȝou þe ſpirit of ſleep; he
ſchal cloſe ȝoure iȝen, and ſchal hile ȝoure profetis, and
princes þat ſien viſiouns.
xi And þe viſioun of alle profetis ſchal be to ȝou as þe
wordis of a book aſeelid; which whanne þei ſchulen
ȝyue to hym þat kan lettris, þei ſchulen ſeie, Rede þou
þis book; and he ſchal anſwere, Y may not, for it is
aſeelid.
xii And þe book ſchal be ȝouun to him þat kan not
lettris, and it ſchal be ſeid to hym, Rede þou; and he
ſchal anſwere, Y kan no lettris.
xiii And þe Lord ſeide, For þat þis puple neiȝeþ wiþ her
mouþ, and glorifieþ me wiþ her lippis, but her herte is
fer fro me; and þei dredden me for þe comaundement
and techyngis of men, þerfor lo!
xiiii Y ſchal adde, þat Y make wondryng to þis puple, in
a greet myracle and wondurful; for whi wiſdom ſchal
periſche fro wiſe men þerof, and þe vndurſtondyng of
prudent men þerof ſchal be hid.
xv Wo to ȝou þat ben hiȝe of herte, þat ȝe hide counſel
fro þe Lord; þe werkis of whiche ben in derkneſſis, and
þei ſeien, Who ſeeþ vs, and who knowiþ vs?
xvi Þis þouȝt of ȝou is weiward, as if cley þenke aȝens a
pottere, and þe werk ſeie to his makere, Þou madiſt not
me; and a þing `þat is maad, ſeie to his makere, Þou
vndurſtondiſt not.
xvii Wheþer not ȝit in a litil time and ſchort þe Liban
ſchal be turned in to Chermel, and Chermel ſchal be
arettid in to þe foreſt?
xviii And in þat dai deef men ſchulen here þe wordis of
þe book, and þe iȝen of blynde men ſchulen ſe fro
derkneſſis and myiſty;
xix and mylde men ſchulen encreeſſe gladneſſe in þe
Lord, and pore men ſchulen make ful out ioie in þe
hooli of Iſrael.
xx For he þat hadde þe maiſtrie, failide, and þe ſcornere
is endid, and alle þei ben kit doun þat walkiden on
wickidneſſe;
xxi whiche maden men to do ſynne in word, and
diſſeyueden a repreuere in þe ȝate, and bowiden awey in
veyn fro a iuſt man.
xxii For þis þing þe Lord, þat aȝen bouȝte Abraham, ſeiþ
þeſe þingis to þe hous of Jacob, Jacob ſchal not be
confoundid now, neþer now his cheer ſchal be
aſchamed; but whanne he ſchal ſe hiſe ſones,
xxiii þe werkis of myn hondis, halewynge my name in
þe myddis of hym. And þei ſchulen halewe þe hooli of
Jacob, and þei ſchulen preche God of Iſrael;
xxiiii and þei þat erren in ſpirit, ſchulen knowe
vndurſtondyng, and idil men ſchulen lerne þe lawe.
CAP. XXX
i Wo! ſones forſakeris, ſeiþ þe Lord, þat ȝe ſchulden
make a councel, and not of me; and weue a web, and
not bi my ſpirit, þat ȝe ſchulden encreeſſe ſynne on
ſynne.
ii Whiche goen, to go doun in to Egipt, and ȝe axiden
not my mouþ; ȝe hopynge help in þe ſtrengþe of Farao,
and ȝe hauynge triſt in þe ſchadewe of Egipt.
iii And þe ſtrengþe of Farao ſchal be to ȝou in to
confuſioun, and þe triſt of þe ſchadewe of Egipt in to
ſchenſchipe.
iiii For whi þi princes weren in Taphnys, and þi
meſſangeris camen til to Anes.
v Alle þei weren ſchent on þe puple, þat myȝten not
profite to hem; þei weren not in to help, and in to ony
profit, but in to ſchame and ſchenſchip.
vi Þe birþun of werk beeſtis of þe ſouþ. In þe lond of
tribulacioun and of angwiſch, a lioneſſe, and a lioun, of
hem a ſerpent, and a cocatrice; þei weren berynge her
richeſſis on þe ſchuldris of werk beeſtis, and her treſours
on þe botche of camels, to a puple þat myȝte not profite
to hem.
vii For whi Egipt ſchal helpe in veyn, and idili. Þerfor Y
criede on þis þing, It is pride oneli; ceeſſe þou.
viii Now þerfor entre þou, and write to it on box, and
write þou it diligentli in a book; and it ſchal be in þe laſt
dai in to witneſſyng, til in to wiþ outen ende.
ix For it is a puple terrynge to wraþfulneſſe, and ſones
lieris, ſones þat nylen here þe lawe of God.
x Whiche ſeien to profetis, Nyle ȝe propheſie; and to
biholderis, Nyle ȝe biholde to vs þo þingis þat ben
riȝtful; ſpeke ȝe þingis pleſynge to vs, ſe ȝe errouris to
vs.
DCXLI
xi Do ȝe awei fro me þe weie, bowe ȝe awei fro me þe
paþ; þe hooli of Iſrael ceeſſe fro oure face.
xii Þerfor þe hooli of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat
ȝe repreuiden þis word, and hopiden on fals caleng, and
on noiſe, and triſtiden on it,
xiii þerfor þis wickidneſſe ſchal be to ȝou as a brekyng
fallynge doun, and ſouȝt in an hiȝ wal; for ſudeynli
while it is not hopid, þe brekyng þerof ſchal come.
xiiii And it ſchal be maad leſſe, as a galoun of a pottere
is brokun wiþ ful ſtrong brekyng; and a ſcherd ſchal not
be foundun of þe gobetis þerof, in which ſcherd a litil
fier ſchal be borun of brennyng, eþir a litil of watir ſchal
be drawun of þe diche.
xv For whi þe Lord God, þe hooli of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, If ȝe turnen aȝen, and reſten, ȝe ſchulen be ſaaf;
in ſtilneſſe and in hope ſchal be ȝoure ſtrengþe. And ȝe
nolden.
xvi And ȝe ſeiden, Nai, but we ſchulen fle to horſis;
þerfor ȝe ſchulen fle. And we ſchulen ſtie on ſwifte
horſis; þerfor þei ſchulen be ſwiftere, þat ſchulen purſue
ȝou.
xvii A þouſynde men ſchulen fle fro þe face of þe drede
of oon; and ȝe ſchulen fle fro þe face of drede of fyue,
til ȝe be left as þe maſt of a ſchip in þe cop of a
munteyn, and as a ſigne on a litil hil.
xviii Þerfor þe Lord abidiþ, þat he haue mercy on ȝou,
and þerfor he ſchal be enhaunſid ſparynge ȝou; for whi
God is Lord of doom, bleſſid ben alle þei þat abiden
hym.
xix Forſoþe þe puple of Sion ſchal dwelle in Jeruſalem;
þou wepynge ſchal not wepe, he doynge merci ſchal
haue merci on þee; at þe vois of þi cry, anoon as he
heriþ, he ſchal anſwere to þee.
xx And þe Lord ſchal ȝyue to þee ſtreyt breed, and ſchort
watir, and ſchal no more make þi techere to fle awei fro
þee; and þin iȝen ſchulen be ſeynge þi comaundour,
xxi and þin eeris ſchulen here a word bihynde þe bak of
hym þat moneſtiþ; Þis is þe weie, go ȝe þerynne, neþer
to þe riȝt half neþer to þe left half.
xxii And þou ſchalt defoule þe platis of þe grauun
ymagis of þi ſiluer, and þe cloþ of þe ȝotun ymage of þi
gold; and þou ſchalt ſcatere þo, as þe vnclenneſſe of a
womman in vncleene blood; Go þou out, and þou ſchalt
ſeie to it.
xxiii And reyn ſchal be ȝouun to þi ſeed, where euere
þou ſchalt ſowe in erþe, and þe breed of fruytis of erþe
ſchal be mooſt plenteuouſe and fat; in þat dai a lomb
ſchal be fed largeli in þi poſſeſſioun.
xxiiii And þi bolis and coltis of aſſis, þat worchen þe
lond, ſchulen ete barli wiþ chaf meynd togidere, as it is
wyndewid in þe cornfloor.
xxv And ſtrondis of rennynge watris ſchulen be on ech
hiȝ munteyn, and on ech litil hil reiſid, in þe dai of
ſleyng of many men, whanne touris fallen doun.
xxvi And þe lyȝt of þe moone ſchal be as þe lyȝt of þe
ſunne, and þe lyȝt of þe ſunne ſchal be ſeuenfold, as þe
lyȝt of ſeuene daies, in þe dai in which þe Lord ſchal
bynde togidere þe wounde of his puple, and ſchal make
hool þe ſmytynge of þe wounde þerof.
xxvii Lo! þe name of þe Lord comeþ doun fro fer; his
ſtrong veniaunce is brennynge and greuouſe to bere;
hiſe lippis ben fillid of indignacioun, and his tunge is as
fier deuouringe.
xxviii His ſpirit is as a ſtef ſtreem, flowynge `til to þe
myddis of þe necke, to leeſe folkis in to nouȝt, and þe
bridil of errour, þat was in þe chekis of puplis.
xxix Song ſchal be to ȝou, as þe vois of an halewid
ſolempnyte; and gladneſſe of herte, as he þat goþ wiþ a
pipe, for to entre in to þe hil of þe Lord, to þe ſtronge of
Iſrael.
xxx And þe Lord ſchal make herd þe glorie of his vois,
and he ſchal ſchewe þe ferdfulneſſe of his arm in
manaſſyng of ſtrong veniaunce, and in flawme of fier
brennynge; he ſchal hurtle doun in whirlewynd, and in
ſtoon of hail.
xxxi For whi Aſſur ſmytun wiþ a ȝerde ſchal drede of þe
vois of þe Lord;
xxxii and þe paſſyng of þe ȝerd ſchal be foundid, which
ȝerde þe Lord ſchal make for to reſte on hym. In
tympans, and harpis, and in ſouereyn batels he ſchal
ouercome hem.
xxxiii For whi Tophet, þat is, helle, deep and alargid, is
maad redi of þe kyng fro ȝiſtirdai; þe nurſchyngis þerof
ben fier and many trees; þe blaſt of þe Lord as a ſtreem
of brymſtoon kyndliþ it.
CAP. XXXI
i Wo to hem þat goon doun in to Egipt to help, and
hopen in horſis, and han triſt on cartis, for þo ben
manye, and on knyȝtis, for þei ben ful ſtronge; and þei
triſtiden not on þe hooli of Iſrael, and þei ſouȝten not þe
Lord.
ii Forſoþe he þat is wijs, haþ brouȝt yuel, and took not
awei hiſe wordis; and he ſchal riſe togidere aȝens þe
hous of worſte men, and aȝens þe helpe of hem þat
worchen wickidneſſe.
iii Egipt is a man, and not God; and þe horſis of hem
ben fleiſch, and not ſpirit; and þe Lord ſchal bowe doun
his hond, and þe helpere ſchal falle doun, and he ſchal
falle, to whom help is ȝouun, and alle ſchulen be waſtid
togidere.
iiii For whi þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to me, If a lioun
roriþ, and a whelp of a lioun on his prey, whanne þe
multitude of ſchipherdis comeþ aȝens hym, he ſchal not
drede of þe vois of hem, and he ſchal not drede of þe
multitude of hem; ſo þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal come doun,
for to fiȝte on þe mounteyn of Sion, and on þe litil hil
þerof.
DCXLII
v As briddis fleynge, ſo þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal defende
Jeruſalem; he defendynge and delyuerynge, paſſynge
forþ and ſauynge.
vi Ȝe ſones of Iſrael, be conuertid, as ȝe hadden go awei
in to depþe.
vii Forſoþe in þat dai a man ſchal caſte awei þe idols of
his ſiluer, and þe idols of his gold, whiche ȝoure hondis
maden to ȝou in to ſynne.
viii And Aſſur ſchal falle bi ſwerd, not of man, and a
ſwerd, not of man, ſchal deuoure hym; and he ſchal fle,
not fro þe face of ſwerd, and hiſe ȝonge men ſchulen be
tributaries;
ix and þe ſtrengþe of hym ſchal paſſe fro ferdfulneſſe,
and hiſe princes fleynge ſchulen drede. Þe Lord ſeide,
whos fier is in Sion, and his chymeney is in Jeruſalem.
CAP. XXXII
i Lo! þe kyng ſchal regne in riȝtfulneſſe, and princes
ſchulen be ſouereyns in doom.
ii And a man ſchal be, as he þat is hid fro wynd, and
hidiþ hym ſilf fro tempeſt; as ſtremes of watris in þirſt,
and þe ſchadewe of a ſtoon ſtondynge fer out in a deſert
lond.
iii Þe iȝen of profetis ſchulen not daſewe, and þe eeris of
heereris ſchulen herke diligentli;
iiii and þe herte of foolis ſchal vndurſtonde kunnyng,
and þe tunge of ſtuttynge men ſchal ſpeke ſwiftli, and
pleynli.
v He þat is vnwijs, ſchal no more be clepid prince, and a
gileful man ſchal not be clepid þe grettere.
vi Forſoþe a fool ſhal ſpeke foli þingis, and his herte
ſchal do wickidneſſe, þat he performe feynyng, and
ſpeke to þe Lord gilefuli; and he ſchal make voide þe
ſoule of an hungry man, and ſchal take awei drynke fro
a þirſti man.
vii Þe veſſels of a gileful man ben worſte; for he ſchal
make redi þouȝtis to leeſe mylde men in þe word of a
leeſyng, whanne a pore man ſpak doom.
viii Forſoþe a prince ſchal þenke þo þingis þat ben worþi
to a prince, and he ſchal ſtonde ouer duykis.
ix Riche wymmen, riſe ȝe, and here my vois; douȝtris
triſtynge, perſeyue ȝe wiþ eeris my ſpeche.
x For whi aftir daies and a ȝeer, and ȝe þat triſten
ſchulen be diſturblid; for whi vyndage is endid,
gaderyng ſchal no more come.
xi Ȝe riche wymmen, be aſtonyed; ȝe þat triſten, be
diſturblid; vncloþe ȝe ȝou, and be ȝe aſchamed;
xii girde ȝoure leendis; weile ȝe on breſtis, on deſirable
cuntrei, on þe plenteuouſe vyner.
xiii Þornes and breris ſchulen ſtie on þe erþe of my
puple; hou myche more on alle þe houſis of ioie of þe
citee makynge ful out ioie?
xiiii For whi þe hous is left, þe multitude of þe citee is
forſakun; derkneſſis and gropyng ben maad on dennes,
`til in to wiþ outen ende. Þe ioie of wield aſſis is þe
leſewe of flockis;
xv til þe ſpirit be ſched out on us fro an hiȝ, and þe deſert
ſchal be in to Chermel, and Chermel ſchal be arettid in
to a foreſt.
xvi And doom ſchal dwelle in wildirneſſe, and
riȝtfulneſſe ſchal ſitte in Chermel;
xvii and þe werk of riȝtfulneſſe ſchal be pees, and þe
tilþe of riȝtfulneſſe ſchal be ſtilneſſe and ſikirneſſe, `til in
to wiþ outen ende.
xviii And my puple ſchal ſitte in þe fairneſſe of pees, and
in þe tabernaclis of triſt, and in riche reſte.
xix But hail ſchal be in þe coming doun of þe foreſte,
and bi lowneſſe þe citee ſchal be maad low.
xx Bleſſid ben ȝe, þat ſowen on alle watris, and putten
yn þe foot of an oxe and of an aſſe.
CAP. XXXIII
i Wo to þee, þat robbeſt; wheþer and þou ſchalt not be
robbid? and þat diſpiſiſt, wheþer and þou ſchalt not be
diſpiſid? Whanne þou haſt endid robbyng, þou ſchalt be
robbid; and whanne þou maad weri ceeſſiſt to diſpiſe,
þou ſchalt be diſpiſid.
ii Lord, haue þou merci on vs, for we abiden þee; be
þou oure arm in þe morewtid, and oure helþe in þe tyme
of tribulacioun.
iii Puplis fledden fro þe vois of þe aungel; heþene men
ben ſcaterid of þin enhaunſyng.
iiii And ȝoure ſpuylis ſchulen be gaderid togidere, as a
bruke is gaderid togidere, as whanne dichis ben ful
þerof.
v Þe Lord is magnefied, for he dwellide an hiȝ, he fillid
Sion wiþ doom and riȝtfulneſſe.
vi And feiþ ſchal be in þi tymes; þe ritcheſſis of helþe is
wiſdom and kunnynge; þe drede of þe Lord, þilke is þe
treſour of hym.
vii Lo! ſeeris wiþoutenforþ ſchulen crye, aungels of pees
ſchulen wepe bittirli.
viii Weies ben diſtried, a goere bi þe paþ ceeſſide; þe
couenaunt is maad voide, he caſtide doun citees, he
arettide not men.
ix Þe lond morenyde, and was ſijk; þe Liban was ſchent,
and was foul; and Saron is maad as deſert, and Baſan is
ſchakun, and Carmele.
x Now Y ſchal ryſe, ſeiþ þe Lord, now I ſchal be
enhaunſid, and now I ſchal be reiſid vp.
xi Ȝe ſchulen conſeyue heete, ȝe ſchulen brynge forþ
ſtobil; ȝoure ſpirit as fier ſchal deuoure ȝou.
xii And puplis ſchulen be as aiſchis of þe brennyng;
þornes gaderid togidere ſchulen be brent in fier.
DCXLIII
xiii Ȝe þat ben fer, here what þingis Y haue do; and, ȝe
neiȝboris, knowe my ſtrengþe.
xiiii Synneris ben al to-brokun in Syon, tremblyng
weldide ipocritis; who of ȝou mai dwelle wiþ fier
deuowringe? who of ȝou ſchal dwelle wiþ euerlaſtinge
brennyngis?
xv He þat goiþ in riȝtfulneſſis, and ſpekiþ treuþe; he þat
caſtiþ awei aueryce of fals calenge, and ſchakiþ awei his
hondis fro al ȝifte; he þat ſtoppiþ his eeris, þat he heere
not blood, and cloſiþ his iȝen, þat he ſe not yuel.
xvi Þis man ſchal dwelle in hiȝ þingis, þe ſtrengþis of
ſtoonys ben þe hiȝneſſe of hym; breed is ȝouun to hym,
hiſe watris ben feiþful.
xvii Þei ſchulen ſe þe kyng in his fairneſſe; þe iȝen of
hym ſchulen biholde þe londe fro fer.
xviii Eliachym, þin herte ſchal biþenke drede; where is
þe lettrid man? Where is he þat weieþ þe wordis of þe
lawe? where is þe techere of litle children?
xix Þou ſchalt not ſe a puple vnwijs, a puple of hiȝ word,
ſo þat þou maiſt not vndurſtonde þe fair ſpeking of his
tunge, in which puple is no wiſdom.
xx Biholde þou Sion, þe citee of ȝoure ſolempnyte; þin
iȝen ſchulen ſe Jeruſalem, a riche citee, a tabernacle þat
mai not be borun ouer, neþer þe nailis þerof ſchulen be
takun awei wiþouten ende; and alle þe cordis þerof
ſchulen not be brokun.
xxi For oneli þe worſchipful doere oure Lord God is
þere; þe place of floodis is ſtrondis ful large and opyn;
þe ſchip of roweris ſchal not entre bi it, neþir a greet
ſchip ſchal paſſe ouer it.
xxii For whi þe Lord is oure iuge, þe Lord is oure lawe
ȝyuere, þe Lord is oure kyng; he ſchal ſaue vs.
xxiii Þi roopis ben ſlakid, but þo ſchulen not auaile; þi
maſt ſchal be ſo, þat þou mow not alarge a ſigne. Þanne
þe ſpuylis of many preyes ſchulen be departid, crokid
men ſchulen rauyſche raueyn.
xxiiii And a neiȝbore ſchal ſeie, Y was not ſijk; þe puple
þat dwelliþ in þat Jeruſalem, wickidneſſe ſchal be takun
awei fro it.
CAP. XXXIIII
i Neiȝe, ȝe heþene men, and here; and ȝe puplis,
perſeyue; þe erþe, and þe fulneſſe þerof, þe world, and
al buriownyng þerof, here ȝe.
ii For whi indignacioun of þe Lord is on alle folkis, and
ſtrong veniaunce on al þe chyualrie of hem; he killide
hem, and ȝaf hem in to ſleyng.
iii Þe ſlayn men of hem ſchulen be caſt forþ, and ſtynk
ſchal ſtie of þe careyns of hem; hillis ſchulen flete of þe
blood of hem.
iiii And al þe chyualrie of heuenys ſchal faile, and
heuenys ſchulen be foldid togidere as a book, and al þe
knyȝthod of þo ſchal flete doun, as þe leef of a vyner
and of a fige tre falliþ doun.
v For my ſwerd is fillid in heuene; lo! it ſchal come
doun on Ydumee, and on þe puple of my ſleyng, to
doom.
vi Þe ſwerd of þe Lord is fillid of blood, it is maad fat of
þe ynner fatneſſe of þe blood of lambren and of buckis
of geet, of þe blood of rammes ful of merow; for whi þe
ſlayn ſacrifice of þe Lord is in Boſra, and greet ſleyng is
in þe lond of Edom.
vii And vnycornes ſchulen go doun wiþ hem, and bolis
wiþ hem þat ben myȝti; þe lond of hem ſchal be fillid
wiþ blood, and þe erþe of hem wiþ ynnere fatneſſe of
fatte beeſtis;
viii for it is a dai of veniaunce of þe Lord, a ȝeer of
ȝeldyng of þe dom of Sion.
ix And þe ſtrondis þerof ſchulen be turned in to pitche,
and þe erþe þerof in to brymſtoon; and þe lond þerof
ſchal be in to brennyng pitch, niȝt and dai.
x It ſchal not be quenchid wiþouten ende, þe ſmoke
þerof ſchal ſtie fro generacioun in to generacioun, and it
ſchal be deſolat in to worldis of worldis; noon ſchal
paſſe þerbi.
xi And onocrotalus, and an irchoun ſchulen welde it;
and a capret, and a crowe ſchulen dwelle þerynne; and a
meſure ſchal be ſtretchid forþ þeronne, þat it be dryuun
to nouȝt, and an hangynge plomet in to deſolacyoun.
xii Þe noble men þerof ſchulen not be þere; raþere þei
ſchulen clepe þe kyng in to help, and alle þe princes
þerof ſchulen be in to nouȝt.
xiii And þornes and nettlis ſchulen growe in þe houſis
þerof, and a taſil in þe ſtrengþis þerof; and it ſchal be þe
couche of dragouns, and þe leſewe of oſtrichis.
xiiii And fendis, and wondurful beeſtis, lijk men in þe
hiȝere part and lijk aſſis in þe neþir part, and an heeri
ſchulen meete; oon ſchal crie to an oþer.
xv Lamya ſchal ligge þere, and foond reſt þere to hir ſilf;
þere an irchoun hadde dichis, and nurſchide out
whelpis, and diggide aboute, and foſtride in þe
ſchadewe þerof; þere kitis weren gaderid togidere, oon
to anoþer.
xvi Seke ȝe diligentli in þe book of þe Lord, and rede ȝe;
oon of þo þingis failide not, oon ſouȝte not anoþer; for
he comaundide þat þing, þat goiþ forþ of my mouþ, and
his ſpirit he gaderide þo togidere.
xvii And he ſente to hem eritage, and his hond departide
it in meſure; til in to wiþouten ende þo ſchulen welde
þat lond, in generacioun and in to generacioun þo
ſchulen dwelle þer ynne.
CAP. XXXV
i Þe forſakun Judee and wiþ outen weie ſchal be glad,
and wildirneſſe ſchal make ful out ioye, and ſchal floure
as a lilie.
DCXLIV
ii It buriownynge ſchal buriowne, and it glad and
preiſynge ſchal make ful out ioie. Þe glorie of Liban is
ȝouun to it, þe fairneſſe of Carmele and of Saron; þei
ſchulen ſe þe glorie of þe Lord, and þe fairneſſe of oure
God.
iii Coumforte ȝe comelid hondis, and make ȝe ſtrong
feble knees.
iiii Seie ȝe, Men of litil coumfort, be ȝe coumfortid, and
nyle ȝe drede; lo! oure God ſchal brynge þe veniaunce
of ȝeldyng, God hym ſilf ſchal come, and ſchal ſaue vs.
v Þanne þe iȝen of blynde men ſchulen be openyd, and
þe eeris of deef men ſchulen be opyn.
vi Þanne a crokid man ſchal ſkippe as an hert, and þe
tunge of doumbe men ſchal be openyd; for whi watris
ben brokun out in deſert, and ſtremes in wildirneſſe.
vii And þat þat was drie, is maad in to a poond, and þe
þirſti is maad in to wellis of watris. Greneneſſe of rehed,
and of ſpier ſchal growe in dennes, in whiche dwelliden
dragouns bifore. And a paþ and a weie ſchal be þere,
viii and it ſchal be clepid an hooli weie, he þat is
defoulid ſchal not paſſe þerbi; and þis ſchal be a ſtreiȝt
weie to ȝou, ſo þat foolis erre not þerbi.
ix A lioun ſchal not be þere, and an yuel beeſte ſchal not
ſtie þerbi, neþer ſchal be foundun þere.
x And þei ſchulen go, þat ben delyuered and aȝenbouȝt
of þe Lord; and þei ſchulen be conuertid, and ſchulen
come in to Sion wiþ preiſyng; and euerlaſtynge
gladneſſe ſchal be on þe heed of hem; þei ſchulen haue
ioie and gladneſſe, and ſorewe and weilyng ſchulen fle
awei.
CAP. XXXVI
i And it was don in þe fourtenþe ȝeer of kyng Ezechie,
Sennacherib, þe kyng of Aſſiriens, ſtiede on alle þe
ſtronge citees of Juda, and took þo.
ii And þe kyng of Aſſiriens ſente Rapſaſes fro Lachis to
Jeruſalem, to kyng Ezechie, wiþ greet power; and he
ſtood at þe watir cundit of þe hiȝere ſiſterne, in þe weie
of þe feeld of a fullere.
iii And Eliachym, þe ſone of Elchie, þat was on þe hous,
ȝede out to hym, and Sobna, þe ſcryuen, and Joae, þe
ſone of Aſaph, þe chaunceler.
iiii And Rapſaſes ſeide to hem, Seie ȝe to Ezechie, Þe
greet king, þe king of Aſſiriens, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, What is
þe triſt, in which þou triſtiſt?
v eþir bi what councele eþer ſtrengþe diſpoſiſt þou for to
rebelle? on whom haſt þou triſt, for þou haſt go awei fro
me?
vi Lo! þou triſtiſt on þis brokun ſtaf of rehed, on Egipt,
on which if a man reſtiþ, it ſchal entre in to his hoond,
and ſchal perſe it; ſo doiþ Farao, þe kyng of Egipt, to
alle men þat triſten in hym.
vii Þat if þou anſweriſt to me, We triſten in oure Lord
God; wheþer it is not he, whoſe hiȝe places and auteris
Eſechie dide awei, and he ſeide to Juda and to
Jeruſalem, Ȝe ſchulen worſchipe bifore þis auter?
viii And now bitake þee to my lord, þe kyng of Aſſiriens,
and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee twei þouſynde of horſis, and
þou maiſt not ȝyue of þee ſtieris of þo horſis.
ix And hou ſchalt þou abide þe face of þe iuge of o place
of þe leſſe ſeruauntis of my lord? Þat if þou triſtiſt in
Egipt, and in cartis, and in knyȝtis;
x and now wheþir Y ſtiede to þis lond wiþ out þe Lord,
þat Y ſchulde diſtrie it? Þe Lord ſeide to me, Stie þou on
þis lond, and diſtrie þou it.
xi And Eliachym, and Sobna, and Joae, ſeiden to
Rapſaces, Speke þou to þi ſeruauntis bi þe langage of
Sirie, for we vndurſtonden; ſpeke þou not to vs bi þe
langage of Jewis in þe eeris of þe puple, which is on þe
wal.
xii And Rapſaces ſeide to hem, Wheþer mi lord ſente me
to þi lord, and to þee, þat Y ſchulde ſpeke alle þeſe
wordis, and not raþere to þe men þat ſitten on þe wal,
þat þei ete her toordis, and drynke þe piſſe of her feet
wiþ ȝou?
xiii And Rapſaces ſtood, and criede wiþ greet vois in þe
langage of Jewis, and ſeide, Here ȝe þe wordis of þe
greet kyng, þe kyng of Aſſiriens.
xiiii Þe kyng ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Eſechie diſſeyue not ȝou,
for he may not delyuere ȝou;
xv and Ezechie ȝyue not to ȝou triſt on þe Lord, and ſeie,
Þe Lord delyuerynge ſchal delyuere vs; þis citee ſchal
not be ȝouun in to þe hoond of þe kyng of Aſſiriens.
xvi Nyle ȝe here Ezechie. For whi þe kyng of Aſſiriens
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Make ȝe bleſſyng wiþ me, and go ȝe
out to me; and ete ȝe ech man his vyner, and ech man
his fige tre, and drynke ȝe ech man þe water of his
ciſterne,
xvii til Y come, and take awei ȝou to a lond which is as
ȝoure lond; to a lond of whete and of wyn, to a lond of
looues and of vyneris.
xviii Ezechie diſturble not ȝou, and ſeie, Þe Lord ſchal
delyuere vs. Wheþer þe goddis of folkis delyuereden
ech his lond fro þe hond of þe kyng of Aſſiriens?
xix Where is þe god of Emath, and of Arphat? Where is
þe god of Sepharuaym? Wheþir þei delyueriden
Samarie fro myn hond?
xx Who is of alle goddis of þeſe londis, þat delyueride
his lond fro myn hond, þat þe Lord delyuere Jeruſalem
fro myn hond?
xxi And þei weren ſtille, and anſweriden not to hym a
word. For whi þe kyng comaundide to hem, and ſeide,
Anſwere ȝe not to him.
xxii And Eliachym, þe ſone of Elchie, þat was on þe
hous, and Sobna, þe ſcryueyn, and Joae, þe ſone of
DCXLV
Aſaph, chaunceler, entriden wiþ to-rent cloþis to
Ezechie, and telde to hym þe wordis of Rapſaces.
CAP. XXXVII
i And it was don, whanne kyng Ezechie hadde herd, he
to-rente hiſe cloþis, and he was wlappid in a ſak, and
entride in to þe hous of þe Lord.
ii And he ſente Eliachym, þat was on þe hous, and
Sobna, þe ſcryuen, and þe eldre men of preſtis, hilid wiþ
ſackis, to Iſaie, þe prophete, þe ſone of Amos.
iii And þei ſeiden to hym, Ezechie ſeiþ þeſe þingis, A dai
of tribulacioun, and of angwiſch, and of chaſtiſyng, and
of blasfemye is þis dai; for children camen `til to
childberyng, and vertu of childberyng is not.
iiii Þerfor reiſe þou preier for þe relifs þat ben foundun,
if in ony maner þi Lord God here þe wordis of
Rapſaces, whom þe king of Aſſiriens, his lord, ſente, for
to blasfeme lyuynge God, and to diſpiſe bi þe wordis,
whiche þi Lord God herde.
v And þe ſeruauntis of kyng Eſechie camen to Iſaie;
vi and Iſaie ſeide to hem, Ȝe ſchulen ſeie þeſe þingis to
ȝoure lord, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Drede þou not of
þe face of wordis whiche þou herdiſt, bi whiche þe
children of þe kyng of Aſſiriens blasfemyden me.
vii Lo! Y ſchal ȝyue to hym a ſpirit, and he ſchal here a
meſſanger; and he ſchal turne aȝen to his londe, and Y
ſchal make hym to falle doun bi ſwerd in his lond.
viii Forſoþe Rapſaces turnede aȝen, and foond þe kyng
of Aſſiriens fiȝtynge aȝens Lobna; for he hadde herd,
þat þe kyng was gon fro Lachis.
ix And þe kyng herde meſſangeris ſeiynge of Theracha,
kyng of Ethiopiens, He is gon out to fiȝte aȝens þee.
And whanne he hadde herd þis þing, he ſente
meſſangeris to Ezechie, and ſeide, Ȝe ſchulen ſeie,
x ſpekynge þeſe þingis to Ezechye, kyng of Juda, Þi
God diſſeyue not þee, in whom þou triſtiſt, and ſeiſt,
Jeruſalem ſchal not be ȝouun in to þe hond of þe kyng
of Aſſiriens.
xi Lo! þou herdiſt alle þingis whiche þe kynges of
Aſſiriens diden to alle londis whiche þei diſtrieden; and
maiſt þou be delyuered?
xii Wheþir þe goddis of folkis delyuereden hem, whiche
my fadris diſtrieden; Goſan, and Aran, and Reſeph, and
þe ſones of Eden, þat weren in Thalaſar?
xiii Where is þe kyng of Emath, and þe kyng of Arphath,
and þe kyng of þe citee of Sepharuaym, and of Ana, and
of Aua?
xiiii And Ezechie took þe bookis fro þe hond of
meſſangeris, and redde þo; and he ſtiede in to þe hous of
þe Lord, and ſpredde abrood þo bifore þe Lord;
xv and preiede to þe Lord,
xvi and ſeide, Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, þat ſittiſt on
cherubyn, þou art God aloone of alle þe rewmes of
erþe; þou madiſt heuene and erþe.
xvii Lord, bowe doun þin eere, and here; Lord, open þin
iȝen, and ſe; and here þou alle þe wordis of
Sennacherib, whiche he ſente for to blasfeme lyuynge
God.
xviii For verili, Lord, þe kyngis of Aſſiriens maden
londis diſſert, and þe cuntreis of þo, and ȝauen þe
goddis of þo to fier;
xix for þei weren not goddis, but þe werkis of mennus
hondis, trees and ſtoonys; and þei al to-braken þo
goddis.
xx And now, oure Lord God, ſaue þou vs fro þe hond of
hym; and alle rewmes of erþe knowe, þat þou art Lord
God aloone.
xxi And Iſaie, þe ſone of Amos, ſente to Ezechie, and
ſeide, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For whiche
þingis þou preidiſt me of Sennacherib, þe kyng of
Aſſiriens,
xxii þis is þe word which þe Lord ſpak on hym, Þou
virgyn, þe douȝter of Sion, he diſpiſide þee, he ſcornede
þee; þou virgyn, þe douȝter of Jeruſalem, he moued his
heed aftir þee.
xxiii Whom deſpiſiſt þou, and whom blasfemediſt þou?
and on whom reiſidiſt þou þi vois, and reiſidiſt þe
hiȝneſſe of þin iȝen?
xxiiii To þe hooli of Iſrael. Bi þe hond of þi ſeruauntis
þou diſpiſidiſt þe Lord, and ſeidiſt, In þe multitude of
my cartis Y ſtiede on þe hiȝneſſes of hillis, on þe ȝockis
of Liban; and Y ſchal kitte doun þe hiȝ þingis of cedris
þerof, and þe choſun beechis þerof; and Y ſchal entre in
to þe hiȝneſſe of þe cop þerof, in to þe foreſt of Carmele
þerof.
xxv Y diggide, and drank watir; and Y made drie wiþ þe
ſtep of my foot all þe ſtrondis of feeldis.
xxvi Wheþer þou, Sennacherib, herdiſt not what þingis Y
dide ſum tyme? Fro elde daies Y fourmyde þat þing,
and now Y haue brouȝt; and it is maad in to drawyng vp
bi þe roote of litle hillis fiȝtynge togidere, and of ſtrong
citees.
xxvii Þe dwelleris of þo citees trembliden togidere wiþ
hond maad ſchort, and ben aſchamed; þei ben maad as
hei of þe feeld, and þe gras of leſewe, and as erbe of
roouȝs, þat driede vp bifore þat it wexide ripe.
xxviii Y knew þi dwellyng, and þi goyng out, and þin
entryng, and þi woodneſſe aȝens me.
xxix Whanne þou were wood aȝens me, þi pride ſtiede in
to myn eeris; þerfor Y ſchal ſette a ryng in þi noſeþirlis,
and a bridil in þi lippis; and Y ſchal lede þee aȝen in to
þe weie, bi which þou cameſt.
xxx Forſoþe to þee, Ezechie, þis ſchal be a ſigne; ete þou
in þis ȝeer þo þingis þat growen bi her fre wille, and in
þe ſecunde ȝeer ete þou applis; but in þe þridde ȝeer
DCXLVI
ſowe ȝe, and repe ȝe, and plaunte ȝe vyneris, and ete ȝe
þe fruyt of þo.
xxxi And þat þat is ſauyd of þe hous of Juda, and þat, þat
is left, ſchal ſende roote byneþe, and ſchal make fruyt
aboue;
xxxii for whi relifs ſchulen go out of Jeruſalem, and
ſaluacioun fro þe hil of Sion; þe feruent loue of þe Lord
of ooſtis ſchal do þis þing.
xxxiii Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis of þe kyng of
Aſſiriens, He ſchal not entre in to þis citee, and he ſchal
not ſchete þere an arowe; and a ſcheeld ſchal not ocupie
it, and he ſchal not ſende erþe in þe cumpas þerof.
xxxiiii In þe weie in which he cam, he ſchal turne aȝen bi
it; and he ſchal not entre in to þis citee, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxxv And Y ſchal defende þis citee, þat Y ſaue it, for me,
and for Dauid, my ſeruaunt.
xxxvi Forſoþe þe aungel of þe Lord ȝede out, and killide
an hundride þouſynde and fourſcoor and fyue þouſynde
in þe tentis of Aſſiriens; and þei riſen eerli, and lo! alle
men weren careyns of deed men.
xxxvii And Sennacherib ȝede out of Jude, and wente
awei. And Sennacherib, þe kyng of Aſſiriens, turnede
aȝen, and dwellide in Nynyue.
xxxviii And it was don, whanne he worſchipide Meſrach,
his god, in þe temple, Aramalech and Saraſar, hiſe
ſones, killiden hym wiþ ſwerd, and fledden in to þe lond
of Ararath; and Aſaradon, his ſone, regnyde for hym.
CAP. XXXVIII
i In þo daies Eſechie was ſijk `til to þe deþ; and Iſaie, þe
profete, þe ſone of Amos, entride to hym, and ſeide to
hym, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Diſpoſe þi hous, for þou
ſchalt die, and þou ſchalt not lyue.
ii And Eſechie turnede his face to þe wal, and preiede þe
Lord, and ſeide, Lord, Y biſeche;
iii haue þou mynde, Y biſeche, hou Y ȝede bifore þee in
treuþe, and in perfit herte, and Y dide þat þat was good
bifore þin iȝen. And Ezechye wept wiþ greet wepyng.
iiii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Iſaie, and ſeide,
v Go þou, and ſeie to Ezechye, Þe Lord God of Dauid,
þi fadir, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, I haue herd þi preier, and Y ſiȝ
þi teeris. Lo! Y ſchal adde on þi daies fiftene ȝeer;
vi and Y ſchal delyuere þee and þis citee fro þe hond of
þe kyng of Aſſiriens, and Y ſchal defende it.
vii Forſoþe þis ſchal be to þee a ſigne of þe Lord, þat þe
Lord ſchal do þis word, which he ſpak.
viii Lo! Y ſchal make þe ſchadewe of lynes, bi which it
ȝede doun in þe orologie of Achas, in þe ſunne, to turne
aȝen backward bi ten lynes. And þe ſunne turnede aȝen
bi ten lynes, bi degrees bi whiche it hadde go doun.
ix Þe ſcripture of Ezechie, kyng of Juda, whanne he
hadde be ſijk, and hadde rekyuered of his ſikeneſſe.
xI ſeide, in þe myddil of my daies Y ſchal go to þe ȝatis
of helle.
xi Y ſouȝte þe reſidue of my ȝeeris; Y ſeide, Y ſchal not
ſe þe Lord God in þe lond of lyueris; Y ſchal no more
biholde a man, and a dwellere of reſte.
xii My generacioun is takun awei, and is foldid togidere
fro me, as þe tabernacle of ſcheepherdis is foldid
togidere. Mi lijf is kit doun as of a webbe; he kittide
doun me, þe while Y was wouun ȝit. Fro þe morewtid
`til to þe euentid þou ſchalt ende me;
xiii Y hopide til to þe morewtid; as a lioun, ſo he al to-
brak alle my boonys. Fro þe morewtid til to þe euentid
þou ſchalt ende me; as þe brid of a ſwalewe, ſo Y ſchal
crie;
xiiii Y ſchal biþenke as a culuer. Myn iȝen biholdynge an
hiȝ, ben maad feble. Lord, Y ſuffre violence, anſwere
þou for me; what ſchal Y ſeie,
xv eþer what ſchal anſwere to me, whanne `I myſilf haue
do? Y ſchal biþenke to þee alle my ȝeeris, in þe
bitterniſſe of my ſoule.
xvi Lord, if me lyueþ ſo, and þe lijf of my ſpirit is in
ſiche þingis, þou ſchalt chaſtiſe me, and ſchalt quykene
me.
xvii Lo! my bitterneſſe is mooſt bittir in pees; forſoþe
þou haſt delyuered my ſoule, þat it periſchide not; þou
haſt caſte awey bihynde þi bak alle my ſynnes.
xviii For not helle ſchal knowleche to þee, neþir deþ
ſchal herie þee; þei þat goon doun in to þe lake, ſchulen
not abide þi treuþe.
xix A lyuynge man, a lyuynge man, he ſchal knouleche
to þee, as and Y to dai; þe fadir ſchal make knowun þi
treuþe to ſones.
xx Lord, make þou me ſaaf, and we ſchulen ſynge oure
ſalmes in all þe daies of oure lijf in þe hous of þe Lord.
xxi And Yſaie comaundide, þat þei ſchulden take a gobet
of figus, and make a plaſter on þe wounde; and it
ſchulde be heelid.
xxii And Ezechie ſeide, What ſigne ſchal be, þat Y ſchal
ſtie in to þe hous of þe Lord?
CAP. XXXIX
i In þat tyme Marodach Baladan, þe ſone of Baladam,
þe kyng of Babiloyne, ſente bookis and ȝiftis to
Ezechie; for he hadde herd, þat Ezechie hadde be ſijk,
and was rekyuerid.
ii Forſoþe Ezechie was glad on hem, and ſchewide to
hem þe ſelle of ſwete ſmellynge ſpices, and of ſiluer,
and of gold, and of ſmellynge þingis, and of beſt
oynement, and alle þe ſchoppis of his purtenaunce of
houſhold, and alle þingis þat weren foundun in hiſe
treſours; no word was, which Ezechie ſchewide not to
hem in his hous, and in al his power.
DCXLVII
iii Soþeli Yſaie, þe prophete, entride to kyng Ezechie,
and ſeide to hym, What ſeiden þes men, and fro
whennus camen þei to þee? And Ezechie ſeide, Fro a fer
lond þei camen to me, fro Babiloyne.
iiii And Yſaie ſeide, What ſiȝen þei in þin hous? And
Ezechie ſeide, Þei ſien alle þingis þat ben in myn hous;
no þing was in my treſours, which Y ſchewide not to
hem.
v And Yſaie ſeide to Ezechie, Here þou þe word of þe
Lord of ooſtis.
vi Lo! daies ſchulen come, and alle þingis þat ben in þin
hous, and whiche þingis þi fadris treſoriden til to þis
dai, ſchulen be takun awei in to Babiloyne; not ony þing
ſchal be left, ſeiþ þe Lord.
vii And þei ſchulen take of þi ſones, þat ſchulen go out
of þee, whiche þou ſchalt gendre; and þei ſchulen be
oneſt ſeruauntis and chaſt in þe paleis of þe kyng of
Babiloyne.
viii And Ezechie ſeide to Yſaie, Þe word of þe Lord is
good, which he ſpak. And Ezechie ſeide, Pees and
treuþe be maad oneli in my daies.
CAP. XL
i My puple, be ȝe coumfortid, be ȝe coumfortid, ſeiþ
ȝoure Lord God.
ii Speke ȝe to þe herte of Jeruſalem, and clepe ȝe it, for
þe malice þerof is fillid, þe wickidneſſe þerof is
forȝouun; it haþ reſſeyued of þe hond of þe Lord double
þingis for alle hiſe ſynnes.
iii Þe vois of a crier in deſert, Make ȝe redi þe weie of þe
Lord, make ȝe riȝtful þe paþis of oure God in
wildirneſſe.
iiii Ech valey ſchal be enhaunſid, and ech mounteyn and
litil hil ſchal be maad low; and ſchrewid þingis ſchulen
be in to ſtreiȝt þingis, and ſcharpe þingis ſchulen be in to
pleyn weies.
v And þe glorie of þe Lord ſchal be ſchewid, and ech
man ſchal ſe togidere, þat þe mouþ of þe Lord haþ
ſpoke.
vi Þe vois of God, ſeiynge, Crie þou. And Y ſeide, What
ſchal Y crie? Ech fleiſch is hei, and al þe glorie þerof is
as þe flour of þe feeld.
vii Þe hei is dried vp, and þe flour felle doun, for þe
ſpirit of þe Lord bleew þerynne.
viii Verely þe puple is hey; þe hey is dried vp, and þe
flour felle doun; but þe word of þe Lord dwelliþ wiþ
outen ende.
ix Þou þat prechiſt to Sion, ſtie on an hiȝ hil; þou þat
prechiſt to Jeruſalem, enhaunſe þi vois in ſtrengþe;
enhaunſe þou, nyle þou drede; ſeie þou to þe citees of
Juda, Lo! ȝoure God.
x Lo! þe Lord God ſchal come in ſtrengþe, and his arm
ſchal holde lordſchipe; lo! his mede is wiþ hym, and his
werk is bifore hym.
xi As a ſcheepherd he ſchal fede his flok, he ſchal gadere
lambreen in his arm, and he ſchal reiſe in his boſom; he
ſchal bere ſcheep `wiþ lomb.
xii Who mat watris in a fiſt, and peiſide heuenes wiþ a
ſpanne? Who peiſide þe heuyneſſe of þe erþe wiþ þre
fyngris, and weide mounteyns in a weihe, and litle hillis
in a balaunce?
xiii Who helpide þe Spirit of þe Lord, eþer who was his
councelour, and ſchewide to hym?
xiiii Wiþ whom took he councel, and who lernyde hym,
and tauȝte hym þe paþ of riȝtfulneſſe, and lernyde hym
in kunnyng, and ſchewyde to him þe weie of prudence?
xv Lo! folkis ben as a drope of a boket, and ben arettid
as þe tunge of a balaunce; lo!
xvi ylis ben as a litil duſt, and þe Liban ſchal not ſuffice
to brenne his ſacrifice, and þe beeſtis þerof ſchulen not
ſuffice to brent ſacrifice.
xvii Alle folkis ben ſo bifore hym, as if þei ben not; and
þei ben rettid as no þing and veyn þing to hym.
xviii To whom þerfor maden ȝe God lijk? eþer what
ymage ſchulen ȝe ſette to hym?
xix Wheþer a ſmyþ ſchal welle togidere an ymage, eþer
a gold ſmyþ ſchal figure it in gold, and a worchere in
ſiluer ſchal diȝte it wiþ platis of ſiluer?
xx A wijs crafti man chees a ſtrong tre, and vnable to be
rotun; he ſekiþ how he ſchal ordeyne a ſymylacre, þat
ſchal not be mouyd.
xxi Wheþer ȝe witen not? wheþer ȝe herden not? wheþer
it was not teld to ȝou fro þe begynnynge? wheþer ȝe
vndurſtoden not þe foundementis of erþe?
xxii Which ſittiþ on þe cumpas of erþe, and þe dwelleris
þerof ben as locuſtis; which ſtretchiþ forþ heuenes as
nouȝt, and ſprediþ abrood þo as a tabernacle to dwelle.
xxiii Which ȝyueþ þe ſercheris of priuytees, as if þei be
not, and made þe iugis of erþe as a veyn þing.
xxiiii And ſoþeli whanne þe ſtok of hem is neþer
plauntid, neþer is ſowun, neþer is rootid in erþe, he
bleew ſudenli on hem, and þei drieden vp, and a whirle
wynd ſchal take hem awei as ſtobil.
xxv And to what þing `ȝe han licned me, and han maad
euene? ſeiþ þe hooli.
xxvi Reiſe ȝoure iȝen an hiȝ, and ſe ȝe, who made þeſe
þingis of nouȝt; which lediþ out in noumbre þe kniȝthod
of þo, and clepiþ alle bi name, for þe multitude of his
ſtrengþe, and ſtalworþneſſe, and vertu; neþer o reſidue
þing was.
xxvii Whi ſeiſt þou, Jacob, and ſpekiſt þou, Iſrael, My
weie is hid fro þe Lord, and my doom paſſide fro my
God?
DCXLVIII
xxviii Wheþer þou knowiſt not, eþer herdiſt þou not?
God, euerlaſtynge Lord, þat made of nouȝt þe endis of
erþe, ſchal not faile, neþer ſchal trauele, neþer
enſerchyng of his wiſdom is.
xxix Þat ȝyueþ vertu to þe weeri, and ſtrengþe to hem þat
ben not, and multiplieþ ſtalworþneſſe.
xxx Children ſchulen faile, and ſchulen trauele, and
ȝonge men ſchulen falle doun in her ſikeneſſe.
xxxi But þei þat hopen in þe Lord, ſchulen chaunge
ſtrengþe, þei ſchulen take feþeris as eglis; þei ſchulen
renne, and ſchulen not trauele; þei ſchulen go, and
ſchulen not faile.
CAP. XLI
i Iles, be ſtille to me, and folkis chaunge ſtrengþe; neiȝe
þei, and þanne ſpeke þei; neiȝe we togidere to doom.
ii Who reiſide þe iuſt man fro þe eeſt, and clepide hym
to ſue hym ſilf? He ſchal ȝyue folkis in his ſiȝt, and he
ſchal welde kyngis; he ſchal ȝyue as duſt to his ſwerd,
and as ſtobil `þat is rauyſchid of þe wynd, to his bowe.
iii He ſchal purſue hem, he ſchal go in pees; a paþ ſchal
not appere in hiſe feet.
iiii Who wrouȝte and dide þeſe þingis? clepynge
generaciouns at þe bigynnyng. Y am þe Lord; and Y am
þe firſte and þe laſte.
v Ilis ſien, and dredden; þe laſte partis of erþe were
aſtonyed; þei camen niȝ, and neiȝiden.
vi Ech man ſchal helpe his neiȝbore, and ſchal ſeie to his
broþer, Be þou coumfortid.
vii A ſmyþ of metal ſmytynge wiþ an hamer coumfortide
him þat poliſchyde, eþir made fair, in þat tyme, ſeiynge,
It is good, to glu; and he faſtenede hym wiþ nailis, þat
he ſchulde not be mouyd.
viii And þou, Iſrael, my ſeruaunte, Jacob, whom Y chees,
þe ſeed of Abraham, my frend, in whom Y took þee;
ix fro þe laſte partis of erþe, and fro þe fer partis þerof Y
clepide þee; and Y ſeide to þee, Þou art my ſeruaunt; Y
chees þee, and caſtide not awei þee.
x Drede þou not, for Y am wiþ þee; boowe þou not
awei, for Y am þi God. Y coumfortide þee, and helpide
þee; and þe riȝthond of my iuſt man vp took þee.
xi Lo! alle men ſchulen be ſchent, and ſchulen be
aſchamed, þat fiȝten aȝens þee; þei ſchulen be as if þei
ben not, and men ſchulen periſche, þat aȝen ſeien þee.
xii Þou ſchalt ſeke hem, and þou ſchalt not fynde þi rebel
men; þei ſchulen be, as if þei ben not, and as þe waſtyng
of a man fiȝtynge aȝens þee.
xiii For Y am þi Lord God, takynge þin hond, and
ſeiynge to þee, Drede þou not, Y helpide þee.
xiiii Nyle þou, worm of Jacob, drede, ȝe þat ben deed of
Iſrael. Y helpide þee, ſeiþ þe Lord, and þin aȝen biere,
þe hooli of Iſrael.
xv Y haue ſet þee as a newe wayn þreiſchynge, hauynge
ſawynge bilis; þou ſchalt þreiſche mounteyns, and ſchalt
make ſmal, and þou ſchalt ſette litle hillis as duſt.
xvi Þou ſchalt wyndewe hem, and þe wynd ſchal take
hem awei, and a whirlewynd ſchal ſcatere hem; and þou
ſchalt make ful out ioie in þe Lord, and þou ſchalt be
glad in þe hooli of Iſrael.
xvii Nedi men and pore ſeken watris, and þo ben not; þe
tunge of hem driede for þirſt. Y þe Lord ſchal here hem,
I God of Iſrael ſchal not forſake hem.
xviii Y ſchal opene floodis in hiȝ hillis, and wellis in þe
myddis of feeldis; Y ſchal ſette þe deſert in to poondis
of watris, and þe lond wiþout weie in to ryuers of
watris.
xix Y ſchal ȝyue in wildirneſſe a cedre, and a þorn, and a
myrte tre, and þe tre of an olyue; Y ſchal ſette in þe
deſert a fir tre, an elm, and a box tre togidere.
xx Þat þei ſe, and knowe, and biþenke, and vndurſtonde
togidere; þat þe hond of þe Lord dide þis þing, and þe
hooli of Iſrael made þat of nouȝt.
xxi Make ȝe niȝ ȝoure doom, ſeiþ þe Lord; brynge ȝe, if
in hap ȝe han ony þing, ſeiþ þe kyng of Jacob.
xxii Neiȝ þo, and telle to vs, what euer þingis ſchulen
come; telle ȝe þe formere þingis þat weren, and we
ſchulen ſette oure herte, and ſchulen wite; ſchewe ȝe to
vs þe laſte þingis of hem, and þo þingis þat ſchulen
come.
xxiii Telle ȝe what þingis ſchulen come in tyme to
comynge, and we ſchulen wite, þat ȝe ben goddis; al ſo
do ȝe wel, eþir yuele, if ȝe moun; and ſpeke we, and ſee
we togidere.
xxiiii Lo! ȝe ben of nouȝt, and ȝoure werk is of þat þat is
not; he þat chees ȝou, is abhomynacioun.
xxv I reiſide fro þe norþ, and he ſchal come fro þe riſyng
of þe ſunne; he ſchal clepe my name. And he ſchal
brynge magiſtratis as cley, and as a pottere defoulynge
erþe.
xxvi Who tolde fro þe bigynnyng, þat we wite, and fro
þe bigynnyng, þat we ſeie, Þou art iuſt? noon is
tellynge, neþer biforſeiynge, neþer herynge ȝoure
wordis.
xxvii Þe firſte ſchal ſeie to Sion, Lo! Y am preſent; and Y
ſchal ȝyue a goſpellere to Jeruſalem.
xxviii And Y ſiȝ, and noon was of þeſe, þat token
councel, and he þat was axid, anſweride a word.
xxix Lo! alle men ben vniuſt, and her werkis ben wynd
and veyn; þe ſymylacris of hem ben wynd, and voide
þing.
CAP. XLII
i Lo! my ſeruaunt, Y ſchal vptake hym, my choſun, my
ſoule pleſide to it ſilf in hym. I ȝaf my ſpirit on hym, he
ſchal brynge forþ doom to heþene men.
DCXLIX
ii He ſchal not crie, neþer he ſchal take a perſoone, neþer
his vois ſchal be herd wiþoutforþ.
iii He ſchal not breke a ſchakun rehed, and he ſchal not
quenche ſmokynge flax; he ſchal brynge out doom in
treuþe.
iiii He ſchal not be ſorewful, neþer troblid, til he ſette
doom in erþe, and ilis ſchulen abide his lawe.
v Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, makynge heuenes of
noȝt, and ſtretchynge forþ þo, makynge ſtidfaſt þe erþe,
and þo þingis þat buriownen of it, ȝyuynge breeþ to þe
puple, þat is on it, and ȝyuynge ſpirit to hem þat treden
on it.
vi Y þe Lord haue clepid þee in riȝtfulneſſe, and Y took
þin hond, and kepte þee, and Y ȝaf þee in to a boond of
pees of þe puple, and in to lyȝt of folkis.
vii Þat þou ſchuldiſt opene þe iȝen of blynde men; þat
þou ſchuldiſt lede out of cloſyng togidere a boundun
man, fro þe hous of priſoun men ſittynge in derkneſſis.
viii Y am þe Lord, þis is my name; Y ſchal not ȝyue my
glorie to an oþere, and my preiſyng to grauun ymagis.
ix Lo! þo þingis þat weren þe firſte, ben comun, and Y
telle newe þingis; Y ſchal make herd to ȝou, bifore þat
þo bigynnen to be maad.
x Synge ȝe a newe ſong to þe Lord; his heriyng is fro þe
laſte partis of erþe; ȝe þat goon doun in to þe ſee, and þe
fulneſſe þerof, ilis, and þe dwelleris of þo.
xi Þe deſert be reiſid, and þe citees þerof; he ſchal
dwelle in þe houſis of Cedar; ȝe dwelleris of þe ſtoon,
herie ȝe; þei ſchulen crie fro þe cop of hillis.
xii Þei ſchulen ſette glorie to þe Lord, and þey ſchulen
telle his heriyng in ilis.
xiii Þe Lord as a ſtrong man ſchal go out, as a man a
werrȝour he ſchal reiſe feruent loue; he ſchal ſpeke, and
ſchal crie; he ſchal be coumfortid on hiſe enemyes.
xiiii Y was ſtille, euere Y helde ſilence; Y was pacient, Y
ſchal ſpeke as a womman trauelynge of child; Y ſchal
ſcatere, and Y ſchal ſwolowe togidere.
xv Y ſchal make deſert hiȝ mounteyns and litle hillis,
and Y ſchal drie vp al þe buriownyng of þo; and Y ſchal
ſette floodis in to ilis, and Y ſchal make poondis drie.
xvi And Y ſchal lede out blynde men in to þe weie,
which þei knowen not, and Y ſchal make hem to go in
paþis, whiche þei knewen not; Y ſchal ſette þe
derkneſſis of hem bifore hem in to lyȝt, and ſchrewid
þingis in to riȝtful þingis; Y dide þeſe wordis to hem,
and Y forſook not hem.
xvii Þei ben turned abac; be þei ſchent wiþ ſchenſchipe,
þat truſten in a grauun ymage; whiche ſeien to a ȝotun
ymage, Ȝe ben oure goddis.
xviii Ȝe deef men, here; and ȝe blynde men, biholde to
ſe.
xix Who is blynd, no but my ſeruaunt? and deef, no but
he to whom Y ſente my meſſangeris? Who is blynd, no
but he þat is ſeeld? and who is blynd, no but þe ſeruaunt
of þe Lord?
xx Wheþer þou þat ſeeſt many þingis, ſchalt not kepe?
Wheþer þou þat haſt open eeris, ſchalt not here?
xxi And þe Lord wolde, þat he ſchulde halewe it, and
magnefie þe lawe, and enhaunſe it.
xxii But þilke puple was rauyſchid, and waſtid; alle þei
ben þe ſnare of ȝonge men, and ben hid in þe houſis of
priſouns. Þei ben maad in to raueyn, and noon is þat
delyuereþ; in to rauyſchyng, and noon is þat ſeiþ, Ȝelde
þou.
xxiii Who is among ȝou, þat heriþ þis, perſeyueþ, and
herkneþ þingis to comynge?
xxiiii Who ȝaf Jacob in to rauyſchyng, and Iſrael to
diſtrieris? Wheþer not þe Lord? He it is, aȝens whom
þei ſynneden; and þei nolden go in hiſe weies, and þei
herden not his lawe.
xxv And he ſchedde out on hem þe indignacioun of his
ſtrong veniaunce, and ſtrong batel; and þei brenten it in
cumpas, and it knewe not; and he brente it, and it
vndurſtood not.
CAP. XLIII
i And now þe Lord God, makynge of nouȝt þee, Jacob,
and formynge þee, Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Nyle þou
drede, for Y aȝenbouȝte þee, and Y clepide þee bi þi
name; þou art my ſeruaunt.
ii Whanne þou ſchalt go bi watris, Y ſchal be wiþ þee,
and floodis ſchulen not hile þee; whanne þou ſchalt go
in fier, þou ſchalt not be brent, and flawme ſchal not
brenne in þee.
iii For Y am þi Lord God, þe hooli of Iſrael, þi ſauȝour. I
ȝaf þi merci Egipt; Ethiopie and Saba for þee.
iiii Siþen þou art maad onourable, and gloriouſe in myn
iȝen; Y louyde þee, and Y ſchal ȝyue men for þee, and
puplis for þi ſoule.
v Nyle þou drede, for Y am wiþ þee; Y ſchal brynge þi
ſeed fro þe eeſt, and Y ſchal gadere þee togidere fro þe
weſt.
vi Y ſchal ſeie to þe norþ, Ȝyue þou, and to þe ſouþ,
Nyle þou forbede; brynge þou my ſones fro afer, and
my douȝtris fro þe laſte partis of erþe.
vii And ech þat clepiþ my name to help, in to my glorie
Y made hym of nouȝt; Y fourmyde hym, and made
hym.
viii Lede þou forþ þe blynde puple, and hauynge iȝen; þe
deef puple, and eeris ben to it.
ix Alle heþene men ben gaderid togidere, and lynagis be
gaderid togidere. Who among ȝou, who ſchal telle þis,
and ſchal make ȝou to here þo þingis, þat ben þe firſte?
ȝyue þei witneſſis of hem, and be þei iuſtified, and here
þei, and ſeie.
DCL
x Verili ȝe ben my witneſſis, ſeiþ þe Lord, and my
ſeruaunt, whom Y chees; þat ȝe wite, and bileue to me,
and vndurſtonde, for Y myſilf am; bifore me is no God
formere, and after me ſchal noon be.
xi Y am, Y am þe Lord, and wiþ out me is no ſauȝour.
xii I telde, and ſauyde; Y made heryng, and noon alien
God was among ȝou. Ȝe ben my witneſſis, ſeiþ þe Lord;
xiii and Y am God fro þe bigynnyng, Y my ſilf am, and
noon is þat delyueriþ fro myn hoond; Y ſchal worche,
and who ſchal diſtrie it?
xiiii Þe Lord, ȝoure aȝenbiere, þe hooli of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, For ȝou Y ſente out in to Babiloyne, and Y drow
doun alle barris, and Caldeis hauynge glorie in her
ſchippis.
xv Y am þe Lord, ȝoure hooli, ȝoure king, makynge
Iſrael of nouȝt.
xvi Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, þat ȝaf weie in þe ſee, and a
paþ in rennynge watris;
xvii which ledde out a carte, and hors, a cumpany, and
ſtrong man; þei ſlepten togidere, neþer þei ſchulen riſe
aȝen; þei ben al tobrokun as flex, and ben quenchid.
xviii Þenke ȝe not on þe formere þingis, and biholde ȝe
not olde þingis.
xix Lo! Y make newe þingis, and now þo ſchulen
bigynne to be maad; ſoþeli ȝe ſchulen know þo. Y ſchal
ſette weie in deſert, and floodis in a lond wiþout weie.
xx And a beeſte of þe feelde ſchal glorifie me, dragouns
and oſtrigis ſchulen glorifie me; for Y ȝaf watris in
deſert, and floodis in þe lond wiþout weie, þat Y ſchulde
ȝyue drynk to my puple, to my choſun puple.
xxi Y fourmyde þis puple to me, it ſchal telle my
preyſyng.
xxii Jacob, þou clepidiſt not me to help; and þou, Iſrael,
trauelidiſt not for me.
xxiii Þou offridiſt not to me þe ram of þi brent ſacrifice,
and þou glorifiediſt not me wiþ þi ſlayn ſacrifices. Y
made not þee to ſerue in offryng, neþir Y ȝaf to þee
trauel in encenſe.
xxiiii Þou bouȝtiſt not to me ſwete ſmellynge ſpicerie for
ſiluer, and þou fillidiſt not me wiþ fatneſſe of þi ſlayn
ſacrifices; neþeles þou madiſt me to ſerue in þi ſynnes,
þou ȝaueſt trauel to me in þi wickidneſſis.
xxv Y am, Y my ſilf am, þat do awei þi wickidneſſis for
me, and Y ſchal not haue mynde on þy ſynnes.
xxvi Brynge me aȝen in to mynde, and be we demyd
togidere; telle þou, if þou haſt ony þing, þat þou be
iuſtified.
xxvii Þi firſte fadir ſynnede, and þin interpretours
treſpaſſiden aȝens me.
xxviii And Y made foul hooli princes, and Y ȝaf Jacob to
deþ, and Iſrael in to blasfemye.
CAP. XLIIII
i And now, Jacob, my ſeruaunt, here þou, and Iſrael,
whom I chees.
ii Þe Lord makynge and forȝyuynge þee, þin helpere fro
þe wombe, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, My ſeruaunt, Jacob, nyle
þou drede, and þou mooſt riȝtful, whom Y chees.
iii For Y ſchal ſchede out watris on þe þirſti, and floodis
on þe dry lond; Y ſchal ſchede out my ſpirit on þi ſeed,
and my bleſſyng on þi generacioun.
iiii And þei ſchulen buriowne among erbis, as ſalewis
biſidis rennynge watris.
v Þis man ſchal ſeie, Y am of þe Lord, and he ſchal clepe
in þe name of Jacob; and þis man ſchal write wiþ his
hoond to þe Lord, and ſchal be licned in þe name of
Iſrael.
vi Þe Lord, kyng of Iſrael, and aȝenbiere þerof, þe Lord
of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y am þe firſte and Y am þe
laſte, and wiþ outen me is no God.
vii Who is lijk me? clepe he, and telle, and declare ordre
to me, ſiþen Y made elde puple; telle he to hem þingis
to comynge, and þat ſchulen be.
viii Nyle ȝe drede, neþer be ȝe diſturblid; fro þat tyme Y
made þee for to here, and Y telde; ȝe ben my witneſſis.
Wheþir a God is wiþ out me, and a formere, whom Y
knew not?
ix Alle þe fourmeris of an idol ben no þing, and þe
mooſt louyd þingis of hem ſchulen not profite; þei ben
witneſſis of þo, þat þo ſeen not, neþer vndurſtonden, þat
þei be ſchent.
x Who fourmyde a god, and ȝetide an ymage, not
profitable to ony þing?
xi Lo! alle þe parteneris þerof ſchulen be ſchent; for þe
ſmyþis ben of men. Whanne alle ſchulen come, þei
ſchulen ſtonde, and ſchulen drede, and ſchulen be ſchent
togidere.
xii A ſmiþ wrouȝte wiþ a file; he fourmyde it in coolis,
and in hameris, and he wrouȝte wiþ þe arm of his
ſtrengþe. He ſchal be hungri, and he ſchal faile; he ſchal
not drynke watre, and he ſchal be feynt.
xiii A carpenter ſtretchide forþ a reule, he fourmyde it
wiþ an adeſe; he made it in þe corner places, and he
turnede it in cumpas; and he made þe ymage of a man,
as a fair man, dwellynge in þe hous.
xiiii He kittide doun cedris, he took an hawþorn, and an
ook, þat ſtood among þe trees of þe foreſt; he plauntide
a pyne apple tre, which he nurſchide wiþ reyn,
xv and it was maad in to fier to men. He took of þo, and
was warmed, and he brente, and bakide looues; but of
þe reſidue he wrouȝte a god, and worſchipide it, and he
made a grauun ymage, and he was bowid bifore þat.
xvi He brente þe myddil þerof wiþ fier, and of þe myddil
þerof he ſeþide fleiſchis, and eet; he ſeþide potage, and
was fillid; and he was warmed, and he ſeide, Wel!
DCLI
xvii Y am warmed; Y ſiȝ fier. Forſoþe þe reſidue þerof he
made a god, and a grauun ymage to hym ſilf; he is
bowide bifore þat, and worſchipiþ þat, and biſechiþ, and
ſeiþ, Delyuere þou me, for þou art my god.
xviii Þei knewen not, neþer vndurſtoden, for þei han
forȝete, þat her iȝe ſe not, and þat þei vndurſtonde not
wiþ her herte.
xix Þei byþenken not in her ſoule, neþer þei knowen,
neþer þei feelen, þat þei ſeie, Y brente þe myddil þerof
in fier, and Y bakide looues on þe coolis þerof, and Y
ſeþide fleiſchis, and eet; and of þe reſidue þerof ſchal Y
make an idol? ſchal Y falle doun bifore þe ſtok of a
tree?
xx A part þerof is aiſche; an vnwijs herte ſchal worſchipe
it, and he ſchal not delyuere his ſoule, neþer he ſchal
ſeie, A ſtrong leeſyng is in my riȝthond.
xxi Þou, Jacob, and Iſrael, haue mynde of þeſe þingis,
for þou art my ſeruaunt; Y formyde þee, Iſrael, þou art
my ſeruaunt; þou ſchalt not forȝete me.
xxii Y dide awei þi wickidneſſis as a cloude, and þi
ſynnes as a myiſt; turne þou aȝen to me, for Y
aȝenbouȝte þee.
xxiii Ȝe heuenes, herie, for þe Lord haþ do merci; þe
laſte partis of erþ, ſynge ȝe hertli ſong; hillis, ſowne ȝe
preiſyng; þe foreſt and ech tre þerof, herie God; for þe
Lord aȝenbouȝte Jacob, and Iſrael ſchal haue glorie.
xxiiii Þe Lord, þin aȝenbiere, and þi fourmere fro þe
wombe, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y am þe Lord, makynge alle
þingis, and Y aloone ſtretche forþ heuenes, and
ſtabliſche þe erþe, and noon is wiþ me;
xxv and Y make voide þe ſignes of falſe dyuynours, and
Y turne in to woodneſſe dyuynours, þat dyuynen by
ſacrifices offrid to feendis; and Y turne wiſe men
bacward, and Y make her ſcience fonned.
xxvi And þe Lord reiſiþ þe word of his ſeruaunt, and
filliþ þe councel of hiſe meſſangeris; and Y ſeie,
Jeruſalem, þou ſchalt be enhabitid; and to þe citees of
Juda, Ȝe ſchulen be bildid, and Y ſchal reiſe þe deſertis
þerof;
xxvii and Y ſeie to þe depþe, Be þou deſolat, and Y ſhal
make drie þi floodis;
xxviii and Y ſeie to Cirus, Þou art my ſcheepherde, and
þou ſchalt fille al my wille; and Y ſeie to Jeruſalem, Þou
ſchalt be bildid; and to þe temple, Þou ſchalt be foundid.
CAP. XLV
i Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to my criſt, Cirus, whos
riȝthond Y took, þat Y make ſuget folkis bifor his face,
and turne þe backis of kyngis; and Y ſchal opene ȝatis
bifore hym, and ȝatis ſchulen not be cloſid.
ii Y ſchal go bifore þee, and Y ſchal make lowe þe
gloriouſe men of erþe; Y ſchal al to-breke braſun ȝatis,
and Y ſchal breke togidere irun barris.
iii And Y ſchal ȝyue hid treſours to þee, and þe priuy
þingis of priuytees, þat þou wite, þat Y am þe Lord, þat
clepe þi name, God of Iſrael,
iiii for my ſeruaunt Jacob, and Iſrael my choſun, and Y
clepide þee bi þi name; Y licnyde þee, and þou knewiſt
not me.
v Y am þe Lord, and þer is no more; wiþ out me is no
God. Y haue gird þee, and þou knewiſt not me.
vi Þat þei þat ben at þe riſyng of þe ſunne, and þei þat
ben at þe weſt, know, þat wiþ out me is no God.
vii Y am þe Lord, and noon oþer God is; fourmynge
lyȝt, and makynge derkneſſis, makynge pees, and
fourmynge yuel; Y am þe Lord, doynge alle þeſe þingis.
viii Heuenes, ſende ȝe out deew fro aboue, and cloudis,
reyne a iuſt man; þe erþe be openyde, and brynge forþ
þe ſauȝour, and riȝtfulneſſe be borun togidere; Y þe
Lord haue maad hym of nouȝt.
ix Wo to hym þat aȝen ſeiþ his maker, a tiel ſtoon of erþe
of Sannys. Wheþer clei ſeiþ to his pottere, What makiſt
þou, and þi werk is wiþouten hondis?
x Wo to hym þat ſeiþ to þe fadir, What gendriſt þou? and
to a womman, What childiſt þou?
xi Þe Lord, þe hooli of Iſrael, þe fourmere þerof, ſeiþ
þeſe þingis, Axe ȝe me þingis to comynge on my ſones,
and ſende ȝe to me on þe werkis of myn hondis.
xii Y made erþe, and Y made a man on it; myn hondis
helden abrood heuenes, and Y comaundide to al þe
knyȝthod of þo.
xiii Y reiſide hym to riȝtfulneſſe, and Y ſchal dreſſe alle
hiſe weies; he ſchal bilde my citee, and he ſchal
delyuere my priſoneris, not in prijs, neþer in ȝiftis, ſeiþ
þe Lord of ooſtis.
xiiii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe trauel of Egipt, and
þe marchaundie of Ethiopie, and of Sabaym; hiȝ men
ſchulen go to þee, and ſchulen be þine; þei ſchulen go
aftir þee, þei ſchulen go boundun in manyclis, and
ſchulen worſchipe þee, and ſchulen biſeche þee. God is
oneli in þee, and wiþ out þee is no God.
xv Verili þou art God hid, God, þe ſauȝour of Iſrael.
xvi Alle makeris of errours ben ſchent, and weren
aſchamed; þei ȝeden togidere in to confuſioun.
xvii Iſrael is ſauyde in þe Lord, bi euerlaſtynge helþe; ȝe
ſchulen not be ſchent, and ȝe ſchulen not be aſchamed,
til in to þe world of world.
xviii For whi þe Lord makynge heuenes of nouȝt, ſeiþ
þeſe þingis; he is God fourmynge erþe, and makinge it,
he is þe makere þerof; he made it of noȝt, not in veyn,
but he formyde it, þat it be enhabitid; Y am þe Lord,
and noon oþer is.
xix Y ſpak not in hid place, not in a derk place of erþe; I
ſeide not to þe ſeed of Jacob, Seke ȝe me in veyn. Y am
þe Lord ſpekynge riȝtfulneſſe, tellynge riȝtful þingis.
DCLII
xx Be ȝe gaderid, and come ȝe, and neiȝe ȝe togidere, þat
ben ſauyd of heþene men; þei þat reiſen a ſigne of her
grauyng, knewen not, and þei preien a god þat ſaueþ
not.
xxi Telle ȝe, and come ȝe, and take ȝe councel togidere.
Who made þis herd fro þe bigynnyng? fro þat tyme Y
bifor ſeide it. Wheþer Y am not þe Lord, and no God is
ferþere wiþ out me? God riȝtful and ſauynge is noon,
outakun me.
xxii Alle þe cooſtis of erþe, be ȝe conuertid to me, and ȝe
ſchulen be ſaaf; for Y am þe Lord, and noon oþer is.
xxiii Y ſwoor in my ſilf, a word of riȝtfulneſſe ſchal go
out of my mouþ, and it ſchal not turne aȝen;
xxiiii for ech kne ſchal be bowid to me, and ech tunge
ſchal ſwere.
xxv Þerfor þei ſchulen ſei in þe Lord, Riȝtfulneſſis and
empire ben myne; alle þat fiȝten aȝens hym ſchulen
come to hym, and ſchulen be aſchamed.
xxvi Al þe ſeed of Iſrael ſchal be iuſtified and preyſid in
þe Lord.
CAP. XLVI
i Bel is brokun, Nabo is al to-brokun; her ſymylacris lijk
to wielde beeſtis and werk beeſtis ben brokun; ȝoure
birþuns
ii wiþ heuy charge `til to weryneſſe weren rotun, and
ben al to-brokun togidere; þo miȝten not ſaue þe berere,
and þe ſoule of hem ſchal go in to caitifte.
iii Þe hous of Jacob, and al þe reſidue of þe hous of
Iſrael, here ȝe me, whiche ben borun of my wombe,
whiche ben borun of my wombe.
iiii Til to eelde Y my ſilf, and til to hoor heeris Y ſchal
bere; Y made, and Y ſchal bere, and Y ſchal ſaue.
v To whom han ȝe licned me, and maad euene, and han
compariſound me, and han maad lijk?
vi Whiche beren togidere gold fro þe bagge, and peiſen
ſiluer wiþ a balaunce, and hiren a goldſmyþ to make a
god, and þei fallen doun, and worſchipen; þei berynge
beren in ſchuldris,
vii and ſettynge in his place; and he ſchal ſtonde, and
ſchal not be mouyd fro his place; but alſo whanne þei
crien to hym, he ſchal not here, and he ſchal not ſaue
hem fro tribulacioun.
viii Haue ȝe mynde of þis, and be ȝe aſchamed; ȝe
treſpaſſouris, go aȝen to þe herte.
ix Biþenke ȝe on þe formere world, for Y am God, and
no God is ouer me, neþer is lijk me.
x And Y telle fro þe bigynnyng þe laſte þing, and fro þe
bigynnyng þo þingis þat ben not maad ȝit; and Y ſeie,
My councel ſchal ſtonde, and al my wille ſchal be don.
xi And Y clepe a brid fro þe eeſt, and þe man of my
wille fro a ferr lond; and Y ſpak, and Y ſchal brynge þat
þing; Y haue maad of nouȝt, and Y ſchal make þat þing.
xii Ȝe of hard herte, here me, þat ben fer fro riȝtfulneſſe.
xiii Y made nyȝ myn riȝtfulneſſe, it ſchal not be drawun
afer, and myn helþe ſhal not tarie; Y ſchal ȝyue helþe in
Sion, and my glorie in Iſrael.
CAP. XLVII
i Þou virgyn, þe douȝtir Babiloyne, go doun, ſitte þou in
duſt, ſitte þou in erþe; a kyngis ſeete is not to þe douȝter
of Caldeis, for þou ſchalt no more be clepid ſoft and
tendir.
ii Take þou a queerne ſtoon, and grynde þou mele; make
þou nakid þi filþe, diſkeuere þe ſchuldur, ſchewe þe
hippis, paſſe þou floodis.
iii Þi ſchame ſchal be ſchewid, and þi ſchenſchipe ſchal
be ſeen; Y ſchal take veniaunce, and no man ſchal
aȝenſtonde me.
iiii Oure aȝen biere, þe Lord of ooſtis is his name, þe
hooli of Iſrael.
v Douȝter of Caldeis, ſitte þou, be þou ſtille, and entre in
to derkneſſis, for þou ſchalt no more be clepid þe ladi of
rewmes.
vi I was wrooþ on my puple, Y defoulid myn eritage,
and Y ȝaf hem in þin hond, and þou ſettidiſt not mercies
to hem; þou madiſt greuouſe þe ȝok greetli on an eld
man,
vii and þou ſeidiſt, Wiþ outen ende Y ſchal be ladi; þou
puttidiſt not þeſe þingis on þin herte, neþer þou
biþouȝtiſt on þi laſte þing.
viii And now, þou delicat, and dwellynge triſtili, here
þeſe þingis, which ſeiſt in þin herte, Y am, and outakun
me þer is no more; Y ſchal not ſitte widewe, and Y ſchal
not knowe bareyneſſe.
ix Þeſe twei þingis, bareyneſſe and widewhod ſchulen
come to þee ſudenli in o dai; alle þingis camen on þee
for þe multitude of þi witchecraftis, and for þe greet
hardneſſe of þin enchauntours, eþer tregetours.
x And þou haddiſt triſt in þi malice, and ſeidiſt, Noon is
þat ſeeþ me; þis þi wiſdom and þi kunnyng diſſeyuede
þee; and þou ſeidiſt in þin herte,
xi Y am, and outakun me þer is noon oþer. Yuel ſchal
come on þee, and þou ſchalt not knowe þe bigynning
þerof; and wrecchidneſſe ſchal falle on þee, which þou
ſchalt not mowe clenſe; wretchidneſſe which þou
knowiſt not, ſchal come on þee ſudenly.
xii Stonde þou wiþ þin enchauntours, and wiþ þe
multitude of þi witchis, in whiche þou trauelidiſt fro þi
ȝongþe; if in hap þei profiten ony þing to þee, eþer if
þou maiſt be maad þe ſtrongere.
xiii Þou failidiſt in þe multitude of þi councels; þe falſe
dyuynours of heuene ſtonde, and ſaue þee, whiche
bihelden ſtaris, and noumbriden moneþis, þat þei
ſchulden telle bi þo þingis to comynge to þee.
DCLIII
xiiii Lo!þei ben maad as ſtobil, þe fier haþ brent hem;
þei ſchulen not delyuere her lijf fro þe power of
flawme; colis ben not, bi whiche þei ſchulen be
warmed, neþer fier, þat þei ſitte at it.
xv So þo þingis ben maad to þee in whiche euere þou
trauelidiſt; þi marchauntis fro þi ȝongþe erriden, ech
man in his weie; noon is, þat ſchal ſaue þee.
CAP. XLVIII
i Þe hows of Jacob, þat ben clepid bi þe name of Iſrael,
and ȝeden out of þe watris of Juda, here þeſe þingis,
whiche ſweren in þe name of þe Lord, and han mynde
on God of Iſrael, not in treuþe, neþer in riȝtfulneſſe.
ii For þei ben clepid of þe hooli citee, and ben
ſtabliſchid on þe God of Iſrael, þe Lord of ooſtis is his
name.
iii Fro þat tyme Y telde þe former þingis, and þo ȝeden
out of my mouþ; and Y made þo knowun; ſudenli Y
wrouȝte, and þo þingis camen.
iiii For Y wiſte þat þou art hard, and þi nol is a ſenewe of
irun, and þi forhed is of bras.
v Y biforſeide to þee fro þat tyme, bifore þat þo þingis
camen, Y ſchewide to þee, leſt perauenture þou woldiſt
ſeie, Myn idols diden þeſe þingis, and my grauun
ymagis and my ȝotun
vi ymagis ſenten þeſe þingis whiche þou herdiſt. Se þou
alle þingis, but ȝe telden not. Y made herd newe þyngis
to þee fro þat tyme, and þingis ben kept whiche þou
knowiſt not;
vii now þo ben maad of nouȝt, and not fro þat tyme, and
bifor þe dai, and þou herdiſt not þo þingis; leſt
perauenture þou ſeie, Lo! Y knew þo þingis.
viii Neþer þou herdiſt, neþer þou knewiſt, neþer þin eere
was openyd fro þat tyme; for Y woot, þat þou
treſpaſſynge ſchal treſpaſſe, and Y clepide þee a
treſpaſſour fro þe wombe.
ix For my name Y ſchal make fer my ſtrong veniaunce,
and wiþ my preyſyng Y ſchal refreyne þee, leſt þou
periſche.
x Lo! Y haue ſode þee, but not as ſiluer; Y chees þee in
þe chymeney of pouert.
xi Y ſchal do for me, þat Y be not blasfemyd, and Y
ſchal not ȝyue my glorie to anoþer.
xii Jacob and Iſrael, whom Y clepe, here þou me; Y my
ſilf, Y am þe firſte and Y am þe laſte.
xiii And myn hond foundide þe erþe, and my riȝt hond
mat heuenes; Y ſchal clepe þo, and þo ſchulen ſtonde
togidere.
xiiii Alle ȝe be gaderid togidere, and here; who of hem
telde þeſe þingis? Þe Lord louyde hym, he ſchal do his
wille in Babiloyne, and his arm in Caldeis.
xv Y, Y ſpak, and clepide hym; Y brouȝte hym, and his
weie was dreſſid.
xvi Neiȝe ȝe to me, and here ȝe þeſe þingis; at þe
bigynnyng Y ſpak not in priuete; fro tyme, bifore þat
þingis weren maad, Y was þere, and now þe Lord God
and his Spirit ſente me.
xvii Þe Lord, þin aȝen biere, þe hooli of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Y am þi Lord God, techynge þee profitable
þingis, and Y gouerne þee in þe weie, wher ynne þou
goiſt.
xviii Y wolde þat þou haddiſt perſeyued my
comaundementis, þi pees hadde be maad as flood, and
þi riȝtfulneſſe as þe ſwolowis of þe ſee;
xix and þi ſeed hadde be as grauel, and þe generacioun
of þi wombe, as þe litle ſtoonys þerof; þe name of it
hadde not periſchid, and hadde not be al to-brokun fro
my face.
xx Go ȝe out of Babiloyne, fle ȝe fro Caldeis; telle ȝe in
þe vois of ful out ioiying; make ȝe þis herd, and bere ȝe
it `til to þe laſte partis of erþe; ſeie ȝe, Þe Lord
aȝenbouȝte his ſeruaunt Jacob.
xxi Þei þirſtiden not in deſert, whanne he ladde hem out;
he brouȝte forþ to hem watir of a ſtoon, and he
departide þe ſtoon, and watris flowiden.
xxii Pees is not to wickid men, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. XLIX
i Ilis, here ȝe, and puplis afer, perſeyue ȝe; þe Lord
clepide me fro þe wombe, he þouȝte on my name fro þe
wombe of my modir.
ii And he haþ ſet my mouþ as a ſcharp ſwerd, he
defendide me in þe ſchadewe of his hond, and ſettide
me as a choſun arowe; he hidde me in his arowe caas,
iii and ſeide to me, Iſrael, þou art my ſeruaunt, for Y
ſchal haue glorie in þee.
iiii And Y ſeide, Y trauelide in veyn, Y waſtide my
ſtrengþe wiþ out cauſe, and veynli; þerfor my doom is
wiþ þe Lord, and my werk is wiþ my God.
v And now þe Lord, formynge me a ſeruaunt to hym ſilf
fro þe wombe, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, þat Y brynge aȝen Jacob
to hym. And Iſrael ſchal not be gaderid togidere; and Y
am glorified in þe iȝen of þe Lord, and my God is maad
my ſtrengþe.
vi And he ſeyde, It is litil, þat þou be a ſeruaunt to me, to
reiſe þe lynages of Jacob, and to conuerte þe draſtis of
Iſrael; Y ȝaf þee in to þe lyȝt of heþene men, þat þou be
myn helþe `til to þe laſte part of erþe.
vii Þe Lord, aȝenbiere of Iſrael, þe hooli þerof, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis to a diſpiſable ſoule, and to a folk had in
abhomynacioun, to þe ſeruaunt of lordis, Kyngis
ſchulen ſe, and princes ſchulen riſe togidere, and ſchulen
worſchipe, for þe Lord, for he is feiþful, and for þe
hooli of Iſrael, þat chees þee.
viii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, In a pleſaunt tyme Y herde
þee, and in þe dai of helþe Y helpide þee; and Y kepte
þee, and ȝaf þee in to a bonde of pees of þe puple, þat
DCLIV
þou ſchuldiſt reiſe þe erþe, and haue in poſſeſſioun
eritagis, `þat ben diſtried;
ix þat þou ſchuldiſt ſeie to hem þat ben boundun, Go ȝe
out, and to hem þat ben in derkneſſis, Be ȝe ſchewid.
Þei ſchulen be fed on weies, and þe leſewis of hem
ſchulen be in alle pleyn þingis.
x Þei ſchulen not hungre, and þei ſchulen no more þirſte,
and heete, and þe ſunne ſchal not ſmyte hem; for þe
merciful doere of hem ſchal gouerne hem, and ſchal
ȝyue drynk to hem at þe wellis of watris.
xi And Y ſchal ſette alle myn hillis in to weie, and my
paþis ſchulen be enhaunſid.
xii Lo! þeſe men ſchulen come fro fer, and lo! þei
ſchulen come fro þe norþ, and ſee, and þeſe fro þe ſouþ
lond.
xiii Heuenes, herie ȝe, and, þou erþe, make ful out ioie;
hillis, ſynge ȝe hertli heriyng; for þe Lord coumfortide
his puple, and ſchal haue merci on hiſe pore men.
xiiii And Syon ſeide, Þe Lord haþ forſake me, and þe
Lord haþ forȝete me.
xv Wheþer a womman may forȝete hir ȝonge child, þat
ſche haue not merci on þe ſone of hir wombe? þouȝ ſche
forȝetiþ, neþeles Y ſchal not forȝete þee.
xvi Lo! Y haue write þee in myn hondis; þi wallis ben
euer bifore myn iȝen.
xvii Þe bilderis ben comun; þei þat diſtrien þee, and
ſcateren, ſchulen go awei fro þee.
xviii Reiſe þin iȝen in cumpas, and ſe; alle þeſe men ben
gaderid togidere, þei ben comun to þee. Y lyue, ſeiþ þe
Lord, for þou ſchalt be cloþid wiþ alle þeſe as wiþ an
ournement, and þou as a ſpouſeſſe ſchalt bynde hem to
þee.
xix For whi þi deſertis, and þi wildirneſſis, and þe lond
of þi fallyng now ſchulen be ſtreit for enhabiteris; and
þei ſchulen be dryuun awei fer, þat ſwolewiden þee.
xx Ȝit þe ſones of þi bareyneſſe ſchulen ſeie in þin eeris,
Þe place is ſtreit to me, make þou a ſpace to me for to
dwelle.
xxi And þou ſchalt ſeie in þin herte, Who gendride þeſe
ſones to me? Y am bareyn, not berynge child; Y am led
ouer, and priſoner; and who nurſchide þeſe ſones? Y am
deſtitute, and aloone; and where weren þeſe?
xxii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y reiſe myn hond
to heþene men, and Y ſchal enhaunce my ſigne to
puplis; and þei ſchulen brynge þi ſones in armes, and
þei ſchulen bere þi douȝtris on ſhuldris.
xxiii And kingis ſhulen be þi nurſeris, and quenys ſhulen
be þi nurſis; wiþ cheer caſt doun in to erþe þei ſchulen
worſchipe þee, and þei ſchulen licke þe duſt of þi feet;
and þou ſchalt wite, þat Y am þe Lord, on whom þei
ſchulen not be ſchent, þat abiden hym.
xxiiii Wheþer prey ſchal be takun awei fro a ſtrong man?
eþer þat þat is takun of a ſtalworþe man, mai be ſaaf?
xxv For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Soþeli and caitifte
ſchal be takun awey fro þe ſtronge man, and þat þat is
takun awei of a ſtalworþe man, ſchal be ſaued. Forſoþe
Y ſchal deme hem, þat demyden þee, and Y ſchal ſaue
þi ſones.
xxvi And Y ſchal fede þin enemyes wiþ her fleiſchis, and
þei ſchulen be greetli fillid wiþ her blood as wiþ muſt;
and eche man ſchal wite, þat Y am þe Lord, ſauynge
þee, and þin aȝenbiere, þe ſtrong of Jacob.
CAP. L
i Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, What is þis book of forſakyng
of ȝoure modir, bi which Y lefte her? eþer who is he, to
whom Y owe, to whom Y ſeeld ȝou? For lo! ȝe ben ſeeld
for ȝoure wickidneſſis, and for ȝoure grete treſpaſſis Y
lefte ȝoure modir.
ii For Y cam, and no man was; Y clepide, and noon was
þat herde. Wheþer myn hond is abreggid, and maad
litil, þat Y mai not aȝenbie? eþer vertu is not in me for
to delyuere? Lo! in my blamyng Y ſchal make þe ſee
forſakun, `eþer deſert, Y ſchal ſette floodis in þe drie
place; fiſchis wiþout watir ſchulen wexe rotun, and
ſchulen dye for þirſt.
iii Y ſchal cloþe heuenes wiþ derkneſſis, and Y ſchal
ſette a ſak þe hilyng of þo.
iiii Þe Lord ȝaf to me a lerned tunge, þat Y kunne
ſuſteyne hym bi word þat failide; erli þe fadir reiſiþ, erli
he reiſiþ an eere to me, þat Y here as a maiſter.
v Þe Lord God openede an eere to me; forſoþe Y
aȝenſeie not, Y ȝede not abak.
vi I ȝaf my bodi to ſmyteris, and my chekis to pulleris; Y
turnede not a wei my face fro men blamynge, and
ſpetynge on me.
vii Þe Lord God is myn helpere, and þerfor Y am not
ſchent; þerfor Y haue ſet my face as a ſtoon maad hard,
and Y woot þat Y ſchal not be ſchent.
viii He is niȝ, þat iuſtifieþ me; who aȝenſeiþ me? ſtonde
we togidere. Who is myn aduerſarie? neiȝe he to me.
ix Lo! þe Lord God is myn helpere; who þerfor is he þat
condempneþ me? Lo! alle ſchulen be defoulid as a cloþ,
and a mouȝte ſchal ete hem.
x Who of ȝou drediþ þe Lord, and heriþ þe vois of his
ſeruaunt? Who ȝede in dercneſſis and lyȝt is not to hym,
hope he in þe name of þe Lord, and triſte he on his God.
xi Lo! alle ȝe kyndlynge fier, and gird wiþ flawmes, go
in þe lyȝt of ȝoure fier, and in þe flawmes whiche ȝe
han kyndlid to ȝou. Þis is maad of myn hond to ȝou, ȝe
ſchulen ſlepe in ſorewis.
CAP. LI
i Here ȝe me, þat ſuen þat þat is iuſt, and ſeken þe Lord.
Take ȝe hede to þe ſtoon, fro whennys ȝe ben hewun
doun, and to þe caue of þe lake, fro which ȝe ben kit
doun.
DCLV
ii Take ȝe heede to Abraham, ȝoure fadir, and to Sare,
þat childide ȝou; for Y clepide hym oon, and Y bleſſide
hym, and Y multipliede hym.
iii Þerfor þe Lord ſchal coumforte Sion, and he ſchal
coumforte alle þe fallyngis þerof; and he ſchal ſette þe
deſert þerof as delices, and þe wildirneſſe þerof as a
gardyn of þe Lord; ioie and gladneſſe ſchal be foundun
þerynne, þe doyng of þankyngis and þe vois of heriyng.
iiii Mi puple, take ȝe heede to me, and, my lynage, here
ȝe me; for whi a lawe ſchal go out fro me, and my doom
ſchal reſte in to þe lyȝt of puplis.
v My iuſt man is nyȝ, my ſauȝour is gon out, and myn
armes ſchulen deme puplis; ilis ſchulen abide me, and
ſchulen ſuffre myn arm.
vi Reiſe ȝoure iȝen to heuene, and ſe ȝe vndur erþe
byneþe; for whi heuenes ſchulen melte awei as ſmoke,
and þe erþe ſchal be al to-brokun as a cloþ, and þe
dwelleris þerof ſchulen periſche as þeſe þingis; but myn
helþe ſchal be wiþouten ende, and my riȝtfulneſſe ſchal
not fayle.
vii Ȝe puple, þat knowen þe iuſt man, here me, my lawe
is in þe herte of hem; nyle ȝe drede þe ſchenſchipe of
men, and drede ȝe not þe blasfemyes of hem.
viii For whi a worm ſchal ete hem ſo as a cloþ, and a
mouȝte ſchal deuoure hem ſo as wolle; but myn helþe
ſchal be wiþouten ende, and my riȝtfulneſſe in to
generaciouns of generaciouns.
ix Riſe þou, riſe þou, arm of þe Lord, be þou cloþyd in
ſtrengþe; riſe þou, as in elde daies, in generaciouns of
worldis. Wheþer þou ſmytidiſt not þe proude man,
woundidiſt not þe dragoun?
x Wheþer þou driediſt not þe ſee, þe watir of þe greet
depþe, which ſettidiſt þe depþe of þe ſee a weie, þat
men `þat weren delyuered, ſchulden paſſe?
xi And now þei þat ben aȝenbouȝt of þe Lord ſchulen
turne aȝen, and ſchulen come heriynge in to Syon, and
euerlaſtynge gladneſſe on þe heedis of hem; þei ſchulen
holde ioie and gladneſſe, ſorewe and weilyng ſchal fle
awei.
xii `Y my ſilf ſchal coumforte ȝou; what art þou, þat þou
drede of a deedli man, and of þe ſone of man, þat ſchal
wexe drie ſo as hei?
xiii And þou haſt forȝete `þe Lord, þi creatour, þat
ſtretchide abrood heuenes, and foundide þe erþe; and
þou dreddiſt contynueli al dai of þe face of his
woodneſſe, þat dide tribulacioun to þee, and made redi
for to leeſe. Where is now þe woodneſſe of þe troblere?
xiiii Soone he ſchal come, goynge for to opene; and he
ſchal not ſle til to deþ, neþer his breed ſchal faile.
xv Forſoþe Y am þi Lord God, þat diſturble þe ſee, and
þe wawis þerof wexen greet; þe Lord of ooſtis is my
name.
xvi Y haue put my wordis in þi mouþ, and Y defendide
þee in þe ſchadewe of myn hond; þat þou plaunte
heuenes, and founde þe erþe, and ſeie to Sion, Þou art
my puple.
xvii Be þou reiſid, be þou reiſid, riſe þou, Jeruſalem, þat
haſt drunke of þe hond of þe Lord þe cuppe of his
wraþþe; þou haſt drunke `til to þe botme of þe cuppe of
ſleep, þou haſt drunke of `til to þe draſtis.
xviii Noon is þat ſuſteyneþ it, of alle þe ſones whiche it
gendride; and noon is þat takiþ þe hond þerof, of alle þe
ſones whiche it nurſhide.
xix Twei þingis ben þat camen to þee; who ſchal be ſori
on þee? diſtriyng, and defoulyng, and hungur, and
ſwerd. Who ſchal coumforte þee?
xx Þi ſones ben caſt forþ, þei ſlepten in þe heed of alle
weies, as þe beeſte orix, takun bi a ſnare; þei ben ful of
indignacioun of þe Lord, of blamyng of þi God.
xxi Þerfor, þou pore, and drunkun, not of wyn, here þeſe
þingis.
xxii Þi lordli gouernour, þe Lord, and þi God, þat fauȝt
for his puple, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y haue take fro þyn
hond þe cuppe of ſleep, þe botme of þe cuppe of myn
indignacioun; Y ſchal not leie to, þat þou drynke it ony
more.
xxiii And Y ſchal ſette it in þe hond of hem þat maden
þee low, and ſeiden to þi ſoule, Be þou bowid þat we
paſſe; and þou haſt ſet þi bodi as erþe, and as a weye to
hem þat goen forþ.
CAP. LII
i Riſe þou, Sion, riſe þou, be þou cloþid in þi ſtrengþe;
Jeruſalem, þe citee of þe hooli, be þou cloþid in þe
cloþis of þi glorie; for a man vncircumcidid and a man
vncleene ſchal no more leie to, þat he paſſe by þee.
ii Jeruſalem, be þou ſchakun out of duſt; riſe þou, ſitte
þou; þou douȝter of Sion, priſoner, vnbynde þe boondis
of þi necke.
iii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝe ben ſeeld wiþout
cauſe, and ȝe ſchulen be aȝenbouȝt wiþ out ſiluer.
iiii For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Mi puple in þe
bigynnyng ȝede doun in to Egipt, þat it ſchulde be þere
`an erþe tiliere, and Aſſur falſli calengide it wiþ out ony
cauſe.
v And now what is to me here? ſeiþ þe Lord; for my
puple is takun awei wiþ out cauſe; þe lordis þerof doen
wickidli, ſeiþ þe Lord, and my name is blasfemyd
contynueli al dai.
vi For þis þing my puple ſchal knowe my name in þat
day, for lo! Y my ſilf þat ſpak, am preſent.
vii Ful faire ben þe feet of hym þat telliþ, and prechiþ
pees on hillis, of hym þat telliþ good, of hym þat
prechiþ helþe, and ſeiþ, Sion, þi God ſchal regne.
viii Þe vois of þi biholderis; þei reiſiden þe vois, þei
ſchulen herie togidere; for þei ſchulen ſe wiþ iȝe to iȝe,
whanne þe Lord haþ conuertid Sion.
DCLVI
ix Þe forſakun þingis of Jeruſalem, make ȝe ioie, and
herie ȝe togidere; for þe Lord haþ coumfortid his puple,
he haþ aȝenbouȝt Jeruſalem.
x Þe Lord haþ maad redi his hooli arm in þe iȝen of alle
folkis, and alle þe endis of þe erþe ſchulen ſe þe helþe
of oure God.
xi Go ȝe awei, go ȝe awei, go ȝe out fro þennus; nyle ȝe
touche defoulid þing, go ȝe out fro þe myddis þerof; be
ȝe clenſid, þat beren þe veſſels of þe Lord.
xii For ȝe ſchulen not go out in noyſe, neþer ȝe ſchulen
haaſte in fleynge awei; for whi þe Lord ſchal go bifore
ȝou, and þe God of Iſrael ſchal gadere ȝou togidere.
xiii Lo! my ſeruaunt ſchal vndirſtonde, and he ſchal be
enhaunſid, and he ſchal be reiſid, and he ſchal be ful hiȝ.
xiiii As many men wondriden on hym, ſo his biholdyng
ſchal be wiþ out glorie among men, and þe fourme of
hym among þe ſones of men.
xv He ſchal biſprenge many folkis; kyngis ſchulen holde
togidere her mouþ on him; for þei ſchulen ſe, to whiche
it was not teld of hym, and þei þat herden not, bihelden.
CAP. LIII
i Who bileuyde to oure heryng? and to whom is þe arm
of þe Lord ſchewide?
ii And he ſchal ſtie as a ȝerde bifore hym, and as a roote
fro þirſti lond. And neþer ſchap neþer fairneſſe was to
hym; and we ſien hym, and no biholdyng was;
iii and we deſiriden hym, diſpiſid, and þe laſte of men, a
man of ſorewis, and knowynge ſikeneſſe. And his cheer
was as hid and diſpiſid; wherfor and we arettiden not
hym.
iiii Verili he ſuffride oure ſikeneſſis, and he bar oure
ſorewis; and we arettiden hym as a meſel, and ſmytun of
God, and maad low.
v Forſoþe he was woundid for oure wickidneſſis, he was
defoulid for oure greet treſpaſſis; þe lernyng of oure
pees was on hym, and we ben maad hool bi his
wanneſſe.
vi Alle we erriden as ſcheep, ech man bowide in to his
owne weie, and þe Lord puttide in hym þe wickidneſſe
of vs alle.
vii He was offrid, for he wolde, and he openyde not his
mouþ; as a ſcheep he ſchal be led to ſleyng, and he ſchal
be doumb as a lomb bifore hym þat clippiþ it, and he
ſchal not opene his mouþ.
viii He is takun awey fro angwiſch and fro doom; who
ſchal telle out þe generacioun of hym? For he was kit
doun fro þe lond of lyueris. Y ſmoot hym for þe greet
treſpas of my puple.
ix And he ſchal ȝyue vnfeiþful men for biriyng, and
riche men for his deþ; for he dide not wickidneſſe,
neþer gile was in his mouþ;
x and þe Lord wolde defoule hym in ſikeneſſe. If he
puttiþ his lijf for ſynne, he ſchal ſe ſeed long durynge,
and þe wille of þe Lord ſchal be dreſſid in his hond.
xi For þat þat his ſoule trauelide, he ſchal ſe, and ſchal
be fillid. Þilke my iuſt ſeruaunt ſchal iuſtifie many men
in his kunnyng, and he ſchal bere þe wickidneſſis of
hem.
xii Þerfor Y ſchal ȝelde, eþir dele, to hym ful many men,
and he ſchal departe þe ſpuilis of þe ſtronge feendis; for
þat þat he ȝaf his lijf in to deþ, and was arettid wiþ
felenouſe men; and he dide a wei þe ſynne of many
men, and he preiede for treſpaſſouris.
CAP. LIIII
i Þou bareyn, þat childiſt not, herie; þou þat childiſt not,
ſynge heriyng, and make ioie; for whi many ſones ben
of þe forſakun `womman more þan of hir þat hadde
hoſebonde, ſeiþ þe Lord.
ii Alarge þou þe place of þi tente, and ſtretche forþ þe
ſkynnes of þi tabernaclis; ſpare þou not, make longe þi
roopis, and make ſad þi nailis.
iii For þou ſchalt perſe to þe riȝtſide and to þe leftſide;
and þi ſeed ſchal enherite heþene men, and ſchal dwelle
in forſakun citees.
iiii Nile þou drede, for þou ſchal not be ſchent, neþer
þou ſchalt be aſchamed. For it ſchal not ſchame þee; for
þou ſchalt forȝete þe ſchenſchipe of þi ȝongþe, and þou
ſchalt no more þenke on þe ſchenſchipe of þi
widewehod.
v For he þat made þee, ſchal be lord of þee; þe Lord of
ooſtis is his name; and þin aȝenbiere, þe hooli of Iſrael,
ſchal be clepid God of al erþe.
vi For þe Lord haþ clepid þee as a womman forſakun
and morenynge in ſpirit, and a wijf, `þat is caſt awei fro
ȝongþe.
vii Þi Lord God ſeide, At a poynt in litil tyme Y forſook
þee, and Y ſchal gadere þee togidere in greete merciful
doyngis.
viii In a moment of indignacioun Y hidde my face a litil
fro þee, and in merci euerlaſtynge Y hadde merci on
þee, ſeide þin aȝenbiere, þe Lord.
ix As in þe daies of Noe, þis þing is to me, to whom Y
ſwoor, þat Y ſchulde no more bringe watris of þe greet
flood on þe erþe; ſo Y ſwoor, þat Y be no more wrooþ to
þee, and þat Y blame not þee.
x Forſoþe hillis ſchulen be mouyd togidere, and litle
hillis ſchulen tremble togidere; but my merci ſchal not
go a wei fro þee, and þe boond of my pees ſchal not be
mouyd, ſeide þe merciful doere, þe Lord.
xi Þou litle and pore, drawun out bi tempeſt, wiþ outen
ony coumfort, lo! Y ſchal ſtrewe þi ſtoonys bi ordre, and
Y ſchal founde þee in ſafiris;
DCLVII
xii and Y ſchal ſette iaſpis þi touris, and þi ȝatis in to
grauun ſtoonys, and alle þin eendis in to deſirable
ſtoonys.
xiii `Y ſchal make alle þi ſones tauȝt of þe Lord; and þe
multitude of pees to þi ſones,
xiiii and þou ſchalt be foundid in riȝtfulneſſe. Go þou
awei fer fro fals caleng, for þou ſchalt not drede; and fro
drede, for it ſchal not neiȝe to þee.
xv Lo! a ſtraunger ſchal come, þat was not wiþ me; he,
þat was ſum tyme þi comelyng, ſchal be ioyned to þee.
xvi Lo! Y made a ſmyþ blowynge coolis in fier, and
bringynge forþ a veſſel in to his werk; and Y haue maad
a ſleere, for to leeſe.
xvii Ech veſſel which is maad aȝens þee, ſchal not be
dreſſid; and in þe doom þou ſchalt deme ech tunge
aȝenſtondynge þee. Þis is þe eritage of þe ſeruauntis of
þe Lord, and þe riȝtfulneſſe of hem at me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. LV
i Alle þat þirſten, come ȝe to watris, and ȝe han not
ſiluer, haaſte, bie ȝe, and ete ȝe; come ȝe, bie ȝe, wiþ out
ſiluer and wiþ outen ony chaungyng, wyn and mylk.
ii Whi peiſen ȝe ſiluer, and not in looues, and ȝoure
trauel, not in fulneſſe? Ȝe herynge here me, and ete ȝe
good, and ȝoure ſoule ſchal delite in fatneſſe.
iii Bowe ȝe ȝoure eere, and `come ȝe to me; here ȝe, and
ȝoure ſoule ſchal lyue; and Y ſchal ſmyte wiþ ȝou a
couenaunt euerlaſtynge, þe feiþful mercies of Dauid.
iiii Lo! Y ȝaf hym a witneſſe to puplis, a duyk and a
comaundour to folkis.
v Lo! þou ſchalt clepe folkis, whiche þou knewiſt not;
and folkis, þat knewen not þee, ſchulen renne to þee; for
þi Lord God, and þe hooli of Iſrael, for he glorifiede
þee.
vi Seke ȝe þe Lord, while he mai be foundun; clepe ȝe
hym to help, while he is niȝ.
vii An vnfeiþful man forſake his weie, and a wickid man
forſake hiſe þouȝtis; and turne he aȝen to þe Lord, and
he ſchal haue merci on hym, and to oure God, for he is
myche to forȝyue.
viii For why my þouȝtis ben not ȝoure þouȝtis, and my
weies ben not ȝoure weies, ſeiþ þe Lord.
ix For as heuenys ben reiſid fro erþe, ſo my weies ben
reiſid fro ȝoure weies, and my þouȝtis fro ȝoure þouȝtis.
x And as reyn and ſnow comeþ doun fro heuene, and
turneþ no more aȝen þidur, but it filliþ þe erþe, and
biſchediþ it, and makiþ it to buriowne, and ȝyueþ ſeed
to hym þat ſowiþ, and breed to hym þat etiþ,
xi ſo ſchal be my word, þat ſchal go out of my mouþ. It
ſchal not turne aȝen voide to me, but it ſchal do what
euer þingis Y wolde, and it ſchal haue proſperite in þeſe
þingis to whiche Y ſente it.
xii For ȝe ſchulen go out in gladneſſe, and ȝe ſchulen be
led forþ in pees; mounteyns and litil hillis ſchulen ſynge
heriynge bifore ȝou, and alle þe trees of þe cuntrei
ſchulen make ioie wiþ hond.
xiii A fir tre ſchal grow for a firſe, and a mirte tre ſchal
wexe for a nettil; and þe Lord ſchal be nemyd in to a
ſigne euerlaſtynge, þat ſchal not be doon awei.
CAP. LVI
i Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Kepe ȝe doom, and do ȝe
riȝtfulneſſe, for whi myn helþe is niȝ, þat it come, and
my riȝtfulneſſe, þat it be ſchewid.
ii Bleſſid is þe man, þat doiþ þis, and þe ſone of man,
þat ſchal take þis; kepynge þe ſabat, þat he defoule not
it, kepynge hiſe hondis, þat he do not ony yuel.
iii And ſeie not þe ſone of a comelyng, þat cleueþ faſte
to þe Lord, ſeiynge, Bi departyng þe Lord ſchal departe
me fro his puple; and a geldyng, eþer a chaſt man, ſeie
not, Lo! Y am a drie tree.
iiii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to geldingis, þat kepen
my ſabatis, and cheſen what þingis Y wolde, and holden
my boond of pees.
v Y ſchal ȝyue to hem a place in myn hous, and in my
wallis, and þe beſte name of ſones and douȝtris; Y ſchal
ȝyue to hem a name euerlaſtynge, þat ſchal not periſche.
vi And Y ſchal brynge in to blis þe ſones of a comelyng,
þat cleuen faſte to þe Lord, þat þei worſchipe hym, and
loue his name, þat þei be to hym in to ſeruauntis; ech
man kepynge þe ſabat, þat he defoule it not, and
holdynge my boond of pees;
vii Y ſchal brynge hem in to myn hooli hil, and Y ſchal
make hem glad in þe hous of my preier; her brent
ſacrifices and her ſlayn ſacrifices ſchulen pleſe me on
my auter; for whi myn hous ſchal be clepid an hous of
preier to alle puplis,
viii ſeiþ þe Lord God, þat gaderiþ togidere þe ſcaterid
men of Iſrael. Ȝit Y ſchal gadere togidere to hym alle þe
gaderid men þerof.
ix Alle beeſtis of þe feeld, come ȝe to deuoure, alle
beeſtis of þe foreſt.
x Alle þe biholderis þerof ben blinde, alle þei knewen
not; doumbe doggis, þat moun not berke, ſeynge veyn
þingis, ſlepynge, and louynge dremes;
xi and mooſt vnſchamefaſt doggis knewen not fulneſſe.
Þo ſcheepherdis knewen not vndurſtondyng; alle þei
bowyden in to her weie, ech man to his aueryce, fro þe
hiȝeſte `til to þe laſte.
xii Come ȝe, take we wyn, and be we fillid of
drunkeneſſe; and it ſchal be as to dai, ſo and to morewe,
and myche more.
CAP. LVII
i A iuſt man periſchiþ, and noon is, þat þenkiþ in his
herte; and men of merci ben gaderid togidere, for noon
DCLVIII
is þat vndurſtondiþ; for whi a iuſt man is gaderid fro þe
face of malice.
ii Pees come, reſte he in his bed, þat ȝede in his
dreſſyng.
iii But ȝe, ſones of þe ſekere of fals dyuynyng bi
chiteryng of briddys, neiȝe hidur, þe ſeed of auowtreſſe,
and of an hoore.
iiii On whom ſcorneden ȝe? on whom maden ȝe greet þe
mouþ, and puttiden out þe tunge? Wheþir ȝe ben not
curſid ſones, a ſeed of leeſyngis?
v which ben coumfortid in goddis, vndur ech tree ful of
bowis, and offren litle children in ſtrondis, vndur hiȝe
ſtoonys.
vi Þi part is in þe partis of þe ſtronde, þis is þi part; and
to þo þou ſcheddiſt out moiſt offryng, þou offridiſt
ſacrifice. Wheþer Y ſchal not haue indignacioun on þeſe
þingis?
vii Þou puttidiſt þi bed on an hiȝ hil and enhaunſid, and
þidur þou ſtiediſt to offre ſacrifices;
viii and þou ſettidiſt þi memorial bihynde þe dore, and
bihynde þe poſt. For biſidis me þou vnhilidiſt, and tokiſt
auouter; þou alargidiſt þi bed, and madiſt a boond of
pees wiþ hem; þou louediſt þe bed of hem wiþ openyd
hond,
ix and ournediſt þee wiþ kyngis oynement, and þou
multipliediſt þi pymentis; þou ſentiſt fer þi meſſangeris,
and þou art maad low `til to hellis.
x Þou trauelidiſt in þe multitude of þi weie, and ſeidiſt
not, Y ſchal reſte; þou haſt founde þe weie of þin hond,
xi þerfor þou preiediſt not. For what þing dreddiſt þou
biſy, for þou liediſt, and þouȝtiſt not on me? And þou
þouȝtiſt not in þin herte, þat Y am ſtille, and as not
ſeynge; and þou haſt forȝete me.
xii Y ſchal telle þi riȝtfulneſſe, and þi werkis ſchulen not
profite to þee.
xiii Whanne þou ſchalt crie, þi gaderid treſours delyuere
þee; and þe wynd ſchal take awei alle þo, a blaſt ſchal
do awei hem; but he þat haþ triſt on me, ſchal enherite
þe lond, and ſchal haue in poſſeſſioun myn hooli hil.
xiiii And Y ſchal ſeie, Make ȝe weie, ȝyue ȝe iurney,
bowe ȝe fro þe paþ, do ȝe awei hirtyngis fro þe weie of
my puple.
xv For þe Lord hiȝ, and enhaunſid, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, þat
dwelliþ in euerlaſtyngneſſe, and his hooli name in hiȝ
place, and þat dwelliþ in hooli, and wiþ a contrite and
meke ſpirit, þat he quykene þe ſpirit of meke men, and
quykene þe herte of contrit men.
xvi For Y ſchal not ſtryue wiþ outen ende, neþer Y ſchal
be wrooþ `til to þe ende; for whi a ſpirit ſchal go out fro
my face, and Y ſchal make blaſtis.
xvii Y was wrooþ for þe wickidneſſe of his aueryce, and
Y ſmoot hym. Y hidde my face fro þee, and Y hadde
indignacioun; and he ȝede wiþ out ſtidfaſt dwellyng, in
þe weie of his herte.
xviii Y ſiȝ hiſe weies, and Y helide hym, and Y brouȝte
hym aȝen; and Y ȝaf coumfortyngis to hym, and to þe
moreneris of hym.
xix Y made þe fruyt of lippis pees, pees to hym þat is
fer, and to hym þat is niȝ, ſeide þe Lord; and Y heelide
hym.
xx But wickid men ben as þe buyling ſee, þat may not
reſte; and þe wawis þerof fleten aȝen in to defoulyng,
and fen.
xxi Þe Lord God ſeide, Pees is not to wickid men.
CAP. LVIII
i Crye þou, ceeſſe þou not; as a trumpe enhaunſe þi vois,
and ſchewe þou to my puple her grete treſpaſſis, and to
þe hous of Jacob her ſynnes.
ii For þei ſeken me fro dai in to dai, and þei wolen
knowe my weies; as a folk, þat haþ do riȝtfulneſſe, and
þat haþ not forſake þe doom of her God; þei preien me
domes of riȝtfulneſſe, and wolen neiȝ to God.
iii Whi faſtiden we, and þou biheldiſt not; we mekiden
oure ſoulis, and þou knewiſt not? Lo! ȝoure wille is
foundun in þe dai of ȝoure faſtyng, and ȝe axen alle
ȝoure dettouris.
iiii Lo! ȝe faſten to chidyngis and ſtryuyngis, and ſmyten
wiþ þe fiſt wickidli. Nyl ȝe faſt, as `til to þis dai, þat
ȝoure cry be herd an hiȝ.
v Wheþer ſich is þe faſtyng which Y chees, a man to
turmente his ſoule bi dai? wheþer to bynde his heed as a
ſercle, and to make redi a ſak and aiſche? Wheþir þou
ſchalt clepe þis a faſtyng, and a dai acceptable to þe
Lord?
vi Wheþer not þis is more þe faſtyng, which Y chees?
Vnbynde þou þe byndingis togidere of vnpitee, releeſſe
þou birþuns preſſynge doun; delyuere þou hem free, þat
ben brokun, and breke þou ech birþun.
vii Breke þi breed to an hungri man, and brynge in to
þin hous nedi men and herborles; whanne þou ſeeſt a
nakid man, hile þou hym, and diſpiſe not þi fleiſch.
viii Þanne þi lyȝt ſchal breke out as þe morewtid, and þin
helþe ſchal riſe ful ſoone; and þi riȝtfulneſſe ſchal go
bifore þi face, and þe glorie of þe Lord ſchal gadere
þee.
ix Þanne þou ſchalt clepe to help, and þe Lord ſchal
here; þou ſchalt crie, and he ſchal ſeie, Lo! Y am
preſent, for Y am merciful, þi Lord God. If þou takiſt
awei a chayne fro þe myddis of þee, and ceeſſiſt to
holde forþ þe fyngur, and to ſpeke þat profitiþ not;
x whanne þou ſchediſt out þi ſoule to an hungri man,
and filliſt a ſoule, `þat is turmentid, þi lyȝt ſchal riſe in
derkneſſis, and þi derkneſſis ſchulen be as myddai.
xi And þe Lord þi God ſchal ȝyue euere reſte to þee, and
ſchal fille þi ſoule wiþ ſchynyngis, and ſchal delyuere þi
DCLIX
boonys; and þou ſchalt be as a watri gardyn, and as a
welle of watris, whoſe waters ſchulen not faile.
xii And þe forſakun þingis of worldis ſchulen be bildid
in þee, and þou ſchalt reiſe þe foundementis of
generacioun and generacioun; and þou ſchalt be clepid a
bildere of heggis, turnynge awei þe paþis of
wickidneſſis.
xiii If þou turneſt awei þi foot fro þe ſabat, to do þi wille
in myn hooli dai, and clepiſt þe ſabat delicat, and hooli,
þe gloriouſe of þe Lord, and glorifieſt him, while þou
doiſt not þi weies, and þi wille is not foundun, þat þou
ſpeke a word;
xiiii þanne þou ſchalt delite on þe Lord, and Y ſchal reiſe
þee on þe hiȝneſſe of erþe, and Y ſchal fede þee wiþ þe
eritage of Jacob, þi fadir; for whi þe mouþ of þe Lord
ſpak.
CAP. LIX
i Lo! þe hoond of þe Lord is not abreggid, þat he mai
not ſaue, neþer his eere is maad hard, þat he here not;
ii but ȝoure wickidneſſis han departid bitwixe ȝou and
ȝoure God, and ȝoure ſynnes han hid his face fro ȝou,
þat he ſchulde not here.
iii For whi ȝoure hondis ben defoulid wiþ blood, and
ȝoure fyngris wiþ wickidneſſe; ȝoure lippis ſpaken
leeſyng, and ȝoure tunge ſpekiþ wickidneſſe.
iiii Noon is, þat clepiþ riȝtfulneſſe to help, and noon is,
þat demeþ verili; but þei triſten in nouȝt, and ſpeken
vanytees; þei conſeyueden trauel, and childiden
wickidneſſe.
v Þei han broke eiren of ſnakis, and maden webbis of an
yreyn; he þat etiþ of þe eiren of hem, ſchal die, and þat
þat is nurſchid, eþer brouȝt forþ, ſchal breke out in to a
cocatrice.
vi Þe webbis of hem ſchulen not be in to cloþ, neþir þei
ſchulen be hilid wiþ her werkis; þe werkis of hem ben
vnprofitable werkis, and þe werk of wickidneſſe is in þe
hondis of hem.
vii Þe feet of hem rennen to yuel, and haaſten to ſchede
out innocent blood; þe þouȝtis of hem ben vnprofitable
þouȝtis; diſtriyng and defouling ben in þe weies of hem.
viii Þei knewen not þe weie of pees, and doom is not in
þe goyngis of hem; þe paþis of hem ben bowid to hem;
ech þat trediþ in þo, knowiþ not pees.
ix Þerfor doom is made fer fro vs, and riȝtfulneſſe ſchal
not take vs; we abididen lyȝt, and lo! derkneſſis ben; we
abididen ſchynyng, and we ȝeden in derkneſſis.
x We gropiden as blynde men þe wal, and we as wiþ
outen iȝen touchiden; we ſtumbliden in myddai, as in
derkneſſis, in derk places, as deed men.
xi Alle we ſchulen rore as beeris, and we ſchulen weile
þenkynge as culueris; we abididen doom, and noon is;
we abididen helþe, and it is maad fer fro vs.
xii For whi oure wickidneſſis ben multiplied bifore þee,
and oure ſynnes anſweriden to vs; for our grete treſpaſſis
ben wiþ vs, and we knewen oure wickidneſſis,
xiii to do ſynne, and to lie aȝens þe Lord. And we ben
turned awei, þat we ȝeden not aftir þe bak of oure God,
þat we ſpeken fals caleng, and treſpaſſyng. We
conſeyueden, and ſpaken of herte wordis of leeſyng; and
doom was turned abak,
xiiii and riȝtfulneſſe ſtood fer; for whi treuþe felle doun
in þe ſtreet, and equite miȝt not entre.
xv And treuþe was maad in to forȝetyng, and he þat ȝede
awei fro yuel, was opyn to robbyng. And þe Lord ſiȝ,
and it apperide yuel in hiſe iȝen, for þer is no doom.
xvi And God ſiȝ, þat a man is not, and he was
angwiſchid, for noon is þat renneþ to. And his arm ſchal
ſaue to hym ſilf, and his riȝtfulneſſe it ſilf ſchal
conferme hym.
xvii He is cloþid wiþ riȝtfulneſſe as wiþ an harburioun,
and þe helm of helþe is in his heed; he is cloþid wiþ
cloþis of veniaunce, and he is hilid as wiþ a mentil of
feruent worchyng.
xviii As to veniaunce, as to ȝeldyng of indignacioun to
hiſe enemyes, and to quityng of tyme to hiſe
aduerſaries, he ſchal ȝelde while to ylis.
xix And þei þat ben at þe weſt, ſchulen drede þe name of
þe Lord, and þei þat ben at þe riſyng of þe ſunne,
ſchulen drede þe glorie of hym; whanne he ſchal come
as a violent flood, whom þe ſpirit of þe Lord compelliþ.
xx Whan aȝen biere ſchal come to Syon, and to hem þat
goen aȝen fro wickidneſſe in Jacob, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxi Þis is my boond of pees wiþ hem, ſeiþ þe Lord; My
ſpirit which is in þee, and my wordis whiche Y haue ſet
in þi mouþ, ſchulen not go awei fro þi mouþ, and fro þe
mouþ of þi ſeed, ſeiþ þe Lord, fro hennus forþ and til
into wiþ outen ende.
CAP. LX
i Riſe þou, Jeruſalem, be þou liȝtned, for þi lyȝt is
comun, and þe glorie of þe Lord is riſun on þee.
ii For lo! derkneſſis ſchulen hile þe erþe, and myiſt ſchal
hile puplis; but þe Lord ſchal riſe on þee, and his glorie
ſchal be ſeyn in þee.
iii And heþene men ſchulen go in þi lyȝt, and kyngis
`ſchulen go in þe ſchynyng of þi riſyng.
iiii Reiſe þin iȝen in cumpas, and ſe; alle þeſe men ben
gaderid togidere, þei ben comun to þee; þi ſones ſchulen
come fro fer, and þi douȝtris ſchulen riſe fro þe ſide.
v Þanne þou ſchalt ſe, and ſchalt flowe; and þin herte
ſchal wondre, and ſchal be alargid, whanne þe multitude
of þe ſee is conuertid to þee, þe ſtrengþe of heþene men
is comun to þee;
vi þe flowyng of camels ſchal hile þee, þe lederis of
dromedis of Madian and of Effa; alle men of Saba
DCLX
ſchulen come, bryngynge gold and encenſe, and
tellynge heriyng to þe Lord.
vii Ech ſcheep of Cedar ſchal be gaderid to þee, þe
rammes of Nabaioth ſchulen mynyſtre to þee; þei
ſchulen be offrid on myn acceptable auter, and Y ſchal
glorifie þe hous of my maieſte.
viii Who ben þeſe, þat fleen as cloudis, and as culueris at
her wyndowis?
ix Forſoþe ilis abiden me, and þe ſchippis of þe ſee in þe
bigynnyng; þat Y brynge þi ſones fro fer, þe ſiluer of
hem, and þe gold of hem is wiþ hem, to þe name of þi
Lord God, and to þe hooli of Iſrael; for he ſchal glorifie
þee.
x And þe ſones of pilgrymes ſchulen bilde þi wallis, and
þe kyngis of hem ſchulen mynyſtre to þee. For Y ſmoot
þee in myn indignacioun, and in my recounſelyng Y
hadde merci on þee.
xi And þi ȝatis ſchulen be openyd contynueli, day and
niȝt þo ſchulen not be cloſid; þat þe ſtrengþe of heþene
men be brouȝt to þee, and þe kyngis of hem be brouȝt.
xii For whi þe folk and rewme þat ſerueþ not þee, ſchal
periſche, and heþene men ſchulen be diſtried bi
wildirneſſe.
xiii Þe glorie of þe Liban ſchal come to þee, a fir tre, and
box tre, and pyne appil tre togidere, to ourne þe place of
myn halewyng; and Y ſchal glorifie þe place of my feet.
xiiii And þe ſones of hem þat maden þee lowe, ſchulen
come lowe to þee, and alle þat bacbitiden þee, ſchulen
worſchipe þe ſteppis of þi feet; and ſchulen clepe þee A
citee of þe Lord of Sion, of þe hooli of Iſrael.
xv For þat þat þou were forſakun, and hatid, and noon
was þat paſſide bi þee, Y ſchal ſette þee in to pryde of
worldis, ioie in generacioun and in to generacioun.
xvi And þou ſchalt ſouke þe mylke of folkis, and þou
ſchalt be ſoclid wiþ þe tete of kyngis; and þou ſchalt
wite þat Y am þe Lord, ſauynge þee, and þin aȝen biere,
þe ſtronge of Jacob.
xvii For bras Y ſchal brynge gold, and for irun Y ſchal
brynge ſiluer; and bras for trees, and yrun for ſtoonys;
and Y ſchal ſette þi viſitacioun pees, and þi prelatis
riȝtfulneſſe.
xviii Wickidneſſe ſchal no more be herd in þi lond, neþer
diſtriyng and defoulyng in þi cooſtis; and helþe ſchal
ocupie þi wallis, and heriyng ſchal ocupie þi ȝatis.
xix Þe ſunne ſchal no more be to þee for to ſchyne bi dai,
neþer þe briȝtneſſe of þe moone ſchal liȝtne þee; but þe
Lord ſchal be in to euerlaſtynge lyȝt to þee, and þi God
ſchal be in to þi glorie.
xx Þi ſunne ſchal no more go doun, and þi moone ſchal
not be decreeſſid; for þe Lord ſchal be in to euerlaſtynge
lyȝt to þee, and þe daies of þi mourenyng ſchulen be
fillid.
xxi Forſoþe þi puple alle iuſt men, wiþouten ende
ſchulen enherite þe lond, þe ſeed of my plauntyng, þe
werk of myn hond for to be glorified.
xxii Þe leeſte ſchal be in to a þouſynde, and a litil man
ſchal be in to a ful ſtronge folk. Y, þe Lord, ſchal make
þis þing ſudenli, in þe tyme þerof.
CAP. LXI
i Þe ſpirit of þe Lord is on me, for þe Lord anoyntide
me; he ſente me to telle to mylde men, þat Y ſchulde
heele men contrite in herte, and preche forȝyueneſſe to
caitifs, and openyng to priſoneris; and preche a pleſaunt
ȝeer to þe Lord,
ii and a dai of veniaunce to oure God; þat Y ſchulde
coumforte alle þat mourenen;
iii þat Y ſchulde ſette coumfort to þe moureneris of Sion,
and þat Y ſchulde ȝyue to þem a coroun for aiſche, oile
of ioie for mourenyng, a mentil of preyſyng for þe ſpirit
of weilyng. And ſtronge men of riȝtfulneſſe ſchulen be
clepid þer ynne, þe plauntyng of þe Lord for to glorifie.
iiii And þei ſchulen bilde þingis `þat ben forſakun fro þe
world, and þei ſchulen reiſe elde fallyngis, and þei
ſchulen reſtore citees `þat ben forſakun and diſtried, in
generacioun and in to generacioun.
v And aliens ſchulen ſtonde, and fede ȝoure beeſtis; and
þe ſones of pilgrymes ſchulen be ȝoure erþe tilieris and
vyn tilieris.
vi But ȝe ſchulen be clepid þe preeſtis of þe Lord; it
ſchal be ſeid to ȝou, Ȝe ben mynyſtris of oure God. Ȝe
ſchulen ete þe ſtrengþe of heþene men, and ȝe ſchulen
be onourid in þe glorie of hem.
vii For ȝoure double ſchenſchip and ſchame þei ſchulen
preiſe þe part of hem; for þis þing þei ſchulen haue
peſibli double þingis in her lond, and euerlaſtynge
gladneſſe ſchal be to hem.
viii For Y am þe Lord, louynge doom, and hatynge
raueyn in brent ſacrifice. And Y ſchal ȝyue þe werk of
hem in treuþe, and Y ſchal ſmyte to hem an euerlaſtynge
boond of pees.
ix And þe ſeed of hem ſchal be knowun among folkis,
and þe buriownyng of hem in þe myddis of puplis. Alle
men þat ſeen hem, ſchulen knowe hem, for þeſe ben þe
ſeed, whom þe Lord bleſſide.
x I ioiynge ſchal haue ioie in þe Lord, and my ſoule
ſchal make ful out ioiyng in my God. For he haþ cloþid
me wiþ cloþis of helþe, and he haþ compaſſid me wiþ
cloþis of riȝtfulneſſe, as a ſpouſe made feir wiþ a
coroun, and as a ſpouſeſſe ourned wiþ her brochis.
xi For as þe erþe bryngiþ forþ his fruyt, and as a gardyn
buriowneþ his ſeed, ſo þe Lord God ſchal make to
growe riȝtfulneſſe, and preyſyng bifore alle folkis.
DCLXI
CAP. LXII
i For Sion Y ſchal not be ſtille, and for Jeruſalem Y ſchal
not reſte, til þe iuſt man þerof go out as ſchynyng, and
þe ſauȝour þerof be teendid as a laumpe.
ii And heþene men ſchulen ſe þi iuſt man, and alle
kyngis ſchulen ſe þi noble man; and a newe name,
which þe mouþ of þe Lord nemyde, ſchal be clepid to
þee.
iii And þou ſchalt be a coroun of glorie in þe hond of þe
Lord, and a diademe of þe rewme in þe hond of þi God.
iiii Þou ſchalt no more be clepid forſakun, and þi lond
ſchal no more be clepid deſolat; but þou ſchalt be clepid
My wille in þat, and þi lond ſchal be enhabitid; for it
pleſid þe Lord in þee, and þi lond ſchal be enhabited.
v For a ȝong man ſchal dwelle wiþ a virgyn, and þi
ſones ſchulen dwelle in þee; and þe ſpouſe ſchal haue
ioie on þe ſpouſeſſe, and þi God ſchal haue ioie on þee.
vi Jeruſalem, Y haue ordeyned keperis on þi wallis, al
dai and al niȝt wiþ outen ende þei ſchulen not be ſtille.
Ȝe þat þenken on þe Lord, be not ſtille,
vii and ȝyue ȝe not ſilence to him, til he ſtabliſche, and til
he ſette Jeruſalem `preiſyng in erþe.
viii Þe Lord ſwoor in his riȝt hond and in þe arm of his
ſtrengþe, Y ſchal no more ȝyue þi wheete mete to þin
enemyes, and alien ſones ſchulen not drynke þi wyn, in
which þou haſt trauelid.
ix For þei þat ſchulen gadere it togidere, ſchulen ete it,
and ſchulen herie þe Lord; and þei þat beren it togidere,
ſchulen drynke in myn hooli hallis.
x Paſſe ȝe, paſſe ȝe bi þe ȝatis; make ȝe redi weie to þe
puple, make ȝe a playn paþ; and cheſe ȝe ſtoonys, and
reiſe ȝe a ſigne to puplis.
xi Lo! þe Lord made herd in þe laſte partis of þe erþe.
Seie ȝe to þe douȝtir of Sion, Lo! þi ſauȝour comeþ; lo!
his meede is wiþ hym, and his werk is bifore hym.
xii And þei ſchulen clepe hem þe hooli puple, aȝenbouȝt
of þe Lord. Forſoþe þou ſchalt be clepid a citee ſouȝt,
and not forſakun.
CAP. LXIII
i Who is þis þat comeþ fro Edom, in died cloþis fro
Boſra? þis fair man in his `long cloþ, goynge in þe
multitude of his vertu? Y þat ſpeke riȝtfulneſſe, and am
a forfiȝtere for to ſaue.
ii Whi þerfor is þi cloþing reed? and þi cloþis ben as of
men ſtampynge in a preſſour?
iii Y aloone ſtampide þe preſſe, and of folkis no man is
wiþ me; Y ſtampide hem in my ſtronge veniaunce, and
Y defoulide hem in my wraþþe; and her blood is ſpreynt
on my cloþis, and Y made foul alle my cloþis.
iiii For whi a dai of veniaunce is in myn herte, and þe
ȝeer of my ȝeldyng comeþ.
vI lokide aboute, and noon helpere was; Y ſouȝte, and
noon was þat helpide; and myn arm ſauyde to me, and
myn indignacioun, þat helpide me.
vi And Y defoulide puplis in my ſtronge veniaunce; and
Y made hem drunkun in myn indignacioun, and Y drow
doun her vertu in to erþe.
vii I ſchal haue mynde on þe merciful doyngis of þe
Lord, Y ſchal preche þe heriyng of þe Lord on alle
þingis whiche þe Lord ȝeldide to vs, and on þe
multitude `of goodis of þe hous of Iſrael, whiche he ȝaf
to hem bi his forȝyueneſſe, and bi þe multitude of hiſe
mercies.
viii And þe Lord ſeide, Neþeles it is my puple, ſones not
denyynge, and he was maad a ſauȝour to hem in al þe
tribulacioun of hem.
ix It was not ſet in tribulacioun, and þe aungel of his
face ſauyde hem. In his loue and in his forȝyueneſſe he
aȝenbouȝte hem, and he bar hem, and reiſide hem in alle
daies of þe world.
x Forſoþe þei excitiden hym to wraþfulneſſe, and
turmentiden þe ſpirit of his hooli; and he was turned in
to an enemye to hem, and he ouercam hem in batel.
xi And he hadde mynde on þe daies of þe world, of
Moiſes, and of his puple. Where is he, þat ledde hem
out of þe ſee, wiþ þe ſcheepherdis of his floc? Where is
he, þat ſettide þe ſpirit of his holi in þe myddil þerof;
xii whiche ledde out Moiſes to þe riȝt half in þe arm of
his maieſte? which departide watris bifore hem, þat he
ſchulde make to hym ſilf a name euerlaſtynge;
xiii whiche ledde hem out þoruy depþis of watris, as an
hors not ſtumblynge in deſert,
xiiii as a beeſte goynge doun in þe feeld? Þe Spirit of þe
Lord was þe ledere þerof; ſo þou leddiſt þi puple, þat
þou madiſt to þee a name of glorie.
xv Biholde þou fro heuene, and ſe fro þin hooli
dwellyng place, and fro þe ſeete of þi glorie. Where is
þi feruent loue, and þi ſtrengþe, þe multitude of þin
entrailis, and of þi merciful doyngis?
xvi Þo wiþelden hem ſilf on me. Forſoþe þou art oure
fadir, and Abraham knew not vs, and Iſrael knew not vs.
xvii Þou, Lord, art oure fadir, and oure aȝenbiere; þi
name is fro þe world. Lord, whi haſt þou maad vs to
erre fro þi weies? þou haſt made hard oure herte, þat we
dredden not þee? be þou conuertid, for þi ſeruauntis, þe
lynages of þin eritage.
xviii Þei hadden as nouȝt þin hooli puple in poſſeſſioun,
and oure enemyes defouliden þin halewyng.
xix We ben maad as in þe bigynnyng, whanne þou were
not Lord of vs, neþir þi name was clepid to help on vs.
CAP. LXIIII
i I wolde þat þou brakiſt heuenes, and cameſt doun, þat
hillis fletiden awei fro þi face,
DCLXII
ii and failiden as brennyng of fier, and brente in fier; þat
þi name were made knowun to þin enemyes, and folkis
weren diſturblid of þi face.
iii Whanne þou ſchalt do merueils, we ſchulen not abide.
Þou cameſt doun, and hillis fletiden awei fro þi face.
iiii Fro þe world þei herden not, neþir perſeyueden wiþ
eeris; God, non iȝe ſiȝ, wiþouten þee, what þingis þou
haſt maad redi to hem þat abiden þee.
v Þou mettiſt hym þat is glad, and doiþ riȝtfulneſſe; in þi
weies þei ſchulen biþenke on þee. Lo! þou art wrooþ,
and we ſynneden; in þo ſynnes we weren euere, and we
ſchulen be ſaued.
vi And alle we ben maad as an vncleene man; alle oure
riȝtfulneſſis ben as þe cloþ of a womman in vncleene
blood; and alle we fellen doun as a leef, and our
wickidneſſis as wynd han take awei vs.
vii Noon is, þat clepiþ þi name to help, þat riſiþ, and
holdiþ þee; þou haſt hid þi face fro vs, and þou haſt
hurtlid doun vs in þe hond of oure wickidneſſe.
viii And now, Lord, þou art oure fadir; forſoþe we ben
cley, and þou art oure maker, and alle we ben þe werkis
of þin hondis.
ix Lord, be þou not wrooþ ynow, and haue þou no more
mynde on oure wickidneſſe. Lo! Lord, biholde þou, alle
we ben þi puple.
x Þe citee of þi ſeyntuarie is forſakun, Sion is maad
deſeert, Jeruſalem is deſolat;
xi þe hous of oure halewyng and of oure glorie, where
oure fadris herieden þee, is maad in to brennyng of fier;
and alle oure deſirable þingis ben turned in to fallyngis.
xii Lord, wheþer on þeſe þingis þou ſchalt wiþolde þee?
ſchalt þou be ſtille, and ſchalt þou turmente vs greetli?
CAP. LXV
i Þei ſouȝten me, þat axiden not bifore; þei þat ſouȝten
not me, founden me. Y ſeide, Lo! Y, lo! Y, to heþene
men þat knewen not me, and þat clepiden not mi name
to help.
ii I ſtretchide forþ myn hondis al dai to a puple
vnbileueful, þat goiþ in a weie not good, aftir her
þouȝtis.
iii It is a puple þat ſtiriþ me to wraþfulneſſe, euere bifore
my face; whiche offren in gardyns, and maken ſacrifice
on tiel ſtoonys;
iiii whiche dwellen in ſepulcris, and ſlepen in þe templis
of idols; whiche eten ſwynes fleiſch, and vnhooli iwiſch
is in þe veſſels of hem;
v whiche ſeien to an heþene man, Go þou awei fro me,
neiȝ þou not to me, for þou art vncleene; þeſe ſchulen be
ſmoke in my ſtronge veniaunce, fier brennynge al dai.
vi Lo! it is writun bifore me; Y ſchal not be ſtille, but Y
ſchal ȝelde, and Y ſchal quyte in to þe boſum of hem
ȝoure wickidneſſis,
vii and þe wickidneſſis of ȝoure fadris togidere, ſeiþ þe
Lord, whiche maden ſacrifice on mounteyns, and diden
ſchenſchipe to me on litle hillis; and Y ſchal mete aȝen
þe firſte werk of hem in her boſum.
viii Þe Lord ſeiþ þes þingis, As if a grape be foundun in
a cluſtre, and it be ſeid, Diſtrie þou not it, for it is
bleſſyng; ſo Y ſchal do for my ſeruantis, þat Y leeſe not
al.
ix And Y ſchal lede out of Jacob ſeed, and of Juda a man
hauynge in poſſeſſioun myn hooli hillis; and my choſun
men ſchulen enherite it, and my ſeruauntis ſchulen
dwelle þere.
x And þe feeldi places ſchulen be into floodis of flockis,
and þe valei of Achar in to a reſtyng place of droues of
neet, to my puple þat ſouȝten me.
xi And Y ſchal noumbre ȝou in ſwerd, þat forſoken þe
Lord, þat forȝaten myn hooli hil, whiche ſetten a boord
to fortune, and maken ſacrifice þeronne,
xii and alle ȝe ſchulen falle bi ſleyng; for þat þat Y
clepide, and ȝe anſweriden not; Y ſpak, and ȝe herden
not; and ȝe diden yuel bifor myn iȝen, and ȝe cheſiden
þo þingis whiche Y nolde.
xiii For þeſe þingis, þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo!
my ſeruauntis ſchulen ete, and ȝe ſchulen haue hungur;
lo! my ſeruauntis ſchulen drynke, and ȝe ſchulen be
þirſti;
xiiii lo! my ſeruauntis ſchulen be glad, and ȝe ſchulen be
aſchamed; lo! my ſeruauntis ſchulen herie, for þe ful
ioie of herte, and ȝe ſchulen crie, for þe ſorewe of herte,
and ȝe ſchulen ȝelle, for deſolacioun of ſpirit.
xv And ȝe ſchulen leeue ȝoure name in to an ooþ to my
choſun men; and þe Lord God ſchal ſle þee, and he ſchal
clepe hiſe ſeruauntis bi anoþer name.
xvi In which he þat is bleſſid on erþe, ſchal be bleſſid in
God amen; and he þat ſweriþ in erþe, ſhal ſwere in God
feiþfuli; for þe formere angwiſchis ben ȝouun to
forȝetyng, and for þo ben hid fro ȝoure iȝen.
xvii For lo! Y make newe heuenes and a newe erþe, and
þe formere þingis ſchulen not be in mynde, and ſchulen
not ſtie on þe herte.
xviii But ȝe ſchulen haue ioie, and make ful out ioiyng til
in to wiþ outen ende, in þeſe þingis whiche Y make; for
lo! Y make Jeruſalem ful out ioiynge, and þe puple
þerof ioie.
xix And Y ſchal make ful out ioiyng in Jeruſalem, and Y
ſchal haue ioie in my puple; and þe vois of weping and
þe vois of cry ſchal no more be herd þer ynne.
xx A ȝong child of daies ſchal no more be þere, and an
eld man þat filliþ not hiſe daies; for whi a child of an
hundrid ȝeer ſchal die, and a ſynnere of an hundrid ȝeer
ſchal be curſid.
xxi And þei ſchulen bilde houſis, and ſchulen enhabite
hem, and þei ſchulen plaunte vynes, and ſchulen ete þe
fruytis of þo.
DCLXIII
xxii Þei ſchulen not bilde houſis, and an oþir ſchal
enhabite hem, þei ſchulen not plaunte, and an oþir ſchal
ete; for whi þe daies of my puple ſchulen be after þe
daies of þe tree, and þe werkis of
xxiii her hondis ſchulen be elde to my choſun men. Þei
ſchulen not trauele in veyn, neþer þei ſchulen gendre in
diſturblyng; for it is þe ſeed of hem þat ben bleſſid of þe
Lord, and þe coſyns of hem ben wiþ hem.
xxiiii And it ſchal be, bifor þat þei crien, Y ſchal here; ȝit
while þei ſpeken, Y ſchal here.
xxv A wolf and a lomb ſchulen be fed togidere, and a
lioun and an oxe ſchulen ete ſtree, and to a ſerpent duſt
ſchal be his breed; þei ſchulen not anoie, neþer ſchulen
ſle, in al myn hooli hil, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. LXVI
i Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Heuene is my ſeete, and þe
erþe is þe ſtool of my feet. Which is þis hous, which ȝe
ſchulen bilde to me, and which is þis place of my reſte?
ii Myn hond made alle þeſe þingis, and alle þeſe þingis
ben maad, ſeiþ þe Lord; but to whom ſchal Y biholde,
no but to a pore man and contrit in ſpirit, and greetli
dredynge my wordis?
iii He þat offriþ an oxe, is as he þat ſleeþ a man; he þat
ſleeþ a ſcheep, is as he þat brayneþ a dogge; he þat
offriþ an offryng, is as he þat offriþ ſwynes blood; he
þat þenkeþ on encenſe, is as he þat bleſſiþ an idol; þei
cheſiden alle þes þingis in her weies, and her ſoule
delitide in her abhomynaciouns.
iiii Wherfor and Y ſchal cheſe þe ſcornyngis of hem, and
Y ſchal brynge to hem þo þingis whiche þei dredden;
for Y clepide, and noon was þat anſweride; Y ſpak, and
þei herden not; and þei diden yuel bifor myn iȝen, and
cheſiden þo þingis whiche Y nolde.
v Here ȝe þe word of þe Lord, whiche quaken at his
word; ȝoure briþeren hatynge ȝou, and caſtynge a wey
for my name, ſeiden, Þe Lord be glorified, and we
ſchulen ſe in ȝoure gladneſſe; forſoþe þei ſchulen be
ſchent.
vi Þe vois of þe puple fro þe citee, þe vois fro þe temple,
þe vois of þe Lord ȝeldynge a reward to hiſe enemyes.
vii Bifor þat ſche trauelide of child, ſche childide; bifor
þat þe ſorewe of hir child beryng cam, ſche childide a
ſone.
viii Who herde euere ſuche a þing, and who ſiȝ a þing
lijk þis? Wheþer þe erþe ſchal trauele of child in o dai,
eþer wheþer a folk ſchal be childide togidere? For whi
Sion trauelede of child, and childide hir ſones.
ix Wheþer þat Y `my ſilf þat make oþere to bere child,
ſchal not ber child? ſeiþ þe Lord. Wheþer Y þat ȝyue
generacioun to oþere men, ſchal be bareyn? ſeiþ þi Lord
God.
x Be ȝe glad wiþ Jeruſalem, and alle ȝe þat louen þat, ſchal not die, and þe fier of hem ſchal not be quenchid;
make ful out ioye þer ynne; alle ȝe þat mourenen on þat and þei ſchulen be `til to fillyng of ſiȝt to ech man.
Jeruſalem, make ȝe ioye wiþ it in ioie; Here endiþ Yſaie, and here biginneþ Jeremye.
xi þat boþe ȝe ſouke, and be fillid of þe tetis and
coumfort þerof, þat ȝe mylke, and flowe in delicis, of al
maner glorie þerof.
xii For whi þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal bowe
doun on it, as a flood of pees, and as a flowynge ſtreem
þe glorie of heþene men, which ȝe ſchulen ſouke; ȝe
ſchulen be borun at tetis, and on knees þei ſchulen ſpeke
pleſauntly to ȝou.
xiii As if a modir ſpekiþ faire to ony child, ſo Y ſchal
coumforte ȝou, and ȝe ſchulen be coumfortid in
Jeruſalem.
xiiii Ȝe ſchulen ſe, and ȝoure herte ſchal haue ioie, and
ȝoure boonys ſchulen buriowne as an erbe. And þe hond
of þe Lord ſchal be knowun in hiſe ſeruauntis, and he
ſchal haue indignacioun to hiſe enemyes.
xv For lo! þe Lord ſchal come in fier, and as a
whirlwynd hiſe charis, to ȝelde in indignacioun hiſe
ſtrong veniaunce, and his blamyng in þe flawme of fier.
xvi For whi þe Lord ſchal deme in fier, and in hys ſwerd
to ech fleiſch; and ſlayn men of þe Lord ſchulen be
multiplied,
xvii þat weren halewid, and geſſiden hem cleene, in
gardyns aftir o ȝate wiþ ynne; þat eten ſwynes fleiſch,
and abhomynacioun, and a mows, þei ſchulen be
waaſtid togidere, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xviii Forſoþe Y come to gadere togidere þe werkis of
hem, and þe þouȝtis of hem, wiþ alle folkis and
langagis; and þei ſchulen come, and ſchulen ſe my
glorie.
xix And Y ſchal ſette a ſigne in hem, and Y ſchal ſende of
hem þat ben ſauyd to heþene men, in to þe ſee, in to
Affrik, and in to Liddia, and to hem þat holden arowe,
in to Italie, and Greek lond, to ilis fer, to hem þat
herden not of me, and ſien not my glorie. And þei
ſchulen telle my glorie to heþene men,
xx and þei ſchulen brynge alle ȝoure briþeren of alle
folkis a ȝifte to þe Lord, in horſis, and charis, and in
literis, and in mulis, and in cartis, to myn hooli hil,
Jeruſalem, ſeiþ þe Lord; as if þe ſones of Iſrael bryngen
a ȝifte in a cleene veſſel in to þe hous of þe Lord.
xxi And Y ſchal take of hem in to preeſtis and dekenes,
ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxii For as newe heuenes and newe erþe, whiche Y make
to ſtonde bifore me, ſeiþ þe Lord, ſo ȝoure ſeed ſchal
ſtonde, and ȝoure name.
xxiii And a moneþe ſchal be of moneþe, and a ſabat of
ſabat; ech man ſchal come for to worſchipe bifore my
face, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxiiii And þei ſchulen go out, and ſchulen ſe þe careyns
of men, þat treſpaſſiden aȝens me; þe worm of hem

DCLXIV

JEREMIE
Here biginniþ þe book of Jeremie, þe profete.
CAP. I
i Þe wordis of Jeremye, ſone of Helchie, of þe preeſtis
þat weren in Anathot, in þe lond of Beniamyn.
ii For þe word of þe Lord was maad to hym in þe daies
of Joſie, þe ſone of Amon, kyng of Juda, in þe
þretteneþe ȝeer of his rewme.
iii And it was don in þe daies of Joachym, þe ſone of
Joſie, þe king of Juda, til to þe endyng of þe enleuenþe
ȝeer of Sedechie, ſone of Joſie, kyng of Juda, til þe
paſſyng ouer, eþer caitifte, of Jeruſalem, in þe fyueþe
moneþe.
iiii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
v and ſeide, Bifor þat Y fourmede þee in þe wombe, Y
knewe þee; and bifor þat þou ȝediſt out of þe wombe, Y
halewide þee; and Y ȝaf þee a profete among folkis.
vi And Y ſeide, A! A! A! Lord God, lo! Y kan not ſpeke,
for Y am a child.
vii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Nyle þou ſeie, þat Y am a
child; for þou ſchalt go to alle þingis, to whiche Y ſchal
ſende þee, and þou ſchalt ſpeke alle þingis, what euer
þingis Y ſchal comaunde to þee.
viii Drede þou not of þe face of hem, for Y am wiþ þee,
to delyuere þee, ſeiþ þe Lord.
ix And þe Lord ſente his hond, and touchide my mouþ;
and þe Lord ſeide to me, Lo! Y haue ȝoue my wordis in
þi mouþ; lo!
x Y haue ordeynede þee to day on folkis, and on
rewmes, þat þou drawe vp, and diſtrie, and leeſe, and
ſcatere, and bilde, and plaunte.
xi And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and ſeide,
What ſeeſt þou, Jeremye?
xii And Y ſeide, Y ſe a ȝerde wakynge. And þe Lord
ſeide to me, Þou haſt ſeen wel, for Y ſchal wake on my
word, to do it.
xiii And þe word of þe Lord was maad þe ſecounde tyme
to me, and ſeide, What ſeeſt þou? Y ſe a pot buylynge,
and þe face þerof fro þe face of þe norþ.
xiiii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Fro þe norþ ſchal be
ſchewid al yuel on alle þe dwelleris of þe lond.
xv For lo! Y ſchal clepe togidere alle þe naciouns of
rewmes of þe norþ, ſeiþ þe Lord, and þei ſchulen come,
and ſette ech man his ſeete in þe entryng of þe ȝatis of
Jeruſalem, and on alle þe wallis þerof in cumpas, and on
alle þe citees of Juda.
xvi And Y ſchal ſpeke my domes wiþ hem on al þe
malice of hem, þat forſoken me, and maden ſacrifice to
alien goddis, and worſchipiden þe werk of her hondis.
xvii Þerfor girde þou þi leendis, and riſe þou, and ſpeke
to hem alle þingis whiche Y comaunde to þee; drede
DCLXV
þou not of þe face of hem, for Y ſchal not make þee for
to drede þe cheer of hem.
xviii For Y ȝaf þee to dai in to a ſtrong citee, and in to an
yrun piler, and in to a braſun wal, on al þe lond, to þe
kyngis of Juda, and to þe princis þerof, and to þe
preeſtis þerof, and to al þe puple of þe lond.
xix And þei ſchulen fiȝte aȝens þee, and þei ſchulen not
haue þe maiſtrie; for Y am wiþ þee, ſeiþ þe Lord, þat Y
delyuere þee.
CAP. II
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and ſeide, Go þou, and crye in þe eeris of Jeruſalem,
and ſeie, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y hadde mynde on
þee, and Y hadde merci on þee in þi ȝong wexynge age,
and on þe charite of þi ſpouſyng, whanne þou ſuediſt me
in deſert, in þe lond which is not ſowun.
iii Iſrael was hooli to þe Lord, þe firſte of fruytis of hym;
alle men þat deuouren þat Iſrael, treſpaſſen; yuelis
ſchulen come on hem, ſeiþ þe Lord.
iiii Þe hous of Jacob, and alle þe lynagis of þe hous of
Iſrael, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord.
v Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, What of wickidneſſe foundun
ȝoure fadris in me, for þei ȝeden fer awey fro me, and
ȝeden after vanyte, and weren maad veyn?
vi And þei ſeiden not, Where is þe Lord, þat made vs to
ſtie fro þe lond of Egipt, þat ledde vs ouer þorou deſert,
bi þe lond vnabitable and wiþ out weie, bi þe lond of
þirſt, and bi þe ymage of deeþ, bi þe lond in whiche a
man ȝede not, neþer a man dwellide.
vii And Y brouȝte ȝou in to þe lond of Carmele, þat ȝe
ſchulden ete þe fruyt þerof, and þe goodis þerof; and ȝe
entriden, and defouliden my lond, and ſettiden myn
eritage in to abhomynacioun.
viii Preeſtis ſeiden not, Where is þe Lord? and þei þat
helden þe lawe, knewen not me; and ſcheepherdis
treſpaſſiden aȝens me, and profetis profeſieden in Baal,
and ſueden idols.
ix Þerfor ȝit Y ſchal ſtryue wiþ ȝou in doom, ſeiþ þe
Lord, and Y ſchal diſpute wiþ ȝoure ſones.
x Go ȝe to þe ilis of Cethym, and ſe ȝe; and ſende ȝe in
to Cedar, and biholde ȝe greetli; and ſe ȝe,
xi if ſiche a þing is doon, if a folk chaungide hiſe goddis;
and certeynli þei ben no goddis; but my puple
chaungide hiſe glorie in to an ydol.
xii Heuenes, be ȝe aſtonyed on þis þing, and, ȝe ȝatis of
heuene, be ȝe deſolat greetli, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xiii For whi my puple haþ don tweyne yuels; þei han
forſake me, þe welle of quyke watir, and han diggid to
hem ciſternes, `þat weren diſtried, þat moun not holde
watris.
xiiii Wheþer Iſrael is a boond man, eþer is borun
boonde?
xv Whi þerfor is he maad in to prey? Liouns roriden on
hym, and ȝauen her vois; þei han ſet þe londe of hym in
to wilderneſſe, þe citees of him ben brent, and noon is
þat dwelliþ in þo.
xvi Alſo þe ſones of Menfis and of Tafnys han defoulid
þee, `til to þe cop of þe heed.
xvii Wheþer þis is not don to þee, for þou forſokiſt þi
Lord God, in þat tyme in which he ledde þee bi þe
weie?
xviii And now what wolt þou to þee in þe weie of Egipt,
þat þou drynke troblid watir? And what is to þee wiþ þe
weie of Aſſiriens, þat þou drynke water of þe flood?
xix Þi malice ſchal repreue þee, and þi turnyng awei
ſchal blame þee; wite þou and ſe, þat it is yuel and bittir
þat þou haſt forſake þi Lord God, and þat his drede is
not at þee, ſeiþ þe Lord God of ooſtis.
xx Fro þe world þou haſt broke my ȝok, þou haſt broke
my bondis, and ſeidiſt, Y ſchal not ſerue. For þou hoore
didiſt hordom in ech hiȝ litil hil, and vndur ech tree ful
of bowis.
xxi Forſoþe Y plauntide þee a choſun vyner, al trewe
ſeed; hou þerfor art þou, alien vyner, turned to me in to
a ſchrewid þing?
xxii Þouȝ þou waiſchiſt þee wiþ fulleris clei, and
multyplieſt to þee þe erbe boriþ, þou art defoulid in þi
wickidneſſe bifore me, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xxiii Hou ſeiſt þou, Y am not defoulid, Y ȝede not aftir
Baalym? Se þi weies in þe greet valei, wite þou what
þou haſt do; a ſwifte rennere ordeynynge hiſe weies.
xxiiii A wielde aſſe cuſtomable in wildirneſſe drow þe
wynd of his loue in þe deſire of his ſoule; no man ſchal
turne awei it. Alle þat ſeken it, ſchulen not faile; þei
ſchulen fynde it in þe flux of vncleene blood þerof.
xxv Forbede þi foot fro nakidneſſe, and þi þrote fro þirſt;
and þou ſeidiſt, Y diſpeiride, Y ſchal not do; for Y
louede brennyngli alien goddis, and Y ſchal go aftir
hem.
xxvi As a þeef is ſchent, whanne he is takun, ſo þe hous
of Iſrael ben ſchent; þei, and kyngis of hem, þe princes,
and preſtis, and þe prophetis of hem,
xxvii þat ſeien to a tree, Þou art my fadir; and to a ſtoon,
Þou haſt gendrid me. Þei turneden to me þe bak, and not
þe face; and in þe tyme of her turment þei ſchulen ſeie,
Ryſe þou, and delyuere vs.
xxviii Where ben þi goddis, whiche þou madiſt to þee?
Riſe þei, and delyuere þee in þe tyme of þi turment; for
aftir þe noumbre of þi citees weren þi goddis, þou Juda.
xxix What wolen ȝe ſtryue wiþ me in doom? Alle ȝe han
forſake me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxx In veyn Y ſmoot ȝoure ſones, þei reſſeyueden not
chaſtiſyng; ȝoure ſwerd deuouride ȝoure prophetis,
ȝoure generacioun is diſtried as a lioun.
DCLXVI
xxxi Se ȝe þe word of þe Lord, wheþer Y am maad a
wildirneſſe to Iſrael, eþer a lond late bryngynge forþ
fruyt? Whi þerfor ſeide my puple, We han go awei, we
ſchulen no more come to þee?
xxxii Wheþir a virgyn ſchal forȝete hir ournement? and a
ſpouſeſſe `ſchal forȝete hir breſt girdil? But mi puple haþ
forȝete me bi daies wiþ out noumbre.
xxxiii What enforſiſt þou to ſchewe þi weie good to ſeke
loue, which ferþermore boþe haſt tauȝt þi malices þi
weies,
xxxiiii and þe blood of pore men and innocentis is
foundun in þi wyngis? Y fond not hem in dichis, but in
alle þingis whiche Y remembride bifore.
xxxv And þou ſeidiſt, Y am wiþ out ſynne and innocent;
and þerfor þi ſtronge veniaunce be turned awei fro me.
Lo! Y ſchal ſtryue wiþ þee in doom; for þou ſeidiſt, Y
ſynnede not.
xxxvi Hou vijl art þou maad, reherſynge þi weies? and
þou ſchalt be ſchent of Egipt, as þou were ſchent of
Aſſur.
xxxvii For whi and þou ſchalt go out of þis lond, and þin
hondis ſchulen be on þin heed; for whi þe Lord haþ al
to-broke þi triſt, and þou ſchalt haue no þing to
proſperite.
CAP. III
i It is ſeid comunli, If a man forſakiþ his wijf, and ſche
go awei fro hym, and be weddid to an oþere hoſebonde,
wheþer he ſchal turne aȝen more to hir? wheþer þilke
womman ſchal not be defoulid, and maad vncleene?
Forſoþe þou haſt do fornycacioun wiþ many loueris;
neþeles turne þou aȝen to me, `ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal
reſſeyue þee.
ii Reiſe þin iȝen in to ſtreiȝt, and ſe, where þou art not
caſt doun. Þou haſt ſetun in weies, abidynge hem as a
þeef in wildirneſſe, and þou haſt defoulid þe erþe in þi
fornicaciouns and in þi malices.
iii Wherfor þe dropis of reynes weren forbodun, and no
late reyn was. Þe forhed of a womman hoore is maad to
þee; þou noldiſt be aſchamed.
iiii Nameli fro þis tyme forþ clepe þou me, Þou art my
fadir, þe ledere of my virginyte.
v Wheþer þou ſchalt be wrooþ wiþ outen ende, eþer
ſchalt contynue in to þe ende? Lo! þou haſt ſpoke, and
haſt do yuels, and þou were myȝti. And for wordis of
penaunce þou blasfemydiſt bi wordis of pride; and þou
fillidiſt þin yuel þouȝt, and ſchewidiſt þi ſtrengþe aȝens
þi hoſebonde, þat þou maiſt do þat þing þat þou tretidiſt
bi word.
vi And þe Lord ſeide to me, in þe daies of Joſie, þe
kyng, Wheþer þou haſt ſeyn what þing þe aduerſarie,
Iſrael, haþ do? Sche ȝede to hir ſilf on ech hiȝ hil, and
vndur ech tre ful of boowis, and dide fornycacioun
þere.
vii And Y ſeide, whanne ſche hadde do alle þeſe þingis,
Turne þou aȝen to me; and ſche turnede not aȝen. And
hir ſiſtir, Juda, brekere of þe lawe,
viii ſiȝ, þat for þe aduerſarie, Iſrael, dide auowtrie, Y
hadde left hir, and Y hadde ȝoue to hir a libel of
forſakyng; and Juda, hir ſiſtir, brekere of þe lawe,
dredde not, but alſo ſche ȝede, and dide fornycacioun.
ix And bi liȝtneſſe of hir fornicacioun ſche defoulide þe
erþe, and dide auowtrie wiþ a ſtoon, and wiþ a tree.
x And in alle þeſe þingis hir ſiſtir, Juda, brekere of þe
lawe, turnede not aȝen to me, in al hir herte, but in a
leeſyng, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xi And þe Lord ſeide to me, Þe aduerſarie, Iſrael, haþ
iuſtified hir ſoule, in compariſoun of Juda, brekere of þe
lawe.
xii Go þou, and crye þeſe wordis aȝens þe norþ; and þou
ſchalt ſeie, Þou aduerſarie, Iſrael, turne aȝen, ſeiþ þe
Lord, and Y ſchal not turne awei my face fro ȝou; for Y
am hooli, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal not be wrooþ wiþ
outen ende.
xiii Neþeles knowe þou þi wickidneſſe; for þou haſt
treſpaſſid aȝens þi Lord God, and þou haſt ſpred abrood
þi weies to aliens vndur ech tre ful of bowis; and þou
herdiſt not my vois, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xiiii Be ȝe conuertid, ſones, turnynge aȝen, ſeiþ þe Lord,
for Y am ȝoure hoſebonde; and Y ſchal take ȝou oon of
a citee, and tweyne of a kynrede, and Y ſchal lede ȝou
in to Sion;
xv and Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou ſcheepherdis after myn herte,
and þei ſchulen feede ȝou wiþ kunnyng and teching.
xvi And whanne ȝe ſchulen be multiplied, and encreeſſe
in þe lond, in þo daies, ſeiþ þe Lord, þei ſchulen no
more ſeie, Þe arke of teſtament of þe Lord; neþer it ſchal
ſtie on þe herte, neþer þei ſchulen þenke on it, neþer it
ſchal be viſitid, neþer it ſchal be ferþere.
xvii In þat tyme þei ſchulen clepe Jeruſalem Þe ſeete of
þe Lord, and alle heþene men ſchulen be gaderid
togidere to it, in þe name of þe Lord, in Jeruſalem; and
þei ſchulen not go aftir þe ſchrewidneſſe of her worſte
herte.
xviii In þo daies þe hous of Juda ſchal go to þe hous of
Iſrael; and þei ſchulen come togidere fro þe lond of þe
norþ to þe lond which Y ȝaf to ȝoure fadris.
xix Forſoþe Y ſeide, Hou ſchal Y ſette þee among ſones,
and ſchal ȝyue to þee a deſirable lond, a ful cleer eritage
of þe ooſtis of heþene men? And Y ſeide, Þou ſchalt
clepe me fadir, and þou ſchalt not ceeſſe to entre aftir
me.
xx But as if a womman diſpiſiþ hir louyere, ſo þe hous of
Iſrael diſpiſide me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxi A vois is herd in weies, þe weping and ȝellyng of þe
ſones of Iſrael; for þei maden wickid her weie, þei
forȝaten her Lord God.
DCLXVII
xxii Be ȝe conuertid, ſones, turnynge aȝen, and Y ſchal
heele ȝoure turnyngis awei. Lo! we comen to þee; for
þou art oure Lord God.
xxiii Verili litil hillis weren lieris, þe multitude of
mounteyns was fals; verili in oure Lord God is þe helþe
of Iſrael.
xxiiii Schenſchipe eete þe trauel of oure fadris, fro oure
ȝongþe; ſchenſchipe eet þe flockis of hem, and þe
droues of hem, þe ſones of hem, and þe douȝtris of hem.
xxv We ſchulen ſlepe in oure ſchenſchipe, and oure
ſclaundir ſchal hile vs; for we ſynneden to oure Lord
God, boþe we and oure fadris, fro oure ȝongþe `til to þis
dai; and we herden not þe vois of oure Lord God.
CAP. IIII
i Iſrael, if þou turneſt aȝen, ſeiþ þe Lord, turne þou to
me; if þou takiſt awei þin offendyngis fro my face, þou
ſchalt not be mouyd.
ii And þou ſchalt ſwere, Þe Lord lyueþ, in treuþe and in
doom and in riȝtfulneſſe; and alle folkis ſchulen bleſſe
hym, and ſchulen preiſe hym.
iii For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis to a man of Juda
and to a dwellere of Jeruſalem, Make ȝe newe to ȝou a
lond tilid of þe newe, and nyle ȝe ſowe on þornes.
iiii Men of Juda, and dwelleris of Jeruſalem, be ȝe
circumcidid to þe Lord, and do ȝe awey þe filþis of
ȝoure hertis; leſt perauenture myn indignacioun go out
as fier, and be kyndlid, and noon be þat quenche, for þe
malice of ȝoure þouȝtis.
v Telle ȝe in Juda, and make ȝe herd in Jeruſalem; ſpeke
ȝe, and ſynge ȝe wiþ a trumpe in þe lond; crye ȝe
ſtrongli, and ſeie ȝe, Be ȝe gaderid togidere, and entre
we in to ſtronge citees.
vi Reiſe ȝe a ſigne in Sion, coumforte ȝe, and nyle ȝe
ſtonde; for Y bringe yuel fro þe norþ, and a greet
ſorewe.
vii A lioun ſchal `riſe vp fro his denne, and þe robbere of
folkis ſchal reiſe hym ſilf. He is goon out of his place, to
ſette þi lond in to wildirneſſe; þi citees ſchulen be
diſtried, abidynge ſtille wiþ out dwellere.
viii On þis þing girde ȝou wiþ heiris; weile ȝe, and ȝelle,
for þe wraþþe of þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord is not
turned awei fro ȝou.
ix And it ſchal be, in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord, þe herte of þe
king ſchal periſche, and þe herte of princis; and þe
preſtis ſchulen wondre, and þe prophetis ſchulen be
aſtonyed.
x And Y ſeide, Alas! alas! alas! Lord God; þerfor
wheþer þou haſt diſſeyued þis puple and Jeruſalem,
ſeiynge, Pees ſchal be to ȝou, and lo! a ſwerd is comun
`til to þe ſoule?
xi In þat tyme it ſchal be ſeide to þis puple and to
Jeruſalem, A brennynge wynd in þe weies þat ben in
deſert, ben þe weies of þe douȝtir of my puple, not to
wyndewe, and not to purge.
xii A ſpirit ful of hem ſchal come to me; and now Y, but
Y ſchal ſpeke my domes wiþ hem.
xiii Lo! he ſchal ſtie as a cloude, and hiſe charis as a
tempeſt; hiſe horſis ben ſwifter þan eglis; wo to vs, for
we ben diſtried.
xiiii Þou Jeruſalem, waiſche þin herte fro malice, þat þou
be maad ſaaf. Hou long ſchulen noiful þouȝtis dwelle in
þee?
xv For whi þe vois of a tellere fro Dan, and makynge
knowun an idol fro þe hil of Effraym.
xvi Reiſe, ȝe folkis; lo! it is herd in Jeruſalem þat keperis
ben comun fro a fer lond, and ȝyuen her vois on þe
citees of Juda.
xvii As þe keperis of feeldis þei ben maad on it in
cumpas; for it ſtiride me to wraþfulneſſe, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xviii Þi weyes and þi þouȝtis han maad þis to þee; þis
malice of þee, for it is bittir, for it touchide þin herte.
xix Mi wombe akiþ, my wombe akiþ; þe wittis of myn
herte ben diſturblid in me. Y ſchal not be ſtille, for my
ſoule herde þe vois of a trumpe, þe cry of batel.
xx Sorewe is clepid on ſorewe, and al þe lond is diſtried;
my tabernaclis ben waſtid ſudeynli, my ſkynnes ben
waſtid ſudeynli.
xxi Hou longe ſchal Y ſe hem þat fleen, ſchal Y here þe
vois of a clarioun?
xxii For my fonned puple knew not me; þei ben vnwiſe
ſones, and cowardis; þei ben wiſe to do yuels, but þei
kouden not do wel.
xxiii Y bihelde þe lond, and lo! it was void, and nouȝt;
and Y bihelde heuenes, and no lyȝt was in þo.
xxiiii Y ſiȝ munteyns, and lo! þo weren mouyd, and all
litle hillis weren diſturblid.
xxv Y lokide, and no man was, and ech brid of heuene
was gon a wey.
xxvi Y bihelde, and lo! Carmele is forſakun, and alle
citees þerof ben diſtried fro þe face of þe Lord, and fro
þe face of þe ire of his ſtrong veniaunce.
xxvii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Al þe lond ſchal be
forſakun, but neþeles Y ſchal not make an endyng.
xxviii Þe erþe ſchal mourne, and heuenys aboue ſchulen
make ſorewe, for þat Y ſpak; Y þouȝte, and it repentide
not me, neþer Y am turned awei fro it.
xxix Ech citee fledde fro þe vois of a knyȝt, and of a man
ſchetynge an arowe; þei entriden in to hard places, and
ſtieden in to roochis of ſtoon; alle citees ben forſakun,
and no man dwelliþ in þo.
xxx But what ſchalt þou `deſtried do? Whanne þou ſchalt
cloþe þee wiþ reed ſcarlet, whanne þou ſchalt be ourned
wiþ a goldun broche, and ſchalt anoynte þin iȝen wiþ
wommans oynement, þou ſchalt be araied in veyn; þi
louyeris han diſpiſid þee, þei ſchulen ſeke þi ſoule.
DCLXVIII
xxxi For Y herd a vois as of a womman trauelynge of
child, þe angwiſchis as of a womman childynge; þe vois
of þe douȝter of Sion among hem þat dien, and ſpreden
abrood her hondis; Wo to me, for my ſoule failide for
hem þat ben ſlayn.
CAP. V
i Cumpaſſe ȝe þe weies of Jeruſalem, and loke, and
biholde ȝe, and ſeke ȝe in þe ſtretis þerof, wheþer ȝe
fynden a man doynge doom, and ſekynge feiþ; and Y
ſchal be merciful to hem.
ii Þat if alſo þei ſeien, Þe Lord lyueþ, ȝhe, þei ſchulen
ſwere þis falſli.
iii Lord, þin iȝen biholden feiþ; þou haſt ſmyte hem, and
þei maden not ſorewe; þou haſt al tobroke hem, and þei
forſoken to take chaſtiſyng; þei maden her faces hardere
þan a ſtoon, and nolden turne aȝen.
iiii Forſoþe Y ſeide, In hap þei ben pore men, and foolis,
þat knowen not þe weie of þe Lord, and þe doom of her
God.
v Þerfor Y ſchal go to þe principal men, and Y ſchal
ſpeke to hem; for þei knewen þe weie of þe Lord, and
þe doom of her God. And lo! þei han more broke
togidere þe ȝok, and han broke boondis.
vi Þerfor a lioun of þe wode ſmoot hem; a wolf at
euentid waſtide hem, a parde wakynge on þe citees of
hem. Ech man þat goiþ out of hem, ſchal be takun; for
þe treſpaſſyngis of hem ben multiplied, þe turnyngis
awei of hem ben coumfortid.
vii On what þing mai Y be merciful to þee? Þi ſones han
forſake me, and ſweren bi hem þat ben not goddis. Y
fillide hem, and þei diden auowtrie, and in þe hous of
an hoore þei diden letcherie.
viii Þei ben maad horſis, and ſtalouns, louyeris to
wymmen; ech man neiȝede to þe wijf of his neiȝbore.
ix Wheþer Y ſchal not viſite on þeſe þingis, ſeiþ þe Lord,
and ſchal not my ſoule take veniaunce in ſiche a folk?
x Stye ȝe on þe wallis þerof, and diſtrie ȝe; but nyle ȝe
make an endyng. Do ȝe awei þe ſiouns þerof, for þei
ben not ſeruauntis of þe Lord.
xi For whi þe hous of Iſrael and þe hous of Juda haþ
treſpaſſid bi treſpaſſyng aȝens me, ſeiþ þe Lord;
xii þei denȝeden þe Lord, and ſeiden, He is not, neþer
yuel ſchal come on vs; we ſchulen not ſe ſwerd and
hungur.
xiii Þe profetis ſpaken aȝens þe wynd, and noon anſwer
was in hem; þerfor þeſe þingis ſchulen come to hem.
xiiii Þe Lord God of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For ȝe ſpaken
þis word, lo! Y ȝyue my wordis in þi mouþ in to fier,
and þis puple in to trees, and it ſchal deuoure hem.
xv Lo! þou hous of Iſrael, ſeiþ þe Lord, Y ſchal brynge
on ȝou a folk fro fer; a ſtrong folk, an eeld folk, `a folk
whos langage þou ſchalt not knowe, neþer ſchalt
vndurſtonde what it ſpekiþ.
xvi Þe arowe caas þerof is as an opyn ſepulcre; alle ben
ſtronge men.
xvii And it ſchal ete þi cornes, and it ſchal deuoure þi
breed, þi ſones and þi douȝtris; it ſchal ete þi flok, and
þi droues, it ſchal ete alſo þi vyner, and þi fige tre; and it
ſchal al to-breke þi ſtronge citees bi ſwerd, in whiche
þou haſt triſt.
xviii Neþeles in þo daies, ſeiþ þe Lord, Y ſchal not make
ȝou in to endyng.
xix Þat if ȝe ſeien, Whi haþ oure Lord God do alle þeſe
þingis to vs? þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, As ȝe forſoken me,
and ſerueden an alien god in ȝoure lond, ſo ȝe ſchulen
ſerue alien goddis in a lond not ȝoure.
xx Telle ȝe þis to þe hous of Jacob, and make ȝe herd in
Juda, and ſeie ȝe,
xxi Here, þou fonned puple, þat haſt noon herte; whiche
han iȝen, and ſeen not, and eeris, and heren not.
xxii Þerfor ſchulen not ȝe drede me, ſeiþ þe Lord, and
ſchulen not ȝe make ſorewe for my face? Whiche haue
ſet grauel a terme, eþer ende, to þe ſee, an euerlaſtynge
comaundement, whiche it ſchal not paſſe; and þe wawis
þerof ſchulen be mouyd, and ſchulen not haue power;
and ſchulen wexe greet, and ſchulen not paſſe it.
xxiii Forſoþe an herte vnbileueful and terrynge to
wraþþe is maad to þis puple; þei departiden,
xxiiii and ȝeden awei, and þei ſeiden not in her herte,
Drede we oure Lord God, þat ȝiueþ to vs reyn tymeful,
and lateful in his tyme; þat kepiþ to vs þe plente of
herueſt of þe ȝeer.
xxv Ȝoure wickidneſſis diden awei þeſe þingis, and ȝoure
ſynnes forbediden good fro ȝou.
xxvi For þer ben foundun in my puple wickid men,
ſettynge treſoun, as fouleres ſettynge ſnaris and trappis,
to take men.
xxvii As a net, eþer a trap, ful of briddis, ſo þe houſis of
hem ben ful of gile. Þerfor þei ben magnefied,
xxviii and maad riche, maad fat wiþ ynne, and maad fat
wiþ outforþ, and þei paſſiden worſt my wordis; þei
demyden not a cauſe of a widewe, þei dreſſiden not þe
cauſe of a fadirles child, and þei demyden not þe doom
of pore men.
xxix Wheþer Y ſchal not viſite on þeſe þingis, ſeiþ þe
Lord, eþer ſchal not my ſoule take veniaunce on ſich a
folk?
xxx Wondur and merueilouſe þingis ben maad in þe
lond;
xxxi profetis profeſieden leeſyng, and preſtis ioieden wiþ
her hondis, and my puple louyde ſiche þingis. What
þerfor ſchal be don in þe laſte þing þerof?
DCLXIX
CAP. VI
i Sones of Beniamyn, be ȝe coumfortid in þe myddil of
Jeruſalem, and make ȝe noiſe wiþ a clarioun in Thecua,
and reiſe ȝe a baner on Bethecarem; for whi yuel and
greet ſorewe is ſeyn fro þe norþ.
ii Y haue licned þe douȝtir of Sion to a fair womman
and delicat.
iii Scheepherdis and her flockis ſchulen come to it; þei
han piȝt tentis in it in cumpas; ech man ſchal feede hem,
þat ben vndur his hond.
iiii Halewe ȝe batel on it. Riſe ȝe togidire, and ſtie we in
myddai. Wo to vs, for þe dai is bowid doun, for
ſhadewis ben maad lengere in þe euentid.
v Riſe ȝe, and ſtie we in þe niȝt, and diſtry we þe houſis
þerof.
vi For þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Kitte ȝe doun
þe tre þerof, and ſchede ȝe erþe aboute Jeruſalem; þis is
þe citee of viſitacioun; al fals caleng is in þe myddis
þerof.
vii As a ciſterne makiþ his water coold, ſo it made his
malice coold; wickidneſſe and diſtriyng ſchal euer be
herd þer ynne bifore me, ſikeneſſe and wounde.
viii Jeruſalem, be þou tauȝt, leſt perauenture my ſoule go
awei fro þee; leſt perauenture Y ſette þee forſakun, a
loond vnhabitable.
ix Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þei ſchulen gadere
til to a racyn, þei ſchulen gadere þe remenauntis of
Iſrael as in a vyner; turne þin hond, as a gaderer of
grapis to þe baſcat.
x To whom ſchal Y ſpeke, and to whom ſchal Y ſeie
witneſſing, þat he here? Lo! þe eeris of hem ben
vncircumcidid, and þei moun not here; lo! þe word of
þe Lord is maad to hem in to diſpit, and þei ſchulen not
reſſeiue it.
xi Þerfor Y am ful of þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord,
and Y trauelide ſuffrynge. Schede þou out on a litil
child wiþ outforþ, and on þe counſel of ȝonge men
togidere; for a man wiþ his wijf ſchal be takun, and an
eeld man wiþ him þat is ful of daies.
xii And þe houſis of hem, þe feeldis and wyues togidere,
ſchulen go to oþere men; for Y ſchal ſtretche forþ myn
hond on þe dwelleris of þe lond, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xiii For fro þe leſſe `til to þe grettere, alle ſtudien to
aueriſe; and alle doon gile, fro þe profete `til to þe
preeſt.
xiiii And þei heeliden þe ſorewe of þe douȝter of my
puple wiþ yuel fame, ſeiynge, Pees, pees, and no pees
was.
xv Þei ben ſchent, þat diden abhomynacioun; ȝhe, raþere
þei weren not ſchent bi confuſioun, and þei kouden not
be aſchamed. Wherfor þei ſchulen falle doun among
hem þat ſchulen falle doun; þei ſchulen falle doun in þe
tyme of her viſitacioun, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xvi Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Stonde ȝe on weies, and ſe
ȝe, and axe ȝe of elde paþis, which is þe good weie; and
go ȝe þer ynne, and ȝe ſchulen fynde refreiſchyng to
ȝoure ſoulis. And þei ſeiden, We ſchulen not go.
xvii And Y ordeynede aſpieris on ȝou, and Y ſeide, Here
ȝe þe vois of a trumpe. And þei ſeiden, We ſchulen not
here.
xviii Þerfor, heþene men, here ȝe, and, þou
congregacioun, knowe, hou grete þingis Y ſchal do to
hem.
xix Þou erþe, here, lo! Y ſchal brynge yuels on þis puple,
þe fruit of her þouȝtis; for þei herden not my wordis,
and caſtiden awei my lawe.
xx Wherto bryngen ȝe to me encenſe fro Saba, and a tre
of ſpicerie ſmellynge ſwetli fro a fer lond? Ȝoure brent
ſacrifices ben not acceptid, and ȝoure ſlayn ſacrifices
pleſiden not me.
xxi Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
ȝyue fallyngis in to þis puple, and fadris and ſones
togidere, a neiȝbore and kyneſman, ſchulen falle in hem,
and ſchulen periſche.
xxii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! a puple comeþ fro
þe lond of þe norþ, and a greet folk ſchal riſe togidere
fro þe endis of erþe.
xxiii It ſchal take an arowe and ſcheld; it is cruel, and
ſchal not haue merci; þe vois þerof ſchal ſowne as þe
ſee, and þei maad redi as a man to batel ſchulen ſtie on
horſis aȝens þee, þou douȝter of Sion.
xxiiii We herden þe fame þerof, oure hondis ben `a
clumſid; tribulacioun haþ take vs, ſorewis han take vs as
a womman trauelinge of child.
xxv Nyle ȝe go out to þe feeldis, and go ȝe not in þe
weie, for þe ſwerd of þe enemye, drede in cumpas.
xxvi Þe douȝtir of my puple, be þou gird wiþ heire, and
be þou ſpreynt togidere wiþ aiſche; make to þee
mourenyng of oon aloone gendrid ſone, a bitter
weilyng, for whi a waſtere ſchal come ſodenli on ȝou.
xxvii I ȝaf þee a ſtrong preuere in my puple, and þou
ſchalt knowe, and preue þe weie of hem.
xxviii Alle þeſe princis bowynge awei, goynge gilefuli,
ben metal and irun; alle ben corrupt.
xxix Þe belu failide, leed is waaſtid in þe fier, þe wellere
wellide in veyn; for þe malices of hem ben not waſtid.
xxx Clepe ȝe hem repreuable ſiluer, for þe Lord haþ caſt
hem awei.
CAP. VII
i Þe word þat was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye,
ii and ſeide, Stonde þou in þe ȝate of þe hous of þe Lord,
and preche þere þis word, and ſeie, Al Juda, þat entren
bi þeſe ȝatis for to worſchipe þe Lord, here ȝe þe word
of þe Lord.
DCLXX
iii Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Make ȝe good ȝoure weies, and ȝoure ſtudies, and Y
ſchal dwelle wiþ ȝou in þis place.
iiii Nyle ȝe triſte in þe wordis of leeſyng, and ſeie, Þe
temple of þe Lord, þe temple of þe Lord, þe temple of
þe Lord is.
v For if ȝe bleſſen ȝoure weies, and ȝour ſtudies; if ȝe
doon doom bitwixe a man and his neiȝbore;
vi if ȝe maken not fals caleng to a comelyng, and to a
fadirles child, and to a widewe; neþer ſcheden out
innocent blood in þis place, and goen not after alien
goddis, in to yuel to ȝou ſilf,
vii Y ſchal dwelle wiþ ȝou in þis place, in þe lond which
Y ȝaf to ȝoure fadris, fro þe world and til in to þe world.
viii Lo! ȝe truſten to ȝou in þe wordis of leeſyng, þat
ſhulen not profite to ȝou;
ix to ſtele, to ſle, to do auowtrie, to ſwere falſli, to make
ſacrifice to Baalym, and to go aftir alien goddys,
whiche ȝe knowen not.
x And ȝe camen, and ſtoden bifor me in þis hous, in
which my name is clepid to help; and ȝe ſeiden, We ben
delyuered, for we han do alle þeſe abhomynaciouns.
xi Wheþer þerfor þis hous, wherynne my name is clepid
to help bifore ȝoure iȝen, is maad a denne of þeues? I, Y
am, Y ſiȝ, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xii Go ȝe to my place in Silo, where my name dwellide
at þe bigynnyng, and ſe ȝe what þingis Y dide to it, for
þe malice of my puple Iſrael.
xiii And now, for ȝe han do alle þeſe werkis, ſeiþ þe
Lord, and Y ſpak to ȝou, and roos eerli, and Y ſpak, and
ȝe herden not, and Y clepide ȝou, and ȝe anſweriden not;
xiiii Y ſchal do to þis hous, wherynne my name is clepid
to help, and in which hous ȝe han triſt, and to þe place
which Y ȝaf to ȝou and to ȝoure fadris, as Y dide to Silo.
xv And Y ſchal caſte ȝou forþ fro my face, as Y caſtide
forþ alle ȝoure briþeren, al þe ſeed of Effraym.
xvi Þerfor nyl þou preie for þis puple, neþer take þou
heriyng and preier for hem; and aȝenſtonde þou not me,
for Y ſchal not here þee.
xvii Wheþer þou ſeeſt not, what þeſe men don in þe
citees of Juda, and in þe ſtretis of Jeruſalem?
xviii Þe ſones gaderen ſtickis, and þe fadris kyndlen a
fier; and wymmen ſprengen togidere ynnere fatneſſe, to
make kakis to þe queen of heuene, to make ſacrifice to
alien goddis, and to terre me to wraþfulneſſe.
xix Wheþer þei ſtiren me to wraþfulneſſe? ſeiþ þe Lord;
wheþer þei ſtiren not hem ſilf in to ſchenſchip of her
cheer?
xx Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! my ſtrong
veniaunce and myn indignacioun is wellid togidere on
þis place, on men, and on beeſtis, and on þe tree of þe
cuntrei, and on þe fruitis of erþe; and it ſchal be
kyndlid, and it ſchal not be quenchid.
xxi Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Heepe ȝe ȝoure brent ſacrifices to ȝoure ſlayn ſacrifices,
and ete ȝe fleiſchis.
xxii For Y ſpak not wiþ ȝoure fadris, and Y comaundide
not to hem of þe word of brent ſacrifices, and of ſlayn
ſacrifices, in þe dai in which Y ledde hem out of þe lond
of Egipt.
xxiii But Y comaundide þis word to hem, and Y ſeide,
Here ȝe my vois, and Y ſchal be God to ȝou, and ȝe
ſchulen be a puple to me; and go ȝe in al þe weie which
Y comaundide to ȝou, þat it be wel to ȝou.
xxiiii And þei herden not, neþer bowiden doun her eere,
but þei ȝeden in her luſtis, and in þe ſchrewidneſſe of
her yuel herte; and þei ben put bihynde, and not bifore,
xxv fro þe dai in which her fadris ȝeden out of þe lond of
Egipt til to þis dai. And Y ſente to ȝou alle my
ſeruauntis profetis, and Y roos eerli bi þe dai, and Y
ſente.
xxvi And þei herden not me, neþer bowiden doun her
eere; but þei maden hard her nol, and wrouȝten worſe
þan þe fadris of hem.
xxvii And þou ſchalt ſpeke to hem alle þeſe wordis, and
þei ſchulen not heere þee; and þou ſchalt clepe hem, and
þei ſchul not anſwere to þee.
xxviii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þis is þe folc, þat
herde not þe vois of her Lord God, neþer reſſeyuede
chaſtyſyng; feiþ periſchide, and is takun awei fro þe
mouþ of hem.
xxix Clippe þin heer, and caſt awei, and take þou
weilyng ſtreiȝtli; for þe Lord haþ caſt awei, and haþ
forſake þe generacioun of his ſtrong veniaunce.
xxx For þe ſones of Juda han do yuel bifor myn iȝen,
ſeiþ þe Lord; þei han ſet her offendyngis in þe hous, in
which my name is clepid to help, þat þei ſchulden
defoule þat hous;
xxxi and þei bildiden hiȝe þingis in Tophet, which is in
þe valei of þe ſone of Ennon, þat þei ſchulden brenne
her ſones and her douȝtris bi fier, whiche þingis Y
comaundide not, neþer þouȝte in myn herte.
xxxii Þerfor lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and it ſchal
no more be ſeid Tophet, and þe valei of þe ſone of
Ennon, but þe valey of ſleyng; and þei ſchulen birie in
Tophet, for þer is no place.
xxxiii And þe deed careyn of þis puple ſchal be in to
mete to þe briddis of heuene, and to þe beeſtis of erþe;
and noon ſchal be þat ſchal dryue awei.
xxxiiii And Y ſchal make to ceeſſe þe vois of ioye, and þe
vois of gladneſſe, and þe vois of ſpouſe, and þe vois of
ſpouſeſſe fro þe citees of Juda, and fro þe ſtretis of
Jeruſalem; for þe lond ſchal be in deſolacioun.
CAP. VIII
i In þat tyme, ſeiþ þe Lord, þei ſchulen caſte out þe
boonys of þe kingis of Juda, and þe boonys of princes
DCLXXI
þerof, and þe boonys of preſtis, and þe boonys of
profetis, and þe boonys of hem þat dwelliden in
Jeruſalem fro her ſepulcris;
ii and þei ſchulen leie abrood þo boonys to þe ſunne,
and moone, and to al þe knyȝthod of heuene, which þei
louyden, and which þei ſeruyden, and aftir whiche þei
ȝeden, and whiche þei ſouȝten, and worſchipiden; þo
ſchulen not be gaderid, and ſchulen not be biried; þo
ſchulen be in to a dunghil on þe face of erþe.
iii And alle men ſchulen cheeſe deþ more þan lijf,
whiche ben left of þis worſt kynrede, in alle places þat
ben left, to whiche places Y caſtide hem out, ſeiþ þe
Lord of ooſtis.
iiii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Wheþer he þat ſchal falle, ſchal not riſe aȝen? and
wheþer he þat is turned awei, ſchal not turne aȝen?
v Whi þerfor is þis puple in Jeruſalem turned awei bi
turnyng awei ful of ſtrijf? Þei han take leeſyng, and
nolden turne aȝen.
vi Y perſeyuede, and herknede; no man ſpekiþ þat þat is
good, noon is þat doiþ penaunce for his ſynne, and ſeiþ,
What haue Y do? Alle ben turnede togidere to her
cours, as an hors goynge bi ferſneſſe to batel.
vii A kite in þe eir knew his tyme; a turtle, and a
ſwalewe, and a ſiconye, kepten þe tyme of her comyng;
but my puple knew not þe doom of þe Lord.
viii Hou ſeien ȝe, We ben wiſe men, and þe lawe of þe
Lord is wiþ vs? Verili þe fals writyng of ſcribis wrouȝte
leeſyng.
ix Wiſe men ben ſchent, ben maad aferd and takun. For
þei caſtiden awei þe word of þe Lord, and no wiſdom is
in hem.
x Þerfor Y ſchal ȝyue þe wymmen of hem to ſtraungeris,
and þe feeldis of hem to alien eiris; for fro þe leeſte `til
to þe mooſte alle ſuen aueryce, fro a profete `til to þe
preeſt alle maken leeſyng;
xi and þei heeliden þe ſorowe of þe douȝtir of my puple
to ſchenſchipe, ſeiynge, Pees, pees, whanne no pees
was.
xii Þei ben ſchent, for þei diden abhomynacioun; ȝhe,
raþer þei weren not ſchent bi ſchenſchipe, and kouden
not be aſchamed. Þerfor þei ſchulen falle among falleris,
in þe tyme of her viſitacioun þei ſchulen falle, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
xiii I gaderynge ſchal gadere hem, ſeiþ þe Lord; no grape
is in þe vynes, and figis ben not in þe fige tre; a leef
felle doun, and Y ȝaf to hem þo þingis þat ben go out
ouer.
xiiii Whi ſitten we? come ȝe togidere, entre we in to a
ſtrong citee, and be we ſtille þere; for oure Lord haþ
maad vs to be ſtille, and ȝaf to vs drynk þe watir of
galle; for we han ſynned to þe Lord.
xv We abididen pees, and no good was; we abididen
tyme of medicyn, and lo! drede is.
xvi Gnaſtyng of horſis þerof is herd fro Dan; al þe lond
is moued of þe vois of neiyngis of hiſe werriours; and
þei camen, and deuouriden þe lond, and þe plente þerof,
þe citee, and þe dwelleris þerof.
xvii For lo! Y ſchal ſende to ȝou þe werſte ſerpentis, to
whiche is no charmyng; and þei ſchulen bite ȝou, ſeiþ
þe Lord.
xviii My ſorewe is on ſorewe, myn herte is mourenynge
in me.
xix And lo! þe vois of cry of þe douȝter of my puple
comeþ fro a fer lond. Wheþer þe Lord is not in Sion,
eþir þe kyng þerof is not þerynne? Whi þerfor ſtiriden
þei me to wraþfulneſſe bi her grauun ymagis, and bi
alien vanytees?
xx Herueſt is paſſid, ſomer is endid; and we ben not
ſauyd.
xxi Y am turmentid, and ſori on þe ſorewe of þe douȝter
of my puple; aſtonying helde me.
xxii Wheþer reſyn is not in Galaad, eþer a leche is not
þere? Whi þerfor þe wounde of þe douȝtir of my puple
is not heelid perfitli?
CAP. IX
i Who ſchal ȝyue watir to myn heed, and a welle of
teeris to myn iȝen? And Y ſchal biwepe dai and niȝt þe
ſlayn men of þe douȝter of my puple.
ii Who ſchal ȝyue me in to a wildirneſſe of dyuerſe
weigoeris? And I ſchal forſake my puple, and Y ſchal go
awei fro hem. For whi alle ben auowteris, and þe
cumpenyes of treſpaſſouris aȝens þe lawe;
iii and þei helden forþ her tunge as a bouwe of leeſyng,
and not of treuþe Þei ben coumfortid in erþe, for þei
ȝeden out fro yuel to yuel, and þei knewen not me, ſeiþ
þe Lord.
iiii Ech man kepe hym fro his neiȝbore, and haue no triſt
in ony broþer of hym; for whi ech broþer diſſeyuyng
ſchal diſſeyue, and ech frend ſchal go gilefuli.
v And a man ſchal ſcorne his broþer, and ſchal not ſpeke
treuþe; for þei tauȝten her tunge to ſpeke leeſyng; þei
traueliden to do wickidli.
vi Þi dwellyng is in þe myddis of gile; in gile þei
forſoken to knowe me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
vii Þerfor þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
welle togidere, and Y ſchal preue hem; for whi what
oþer þing ſchal Y do fro þe face of þe douȝter of my
puple?
viii Þe tunge of hem is an arowe woundynge, and ſpak
gile; in his mouþ he ſpekiþ pees wiþ his frend, and
priueli he ſettiþ treſouns to hym.
ix Wheþer Y ſchal not viſite on þeſe þingis, ſeiþ þe Lord,
eþer ſchal not my ſoule take veniaunce on ſiche a folc?
x On hillis Y ſchal take wepyng and mournyng, and
weilyng on þe faire þingis of deſert, for þo ben brent;
DCLXXII
for no man is paſſynge forþ, and þei herden not þe vois
of hym þat weldiþ; fro a brid of þe eir `til to ſcheep, þo
paſſiden ouer, and ȝeden awei.
xi And Y ſchal ȝyue Jeruſalem in to heepis of grauel,
and in to dennes of dragouns; and Y ſchal ȝyue þe citees
of Juda in to deſolacioun, for þer is no dwellere.
xii Who is a wiſe man þat ſchal vndurſtonde þeſe þingis,
and to whom þe word of þe mouþ of þe Lord ſchal be
maad, þat he telle þis? Whi þe erþe periſchide, it is
brent as deſert, for noon is þat paſſiþ?
xiii And þe Lord ſeide, For þei forſoken my lawe, which
Y ȝaf to hem, and þei herden not my vois, and þei ȝeden
not þerynne;
xiiii and þei ȝeden aftir þe ſchrewidneſſe of her herte,
and aftir Baalym, which þei lerneden of her fadris;
xv þerfor þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal fede þis puple wiþ wermod, and Y
ſchal ȝyue to hem drynke þe watir of galle.
xvi And Y ſchal ſcatere hem among heþene men, whiche
þei and her fadris knewen not; and Y ſchal ſende ſwerd
aftir hem, til þei ben waſtid.
xvii Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Biholde ȝe, and clepe ȝe wymmen `þat weilen, and
come þei; and ſende ȝe to þo wymmen þat ben wiſe, and
haſte þei.
xviii Haſte þei, and take þei weilynge on ȝou; ȝoure iȝen
brynge doun teeris, and ȝoure iȝelidis flowe wiþ watris;
xix for þe vois of weilyng is herd fro Sion. Hou ben we
diſtried, and ſchent greetli? for we han forſake þe lond,
for oure tabernaclis ben forſakun.
xx Þerfor, wymmen, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord, and
ȝoure eeris take þe word of his mouþ; and teche ȝe
ȝoure douȝtris weilyng, and ech womman teche hir
neiȝbore mournyng.
xxi For whi deþ ſtiede bi ȝoure wyndows, it entride in to
ȝoure houſis, to leeſe litle children wiþ outforþ, and
ȝonge men fro þe ſtretis.
xxii Speke þou, þe Lord ſeiþ, þeſe þingis, And þe deed
bodi of a man ſchal fal doun as a toord on þe face of þe
cuntrei, and as hei bihynde þe bak of þe mowere, and
noon is þat gaderiþ.
xxiii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, A wiſe man haue not
glorie in his wiſdom, and a ſtrong man haue not glorie
in his ſtrengþe, and a riche man haue not glorie in hiſe
richeſſis; but he þat haþ glorie,
xxiiii haue glorie in þis, to wite and knowe me, for Y am
þe Lord, þat do merci and dom and riȝtfulneſſe in erþe.
For whi þeſe þingis pleſen me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxv Lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal viſite on
ech man þat haþ prepucie vncircumcidid; on Egipt,
xxvi and on Juda, and on Edom, and on þe ſones of
Amon, and on Moab, and on alle men þat ben clippid
on long heer, and dwellen in deſert; for whi alle heþene
men han prepucie, forſoþe al þe hous of Iſrael ben
vncircumcidid in herte.
CAP. X
i Þe hous of Iſrael, here ȝe þe word which þe Lord ſpak
on ȝou.
ii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Nyle ȝe lerne aftir þe weies
of heþene men, and nyle ȝe drede of þe ſignes of
heuene, whiche ſignes heþene men dreden.
iii For þe lawis of puplis ben veyn, for whi þe werk of
hondis of a crafti man haþ kit doun wiþ an axe a tre of
þe foreſt.
iiii He made it fair wiþ ſiluer and gold; wiþ naylis and
hameris he ioynede it togidere, þat it be not looſid.
v Idols ben maad in þe licneſſe of a palm tree, and
ſchulen not ſpeke; þo ſchulen be takun and be borun, for
þo moun not go; þerfor nyle ȝe drede þo, for þo moun
neþer do yuel, neþir wel.
vi Lord, noon is lijk þee; þou art greet, and þi name is
greet in ſtrengþe.
vii A! þou king of folkis, who ſchal not drede þee? for
whi onour is þin among alle wiſe men of heþene men,
and in alle þe rewmes of hem noon is lijk þee.
viii Þei ſchulen be preued, vnwiſe and foolis togidere; þe
techyng of her vanyte is a tre.
ix Siluer wlappid is brouȝt fro Tharſis, and gold fro
Ophaz; it is þe werk of a crafti man, and of þe hond of a
worchere in metel; iacynct and purpur ben þe cloþing of
þo; alle þeſe þingis ben þe werk of werk men.
x Forſoþe þe Lord is veri God; he is God lyuynge, and a
kyng euerlaſtynge; þe erþe ſchal be mouyd togidere of
his indignacioun, and heþene men ſchulen not ſuffre þe
manaaſſing of hym.
xi Þerfor þus ȝe ſchulen ſeie to hem, Goddis þat maden
not heuene and erþe, periſche fro erþe, and fro þeſe
þingis þat ben vndur heuene.
xii He is God, þat makiþ þe erþe in his ſtrengþe, makiþ
redi þe world in his wiſdom, and ſtretchiþ forþ heuenes
bi his prudence.
xiii At his vois he ȝyueþ þe multitude of watris in
heuene, and he reiſiþ myſtis fro þe endis of erþe; he
makiþ leitis into reyn, and lediþ out wynd of his
treſouris.
xiiii Ech man is maad a fool of kunnyng, ech crafti man
is ſchent in a grauun ymage; for whi þat þat he wellide
togidere is fals, and no ſpirit is in þo.
xv Þo ben veyn, and a werk worþi of ſcorn; þo ſchulen
periſche in þe tyme of her viſitacioun.
xvi Þe part of Jacob is not lijk þeſe, for he þat formede
alle þingis is God of Jacob, and Iſrael is þe ȝerde of his
eritage; þe Lord of ooſtis is name to hym.
xvii Þou þat dwelliſt in biſegyng, gadere fro þe lond þi
ſchenſchipe;
DCLXXIII
xviii forþe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal caſte awei
fer þe dwelleris of þe loond in þis while; and Y ſchal
ȝyue tribulacioun to hem, ſo þat þei be not foundun.
xix Wo to me on my ſorewe, my wounde is ful yuel;
forſoþe Y ſeide, Pleynli þis is my ſikeneſſe, and Y ſchal
bere it.
xx My tabernacle is diſtried, alle my roopis ben brokun;
my ſones ȝeden out fro me, and ben not; noon is þat
ſchal ſtretche forþ more my tente, and ſchal reyſe my
ſkynnes.
xxi For þe ſcheepherdis diden folili, and ſouȝten not þe
Lord; þerfor þei vndurſtoden not, and alle þe flok of
hem is ſcaterid.
xxii Lo! þe vois of hering comeþ, and a greet mouynge
togidere fro þe lond of þe norþ, þat it ſette þe citees of
Juda in to wildirneſſe, and a dwellynge place of
dragouns.
xxiii Lord, Y woot, þat þe weie of a man is not of hym,
neþer it is of a man þat he go, and dreſſe hiſe ſteppis.
xxiiii Lord, chaſtiſe þou me; neþeles in doom and not in
þi ſtrong veniaunce, leſt perauenture þou dryue me to
nouȝt.
xxv Schede out þin indignacioun on heþene men þat
knewen not þee, and on prouynces þat clepiden not þi
name to help; for þei eeten Jacob, and deuouriden hym,
and waſtiden hym, and deſtrieden þe onour of hym.
CAP. XI
i Þe word þat was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye,
ii and ſeide, Here ȝe þe wordis of þis couenaunt, and
ſpeke ȝe to þe men of Juda, and to þe dwelleris of
Jeruſalem; and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem,
iii Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Curſid be þe
man þat heriþ not þe wordis of þis couenaunt,
iiii which Y comaundide to ȝoure fadris, in þe dai in
which Y ledde hem out of þe lond of Egipt, fro þe irone
furneis; and Y ſeide, Here ȝe my vois, and do ȝe alle
þingis whiche Y comaundide to ȝou, and ȝe ſchulen be
in to a puple to me, and Y ſchal be in to God to ȝou;
v þat Y reiſe þe ooþ which Y ſwoor to ȝoure fadris, þat Y
ſchulde ȝyue to hem a lond flowynge wiþ mylk and
hony, as þis dai is. And Y anſweride, and ſeide, Amen,
Lord.
vi And þe Lord ſeide to me, Crye þou alle þeſe wordis in
þe citees of Juda, and wiþ out Jeruſalem, and ſeie þou,
Here ȝe þe wordis of þis couenaunt, and do ȝe þo;
vii for Y witneſſynge haue witneſſid to ȝoure fadris, in þe
dai in which Y ledde hem out of þe lond of Egipt, `til to
þis dai; Y roos eerli, and witneſſide, and ſeide, Here ȝe
my vois.
viii And þei herden not, neþer bowiden doun her eere,
but þei ȝeden forþ ech man in þe ſchrewidneſſe of his
yuel herte; and Y brouȝte in on hem alle þe wordis of
þis couenaunt, which Y comaundide þat þei ſchulden
do, and þei diden not.
x And þe Lord ſeide to me, Sweryng togidere is foundun
in þe men of Juda, and in þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem; þei
turneden aȝen to þe formere wickidneſſis of her fadris,
þat nolden here my wordis; and þerfor þeſe men ȝeden
aftir alien goddis, for to ſerue hem; þe hous of Iſrael and
þe hous of Juda maden voide my couenaunt, which Y
made wiþ þe fadris of hem.
xi Wherfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal bringe
in on hem yuels, of whiche þei ſchulen not mow go out;
and þei ſchulen crie to me, and Y ſchal not here hem.
xii And þe citees of Juda and þe dwellers of Jeruſalem
ſchulen go, and ſchulen crye to hem, to whiche þei
offren ſacrifices; and þei ſchulen not ſaue hem in þe
tyme of her turment.
xiii For þou, Juda, þi goddis weren bi þe noumbre of þi
citees, and þou ſettidiſt auters of ſchenſchipe, bi þe
noumbre of þe weies of Jeruſalem, auters to offre
ſacrifices to Baalym.
xiiii Þerfor nyle þou preie for þis puple, and take þou not
heriyng and preier for hem; for Y ſchal not here in þe
tyme of þe cry of hem to me, in þe tyme of þe turment
of hem.
xv What is it, þat my derlyng doiþ many greet treſpaſſis
in myn hous? wheþer hooli fleiſchis ſchulen do awei fro
þee þi malice, in which þou haſt glorie?
xvi Þe Lord clepide þi name an olyue tre, fair, ful of
fruyt, ſchapli; at þe vois of a greet ſpeche fier brent an
hiȝ þer ynne, and þe buyſchis þerof ben brent.
xvii And þe Lord of ooſtis þat plauntide þee, ſpak yuel
on þee, for þe yuels of þe hous of Iſrael, and of þe hous
of Juda, whiche þei diden to hem ſilf, and offriden to
Baalym, to terre me to wraþþe.
xviii Forſoþe, Lord, þou ſchewidiſt to me, and Y knew;
þou ſchewidiſt to me þe ſtudies of hem.
xix And Y am as a mylde lomb, which is borun to ſlayn
ſacrifice; and Y knew not, þat þei þouȝten counſels on
me, and ſeiden, Sende we a tre in to þe brede of hym,
and raſe we hym awei fro þe lond of lyueris, and his
name be no more hadde in mynde.
xx But þou, Lord of ooſtis, þat demeſt iuſtli, and preueſt
reynes and hertis, ſe Y þi veniaunce of hem; for to þee
Y ſchewide my cauſe.
xxi Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þe men of Anathot,
þat ſeken þi lijf, and ſeien, Þou ſchalt not propheſie in
þe name of þe Lord, and þou ſchalt not die in oure
hondis.
xxii Þerfor þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
viſite on hem; þe ȝonge men of hem ſchulen die bi
ſwerd, þe ſones of hem and þe douȝtris of hem ſchulen
die for hungur;
DCLXXIV
xxiii and
no relifs, eþer children abidynge, ſchulen be of
hem; for Y ſchal bringe ynne yuel on þe men of
Anathot, þe ȝeer of þe viſitacioun of hem.
CAP. XII
i Forſoþe, Lord, þou art iuſt; if Y diſpute wiþ þee,
neþeles Y ſchal ſpeke iuſt þingis to þee. Whi haþ þe
weie of wickid men proſperite? It is wel to alle men þat
breken þe lawe, and doen wickidli?
ii Þou haſt plauntid hem, and þei ſenten roote; þei
encreeſſen, and maken fruyt; þou art niȝ to þe mouþ of
hem, and fer fro þe reynes of hem.
iii And þou, Lord, haſt knowe me, þou haſt ſeyn me, and
haſt preued myn herte wiþ þee. Gadere þou hem
togidere as a flok to ſlayn ſacrifice, and halewe þou hem
in þe dai of ſleyng.
iiii Hou long ſchal þe erþe mourne, and ech eerbe of þe
feeld ſchal be dried, for þe malice of hem þat dwellen
þer ynne? A beeſte is waſtid, and a brid, for þei ſeiden,
Þe Lord ſchal not ſe oure laſte þingis.
v If þou traueliſt rennynge wiþ foot men, hou ſchalt þou
mow ſtryue wiþ horſis? but whanne þou art ſikur in þe
lond of pees, what ſchalt þou do in þe pride of Jordan?
vi For whi boþe þi briþeren and þe hous of þi fadir, ȝhe,
þei fouȝten aȝens þee, and crieden wiþ ful vois aftir þee;
bileue þou not to hem, whanne þei ſpeken goodis to
þee.
vii I haue left myn hous, Y haue forſake myn eritage; Y
ȝaf my loued ſoule in to þe hondis of enemyes þerof.
viii Myn eritage is maad as a lioun in þe wode to me; it
ȝaf vois aȝens me, þerfor Y hate it.
ix Wheþer myn eritage is a brid of dyuerſe colours to
me? wheþer it is a brid died þorou out? Alle beeſtis of
þe feeld, come ȝe, be ȝe gaderid togidere; haſte ȝe for to
deuoure.
x Many ſcheepherdis diſtrieden my vyner, defouliden
my part, ȝauen my deſirable porcioun in to deſert of
wildirneſſe;
xi þei ſettiden it in to ſcateryng, and it mourenyde on
me; al þe lond is deſolat bi deſolacioun, for noon is þat
aȝenþenkiþ in herte.
xii Alle diſtrieris of þe lond camen on alle þe weies of
deſert, for þe ſwerd of þe Lord ſchal deuoure fro þe laſte
part of þe lond `til to þe laſte part þerof; no pees is to al
fleiſch.
xiii Þei ſowiden wheete, and repiden þornes; þei token
erytage, and it ſchal not profite to hem. Ȝe ſchulen be
ſchent of ȝoure fruytis, for þe wraþþe of þe ſtronge
veniaunce of þe Lord.
xiiii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis aȝens alle my worſt
neiȝboris, þat touchen þe eritage which Y departide to
my puple Iſrael, Lo! Y ſchal drawe hem out of her lond,
and Y ſchal drawe þe hous of Juda out of þe myddis of
hem.
xv And whanne Y ſchal drawe out þilke Jewis, Y ſchal
conuerte, and haue merci on hem; and Y ſchal lede hem
aȝen, a man to his eritage, and a man in to his lond.
xvi And it ſchal be, if þei `þat ben tauȝt lernen þe weies
of my puple, þat þei ſwere in my name, Þe Lord lyueþ,
as þei tauȝten my puple to ſwere in Baal, þei ſchulen be
bildid in þe myddis of my puple.
xvii Þat if þei heren not, Y ſchal drawe out þat folk by
drawyng out and perdicioun, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. XIII
i Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to me, Go, and take in
poſſeſſioun to þee a lynnun breigirdil; and þou ſchalt
putte it on þi leendis, and þou ſchalt not bere it in to
watir.
ii And Y took in poſſeſſioun a breigirdil, bi þe word of
þe Lord; and Y puttide aboute my leendis.
iii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me in þe
ſecounde tyme,
iiii and ſeide, Take þe brigirdil, which þou haddiſt in
poſſeſſioun, which is aboute þi leendis; and riſe þou, and
go to Eufrates, and hide þou it þere, in þe hoole of a
ſtoon.
v And Y ȝede, and hidde it in Eufrates, as þe Lord
comaundide to me.
vi And it was don aftir ful many daies, þe Lord ſeide to
me, Riſe þou, and go to Eufrates, and take fro þennus þe
brigirdil, whiche Y comaundide to þee, þat þou ſchuldiſt
hide it þere.
vii And Y ȝede to Eufrates, and diggide out, and Y took
þe breigirdil fro þe place, where Y hadde hidde it; and
lo! þe breigirdil was rotun, ſo þat it was not able to ony
vſs.
viii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ix and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, So Y ſchal make
rotun þe pride of Juda, and þe myche pride of
Jeruſalem,
x and þis worſte puple, þat nylen here my wordis, and
goen in þe ſchrewidneſſe of her herte; and þei ȝeden
aftir alien goddis, to ſerue hem, and to worſchipe hem;
and þei ſchulen be as þis breigirdil, which is not able to
ony vſs.
xi For as a breigirdil cleueþ to þe leendis of a man, ſo Y
ioynede faſte to me al þe hous of Iſrael, and al þe hous
of Juda, ſeiþ þe Lord, þat þei ſchulden be to me in to a
puple, and in to name, and in to heriyng, and in to
glorie; and þei herden not.
xii Þerfor þou ſchalt ſeie to hem þis word, Þe Lord God
of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ech potel ſchal be fillid of
wyn. And þei ſchulen ſeie to þee, Wheþer we witen not,
þat ech potel ſchal be fillid of wyn?
xiii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Lo! Y ſhal fille wiþ drunkeneſſe alle þe dwelleris of þis
DCLXXV
lond, and þe kyngis of þe generacioun of Dauiþ, þat
ſitten on his trone, and þe preſtis, and profetis, and alle
þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem.
xiiii And Y ſchal ſcatere hem, a man fro his broþer, and
þe fadris and ſones togidere, ſeiþ þe Lord; Y ſchal not
ſpare, and Y ſchal not graunte, neþer Y ſchal do mercy,
þat I leeſe not hem.
xv Here ȝe, and perſeyue wiþ eeris; nyle ȝe be reiſid, for
þe Lord ſpak.
xvi Ȝyue ȝe glorie to ȝoure Lord God, bifore þat it wexe
derk, and bifor þat ȝoure feet hirte at derk hillis; ȝe
ſchulen abide lyȝt, and he ſchal ſette it in to þe ſchadewe
of deeþ, and in to derkneſſe.
xvii Þat if ȝe heren not þis, my ſoule ſchal wepe in hid
place for þe face of pride; it wepynge ſchal wepe, and
myn iȝe ſhal caſte out a teer, for þe floc of þe Lord is
takun.
xviii Seye þou to þe kyng, and to þe ladi, Be ȝe mekid,
ſitte ȝe, for þe coroun of ȝoure glorie ſchal go doun fro
ȝoure heed.
xix Þe cities of þe ſouþ ben cloſid, and noon is þat
openiþ; al Juda is tranſlatid bi perfit paſſyng ouere, eþer
goynge out of her lond.
xx Reiſe ȝe ȝoure iȝen, and ſe ȝe, what men comen fro þe
norþ; where is þe floc which is ȝouun to þee, þi noble
ſcheep?
xxi What ſchalt þou ſeie, whanne he ſchal viſite þee? for
þou haſt tauȝt hem aȝens þee, and þou haſt tauȝt aȝens
þin heed. Wheþer ſorewis han not take þee, as a
womman trauelynge of child?
xxii Þat if þou ſeiſt in þin herte, Whi camen þeſe þingis
to me? for þe multitude of þi wickidneſſe þi
ſchamefulere þingis ben ſchewid, þi feet ben defoulid.
xxiii If a man of Ethiopie mai chaunge his ſkyn, eþer a
pard mai chaunge hiſe dyuerſitees, and ȝe moun do wel,
whanne ȝe han lerned yuel.
xxiiii And Y ſchal ſowe hem abrood, as ſtobil which is
rauyſchid of þe wynd in deſert.
xxv Þis is þi lot, and þe part of þi meſure of me, ſeiþ þe
Lord; for þou forȝetidiſt me, and triſtidiſt in a leeſyng.
xxvi Wherfor and Y made nakid þin hipis aȝens þi face,
and þi ſchenſchipe apperide,
xxvii þin auowtries, and þin neyyng, and þe felonye of þi
fornycacioun on litle hillis in þe feeld; Y ſiȝ þin
abhomynaciouns. Jeruſalem, wo to þee, þou ſchalt not
be clenſid after me til ȝit.
CAP. XIIII
i Þe word of þe Lord, þat was maad to Jeremye, of þe
wordis of dryeneſſe.
ii Jude weilide, and þe ȝatis þerof fellen doun, and ben
maad derk in erþe, and þe cry of Jeruſalem ſtiede.
iii Grettere men ſenten her leſſe men to water; þei camen
to drawe watir, and þei foundun no water, þei brouȝten
aȝen her veſſels voide; þei weren ſchent and turmentid,
iiii and þei hiliden her heedis for diſtriyng of þe lond, for
reyn cam not in þe lond. Erþe tilieris weren ſchent, þei
hiliden her heedis.
v For whi and an hynde caluyde in þe feeld, and lefte
her calues, for noon eerbe was;
vi and wield aſſis ſtoden in rochis, and drowen wynde as
dragouns; her iȝen failiden, for noon eerbe was.
vii If oure wickidneſſis anſweren to vs, Lord, do þou for
þi name, for oure turnyngis awei ben manye; we han
ſynned aȝens þee.
viii Þou abidyng of Iſrael, þe ſauȝour þerof in þe tyme of
tribulacioun,
ix whi ſchalt þou be as a comelyng in þe lond, and as a
weigoere bowynge to dwelle? whi ſchalt þou be as a
man of vnſtable dwellyng, as a ſtrong man þat mai not
ſaue? Forſoþe, Lord, þou art in vs, and þin hooli name is
clepid to help on vs; forſake þou not vs.
x Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þis puple, þat louede to
ſtire hiſe feet, and reſtide not, and pleſide not þe Lord;
now he ſchal haue mynde on þe wickidneſſes of hem,
and he ſchal viſite þe ſynnes of hem.
xi And þe Lord ſeide to me, Nyle þou preie for þis puple
in to good.
xii Whanne þei ſchulen faſte, Y ſchal not here þe preieris
of hem; and if þei offren brent ſacrifices and ſlayn
ſacrifices, Y ſchal not reſſeyue þo, for Y ſchal waſte hem
bi ſwerd and hungur and peſtilence.
xiii And Y ſeide, A! A! A! Lord God, profetis ſeien to
hem, Ȝe ſchulen not ſe ſwerd, and hungur ſchal not be in
ȝou, but he ſchal ȝyue to ȝou veri pees in þis place.
xiiii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Þe profetis profeſien falſli
in my name; Y ſente not hem, and Y comaundide not to
hem, neþer Y ſpak to hem; þei profeſien to ȝou a fals
reuelacioun, and a gileful dyuynyng, and þe diſſeyuyng
of her herte.
xv Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis of þe profetis þat
profeſien in my name, whiche Y ſente not, and ſeien,
Swerd and hungur ſchal not be in þis lond; Þo profetis
ſchulen be waſtid bi ſwerd and hungur.
xvi And þe puplis, to whiche þei profeſieden, ſchulen be
caſt forþ in þe weies of Jeruſalem, for hungur and
ſwerd, and noon ſchal be, þat ſchal birie hem; þey and
þe wyues of hem, þe ſones and þe douȝtris of hem
`ſchulen be caſt forþ; and Y ſchal ſchede out on hem her
yuel.
xvii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem þis word, Myn iȝen lede
doun a teer bi niȝt and dai, and be not ſtille, for þe
virgyn, þe douȝter of my puple, is defoulid bi greet
defoulying, wiþ þe worſte wounde greetli.
DCLXXVI
xviii If Y go
out to feeldis, lo! men ben ſlayn bi ſwerd;
and if Y entre in to þe citee, lo! men ben maad leene for
hungur; alſo a profete and a preſt ȝeden in to þe lond
which þei knewen not.
xix Wheþer þou caſtynge awei haſt caſt awei Juda, eþer
þi ſoule haþ wlatid Sion? whi þerfor haſt þou ſmyte vs,
ſo þat noon heelþe is? We abididen pees, and no good
is; and we abididen time of heeling, and lo! diſturbling
is.
xx Lord, we han know oure vnfeiþfulneſſis, and þe
wickidneſſis of oure fadris, for we han ſynned to þee.
xxi Ȝyue þou not vs in to ſchenſchip, for þi name, neþer
do þou diſpite to vs; haue þou mynde on þe ſeete of þi
glorie, make þou not voide þi boond of pees wiþ vs.
xxii Wheþer in grauun ymagis of heþene men ben þei
þat reynen, eþir heuenes moun ȝyue reynes? wheþer
þou art not oure Lord God, whom we abididen? For þou
madiſt alle þeſe þingis.
CAP. XV
i And þe Lord ſeide to me, Þouȝ Moiſes and Samuel
ſtoden bifore me, my ſoule is not to þis puple; caſte þou
hem out fro my face, and go þei out.
ii Þat if þei ſeien to þee, Whidur ſchulen we go out? þou
ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þei þat to
deþ, to deþ, and þei þat to ſwerd, to ſwerd, and þei þat
to hungur, to hungur, and þei þat to caitiftee, to caitifte.
iii Y ſchal viſite on hem foure ſpices, ſeiþ þe Lord; a
ſwerd to ſleeynge, and doggis for to reende, and
volatilis of þe eir, and beeſtis of þe erþe to deuoure and
to diſtrie.
iiii And Y ſchal ȝyue hem in to feruour to alle rewmes of
erþe, for Manaſſes, þe ſone of Ezechie, king of Juda, on
alle þingis whiche he dide in Jeruſalem.
v For whi who ſchal haue merci on þee, Jeruſalem, eþir
who ſchal be ſori for þee, eþer who ſchal go to preie for
þi pees?
vi Þou haſt forſake me, ſeiþ þe Lord, þou haſt go abac;
and Y ſchal ſtretche forþ myn hond on þee, and Y ſchal
ſle þee; Y trauelide preiyng.
vii And Y ſchal ſcatere hem wiþ a wyndewynge
inſtrument in þe ȝatis of erþe; Y killide, and loſte my
puple, and neþeles þei turneden not aȝen fro her weies.
viii Þe widewis þerof ben multiplied to me aboue þe
grauel of þe ſee; and Y brouȝte in to hem a diſtriere in
myddai on þe modir of a ȝonge man, Y ſente drede
ſudeynli on citees.
ix Sche was ſijk þat childide ſeuene, hir ſoule failide; þe
ſunne ȝede doun to hir, whanne dai was ȝit. Sche was
ſchent, and was aſchamed; and Y ſchal ȝyue þe reſidue
þerof in to ſwerd in þe ſiȝt of her enemyes, ſeiþ þe Lord.
x Mi modir, wo to me; whi gendridiſt þou me a man of
chidyng, a man of diſcord in al þe lond? Y lente not,
neþer ony man lente to me; alle men curſen me, þe Lord
ſeiþ.
xi No man bileue to me, if þi remenauntis be not in to
good, if Y ranne not to þee in þe tyme of turment, and
in þe tyme of tribulacioun and of anguyſch, aȝens þe
enemye.
xii Wheþer yrun and metal ſchal be ioyned bi pees to
irun fro þe norþ?
xiii And Y ſchal ȝyue freli þi ritcheſſis and þi treſouris in
to rauyſchyng, for alle þi ſynnes, and in alle þin endis.
xiiii And Y ſchal brynge þin enemyes fro þe lond which
þou knowiſt not; for fier is kyndlid in my ſtrong
veniaunce, and it ſchal brenne on ȝou.
xv Lord, þou knowiſt, haue þou mynde on me, and viſite
me, and delyuere me fro hem þat purſuen me; nyle þou
take me in þi pacience, knowe þou, þat Y ſuffride
ſchenſchipe for þee.
xvi Þi wordis ben foundun, and Y eet þo; and þi word
was maad to me in to ioye, and in to gladneſſe of myn
herte; for þi name, Lord God of ooſtis, is clepid to help
on me.
xvii Y ſat not in þe counſel of pleieris, and Y hadde
glorie for þe face of þin hond; Y ſat aloone, for þou
fillidiſt me wiþ bittirneſſe.
xviii Whi is my ſorewe maad euerlaſtinge, and my
wounde diſpeirid forſook to be curid? it is maad to me,
as a leeſyng of vnfeiþful watris.
xix For þis þing þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, If þou turneſt,
Y ſchal turne þee, and þou ſchalt ſtonde bifore my face;
and if þou departiſt preciouſe þing fro vijl þing, þou
ſchalt be as my mouþ; þei ſchulen be turned to þee, and
þou ſchalt not be turned to hem.
xx And Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to a braſun wal and ſtrong to
þis puple, and þei ſchulen fiȝte aȝens þee, and ſchulen
not haue þe victorie; for Y am wiþ þee, to ſaue þee, and
to delyuere þee, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxi And Y ſchal delyuere þee fro þe hond of þe worſte
men, and Y ſchal aȝenbie þee fro þe hond of ſtronge
men.
CAP. XVI
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and ſeide, Þou ſchalt not take a wijf, and ſones and
douȝtris ſchulen not be to þee in þis place.
iii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis on ſones and douȝtris, þat
ben gendrid in þis place, and on þe modris of hem, þat
gendride hem, and on þe fadris of hem, of whos
generacioun þei ben borun in þis lond.
iiii Þei ſchulen die bi deþis of ſikeneſſis, þei ſchulen not
be biweilid, and þei ſchulen not be biried; þei ſchulen
be in to a dunghil on þe face of erþe, and þei ſchulen be
waſtid bi ſwerd and hungur; and þe careyn of hem ſchal
be in to mete to þe volatilis of heuene, and to beeſtis of
erþe.
DCLXXVII
v For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Entre þou not in to an
hous of feeſte, neþir go þou to biweile, neþer comfourte
þou hem; for Y haue take awei my pees fro þis puple,
ſeiþ þe Lord, `Y haue take awei merci and merciful
doyngis.
vi And greete and ſmalle ſchulen die in þis lond; þei
ſchulen not be biried, neþir ſchulen be biweilid; and þei
ſchulen not kitte hem ſilf, neþir ballidneſſe ſchal be
maad for hem.
vii And þei ſchulen not breke breed among hem to hym
þat mourneþ, to coumforte on a deed man, and þei
ſchulen not ȝyue to hem drynk of a cuppe, to coumforte
on her fadir and modir.
viii And þou ſchalt not entre in to þe hous of feeſte, þat
þou ſitte wiþ hem, and ete, and drynke.
ix For whi þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal take awei fro þis place, bifore ȝoure
iȝen and in ȝoure daies, þe vois of ioie, and þe vois of
gladneſſe, and þe vois of ſpouſe, and þe vois of
ſpouſeſſe.
x And whanne þou ſchalt telle alle þeſe wordis to þis
puple, and þei ſchulen ſeie to þee, Whi ſpak þe Lord al
þis greet yuel on vs? what is oure wickidneſſe, eþer
what is oure ſynne which we ſynneden to oure Lord
God?
xi þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, For ȝoure fadris forſoken me,
ſeiþ þe Lord, and ȝeden aftir alien goddis, and ſeruyden
hem, and worſchipiden hem, and þei forſoken me, and
kepten not my lawe.
xii But alſo ȝe wrouȝten worſe þan ȝoure fadris; for lo!
ech man goiþ aftir þe ſchrewidneſſe of his yuel herte,
þat he here not me.
xiii And Y ſchal caſte ȝou out of þis lond, in to þe lond
which ȝe and ȝoure fadris knowen not; and ȝe ſchulen
ſerue þere to alien goddis dai and niȝt, whiche ſchulen
not ȝiue reſte to ȝou.
xiiii Þerfor lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and it ſchal no
more be ſeid, Þe Lord lyueþ, þat ledde þe ſones of Iſrael
out of þe lond of Egipt;
xv but þe Lord lyueþ, þat ledde þe ſones of Iſrael fro þe
lond of þe norþ, and fro alle londis to whiche Y caſtide
hem out; and Y ſchal lede hem aȝen in to her lond
which Y ȝaf to þe fadris of hem.
xvi Lo! Y ſchal ſende many fiſcheris to hem, ſeiþ þe
Lord, and þei ſchulen fiſche hem; and aftir þeſe þingis Y
ſchal ſende many hunteris to hem, and þei ſchulen hunte
hem fro ech mounteyn, and fro ech litil hil, and fro þe
caues of ſtoonys.
xvii For myn iȝen ben on alle þe weies of hem; þo weies
ben not hid fro my face, and þe wickidneſſe of hem was
not priuy fro myn iȝen.
xviii And Y ſchal ȝelde firſt þe double wickidneſſis and
ſynnes of hem, for þei defouliden my lond in þe ſlayn
beeſtis of her idols, and filliden myn eritage wiþ her
abhomynaciouns.
xix Lord, my ſtrengþe, and my ſtalworþneſſe, and my
refuyt in þe dai of tribulacioun, heþene men ſchulen
come to þee fro þe ferþeſte places of erþe, and ſchulen
ſeie, Verili oure fadris helden a leeſyng in poſſeſſioun,
vanyte þat profitide not to hem.
xx Wheþer a man ſchal make goddis to hym ſilf? and þo
ben no goddis.
xxi Þerfor lo! Y ſchal ſchewe to hem bi þis while, Y
ſchal ſchewe to hem myn hond, and my vertu; and þei
ſchulen wite, þat þe name to me is Lord.
CAP. XVII
i Þe ſynne of Juda is writun wiþ an irone poyntel, in a
nail of adamaunt; it is writun on þe breede of þe herte
of hem, and in þe hornes of þe auteris of hem.
ii Whanne þe ſones of hem biþenken on her auteris, and
woodis, and on þe trees ful of boowis, makynge
ſacrifice in þe feld in hiȝe munteyns,
iii Y ſchal ȝyue þi ſtrengþe and alle þi treſouris in to
rauyſchyng, þin hiȝe þingis for ſynnes in alle þin endis.
iiii And þou ſchalt be left aloone fro þin eritage which Y
ȝaf to þee; and Y ſchal make þee to ſerue þin enemyes,
in þe lond which þou knowiſt not; for þou haſt kyndlid
fier in my ſtrong veniaunce, it ſchal brenne til in to wiþ
outen ende.
v Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Curſid is þe man þat treſtiþ in
man, and ſettiþ fleiſch his arm, and his herte goiþ awei
fro þe Lord.
vi For he ſchal be as bromes in deſert, and he ſchal not
ſe, whanne good ſchal come; but he ſchal dwelle in
dryneſſe in deſert, in þe lond of ſaltneſſe, and vnabitable.
vii Bleſſid is þe man þat triſtiþ in þe Lord, and þe Lord
ſchal be his triſt.
viii And he ſchal be as a tre, which is plauntid ouer
watris, which ſendiþ hiſe rootis to moiſture; and it ſchal
not drede, whanne heete ſchal come; and þe leef þerof
ſchal be greene, and it ſchal not be moued in þe tyme of
dryneſſe, neþer ony tyme it ſchal faile to make fruyte.
ix Þe herte of man is ſchrewid, and `may not be ſouȝt;
who ſchal knowe it?
x Y am þe Lord ſekynge þe herte, and preuynge þe
reynes, and Y ȝyue to ech man after his weye, and aftir
þe fruyt of his fyndyngis.
xi A partriche nurſchide þo þingis whiche ſche bredde
not; he made richeſſis, and not in doom; in þe myddis of
hiſe daies he ſchal forſake þo, and in hiſe laſte tyme he
ſchal be vnwijs.
xii Þe ſeete of glorie of hiȝneſſe was at þe bigynnyng þe
place of oure halewyng, þe abidyng of Iſrael.
DCLXXVIII
xiii Lord, alle þei þat forſaken þee, ſchulen be ſchent; þei
þat goen aweie fro þee, ſchulen be writun in erþe, for
þei han forſake þe Lord, a veyne of quyk watirs.
xiiii Lord, heele þou me, and Y ſchal be heelid; make
þou me ſaaf, and Y ſchal be ſaaf; for þou art myn
heriyng.
xv Lo! þei ſeien to me, Where is þe word of þe Lord?
come it.
xvi And Y am not diſturblid, ſuynge þee ſcheepherd, and
Y deſiride not þe dai of man, þou wooſt. Þat þat ȝede
out of my lippis was riȝtful in þi ſiȝt.
xvii Be þou not to drede to me; þou art myn hope in þe
dai of turment.
xviii Be þei ſchent, þat purſuen me, and be Y not ſchent;
drede þei, and drede not Y; brynge in on hem a dai of
turment, and defoule þou hem bi double defouling.
xix Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to me, Go þou, and ſtonde in
þe ȝate of þe ſones of þe puple, bi whiche þe kingis of
Juda entren and goen out, and in alle þe ȝatis of
Jeruſalem.
xx And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Here þe word of þe Lord,
ȝe kingis of Juda, and al Judee, and alle þe dwelleris of
Jeruſalem, þat entren bi þeſe ȝatis.
xxi Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Kepe ȝe ȝoure ſoulis,
and nyle ȝe bere birþuns in þe dai of ſabat, neþer bringe
in bi þe ȝatis of Jeruſalem.
xxii And nyle ȝe caſte birþuns out of ȝoure houſis in þe
dai of ſabat, and ȝe ſchulen not do ony werk; halewe ȝe
þe dai of ſabat, as Y comaundide to ȝoure fadris.
xxiii And þei herden not, neþer bowiden doun her eere,
but þei maden hard her nol, þat þei ſchulden not here
me, and þat þei ſchulden not take chaſtiſyng.
xxiiii And it ſchal be, if ȝe heren me, ſeiþ þe Lord, þat ȝe
bere not in birþuns bi þe ȝatis of þis citee in þe dai of
ſabat, and if ȝe halewen þe dai of ſabat, þat ȝe do not
werk þer ynne,
xxv kingis and princes ſittynge on þe ſeete of Dauid
ſchulen entre bi þe ȝatis of þis citee, and ſtiynge in
charis and horſis; þei, and þe princis of hem, þe men of
Juda, and þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem; and þis citee ſchal
be enhabitid wiþouten ende.
xxvi And þei ſchulen come fro þe citees of Juda, and fro
þe cumpas of Jeruſalem, and fro þe lond of Beniamyn,
and fro feeldi places, and fro hilli places, and fro þe
ſouþ, beringe brent ſacrifice, and ſlayn ſacrifice, and
encenſe; and þei ſchulen bringe offring in to þe hous of
þe Lord.
xxvii Forſoþe if ȝe heren not me, þat ȝe halewe þe dai of
ſabat, and þat ȝe bere not a birþun, and þat ȝe bringe not
in bi þe ȝatis of Jeruſalem in þe dai of ſabat, Y ſchal
kyndle fier in þe ȝatis þerof; and it ſchal deuoure þe
houſis of Jeruſalem, and it ſchal not be quenchid.
CAP. XVIII
i Þe word þat was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye,
ii and ſeide, Riſe þou, and go doun in to þe hous of a
pottere, and þere þou ſchalt here my wordis.
iii And Y ȝede doun in to þe hous of a pottere, and lo! he
made a werk on a wheel.
iiii And þe veſſel was diſtried, which he made of clei
wiþ hiſe hondis; and he turnede it, and made it anoþer
veſſel, as it pleſide in hiſe iȝen to make.
v And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
vi and he ſeide, Wheþer as þis pottere doiþ, Y mai not
do to ȝou, þe hous of Iſrael? ſeiþ þe Lord. Lo! as cley is
in þe hond of a pottere, ſo ȝe, þe hous of Iſrael, ben in
myn hond.
vii Sudenli Y ſchal ſpeke aȝens a folk, and aȝens a
rewme, þat Y drawe out, and diſtrie, and leeſe it.
viii If þilke folk doiþ penaunce of his yuel, which Y ſpak
aȝens it, alſo Y ſchal do penaunce on þe yuel, which Y
þouȝte to do to it.
ix And Y ſchal ſpeke ſudenli of a folk, and of a rewme,
þat Y bilde, and plaunte it.
x If it doiþ yuel bifore myn iȝen, þat it here not my vois,
Y ſchal do penaunce on þe good which Y ſpak, þat Y
ſchulde do to it.
xi Now þerfor ſeie þou to a man of Juda, and to þe
dwellere of Jeruſalem, and ſeie, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y make yuel aȝens ȝou, and Y þenke a
þouȝte aȝens ȝou; ech man turne aȝen fro his yuel weie,
and dreſſe ȝe ȝoure weies and ȝoure ſtudies.
xii Whiche ſeiden, We han diſpeirid, for we ſchulen go
after oure þouȝtis, and we ſchulen do ech man þe
ſchrewidneſſe of his yuel herte.
xiii Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Axe ȝe heþene men,
who herde ſiche orible þingis, whiche þe virgyn of
Iſrael haþ do greetli?
xiiii Wheþer ſnow of þe Liban ſchal fail fro þe ſtoon of
þe feeld? eþer coolde watris brekynge out, and fletynge
doun moun be takun awei?
xv For my puple haþ forȝete me, and offriden ſacrifices
in veyn, and ſnaperiden in her weies, and in þe paþis of
þe world, þat þei ȝeden bi þo in a weie not trodun;
xvi þat þe lond of hem ſchulde be in to deſolacioun, and
in to an hiſſyng euerlaſtinge; for whi ech þat paſſiþ bi it,
ſchal be aſtonyed, and ſchal moue his heed.
xvii As a brennynge wynd Y ſchal ſcatere hem bifor þe
enemy; Y ſchal ſchewe to hem þe bak and not þe face,
in þe dai of þe perdicioun of hem.
xviii And þei ſeiden, Come ȝe, and þenke we þouȝtis
aȝens Jeremye; for whi þe lawe ſchal not periſche fro a
preeſt, neþer councel ſchal periſche fro a wijs man,
neþer word ſchal periſche fro a profete; come ȝe, and
ſmyte we hym wiþ tunge, and take we noon heede to
alle þe wordis of hym.
DCLXXIX
xix Lord, ȝyue þou tent to me, and here þou þe vois of
myn aduerſaries.
xx Wheþer yuel is ȝoldun for good, for þei han diggid a
pit to my ſoule; haue þou mynde, þat Y ſtoode in þi ſiȝt,
to ſpeke good for hem, and to turne awei þin
indignacioun fro hem.
xxi Þerfor ȝyue þou þe ſones of hem in to hungur, and
lede forþ hem in to þe hondis of ſwerd; þe wyues of
hem be maad wiþ out children, and be maad widewis,
and þe hoſebondis of hem be ſlayn bi deþ; þe ȝonge
men of hem be perſid togidere bi ſwerd in batel.
xxii Cry be herd of þe houſis of hem, for þou ſchalt
bringe ſudenli a þeef on hem; for þei diggiden a pit to
take me, and hidden ſnaris to my feet.
xxiii But þou, Lord, knowiſt al þe councel of hem aȝens
me in to deþ; do þou not merci to þe wickidneſſe of
hem, and þe ſynne of hem be not doon awei fro þi face;
be þei maad fallynge doun in þi ſiȝt, in þe tyme of þi
ſtronge veniaunce; vſe þou hem to oþir þing þan þei
weren ordeyned.
CAP. XIX
i Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Go þou, and take an erþene
potel of a pottere, of þe eldre men of þe puple, and of
þe eldre men of preeſtis.
ii And go þou out to þe valei of þe ſones of Ennon,
which is biſidis þe entring of þe erþene ȝate; and þere
þou ſchalt preche þe wordis whiche Y ſchal ſpeke to
þee;
iii and þou ſchalt ſeie, Kyngis of Juda, and þe dwelleris
of Jeruſalem, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord. Þe Lord of
ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal bringe
in turment on þis place, ſo þat ech man þat heriþ it, hiſe
eeris tyngle.
iiii For þei han forſake me, and maad alien þis place, and
offriden ſacrifices to alien goddis þer ynne, whiche þei,
and þe fadris of hem, and þe kingis of Juda, knewen
not; and þei filliden þis place wiþ þe blood of
innocentis,
v and bildiden hiȝ þingis to Baalym, to brenne her ſones
in fier, in to brent ſacrifice to Baalym; whiche þingis Y
comaundide not, neþer ſpak, neþer þo ſtieden in to myn
herte.
vi Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ, Lo! daies comen, and þis place
ſchal no more be clepid Tophet, and þe valei of þe ſone
of Ennon, but þe valei of ſleyng.
vii And Y ſchal diſtrie þe councel of Juda and of
Jeruſalem in þis place, and Y ſchal diſtrie hem bi ſwerd,
in þe ſiȝt of her enemyes, and in þe hond of men
ſekynge þe lyues of hem; and Y ſchal ȝyue her deed
bodies mete to þe briddis of þe eir, and to beeſtis of
erþe.
viii And Y ſchal ſette þis citee in to wondring, and in to
hiſſing; ech þat paſſiþ bi it, ſchal wondre, and hiſſe on al
þe veniaunce þerof.
ix And Y ſchal feede hem wiþ þe fleiſchis of her ſones,
and wiþ þe fleiſchis of her douȝtris; and ech man ſchal
ete þe fleiſchis of his frend in þe biſegyng and
angwiſch, in which þe enemyes of hem, and þei þat
ſeken þe lyues of hem, ſchulen cloſe hem togidere.
x And þou ſchalt al to-breke þe potel bifore þe iȝen of
þe men, þat ſchulen go wiþ þee.
xi And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, So Y ſchal al to-breke þis puple, and þis citee, as
þe veſſel of a pottere is al to-brokun, which mai no
more be reſtorid; and þei ſchulen be biried in Tophet,
for noon oþer place is to birie.
xii So Y ſchal do to þis place, ſeiþ þe Lord, and to
dwelleris þerof, þat Y ſette þis citee as Tophet.
xiii And þe houſis of Jeruſalem, and þe houſis of þe
kingis of Juda, ſchulen be as þe place of Tophet; alle þe
vncleene houſis, in whoſe roouȝs þei ſacrifieden to al þe
chyualrie of heuene, and offriden moiſt ſacrifices to
alien goddis.
xiiii Forſoþe Jeremye cam fro Tophet, whidur þe Lord
hadde ſente hym for to profeſie; and he ſtood in þe
porche of þe hous of þe Lord,
xv and ſeide to al þe puple, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of
Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal bringe in on þis
citee, and on alle þe citees þerof, alle þe yuelis whiche
Y ſpak aȝens it; for þei maden hard her nol, þat þei
herden not my wordis.
CAP. XX
i And Phaſſur, þe ſone of Emyner, þe preeſt, þat was
ordeyned prince in þe hous of þe Lord, herde Jeremye
profeſiynge þeſe wordis.
ii And Phaſſur ſmoot Jeremye, þe profete, and ſente hym
in to þe ſtockis, þat weren in þe hiȝere ȝate of
Beniamyn, in þe hous of þe Lord.
iii And whanne it was cleer in þe morewe, Phaſſur ledde
Jeremye out of þe ſtockis. And Jeremye ſeide to hym,
Þe Lord clepide not Phaſſur þi name, but Drede on ech
ſide.
iiii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal ȝyue þee
and alle þi freendis in to drede, and þei ſchulen falle
doun bi þe ſwerd of her enemyes; and þin iȝen ſchulen
ſe; and Y ſchal ȝyue al Juda in þe hond of þe king of
Babiloyne, and he ſchal lede hem ouer in to Babiloyne,
and he ſchal ſmyte hem bi ſwerd.
v And Y ſchal ȝyue al þe catel of þis citee, and al þe
trauel þerof, and al þe prijs; and Y ſchal ȝyue alle þe
treſours of þe kingis of Juda in þe hond of her enemyes;
and þei ſchulen rauyſche þo, and ſchulen take, and lede
forþ in to Babiloyne.
DCLXXX
vi Forſoþe þou, Phaſſur, and alle þe dwelleris of þin
hous, ſchulen go in to caitifte; and þou ſchalt come in to
Babiloyne, and þou ſchalt die þere; and þou ſchalt be
biried þere, þou and alle þi freendis, to whiche þou
profeſiediſt a leeſyng.
vii Lord, þou diſſeyuediſt me, and Y am diſſeyued; þou
were ſtrongere þan Y, and þou haddiſt þe maiſtrie; Y am
maad in to ſcorn al dai.
viii Alle men bymowen me, for now a while ago Y ſpeke
criynge wickidneſſe, and Y criede diſtriynge. And þe
word of þe Lord is maad to me in to ſchenſchip, and in
to ſcorn al dai.
ix And Y ſeide, Y ſchal not haue mynde on hym, and Y
ſchal no more ſpeke in his name. And þe word of þe
Lord was maad, as fier ſwalynge in myn herte, and
clooſid in my boonys; and Y failide, not ſuffryng to
bere.
x For Y herde diſpiſyngis of many men, and drede in
cumpas, Purſue ȝe, and purſue we hym, of alle men þat
weren peſible to me, and kepynge my ſide; if in ony
maner he be diſſeyued, and we haue þe maiſtrie aȝens
hym, and gete veniaunce of hym.
xi Forſoþe þe Lord as a ſtronge werriour is wiþ me,
þerfor þei þat purſuen me ſchulen falle, and ſchulen be
ſijk; and þei ſchulen be ſchent greetli, for þei
vndurſtoden not euerlaſtynge ſchenſchip, þat ſchal
neuere be don awei.
xii And þou, Lord of ooſtis, þe preuere of a iuſt man,
which ſeeſt þe reynes and herte, Y biſeche, ſe Y þi
veniaunce of hem; for Y haue ſchewid my cauſe to þee.
xiii Synge ȝe to þe Lord, herie ȝe þe Lord, for he
delyueride þe ſoule of a pore man fro þe hond of yuel
men.
xiiii Curſid be þe dai where ynne Y was borun, þe dai
where ynne my modir childide me, be not bleſſid.
xv Curſid be þe man, þat telde to my fadir, and ſeide, A
knaue child is borun to þee, and made hym glad as wiþ
ioye.
xvi Þilke man be as þe citees ben, whiche þe Lord
diſtriede, and it repentide not hym;
xvii he þat killide not me fro þe wombe, here cry eerli,
and ȝellynge in þe tyme of myddai; þat my modir were
a ſepulcre to me, and hir wombe were euerlaſtinge
conſeyuyng.
xviii Whi ȝede Y out of þe wombe, þat Y ſchulde ſe
trauel and ſorewe, and þat mi daies ſchulen be waaſtid
in ſchenſchipe?
CAP. XXI
i Þe word which was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye,
whanne king Sedechie ſente to hym Phaſſur, þe ſone of
Helchie, and Sofonye, þe preeſt, þe ſone of Maaſie, and
ſeide,
ii Axe þou þe Lord for vs, for Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng
of Babiloyne, fiȝtiþ aȝens vs; if in hap þe Lord do wiþ
vs bi alle hiſe merueilis, and he go awei fro vs.
iii And Jeremye ſeide to hem, Þus ȝe ſchulen ſeie to
Sedechie,
iiii Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
turne þe inſtrumentis of batel þat ben in ȝoure hondis,
and wiþ which ȝe fiȝten aȝens þe king of Babiloyne, and
aȝens Caldeis, þat biſegen ȝou in þe cumpas of wallis;
and Y ſchal gadere þo togidere in þe myddis of þis
citee.
v And Y ſchal ouercome ȝou in hond ſtretchid forþ, and
in ſtrong arm, and in ſtronge veniaunce, and
indignacioun, and in greet wraþþe;
vi and Y ſchal ſmyte þe dwelleris of þis citee, men and
beeſtis ſchulen die bi greet peſtilence.
vii And after þeſe þingis, ſeiþ þe Lord, Y ſchal ȝyue
Sedechie, kyng of Juda, and hiſe ſeruauntis, and his
puple, and þat ben left in þis citee fro peſtilence, and
ſwerd, and hungur, in þe hond of Nabugodonoſor, kyng
of Babiloyne, and in þe hond of her enemyes, and in þe
hond of men ſekynge þe lijf of hem; and he ſchal ſmyte
hem bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd; and he ſchal not be
bowid, neþer ſchal ſpare, neþer ſchal haue mercy.
viii And þou ſchalt ſeie to þis puple, Þe Lord God ſeiþ
þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ȝyue bifore ȝou þe weie of lijf, and
þe weie of deþ.
ix He þat dwelliþ in þis citee, ſchal die bi ſwerd, and
hungur, and peſtilence; but he þat goiþ out, and fleeþ
ouer to Caldeis þat biſegen ȝou, ſchal lyue, and his lijf
ſchal be as a prey to hym.
x For Y haue ſet my face on þis citee in to yuel, and not
in to good, ſeiþ þe Lord; it ſchal be ȝouun in þe hond of
þe king of Babiloyne, and he ſchal brenne it wiþ fier.
xi And þou ſchalt ſeie to þe hous of þe king of Juda, þe
hous of Dauid, Here ȝe þe word of þe Lord.
xii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Deme ȝe eerli doom, and
delyuere ȝe hym þat is oppreſſid bi violence fro þe hond
of þe fals chalenger; leſt perauenture myn indignacioun
go out as fier, and be kyndlid, and noon be þat quenche,
for þe malice of ȝoure ſtudies.
xiii Lo! Y to þee, dwellereſſe of þe ſad valei and pleyn,
ſeiþ þe Lord, which ſeien, Who ſchal ſmyte vs, and who
ſchal entre in to oure houſis?
xiiii And Y ſchal viſite on ȝou bi þe fruyt of ȝoure
ſtudies, ſeiþ þe Lord; and Y ſchal kyndle fier in þe foreſt
þerof, and it ſchal deuoure alle þingis in þe cumpas
þerof.
CAP. XXII
i Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Go þou doun in to þe hous of
þe kyng of Juda, and þou ſchalt ſpeke þere þis word,
and ſchalt ſeie,
DCLXXXI
ii Þou kyng of Juda, þat ſittiſt on þe ſeete of Dauid, here
þe word of þe Lord, þou, and þi ſeruauntis, and þi
puple, þat entren bi þeſe ȝatis.
iii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Do ȝe doom, and
riȝtfulneſſe, and delyuere ȝe hym þat is oppreſſid bi
violence fro þe hond of þe fals chalenger; and nyle ȝe
make ſori, neþer oppreſſe ȝe wickidli a comelyng, and a
fadirles child, and a widewe, and ſchede ȝe not out
innocent blood in þis place.
iiii For if ȝe doynge don þis word, kyngis of þe kyn of
Dauid ſittynge on his trone ſchulen entre bi þe ȝatis of
þis hous, and ſchulen ſtie on charis and horſis, þei, and
þe ſeruauntis, and þe puple of hem.
v Þat if ȝe heren not þeſe wordis, Y ſwoore in my ſilf,
ſeiþ þe Lord, þat þis hous ſchal be in to wildirneſſe.
vi For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis on þe hous of þe kyng of
Juda, Galaad, þou art to me þe heed of þe Liban;
credence be not ȝouun to me, if Y ſette not þee a
wildirneſſe, citees vnhabitable.
vii And Y ſchal halewe on þee a man ſleynge, and hiſe
armuris; and þei ſchulen kitte doun þi choſun cedris,
and ſchulen caſte doun in to fier.
viii And many folkis ſchulen paſſe bi þis citee, and ech
man ſchal ſeie to his neiȝbore, Whi dide þe Lord þus to
þis greet citee?
ix And þei ſchulen anſwere, For þei forſoken þe
couenaunt of her Lord God, and worſchipiden alien
goddis, and ſerueden hem.
x Nyle ȝe biwepe hym þat is deed, neþer weile ȝe on
hym bi wepyng; biweile ȝe hym þat goiþ out, for he
ſchal no more turne aȝen, neþer he ſchal ſe þe lond of
his birþe.
xi For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to Sellum, þe ſone of
Joſie, þe kyng of Juda, þat regnede for Joſȝe, his fadir,
He þat ȝede out of þis place, ſchal no more turne aȝen
hidur;
xii but in þe place to which Y tranſlatide him, þere he
ſchal die, and he ſchal no more ſe þis lond.
xiii Wo to him þat bildiþ his hous in vnriȝtfulneſſe, and
his ſoleris not in doom; he ſchal oppreſſe his freend in
veyn, and he ſchal not ȝelde his hire to hym.
xiiii Which ſeiþ, Y ſchal bilde to me a large hous, and
wide ſoleris; which openeþ wyndows to hym ſilf, and
makiþ couplis of cedre, and peyntiþ wiþ reed colour.
xv Wheþer þou ſchalt regne, for þou compariſoneſt þee
to a cedre? wheþer þi fadir eet not, and drank, and dide
doom and riȝtfulneſſe þanne, whanne it was wel to
hym?
xvi He demyde þe cauſe of a pore man, and nedi, in to
his good; wheþer not þerfor for he knew me? ſeiþ þe
Lord.
xvii Forſoþe þin iȝen and herte ben to aueryce, and to
ſchede innocent blood, and to fals caleng, and to þe
perfourmyng of yuel werk.
xviii Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to Joachym, þe ſone
of Joſie, þe kyng of Juda, Þei ſchulen not biweile hym,
Wo broþer! and wo ſiſtir! þei ſchulen not ſowne togidere
to hym, Wo lord! and wo noble man!
xix He ſchal be biried wiþ þe biriyng of an aſſe, he ſchal
be rotun, and caſt forþ wiþout þe ȝatis of Jeruſalem.
xx Stie þou on þe Liban, and cry þou, and ȝyue þi vois
in Baſan, and cry to hem þat paſſen forþ, for alle þi
louyeris ben al to-brokun.
xxi Y ſpak to þee in þi plentee, and þou ſeidiſt, Y ſchal
not here; þis is þi weie fro þi ȝongþe, for þou herdiſt not
my vois.
xxii Wynd ſchal feede alle þi ſcheepherdis, and þi
louyeris ſchulen go in to caitifte;
xxiii and þanne þou þat ſittiſt in þe Liban, and makiſt neſt
in cedris, ſchalt be ſchent, and be aſchamed of al þi
malice. Hou weilidiſt þou, whanne ſorewis weren
comun to þee, as þe ſorew of a womman trauelynge of
child?
xxiiii I lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord, for þouȝ Jeconye, þe ſone of
Joachym, kyng of Juda, were a ring in my riȝt hond, fro
þennus Y ſchal drawe awei hym.
xxv And Y ſchal ȝyue þee in þe hond of hem þat ſeken þi
lijf, and in þe hond of hem whos face þou drediſt, and in
þe hond of Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, and in
þe hond of Caldeis.
xxvi And Y ſchal ſende þee, and þi moder þat gendride
þee, in to an alien lond, in which ȝe weren not borun,
and þere ȝe ſchulen die;
xxvii and þei ſchulen not turne aȝen in to þe lond, to
which þei reiſen her ſoule, þat þei turne aȝen þidur.
xxviii Wheþer þis man Jeconye is an erþene veſſel, and
al to-brokun? wheþer a veſſel wiþouten al likyng? Whi
ben he and his ſeed caſt awei, and caſt forþ in to a lond
which þei knewen not?
xxix Erþe, erþe, erþe, here þou þe word of þe Lord.
xxx Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Write þou þis man bareyn,
a man þat ſchal not haue proſperite in hiſe daies; for of
his ſeed ſchal be no man, þat ſchal ſitte on þe ſeete of
Dauid, and haue powere ferþere in Juda.
CAP. XXIII
i Wo to þe ſcheepherdis, þat ſcateren and to-drawen þe
floc of my leſewe, ſeiþ þe Lord.
ii Þerfor þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þe
ſcheepherdis, þat feeden my puple, Ȝe han ſcaterid my
floc, and han caſt hem out, and han not viſitid hem; lo!
Y ſchal viſite on ȝou þe malice of ȝoure ſtudies, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
DCLXXXII
iii And Y ſchal gadere togidere þe remenauntis of my
floc fro alle londis, to whiche Y ſchal caſte hem out
þidur; and Y ſchal turne hem to her feeldis, and þei
ſchulen encreeſſe, and ſchulen be multiplied.
iiii And Y ſchal reiſe ſchepherdis on hem, and þei
ſchulen feede hem; þei ſchulen no more drede, and
ſchulen not be aferd; and noon ſchal be ſouȝt of þe
noumbre ſeiþ þe Lord.
v Lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal reiſe a iuſt
buriownyng to Dauid; and he ſchal regne a kyng, and he
ſchal be wijs, and he ſchal make doom and riȝtfulneſſe
in erþe.
vi In þo daies Juda ſchal be ſauid, and Iſrael ſchal dwelle
triſtili; and þis is þe name which þei ſchulen clepe hym,
Þe Lord oure riȝtful.
vii For þis þing lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and þei
ſchulen no more ſeie, Þe Lord lyueþ, þat ledde þe ſones
of Iſrael out of þe lond of Egipt;
viii but, Þe Lord lyueþ, þat ledde out, and brouȝte þe
ſeed of þe hous of Iſrael fro þe lond of þe norþ, and fro
alle londis to whiche Y hadde caſt hem out þidur; and
þei ſchulen dwelle in her lond.
ix To þe prophetis; Myn herte is contrit in þe myddis of
me, alle my boonys trembliden togidere; Y am maad as
a man drunkun, and as a man weet of wyn, of þe face of
þe Lord, and of þe face of þe hooli wordis of hym;
x for þe lond is fillid wiþ auowteris. For þe erþe
mourenede of þe face of curſyng; þe feeldis of deſert
ben maad drie, þe cours of hem is maad yuel, and her
ſtrengþe is vnlijk.
xi For whi þe profete and þe preſt ben defoulid; and in
myn hous, ſeiþ þe Lord, Y foond þe yuel of hem.
xii Þerfor þe weie of hem ſchal be as ſlidur in derkneſſis,
for þei ſchulen be hurtlid, and ſchulen falle doun
þerynne; for Y ſchal bringe on hem yuels, þe ȝeer of
viſitacioun of hem, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xiii And in þe profetis of Samarie Y ſiȝ fonnedneſſe, and
þei profeſieden in Baal, and diſſeyueden my puple
Iſrael.
xiiii And in þe profetis of Jeruſalem Y ſiȝ licneſſe,
auoutrie, and þe weie of leeſyng; and þei confortiden þe
hondis of þe worſte men, þat ech man ſchulde not
conuerte fro his malice; alle þei ben maad as Sodom to
me, and alle þe dwellers þerof `ben maad as Gommorre.
xv Þerfor þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þe
prophetis, Lo! Y ſchal feed hem wiþ wermod, and Y
ſchal ȝyue drynke to hem wiþ galle; for whi defoulyng
is goen out of þe profetis of Jeruſalem on al þe lond.
xvi Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Nyle ȝe here þe
wordis of profetis, þat profeſien to ȝou, and diſſeyuen
ȝou; þei ſpeken þe viſioun of her herte, not of þe mouþ
of þe Lord.
xvii Þei ſeien to hem þat blasfemen me, Þe Lord ſpak,
Pees ſchal be to ȝou; and þei ſeiden to ech man þat goiþ
in þe ſchrewidneſſe of his herte, Yuel ſchal not come on
ȝou.
xviii For whi who is preſent in þe councel of þe Lord,
and ſiȝ, and herde his word? who bihelde, and herde þe
word of hym?
xix Lo! þe whirlewynd of þe Lordis indignacioun ſchal
go out, and tempeſt brekynge ſchal come on þe heed of
wickid men.
xx Þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord ſchal not turne aȝen,
til þat he do, and til þat he fille þe þouȝt of his herte. In
þe laſte daies ȝe ſchulen vndurſtonde þe councel of hym.
xxi Y ſente not þe profetis, and þei runnen; Y ſpak not to
hem, and þei profeſieden.
xxii If þei hadden ſtonde in my councel, and hadde maad
knowun my wordis to my puple, forſoþe Y hadde turned
hem awei fro her yuel weie, and fro her worſte þouȝtis.
xxiii Geſſiſt þou, wheþer Y am God of niȝ, ſeiþ þe Lord,
and not God afer?
xxiiii A man ſchal not be priuy in hid places, and Y ſchal
not ſe hym, ſeiþ þe Lord. Wheþer Y fille not heuene and
erþe? ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxv Y herde what þingis þe profetis ſeiden, profeſiynge a
leeſyng in my name, and ſeiynge, Y dremede dremes.
xxvi Hou longe is þis þing in þe herte of profetis,
profeſiynge a leeſyng, and profeſiynge þe diſſeite of her
herte?
xxvii Whiche wolen make, þat my puple forȝete my
name for þe dremes of hem, which ech man telliþ to his
neiȝbore, as þe fadris of hem forȝaten my name for
Baal.
xxviii A profete þat haþ a dreme, telle a dreem; and he
þat haþ my word, ſpeke verili my word. What is wiþ
chaffis to þe wheete? ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxix Wheþer my wordis ben not as fier brennynge, ſeiþ
þe Lord, and as an hamer al to-brekynge a ſtoon?
xxx Þerfor lo! Y am redi to þe profetis, ſeiþ þe Lord, þat
ſtelen my wordis, ech man fro his neiȝbore.
xxxi Lo! Y to þe profetis, ſeiþ þe Lord, þat taken her
tungis, and ſeien, Þe Lord ſeiþ.
xxxii Lo! Y to þe profetis, dremynge a leeſyng, ſeiþ þe
Lord; which telden þo, and diſſeyueden my puple in her
leeſyng, and in her myraclis, whanne Y hadde not ſente
hem, neþer hadde comaundide to hem; whiche
profitiden no þing to þis puple, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxxiii Þerfor if þis puple, eþer profete, eþer preſt, axiþ
þee, and ſeiþ, What is þe birþun of þe Lord? þou ſchalt
ſeie to hem, Ȝe ben þe birþun, for Y ſchal caſte ȝou
awei, ſeiþ þe Lord;
xxxiiii and a profete, and a preſt, and þe puple, þat ſeiþ,
Þe birþun of þe Lord, Y ſchal viſite on þat man, and on
his hous.
DCLXXXIII
xxxv Ȝe ſchulen ſeie þeſe þingis, ech man to his
neiȝbore, and to his broþer, What anſweride þe Lord?
and what ſpak þe Lord?
xxxvi For þe birþun of þe Lord ſchal no more be
remembrid, and þe word of ech man ſchal be birþun to
hym; and ȝe han peruertid þe wordis of lyuynge God, of
þe Lord of ooſtis, ȝoure God.
xxxvii Þou ſchalt ſeie þeſe þingis to þe profete, What
anſweride þe Lord to þee? and what ſpak þe Lord?
xxxviii Forſoþe if ȝe ſeien, Þe birþin of þe Lord, for þis
þing þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For ȝe ſeiden þis word, Þe
birþun of þe Lord, and Y ſente to ȝou, and Y ſeide, Nyle
ȝe ſeie, Þe birþun of þe Lord; þerfor lo!
xxxix Y ſchal take ȝou awei, and ſchal bere, and Y ſchal
forſake ȝou, and þe citee which Y ȝaf to ȝou, and to
ȝoure fadris, fro my face.
xl And Y ſchal ȝyue ȝou in to euerlaſtynge ſchenſchipe,
and in to euerlaſtynge ſclaundir, þat ſchal neuere be
doon awei bi forȝetyng.
CAP. XXIIII
i Þe Lord ſchewide to me, and lo! twei panyeris ful of
figys weren ſet bifor þe temple of þe Lord, aftir þat
Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, tranſlatide Jeconye,
þe ſone of Joachym, þe kyng of Juda, and þe princes of
hym, and a ſutil crafti man, and a goldſmiþ fro
Jeruſalem, and brouȝte hem in to Babiloyne.
ii And o panyere hadde ful good figis, as figis of þe
firſte tyme ben wont to be; and o panyere hadde ful yuel
figis, þat miȝten not be etun, for þo weren yuel figis.
iii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Jeremye, what þing ſeeſt
þou? And Y ſeide, Figis, goode figis, ful goode, and
yuele figis, ful yuele, þat moun not be etun, for þo ben
yuele figis.
iiii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
v and ſeide, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, As
þeſe figis ben goode, ſo Y ſchal knowe þe
tranſmygracioun of Juda, which I ſente out fro þis place
in to þe lond of Caldeis, in to good.
vi And Y ſchal ſette myn iȝen on hem to pleſe, and Y
ſchal brynge hem aȝen in to þis lond; and Y ſchal bilde
hem, and Y ſchal not diſtrie hem; and Y ſchal plaunte
hem, and Y ſchal not drawe vp bi þe roote.
vii And Y ſchal ȝyue to hem an herte, þat þei knowe me,
for Y am þe Lord; and þei ſchulen be in to a puple to
me, and Y ſchal be in to God to hem, for þei ſchulen
turne aȝen to me in al her herte.
viii And as þe worſte figis ben, þat moun not be etun, for
þo ben yuele figis, þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, So Y ſchal
ȝyue Sedechie, þe kyng of Juda, and þe princes of hym,
and oþer men of Jeruſalem, þat dwelliden in þis citee,
and þat dwellen in þe lond of Egipt.
ix And Y ſchal ȝyue hem into trauelyng and turment in
alle rewmes of erþe, in to ſchenſchipe, and in to parable,
and in to a prouerbe, and in to curſyng, in alle places to
whiche Y caſtide hem out.
x And Y ſchal ſende in hem a ſwerd, and hungur, and
peſtilence, til þei be waſtid fro þe lond which Y ȝaf to
hem, and to þe fadris of hem.
CAP. XXV
i Þe word of þe Lord, þat was maad to Jeremye, of al þe
puple of Juda, in þe fourþe ȝeer of Joachym, þe ſone of
Joſie, þe king of Juda, aftir þat Jeconye was tranſlatid in
to Babiloyne; þilke is þe firſte ȝeer of Nabugodonoſor,
kyng of Babiloyne; which word Jeremy,
ii þe prophete, ſpak to al þe puple of Juda, and to alle þe
dwelleris of Jeruſalem, and ſeide,
iii Fro þe þrettenþe ȝeer of þe rewme of Joſie, þe ſone of
Amon, þe kyng of Juda, `til to þis dai, þis is þe þree and
twentiþe ȝeer, þe word of þe Lord was maad to me; and
Y ſpak to ȝou, and Y roos bi niȝt and ſpak, and ȝe
herden not.
iiii And þe Lord ſente to ȝou alle hiſe ſeruauntis profetis,
and roos ful eerli, and ſente, and ȝe herden not, neþer ȝe
bowiden ȝoure eeris, for to here;
v whanne he ſeide, Turne ȝe aȝen, ech man fro his yuel
weie, and fro ȝoure worſte þouȝtis, and ȝe ſchulen
dwelle in þe lond whiche þe Lord ȝaf to ȝou, and to
ȝoure fadris, fro þe world and til in to þe world.
vi And nyle ȝe go aftir alien goddis, þat ȝe ſerue hem,
and worſchipe hem, neþer terre ȝe me to wraþfulneſſe,
in þe werkis of ȝoure hondis, and Y ſchal not turmente
ȝou.
vii And ȝe herden not me, ſeiþ þe Lord, þat ȝe terreden
me to wraþfulneſſe in þe werkis of ȝoure hondis, in to
ȝoure yuel.
viii Þerfor þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat
ȝe herden not my wordis, lo!
ix Y ſchal ſende, and take alle þe kynredis of þe norþ,
ſeiþ þe Lord, and Nabugodonoſor, my ſeruaunt, þe kyng
of Babiloyne; and Y ſchal bringe hem on þis lond, and
on þe dwelleris þerof, and on alle naciouns, þat ben in
þe cumpas þerof; and Y ſchal ſle hem, and Y ſchal ſette
hem in to wondryng, and in to hiſſyng, and in to
euerlaſtynge wildirneſſis.
x And Y ſchal leeſe of hem þe vois of ioye, and þe vois
of gladneſſe, þe vois of ſpouſe, and þe vois of ſpouſeſſe,
þe vois of queerne, and þe lyȝt of þe lanterne.
xi And al þe lond þerof ſchal be in to wildirneſſe, and in
to wondring; and alle þeſe folkis ſchulen ſerue þe king
of Babiloyne ſeuenti ȝeer.
xii And whanne ſeuenti ȝeer ben fillid, Y ſchal viſite on
þe kyng of Babiloyne, and on þat folc þe wickidneſſe of
hem, ſeiþ þe Lord, and on þe lond of Caldeis, and Y
ſchal ſet it in to euerlaſtynge wildirneſſes.
DCLXXXIV
xiii And Y ſchal brynge on þat lond alle my wordis
whiche Y ſpak aȝens it, al þing þat is writun in þis book;
what euer þingis Jeremye profeſide aȝens alle folkis;
xiiii for þei ſerueden to hem, whanne þei weren many
folkis, and grete kingis; and Y ſchal ȝelde to hem aftir
þe werkis of hem, and aftir þe dedis of her hondis.
xv For þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þus, Take
þou þe cuppe of wyn of þis woodneſſe fro myn hond,
and þou ſchal birle þerof to alle heþene men, to whiche
Y ſchal ſende þee.
xvi And þei ſchulen drynke, and ſchulen be diſturblid,
and ſchulen be woode of þe face of ſwerd, which Y
ſchal ſende among hem.
xvii And Y took þe cuppe fro þe hond of þe Lord, and Y
birlide to alle folkis, to whiche þe Lord ſente me;
xviii to Jeruſalem, and to alle þe citees of Juda, and to þe
kyngis þerof, and to þe princes þerof; þat Y ſchulde
ȝyue hem in to wildirneſſe, and in to wondring, and in
to hiſſyng, and in to curſing, as þis dai is; to Farao,
xix þe king of Egipt, and to hiſe ſeruauntis, and to hiſe
princes, and to al hiſe puple;
xx and to alle men generali, to alle þe kyngis of þe lond
Anſitidis, and to alle þe kyngis of þe lond of Filiſtiym,
and to Aſcalon, and to Gaza, and to Acoron, and to þe
reſidues of Azotus;
xxi to Idumee, and to Moab, and to þe ſones of Amon;
xxii and to alle þe kyngis of Tirus, and to alle þe kingis
of Sidon, and to þe kingis of þe lond of ilis þat ben
biȝendis þe ſee;
xxiii and to Dedan, and Theman, and Buz, and to alle
men þat ben clippid on þe long heer;
xxiiii and to alle þe kingis of Arabie, and to alle þe kingis
of þe weſt, þat dwellen in deſert;
xxv and to alle þe kingis of Zambri, and to alle þe kingis
of Elam, and to alle þe kyngis of Medeis; and to alle þe
kingis of þe norþ,
xxvi of niȝ and of fer, to ech man aȝens his broþir; and to
alle þe rewmes of erþe, þat ben on þe face þerof; and
kyng Seſac ſchal drynke after hem.
xxvii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God
of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Drynke ȝe, and be ȝe drunkun,
and ſpue ȝe, and falle ȝe doun, and nyle ȝe riſe fro þe
face of ſwerd which Y ſchal ſende among ȝou.
xxviii And whanne þei nylen take þe cuppe fro þin hond,
þat þei drynke, þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord of ooſtis
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝe drynkynge ſchulen drynke;
xxix for lo! in þe citee in which my name is clepid to
help, Y bigynne to turmente, and ſchulen ȝe as
innocentis be wiþ out peyne? ȝe ſchulen not be wiþ out
peyne, for Y clepe ſwerd on alle þe dwelleris of erþe,
ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
xxx And þou ſchalt profeſie to hem alle þeſe wordis, and
þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord ſchal rore fro an hiȝ, and
fro his hooli dwellyng place he ſchal ȝyue his vois; he
rorynge ſchal rore on his fairneſſe; a myry ſong, as of
men tredynge in preſſouris, ſchal be ſungun aȝens alle
dwelleris of erþe.
xxxi Sown is comun til to þe laſte partis of erþe, for whi
doom is to þe Lord wiþ folkis, he is demed wiþ ech
fleiſch; þe Lord ſeiþ, Y haue ȝoue wickid men to þe
ſwerd.
xxxii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! turment ſchal
go out fro folk in to folk, and a greet whirlwynd ſchal
go out fro þe endis of erþe.
xxxiii And þe ſlayn men of þe Lord ſchulen be in þat dai
fro þe ende of þe erþe `til to þe ende þerof; þei ſchulen
not be biweilid, neþer ſchulen be gaderid togidere,
neþer ſchulen be biried; þei ſchulen ligge in to a dunghil
on þe face of erþe.
xxxiiii Ȝelle, ȝe ſcheepherdis, and crye, and, ȝe
princypals of þe floc, biſpreynge ȝou wiþ aiſche; for
ȝoure daies ben fillid, þat ȝe be ſlayn, and ȝoure
ſcateryngis ben fillid, and ȝe ſchulen falle as precious
veſſels.
xxxv And fleyng ſchal periſche fro ſcheepherdis, and
ſauyng ſchal periſche fro þe principals of þe floc.
xxxvi Þe vois of þe crye of ſcheepherdis, and þe ȝellyng
of þe principals of þe floc, for þe Lord haþ waſtid þe
leſewis of hem.
xxxvii And þe feeldis of pees weren ſtille, for þe face of
wraþþe of þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord.
xxxviii He as a lion haþ forſake his tabernacle, for þe
lond of hem is maad in to deſolacioun, of þe face of
wraþþe of þe culuer, and of þe face of wraþþe of þe
ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord.
CAP. XXVI
i In þe bigynnyng of þe rewme of Joachym, þe ſone of
Joſie, kyng of Juda, þis word was maad of þe Lord, and
ſeide,
ii Þe Lord ſeide þeſe þingis, Stonde þou in þe porche of
þe hous of þe Lord, and þou ſchalt ſpeke to alle þe
citees of Juda, fro whiche þei comen for to worſchipe in
þe hous of þe Lord, alle þe wordis whiche Y
comaundide to þee, þat þou ſpeke to hem; nyle þou
wiþdrawe a word;
iii if perauenture þei heren, and ben conuertid, ech man
fro his yuele weie, and it repente me of þe yuel which Y
þouȝte to do to hem for þe malices of her ſtudies.
iiii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
If ȝe heren not me, þat ȝe go in my lawe which Y ȝaf to
ȝou,
v þat ȝe here þe wordis of my ſeruauntis, profetis,
whiche Y riſynge bi niȝte, and dreſſynge, ſente to ȝou,
and ȝe herden not;
vi Y ſchal ȝyue þis hous as Silo, and Y ſchal ȝyue þis
citee in to curſyng to alle folkis of erþe.
DCLXXXV
vii And þe preſtis, and profetis, and al þe puple herden
Jeremye ſpekynge þeſe wordis in þe hous of þe Lord.
viii And whanne Jeremye hadde fillid ſpekynge alle
þingis, whiche þe Lord hadde comaundid to hym, þat
he ſchulde ſpeke to al þe puple, þe preſtis, and profetis,
and al þe puple token hym, and ſeiden, Die he bi deeþ;
ix whi profeſiede he in þe name of þe Lord, and ſeide,
Þis hous ſchal be as Silo, and þis citee ſchal be deſolat,
for no dwellere is? And al þe puple was gaderid
togidere aȝens Jeremye, in þe hous of þe Lord.
x And þe princes of Juda herden alle þeſe wordis; and
þei ſtieden fro þe kyngis hous in to þe hous of þe Lord,
and ſaten in þe entryng of þe newe ȝate of þe hous of þe
Lord.
xi And þe preſtis and profetis ſpaken to þe princes, and
to al þe puple, and ſeiden, Doom of deþ is to þis man,
for he profeſiede aȝens þis citee, as ȝe herden wiþ ȝoure
eeris.
xii And Jeremye ſeide to alle þe princes, and to al þe
puple, `and ſeide, Þe Lord ſente me, þat Y ſchulde
propheſie to þis hous, and to þis citee, alle þe wordis
whiche ȝe herden.
xiii Now þerfor make ȝe good ȝoure weies, and ȝoure
ſtudies, and here ȝe þe vois of ȝoure Lord God; and it
ſchal repente þe Lord of þe yuel which he ſpak aȝens
ȝou.
xiiii Lo! forſoþe Y am in ȝoure hondis; do ȝe to me, as it
is good and riȝtful bifore ȝoure iȝen.
xv Neþeles wite ȝe, and knowe, þat if ȝe ſleen me, ȝe
ſchulen bitraie innocent blood aȝens ȝou ſilf, and aȝens
þis citee, and þe dwelleris þerof; for in trewþe þe Lord
ſente me to ȝou, þat Y ſchulde ſpeke in ȝoure eeris alle
þeſe wordis.
xvi And þe princes and al þe puple ſeiden to þe preeſtis
and profetis, Doom of deþ is not to þis man; for he ſpak
to vs in þe name of oure Lord God.
xvii Þerfor men of þe eldere men of þe lond ryſiden vp,
and ſeiden to al þe cumpanye of þe puple,
xviii and ſpaken, Mychee of Moraſten was a profete in
þe daies of Ezechie, king of Juda; and he ſeide to al þe
puple of Juda, and ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Sion ſchal be erid as a feeld, and Jeruſalem ſchal
be in to an heep of ſtoonys, and þe hil of þe hous of þe
Lord ſchal be in to hiȝ þingis of woodis.
xix Wheþer Ezechie, kyng of Juda, and al Juda
condempnede hym bi deþ? Wheþer þei dredden not þe
Lord, and biſouȝten þe face of þe Lord? and it repentide
þe Lord of þe yuel which he ſpak aȝens hem. Þerfor do
we not greet yuel aȝens oure ſoulis.
xx Alſo Vrye, þe ſone of Semey, of Cariathiarym, was a
man profeſiynge in þe name of þe Lord; and he
profeſiede aȝens þis citee, and aȝens þis lond, bi alle þe
wordis of Jeremye.
xxi And kyng Joachym, and alle þe myȝti men, and
princes of hem, herden þeſe wordis; and þe kyng ſouȝte
to ſle hym; and Vrye herde, and dredde, and he fledde,
and entride in to Egipt.
xxii And kyng Joachym ſente men in to Egipt, Elnathan,
þe ſone of Achobor, and men wiþ hym, in to Egipt;
xxiii and þei ledden Vrye out of Egipt, and brouȝten hym
to kyng Joachym; and þe kyng killide hym bi ſwerd,
and caſtide forþ his careyn in þe ſepulcris of þe comyn
puple vnnoble.
xxiiii Þerfor þe hond of Aicham, ſone of Saphan, was
wiþ Jeremye, þat he was not bitakun in to þe hondis of
þe puple, and þat it killide not hym.
CAP. XXVII
i In þe bigynnyng of þe rewme of Joachym, þe ſone of
Joſie, kyng of Juda, þis word was maad of þe Lord to
Jeremye, and ſeide,
ii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to me, Make þou to þee
boondis and chaynes, and þou ſchalt putte þo in þi
necke;
iii and þou ſchalt ſende þo to þe kyng of Edom, and to
þe kyng of Moab, and to þe kyng of þe ſones of Amon,
and to þe kyng of Tyre, and to þe kyng of Sidon, bi þe
hond of meſſangeris þat camen to Jeruſalem, and to
Sedechie, kyng of Juda.
iiii And þou ſchalt comaunde to hem, þat þei ſpeke to
her lordis, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Ȝe ſchulen ſeie þeſe þingis to ȝoure lordis,
v Y made erþe, and man, and beeſtis þat ben on þe face
of al erþe, in my greet ſtrengþe, and in myn arm holdun
forþ; and Y ȝaf it to hym þat pleſyde bifore myn iȝen.
vi And now þerfor Y ȝaf alle þeſe londis in þe hond of
Nabugodonoſor, my ſeruaunt, þe kyng of Babiloyne;
ferþermore and Y ȝaf to hym þe beeſtis of þe feeld, þat
þei ſerue hym.
vii And alle folkis ſchulen ſerue hym, and his ſone, and
þe ſone of his ſone, til þe tyme of his lond and of hym
come; and many folkis and grete kyngis ſchulen ſerue
hym.
viii Forſoþe þe folk and rewme þat ſerueþ not
Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, and whoeuer
bowiþ not his necke vndur þe ȝok of þe kyng of
Babiloyne, Y ſchal viſite on þat folk in ſwerd, and
hungur, and peſtilence, ſeiþ þe Lord, til Y waaſte hem in
his hond.
ix Þerfor nyle ȝe here ȝoure profetis, and falſe
dyuynouris, and dremeris, and dyuyneris bi chiteryng
and fleyng of briddis, and witchis, þat ſeien to ȝou, Ȝe
ſchulen not ſerue þe kyng of Babiloyne;
x for þei profeſien a leſſyng to ȝou, þat þei make ȝou fer
fro ȝoure lond, and caſte out ȝou, and ȝe periſche.
xi Certis þe folk þat makiþ ſuget her nol vndur þe ȝok of
þe kyng of Babiloyne, and ſerueþ hym, Y ſchal diſmytte
DCLXXXVI
it in his lond, ſeiþ þe Lord; and it ſchal tile þat lond, and
ſchal dwelle þerynne.
xii And Y ſpak bi alle þeſe wordis to Sedechie, kyng of
Juda, and Y ſeide, Make ȝe ſuget ȝoure neckis vndur þe
ȝok of þe kyng of Babiloyne, and ſerue ȝe hym, and his
puple, and ȝe ſchulen lyue.
xiii Whi ſchulen ȝe die, þou and þi puple, bi ſwerd, and
hungur, and peſtilence, as þe Lord ſpak to þe folk, þat
nolde ſerue to þe kyng of Babiloyne?
xiiii Nyle ȝe here þe wordis of profetis ſeiynge to ȝou, Ȝe
ſchulen not ſerue þe kyng of Babiloyne; for þei ſpeken
leeſyng to ȝou, for Y ſente not hem, ſeiþ þe Lord;
xv and þei profeſien falſly in my name, þat þei caſte out
ȝou, and þat ȝe periſche, boþe ȝe and þe profetis þat
profeſien to ȝou.
xvi And Y ſpak to þe preeſtis, and to þis puple, and Y
ſeide, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Nyle ȝe here þe
wordis of ȝoure profetis, þat profeſien to ȝou, and ſeien,
Lo! þe veſſels of þe Lord ſchulen turne aȝen now ſoone
fro Babiloyne; for þei profeſien a leeſyng to ȝou.
xvii Þerfor nyle ȝe here hem, but ſerue ȝe to þe kyng of
Babiloyne, þat ȝe lyue; whi is þis citee ȝouun in to
wildirneſſe?
xviii And if þei ben profetis, and if þe word of God is in
hem, renne þei to þe Lord of ooſtis, þat þe veſſels
whiche weren left in þe hous of þe Lord, and in þe hous
of þe kyng of Juda, and in Jeruſalem, come not in to
Babiloyne.
xix For þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þe pilers,
and to þe ſee, þat is, a greet waiſchyng veſſel, and to þe
foundementis, and to þe remenauntis of veſſels, þat
weren left in þis citee,
xx whiche Nabugodonoſor, king of Babiloyne, took not,
whanne he tranſlatide Jeconye, þe ſone of Joachim, king
of Juda, fro Jeruſalem in to Babiloyne, and alle þe
principal men of Juda and of Jeruſalem.
xxi For þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis
to þe veſſels þat ben left in þe hous of þe Lord, and in
þe hous of þe king of Juda, and in Jeruſalem, Þo ſchulen
be tranſlatid in to Babiloyne,
xxii and ſchulen be þere `til to þe dai of her viſitacioun,
ſeiþ þe Lord; and Y ſchal make þo to be brouȝt, and to
be reſtorid in þis place.
CAP. XXVIII
i And it was don in þat ȝeer, in þe bigynnyng of þe
rewme of Sedechie, kyng of Juda, in þe fourþe ȝeer, in
þe fyueþe moneþe, Ananye, þe ſone of Azur, a profete
of Gabaon, ſeide to me in þe hous of þe Lord, bifor þe
preeſtis, and al þe puple,
ii `and ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Y haue al to-broke þe ȝok of þe kyng of
Babiloyne.
iii Ȝittwei ȝeeris of daies ben, and Y ſchal make to be
brouȝt aȝen to þis place alle þe veſſels of þe Lord,
whiche Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, took fro þis
place, and tranſlatide þo in to Babiloyne.
iiii And Y ſchal turne to þis place, ſeiþ þe Lord, Jeconye,
þe ſone of Joachym, þe kyng of Juda, and al þe paſſyng
ouer of Juda, þat entriden in to Babiloyne; for Y ſchal al
to-breke þe ȝok of þe kyng of Babiloyne.
v And Jeremye, þe profete, ſeide to Ananye, þe profete,
bifore þe iȝen of preeſtis, and bifore þe iȝen of al þe
puple þat ſtoden in þe hous of þe Lord.
vi And Jeremye, þe profete, ſeide to Ananye, Amen! ſo
do þe Lord; þe Lord reiſe þi wordis whiche þou
profeſiediſt, þat þe veſſels be brouȝt aȝen in to þe hous
of þe Lord, and al þe paſſyng ouer fro Babiloyne, to þis
place.
vii Neþeles here þou þis word, which Y ſpeke in þin
eeris, and in þe eeris of al þe puple.
viii Profetis þat weren bifore me, and bifor þee, fro þe
bigynnyng, and profeſieden on many londis, and on
many rewmes, of batel, and of turment, and of hungur.
ix Þe profete þat profeſiede pees, whanne his word
comeþ, ſhal be knowun þe profete whom þe Lord ſente
in treuþe.
x And Ananye, þe profete, took þe chayne fro þe necke
of Jeremye, þe profete, and brak it.
xi And Ananye, þe profete, ſeide in þe ſiȝt of al þe puple,
`and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, So Y ſchal breke þe
ȝok of Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, aftir twei
ȝeeris of daies, fro þe necke of alle folkis.
xii And Jeremye, þe profete, ȝede in to his weie. And þe
word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye, aftir þat
Ananye, þe profete, brak þe chayne fro þe necke of
Jeremye; and þe Lord ſeide,
xiii Go þou, and ſeie to Ananye, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Þou haſt al to-broke þe chaynes of tre, and þou
ſchalt make yrun chaynes for þo.
xiiii For þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Y haue ſet an yrun ȝok on þe necke of alle þeſe folkis,
þat þei ſerue Nabugodonoſor, þe king of Babiloyne, and
þei ſchulen ſerue hym; ferþermore and Y ȝaf to hym þe
beeſtis of erþe.
xv And Jeremye, þe profete, ſeide to Ananye, þe profete,
Ananye, here þou; þe Lord ſente not þee, and þou
madiſt þis puple for to triſte in a leeſyng.
xvi Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal ſende
þee out fro þe face of erþe; in þis ȝeer þou ſchalt die, for
þou ſpakeſt aȝens þe Lord.
xvii And Ananye, þe profete, diede in þat ȝeer, in þe
ſeuenþe moneþe.
DCLXXXVII
CAP. XXIX
i And þeſe ben þe wordis of þe book, whiche Jeremye,
þe profete, ſente fro Jeruſalem to þe reſidues of eldere
men of paſſyng ouer, and to þe preeſtis, and to þe
profetis, and to al þe puple, whom Nabugodonoſor
hadde ledde ouer fro Jeruſalem in to Babiloyne,
ii after þat Jeconye, þe kyng, ȝede out, and þe ladi, and
þe oneſt ſeruauntis and chaſt, and þe princis of Juda
ȝeden out of Jeruſalem, and a ſutel crafti man, and a
goldſmyþ of Jeruſalem,
iii in þe hond of Elaſa, ſone of Saphan, and of Gamalie,
þe ſone of Elchie, whiche Sedechie, þe kyng of Juda,
ſente to Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng of Babiloyne, in to
Babiloyne.
iiii And Jeremye ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael,
ſeiþ þeſe þingis to al þe paſſyng ouer, which Y
tranſlatide fro Jeruſalem in to Babiloyne,
v Bilde ȝe houſis, and enhabite, and plaunte ȝe
orcherdis, and ete ȝe fruyt of þo;
vi take ȝe wyues, and gendre ȝe ſones and douȝtris, and
ȝyue ȝe wyues to ȝoure ſones, and ȝyue ȝe ȝoure
douȝtris to hoſebondis, and bere þei ſones and douȝtris;
and be ȝe multiplied þere, and nyle ȝe be fewe in
noumbre.
vii And ſeke ȝe pees of þe citees, to whiche Y made ȝou
to paſſe ouer; and preie ȝe þe Lord for it, for in þe pees
þerof ſchal be pees to ȝou.
viii Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Ȝoure profetis, þat ben in þe myddis of ȝou, and ȝoure
dyuynours diſſeyue ȝou not; and take ȝe noon heede to
ȝoure dremes, whiche ȝe dremen;
ix for þei profeſien falſli to ȝou in my name, and Y ſente
not hem, ſeiþ þe Lord.
x For þe Lord ſeiþ þes þingis, Whanne ſeuenti ȝeer
bigynnen to be fillid in Babiloyne, Y ſchal viſite ȝou,
and Y ſchal reiſe on ȝou my good word, and Y ſchal
brynge ȝou aȝen to þis place.
xi For Y knowe þe þouȝtis whiche Y þenke on ȝou, ſeiþ
þe Lord, þe þouȝtis of pees, and not of turment, þat Y
ȝyue to ȝou an ende and pacience.
xii And ȝe ſchulen clepe me to help, and ȝe ſchulen go,
and ſchulen worſchipe me, and Y ſchal here ȝou;
xiii ȝe ſchulen ſeke me, and ȝe ſchulen fynde, whanne ȝe
ſeken me in al ȝoure herte.
xiiii And Y ſchal be foundun of ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y
ſchal brynge aȝen ȝoure caitifte, and Y ſchal gadere ȝou
fro alle folkis, and fro alle places, to whiche Y caſtide
out ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord; and Y ſchal make ȝou to turne
aȝen fro þe place, to which Y made ȝou to paſſe ouer.
xv For ȝe ſeiden, Þe Lord ſchal reiſe profetis to vs in
Babiloyne.
xvi For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þe kyng, þat ſittiþ on
þe ſeete of Dauid, and to al þe puple, dwellere of þis
citee, to ȝoure briþeren, þat ȝeden not out wiþ ȝou in to
þe paſſyng ouer,
xvii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal ſende
among hem ſwerd, and hungur, and peſtilence; and Y
ſchal ſette hem as yuele figis, þat moun not be etun, for
þo ben ful yuele.
xviii And Y ſchal purſue hem in ſwerd, and in hungur,
and in peſtilence; and Y ſchal ȝyue hem in to trauelyng
in alle rewmes of erþe, in to curſyng, and in to
wondryng, and in to ſcornyng, and in to ſchenſchipe to
alle folkis, to whiche Y caſtide hem out.
xix For þei herden not my wordis, ſeiþ þe Lord, which Y
ſente to hem bi my ſeruauntis, profetis, and roos bi nyȝt,
and ſente, and ȝe herden not, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xx Þerfor al þe paſſyng ouer, which Y ſente out fro
Jeruſalem in to Babiloyne, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord.
xxi Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis to
Achab, þe ſone of Chulie, and to Sedechie, þe ſone of
Maaſie, þat profeſien to ȝou a leeſyng in my name, Lo!
Y ſchal bitake hem in to þe hond of Nabugodonoſor,
kyng of Babiloyne, and he ſchal ſmyte hem bifore ȝoure
iȝen.
xxii And curſyng ſchal be takun of hem to al þe paſſyng
ouer of Juda, which is in Babiloyne, of men ſeiynge, Þe
Lord ſette þee as Sedechie, and as Achab, whiche þe
kyng of Babiloyne friede in fier,
xxiii for þei diden foli in Iſrael, and diden auowtrie on þe
wyues of her frendis; and þei ſpaken a word falſli in my
name, which Y comaundide not to hem; Y am iuge and
witneſſe, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxiiii And þou ſchalt ſeie to Semei Neelamyte,
xxv Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For
þat þat þou ſentiſt bookis in my name to al þe puple,
which is in Jeruſalem, and to Sofony, þe ſone of Maaſie,
þe preeſt, and to alle þe preſtis,
xxvi and ſeidiſt, Þe Lord ȝaf þee þe preeſt for Joiada, þe
preeſt, þat þou be duyk in þe hous of þe Lord on ech
man `þat is trauelid of þe fend, and profeſiynge, þat þou
ſende hym in to ſtockis, and in to priſoun.
xxvii And now whi blameſt þou not Jeremye of Anathot,
þat profeſieþ to ȝou?
xxviii For on þis þing he ſente to vs in to Babiloyne, and
ſeide, It is long; bielde ȝe houſis, and enhabite, and
plaunte ȝe orcherdis, and ete ȝe þe fruit of þo.
xxix Þerfor Sofonye, þe preeſt, redde þis book in þe eeris
of Jeremye, þe prophete.
xxx And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye,
xxxi and ſeide, Sende þou to al þe paſſyng ouer, and ſeie,
Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to Semeye Neelamite, For þat
þat Semeye profeſiede to ȝou, and Y ſente not hym, and
he made ȝou to triſte in a leeſyng;
xxxii þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þes þingis, Lo! Y ſchal viſite on
Semeye Neelamyte, and on his ſeed; and no man
DCLXXXVIII
ſittynge in þe myddis of þis puple ſchal be to hym; and
he ſchal not ſe þe good, which Y ſchal do to my puple,
ſeiþ þe Lord, for he ſpak treſpaſſyng aȝens þe Lord.
CAP. XXX
i Þis is þe word, þat was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye,
ii and ſeide, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, and
ſpekiþ, Write to þee in a book, alle þeſe wordis whiche
Y ſpak to þee.
iii For lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal turne
þe turnyng of my puple Iſrael and Juda, ſeiþ þe Lord;
and Y ſchal turne hem to þe lond which Y ȝaf to þe
fadris of hem, and þei ſchulen haue it in poſſeſſioun.
iiii And þeſe ben þe wordis, whiche þe Lord ſpak to
Iſrael, and to Juda,
v For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, We herden a word of
drede; inward drede is, and pees is not.
vi Axe ȝe, and ſe, if a male beriþ child; whi þerfor ſiȝ Y
þe hond of ech man on his leende, as of a womman
trauelynge of child, and alle faces ben turned in to
ȝelow colour?
vii Wo! for þilke day is greet, neþer ony is lyk it; and it
is a tyme of tribulacioun to Jacob, and of hym ſchal be
ſauyd.
viii And it ſchal be, in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, Y
ſchal al to-breke þe ȝok of hym fro þi necke, and Y
ſchal breke hiſe boondis; and aliens ſchulen no more be
lordis of it,
ix but þei ſchulen ſerue to her Lord God, and to Dauid,
her kyng, whom Y ſchal reyſe for hem.
x Þerfor, Jacob, my ſeruaunt, drede þou not, ſeiþ þe
Lord, and Iſrael, drede þou not; for lo! Y ſchal ſaue þee
fro a fer lond, and þi ſeed fro þe lond of þe caitiftee of
hem. And Jacob ſchal turne aȝen, and ſchal reſte, and
ſchal flowe wiþ alle goodis; and noon ſchal be whom he
ſchal drede.
xi For Y am wiþ þee, ſeiþ þe Lord, for to ſaue þee. For Y
ſchal make endyng in alle folkis, in whiche Y ſcateride
þee; ſoþeli Y ſchal not make þee in to endyng, but Y
ſchal chaſtiſe þee in doom, þat þou be not ſeyn to þee to
be gilteles.
xii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þi brekyng is vncurable,
þi wounde is þe worſte.
xiii Noon is, þat demeþ þi doom to bynde togidere; þe
profit of heelyngis is not to þee.
xiiii Alle þi louyeris han forȝete þee, þei ſchulen not ſeke
þee; for Y haue ſmyte þee wiþ þe wounde of an enemy,
wiþ cruel chaſtiſyng; for þe multitude of þi wickidneſſe,
þi ſynnes ben maad hard.
xv What crieſt þou on þi brekynge? þi ſorewe is
vncurable; for þe multitude of þi wickidneſſe, and for
þin hard ſynnes, Y haue do þeſe þingis to þee.
xvi Þerfor alle þat eeten þee, ſchulen be deuourid, and
alle þin enemyes ſchulen be led in to caitifte; and þei
þat diſtrien þee, ſchulen be diſtried, and Y ſchal ȝyue
alle þi robberis in to raueyn.
xvii For Y ſchal heele perfitli þi wounde, and Y ſchal
make þee hool of þi woundis, ſeiþ þe Lord; for þou,
Sion, þei clepeden þee caſt out; þis is it þat hadde no
ſekere.
xviii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal turne þe
turnyng of þe tabernaclis of Jacob, and Y ſchal haue
merci on þe houſis of hym; and þe citee ſchal be bildid
in his hiȝneſſe, and þe temple ſchal be foundid bi his
ordre.
xix And heriyng and þe vois of pleiers ſchal go out of
hem, and Y ſchal multiplie hem, and þei ſchulen not be
decreeſſid; and Y ſchal glorifie hem, and þei ſchulen not
be maad þynne.
xx And þe ſones þerof ſchulen be as at þe bigynnyng,
and þe cumpeny þerof ſchal dwelle bifore me; and Y
ſchal viſite aȝens alle þat doon tribulacioun to it.
xxi And þe duyk þerof ſchal be of it, and a prince ſchal
be brouȝt forþ of þe myddis þerof; and Y ſchal applie
hym, and he ſchal neiȝe to me; for who is þis, þat ſchal
applie his herte, þat he neiȝe to me? ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxii And ȝe ſchulen be in to a puple to me, and Y ſchal
be in to God to ȝou.
xxiii Lo! þe whirlewynd of þe Lord, a ſtrong veniaunce
goynge out, a tempeſt fallynge doun, ſchal reſte in þe
heed of wickid men.
xxiiii Þe Lord ſchal not turne awey þe ire of
indignacioun, til he do, and fille þe þouȝt of his herte; in
þe laſte of daies ȝe ſchulen vndurſtonde þo þingis.
CAP. XXXI
i In þat tyme, ſeiþ þe Lord, Y ſchal be God to alle þe
kynredis of Iſrael; and þei ſchulen be in to a puple to
me.
ii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe puple þat was left of
ſwerd, foond grace in deſert; Iſrael ſchal go to his reſte.
iii Fer þe Lord apperide to me, and in euerlaſtynge
charite Y louede þee; þerfor Y doynge merci drow þee.
iiii And eft Y ſchal bilde þee, and þou, virgyn Iſrael,
ſchalt be bildid; ȝit þou ſchalt be ourned wiþ þi
tympans, and ſchalt go out in þe cumpenye of pleieris.
v Ȝit þou ſchalt plaunte vynes in þe hillis of Samarie;
men plauntynge ſchulen plaunte, and til þe tyme come,
þei ſchulen not gadere grapis.
vi For whi a dai ſchal be, wherynne keperis ſchulen crye
in þe hil of Samarie, and in þe hil of Effraym, Riſe ȝe,
and ſtie we in to Sion, to oure Lord God.
vii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Jacob, make ȝe ful out
ioye in gladneſſe, and neye ȝe aȝens þe heed of heþene
DCLXXXIX
men; ſowne ȝe, ſynge ȝe, and ſeie ȝe, Lord, ſaue þi
puple, þe reſidues of Iſrael.
viii Lo! Y ſchal brynge hem fro þe loond of þe norþ, and
Y ſchal gadere hem fro þe ferþeſte partis of erþe; among
whiche ſchulen be a blynd man, and crokid, and a
womman wiþ childe, and trauelynge of child togidere, a
greet cumpeny of hem þat ſchulen turne aȝen hidur.
ix Þei ſchulen come in wepyng, and Y ſchal brynge hem
aȝen in merci; and Y ſchal brynge hem bi þe ſtrondis of
watris in a riȝtful weie, þei ſchulen not ſpurne þerynne;
for Y am maad a fadir to Iſrael, and Effraym is my
gendrid ſone.
x Ȝe heþene men, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord, and telle
ȝe in ylis þat ben fer, and ſeie, He þat ſcateride Iſrael,
ſchal gadere it, and ſchal kepe it, as a ſcheepherde kepiþ
his floc.
xi For þe Lord aȝenbouȝte Jacob, and delyuerede hym
fro þe hond of þe myȝtiere.
xii And þei ſchulen come, and herye in þe hil of Sion;
and þei ſchulen flowe togidere to þe goodis of þe Lord,
on wheete, wyn, and oile, and on þe fruyt of ſcheep, and
of neet; and þe ſoule of hem ſchal be as a watri gardyn,
and þei ſchulen no more hungre.
xiii Þanne a virgyn ſchal be glad in a cumpenye, ȝonge
men and elde togidere; and Y ſchal turne þe morenyng
of hem in to ioie, and Y ſchal coumforte hem, and Y
ſchal make hem glad of her ſorewe.
xiiii And Y ſchal greetli fille þe ſoule of preſtis wiþ
fatneſſe, and my puple ſchal be fillid wiþ my goodis,
ſeiþ þe Lord.
xv Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, A vois of weilyng, and of
wepyng, and of mourenyng, was herd an hiȝ; þe vois of
Rachel biwepynge hir ſones, and not willynge to be
coumfortid on hem, for þei ben not.
xvi Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þi vois reſte of wepyng, and
þin iȝen reſte of teeres; for whi mede is to þi werk, ſeiþ
þe Lord; and þei ſchulen turne aȝen fro þe lond of þe
enemy.
xvii And hope is to þi laſte þingis, ſeiþ þe Lord, and þi
ſones ſchulen turne aȝen to her endis.
xviii I heringe herde Effraym paſſinge ouer; þou
chaſtiſidiſt me, and Y am lerned as a ȝong oon vntemyd;
turne þou me, and Y ſchal be conuertid, for þou art my
Lord God.
xix For aftir þat þou conuertidiſt me, Y dide penaunce;
and aftir þat þou ſchewidiſt to me, Y ſmoot myn hipe; Y
am ſchent, and Y ſchamede, for Y ſuffride þe
ſchenſchipe of my ȝongþe.
xx For Effraym is a worſchipful ſone to me, for he is a
delicat child; for ſiþen Y ſpak of hym, ȝit Y ſchal haue
mynde on hym; þerfor myn entrails ben diſturblid on
him, Y doynge merci ſchal haue merci on hym, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
xxi Ordeyne to þee an hiȝ totyng place, ſette to þee
bitterneſſes; dreſſe þin herte in to a ſtreiȝt weie, in which
þou ȝediſt; turne aȝen, þou virgyn of Iſrael, turne aȝen to
þeſe þi citees.
xxii Hou longe, douȝter of vnſtidfaſt dwellyng, art þou
maad diſſolut in delices? for þe Lord haþ maad a newe
þing on erþe, a womman ſchal cumpaſſe a man.
xxiii Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝit
þei ſchulen ſeie þis word in þe lond of Juda, and in þe
citees þerof, whane Y ſchal turne þe caytifte of hem, Þe
Lord bleſſe þee, þou fairneſſe of riȝtfulneſſe, þou hooli
hil.
xxiiii And Juda, and alle citees þerof ſchulen dwelle in it
togidere, erþetilieris, and þei þat dryuen flockis.
xxv For Y fillide greetli a feynt ſoule, and Y haue fillid
ech hungri ſoule.
xxvi Þerfor Y am as reiſid fro ſleep, and Y ſiȝ; and my
ſleep was ſwete to me.
xxvii Lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal ſowe þe
hous of Iſrael and þe hous of Juda wiþ þe ſeed of men,
and wiþ þe ſeed of werk beeſtis.
xxviii And as Y wakide on hem, to drawe vp bi þe roote,
and to diſtrie, and to ſcatere, and to leeſe, and to
turmente; ſo Y ſchal wake on hem, to bilde, and to
plaunte, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxix In þo daies þei ſchulen no more ſeie, Þe fadres eeten
a ſour grape, and þe teeþ of ſones weren aſtonyed; but
ech man ſchal die in his wickidneſſe,
xxx ech man þat etiþ a ſour grape, hiſe teeþ ſchulen be
aſtonyed.
xxxi Lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal ſmyte a
newe boond of pees to þe hous of Iſrael, and to þe hous
of Juda;
xxxii not bi þe couenaunte which Y made wiþ ȝoure
fadris, in þe dai in which Y took þe hond of hem, to
lede hem out of þe lond of Egipt, þe couenaunte which
þei made voide; and Y was Lord of hem, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxxiii But þis ſchal be þe couenaunte, which Y ſchal
ſmyte wiþ þe hous of Iſrael aftir þo daies, ſeiþ þe Lord;
Y ſchal ȝyue my lawe in þe entrails of hem, and Y ſchal
write it in þe herte of hem, and Y ſchal be in to God to
hem, and þei ſchulen be in to a puple to me.
xxxiiii And a man ſchal no more teche his neiȝbore, and a
man his broþer, and ſeie, Knowe þou þe Lord; for alle
ſchulen knowe me, fro þe leeſte of hem `til to þe
mooſte, ſeiþ þe Lord; for Y ſchal be merciful to þe
wickidneſſis of hem, and Y ſchal no more be myndeful
on þe ſynne of hem.
xxxv Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, þat ȝyueþ þe ſunne in þe
lyȝt of dai, þe ordre of þe moone and of ſterris in þe lyȝt
of þe niȝt, whiche diſturbliþ þe ſee, and þe wawis þerof
ſownen, þe Lord of ooſtis is name to hym.
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xxxvi If þeſe lawis failen bifore me, ſeiþ þe Lord, þanne
and þe ſeed of Iſrael ſchal faile, þat it be not a folk
bifore me in alle daies.
xxxvii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, If heuenes aboue moun
be meſurid, and þe foundementis of erþe byneþe be
ſouȝt out, and Y ſchal caſte awei al þe ſeed of Iſrael, for
alle þingis whiche þei diden, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxxviii Lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and a citee ſchal
be bildid to þe Lord, fro þe tour of Ananeel `til to þe
ȝate of þe corner.
xxxix And it ſchal go out ouer þe reule of meſure, in þe
ſiȝt þerof, on þe hil Gareb, and it ſchal cumpaſſe
Goatha,
xl and al þe valei of careyns, and it ſchal cumpaſſe
aiſchis, and al þe cuntrei of deþ, `til to þe ſtronde of
Cedron, and til to þe corner of þe eeſt ȝate of horſis; þe
hooli þing of þe Lord ſchal not be drawun out, and it
ſchal no more be deſtried wiþ outen ende.
CAP. XXXII
i Þe word þat was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye, in þe
tenþe ȝeer of Sedechie, kyng of Juda; þilke is þe
eiȝtenþe ȝeer of Nabugodonoſor.
ii Þanne þe ooſt of þe kyng of Babiloyne biſegide
Jeruſalem; and Jeremye, þe profete, was cloſid in þe
porche of þe priſoun, þat was in þe hous of þe kyng of
Juda.
iii For whi Sedechie, þe kyng of Juda, hadde cloſid hym,
and ſeide, Whi profeſieſt þou, ſeiynge, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal ȝyue þis citee in þe hond of þe kyng
of Babyloyne, and he ſchal take it; and Sedechie,
iiii þe kyng of Juda, ſchal not aſcape fro þe hond of
Caldeis, but he ſchal be bitake in to þe hond of þe kyng
of Babiloyne; and his mouþ ſchal ſpeke wiþ þe mouþ of
hym, and hiſe iȝen ſchulen ſe þe iȝen of hym;
v and he ſchal lede Sedechie in to Babiloyne, and he
ſchal be þere, til Y viſyte hym, ſeiþ þe Lord; forſoþe if
ȝe fiȝten aȝens Caldeis, ȝe ſchulen haue no þing in
proſperite?
vi And Jeremye ſeide, Þe word of þe Lord was maad to
me, and ſeide, Lo!
vii Ananeel, þe ſone of Sellum, þe ſone of þi fadris
broþir, ſchal come to þee, and ſeie, Bi þou to þee my
feeld, which is in Anathot; for it bifalliþ to þee by niȝ
kynrede, þat þou bie it.
viii And Ananeel, þe ſone of my fadris broþir, cam to
me, bi þe word of þe Lord, to þe porche of þe priſoun,
and ſeide to me, Welde þou my feeld, which is in
Anathot, in þe lond of Beniamyn; for whi þe erytage
bifalliþ to þee, and þou art þe next of blood, þat þou
welde it. Forſoþe Y vndirſtood, þat it was þe word of þe
Lord.
ix And Y bouȝte þe feeld, which is in Anathot, of
Ananeel, þe ſone of my fadris broþir. And Y paiede to
hym ſiluer, ſeuene ſtateris, and ten platis of ſiluer;
x and Y wroot in a book, and Y ſeelide, and Y ȝaf
witneſſis. And Y weiede ſiluer in a balaunce;
xi and Y took þe book aſeelid of poſſeſſioun, and axingis
and anſwerys of þe ſeller and bier, and couenauntis, and
ſeelis wiþoutforþ.
xii And Y ȝaf þe book of poſſeſſioun to Baruc, þe ſone of
Neri, ſone of Maaſie, bifore þe iȝen of Ananeel, þe ſone
of my fadris broþer, and bifore þe iȝen of witneſſis þat
weren writun in þe book of biyng, bifore þe iȝen of alle
Jewis, þat ſaten in þe porche of þe priſoun.
xiii And Y comaundide to Baruc bifore hem,
xiiii and Y ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ
þeſe þingis, Take þou þeſe bookis, þis ſeelid book of
biyng, and þis book which is opyn, and putte þou þo in
an erþen veſſel, þat þo moun dwelle bi many daies.
xv For whi þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Ȝit houſis, and feeldis, and vynes ſchulen be
weldid in þis lond.
xvi And Y preiede to þe Lord, aftir þat Y bitook þe book
of poſſeſſioun to Baruc, þe ſone of Nery; and Y ſeide,
Alas!
xvii alas! alas! Lord God, Lord, þou madiſt heuene and
erþe in þi greet ſtrengþe, and in þin arm ſtretchid forþ;
ech word ſchal not be hard to þee;
xviii which doiſt merci in þouſyndis, and ȝeldiſt þe
wickidneſſe of fadris in to þe boſum of her ſones aftir
hem. Þou ſtrongeſte, greet, myȝti, Lord of ooſtis is name
to þee;
xix greet in councel, and vncomprehenſible in þouȝt,
whoſe iȝen ben open on alle þe weies of þe ſones of
Adam, þat þou ȝelde to ech aftir hiſe weies, and aftir þe
fruyt of hiſe fyndyngis;
xx which ſettidiſt ſignes and greet woundris in þe lond of
Egipt, `til to þis dai, boþe in Iſrael and in men; and
madiſt to þee a name, as þis dai is.
xxi And þou leddiſt þi puple Iſrael out of þe lond of
Egipt, in ſignes and in greet woundris, and in a ſtrong
hond, and in an arm holdun forþ, and in greet dreed;
and þou ȝaueſt to hem þis lond,
xxii which þou ſworiſt to þe fadris of hem, þat þou
woldiſt ȝyue to hem, a lond flowynge wiþ milk and
hony.
xxiii And þei entriden, and hadden it in poſſeſſioun; and
þei obeieden not to þi vois, and þei ȝeden not in þi
lawe; alle þingis whiche þou comaundidiſt to hem to do,
þei diden not; and alle þeſe yuels bifellen to hem.
xxiiii Lo! ſtrengþis ben bildid aȝens þe citee, þat it be
takun, and þe citee is ȝouun in to þe hondis of Caldeis,
and in to þe hondis of þe kyng of Babiloyne, þat fiȝten
aȝens it, of þe face of ſwerd, and of hungur, and of
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peſtilence; and what euer þingis þou ſpakeſt, bifellen, as
þou þi ſilf ſeeſt.
xxv And Lord God, þou ſeiſt to me, Bie þou a feeld for
ſiluer, and ȝyue þou witneſſis, whanne þe citee is ȝouun
in þe hondis of Caldeis.
xxvi And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye, and
ſeide, Lo!
xxvii Y am þe Lord God of `al fleiſch. Wheþer ony word
ſchal be hard to me?
xxviii Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal bitake
þis citee in to þe hondis of Caldeis, and in to þe hond of
þe kyng of Babiloyne, and he ſchal take it.
xxix And Caldeis ſchulen come, and fiȝte aȝens þis citee,
and þei ſchulen brenne it wiþ fier, and þei ſchulen
brenne it, and houſis, in whoſe rooues þei ſacrifieden to
Baal, and offriden moiſt ſacrifices to alien goddis, to
terre me to wraþþe.
xxx For whi þe ſones of Iſrael and þe ſones of Juda diden
yuel contynueli, fro her ȝonge waxynge age, bifore myn
iȝen, þe ſones of Iſrael, whiche `til to now wraþþen me
bi þe werk of her hondis, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxxi For whi þis citee is maad to me in my ſtrong
veniaunce and indignacioun, fro þe day in which þei
bildiden it, `til to þis dai, in which it ſchal be takun awei
fro my ſiȝt;
xxxii for þe malice of þe ſones of Iſrael, and of þe ſones
of Juda, which þei diden, terrynge me to wraþfulneſſe,
þei, and þe kyngis of hem, þe princes of hem, and þe
preſtis, and profetis of hem, þe men of Juda, and þe
dwelleris of Jeruſalem.
xxxiii And þei turneden to me þe backis, and not þe
faces, whanne Y tauȝte, and enformede hem erli; and
þei nolden here, þat þei ſchulden take techyng.
xxxiiii And þei ſettiden her idols in þe hous, in which my
name is clepid to help, þat þei ſchulden defoule it.
xxxv And þei bildiden hiȝ þingis to Baal, þat ben in þe
valei of þe ſones of Ennon, þat þei ſchulden halewe her
ſones and her douȝtris to Moloc, which þing Y
comaundide not to hem, neþer it ſtiede in to myn herte,
þat þei ſchulden do þis abhomynacioun, and brynge
Juda in to ſynne.
xxxvi And now for þeſe þingis, þe Lord God of Iſrael
ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þis citee, of whiche ȝe ſeien, þat it
ſchal be bitakun in to þe hondis of þe kyng of
Babiloyne, in ſwerd, and in hungur, and in peſtilence,
Lo!
xxxvii Y ſchal gadere hem fro alle londis, to whiche Y
caſtide hem out in my ſtrong veniaunce, and in my
wraþþe, and in greet indignacioun; and Y ſchal brynge
hem aȝen to þis place, and Y ſchal make hem to dwelle
triſtili.
xxxviii And þei ſchulen be in to a puple to me, and Y
ſchal be in to God to hem.
xxxix And Y ſchal ȝyue to hem oon herte and o ſoule, þat
þei drede me in alle daies, and þat it be wel to hem, and
to her ſones aftir hem.
xl And Y ſchal ſmyte to hem a couenaunt euerlaſtynge,
and Y ſchal not ceeſe to do wel to hem, and Y ſchal ȝyue
my drede in þe herte of hem, þat þei go not awey fro
me.
xli And Y ſchal be glad on hem, whanne Y ſchal do wel
to hem; and Y ſchal plaunte hem in þis lond in treuþe,
in al myn herte, and in al my ſoule.
xlii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, As Y brouȝte on þis
puple al þis greet yuel, ſo Y ſchal brynge on hem al þe
good, which Y ſchal ſpeke to hem.
xliii And feeldis ſchulen be weldid in þis lond, of which
ȝe ſeien, þat it is deſert, for no man and beeſte is left;
and it is ȝouun in to þe hondis of Caldeis.
xliiii Feeldis ſchulen be bouȝt for money, and ſchulen be
writun in a book, and a ſeel ſchal be preentid; and
witneſſis ſchulen be ȝouun, in þe lond of Beniamyn, and
in þe cumpas of Jeruſalem, and in þe citees of Juda, and
in þe citees in hilli places, and in þe citees in feeldi
places, and in þe citees þat ben at þe ſouþ; for Y ſchal
turne þe caitiftee of hem, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. XXXIII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye, in þe
ſecounde tyme, whanne he was cloſid ȝit in þe porche of
þe priſoun, and ſeide,
ii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe Lord is name of hym, þat
ſchal do, and fourme, and make redi þat þing;
iii Crye þou to me, and Y ſchal here þee, and Y ſchal
telle to þee grete þingis, and ſtidfaſt, whiche þou
knowiſt not.
iiii For þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þe
houſis of þis citee, and to þe houſis of þe kyng of Juda,
þat ben diſtried, and to þe ſtrengþingis,
v and to þe ſwerd of men comynge to fiȝte wiþ Caldeis,
and to fille þo houſis wiþ careyns of men, which Y
ſmoot in my ſtrong veniaunce, and in myn
indignacioun; and Y hidde my face fro þis citee, for al
þe malice of hem.
vi Lo! Y ſchal cloſe togidere to hem a wounde and
helþe, and Y ſchal make hem hool, and Y ſchal ſchewe
to hem þe biſechyng of pees and of treuþe;
vii and Y ſchal conuerte þe conuerſioun of Juda, and Y
ſchal conuerte þe conuerſioun of Jeruſalem, and Y ſchal
bilde hem, as at þe bigynnyng.
viii And Y ſchal clenſe hem fro al her wickidneſſe, in
which þei ſynneden to me, and Y ſchal be merciful to
alle þe wickidneſſis of hem, in which þei treſpaſſiden to
me, and forſoken me.
ix And þei ſchulen be to me in to a name, and in to ioye,
and in to heriyng, and in to ful out ioiyng to alle folkis
of erþe, þat herden alle þe goodis whiche Y ſchal do to
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hem; and þei ſchulen drede, and ſchulen be diſturblid in
alle goodis, and in al þe pees, which Y ſchal do to hem.
x Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝit in þis place, which ȝe
ſeien to be forſakun, for no man is neþer beeſte in þe
citees of Juda, and in þe ȝatis of Jeruſalem, þat ben
deſolat, wiþout man, and wiþ out dwellere,
xi and wiþ out beeſte, þe vois of ioye ſchal be herd, and
þe vois of gladneſſe, þe vois of ſpouſe, and þe vois of
ſpouſeſſe, þe vois of men, ſeiynge, Knowleche ȝe to þe
Lord of ooſtis, for þe Lord is good, for his merci is wiþ
outen ende, and of men berynge vowis in to þe hous of
þe Lord; for Y ſchal brynge aȝen þe conuerſioun of þe
lond, as at þe bigynnyng, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝit in þis forſakun
place, wiþ out man, and wiþ out beeſte, and in alle
citees þerof, ſchal be a dwellyng place of ſcheepherdis,
of flockis ligynge.
xiii And in þe citees in hilli places, and in þe citees in
feeldi places, and in þe citees þat ben at þe ſouþ, and in
þe lond of Beniamyn, and in þe cumpas of Jeruſalem,
and in þe citees of Juda, ȝit flockis ſchulen paſſe, at þe
hond of þe noumbrere, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xiiii Lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal reiſe þe
good word, which Y ſpak to þe hous of Iſrael, and to þe
hous of Juda.
xv In þo daies, and in þat tyme, Y ſchal make þe ſeed of
riȝtfulneſſe to buriowne to Dauid, and he ſchal make
doom and riȝtfulneſſe in erþe.
xvi In þo daies Juda ſchal be ſauyd, and Iſrael ſchal
dwelle triſtili; and þis is þe name which þei ſchulen
clepe hym, Oure riȝtful Lord.
xvii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, A man of Dauid ſchal
not periſche, þat ſhal ſitte on þe trone of þe hous of
Iſrael;
xviii and of preeſtis and dekenes a man ſchal not periſche
fro my face, þat ſchal offre brent ſacrifices, and brenne
ſacrifice, and ſle ſacrifice, in alle daies.
xix And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye,
xx and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, If my couenaunt
wiþ þe dai and my couenaunt wiþ þe niȝt mai be maad
voide, þat þe dai and þe niȝt be not in his tyme;
xxi and my couenaunt wiþ Dauid, my ſeruaunt, mai be
voide, þat of hym be no ſone, þat ſchal regne in his
trone, and no dekenes, and preeſtis, my myniſtris;
xxii as þe ſterris of heuene moun not be noumbrid, and
þe grauel of þe ſee mai not be metun, ſo Y ſchal
multiplie þe ſeed of Dauid, my ſeruaunt, and dekenes,
my mynyſtris.
xxiii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye, and
ſeide, Wheþer þou haſt not ſeyn,
xxiiii þat þis puple ſpak, ſeiynge, Twei kynredis whiche
þe Lord chees, ben caſt awei, and þei diſpiſiden my
puple, for it is no more a folc bifore hem.
xxv Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, If Y ſettide not my
couenaunt bitwixe dai and niȝt, and if Y ſettide not
lawis to heuene and erþe;
xxvi ſoþeli and Y ſchal caſte awei þe ſeed of Jacob, and
of Dauid, my ſeruaunt, þat Y take not of þe ſeed of hym
princes, of þe ſeed of Abraham, of Iſaac, and of Jacob;
for Y ſchal brynge aȝen þe conuerſioun of hem, and Y
ſchal haue merci on hem.
CAP. XXXIIII
i Þe word þat was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye, whanne
Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, and al his ooſt, and
alle þe rewmes of erþe, þat weren vndur þe power of his
hond, and alle puplis fouȝten aȝens Jeruſalem, and aȝens
alle citees þerof; and he ſeide,
ii Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Go þou, and
ſpeke to Sedechie, kyng of Juda; and þou ſchalt ſeie to
hym, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal bitake þis
citee in to þe hond of þe kyng of Babiloyne, and he
ſchal brenne it bi fier.
iii And þou ſchalt not aſcape fro his hond, but þou ſchalt
be takun bi takyng, and þou ſchalt be bitakun in to his
hond; and þin iȝen ſchulen ſe þe iȝen of þe kyng of
Babiloyne, and his mouþ ſchal ſpeke wiþ þi mouþ, and
þou ſchalt entre in to Babiloyne.
iiii Neþeles Sedechie, þe kyng of Juda, here þou þe
word of þe Lord; þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þee, Þou
ſchalt not die bi ſwerd,
v but þou ſchalt die in pees, and bi þe brennyngis of þi
fadris, þe formere kyngis þat weren bifore þee, ſo þei
ſchulen brenne þee, and þei ſchulen biweile þee, Wo!
lord; for Y ſpak a word, ſeiþ þe Lord.
vi And Jeremye, þe profete, ſpak to Sedechie, kyng of
Juda, alle þeſe wordis in Jeruſalem.
vii And þe ooſt of þe kyng of Babiloyne fauȝt aȝens
Jeruſalem, and aȝens alle þe citees of Juda, þat weren
left; aȝens Lachis, and aȝens Azecha; for whi þeſe
ſtrong citees weren left of þe citees of Juda.
viii Þe word þat was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye, aftir
þat kyng Sedechie ſmoot boond of pees wiþ al þe puple
in Jeruſalem,
ix and prechide, þat ech man ſchulde delyuere his
ſeruaunt, and ech man his handmaide, an Ebreu man
and an Ebru womman fre, and þat þei ſchulden not be
lordis of hem, þat is, in a Jew, and her broþir.
x Þerfor alle þe princes and al þe puple herden, whiche
maden couenaunt, þat þei ſchulden delyuere ech man
his ſeruaunt, and ech man his handmaide fre, and
ſchulde no more be lordis of hem; þerfor þei herden,
and delyueriden;
xi and þei weren turned aftirward, and drowen aȝen her
ſeruauntis, and handmaidis, whiche þei hadden left fre,
and þei maden ſuget in to ſeruauntis, and in to
ſeruaunteſſis.
DCXCIII
xii And þe word of þe Lord was maad of þe Lord to
Jeremye, and ſeide,
xiii Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y ſmoot a
boond of pees wiþ ȝoure fadris, in þe dai in which Y
ledde hem out of þe lond of Egipt, out of þe hous of
ſeruage; and Y ſeide, Whanne ſeuene ȝeeris ben fillid,
xiiii ech man delyuere his broþer, an Ebreu man, which
is ſeeld to hym, and he ſchal ſerue þee ſixe ȝeer, and þou
ſchalt delyuere hym fro þee; and ȝoure fadris herden not
me, neþer bowiden her eere.
xv And ȝe ben conuertid to dai, and ȝe diden þat, þat is
riȝtful bifore myn iȝen, þat ȝe precheden ech man
fredom to his frend, and ȝe maden couenaunt in my ſiȝt,
in þe hous wherynne my name is clepid to help on þat
fredom.
xvi And ȝe turneden aȝen, and defouliden my name, and
ȝe brouȝten aȝen ech man his ſeruaunt, and ech man his
handmaide, whiche ȝe delyueriden, þat þei ſchulden be
fre, and of her owne power; and ȝe maden hem ſuget,
þat þei be ſeruauntis and haundmaidis to ȝou.
xvii Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þes þingis, Ȝe herden not me,
þat ȝe prechiden fredom, ech man to his broþir, and ech
man to his freend; lo! Y preeche to ȝou fredom, ſeiþ þe
Lord, and to ſwerd, and to hungur, and to peſtilence,
and Y ſchal ȝyue ȝou in to ſtiryng to alle rewmes of
erþe.
xviii And Y ſchal ȝyue þe men, þat breken my boond of
pees, and kepten not þe wordis of boond of pees, to
whiche þei aſſentiden in my ſiȝt, and kepten not þe calf,
which þei kittiden in to twei partis; and þe princes of
Juda,
xix and þe princes of Jeruſalem, and þe oneſt ſeruauntis,
and preeſtis ȝeden bytwixe þe partyngis þerof, and al þe
puple of þe lond, þat ȝeden bitwixe þe departyngis of þe
calf;
xx and Y ſchal ȝyue hem in to þe hond of her enemyes,
and in to þe hond of hem þat ſeken her lijf; and þe deed
careyn of hem ſchal be in to mete to þe volatilis of þe
eir, and to þe beeſtis of erþe.
xxi And Y ſchal ȝyue Sedechie, þe kyng of Juda, and
hiſe princes, in to þe hond of her enemyes, and in to þe
hond of hem þat ſeken her lijf, and in to þe hond of þe
ooſtis of þe kyng of Babiloyne, þat ȝeden awei fro ȝou.
xxii Lo! Y comaunde, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal brynge
hem aȝen in to þis citee, and þei ſchulen fiȝte aȝens it,
and ſchulen take it, and ſchulen brenne it wiþ fier; and
Y ſchal ȝyue þe citees of Juda in to wildirneſſe, for þer
is no dwellere.
CAP. XXXV
i Þe word þat was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye, in þe
daies of Joachym, ſone of Joſie,
ii kyng of Juda, and ſeide, Go þou to þe hous of
Recabitis, and ſpeke þou to hem; and þou ſchalt brynge
hem in to þe hous of þe Lord, in to o chaumbre of
treſouris, and þou ſchalt ȝyue to hem to drynke wyn.
iii And Y took Jeconye, þe ſone of Jeremye, ſone of
Abſanye, and hiſe briþeren, and alle þe ſones of hym,
and al þe hous of Recabitis.
iiii And Y ledde hem in to þe hous of þe Lord, to þe
treſerie of þe ſones of Eman, ſone of Godolie, þe man of
God; which treſerie was biſidis þe treſerie of princes,
aboue þe treſour of Maaſie, ſone of Sellum, þat was
kepere of þe veſtiarie.
v And Y ſettide bifore þe ſones of þe hous of Recabitis
pecis, and grete cowpis ful of wyn; and Y ſeide to hem,
Drinke ȝe wyn.
vi And þei anſweriden, We ſchulen not drinke wyn; for
whi Jonadab, oure fadir, þe ſone of Recab, comaundide
to vs, and ſeide, Ȝe ſchulen not drinke wyn, ȝe and
ȝoure ſones, `til in to wiþouten ende;
vii and ȝe ſchulen not bilde an hous, and ȝe ſchulen not
ſowe ſeed, and ȝe ſchulen not plaunte vynes, neþer
ſchulen haue, but ȝe ſchulen dwelle in tabernaclis in alle
ȝoure daies, þat ȝe lyue many daies on þe face of erþe,
in which ȝe goen in pilgrymage.
viii Þerfor we obeieden to þe vois of Jonadab, oure fadir,
þe ſone of Recab, in alle þingis whiche he comaundide
to vs; ſo þat we drunken not wyn in alle oure dayes, we,
and oure wymmen, oure ſones, and douȝtris;
ix and we bildiden not houſis to dwelle, and we hadden
not a vyner, and a feeld, and ſeed;
x but we dwelliden in tabernaclis, and weren obeiynge,
and diden bi alle þingis, whiche Jonadab, oure fadir,
comaundide to vs.
xi But whanne Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne,
hadde ſtied to þis lond, we ſeiden, Come ȝe, and entre
we in to Jeruſalem, fro þe face of þe ooſt of Caldeis, and
fro þe face of þe ooſt of Sirie; and we dwelliden in
Jeruſalem.
xii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye,
xiii and ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Go þou, and ſeie to þe men of Juda, and to þe
dwelleris of Jeruſalem, Wheþer ȝe ſchulen not take
techyng, þat ȝe obeie to my wordis, ſeiþ þe Lord?
xiiii Þe wordis of Jonadab, ſone of Rechab, hadden þe
maiſtrie, whiche he comaundide to hiſe ſones, þat þei
ſchulden not drynke wyn; and þei drynken not, `til to
þis dai; for þei obeieden to þe comaundement of her
fadir; but Y ſpak to ȝou, and Y roos ful eerli, and ſpake,
and ȝe obeieden not to me.
xv And Y ſente to ȝou alle my ſeruauntis profetis, and Y
roos ful eerli, and Y ſente, and ſeide, Be ȝe conuertid,
ech man fro his worſte weye, and make ȝe good ȝoure
ſtudies, and nyle ȝe ſue alien goddis, neþer worſchipe ȝe
hem, and ȝe ſchulen dwelle in þe lond, which Y ȝaf to
ȝou, and to ȝoure fadris; and ȝe bowiden not ȝoure eere,
neþer herden me.
DCXCIV
xvi Þerfor þe ſones of Jonadab, ſone of Recab, maden
ſtidfaſt þe comaundement of her fadir, which he
comaundide to hem; but þis puple obeiede not to me.
xvii Þerfor þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal bringe on Juda, and on alle þe
dwelleris of Jeruſalem, al þe turment which Y ſpak
aȝens hem; for Y ſpak to hem, and þei herden not; Y
clepide hem, and þei anſweriden not to me.
xviii Forſoþe Jeremye ſeide to þe hous of Recabitis, Þe
Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat
þat ȝe obeieden to þe comaundement of Jonadab, ȝoure
fadir, and kepten alle hiſe comaundementis, and diden
alle þingis, whiche he comaundide to ȝou;
xix þerfor þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, A man of þe generacioun of Jonadab, ſone of
Recab, ſchal not faile ſtondynge in my ſiȝt in alle daies.
CAP. XXXVI
i And it was don, in þe fourþe ȝeer of Joachym, ſone of
Joſie, kyng of Juda, þis word was maad of þe Lord to
Jeremye, and ſeide,
ii Take þou þe volym of a book, and þou ſchalt write
þerynne alle þe wordis, whiche Y ſpake to þee aȝens
Iſrael and Juda, and aȝens alle folkis, fro þe dai in
whiche Y ſpak to þee, fro þe daies of Joſie `til to þis dai.
iii If perauenture whanne þe hous of Juda heriþ alle þe
yuels whiche Y þenke to do to hem, ech man turne aȝen
fro his worſte weye, and Y ſchal be merciful to þe
wickidneſſe and ſynne of hem.
iiii Þerfor Jeremye clepide Baruk, þe ſone of Nerye; and
Baruk wroot of þe mouþ of Jeremye in þe volym of a
book alle þe wordis of þe Lord, whiche he ſpak to hym.
v And Jeremye comaundide to Baruk, and ſeide, Y am
cloſid, and Y may not entre in to þe hous of þe Lord.
vi Þerfor entre þou, and rede of þe book, in which þou
haſt write of my mouþ þe wordis of þe Lord, in hering
of þe puple, in þe hous of þe Lord, in þe dai of faſtyng;
ferþermore and in heryng of al Juda, þat comen fro her
citees, þou ſchalt rede to hem;
vii if perauenture þe preier of hem falle in þe ſiȝt of þe
Lord, and eche man turne aȝen fro his worſte weie; for
whi þe ſtrong veniaunce and indignacioun is greet,
which þe Lord ſpak aȝens þis puple.
viii And Baruk, þe ſone of Nerie, dide aftir alle þingis,
which Jeremye, þe prophete, comaundide to hym; and
he redde of þe book þe wordis of þe Lord, in þe hous of
þe Lord.
ix Forſoþe it was doon, in þe fyueþ ȝeer of Joachym,
ſone of Joſie, kyng of Juda, in þe nynþe moneþe, þei
prechiden faſtynge in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord, to al þe puple
in Jeruſalem, and to al þe multitude, þat cam togidere
fro þe citees of Juda in to Jeruſalem.
x And Baruc redde of þe volym þe wordis of Jeremye,
in þe hous of þe Lord, in þe treſerie of Gamarie, ſone of
Saphan, ſcryuen, in þe hiȝere porche, in þe entring of þe
newe ȝate of þe hous of þe Lord, in audience of al þe
puple.
xi And whanne Mychie, þe ſone of Gamarie, ſone of
Saphan, hadde herd alle þe wordis of þe Lord,
xii of þe book, he ȝede doun in to þe hous of þe kyng, to
þe treſerye of þe ſcryuen. And lo! alle þe princes ſaten
þere, Eliſama, þe ſcryuen, and Dalaie, þe ſone of
Semeye, and Elnathan, þe ſone of Achabor, and
Gamarie, þe ſone of Saphan, and Sedechie, þe ſone of
Ananye, and alle princes.
xiii And Mychee telde to hem alle þe wordis, whiche he
herde Baruc redynge of þe book, in þe eeris of þe puple.
xiiii Þerfor alle þe princes ſenten to Baruc Judi, þe ſone
of Nathathie, ſone of Selemye, ſone of Chuſi, and
ſeiden, Take in þin hond þe book, of which þou reddiſt
in audience of þe puple, and come þou. Þerfor Baruc,
þe ſone of Nereie, took þe book in his hoond, and cam
to hem.
xv And þei ſeiden to hym, Sitte þou, and rede þeſe
þingis in oure eeris; and Baruc redde in þe eeris of hem.
xvi Þerfor whanne þei hadden herd alle þe wordis, þei
wondriden ech man to his neiȝbore, and þei ſeiden to
Baruc, Owen we to telle to þe kyng alle þeſe wordis?
xvii And þei axiden hym, and ſeiden, Schewe þou to vs,
hou þou haſt write alle þeſe wordis of his mouþ.
xviii Forſoþe Baruc ſeide to hem, Of his mouþ he ſpak,
as redynge to me, alle þeſe wordis; and Y wroot in a
book wiþ enke.
xix And alle þe princes ſeiden to Baruc, Go, be þou hid,
þou and Jeremye; and no man wite where ȝe ben.
xx And þei entriden to þe kyng, in to þe halle; forſoþe
þei bitoken þe book to be kept in to þe treſerie of
Eliſame, þe ſcryuen. And þei telden alle þe wordis, in
audience of þe kyng.
xxi Þerfor þe kyng ſente Judi, þat he ſchulde take þe
book. Which took þe book fro þe treſerie of Elyſame, þe
ſcryuen, and redde in audience of þe kyng, and of alle
þe princes, þat ſtoden aboute þe kyng.
xxii Forſoþe þe kyng ſat in þe wyntir hous, in þe nynþe
moneþe; and a panne ful of coolis was ſet bifore hym.
xxiii And whanne Judi hadde red þre pagyns, eþir foure,
he kittide it wiþ þe knyf of a ſcryueyn, and caſtide in to
þe fier, `þat was in þe panne, til al þe book was waſtid
bi þe fier, þat was on þe panne.
xxiiii And þe kyng and alle hiſe ſeruauntis, þat herden
alle þeſe wordis, dredden not, neþir to-renten her cloþis.
xxv Neþeles Elnathan, and Dalaie, and Gamarie
aȝenſeiden þe kyng, þat he ſchulde not brenne þe book;
and he herde not hem.
xxvi And þe kyng comaundide to Jeremyel, ſone of
Amalech, and to Saraie, ſone of Eſreel, and to Selemye,
DCXCV
ſone of Abdehel, þat þei ſchulden take Baruc, þe writer,
and Jeremye, þe profete; forſoþe þe Lord hidde hem.
xxvii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye, þe
profete, aftir þat þe kyng hadde brent þe book and
wordis, whiche Baruc hadde write of Jeremyes mouþ;
xxviii and he ſeid, Eft take þou anoþer book, and write
þerynne alle þe former wordis, þat weren in þe firſte
book, which Joachym, þe kyng of Juda, brente.
xxix And þou ſchalt ſeie to Joachym, kyng of Juda, Þe
Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þou brentiſt þat book, and ſeidiſt,
What haſt þou write þerynne, tellynge, Þe kyng of
Babiloyne ſchal come haſtynge, and ſchal diſtrie þis
lond, and ſchal make man and beeſte to ceeſſe þerof?
xxx Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis aȝens Joachym, king
of Juda, Noon ſchal be of hym, þat ſchal ſitte on þe ſeete
of Dauid; and his careyn ſchal be caſt forþ to þe heete bi
dai, and to þe forſt bi niȝt.
xxxi And Y ſchal viſite aȝens hym, and aȝens his ſeed,
and aȝens hiſe ſeruauntis, her wickidneſſis. And Y ſchal
bryng on hem, and on þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem, and on
þe men of Juda, al þe yuel which Y ſpak to hem, and þei
herden not.
xxxii Forſoþe Jeremye took an oþer book, and ȝaf it to
Baruc, þe writer, þe ſone of Nerie, which wroot þerynne
of Jeremyes mouþ alle þe wordis of þe book, which
book Joachym, þe kyng of Juda, hadde brent bi fier; and
ferþermore many mo wordis weren addid þan weren
bifore.
CAP. XXXVII
i And kyng Sedechie, þe ſone of Joſie, regnede for
Jeconye, þe ſone of Joachym, whom Nabugodonoſor,
kyng of Babiloyne, made kyng in þe lond of Juda.
ii And he, and hiſe ſeruauntis, and his puple obeieden
not to þe wordis of þe Lord, whiche he ſpak in þe hond
of Jeremye, þe profete.
iii And kyng Sedechie ſente Jothal, þe ſone of Selemye,
and Sofonye, þe preeſt, þe ſone of Maaſie, to Jeremye,
þe profete, and ſeide, Preie þou for vs oure Lord God.
iiii Forſoþe Jeremye ȝede freli in þe myddis of þe puple;
for þei hadden not ſente hym in to þe kepyng of þe
priſoun. Þerfor þe ooſt of Farao ȝede out of Egipt, and
Caldeis, þat biſegiden Jeruſalem, herden ſich a meſſage,
and ȝeden awei fro Jeruſalem.
v And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye, þe
profete,
vi and ſeide, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þus
ȝe ſchulen ſeie to þe kyng of Juda, þat ſente ȝou to axe
me, Lo! þe ooſt of Farao, which ȝede out to ȝou in to
help, ſchal turne aȝen in to his lond, in to Egipt.
vii And Caldeis ſchulen come aȝen, and ſchulen fiȝte
aȝens þis citee, and ſchulen take it, and ſchulen brenne it
bi fier.
viii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Nyle ȝe diſſeyue ȝoure
ſoulis, ſeiynge, Caldeis goynge ſchulen go a wey, and
ſchulen departe fro vs; for þei ſchulen not go a wei.
ix But þouȝ ȝe ſleen al þe ooſt of Caldeis, þat fiȝten
aȝens ȝou, and ſumme woundid men of hem be left, ech
man ſchal riſe fro his tente, and þei ſchulen brenne þis
citee bi fier.
x Þerfor whanne þe ooſt of Caldeis hadde goon awei fro
Jeruſalem, for þe ooſt of Farao, Jeremye ȝede out of
Jeruſalem,
xi to go in to þe lond of Beniamyn, and to departe þere
þe poſſeſſioun in þe ſiȝt of citeſeyns.
xii And whanne he was comun to þe ȝate of Beniamyn,
þer was a kepere of þe ȝate bi whiles, Jerie bi name, þe
ſone of Selemye, ſone of Ananye; and he took Jeremye,
þe prophete, and ſeide, Þou fleeſt to Caldeis.
xiii And Jeremye anſweride, It is fals; Y fle not to
Caldeis. And he herde not Jeremye, but Jerie took
Jeremye, and brouȝte hym to þe princes.
xiiii Wherfor þe princes weren wrooþ aȝens Jeremye,
and beeten hym, and ſenten hym in to þe priſoun, þat
was in þe hous of Jonathas, þe ſcryuen; for he was
ſouereyn on þe priſoun.
xv Þerfor Jeremye entride in to þe hous of þe lake, and
in to þe priſoun of trauel; and Jeremye ſat þere manye
daies.
xvi Þerfor kyng Sedechie ſente, and took hym a wei, and
axide hym priuyli in his hous, and ſeide, Geſſiſt þou,
wheþer a word is of þe Lord? And Jeremye ſeide, Þer is.
And Jeremye ſeide, Þou ſchalt be bitakun in to þe hond
of þe kyng of Babiloyne.
xvii And Jeremye ſeide to Sedechie, þe kyng, What haue
Y ſynned to þee, and to þi ſeruauntis, and to þi puple,
for þou haſt ſent me in to þe hous of priſoun?
xviii Where ben ȝoure profetis, þat profeſieden to ȝou,
and ſeiden, Þe king of Babiloyne ſchal not come on ȝou,
and on þis lond?
xix Now þerfor, my lord þe kyng, Y biſeche, here þou,
my preier be worþ in þi ſiȝt, and ſende þou not me aȝen
in to þe hous of Jonathas, þe ſcryuen, leſt Y die þere.
xx Þerfor Sedechie comaundide, þat Jeremye ſchulde be
bitakun in to þe porche of þe priſoun, and þat a cake of
breed ſchulde be ȝouun to hym ech dai, outakun ſeew,
til alle looues of þe citee weren waſtid; and Jeremye
dwellide in þe porche of þe priſoun.
CAP. XXXVIII
i Forſoþe Safacie, ſone of Nathan, and Jedelie, ſone of
Faſſur, and Jothal, ſone of Selemye, and Faſſour, ſone of
Melchie, herden þe wordis whiche Jeremye ſpak to al
þe puple,
ii `and ſeide, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Who euer dwelliþ
in þis citee, ſchal die bi ſwerd, and hungur, and
DCXCVI
peſtilence; but he þat flieþ to Caldeis, ſhal lyue, and his
ſoule ſchal be hool and lyuynge.
iii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þis citee to be bitakun ſchal
be bitakun in to þe hond of þe ooſt of þe kyng of
Babiloyne, and he ſchal take it.
iiii And þe princes ſeiden to þe kyng, We preien, þat þis
man be ſlayn; for of bifore caſtyng he diſcoumfortiþ þe
hondis of men werriours, þat dwelliden in þis citee, and
þe hondis of al þe puple, and ſpekiþ to hem bi alle þeſe
wordis. For whi þis man ſekiþ not pees to þis puple, but
yuel.
v And kyng Sedechie ſeide, Lo! he is in ȝoure hondis,
for it is not leueful þat þe kyng denye ony þing to ȝou.
vi Þerfor þei token Jeremye, and caſtiden hym doun in
to þe lake of Elchie, ſone of Amalech, which was in þe
porche of þe priſoun; and þei ſenten doun Jeremye bi
cordis in to þe lake, wherynne was no watir, but fen;
þerfor Jeremye ȝede doun in to þe filþe.
vii Forſoþe Abdemalech Ethiopien, a chaſt man and
oneſte, herde, þat was in þe kyngis hous, þat þei hadden
ſent Jeremye in to þe lake; ſoþeli þe king ſat in þe ȝate
of Beniamyn.
viii And Abdemalech ȝede out of þe kyngis hous, and
ſpak to þe kyng,
ix and ſeide, My lord þe kyng, þeſe men diden yuele alle
þingis, what euer þingis þei diden aȝens Jeremye, þe
profete, ſendynge hym in to þe lake, þat he die þere for
hungur; for whi looues ben no more in þe citee.
x Þerfor þe kyng comaundide to Abdemelech Ethiopien,
and ſeide, Take wiþ þee þretti men fro hennus, and reiſe
þou Jeremye, þe profete, fro þe lake, bifor þat he die.
xi Þerfor whanne Abdemelech hadde take men wiþ hym,
he entride in to þe hous of þe kyng, þat was vndur þe
celer; and he took fro þennus elde cloþis, and elde
ragges, þat weren rotun; and he ſente þo doun to
Jeremye, in to þe lake, bi cordis.
xii And Abdemelech Ethiopien ſeide to Jeremye, Putte
þou elde cloþis, and þeſe to-rent and rotun þingis vndur
þe cubit of þin hondis, and on þe cordis. Þerfor Jeremye
dide ſo.
xiii And þei drowen out Jeremye wiþ cordis, and ledden
hym out of þe lake. Forſoþe Jeremye dwellide in þe
porche of þe priſoun.
xiiii And kyng Sedechie ſente, and took hym Jeremye,
þe profete, at þe þridde dore þat was in þe hous of þe
Lord. And þe kyng ſeide to Jeremye, Y axe of þee a
word; hide þou not ony þing fro me.
xv Forſoþe Jeremye ſeide to Sedechie, If Y telle to þee,
wheþer þou ſchalt not ſle me? And if Y ȝyue councel to
þee, þou ſchalt not here me.
xvi Þerfor Sedechie þe king ſwoor to Jeremye priueli,
and ſeide, Þe Lord lyueþ, þat maad to vs þis ſoule, Y
ſchal not ſle þee, and Y ſchal not bitake þee in to þe
hondis of þeſe men, þat ſeken þi lijf.
xvii And Jeremye ſeide to Sedechie, Þe Lord of ooſtis,
God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, If þou goeſt forþ, and
goeſt out to þe princes of þe kyng of Babiloyne, þi ſoule
ſchal lyue, and þis citee ſchal not be brent wiþ fier, and
þou ſchalt be ſaaf, þou and þin hous.
xviii Forſoþe if þou goeſt not out to þe princes of þe
kyng of Babiloyne, þis citee ſchal be bitakun in to þe
hondis of Caldeis; and þei ſchulen brenne it wiþ fier,
and þou ſchalt not aſcape fro þe hond of hem.
xix And kyng Sedechie ſeide to Jeremye, Y am
angwiſchid for þe Jewis þat fledden ouer to Caldeis, leſt
perauenture Y be bitakun in to þe hondis of hem, and
þei ſcorne me.
xx Forſoþe Jeremye anſweride, and ſeide to hym, Þei
ſchulen not bitake þee; Y biſeche, here þou þe vois of þe
Lord, which Y ſchal ſpeke to þee, and it ſchal be wel to
þee, and þi ſoule ſchal lyue.
xxi Þat if þou wolt not go out, þis is þe word which þe
Lord ſchewide to me, Lo!
xxii alle þe wymmen, þat weren left in þe hous of þe
kyng of Juda, ſchulen be led out to þe princes of þe
kyng of Babiloyne; and þo wymmen ſchulen ſeie, Þi
peſible men diſſeyueden þee, and hadden þe maiſtrye
aȝens þee; þei drenchiden þee in filþe, and þi feet in
ſlidirneſſe, and ȝeden awei fro þee.
xxiii And alle þi wyues and þi ſones ſchulen be led out to
Caldeis, and þou ſchalt not aſcape þe hondis of hem; but
þou ſchalt be bitakun in to þe hondis of þe kyng of
Babiloyne, and he ſchal brenne þis citee bi fier.
xxiiii Þerfore Sedechie ſeide to Jeremye, No man wite
þeſe wordis, and þou ſchalt not die.
xxv Soþeli if þe princes heren, þat Y ſpak wiþ þee, and
comen to þee, and ſeien to þee, Schewe þou to vs what
þou ſpakeſt wiþ þe kyng, hide þou not fro vs, and we
ſchulen not ſle þee; and what þe kyng ſpak wiþ þee,
xxvi þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Knelyngli Y puttide forþ my
preiris bifore þe kyng, þat he ſchulde not comaunde me
to be led aȝen in to þe hous of Jonathan, and Y ſchulde
die þere.
xxvii Þerfor alle þe princes camen to Jeremye, and
axiden hym; and he ſpak to hem bi alle þe wordis
whiche þe kyng hadde comaundid to hym, and þei
ceeſſiden fro hym; for whi no þing was herd.
xxviii Þerfor Jeremye dwellide in þe porche of þe
priſoun, til to þe dai wherynne Jeruſalem was takun; and
it was don, þat Jeruſalem ſchulde be takun.
CAP. XXXIX
i In þe nyneþe ȝeer of Sedechie, kyng of Juda, in þe
tenþe moneþe, Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, and
al his ooſt cam to Jeruſalem, and þei biſegiden it.
ii Forſoþe in þe enleuenþe ȝeer of Sedechie, in þe fourþe
moneþe, in þe fyueþe day of þe moneþe, þe citee was
opened;
DCXCVII
iii and alle þe princes of þe kyng of Babiloyne entriden,
and ſaten in þe myddil ȝate, Veregel, Fererer, Semegar,
Nabuſarrachym, Rapſaces, Neregel, Sereſer, Rebynag,
and alle oþere princes of þe kyng of Babiloyne.
iiii And whanne Sedechie, þe kyng of Juda, and alle þe
men werriouris hadden ſeien hem, þei fledden, and
ȝeden out bi niȝt fro þe citee, bi þe weie of þe gardyn of
þe kyng, and bi þe ȝate þat was bitwixe twei wallis; and
þei ȝeden out to þe weie of deſert.
v Forſoþe þe ooſt of Caldeis purſueden hem, and þei
token Sedechie in þe feeld of wildirneſſe of Jericho; and
þei token hym, and brouȝten to Nabugodonoſor, kyng of
Babiloyne, in Reblatha, which is in þe lond of Emath;
and Nabugodonoſor ſpak domes to hym.
vi And þe kyng of Babiloyne killide þe ſones of
Sedechye in Reblatha, bifor hiſe iȝen; and þe kyng of
Babyloyne killide alle þe noble men of Juda.
vii Alſo he puttide out þe iȝen of Sedechie, and boond
hym in feteris, þat he ſchulde be led in to Babiloyne.
viii And Caldeis brenten wiþ fier þe hous of þe kyng,
and þe hous of þe comun puple, and diſtrieden þe wal of
Jeruſalem.
ix And Nabuſardan, þe maiſter of knyȝtis, tranſlatide in
to Babiloyne þe reſidues of þe puple, þat dwelliden in
þe citee, and þe fleeris awei, þat hadden fled ouer to
hym, and þe ſuperflue men of þe comyn puple, þat
weren left.
x And Nabuſardan, þe maiſtir of knyȝtis, lefte in þe lond
of Juda, of þe puple of pore men, and ȝaf to hem
vyneris and ciſternes in þat dai.
xi Forſoþe Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, hadde
comaundid of Jeremye to Nabuſardan, maiſter of
chyualrie, and ſeide,
xii Take þou him, and ſette þin iȝen on hym, and do þou
no þing of yuel to him; but as he wole, ſo do þou to
hym.
xiii Þerfor Nabuſardan, þe prynce of chyualrie, ſente
Nabu, and Leſban, and Rapſaſes, and Veregel, and
Sereſer, and Rebynag, and alle þe principal men of þe
kyng of Babiloyne,
xiiii ſenten, and token Jeremye fro þe porche of þe
priſoun, and bitokun hym to Godolie, þe ſone of
Aicham, ſone of Saphan, þat he ſchulde entre in to þe
hous, and dwelle among þe puple.
xv Forſoþe þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye,
whanne he was cloſid in þe porche of þe priſoun, and
ſeide,
xvi Go þou, and ſeie to Abdemelech Ethiopien, and
ſpeke þou, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal brynge my wordis on þis citee in to
yuel, and not in to good; and þo ſchulen be in þi ſiȝt in
þat dai.
xvii And Y ſchal delyuere þee in þat day, ſeiþ þe Lord,
and þou ſchalt not be bitakun in to þe hondis of men,
whiche þou dreddiſt;
xviii but Y delyuerynge ſchal delyuere þee, and þou
ſchalt not falle doun bi ſwerd; but þi ſoule ſchal be in to
helþe to þee, for þou haddiſt triſt in me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. XL
i Þe word þat was maad of þe Lord to Jeremye, aftir þat
he was delyuered of Nabuſardan, maiſter of chyualrie,
fro Rama, whanne he took hym boundun wiþ chaynes,
in þe myddis of alle men þat paſſiden fro Jeruſalem, and
fro Juda, and weren led in to Babyloyne.
ii Þerfor þe prince of chyualrie took Jeremye, and ſeide
to hym, Þi Lord God ſpak þis yuel on þis place,
iii and þe Lord haþ brouȝt, and haþ do, as he ſpak; for ȝe
ſynneden to þe Lord, and herden not þe vois of hym,
and þis word is doon to ȝou.
iiii Now þerfor lo! Y haue releeſſid þee to dai fro þe
chaynes þat ben in þin hondis; if it pleſiþ þee to come
wiþ me in to Babiloyne, come þou, and Y ſchal ſette
myn iȝen on þee; ſoþeli if it diſpleſiþ þee to come wiþ
me in to Babiloyne, ſitte þou here; lo! al þe lond is in þi
ſiȝt, þat þat þou cheſiſt, and whidur it pleſiþ þee to go,
þidur go þou,
v and nyle þou come wiþ me. But dwelle þou wiþ
Godolie, ſone of Aicham, ſone of Saphan, whom þe
kyng of Babiloyne made ſouereyn to þe citees of Juda;
þerfor dwelle þou wiþ hym in þe myddis of þe puple,
eþer go þou, whidir euer it pleſiþ þee to go. And þe
maiſter of chyualrie ȝaf to hym metis, and ȝiftis, and
lefte hym.
vi Forſoþe Jeremye cam to Godolie, ſone of Aicham, in
to Maſphat, and dwellide wiþ hym, in þe myddis of þe
puple þat was left in þe lond.
vii And whanne alle princes of þe ooſt hadden herd, þat
weren ſcatered bi cuntreis, þei and þe felowis of hem,
þat þe kyng of Babiloyne hadde maad Godolie ſouereyn
of þe lond, þe ſone of Aicham, and þat he hadde bitake
to Godolie men, and wymmen, and litle children, and of
pore men of þe lond, þat weren not tranſlatid in to
Babiloyne,
viii þei camen to Godolie in Maſphat; and Iſmael, þe
ſone of Nathanye, and Johannan, þe ſone of Caree, and
Jonathan, and Sareas, þe ſone of Tenoemeth, and þe
ſones of Offi, þat weren of Nethophati, and Jeconye, þe
ſone of Machati; boþe þei and her men camen to
Godolie.
ix And Godolie, ſone of Aicham, ſone of Saphan, ſwoor
to hem, and to þe felowis of hem, and ſeide, Nyle ȝe
drede to ſerue Caldeis; but dwelle ȝe in þe lond, and
ſerue ȝe þe kyng of Babiloyne, and it ſchal be wel to
ȝou.
DCXCVIII
x Lo! Y dwelle in Meſphath, for to anſwere to þe
comaundement of Caldeis, þat ben ſent to vs; forſoþe
gadere ȝe vyndage, and ripe corn, and oile, and kepe ȝe
in ȝoure veſſels, and dwelle ȝe in ȝoure citees whiche ȝe
holden.
xi But alſo alle þe Jewis, þat weren in Moab, and in þe
ooſtis of Amon, and in Ydumee, and in alle þe cuntreis,
whanne it is herd, þat þe kyng of Babiloyne hadde ȝoue
reſidues, eþer remenauntis, in Judee, and þat he hadde
maad ſouereyn on hem Godolie, þe ſone of Aicham,
ſone of Saphan,
xii ſoþeli alle Jewis turneden aȝen fro alle places, to
whiche þei hadden fled; and þei camen in to þe lond of
Juda, to Godolie in Maſphat, and gaderiden wyn and
ripe corn ful myche.
xiii Forſoþe Johannan, þe ſone of Caree, and alle þe
princes of þe ooſt, þat weren ſcaterid in þe cuntreis,
camen to Godolie in Maſphath,
xiiii and ſeiden to hym, Wite þou, þat Bahalis, kyng of
þe ſones of Amon, haþ ſent Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye,
to ſmyte þi lijf. And Godolie, þe ſone of Aicham,
bileuyde not to hem.
xv Forſoþe Johannan, þe ſone of Caree, ſeide to Godolie
aſidis half in Maſphath, and ſpak, Y ſchal go, and ſle
Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye, while no man knowiþ, leſt
he ſle þi lijf, and alle þe Jewis ben ſcatered, þat ben
gaderid to þee, and þe remenauntis of Juda ſchulen
periſche.
xvi And Godolie, þe ſone of Aicham, ſeide to Johannan,
þe ſone of Caree, Nyle þou do þis word, for þou ſpekiſt
fals of Iſmael.
CAP. XLI
i And it was don in þe ſeuenþe moneþe, Iſmael, þe ſone
of Nathanye, ſone of Eliſama, of þe kingis ſeed, and þe
principal men of þe kyng, and ten men wiþ hym, camen
to Godolie, þe ſone of Aicham, in Maſphath; and þei
eeten þere looues togidere in Maſphath.
ii Forſoþe Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye, and þe ten men
þat weren wiþ hym, riſiden vp, and killiden bi ſwerd
Godolie, þe ſone of Aicham, ſone of Saphan; and þei
killiden hym, whom þe kyng of Babiloyne hadde maad
ſouereyn of þe lond.
iii Alſo Iſmael killide alle þe Jewis, þat weren wiþ
Godolie in Maſphath, and þe Caldeis, þat weren
foundun þere, and þe men werriours.
iiii Forſoþe in þe ſecounde dai, aftir þat he hadde ſlayn
Godolie, while no man wiſte ȝit,
v foure ſcoor men wiþ ſchauen beerdis, and to-rent
cloþis, and pale men, camen fro Sichem, and fro Silo,
and fro Samarie; and þei hadden ȝiftis and encenſe in þe
hond, for to offre in þe hous of þe Lord.
vi Þerfor Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye, ȝede out of
Maſphath in to þe metyng of hem; and he ȝede goynge
and wepynge. Soþeli whanne he hadde met hem, he
ſeide to hem, Come ȝe to Godolie, þe ſone of Aicham;
vii and whanne þei weren comun to þe myddis of þe
citee, Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye, killide hem aboute
þe myddis of þe lake, he and þe men þat weren wiþ
hym `killiden hem.
viii But ten men weren foundun among hem, þat ſeiden
to Iſmael, Nyle þou ſle vs, for we han treſour of wheete,
and of barli, and of oile, and of hony, in þe feeld. And
he ceeſſide, and killide not hem wiþ her briþeren.
ix Forſoþe þe lake in to which Iſmael caſtide forþ alle þe
careyns of men, whiche he killide for Godolie, is þilke
lake, which kyng Aſa made for Baaſa, þe kyng of Iſrael;
Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye, fillide þat lake wiþ ſlayn
men.
x And Iſmael ledde priſoneris alle þe remenauntis of þe
puple, þat weren in Meſphath, þe douȝtris of þe kyng,
and al þe puple þat dwelliden in Maſphath, whiche
Nabuſardan, þe prince of chyualrie, hadde bitakun to
kepyng to Godolie, þe ſone of Aicham. And Iſmael, þe
ſone of Nathanye, took hem, and ȝede to paſſe ouer to
þe ſones of Amon.
xi Forſoþe Johannan, þe ſone of Caree, and alle þe
princes of werriouris, þat weren wiþ hym, herden al þe
yuel, which Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye, hadde do.
xii And whanne þei hadden take alle men, þei ȝeden forþ
to fiȝte aȝens Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye; and þei
foundun hym at þe many watris, þat ben in Gabaon.
xiii And whanne al þe puple, þat was wiþ Iſmael, hadden
ſeyn Johannan, þe ſone of Caree, and alle þe princes of
werriouris, þat weren wiþ hym, þei weren glad.
xiiii And al þe puple, whom Iſmael hadde take in
Maſphath, turnede aȝen; and it turnede aȝen, and ȝede to
Johannan, þe ſone of Caree.
xv Forſoþe Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye, fledde wiþ eiȝte
men fro þe face of Johannan, and ȝede to þe ſones of
Amon.
xvi Þerfor Johannan, þe ſone of Caree, and alle þe
princes of werriours, þat weren wiþ hym, token alle þe
remenauntis of þe comyn puple, whiche þei brouȝten
aȝen fro Iſmael, þe ſone of Nathanye, þat weren of
Maſphat, aftir þat he killide Godolie, þe ſone of
Aicham; he took ſtrong men to batel, and wymmen, and
children, and geldyngis, whiche he hadde brouȝt aȝen
fro Gabaon.
xvii And þei ȝeden, and ſaten beynge pilgryms in
Canaan, which is biſidis Bethleem, þat þei ſchulden go,
and entre in to Egipt fro þe face of Caldeis;
xviii for þei dredden þilke Caldeis, for Iſmael, þe ſone of
Nathanye, hadde ſlayn Godolie, þe ſone of Aicham,
whom þe kyng Nabugodonoſor hadde maad ſouereyn in
þe lond of Juda.
DCXCIX
CAP. XLII
i And alle þe princes of werriours neiȝiden, and
Johannan, þe ſone of Caree, and Jeconye, þe ſone of
Joſie, and þe reſidue comyn puple, fro a litil man `til to
a greet man.
ii And þei ſeiden to Jeremye, þe profete, Oure preier
falle in þi ſiȝt, and preie þou for vs to þi Lord God, for
alle þeſe remenauntis; for we ben left a fewe of manye,
as þin iȝen biholden vs; and þi Lord God telle to vs þe
weie,
iii bi which we ſchulen go, and þe word which we
ſchulen do.
iiii Forſoþe Jeremye, þe profete, ſeide to hem, Y haue
herd; lo! Y preye to oure Lord God, bi ȝoure wordis; Y
ſchal ſchewe to ȝou ech word, what euere word þe Lord
ſchal anſwere to me, neþer Y ſchal hide ony þing fro
ȝou.
v And þei ſeiden to Jeremye, Þe Lord be witneſſe of
treuþe and of feiþ bitwixe vs; if not bi ech word, in
which þi Lord God ſchal ſende þee to vs, ſo we ſchulen
do, wheþer it be good eþer yuel.
vi We ſchulen obeie to þe vois of oure Lord God, to
whom we ſenden þee, þat it be wel to vs, whanne we
han herd þe vois of oure Lord God.
vii Forſoþe whanne ten daies weren fillid, þe word of þe
Lord was maad to Jeremye.
viii And he clepide Johannan, þe ſone of Caree, and alle
þe princes of werriours, þat weren wiþ hym, and al þe
puple fro þe leſte `til to þe mooſte; and he ſeide to hem,
ix Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, to whom ȝe
ſenten me, þat Y ſchulde mekeli ſette forþ ȝoure preyeris
in his ſiȝt.
x If ȝe reſten, and dwellen in þis lond, Y ſchal bilde ȝou,
and Y ſchal not diſtrie; Y ſchal plaunte, and Y ſchal not
drawe out; for now Y am pleſid on þe yuel which Y
dide to ȝou.
xi Nyle ȝe drede of þe face of þe kyng of Babiloyne,
whom ȝe `þat ben ferdful, dreden; nyle ȝe drede hym,
ſeiþ þe Lord, for Y am wiþ ȝou, to make ȝou ſaaf, and to
delyuere fro his hond.
xii And Y ſchal ȝyue mercies to ȝou, and Y ſchal haue
merci on ȝou, and Y ſchal make ȝou dwelle in ȝoure
lond.
xiii Forſoþe if ȝe ſeien, We ſchulen not dwelle in þis
lond, neþer we ſchulen here þe vois of oure Lord God,
and ſeie,
xiiii Nai, but we ſchulen go to þe lond of Egipt, where
we ſchulen not ſe batel, and ſchulen not here þe noiſe of
trumpe, and we ſchulen not ſuffre hungur, and þere we
ſchulen dwelle;
xv for þis þing, ȝe remenauntis of Juda, here now þe
word of þe Lord. Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ
þeſe þingis, If ȝe ſetten ȝoure face, for to entre in to
Egipt, and if ȝe entren,
xvi to dwelle þere, þe ſwerd whiche ȝe dreden ſchal take
ȝou þere in þe lond of Egipt, and þe hungur for which
ȝe ben angwiſchid ſchal cleue to ȝou in Egipt; and þere
ȝe ſchulen die.
xvii And alle þe men þat ſettiden her face, to entre in to
Egipt, and to dwelle þere, ſchulen die bi ſwerd, and
hungur, and peſtilence; no man of hem ſchal dwelle
ſtille, neþer ſchal aſchape fro þe face of yuel, which Y
ſchal brynge on hem.
xviii For why þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, As my ſtrong veniaunce and myn indignacioun
is wellid togidere on þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem, ſo myn
indignacioun ſchal be wellid togidere on ȝou, whanne ȝe
han entrid in to Egipt; and ȝe ſchulen be in to ſweryng,
and in to wondring, and in to curſyng, and in to
ſchenſchipe; and ȝe ſchulen no more ſe þis place.
xix Þe word of þe Lord is on ȝou, ȝe remenauntis of
Juda; nyle ȝe entre in to Egipt; ȝe witinge ſchulen wite,
þat Y haue witneſſid to ȝou to dai;
xx for ȝe han diſſeyued ȝoure ſoulis, for ȝe ſenten me to
ȝoure Lord God, and ſeiden, Preye þou for vs to oure
Lord God, and bi alle þingis what euer þingis oure Lord
ſchal ſeie to þee, ſo telle þou to vs, and we ſchulen do.
xxi And Y telde to ȝou to dai, and ȝe herden not þe vois
of ȝoure Lord God, on alle þingis for whiche he ſente
me to ȝou.
xxii Now þerfor ȝe witynge ſchulen wite, for ȝe ſchulen
die bi ſwerd, and hungur, and peſtilence, in þe place to
which ȝe wolden entre, to dwelle þere.
CAP. XLIII
i Forſoþe it was don, whanne Jeremye ſpekinge to þe
puple hadde fillid alle þe wordis of þe Lord God of
hem, for whiche þe Lord God of hem ſente hym to hem,
alle þeſe wordis,
ii Azarie, þe ſone of Joſie, ſeide, and Johanna, þe ſone of
Caree, and alle proude men, ſeiynge to Jeremye, Þou
ſpekiſt a leeſyng; oure Lord God ſente not þee, and
ſeide, Entre ȝe not in to Egipt, to dwelle þere;
iii but Baruc, þe ſone of Nerie, ſtiriþ þee aȝens vs, þat he
bitake vs in þe hondis of Caldeis, þat he ſle vs, and
make to be led ouer in to Babiloyne.
iiii And Johanna, þe ſone of Caree, and alle þe princes of
werriours, and al þe puple, herden not þe vois of þe
Lord, þat þei dwellen in þe lond of Juda.
v But Johanna, þe ſone of Caree, and alle þe princes of
werriours, token alle of þe remenauntis of Juda, þat
turneden aȝen fro alle folkis, to whiche þei weren
ſcatered bifore, þat þei ſchulden dwelle in þe lond of
Juda;
vi þei token men, and wymmen, and litle children, and
þe douȝtris of þe kyng, and ech perſoone, whom
Nabuſardan, þe prince of chyualrie, hadde left wiþ
DCC
Godolie, þe ſone of Aicham, ſone of Saphan. And þei
token Jeremye, þe profete, and Baruc, þe ſone of Nerie,
vii and þei entriden in to þe lond of Egipt; for þei
obeieden not to þe vois of þe Lord, and þei camen `til to
Taphnys.
viii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye in
Taphnys,
ix and ſeide, Take in þin hond grete ſtoonys, and hide
þou þo in a denne, which is vndur þe wal of tiil ſtoon, in
þe ȝate of þe hous of Farao, in Taphnys, while alle
Jewis ſeen.
x And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of
Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal ſende, and Y ſchal
take Nabugodonoſor, my ſeruaunt, þe kyng of
Babiloyne; and Y ſchal ſette his trone on þeſe ſtoonys,
whiche Y hidde; and he ſchal ſette his ſeete on þo
ſtoonys.
xi And he ſchal come, and ſmyte þe lond of Egipt,
whiche in deþ in to deþ, and whiche in caitiftee in to
caitiftee, and whiche in ſwerd in to ſwerd.
xii And he ſchal kindle fier in þe templis of goddis of
Egipt, and he ſchal brenne þo templis, and ſchal lede
hem priſoneris; and þe lond of Egipt ſchal be wlappid,
as a ſcheepherd is wlappid in his mentil; and he ſchal go
out fro þennus in pees.
xiii And he ſchal al to-breke þe ymagis of þe hous of þe
ſunne, þat ben in þe lond of Egipt; and he ſchal brenne
in fier þe templis of þe goddis of Egipt.
CAP. XLIIII
i Þe word þat was maad to Jeremye, and to alle þe
Jewis, þat dwelliden in þe lond of Egipt, dwellinge in
Magdalo, and in Taphnys, and in Memphis, and in þe
lond of Phatures,
ii and ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Ȝe ſien al þis yuel, which Y brouȝte on
Jeruſalem, and on alle þe citees of Juda; and lo! þo ben
forſakun to dai, and no dwellere is in þo;
iii for þe malice which þei diden, to terre me to
wraþfulneſſe, and þat þei ȝeden, and maden ſacrifice,
and worſchipiden alien goddis, whiche þei knewen not,
boþe ȝe, and þei, and ȝoure fadris.
iiii And Y ſente to ȝou alle my ſeruauntis profetis; and Y
roos bi nyȝte, and ſente, and ſeide, Nyle ȝe do þe word
of ſich abhomynacioun.
v And þei herden not, neþer bowiden doun her eere, þat
þei ſchulen be conuertid fro her yuels, and ſchulden not
make ſacrifice to alien goddis.
vi And myn indignacioun and my ſtrong veniaunce is
wellid togidere, and is kindlid in þe citees of Juda, and
in þe ſtretis of Jeruſalem; and þo ben turned in to
wildirneſſe, and waſtneſſe, bi þis dai.
vii And now þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Whi doon ȝe þis greet yuel aȝens ȝoure ſoulis,
þat a man of ȝou periſche and a womman a litil child
and ſoukynge periſche, fro þe myddis of Juda, neþer
ony reſidue þing be left in ȝou,
viii þat terre me to wraþþe bi þe werkis of ȝoure hondis,
in makynge ſacrifice to alien goddis in þe lond of Egipt,
in to which ȝe entriden, þat ȝe dwelle þere, and þat ȝe
periſche, and be in to curſyng, and in to ſchenſchipe to
alle þe folkis of erþe?
ix Wheþer ȝe han forȝete þe yuels of ȝoure fadris, and þe
yuels of þe kingis of Juda, and þe yuels of her wiues,
and ȝoure yuels, and þe yuels of ȝoure wyues, whiche
þei diden in þe lond of Juda, and in þe cuntreis of
Jeruſalem?
x Þei ben not clenſid `til to þis dai, and þei dredden not,
and þei ȝeden not in þe lawe of þe Lord, and in myn
heeſtis, whiche Y ȝaf bifore ȝou, and bifore ȝoure fadris.
xi Þerfor þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal ſette my face in ȝou in to yuel,
xii and Y ſchal leeſe al Juda, and Y ſchal take þe
remenauntis of Juda, þat ſettiden her faces, to go in to
þe lond of Egipt, and to dwelle þere; and alle ſchulen be
waaſtid in þe lond of Egipt, þei ſchulen falle doun bi
ſwerd, and ſchulen be waſtid in hungur, fro þe leeſte `til
to þe mooſte, þei ſchulen die bi ſwerd and hungur, and
ſchulen be in to ſwering, and in to myracle, and in to
curſyng, and in to ſchenſchipe.
xiii And Y ſchal viſite on þe dwelleris of Egipt, as Y
viſitide on Jeruſalem, in ſwerd, and in hungur, and in
peſtilence.
xiiii And noon ſchal be, þat ſchal aſcape, and be reſidue
of þe remenauntis of Jewis, þat goen to be pilgrimys in
þe lond of Egipt, and to turne aȝen to þe lond of Juda, to
which þei reiſen her ſoulis, þat þei turne aȝen, and
dwelle þere; þei ſchulen not turne aȝen þidir, no but þei
þat fledden.
xv Forſoþe alle men anſweriden to Jeremye, and wiſten,
þat her wyues maden ſacrifice to alien goddis, and alle
wymmen, of whiche a greet multitude ſtood, and alle þe
puple of dwelleris in þe lond of Egipt, in Fatures, and
ſeiden,
xvi We ſchulen not here of þee þe word which þou
ſpekiſt to vs in þe name of oure Lord God,
xvii but we doynge ſchulen do ech word þat ſchal go out
of oure mouþ, þat we make ſacrifice to þe queen of
heuene, and þat we offre to it moiſt ſacrifices, as we
diden, and oure fadris, oure kingis, and oure princes, in
þe citees of Juda, and in þe ſtretis of Jeruſalem; and we
weren fillid wiþ looues, and it was wel to vs, and we
ſien noon yuel.
xviii But fro þat tyme, in which we ceeſſiden to make
ſacrifice to þe queen of heuene, and to offre to it moiſt
ſacrifices, we hadden nede to alle þingis, and we weren
waſtid bi ſwerd and hungur.
DCCI
xix Þat if we maken ſacrifice to þe queen of heuene, and
offren to it moiſt ſacrifices, wheþer wiþouten oure
hoſebondis we maden to it cakis, to worſchipe it, and
looues to be offrid?
xx And Jeremye ſeide to al þe puple, aȝens þe men, and
aȝens þe wymmen, and aȝens al þe puple, þat
anſweriden to hym þe word, and he ſeide,
xxi Wheþer not þe ſacrifice which ȝe ſacrifiſiden in þe
citees of Juda, and in þe ſtretis of Jeruſalem, ȝe, and
ȝoure fadris, ȝoure kyngis, and ȝoure princes, and þe
puple of þe lond, terriden God to veniaunce? Þe Lord
hadde mynde on þeſe þingis, and it ſtiede on his herte;
xxii and þe Lord myȝte no more bere, for þe malice of
ȝoure ſtudies, and for abhomynaciouns whiche ȝe diden.
And ȝoure lond is maad in to deſolacioun, and in to
wondryng, and in to curs, for no dwellere is, as þis dai
is.
xxiii Þerfor for ȝe maden ſacrifice to idols, and ſynneden
to þe Lord, and herden not þe vois of þe Lord, and
ȝeden not in þe lawe, and in þe comandementis, and in
þe witneſſis of hym, þerfor þeſe yuels bifellen to ȝou, as
þis dai is.
xxiiii Forſoþe Jeremye ſeide to al þe puple, and to alle þe
wymmen, Al Juda, þat ben in þe lond of Egipt, here ȝe
þe word of þe Lord.
xxv Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, and
ſpekiþ, Ȝe and ȝoure wyues ſpaken wiþ ȝoure mouþ, and
filliden wiþ ȝoure hondis, and ſeiden, Make we oure
vowis whiche we vowiden, þat we make ſacrifice to þe
queen of heuene, and offre to it moiſt ſacrifices; ȝe
filliden ȝoure vowis, and diden þo in werk.
xxvi Þerfor, al Juda, þat dwellen in þe lond of Egipt, here
ȝe þe word of þe Lord; Lo! Y ſwoor in my greet name,
ſeiþ þe Lord, þat my name ſchal no more be clepid bi þe
mouþ of ech man Jew, ſeiynge, Þe Lord God lyueþ, in
al þe lond of Egipt.
xxvii Lo! Y ſchal wake on hem in to yuel, and not in to
good; and alle þe men of Juda, þat ben in þe lond of
Egipt, ſchulen be waaſtid, bi ſwerd and hungur, til þei
be waſtid outerli.
xxviii And a fewe men þat fledden þe ſwerd, ſchulen
turne aȝen fro þe lond of Egipt in to þe lond of Juda;
and alle þe remenauntis of Juda, of hem þat entren in to
þe lond of Egipt, to dwelle þere, ſchulen wite, whos
word ſchal be fillid, myn eþer hern.
xxix And þis ſchal be a ſigne to ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord, þat Y
ſchal viſite on ȝou in þis place, þat ȝe wite, þat verili my
wordis ſchulen be fillid aȝens ȝou in to yuel.
xxx Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal bitake Farao,
þe kyng of Egipt, in to þe hond of hiſe enemyes, and in
to þe hond of hem þat ſeken his lijf, as Y bitook
Sedechie, þe kyng of Juda, in to þe hond of
Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, his enemye, and
ſekynge his lijf.
CAP. XLV
i Þe word þat Jeremye, þe profete, ſpak to Baruc, þe
ſone of Nerie, whanne he hadde write þeſe wordis in þe
book, of þe mouþ of Jeremye, in þe fourþe ȝeer of
Joachym, þe ſone of Joſie, kyng of Juda,
ii and ſeide, Þe Lord God of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis to
þee, Baruc.
iii Þou ſeidiſt, Wo to me wretche, for þe Lord encreeſſide
ſorewe to my ſorewe; Y trauelide in my weilyng, and Y
foond not reſte.
iiii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þus þou ſchalt ſeye to hym,
Lo! Y diſtrie hem, whiche Y bildide, and Y drawe out
hem, whiche Y plauntide, and al þis lond.
v And ſekiſt þou grete þingis to þee? nyle þou ſeke, for
lo! Y ſchal brynge yuel on ech man, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y
ſchal ȝyue to þee þi lijf in to helþe, in alle places, to
whiche euer places þou ſchalt go.
CAP. XLVI
i Þe word of þe Lord, þat was maad to Jeremye, þe
profete, aȝens heþene men;
ii to Egipt, aȝens þe ooſt of Farao Nechao, kyng of
Egipt, þat was biſidis þe flood Eufrates, in Charchamys,
whom Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, ſmoot, in þe
fourþe ȝeer of Joachym, ſone of Joſie, kyng of Juda.
iii Make ȝe redi ſcheeld and targat, and go ȝe forþ to
batel.
iiii Ioyne ȝe horſis, and ſtie, ȝe knyȝtis; ſtonde ȝe in
helmes, poliſche ȝe ſperis, cloþe ȝe ȝou in haburiowns.
v What þerfor? Y ſiȝ hem dredeful, and turnynge þe
backis, þe ſtronge men of hem ſlayn; and þei fledden
ſwiftli, and bihelden not; drede was on ech ſide, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
vi A ſwift man ſchal not fle, and a ſtrong man geſſe not
hym ſilf to be ſaued; at þe norþ, biſidis þe flood
Eufrates, þei weren ouer comun, and fellen doun.
vii Who is þis, þat ſtieþ as a flood, and hiſe ſwelewis
wexen greet as of floodis?
viii Egipte ſtiede at þe licneſſe of a flood, and hiſe wawis
ſchulen be mouyd as floodis; and it ſchal ſeie, Y ſchal
ſtie, and hile þe erþe; Y ſchal leeſe þe citee, and
dwelleris þerof.
ix Stie ȝe on horſis, and make ȝe ful out ioie in charis;
and ſtronge men, come forþ, Ethiopie and Libie,
holdynge ſcheeld, and Lidii, takynge and ſchetynge
arowis.
x Forſoþe þat dai of þe Lord God of ooſtis is a dai of
veniaunce, þat he take veniaunce of hiſe enemyes; þe
ſwerd ſchal deuoure, and ſchal be fillid, and ſchal greetli
be fillid wiþ þe blood of hem; for whi þe ſlayn ſacrifice
of þe Lord of ooſtis is in þe lond of þe norþ, biſidis þe
flood Eufrates.
DCCII
xi Þou virgyn, þe douȝter of Egipt, ſtie in to Galaad, and
take medicyn. In veyn þou ſchalt multiplie medecyns;
helþe ſchal not be to þee.
xii Hethene men herden þi ſchenſchipe, and þi ȝellyng
fillide þe erþe; for a ſtrong man hurtlide aȝens a ſtrong
man, and boþe fellen doun togidere.
xiii Þe word which þe Lord ſpak to Jeremye, þe profete,
on þat þat Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, was to
comynge, and to ſmytynge þe lond of Egipt.
xiiii Telle ȝe to Egipt, and make ȝe herd in Magdalo, and
ſowne it in Memphis, and ſeie ȝe in Taphnys, Stonde
þou, and make þee redi, for a ſwerd ſchal deuoure þo
þingis þat ben bi þi cumpas.
xv Whi haþ þi ſtrong man wexe rotun? He ſtood not, for
þe Lord vndurturnede hym.
xvi He multipliede falleris, and a man felle doun to his
neiȝbore; and þei ſchulen ſeie, Riſe ȝe, and turne we
aȝen to oure puple, and to þe lond of oure birþe, fro þe
face of ſwerd of þe culuer.
xvii Clepe ȝe þe name of Farao, kyng of Egipt; þe tyme
haþ brouȝt noiſe.
xviii Y lyue, ſeiþ þe kyng, þe Lord of ooſtis is his name;
for it ſchal come as Thabor in hillis, and as Carmele in
þe ſee.
xix Þou dwellereſſe, þe douȝter of Egipt, make to þee
veſſels of paſſyng ouer; for whi Memfis ſchal be in to
wildirneſſe, and ſchal be forſakun vnhabitable.
xx Egipt is a ſchapli cow calf, and fair; a prickere fro þe
norþ ſchal come to it.
xxi Alſo þe hirid men þerof, þat liueden as caluys maad
fatte in þe myddis þerof, ben turned, and fledden
togidere, and miȝten not ſtonde; for þe dai of ſleynge of
hem ſchal come on hem, þe tyme of þe viſityng of hem.
xxii Þe vois of hem ſchal ſowne as of bras, for þei
ſchulen haſte wiþ ooſt, and wiþ axis þei ſchulen come to
it. As men kittynge doun trees þei kittiden doun þe
foreſt þerof,
xxiii ſeiþ þe Lord, which mai not be noumbrid; þei ben
multiplied ouer locuſtis, and no noumbre is in hem.
xxiiii Þe douȝtir of Egipt is ſchent, and bitakun in to þe
hond of þe puple of þe norþ,
xxv ſeide þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael. Lo! Y ſchal
viſite on þe noiſe of Aliſaundre, and on Farao, and on
Egipt, and on þe goddis þerof, and on þe kyngis þerof,
and on hem þat triſten in hym.
xxvi And Y ſchal ȝyue hem in to þe hondis of men þat
ſeken þe lijf of hem, and in to þe hondis of
Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, and in to þe hondis
of hiſe ſeruauntis; and aftir þeſe þingis it ſchal be
enhabitid, as in þe formere daies, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxvii And þou, Jacob, my ſeruaunt, drede þou not, and
Iſrael, drede þou not; for lo! Y ſchal make þee ſaaf fro
fer place, and þi ſeed fro þe lond of his caitiftee; and
Jacob ſchal turne aȝen, and ſchal reſte, and ſchal haue
proſperite, and noon ſchal be, þat ſchal make hym aferd.
xxviii And Jacob, my ſeruaunt, nyle þou drede, ſeiþ þe
Lord, for Y am wiþ þee; for Y ſchal waſte alle folkis, to
whiche Y caſtide þee out; but Y ſchal not waſte þee, but
Y ſchal chaſtiſe þee in doom, and Y ſchal not ſpare þee
as innocent.
CAP. XLVII
i Þe word of þe Lord, þat was maad to Jeremye, þe
profete, aȝens Paleſtyns, bifor þat Farao ſmoot Gaza.
ii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! watris ſchulen ſtie fro þe
norþ, and þo ſchulen be as a ſtronde flowynge, and þo
ſchulen hile þe lond, and þe fulneſſe þerof, þe citee, and
þe dwelleris þerof. Men ſchulen crie, and alle þe
dwelleris of þe lond ſchulen ȝelle,
iii for þe noiſe of booſt of armed men, and of werriours
of hym, and for mouyng of hiſe cartis, and multitude of
hiſe wheelis. Fadris bihelden not ſones wiþ clumſid
hondis,
iiii for þe comyng of þe dai in which alle Filiſteis
ſchulen be deſtried; and Tirus ſchal be deſtried, and
Sidon wiþ alle her oþere helpis. For þe Lord haþ
deſtried Paleſtyns, þe remenauntis of þe ile of
Capadocie.
v Ballidneſſe cam on Gaza; Aſcolon was ſtille, and þe
remenauntis of þe valei of þo.
vi Hou longe ſchalt þou falle doun, O! ſwerd of þe Lord,
hou long ſchalt þou not reſte? Entre þou in to þi ſcheþe,
be þou refreiſchid, and be ſtille.
vii Hou ſchal it reſte, whanne þe Lord comaundide to it
aȝens Aſcalon, and aȝens þe ſee cooſtis þerof, and þere
haþ ſeide to it?
CAP. XLVIII
i To Moab þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis. Wo on Nabo, for it is deſtried, and ſchent;
Cariathiarym is takun, þe ſtronge citee is ſchent, and
tremblide.
ii And ful out ioiyng is no more in Moab, þei þouȝten
yuel aȝens Eſebon. Come ȝe, and leeſe we it fro folk.
Þerfor þou beynge ſtille, ſchalt be ſtille, and ſwerd ſchal
ſue þee.
iii A vois of cry fro Oronaym, diſtriynge, and greet
ſorewe.
iiii Moab is defoulid, telle ȝe cry to litil children þerof.
v For a man wepynge ſtiede wiþ wepyng bi þe ſtiyng of
Luyth, for in þe comyng doun of Oronaym enemyes
herden þe ȝellyng of ſorewe.
vi Fle ȝe, ſaue ȝe ȝoure lyues; and ȝe ſchulen be as
bromes in deſert.
vii For þat þat þou haddiſt triſt in þi ſtrengþis, and in þi
treſouris, alſo þou ſchalt be takun. And Chamos ſchal go
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in to paſſyng ouer, þe preeſtis þerof and þe princes þerof
togidere.
viii And a robbere ſchal come to ech citee, and no citee
ſchal be ſauyd; and valeis ſchulen periſche, and feeldi
places ſchulen be diſtried, for þe Lord ſeide.
ix Ȝyue ȝe þe flour of Moab, for it ſchal go out
flourynge; and þe citees þerof ſchulen be forſakun, and
vnhabitable.
x He is curſid, þat doiþ þe werk of God gilefuli; and he
is curſid, þat forbediþ his ſwerd fro blood.
xi Moab was plenteuouſe fro his ȝong wexynge age, and
reſtide in hiſe draſtis, neþer was ſched out fro veſſel in to
veſſel, and ȝede not in to paſſyng ouer; þerfor his taaſte
dwellide in hym, and his odour is not chaungid.
xii Þerfor lo! daies comun, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal
ſende to it ordeynours, and arayeris of potels; and þei
ſchulen araye it, and þei ſchulen waſte þe veſſels þerof,
and hurtle togidere þe potels of hem.
xiii And Moab ſchal be ſchent of Chamos, as þe hous of
Iſrael was ſchent of Bethel, in which it hadde triſt.
xiiii Hou ſeien ȝe, We ben ſtronge, and ſtalworþe men to
fiȝte?
xv Moab is diſtried, and þei han brent þe citees þerof,
and þe choſun ȝonge men þerof ȝeden doun in to
ſleynge, ſeiþ þe kyng, þe Lord of ooſtis is his name.
xvi Þe periſchyng of Moab is nyȝ, þat it come, and þe
yuel þerof renneþ ful ſwiftli.
xvii Alle ȝe þat ben in þe cumpas þerof, coumforte it;
and alle ȝe þat knowen þe name þerof, ſeie, Hou is þe
ſtronge ȝerde brokun, þe gloriouſe ſtaaf?
xviii Þou dwellyng of þe douȝtir of Dibon, go doun fro
glorie, ſitte þou in þirſt; for þe diſtriere of Moab ſchal
ſtie to þee, and he ſchal deſtrie þi ſtrengþis.
xix Þou dwellyng of Aroer, ſtonde in þe weie, and
biholde; axe þou hym þat fleeþ, and hym þat aſcapide;
ſeie þou, What bifelle?
xx Moab is ſchent, for he is ouercomun; ȝelle ȝe, and
crye; telle ȝe in Arnon, þat Moab is deſtried.
xxi And doom is comun to þe lond of þe feeld, on Elon,
and on Jeſa, and on Mephat, and on Dibon,
xxii and on Nabo, and on þe hous of Debalthaym,
xxiii and on Cariathiarym, and on Bethgamul, and on
Bethmaon, and on Scarioth,
xxiiii and on Boſra, and on alle þe citees of þe lond of
Moab, þat ben fer, and þat ben niȝ.
xxv Þe horn of Moab is kit awei, and þe arm þerof is al
to-brokun, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxvi Fille ȝe him greetli, for he is reiſid aȝens þe Lord;
and he ſchal hurtle doun þe hond of Moab in his ſpuyng,
and he alſo ſchal be in to ſcorn.
xxvii For whi, Iſrael, he was in to ſcorn to þee, as if þou
haddiſt founde hym among þeues; þerfor for þi wordis
whiche þou ſpakiſt aȝens hym, þou ſchalt be led
priſoner.
xxviii Ȝe dwelleris of Moab, forſake citees, and dwelle in
þe ſtoon, and be ȝe as a culuer makynge neſt in þe
hiȝeſte mouþ of an hool.
xxix We han herd þe pride of Moab; he is ful proud.
xxx Y knowe, ſeiþ þe Lord, þe hiȝneſſe þerof, and pride
in word, and pride in beryng, and þe hiȝneſſe of herte,
and þe booſt þerof, and þat þe vertu þerof is not niȝ,
eþir lijk it, neþir it enforſide to do bi þat þat it miȝte.
xxxi Þerfor Y ſchal weile on Moab, and Y ſchal crie to al
Moab, to þe men of þe erþene wal, þat weilen.
xxxii Of þe weilyng of Jaſer Y ſchal wepe to þee, þou
vyner of Sabama; þi ſiouns paſſiden þe ſee, þo camen
`til to þe ſee of Jazer; a robbere felle in on þi ripe corn,
and on þi vyndage.
xxxiii Ful out ioye and gladneſſe is takun awei fro
Carmele, and fro þe lond of Moab, and Y haue take
awei wyn fro preſſouris; a ſtampere of grape ſchal not
ſynge a cuſtomable myri ſong.
xxxiiii Of þe cry of Eſebon `til to Eleale and Jeſa þei
ȝauen her vois, fro Segor `til to Oronaym a cow calf of
þre ȝeer; forſoþe þe watris of Nemrym ſchulen be ful
yuele.
xxxv And Y ſchal take awei fro Moab, ſeiþ þe Lord, him
þat offriþ in hiȝ places, and him þat makiþ ſacrifice to
þe goddis þerof.
xxxvi Þerfor myn herte ſchal ſowne as a pipe of bras to
Moab, and myn herte ſchal ȝyue ſown of pipis to þe
men of þe erþene wal; for it dide more þan it myȝte,
þerfor þei periſchiden.
xxxvii For whi ech heed ſchal be ballidneſſe, and ech
beerd ſchal be ſchauun; in alle hondis ſchal be bindyng
togidere, and an heir ſchal be on ech bak.
xxxviii And al weilyng ſchal be on alle þe roouȝs of
Moab, and in þe ſtretis þerof, for Y haue al to-broke
Moab as an vnprofitable veſſel, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxxix Hou is it ouercomun, and þei ȝelliden? hou haþ
Moab caſt doun þe nol, and is ſchent? And Moab ſchal
be in to ſcorn, and in to enſaumple to alle men in his
cumpas.
xl Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! as an egle he ſchal fle
out, and he ſchal ſtretche forþ hiſe wyngis to Moab.
xli Carioth is takun, and ſtronge holdis ben takun; and þe
herte of ſtronge men of Moab ſchal be in þat dai, as þe
herte of a womman trauelynge of child.
xlii And Moab ſchal ceeſſe to be a puple, for it hadde
glorie aȝens þe Lord.
xliii Drede, and diche, and ſnare is on þee, þou dwellere
of Moab, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xliiii He þat fleeþ fro þe face of drede, ſchal falle in to a
diche; and þei þat ſtien fro þe dyche, ſchulen be takun
DCCIV
wiþ a ſnare. For Y ſchal brynge on Moab þe ȝeer of þe
viſitacioun of hem, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xlv Men fleynge fro þe ſnare ſtoden in þe ſchadewe of
Eſebon, for whi fier ȝede out of Eſebon, and flawme fro
þe myddis of Seon; and deuouride a part of Moab, and
þe cop of þe ſones of noiſe.
xlvi Moab, wo to þee; þou puple of Chamos, haſt
periſchid, for whi þi ſones and þi douȝtris ben takun in
to caitiftee.
xlvii And Y ſchal conuerte þe caitiftee of Moab in þe
laſte daies, ſeiþ þe Lord. Hidur to ben þe domes of
Moab.
CAP. XLIX
i `Go ȝe to þe ſones of Amon. Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis.
Wheþer no ſones ben of Iſrael, eþer an eir is not to it?
whi þerfor weldide Melchon þe eritage of Gad, and þe
puple þerof dwellide in þe citees of Gad?
ii Lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal make þe
gnaiſting of batel herd on Rabath of þe ſones of Amon;
and it ſchal be diſtried in to noiſe, and þe vilagis þerof
ſchulen be brent wiþ fier, and Iſrael ſchal welde hiſe
welderis, ſeiþ þe Lord.
iii Ȝelle ȝe, Eſebon, for Hay is diſtried; crie, ȝe douȝtris
of Rabath, girde ȝou wiþ heiris, weile ȝe, and cumpaſſe
bi heggis; for whi Melchon ſchal be lad in to paſſyng
ouer, þe preſtis þerof and princes þerof togidere.
iiii What haſt þou glorie in valeis? Þi valeis fleet awei,
þou delicat douȝter, þat haddiſt triſt in þi treſours, and
ſeidiſt, Who ſchal come to me?
v Lo! Y ſchal bringe in drede on þee, ſeiþ þe Lord God
of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, of alle men þat ben in þi
cumpaſſe; and ȝe ſchulen be ſcaterid, ech bi hym ſilf, fro
ȝoure ſiȝt, and noon ſchal be, þat gadere hem þat fleen.
vi And after þeſe þingis Y ſchal make þe fleeris and
priſoneris of þe ſones of Amon to turne aȝen, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
vii To Ydumee þe Lord God of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis.
Wheþer wiſdom is no more in Theman? Councel
periſchide fro ſones, þe wiſdom of hem is maad
vnprofitable.
viii Fle ȝe, and turne ȝe backis; go doun in to a ſwolowe,
ȝe dwelleris of Dedan, for Y haue brouȝt þe perdicioun
of Eſau on hym, þe tyme of his viſitacioun.
ix If gadereris of grapis hadden come on þee, þei
ſchulden haue left a cluſtre; if þeues in þe niȝt, þei
ſchulden haue rauyſchid þat þat ſuffiſide to hem.
x Forſoþe Y haue vnhilid Eſau, and Y haue ſchewid þe
hid þingis of hym, and he mai not mow be hid; his ſeed
is diſtried, and hiſe briþeren, and hiſe neiȝboris, and it
ſchal not be.
xi Forſake þi fadirles children, and Y ſchal make hem to
lyue, and þi widewis ſchulen hope in me.
xii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! þei drynkynge
ſchulen drynke, to whiche was no doom, þat þei
ſchulden drynke þe cuppe. And `ſchalt þou be left as
innocent? þou ſchalt not be innocent, but þou
drynkynge ſchalt drynke.
xiii For Y ſwoor bi my ſilf, ſeiþ þe Lord, þat Boſra ſchal
be in to wildirneſſe, and in to ſchenſchipe, and in to
forſakyng, and in to curſyng; and alle þe citees þerof
ſchulen be in to euerlaſtynge wildirneſſis.
xiiii I herde an heryng of þe Lord, and Y am ſent a
meſſanger to heþene men; be ȝe gaderid togidere, and
come ȝe aȝens it, and riſe we togidere in to batel.
xv For lo! Y haue ȝoue þee a litil oon among heþene
men, deſpiſable among men.
xvi Þi booſt, and þe pride of þin herte, haþ diſſeyued þee,
þat dwelliſt in þe caues of ſtoon, and enforſiſt to take þe
hiȝneſſe of a litil hil; whanne þou as an egle haſt reiſid
þi neſt, fro þennus Y ſchal drawe þee doun, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
xvii And Ydumee ſchal be forſakun; ech man þat ſchal
paſſe bi it, ſchal wondre, and ſchal hiſſe on alle þe
woundis þerof;
xviii as Sodom and Gommor is diſtried, and þe niȝ citees
þerof, ſeiþ þe Lord. A man ſchal not dwelle þere, and þe
ſone of man ſchal not enhabite it.
xix Lo! as a lioun he ſchal ſtie, fro þe pride of Jordan to
þe ſtrong fairneſſe; for Y ſchal make hym renne ſudenli
to it; and who ſchal be þe choſun man, whom Y ſchal
ſette bifore hym? For who is lijk to me, and who ſchal
ſuffre me? and who is þis ſcheepherde, þat ſchal
aȝenſtonde my cheer?
xx Þerfor here ȝe þe councel of þe Lord, which he took
of Edom, and his þouȝtis, whiche he þouȝte of þe
dwelleris of Theman. If þe litle of þe floc caſte not hem
doun, if þei diſtrien not wiþ hem þe dwellyng of hem,
ellis no man ȝyue credence to me.
xxi Þe erþe was mouyd of þe vois of fallyng of hem; þe
cry of vois þerof was herd in þe reed ſee.
xxii Lo! as an egle he ſchal ſtie, and fle out, and he ſchal
ſprede abrood hiſe wynges on Boſra; and þe herte of þe
ſtrong men of Idumee ſchal be in þat dai, as þe herte of
a womman trauelynge of child.
xxiii To Damaſk. Emath is ſchent, and Arphath, for þei
herden a ful wickid heryng; þei weren diſturblid in þe
ſee, for angwiſch þei miȝten not haue reſte.
xxiiii Damaſk was diſcoumfortid, it was turned in to fliȝt;
tremblyng took it, angwiſchis and ſorewis helden it, as a
womman trauelynge of child.
xxv How forſoken þei a preiſable citee, þe citee of
gladneſſe?
xxvi Þerfor þe ȝonge men þerof ſchulen falle in þe ſtretis
þerof, and alle men of batel ſchulen be ſtille in þat dai,
ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
DCCV
xxvii And Y ſchal kyndle fier in þe wal of Damaſk, and it
ſchal deuoure þe bildyngis of Benadab.
xxviii To Cedar, and to þe rewme of Azor, which
Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, ſmoot, þe Lord ſeiþ
þeſe þingis. Riſe ȝe, and ſtie to Cedar, and diſtrie ȝe þe
ſones of þe eeſt.
xxix Þei ſchulen take þe tabernaclis of hem, and þe
flockis of hem; þei ſchulen take to hem þe ſkynnes of
hem, and alle þe veſſels of hem, and þe camels of hem;
and þei ſchulen clepe on hem inward drede in cumpas.
xxx Fle ȝe, go ȝe awei greetli, ȝe þat dwellen in Aſor,
ſitte in ſwolewis, ſeiþ þe Lord. For whi Nabugodonoſor,
kyng of Babiloyne, haþ take councel aȝens ȝou, and he
þouȝte þouȝtis aȝens ȝou.
xxxi Riſe ȝe togidere, and ſtie ȝe to a peſible folk, and
dwellinge triſtili, ſeiþ þe Lord; not doris neþer barris
ben to it, þei dwellen aloone.
xxxii And þe camels of hem ſchulen be in to rauyſchyng,
and þe multitude of her beeſtis in to prey; and Y ſchal
ſchatere hem in to ech wynd, þat ben biclippid on þe
long heer, and bi ech cooſt of hem Y ſchal brynge
periſchyng on hem, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxxiii And Aſor ſchal be in to a dwellyng place of
dragouns; it ſchal be forſakun `til in to wiþouten ende; a
man ſchal not dwelle þere, neþer þe ſone of man ſchal
enhabite it.
xxxiiii Þe word of þe Lord þat was maad to Jeremye, þe
profete, aȝens Elam, in þe bigynnyng of þe rewme of
Sedechie,
xxxv kyng of Juda, and ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis, God of
Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal breke þe bowe of
Elam, and Y ſchal take þe ſtrengþe of hem.
xxxvi And I ſchal bringe on Elam foure wyndis; fro foure
cooſtis of heuene, and Y ſchal wyndewe hem in to alle
þeſe wyndis, and no folc ſchal be, to which þe fleeris of
Elam ſchulen not come.
xxxvii And Y ſchal make Elam for to drede bifore her
enemyes, and in þe ſiȝt of men ſekynge þe lijf of hem;
and Y ſchal brynge on hem yuel, þe wraþþe of my
ſtrong veniaunce, ſeiþ þe Lord; and Y ſchal ſende after
hem a ſwerd, til Y waſte hem.
xxxviii And Y ſchal ſette my kyngis ſeete in Elam, and Y
ſchal leeſe þerof kyngis, and princes, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxxix But in þe laſte daies Y ſchal make þe priſoneris of
Elam to turne aȝen, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. L
i Þe word which þe Lord ſpak of Babiloyne, and of þe
lond of Caldeis, in þe hond of Jeremye, þe profete.
ii Telle ȝe among heþene men, and make ȝe herd; reiſe
ȝe a ſigne; preche ȝe, and nyle ȝe holde ſtille; ſeie ȝe,
Babiloyne is takun, Bel is ſchent, Maradach is ouer
comun; þe grauun ymagis þerof ben ſchent, þe idols of
hem ben ouer comun.
iii For a folk ſchal ſtie fro þe norþ aȝenus it, which folk
ſchal ſette þe lond þerof in to wildirneſſe; and noon
ſchal be þat ſchal dwelle þerynne, fro man `til to beeſte;
and þei ben moued, and ȝeden a wei.
iiii In þo daies, and in þat tyme, ſeiþ þe Lord, þe ſones of
Iſrael ſchulen come, þei and þe ſones of Juda togidere,
goynge and wepynge; þei ſchulen haaſte, and ſeke her
Lord God in Sion,
v and þei ſchulen axe þe weie. Hidur þe faces of hem
ſchulen come, and þei ſchulen be ſet to þe Lord wiþ
boond of pees euerlaſtynge, which ſchal not be don
awei by ony forȝetyng.
vi My puple is maad a loſt floc, þe ſcheepherdis of hem
diſſeyueden hem, and maden to go vnſtabli in hillis; þei
paſſiden fro mounteyn in to a litil hil, þei forȝaten her
bed.
vii Alle men þat founden, eeten hem, and þe enemyes of
hem ſeiden, We ſynneden not, for þat þei ſynneden to þe
Lord, þe fairneſſe of riȝtfulneſſe, and to þe Lord, þe
abidyng of her fadris.
viii Go ȝe awei fro þe myddis of Babiloyne, and go ȝe
out of þe lond of Caldeis, and be ȝe as kydis bifore þe
floc.
ix For lo! Y ſchal reiſe, and brynge in to Babiloyne þe
gaderyng togidere of grete folkis, fro þe lond of þe
norþ; and þei ſchulen be maad redi aȝens it, and it ſchal
be takun in þe dai; þe arowe þerof as of a ſtrong man a
ſleere, ſchal not turne aȝen voide.
x And Caldee ſchal be in to prey, alle þat diſtrien it,
ſchulen be fillid, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xi For ȝe maken ful out ioye, and ſpeken grete þingis,
and rauyſchen myn eritage; for ȝe ben ſched out as
caluys on erbe, and lowiden as bolis.
xii Ȝoure modir is ſchent greetli, and ſche þat gendride
ȝou, is maad euene to duſt; lo! ſche ſchal be þe laſt
among folkis, and forſakun, wiþ out weie, and drie.
xiii For þe wraþþe of þe Lord it ſchal not be enhabitid,
but it ſchal be dryuun al in to wildirneſſe; ech þat ſchal
paſſe bi Babiloyne, ſchal wondre, and ſchal hiſſe on alle
þe woundis þerof.
xiiii Alle ȝe þat beenden bowe, be maad redi aȝens
Babiloyne bi cumpas; ouercome ȝe it, ſpare ȝe not
arowis, for it ſynnede to þe Lord.
xv Crye ȝe aȝens it, euery where it ȝaf hond; þe
foundementis þerof fellen doun, and þe wallis þerof ben
diſtried; for it is þe veniaunce of þe Lord. Take ȝe
veniaunce of it; as it dide, do ȝe to it.
xvi Leeſe ȝe a ſowere of Babiloyne, and hym þat holdiþ
a ſikil in þe tyme of herueſt, fro þe face of ſwerd of þe
culuer; ech man ſchal be turned to his puple, and ech
man ſchal flee to his lond.
xvii Iſrael is a ſcaterid flok, liouns caſtiden out it; firſt
kyng Aſſur eete it, þis laſte Nabugodonoſor, kyng of
Babiloyne, dide awei þe bonys þerof.
DCCVI
xviii Þerfor þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal viſite þe kyng of Babiloyne, and his
lond, as Y viſitide þe kyng of Aſſur;
xix and Y ſchal brynge aȝen Iſrael to his dwellyng place.
Carmele and Baaſan ſchal be fed, and his ſoule ſchal be
fillid in þe hil of Effraym, and of Galaad.
xx In þo daies, and in þat tyme, ſeiþ þe Lord, þe
wickidneſſe of Iſrael ſchal be ſouȝt, and it ſchal not be;
and þe ſynne of Juda ſchal be ſouȝt, and it ſchal not be
foundun; for Y ſchal be merciful to hem, whiche Y ſchal
forſake.
xxi Stie þou on þe lond of lordis, and viſite þou on þe
dwelleris þerof; ſcatere þou, and ſle þo þingis, þat ben
aftir hem, ſeiþ þe Lord; and do þou bi alle þingis which
Y comaundide to þee.
xxii Þe vois of batel and greet ſorewe in þe lond.
xxiii Hou is þe hamer of al erþe brokun and al defoulid?
hou is Babiloyne turned in to deſert, among heþene
men?
xxiiii Babiloyne, Y haue ſnarid þee, and þou art takun,
and þou wiſtiſt not; þou art foundun, and takun, for þou
terridiſt þe Lord to wraþþe.
xxv Þe Lord openide his treſour, and brouȝte forþ þe
veſſels of his wraþþe; for whi a werk is to þe Lord God
of ooſtis in þe lond of Caldeis.
xxvi Come ȝe to it fro þe ferþeſte endis, opene ȝe, þat þei
go out, þat ſchulen defoule it; take ȝe awei ſtoonys fro
þe weie, and dryue ȝe in to heepis, and ſle ȝe it, and
noþing be reſidue.
xxvii Diſtrie ȝe alle þe ſtronge men þerof, go þei doun in
to ſleynge; wo to hem, for þe dai of hem comeþ, þe
tyme of viſityng of hem.
xxviii Þe vois of fleeris, and of hem þat aſcapiden fro þe
lond of Babiloyne, þat þei telle in Sion þe veniaunce of
oure Lord God, þe veniaunce of his temple.
xxix Telle ȝe aȝens Babiloyne to ful many men, to alle
þat beenden bowe. Stonde ȝe togidere aȝens it bi
cumpas, and noon aſcape; ȝelde ȝe to it aftir his werk,
aftir alle þingis whiche it dide, do ȝe to it; for it was
reiſid aȝens þe Lord, aȝens þe hooli of Iſrael.
xxx Þerfor ȝonge men þerof ſchulen falle doun in þe
ſtretis þerof, and alle men werriours þerof ſchulen be
ſtille in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxxi Lo! þou proude, Y to þee, ſeiþ þe Lord God of
ooſtis, for þi dai is comun, þe tyme of þi viſitacioun.
xxxii And þe proude ſchal falle, and ſchal falle doun
togidere, and noon ſchal be, þat ſchal reiſe hym; and Y
ſchal kyndle fier in þe citees of hym, and it ſchal
deuoure alle þingis in cumpas of it.
xxxiii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe ſones of Iſrael
and þe ſones of Juda togidere ſuffren fals caleng; alle
þat token hem, holden, þei nylen delyuere hem.
xxxiiii Þe aȝenbyere of hem is ſtrong, þe Lord of ooſtis is
his name; bi dom he ſchal defende þe cauſe of hem, þat
he make þe lond aferd, and ſtire togidere þe dwelleris of
Babiloyne.
xxxv A ſwerd to Caldeis, ſeiþ þe Lord, and to þe
dwelleris of Babiloyne, and to þe princes, and to þe
wiſe men þerof.
xxxvi A ſwerd to þe falſe dyuynours þerof, þat ſchulen be
foolis; a ſwerd to þe ſtronge men þerof, þat ſchulen
drede.
xxxvii Swerd to þe horſis þerof, and to þe charis þerof,
and to al þe comyn puple whiche is in þe myddis þerof,
and þei ſchulen be as wymmen; a ſwerd to þe treſours
þerof, þat ſchulen be rauyſchid.
xxxviii Dryneſſe ſchal be on þe watris þerof, and þo
ſchulen be drye; for it is þe lond of grauun ymagis, and
haþ glorie in falſe feynyngis.
xxxix Þerfor dragouns ſchulen dwelle wiþ fonned wielde
men, and oſtrigis ſchulen dwelle þerynne; and it ſchal
no more be enhabitid `til in to wiþ outen ende, and it
ſchal not be bildid `til to generacioun and generacioun;
xl as þe Lord diſtriede Sodom and Gomorre, and þe niȝ
citees þerof, ſeiþ þe Lord. A man ſchal not dwelle þere,
and þe ſone of man ſchal not dwelle in it.
xli Lo! a puple comeþ fro þe norþ, and a greet folc, and
many kyngis ſchulen riſe togidere fro þe endis of erþe.
xlii Þei ſchulen take bowe and ſwerd, þei ben cruel and
vnmerciful; þe vois of hem ſchal ſowne as þe ſee, and
þei ſchulen ſtie on horſis as a man maad redi to batel,
aȝens þee, þou douȝter of Babiloyne.
xliii Þe kyng of Babiloyne herde þe fame of hem, and
hiſe hondis ben aclumſid; angwiſch took hym, ſorewe
took hym, as a womman trauelynge of child.
xliiii Lo! as a lioun he ſchal ſtie fro þe pride of Jordan to
þe ſtronge fairneſſe, for Y ſchal make hym to renne
ſudenli to it; and who ſchal be þe choſun man, whom Y
ſchal ſette bifore him? For who is lijk me? and who
ſchal ſuffre me? and who is þis ſcheepherde, þat ſchal
aȝenſtonde my cheer?
xlv Þerfore here ȝe þe councel of þe Lord, which he
conſeyuede in mynde aȝens Babiloyne, and hiſe þouȝtis,
whiche he þouȝte on þe lond of Caldeis, no but þe litle
of þe flockis drawen hem doun, no but þe dwellyng
place of hem be deſtried wiþ hem, ellis no man ȝyue
credence to me.
xlvi Þe erþe is mouyd of þe vois of caitiftee of
Babiloyne, and cry is herd among heþene men.
CAP. LI
i Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal reiſe on
Babiloyne, and on þe dwelleris þerof, þat reiſiden her
herte aȝens me, as a wynd of peſtilence.
ii And Y ſchal ſende in to Babiloyne wyndeweris, and
þei ſchulen wyndewe it, and þei ſchulen deſtrie þe lond
DCCVII
of it; for þei camen on it on ech ſide, in þe dai of þe
turment þerof.
iii He þat beendiþ his bowe, beende not, and a man
cloþid in haburioun, ſtie not; nyle ȝe ſpare þe ȝonge men
þerof, ſle ȝe al þe chyualrie þerof.
iiii And ſlayn men ſchulen falle in þe lond of Caldeis,
and woundid men in þe cuntreis þerof.
v For whi Iſrael and Juda was not maad widewe fro her
God, þe Lord of ooſtis; but þe lond of hem was fillid
wiþ treſpas of þe hooli of Iſrael.
vi Fle ȝe fro þe myddis of Babiloyne, þat ech man ſaue
his ſoule; nyle ȝe be ſtille on þe wickidneſſe þerof, for
whi tyme of veniaunce þerof is to þe Lord; he ſchal
ȝelde while to it.
vii Babiloyne is a goldun cuppe in þe hond of þe Lord,
and filliþ al erþe; heþene men drunken of þe wyn þerof,
and þerfor þei ben mouyd.
viii Babiloyne felle doun ſudenli, and is al to-brokun;
ȝelle ȝe on it, take ȝe recyn to þe ſorewe þerof, if
perauenture it be heelid.
ix We heeliden Babiloyne, and it is not maad hool;
forſake we it and go we ech in to his lond; for þe doom
þerof cam `til to heuenes, and is reiſid `til to cloudis.
x Þe Lord haþ brouȝt forþ oure riȝtfulneſſis; come ȝe,
and telle we in Sion þe werk of oure Lord God.
xi Scharpe ȝe arowis, fille ȝe arowe caaſis; þe Lord
reiſide þe ſpirit of þe kyngis of Medeis, and his mynde
is aȝen Babiloyne, þat he leeſe it, for it is þe veniaunce
of þe Lord, þe veniaunce of his temple. Þe kyng of
Medeis is reiſid of þe Lord aȝens Babiloyne.
xii Reiſe ȝe a ſigne on þe wallis of Babiloyne, encreeſſe
ȝe kepyng, reiſe ȝe keperis, make ȝe redi buyſchementis;
for þe Lord þouȝte, and dide, what euer þing he ſpak
aȝens þe dwelleris of Babiloyne.
xiii A! þou Babiloyne, þat dwelliſt on many watris, riche
in þi treſours, þin ende comeþ, þe foote meſure of þi
kittyng doun.
xiiii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſwoor bi his ſoule, þat Y ſchal fille
þee wiþ men, as wiþ bruke, and a myry ſong ſchal be
ſungun on þee.
xv Þe Lord ſwoor, which made erþe bi his ſtrengþe,
made redy þe world bi his wiſdom, and ſtretchide forþ
heuenes bi his prudence.
xvi Whanne he ȝyueþ vois, watris ben multiplied in
heuene; which Lord reiſiþ cloudis fro þe laſte of erþe,
made leitis in to reyn, and brouȝt forþ wynd of hiſe
treſouris.
xvii Ech man is maad a fool of kunnyng, ech wellere
togidere is ſchent in a grauun ymage; for his wellyng
togidere is fals, and a ſpirit is not in þo.
xviii Þe werkis ben veyn, and worþi of ſcorn; þo ſchulen
periſche in þe tyme of her viſityng.
xix Þe part of Jacob is not as þeſe þingis; for he þat
made alle þingis is þe part of Jacob, and Iſrael is þe
ſeptre of his eritage; þe Lord of ooſtis is his name.
xx Þou hurtliſt doun to me þe inſtrumentis of batel, and
Y ſchal hurtle doun folkis in þee, and Y ſchal leeſe
rewmes in þee;
xxi and Y ſchal hurtle doun in þee an hors, and þe ridere
þerof; and Y ſchal hurtle doun in þee a chare, and þe
ſtiere þerof;
xxii and Y ſchal hurtle doun in þee a man and womman;
and Y ſchal hurtle doun in þee an elde man and a child;
and Y ſchal hurtle doun in þee a ȝong man and a virgyn;
xxiii and Y ſchal hurtle doun in þee a ſcheepherde and
his floc; and Y ſchal hurtle doun in þee an erþetiliere
and his ȝok beeſtis; and Y ſchal hurtle doun in þee
duykis and magiſtratis.
xxiiii And Y ſchal ȝelde, ſeiþ þe Lord, to Babiloyne, and
to alle þe dwelleris of Caldee, al her yuel, which þei
diden in Sion, bifore ȝoure iȝen.
xxv Lo! Y, ſeiþ þe Lord, to þee, þou hil berynge
peſtilence, which corrumpiſt al erþe. Y ſchal ſtretche
forþ myn hond on þee, and Y ſchal vnwlappe þee fro
ſtoonys, and Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to an hil of brennyng.
xxvi And Y ſchal not take of þee a ſtoon in to a corner,
and a ſtoon in to foundementis; but þou ſchalt be loſt
wiþ outen ende, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xxvii Reiſe ȝe a ſigne in þe lond, ſowne ȝe wiþ a clarioun
in hillis; halewe ȝe folkis on it, telle ȝe to þe kyngis of
Ararath, of Menny, and of Aſcheneth aȝens it; noumbre
ȝe Tapſer aȝens it, and bringe ȝe an hors, as a bruke
hauynge a pricke.
xxviii Halowe ȝe folkis aȝens it, þe kyngis of Medey, þe
duykis þerof, and alle magiſtratis þerof, and al þe lond
of his power.
xxix And þe erþe ſchal be mouyd, and ſchal be
diſturblid; for þe þouȝt of þe Lord ſchal fulli wake aȝens
Babiloyne, þat he ſette þe lond of Babiloyne deſert, and
vnhabitable.
xxx Þe ſtronge men of Babiloyne ceeſſiden of batel, þei
dwelliden in ſtronge holdis; þe ſtrengþe of hem is
deuourid, and þei ben maad as wymmen; þe tabernaclis
þerof ben brent, þe barris þerof ben al to-brokun.
xxxi A rennere ſchal come aȝens a rennere, and a
meſſanger aȝens a meſſanger, to telle to þe kyng of
Babiloyne, þat his citee is takun fro þe toon ende `til to
þe toþer ende;
xxxii and þe forþis ben bifore ocupied, and þe mareiſis
ben brent wiþ fier, and þe men werrȝours ben diſturblid.
xxxiii For þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Þe douȝter of Babiloyne is as a corn floor, þe
tyme of þreiſchyng þerof; ȝit a litil, and þe tyme of
repyng þerof ſchal come.
DCCVIII
xxxiiii Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng of Babiloyne, eet me,
and deuouride me; he made me as a voide veſſel, he as a
dragoun ſwolewide me; he fillide his wombe wiþ my
tendirneſſe, and he caſtide me out.
xxxv Wickidneſſe aȝens me, and my fleiſch on
Babiloyne, ſeiþ þe dwellyng of Sion; and my blood on
þe dwelleris of Caldee, ſeiþ Jeruſalem.
xxxvi Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal deme
þi cauſe, and Y ſchal venge þi veniaunce; and Y ſchal
make þe ſee þerof forſakun, and Y ſchal make drie þe
veyne þerof.
xxxvii And Babiloyne ſchal be in to biriels, it ſchal be þe
dwellyng of dragouns, wondryng and hiſſyng, for þat no
dwellere is.
xxxviii Þei ſchulen rore togidere as liouns, and þei
ſchulen ſchake lockis, as þe whelpis of liouns.
xxxix In þe heete of hem Y ſchal ſette þe drynkis of hem;
and Y ſchal make hem drunkun, þat þei be brouȝt
aſleepe, and þat þei ſlepe euerlaſtynge ſleep, and riſe
not, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xl Y ſchal lede forþ hem, as lambren to ſlayn ſacrifice,
and as weþeris wiþ kidis. Hou is Seſac takun, and þe
noble citee of al erþe is takun?
xli Hou is Babiloyne made in to wondre among heþene
men?
xlii And þe ſee ſtiede on Babiloyne, it was hilid wiþ þe
multitude of hiſe wawis.
xliii Þe citees þerof ben maad in to wondryng, þe lond is
maad vnhabitable and forſakun; þe lond wherynne no
man dwelliþ, and þe ſone of man ſchal not paſſe bi it.
xliiii And Y ſchal viſite on Bel in to Babiloyne, and Y
ſchal caſte out of hiſe mouþ þat, þat he hadde ſwolewid,
and folkis ſchulen no more flowe to it; for alſo þe wal of
Babiloyne ſchal falle doun.
xlv Mi puple, go ȝe out fro þe myddis þerof, þat ech man
ſaue his ſoule fro þe wraþþe of þe ſtrong veniaunce of
þe Lord;
xlvi and leſt perauenture ȝoure herte wexe neiſche, and
leſt ȝe dreden þe heryng, þat ſchal be herd in þe lond;
and heryng ſchal come in a ȝeer, and aftir þis ȝeer ſchal
come heryng and wickidneſſe in þe lond, and a lord on a
lord.
xlvii Þerfor lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal
viſite on þe grauun ymagis of Babiloyne; and al þe lond
þerof ſchal be ſchent, and alle ſlayn men þerof ſchulen
falle doun in þe myddis þerof.
xlviii And heuenes, and erþis, and alle þingis þat ben in
þo, ſchulen herie on Babiloyne; for rauynours ſchulen
come fro þe norþ to it, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xlix And as Babiloyne dide, þat ſlayn men felle doun in
Iſrael, ſo of Babiloyne ſlayn men ſchulen falle doun and
in al þe lond.
l Come ȝe, þat fledden þe ſwerd, nyle ȝe ſtonde; haue ȝe
mynde afer on þe Lord, and Jeruſalem ſtie on ȝoure
herte.
li We ben ſchent, for we herden ſchenſchipe; ſchame
hilide oure faces, for aliens comen on þe halewyng of
þe hous of þe Lord.
lii Þerfor lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal
viſite on þe grauun ymagis of Babiloyne, and in al þe
lond þerof a woundid man ſchal loowe.
liii If Babiloyne ſtieþ in to heuene, and makiþ ſtidfaſt his
ſtrengþe an hiȝ, diſtrieris þerof ſchulen come on me, ſeiþ
þe Lord.
liiii Þe vois of a criere of Babiloyne, and greet ſorewe of
þe lond of Caldeis,
lv for þe Lord diſtriede Babiloyne, and loſt of it a greet
vois; and þe wawis of hem ſchulen ſowne as many
watris. Þe vois of hem ȝaf ſown,
lvi for a rauenour cam on it, þat is, on Babiloyne; and þe
ſtronge men þerof ben takun, and þe bouwe of hem
welewide, for þe ſtronge vengere þe Lord ȝeldynge
ſchal ȝelde.
lvii And Y ſchal make drunkun þe princis þerof, and þe
wiſe men þerof, þe duykis þerof, and þe magiſtratis
þerof, and þe ſtronge men þerof; and þei ſchulen ſlepe
euerlaſtynge ſleep, and þei ſchulen not be awakid, ſeiþ
þe kyng, þe Lord of ooſtis is name of hym.
lviii Þe Lord God of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þilke
brodeſte wal of Babiloyne ſchal be mynyd wiþ mynyng,
and þe hiȝe ȝatis þerof ſchulen be brent wiþ fier; and þe
trauels of puples ſchulen be to nouȝt, and þe trauels of
heþene men ſchulen be in to fier, and ſchulen periſche.
lix Þe word which Jeremye, þe profete, comaundide to
Saraie, ſone of Nerie, ſone of Maaſie, whanne he ȝede
wiþ Sedechie, þe kyng, in to Babiloyne, in þe fourþe
ȝeer of his rewme; forſoþe Saraie was prynce of
profeſie.
lx And Jeremye wroot al þe yuel, þat was to comynge
on Babiloyne, in a book, alle þeſe wordis þat weren
writun aȝens Babiloyne.
lxi And Jeremye ſeide to Saraie, Whanne þou comeſt in
to Babiloyne, and ſeeſt, and rediſt alle þeſe wordis,
lxii þou ſchalt ſeie, Lord, þou ſpakiſt aȝens þis place, þat
þou ſchuldiſt leeſe it, þat noon be þat dwelle þerynne,
fro man `til to beeſte, and þat it be an euerlaſtynge
wildirneſſe.
lxiii And whanne þou haſt fillid to rede þis book, þou
ſchalt bynde to it a ſtoon, and þou ſchalt caſte it forþ in
to þe myddis of Eufrates; and þou ſchalt ſeie,
lxiiii So Babiloyne ſchal be drenchid, and it ſchal not riſe
fro þe face of turment, which Y brynge on it, and it
ſchal be diſtried. Hidurto ben þe wordis of Jeremye.
DCCIX
CAP. LII
i Sedechie was a ſone of oon and twenti ȝeer, whanne he
bigan to regne, and he regnede enleuene ȝeer in
Jeruſalem; and þe name of his modir was Amychal, þe
douȝter of Jeremye of Lobna.
ii And he dide yuels bifore þe iȝen of þe Lord, bi alle
þingis whiche Joachym hadde do.
iii For þe ſtronge veniaunce of þe Lord was in
Jeruſalem, and in Juda, til he caſtide hem awey fro his
face. And Sedechie ȝede awei fro þe kyng of Babiloyne.
iiii Forſoþe it was don in þe nynþe ȝeer of his rewme, in
þe tenþe moneþe, in þe tenþe dai of þe moneþe,
Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng of Babiloyne, cam, he and al
his ooſt, aȝens Jeruſalem; and þei biſegiden it, and
bildiden aȝens it ſtrengþis in cumpas.
v And þe citee was biſegid, til to þe enleuenþe ȝeer of þe
rewme of Sedechie.
vi Forſoþe in þe fourþe moneþe, in þe nynþe dai of þe
moneþe, hungur helde þe citee; and foodis weren not to
þe puple of þe lond.
vii And þe citee was brokun, and alle men werriouris
þerof fledden; and þei ȝeden out of þe citee in þe niȝt, bi
þe weie of þe ȝate, which is bitwixe twei wallis, and
lediþ to þe gardyn of þe kyng, while Caldeis biſegiden
þe citee in cumpas; and þei ȝeden forþ bi þe weie þat
lediþ in to deſert.
viii Soþeli þe ooſt of Caldeis purſuede þe kyng; and þei
token Sedechie in deſert, which is biſidis Jerico, and al
his felouſchipe fledde awei fro hym.
ix And whanne þei hadden take þe kyng, þei brouȝten
hym to þe kyng of Babiloyne in Reblatha, which is in
þe lond of Emath; and þe kyng of Babiloyne ſpak
domes to hym.
x And þe kyng of Babiloyne ſtranglide þe ſones of
Sedechie bifore hiſe iȝen; but alſo he killide alle þe
princes of Juda in Rablatha.
xi And he puttide out þe iȝen of Sedechie, and boond
hym in ſtockis; and þe kyng of Babiloyne brouȝte hym
in to Babiloyne, and puttide hym in þe hous of priſoun,
til to þe dai of his deþ.
xii Forſoþe in þe nynþe moneþe, in þe tenþe dai of þe
moneþe, þilke is þe nyntenþe ȝeer of þe kyng of
Babiloyne, Nabuſardan, þe prince of chyualrie, þat
ſtood bifore þe kyng of Babiloyne, cam in to Jeruſalem.
xiii And he brente þe hous of þe Lord, and þe hous of þe
kyng, and alle þe houſis of Jeruſalem; and he brente wiþ
fier ech greet hous.
xiiii And al þe oſt of Caldeis, þat was wiþ þe maiſtir of
chyualrie, diſtriede al þe wal of Jeruſalem bi cumpas.
xv Soþeli Nabuſardan, þe prince of chyualrie, tranſlatide
of þe pore men of þe puple, and of þe reſidue comyn
puple, þat was left in þe citee, and of þe fleeris ouer, þat
fledden ouer to þe kyng of Babiloyne; and he tranſlatide
oþer men of þe multitude.
xvi But Nabuſardan, þe prince of chyualrie, lefte of þe
pore men of þe lond vyne tilers, and erþe tilers.
xvii Alſo Caldeis brakun þe braſun pilers, þat weren in
þe hous of þe Lord, and þe foundementis, and þe braſun
waiſchyng veſſel, þat was in þe hous of þe Lord; and þei
token al þe metal of þo in to Babiloyne.
xviii And þei tokun cawdruns, and fleiſchokis, and
xxxi And it was doon, in þe ſeuene and þrettiþe ȝeer of
þe paſſyng ouer of Joachym, kyng of Juda, in þe
twelueþe moneþe, in þe fyue and twentiþe dai of þe
moneþe, Euylmerodach, kyng of Babiloyne, reiſide in
þat ȝeer of his rewme þe heed of Joachym, kyng of
Juda; and ledde hym out of þe hous of þe priſoun,
xxxii and ſpak good þingis wiþ hym. And he ſettide þe

ſautrees, and violis, and morteris, and alle braſun trone of him aboue þe trones of kyngis, þat weren after
veſſels, þat weren in ſeruyce; hym in Babiloyne,
xix þei token alſo `watir pottis, and veſſels of encenſe, xxxiii and chaungide þe cloþis of his priſoun. And

and pottis, and baſyns, and candilſtikis, and morters, Joachym eet breed bifore hym euere, in alle þe daies of
and litle cuppis; hou manye euere goldun, goldun, and his lijf;
hou manye euere ſiluerne, ſiluerne. xxxiiii and hiſe metis, euerlaſtynge metis weren ȝouun to
xx Þe maiſter of chyualrie took twei pilers, and o hym of þe kyng of Babiloyne, ordeyned bi ech dai, til to
waiſchyng veſſel, and twelue braſun caluys, þat weren þe dai of his deþ, in alle þe daies of his lijf. And it was
vndur þe foundementis, whiche kyng Salomon hadde don, aftir þat Iſrael was led in to caitiftee, and Jeruſalem
maad in þe hous of þe Lord. No weiȝte was of þe metal was diſtried, Jeremye, þe profete, ſat wepinge, and
of alle þeſe veſſels. biweilide Jeruſalem wiþ þis lamentacioun; and he
xxi Forſoþe of þe pilers, eiȝtene cubitis of heiȝþe weren ſiȝyide, and weilide wiþ bitter ſoule, and ſeide.
in o piler, and a roop of twelue cubitis cumpaſſide it;
certis þe þickeneſſe þerof was of foure fyngris, and was
holowe wiþynne.
xxii And braſun pomels weren on euer eiþer; and þe
heiȝþe of a pomel was of fyue cubitis; and werkis lijk
nettis and pumgranatis weren on þe coroun `in cumpas.
xxiii And þe pumgranatis weren nynti and ſixe hangynge
doun, and alle pumgranatis weren cumpaſſid wiþ an
hundred werkis lijk nettis.
xxiiii And þe maiſter of þe chyualrie took Saraie, þe
firſte preeſt, and Sophonye, þe ſecounde preeſt, and þree
keperis of þe veſtiarie.
xxv And of þe citee he took o chaſt ſeruaunt and oneſt,
þat was ſouereyn on þe men werriours; and ſeuene men
of hem þat ſien þe face of þe kyng, whiche weren
foundun in þe citees; and a ſcryuen, prince of knyȝtis,
þat preuyde ȝonge knyȝtis; and ſixti men of þe puple of
þe lond, þat weren foundun in þe myddis of þe citee.
xxvi Forſoþe Nabuſardan, þe maiſtir of chyualrie, took
hem, and brouȝte hem to þe kyng of Babiloyne in
Reblatha.
xxvii And þe kyng of Babiloyne ſmoot hem, and killide
hem in Reblatha, in þe lond of Emath; and Juda was
tranſlatid fro his lond.
xxviii Þis is þe puple, whom Nabugodonoſor tranſlatide
in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer; Jewis, þre þouſynde and þre and
twenti.
xxix In þe eiȝtenþe ȝeer, Nabugodonoſor tranſlatide fro
Jeruſalem eiȝte hundrid and two and þritti perſoones.
xxx In þe þre and twentiþe ȝeer of Nabugodonoſor,
Nabuſardan, þe maiſter of chyualrie, tranſlatide ſeuene
hundrid and fyue and fourti perſoones of Jewis. Þerfor
alle þe perſoones weren foure þouſynde and ſixe
hundrid.

DCCX

LAMENTACIOUN
Þe Lamentacioun of Jeremye.
CAP. I
i Aleph. Hou ſittiþ aloone þe citee ful of puple? þe ladi
of folkis is maad as a widewe; þe prince of prouynces is
maad vndir tribute.
ii Beth. It wepynge wepte in þe niȝt, and þe teeris þerof
ben in `þe chekis þerof; `noon is of alle þe dereworþe
þerof, þat coumfortiþ it; alle þe frendis þerof forſoken
it, and ben maad enemyes to it.
iii Gymel. Juda paſſide fro turment and multitude of
ſeruage, it dwellide among heþene men, and foond no
reſte; alle þe purſueris þerof token it among angwiſchis.
iiii Deleth. Þe weies of Sion mourenen, for no men
comen to þe ſolempnytee; alle þe ȝatis þerof ben
diſtried, þe preſtis þerof weilen; þe vergyns þerof ben
defoulid, and it is oppreſſid wiþ bitterneſſe.
v He. Þe enemyes þerof ben maad in þe heed, and þe
enemyes þerof ben maad riche, for þe Lord ſpak on it.
For þe multitude of wickidneſſis þerof þe litle children
þerof ben led in to caitiftee, bifore þe face of þe
troblere.
vi Vau. And al þe fairneſſe of þe douȝter of Syon ȝede
out fro þe douȝter of Sion; þe princes þerof ben maad as
rammes not fyndynge leſewis; and ȝeden forþ wiþouten
ſtrengþe bifore þe face of þe ſuere.
vii Zai. And Jeruſalem biþouȝte on þe daies of hir
affliccioun and of treſpaſſyng, and on alle hir deſirable
þingis whiche it hadde fro elde daies; whanne þe puple
þerof felle doun in þe hond of enemyes, and noon
helpere was; enemyes ſien it, and ſcorneden þe ſabatis
þerof.
viii Heth. Jeruſalem ſynnede a ſynne, þerfor it was maad
vnſtidfaſt; alle þat glorifieden it forſoken it, for þei ſien
þe ſchenſchipe þerof; forſoþe it weilide, and was turned
a bak.
ix Theth. Þe filþis þerof ben in þe feet þerof, and it
hadde no mynde of hir ende; it was putte doun greetli,
and hadde no coumfortour; Lord, ſe þou my turment,
for þe enemye is reiſid.
x Joth. Þe enemye putte his hond to alle deſirable þingis
þerof; for it ſiȝ heþene men entride in to þi ſeyntuarie,
of which þou haddiſt comaundid, þat þei ſchulden not
entre in to þi chirche.
xi Caph. Al þe puple þerof was weilinge and ſekynge
breed, þei ȝauen alle preciouſe þingis for mete, to
coumforte þe ſoule; ſe þou, Lord, and biholde, for Y am
maad vijl.
xii Lameth. A! alle ȝe þat paſſen bi þe weie, perſeyue,
and ſe, if ony ſorewe is as my ſorewe; for he gaderide
awei grapis fro me, as þe Lord ſpak in þe day of wraþþe
of his ſtrong veniaunce.
DCCXI
xiii Men. Fro an hiȝ he ſente fier in my boonys, and
tauȝte me; he ſpredde a brood a net to my feet, he
turnede me a bak; he ſettide me deſolat, meddlid
togidere al dai wiþ mourenyng.
xiiii Nun. Þe ȝok of my wickidneſſis wakide in þe hond
of hym, þo ben foldid togidere, and put on my necke;
my vertu is maad feble; þe Lord ȝaf me in þe hond, fro
which Y ſchal not mowe riſe.
xv Sameth. Þe Lord took awei alle my worſchipful men
fro þe myddis of me; he clepide tyme aȝens me, þat he
ſchulde al to-foule my choſun men; þe Lord ſtampide a
preſſour to þe virgyn, þe douȝtir of Juda.
xvi Ayn. Þerfor Y am wepynge, and myn iȝe is ledynge
doun watir; for a coumfortour, conuertynge my ſoule, is
maad fer fro me; my ſones ben maad loſt, for þe enemye
hadde þe maiſtrie.
xvii Phe. Sion ſpredde a brood hiſe hondis, noon is þat
coumfortiþ it; þe Lord ſente aȝenus Jacob enemyes
þerof, in þe cumpas þerof; Jeruſalem is maad as
defoulid wiþ vncleene blood among hem.
xviii Sade. Þe Lord is iuſt, for Y terride his mouþ to
wraþfulneſſe; alle puplis, Y biſeche, here ȝe, and ſe my
ſorewe; my virgyns and my ȝonge men ȝeden forþ in to
caitiftee.
xix Coth. I clepide my frendis, and þei diſſeyueden me;
my preſtis and myn elde men in þe citee ben waſtid; for
þei ſouȝten mete to hem ſilf, to coumforte hir lijf.
xx Res. Se þou, Lord, for Y am troblid, my wombe is
diſturblid; myn herte is diſtried in my ſilf, for Y am ful
of bittirneſſe; ſwerd ſleeþ wiþ outforþ, and lijk deþ is at
hoome.
xxi Syn. Þei herden, þat Y make ynward weilyng, and
noon is þat coumfortiþ me; alle myn enemyes herden
myn yuel, þei ben glad, for þou haſt do; þou haſt brouȝt
a dai of coumfort, and þei ſchulen be maad lijk me.
xxii Tau. Al þe yuel of hem entre byfore þee, and gadere
þou grapis awei fro hem, as þou haſt gaderid grapis
awei fro me; for my wickidneſſis, for my weilyngis ben
manye, and myn herte is mornynge.
CAP. II
i Aleph. Hou haþ þe Lord hilid þe douȝter of Sion wiþ
derkneſſe in his ſtrong veniaunce? he haþ caſte doun fro
heuene in to erþe þe noble citee of Iſrael; and biþouȝte
not on þe ſtool of hiſe feet, in þe dai of his ſtrong
veniaunce.
ii Beth. Þe Lord caſtide doun, and ſparide not alle þe
faire þingis of Jacob; he diſtried in his ſtrong veniaunce
þe ſtrengþis of þe virgyn of Juda, and caſtide doun in to
erþe; he defoulide þe rewme, and þe princes þerof.
iii Gymel. He brak in þe ire of his ſtrong veniaunce al þe
horn of Iſrael; he turnede a bak his riȝt hond fro þe face
of þe enemy; and he kyndlide in Jacob, as fier of
flawme deuowrynge in cumpas.
iiii Deleth.He as an enemye bente his bouwe, he as an
aduerſarie made ſtidfaſt his riȝt hond; and he killide al
þing þat was fair in ſiȝt in þe tabernacle of þe douȝtir of
Sion; he ſchedde out his indignacioun as fier.
v He. Þe Lord is maad as an enemy; he caſtide doun
Iſrael, he caſtide doun alle þe wallis þerof; he deſtriede
þe ſtrengþis þerof, and fillide in þe douȝter of Juda a
man maad low, and a womman maad low.
vi Vau. And he ſcateride his tent as a gardyn, he diſtried
his tabernacle; þe Lord ȝaf to forȝetyng in Sion a feeſte
dai, and ſabat; and þe kyng and preſt in to ſchenſchipe,
and in to þe indignacioun of his ſtrong veniaunce.
vii Zai. Þe Lord puttide awei his auter, he curſide his
halewyng; he bitook in to þe hondis of enemy þe wallis
of þe touris þerof; þei ȝauen vois in þe hous of þe Lord,
as in a ſolempne dai.
viii Heth. Þe Lord þouȝte to diſtrie þe wal of þe douȝter
of Sion; he ſtretchide forþ his coorde, and turnede not
awei his hond fro perdicioun; þe forwal, eþer þe
outerward, mourenyde, and þe wal was diſtried
togidere.
ix Teþ. Þe ȝatis þerof ben piȝt in þe erþe, he loſte and al
to-brak þe barris þerof; þe kyng þerof and þe princes
þerof among heþene men; þe lawe is not, and þe
profetis þerof founden not of þe Lord a viſioun.
x Joth. Þei ſaten in erþe, þe elde men of þe douȝtir of
Sion weren ſtille; þei biſpreynten her heedis wiþ aiſche,
þe eldere men of Juda ben girt wiþ hairis; þe virgyns of
Juda caſtiden doun to erþe her heedis.
xi Caph. Myn iȝen failiden for teeris, myn entrails weren
diſturblid; my mawe was ſched out in erþe on þe ſorewe
of þe douȝter of my puple; whanne a litil child and
ſoukynge failide in þe ſtretis of þe citee.
xii Lameth. Þei ſeiden to her modris, Where is wheete,
and wyn? whanne þei failiden as woundid men in þe
ſtretis of þe citee; whanne þei ſenten out her ſoulis in þe
boſum of her modris.
xiii Men. To whom ſchal Y compariſoun þee? eþer to
whom ſchal Y licne þee, þou douȝter of Jeruſalem? to
whom ſchal Y make þee euene, and ſchal Y coumforte
þee, þou virgyn, þe douȝter of Sion? for whi þi ſorewe
is greet as þe ſee; who ſchal do medicyn to þee?
xiiii Nun. Þi profetis ſien to þee falſe þingis, and fonned;
and openyden not þi wickidneſſe, þat þei ſchulden ſtire
þee to penaunce; but þei ſien to þee falſe takyngis, and
caſtyngis out.
xv Sameth. Alle men paſſynge on þe weie flappiden wiþ
hondis on þee; þei hiſſiden, and mouyden her heed on
þe douȝter of Jeruſalem; and ſeiden, Þis is þe citee of
perfit fairneſſe, þe ioie of al erþe.
xvi Ayn. Alle þin enemyes openyden her mouþ on þee;
þei hiſſiden, and gnaiſtiden wiþ her teeþ, and ſeiden, We
ſchulen deuoure; lo! þis is þe dai which we abididen,
we founden, we ſien.
DCCXII
xvii Phe. Þe Lord dide þo þingis whiche he þouȝte, he
fillide hiſe word which he hadde comaundid fro elde
daies; he diſtriede, and ſparide not; and made glad þe
enemy on þee, and enhaunſide þe horn of þin enemyes.
xviii Sade. Þe herte of hem criede to þe Lord, on þe
wallis of þe douȝter of Syon; leede þou forþ teeris as a
ſtronde, bi dai and niȝt; ȝyue þou not reſte to þee, neþer
þe appil of þin iȝe be ſtille.
xix Coph. Riſe þou togidere, herie þou in þe nyȝt, in þe
begynnyng of wakyngis; ſchede out þin herte as watir,
bifore þe ſiȝt of þe Lord; reiſe þin hondis to hym for þe
ſoulis of þi litle children, þat failiden for hungur in þe
heed of alle meetyngis of weies.
xx Res. Se þou, Lord, and byholde, whom þou haſt
maad ſo bare; þerfor wheþer wymmen ſchulen ete her
fruyt, litle children at þe meſure of an hond? for a preſt
and profete is ſlayn in þe ſeyntuarie of þe Lord.
xxi Syn. A child and an elde man laien on þe erþe
wiþoutforþ; my virgyns and my ȝonge men fellen doun
bi ſwerd; þou haſt ſlayn hem in þe dai of þi ſtrong
veniaunce, þou ſmotiſt `and didiſt no merci.
xxii Thau. Þou clepidiſt, as to a ſolempne dai, hem þat
maden me aferd of cumpas; and noon was þat aſcapide
in þe dai of þe ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord, and was
left; myn enemy waſtide hem, whiche Y fedde, and
nurſchide up.
CAP. III
i Aleph. I am a man ſeynge my pouert in þe ȝerde of his
indignacioun.
ii Aleph. He droof me, and brouȝte in to derkneſſis, and
not in to lyȝt.
iii Aleph. Oneli he turnede in to me, and turnede
togidere his hond al dai.
iiii Beth. He made eld my ſkyn, and my fleiſch; he al to-
brak my boonys.
v Beth. He bildid in my cumpas, and he cumpaſſide me
wiþ galle and trauel.
vi Beth. He ſettide me in derk places, as euerlaſtynge
deed men.
vii Gymel. He bildide aboute aȝens me, þat Y go not out;
he aggregide my gyues.
viii Gymel. But and whanne Y crie and preye, he haþ
excludid my preier.
ix Gymel. He cloſide togidere my weies wiþ ſquare
ſtoonus; he diſtriede my paþis.
x Deleth. He is maad a bere ſettinge aſpies to me, a
lioun in hid places.
xi Deleth. He diſtriede my paþis, and brak me; he ſettide
me deſolat.
xii Deleth. He bente his bowe, and ſettide me as a ſigne
to an arowe.
xiii He. He ſente in my reynes þe douȝtris of his arowe
caas.
xiiii He. Y am maad in to ſcorn to al þe puple, þe ſong of
hem al dai.
xv He. He fillide me wiþ bitterneſſes; he gretli fillide me
wiþ wermod.
xvi Vau. He brak at noumbre my teeþ; he fedde me wiþ
aiſche.
xvii Vau. And my ſoule is putte awei; Y haue forȝete
goodis.
xviii Vau. And Y ſeide, Myn ende periſchide, and myn
hope fro þe Lord.
xix Zai. Haue þou mynde on my pouert and goyng ouer,
and on wermod and galle.
xx Zai. Bi mynde Y ſchal be myndeful; and my ſoule
ſchal faile in me.
xxi Zai. Y biþenkynge þeſe þingis in myn herte, ſchal
hope in God.
xxii Heth. Þe mercies of þe Lord ben manye, for we ben
not waſtid; for whi hiſe merciful doyngis failiden not.
xxiii Heth. Y knew in þe morewtid; þi feiþ is miche.
xxiiii Heth. My ſoule ſeide, Þe Lord is my part; þerfor Y
ſchal abide hym.
xxv Teþ. Þe Lord is good to hem þat hopen in to hym, to
a ſoule ſekynge hym.
xxvi Teþ. It is good to abide wiþ ſtilneſſe þe helþe of
God.
xxvii Teþ. It is good to a man, whanne he haþ bore þe
ȝok fro his ȝongþe.
xxviii Joth. He ſchal ſitte aloone, and he ſchal be ſtille;
for he reiſide hym ſilf aboue hym ſilf.
xxix Joth. He ſchal ſette his mouþ in duſt, if perauenture
hope is.
xxx Joth. He ſchal ȝyue þe cheke to a man þat ſmytiþ
hym; he ſchal be fillid wiþ ſchenſchipis.
xxxi Caph. For þe Lord ſchal not putte awei wiþ outen
ende.
xxxii Caph. For if he caſtide awei, and he ſchal do merci
bi þe multitude of hiſe mercies.
xxxiii Caph. For he makide not low of his herte; and
caſtide not awei þe ſones of men. Lameth.
xxxiiii Þat he ſchulde al to-foule vndur hiſe feet alle þe
boundun men of erþe. Lameth.
xxxv Þat he ſchulde bowe doun þe dom of man, in þe ſiȝt
of þe cheer of þe hiȝeſte.
xxxvi Lameth. Þat he ſchulde peruerte a man in his dom,
þe Lord knew not.
xxxvii Men. Who is þis þat ſeide, þat a þing ſchulde be
don, whanne þe Lord comaundide not?
xxxviii Men. Neþer goodis neþer yuels ſchulen go out of
þe mouþ of þe hiȝeſte.
DCCXIII
xxxix Men. What grutchide a man lyuynge, a man for
hiſe ſynnes?
xl Nun. Serche we oure weies, and ſeke we, and turne
we aȝen to þe Lord.
xli Nun. Reiſe we oure hertis wiþ hondis, to þe Lord in
to heuenes.
xlii Nun. We han do wickidli, and han terrid þee to
wraþþe; þerfor þou art not able to be preied.
xliii Sameth. Þou hilidiſt in ſtronge veniaunce, and
ſmitidiſt vs; þou killidiſt, and ſparidiſt not.
xliiii Sameth. Þou ſettidiſt a clowde to þee, þat preier
paſſe not.
xlv Sameth. Þou ſettidiſt me, drawing vp bi þe roote, and
caſtynge out, in þe myddis of puplis.
xlvi Ayn. Alle enemyes openyden her mouþ on vs.
xlvii Ayn. Inward drede and ſnare is maad to vs, profeſie
and defoulyng.
xlviii Ayn. Myn iȝen ledden doun departyngis of watris,
for þe defoulyng of þe douȝter of my puple.
xlix Phe. Myn iȝe was turmentid, and was not ſtille; for
no reſte was.
l Phe. Vntil þe Lord bihelde, and ſiȝ fro heuenes.
li Phe. Myn iȝe robbide my ſoule in alle þe douȝtris of
my citee.
lii Sade. Myn enemyes token me wiþ out cauſe, bi
huntyng as a brid.
liii Sade. My lijf ſlood in to a lake; and þei puttiden a
ſtoon on me.
liiii Sade. Watris flowiden ouer myn heed; Y ſeide, Y
periſchide.
lv Coph. Lord, Y clepide to help þi name, fro þe laſte
lake.
lvi Coph. Þou herdiſt my vois; turne þou not awei þin
eere fro my ſobbyng and cries.
lvii Coph. Þou neiȝidiſt to me in þe dai, wherynne Y
clepide þee to help; þou ſeidiſt, Drede þou not.
lviii Res. Lord, aȝenbiere of my lijf, þou demydiſt þe
cauſe of my ſoule.
lix Res. Lord, þou ſieſt þe wickidneſſe
lix of hem aȝens me; deme þou my doom.
lx Res. Þou ſieſt al þe woodneſſe, alle þe þouȝtis of hem
aȝenus me.
lxi Syn. Lord, þou herdiſt þe ſchenſhipis of hem; alle þe
þouȝtis of hem aȝens me.
lxii Syn. Þe lippis of men riſynge aȝens me, and þe
þouȝtis of hem aȝens me al dai.
lxiii Syn. Se þou þe ſittynge and riſyng aȝen of hem; Y
am þe ſalm of hem.
lxiiii Thau. Lord, þou ſchalt ȝelde while to hem, bi þe
werkis of her hondis.
lxv Tau. Þou ſchalt ȝyue to hem þe ſcheeld of herte, þi
trauel.
lxvi Tau.
Lord, þou ſchalt purſue hem in þi ſtrong
veniaunce, and þou ſchalt defoule hem vndur heuenes.
CAP. IIII
i Aleph. How is gold maad derk, þe beſte colour is
chaungid? þe ſtonys of þe ſeyntuarie ben ſcaterid in þe
heed of alle ſtretis.
ii Beth. Þe noble ſones of Sion, and cloþid wiþ þe beſt
gold, hou ben þei arettid in to erþene veſſels, in to þe
werk of þe hondis of a pottere?
iii Gimel. But alſo lamyes maden nakid her tetis, ȝauen
mylk to her whelpis; þe douȝter of my puple is cruel, as
an oſtrig in deſert.
iiii Deleth. Þe tonge of þe ſoukynge childe cleued to his
palat in þirſt; litle children axiden breed, and noon was
þat brak to hem.
v He. Þei þat eeten luſtfuli, periſchiden in weies; þei þat
weren nurſchid in cradels, biclippiden toordis.
vi Vau. And þe wickidneſſe of þe douȝter of my puple is
maad more þan þe ſynne of men of Sodom, þat was
diſtried in a moment, and hondis token not þerynne.
vii Zai. Nazareis þerof weren whitere þan ſnow,
ſchynyngere þan mylk; rodier þan elde yuer, fairere þan
ſafire.
viii Heth. Þe face of hem was maad blackere þan coolis,
and þei weren not knowun in ſtretis; þe ſkyn cleuyde to
her boonys, it driede, and was maad as a tre.
ix Teþ. It was betere to men ſlayn wiþ ſwerd, þan to men
ſlayn wiþ hungur; for þeſe men wexiden rotun, þei
weren waſtid of þe bareyneſſe of erþe.
x Joth. Þe hondis of merciful wymmen ſeþiden her
children; þei weren maad þe metis of þo wymmen in þe
ſorewe of þe douȝter of my puple.
xi Caph. Þe Lord fillide his ſtrong veniaunce, he ſchedde
out þe ire of his indignacioun; and þe Lord kyndlide a
fier in Sion, and it deuouride þe foundementis þerof.
xii Lamet. Þe kyngis of erþe, and alle dwelleris of þe
world bileueden not, þat an aduerſarie and enemy
ſchulde entre bi þe ȝatis of Jeruſalem.
xiii Men. For þe ſynnes of þe profetis þerof, and for
wickidneſſis of preeſtis þerof, þat ſchedden out þe blood
of iuſt men in þe myddis þerof.
xiiii Nun. Blynde men erryden in ſtretis, þei weren
defoulid in blood; and whanne þei miȝten not go, þei
helden her hemmes.
xv Samet. Þei crieden to hem, Departe awei, ȝe
defoulide men, departe ȝe, go ȝe awei, nyle ȝe touche;
forſoþe þei chidden, and weren ſtirid; þei ſeiden among
heþene men, God ſchal no more leie to, þat he dwelle
among hem.
xvi Ayn. Þe face of þe Lord departide hem, he ſchal no
more leie to, þat he biholde hem; þei weren not
DCCXIV
aſchamed of þe faces of preeſtis, neþer þei hadden
merci on eld men.
xvii Phe. Þe while we ſtoden ȝit, oure iȝen failiden to
oure veyn help; whanne we bihelden ententif to a folc,
þat myȝte not ſaue vs.
xviii Sade. Oure ſteppis weren ſlidir in þe weie of oure
ſtretis; oure ende neiȝede, oure daies weren fillid, for
oure ende cam.
xix Coph. Oure purſueris weren ſwiftere þan þe eglis of
heuene; þei purſueden vs on hillis, þei ſettiden
buſchementis to vs in deſert.
xx Res. Þe ſpirit of oure mouþ, Criſt þe Lord, was takun
in oure ſynnes; to whom we ſeiden, We ſchulen lyue in
þi ſchadewe among heþene men.
xxi Syn. Þou douȝter of Edom, make ioye, and be glad,
þat dwelliſt in þe lond of Hus; þe cuppe ſchal come alſo
to þee, þou ſchalt be maad drunkun, and ſchalt be maad
bare.
xxii Thau. Þou douȝter of Sion, þi wickidneſſe is fillid;
he ſchal not adde more, þat he make þee to paſſe ouer;
þou douȝter of Edom, he ſchal viſite þi wickidneſſe, he
ſchal vnhile þi ſynnes.
CAP. V
i Lord, haue þou mynde what bifelle to vs; ſe þou, and
biholde oure ſchenſchipe.
ii Oure eritage is turned to aliens, oure houſis ben turned
to ſtraungers.
iii We ben maad fadirles children wiþ out fadir; oure
modris ben as widewis.
iiii We drunken oure watir for monei, we bouȝten oure
trees for ſiluer.
v We weren dryuun bi oure heedis, and reſte was not
ȝouun to feynt men.
vi We ȝauen hond to Egipt, and to Aſſiriens, þat we
ſchulden be fillid wiþ breed.
vii Oure fadris ſynneden, and ben not, and we baren þe
wickidneſſis of hem.
viii Seruauntis weren lordis of vs, and noon was, þat
aȝenbouȝte fro þe hond of hem.
ix In oure lyues we brouȝten breed to vs, fro þe face of
ſwerd in deſert.
x Oure ſkynne is brent as a furneis, of þe face of
tempeſtis of hungur.
xi Þei maden low wymmen in Sion, and virgyns in þe
citees of Juda.
xii Princes weren hangid bi þe hond; þei weren not
aſchamed of þe faces of elde men.
xiii Þei myſuffiden ȝonge wexynge men vnchaſtli, and
children fellen doun in tree.
xiiii Elde men failiden fro ȝatis; ȝonge men failiden of þe
queer of ſingeris.
xv Þe ioie of oure herte failide; oure ſong is turned in to
mourenyng.
xvi Þe coroun of oure heed fellen doun; wo to vs! for we
ſynneden.
xvii Þerfor oure herte is maad ſoreuful, þerfor oure iȝen
ben maad derk.
xviii For þe hil of Sion, for it periſchide; foxis ȝeden in
it.
xix But þou, Lord, ſchal dwelle wiþ outen ende; þi ſeete
ſchal dwelle in generacioun and in to generacioun.
xx Whi ſchalt þou forȝete vs wiþ outen ende, ſchalt þou
forſake vs in to lengþe of daies?
xxi Lord, conuerte þou vs to þee, and we ſchal be
conuertid; make þou newe oure daies, as at þe
bigynnyng.
xxii But þou caſtynge awei haſt caſt awei vs; þou art
wrooþ aȝens vs greetli.
Here endiþ þe Lamentaciouns and here bigynneþ þe
Preier of Jeremye, þe profete.
i For þe ſynnes which ȝe ſynneden bifor God, ȝe ſchulen
be led priſoneris in to Babiloyne, of Nabugodonoſor,
kyng of Babiloynes.
ii Þerfor ȝe ſchulen entre in to Babiloyne, and ȝe ſchulen
be þere ful many ȝeeris, and in to long tyme, til to
ſeuene generaciouns; forſoþe after þis Y ſchal lede out
ȝou fro þennus wiþ pees.
iii But now ȝe ſchulen ſe in Babiloyne goddis of gold,
and of ſiluer, and of ſtoon, and of tree, to be borun on
ſchuldris, ſchewynge drede to heþene men.
iiii Þerfor ſe ȝe, leſt alſo ȝe be maad lijk alien dedis, and
leſt ȝe dreden, and drede take ȝou in hem.
v Þerfor whanne ȝe ſeen a cumpeny bihynde and bifore,
worſchipe ȝe God, and ſeie in ȝoure hertes, Lord God, it
bihoueþ þat þou be worſchipid.
vi Forſoþe myn aungel is wiþ ȝou, but Y ſchal ſeke ȝoure
ſoulis.
vii For whi þe trees of hem ben poliſchid of a carpenter;
alſo þo ben araied wiþ gold, and araied wiþ ſiluer, and
ben falſe, and moun not ſpeke.
viii And as to a virgyn louynge ournementis, ſo, whanne
gold is takun, ourenementis ben maad to idols.
ix Certis þe goddis of hem han goldun corouns on her
heedis; wherfor preſtis wiþdrawen fro þo goddis gold
and ſiluer, and ſpenden it in hem ſilf.
x Soþeli þei ȝyuen alſo of þat to hooris, and araien
hooris; and eft whanne þei reſſeyuen þat of hooris, þei
araien her goddis.
xi But þo goddis ben not delyuered fro ruſt and mouȝte.
xii Forſoþe whanne `þo goddis ben hilid wiþ a cloþ of
purpure, preeſtis ſchulen wipe þe face of þo, for duſt of
þe hous, which is ful myche among þo goddis.
DCCXV
xiii Forſoþe idols han a ſeptre, as a man haþ; as þe iuge
of a cuntrei, þat ſleeþ not a man ſynnynge aȝens him
ſilf.
xiiii Alſo þo han in þe hond a ſwerd, and ax; but þo
delyueren not hem ſilf fro batel and fro þeues. Wherfor
be it knowun to ȝou, þat þo ben not goddis;
xv þerfor worſchipe ȝe not þo. For as a brokun veſſel of
a man is maad vnprofitable, ſiche alſo ben þe goddis of
hem.
xvi Whanne þo ben ſet in þe hous, þe iȝen of þo ben ful
of duſt of þe feet of men entrynge.
xvii And as ȝatis ben ſet aboute a man þat offendide þe
kyng, eþer as whanne a deed man is brouȝt to þe
ſepulcre, ſo preeſtis kepen ſikirli þe doris wiþ cloſyngis
and lockis, leſt þo be robbid of þeuys.
xviii Þei teenden lanternes to þo, and ſoþeli many
lanternes, of which þo moun ſe noon; forſoþe þo ben as
beemes in an hous.
xix Soþeli men ſeien þat ſerpentis, þat ben of erþe,
licken out þe hertis of þo; while þe ſerpentis eten þo,
and her cloþ, and þo feelen not.
xx Þe faces of þo ben blake of þe ſmoke, which is maad
in þe hous.
xxi Nyȝt crowis and ſwalewis fleen aboue þe bodi of þo,
and aboue þe heed of þo, and briddis alſo, and cattis in
lijk maner.
xxii Wherfor wite ȝe, þat þo ben not goddis; þerfor drede
ȝe not þo.
xxiii Alſo þe gold which þo han, is to fairneſſe; no but
ſumman wipe awei þe ruſt, þo ſchulen not ſchyne. For
þo feliden not, þe while þo weren wellid togidere.
xxiiii Þo ben bouȝt of al prijs, in which no ſpirit is in þo.
xxv Þo wiþout feet ben borun on ſchuldris of men, and
ſchewen opynli her vnnoblei to men; be þei ſchent alſo
þat worſchipen þo.
xxvi Þerfor if þo fallen doun to erþe, þo ſchulen not riſe
of hem ſilf; and if ony man ſettiþ þat idol upriȝt, it ſchal
not ſtonde bi it ſilf, but as to deed þingis ſchuldris
ſchulen be put to þo.
xxvii Þe preſtis of þo ſillen þe ſacrifices of þo, and
myſuſen; in lijk maner and þe wymmen of hem
rauyſchen awei, neþer to a ſijk man, neþer to a begger
þo ȝyuen ony þing.
xxviii Of her ſacrifices foule wymmen, and in vncleene
blood, touchen. Þerfor wite ȝe bi þeſe þingis, þat þo ben
not goddis, and drede ȝe not þo.
xxix For wherof ben þo clepid goddis? For wymmen
ſetten ſacrifices to goddis of ſiluer, and of gold, and of
tre;
xxx and preeſtis þat han cootis to-rent, and heedis and
berd ſchauun, whos heedis ben nakid, ſitten in þe houſis
of þo.
xxxi Soþeli þei roren and crien aȝens her goddis, as in þe
ſoper of a deed man.
xxxii Preſtis taken awei þe cloþis of þo, and cloþen her
wyues, and her children. And if þo ſuffren ony þing of
yuel of ony man,
xxxiii eþer if þo ſuffren ony þing of good, þo moun not
ȝelde. Neþer þo moun ordeyne a kyng, neþir do awei.
xxxiiii In lijk maner þo moun neþer ȝyue richeſſis, neþer
ȝilde yuel. If ony man makiþ a vow to þo, and ȝeldiþ
not, þo axen not þis.
xxxv Þo delyueren not a man fro deþ, neþer rauyſchen a
ſijk man fro a miȝtiere.
xxxvi Þo reſtoren not a blynd man to ſiȝt; þo ſchulen not
delyuere a man fro nede.
xxxvii Þo ſchulen not haue merci on a widewe, neþer þo
ſchulen do good to fadirles children.
xxxviii Her goddis of tre, and of ſtoon, and of gold, and
of ſiluer, ben lijk ſtoonys of þe mounteyn; forſoþe þei
þat worſchipen þo, ſchulen be ſchent.
xxxix Hou þerfor is it to geſſe, eþer to ſeie,
xl þat þo ben goddis? for whi ȝit whanne Caldeis
onouren not þo. Which whanne þei heren þat a doumb
man mai not ſpeke, offren hym to Bel, and axen of hym
to ſpeke;
xli as if þei þat han no ſtiryng, moun feel. And þei,
whanne þei ſchulen vndurſtonde, ſchulen forſake þo
idols; for þo goddis of hem han no wit.
xlii Forſoþe wymmen gird wiþ roopis ſitten in weies,
and kyndelen boonys of olyues.
xliii Soþeli whanne ony of þo wymmen is drawun awei
of ony man paſſynge, and ſlepiþ wiþ hym, ſche diſpiſiþ
her neiȝboreſſe, þat ſche is not hadde worþi as hir ſilf,
neþer hir roop is brokun.
xliiii Forſoþe alle þingis þat ben don to þo, ben falſe.
Hou þerfor is it to geſſe, eþir to ſeie, þat þo ben goddis?
xlv Forſoþe þe idols ben maad of ſmiþis, and of
goldſmiþis. Þo ſchulen be noon oþer þing, no but þat þat
preſtis wolen, þat þo be.
xlvi Alſo þilke goldſmiþis þat maken þo, ben not of
myche tyme; þerfor wheþer þo þingis þat ben maad of
þem moun be goddis?
xlvii Soþeli þei leften falſe þingis, and ſchenſchipe to
men to comynge aftirward.
xlviii For whi whanne batels and yuels comen on hem,
preeſtis þenken, where þei ſchulen hide hem ſilf wiþ þo.
xlix Hou þerfor owen þo to be demyd, þat þo ben
goddis, which neþer delyueren hem ſilf fro batel, neþer
delyueren hem ſilf fro yuelis?
l For whi whanne þo ben of tree, and of ſtoon, and of
gold, and of ſiluer, it ſchal be knowun aftirward of alle
folkis, and kyngis, þat þo þingis ben falſe, þat ben maad
open; for þo ben not goddis, but þe werkis of hondis of
men, and no werk of God is wiþ þo.
DCCXVI
li Wherof þerfor it is knowun, þat þo ben not goddis, but
þe werkis of hondis of men, and no werk of God is in
þo.
lii Þo reiſen not a kyng to a cuntrei, neþer ſchulen ȝyue
reyn to men.
liii Alſo þo ſchulen not deme doom, neþer þo ſchulen
delyuere þe cuntrei fro wrong.
liiii For þo moun no þing, as litle crowis bitwixe þe
myddis of heuene and of erþe. For whanne fier falliþ in
to þe hous of goddis of tree, and of gold, and of ſiluer,
ſoþeli þe preſtis of þo ſchulen fle, and ſchulen be
delyuered; but þo ſchulen be brent as beemys in þe
myddis.
lv Forſoþe þo ſchulen not aȝen ſtonde a kyng and batel.
Hou þerfor is it to geſſe, or to reſſeyue, þat þo ben
goddis?
lvi Goddis of tree, and of ſtoon, and of gold and of
ſiluer, ſchulen not delyuere hem ſilf fro nyȝt þeues,
neþer fro dai þeuys, and wickid men ben ſtrongere þan
þo goddis.
lvii Þei ſchulen take awei gold, and ſiluer, and cloþ, bi
which þo ben hilid, and þei ſchulen go awei; neþer þo
helpen hem ſilf.
lviii Þerfor it is betere to be a kyng ſchewynge his vertu,
eþer a profitable veſſel in þe hous, in which he ſchal
haue glorie þat weldiþ it, þan falſe goddis; eþer a dore
in þe hous, þat kepiþ þo þingis þat ben in it, is betere
þan falſe goddis.
lix Forſoþe þe ſunne, and moone, and ſterris, whan þo
ben briȝt, and ſent out to profitis, obeien.
lx In lijk maner and leit, whanne it apperiþ, is cleer.
Soþeli þe ſame þing and wynd breþiþ in ech cuntrei.
lxi And cloudis, to whiche, whanne it is comaundid of
God to go þorouȝ al þe world, perfourmen þat, þat is
comaundid to þo.
lxii Alſo fier `þat is ſent fro aboue, to waſte mounteyns
and wodis, doiþ þat, þat is comaundid to it; but þeſe
idols ben not lijk to oon of þo þingis, neþer bi fourmes,
neþer bi vertues.
lxiii Wherfor it is neþer to geſſe, neþer to ſeie, þat þo ben
goddis, whanne þo moun not neþer deme doom, neþer
do to men.
lxiiii Þerfor wite ȝe þat þo ben not goddis, and drede ȝe
not þo.
lxv For þo ſchulen neþer curſe, neþir ſchulen bleſſe
kyngis.
lxvi Alſo þo ſchewen not to heþene men ſignes in
heuene, neþer þo ſchulen ſchyne as þe ſunne, neþer þo
ſchulen ȝyue lyȝt as þe moone.
lxvii Beeſtis þat moun fle vndur a roof, and do profit to
hem ſilf, ben betere þan þo.
lxviii Þerfor bi no maner it is open to ȝou, þat þo ben
goddis.
lxix For which þing drede ȝe not þo. For whi as `a
bugge, eiþer a man of raggis, in a place where gourdis
wexen, kepiþ no þing, ſo ben her goddis of tree, and of
ſiluer, and of gold.
lxx In þe ſame maner and a whijt þorn in a gardyn kepiþ
no þing, on which þorn ech brid ſittiþ, in lijk maner and
her goddis of tree, and of gold, and of ſiluer, ben lijk a
deed man caſt forþ in derkneſſis.
lxxi Alſo of purpur and of marble, whiche þei holden
aboue it; þerfor ȝe ſchulen wite, þat þo ben not goddis.
Alſo þo ben etun at þe laſte, and it ſchal be in to
ſchenſchipe in þe cuntrei.
lxxii Betere is a iuſt man, þat haþ no ſymylacris, for whi
he ſchal be fer fro ſchenſchipis.
Here endiþ þe Preier of Jeremye, and bigynneþ þe
prolog of Baruch.

DCCXVII

BARUK
Here bigynneþ þe prolog of þe book of Baruk.
Þis book, which is titlid bi þe name of Baruk, is not had
in þe autorite of Ebrew, but oneli in þe comyn
tranſlacioun; in lijk maner and þe piſtle of Jeremye is
not in þe canoun of Ebreu; neþeles for þe knowyng of
rederis, þeſe ben writun here; for þeſe ſchewen many
þingis of Criſt, and of þe laſte tymes.
Here endiþ þe prologe, and here bygynneþ þe book
of Baruk.
Here biginniþ þe book of Baruk.
CAP. I
i And þeſe ben þe wordis of þe book, which Baruk, þe
ſone of Nerie, ſone of Maaſie, ſone of Sedechie, ſone of
Sedei, ſone of Helchie, wroot in Babilonye;
ii in þe fyueþe ȝeer, in þe ſeuenþe dai of þe moneþe, in
þe tyme wherynne Caldeis token Jeruſalem, and brenten
it wiþ fier.
iii And Baruk redde þe wordis of þis book to þe eeris of
Jeconye, ſone of Joachym, kyng of Juda, and to þe eeris
of al þe puple comynge to þe book;
iiii and to þe eeris of þe myȝti ſones of kyngis, and to þe
eeris of preſtis, and to þe eeris of þe puple, fro þe
mooſte `til to þe leeſte of hem, of alle dwellynge in
Babiloyne, and at þe flood Sudi.
v Whiche herden, and wepten, and faſtiden, and
preieden in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
vi And þei gaderiden monei, bi þat þat ech mannus hond
myȝte;
vii and ſenten in to Jeruſalem to Joachym, þe preſt, ſone
of Helchie, ſone of Salen, and to þe preeſtis, and to al þe
puple þat weren foundun wiþ hym in Jeruſalem;
viii whanne he took þe veſſels of þe temple of þe Lord,
þat weren takun awei fro þe temple, to aȝen clepe in to
þe lond of Juda, in þe tenþe dai of þe moneþe Siban; þe
ſiluerne veſſels, which Sedechie, þe kyng of Juda, þe
ſone of Joſie,
ix made, aftir þat Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne,
hadde take Jeconye, and princes, and alle myȝti men,
and þe puple of þe lond fro Jeruſalem, and ledde hem
boundun in to Babiloyne.
x And þei ſeiden, Lo! we han ſent to ȝou richeſſis, of
whiche bie ȝe brent ſacrifices, and encenſe, and make ȝe
ſacrifice, and offre ȝe for ſynne at þe auter of ȝoure Lord
God.
xi And preye ȝe for þe lijf of Nabugodonoſor, king of
Babiloyne, and for þe lijf of Balthaſar, his ſone, þat þe
daies of hem ben on erþe as þe daies of heuene;
xii þat þe Lord ȝyue vertu to vs, and liȝtne oure iȝen, þat
we lyue vndur þe ſchadewe of Nabugodonoſor, kyng of
Babiloyne, and vndur þe ſchadewe of Balthaſar, his
DCCXVIII
ſone; and þat we ſerue hem bi many daies, and fynde
grace in þe ſiȝt of hem.
xiii And preye ȝe for `vs ſilf to our Lord God, for we han
ſynned to oure Lord God, and his ſtrong veniaunce is
not turned awei fro vs, `til in to þis dai.
xiiii And rede ȝe þis book, which we ſenten to ȝou, to be
reherſid in þe temple of þe Lord, in a ſolempne dai, and
in a couenable dai.
xv And ȝe ſchulen ſeie, Riȝtfulneſſe is to oure Lord God,
but ſchenſchipe of oure face is to vs, as þis dai is, to al
Juda, and to dwelleris in Jeruſalem,
xvi to oure kyngis, and to oure princes, to oure preeſtis,
and to oure profetis, and to oure fadris.
xvii We ſynneden bifor oure Lord God, and bileuyden
not, and triſtiden not in hym.
xviii And we weren not redi to be ſuget to hym, and we
obeiden not to þe vois of oure Lord God, þat we ȝeden
in hiſe comaundementis, whiche he ȝaf to vs;
xix fro þe dai in which he ledde oure fadris out of þe
lond of Egipt, til in to þis dai, we weren vnbileueful to
oure Lord God; and we weren ſcaterid, and ȝeden awei,
þat we herden not þe vois of hym.
xx And many yuels and curſyngis, whiche þe Lord
ordeynede to his ſeruaunt Moiſes, cleuyden to vs; which
Lord ledde oure fadris out of þe lond of Egipt, to ȝyue
to vs a lond flowynge mylk and hony, as in þis dai.
xxi And we herden not þe vois of oure Lord God, bi alle
þe wordis of prophetis, whiche he ſente to vs, and to
oure iugis;
xxii and we ȝeden awei, ech man in to þe wit of his yuel
herte, to worche to alien goddis, and we diden yuels
bifore þe iȝen of oure Lord God.
CAP. II
i For which þing oure Lord God ſettide ſtidfaſtli his
word, which he ſpak to vs, and to oure iugis, þat
demyden in Iſrael, and to oure kyngis, and to oure
princes, and to al Iſrael and Juda;
ii þat þe Lord ſchulde brynge on vs grete yuels, þat
weren not don vndur heuene, as þo ben doon in
Jeruſalem; bi þo þingis þat ben writun in þe lawe of
Moiſes,
iii þat a man ſchulde ete þe fleiſchis of his ſone, and þe
fleiſchis of his douȝter.
iiii And he ȝaf hem in to þe hond of alle kyngis, þat ben
in oure cumpas, in to ſchenſchipe, and in to deſolacioun
in alle puplis, among whiche þe Lord ſcateride vs.
v And we ben maad byneþe, and not aboue; for we
ſynneden to oure Lord God, in not obeiynge to þe vois
of hym.
vi Riȝtfulneſſe is to oure Lord God, but ſchenſchipe of
face is to vs and to oure fadris, as þis dai is.
vii For þe Lord ſpak on vs alle þeſe yuels, þat camen on
vs.
viii And we biſouȝten not þe face of oure Lord God, þat
we ſchulden turne aȝen, ech of vs fro oure worſte weies.
ix And þe Lord wakide in yuels, and brouȝte þo on vs;
for þe Lord is iuſt in alle hiſe werkis, whiche he
comaundide to vs.
x And we herden not þe vois of hym, þat we ſchulden
go in þe comaundementis of þe Lord, whiche he ȝaf
bifore oure face.
xi And now, Lord God of Iſrael, þat leddiſt þi puple out
of þe lond of Egipt in a ſtrong hond, and in myraclis,
and in grete wondris, and in þi greet vertu, and in an hiȝ
arm, and madiſt to þee a name, as þis dai is;
xii we han ſynned, we han do vnfeiþfuli, we han do
wickidli, oure Lord God, in alle þi riȝtfulneſſis.
xiii Þi wraþ be turned awey fro vs; for we ben left a
fewe among heþene men, where þou ſcateridiſt vs.
xiiii Lord, here þou oure axyngis, and oure preyeris, and
lede vs out for þee; and ȝyue þou to vs to fynde grace
bifore þe face of hem, þat ledden vs awei;
xv þat al erþe knowe, þat þou art oure Lord God, and þat
þi name is clepid to help on Iſrael, and on þe kyn of
hym.
xvi Lord, bihold þou fro þin hooli hous on vs, and
bouwe doun þin eere, and here vs.
xvii Opene þin iȝen, and ſe; for not deed men þat ben in
helle, whos ſpirit is takun fro her entrails, ſchulen ȝyue
onour and iuſtefiyng to þe Lord;
xviii but a ſoule which is ſori on þe greetneſſe of yuel,
and goiþ bowid, and ſijk, and iȝen failynge, and an
hungri ſoule, ȝyueþ glorie to þee, and riȝtfulneſſe to þe
Lord.
xix For not bi þe riȝtfulneſſes of oure fadris we `ſcheden
merci bifore þi ſiȝt, oure Lord God;
xx but for þou ſentiſt þi wraþþe and þi ſtronge veniaunce
on vs, as þou ſpakeſt in þe hondis of þi children
profetis,
xxi and ſeidiſt, Þus ſeiþ þe Lord, Bowe ȝe ȝoure ſchuldur,
and ȝoure necke, and do ȝe trauel to þe kyng of
Babiloyne; and ȝe ſchulen ſitte in þe lond, which Y ȝaf
to ȝoure fadris.
xxii Þat if ȝe don not, neþir heren þe vois of ȝoure Lord
God, to worche to þe kyng of Babiloyne, Y ſchal make
ȝoure failyng fro þe citees of Juda, and fro þe ȝatis of
Jeruſalem;
xxiii and Y ſchal take awei fro ȝou þe vois of gladneſſe,
and þe vois of ioye, and þe vois of ſpouſe, and þe vois
of ſpouſeſſe; and al þe lond ſchal be wiþ out ſtep of hem
þat dwellen þerynne.
xxiiii And þei herden not þi vois, þat þei ſchulden
worche to þe kyng of Babiloyne; and þou haſt ſet
ſtidfaſtli þi wordis, whiche þou ſpakiſt in þe hondis of þi
DCCXIX
children, prophetis; þat þe boonys of oure kyngis, and
þe boonys of oure fadris ſchulen be borun ouer fro her
place.
xxv And lo! þo ben caſt forþ in þe heete of þe ſunne, and
in þe froſt of niȝt; and men ben deed in þe worſte
ſorewis, in hungur, and in ſwerd, and in ſending out.
xxvi And þou haſt ſet þe temple in which þi name was
clepid to help, as þis dai ſchewiþ, for þe wickidneſſe of
þe hous of Iſrael, and of þe hous of Juda.
xxvii And þou, oure Lord God, haſt do in vs bi al þi
goodneſſe, and bi al þat greet merciful doyng of þee,
xxviii as þou ſpakeſt in þe hond of þi child Moiſes, in þe
dai in which þou comaundidiſt to hym to write þi lawe
bifore þe ſones of Iſrael, and ſeidiſt,
xxix If ȝe heren not my vois, þis greet ournyng and
myche ſchal be turned in to þe leeſt among heþene men,
whidur Y ſchal ſcatere hem.
xxx For Y woot, þat þe puple ſchal not here me, for it is
a puple of hard nol. And it ſchal turne to her herte in þe
lond of her caitiftee;
xxxi and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord God of hem.
And Y ſchal ȝyue to hem an herte, and þei ſchulen
vndurſtonde, and eeris, and þei ſchulen here.
xxxii And þei ſchulen herie me in þe lond of her
caitiftee, and þei ſchulen be myndeful of my name.
xxxiii Þei ſchulen turne awei hem ſilf fro her hard bak,
and fro her wickidneſſis; for þei ſchulen haue mynde of
þe wei of her fadris, þat ſynneden aȝens me.
xxxiiii And Y ſchal aȝen clepe hem in to þe lond, which
Y ſwoor to ȝyue to þe fadris of hem, to Abraham, Iſaac,
and Jacob; and þei ſchulen be lordis of it. And Y ſchal
multiplie hem, and þei ſchulen not be maad leſſe.
xxxv And Y ſchal ordeyne to hem an oþer teſtament
euerlaſtynge, þat Y be to hem in to God, and þei ſchulen
be to me in to a puple. And Y ſchal no more moue my
puple, þe ſones of Iſrael, fro þe lond which Y ȝaf to
hem.
i And now, Lord almiȝti, God of Iſrael, a ſoule in
angwiſchis and a ſpirit anoied crieþ to þee.
ii Lord, here þou, and haue merci, for þou art merciful
God; and haue þou merci on vs, for we han ſynned bifor
þee,
iii þat ſittiſt wiþouten ende, and we ſchulen not periſche
wiþouten ende.
iiii Lord God almiȝti, God of Iſrael, here þou now þe
preier of þe deed men of Iſrael, and of þe ſones of hem,
þat ſynneden bifor þee, and herden not þe vois of her
Lord God, and yuels ben faſtned to vs.
v Nyle þou haue mynde on þe wickidneſſe of oure
fadris, but haue þou mynde on þin hond and on þi name
in þis tyme;
vi for þou art oure Lord God, and, Lord, we ſchulen
herie þee.
vii For whi for þis þing þou haſt ȝoue þi drede in oure
hertis, þat we clepe þi name to help, and herie þee in
oure caitiftee; for we ſchulen be conuertid fro þe
wickidneſſe of oure fadris, þat ſynneden aȝens þee.
viii And lo! we ben in oure caitifte to dai, whidur þou
ſcateridiſt vs, in to ſchenſchipe, and in to curſyng, and in
to ſynne, bi al þe wickidneſſe of oure fadris, þat ȝeden
awei fro þee, þou oure Lord God.
CAP. III
ix Iſrael, here þou þe comaundementis of lijf; perſeyue
þou wiþ eeris, þat þou kunne prudence.
x Iſrael, what is it, þat þou art in þe lond of enemyes?
xi Þou wexidiſt eld in an alien lond, þou art defoulid wiþ
deed men, þou art arettid wiþ hem, þat goon doun in to
helle?
xii Þou haſt forſake þe welle of wiſdom;
xiii for whi if þou haddiſt gon in þe weies of God, ſoþeli
þou haddiſt dwellid in pees on erþe.
xiiii Lerne þou, where is wiſdom, where is prudence,
where is vertu, where is vndurſtondyng, þat þou wite
togidere, where is long duryng of lijf and lijf lode,
where is lyȝt of iȝen, and pees.
xv Who foond þe place þerof, and who entride in to þe
treſouris þerof?
xvi Where ben þe princes of heþene men, and þat ben
lordis ouer þe beeſtis, þat ben on erþe?
xvii Whiche pleien wiþ þe briddis of heuene;
xviii whiche treſoren ſiluer and gold, in which men
triſten, and noon ende is of þe purchaſyng of hem?
Which maken ſiluer, and ben buſi, and no fyndyng is of
her werkis?
xix Þei ben diſtried, and ȝeden doun to hellis; and oþere
men riſeden in þe place of hem.
xx Þe ȝonge men of hem ſien lyȝt, `and dwelliden on
erþe. But þei knewen not þe weie of wiſdom, neþer
vndurſtoden þe paþis þerof;
xxi neþer þe ſones of hem reſſeyueden it. It was maad fer
fro þe face of hem;
xxii it is not herd in þe lond of Canaan, neþer is ſeyn in
Theman.
xxiii Alſo þe ſones of Agar, þat ſouȝten out prudence
which is of erþe, þe marchauntis of erþe, and of
Theman, and þe tale telleris, and ſekeris out of prudence
and of vndurſtondyng. But þei knewen not þe weie of
wiſdom, neþer hadden mynde on þe paþþis þerof.
xxiiii O! Iſrael, þe hous of God is ful greet, and þe place
of his poſſeſſioun is greet;
xxv it is greet and haþ noon ende, hiȝ and greet wiþout
meſure.
xxvi Namyd giauntis weren þere; þei þat weren of greet
ſtature at þe bigynnyng, and knewen batel.
DCCXX
xxvii Þe Lord chees not þeſe, neþer þei founden þe weie
of wiſdom; þerfor þei periſchiden.
xxviii And for þei hadden not wiſdom, þei periſchiden
for her vnwiſdom.
xxix Who ſtiede in to heuene, and took þat wiſdom, and
brouȝte it doun fro þe cloudis?
xxx Who paſſide ouer þe ſee, and foond it, and brouȝte it
more þan choſun gold?
xxxi Noon is, þat mai knowe þe weie þerof, neþir þat
ſekiþ þe paþis þerof;
xxxii but he þat han alle þingis, knewe it, and foond it bi
his prudence. Which made redi þe erþe in euerlaſtynge
tyme, and fillide it wiþ twei footid beeſtis, and foure
footid beeſtis.
xxxiii Which ſendiþ out lyȝt, and it goiþ, and clepide it;
and it obeieþ to hym in tremblyng.
xxxiiii Forſoþe ſterris ȝauen lyȝt in her kepyngis, and
weren glad;
xxxv þo weren clepid, and þo ſeiden, We ben preſent;
and þo ſchyneden to hym wiþ mirþe, þat made þo.
xxxvi Þis is oure God, and noon oþer ſchal be geſſid
aȝens hym.
xxxvii Þis foond ech weie of wiſdom, and ȝaf it to Jacob,
his child, and to Iſrael, his derlyng.
xxxviii Aftir þeſe þingis he was ſeyn in londis, and
lyuede wiþ men.
CAP. IIII
i Þis book of Goddis heeſtis, and þe lawe which is
wiþouten ende. Alle þat holden it, ſchulen come to lijf.
But þei þat han forſake it, ſchulen come in to deþ.
ii Jacob, be þou conuertid, and take þou it; go þou bi þe
weie at þe briȝtneſſe þerof, aȝens þe lyȝt þerof. Ȝyue
þou not þi glorie to anoþer, and þi dignyte to an alien
folc. Iſrael, we ben bleſſid; for þo þingis þat pleſen God,
ben open to vs.
v Þe puple of God, Iſrael worþi to be had in mynde, be
þou `of betere coumfort.
vi Ȝe ben ſeeld to heþene men, not in to perdicioun; but
for þat þat ȝe in ire terreden God to wraþfulneſſe, ȝe ben
bitakun to aduerſaries.
vii For ȝe wraþþiden þilke God euerlaſtynge, þat made
ȝou; and ȝe offriden to fendis, and not to God.
viii For ȝe forȝaten hym þat nurſchide ȝou, and ȝe maden
ſori ȝoure nurſe, Jeruſalem.
ix For it ſiȝ wraþfulneſſe of God comynge to ȝou, and it
ſeide, Ȝe niȝ cooſtis of Sion, here; forſoþe God haþ
brouȝte greet morenyng to me.
x For Y ſiȝ þe caitiftee of my puple, of my ſones and
douȝtris, which he þat is wiþ out bigynnyng and ende
brouȝte on hem.
xi For Y nurſchide hem wiþ myrþe; but Y lefte hem wiþ
wepyng and morenyng.
xii No man haue ioye on me, a wedewe and deſolat. Y
am forſakun of manye for þe ſynnes of my ſones; for þei
bowiden awei fro þe lawe of God.
xiii Forſoþe þei knewen not `þe riȝtfulneſſis of hym;
neþer þei ȝeden bi þe weies of Goddis heeſtis, neþer bi
þe paþis of his treuþe þei entriden wiþ riȝtfulneſſe.
xiiii Þe niȝ cooſtis of Sion come, and haue þei mynde on
þe caitifte of my ſones and douȝtris, which he þat is wiþ
out bigynnyng and ende brouȝte on hem.
xv For he brouȝte on hem a folk fro fer, an yuel folk,
and of an oþer langage;
xvi þat reuerenſiden not an eld man, neþer hadden merci
on children; and þei ledden awei þe dereworþe ſones of
a widewe, and maden a womman aloone deſolat of
ſones.
xvii But what mai Y helpe ȝou?
xviii For he þat brouȝte on ȝou yuels, ſhal delyuer ȝou fro
þe hondis of ȝoure enemyes.
xix Go ȝe, ſones, go ȝe; for Y am forſakun aloone. Y
haue vncloþid me of þe ſtoole of pees; but Y haue
cloþid me wiþ a ſak of biſechyng, and Y ſchal crie to þe
hiȝeſte in my daies.
xxi Sones, be ȝe of betere comfort; crie ȝe to þe Lord,
and he ſchal delyuere ȝou fro þe hond of princes, þat
ben ȝoure enemyes.
xxii For Y hopide ȝoure helþe wiþ outen ende, and ioye
cam to me fro þe hooli on merci, þat ſchal come to ȝou
fro ȝoure ſauȝour wiþout bigynnyng and ende.
xxiii For Y ſente ȝou out wiþ mourenyng and wepyng;
but God ſchal brynge ȝou aȝen to me wiþ ioye and
myrþe wiþ outen ende.
xxiiii For as þe neiȝboreſſis of Sion ſien ȝoure caitifte
maad of God, ſo þei ſchulen ſe and in ſwiftneſſe ȝoure
helþe of God, which helþe ſchal come to ȝou fro aboue
wiþ greet onour and euerlaſtynge ſchynyng.
xxv Sones, ſuffre ȝe pacientli ire, þat cam on ȝou; for þin
enemy purſuede þee, but þou ſchalt ſe ſoone þe
perdicioun of hym, and þou ſchalt ſtie on þe neckes of
hym.
xxvi My delicat men ȝeden ſcharp weies; for þei as a floc
`þat is rauyſchid weren led of enemyes.
xxvii Sones, be ȝe pacientere, and crie ȝe fer to þe Lord;
for whi ȝoure mynde ſchal be of hym þat lediþ ȝou.
xxviii For as ȝoure wit was, þat ȝe erriden fro God, ȝe
ſchulen conuerte eft, and ſchulen ſeke hym tenſiþis ſo
myche.
xxix For he þat brouȝte in yuels to ȝou, ſchal brynge eft
euerlaſtynge myrþe to ȝou wiþ ȝoure helþe.
xxx Jeruſalem, be þou of betere coumfort; for he þat
nemyde þee, excitiþ þee.
xxxi Þei þat traueliden þee, ſchulen periſche gilti; and þei
þat þankiden in þi fallyng, ſchulen be punyſchid.
DCCXXI
xxxii Citees to which þi ſones ſerueden, `ſchulen be
punyſchid, and þat citee þat took þi ſones, ſchal be
punyſchid.
xxxiii For as Babiloyne made ioie in þi hurlyng doun,
and was glad in þi fal, ſo it ſchal be maad ſori in his
deſolacioun.
xxxiiii And þe ful out ioye of þe multitude þerof ſchal be
kit awei, and þe ioie þerof ſchal be in to mourenyng.
xxxv For whi fier ſchal come on it fro hym þat is wiþout
bigynnyng and ende, in ful long daies; and it ſchal be
enhabitid of fendis, in to þe multitude of tyme.
xxxvi Jeruſalem, biholde aboute to þe eeſt, and ſe þou
myrþe comynge of God to þee.
xxxvii For lo! þi ſones comen, which þou leftiſt ſcatered;
þei comen gaderid fro þe eeſt `til to þe weſt in þe word
of þe hooli, and maken ioie to þe onour of God.
CAP. V
i Jeruſalem, vncloþe þee of þe ſtoole of þi mourenyng,
and trauelyng; and cloþe þou þee in þe fairneſſe, and
onour of it, which is of God to þee in euerlaſtynge
glorie.
ii God of ryȝtfulneſſe ſchal cumpaſſe þee wiþ a double
cloþ, and ſchal ſette on þin heed a mytre of euerlaſtynge
onour.
iii For God ſchal ſchewe his briȝtneſſe in þee, which is
vndur heuene.
iiii For þi name ſchal be namyd of God to þee wiþ outen
ende, Þe pees of riȝtfulneſſe, and þe onour of pitee.
v Jeruſalem, riſe vp, and ſtonde in an hiȝ place, and
biholde aboute to þe eeſt; and ſe þi ſones gaderid
togidere fro þe ſunne riſynge til to þe weſt in þe word of
þe hooli, þat maken ioie in þe mynde of God.
vi For þei ȝeden out fro þee, and weren led of enemyes
on feet; but þe Lord ſchal brynge to þee hem borun in to
honour, as þe ſones of rewme.
vii For God haþ ordeyned to make low ech hiȝ hil, and
euerlaſtynge rochis of ſtoon, and gret valeis, to fille þe
uneueneſſe of erþe; þat Iſrael go diligentli in to þe onour
of God.
viii Forſoþe wodis and ech tree of ſwetneſſe ſchadewiden
Iſrael, bi þe comaundement of God.
ix For God ſchal brynge Iſrael wiþ mirþe in þe lyȝt of
his maieſte, wiþ merci and riȝtfulneſſe, which is of hym.
Here bigynneþ þe ſaumple of þe piſtle of þe ſame
Baruk, which piſtle Jeremye ſente to Jewis, `þat
weren led awei priſoneris in to Babiloyne, of þe king
of Babiloynes, þat he ſchulde telle to hem, bi þat þat
was comaundid of God to hym.
CAP. VI
i For þe ſynnes þat ȝee ſynnyden befor God,
ii ȝe ſhuln be led caitifs in to Babiloyne, of
Nabugodonoſor, kyng of men of Babiloyne.
iii And ſo ȝe gon in to Babiloyne ſhuln be þere ful many
ȝeris, and in to longe tyme, vnto ſeuen generacions;
forſoþ after þis I ſhal lede out ȝou þennis wiþ peeſe.
iiii Now forſoþ ȝe ſhuln ſee in Babiloyne golden goddis,
and ſilueren, and ſtonen, and treen, for to be born in
ſhuldris, ſhewinge drede to folkis.
v Þerfor ſee ȝee, leſt and ȝee be maad liche to alien
dedis, and ȝee dreede, and þat drede take ȝou in hem.
And ſo þe cumpanye of peple ſeen fro bihynde and fro
bifore wirſhipynge,
vi ſaye in ȝour hertis, Lord God, it byhouiþ þee for to be
worſhipid.
vii Forſoþ myn aungel is wiþ ȝou, forſoþ I my ſelf ſhal
ſeeke out ȝour ſoules.
viii For whi þe trees of hem poliſhid of a carpenter; þei
alſo engoldid and enſiluered ben falſe, and mown not
ſpeke. And as to a mayden louynge ournementis,
ix ſo gold takyn, þei ben forgid. Certeynli þe goddis of
hem han golden crownes vpon her hedis;
x wherof preſtis drawen aweie fro hem gold and ſyluer,
and ȝeuen, or ſpenden, it in hem ſelf.
xi Forſoþ and of it þei ȝeuen to pute in bordel houſe, and
ournen hooris; and eft ſone when þei han reſceyued it of
hooris, þei ournen her goddis.
xii Soþely þeſe ben not delyuerd fro ruſt and mouȝþe.
Forſoþ hem couered wiþ cloþe of purpre,
xiii þei ſhuln wijpe þe face of hem, for duſt of þe hous,
þat is ful myche amonge hem.
xiiii Forſoþe þei han a ceptre, or kyngis ȝerd, as a man;
as a iuge of a cuntree, þat ſleaþ not þe ſynnynge in to
hym.
xv Forſoþ þei han alſo in þe hond ſwerd and axe; forſoþ
þei deliueren not hem ſelf fro bataile and day þeues.
xvi Wher of be it knowen to ȝou, for þei ben not goddis;
þerfor worſhipe ȝe not hem.
xvii Soþeli as a veſſel of a man broken is maad
vnprofitable, ſiche ben þe goddis of hem. Hem ſett to
gidir in an hous, þe eeȝen of hem ben ful of duſt of þe
feet of men entrynge in.
xviii And as to ſum man þat offendiþ þe kyng, þe ȝatis
ben ſette aboute, and as dead man led to ſepulcre, ſo
preſtes oft kepen þe dores wiþ cloſingis and lockis, leſt
þei be robbed of day þeues.
xix Þei teenden launterns to hem, and ſoþeli manye, of
whom þei mown noon ſee;
xx forſoþ þei ben as bemes in þe hous. Soþeli ſerpentis
þat ben of þe erþe, ben ſayd to licke out þe hertis of
hem; þe while þei eeten hem, and þe cloþing of hem,
and þei feelen not.
xxi Þe faces of hem ben blac of ſmoke, þat is maad in þe
hous.
DCCXXII
xxii Aboue þe bodi of hem, and aboue þe hed of hem
backis, or reremijſe, and ſwalewis fleeȝen, and briddis
alſo, and alſo cattis.
xxiii Wher of wite ȝee, for þei ben not goddis; þerfor ȝee
ſhuln not drede hem.
xxiiii Alſo þe gold þat þei han, is to fairneſſe; no bot eny
man ſhal wijpe awei þe ruſt, þei ſhuln not ſhyne.
Forſoþe neþer þe whijle þei weren ȝooten to gidir, þei
feeliden.
xxv Þei ben bouȝt of al pris, in whiche þingus ſpirit is
not in hem.
xxvi Wiþ outen feet þei ben born in ſhuldris, ſhewynge
her vnnobley to men;
xxvii alſo be þei confoundid þat wurſhipen hem. Þerfor
ȝif þei ſhuln falle in to erþe, of hem ſelf þei ſhuln not
rijſe to gyder; neþer ȝif eny man ſhal ſette hym riȝt, by
hym ſelf he ſhal ſtonde, bot as to dead men ſhuldris
ſhuln be putte to hem.
xxviii Þe preſtes of hem ſellen þe hooſtis, or ſacrifices, of
hem, and myſuſen; alſo and þe wymmen of hem
takynge aweie, neþer parten to ſeeke man, neþer to
beggynge.
xxix Of þe ſacrifices of hem wymmen wiþ chijlde, and
menſtruat, or in vncleene blode, touchen togyder. And
ſo witynge of þeſe þingis, for þei ben not goddis, dreed
ȝee hem not.
xxx Forſoþ wherof ben þei clepid goddis? For wymmen
putten to golden goddis, ſylueren, and treenen;
xxxi and in þe houſis of hem ſitten preſtis hauyng torne,
or kutt, cootis, and hedis and berd ſhauen, whos hedis
ben nakid.
xxxii Forſoþ þei roren cryinge aȝeins her goddis, as in þe
ſuper of a dead man.
xxxiii Preſtis taken awei þe cloþingus of hem, and cloþen
her wijues, and her ſones.
xxxiiii Neþer ȝif þei ſuffren eny þing of euyl of eny man,
neþer ȝif eny þinge of good, þei ſhuln mowe ȝeelde.
Neþer þei mown make a kyng, neþer do aweie.
xxxv Alſo neþer þei mown ȝeue riccheſſis, neþer ȝeeld
euyll þing. Ȝif eny man ſhal avowe to hem, and ſhal not
ȝeelde, neþer þei requyren, or axen, þis þing.
xxxvi Þei delyueren not a man fro deþ, neþer delyueren a
ſeeke man fro a more miȝti.
xxxvii Þei reſtoren not a blynde man to ſiȝt; þei ſhuln not
delyuere a man fro neede.
xxxviii Þei ſhuln not haue mercye of þe wydue, neþer þei
ſhuln do weel to þe fadreleſſe and modreleſſe.
xxxix Þe treenen goddis of hem, and ſtoonen, and
golden, and ſylueren, ben lijc to ſtoonys of þe
mounteyn; forſoþ þei þat worſhipen hem, ſhuln be
confoundid.
xl Hou þerfore is it to be geſſid, or to be ſaide, hem for
to be goddis; ȝit þe ylk Caldeis not honourynge hem?
xli Whiche whan þei ſhuln heere þe doumbe not to
mowe ſpeke, offren hym to Bel, axinge of hym for to
ſpeke; as þei mown feele, whiche han not mouynge.
xlii And þei whanne þei ſhuln vndirſtonde, ſhuln forſake
hem; ſoþely þe ilke goddis of hem han not witt.
xliii Forſoþ wymmen ȝouen aboute, or bounden, wiþ
coordis ſitten in weyes, brennynge boonys of olyues.
Forſoþ whann eny of hem drawen aweye of eny man
paſſinge haþ ſlept, ſhe diſpiſiþ hir neiȝbore, for ſhe is not
had worþi as ſche, neþer hir coord is broken.
xliiii Forſoþ alle þingis þat ben don to hem, ben fals.
Hou is it to be geſſid, or to be ſaid, hem for to be
goddis?
xlv Forſoþ of carpenteres and goldſmiþis þei ben maad.
Þei ſhuln noon oþer þing be, no bot þe ylk þat preſtis
wolen for to be.
xlvi Alſo þilk goldſmyþþis þat maken hem, ben not of
myche tyme; þerfor wheþer þe þingus þat ben maad of
hem mown be goddis?
xlvii Forſoþ þei leften fals þingus, and ſhenſhipe to men
to cummynge after.
xlviii For whi whenne bataile ſhal aboue cum to hem,
and euyl þingis, preſtis þenken, where þei ſhuln hijde
hem ſelf wiþ hem.
xlix Þerfore how own þei for to be feelid, or demyd, for
þei ben goddis, whiche neþer delyueren hem fro batail,
neþer delyueren hem fro euyl þingis?
l For whi whenne þei ben treenen, and ſtoonen, and
engoldid, and enſyluered, it ſhal ben wiſt afterward, for
þei ben fals,
li to alle folkis and kyngis; whiche ben open, or
knowen, for þei ben not goddis, bot werkis of mennus
hondis, and no werc of God wiþ hem.
lii Wher of þerfor it is knowen, for þei ben not goddis,
bot werkis of mennus hondis, and no werk of God is in
hem.
liii Þei reiſen not a kyng to a cuntree, neþer þei ſhuln
ȝeue reyn to men.
liiii Alſo þei ſhul not diſcryue, or iuge, a dome, neþer þei
ſhuln delyuere a cuntree fro wronge. For þei mown no
þing, as litil crowis bitwix þe mydil of heuen and erþe.
lv And ſoþeli whenne fijre ſhal fal in to þe houſe of
treenen goddis, and golden, and ſilueren, ſoþeli þe
preſtis of hem ſhuln flee, and ſhuln be delyuered; bot
þei as bemys in þe mydil ſhuln be brent.
lvi Forſoþ þei ſhuln not aȝeinſtonde a kyng and batail.
Hou þerfore is it to be geſſid, or to be reſceyued, for þei
ben goddis?
lvii Þei ſhul not delyuere hem ſelf fro niȝt þeeues, neþer
day þeeues, treenen goddis, and ſtoonen, and engoldid,
and enſiluered, þan whiche wickid men ben ſtrenger.
DCCXXIII
lviii Þei ſhuln take awei fro hem gold, and ſyluer, and
cloþing, in whiche þei ben couered, and þei ſhuln go
aweie; neþer þei beren help to hem ſelf.
lix And ſo it is beter a kyng for to be ſhewynge his
vertue, or a profitable veſſelle in þe houſe, in whom he
ſhal glorie þat weeldiþ it, þan fals goddis; or a dore in
þe houſe, whiche kepiþ þe þingis þat ben in it, þan fals
goddis.
lx Soþely þe ſunne, and mone, and ſterris, whenne þei
ben ſhynynge, and ſent out to profitis, obeyen.
lxi Alſo and leyt, whanne it ſhal apeere, is cleer. Forſoþ
þe ſame þinge and ſpirit, or wynd, breþiþ in eche cuntre.
lxii And cloudis, to whiche when it ſhal be comaundid of
God for to walke þorou al þe world, don what þing is
comaundid to hem.
lxiii Alſo fijr ſente fro aboue, þat it waaſt hillis and
woddis, doþ what þing is comaundid to it; forſoþ þeſe
neþer in lickeneſſe neþer vertues ben liche to oon of
hem.
lxiiii Wher of neþer it is to be geſſid, neþer to be ſaid,
hem for to be goddis, whenne þei mown neþer deeme
dome, neþer do to men.
lxv And ſo witynge for þei ben not goddis, þerfor ȝee
ſhuln not dreden hem.
lxvi Soþeli neþer þei ſhuln curſe kyngis, neþer þei ſhuln
bleſſe.
lxvii Forſoþ þei ſhewen not to folkis tokenis in heuen,
neþer þei ſhuln ſhyne as ſunne, neþer liȝtene as þe
mone.
lxviii Beſtis ben better þan þei, whiche mown flee vndir
a roof, and profit to hem ſelf.
lxix And ſo by no manere it is knowen to ȝow, for þei
ben goddis. For whiche þing drede ȝee not hem.
lxx For whi as dreed in place where cucumeris, þat ben
bitter herbis, waxen, kepiþ no þing, ſo ben þe treenen
goddis, and ſylueren, and goldid of hem.
lxxi In þe ſame manere and in a ȝerd a whijt þorn, vpon
whiche eche bridde ſittiþ, alſo and to a dead þing caſt in
derckeneſſes, þe treenen godus of hem, and enſiluered,
and engoldid, ben lijc.
lxxii And of þe purpre and marble, þat þei holden aboue
hem, ȝee ſhuln wite alſo, for þei ben no goddis. Alſo at
þe laſt þei hem ſelf ben eten, and it ſhal be in to repreue
in þe cuntre.
lxxiii Betir is an iuſt man, þat haþ not ſymylacris, for whi
he ſhal be fer fro ſhenſhipes.
Here endiþ Baruk, and here bigynneþ Ezechiel.

EZECHIEL
CAP. I
i And it was don, in þe þrittiþe ȝeer, in þe fourþe
moneþe, in þe fyueþe dai of þe moneþ, whanne Y was
in þe myddis of caitifs, biſidis þe flood Chobar, heuenes
weren openyd, and Y ſiȝ þe reuelaciouns of God.
ii In þe fyueþ dai of þe moneþe; þilke is þe fyueþe ȝeer
of paſſing ouer of Joachym, kyng of Juda;
iii þe word of þe Lord was maad to Ezechiel, preeſt, þe
ſone of Buſi, in þe lond of Caldeis, biſidis þe flood
Chobar; and þe hond of þe Lord was maad þere on
hym.
iiii And Y ſiȝ, and lo! a whirlewynd cam fro þe norþ, and
a greet cloude, and fier wlappynge in, and briȝtneſſe in
þe cumpas þerof; and as þe licneſſe of electre fro þe
myddis þerof, þat is, fro þe myddis of þe fier.
v And of myddis þerof was a licneſſe of foure beeſtis.
And þis was þe biholdyng of þo, þe licneſſe of a man in
þo.
vi And foure faces weren to oon, and foure wyngis
weren to oon.
vii And þe feet of þo weren ſtreiȝt feet, and þe ſoole of
þe foote of þo was as þe ſoole of a foot of a calf, and
ſparclis, as þe biholdynge of buylynge bras.
viii And þe hondis of a man weren vndur þe wyngis of
þo, in foure partis. And þo hadden faces and wyngis bi
foure partis;
ix and þe wyngis of þo weren ioyned togidir of oon to
anoþer. Þo turneden not aȝen, whanne þo ȝeden, but
eche ȝede bifore his face.
x Forſoþe þe licneſſe `of þe face of þo was þe face of a
man and þe face of a lioun at þe riȝthalf of þo foure.
Forſoþe þe face of an oxe was at þe left half of þo
foure; and þe face of an egle was aboue þo foure.
xi And þe faces of þo and þe wengis of þo weren
ſtretchid forþ aboue. Twei wyngis of eche weren ioyned
togidere, and tweyne hiliden þe bodies of þo.
xii And ech of þo ȝede bifore his face. Where þe
ferſneſſe of þe wynd was, þidur þo ȝeden, and turneden
not aȝen, whanne þo ȝeden.
xiii And þe licneſſe of þe beeſtis, and þe biholdyng of
þo, was as of brennynge coolis of fier, and as þe
biholdyng of laumpis. Þis was þe ſiȝt rennynge aboute
in þe myddis of beeſtis, þe ſchynyng of fier, and leit
goynge out of þe fier.
xiiii And þe beeſtis ȝeden, and turneden aȝen at þe
licneſſe of leit ſchynynge.
xv And whanne Y bihelde þe beeſtis, o wheel, hauuynge
foure faces, apperide on þe erþe, biſidis þe beeſtis.
xvi And þe biholdyng of þe wheelis and þe werk of þo
was as þe ſiȝt of þe ſee; and o licneſſe was of þo foure;
DCCXXIV
and þe biholdyng and þe werkis of þo, as if a wheel be
in þe myddis of a wheel.
xvii Þo goynge ȝeden bi foure partis of þo, and turneden
not aȝen, whanne þo ȝeden.
xviii Alſo ſtature, and hiȝneſſe, and orible biholdyng was
to þe wheelis; and al þe bodi was ful of iȝen in þe
cumpas of þo foure.
xix And whanne þe beeſtis ȝeden, þe wheelis alſo ȝeden
togidere biſidis þo. And whanne þe beeſtis weren reiſid
fro þe erþe, þe wheelis alſo weren reiſid togidere.
xx Whidur euere þe ſpirit ȝede, whanne þe ſpirit ȝede
þedur, alſo þe wheelis ſuynge it weren reiſid togidere;
for whi þe ſpirit of lijf was in þe wheelis.
xxi Þo ȝeden wiþ þe beeſtis goynge, and þo ſtoden wiþ
þe beeſtis ſtondynge. And wiþ þe beeſtis reiſid fro erþe,
alſo þe wheelis ſuynge þo beeſtis weren reiſid togidere;
for þe ſpirit of lijf was in þe wheelis.
xxii And þe licneſſe of þe firmament was aboue þe heed
of þe beeſtis, and as þe biholdyng of orible criſtal, and
ſtretchid abrood on þe heed of þo beeſtis aboue.
xxiii Forſoþe vndur þe firmament þe wyngis of þo beeſtis
weren ſtreiȝt, of oon to anoþir; ech beeſte hilide his bodi
wiþ twei wyngis, and an oþer was hilid in lijk maner.
xxiiii And Y herde þe ſown of wyngis, as þe ſown of
many watris, as þe ſown of hiȝ God. Whanne þo ȝeden,
þer was as a ſown of multitude, as þe ſown of ooſtis of
batel; and whanne þo ſtoden, þe wyngis of þo weren
late doun.
xxv For whi whanne a vois was maad on þe firmament,
þat was on þe heed of þo, þo ſtoden, and leten doun her
wyngis.
xxvi And on þe firmament, þat was aboue þe heed of þo,
was as þe biholdyng of a ſaphire ſtoon, þe licneſſe of a
trone; and on þe licneſſe of þe trone was a licneſſe, as þe
biholdyng of a man aboue.
xxvii And Y ſiȝ as a licneſſe of electre, as þe biholding of
fier wiþ ynne, bi þe cumpas þerof; fro þe lendis of hym
and aboue, and fro þe lendis of him til to byneþe, Y ſiȝ
as þe licneſſe of fier ſchynynge in cumpas,
xxviii as þe biholdynge of þe reynbowe, whanne it is in
þe cloude in þe dai of reyn. Þis was þe biholdyng of
ſchynyng bi cumpas.
CAP. II
i Þis was a ſiȝt of þe licneſſe of þe glorie of þe Lord.
And Y ſiȝ, and felle doun on my face; and Y herde þe
vois of a ſpekere. And he ſeide to me, Þou, ſone of man,
ſtonde on þi feet, and Y ſchal ſpeke wiþ þee.
ii And þe ſpirit entride in to me, after þat he ſpak to me,
and ſettide me on my feet. And Y herde oon ſpekynge to
me,
iii and ſeiynge, Sone of man, Y ſende þee to þe ſones of
Iſrael, to folkis apoſtatas, `eþer goynge a bak fro feiþ,
þat ȝeden awei fro me; þe fadris of hem braken my
couenaunt til to þis dai.
iiii And þe ſones ben of hard face, and of vnchaſtiſable
herte, to whiche Y ſende þee. And þou ſchalt ſeie to
hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis;
v if perauenture nameli þei heren, and if perauenture þei
reſten, for it is an hous terrynge to wraþþe. And þei
ſchulen wite, þat a profete is in þe myddis of hem.
vi Þerfore þou, ſone of man, drede not hem, neþer drede
þou þe wordis of hem; for vnbileueful men and
diſtrieris ben wiþ þee, and þou dwelliſt wiþ ſcorpiouns.
Drede þou not þe wordis of hem, and drede þou not þe
faces of hem, for it is an hous terrynge to wraþþe.
vii Þerfor þou ſchalt ſpeke my wordis to hem, if
perauenture þei heren, and reſten, for þei ben terreris to
wraþþe.
viii But þou, ſone of man, here what euer þingis Y ſchal
ſpeke to þee; and nyle þou be a terrere to wraþþe, as þe
hows of Iſrael is a terrere to wraþþe. Opene þi mouþ,
and ete what euer þingis Y ȝyue to þee.
ix And Y ſiȝ, and lo! an hond was ſent to me, in which a
book was foldid togidere. And he ſpredde abrood it
bifor me, þat was writun wiþ ynne and wiþ outforþ.
And lamentaciouns, and ſong, and wo, weren writun þer
ynne.
CAP. III
i And he ſeide to me, Sone of man, ete þou what euer
þing þou fyndiſt, ete þou þis volym; and go þou, and
ſpeke to þe ſones of Iſrael.
ii And Y openyde my mouþ, and he fedde me wiþ þat
volym.
iii And he ſeide to me, Sone of man, þi wombe ſchal ete,
and þin entrails ſchulen be fillid wiþ þis volym, which
Y ȝyue to þee. And Y eet it, and it was maad as ſwete
hony in my mouþ.
iiii And he ſeide to me, Sone of man, go þou to þe hous
of Iſrael, and þou ſchalt ſpeke my wordis to hem.
v For þou ſchalt not be ſent to a puple of hiȝ word, and
of vnknowun langage; þou ſchalt be ſent to þe hous of
Iſrael,
vi neþer to many puplis of hiȝ word, and of vnknowun
langage, of whiche þou maiſt not here þe wordis. And if
þou were ſent to hem, þei ſchulden here þee.
vii But þe hous of Iſrael nylen here þee, for þei nylen
here me. For al þe hous of Iſrael is of vnſchamefaſt
forheed, and of hard herte.
viii Lo! Y ȝaf þi face ſtrongere þan þe faces of hem, and
þi forheed hardere þan þe forheedis of hem.
ix Y ȝaf þi face as an adamaunt, and as a flynt; drede
þou not hem, neþer drede þou of þe face of hem, for it
is an hous terrynge to wraþþe.
DCCXXV
x And he ſeide to me, Sone of man, take in þin herte,
and here wiþ þin eeris alle þeſe my wordis, whiche Y
ſpeke to þee.
xi And go þou, and entre to þe paſſyng ouer, to þe ſones
of þi puple. And þou ſchalt ſpeke to hem, and þou ſchalt
ſeie to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, if
perauenture þei heren, and reſten.
xii And þe ſpirit took me, and Y herde after me þe vois
of a greet mouyng. Þe bleſſid glorie of þe Lord was herd
fro his place;
xiii and Y herde þe vois of wyngis of þe beeſtis
ſmytynge oon an oþir, and þe vois of wheelis ſuynge þe
beeſtis, and þe vois of greet ſtiryng.
xiiii Alſo þe ſpirit reiſide me, and took me. And Y ȝede
forþ bittir in þe indignacioun of my ſpirit; for þe hond
of þe Lord was wiþ me, and coumfortide me.
xv And Y cam to þe paſſyng ouer, to þe heep of newe
fruytis, to hem þat dwelliden biſidis þe flood Chobar.
And Y ſat where þei ſaten, and Y dwellide þere ſeuene
daies, weilynge, in þe myddis of hem.
xvi Forſoþe whanne ſeuene daies weren paſſid, þe word
of þe Lord was maad to me, and ſeide, Sone of man,
xvii Y ȝaf þee `a ſpiere to þe hous of Iſrael. And þou
ſchalt here of my mouþ a word, and þou ſchalt telle to
hem of me.
xviii If whanne Y ſeie to þe wickid man, Þou ſchalt die bi
deþ, þou telliſt not to hym, and ſpekiſt not to hym, þat
he be turned fro his wickid weie, and lyue; þilke wickid
man ſchal die in his wickidneſſe, but Y ſchal ſeke his
blood of þin hond.
xix Forſoþe if þou telliſt to þe wickid man, and he is not
conuertid fro his wickidneſſe, and fro his wickid weie;
ſoþeli he ſchal die in his wickidneſſe, but þou haſt
delyuerid þi ſoule.
xx But alſo if a iuſt man is turned fro his riȝtfulneſſe, and
doiþ wickidneſſe, Y ſchal ſette an hirtyng bifor hym; he
ſchal die, for þou teldiſt not to hym; he ſchal die in his
ſynne, and hiſe riȝtfulneſſis, whiche he dide, ſchulen not
be in mynde, but Y ſchal ſeke his blood of þin hond.
xxi Forſoþe if þou telliſt to a iuſt man, þat a iuſt man do
not ſynne, and he doiþ not ſynne, he lyuynge ſchal lyue,
for þou teldiſt to hym, and þou haſt delyuered þi ſoule.
xxii And þe hond of þe Lord was maad on me, and he
ſeide to me, Riſe þou, and go out in to þe feeld, and þere
Y ſchal ſpeke wiþ þee.
xxiii And Y roos, and ȝede out in to þe feeld. And lo! þe
glorie of þe Lord ſtood þere, as þe glorie which Y ſiȝ
biſidis þe flood Chobar; and Y felle doun on my face.
xxiiii And þe ſpirit entride in to me, and ſettide me on my
feet. And he ſpak to me, and ſeide to me, Entre þou, and
be þou cloſid in þe myddis of þin hous.
xxv And þou, ſone of man, lo! boondis ben ȝouun on
þee, and þei ſchulen bynde þee wiþ þo, and þou ſchalt
not go out in þe myddis of hem.
xxvi And Y ſchal make þi tunge to cleue to þe roof of þi
mouþ, and þou ſchalt be doumbe, and þou ſchalt not be
as a man rebuykinge; for it is an hous terrynge to
wraþþe.
xxvii But whanne Y ſchal ſpeke to þee, Y ſchal opene þi
mouþ, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, He þat heriþ, here, and he þat reſtiþ, reſte; for it
is an hous terrynge to wraþþe.
CAP. IIII
i And þou, ſone of man, take to þee a tijl ſtoon; and þou
ſchalt ſette it bifore þee, and þou ſchalt diſcriue þer ynne
þe citee of Jeruſalem.
ii And þou ſchalt ordeyne biſegyng aȝenus þat
Jeruſalem; and þou ſchalt bilde ſtrengþis, and þou ſchalt
bere togidere erþe, and þou ſhalt ȝyue ooſtis of batel
aȝens it, and þou ſchalt ſette engynes in cumpas.
iii And take þou to þee an irone friynge panne; and þou
ſchalt ſette it in to an irone wal bitwixe þee and bitwixe
þe cite; and þou ſchalt ſette ſtidfaſtli þi face to it, and it
ſchal be in to biſegyng, and þou ſchalt cumpaſſe it; it is
a ſigne to þe hous of Iſrael.
iiii And þou ſchalt ſlepe on þi left ſide, and þou ſchalt
putte þe wickidneſſis of þe hous of Iſrael on þat ſide, in
þe noumbre of daies in which þou ſhalt ſlepe on þat
ſide, and þou ſchalt take þe wickidneſſe of hem.
v Forſoþe Y ȝaf to þee þe ȝeeris of þe wickidneſſe of
hem bi noumbre of daies, þre hundrid and nynti daies;
and þou ſchalt bere þe wickidneſſe of þe hous of Iſrael.
vi And whanne þou haſt fillid þeſe þingis, þou ſchalt
ſlepe þe ſecounde tyme on þi riȝtſide. And þou ſchalt
take þe wickidneſſe of þe hous of Juda bi fourti daies; Y
ȝaf to þee a dai for a ȝeer, a dai ſoþeli for a ȝeer.
vii And þou ſchalt turne þi face to þe biſeging of
Jeruſalem; and þin arm ſchal be ſtretchid forþ, and þou
ſchalt profeſie aȝens it.
viii Lo! Y haue cumpaſſid þee wiþ boondis, and þou
ſchalt not turne þee fro þi ſide in `to oþer ſide, tille þou
fille þe daies of þi biſegyng.
ix And take þou to þee wheete, and barli, and beenys,
and tillis, and mylie, and vetchis; and þou ſchalt putte
þo in to o veſſelle. And þou ſchalt make to þee looues
for þe noumbre of daies, bi whiche þou ſchalt ſlepe on
þi ſide; bi þree hundrid and nynti daies þou ſchalt ete it.
x Forſoþe þi mete, which þou ſchalt ete, ſchal be in
weiȝte twenti ſtaters in a dai; fro tyme til to tyme þou
ſchalt ete it.
xi And þou ſchalt drynke watir in meſure, þe ſixte part
of hyn; fro tyme til to tyme þou ſchalt drynke it.
DCCXXVI
xii And þou ſchalt ete it as barli breed bakun vndur þe
aiſchis; and wiþ `a toord þat goiþ out of a man þou
ſchalt hile, it bifore þe iȝen of hem.
xiii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, So þe ſones of Iſrael
ſchulen ete her breed defoulid among heþene men, to
whiche Y ſchal caſte hem out.
xiiii And Y ſeide, A! A! A! Lord God, lo! my ſoule is not
defoulid, and fro my ȝong childhed til to now Y eet not
a þing deed bi it ſilf, and to-rent of beeſtis; and al
vnclene fleiſch entride not in to my mouþ.
xv And he ſeide to me, Lo! Y haue ȝoue to þee þe dung
of oxis for mennus toordis; and þou ſchalt make þi
breed wiþ it.
xvi And he ſeide to me, Sone of man, lo! Y ſchal al to-
breke þe ſtaf of breed in Jeruſalem, and þei ſchulen ete
her breed in weiȝte and in biſyneſſe, and þei ſchulen
drynke water in meſure and in angwiſch;
xvii þat whanne breed and watir failen, eche man falle
doun to his broþer, and þei faile in her wickidneſſis.
CAP. V
i And þou, ſone of man, take to þee a ſcharp ſwerd,
ſchauynge heeris; and þou ſchalt take it, and ſchalt leede
it bi þin heed, and bi þi berd. And þou ſchalt take to þee
a balaunce of weiȝte, and þou ſchalt departe þo.
ii Þou ſchalt brenne þe þridde part wiþ fier in þe myddis
of þe citee, bi þe fillyng of daies of biſegyng. And þou
ſchalt take þe þridde part, and ſchalt kitte bi ſwerd in þe
cumpas þerof. But þou ſchalt ſcatere `þe toþer þridde
part in to þe wynd; and Y ſchal make nakid a ſwerd aftir
hem.
iii And þou ſchalt take þerof a litil noumbre, and þou
ſchalt bynde þo in þe hiȝneſſe of þi mentil.
iiii And eft þou ſchalt take of hem, and þou ſchalt caſte
forþ hem in to þe myddis of þe fier. And þou ſchalt
brenne hem in fier; and fier ſchal go out of þat in to al
þe hous of Iſrael.
v Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þis is Jeruſalem; Y haue
ſette it in þe myddis of heþene men, and londis in þe
cumpas þerof.
vi And it diſpiſide my domes, þat it was more wickid
þan heþene men; and it diſpiſide my comaundementis
more þan londis þat ben in þe cumpas þerof. For þei
han caſt awei my domes, and þei ȝeden not in my
comaundementis.
vii Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For ȝe `han
paſſid heþene men þat ben in ȝoure cumpas, and ȝe
ȝeden not in my comaundementis, and ȝe diden not my
domes, and ȝe wrouȝten not bi þe domes of heþene men
þat ben in ȝoure cumpas;
viii þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y to þee,
and Y my ſilf ſchal make domes in þe myddis of þee,
bifor þe iȝen of heþene men; and Y ſchal do þingis in
þee,
ix whiche Y dide not, and to whiche Y ſchal no more
make lijk þingis, for alle þin abhomynaciouns.
x Þerfor fadris ſchulen ete ſones in þe myddis of þee,
and ſones ſchulen ete her fadris; and Y ſchal make
domes in þee, and Y ſchal wyndewe alle þin
remenauntis in to ech wynd.
xi Þerfor Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, no but for þat þat
þou defoulidiſt myn hooli þing in alle þin offenciouns,
and in alle þin abhomynaciouns; and Y ſchal breke, and
myn iȝe ſchal not ſpare, and Y ſchal not do merci.
xii Þe þridde part of þee ſchal die bi peſtilence, and ſchal
be waſtid bi hungur in þe middis of þee; and þe þridde
part of þee ſchal falle doun bi ſwerd in þi cumpas;
forſoþe Y ſchal ſcatere þi þridde part in to ech wynd,
and Y ſchal drawe out a ſwerd after hem.
xiii And Y ſchal fille my ſtronge veniaunce, and Y ſchal
make myn indignacioun to reſte in hem, and Y ſchal be
coumfortid. And þei ſchulen wite, þat Y þe Lord ſpak in
my feruent loue, whanne Y ſchal fille al myn
indignacioun in hem.
xiiii And Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to deſert, in to ſchenſchipe
to heþene men þat ben in þi cumpas, in þe ſiȝt of ech þat
paſſiþ forþ.
xv And þou ſchalt be ſchenſchipe `and blasfemye,
enſaumple and wondryng, among heþene men þat ben
in þi cumpas, whanne Y ſchal make domes in þee, in
ſtrong veniaunce, and indignacioun, and in blamyngis
of ire.
xvi Y þe Lord haue ſpoke, whanne Y ſchal ſende in to
hem þe worſte arowis of hungur, þat ſchulen bere deþ;
and whiche Y ſchal ſende, þat Y leeſe ȝou. And Y ſchal
gadere hungur on ȝou, and Y ſchal al to-breke in ȝou þe
ſadneſſe of breed.
xvii And Y ſchal ſende in to ȝou hungur, and worſte
beeſtis, til to þe deþ; and peſtilence and blood ſchulen
paſſe bi þee, and Y ſchal bringe in ſwerd on þee; Y þe
Lord ſpak.
CAP. VI
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, ſette þi face to þe hillis
of Iſrael; and þou ſchalt profeſie to þo hillis, and ſchalt
ſeie,
iii Hillis of Iſrael, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord God. Þe
Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis to mounteyns, and litil hillis,
to roochis of ſtoon, and to valeis, Lo! Y ſchal bringe in
on ȝou a ſwerd, and Y ſchal leeſe ȝoure hiȝe þingis.
iiii And Y ſchal diſtrie ȝoure auteris, and ȝoure
ſymylacris ſchulen be brokun; and Y ſchal caſte doun
ȝoure ſlayn men bifore ȝoure idols.
v And Y ſchal ȝyue þe deed bodies of þe ſones of Iſrael
bifor þe face of ȝoure ſymylacris, and Y ſchal ſcatere
ȝoure boonys
DCCXXVII
vi aboute ȝoure auteris, in alle ȝoure dwellingis. Citees
ſchulen be forſakun, and hiȝ þingis ſchulen be diſtried,
and ſchulen be ſcaterid; and ȝoure auteris ſchulen
periſche, and ſchulen be brokun. And ȝoure idols
ſchulen ceeſſe, and ȝoure templis of idols ſchulen be al
to-brokun, and ȝoure werkis ſchulen be doen awei.
vii And a ſlayn man ſchal falle doun in þe myddis of
ȝou; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
viii And Y ſchal leeue in ȝou hem þat fledden ſwerd
among heþene men, whanne Y ſchal ſcatere ȝou in to
londis.
ix And ȝoure delyuered men ſchulen haue mynde on me
among heþene men, to whiche þei ben led priſoneris;
for Y haue al to-broke her herte doynge fornycacioun,
and goynge awei fro me, and her iȝen doynge
fornicacioun aftir her idols. And þei ſchulen diſpleſe
hem ſilf on þe yuels, whiche þei diden in alle her
abhomynaciouns.
x And þei ſchulen wite, þat Y þe Lord ſpak not in veyn,
þat Y ſchulde do þis yuel to hem.
xi Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Smyte þin hond, and
hurtle þi foot, and ſeie, Alas! to alle abhomynaciouns of
þe yuelis of þe hous of Iſrael; for þei ſchulen falle doun
bi ſwerd, hungur, and peſtilence. He þat is fer, ſhal die
bi peſtilence.
xii Forſoþe he þat is niȝ, ſhal falle bi ſwerd. And he þat is
laft and biſegid, ſhal die bi hungur. And Y ſchal fille
myn indignacioun in hem.
xiii And ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne
ȝoure ſlayn men ſchulen be in þe myddis of ȝoure idols,
in þe cumpas of ȝoure auteris, in eche hiȝ litil hil, and in
alle þe hiȝneſſis of mounteyns, and vndur ech tree ful of
wode, and vndur ech ook ful of boowis, þat is, a place
where þei brenten encenſe ſwete ſmellynge to alle her
idols.
xiiii And Y ſchal ſtretche forþ myn hond on hem, and Y
ſchal make her lond deſolat and deſtitute, fro deſert
Deblata, in alle þe dwellyngis of hem; and þei ſchulen
wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
CAP. VII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii `and he ſeide, And þou, ſone of man, þe Lord God of
þe lond of Iſrael ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe ende comeþ, þe
ende comeþ, on foure cooſtis of þe lond.
iii Now an ende is on þee, and Y ſhal ſende in my ſtrong
veniaunce on þee, and Y ſchal deme þee bi þi weies,
and Y ſchal ſette alle þin abhomynaciouns aȝens þee.
iiii And myn iȝe ſhal not ſpare on þee, and Y ſchal not do
mercy. But Y ſhal ſette þi weies on þee, and þin
abhomynaciouns ſchulen be in þe myddis of þee; and ȝe
ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
v Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, O turment, lo!
vi turment comeþ; þe ende comeþ, þe ende comeþ; it
ſchal wake fulli aȝens þee; lo! it comeþ.
vii Sorewe comeþ on þee, þat dwelliſt in þe lond; þe
tyme comeþ, þe dai of ſleyng is niȝ, and not of glorie of
hillis.
viii Now anoon Y ſchal ſchede out myn ire on þee, and Y
ſchal fille my ſtrong veniaunce in þee; and Y ſchal deme
þee bi þi weies, and Y ſchal putte to þee alle þi grete
treſpaſſis.
ix And myn iȝe ſchal not ſpare, neþer Y ſchal do merci;
but Y ſchal putte on þee þi weies, and þin
abhomynaciouns ſchulen be in þe myddis of þee; and ȝe
ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord ſmytynge.
x Lo! þe dai, lo! it comeþ; ſorewe is gon out. A ȝerde
flouride,
xi pride buriownede, wickidneſſe roos in þe ȝerde of
vnpitee; not of hem, and not of þe puple, neþer of þe
ſown of hem, and no reſte ſhal be in hem.
xii Þe tyme comeþ, þe dai neiȝede; he þat bieþ, be not
glad, and he þat ſilliþ, mourne not; for whi ire is on al
þe puple þerof.
xiii For he þat ſilliþ, ſchal not turne aȝen to þat þat he
ſeelde, and ȝit þe lijf of hem is in lyueris; for whi þe
reuelacioun to al þe multitude þerof ſhal not go aȝen,
and a man ſchal not be coumfortid in þe wickidneſſe of
his lijf.
xiiii Synge ȝe wiþ a trumpe, alle men be maad redi, and
noon is þat ſchal go to batel; for whi my wraþþe is on al
þe puple þerof.
xv Swerd is wiþ out forþ, peſtilence and hungur wiþ
ynne; he þat is in þe feeld, ſchal die bi ſwerd; and þei
þat ben in þe citee, ſchulen be deuourid bi peſtilence
and hungur.
xvi And þei ſchulen be ſauyd þat fleen of hem; and þei
ſchulen be as culueris of grete valeis in hillis, alle
quakynge, ech man in his wickidneſſe.
xvii Alle hondis ſchulen be aclumſid, and alle knees
ſchulen flowe wiþ watris.
xviii And þei ſchulen girde hem wiþ heiris, and inward
drede ſchal hile hem; and ſchenſchipe ſchal be in ech
face, and ballidneſſe ſchal be in alle þe heedis of hem.
xix Þe ſiluer of hem ſchal be caſt out, and þe gold of hem
ſchal be in to a dunghil; þe ſiluer of hem and þe gold of
hem ſchal not mowe delyuere hem in þe dai of þe ſtrong
veniaunce of þe Lord. Þei ſchulen not fille her ſoule,
and þe wombis of hem ſchulen not be fillid; for it is
maad þe ſclaundre of hir wickidneſſe.
xx And þei ſetteden þe ournement of her brochis in to
pride; and þei maden of it þe ymagis of her
abhomynaciouns and ſimylacris. For þis þing Y ȝaf it to
hem, in to vnclenneſſe.
DCCXXVIII
xxi And Y ſchal ȝyue it in to þe hondis of aliens, to
rauyſche, and to þe vnpitouſe men of erþe, in to prey,
and þei ſchulen defoule it.
xxii And Y ſchal turne awei my face fro hem, and þei
ſchulen defoule my priuyte; and harlotis ſchulen entre in
to it, and ſchulen defoule it.
xxiii Make þou a cloſyng to gidere; for þe lond is ful of
doom of bloodis, and þe citee is ful of wickidneſſe.
xxiiii And Y ſchal brynge þe worſte of heþene men, and
þei ſchulen haue in poſſeſſioun þe houſis of hem; and Y
ſchal make þe pride of miȝti men to ceeſſe, and enemyes
ſchulen haue in poſſeſſioun þe ſeyntuaries of hem.
xxv In anguyſch comynge aboue þei ſchulen ſeke pees,
and it ſchal not be.
xxvi Diſturblyng ſchal come on diſturblyng, and heryng
on heryng; and þei ſchulen ſeke of þe profete a
reuelacioun, and lawe ſhal periſche fro þe preeſt, and
counſel fro eldre men.
xxvii Þe kyng ſchal mourne, and þe prince ſchal be
cloþid in weilyng, and þe hondis of þe puple of þe lond
ſchulen be diſturblid; bi þe weie of hem Y ſchal do to
hem, and bi þe domes of hem Y ſchal deme hem; and
þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
CAP. VIII
i And it was doon in þe ſixte ȝeer, in þe ſixte moneþe, in
þe fyueþe dai of þe moneþe, Y ſat in myn hous, and þe
elde men of Juda ſaten bifore me; and þe hond of þe
Lord God felle þere on me.
ii And Y ſiȝ, and lo! a licneſſe as þe biholdyng of fier;
fro þe biholding of hiſe leendis and byneþe was fier,
and fro hiſe leendis and aboue was as þe biholdyng of
ſchynyng, as þe ſiȝt of electre.
iii And þe licneſſe of an hond was ſent out, and took me
bi þe heer of myn heed; and þe ſpirit reiſide me bitwixe
heuene and erþe, and brouȝte me in to Jeruſalem, in þe
ſiȝt of God, biſidis þe ynnere dore þat bihelde to þe
norþ, where þe idol of enuye was ſet, to ſtire
indignacioun.
iiii And lo! þe glorie of God of Iſrael was þere, bi ſiȝt
which Y ſiȝ in þe feeld.
v And he ſeide to me, Þou, ſone of man, reiſe þin iȝen to
þe weie of þe norþ; and Y reiſide myn iȝen to þe weie of
þe norþ, and lo! fro þe norþ of þe ȝate of þe auter þe
idol of enuye was in þat entryng.
vi And he ſeide to me, Sone of man, geſſiſt þou wheþer
þou ſeeſt what þing þeſe men doon, þe grete
abhomynaciouns whiche þe hous of Iſrael doiþ here, þat
Y go fer awei fro my ſeyntuarie? and ȝit þou ſchalt
turne, and ſchalt ſe grettere abhomynaciouns.
vii And he ledde me wiþ ynne to þe dore of þe halle; and
Y ſiȝ, and lo! oon hoole in þe wal.
viii And he ſeide to me, Sone of man, digge þou þe wal;
and whanne Y hadde diggid þe wal, o dore apperide.
ix And he ſeide to me, Entre þou, and ſe þe worſte
abhomynaciouns, whiche þeſe men doon here.
x And Y entride, and ſiȝ; and lo! ech licneſſe of
`crepynge beeſtis, and abhomynacioun of beeſtis, and
alle idols of þe hous of Iſrael, weren peyntid in þe wal
al aboute in cumpas.
xi And ſeuenti men of þe eldere of þe hous of Iſrael
ſtoden; and Jeconye, þe ſone of Saphan, ſtood in þe
myddis of hem, ſtondynge bifore þe peyntyngis; and
ech man hadde a cenſere in his hond, and þe ſmoke of a
cloude of encenſe ſtiede.
xii And he ſeide to me, Certis, ſone of man, þou ſeeſt
what þingis þe eldere men of þe hous of Iſrael doen in
derkneſſis, ech man in þe hid place of his bed; for þei
ſeiyn, Þe Lord ſeeþ not vs, þe Lord haþ forſake þe lond.
xiii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Ȝit þou ſchalt turne, and
ſchalt ſe gretter abhomynaciouns, whiche þeſe men
doon.
xiiii And he ledde me wiþ ynne, bi þe dore of þe ȝate of
þe hous of þe Lord, which dore bihelde to þe norþ; and
lo! wymmen ſaten þere, biweilynge Adonydes.
xv And þe Lord ſeide to me, Certis, ſone of man, þou
haſt ſeyn; ȝit þou ſchalt turne, and ſchalt ſe gretere
abhomynaciouns þan þeſe.
xvi And he ledde me wiþ ynne, in to þe ynnere halle of
þe hous of þe Lord; and lo! in þe dore of þe temple of
þe Lord, bitwixe þe porche and þe auter, weren as fyue
and twenti men hauynge þe backis aȝens þe temple of
þe Lord, and her faces to þe eeſt; and þei worſchipiden
at þe riſyng of þe ſunne.
xvii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Certis, ſone of man, þou
haſt ſeyn; wheþer þis is a lyȝt þing to þe hous of Juda,
þat þei ſchulden do þeſe abhomynaciouns, whiche þei
diden here? For þei filliden þe lond wiþ wickidneſſe,
and turneden to terre me to wraþþe; and lo! þei applien
a braunche to her noſe þirlis.
xviii Þerfor and Y ſchal do in ſtrong veniaunce; myn iȝe
ſchal not ſpare, neþer Y ſchal do merci; and whanne þei
ſchulen crie to myn eris wiþ greet vois, Y ſchal not here
hem.
CAP. IX
i And he criede in myn eeris wiþ greet vois, and ſeide,
Þe viſityngis of þe citee han neiȝed, and ech man haþ in
his hond an inſtrument of ſleyng.
ii And lo! ſixe men camen fro þe weie of þe hiȝere ȝate,
þat biholdiþ to þe norþ, and þe inſtrument of deþ of ech
man was in his hond; alſo o man in þe myddis of hem
was cloþid wiþ lynnun cloþis, and a pennere of a
writere at hiſe reynes; and þei entriden, and ſtoden
biſidis þe braſun auter.
iii And þe glorie of þe Lord of Iſrael was takun vp fro
cherub, which glorie was on it, to þe þreisfold of þe
hous; and þe Lord clepide þe man þat was cloþid wiþ
DCCXXIX
lynun cloþis, and hadde a pennere of a writere in hiſe
leendis.
iiii And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Paſſe þou bi þe myddis of
þe citee, in þe myddis of Jeruſalem, and marke þou
Thau on þe forhedis of men weilynge and ſorewynge on
alle abhomynaciouns þat ben doon in þe myddis þerof.
v And he ſeide to hem in myn heryng, Go ȝe þorouȝ þe
citee, and ſue ȝe hym, and ſmytte ȝe; ȝoure iȝe ſpare not,
neþer do ȝe merci.
vi Sle ȝe til to deþ, an eld man, a ȝong man, and a
virgyn, a litil child, and wymmen; but ſle ȝe not ony
man, on whom ȝe ſeen Thau; and bigynne ȝe at my
ſeyntuarie. Þerfore þei bigunnen at þe eldere men, þat
weren bifore þe face of þe hous.
vii And he ſeide to hem, Defoule ȝe þe hous, and fille ȝe
þe hallis wiþ ſlayn men; go ȝe out. And þei ȝeden out,
and killiden hem þat weren in þe citee.
viii And lo! whanne þe ſleyng was fillid, Y was left. And
Y felle doun on my face, and Y criede, and ſeide, Alas!
alas! alas! Lord God, þerfor wheþer þou ſchalt leeſe alle
remenauntis of Iſrael, and ſchalt ſchede out þi ſtronge
veniaunce on Jeruſalem?
ix And he ſeide to me, Þe wickidneſſe of þe hous of
Iſrael and of Juda is ful greet, and þe lond is fillid of
bloodis, and þe citee is fillid wiþ turnyng awei; for þei
ſeiden, Þe Lord haþ forſake þe lond, and þe Lord ſeeþ
not.
x Þerfor and myn iȝe ſchal not ſpare, neþer Y ſchal do
merci; Y ſchal ȝelde þe weie of hem on þe heed of hem.
xi And lo! þe man þat was cloþid in lynun cloþis, þat
hadde a pennere in his bak, anſweride a word, and ſeide,
Y haue do, as þou comaundidiſt to me.
CAP. X
i And Y ſiȝ, and lo! in þe firmament þat was on þe heed
of cherubyns, as a ſaphir ſtoon, and as þe fourme of
licneſſe of a kyngis ſeete apperide þeron.
ii And he ſeide to þe man þat was cloþid in lynnun
cloþis, and ſpak, Entre þou in þe myddis of wheelis, þat
ben vndur cherubyns, and fille þin hond wiþ coolis of
fier, þat ben bitwixe cherubyns, and ſchede þou out on
þe citee.
iii And he entride in my ſiȝt; forſoþe cherubyns ſtoden at
þe riȝt ſide of þe hous, whanne þe man entride, and a
clowde fillide þe ynnere halle.
iiii And þe glorie of þe Lord was reiſid fro aboue
cherubyns to þe þreisfold of þe hous; and þe hous was
fillid wiþ a cloude, and þe halle was fillid wiþ ſchynyng
of þe glorie of þe Lord.
v And þe ſown of wyngis of cherubyns was herd til to
þe outermere halle, as þe vois of almyȝti God ſpekynge.
vi And whanne he hadde comaundid to þe man þat was
cloþid in lynnun cloþis, and hadde ſeid, Take þou fier
fro þe myddis of þe wheelis, þat ben bitwixe cherubyns,
he entride, and ſtood biſidis þe wheel.
vii And cherub ſtretchide forþ his hond fro þe myddis of
cherubyns, to þe fier þat was bitwixe cherubyns; and
took, and ȝaf in to þe hondis of hym þat was cloþid in
lynnun cloþis; and he took, and ȝede out.
viii And þe licneſſe of þe hond of a man apperide in
cherubyns, vndur þe wyngis of þo.
ix And Y ſiȝ, and lo! foure wheelis weren biſidis
cherubyns; o wheel biſidis o cherub, and anoþer wheel
biſidis anoþer cherub; forſoþe þe licneſſe of wheelis was
as þe ſiȝt of þe ſtoon criſolitis.
x And þe biholdyng of þo was o licneſſe of foure, as if a
wheel be in þe myddis of a wheel.
xi And whanne þo ȝeden, þo ȝeden in to foure partis; þo
turneden not aȝen goynge, but to þe place to which þat
þat was þe firſte wheel bowide to go, alſo oþere ſuyden,
and turneden not aȝen.
xii And al þe bodi of þo wheelis, and þe neckis, and
hondis, and wyngis of þe beeſtis, and þe cerclis, weren
ful of iȝen, in þe cumpas of foure wheelis.
xiii And he clepide þo wheelis volible, eþer able to go al
aboute, in myn heryng.
xiiii Forſoþe o beeſte hadde foure faces; o face was þe
face of cherub, and þe ſecounde face þe face of a man,
and in þe þridde was þe face of a lioun, and in þe fourþe
was þe face of an egle;
xv and þe cherubyns weren reiſid. Þilke is þe beeſte,
which Y hadde ſeyn biſidis þe flood Chobar.
xvi And whanne cherubyns ȝeden, alſo þe wheelis biſidis
þo ȝeden to gidere; whanne cherubyns reiſiden her
wyngis, þat þo ſchulden be enhaunſid fro þe erþe, þe
wheelis abididen not ſtille, but alſo þo weren biſidis
cherubyns.
xvii Þe wheelis ſtooden wiþ þo cherubyns ſtondynge,
and weren reiſid wiþ þe cherubyns reiſid; for þe ſpirit of
lijf was in þo wheelis.
xviii And þe glorie of þe Lord ȝede out fro þe þreisfold
of þe temple, and ſtood on þe cherubyns.
xix And cherubyns reiſiden her wyngis, and weren
enhaunſid fro þe erþe bifore me; and whanne þo ȝeden
out, alſo þe wheelis ſueden; and it ſtood in þe entryng of
þe eeſt ȝate of þe hous of þe Lord, and þe glorie of God
of Iſrael was on þo.
xx Þilke is þe beeſte, which Y ſiȝ vndur God of Iſrael,
biſidis þe flood Chobar. And Y vndurſtood þat foure
cherubyns weren;
xxi foure faces weren to oon, and foure wyngys weren
to oon; and þe licneſſe of þe hond of a man was vndur
þe wyngis of þo.
xxii And þe licneſſe of þe cheris of þo weren þilke
cheeris whiche Y hadde ſeyn biſidis þe flood Chobar;
DCCXXX
and þe biholdyng of þo, and þe ferſneſſe of ech, was to
entre bifor his face.
CAP. XI
i And þe ſpirit reiſide me, and ledde me wiþ ynne to þe
eeſt ȝate of þe hous of þe Lord, þat biholdiþ þe riſyng of
þe ſunne. And lo! in þe entryng of þe ȝate weren fyue
and twenti men; and Y ſiȝ in þe myddis of hem Jeconye,
þe ſone of Aſſur, and Pheltie, þe ſone of Banaie, princes
of þe puple.
ii And he ſeide to me, Þou, ſone of man, þeſe ben þe
men þat þenken wickidneſſe, and treten þe worſte
counſel in þis citee,
iii and ſeien, Wheþer houſis weren not bildid a while
ago? þis is þe cawdrun, forſoþe we ben fleiſchis.
iiii Þerfor profeſie þou of hem, profeſie þou, ſone of
man.
v And þe Spirit of þe Lord felle in to me, and ſeide to
me, Speke þou, Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝe hous of
Iſrael ſpaken þus, and Y knewe þe þouȝtis of ȝoure
herte;
vi ȝe killiden ful many men in þis citee, and ȝe filliden
þe weies þerof wiþ ſlayn men.
vii Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝoure ſlayn men,
whiche ȝe puttiden in þe myddis þerof, þeſe ben
fleiſchis, and þis is þe cawdrun; and Y ſchal lede ȝou
out of þe myddis þerof.
viii Ȝe dredden ſwerd, and Y ſchal brynge in ſwerd on
ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
ix And Y ſchal caſte ȝou out of þe myddis þerof, and Y
ſchal ȝyue ȝou in to þe hond of enemyes, and Y ſchal
make domes in ȝou.
x Bi ſwerd ȝe ſchulen falle doun, Y ſchal deme ȝou in þe
endis of Iſrael; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xi Þis ſchal not be to ȝou in to a cawdrun, and ȝe ſchulen
not be in to fleiſchis in þe myddis þerof; Y ſchal deme
ȝou in þe endis of Iſrael,
xii and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord. For ȝe ȝeden
not in myn heeſtis, and ȝe dyden not my domes, but ȝe
wrouȝten bi þe domes of heþene men, þat ben in ȝoure
cumpas.
xiii And it was doon, whanne Y profeſiede, Pheltie, þe
ſone of Banaie, was deed; and Y felle doun on my face,
and Y criede wiþ greet vois, and ſeide, Alas! alas! alas!
Lord God, þou makiſt endyng of þe remenauntis of
Iſrael.
xiiii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xv and he ſeide, Sone of man, þi briþeren, þi kynes men,
and al þe hous of Iſrael, and alle men, to whiche þe
dwelleris of Jeruſalem ſeiden, Go ȝe awei fer fro þe
Lord, þe lond is ȝouun to vs in to poſſeſſioun.
xvi Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For Y made
hem fer among heþene men, and for Y ſcateride hem in
londis, Y ſchal be to hem in to a litil halewyng, in þe
londis to whiche þei camen.
xvii Þerfor ſpeke þou, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y
ſchal gadere ȝou fro puplis, and Y ſchal gadere ȝou
togidere fro londis, in whiche ȝe ben ſcatered; and Y
ſchal ȝyue þe erþe of Iſrael to ȝou.
xviii And þei ſchulen entre þidur, and ſchulen do awei
alle offenciouns, and alle abhomynaciouns þerof in þat
dai.
xix And Y ſchal ȝyue to hem oon herte, and Y ſchal ȝyue
a newe ſpirit in þe entrails of hem; and Y ſchal take
awei a ſtony herte fro þe fleiſch of hem, and Y ſchal
ȝyue to hem an herte of fleiſch;
xx þat þei go in my comaundementis, and kepe my
domes, and do þo; and þat þei be in to a puple to me,
and Y be in to God to hem.
xxi But of whiche þe herte goiþ after her offendyngis
and abhomynaciouns, Y ſchal ſette þe weie of hem in
her heed, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xxii And þe cherubyns reiſiden her wyngis, and þe
wheelis ȝeden wiþ þo, and þe glorie of God of Iſrael
was on þo.
xxiii And þe glorie of þe Lord ſtiede fro þe myddis of þe
citee, and ſtood on þe hil, which is at þe eeſt of þe citee.
xxiiii And þe ſpirit reiſide me, and brouȝte me in to
Caldee, to þe paſſyng ouer, in viſioun bi þe ſpirit of
God; and þe viſioun which Y hadde ſeyn, was takun
awei fro me.
xxv And Y ſpak to þe paſſyng ouer alle þe wordis of þe
Lord, whiche he hadde ſchewid to me.
CAP. XII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Sone of man, þou dwelliſt in þe myddis
of an hous terrynge to wraþþe, which han iȝen to ſe, and
ſeen not, and eeris to here, and heren not; for it is an
hous terrynge to wraþþe.
iii Þerfor þou, ſone of man, make to þee veſſels of
paſſing ouer, and þou ſchalt paſſe ouer bi dai bifor hem;
forſoþe þou ſchalt paſſe ouer fro þi place to anoþer
place, in þe ſiȝt of hem, if perauenture þei biholden, for
it is an hous terrynge to wraþþe.
iiii And þou ſchalt bere wiþoutforþ þi veſſels, as þe
veſſels of a man paſſynge ouer bi dai, in þe ſiȝt of hem;
ſoþeli þou ſchalt go out in þe euentid bifore hem, as a
man paſſynge forþ goiþ out.
v Bifore þe iȝen of hem digge þe wal to þee, and þou
vi ſchalt go out þorouȝ it in þe ſiȝt of hem. Þou ſchalt be
borun on ſchuldris, þou ſchalt be borun out in derkneſſe;
þou ſchalt hile þi face, and þou ſchalt not ſe þe erþe, for
Y haue ȝoue þee a ſigne
vii of þing to comynge to þe hous of Iſrael. Þerfor Y
dide as þe Lord comaundide to me; Y brouȝte forþ my
DCCXXXI
veſſels, as þe veſſels of a man paſſynge ouer bi dai, and
in þe euentid Y diggide a wal to me wiþ hond; Y ȝede
out in derkneſſe, and Y was borun on ſchuldris,
viii in þe ſiȝt of hem. And þe word of þe Lord was maad
eerli to me,
ix and he ſeide, Sone of man, wheþer þe hous of Iſrael,
þe hous terrynge to wraþþe, ſeiden not to þee, What
doiſt þou?
x Seie þou to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þis
birþun is on þe duyk, which is in Jeruſalem, and on al
þe hous of Iſrael, which is in þe myddis of hem.
xi Seie þou, Y am ȝoure ſigne of þing to comynge; as Y
dide, ſo it ſchal be don to hem; þei ſchulen go in to
paſſynge ouer, and in to caitifte.
xii And þe duyk which is in þe myddis of hem, ſchal be
borun out on ſchuldris, and he ſchal go out in derkneſſe;
þei ſchulen digge þe wal, and lede hym out; his face
ſchal be hilid, þat he ſe not wiþ iȝe þe erþe.
xiii And Y ſchal ſtretche forþ my net on hym, and he
ſchal be takun in my net; and Y ſchal lede hym in to
Babiloyne, in to þe lond of Caldeis, and he ſchal not ſe
þat lond, and he ſchal die þere.
xiiii And Y ſchal ſcatere in to ech wynd alle men þat ben
aboute hym, his help, and hiſe cumpenyes; and Y ſchal
draw out þe ſwerd aftir hem.
xv And þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y
ſchal ſcatere hem among heþene men, and ſchal ſowe
hem abrood in londis.
xvi And Y ſchal leue of hem a fewe men fro ſwerd, and
hungur, and peſtilence, þat þei telle out alle þe grete
treſpaſſis of hem among heþene men, to which þei
ſchulen entre; and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xvii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xviii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, ete þi breed in
diſturblyng, but alſo drynke þi water in haaſte and
mourening.
xix And þou ſchalt ſeie to þe puple of þe lond, Þe Lord
God ſeiþ þeſe þingis to hem þat dwellen in Jeruſalem, in
þe lond of Iſrael, Þei ſchulen ete her breed in angwiſch,
and þei ſchulen drynke her watir in deſolacioun; þat þe
lond be deſolat of his multitude, for þe wickidneſſe of
alle men þat dwellen þer ynne.
xx And citees þat ben now enhabitid, ſhulen be deſolat,
and þe lond ſchal be forſakun; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat
Y am þe Lord.
xxi And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xxii and he ſeide, Sone of man, what is þis prouerbe to
ȝou, of men ſeiynge in þe lond of Iſrael, Daies ſchulen
be differrid in to long tyme, and ech viſioun ſhal
periſche?
xxiii Þerfor ſeie þou to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Y ſchal make þis prouerbe to ceeſſe, and it ſchal
no more be ſeid comynli in Iſrael; and ſpeke þou to
hem, þat þe daies han neiȝid, and ech word of profeſie.
xxiiii For whi ech viſioun ſchal no more be voide, neþer
bifor tellyng of þing to comynge ſchal be douteful in þe
myddis of þe ſones of Iſrael;
xxv for Y þe Lord ſchal ſpeke what euer word Y ſchal
ſpeke, and it ſchal be don; it ſchal no more be delaied,
but in ȝoure daies, ȝe hous terrynge to wraþþe, Y ſchal
ſpeke a word, and Y ſchal do þat word, ſeiþ þe Lord
God.
xxvi And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and he
ſeide, Þou,
xxvii ſone of man, lo! þe hous of Iſrael, of hem þat ſeien,
Þe viſioun which þis man ſeeþ, is in to manye daies, and
þis man profeſieþ in to longe tymes.
xxviii Þerfor ſeie þou to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Ech word of me ſchal no more be deferrid; þe
word which Y ſchal ſpeke, ſchal be fillid, ſeiþ þe Lord
God.
CAP. XIII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Sone of man, profeſie þou to þe profetis
of Iſrael þat profeſien; and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem þat
profeſien of her herte,
iii Here ȝe þe word of þe Lord. Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Wo to þe vnwiſe profetis, þat ſuen her ſpirit, and
ſeen no þing;
iiii Iſrael, þi profetis weren as foxis in deſert.
v Ȝe ſtieden not euene aȝens, neþer aȝenſettiden a wal
for þe hous of Iſrael, þat ȝe ſhulden ſtonde in batel in þe
dai of þe Lord.
vi Þei ſeen veyn þingis, and deuynen a leeſyng, and
ſeien, Þe Lord ſeiþ, whanne þe Lord ſente not hem; and
þei contynueden to conferme þe word.
vii Wheþer ȝe ſeen not a veyn viſioun, and ſpaken fals
diuynyng, and ſeiden, Þe Lord ſeiþ, whanne Y ſpak not?
viii Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For ȝe ſpaken
veyn þingis, and ſien a leeſyng, þerfor lo! Y to ȝou, ſeiþ
þe Lord God.
ix And myn hond ſchal be on þe profetis þat ſeen veyn
þingis, and dyuynen a leeſyng; þei ſchulen not be in þe
councel of my puple, and þei ſchulen not be writun in
þe ſcripture of þe hous of Iſrael, neþer þei ſchulen entre
in to þe lond of Iſrael; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe
Lord God.
x For þei diſſeyueden my puple, and ſeiden, Pees, pees,
and no pees is; and it bildide a wal, but þei pargitiden it
wiþ fen wiþ out chaffis.
xi Seie þou to hem þat pargiten wiþ out temperure, þat it
ſchal falle doun; for a ſtrong reyn ſchal be flowynge,
and I ſhal ȝyue ful grete ſtoones fallinge fro aboue, and
Y ſchal ȝyue a wynd of tempeſt þat diſtrieþ.
DCCXXXII
xii For lo! þe wal felle doun. Wheþer it ſchal not be ſeid
to ȝou, Where is þe pargetyng, which ȝe pargetiden?
xiii Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, And Y ſchal
make þe ſpirit of tempeſtis to breke out in myn
indignacioun, and ſtrong reyn flowynge in my ſtrong
veniaunce ſchal be, and greet ſtoonys in wraþþe in to
waſtyng.
xiiii And Y ſchal diſtrie þe wal, which ȝe pargetiden wiþ
out temperure, and Y ſchal make it euene wiþ þe erþe;
and þe foundement þerof ſchal be ſchewid, and it ſchal
falle doun, and it ſchal be waſtid in þe myddis þerof;
and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xv And Y ſchal fille myn indignacioun in þe wal, and in
hem þat pargeten it wiþ out temperure; and Y ſchal ſeie
to ȝou, Þe wal is not, and þei ben not,
xvi þat pargeten it, þe profetis of Iſrael, þat profeſien to
Jeruſalem, and ſeen to it þe viſioun of pees, and pees is
not, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xvii And þou, ſone of man, ſette þi face aȝens þe douȝtris
of þi puple, þat profeſien of her herte; and profeſie þou
on hem,
xviii and ſeie þou, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Wo to
hem þat ſowen togidere cuſchens vndur ech cubit of
hond, and maken pilewis vndur þe heed of ech age, to
take ſoulis; and whanne þei diſſeyueden þe ſoulis of my
puple, þei quykenyden þe ſoulis of hem.
xix And þei defouliden me to my puple, for an handful
of barli, and for a gobet of breed, þat þei ſchulden ſle
ſoulis þat dien not, and quykene ſoulis þat lyuen not;
and þei lieden to my puple, bileuynge to leeſyngis.
xx For þis þing þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y to
ȝoure cuſchens, bi whiche ȝe diſſeyuen ſoulis fliynge;
and Y ſchal al to-breke þo fro ȝoure armes, and Y ſchal
delyuere ſoulis which ȝe diſſeyuen, ſoulis to fle.
xxi And Y ſchal al to-breke ȝoure pilewis, and Y ſchal
delyuere my puple fro ȝoure hond; and þei ſchulen no
more be in ȝoure hondis, to be robbid; and ȝe ſchulen
wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xxii For þat þat ȝe maden falſli þe herte of a iuſt man to
morene, whom Y made not ſori; and ȝe coumfortiden þe
hondis of a wickid man, þat he ſchulde not turne aȝen
fro his yuel weie, and lyue.
xxiii Þerfor ȝe ſchulen not ſe veyn þingis, and ȝe ſchulen
no more dyuyne falſe dyuynyngis; and Y ſchal delyuere
my puple fro ȝoure hond, and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am
þe Lord.
i And men of þe eldris of Iſrael camen to me, and ſaten
bifor me.
ii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and he
ſeide, Sone of man,
iii þeſe men han ſet her vnclenneſſes in her hertis, and
han ſet ſtidfaſtli þe ſclaundre of her wickidneſſe aȝens
her face. Wheþer Y `þat am axid, ſchal anſwere to hem?
iiii For þis þing ſpeke þou to hem, and þou ſchalt ſeie to
hem, Þeſe þingis ſeiþ þe Lord God, A man, a man of þe
hous of Iſrael, þat ſettiþ hiſe vnclenneſſis in his herte,
and ſettiþ ſtidfaſtli þe ſclaundre of his wickidneſſe aȝens
his face, and comeþ to þe profete, and axiþ me bi hym,
Y þe Lord ſchal anſwere to hym in þe multitude of hiſe
vnclenneſſis;
v þat þe hous of Iſrael be takun in her herte, bi which
þei ȝeden awei fro me in alle her idols.
vi Þerfor ſeie þou to þe hous of Iſrael, Þe Lord God ſeiþ
þeſe þingis, Be ȝe conuertid, and go ȝe awei fro ȝoure
idols, and turne awei ȝoure faces fro alle ȝoure filþis.
vii For whi a man, a man of þe hous of Iſrael, and of
conuerſis, who euer is a comelyng in Iſrael, if he is
alienyd fro me, and ſettiþ hiſe idols in his herte, and
ſettiþ ſtidfaſtli þe ſclaundir of his wickidneſſe aȝens his
face, and he comeþ to þe profete, to axe me bi hym, Y
þe Lord ſchal anſwere hym bi my ſilf.
viii And Y ſchal ſette my face on þat man, and Y ſchal
make hym in to enſaumple, and in to a prouerbe, and Y
ſchal leeſe hym fro þe myddis of my puple; and ȝe
ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
ix And whanne a profete erriþ, and ſpekiþ a word, Y þe
Lord ſchal diſſeyue þat profete; and Y ſchal ſtretche forþ
myn hond on hym, and Y ſchal do hym awei fro þe
myddis of my puple Iſrael.
x And þei ſchulen bere her wickidneſſe; bi þe
wickidneſſe of þe axere, ſo þe wickidneſſe of þe profete
ſchal be;
xi þat þe hous of Iſrael erre no more fro me, neþer be
defoulid in alle her treſpaſſyngis; but þat it be in to a
puple to me, and Y be in to a God to hem, ſeiþ þe Lord
of ooſtis.
xii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and he
ſeide,
xiii Sone of man, whanne þe lond ſynneþ aȝens me, þat
it treſpaſſynge do treſpas, Y ſchal ſtretche forþ myn
hond on it, and Y ſchal al to-breke þe ȝerde of breed
þerof; and Y ſchal ſende hungur in to it, and Y ſchal ſle
of it man and beeſte.
xiiii And if þeſe þre men Noe, Danyel, and Job, ben in
þe myddis þerof, þei bi her riȝtfulneſſe ſchulen delyuere
her ſoulis, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
xv Þat if alſo Y brynge in worſte beeſtis on þe lond, þat
Y diſtrie it, and if it is wiþ out weie, for þat no paſſer is
for þe beeſtis,
xvi and þeſe þre men, þat `ben bifore ſeid, ben þerynne,
Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, for þei ſchulen neþir delyuere
ſones, neþer douȝtris, but þei aloone ſchulen be
deliuered; forſoþe þe lond ſchal be maad deſolat.
xvii Eþir if Y brynge in ſwerd on þat lond, and Y ſeie to
þe ſwerd, Paſſe þou þorouȝ þe lond, and Y ſle of it man
and beeſte,
DCCXXXIII
xviii and þeſe þre men ben in þe myddis þerof, Y lyue,
ſeiþ þe Lord God, þat þei ſchulen not delyuere ſones
neþer douȝtris, but þei aloone ſchulen be delyuered.
xix Forſoþe if Y brynge in alſo peſtilence on þat lond,
and Y ſchede out myn indignacioun on it in blood, þat Y
do awei fro it man and beeſte,
xx and Noe, and Danyel, and Joob, ben in þe myddis
þerof, Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, for þei ſchulen not
delyuere a ſone and a douȝter, but þei bi her riȝtfulneſſe
ſchulen delyuere her ſoulis.
xxi For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þat þouȝ Y ſende
in my foure worſte domes, ſwerd, and hungur, and yuele
beeſtis, and peſtilence, in to Jeruſalem, þat Y ſle of it
man and beeſte,
xxii neþeles ſaluacioun of hem þat leden out ſones and
douȝtris, ſchal be left þer ynne. Lo! þei ſchulen go out
to ȝou, and ȝe ſchulen ſe þe weie of hem, and þe
fyndyngis of hem; and ȝe ſchulen be coumfortid on þe
yuel, which Y brouȝte in on Jeruſalem, in alle þingis
whiche Y bar in on it.
xxiii And þei ſchulen coumforte ȝou, whanne ȝe ſchulen
ſe þe weie of hem and þe fyndyngis of hem; and ȝe
ſchulen knowe, þat not in veyn Y dide alle þingis, what
euer þingis Y dide þere ynne, ſeiþ þe Lord almyȝti.
CAP. XV
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Sone of man, what ſchal be don to þe tre
of a vyne, of alle þe trees of woodis, þat ben among þe
trees of woodis?
iii Wheþer tymbre ſchal be takun þerof, þat werk be
maad? eþer ſhal a ſtake be maad þerof, þat ony veſſel
hange þer onne?
iiii Lo! it is ȝouun in to mete; fier waſtide euer eiþir part
þerof, and þe myddis þerof is dryuun in to deed ſparcle;
wheþer it ſchal be profitable to werk?
v Ȝhe, whanne it was hool, it was not couenable to
werk; hou myche more whanne fier haþ deuourid, and
haþ brent it, no þing of werk ſchal be maad þerof?
vi Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þes þingis, As þe tre of a
vyne is among þe trees of woodis, which Y ȝaf to fier to
deuoure, ſo Y ȝaf þe dwelleris of Jeruſalem,
vii and Y ſchal ſette my face aȝens hem. Þei ſchulen go
out of þe fier, and fier ſchal waaſte hem; and ȝe ſchulen
wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y ſchal ſette my face
aȝens hem,
viii and ſchal ȝyue þe lond wiþ out weie and deſolat, for
þei weren treſpaſſours, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
CAP. XVI
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Sone of man, make þou knowun to
Jeruſalem her abhomynaciouns; and þou ſchalt ſeie,
iii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis. A! þou Jeruſalem, þi
rote and þi generacioun is of þe lond of Canaan; þi fadir
is Amorrei, and þi moder is Cetei.
iiii And whanne þou were borun, þi nawle was not kit
awei in þe dai of þi birþe, and þou were not waiſchun in
watir in to helþe, neþir ſaltid wiþ ſalt, neþer wlappid in
cloþis.
v An iȝe ſparide not on þee, þat it hauynge merci on þee,
dide to þee oon of þeſe þingis; but þou were caſt forþ on
þe face of erþe, in þe caſtynge out of þi ſoule, in þe dai
in which þou were borun.
vi Forſoþe Y paſſide bi þee, and Y ſiȝ þee defoulid in þi
blood; and Y ſeide to þee, whanne þou were in þi blood,
Lyue þou; ſoþeli Y ſeide to þee in þi blood, Lyue þou.
vii Y ȝaf þee multiplied as þe ſeed of a feeld, and þou
were multiplied, and maad greet; and þou entridiſt, and
cameſt fulli to wymmens ournyng; þi tetis wexiden
greet, and þin heer wexide; and þou were nakid, and ful
of ſchenſchipe.
viii And Y paſſide bi þee, and Y ſiȝ þee, and lo! þi tyme,
þe tyme of louyeris; and Y ſpredde abrood my cloþing
on þee, and Y hilide þi ſchenſchipe. And Y ſwoor to þee,
and Y made a couenaunt wiþ þee, ſeiþ þe Lord God,
and þou were maad a wijf to me.
ix And Y waiſchide þee in water, and Y clenſide awei þi
blood fro þee, and Y anoyntide þee wiþ oile.
x And Y cloþide þee wiþ cloþis of dyuerſe colours, and
Y ſchodde þee in iacynct, and Y girde þee wiþ biys;
xi and Y cloþide þee wiþ ſutil þingis, and Y ournede þee
wiþ ournement.
xii And Y ȝaf bies in þin hondis, and a wreþe aboute þi
necke; and Y ȝaf a ryng on þi mouþ, and cerclis to þin
eeris, and a coroun of fairneſſe in þin heed.
xiii And þou were ourned wiþ gold and ſiluer, and þou
were cloþid wiþ biys and ray cloþ wiþ rounde ymagis,
and many colours. Þou etiſt cleene flour of wheete, and
hony, and oile, and þou were maad fair ful greetli; and
þou encreeſſidiſt in to a rewme,
xiiii and þi name ȝede out in to heþene men for þi
fairneſſe; for þou were perfit in my fairneſſe which Y
hadde ſett on þee, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xv And þou haddiſt triſt in þi fairneſſe, and didiſt
fornicacioun in þi name; and þou ſettidiſt forþ þi
fornicacioun to ech þat paſſide forþ, þat þou ſchuldiſt be
maad his.
xvi And þou tokiſt of my cloþis, and madiſt to þee hiȝ
þingis ſet aboute on ech ſide; and þou didiſt
fornycacioun on þo, as it was not don, neþer ſchal be
don.
xvii And þou tokiſt þe veſſels of þi fairneſſe, of my gold
and of my ſiluer, which Y ȝaf to þee; and þou madiſt to
þee ymagis of men, and didiſt fornycacioun in þo.
DCCXXXIV
xviii And þou tokiſt þi cloþis of many colours, and þou
were cloþid in þo; and þou ſettidiſt myn oile and myn
encence in þe ſiȝt of þo.
xix And þou ſettidiſt my breed, which Y ȝaf to þee, flour
of wheete, and oile, and hony, bi whiche Y nurſchide
þee, in þe ſiȝt of þo, in to odour of ſwetneſſe; and it was
don, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xx And þou tokiſt þi ſones and þi douȝtris, whiche þou
gendridiſt to me, and offridiſt to þo, for to be deuourid.
Wheþer þi fornicacioun is litil?
xxi Þou offridiſt my ſones, and ȝaueſt hem, and
halewidiſt to þo.
xxii And aftir alle þin abhomynaciouns and
fornicaciouns, þou biþouȝtiſt not on þe daies of þi ȝong
wexynge age, whanne þou were nakid, and ful of
ſchenſchipe, and were defoulid in þi blood.
xxiii And after al þi malice, wo, wo bifelle to þee, ſeiþ þe
Lord God.
xxiiii And þou bildidiſt to þee a bordel hous, and madiſt
to þee a place of hordom in alle ſtretis.
xxv At ech heed of þe weie þou bildidiſt a ſigne of þin
hordom, and madiſt þi fairneſſe abhomynable; and þou
departidiſt þi feet to ech man paſſynge forþ, and
multepliediſt þi fornicaciouns.
xxvi And þou didiſt fornicacioun wiþ þe ſones of Egipt,
þi neiȝboris of grete fleiſchis, and þou multepliediſt þi
fornicacioun, to terre me to wraþþe.
xxvii Lo! Y ſchal ſtretch forþ myn hond on þee, and Y
ſchal take awei þi iuſtifiyng; and Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to
þe ſoulis of hem þat haten þee, of þe douȝtris of
Paleſtyns, þat ben aſchamed in þi weie ful of greet
treſpas.
xxviii And þou didiſt fornicacioun wiþ þe ſones of
Aſſiriens, for þou were not fillid ȝit; and after þat þou
didiſt fornicacioun, neþer ſo þou were fillid.
xxix And þou multipliediſt þi fornycacioun in þe lond of
Canaan wiþ Caldeis, and neþer ſo þou were fillid.
xxx In what þing ſchal Y clenſe þin herte, ſeiþ þe Lord
God, whanne þou doiſt alle þeſe werkis of a womman
an hoore, and gredi axere?
xxxi For þou madiſt þi bordel hous in `þe heed of ech
weie, and þou madiſt þin hiȝ place in ech ſtreet; and þou
were not maad as an hoore ful of anoiyng,
xxxii encreeſſynge prijs, but as a womman auowtreſſe,
þat bryngiþ in aliens on hir hoſebonde.
xxxiii Hiris ben ȝouun to alle hooris, but þou haſt ȝoue
hire to alle þi louyeris; and þou ȝaueſt to hem, þat þei
ſchulden entre to þee on ech ſide, to do fornycacioun
wiþ þee.
xxxiiii And it was don in þee aȝens þe cuſtom of
wymmen in þi fornycaciouns, and fornicacioun ſchal
not be after þee; for in þat þat þou ȝaueſt hiris, and
tokiſt not hiris, þe contrarie was don in þee.
xxxv Þerfor, þou hoore, here þe word of þe Lord.
xxxvi Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þi riches is ſched
out, and þi ſchenſchipe is ſchewid in þi fornicaciouns on
þi louyeris, and on þe idols of þin abhomynaciouns, in
þe blood of þi ſones, whiche þou ȝaueſt to hem; lo!
xxxvii Y ſchal gadere to gidere alle þi louyeris, wiþ
whiche þou were meddlid, and alle men whiche þou
louediſt, wiþ alle men whiche þou hatidiſt; and Y ſchal
gadere hem on þee on ech ſide, and Y ſchal make nakid
þi ſchenſchipe bifore hem, and þei ſchulen ſe al þi filþe.
xxxviii And Y ſchal deme þee bi þe domes of auoutreſſis,
and ſchedinge out blood;
xxxix and Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to þe blood of ſtrong
veniaunce, and of feruour. And Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to þe
hondis of hem, and þei ſchulen deſtrie þi bordel hous,
and þei ſchulen deſtrie þe place of þin hordom; and þei
ſchulen make þee nakid of þi cloþis, and þei ſchulen
take awei þe veſſels of þi fairneſſe, and þei ſchulen
forſake þee nakid, and ful of ſchenſchipe.
xl And þei ſchulen bringe on þee a multitude, and þei
ſchulen ſtoon þee wiþ ſtoonys, and þei ſchulen ſle þee
wiþ her ſwerdis.
xli And þei ſchulen brenne þin houſis wiþ fier, and þei
ſchulen make domes in þee, bifor þe iȝen of ful many
wymmen; and þou ſchalt ceeſe to do fornicacioun, and
þou ſchalt no more ȝyue hiris.
xlii And myn indignacioun ſchal reſte in þee, and my
feruent loue ſchal be takun awei fro þee; and Y ſchal
reſte, and Y ſchal no more be wrooþ,
xliii for þou haddiſt not mynde on þe daies of þi ȝong
wexynge age, and þou terridiſt me to ire in alle þeſe
þingis. Wherfor and Y ȝaf þi weies in þin heed, ſeiþ þe
Lord God, and Y dide not aftir þi grete treſpaſſis, in alle
þeſe þin abhomynaciouns.
xliiii Lo! ech man þat ſeiþ a prouerbe comynli, ſchal take
it in þee,
xlv and ſchal ſeie, As þe modir, ſo and þe douȝtir of hir.
Þou art þe douȝter of þi modir, þat caſtide awey hir
hoſebonde and hir ſones; and þou art þe ſiſter of þi
ſiſtris, þat caſtiden a wei her hoſebondis and her ſones.
Þi modir is Cetei, and þi fadir is Ammorrei;
xlvi and þi gretter ſiſter is Samarie, ſche and hir douȝtris,
þat dwellen at þi left ſide; but þi ſiſtir leſſe þan þou, þat
dwelliþ at þi riȝt ſide, is Sodom, and hir douȝtris.
xlvii But þou ȝediſt not in þe weies of hem, neþir þou
didiſt aftir þe grete treſpaſſis of hem; haſt þou do almeſt
a litil leſſe curſidere dedis þan þei, in alle þi weies?
xlviii Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, for Sodom, þi ſiſter, did
not, ſche and hir douȝtris, as þou didiſt, and þi douȝtris.
xlix Lo! þis was þe wickidneſſe of Sodom, þi ſiſter,
pride, fulneſſe of breed, and habundaunce, and idilneſſe
of hir, and of hir douȝtris; and þei puttiden not hond to a
nedi man and pore.
DCCXXXV
l And þei weren enhaunſid, and diden oþer
abhominaciouns bifore me; and Y took hem awei, as
þou haſt ſeyn.
li And Samarie ſynnede not þe half of þi ſynnes, but þou
haſt ouercome hem in þi grete treſpaſſis; and þou haſt
iuſtified þi ſiſtris in alle þin abhomynaciouns, whiche
þou wrouȝtiſt.
lii Þerfor and þou bere þi ſchenſchipe, þat haſt ouercome
þi ſiſtris wiþ þi ſynnes, and didiſt more curſidli þan þei;
for þei ben iuſtified of þee. Þerfor and be þou ſchent,
and bere þi ſchenſchipe, which haſt iuſtified þi ſiſtris.
liii And Y ſchal conuerte and reſtore hem by þe
conuerſioun of Sodom wiþ hir douȝtris, and bi þe
conuerſioun of Samarie and of hir douȝtris; and Y ſchal
conuerte þi turnyng aȝen in þe myddis of hem,
liiii þat þou bere þi ſchenſchipe, and be aſchamed in alle
þingis whiche þou didiſt, coumfortynge hem.
lv And þi ſiſter Sodom and hir doytris ſchulen turne aȝen
to her eldneſſe; and Samarie and hir douȝtris ſhulen
turne aȝen to her eeldneſſe; and þou and þi douȝtris
turne aȝen to ȝoure eldneſſe.
lvi Forſoþe Sodom, þi ſiſter, was not herd in þi mouþ, in
þe dai of þi pride,
lvii bifore þat þi malice was ſchewid, as in þis tyme, in
to ſchenſchipe of þe douȝtris of Sirie, and of alle
douȝtris in þi cumpas, of þe douȝtris of Paleſtyn þat ben
aboute þee bi cumpas.
lviii Þou haſt bore þi greet treſpas, and þi ſchenſchipe,
ſeiþ þe Lord God.
lix For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, And Y ſchal do to
þee as þou diſpiſidiſt þe ooþ, þat þou ſchuldiſt make
voide þe couenaunt;
lx and Y ſchal haue mynde on my couenaunt wiþ þee in
þe daies of þi ȝongþe, and Y ſchal reiſe to þee a
couenaunt euerlaſtynge.
lxi And þou ſchalt haue mynde on þi weies, and ſchalt
be aſchamed, whanne þou ſchalt reſſeyue þi ſiſtris
grettere þan þou, wiþ þi leſſe ſiſtris; and Y ſchal ȝyue
hem in to douȝtris to þee, but not of þi couenaunt.
lxii And Y ſchal reiſe my couenaunt wiþ þee, and þou
ſchalt wite, þat Y am þe Lord, þat þou haue mynde, and
be aſchamed;
lxiii and þat it be no more to þee to opene þe mouþ for þi
ſchame, whanne Y ſchal be pleſid to þee in alle þingis
whiche þou didiſt, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
CAP. XVII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Sone of man, ſette forþ a derk ſpeche,
and telle þou a parable to þe hous of Iſrael;
iii and þou ſchalt ſeie, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis. A
greet egle of grete wyngis, wiþ long ſtretchyng out of
membris, ful of feþeris and of dyuerſite, cam to þe
Liban, and took awei þe merowe of þe cedre.
iiii He pullide awei þe hiȝneſſe of boowis þerof, and bar
it ouer in to þe lond of Chanaan, and ſettide it in þe
citee of marchauntis.
v And he took of þe ſeed of þe lond, and ſettide it in þe
lond for ſeed, þat it ſchulde make ſtidfaſt roote on many
watris; he ſettide it in þe hiȝere part.
vi And whanne it hadde growe, it encreeſſide in to a
largere vyner, in lowe ſtature; for þe boowis þerof
bihelden to þat egle, and þe rootis þerof weren vndur
þat egle; þerof it was maad a vyner, and it made fruyt in
to ſiouns, and ſente out boowis.
vii And anoþer greet egle was maad, wiþ grete wyngis,
and many feþeris; and lo! þis vyner as ſendynge hiſe
rootis to þat egle, ſtretchide forþ his ſiouns to þat egle,
þat he ſchulde moiſte it of þe cornfloris of his ſeed.
viii Which is plauntid in a good lond on many watris,
þat it make boowis, and bere fruyt, þat it be in to a greet
vyner.
ix Seie þou, Ezechiel, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Þerfor wheþer he ſchal haue proſperite? Wheþer
Nabugodonoſor ſchal not pulle awei þe rootis of hym,
and ſchal ſtreyne þe fruytis of hym? And he ſchal make
drie alle þe ſiouns of buriowning þerof, and it ſchal be
drie; and not in greet arm, neþer in myche puple, þat he
ſchulde drawe it out bi þe rootis.
x Lo! it is plauntid, þerfor wheþer it ſchal haue
proſperite? Wheþer not whanne brennynge wynd ſchal
touche it, it ſchal be maad drye, and ſchal wexe drie in
þe cornfloris of his ſeed?
xi And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and he
ſeide, Seie þou to þe hous terrynge to wraþþe,
xii Witen ȝe not what þeſe þingis ſignefien? Seie þou,
Lo! þe king of Babiloyne comeþ in to Jeruſalem; and he
ſchal take þe kyng and þe princis þerof, and he ſchal
leede hem to hym ſilf in to Babiloyne.
xiii And he ſchal take of þe ſeed of þe rewme, and ſchal
ſmyte wiþ it a boond of pees, and he ſchal take of it an
ooþ; but alſo he ſchal take awei þe ſtronge men of þe
lond,
xiiii þat it be a meke rewme, and be not reiſid, but þat it
kepe þe couenaunt of hym, and holde it.
xv Which ȝede awei fro hym, and ſente meſſangeris in to
Egipt, þat it ſchulde ȝyue to hym horſis and miche
puple. Wheþer he þat dide þeſe þingis, ſchal haue
proſperite, eþer ſchal gete helþe? and wheþer he þat
brekiþ couenaunt, ſchal aſcape?
xvi Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, for in þe place of þe king
þat made hym kyng, whos ooþ he made voide, and brak
þe couenaunt, which he hadde wiþ hym, in þe myddis
of Babiloyne he ſchal die.
DCCXXXVI
xvii And not in greet ooſt, neþer in myche puple Farao
ſchal make batel aȝens hym, in þe caſtyng of erþe, and
in bildyng of palis, þat he ſle many perſones.
xviii For he diſpiſide þe ooþ, þat he ſchulde breke þe
boond of pees, and lo! he ȝaf his hond; and whanne he
haþ do alle þeſe þingis, he ſchal not aſcape.
xix Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y lyue, for Y
ſchal ſette on his heed þe ooþ which he diſpiſide, and þe
boond of pees which he brak.
xx And Y ſchal ſpredde abrood my net on hym, and he
ſchal be takun in my net, and Y ſchal brynge hym in to
Babiloyne; and þere Y ſchal deme hym in þe
treſpaſſyng, bi which he diſpiſide me.
xxi And alle hiſe flieris a wei wiþ al his cumpenye
ſchulen falle doun bi ſwerd, forſoþe þe remenauntis
ſchulen be ſchaterid in to ech wynd; and ȝe ſchulen
wite, þat Y þe Lord ſpak.
xxii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, And Y ſchal take of þe
merowe of an hiȝ cedre, and Y ſchal ſette a tendir þing
of þe cop of hiſe braunchis; Y ſchal ſtreyne, and Y ſchal
plaunte on an hiȝ hil, and apperynge fer.
xxiii In þe hiȝ hil of Iſrael Y ſchal plaunte it; and it ſchal
breke out in to buriownyng, and it ſchal make fruyt, and
it ſchal be in to a greet cedre, and alle briddis ſchulen
dwelle vndur it; ech volatil ſchal make neſt vndur þe
ſchadewe of hiſe boowis.
xxiiii And alle trees of þe cuntrei ſchulen wite, þat Y am
þe Lord; Y made low þe hiȝ tre, and Y enhaunſide þe
low tre, and Y made drie þe greene tree, and Y made þe
drie tree to brynge forþ boowis; Y þe Lord haue ſpoke,
and Y haue do.
CAP. XVIII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, What is it, þat ȝe turnen a parable among
ȝou in to þis prouerbe, in þe lond of Iſrael, and ſeien,
Fadris eeten a bittir grape, and þe teeþ of ſones ben an
egge, eþer aſtonyed?
iii Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, þis parable ſchal no more
be in to a prouerbe to ȝou in Iſrael.
iiii Lo! alle ſoulis ben myne; as þe ſoule of þe fadir, ſo
and þe ſoule of þe ſone is myn. Þilke ſoule þat doiþ
ſynne, ſchal die.
v And if a man is iuſt, and doiþ doom and riȝtfulneſſe,
vi etiþ not in hillis, and reiſiþ not hiſe iȝen to þe idols of
þe hous of Iſrael; and defouliþ not þe wijf of his
neiȝbore, and neiȝeþ not to a womman defoulid wiþ
vncleene blood;
vii and makiþ not a man ſori, ȝeldiþ þe wed to þe
dettour, rauyſchiþ no þing bi violence, ȝyueþ his breed
to þe hungri, and hiliþ a nakid man wiþ a cloþ;
viii leeneþ not to vſure, and takiþ not more; turneþ awei
his hond fro wickidneſſe, and makiþ trewe dom bitwixe
man and man;
ix and goiþ in my comaundementis, and kepiþ my
domes, þat he do treuþe; þis is a iuſt man, he ſchal lyue
in lijf, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
x Þat if he gendriþ a ſone, a þeef, ſhedinge out blood,
xi and doiþ oon of þes þingis, and ſoþeli not doing alle
þeſe þingis, but etinge in hillis, and defoulynge þe wijf
of his neiȝbore;
xii makynge ſoreuful a nedy man and pore, rauyſchynge
raueyns, not ȝeldinge a wed, reiſynge hiſe iȝen to idols,
doynge abhomynacioun; ȝiuynge to vſure, and takynge
more;
xiii wheþer he ſchal lyue? he ſchal not lyue; whanne he
haþ do alle þeſe abhomynable þingis, he ſchal die bi
deþ, his blood ſchal be in hym.
xiiii Þat if he gendriþ a ſone, which ſeeþ alle þe ſynnes of
his fadir, whiche he dide, and drediþ, and doiþ noon lijk
þo;
xv etiþ not on hillis, and reiſiþ not hiſe iȝen to þe idols of
þe hous of Iſrael; and defouliþ not þe wijf of his
neiȝbore,
xvi and makiþ not ſori a man, wiþoldiþ not a wed, and
rauyſchiþ not raueyn, ȝyueþ his breed to þe hungri, and
hiliþ þe nakid wiþ a cloþ;
xvii turneþ a wei his hond fro þe wrong of a pore man,
takiþ not vſure and ouerhabundaunce, `þat is, no þing
more þan he lente, and doiþ my domes, and goiþ in my
comaundementis; þis ſone ſchal not die in þe
wickidneſſe of his fadir, but he ſchal lyue in lijf.
xviii For his fadir made fals caleng, and dide violence to
his broþer, and wrouȝte yuel in þe myddis of his puple,
lo! he is deed in his wickidneſſe.
xix And ȝe ſeien, Whi beriþ not þe ſone þe wickidneſſe
of þe fadir? Þat is to ſeie, for þe ſone wrouȝte doom and
riȝtfulneſſe, he kepte alle my comaundementis, and dide
þo, he ſchal lyue in lijf.
xx Þilke ſoule þat doiþ ſynne, ſchal die; þe ſone ſchal not
bere þe wickidneſſe of þe fadir, and þe fadir ſchal not
bere þe wickedneſſe of þe ſone; þe riȝtfulneſſe of a iuſt
man ſchal be on hym, and þe wickidneſſe of a wickid
man ſchal be on hym.
xxi Forſoþe if a wickid man doiþ penaunce of alle hiſe
ſynnes whiche he wrouȝte, and kepiþ alle myn heeſtis,
and doiþ dom and riȝtfulneſſe, he ſchal lyue bi lijf, and
ſchal not die.
xxii Y ſchal not haue mynde of alle his wickidneſſis
whiche he wrouȝte; he ſchal lyue in his riȝtfulneſſe
which he wrouȝte.
xxiii Wheþer þe deþ of þe wickid man is of my wille,
ſeiþ þe Lord God, and not þat he be conuertid fro his
weies, and lyue?
DCCXXXVII
xxiiii Forſoþe if a iuſt man turneþ awey hym ſilf fro his
riȝtfulneſſe, and doiþ wickidneſſe bi alle hiſe
abhomynaciouns, which a wickid man is wont to
worche, wheþer he ſchal lyue? Alle hiſe riȝtfulneſſis
whiche he dide, ſchulen not be had in mynde; in his
treſpaſſyng bi which he treſpaſſide, and in his ſynne
which he ſynnede, he ſchal die in þo.
xxv And ȝe ſeiden, Þe weie of þe Lord is not euene.
Þerfor, þe hous of Iſrael, here ȝe, wheþer my weie is not
euene, and not more ȝoure weies ben ſchrewid?
xxvi For whanne a riȝtful man turneþ awei hym ſilf fro
his riȝtfulneſſe, and doiþ wickidneſſe, he ſchal die in it,
he ſchal die in þe vnriȝtwiſneſſe which he wrouȝte.
xxvii And whanne a wickid man turneþ awei him ſilf fro
his wickidneſſe which he wrouȝte, and doiþ dom and
riȝtfulneſſe, he ſchal quykene his ſoule.
xxviii For he biholdinge and turnynge awei hym ſilf fro
alle hiſe wickidneſſis which he wrouȝte, ſchal lyue in
lijf, and ſchal not die.
xxix And þe ſones of Iſrael ſeien, Þe weie of þe Lord is
not euene. Wheþer my weies ben not euene, ȝe hous of
Iſrael, and not more ȝoure weies ben ſchrewid?
xxx Þerfor, þou hous of Iſrael, Y ſchal deme ech man bi
hiſe weies, ſeiþ þe Lord God. Turne ȝe togidere, and do
ȝe penaunce for alle ȝoure wickidneſſis, and wickidneſſe
ſchal not be to ȝou in to falling.
xxxi Caſte awei fro ȝou alle ȝoure treſpaſſingis, bi whiche
ȝe treſpaſſiden, and make ȝe a newe herte and a newe
ſpirit to ȝou, and whi ſchulen ȝe die, þe hous of Iſrael?
xxxii For Y nyle þe deeþ of hym þat dieþ, ſeiþ þe Lord
God; turne ȝe aȝen, and lyue ȝe.
CAP. XIX
i And þou, ſone of man, take weiling on þe princes of
Iſrael;
ii and þou ſchalt ſeie, Whi þi modir, a lioneſſe, lai among
liouns? In þe myddis of litle liouns ſche nurſchide hir
whelpis,
iii and ledde out oon of hir litle liouns; he was maad a
lioun, and he lernyde to take prei, and to ete men.
iiii And heþene men herden of hym, and token hym not
wiþouten her woundis; and þei brouȝten hym in
chaynes in to þe lond of Egipt.
v Which modir whanne ſche hadde ſeyn, þat ſche was
ſijk, and þe abiding of hym periſchide, took oon of her
litle liouns, and made hym a lioun.
vi Which ȝede among liouns, and was maad a lioun;
vii and lernede to take prey, and to deuoure men. He
lernyde to make widewis, and to brynge þe citees of
men in to deſert; and þe lond and þe fulneſſe þerof was
maad deſolat, of þe vois of his roryng.
viii And heþene men camen togidere aȝens hym on ech
ſide fro prouynces, and ſpredden on hym her net; he
was takun in þe woundis of þo heþene men.
ix And þei ſenten hym in to a caue in chaines, and
brouȝten hym to þe kyng of Babiloyne; and þei ſenten
hym in to priſoun, þat his vois were no more herd on þe
hillis of Iſrael.
x Þi modir as a vyner in þi blood was plauntid on watre;
þe fruitis þerof and þe boowis þerof encreeſſiden of
many watris.
xi And ſadde ȝerdis weren maad to it in to ſeptris of
lordis, and þe ſtature þerof was enhaunſid among
boowis; and it ſiȝ his hiȝneſſe in þe multitude of hiſe
ſiouns.
xii And it was drawun out in wraþþe, and was caſt forþ
in to erþe; and a brennynge wynd dryede þe fruyt þerof,
and þe ȝerdis of ſtrengþe þerof welewiden, and weren
maad drie, and fier eet it.
xiii And now it is plauntid ouer in deſert, in a lond wiþ
out weie, and þriſti.
xiiii And fier ȝede out of þe ȝerde of þe braunchis þerof,
þat eet þe fruyt þerof. And a ſtronge ȝerde, þe ceptre of
lordis, was not in it. It is weilyng, and it ſchal be in to
weilyng.
CAP. XX
i And it was doon in þe ſeuenþe ȝeer, in þe fyueþe
moneþe, in þe tenþe dai of þe moneþe, men of þe eldris
of Iſrael camen to axe þe Lord; and þei ſaten bifor me.
ii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
iii and he ſeide, Sone of man, ſpeke þou to þe eldere
men of Iſrael; and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord God
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Wheþer ȝe camen to axe me? Y lyue,
for Y ſchal not anſwere to ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord God. Sone
of man,
iiii if þou demeſt hem, if þou demeſt, ſchewe þou to hem
þe abhomynaciouns of her fadris.
v And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, In þe dai in which Y chees Iſrael, and reiſide
myn hond for þe generacioun of þe hous of Jacob, and
Y apperide to hem in þe lond of Egipt, and Y reiſide
myn hond for hem, and Y ſeide, Y am ȝoure Lord God,
vi in þat dai Y reiſide myn hond for hem, þat Y ſchulde
leede hem out of þe lond of Egipt, in to þe lond which
Y hadde purueiede to hem, þe lond flowynge wiþ mylk
and hony, which is noble among alle londis.
vii And Y ſeide to hem, Ech man caſte awei þe
offenciouns of hiſe iȝen, and nyle ȝe be defoulid in þe
idols of Egipt; Y am ȝoure Lord God.
viii And þei terriden me to wraþþe, and nolden here me;
ech man caſtide not awei þe abhomynaciouns of hiſe
iȝen, neþer þei forſoken þe idols of Egipt.
DCCXXXVIII
ix And Y ſeide, þat Y wold ſchede out myn indignacioun
on hem, and fille my wraþþe in hem, in þe myddis of þe
lond of Egipt. And Y dide for my name, þat it ſchulde
not be defoulid bifore heþene men, in þe myddis of
whiche þei weren, and among whiche Y apperide to
hem, þat Y ſchulde lede hem out of þe lond of Egipt.
x Þerfor Y caſtide hem out of þe lond of Egipt, and Y
ledde hem out in to deſert;
xi and Y ȝaf to hem my comaundementis, and Y
ſchewide to hem my doomes, which a man ſchal do, and
lyue in þo.
xii Ferþermore and Y ȝaf to hem my ſabatis, þat it
ſchulde be a ſygne bitwixe me and hem, and þat þei
ſchulden wite, þat Y am þe Lord halewynge hem.
xiii And þe hous of Iſrael terriden me to wraþþe in
deſert; þei ȝeden not in my comaundementis, and þei
caſtiden awei my domes, whiche a man þat doiþ, ſchal
lyue in þo; and þei defouliden greetli my ſabatis. Þerfor
Y ſeide, þat Y wolde ſchede out my ſtrong veniaunce on
hem in deſert, and waſte hem;
xiiii and Y dide for my name, leſt it were defoulid bifor
heþene men, fro whiche Y caſtide hem out in þe ſiȝt of
þo.
xv Þerfor Y reiſide myn hond on hem in þe deſert, þat Y
brouȝte not hem in to þe lond which Y ȝaf to hem, þe
lond flowynge wiþ mylk and hony, þe beſte of alle
londis.
xvi For þei caſtiden awei my domes, and ȝeden not in
my comaundementis, and þei defouliden my ſabatis; for
þe herte of hem ȝede after idols.
xvii And myn iȝe ſparide on hem, þat Y killide not hem,
neþer Y waſtide hem in þe deſert.
xviii Forſoþe Y ſeide to þe ſones of hem in wildirneſſe,
Nyle ȝe go in þe comaundementis of ȝoure fadris, neþer
kepe ȝe þe domes of hem, neþir be ȝe defoulid in þe
idols of hem.
xix Y am ȝoure Lord God, go ȝe in my comaundementis,
and kepe ȝe my domes, and do ȝe þo.
xx And halowe ȝe my ſabatis, þat it be a ſigne bitwixe
me and ȝou, and þat it be knowun, þat Y am ȝoure Lord
God.
xxi And þe ſones terriden me to wraþþe, and ȝeden not
in my comaundementis, and kepten not my domes, þat
þei diden þo, whiche whanne a man haþ do, he ſchal
lyue in þo, and þei defouliden my ſabatis. And Y
manaaſſide to hem, þat Y wolde ſchede out my ſtronge
veniaunce on hem, and fille my wraþþe in hem in þe
deſert.
xxii But Y turnede awei myn hond, and Y dide þis for
my name, þat it were not defoulid bifore heþene men,
fro whiche Y caſtide hem out bifore þe iȝen of þo.
xxiii Eft Y reiſide myn hond aȝens hem in wildirneſſe,
þat Y ſchulde ſcatere hem in to naciouns, and wyndewe
hem in to londis;
xxiiii forþat þat þei hadden not do my domes, and
hadden repreuyd my comaundementis, and hadden
defoulid my ſabatis, and her iȝen hadden be after þe
idols of her fadris.
xxv Þerfor and Y ȝaf to hem comaundementis not good,
and domes in whiche þei ſchulen not lyue.
xxvi And Y defoulide hem in her ȝiftis, whanne þei
offriden to me for her treſpaſſis al þing þat openeþ þe
wombe; and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xxvii Wherfor ſpeke þou, ſone of man, to þe hous of
Iſrael, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Ȝit and in þis ȝoure fadris blasfemyden me,
whanne þei diſpiſynge hadden forſake me,
xxviii and Y hadde brouȝte hem in to þe lond on which Y
reiſide myn hond, þat Y ſchulde ȝiue to hem, þei ſiȝen
ech hiȝ litil hil, and ech tree ful of boowis, and þei
offriden þere her ſacrifices, and þei ȝauen þere her
offryngis, in to terring to wraþþe; and þei ſettiden þere
þe odour of her ſwetneſſe, and þei offriden her moiſte
ſacrifices.
xxix And Y ſeide to hem, What is þe hiȝ þing, to whiche
ȝe entren? And þe name þerof is clepid Hiȝ Þing til to
þis dai.
xxx Þerfor ſeie þou to þe hous of Iſrael, Þe Lord God
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Certis ȝe ben defoulid in þe weie of
ȝoure fadris, and ȝe don fornycacioun aftir þe
offendingis of hem,
xxxi and in þe offryng of ȝoure ȝiftis, whanne ȝe leden
ouer ȝoure ſones bi fier, ȝe ben defoulid in alle ȝoure
idols til to dai, and ſchal Y anſwere to ȝou, þe hous of
Iſrael? Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, for Y ſchal not anſwere
to ȝou;
xxxii neþer þe þouȝte of ȝoure ſoul ſchal be don, þat
ſeien, We ſchulen be as heþene men, and as naciouns of
erþe, þat we worſchipe trees and ſtoonys.
xxxiii Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, for in ſtrong hond, and
in arm ſtretchid forþ, and in ſtrong veniaunce ſched out,
I ſchal regne on ȝou.
xxxiiii And Y ſchal lede out ȝou fro puplis, and Y ſchal
gadere ȝou fro londis, in whiche ȝe ben ſcaterid; in
ſtrong hond, and in arm ſtretchid forþ, and in ſtrong
veniaunce ſched out Y ſchal regne on ȝou.
xxxv And Y ſchal bringe ȝou in to deſert of puplis, and Y
ſchal be demed þere wiþ ȝou face to face.
xxxvi As Y ſtryuede in doom aȝens ȝoure fadris in þe
deſert of þe lond of Egipt, ſo Y ſchal deme ȝou, ſeiþ þe
Lord;
xxxvii and Y ſchal make ȝou ſuget to my ſeptre, and Y
ſchal bringe in ȝou in þe boondis of pees.
xxxviii And Y ſchal cheſe of ȝou treſpaſſouris, and wickid
men; and Y ſchal leede hem out of þe lond of her
dwelling, and þei ſchulen not entre in to þe lond of
Iſrael; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
DCCXXXIX
xxxix And ȝe, þe hous of Iſrael, þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Go ȝe ech man aftir ȝoure idols, and ſerue ȝe þo.
Þat and if ȝe heren not me in þis, and defoulen more
myn hooli name in ȝoure ȝiftis,
xl and in ȝoure idols, in myn hooli hil, in þe hiȝ hil of
Iſrael, ſeiþ þe Lord God, ȝe ſchulen be punyſchid
greuouſliere. Þere al þe hous of Iſrael ſchal ſerue me,
ſoþeli alle men in þe lond, in which þei ſchulen pleſe
me; and þere Y ſchal ſeke ȝoure firſte fruytis, and þe
bigynnyng of ȝoure tiþis in alle ȝoure halewyngis.
xli Y ſchal reſſeiue ȝou in to odour of ſwetneſſe, whanne
Y ſchal leede ȝou out of puplis, and ſchal gadere ȝou fro
londis, in whiche ȝe weren ſcaterid; and Y ſchal be
halewid in ȝou bifor þe iȝen of naciouns.
xlii And ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y
ſchal bringe ȝou in to þe lond of Iſrael, in to þe lond for
which Y reiſide myn hond, þat Y ſchulde ȝyue it to
ȝoure fadris.
xliii And ȝe ſchulen haue mynde þere on ȝoure weies,
and on alle ȝoure grete treſpaſſis, bi whiche ȝe ben
defoulid in þo; and ȝe ſchulen diſpleſe ȝou in ȝoure ſiȝt,
in alle ȝoure malices whiche ȝe diden.
xliiii And ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y
ſchal do wel to ȝou for my name; not bi ȝoure yuel
weies, neþer bi ȝoure worſte treſpaſſis, ȝe hous of Iſrael,
ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xlv And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xlvi and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, ſette þi face aȝens þe
weie of þe ſouþ, and droppe þou to þe ſouþ, and profeſie
þou to þe foreſt of þe myddai feeld.
xlvii And þou ſchalt ſeie to þe myddai foreſt, Here þou
þe word of þe Lord. Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo!
Y ſchal kyndle a fier in þee, and Y ſchal brenne in þee
ech green tre, and ech drie tre; þe flawme of brennyng
ſchal not be quenchid, and ech face ſchal be brent þer
ynne, fro þe ſouþ til to þe norþ.
xlviii And ech man ſchal ſe, þat Y þe Lord haue kyndlid
it, and it ſchal not be quenchid.
xlix And Y ſeide, A! A! A! Lord God, þei ſeien of me,
Wheþir þis man ſpekiþ not bi parablis?
CAP. XXI
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, ſette þi face to
Jeruſalem, and droppe þou to þe ſeyntuaries, and
profeſie þou aȝens þe erþe of Iſrael.
iii And þou ſchalt ſeie to þe lond of Iſrael, Þe Lord God
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y to þee, and Y ſchal caſte my
ſwerd out of his ſcheþe, and Y ſchal ſle in þee a iuſt man
and a wickid man.
iiii Forſoþe for þat þat Y haue ſlayn in þee a iuſt man and
a wickid man, þerfor my ſwerd ſchal go out of his
ſcheþe to ech man, fro þe ſouþ til to þe norþ;
v þat ech man wite, þat Y þe Lord haue drawe out my
ſwerd fro his ſcheþe, þat ſchal not be clepid aȝen.
vi And þou, ſone of man, weile in ſorewe of leendis, and
in bitterneſſis þou ſchalt weile bifore hem.
vii And whanne þei ſchulen ſeie to þee, Whi weiliſt þou?
þou ſchalt ſeie, For hering, for it comeþ; and ech herte
ſhal faile, and alle hondis ſchulen be aclumſid, and ech
ſpirit ſchal be ſike, and watris ſchulen flete doun bi alle
knees; lo! it comeþ, and it ſhal be don, ſeiþ þe Lord
God.
viii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ix and he ſeide, Sone of man, profeſie þou; and þou
ſchalt ſeie, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Speke þou, Þe
ſwerd, þe ſwerd is maad ſcharp, and is maad briȝt;
x it is maad ſcharp to ſle ſacrifices; it is maad briȝt, þat it
ſchyne. Þou þat moueſt þe ceptre of my ſone, haſt kit
doun ech tree.
xi And Y ȝaf it to be forbiſchid, þat it be holdun wiþ
hond; þis ſwerd is maad ſcharp, and þis is maad briȝt,
þat it be in þe hond of þe ſleere.
xii Sone of man, crie þou, and ȝelle, for þis ſwerd is
maad in my puple, þis in alle þe duykis of Iſrael; þei þat
fledden ben ȝouun to ſwerd wiþ my puple. Þerfor ſmite
þou on þin hipe, for it is preuyd;
xiii and þis whanne it haþ diſtried þe ceptre, and it ſchal
not be, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xiiii Þerfor, ſone of man, profeſie þou, and ſmyte þou
hond to hond, and þe ſwerd be doublid, and þe ſwerd of
ſleeris be treblid; þis is þe ſwerd of greet ſleyng, þat
ſchal make hem aſtonyed,
xv and to faile in herte, and multiplieþ fallingis. In alle
þe ȝatis of hem Y ȝaf diſturbling of a ſwerd, ſcharp and
maad briȝt to ſchyne, gird to ſleynge.
xvi Be þou maad ſcharp, go þou to þe riȝt ſide, eþer to þe
left ſide, whidur euer þe deſir of þi face is.
xvii Certis and Y ſchal ſmyte wiþ hond to hond, and Y
ſchal fille myn indignacioun; Y þe Lord ſpak.
xviii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xix and he ſeide, And þou, ſone of man, ſette to þee twei
weies, þat þe ſwerd of þe king of Babiloyne come; boþe
ſchulen go out of o lond, and bi þe hond he ſchal take
coniecting; he ſchal coniecte in þe heed of þe weie of þe
citee,
xx ſettinge a weye, þat þe ſwerd come to Rabath of þe
ſones of Amon, and to Juda in to Jeruſalem mooſt
ſtrong.
xxi For þe king of Babiloyne ſtood in þe meeting of
twey weies, in þe heed of twei weies, and ſouȝte
dyuynyng, and medlide arowis; he axide idols, and took
councel at entrails.
xxii Dyuynyng was maad to his riȝt ſide on Jeruſalem,
þat he ſette engyns, þat he opene mouþ in ſleyng, þat he
DCCXL
reiſe vois in ȝelling, þat he ſette engyns aȝens þe ȝatis,
þat he bere togidere erþe, þat he bilde ſtrengþinges.
xxiii And he ſhal be as counceling in veyn goddis anſwer
bifor þe iȝen of hem, and ſeruynge þe reſte of ſabatis;
but he ſchal haue mynde on wickidneſſe, to take.
xxiiii Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat ȝe
hadden mynde on ȝoure wickidneſſe, and ſchewiden
ȝoure treſpaſſyngis, and ȝoure ſynnes apperiden in alle
ȝoure þouȝtis, forſoþe for þat þat ȝe hadden mynde, ȝe
ſchulen be takun bi hond.
xxv But þou, curſid wickid duyk of Iſrael, whos dai bifor
determyned is comun in þe tyme of wickidneſſe,
xxvi þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Do awei þe mitre,
take awei þe coroun; wheþer it is not þis þat reiſide þe
meke man, and made low þe hiȝ man?
xxvii Wickidneſſe, wickidneſſe, wickidneſſe Y ſchal putte
it; and þis ſchal not be doon til he come, whos þe doom
is, and Y ſchal bitake to hym.
xxviii And þou, ſone of man, profeſie, and ſeie, Þe Lord
God ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þe ſones of Amon, and to þe
ſchenſchipe of hem; and þou ſchalt ſeie, A! þou ſwerd,
A! þou ſwerd, drawun out to ſle, maad briȝte, þat þou
ſle and ſchyne,
xxix whanne veyn þingis weren ſeien to þee, and
leeſingis weren dyuynyd, þat þou ſchuldiſt be ȝouun on
þe neckis of wickid men woundid, þe dai of whiche
bifore determyned ſchal come in þe tyme of
wickidneſſe, turne þou aȝen in to þi ſcheþe,
xxx in to þe place in which þou were maad. Y ſchal
deme þee in þe lond of þi birþe,
xxxi and Y ſchal ſchede out myn indignacioun on þee; in
þe fier of my ſtrong veniaunce Y ſchal blowe in þee,
and Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to þe hondis of vnwiſe men, and
makinge deþ.
xxxii Þou ſchalt be mete to fier, þi blood ſchal be in þe
middis of erþe; þou ſchalt be ȝouun to forȝetyng, for Y
þe Lord ſpak.
CAP. XXII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, And þou, ſone of man, wheþer þou
demeſt not þe citee of bloodis?
iii And þou ſchalt ſchewe to it alle hiſe abhomynaciouns,
and þou ſchalt ſeie, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þis is
a citee ſchedinge out blood in þe myddis of it ſilf, þat þe
tyme þerof come; and which made idols aȝens it ſilf, þat
it ſhulde be defoulid.
iiii In þi blood which is ſhed out of þee, þou treſpaſſidiſt,
and þou art defoulid in þin idols whiche þou madiſt; and
þou madiſt þi daies to neiȝe, and þou brouȝtiſt þe time
of þi ȝeeris. Þerfor Y ȝaf þee ſchenſchipe to heþene
men, and ſcornyng to alle londis þat ben niȝ þee,
v and þat ben fer fro þee; þou foul citee, noble, greet in
periſching, þei ſchulen haue victorie of þee.
vi Lo! princes of Iſrael, alle in her arm, weren in þee, to
ſchede out blood.
vii Þei punyſchiden wiþ wrongis fadir and modir in þee,
þei calengiden falſli a comelyng in þe myddis of þee,
þei maden ſori a fadirles child and a widewe at þee.
viii Ȝe diſpiſiden my ſeyntuaries, and ȝe defouliden my
ſabatis.
ix Men bacbiteris weren in þee, to ſchede out blood, and
eten on hillis in þee; þei wrouȝten greet treſpas in þe
myddis of þee.
x Þei vnhiliden þe ſchamefulere þingis of þe fadir in
þee, þei maden low in þee þe vncleneſſe of a womman
in vnclene blood.
xi And ech man wrouȝte abhomynacioun aȝens þe wijf
of his neiȝbore, and þe fadir of þe hoſebonde defoulide
his ſones wijf vnleuefuli; a broþer oppreſſide in þee his
ſiſter, þe douȝtir of his fadir.
xii Þei token ȝiftis at þee, to ſchede out blood; þou tokiſt
vſure and ouerabundaunce, and þou calengidiſt greedili
þi neiȝboris, and þou haſt forȝete me, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xiii Lo! Y haue ſmyte togidere myn hondis on þin
aueryce, which þou didiſt, and on þe blood which is
ſched out in þe myddis of þee.
xiiii Wheþer þin herte ſchal ſuſteyne, eþer þin hondis
ſchulen haue power in þe daies whiche Y ſchal make to
þee? For Y þe Lord ſpak, and Y ſchal do.
xv And Y ſchal ſcatere þee in to naciouns, and Y ſchal
wyndewe þee in to londis; and Y ſchal make þin
vnclenneſſe to faile fro þee,
xvi and Y ſchal welde þee in þe ſiȝt of heþene men; and
þou ſchalt wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xvii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and he
ſeide,
xviii Þou, ſone of man, þe hous of Iſrael is turned to me
in to dros, eþer filþe of irun; alle þeſe ben bras, and tyn,
and irun, and leed, in þe myddis of furneis, þei ben
maad þe dros of ſiluer.
xix Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat alle ȝe
ben turned in to dros, lo! Y ſchal gadere ȝou togidere in
þe myddis of Jeruſalem,
xx bi gadering togidere of ſiluer, and of latoun, and of
irun, and of tyn, and of leed, in þe myddis of furneis;
and Y ſchal kindle þer ynne a fier, to welle togidere; ſo
Y ſchal gadere ȝou togidere in my ſtrong veniaunce, and
in my wraþþe, and Y ſchal reſte. And Y ſchal welle ȝou
togidere,
xxi and Y ſchal gadere ȝou togidere, and Y ſchal ſette ȝou
a fier in þe fier of my ſtrong veniaunce, and ȝe ſchulen
be wellid togidere in þe myddis þerof.
xxii As ſiluer is wellid togidere in þe myddis of a
furneis, ſo ȝe ſchulen be in þe myddis þerof; and ȝe
ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y haue ſched
out myn indignacioun on ȝou.
DCCXLI
xxiii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xxiiii andhe ſeide, Sone of man, ſeie þou to it, Þou art a
lond vncleene, and not bireyned in þe dai of ſtrong
veniaunce.
xxv Sweringe togidere, eþer conſpiringe of profetis is in
þe myddis þerof; as a lioun roringe and takinge prei, þei
deuouriden men, þei token richeſſis and prijs; þei
multiplieden widewis þerof in þe myddis þerof.
xxvi Preeſtis þerof diſpiſiden my lawe, and defouliden
my ſeyntuaries; þei hadden not difference bitwixe hooli
þing and vnhooli, þei vndurſtoden not bitwixe defoulid
þing and cleene þing; and þei turneden awei her iȝen fro
my ſabatis, and Y was defoulid in þe myddis of hem.
xxvii Þe princes þerof in þe myddis þerof weren as
wolues rauyſchinge prey, to ſchede out blood, and to
leeſe men, and in ſuynge lucris gredili.
xxviii Forſoþe þe profetis þerof pargetiden hem wiþ out
temperure, and ſeyen veyn þingis, and dyuyneden
leeſingis to hem, and ſeiden, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, whanne þe Lord ſpak not.
xxix Þe puples of þe lond calengiden fals caleng, and
rauyſchiden bi violence; þei turmentiden a nedi man
and pore, and oppreſſiden a comeling bi fals caleng, wiþ
out doom.
xxx And Y ſouȝte of hem a man, þat ſchulde ſette an
hegge bitwixe, and ſtonde ſet aȝens me for þe lond, þat
Y ſchulde not diſtrie it, and Y foond not.
xxxi And Y ſchedde out on hem myn indignacioun, and
Y waſtide hem in þe fier of my wraþþe; Y ȝeldide þe
weie of hem on þe heed of hem, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
CAP. XXIII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, twei wymmen weren
þe douȝtris of o modir, and diden fornycacioun in Egipt;
iii in her ȝonge wexynge age þei diden fornicacioun;
þere þe breſtis of hem weren maad low, and þe tetis of
þe tyme of mariage of hem weren brokun.
iiii Forſoþe þe names of hem ben, Oolla, þe more ſiſtir,
and Ooliba þe leſſe ſiſtir of hir. And Y hadde hem, and
þei childiden ſones and douȝtris; certis þe names of hem
ben Samarie Oolla, and Jeruſalem Ooliba.
v Þerfor Oolla dide fornicacioun on me, and was wood
on hir louyeris, on Aſſiriens neiȝinge,
vi cloþid wiþ iacinct, princes, and magiſtratis, ȝonge
men of coueytiſe, alle kniȝtis, and ſtieris of horſis.
vii And ſche ȝaf hir fornicaciouns on hem, on alle þe
choſun ſones of Aſſiriens; and in alle on whiche ſche
was wood, ſche was defoulid in þe vnclenneſſis of hem.
viii Ferþermore and ſche lefte not hir fornicaciouns,
whiche ſche hadde in Egipt; for whi and þei ſlepten wiþ
hir in þe ȝongþe of hir, and þei braken þe tetis of þe
tyme of mariage of hir, and þei ſcheden out her
fornicacioun on hir.
ix Þerfor Y ȝaf hir in to þe hondis of hir louyeris, in to
þe hondis of þe ſones of Aſſur, on whos letcherie ſche
was wood.
x Þei diſkyueriden þe ſchenſchipe of hir; þei token awei
þe ſones and þe douȝtris of hir, and killiden hir wiþ
ſwerd; and þe wymmen weren maad famouſe, þat is,
ſclaundrid, and þei diden domes in hir.
xi And whanne hir ſiſtir Ooliba hadde ſeyn þis, ſche was
wood in letcherie more þan þat ſiſtre, and ȝaf
vnſchamefaſtli hir fornicacioun on þe fornicacioun of
hir ſiſtre,
xii to þe ſones of Aſſiriens, to duykis and magiſtratis
comynge to hir, þat weren cloþid wiþ dyuerſe cloþ, to
knyȝtis þat weren borun on horſis, and to ȝonge men
wiþ noble ſchap, to alle men.
xiii And Y ſiȝ þat o weie of boþ ſiſtris was defoulid,
xiiii and ſche encreeſſide hir fornycaciouns. And whanne
ſche hadde ſeyn men peyntid in þe wal, þe ymagis of
Caldeis expreſſid wiþ colouris,
xv and gird on þe reynes wiþ kniȝtis girdlis, and cappis
peyntid in þe heedis of hem, þe foormes of alle duykis,
þe licneſſe of þe ſones of Babiloyne, and of þe lond of
Caldeis, in which þei weren borun;
xvi ſche was wood on hem bi coueitiſe of hir iȝen, and
ſche ſente meſſangeris to hem in to Caldee.
xvii And whanne þe ſones of Babiloyne weren comun to
hir, to þe bed of tetis, þei defouliden hir in her letcheries
of virgyns; and ſche was defoulid of hem, and þe ſoule
of hir was fillid of hem.
xviii Alſo ſche made nakid hir fornicaciouns, and
diſkyuered hir ſchenſchipe; and my ſoule ȝede awei fro
hir, as my ſoule hadde go awei fro hir ſiſtir.
xix For ſche multiplied hir fornicaciouns, and hadde
mynde on þe daies of hir ȝongþe, in whiche ſche dide
fornicacioun in þe lond of Egipt.
xx And ſche was wood in letcherie on þe liggyng bi of
hem, whos fleiſchis ben as þe fleiſchis of aſſis, and as þe
membris of horſis ben þe membris of hem.
xxi And þou viſitidiſt þe grete treſpas of þi ȝongþe,
whanne þi breſtis weren maad low in Egipt, and þe tetis
of þe tyme of þi mariage weren brokun.
xxii Þerfor, þou Ooliba, þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Lo! Y ſchal reiſe alle þi louyeris aȝens þee, of whiche þi
ſoule was fillid, and Y ſchal gadere hem aȝens þee in
cumpas;
xxiii þe ſones of Babiloyne, and alle Caldeis, noble and
miȝti men, and princes, alle þe ſones of Aſſiriens, and
ȝonge men of noble foorme, duykis, and magiſtratis,
alle princes of princes, and named ſtieris of horſis.
xxiiii And þei araied wiþ chare and wheel ſchulen come
on þee, þe multitude of puplis ſchulen be armed wiþ
DCCXLII
haburioun, and ſcheeld, and baſynet, aȝens þee on ech
ſide; and Y ſchal ȝyue doom bifor hem, and þei ſchulen
deme þee bi her domes.
xxv And Y ſchal ſette my feruour in þee, which þei
ſchulen vſe wiþ þee in woodneſſe; þei ſchulen kitte awei
þi noſe and þin eeris, and þei ſchulen ſle wiþ ſwerd þo
þingis þat weren left; þei ſchulen take þi ſones and þi
douȝtris, and þi laſte þing ſchal be deuourid bi fier.
xxvi And þei ſchulen make þee nakid of þi cloþis, and
þei ſchulen take awei þe veſſels of þi glorie.
xxvii And Y ſchal make þi greet treſpaſſe to reſte fro þee,
and þi fornicacioun fro þe lond of Egipt; and þou ſchalt
not reiſe þin iȝen to hem, and þou ſchalt no more haue
mynde on Egipt.
xxviii For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal ȝyue
þee in to þe hondis of hem whiche þou hatiſt, `in to þe
hondis of hem of whiche þi ſoule was fillid,
xxix and þei ſchulen do wiþ þee in hatrede. And þei
ſchulen take awei alle þi trauels, and þei ſchulen leeue
þee nakid, and ful of ſchenſchipe; and þe ſchenſchipe of
þi fornicaciouns ſchal be ſchewid. Þi greet
xxx treſpas and þi fornycaciouns han do þeſe þingis to
þee; for þou didiſt fornicacioun aftir heþene men,
among whiche þou were defoulid in þe idols of hem.
xxxi Þou ȝediſt in þe weie of þi ſiſter, and Y ſchal ȝyue þe
cuppe of hir in þin hond.
xxxii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þou ſchalt drinke þe
cuppe of þi ſiſtir, þe depþe, and þe broodneſſe; þou þat
art moſt able to take, ſchalt be in to ſcornyng, and in to
mouwyng.
xxxiii Þou ſchalt be fillid wiþ drunkeneſſe and ſorewe,
wiþ þe cuppe of mourenyng and of heuyneſſe, wiþ þe
cuppe of þi ſiſter Samarie.
xxxiiii And þou ſchalt drynke it, and þou ſchalt drinke of
til to þe draſtis, and þou ſchalt deuoure þe relifs þerof,
and þou ſchalt to-reende þi breſtis, for Y þe Lord ſpak,
ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xxxv Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þou haſt
forȝete me, and haſt caſt forþ me bihynde þi bodi, bere
þou alſo þi greet treſpas and þi fornicaciouns.
xxxvi And þe Lord God ſeide to me, and ſpak, Sone of
man, wheþer þou demeſt Ooliba and Oolla, and telliſt to
hem þe grete treſpaſſis of hem?
xxxvii For þei diden auowtrie, and blood was in þe
hondis of hem, and þei diden fornicacioun wiþ her
idols; ferþermore and þei offriden to þo þe ſones
whiche þei gendriden to me, for to be deuourid.
xxxviii But alſo þei diden þis to me, þei defouleden my
ſeyntuarie in þat dai, and maden vnhooli my ſabatis.
xxxix And whanne þei ſacrifiſiden her ſones to her idols,
and entriden in to my ſeyntuarie in þat dai, þat þei
ſchulden defoule it, þei diden alſo þeſe þingis in þe
myddis of myn hous.
xl Þei ſenten to men comyng fro fer, to whiche þei
hadden ſent meſſangeris. Þerfor lo! þei camen, to
whiche þou waiſchidiſt þee, and anoyntidiſt þin iȝen wiþ
oynement of wymmen, and þou were ourned wiþ
wymmens atier.
xli Þou ſatiſt in a ful fair bed, and a boord was ourned
bifor þee; þou ſettidiſt myn encenſe and myn oynement
on it.
xlii And a vois of multitude makynge ful out ioye was
þer ynne; and in men þat weren brouȝt of þe multitude
of men, and camen fro deſert, þei ſettiden bies in þe
hondis of hem, and faire corouns on þe heedis of hem.
xliii And Y ſeide to hir, þat was defoulid in auoutries,
Now alſo þis ſchal do fornycacioun in hir fornicacioun.
xliiii And þei entriden to hir; as to a womman, an hoore,
ſo þei entriden to Oolla and to Ooliba, curſid wymmen.
xlv Þerfor þeſe men ben iuſt, þeſe ſchulen deme þilke
wymmen bi þe doom of auoutreſſis, and bi þe doom of
hem þat ſcheden out blood; for þei ben auoutreſſis, and
blood is in þe hondis of hem, and þei diden
fornicacioun wiþ her idols.
xlvi For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Bringe þou
multitudis to hem, and ȝyue þou hem in to noiſe, and in
to raueyn;
xlvii and be þei ſtoonyd wiþ þe ſtoonys of puplis, and be
þei ſtikid togidere wiþ þe ſwerdis of hem. Þei ſchulen
ſle þe ſones and þe douȝtris of hem, and þei ſchulen
brenne wiþ fier þe houſis of hem.
xlviii And Y ſchal do awei greet treſpas fro þe lond; and
alle wymmen ſchulen lerne, þat þei do not aftir þe greet
treſpas of hem.
xlix And þei ſchulen ȝyue ȝoure grete treſpas on ȝou; and
ȝe ſchulen bere þe ſynnes of ȝoure idols, and ȝe ſchulen
wite, þat Y am þe Lord God.
CAP. XXIIII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, in þe nynþe
ȝeer, and in þe tenþe moneþe, in þe tenþe dai of þe
moneþe,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, write to þee þe name
of þis dai, in which þe king of Babiloyne is confermed
aȝens Jeruſalem to dai.
iii And þou ſchalt ſeie bi a prouerbe a parable to þe
hous, terrere to wraþþe, and þou ſchalt ſpeke to hem, Þe
Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Sette þou a braſun pot, ſette
þou ſoþeli, and putte þou watir in to it. Take þou a
beeſte ful fat;
iiii gadere þou togidere þe gobetis þerof in it, ech good
part, and þe hipe, and þe ſchuldre, choſun þingis and ful
of boonys.
v Alſo dreſſe þou heepis of boonys vndur it; and þe
ſeþing þerof buylide out, and þe boonys þerof weren
ſodun in þe myddis þerof.
DCCXLIII
vi Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Wo to þe citee of
bloodis, to þe pot whos ruſt is þer ynne, and þe ruſt
þerof ȝede not out of it; caſte þou out it bi partis, and bi
hiſe partis; lot felle not on it.
vii For whi þe blood þerof is in þe myddis þerof; he
ſchede it out on a ful cleer ſtoon, he ſchedde not it out
on erþe,
viii þat it mai be hilid wiþ duſt, þat Y ſchulde bringe in
myn indignacioun, and `a venge bi veniaunce; Y ȝaf þe
blood þerof on a ful cleer ſtoon, þat it ſchulde not be
hilid.
ix Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Wo to þe citee of
bloodis, whos brennyng Y ſchal make greet;
x gadere þou togidire boonys, whiche Y ſchal kyndle
wiþ fier; fleiſchis ſchulen be waſtid, and al þe ſettyng
togidere ſchal be ſodun, and boonys ſchulen faile.
xi Alſo ſette þou it voide on coolis, þat þe metal þerof
wexe hoot, and be meltid, and þat þe filþe þerof be
wellid togidere in þe myddis þerof, and þe ruſt þerof be
waſtid.
xii It was ſwat bi myche trauel, and þe ouer greet ruſt
þerof ȝede not out þerof, neþer bi fier.
xiii Þin vnclenneſſe is abhomynable, for Y wolde clenſe
þee, and þou art not clenſid fro þi filþis; but neþer þou
ſchalt be clenſid bifore, til Y make myn indignacioun to
reſte in þee.
xiiii Y þe Lord ſpak; it ſchal come, and Y ſchal make, Y
ſchal not paſſe, neþir Y ſchal ſpare, neþer Y ſchal be
pleſid; bi þi weies and bi þi fyndyngis Y ſchal deme
þee, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xv And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xvi and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, lo! Y take awei fro
þee þe deſirable þing of þin iȝen in veniaunce, and þou
ſchalt not weile, neþer wepe, neþer þi teeris ſchulen
flete doun.
xvii Weile þou beynge ſtille, þou ſchalt not make
mourenyng of deed men; þi coroun be boundun aboute
þin heed, and þi ſchoon ſchulen be in þe feet, neþer þou
ſchalt hile þe mouþ wiþ a cloþ, neþer þou ſchalt ete þe
metis of mourneris.
xviii Þerfor Y ſpak to þe puple in þe morewtid, and my
wijf was deed in þe euentid; and Y dide in þe morewtid,
as he hadde comaundid to me.
xix And þe puple ſeide to me, Whi ſchewiſt þou not to vs
what þeſe þingis ſignefien, whiche þou doiſt?
xx And Y ſeide to hem, Þe word of þe Lord was maad to
me,
xxi and he ſeide, Speke þou to þe hous of Iſrael, Þe Lord
God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal defoule my ſeyntuarie,
þe pride of ȝoure empire, and þe deſirable þing of ȝoure
iȝen, and on which ȝoure ſoule drediþ; and ȝoure ſones
and ȝoure douȝtris, whiche ȝe leften, ſchulen falle bi
ſwerd.
xxii And ȝe ſchulen do, as Y dide; ȝe ſchulen not hile
mouþis wiþ cloþ, and ȝe ſchulen not ete þe mete of
weileris.
xxiii Ȝe ſchulen haue corouns in ȝoure heedis, and
ſchoon in þe feet; ȝe ſchulen not weile, neþer ȝe ſchulen
wepe, but ȝe ſchulen faile in wretchidneſſe, for ȝoure
wickidneſſis; and ech man ſchal weile to his broþer.
xxiiii And Ezechiel ſchal be to ȝou in to a ſigne of þing
to comynge; bi alle þingis whiche he dide, ȝe ſchulen
do, whanne þis þing ſchal come; and ȝe ſchulen wite,
þat Y am þe Lord God.
xxv And þou, ſone of man, lo! in þe dai in which Y ſchal
take awei fro hem þe ſtrengþe of hem, and þe ioie of
dignyte, and þe deſire of her iȝen, on whiche þe ſoulis
of hem reſten, caſte awei þe ſones and douȝtris of hem;
xxvi in þat dai whanne a man fleynge ſchal come to þee,
to telle to þee;
xxvii in þat dai ſoþeli þou ſchalt opene þi mouþ wiþ hym
þat fledde; and þou ſchalt ſpeke, and ſchalt no more be
ſtille; and þou ſchalt be to hem in to a ſigne of þing to
comynge, and ȝe ſchulen witen, þat Y am þe Lord.
CAP. XXV
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, ſette þi face aȝens þe
ſones of Amon, and þou ſchalt profeſie of hem.
iii And þou ſchalt ſeie to þe ſones of Amon, Here ȝe þe
word of þe Lord God; þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For
þat þat ȝe ſeiden, Wel! wel! on my ſeyntuarie, for it is
defoulid, and on þe lond of Iſrael, for it is maad deſolat,
and on þe hous of Juda, for þei ben led in to to caitifte;
lo!
iiii þerfor Y ſchal ȝyue þee þe ſones of þe eeſt in to
eritage, and þei ſchulen ſette her foldis in þee, and þei
ſhulen ſette her tentis in þee; þei ſchulen ete þi fruytis,
and þei ſchulen drynke þi mylk.
v And Y ſchal ȝyue Rabath in to a dwellyng place of
camels, and þe ſones of Amon in to a bed of beeſtis; and
ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
vi For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat þou
flappidiſt wiþ hond, and ſmytidiſt wiþ þe foot, and
ioyediſt of al deſijr on þe lond of Iſrael;
vii þerfor lo! Y ſchal ſtretche forþ myn hond on þee, and
Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to rauyſchyng of heþene men, and Y
ſchal ſle þee fro puplis, and Y ſchal leeſe þee, and al to-
breke þee fro londis; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe
Lord.
viii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat Moab and
Seir ſeiden, Lo! þe hous of Juda is as alle folkis; þerfor
lo!
ix Y ſchal opene þe ſchuldre of Moab of citees, ſoþeli of
citees þerof and of þe endis þerof, þe noble citees of þe
lond, Bethieſmoth, and Beelmoth,
DCCXLIV
x and Cariathaym, to þe ſones of þe eeſt, wiþ þe ſones of
Amon. And Y ſchal ȝyue it in to eritage, þat mynde of
þe ſones of Amon be no more among heþene men,
xi and in Moab Y ſchal make domes; and þei ſchulen
wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat Ydumee
dide veniaunce, þat it auengide it ſilf of þe ſones of
Juda, and ſynnede doynge treſpas, and axide greetli
veniaunce of hem;
xiii þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y ſchal ſtretche
forþ myn hond on Idumee, and Y ſchal take awei fro it
man and beeſte, and Y ſchal make it deſert of þe ſouþ;
and þei þat ben in Dedan ſchulen falle bi ſwerd.
xiiii And Y ſchal ȝyue my veniaunce on Idumee, bi þe
hond of my puple Iſrael; and þei ſchulen do in Edom bi
my wraþþe, and bi my ſtrong veniaunce; and þei
ſchulen knowe my veniaunce, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xv Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat Paleſtyns
diden veniaunce, and auengiden hem ſilf, wiþ al wille
ſleynge, and fillynge elde enemytees;
xvi þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
ſtretche forþ myn hond on Paleſtyns, and Y ſchal ſle
ſleeris, and Y ſchal leeſe þe remenauntis of þe ſe cooſt;
xvii and Y ſchal make grete veniaunces in hem, and Y
ſchal repreue in ſtrong veniaunce; and þei ſchulen wite,
þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y ſchal ȝyue my veniaunce
on hem.
CAP. XXVI
i And it was doon in þe enleuenþe ȝeer, in þe firſte dai
of þe moneþe, þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and
he ſeide,
ii Þou, ſone of man, for þat þat Tire ſeide of Jeruſalem,
Wel! þe ȝatis of puplis ben brokun, it is turned to me; Y
ſchal be fillid, it is forſakun;
iii þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Tire, Y on
þee; and Y ſchal make many folkis to ſtie to þee, as þe
ſee flowynge ſtieþ.
iiii And þei ſchulen diſtrie þe wallis of Tire, and þei
ſchulen diſtrie þe touris þerof; and Y ſchal raſe þe duſt
þerof fro it, and Y ſchal ȝyue it in to a `mooſt clere
ſtoon.
v Driyng of nettis ſchal be in þe myddis of þe ſee, for Y
ſpak, ſeiþ þe Lord God. And Tire ſchal be in to
rauyſching to heþene men.
vi And þe douȝtris þerof þat ben in þe feeld, ſchulen be
ſlayn bi ſwerd; and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
vii For whi þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
brynge to Tire Nabugodonoſor, þe king of Babiloyne,
fro þe norþ, þe kyng of kyngis, wiþ horſis, and charis,
and knyȝtis, and wiþ a cumpeny, and greet puple.
viii He ſchal ſle bi ſwerd þi douȝtris þat ben in þe feeld,
and he ſchal cumpaſſe þee wiþ ſtrengþingis, and he ſchal
bere togidere erþe in cumpas. And he ſchal reiſe a
ſcheeld aȝens þee,
ix and he ſchal tempre engynes lijc vineres, and engines
`þat ben clepid weþeris aȝens þi wallis; and he ſchal
diſtrie þi touris bi his armure.
x Bi flowynge of his horſis, þe duſt of þo ſchal hile þee;
þi wallis ſchulen be mouyd of þe ſoun of knyȝtis, and of
wheelis, and of charis; whanne he ſchal entre bi þe
ȝatis, as bi entryngis of a citee diſtried,
xi wiþ þe clees of hiſe horſis he ſchal defoule alle þi
ſtretis. He ſhal ſle bi ſwerd þi puple, and þi noble
ymagis ſchulen falle doun in to erþe.
xii Þei ſchulen waſte þi richeſſis, þei ſchulen rauyſche þi
marchaundies; and þei ſchulen diſtrie þi wallis, and þei
ſchulen diſtrie þin houſis ful clere, and þi ſtoonys, and þi
trees, and þei ſchulen putte þi duſt in þe myddis of
watris.
xiii And Y ſchal make to reſte þe multitude of þi
ſyngeris, and þe ſown of þin harpis ſchal no more be
herd;
xiiii and Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to a mooſt cleer ſtoon. Þou
ſchalt be driyng of nettis, and þou ſchalt no more be
bildid, for Y þe Lord ſpak, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xv Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis of Tire, Wheþer ilis
ſchulen not be moued of þe ſown of þi fal, and of
weiling of þi ſlayn men, whanne þei ben ſlayn in þe
myddis of þee?
xvi And alle þe princis of þe ſee ſchulen go doun of her
ſeetis, and þei ſchulen do awei her mentils, eþer ſpuylis
of ſlayn enemyes, and þei ſchulen caſte awei her dyuerſe
cloþis, and ſhulen be cloþid wiþ wondring. Þei ſhulen
ſitte in þe erþe, and þei ſhulen be aſtonyed, and þei
ſhulen wondre of þi ſodeyn fal.
xvii And þei ſhulen take weilyng on þee, and ſchule ſeie
to þee, Hou periſchidiſt þou, noble citee, þat dwelliſt in
þe ſee, þat were ſtrong in þe ſee wiþ þi dwelleris,
whiche dwelleris alle men dredden?
xviii Now ſchippis ſchulen wondre in þe dai of þi drede,
and ilis in þe ſee ſchulen be diſturblid, for noon goiþ out
of þee.
xix For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Whanne Y ſchal
ȝyue þee a citee deſolat, as þe citees þat ben not
enhabitid, and Y ſchal bringe on þee þe depþe of watris,
and many watris ſchulen hile þee.
xx And Y ſchal drawe þee doun wiþ hem þat goon doun
in to a lake, to þe puple euerlaſtynge; and Y ſchal ſette
þee in þe laſte lond, as elde wildirneſſis, wiþ hem þat
ben led doun in to a lake, þat þou be not enhabited.
Certis whanne Y ſchal ȝyue glorye in þe lond of lyueris,
xxi Y ſchal dryue þee in to nouȝt, and þou ſchalt not be;
and þou ſchalt be ſouȝt, and þou ſchalt no more be
foundun wiþ outen ende, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
DCCXLV
CAP. XXVII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þerfor þou, ſone of man, take weilyng on
Tire.
iii And þou ſchalt ſeie to Tire, þat dwelliþ in þe entryng
of þe ſee, to þe marchaundie of puplis to many ilis, Þe
Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, O! Tire, þou ſeidiſt, Y am of
perfit fairneſſe,
iiii and Y am ſet in þe herte of þe ſee. Þei þat ben in þi
cooſtis þat bildiden þee, filliden þi fairneſſe;
v þei bildiden þee wiþ fir trees of Sanyr, wiþ alle werkis
of boordis of þe ſee; þei token a cedre of þe Liban, to
make a maſt to þee.
vi Þei hewiden ookis of Bala in to þin ooris, þei maden
to þee þi ſeetis of roweris of yuer of Ynde, and cabans
of þe ilis of Italie.
vii Dyuerſe biys, `eþer whijt ſilk, of Egipt, was wouun to
þee in to a veil, þat it ſchulde be ſet in þe maſt; iacynct
and purpur of þe ilis of Eliſa weren maad þin hiling.
viii Þe dwelleris of Sidon and Aradians weren þi
roweris; Tire, þi wiſe men weren maad þi gouernouris.
ix Þe elde men of Biblos, and þe prudent men þerof,
hadden ſchipmen to þe ſeruyſe of þi dyuerſe araye of
houſhold; alle þe ſchippis of þe ſee, and þe ſchip men of
þo, weren in þe puple of þi marchaundie.
x Perſeis, and Lidians, and Libians weren in þin ooſt; þi
men werriours hangiden in þee a ſcheeld and helm, for
þin ournyng.
xi Sones Aradians wiþ þin ooſt weren on þi wallis in þi
cumpas; but alſo Pigmeis, þat weren in þi touris,
hangiden her arowe caſis in þi wallis bi cumpas; þei
filliden þi fairneſſe.
xii Cartagynenſis, þi marchauntis, of þe multitude of alle
richeſſis filliden þi feiris, wiþ ſiluer, and irun, wiþ tyn,
and leed.
xiii Greece, and Tubal, and Moſoch, þei weren þi
marchauntis, and brouȝten boonde men and braſun
veſſels to þi puple.
xiiii Fro þe hous of Thogorma þei brouȝten horſis, and
horſe men, and mulis, to þi chepyng.
xv Þe ſones of Dedan weren þi marchauntis; many ilis
þe marchaundie of þin hond, chaungiden teeþ of yuer,
and of hebennus, in þi prijs.
xvi Sirie was þi marchaunt, for þe multitude of þi werkis
þei ſettiden forþ in þi marcat gemme, and purpur, and
cloþis wouun dyuerſli at þe maner of ſcheeldis, and bijs,
and ſeelk, and cochod, eþer auer de peis.
xvii Juda and þe lond of Iſrael weren þi marchauntis in
þe beſte wheete, and ſettiden forþ in þi feiris bawme,
and hony, and oile, and reſyn.
xviii Damaſſen was þi marchaunt, in þe multitude of þi
werkis, in þe multitude of dyuerſe richeſſis, in fat wyn,
in wollis of beſt colour.
xix Dan, and Greece, and Moſel, ſettiden forþ in þi fairis
irun maad ſuteli, gumme of myrre, and calamus, þat is,
a ſpice ſwete ſmellynge, in þi marchaundie.
xx Dedan weren þi marchauntis, in tapitis to ſitte.
xxi Arabie and alle þe princes of Cedar, þei weren þe
marchauntis of þin hond; wiþ lambren, and weþeris,
and kidis þi marchauntis camen to þee.
xxii Þe ſilleris of Saba and of Rema, þei weren þi
marchauntis, wiþ alle þe beſte ſwete ſmellynge ſpices,
and preciouſe ſtoon, and gold, which þei ſettiden forþ in
þi marcat.
xxiii Aran, and Chenne, and Eden, weren þi
marchauntis; Sabba, and Aſſur, and Chelmath, weren þi
ſilleris.
xxiiii Þei weren þi marchaundis in many maneres, in
fardels of iacinct and of cloþis of many colours, and of
preciouſe richeſſis, þat weren wlappid and boundun wiþ
coordis.
xxv Alſo ſchippis of þe ſee hadden cedris in her
marchaundies; þi princes weren in þi marchaundie; and
þou were fillid, and were glorified greetli in þe herte of
þe ſee.
xxvi Þi rowers brouȝten þee in many watris, þe ſouþ
wynd al to-brak þee; in þe herte of þe ſee weren þi
richeſſis,
xxvii and þi treſours, and þi many fold inſtrument. Þi
ſchip men, and þi gouernouris þat helden þi
purtenaunce of houſhold, and weren ſouereyns of þi
puple, and þi men werriours þat weren in þee, wiþ al þi
multitude which is in þe myddis of þee, ſchulen falle
doun in þe herte of þe ſee, in þe dai of þi fallyng.
xxviii Schippis ſchulen be diſturblid of þe ſown of þe cry
of þi gouernours;
xxix and alle men þat helden oore, ſchulen go doun of
her ſhippis. Shipmen and alle gouernouris of þe ſee
ſhulen ſtonde in þe lond;
xxx and ſchulen ȝelle on þee wiþ greet vois. And þei
ſhulen cry bitterli, and þei ſchulen caſte poudur on her
heedis, and ſchulen be ſpreynt wiþ aiſche.
xxxi And þei ſchulen ſhaue ballidneſſe on þee, and
ſchulen be gird wiþ hairis, and þei ſchulen biwepe þee
in bitterneſſe of ſoule, wiþ moſt bittir wepyng.
xxxii And þei ſchulen take on þee a ſong of mourenyng,
and þei ſchulen biweile þee, Who is as Tire, þat was
doumb in þe myddis of þe ſee?
xxxiii And þou, Tire, fillidiſt many puplis in þe goyng
out of þi marchaundies of þe ſee; in þe multitude of þi
richeſſis, and of þi puplis, þou madiſt riche þe kingis of
erþe.
xxxiiii Now þou art al to-brokun of þe ſee, in þe depþis
of watris. Þi richeſſis and al þi multitude þat was in þe
myddis of þee fellen doun;
DCCXLVI
xxxv alleþe dwelleris of ilis and þe kyngis of þo weren
aſtonyed on þee. Alle þei weren ſmytun wiþ tempeſt,
and chaungiden cheris;
xxxvi þe marchauntis of puplis hiſſiden on þee. Þou art
brouȝt to nouȝt, and þou ſchalt not be til `in to wiþ
outen ende.
CAP. XXVIII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Sone of man, ſeie þou to þe prince of
Tire, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þin herte was
reiſid, and þou ſeidiſt, Y am God, and Y ſat in þe chaier
of God, in þe herte of þe ſee, ſiþen þou art man and not
God, and þou ȝaueſt þin herte as þe herte of God; lo!
iii þou art wiſere þan Danyel, ech priuetee is not hid fro
þee;
iiii in þi wiſdom and prudence þou madiſt to þee
ſtrengþe, and þou gatiſt to þee gold and ſiluer in þi
treſouris;
v in þe multitude of þi wiſdom, and in þi marchaundie
þou multipliediſt to þee ſtrengþe, and þin herte was
reiſid in þi ſtrengþe;
vi þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þin herte was
reiſid as þe herte of God, þerfor lo!
vii Y ſchal brynge on þee aliens, þe ſtrongeſte of heþene.
And þei ſchulen make nakid her ſwerdis on þe fairneſſe
of þi wiſdom, and þei ſchulen defoule þi fairneſſe.
viii Þei ſchulen ſle, and drawe doun þee; and þou ſchalt
die bi þe deþ of vncircumcidid men, in þe herte of þe
ſee.
ix Wheþer þou ſchalt ſeie, and ſpeke, Y am God, bifore
hem þat ſleen þee; ſiþen þou art a man, and not God?
x In þe hond of hem þat ſleen þee, bi deþ of
vncircumcidid men, þou ſchalt die in þe hond of aliens;
for Y þe Lord ſpak, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xi And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and he
ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, reiſe þou weilyng on þe kyng
of Tire;
xii and þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Þou a preente of licneſſe, ful of wiſdom, perfit in
fairneſſe,
xiii were in delicis of paradijs of God. Ech preciouſe
ſtoon was þin hilyng, ſardius, topacius, and iaſpis,
criſolitus, and onix, and birille, ſafire, and carbuncle,
and ſmaragde; alſo gold was þe werk of þi fairneſſe, and
þin hoolis weren maad redi, in þe dai in which þou were
maad.
xiiii Þou were cherub holdun forþ, and hilynge; and Y
ſettide þee in þe hooli hil of God. In þe myddis of
ſtoonus ſet a fier þou ȝediſt,
xv perfit in þi weies fro þe dai of þi makyng, til
wickidneſſe was foundun in þee.
xvi In þe multitude of þi marchaundie þin ynnere þingis
weren fillid of wickidneſſe, and þou didiſt ſynne; and Y
caſtide þee out of þe hil of God, and, þou cherub
hilynge fer, Y loſte þee fro þe myddis of ſtoonys ſet a
fier.
xvii And þin herte was reiſid in þi fairneſſe, þou loſtiſt þi
wiſdom in þi fairneſſe. Y caſtide þee doun in to erþe, Y
ȝaf þee bifore þe face of kingis, þat þei ſchulden ſe þee.
xviii In þe multitude of þi wickidneſſis, and in
wickidneſſe of þi marchaundie þou defoulidiſt þin
halewyng; þerfor Y ſchal brynge forþ fier of þe myddis
of þee, þat ſchal ete þee; and Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to
aiſche on erþe, in þe ſiȝt of alle men ſeynge þee.
xix Alle men þat ſchulen ſe þee among heþene men,
ſchulen be aſtonyed on þee; þou art maad nouȝt, and
þou ſchalt not be wiþ outen ende.
xx And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xxi and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, ſette þi face aȝens
Sidon, and þou ſchalt profeſie of it;
xxii and ſchalt ſeie, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y
to þee, Sidon, and Y ſchal be glorified in þe myddis of
þee; and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y
ſchal do domes in it, and Y ſchal be halewid þer ynne.
xxiii And Y ſchal ſende peſtilence in to it, and blood in
þe ſtretis þerof, and ſlayn men bi ſwerd ſchulen falle
doun in þe myddis þerof bi cumpas; and þei ſchulen
wite, þat Y am þe Lord God.
xxiiii And þere ſchal no more be an hirtyng of bitterneſſe
to þe hous of Iſrael, and a þorn bryngynge in ſorewe on
ech ſide bi þe cumpas of hem þat ben aduerſaries to
hem; and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord God.
xxv Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Whanne Y ſchal
gadere togidere þe hous of Iſrael fro puplis, among
whiche þei ben ſcaterid, Y ſchal be halewid in hem bifor
heþene men. And þei ſchulen dwelle in her lond, which
Y ȝaf to my ſeruaunt Jacob.
xxvi And þei ſchulen dwelle ſikir þer ynne, and þei
ſchulen bilde houſis, and þei ſchulen plaunte vynes, and
þei ſchulen dwelle triſtili, whanne Y ſchal make domes
in alle men þat ben aduerſaries to hem bi cumpas; and
þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord God of hem.
CAP. XXIX
i In þe tenþe ȝeer, in þe twelueþe moneþe, in þe firſte
dai of þe moneþe, þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
and he ſeide,
ii Þou, ſone of man, ſette þi face aȝens Farao, king of
Egipt; and þou ſchalt profeſie of hym, and of al Egipt.
iii Speke þou, and þou ſchalt ſeie, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y to þee, þou Farao, kyng of Egipt, þou
grete dragoun, þat liggiſt in þe myddis of þi floodis, and
ſeiſt, Þe flood is myn, and Y made myſilf.
iiii And Y ſchal ſette a bridil in þi chekis, and Y ſchal
glue þe fiſchis of þi floodis to þi ſcalis; and Y ſchal
DCCXLVII
drawe þee out of þe myddis of þi floodis, and alle þi
fiſchis ſchulen cleue to þi ſcalis.
v And Y ſchal caſte þee forþ in to deſert, and alle þe
fiſchis of þi flood; on þe face of erþe þou ſchalt falle
doun, þou ſchalt not be gaderid, neþir ſchalt be gaderid
togidere; to þe beeſtis of erþe, and to þe volatilis of þe
eir Y ȝaf þee to be deuourid.
vi And alle þe dwelleris of Egipt ſchulen knowe, þat Y
am þe Lord. For þat þat þou were a ſtaf of rehed to þe
hous of Iſrael, whanne þei token þee wiþ hond,
vii and þou were brokun, and to-rentiſt ech ſchuldre of
hem, and whanne þei reſtiden on þee, þou were maad
leſſe, and þou haſt diſcoumfortid alle þe reynes of hem;
viii þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
bringe a ſwerd on þee, and Y ſchal ſle of þee man and
beeſte;
ix and þe lond of Egipt ſchal be in to deſert, and in to
wildirneſſe, and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord. For
þat þat þou ſeidiſt, Þe flood is myn, and Y made it,
þerfor lo!
x Y to þee, and to þi floodis. And Y ſchal ȝyue `in to
wildirneſſes þe lond of Egipt diſtried bi ſwerd, fro þe
tour of Sienes til to þe termes of Ethiopie.
xi Þe foot of man ſchal not paſſe bi it, neþer þe foot of
beeſte ſchal go in it, and it ſchal not be enhabitid in
fourti ȝeer.
xii And Y ſchal ȝyue þe lond of Egipt forſakun, in þe
myddis of londis forſakun, and þe citees þerof in þe
myddis of a citee diſtried, and þo ſchulen be deſolat bi
fourti ȝeer. And Y ſchal ſcatere Egipcians in to
naciouns, and Y ſchal wyndewe hem in to londis.
xiii For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, After þe ende of
fourti ȝeer Y ſchal gadere togidere Egipt fro puplis,
among whiche þei weren ſcaterid;
xiiii and Y ſchal bringe aȝen þe caitifte of Egipte. And Y
ſchal ſette hem in þe lond of Phatures, in þe lond of her
birþe; and þei ſchulen be þere in to a meke rewme,
xv and among oþere rewmes it ſchal be moſt low, and it
ſchal no more be reiſid ouer naciouns. And Y ſchal
make hem leſſe, þat þei regne not on heþene men;
xvi and þei ſchulen no more be to þe hous of Iſrael in
triſt, techinge wickidneſſe, þat þei fle, and ſue hem; and
þei ſchulen knowe, þat Y am þe Lord God.
xvii And it was don in þe ſeuene and twentiþe ȝeer, in þe
firſte moneþe, in þe firſte dai of þe moneþe, þe word of
þe Lord was maad to me,
xviii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, Nabugodonoſor,
kyng of Babiloyne, made his ooſt to ſerue bi greet
ſeruyce aȝens Tire; ech heed was maad ballid, and ech
ſchuldir was maad bare of heer, and meede was not
ȝoldun of Tire to hym, neþer to his ooſt, for þe ſeruyce
bi which he ſeruede to me aȝens it.
xix Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal
ȝyue Nabugodonoſor, kyng of Babiloyne, in þe lond of
Egipt, and he ſchal take þe multitude þerof; and he ſchal
take in preye þe cloþis þerof, and he ſchal rauyſche þe
ſpuylis þerof, and meede ſchal be to his ooſt,
xx and to þe werk for which he ſeruyde to me aȝens it;
and Y ȝaf þe lond of Egipt to hym, for þat þat he
trauelide to me, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xxi In þat dai an horn of þe hous of Iſrael ſchal come
forþ, and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee an open mouþ in þe
myddis of hem; and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
CAP. XXX
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Sone of man, profeſie þou, and ſeie, Þe
Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝelle ȝe, Wo!
iii wo! to þe dai, for þe dai is niȝ; and þe dai of þe Lord
neiȝiþ, þe dai of a cloude. Þe tyme of heþene men ſchal
be;
iiii and a ſwerd ſchal come in to Egipt, and drede ſchal
be in Ethiopie, whanne woundid men ſchulen falle doun
in Egipt, and þe multitude þerof ſchal be takun awei,
and þe foundementis þerof ſchulen be diſtried.
v Ethiopie, and Libie, and Lidiens, and al þe reſidue
comyn puple, and Chub, and þe ſones of þe lond of
boond of pees ſchulen falle doun bi ſwerd wiþ hem.
vi Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, And þei þat vndurſetten
Egipt ſchulen falle doun, and þe pride of þe lordſchipe
þerof ſchal be deſtried; fro þe tour of Sienes þei ſchulen
falle bi ſwerd þer ynne, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
vii And þei ſchulen be diſtried in þe myddis of londis
maad deſolat, and þe citees þerof ſchulen be in þe
myddis of citees forſakun.
viii And þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord God,
whanne Y ſchal ȝyue fier in Egipt, and alle þe helperis
þerof ſchulen be al to-brokun.
ix In þat dai meſſangeris ſchulen go out fro my face in
ſchippis wiþ þre ordris of ooris, to al to-breke þe triſt of
Ethiopie; and drede ſchal be in hem in þe dai of Egipt,
for wiþ out doute it ſchal come.
x Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, And I ſchal make to
ceeſſe þe multitude of Egipt in þe hond of
Nabugodonoſor, king of Babiloyne.
xi He and his puple wiþ hym, þe ſtrongeſte men of
heþene men, ſchulen be brouȝt, to leeſe þe lond; and þei
ſchulen drawe out her ſwerdis on Egipt, and þei ſchulen
fille þe lond wiþ ſlayn men.
xii And Y ſchal make drie þe botmes of floodis, and Y
ſchal ȝyue þe lond in þe hond of þe worſte men; and I
ſchal diſtrie þe lond, and þe fulneſſe þerof in þe hond of
aliens; Y þe Lord ſpak.
xiii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, And Y ſchal leeſe
ſimylacris, and Y ſchal make idols to ceeſſe fro
Memphis, and a duyk of þe lond of Egipt ſchal no more
be. And Y ſchal ȝyue drede in þe lond of Egipt,
DCCXLVIII
xiiii and Y ſchal leeſe þe lond of Phatures. And Y ſchal
ȝyue fier in Tafnys, and Y ſchal make my domes in
Aliſaundre.
xv And Y ſchal ſchede out myn indignacioun on
Peluſyum, þe ſtrengþe of Egipt; and Y ſchal ſle þe
multitude of Aliſaundre,
xvi and Y ſchal ȝyue fier in Egipt. Peluſyum, as a
womman trauelynge of child, ſchal haue ſorewe, and
Aliſaundre ſchal be deſtried, and in Memphis ſchulen be
ech daies angwiſchis.
xvii Þe ȝonge men of Heliopoleos and of Bubaſti ſchulen
falle doun bi ſwerd, and þo citees ſchulen be led caitifs.
xviii And in Thafnys þe dai ſchal wexe blak, whanne Y
ſchal al to-breke þere þe ceptris of Egipt, and þe pride
of þe power þerof ſchal faile þere ynne. A cloude ſchal
hile it; forſoþe þe douȝtris þerof ſchulen be led in to
caitifte, and Y ſchal make domes in Egipt;
xix and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xx And it was doon in þe enleuenþe ȝeer, in þe firſte
moneþe, in þe ſeuenþe dai of þe moneþ, þe word of þe
Lord was maad to me,
xxi and he ſeide, Þou ſone of man, Y haue broke þe arm
of Farao, kyng of Egipt; and lo! it is not wlappid, þat
helþe ſchulde be reſtorid þerto, þat it ſchulde be
boundun wiþ cloþis, and woundun wiþ lynnun cloþis,
and þat he myȝte holde ſwerd, whanne he hadde
reſſeyued ſtrengþe.
xxii Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y to Farao,
king of Egipt; and Y ſchal make leſſe his ſtrong arm but
brokun, and Y ſchal caſte doun þe ſwerd fro his hond.
xxiii And Y ſchal ſcatere Egipt among heþene men, and
Y ſchal wyndewe hem in londis.
xxiiii And Y ſchal coumforte þe armes of þe kyng of
Babiloyne, and Y ſchal ȝyue my ſwerd in þe hond of
hym; and Y ſchal breke þe armes of Farao, and men
ſlayn bifore his face ſchulen weile bi weilyngis.
xxv And Y ſchal coumforte þe armes of þe kyng of
Babiloyne, and þe armes of Farao ſchulen falle doun.
And þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y
ſchal ȝyue my ſwerd in þe hond of þe kyng of
Babiloyne; and he ſchal ſtretche forþ it on þe lond of
Egipt.
xxvi And Y ſchal ſcatere Egipt in to naciouns, and Y
ſchal wyndewe hem in to londis; and þei ſchulen wite,
þat Y am þe Lord.
CAP. XXXI
i And it was don in þe enleuenþe ȝeer, in þe þridde
moneþ, in þe firſte dai of þe moneþe, þe word of þe
Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, ſeie to Farao, kyng of
Egipt, and to his puple, To whom art þou maad lijk in þi
greetneſſe?
iii Lo! Aſſur as a cedre in Liban, fair in braunchis, and
ful of boowis, and hiȝ bi hiȝneſſe; and his heiȝte was
reiſid among þicke bowis.
iiii Watris nurſchiden hym, þe depþe of watris
enhaunſide him; hiſe floodis fletiden out in þe cumpas
of hiſe rootis, and he ſente out hiſe ſtrondis to alle þe
trees of þe cuntrei.
v Þerfor his hiȝneſſe was enhaunſid ouer alle trees of þe
cuntrei, and hiſe trees weren multiplied, and hiſe
braunchis weren reiſid, for many watris.
vi And whanne he hadde ſtretchid forþ his ſchadewe,
alle þe volatils of þe eir maden neſtis in hiſe braunchis;
and alle þe beeſtis of foreſtis gendriden vndur hiſe
boowis, and þe cumpeny of ful many folkis dwellide
vndur þe ſchadewynge place of hym.
vii And he was ful fair in his greetneſſe, and in alargyng
of hiſe trees; for þe roote of hym was biſidis many
watris.
viii Cedris in þe paradijs of God weren not hiȝere þan
he; fir trees atteyneden not euenli to þe hiȝneſſe of hym,
and plane trees weren not euene wiþ þe boowis of hym.
Ech tree of paradijs of God was not maad lic hym and
his fairneſſe.
ix For Y made hym fair, and wiþ many and þicke
boowis; and alle þe trees of luſt, þat weren in þe
paradijs of God, hadden enuye to hym.
x Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat he
was reiſid in hiȝneſſe, and he ȝaf his hyȝneſſe greene and
þicke, and his herte was reiſid in his hiȝneſſe;
xi now Y haue ȝoue hym in to þe hondis of þe ſtrongeſte
man of heþene men. And he doynge ſchal do to þat
Aſſur; aftir þe vnfeiþfulneſſe of hym Y caſtide hym out.
xii And aliens, and þe mooſt cruel men of naciouns,
ſchulen kitte hym doun, and ſchulen caſte hym forþ on
hillis. And hiſe braunchis ſchulen falle doun in alle grete
valeis, and hiſe trees ſchulen be brokun in alle roochis
of ſtoon of erþe. And alle þe puplis of erþe ſchulen go
awei fro his ſchadewing place, and ſchulen forſake hym.
xiii Alle volatils of þe eir dwelliden in þe fallyng of
hym, and alle beeſtis of þe cuntrei weren in þe
braunchis of hym.
xiiii Wherfor alle þe trees of watris ſchulen not be reiſid
in hir hiȝneſſe, neþer ſchulen ſette hir hiȝneſſe among
places ful of woode, and ful of boowis, and alle trees
þat ben moiſtid of watris ſchulen not ſtonde in þe
hiȝneſſe of þo. For alle þei ben ȝouun in to deþ, to þe
ferþeſt lond in þe myddis of þe ſones of men, to hem þat
goon doun in to þe lake.
xv Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, In þe dai whanne he
ȝede doun to hellis, Y brouȝte yn mourenyng; Y hilide
hym wiþ depþe of watris, and I forbede his flodis, and
Y refreynede many watris. Þe Liban was ſori on him,
and alle þe trees of þe feeld
DCCXLIX
xvi weren ſhakun of þe ſoun of his falling. I mouide
togidere heþene men, whanne Y ledde hym doun to
helle, wiþ hem þat ȝeden doun in to þe lake. And alle
trees of likyng, noble trees, and ful cleere in þe Liban,
alle þat weren moiſtid wiþ watris, weren coumfortid in
þe loweſte lond.
xvii For whi alſo þei ſchulen go doun wiþ hym to helle,
to ſlayn men wiþ ſwerd; and þe arm of ech man ſchal
ſitte vndur þe ſchadewyng place of hym, in þe myddis
of naciouns.
xviii To whom art þou licned, þou noble and hiȝ among
þe trees of likyng? Lo! þou art led doun wiþ þe trees of
likyng to þe ferþeſte lond. In þe myddis of
vncircumcidid men þou ſchalt ſlepe, wiþ hem þat ben
ſlayn bi ſwerd. Þilke is Farao, and al þe multitude of
hym, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
CAP. XXXII
i And it was don in þe twelueþe ȝeer, in þe twelueþe
moneþe, in þe firſte dai of þe moneþe, þe word of þe
Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, take weilyng on Farao,
kyng of Egipt, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Þou were
maad lijk to a lioun of heþene men, and to a dragoun
whiche is in þe ſee. And þou wyndewiſt wiþ horn in þi
floodis, and þou diſturblidiſt watris wiþ þi feet, and
defoulidiſt þe floodis of þo.
iii Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y ſchal ſpredde
abrood my net on þee in þe multitude of many puples,
and Y ſchal drawe þee out in my net;
iiii and Y ſchal caſte forþ þee in to erþe. On þe face of þe
feeld Y ſchal caſte þee awei, and Y ſchal make alle þe
volatils of heuene to dwelle on þee, and Y ſchal fille of
þee þe beeſtis of al erþe.
v And Y ſchal ȝyue þi fleiſchis on hillis, and Y ſchal fille
þi litle hillis wiþ þi root;
vi and Y ſchal moiſte þe erþe wiþ þe ſtynk of þi blood on
mounteyns, and valeis ſchulen be fillid of þee.
vii And whanne þou ſchalt be quenchid, Y ſchal hile
heuenes, and Y ſchal make blak þe ſterris þerof; Y ſchal
kyuere þe ſunne wiþ a clowde, and þe moone ſchal not
ȝyue hir lyȝt.
viii Y ſchal make alle þe lyȝt ȝyueris of heuene to
mourne on þee, and Y ſchal ȝyue derkneſſis on þi lond,
ſeiþ þe Lord God; whanne þi woundid men ſchulen falle
doun in þe myddis of erþe, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
ix And Y ſchal terre to wraþþe þe herte of many puplis,
whanne Y ſchal bringe in þi ſorewe among folkis, on
londis whiche þou knowiſt not.
x And Y ſchal make many puplis to wondre on þee, and
þe kyngis of hem ſchulen drede wiþ ful greet
hidouſneſſe on þee, for alle þi wickidneſſis whiche þou
wrouȝtiſt, whanne my ſwerd ſchal bigynne to flee on þe
faces of hem. And alle men ſchulen be aſtonyed ſudenli,
for her lijf, in þe dai of her fallyng.
xi For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe ſwerd of þe king
of Babiloyne ſchal come to þee;
xii in ſwerdis of ſtronge men Y ſchal caſte doun þi
multitude, alle þeſe folkis ben not able to be
ouercomun. And þei ſchulen waſte þe pride of Egipt,
and þe multitude þerof ſchal be diſtried.
xiii And Y ſchal leeſe alle þe beeſtis þerof, þat weren on
ful many watris; and þe foot of a man ſchal no more
troble þo watris, neþer þe clee of beeſtis ſchal troble þo.
xiiii Þanne Y ſchal ȝelde þe watris of hem clenneſte, and
Y ſchal brynge þe floodis of hem as oile, ſeiþ þe Lord
God,
xv whanne Y ſchal ȝyue deſolat þe lond of Egipt.
Forſoþe þe lond ſchal be forſakun of his fulneſſe,
whanne Y ſchal ſmyte alle þe dwellers þerof; and þei
ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xvi It is a weiling, and þe douȝtris of heþene men
ſchulen biweile hym; þei ſchulen biweile hym on Egipt,
and þei ſchulen biweile hym on þe multitude þerof, ſeiþ
þe Lord God.
xvii And it was don in þe twelueþe ȝeer, in þe fiftenþe
dai of þe moneþe, þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xviii and he ſeide, Sone of man, ſynge þou a ſong of
weilyng on þe multitude of Egipt, and drawe þou doun
it þe ſame, and þe douȝtris of ſtronge heþene men to þe
laſte lond, wiþ hem þat ȝeden doun in to þe lake.
xix In as myche as þou art fairere, go doun, and ſlepe
wiþ vncircumcidid men.
xx In þe myddis of ſlayn men þei ſchulen falle doun bi
ſwerd; a ſwerd is ȝouun, and þei drowen it to, and alle
þe puplis þerof.
xxi Þe myȝtieſte of ſtronge men ſchulen ſpeke to hym,
fro þe myddis of helle, whiche wiþ her helperis ȝeden
doun, and ſlepten vncircumcidid, and ſlayn bi ſwerd.
xxii Þere is Aſſur, and al his multitude; þe ſepulcris of
hem ben in þe cumpas of hym, alle ſlayn men, and þat
fellen doun bi ſwerd,
xxiii whoſe ſepulcris ben ȝouun in þe laſte þingis of þe
lake. And þe multitude of hym is maad bi þe cumpas of
his ſepulcre, alle ſlayn men, and fallynge doun bi ſwerd,
whiche ȝauen ſum tyme her ferdfulneſſe in þe lond of
lyuynge men.
xxiiii Þere is Helam, and al þe multitude þerof bi þe
cumpas of his ſepulcre; alle þeſe weren ſlayn, and
fallynge doun bi ſwerd, þat ȝeden doun vncircumcidid
to þe laſte lond; whiche ſettiden her drede in þe lond of
lyuynge men, and baren her ſchenſchipe wiþ hem þat
goon doun in to þe lake.
xxv In þe myddis of ſlayn men þei puttiden his bed in
alle þe puplis of hym; his ſepulcre is in þe cumpas of
hym. Alle þeſe weren vncircumcidid and ſlayn bi ſwerd,
for þei ȝauen drede in þe lond of lyuynge men, and
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baren her ſchenſchipe wiþ hem þat gon doun in to þe
lake; þei ben ſet in þe myddis of ſlayn men.
xxvi Þere ben Moſoch and Tubal, and al þe multitude
þerof; þe ſepulcris þerof ben in þe cumpaſſe þerof. Alle
þeſe men vncircumcidid weren ſlayn, and fallynge doun
bi ſwerd, for þei ȝauen her drede in þe lond of lyuynge
men.
xxvii And þei ſchulen not ſlepe wiþ ſtronge men, and
fallynge doun, and vncircumcidid, þat ȝeden doun in to
helle wiþ her armuris, and puttiden her ſwerdis vndur
her heedis. And þe wickidneſſis of hem weren in þe
boonys of hem, for þei weren maad þe drede of ſtronge
men in þe lond of lyuynge men.
xxviii And þou þerfor ſchalt be al to-foulid in þe myddis
of vncircumcidid men, and ſchalt ſlepe wiþ hem þat ben
ſlayn bi ſwerd.
xxix Þere is Idumee, and þe kingis þerof, and alle duykis
þerof, þat ben ȝouun wiþ her ooſt, wiþ men ſlayn bi
ſwerd, and which ſlepten wiþ vncircumcidid men, and
wiþ hem þat ȝeden doun in to þe lake.
xxx Þere ben alle princes of þe norþ, and alle hunteris,
þat weren led forþ wiþ ſlayn men, þat ben dredinge and
ſchent in her ſtrengþe, which ſlepten vncircumcidid wiþ
men ſlayn bi ſwerd, and baren her ſchenſchipe wiþ hem
þat ȝeden doun in to þe lake.
xxxi Farao ſiȝ hem, and was coumfortid on al his
multitude þat was ſlayn bi ſwerd. And Farao and al his
ooſt, ſeiþ þe Lord God, baren her ſchenſchipe wiþ hem
þat ȝeden doun in to þe lake;
xxxii for he ȝaf his drede in þe lond of lyuynge men. And
Farao and al his multitude ſlepte in þe myddis of
vncircumcidid men, wiþ men ſlayn bi ſwerd, ſeiþ þe
Lord God.
CAP. XXXIII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, ſpeke to þe ſones of þi
puple, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, A lond whanne Y
bringe in a ſwerd on it, and þe puple of þe lond takiþ o
man of hiſe laſte men, and makiþ hym aſpiere on hym,
iii and he ſeeþ a ſwerd comynge on þe lond, and ſowneþ
wiþ a clarioun, and telliþ to þe puple,
iiii forſoþe a man þat heriþ, who euer he is, þe ſowne of
þe clarioun, and kepiþ not him ſilf, and þe ſwerd comeþ,
and takiþ hym awei, þe blood of hym ſchal be on þe
heed of hym.
v He herde þe ſown of þe clarioun, and kepte not hym
ſilf, his blood ſchal be in hym; forſoþe if he kepiþ hym
ſilf, he ſchal ſaue his lijf.
vi Þat if þe aſpiere ſeeþ a ſwerd comynge, and ſowneþ
not wiþ a clarioun, and þe puple kepiþ not hym ſilf, and
þe ſwerd comeþ, and takiþ awei a man of hem, ſoþeli he
is takun in his wickidneſſe; but Y ſchal ſeke þe blood of
hym of þe hond of þe aſpiere.
vii And, þou, ſone of man, Y ȝaf þee aſpiere to þe hous
of Iſrael; þerfor þou ſchalt here of my mouþ a word, and
ſchalt telle to hem of me.
viii If whanne Y ſeie to þe wickid man, Þou, wickid
man, ſchalt die bi deþ, þou ſpekiſt not, þat þe wickid
man kepe hym ſilf fro his weie, þilke wickid man ſchal
die in his wickidneſſe, but Y ſchal ſeke his blood of þin
hond.
ix Forſoþe if whanne þou telliſt to þe wickid man, þat he
be conuertid fro his weies, he is not conuertid fro his
weie, he ſchal die in his wickidneſſe; certis þou haſt
delyuered þi ſoule.
x Þerfore þou, ſone of man, ſeie to þe hous of Iſrael, Þus
ȝe ſpaken, ſeiynge, Oure wickidneſſis and oure ſynnes
ben on vs, and we failen in þo; hou þerfor moun we
lyue? ſeie þou to hem,
xi Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, Y nyle þe deþ of þe wickid
man, but þat þe wickid man be conuertid fro his weie,
and lyue; be ȝe conuertid fro ȝoure worſte weies, and
whi ſchulen ȝe die, þe hous of Iſrael?
xii Þerfor þou, ſone of man, ſeie to þe ſones of þi puple,
Þe riȝtfulneſſe of a riȝtful man ſchal not delyuere hym,
in whateuer dai he doiþ ſynne; and þe wickidneſſe of a
wickid man ſchal not anoye him, in what euere dai he is
conuertid fro his wickidneſſe; and a iuſt man ſchal not
mowe lyue in his riȝtfulneſſe, in what euer dai he doiþ
ſynne.
xiii Alſo if Y ſeie to a iuſt man, þat he ſchal lyue bi lijf,
and he triſtiþ in his riȝtfulneſſe, and doiþ wickidneſſe,
alle his riȝtfulneſſis ſchulen be ȝouun to forȝetyng, and
in his wickidneſſe which he wrouȝte, in þat he ſchal die.
xiiii Forſoþe if Y ſeie to þe wickid man, Þou ſchalt die bi
deþ, and he doiþ penaunce for his ſynne, and doiþ dom
and riȝtfulneſſe,
xv and if þilke wickid man reſtoriþ a wed, and ȝeldiþ
raueyn, and goiþ in comaundementis of lijf, and doiþ
not ony vniuſt þing, he ſchal lyue bi lijf, and ſchal not
die.
xvi Alle hiſe ſynnes which he ſynnede, ſchulen not be
arettid to hym; he dide doom and riȝtfulneſſe, he ſchal
lyue bi lijf.
xvii And þe ſones of þi puple ſeiden, Þe weie of þe Lord
is not euene weiȝte; and þe weie of hem is vniuſt.
xviii For whanne a iuſt man goiþ awei fro his
riȝtfulneſſe, and doiþ wickidneſſis, he ſchal die in þo;
xix and whanne a wickid man goiþ awei fro his
wickidneſſe, and doiþ dom and riȝtfulnes, he ſchal lyue
in þo.
xx And ȝe ſeien, Þe weie of þe Lord is not riȝtful. Y
ſchal deme ech man bi hiſe weies of ȝou, þe hous of
Iſrael.
xxi And it was doon in þe twelueþe ȝeer, in þe tenþe
moneþe, in þe fyueþe dai of þe moneþe of our paſſyng
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ouer, he þat fledde fro Jeruſalem cam to me, and ſeide,
Þe citee is diſtried.
xxii Forſoþe þe hond of þe Lord was maad to me in þe
euentid, bifore þat he cam þat fledde, and he openyde
my mouþ, til he cam to me eerli; and whanne my mouþ
was openyd, Y was no more ſtille.
xxiii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and he
ſeide,
xxiiii Þou, ſone of man, þei þat dwellen in `þingis in
poynt to falle doun on þe erþe of Iſrael, ſeien, ſpekynge,
Abraham was oon, and bi eritage he hadde þe lond in
poſſeſſioun; forſoþe we ben manye, þe lond is ȝouun to
vs in to poſſeſſioun.
xxv Þerfor þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Wheþer ȝe þat eten in blood, and reiſen ȝoure
iȝen to ȝoure vnclenneſſis, and ſcheden blood, ſchulen
haue in poſſeſſioun þe lond bi eritage?
xxvi Ȝe ſtoden in ȝoure ſwerdis, ȝe diden ȝoure
abhomynaciouns, and ech man defoulide þe wijf of his
neiȝbore; and ſchulen ȝe welde þe lond bi eritage?
xxvii Þou ſchalt ſeie þeſe þingis to hem, Þus ſeiþ þe Lord
God, Y lyue, for þei þat dwellen in `þingis redi to falle
doun, ſchulen falle doun bi ſwerd, and he þat is in þe
feld, ſchal be ȝouun to beeſtis to be deuourid; but þei þat
ben in ſtronge holdis and in dennes, ſchulen die bi
peſtilence.
xxviii And Y ſchal ȝyue þe lond in to wildirneſſe, and in
to deſert, and þe pryde and ſtrengþe þerof ſchal faile;
and þe hillis of Iſrael ſchulen be maad deſolat, for noon
is þat ſchal paſſe bi þo.
xxix And þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y
ſchal ȝyue her lond deſolat and deſert, for alle her
abhomynaciouns whiche þei wrouȝten.
xxx And þou, ſone of man, þe ſones of þi puple þat
ſpeken of þee biſidis wallis, and in þe doris of houſis,
and ſeien, oon to an oþer, a man to his neiȝbore, and
ſpeken, Come ȝe, and here we, what is þe word goynge
out fro þe Lord;
xxxi and þei comen to þee, as if my puple entriþ, and my
puple ſitten bifore þee, and þei heren þi wordis, and
doon not þo; for þei turnen þo in to þe ſong of her
mouþ, and her herte ſueþ her auerice;
xxxii and it is to hem as a ſong of muſik, which is ſongun
bi ſoft and ſwete ſown; and þei heren þi wordis, and þei
doon not þo;
xxxiii and whanne þat þat is bifore ſeide comeþ, for lo! it
comeþ, þanne þei ſchulen wite, þat `profetis weren
among hem.
CAP. XXXIIII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Sone of man, profeſie þou of þe
ſchepherdis of Iſrael, profeſie þou; and þou ſchalt ſeie to
þe ſchepherdis, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Wo to þe
ſchepherdis of Iſrael, þat fedden hym ſilf; wheþer
flockis ben not fed of ſchepherdis?
iii Ȝe eeten mylk, and weren hilid wiþ wollis, and ȝe
killiden þat þat was fat; but ȝe fedden not my floc.
iiii Ȝe maden not ſad þat þat was vnſtidfaſt, and ȝe
maden not hool þat þat was ſijk; ȝe bounden not þat þat
was brokun, and ȝe brouȝten not aȝen þat þat was caſt
awei, and ȝe ſouȝten not þat þat periſchide; but ȝe
comaundiden to hem wiþ ſturneneſſe, and wiþ power.
v And my ſcheep weren ſcaterid, for no ſheepherde was;
and þei weren maad in to deuouryng of alle beeſtis of
þe feeld, and þei weren ſcaterid.
vi My flockis erriden in alle mounteyns, and in ech hiȝ
hil, and my flockis weren ſcaterid on al þe face of erþe,
and noon was þat ſouȝte.
vii Þerfor, ſcheepherdis, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord;
viii Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, for whi for þat þat my
flockis ben maad in to raueyn, and my ſcheep in to
deuouryng of alle beeſtis of þe feeld, for þat þat no
ſcheepherde was, for þe ſcheepherdis ſouȝten not my
floc, but þe ſcheepherdis fedden hem ſilf, and fedden
not my flockis; þerfor,
ix ſcheepherdis, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord,
x Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y my ſilf am ouer
ſcheepherdis; Y ſchal ſeke my floc of þe hond of hem,
and Y ſchal make hem to ceeſſe, þat þei fede no more
my flok, and þat þe ſcheepherdis feede no more hem
ſilf. And Y ſchal delyuere my floc fro þe mouþ of hem,
and it ſchal no more be in to mete to hem.
xi For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y my ſilf ſchal
ſeke my ſcheep, and Y ſchal viſite hem.
xii As a ſcheepherde viſitiþ his floc, in þe dai whanne he
is in þe myddis of hiſe ſcheep `þat ben ſcaterid, ſo Y
ſchal viſite my ſcheep; and Y ſchal delyuere hem fro alle
places in whiche þei weren ſcaterid, in þe dai of cloude,
and of derkneſſe.
xiii And Y ſchal leede hem out of puplis, and Y ſchal
gadere hem fro londis, and Y ſchal brynge hem in to her
lond, and Y ſchal feede hem in þe hillis of Iſrael, in
ryueris, and in alle ſeetis of erþe.
xiiii Y ſchal feede hem in mooſt plenteouſe paſturis, and
þe leſewis of hem ſchulen be in þe hiȝ hillis of Iſrael;
þere þei ſchulen reſte in greene eerbis, and in fatte
leſewis þei ſchulen be fed on þe hillis of Iſrael.
xv Y ſchal fede my ſcheep, and Y ſchal make hem to
ligge, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xvi I ſchal ſeke þat þat periſchide, and Y ſchal brynge
aȝen þat þat was caſt awei; and Y ſchal bynde þat þat
was brokun, and Y ſchal make ſad þat þat was ſijk; and
Y ſchal kepe þat þat was fat and ſtrong; and Y ſchal
feede hem in doom;
xvii forſoþe ȝe ben my flockis. Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y deme bitwixe beeſte and beeſte, and a
weþir and a buc of geet.
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xviii Wheþer it was not enowȝ to ȝou to deuoure good
paſturis? Ferþermore and ȝe defouliden wiþ ȝoure feet
þe remenauntis of ȝoure leſewis, and whanne ȝe
drunken clereſte watir, ȝe diſturbliden þe reſidue wiþ
ȝoure feet.
xix And my ſcheep weren fed wiþ þo þingis þat weren
defoulid wiþ ȝoure feet; and þei drunken þeſe þingis,
þat ȝoure feet hadden troblid.
xx Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis to ȝou, Lo! Y my
ſilf deme bitwixe a fat beeſte and a leene beeſte.
xxi For þat þat ȝe hurliden wiþ ſidis, and ſchuldris, and
wyndewiden wiþ ȝoure hornes alle ſike beeſtis, til þo
weren ſcaterid wiþoutforþ, I ſchal ſaue my floc,
xxii and it ſchal no more be in to raueyn. And Y ſchal
deme bitwixe beeſte and beeſte;
xxiii and Y ſchal reiſe on þo o ſheepherde, my ſeruaunt
Dauid, þat ſchal fede þo; he ſchal fede þo, and he ſchal
be `in to a ſheepherde to hem.
xxiiii Forſoþe Y þe Lord ſchal be in to God to hem, and
my ſeruaunt Dauid ſchal be prince in þe myddis of hem;
Y þe Lord ſpak.
xxv And Y ſchal make wiþ hem a couenaunt of pees, and
Y ſchal make worſte beeſtis to ceeſſe fro erþe; and þei
þat dwellen in deſert, ſchulen ſlepe ſikur in foreſtis.
xxvi And Y ſchal ſette hem bleſſyng in þe cumpas of my
litle hil, and Y ſchal lede doun reyn in his tyme. And
reynes of bleſſyng ſchulen be,
xxvii and þe tre of þe feeld ſchal ȝyue his fruyt, and þe
erþe ſchal ȝyue his ſeed. And þei ſchulen be in her lond
wiþ out drede; and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord,
whanne Y ſchal al to-breke þe chaynes of her ȝok, and
ſchal delyuere hem fro þe hond of hem þat comaunden
to hem.
xxviii And þei ſchulen no more be in to raueyn in to
heþene men, neþer þe beeſtis of erþe ſchulen deuoure
hem, but þei ſchulen dwelle triſtili wiþ outen ony drede.
xxix And Y ſchal reiſe to hem a iuſt buriownyng named;
and þei ſchulen no more be maad leſſe for hunger in
erþe, and þei ſchulen no more bere þe ſchenſchipis of
heþene men.
xxx And þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am her Lord God wiþ
hem, and þei ben my puple, þe hous of Iſrael, ſeiþ þe
Lord God.
xxxi Forſoþe ȝe my flockis ben men, þe flockis of my
leſewe; and Y am ȝoure Lord God, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
CAP. XXXV
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, ſette þi face aȝens þe
hil of Seir; and þou ſchalt profeſie to it, and þou ſchalt
ſeie to it,
iii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þou hil of Seir, lo! Y to
þee; Y ſchal ſtretche forþ myn hond on þee, and Y ſchal
ȝyue þee deſolat and forſakun.
iiii Y ſchal diſtrie þi citees, and þou ſchalt be forſakun;
and þou ſchalt wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
v For þou were an enemye euerlaſtynge, and cloſidiſt
togidere þe ſonis of Iſrael in to þe hondis of ſwerd, in þe
tyme of her turment, in þe tyme of þe laſte wickidneſſe;
vi þerfor Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, for Y ſchal ȝyue þee
to blood, and blood ſchal purſue þee; and ſiþen þou
hatidiſt blood, blood ſchal purſue þee.
vii And Y ſchal ȝyue þe hil of Seir deſolat and forſakun,
and Y ſchal take awei fro it a goere and a comere aȝen;
viii and Y ſchal fille þe hillis þerof wiþ þe careyns of her
ſlayn men. Men ſlayn by ſwerd ſchulen falle doun in þi
litle hillis, and in þi valeys, and in þi ſtrondis.
ix Y ſchal ȝyue þee in to euerlaſtynge wildirneſſis, and þi
citees ſchulen not be enhabitid; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat
Y am þe Lord God.
x For þou ſeidiſt, Twei folkis and twei londis ſchulen be
myne, and Y ſchal welde þo bi eritage, whanne þe Lord
was þere;
xi þerfor Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord God, for Y ſchal do bi þi
wraþþe, and bi þin enuye, which þou didiſt, hatinge
hem, and Y ſchal be made knowun bi hem, whanne Y
ſchal deme þee;
xii and þou ſchalt wite, þat Y am þe Lord. Y herde alle
þi ſchenſchipis, whiche þou ſpakiſt of þe hillis of Iſrael,
and ſeidiſt, Þe hillis of Iſrael ben forſakun, and ben
ȝouun to vs, for to deuoure.
xiii And ȝe han riſe on me wiþ ȝoure mouþ, and ȝe han
deprauyd aȝens me; Y herde ȝoure wordis.
xiiii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, While al þe lond is
glad, Y ſchal turne þee in to wilderneſſe.
xv As þou haddiſt ioie on þe eritage of þe hous of Iſrael,
for it was diſtried, ſo Y ſchal do to þee; þe hil of Seir
ſchal be diſtried, and al Ydumee; and þei ſchulen wite,
þat Y am þe Lord.
CAP. XXXVI
i Forſoþe þou, ſone of man, profeſie on þe hillis of
Iſrael; and þou ſchalt ſeie, Hillis of Iſrael, here ȝe þe
word of þe Lord.
ii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat þe enemy
ſeide of ȝou, Wel! euerlaſtyng hiȝneſſis ben ȝouun to vs
in to eritage;
iii þerefore profeſie þou, and ſeie, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, For þat þat ȝe ben maad deſolat, and defoulid bi
cumpas, and ben maad in to eritage to oþere folkis, and
ȝe ſtieden on þe lippe of tunge, and on þe ſchenſchipe of
puple;
iiii þerfor, hillis of Iſrael, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord
God. Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þe mounteyns,
DCCLIII
and litle hillis, to ſtrondis, and to valeis, and to peecis of
wallis left, and to citees forſakun, þat ben maad bare of
puplis, and ben ſcorned of oþere folkis bi cumpas;
v þerfore þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For in þe fier of
my feruour Y ſpak of oþere folkis, and of al Idumee, þat
ȝauen my lond in to eritage to hem ſilf wiþ ioie `and al
herte, and of entent, and caſtiden out it, to diſtrie it;
þerfor profeſie þou on þe erþe of Iſrael,
vi and þou ſchalt ſeie to mounteyns, and litle hillis, to þe
hiȝneſſe of hillis, and to valeis, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, For þat þat ȝe ben deſolat, lo! Y ſpak in my
feruour and in my ſtrong veniaunce. For þat þat ȝe
ſuffriden ſchenſchipe of heþene men;
vii þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y reiſide
myn hond aȝens heþene men, þat ben in ȝoure cumpas,
þat þei bere her ſchenſchipe.
viii Forſoþe, ȝe hillis of Iſrael, brynge forþ ȝoure
braunchis, and bringe ȝe fruit to my puple Iſrael; for it
is niȝ þat it come.
ix For lo! Y to ȝou, and Y ſchal turne to ȝou, and ȝe
ſchulen be erid, and ſchulen take ſeed.
x And in ȝou I ſchal multiplie men, and al þe hous of
Iſrael; and citees ſchulen be enhabitid, and ruynouſe
þingis ſchulen be reparelid.
xi And Y ſchal fille ȝou wiþ men and beeſtis, and þei
ſchulen be multiplied, and ſchulen encreeſſe; and Y
ſchal make ȝou to dwelle as at þe bigynnyng, and Y
ſchal rewarde wiþ more goodis þan ȝe hadden at þe
bigynnyng; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xii And Y ſchal brynge men on ȝou, my puple Iſrael, and
bi eritage þei ſchulen welde þee, and þou ſchalt be to
hem in to eritage; and þou ſchalt no more leie to, þat
þou be wiþ out hem.
xiii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, For þat þat þei ſeien of
ȝou, Þou art a deuoureſſe of men, and ſtrangliſt þi folk;
xiiii þerfor þou ſchalt no more ete men, and þou ſchalt
no more ſle þi folk, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xv And Y ſchal no more make herd in þee þe
ſchenſchipe of heþene men, and þou ſchalt no more bere
þe ſchenſchipe of puplis, and þou ſchalt no more leeſe þi
folk, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xvi And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and he
ſeide, Þou,
xvii ſone of man, þe hous of Iſrael dwelliden in her lond,
and þei defouliden it in her weies, and in her ſtudies; bi
þe vnclenneſſe of a womman in rotun blood þe weie of
hem is maad bifor me.
xviii And Y ſchedde out myn indignacioun on hem, for
blood which þei ſchedden on þe lond, and in her idols
þei defouliden it.
xix And Y ſcateride hem among heþene men, and þei
weren wyndewid to londis; Y demede hem bi þe weies
and fyndyngis of hem.
xx And þei entriden to heþene men, to whiche þei
entriden, and defouliden myn hooli name, whanne it
was ſeid of hem, Þis is þe puple of þe Lord, and þei
ȝeden out of þe lond of hym.
xxi And Y ſparide myn hooli name, which þe hous of
Iſrael hadde defoulid among heþene men, to whiche þei
entriden.
xxii Þerfor þou ſchalt ſeie to þe hous of Iſrael, Þe Lord
God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, O! ȝe hous of Iſrael, not for ȝou Y
ſchal do, but for myn hooli name, which ȝe defouliden
among heþene men, to whiche ȝe entriden.
xxiii And Y ſchal halewe my greet name, which is
defoulid among heþene men, whiche ȝe defouliden in
þe myddis of hem; þat heþene men wite, þat Y am þe
Lord, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, whanne Y ſchal be halewid
in ȝou before hem.
xxiiii For Y ſchal take awei ȝou fro heþene men, and Y
ſchal gadere ȝou fro alle londis, and Y ſchal brynge ȝou
in to ȝoure lond.
xxv And Y ſchal ſchede out clene watir on ȝou, and ȝe
ſchulen be clenſid fro alle ȝoure filþis; and Y ſchal
clenſe ȝou fro alle ȝoure idols.
xxvi And Y ſchal ȝyue to ȝou a newe herte, and Y ſchal
ſette a newe ſpirit in þe myddis of ȝou; and Y ſchal do
awei an herte of ſtoon fro ȝoure fleiſch, and Y ſchal ȝyue
to ȝou an herte of fleiſch,
xxvii and Y ſchal ſette my ſpirit in þe myddis of ȝou. And
Y ſchal make þat ȝe go in my comaundementis, and
kepe and worche my domes.
xxviii And ȝe ſchulen dwelle in þe lond, whiche Y ȝaf to
ȝoure fadris; and ȝe ſchulen be in to a puple to me, and
Y ſchal be in to a God to ȝou.
xxix And Y ſchal ſaue ȝou fro alle ȝoure filþis; and Y
ſchal clepe wheete, and Y ſchal multiplie it, and Y ſchal
not put hungur on ȝou.
xxx And Y ſchal multiplie þe fruyt of tree, and þe ſeedis
of þe feeld, þat ȝe bere no more þe ſchenſchipe of
hungur among heþene men.
xxxi And ȝe ſchulen haue mynde on ȝoure worſte weies,
and on ſtudies not goode; and ȝoure wickidneſſis, and
ȝoure grete treſpaſſis ſchulen diſpleſe ȝou.
xxxii Not for ȝou Y ſchal do, ſeiþ þe Lord God, be it
knowun to ȝou; O! þe hous of Iſrael, be ȝe ſchent, and
be ȝe aſchamed on ȝoure weies.
xxxiii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, In þe dai in which Y
ſchal clenſe ȝou fro alle ȝoure wickidneſſis, and Y ſchal
make citees to be enhabitid, and Y ſchal reparele
ruynouſe þingis,
xxxiiii and þe deſert lond ſchal be tilid, þat was ſum tyme
deſolat, bifor þe iȝen of ech weiegoere,
xxxv þei ſchulen ſeie, Þilke lond vntilid is maad as a
gardyn of likyng, and citees forſakun and deſtitute and
vndur myned ſaten maad ſtrong; and heþene men,
DCCLIV
xxxvi whiche euer ben left in ȝoure cumpas, ſchulen
wite, þat Y þe Lord haue bildid diſtried þingis, and Y
haue plauntid vntilid þingis; Y þe Lord ſpak, and Y
dide.
xxxvii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝit in þis þing þe
hous of Iſrael ſchulen fynde me, þat Y do to hem; Y
ſchal multiplie hem as þe floc of men, as an hooli floc,
xxxviii as þe floc of Jeruſalem in þe ſolempnytees þerof,
ſo þe citees þat ben forſakun, ſchulen be fulle of þe
flockis of men; and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
CAP. XXXVII
i Þe hond of þe Lord was maad on me, and ledde me out
in þe ſpirit of þe Lord; and he lefte me in þe myddis of a
feeld þat was ful of boonys;
ii and he ledde me aboute bi þo in cumpas. Forſoþe þo
weren ful manye on þe face of þe feeld, and drie greetli.
iii And he ſeide to me, Geſſiſt þou, ſone of man, wheþer
þeſe boonys ſchulen lyue? And Y ſeide, Lord God, þou
woſt.
iiii And he ſeide to me, Profeſie þou of þeſe boonys; and
þou ſchalt ſeie to þo, Ȝe drie boonys, here þe word of þe
Lord.
v Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þeſe boonys, Lo! Y
ſchal ſende in to ȝou a ſpirit, and ȝe ſchulen lyue.
vi And Y ſchal ȝyue ſynewis on ȝou, and Y ſchal make
fleiſchis to wexe on ȝou, and Y ſchal ſtretche forþ aboue
a ſkyn in ȝou, and Y ſchal ȝyue a ſpirit to ȝou, and ȝe
ſchulen lyue; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
vii And Y profeſiede, as he comaundide to me; forſoþe a
ſown was maad, while Y profeſiede, and lo! a ſtiryng
togidere, and boonys camen to boonys, ech to his
ioynture.
viii And Y ſiȝ and lo! ſynewis and fleiſchis `wexeden
vpon þo, and ſkyn was ſtretchid forþ aboue in hem, and
þo hadden no ſpirit.
ix And he ſeide to me, Profeſie þou to þe ſpirit, profeſie
þou, ſone of man; and þou ſchalt ſeie to þe ſpirit, Þe
Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Come, þou ſpirit, fro foure
wyndis, and blowe þou on þeſe ſlayn men, and lyue þei
aȝen.
x And Y profeſiede, as he comaundide to me; and þe
ſpirit entride in to þo boonys, and þei lyueden, and
ſtoden on her feet, a ful greet ooſt.
xi And þe Lord ſeide to me, Þou ſone of man, alle þeſe
boonys is þe hous of Iſrael; þei ſeien, Oure boonys
drieden, and oure hope periſchide, and we ben kit awei.
xii Þerfor profeſie þou, and þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe
Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal opene ȝoure
graues, and Y ſchal lede ȝou out of ȝoure ſepulcris, my
puple, and Y ſchal lede ȝou in to ȝoure lond Iſrael.
xiii And ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord, whanne Y
ſchal opene ȝoure ſepulcris, and ſchal lede ȝou out of
ȝoure biriels, my puple;
xiiii and Y ſchal ȝyue my ſpirit in ȝou, and ȝe ſchulen
lyue. And Y ſchal make ȝou for to reſte on ȝoure lond;
and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y þe Lord ſpak, and dide, ſeiþ
þe Lord God.
xv And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
xvi and he ſeide, And þou, ſone of man, take to þee o
tree, and write þou on it, To Juda, and to þe ſones of
Iſrael, and to hiſe felowis. And take þou an oþer tree,
and write on it, Joſeph, þe tree of Effraym, and of al þe
hous of Iſrael, and of hiſe felowis.
xvii And ioyne þou þo trees oon to þe toþer in to o tree
to þee; and þo ſchulen be in to onement in þin hond.
xviii Soþeli whanne þe ſones of þi puple þat ſpeken,
ſchulen ſeie to þee, Wheþer þou ſchewiſt not to vs, what
þou wolt to þee in þeſe þingis?
xix þou ſchalt ſpeke to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal take þe tree of Joſeph, which is in þe
hond of Effraym, and þe lynagis of Iſrael, þat ben
ioyned to hym, and Y ſchal ȝyue hem togidere wiþ þe
tree of Juda; and Y ſchal make hem in to o tree, and þei
ſchulen be oon in þe hond of hym.
xx Soþeli þe trees, on whiche þou haſt write, ſchulen be
in þin hond bifore þe iȝen of hem.
xxi And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Lo! Y ſchal take þe ſones of Iſrael fro þe myddis
of naciouns, to whiche þei ȝeden forþ; and Y ſchal
gadere hem togidere on ech ſide. And Y ſchal brynge
hem to her lond,
xxii and Y ſchal make hem o folc in þe lond, in þe hillis
of Iſrael, and o kyng ſchal be comaundynge to alle: and
þei ſchulen no more be twei folkis, and þei ſchulen no
more be departid in to twey rewmes.
xxiii And þei ſchulen no more be defoulid in her idols,
and her abhomynaciouns, and in alle her wickidneſſis.
And Y ſchal make hem ſaaf fro alle her ſeetis, in which
þei ſynneden, and Y ſchal clenſe hem; and þei ſchulen
be a puple to me, and Y ſchal be God to hem.
xxiiii And my ſeruaunt Dauid ſchal be kyng on hem, and
o ſcheepherde ſchal be of alle hem; þei ſchulen go in my
domes, and þei ſchulen kepe my comaundementis, and
ſchulen do þo.
xxv And þei ſchulen dwelle on þe lond, which Y ȝaf to
my ſeruaunt Jacob, in which ȝoure fadris dwelliden; and
þei ſchulen dwelle on þat lond, þei, and þe ſones of
hem, and þe ſones of her ſones, til in to wiþ outen ende;
and Dauid, my ſeruaunt, ſchal be þe prince of hem wiþ
outen ende.
xxvi And Y ſchal ſmyte to hem a boond of pees; it ſchal
be a couenaunt euerlaſtynge to hem, and Y ſchal founde
hem, and Y ſchal multiplie, and Y ſchal ȝyue myn
halewing in þe myddis of hem wiþ outen ende.
DCCLV
xxvii And my tabernacle ſchal be among hem, and Y
ſchal be God to hem, and þei ſchulen be a puple to me.
xxviii And heþene men ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord,
halewere of Iſrael, whanne myn halewyng ſchal be in þe
myddis of hem wiþ outen ende.
CAP. XXXVIII
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ii and he ſeide, Þou, ſone of man, Sette þi face aȝens
Gog, and aȝens þe lond of Magog, þe prince of þe heed
of Moſoch and of Tubal; and profeſie þou of hym.
iii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hym, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, A! Gog, lo! Y to þee, prince of þe heed of
Moſoch and of Tubal;
iiii and Y ſchal lede þee aboute, and Y ſchal ſette a bridil
in þi chekis, and Y ſchal leede out þee, and al þin ooſt,
horſis, and horſmen, alle cloþid wiþ haburiouns, a greet
multitude of men, takynge ſpere, and ſcheeld, and
ſwerd.
v Perſeis, Ethiopiens, and Libiens wiþ hem, alle ben
araied wiþ ſcheeldis and helmes.
vi Gomer, and alle þe cumpenyes of hym, þe hous of
Togorma, þe ſidis of þe norþ, and al þe ſtrengþe þerof,
and many puplis ben wiþ þee.
vii Make redi, and araye þee, and al þi multitude which
is gaderid to þee, and be þou in to comaundement to
hem.
viii Aftir many daies þou ſchalt be viſitid, in þe laſte of
ȝeeris þou ſchalt come to þe lond, þat turnede aȝen fro
ſwerd, and was gaderid of many puplis, to þe hillis of
Iſrael þat weren deſert ful ofte; þis was led out of puplis,
and alle men dwellide triſtili þer ynne.
ix Forſoþe þou ſchalt ſtie, and ſchalt come as a tempeſt,
and as a cloude, for to hile þe lond, þou, and alle þi
cumpanyes, and many puplis wiþ þee.
x Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, In þat dai wordis
ſchulen ſtie on þin herte, and þou ſchalt þenke þe worſte
þouȝt;
xi and ſchalt ſeie, Y ſchal ſtie to þe lond wiþ out wal, and
Y ſchal come to hem þat reſten and dwellen ſikirli; alle
þeſe dwellen wiþ out wal, barris and ȝatis ben not to
hem;
xii þat þou rauyſche ſpuylis, and aſaile prei; þat þou
brynge in þin hond on hem þat weren forſakun, and
afterward reſtorid, and on þe puple which is gaderid of
heþene men, þat bigan to welde, and to be enhabitere of
þe nawle of erþe.
xiii Saba, and Dedan, and þe marchauntis of Tharſis, and
alle þe liouns þerof ſchulen ſeie to þee, Wheþer þou
comeſt to take ſpuylis? Lo! to rauyſche prey þou haſt
gaderid þi multitude, þat þou take awei gold and ſiluer,
and do awei purtenaunce of houſhold and catel, and þat
þou rauyſche preyes wiþ out noumbre.
xiiii Þerforprofeſie þou, ſone of man; and þou ſchalt ſeie
to Gog, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Wheþer not in þat
dai, whanne my puple Iſrael ſchal dwelle triſtili, þou
ſchalt wite;
xv and ſchalt come fro þi place, fro þe ſidis of þe norþ,
þou, and many puplis wiþ þee, alle ſtieris of horſis, a
greet cumpany, and an huge ooſt;
xvi and þou as a cloude ſchalt ſtie on my puple Iſrael, þat
þou hile þe erþe? Þou ſchalt be in þe laſte daies, and Y
ſchal brynge þee on my lond, þat my folkis wite,
whanne Y ſchal be halewid in þee, þou Gog, bifor þe
iȝen of þem.
xvii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þerfor þou art he of
whom Y ſpak in elde daies, in þe hond of my ſeruauntis,
profetis of Iſrael, þat profeſieden in þe daies of þo
tymes, þat Y ſchulde bringe þee on hem.
xviii And it ſchal be, in þat dai, in þe dai of þe comyng
of Gog on þe lond of Iſrael, ſeiþ þe Lord God, myn
indignacioun ſchal ſtie in my ſtrong veniaunce, and in
my feruour;
xix Y ſpak in þe fier of my wraþþe.
xx For in þat dai ſchal be grete mouyng on þe lond of
Iſrael; and fiſchis of þe ſee, and beeſtis of erþe, and
briddis of þe eir, and ech crepynge beeſte which is
mouyd on erþe, and alle men þat ben on þe face of erþe,
ſchulen be mouyd fro my face; and hillis ſchulen be
vndurturned, and heggis ſchulen falle doun, and ech wal
ſchal falle doun in to erþe.
CAP. XXXIX
xxi And Y ſchal clepe togidere a ſwerd aȝens hym in alle
myn hillis, ſeiþ þe Lord God; þe ſwerd of ech man ſchal
be dreſſid aȝens his broþer.
xxii And þanne Y ſchal deme hym bi peſtilence, and
blood, and greet reyn, and bi greet ſtoonys; Y ſchal reyn
fier and brymſtoon on hym, and on his ooſt, and on
many puplis þat ben wiþ hym.
xxiii And Y ſchal be magnefied, and Y ſhal be halewid,
and Y ſhal be knowun bifore þe iȝen of many folkis;
and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
i But profeſie þou, ſone of man, aȝens Gog; and þou
ſchalt ſeie, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y on þee,
þou Gog, prince of þe heed of Moſoch and of Tubal.
ii And Y ſchal lede þee aboute, and Y ſchal diſſeyue þee,
and Y ſchal make þee to ſtie fro þe ſidis of þe norþ, and
Y ſchal brynge þee on þe hillis of Iſrael.
iii And Y ſchal ſmyte þi bouwe in þi left hond, and Y
ſchal caſte doun þin arowis fro þi riȝt hond.
iiii Þou ſchalt falle doun on þe hillis of Iſrael, þou, and
alle þi cumpenyes, and puplis þat ben wiþ þee; Y ȝaf
þee for to be deuourid to wielde beeſtis, to briddis, and
to ech volatil, and to þe beeſtis of erþe.
v Þou ſchalt falle doun on þe face of þe feeld; for Y þe
Lord haue ſpoke, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
DCCLVI
vi And Y ſchal ſende fier in Magog, and in hem þat
dwellen triſtili in ilis; and þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe
Lord God of Iſrael.
vii And Y ſchal make myn hooli name knowun in þe
myddis of my puple Iſrael, and Y ſchal no more defoule
myn hooli name; and heþene men ſchulen wite, þat Y
am þe Lord God, þe hooli of Iſrael.
viii Lo! it comeþ, and it is don, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
ix Þis is þe day of which Y ſpak. And dwelleris ſchulen
go out of þe citees of Iſrael, and þei ſchulen ſet a fier,
and ſchulen brenne armuris, ſcheeld and ſpere, bouwe
and arowis, and ſtauys of hond, and ſchaftis wiþ out
irun; and þei ſchulen brenne þo in fier bi ſeuene ȝeer.
x And þei ſchulen not bere trees of cuntries, neþer
ſchulen kitte doun of foreſtis, for þei ſchulen brenne
armuris bi fier; and þei ſchulen take preies of hem, to
whiche þei weren preies, and þei ſchulen rauyſche her
waſteris, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xi And it ſchal be in þat dai, Y ſchal ȝyue to Gog a
named place, a ſepulcre in Iſrael, þe valei of weigoeris
at þe eeſt of þe ſee, þat ſchal make hem þat paſſen forþ
for to wondre; and þei ſchulen birie þere Gog, and al þe
multitude of hym, and it ſchal be clepid þe valei of þe
multitude of Gog.
xii And þe hous of Iſrael ſchulen birie hem, þat þei
clenſe þe lond in ſeuene moneþis.
xiii Forſoþe al þe puple of þe lond ſchal byrie hym, and
it ſchal be a named dai to hem, in which Y am glorified,
ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xiiii And þei ſchulen ordeyne biſili men cumpaſſynge þe
lond, þat ſchulen birie and ſeke hem þat weren left on
þe face of þe lond, þat þei clenſe it. Forſoþe aftir ſeuene
moneþis þei ſchulen bigynne to ſeke,
xv and þei ſchulen cumpas goynge aboute þe lond; and
whanne þei ſchulen ſe þe boon of a man, þei ſchulen
ſette a `notable ſigne biſidis it, til þe birieris of careyns
birie it in þe valei of þe multitude of Gog.
xvi Soþeli þe name of þe cite is Amona; and þei ſchulen
clenſe þe lond.
xvii Forſoþe, þou, ſone of man, þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Seie þou to ech brid, and to alle foulis, and to
alle beeſtis of þe feeld, Come ȝe to gidere, and haſte ȝe,
renne ȝe togidere on ech ſide to my ſacrifice, which Y
ſle to ȝou, a greet ſacrifice on þe hillis of Iſrael, þat ȝe
ete fleiſchis and drynke blood.
xviii Ȝe ſchulen ete þe fleiſchis of ſtronge men, and ȝe
ſchulen drynke þe blood of prynces of erþe, of weþeris,
of lambren, and of buckis of geet, and of bolis, and of
beeſtis maad fat, and of alle fat þingis.
xix And ȝe ſchulen ete þe ynnere fatneſſe in to fulneſſe,
and ȝe ſchulen drynke þe blood in to drunkeneſſe, of þe
ſacrifice which Y ſchal ſle to ȝou.
xx And ȝe ſchulen be fillid on my boord, of hors, and of
ſtrong horſe man, and of alle men werriours, ſeiþ þe
Lord God.
xxi And Y ſchal ſette my glorie among heþene men, and
alle heþene men ſchulen ſe my doom, which Y haue do,
and myn hond, which Y haue ſet on hem.
xxii And þe hous of Iſrael ſchulen wite, þat Y am her
Lord God, fro þat dai and afterward.
xxiii And heþen men ſchulen wite, þat þe hous of Iſrael
is takun in her wickidneſſe, for þat þat þei forſoken me;
and Y hidde my face fro hem, and Y bitook hem into þe
hondis of enemyes, and alle þei fellen doun bi ſwerd.
xxiiii Bi þe unclennes and greet treſpaſſe of hem Y dide
to hem, and Y hidde my face fro hem.
xxv Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Now Y ſchal
leede aȝen þe caitiftee of Jacob, and Y ſchal haue merci
on al þe hous of Iſrael; and Y ſchal take feruoure for
myn hooli name.
xxvi And þei ſchulen bere here ſchenſchipe, and al þe
treſpaſſing bi which þei treſpaſſiden aȝens me, whanne
þei dwelliden in her lond triſtili, and dredden no man;
xxvii and whanne Y ſchal bringe hem aȝen fro puplis,
and ſchal gadere fro þe londis of her enemyes, and ſchal
be halewid in hem, bifor þe iȝen of ful many folkis.
xxviii And þei ſchulen wite, þat Y am þe Lord God of
hem, for þat Y tranſlatide hem in to naciouns, and haue
gaderid hem on her lond, and Y lefte not ony of hem
þere.
xxix And Y ſchal no more hide my face fro hem, for Y
haue ſchede out my ſpirit on al þe hous of Iſrael, ſeiþ þe
Lord God.
CAP. XL
i In þe fyue and twentiþe ȝeer of oure paſſyng ouer, in
þe bigynnyng of þe ȝeer, in þe tenþe dai of þe moneþe,
in þe fourtenþe ȝeer after þat þe citee was ſmytun, in þis
ſame dai þe hond of þe Lord was maad on me, and he
brouȝte me þidur in þe reuelaciouns of God.
ii And he brouȝte me in to þe lond of Iſrael, and he leet
me doun on a ful hiȝ hil, on which was as þe bildyng of
a citee goynge to þe ſouþ;
iii and he ledde me in þidur. And lo! a man, whos
licneſſe was as þe licneſſe of bras, and a coorde of flex
was in his hond, and a reed of meſure in his hond;
forſoþe he ſtood in þe ȝate.
iiii And þe ſame man ſpak to me, Þou ſone of man, ſe
wiþ þin iȝen, and here wiþ þin eeris, and ſette þin herte
on alle þingis, whiche Y ſchal ſchewe to þee, for þou art
brouȝt hidur, þat þo be ſchewid to þee; telle þou alle
þingis whiche þou ſeeſt to þe hous of Iſrael.
v And lo! a wal wiþouteforþ, in þe cumpas of þe hous
on ech ſide; and in þe hond of þe man was a rehed of
meſure of ſixe cubitis and a ſpanne, þat is, an
DCCLVII
handibreede; and he mat þe breede of þe bildyng wiþ o
rehed, and þe hiȝneſſe bi o rehed.
vi And he cam to þe ȝate þat bihelde þe weie of þe eeſt,
and he ſtiede bi degrees of it; and he mat þe lyntil of þe
ȝate bi o rehed þe breede, þat is, o lyntil bi o rehed in
breede;
vii and he mat o chaumbre bi o rehed in lengþe, and bi o
rehed in breed, and fyue cubitis bitwixe chaumbris;
viii and he mat þe lyntil of þe ȝate biſidis þe porche of þe
ȝate wiþ ynne, bi o rehed.
ix And he mat þe porch of þe ȝate of eiȝte cubitis, and
þe frount þerof bi twei cubitis; ſoþeli þe porche of þe
ȝate was wiþ ynne.
x Certis þe chaumbris of þe ȝate at þe weie of þe eeſt
weren þre on þis ſide, and þre on þat ſide; o meſure of
þre, and o meſure of þe frountis on euer eþir ſide.
xi And he mat þe breede of þe lyntel of þe ȝate of ten
cubitis, and þe lengþe of þe ȝate of þrettene cubitis.
xii And he mat a margyn of a cubit bifor þe chaumbris,
and o cubit was þe ende on ech ſide; forſoþe þe
chaumbris weren of ſixe cubitis on þis ſide and on þat
ſide.
xiii And he mat þe ȝate fro þe roof of þe chaumbre til to
þe roof þerof, þe breede of fyue and twenti cubitis, a
dore aȝens a dore.
xiiii And he made frountes bi ſixti cubitis, and at þe
frount an halle of þe ȝate on ech ſide bi cumpas;
xv and bifor þe face of þe ȝate þat ſtretchiþ forþ til to þe
face of þe porche of þe ynner ȝate, he mat fifti cubitis.
xvi And he mat wyndows naraw wiþ out and large wiþ
ynne, in þe chaumbris and frountis of þo, þat weren wiþ
ynne þe ȝate on ech ſide bi cumpas. Soþeli in lijk maner
alſo wyndows weren in þe porchis bi cumpas wiþ ynne;
and þe peynture of palm trees was grauun bifor þe
frountis.
xvii And he ledde me out to þe outermere halle, and lo!
treſories, and pawment arayed wiþ ſtoon in þe halle bi
cumpas; þretti treſories in þe cumpas of þe pawment;
xviii and þe pawment was byneþe in þe front of þe ȝatis,
bi þe lengþe of þe ȝatis.
xix And he mat þe breede fro þe face of þe lowere ȝate
til to þe frount of þe ynnere halle wiþ outforþ, an
hundrid cubitis at þe eeſt, and at þe norþ.
xx And he mat boþe in lengþe and in breede þe ȝate þat
bihelde þe weie of þe norþ, of þe outermore halle.
xxi And he mat þe chaumbris þerof, þre on þis ſide, and
þre on þat ſide, and þe frount þerof, and þe porche
þerof, bi þe meſure of þe formere ȝate; þe lengþe þerof
of fifti cubitis, and þe breede þerof of fyue and twenti
cubitis.
xxii Soþeli þe wyndows þerof, and þe porche, and þe
grauyngis, weren bi þe meſure of þe ȝate þat bihelde to
þe eeſt; and þe ſtiyng þerof was of ſeuene degrees, and a
porche was bifore it.
xxiii And þe ȝate of þe ynnere halle was aȝens þe ȝate of
þe norþ, and aȝens þe eeſt ȝate; and he mat fro þe ȝate
til to þe ȝate an hundrid cubitis.
xxiiii And he ledde me out to þe weie of þe ſouþ, and lo!
þe ȝate þat bihelde to þe ſouþ; and he mat þe frount
þerof, and þe porche þerof, bi þe formere meſuris;
xxv and þe wyndows þerof, and þe porchis in cumpas, as
oþere wyndows; þe lengþe of fifti cubitis, and þe breede
of fyue and twenti cubitis.
xxvi And bi ſeuene degrees me ſtiede to it, and `an halle
was bifor þe ȝatis þerof; and palme trees weren grauun,
oon in þis ſide, and anoþer in þat ſide in þe frount þerof.
xxvii And þe ȝate of þe ynnere halle was in þe weie of þe
ſouþ; and he mat fro þe ȝate til to þe ȝate in þe weie of
þe ſouþ, an hundrid cubitis.
xxviii And he ledde me in to þe ynnere halle, to þe ſouþ
ȝate; and he mat þe ȝate bi þe formere meſuris;
xxix þe chaumbre þerof, and þe frount þerof, and þe
porche þerof bi þe ſame meſuris; and he mat þe
wyndows þerof, and þe porche þerof in cumpas; fifti
cubitis of lengþe, and fyue and twenti cubitis of breede.
xxx And he mat þe halle bi cumpas, þe lengþe of fyue
and twenti cubitis, and þe breede þerof of fyue cubitis.
xxxi And þe porche þerof was to þe outermere halle, and
þe palm trees þerof in þe frount; and eiȝte degrees
weren, bi whiche me ſtiede þorouȝ it.
xxxii And he ledde me in to þe ynnere halle, bi þe eeſt
weie; and he mat þe ȝate by þe formere meſures;
xxxiii þe chaumbre þerof, and þe frount þerof, and þe
porchis þerof, as aboue; and he mat þe wyndows þerof,
and þe porchis þerof in cumpas; þe lengþe of fifti
cubitis, and þe breede of fyue and twenti cubitis; and þe
porche þerof,
xxxiiii þat is, of þe outermore halle; and palme trees
grauun in þe frount þerof, on þis ſide and on þat ſide;
and in eiȝte degrees was þe ſtiyng þerof.
xxxv And he ledde me in to þe ȝate þat bihelde to þe
norþ; and he mat bi þe formere meſuris;
xxxvi þe chaumbre þerof, and þe frount þerof, and þe
porche þerof, and þe wyndows þerof bi cumpas; þe
lengþe of fifti cubitis, and þe breede of fyue and twenti
cubitis.
xxxvii Þe porche þerof bihelde to þe outermore halle;
and þe grauyng of palm trees was in þe frount þerof, on
þis ſide and on þat ſide; and in eiȝte degrees was þe
ſtiyng þerof.
xxxviii And bi alle treſories a dore was in þe frountis of
ȝatis; and þere þei waiſchiden brent ſacrifice.
xxxix And in þe porche of þe ȝate weren twei boordis on
þis ſide, and twei boordis on þat ſide, þat brent ſacrifice
be offrid on þo, `boþe for ſynne and for treſpaſſe.
DCCLVIII
xl And at þe outermore ſide, which ſtieþ to þe dore of þe
ȝate þat goiþ to þe norþ, weren twei boordis; and at `þe
toþer ſide, bifor þe porche of þe ȝate, weren twei
boordis.
xli Foure boordis on þis ſide, and foure boordis on þat
ſide; bi þe ſidis of þe ȝate weren eiȝte boordis, on
whiche þei offriden.
xlii Forſoþe foure boordis to brent ſacrifice weren bildid
of ſquare ſtoonys, in þe lengþe of o cubit and an half,
and in þe breed of o cubit and an half, and in þe hiȝþe
of o cubit; on whiche boordis þei ſchulen ſette veſſels,
in whiche brent ſacrifice and ſlayn ſacrifice is offrid.
xliii And þe brenkis of þo boordis ben of oon
handibreede, and ben bowid aȝen wiþ ynne bi cumpas;
forſoþe on þe boordis weren fleiſchis of offryng.
xliiii And wiþ out þe ynnere ȝate weren treſories of
chauntours, in þe ynnere halle, þat was in þe ſide of þe
ȝate biholdynge to þe norþ; and þe faces of þo weren
aȝens þe ſouþ weie; oon of þe ſide of þe eeſt ȝate, þat
bihelde to þe weie of þe norþ.
xlv And he ſeide to me, Þis treſerie, þat biholdiþ þe ſouþ
weie, is of þe preſtis þat waken in þe kepyngis of þe
temple,
xlvi Soþeli þe treſorye þat biholdiþ to þe weie of þe
norþ, ſchal be of þe preeſtis þat waken to þe ſeruice of
þe auter; þeſe ben þe ſones of Sadoch, whiche of þe
ſones of Leuy neiȝen to þe Lord, for to mynyſtre to
hym.
xlvii And he mat þe halle, þe lengþe of an hundrid
cubitis, and þe breede of an hundrid cubitis, bi ſquare,
and þe auter bifore þe face of þe temple.
xlviii And he ledde me in to þe porche of þe temple; and
he mat þe porche bi fyue cubitis on þis ſide, and bi fyue
cubitis on þat ſide; and he mat þe breede of þe ȝate, of
þre cubitis on þis ſide, and of þre cubitis on þat ſide.
xlix But he mat þe lengþe of þe porche of twenti cubitis,
and þe breede of eleuene cubitis, and bi eiȝte degrees
me ſtiede to it; and pileris weren in þe frountis, oon on
þis ſide, and `anoþer on þat ſide.
CAP. XLI
i And he ledde me in to þe temple, and he mat þe
frountis, ſixe cubitis of breede on þis ſide, and ſixe
cubitis of breede on þat ſide, þe breede of þe tabernacle.
ii And þe breede of þe ȝate was of ten cubitis; and he
mat þe ſidis of þe ȝate bi fyue cubitis on þis ſide, and bi
fyue cubitis on þat ſide; and he mat þe lengþe þerof of
fourti cubitis, and þe breede of twenti cubitis.
iii And he entride wiþ ynne, and he mat in þe frount of
þe ȝate twei cubitis; and he mat þe ȝate of ſixe cubitis,
and þe breede of þe ȝate of ſeuene cubits.
iiii And he mat þe lengþe þerof of twenti cubitis, and þe
breede of twenti cubitis, bifor þe face of þe temple.
v And he ſeide to me, Þis is þe hooli þing of hooli
þingis. And he mat þe wal of þe hous of ſixe cubitis,
and þe breede of þe ſide of foure cubitis, on ech ſide bi
cumpas of þe hous.
vi Forſoþe þe ſidis weren tweies þre and þretti, þe ſide to
þe ſide; and þo weren ſtondynge an hiȝ, þat entriden bi
þe wal of þe hous, in þe ſidis bi cumpas, þat þo helden
togidere, and touchiden not þe wal of þe temple.
vii And a ſtreet was in round, and ſtiede vpward bi a
vijs, and bar in to þe ſoler of þe temple bi cumpas;
þerfor þe temple was braddere in þe hiȝere þingis; and
ſo fro þe lowere þingis me ſtiede to þe hiȝere þingis,
and in to þe myddis.
viii And Y ſiȝ in þe hous an hiȝneſſe bi cumpas, þe ſidis
foundid at þe meſure of a rehed in þe ſpace of ſixe
cubitis;
ix and þe breede by þe wal of þe ſide wiþ outforþ, of
fyue cubitis; and þe ynnere hous was in þe ſidis of þe
hous.
x And bitwixe treſeries Y ſiȝ þe breede of twenti cubitis
in þe cumpas of þe hous on ech ſide;
xi and Y ſiȝ þe dore of þe ſide to preier; o dore to þe
weie of þe norþ, and o dore to þe weie of þe ſouþ; and
Y ſiȝ þe breede of place to preier, of fyue cubitis in
cumpas.
xii And þe bildyng þat was ioyned to þe place departid,
and turned to þe weie biholdynge to þe ſee, of þe breede
of ſeuenti cubitis; ſoþeli þe wal of þe bildyng of fyue
cubitis of breede bi cumpas, and þe lengþe þerof of
nynti cubitis.
xiii And he mat þe lengþe of þe hous, of an hundrid
cubitis; and þat þat was departid, þe bildyng and þe
wallis þerof, of lengþe of an hundrid cubitis.
xiiii Forſoþe þe breede of þe ſtreet bifor þe face of þe
hous, and of þat þat was departid aȝens þe eeſt, was of
an hundrid cubitis.
xv And he mat þe lengþe of þe bildyng aȝens þe face of
þat, þat was departid at þe bak; he mat þe boteraces on
euer eiþer ſide of an hundrid cubitis. And he mat þe
ynnere temple, and þe porchis of þe halle,
xvi lyntels, and wyndows narowe wiþoutforþ and
broode wiþ ynne; boteraces in cumpas bi þre partis,
aȝenſt þe lintel of ech, and araied wiþ tree bi cumpas al
aboute; ſoþeli fro þe erþe til to þe wyndows, and þe
wyndows weren cloſid on þe doris,
xvii and til to þe ynnere hous, and wiþoutforþ bi al þe
wal in cumpas, wiþ ynne and wiþ outforþ at meſure.
xviii And cherubyns and palm trees weren maad craftili,
and a palm tree bitwixe cherub and cherub; and cherub
hadde twei faces,
xix þe face of a man biſidis þe palm tree on þis ſide, and
þe face of a lioun expreſſid biſidis þe palm tree on `þe
toþer ſide. Bi al þe hous in cumpas, fro þe erþe til to þe
hiȝere part,
DCCLIX
xx cherubyns and palm trees weren grauun in þe wal of
þe temple.
xxi A þreisfold foure cornerid; and þe face of þe
biholdyng of þe ſeyntuarie was aȝens þe biholding of þe
auter of tree;
xxii þe heiȝþe þerof was of þre cubitis, and þe lengþe
þerof of twei cubitis; and þe corneris þerof, and þe
lengþe þerof, and þe wallis þerof, weren of tree. And he
ſpak to me, Þis is þe boord bifor þe Lord.
xxiii And twei doris weren in þe temple, and in þe
ſeyntuarie.
xxiiii And in þe twei doris on euer eiþer ſide weren twei
litle doris, þat weren foldun togidere in hem ſilf; for whi
twei doris weren on euer eiþer ſide of þe doris.
xxv And cherubyns and þe grauyng of palm trees weren
grauun in þo doris of þe temple, as alſo þo weren
expreſſid in þe wallis. Wherfor and grettere trees weren
in þe frount of þe porche wiþ outforþ,
xxvi on whiche þe wyndows narowe wiþ out and large
wiþ ynne, and þe licneſſe of palm trees weren on þis
ſide and on þat ſyde; in þe litle vndurſettyngis of þe
porche, bi þe ſidis of þe hous, and bi þe breede of þe
wallis.
CAP. XLII
i And he ledde me out in to þe outermere halle, bi þe
weie ledynge to þe norþ; and he ledde me in to þe
treſerie, þat was aȝens þe bildyng departid, and aȝens þe
hous goynge to þe norþ;
ii in þe face an hundrid cubitis of lengþe of þe dore of
þe norþ, and fifti cubitis of breede,
iii aȝens twenti cubitis of þe ynnere halle, and aȝens þe
pawment araied wiþ ſtoon of þe outermere halle, where
a porche was ioyned to þre fold porche.
iiii And bifor þe treſories was a walkyng of ten cubitis of
breede, biholdynge to þe ynnere þingis of þe weie of o
cubit. And þe doris of þo to þe norþ,
v where treſories weren lowere in þe hiȝere þingis; for
þo baren vp þe porchis þat apperiden an hiȝ of þo fro þe
lowere þingis, and fro þe myddil þingis of þe bildyng.
vi For þo weren of þre ſtagis, and hadden not pileris, as
weren þe pilers of hallis; þerfor þo ſtoden an hiȝ fro þe
lowere þingis, and fro þe myddil þingis fro erþe, bi fifti
cubitis.
vii And þe outermore halle cloſynge þe walkynge place
was bi þe treſeries, þat weren in þe weie of þe
outermore halle, bifor þe treſeries; þe lengþe þerof was
of fifti cubitis.
viii For þe lengþe of þe treſories of þe outermore halle
was of fifti cubitis, and þe lengþe bifor þe face of þe
temple was of an hundrid cubitis.
ix And vndur þeſe treſories was an entring fro þe eeſt, of
men entringe in to þo, fro þe outermere halle,
x in þe brede of þe wal of þe halle, þat was aȝens þe eeſt
weie in þe face of þe bilding departid. And treſeries
weren bifore þe bilding,
xi and a weie was bifor þe face of þo, bi þe licneſſe of
treſeries þat weren in þe weie of þe norþ; bi þe lengþe
of þo, ſo was alſo þe breede of þo. And al þe entryng of
þo, and þe licneſſis and doris of þo,
xii weren lijk þe doris of treſeries þat weren in þe weye
biholdynge to þe ſouþ; a dore was in þe heed of þe
weye, which weie was bifor þe porche departid to men
entringe bi þe eeſt weie.
xiii And he ſeide to me, Þe treſeries of þe norþ, and þe
treſeries of þe ſouþ, þat ben bifor þe bildyng departid,
þeſe ben hooli treſeries, in whiche þe preeſtis ben
cloþid, þat neiȝen to þe Lord in to þe hooli of hooli
þingis; þere þei ſchulen putte þe hooli of hooli þingis,
and offryngis for ſynne, and for treſpas; for it is an hooli
place.
xiiii Soþeli whanne preſtis han entrid, þei ſchulen go out
of hooli þingis in to þe outermore halle; and þere þei
ſchulen putte vp her cloþis, in whiche þei mynyſtren,
for þo ben hooli; and þei ſchulen be cloþid in oþere
cloþis, and ſo þei ſchulen go forþ to þe puple.
xv And whanne he hadde fillid þe meſuris of þe ynnere
hous, he ledde me out bi þe weie of þe ȝate þat biheelde
to þe eeſt weie; and he mat it on ech ſide bi cumpas.
xvi Forſoþe he mat aȝens þe eeſt wynd wiþ þe rehed of
meſure bi cumpas fyue hundrid rehedis, in a rehed of
meſure bi cumpas.
xvii And he mat aȝens þe wynd of þe norþ fiue hundred
rehedis, in þe rehed of meſure bi cumpas.
xviii And at þe ſouþ wynd he mat fyue hundrid rehedis,
wiþ a rehed of meſure bi cumpas.
xix And at þe weſt wynd he mat fyue hundrid rehedis,
wiþ þe rehed of meſure.
xx Bi foure wyndis he mat þe wal þerof on ech ſide bi
cumpas, þe lengþe of fyue hundrid, and þe breede of
fyue hundrid, departynge bitwixe þe ſeyntuarie and þe
place of þe comyn puple.
CAP. XLIII
i And he ledde me out to þe ȝate, þat bihelde to þe eeſt
weie.
ii And lo! þe glorie of God of Iſrael entride bi þe eeſt
weie; and a vois was to it, as þe vois of many watris,
and þe erþe ſchynede of þe mageſte of hym.
iii And Y ſiȝ a viſioun, bi þe licneſſe whiche Y hadde
ſeyn, whanne he cam to diſtrie þe citee; and þe licneſſe
was lijc þe biholdyng whiche Y hadde ſeyn biſidis þe
flood Chobar.
iiii And Y felle doun on my face, and þe mageſte of þe
Lord entride in to þe temple, bi þe weie of þe ȝate þat
biheeld to þe eeſt.
DCCLX
v And þe Spirit reiſide me, and ledde me in to þe ynnere
halle; and lo! þe hous was fillid of þe glorie of þe Lord.
vi And Y herde oon ſpekynge to me of þe hous. And þe
man þat ſtood biſidis me,
vii ſeide to me, Þou, ſon of man, þis is þe place of my
ſeete, and þe place of þe ſteppis of my feet, where Y
dwelle in þe myddis of þe ſones of Iſrael wiþouten
ende; and þe hous of Iſrael ſchulen no more defoule
myn hooli name, þei, and þe kyngis of hem in her
fornicaciouns, and in þe fallyngis of her kyngis, and in
hiȝ places.
viii Whiche maden her þreisfold biſidis my þreisfold,
and her poſtis biſidis my poſtis, and a wal was bitwixe
me and hem; and þei defouliden myn hooli name in
abhomynaciouns whiche þei diden; wherfor Y waſtide
hem in my wraþþe.
ix Now þerfor putte þei awei fer her fornicacioun, and
þe fallyng of her kyngis fro me; and Y ſchal dwelle
euere in þe myddis of hem.
x But þou, ſone of man, ſchewe þe temple to þe hous of
Iſrael, and be þei ſchent of her wickidneſſis; and mete
þei þe bilding,
xi and be þei aſchamed of alle þingis whiche þei diden.
Þou ſchalt ſchewe to hem, and þou ſchalt write bifore þe
iȝen of hem þe figure of þe hous, and of þe bildyng
þerof; þe outgoyngis, and þe entryngis, and al þe
diſcryuyng þerof, and alle þe comaundementis þerof,
and al þe ordre þerof, `and alle þe lawis þerof; þat þei
kepe alle þe diſcryuyngis þerof, and comaundementis
þerof, and do þo.
xii Þis is þe lawe of þe hous, in þe hiȝneſſe of þe hil; alle
þe cooſtis þerof in cumpas is þe hooli of hooli þingis;
þerfor þis is þe lawe of þe hous.
xiii Forſoþe þeſe ben þe meſuris of þe auter, in a verieſte
cubit, þat hadde a cubit and a ſpanne; in þe boſum þerof
was a cubit in lengþe, and a cubit in breede; and þe
ende þerof til to þe brenke, and o ſpanne in cumpas; alſo
þis was þe diche of þe auter.
xiiii And fro þe boſum of þe erþe til to þe laſte heiȝþe
weren twei cubitis, and þe breede of o cubit; and fro þe
leſſe heiȝþe til to þe grettere heiȝþe were foure cubitis,
and þe breede was of o cubit; forſoþe þilke ariel, þat is,
þe hiȝere part of þe auter, was of foure cubitis; and fro
þe auter `til to aboue weren foure hornes.
xvi And þe auter of twelue cubitis in lengþe was foure
cornerid wiþ euene ſidis, bi twelue cubitis of breede.
xvii And þe heiȝþe of fourtene cubitis of lengþe was bi
fourtene cubitis of breede, in foure corneris þerof. And
a coroun of half a cubit was in þe cumpas þerof, and þe
boſum þerof was of o cubit bi cumpas; forſoþe þe
degrees þerof weren turned to þe eeſt.
xviii And he ſeide to me, Þou, ſone of man, þe Lord God
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þeſe ben þe cuſtoms of þe auter, in
what euer dai it is maad, þat me offre on it brent
ſacrifice, and blood be ſched out.
xix And þou ſchalt ȝyue to preeſtis and dekenes, þat ben
of þe ſeed of Sadoch, þat neiȝen to me, ſeiþ þe Lord
God, þat þei offre to me a calf of þe drooue for ſynne.
xx And þou ſchalt take of þe blood þerof, and ſchalt
putte on foure hornes þerof, and on foure corneris of
heiȝþe, and on þe coroun in cumpas; and þou ſchalt
clenſe it, and make clene.
xxi And þou ſchalt take þe calf which is offrid for ſynne,
and þou ſchalt brenne it in a departid place of þe hous,
wiþ out þe ſeyntuarie.
xxii And in þe ſecounde dai þou ſchalt offre a buk of
geet, which is wiþ out wem, for ſynne; and þei ſchulen
clenſe þe auter, as þei clenſiden in þe calf.
xxiii And whanne þou haſt fillid þat clenſyng, þou ſchalt
offre a calf of þe drooue, which calf is wiþout wem, and
a weþer wiþ out wem of þe floc.
xxiiii And þou ſchalt offre þo in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord; and
preſtis ſchulen putte ſalt on þo, and ſchulen offre þo in
to brent ſacrifice to þe Lord.
xxv Bi ſeuene daies þou ſchalt make a buk of geet for
ſynne, ech dai; and þei ſchulen offre a calf of þe drooue,
and a weþer vnwemmed of ſcheep.
xxvi Bi ſeuene daies þei ſchulen clenſe þe auter, and
ſchulen make it cleene, and þei ſchulen fille þe hond
þerof.
xxvii Forſoþe whanne ſeuene daies ben fillid, in þe eiȝþe
dai and ferþer preſtis ſchulen make on þe auter ȝoure
brent ſacrifices, and þo þingis whiche þei offren for
pees; and Y ſchal be pleſid to ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
CAP. XLIIII
i And he turnede me to þe weie of þe ȝate of þe
outermore ſeyntuarie, which ȝate byhelde to þe eeſt, and
was cloſid.
ii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Þis ȝate ſchal be cloſid, and
ſchal not be opened, and a man ſchal not paſſe þorou it;
for þe Lord God of Iſrael entride bi it, and it ſchal be
cloſid to þe prince.
iii Þe prince hym ſilf ſchal ſitte þer ynne, þat he ete
breed bifor þe Lord; he ſchal go yn bi þe weie of þe ȝate
of þe porche, and he ſchal go out bi þe weie þerof.
iiii And he ledde me bi þe weie of þe norþ ȝate, in þe ſiȝt
of þe hous; and Y ſiȝ, and lo! þe glorie of þe Lord fillide
þe hous of þe Lord; and Y felle doun on my face.
v And þe Lord ſeide to me, Þou, ſone of man, ſette þin
herte, and ſe wiþ þin iȝen, and here wiþ þin eeris alle
þingis whiche Y ſpeke to þee, of al þe ceremonyes of þe
hous of þe Lord, and of alle þe lawis þerof; and þou
ſchalt ſette þin herte in þe weies of þe temple, bi alle þe
goyngis out of þe ſeyntuarie.
DCCLXI
vi And þou ſchalt ſeie to þe hous of Iſrael terrynge me to
wraþþe, Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝe hous of Iſrael,
alle ȝoure grete treſpaſſis ſuffice to ȝou,
vii for ȝe bryngen in alien ſones, vncircumcidid in herte,
and vncircumcidid in fleiſch, þat þei be in my
ſeyntuarie, and defoule myn hous. And ȝe offren my
looues, ynnere fatneſſe, and blood, and breken my
couenaunt in alle ȝoure grete treſpaſſis.
viii And ȝe kepten not þe comaundementis of my
ſeyntuarie, and ȝe ſettiden keperis of my kepyngis in my
ſeyntuarye to ȝou ſilf.
ix Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ech alien `þat is
vncircumcidid in herte, and vncircumcidid in fleiſch,
ſchal not entre in to my ſeyntuarie; ech alien ſone,
which is in þe myddis of þe ſones of Iſrael.
x But alſo Leuytis, `eþer men of þe lynage of Leuy, þat
ȝeden fer a wei fro me in þe errour of þe ſones of Iſrael,
and erriden fro me aftir her idols, and baren her
wickidneſſe,
xi þei ſchulen be kepers of houſis in my ſeyntuarye, and
porteris of ȝatis of þe hous, and mynyſtris of þe hous;
þei ſchulen ſle brent ſacrifices, and ſacrifices for victorie
of þe puple; and þei ſchulen ſtonde in þe ſiȝt of þe
preſtis, for to mynyſtre to hem.
xii For þat þat þei mynyſtriden to þo in þe ſiȝt of her
idols, and weren maad to þe hous of Iſrael in to
offendyng of wickidneſſe; þerfor Y reiſide myn hond on
þem, ſeiþ þe Lord God, and þei baren her wickidneſſe.
xiii And þei ſchulen not neiȝe to me, þat þei vſe
preeſthod to me, neþer þei ſchulen neiȝe to al my
ſeyntuarie biſidis hooly of hooli þingis, but þei ſchulen
bere her ſchenſchipe, and her grete treſpaſſis whiche þei
diden.
xiiii And Y ſchal make hem porteris of þe hous, in al þe
ſeruyce þerof, and in alle þingis þat ben don þer ynne.
xv Forſoþe preeſtis and dekenes, þe ſones of Sadoch, þat
kepten þe cerymonyes of my ſeyntuarie, whanne þe
ſones of Iſrael erriden fro me, þei ſchulen neiȝe to me,
for to mynyſtre to me; and þei ſchulen ſtonde in my ſiȝt,
þat þei offre to me ynnere fatneſſe and blood, ſeiþ þe
Lord God.
xvi Þei ſchulen entre in to my ſeyntuarie, and þei ſchulen
neiȝe to my boord, þat þei mynyſtre to me, and kepe my
ceremonyes.
xvii And whanne þei ſchulen entre in to þe ȝatis of þe
ynnere halle,
xviii þei ſchulen be cloþid wiþ lynnun cloþis, neþer ony
wollun þing ſchal `be do on hem, whanne þei mynyſtren
in þe ȝatis of þe ynnere halle, and wiþ ynne; lynnun
cappis, eþer mytris, ſchulen be in þe heedis of hem, and
lynnun brechis ſchulen be in þe leendis of hem, and þei
ſchulen not be gird in ſwoot.
xix And whanne þei ſchulen go out at þe outermere halle
to þe puple, þei ſchulen diſpuyle hem of her cloþis, in
whiche þei mynyſtriden, and þei ſchulen leie þo vp in
þe treſerie of ſeyntuarie; and þei ſchulen cloþe hem ſilf
in oþere cloþis, and þei ſchulen not halewe my puple in
her cloþis.
xx Forſoþe þei ſchulen not ſchaue her heed, neþer þei
ſchulen nurſche long heere, but þei clippynge ſchulen
clippe her heedis.
xxi And ech preeſt ſchal not drynke wyn, whanne he
ſchal entre in to þe ynnere halle.
xxii And preeſtis ſchulen not take wyues a widewe, and a
forſakun womman, but virgyns of þe ſeed of þe hous of
Iſrael; but alſo þei ſchulen take a widewe, which is þe
widewe of a preeſt.
xxiii And þei ſchulen teche my puple, what is bitwixe
hooli þing and defoulid; and þei ſchulen ſchewe to hem,
what is bitwixe cleene þing and vncleene.
xxiiii And whanne debate is, þei ſchulen ſtonde in my
domes, and ſchulen deme my lawis; and þei ſchulen
kepe my comaundementis in alle my ſolempnytees, and
þei ſchulen halewe my ſabatis.
xxv And þei ſchulen not entre to a deed man, leſt þei be
defoulid, no but to fadir, and modir, and to ſone, and
douȝter, and to broþer, and ſiſter þat hadde not an
hoſebonde, in whiche þei ſchulen be defoulid.
xxvi And after þat he is clenſid, ſeuene daies ſchulen be
noumbrid to hym.
xxvii And in þe dai of his entryng in to þe ſeyntuarie, to
þe ynnere halle, þat he mynyſtre to me in þe ſeyntuarie,
he ſchal offre for his ſynne, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xxviii Forſoþe noon eritage ſchal be to hem, Y am þe
eritage of hem; and ȝe ſchulen not ȝyue to hem
poſſeſſioun in Iſrael, for Y am þe poſſeſſioun of hem.
xxix Þei ſchulen ete ſacrifice, boþe for ſynne and for
treſpaſſe, and ech avow of Iſrael ſchal be hern.
xxx And þe firſte þingis of alle firſte gendrid þingis, and
alle moiſte ſacrifices, of alle þingis þat ben offrid,
ſchulen be þe preſtis part; and ȝe ſchulen ȝyue þe firſte
þingis of ȝoure metis to þe preſt, þat he leie vp bleſſyng
to his hous.
xxxi Preeſtis ſchulen not ete ony þing deed bi it ſilf, and
takun of a beeſte, of foulis, and of ſcheep.
CAP. XLV
i And whanne ȝe ſchulen bigynne to departe þe lond bi
partis, departe ȝe þe firſte þingis to þe Lord, an halewid
þing of þe lond, fyue and twenti þouſynde of rehedis in
lengþe, and ten þouſynde of rehedis in breede; it ſchal
be halewid in al þe cooſt þerof by cumpas.
ii And it ſchal be halewid on ech part in fyue hundrid
rehedis bi fyue hundrid, in foure ſidis bi cumpas, and in
fifti cubitis in to þe ſubarbis þerof bi cumpas.
iii And fro þis meſure þou ſchalt mete þe lengþe of fyue
and twenti þouſynde of rehedis, and þe breede of ten
DCCLXII
þouſynde; and þe temple and þe hooli of hooli þingis
ſchal be in it.
iiii An halewid þing of þe lond ſchal be to preſtis, þe
mynyſtris of ſeyntuarie, þat neiȝen to þe ſeruyce of þe
Lord; and a place ſchal be to hem in to houſis, and in to
þe ſeyntuarie of hoolyneſſe.
v Soþeli fyue and twenti þouſynde of lengþe ſchulen be,
and ten þouſynde of breede; but þe dekenes þat
mynyſtren to þe hous, þei ſchulen haue in poſſeſſioun
twenti treſeries.
vi And ȝe ſchulen ȝyue þe poſſeſſioun of þe citee, fyue
þouſynde rehedis of breede, and fyue and twenti
þouſynde of lengþe, bi þe departyng of þe ſeyntuarie, to
al þe hous of Iſrael.
vii And ȝe ſchulen ȝyue a porcioun to þe prince on þis
ſide and on þat ſide, biſidis þe departyng of þe
ſeyntuarie, and biſidis þe poſſeſſioun of þe citee, aȝens
þe face of departynge of ſeyntuarie, and aȝens þe face
of poſſeſſioun of þe citee; fro þe ſide of þe ſe til to þe
ſee, and fro þe ſide of þe eeſt `til to þe eeſt, ſchal be of
þe poſſeſſioun of þe prince. Forſoþe þe lengþe bi ech of
þe partis, fro þe weſt ende til to þe eeſt ende of þe lond,
viii ſchal be poſſeſſioun to hym in Iſrael; and þe princes
ſchulen no more robbe my puple, but þei ſchulen ȝyue
þe lond to þe hous of Iſrael, bi þe lynagis of hem.
ix Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, O! princes of Iſrael,
ſuffice it to ȝou, leue ȝe wickidneſſe `and raueyns, and
do ȝe doom and riȝtfulneſſe; departe ȝe ȝoure niȝ cooſtis
fro my puple, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
x A iuſt balaunce, and a iuſt meſure clepid ephi, and a
iuſt meſure clepid baþus, ſchulen be to ȝou.
xi Ephi and baþus ſchulen be euene, and of o meſure, þat
baþus take þe tenþe part of þe meſure clepid corus, and
þat ephi take þe tenþe part of þe meſure corus; bi þe
meſure of corus ſchal be euene weiynge of þo.
xii Forſoþe a ſicle ſchal haue twenti halpens; certis
twenti ſiclis, and fyue and twenti ſiclis, and fiftene ſiclis
maken a beſaunt.
xiii And þeſe ben þe firſte fruytis whiche ȝe ſchulen take
awei; þe ſixte part of ephi of a corus of wheete, and þe
ſixte part of ephi of a corus of barli.
xiiii Alſo þe meſure of oile; a baþus of oile is þe tenþe
part of corus, and ten baþus maken o corus; for ten
baþus fillen o corus.
xv And `a ram of þe floc of twei hundrid, of þeſe whiche
þe men of Iſrael nurſchen, in to ſacrifice, and in to brent
ſacrifice, and in to peſible ſacrifices, to clenſe for hem,
ſeiþ þe Lord God.
xvi Al þe puple of þe lond ſchal be boundun in þeſe firſte
fruytis to þe prince of Iſrael.
xvii And on þe prince ſchulen be brent ſacrifices, and
ſacrifice, and moiſte ſacrifices, in ſolempnytees, and in
kalendis, eþer bigynnyngis of moneþis, and in ſabatis,
and in alle þe ſolempnytees of þe hous of Iſrael; he ſchal
make ſacrifice, for ſynne, and brent ſacrifice, and
peſible ſacrifices, to clenſe for þe hous of Iſrael.
xviii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, In þe firſte moneþ, in
þe firſte dai of þe moneþe, þou ſchalt take a calf wiþ out
wem of þe drooue, and þou ſchalt clenſe þe ſeyntuarie.
xix And þe preeſt ſchal take of þe blood of þe beeſte, þat
ſchal be for ſynne; and he ſchal putte in þe poſtis of þe
hous, and in foure corneris of þe heiȝþe of þe auter, and
in þe poſtis of þe ȝate of þe ynnere halle.
xx And þus þou ſchalt do in þe ſeuenþe dai of þe
moneþe, for ech þat knew not, and was diſſeyued bi
errour, and þou ſchalt clenſe for þe hous.
xxi In þe firſte moneþe, in þe fourtenþe dai of þe
moneþe, þe ſolempnytee of paſk ſchal be to ȝou; þerf
looues ſchulen be etun bi ſeuene daies.
xxii And þe prince ſchal make a calf for ſynne in þat dai,
for hym ſilf and for al þe puple of þe lond.
xxiii And in þe ſolempnytee of ſeuene daies he ſchal
make brent ſacrifice to þe Lord; he ſchal offre ſeuene
caluys and ſeuene weþeris wiþ out wem ech dai, bi
ſeuene daies, and ech dai a buc of geet, for ſynne.
xxiiii And he ſchal make þe ſacrifice of ephi by a calf,
and of ephi by a weþer, and of oile þe meſure hyn, bi
ech ephi.
xxv In þe ſeuenþe moneþe, in þe fiftenþe dai of þe
moneþe, in þe ſolempnytee, he ſchal make as þo ben
biforſeid, bi ſeuene daies, as wel for ſynne as for brent
ſacrifice, and in ſacrifice, and in oile.
CAP. XLVI
i Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe ȝate of þe ynnere
halle, þat biholdiþ to þe eeſt, ſchal be cloſid bi ſixe
daies, in whiche werk is doon; for it ſchal be openid in
þe dai of ſabat, but alſo it ſchal be openyd in þe dai of
kalendis.
ii And þe prince ſchal entre bi þe weie of þe porche of
þe ȝate wiþoutforþ, and he ſchal ſtonde in þe þreisfold
of þe ȝate; and preeſtis ſchulen make þe brent ſacrifice
of hym, and þe peſible ſacrifices of hym; and he ſchal
worſchipe on þe þreisfold of þe ȝate, and he ſchal go
out; forſoþe þe ȝate ſchal not be cloſid til to þe euentid.
iii And þe puple of þe lond ſchal worſchipe at þe dore of
þat ȝate, in ſabatis, and in calendis, bifor þe Lord.
iiii Forſoþe þe prince ſchal offre þis brent ſacrifice to þe
Lord in þe dai of ſabat, ſixe lambren wiþ out wem, and
a weþer wiþ out wem,
v and þe ſacrifice of ephi bi a weþer; but in þe lambren
he ſchal offre þe ſacrifice which his hond ſchal ȝiue, and
of oile þe meſure hyn, bi ech ephi.
vi But in þe dai of calendis he ſchal offre a calf wiþ out
wem of þe droue; and ſixe lambren, and weþeris ſchulen
be wiþ out wem,
DCCLXIII
vii and ephi bi a calf. Alſo he ſchal make þe ſacrifice
ephi bi a weþer; but of lambren as his hond fyndiþ, and
of oile þe meſure hyn, bi ech ephi.
viii And whanne þe prince ſchal entre, entre he bi þe
weie of þe porche of þe ȝate, and go he out bi þe ſame
weie.
ix And whanne þe puple of þe lond ſchal entre in þe ſiȝt
of þe Lord, in ſolempnytees, which puple entriþ bi þe
ȝate of þe norþ, for to worſchipe, go it out bi þe wei of
þe ſouþ ȝate. Certis þe puple þat entriþ bi þe weie of þe
ſouþ ȝate, go out bi þe weie of þe norþ ȝate. It ſchal not
turne aȝen bi þe weie of þe ȝate, bi which it entride, but
euene aȝens þat weie it ſchal go out.
x Forſoþe þe prince ſchal be in þe myddis of hem; he
ſchal entre wiþ hem þat entren, and he ſchal go out wiþ
hem þat goen out.
xi And in feiris and in ſolempnytees, þe ſacrifice of ephi
ſchal be bi a calf, and ephi bi a weþer; in lambren ſchal
be ſacrifice as his hond fyndiþ, and of oile þe meſure
hyn, bi ech ephi.
xii Forſoþe whanne þe prince makiþ a wilful brent
ſacrifice, eþer wilful peſible ſacrifice to þe Lord, þe ȝate
þat biholdiþ to þe eeſt, ſchal be openyd to hym; and he
ſchal make his brent ſacrifice, and hiſe peſible ſacrifices,
as it is wont to be doon in þe dai of ſabat; and he ſchal
go out, and þe ȝate ſchal be cloſid after þat he ȝede out.
xiii And he ſchal make brent ſacrifice ech day to þe
Lord, a lomb wiþ out wem of þe ſame ȝeer; euere he
ſchal make it in þe morewtid,
xiiii and he ſchal make ſacrifice on it ful eerli; eerli he
ſchal make þe ſixte part of ephi, and of oile þe þridde
part of hyn, þat it be meddlid wiþ þe floure of wheete; it
is a lawful ſacrifice, contynuel and euerlaſtinge, to þe
Lord.
xv He ſchal make a lomb, and ſacrifice, and oile, ful
eerli; he ſchal make eerli brent ſacrifice euerlaſtynge.
xvi Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, If þe prince ȝyueþ an
hous to ony of hiſe ſones, þe eritage of hym ſchal be of
hiſe ſones; þei ſchulen welde it bi eritage.
xvii Forſoþe if he ȝyueþ a biqueſt of his eritage to oon of
hiſe ſeruauntis, it ſchal be his `til to þe ȝeer of
remyſſioun, and it ſchal turne aȝen to þe prince; forſoþe
þe eritage of hym ſchal be to hiſe ſones.
xviii And þe prince ſchal not take bi violence of þe
eritage of þe puple, and of þe poſſeſſioun of hem; but of
his owne poſſeſſioun he ſchal ȝyue eritage to hiſe ſones,
þat my puple be not ſcaterid, ech man fro his
poſſeſſioun.
xix And he ledde me in bi þe entryng, þat was on þe ſide
of þe ȝate, in to þe treſeries of þe ſeyntuarie to þe
preeſtis, whiche treſeries bihelden to þe norþ; and þere
was a place goynge to þe weſt.
xx And he ſeide to me, Þis is þe place where preſtis
ſchulen ſeþe, boþe for ſynne and for treſpas; where þei
ſchulen ſeþe ſacrifice, þat þei bere not out in to þe
outermere halle, and þe puple be halewid.
xxi And he ledde me out in to þe outermere halle, and
ledde me aboute bi þe foure corneris of þe halle; and lo!
a litil halle was in þe corner of þe halle, alle litil hallis
bi þe corneris of þe halle;
xxii in foure corneris of þe halle litle hallis weren
diſpoſid, of fourti cubitis bi lengþe, and of þretti bi
breede;
xxiii foure weren of o meſure; and a wal bi cumpas ȝede
aboute foure litle hallis; and kychenes weren maad
vndur þe porchis bi cumpas.
xxiiii And he ſeide to me, Þis is þe hous of kichenes, in
which þe mynyſtris of þe hous of þe Lord ſchulen ſeþe
þe ſacrifices of þe puple.
CAP. XLVII
i And he turnede me to þe ȝate of þe hous; and lo!
watris ȝeden out vndur þe þreisfold of þe hous to þe
eeſt; for þe face of þe hous bihelde to þe eeſt; forſoþe þe
watris camen doun in to þe riȝt ſide of þe temple, to þe
ſouþ part of þe auter.
ii And he ledde me out bi þe weie of þe norþ ȝate, and
he turnede me to þe weie wiþ out þe outermere ȝate, to
þe weie þat biholdiþ to þe eeſt; and lo! watris flowynge
fro þe riȝt ſide,
iii whanne þe man þat hadde a coord in his hond, ȝede
out to þe eeſt. And he mat a þouſynde cubitis, and ledde
me ouer þorou þe water til to þe heelis.
iiii And eft he mat a þouſynde, and ledde me ouer
þorouȝ þe watir `til to þe knees.
v And eft he mat a þouſynde, and ledde me ouer þorouȝ
þe watir `til to þe reynes. And he mat a þouſynde, þe
ſtronde which Y myȝte not paſſe; for þe depe watris of
þe ſtronde hadden wexe greet, þat mai not be waad
ouer.
vi And he ſeide to me, Certis, ſone of man, þou haſt
ſeyn. And he ſeide to me; and he turnede me to þe
ryuere of þe ſtronde.
vii And whanne Y hadde turned me, lo! in þe ryuer of þe
ſtronde ful many trees on euer eiþer ſide.
viii And he ſeide to me, Þeſe watris þat goon out to þe
heepis of ſoond of þe eeſt, and goen doun to pleyn
places of deſert, ſchulen entre in to þe ſee, and ſchulen
go out; and þe watris ſchulen be heelid.
ix And ech lyuynge beeſte þat creepiþ, ſchal lyue,
whidur euere þe ſtronde ſchal come; and fiſchis many
ynow ſchulen be, aftir þat þeſe watris comen þidur, and
ſchulen be heelid, and ſchulen lyue; alle þingis to
whiche þe ſtronde ſchal come, ſchulen lyue.
x And fiſſhers ſchulen ſtonde on þo watris; fro Engaddi
`til to Engallym ſchal be driyng of nettis; ful many
kyndis of fiſchis þerof ſchulen be, as þe fiſchis of þe
greet ſee, of ful greet multitude;
DCCLXIV
xi but in brynkis þerof and in maraiſis watris ſhulen not
be heelid, for þo `ſchulen be ȝouun in to places of
makynge of ſalt.
xii And ech tree berynge fruit ſchal growe on þe ſtronde,
in þe ryueris þerof on ech ſide; a leef þerof ſchal not
falle doun, and þe fruyt þerof ſchal not faile; bi alle
moneþis it ſchal bere firſte fruytis, for þe watris þerof
ſchulen go out of þe ſeyntuarie; and þe fruytis þerof
ſchulen be in to mete, and þe leeuys þerof to medicyn.
xiii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þis is þe ende, in
which ȝe ſchulen welde þe lond, in þe twelue lynagis of
Iſrael; for Joſeph haþ double part.
xiiii Forſoþe ȝe ſchulen welde it, ech man euenli as his
broþer; on which Y reiſide myn hond, þat Y ſchulde
ȝyue to ȝoure fadris; and þis lond ſchal falle to ȝou in to
poſſeſſioun.
xv Þis is þe ende of þe lond at þe norþ cooſt fro þe grete
ſee, þe weie of Bethalon to men comynge to Sedala,
xvi Emath, Beroth, Sabarym, which is in þe myddis
bitwixe Damaſk and niȝ cooſtis of Emath, þe hous of
Thichon, which is biſidis þe endis of Auran.
xvii And þe ende ſchal be fro þe ſee `til to þe porche of
Ennon, þe ende of Damaſk, and fro þe norþ til to þe
norþ, þe ende of Emath; forſoþe þis is þe norþ cooſt.
xviii Certis þe eeſt cooſt fro þe myddis of Auran, and fro
þe myddis of Damaſk, and fro þe myddis of Galaad, and
fro þe myddis of þe lond of Iſrael, is Jordan departynge
at þe eeſt ſee, alſo ȝe ſchulen mete þe eeſt cooſt.
xix Forſoþe þe ſouþ cooſt of myddai is fro Thamar til to
þe watris of aȝenſeiyng of Cades; and þe ſtronde til to
þe greet ſee, and þe ſouþ cooſt at myddai.
xx And þe cooſt of þe ſee is þe greet ſee, fro þe niȝ cooſt
bi ſtreiȝt, til þou come to Emath; þis is þe cooſt of þe
ſee.
xxi And ȝe ſchulen departe þis lond to ȝou bi þe lynagis
of Iſrael;
xxii and ȝe ſchulen ſende it in to eritage to ȝou, and to
comelyngis þat comen to ȝou, þat gendriden ſones in þe
myddis of ȝou; and þei ſchulen be to ȝou as men borun
in þe lond among þe ſones of Iſrael; wiþ ȝou þei ſchulen
departe poſſeſſioun, in þe myddis of þe lynages of Iſrael.
xxiii Forſoþe in what euer lynage a comelyng is, þere ȝe
ſchulen ȝyue poſſeſſioun to hym, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
CAP. XLVIII
i And þeſe ben þe names of lynagis, fro þe endis of þe
norþ, biſidis þe weie Ethalon, to men goynge to Emath,
þe porche of Ennon, þe terme of Damaſk, to þe norþ
biſidis Emath; and þe eeſt cooſt ſchal be to it þe ſee, o
part ſchal be of Dan.
ii And fro þe ende of Dan, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to þe cooſt
of þe ſee, o part ſchal be of Aſer.
iii And on þe ende of Azer, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to þe
cooſt of þe ſee, oon of Neptalym.
iiii And on þe terme of Neptalym, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to
þe cooſt of þe ſee, oon of Manaſſes.
v And on þe ende of Manaſſes, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to þe
cooſt of þe ſee, oon of Effraym.
vi And on þe ende of Effraym, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to þe
cooſt of þe ſee, oon of Ruben.
vii And on þe ende of Ruben, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to þe
cooſt of þe ſee, oon of Juda.
viii And on þe ende of Juda, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to þe
cooſt of þe ſee, ſchulen be þe firſte fruytis, whiche ȝe
ſchulen departe bi fyue and twenti þouſynde reheedis of
breede and of lengþe, as alle partis ben, fro þe eeſt cooſt
til to þe cooſt of þe ſee; and þe ſeyntuarie ſchal be in þe
myddis þerof.
ix Þe firſte fruytis whiche ȝe ſchulen departe to þe Lord,
þe lengþe ſchal be in fyue and twenty þouſynde, and þe
breed in ten þouſynde.
x Forſoþe þeſe ſchulen be þe firſte fruytis of þe
ſeyntuarie of preeſtis; to þe norþ fyue and twenti
þouſynde of lengþe, and to þe ſee ten þouſinde of
breede; but to þe eeſt ten þouſynde of breede, and to þe
ſouþ fyue and twenti þouſynde of lengþe; and þe
ſeyntuarie of þe Lord ſchal be in þe myddis þerof.
xi Þe ſeyntuarie ſchal be to preſtis of þe ſones of Sadoch,
þat kepten my cerymonyes, and erriden not, whanne þe
ſones of Iſrael erriden, as alſo dekenes erriden.
xii And þe firſte fruytis ſchulen be to hem of þe firſte
fruytis of þe lond, þe hooli of hooli þingis, bi þe terme
of dekenes.
xiii But alſo to dekenes in lijk maner bi þe cooſtis of
preeſtis ſchulen be fyue and twenti þouſynde of lengþe,
and ten þouſynde of breede; al þe lengþe of fiue and
twenti þouſynde, and þe breede of ten þouſynde.
xiiii And þei ſchulen not ſille þerof, neþer ſchulen
chaunge; and þe firſte fruytis of þe lond ſchulen not be
tranſlatid, for þo ben halewid to þe Lord.
xv Soþeli þe fyue þouſynde, þat ben left ouer in breede,
bi fyue and twenti þouſynde, ſchulen be þe vnhooli
þingis, eþer comyn þingis, of þe citee, in to dwellyng
place, and in to ſubarbis; and þe citee ſchal be in þe
myddis þerof.
xvi And þeſe ſchulen be þe meſuris þerof; at þe norþ
cooſt, fyue hundrid and foure þouſynde of rehedis, and
at þe ſouþ cooſt, fyue hundrid and foure þouſynde, and
at þe eeſt cooſt, fyue hundrid and foure þouſynde, and at
þe weſt cooſt, fyue hundrid and foure þouſynde.
xvii Forſoþe þe ſubarbis of þe citee at þe norþ ſchulen be
twei hundrid and fifti, and at þe ſouþe twei hundrid and
fifti, and at þe eeſt twei hundrid and fifti, and at þe ſee,
þat is, þe weſt, twei hundrid and fifti.
DCCLXV
xviii But þat þat is reſidue in lengþe, bi þe firſte fruytis
of þe ſeyntuarie, ten þouſynde in to þe eeſt, and ten
þouſynde in to þe weſt, ſchulen be as þe firſte fruitis of
þe ſeyntuarie; and þe fruitis ſchulen be in to looues to
hem þat ſeruen þe citee.
xix Forſoþe þei þat ſeruen þe citee ſchulen worche, of
alle þe lynagis of Iſrael.
xx Alle þe firſte fruitis of fyue and twenti þouſynde, bi
fyue and twenti þouſynde in ſquare, ſchulen be departid
in to þe firſte fruytis of ſeyntuarie, and in to poſſeſſioun
of þe citee.
xxi Forſoþe þat þat is reſidue, ſchal be þe princes part, on
ech ſide of þe firſte fruitis of ſeyntuarie, and of þe
poſſeſſioun of þe citee, euene aȝens fyue and twenti
þouſynde of þe firſte fruytis, til to þe eeſt ende; but alſo
to þe ſee euene aȝens fyue and twenti þouſynde, til to þe
ende of þe ſee, ſchal be in lijk maner in þe partis of þe
prince; and þe firſte fruytis of þe ſeyntuarye, and þe
ſeyntuarie of þe temple ſchulen be in þe myddis of it.
xxii Forſoþe fro þe poſſeſſioun of dekenes, and fro þe
poſſeſſioun of þe citee, which is in þe myddis of partis
of þe prince, ſchal be in to þe porcioun of Juda, and in
to þe porcioun of Beniamyn; and it ſchal perteyne to þe
prince.
xxiii And to oþer lynagis, fro þe eeſt cooſt `til to þe weſt
cooſt, oon to Beniamyn.
xxiiii And aȝens þe porcioun of Beniamyn, fro þe eeſt
cooſt til to þe weſt cooſt, oon to Symeon.
xxv And on þe terme of Symeon, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to
þe weſt cooſt, oon to Iſacar.
xxvi And on þe terme of Iſacar, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to þe
weſt cooſt, oon to Zabulon.
xxvii And on þe terme of Zabulon, fro þe eeſt cooſt til to
þe cooſt of þe ſee, oon to Gad.
xxviii And on þe terme of Gad, to þe cooſt of þe ſouþ in
to myddai; and þe ende ſchal be fro Thamar til to þe
watris of aȝenſeying of Cades, and þe eritage aȝens þe
grete ſee.
xxix Þis is þe lond which ȝe ſchulen ſende in to part to þe
lynagis of Iſrael, and þeſe ben þe partyngis of þo, ſeiþ
þe Lord God.
xxx And þeſe ben þe goyngis out of þe citee; fro þe norþ
cooſt þou ſchalt mete fyue hundrid and foure þouſynde
rehedis.
xxxi And ȝatis of þe citee ſchulen be in alle þe lynagis of
Iſrael, þre ȝatis at þe norþ; o ȝate of Ruben, o ȝate of
Juda, o ȝate of Leuy.
xxxii And at þe eeſt cooſt, fyue hundrid and foure
þouſynd rehedis, and þre ȝatis; o ȝate of Joſeph, o ȝate
of Beniamyn, o ȝate of Dan.
xxxiii And at þe ſouþ cooſt þou ſchalt mete fyue hundrid
and foure þouſynde rehedis, and þre ȝatis ſchulen be of
þo; o ȝate of Symeon, o ȝate of Iſacar, o ȝate of
Zabulon.
xxxiiii And at þe weſt cooſt, fyue hundrid and foure
þouſynde of rehedis, þre ȝatis of þo; o ȝate of Gad, o
ȝate of Aſer, o ȝate of Neptalym.
xxxv Bi cumpas eiȝtene miles; and þe name ſchal be fro
þat dai, Þe Lord þere. Amen.
Here endiþ Ezechiel, and here bygynneþ Danyel.

DCCLXVI

DANIEL
Here bigynneþ þe book of Daniel.
CAP. I
i In þe þridde ȝeer of þe rewme of Joachym, king of
Juda, Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng of Babiloyne, cam to
Jeruſalem, and biſegide it.
ii And þe Lord bitook in his hond Joachym, þe kyng of
Juda, and he took a part of þe veſſels of þe hous of God;
and he bar out þo in to þe lond of Sennaar, in to þe hous
of his god, and he took þe veſſels in to þe hous of
treſour of his god.
iii And þe kyng ſeide to Aſphaneth, ſouereyn of his oneſt
ſeruauntis and chaſt, þat he ſchulde brynge yn of þe
ſones of Iſrael, and of þe kyngis ſeed, and þe children of
tirauntis, in whiche weren no wem,
iiii faire in ſchap, and lerned in al wiſdom, war in
kunnyng, and tauȝt in chaſtiſyng, and þat myȝten ſtonde
in þe paleis of þe kyng, þat he ſchulde teche hem þe
lettris and langage of Caldeis.
v And þe king ordeynede to hem lijflode bi ech dai of
hiſe meetis, and of þe wyn wherof he drank; þat þei
nurſchid bi þre ȝeer, ſchulden ſtonde aftirward bifor þe
ſiȝt of þe kyng.
vi Þerfor Danyel, Ananye, Myzael, and Azarie, of þe
ſones of Juda, weren among hem.
vii And þe ſouereyn of oneſt ſeruauntis and chaſt puttide
to hem names; to Danyel he puttide Balthaſar; to
Ananye, Sidrach; to Myſael, Miſach; and to Azarie,
Abdenago.
viii Forſoþe Danyel purpoſide in his herte, þat he ſchulde
not be defoulid of þe boord of þe kyng, neþer of þe wyn
of his drink; and he preiede þe ſouereyn of oneſt
ſeruauntis and chaſt, þat he ſchulde not be defoulid.
ix Forſoþe God ȝaf grace and merci to Daniel, in þe ſiȝt
of þe prince of oneſt ſeruauntis and chaſt.
x And þe prince of oneſt ſeruauntis and chaſt ſeide to
Daniel, Y drede my lord þe king, þat ordeinede to ȝou
mete and drynk; and if he ſeeþ ȝoure faces lennere þan
oþere ȝonge wexynge men, ȝoure eueneeldis, ȝe ſchulen
condempne myn heed to þe kyng.
xi And Danyel ſeide to Malazar, whom þe prince of
oneſt ſeruauntis and chaſt hadde ordeynede on Danyel,
Ananye, Myſael, and Aſarie,
xii Y biſeche, aſaie þou vs þi ſeruauntis bi ten daies, and
potagis be ȝouun to vs to ete, and water to drynke; and
biholde þou oure cheris,
xiii and þe cheris of children þat eten þe kyngis mete;
and as þou ſeeſt, ſo do þou wiþ þi ſeruauntis.
xiiii And whanne he herde ſiche a word, he aſaiede hem
bi ten daies.
DCCLXVII
xv Forſoþe after ten daies þe cheris of hem apperiden
betere and fattere, þan alle þe children þat eeten þe
kyngis mete.
xvi Certis Malazar took þe metis, and þe wyn of þe
drynk of hem, and ȝaf to hem potagis.
xvii Forſoþe to þeſe children God ȝaf kunnyng and
lernyng in ech book, and in al wiſdom; but to Daniel
God ȝaf vndurſtondyng of alle viſiouns and dremys.
xviii Þerfor whanne þe daies weren fillid, aftir whiche þe
kyng ſeide, þat þei ſchulden be brouȝt yn, þe ſouereyn
of oneſt ſeruauntis and chaſt brouȝte in hem, in þe ſiȝt of
Nabugodonoſor.
xix And whanne þe kyng hadde ſpoke to hem, ſiche
weren not foundun of alle, as Daniel, Ananye, Miſael,
and Azarie; and þei ſtoden in þe ſiȝt of þe king.
xx And ech word of wiſdom and of vndurſtondyng,
which þe king axide of hem, he foond in hem ten fold
ouer alle falſe dyuynouris and aſtronomyens, þat weren
in al his rewme.
xxi Forſoþe Danyel was til to þe firſte ȝeer of king
Cyrus.
CAP. II
i In þe ſecounde ȝeer of þe rewme of Nabugodonoſor,
Nabugodonoſor ſiȝ a dreem; and his ſpirit was aferd,
and his dreem fledde awei fro hym.
ii Þerfor þe kyng comaundide, þat þe dyuynours, and
aſtronomyens, and witchis, and Caldeis ſchulden be
clepid togidere, þat þei ſchulden telle to þe kyng hiſe
dremys; and whanne þei weren comun, þei ſtoden bifor
þe king.
iii And þe king ſeide to hem, Y ſiȝ a dreem, and Y am
ſchent in mynde, and Y knowe not what Y ſiȝ.
iiii And Caldeis anſweriden þe kyng bi Sirik langage,
Kyng, liue þou wiþ outen ende; ſeie þi dreem to þi
ſeruauntis, and we ſchulen ſchewe to þee þe expownyng
þerof.
v And þe kyng anſweride, and ſeide to Caldeis, Þe word
is goen awei fro me; if ȝe ſchewen not to me þe dreem,
and expownyng þerof, ȝe ſchulen periſche, and ȝoure
houſis ſchulen be forfetid.
vi Forſoþe if ȝe tellen þe dreem, and þe expownyng
þerof, ȝe ſchulen take of me meedis and ȝiftis, and
myche onour; þerfor ſchewe ȝe to me þe dreem, and þe
interpretyng þerof.
vii Þei anſweriden þe ſecounde tyme, and ſeiden, Þe
kyng ſeie þe dreem to hiſe ſeruauntis, and we ſchulen
ſchewe þe interpretyng þerof.
viii Þe kyng anſweride, and ſeide, Certis Y woot, þat ȝe
aȝenbien þe tyme, and witen þat þe word is goen awei
fro me.
ix Þerfor if ȝe ſchewen not to me þe dreem, o ſentence is
of ȝou, for ȝe maken an interpretyng boþe fals and ful
of diſſeit, þat ȝe ſpeke to me til þe tyme paſſe; þerfor
ſeie ȝe þe dreem to me, þat Y wite, þat ȝe ſpeke alſo þe
veri interpretyng þerof.
x Þerfor Caldeis anſweriden bifor þe kyng, and ſeiden,
Kyng, no man is on erþe, þat mai fille þi word; but
neþer ony greet man and myȝti of kyngis axiþ ſiche a
word of ony dyuynour, and aſtronomyen, and of a man
of Caldee.
xi For þe word which þou, kyng, axiſt, is greuouſe,
neþer ony ſchal be foundun, þat ſchal ſchewe it in þe ſiȝt
of þe king, outakun goddis, whos lyuyng is not wiþ
men.
xii And whanne þis word was herd, þe kyng
comaundide, in woodneſſe and in greet ire, þat alle þe
wiſe men of Babiloyne ſchulden periſche.
xiii And bi þe ſentence goon out, þe wiſe men weren
ſlayn; and Danyel and hiſe felows weren ſouȝt, þat þei
ſchulden periſche.
xiiii Þanne Danyel axide of þe lawe and ſentence, of
Ariok, prynce of chyualrie of þe kyng, þat was gon out
to ſle þe wiſe men of Babiloyne.
xv And he axide hym, þat hadde take power of þe kyng,
for what cauſe ſo cruel a ſentence ȝede out fro þe face of
þe kyng. Þerfor whanne Ariok hadde ſchewid þe þing to
Danyel,
xvi Danyel entride, and preyede þe kyng, þat he ſchulde
ȝyue tyme to hym to ſchewe þe ſoilyng to þe kyng.
xvii And he entride in to his hous, and ſchewide þe nede
to Ananye, and to Miſael, and Aſarie,
xviii hiſe felowis, þat þei ſchulden axe merci of þe face
of God of heuene on þis ſacrament; and þat Danyel and
hiſe felowis ſchulden not periſche wiþ oþere wiſe men
of Babiloyne.
xix Þanne þe priuyte was ſchewid to Danyel bi a viſioun
in nyȝt. And Danyel bleſſide God of heuene, and ſeide,
xx Þe name of þe Lord be bleſſid fro þe world, and til in
to þe world, for wiſdom and ſtrengþe ben hiſe;
xxi and he chaungiþ tymes and ages, he tranſlatiþ
rewmes and ordeyneþ; he ȝyueþ wiſdom to wiſe men,
and kunnyng to hem þat vndurſtonden techyng, eþer
chaſtiſyng;
xxii he ſchewiþ deepe þingis and hid, and he knowiþ
þingis ſet in derkneſſis, and lyȝt is wiþ hym.
xxiii God of oure fadris, Y knowleche to þee, and Y
herie þee, for þou haſt ȝoue wiſdom and ſtrengþe to me;
and now þou haſt ſchewid to me þo þingis, whiche we
preieden þee, for þou haſt openyd to vs þe word of þe
kyng.
xxiiii Aftir þeſe þingis Danyel entride to Ariok, whom þe
kyng hadde ordeyned, þat he ſchulde leeſe þe wiſe men
of Babiloyne, and þus he ſpak to hym, Leeſe þou not þe
wiſe men of Babiloyne; leede þou me in bifor þe ſiȝt of
þe kyng, and Y ſchal telle þe ſoilyng to þe kyng.
DCCLXVIII
xxv Þanne Ariok haſtynge ledde in Danyel to þe kyng,
and ſeide to him, Y haue foundun a man of þe ſones of
paſſyng ouer of Juda, þat ſchal telle þe ſoilyng to þe
kyng.
xxvi Þe kyng anſweride, and ſeide to Danyel, to whom
þe name was Balthaſar, Wheþir geſſiſt þou, þat þou
maiſt verili ſchewe to me þe dreem which Y ſiȝ, and þe
interpretyng þerof?
xxvii And Danyel anſweride bifore þe king, and ſeide, Þe
priuytee which þe kyng axiþ, wiſe men, and
aſtronomyens, and dyuynours, and lokeris of auteris,
moun not ſchewe to þe kyng.
xxviii But God is in heuene, þat ſchewiþ priuytees,
which haþ ſchewid to þee, þou king Nabugodonoſor,
what þingis ſchulen come in þe laſte tymes. Þi dreem
and viſiouns of þin heed, in þi bed, ben ſich.
xxix Þou, kyng, bigunneſt to þenke in þi bed, what was
to comynge aftir þeſe þingis; and he þat ſchewiþ
priuetees, ſchewide to þee what þingis ſchulen come.
xxx And þis ſacrament is ſchewid to me, not bi wiſdom
which is in me more þan in alle lyuynge men, but þat þe
interpretyng ſchulde be maad opyn to þe kyng, and þou
ſchuldiſt knowe þe þouȝtis of þi ſoule.
xxxi Þou, kyng, ſiȝeſt, and lo! as o greet ymage; þilke
ymage was greet, and hiȝ in ſtature, and ſtood bifore
þee, and þe loking þerof was ferdful.
xxxii Þe heed of þis ymage was of beſt gold, but þe breſt
and armes weren of ſiluer; certis þe wombe and þies
weren of bras,
xxxiii but þe leggis weren of irun; forſoþe ſum part of þe
feet was of irun, ſum was of erþe.
xxxiiii Þou ſiȝeſt þus, til a ſtoon was kit doun of þe hil,
wiþ outen hondis, and ſmoot þe ymage in þe irun feet
þerof and erþene feet, and al to-brak þo.
xxxv Þanne þe irun, tijl ſtoon, eþer erþene veſſel, bras,
ſiluer, and gold, weren al to-brokun togidere, and
dryuun as in to a deed ſparcle of a large ſomer halle, þat
ben rauyſchid of wynd, and no place is foundun to þo;
forſoþe þe ſtoon, þat ſmoot þe ymage, was maad a greet
hil, and fillide al erþe.
xxxvi Þis is þe dreem. Alſo, þou kyng, we ſchulen ſeie
bifor þee þe interpretyng þerof.
xxxvii Þou art kyng of kyngis, and God of heuene ȝaf to
þee rewme, ſtrengþe, and empire, and glorie;
xxxviii and he ȝaf in þin hond alle þingis, in whiche þe
ſones of men, and þe beeſtis of þe feeld, and þe briddis
of þe eir dwellen, and ordeynede alle þingis vndur þi
lordſchip; þerfor þou art þe goldun heed.
xxxix And anoþer rewme leſſe þan þou ſchal riſe aftir
þee; and þe þridde rewme, an oþer of bras, þat ſchal
haue þe empire of al erþe.
xl And þe fourþe rewme ſchal be as irun, as irun makiþ
leſſe, and makiþ tame alle þingis, ſo it ſchal make leſſe,
and ſchal al to-breke alle þeſe rewmes.
xli Forſoþe þat þou ſieſt a part of þe feet and fyngris of
erþe of a pottere, and a part of irun, þe rewme ſhal be
departid; which neþeles ſchal riſe of þe plauntyng of
irun, `bi þat þat þou ſieſt irun meynd wiþ a tijl ſtoon of
clei,
xlii and þe toos of þe feet in parti of irun, and in parti of
erþe, in parti þe rewme ſchal be ſad, and in parti to-
brokun.
xliii Forſoþe þat þou ſieſt irun meynd wiþ a tiel ſtoon of
clei, ſoþeli þo ſchulen be meynd togidere wiþ mannus
ſeed; but þo ſchulen not cleue to hem ſilf, as irun mai
not be meddlid wiþ tyel ſtoon.
xliiii Forſoþe in þe daies of þo rewmes, God of heuene
ſhal reiſe a rewme, þat ſchal not be diſtried wiþ outen
ende, and his rewme ſchal not be ȝouun to anoþer
puple; it ſchal make leſſe, and ſchal waſte alle þeſe
rewmes, and it ſchal ſtonde wiþ outen ende,
xlv bi þis þat þou ſieſt, þat a ſtoon was kit doun of þe hil
wiþ outen hondis, and maad leſſe þe tiel ſtoon, and irun,
and bras, and ſiluer, and gold. Greet God haþ ſchewid to
þe kyng, what þingis ſchulen come aftirward; and þe
dreem is trewe, and þe interpretyng þerof is feiþful.
xlvi Þanne king Nabugodonoſor felle doun on his face,
and worſchipide Danyel, and comaundide ſacrifices and
encenſe to be brouȝt, þat þo ſchulden be ſacrifiſed to
hym.
xlvii Þerfor þe kyng ſpak, and ſeide to Danyel, Verili
ȝoure God is God of goddis, and Lord of kyngis, þat
ſchewiþ myſteries, for þou miȝtiſt opene þis ſacrament.
xlviii Þanne þe kyng reiſide Danyel an hiȝ, and ȝaf many
ȝiftis and grete to hym; and ordeynede hym prince and
prefect, eþer cheef iuſtiſe, ouer alle þe prouynces of
Babiloyne, and maiſter ouer alle þe wiſe men of
Babiloyne.
xlix Forſoþe Danyel axide of þe kyng, and ordeynede
Sidrac, Miſaac, and Abdenago ouer alle þe werkis of þe
prouynce of Babiloyne; but Danyel hym ſilf was in þe
ȝatis of þe kyng.
CAP. III
i Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng, made a goldun ymage, in þe
heiȝþe of ſixti cubitis, and in þe breede of ſixe cubitis;
and he ſettide it in þe feeld of Duram, of þe prouynce of
Babiloyne.
ii Þerfor Nabugodonoſor ſente to gadere togidere þe
wiſe men, magiſtratis, and iugis, and duykis, and
tirauntis, and prefectis, and alle princes of cuntreis, þat
þei ſchulden come togidere to þe halewyng of þe
ymage, which þe kyng Nabugodonoſor hadde reiſid.
iii Þanne þe wiſe men, magiſtratis, and iugis, and duykis,
and tirauntis, and beſte men, þat weren ſet in poweris,
DCCLXIX
and alle þe princes of cuntreis, weren gaderid togidere,
þat þei ſchulden come togidere to þe halewyng of þe
ymage, which þe kyng Nabugodonoſor hadde reiſid.
Forſoþe þei ſtoden in þe ſiȝt of þe ymage, which
Nabugodonoſor hadde ſet; and a bedele criede myȝtili,
iiii It is ſeid to ȝou, puplis, kynredis, and langagis;
v in þe our in which ȝe heren þe ſoun of trumpe, and of
pipe, and of harpe, of ſambuke, of ſawtre, and of
ſymphonye, and of al kynde of muſikis, falle ȝe doun,
and worſchipe þe goldun ymage, which þe kyng
Nabugodonoſor made.
vi Soþeli if ony man falliþ not doun, and worſchipiþ not,
in þe ſame our he ſchal be ſent in to þe furneis of fier
brennynge.
vii Þerfor aftir þeſe þingis, anoon as alle puplis herden
þe ſown of trumpe, of pipe, and of harpe, of ſambuke,
and of ſawtre, of ſymphonye, and of al kynde of
muſikis, alle puplis, lynagis, and langagis fellen doun,
and worſchipiden þe golden ymage, which þe kyng
Nabugodonoſor hadde maad.
viii And anoon in þat tyme men of Caldee neiȝiden, and
accuſiden þe Jewis,
ix and ſeiden to þe kyng Nabugodonoſor, Kyng, lyue
þou wiþ outen ende.
x Þou, kyng, haſt ſet a decree, þat ech man þat heriþ þe
ſown of trumpe, of pipe, and of harpe, of ſambuke, and
of ſawtree, and of ſymphonye, and of al kynde of
muſikis, bowe doun hym ſilf, and worſchipe þe goldun
ymage; forſoþe if ony man falliþ not doun,
xi and worſchipiþ not, be he ſent in to þe furneis of fier
brennynge.
xii Þerfor men Jewis ben, Sidrac, Myſaac, and
Abdenago, whiche þou haſt ordeynede on þe werkis of
þe cuntrei of Babiloyne. Þou kyng, þeſe men han
diſpiſid þi decree; þei onouren not þi goddis, and þei
worſhipen not þe goldun ymage, which þou reiſidiſt.
xiii Þanne Nabugodonoſor comaundide, in woodneſſe
and in wraþþe, þat Sidrac, Myſaac, and Abdenago
ſchulden be brouȝt; whiche weren brouȝt anoon in þe
ſiȝt of þe kyng.
xiiii And þe kyng Nabugodonoſor pronounſide, and ſeide
to hem, Wheþer verili Sidrac, Myſaac, and Abdenago,
ȝe onouren not my goddis, and worſchipen not þe
golden ymage, which Y made?
xv Now þerfor be ȝe redi, in what euer our ȝe heren þe
ſown of trumpe, of pipe, of harpe, of ſambuke, of
ſawtree, and of ſymphonye, and of al kynde of muſikis,
bowe ȝe doun ȝou, and worſchipe þe ymage which Y
made; þat if ȝe worſchipen not, in þe ſame our ȝe
ſchulen be ſent in to þe furneis of fier brennynge; and
who is God, þat ſchal delyuere ȝou fro myn hond?
xvi Sidrac, Miſaac, and Abdenago anſweriden, and
ſeiden to þe king Nabugodonoſor, It nediþ not, þat we
anſwere of þis þing to þee.
xvii For whi oure God, whom we worſchipen, mai
rauyſche vs fro þe chymenei of fier brennynge, and mai
delyuere fro þin hondis, þou kyng.
xviii Þat if he nyle, be it knowun to þee, þou kyng, þat
we onouren not þi goddis, and we worſchipen not þe
goldun ymage, which þou haſt reiſid.
xix Þanne Nabugodonoſor was fillid of woodneſſe, and
þe biholdyng of his face was chaungid on Sidrac,
Miſaac, and Abdenago. And he comaundide, þat þe
furneis ſchulde be maad hattere ſeuenfold, þan it was
wont to be maad hoot.
xx And he comaundide to þe ſtrongeſte men of his ooſt,
þat þei ſchulden bynde þe feet of Sidrac, Myſaac, and
Abdenago, and ſende hem in to þe furneis of fier
brennynge.
xxi And anoon þo men weren boundun, wiþ brechis, and
cappis, and ſchoon, and cloþis, and weren ſent in to þe
myddis of þe furneis of fier brennynge;
xxii for whi comaundement of þe kyng conſtreinede.
Forſoþe þe furneis was maad ful hoot; certis þe flawme
of þe fier killid þo men, þat hadden ſent Sidrac, Miſaac,
and Abdenago in to þe furneis.
xxiii Soþeli þeſe þre men, Sidrac, Miſaac, and Abdenago,
fellen doun boundun in þe mydis of þe chymenei of fier
brennynge.
xxiiii And þei walkiden in þe myddis of þe flawme, and
herieden God, and bleſſiden þe Lord.
xxv Forſoþe Aſarie ſtoode, and preiede þus; and he
openyde his mouþ in þe myddis of þe fier,
xxvi and ſeide, Lord God of oure fadris, þou art bleſſid,
and worþi to be heried, and þi name is glorious in to
worldis;
xxvii for þou art riȝtful in alle þingis whiche þou didiſt to
vs, and alle þi werkis ben trewe; and þi weies ben
riȝtful, and alle þi domes ben trewe.
xxviii For þou haſt do trewe domes, bi alle þingis whiche
þou brouȝtiſt yn on vs, and on Jeruſalem, þe hooli citee
of oure fadris; for in trewþe and in doom þou brouȝtiſt
yn alle þeſe þingis for oure ſynnes.
xxix For we ſynneden, and diden wickidli, goynge awei
fro þee, and we treſpaſſiden in alle þingis,
xxx and we herden not, neþer kepten þi
comaundementis, neþer we diden as þou comaundidiſt
to vs, þat it ſchulde be wele to vs.
xxxi Þerfor þou didiſt bi veri doom alle þingis whiche
þou brouȝtiſt yn on vs, and alle þingis whiche þou didiſt
to vs;
xxxii and þou haſt bitake vs in þe hondis of enemyes,
wickid men, and worſt treſpaſſouris, and to þe vniuſt
kyng, and worſt ouer al erþe.
xxxiii And now we moun not opene þe mouþ; we ben
maad ſchame and ſchenſchipe to þi ſeruauntis, and to
hem þat worſchipen þee.
DCCLXX
xxxiiii We biſechen, ȝyue þou not vs to enemyes wiþ
outen ende, for þi name, and diſtrie þou not þi
teſtament,
xxxv and take þou not awei þi merci fro vs, for
Abraham, þi derlyng, and Yſaac, þi ſeruaunt, and Iſrael,
þin hooli;
xxxvi to whiche þou ſpakiſt, biheetyng þat þou ſchuldiſt
multiplie her ſeed as þe ſterris of heuene, and as grauel
which is in þe brynke of þe ſee.
xxxvii For whi, Lord, we ben maad litle, more þan alle
folkis, and we ben lowe in al erþe to dai, for oure
ſynnes.
xxxviii And in þis tyme is no prince, and duyk, and
profete, neþer brent ſacrifice, neþer ſacrifice, neþer
offryng, neþer encenſe, neþer place of firſte fruytis bifor
þee,
xxxix þat we moun fynde þi mercy; but be we reſſeyued
in contrit ſoule, and in ſpirit of mekeneſſe.
xl As in brent ſacrifice of rammes, and of bolis, and as
in þouſyndis of fatte lambren, ſo oure ſacrifice be maad
to dai in þi ſiȝt, þat it pleſe þee; for no ſchame is to hem
þat triſten in þee.
xli And now we ſuen þee in al þe herte, and we dreden
þee, and we ſeken þi face.
xlii Schende þou not vs, but do wiþ vs bi þi myldeneſſe,
and bi þe multitude of þi merci.
xliii And delyuere þou vs in þy merueils, and ȝyue þou
glorie to þi name, Lord;
xliiii and alle men ben ſchent, þat ſchewen yuelis to þi
ſeruauntis; be þei ſchent in all þi miȝt, and þe ſtrengþe
of hem be al to-brokun;
xlv and þei ſchulen wite, þat þou art þe Lord God
aloone, and glorious on þe roundneſſe of londis.
xlvi And þe mynyſtris of þe kyng, þat hadden ſent hem,
ceeſſiden not to make hoot þe furneis wiþ ſyment, and
herdis of flex, and pitche, and ſiouns of vynes.
xlvii And þe flawme was ſched out ouer þe furneis bi
nyne and fourti cubitis,
xlviii and brak out, and brente hem þat it foond of
Caldeis biſidis þe furneis.
xlix Forſoþe þe aungel of þe Lord cam doun wiþ Aſarie
and hiſe felowis, in to þe furneis, and ſmoot out þe
flawme of þe fier fro þe furneis;
l and made þe myddis of þe furneis as þe wynd of deew
blowynge; and outerli þe fier touchide not hem, neþer
made ſori, neþer dide ony þing of diſeſe.
li Þanne þeſe þre as of o mouþ herieden and glorifieden
God, and bleſſiden God in þe furneis,
lii and ſeiden, Lord God of oure fadris, þou art bleſſid,
and worþi to be preiſid, and gloriouſe, and aboue
enhaunſid in to worldis; and bleſſid is þe name of þi
glorie, which name is hooli, and worþi to be heried, and
aboue enhaunſid in alle worldis.
liii Þou art bleſſid in þe hooli temple of þi glorie, and
aboue preiſable, and gloriouſe in to worldis.
liiii Þou art bleſſid in þe trone of þi rewme, and aboue
preiſable, and aboue enhaunſid in to worldis.
lv Þou art bleſſid, þat biholdiſt depþis of watris, and
ſittiſt on cherubyn, and art preiſable, and aboue
enhaunſid in to worldis.
lvi Þou art bleſſid in þe firmament of heuene, and
preiſable, and gloriouſe in to worldis.
lvii Alle werkis of þe Lord, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord, herie ȝe,
and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lviii Aungels of þe Lord, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lix Heuenes, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and aboue
enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lx Alle watris, þat ben aboue heuenes, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord;
herie ȝe, and aboue enhaunſe ȝe him into worldis.
lxi Alle þe vertues of þe Lord, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie
ȝe, and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxii Sunne and moone, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxiii Sterris of heuene, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxiiii Reyn and deew, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxv Ech ſpirit of God, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxvi Fier and heete, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxvii Coold and ſomer, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxviii Dewis and whijt forſt, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe,
and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxix Blac forſt and coold, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxx Yces and ſnowis, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxi Niȝtis and daies, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxii Liȝt and derkneſſe, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxiii Leitis and cloudis, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxiiii Þe erþe bleſſe þe Lord; herie it, and aboue
enhaunſe it hym in to worldis.
lxxv Mounteyns and litle hillis, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie
ȝe, and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxvi Alle buriownynge þingis in erþe, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord;
herie ȝe, and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxvii Wellis, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and aboue
enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
DCCLXXI
lxxviii Sees and floodis, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxix Whallis, and alle þingis þat ben mouyd in watris,
bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym
in to worldis.
lxxx Alle briddis of þe eyr, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe,
and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxxi Alle wielde beeſtis and tame beeſtis, bleſſe ȝe þe
Lord; herie ȝe, and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to
worldis.
lxxxii Sones of men, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxxiii Iſrael bleſſe þe Lord; herie it, and aboue enhaunſe
it hym in to worldis.
lxxxiiii Preſtis of þe Lord, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe, and
aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxxv Seruauntis of þe Lord, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie ȝe,
and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxxvi Spiritis and ſoulis of iuſt men, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord;
herie ȝe, and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxxvii Hooli men and meke of herte, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord;
herie ȝe, and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis.
lxxxviii Ananye, Azarie, Myſael, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord; herie
ȝe, and aboue enhaunſe ȝe hym in to worldis. Which
Lord rauyſchide vs fro helle, and `made ſaaf fro þe hond
of deþ, and delyueride fro þe myddis of flawme
brennynge, and rauyſchide vs fro þe myddis of fier.
lxxxix Knowleche ȝe to þe Lord, for he is good; for his
merci is in to þe world.
xc Alle religiouſe men, bleſſe ȝe þe Lord, God of goddis;
herie ȝe, and knouleche ȝe to hym, for his merci is in to
alle worldis.
xci Þanne kyng Nabugodonoſor was aſtonyed, and roos
haſtily, and ſeide to hiſe beſte men, Wheþer we ſenten
not þre men feterid in to þe myddis of þe fier? Whiche
anſweriden þe kyng, and ſeiden, Verili, kyng.
xcii Þe kyng anſweride, and ſeide, Lo! Y ſe foure men
vnboundun, and goynge in þe myddis of þe fier, and no
þing of corrupcioun is in hem; and þe licneſſe of þe
fourþe is lijk þe ſone of God.
xciii Þanne þe kyng Nabugodonoſor neiȝide to þe dore of
þe furneis of fier brennynge, and ſeide, Sidrac, Myſaac,
and Abdenago, þe ſeruauntis of hiȝ God lyuynge, go ȝe
out, and come ȝe. And anoon Sidrac, Myſaac, and
Abdenago, ȝeden out of þe myddis of þe fier.
xciiii And þe wiſe men, and magiſtratis, and iugis, and
miȝti men of þe kyng, weren gaderid togidere, and
bihelden þo men, for þe fier hadde had no þing of
power in þe bodies of hem, and an heer of her heed was
not brent; alſo þe breechis of hem weren not chaungid,
and þe odour of fier hadde not paſſid bi hem.
xcv And Nabugodonoſor brac out, and ſeide, Bleſſid be
þe God of hem, þat is, of Sidrac, Myſaac, and
Abdenago, þat ſente his aungel, and delyueride hiſe
ſeruauntis, þat bileuyden in to hym, and chaungiden þe
word of þe kyng, and ȝauen her bodies, þat þei ſchulden
not ſerue, and þat þei ſchulden not worſchipe ony god,
outakun her God aloone.
xcvi Þerfor þis decree is ſet of me, þat ech puple, and
langagis, and lynagis, who euer ſpekiþ blasfemye aȝen
God of Sidrac, and of Myſaac, and of Abdenago,
periſche, and his hous be diſtried; for noon oþer is God,
þat mai ſaue ſo.
xcvii Þanne þe kyng auaunſide Sidrac, Myſaac, and
Abdenago, in þe prouynce of Babiloyne; and ſente in to
al þe lond a piſtle, conteynynge þeſe wordis.
CAP. IIII
i Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng, writiþ þus to alle puplis and
langagis, þat dwellen in al erþe, pees be multiplied to
ȝou.
ii Hiȝ God made at me myraclis and merueils;
iii þerfor it pleſide me to preche hiſe myraclis, for þo
ben greet, and hiſe merueils, for þo ben ſtronge; and his
rewme is an euerlaſtynge rewme, and his power is in
generacioun and in to generacioun.
iiii I, Nabugodonoſor, was reſtful in myn hous, and
flourynge in my paleis;
v Y ſiȝ a dreem, þat made me aferd; and my þouȝtis in
my bed, and þe ſiȝtis of myn heed diſturbliden me.
vi And a decre was ſet forþ bi me, þat alle þe wiſe men
of Babiloyne ſchulden be brouȝt in bifor my ſiȝt, and þat
þei ſchulden ſchewe to me þe ſoilyng of þe dreem.
vii Þan falſe dyuynours, aſtronomyens, Caldeis, and
biholderis of auteris entriden; and Y telde þe dreem in
þe ſiȝt of hem, and þei ſchewiden not to me þe ſoilyng
þerof, til þe felowe in office,
viii Danyel, to whom þe name was Balthaſar, bi þe name
of my God, entride in my ſiȝt, which Danyel haþ þe
ſpirit of hooli goddis in hym ſilf; and Y ſpak þe dreem
bifor hym.
ix Balthaſar, prince of dyuynouris, whom Y knowe, þat
þou haſt in þee þe ſpirit of hooli goddis, and ech
ſacrament, eþer preuytee, is not vnpoſſible to þee, telle
þou to me þe viſiouns of my dreemes, whiche Y ſiȝ, and
þe ſoilyng of þo.
x Þis is þe viſioun of myn heed in my bed. Y ſiȝ, and lo!
a tree was in þe myddis of erþe, and þe hiȝneſſe þerof
was ful greet.
xi And þe tree was greet and ſtrong, and þe heiȝþe þerof
touchide heuene, and þe biholdynge þerof was `til to þe
endis of al erþe.
xii Þe leeuys þerof weren ful faire, and þe fruyt þerof
was ful myche, and þe mete of alle was in it; beeſtis and
wielde beeſtis dwelliden vndur it, and briddis of þe eir
lyuyden in þe braunchis þerof, and ech man ete of it.
DCCLXXII
xiii Þus Y ſiȝ in þe viſioun of myn heed, on my bed. And
lo! a wakere, and hooli man cam doun fro heuene,
xiiii and he criede ſtrongli, and ſeide þus, Hewe ȝe doun
þe tree, and kitte ȝe doun þe bowis þerof, and ſchake ȝe
awei þe leeuys þerof, and ſcatere ȝe abrood þe fruytis
þerof; beeſtis fle awei, þat be vndur it, and briddis fro
þe bowis þerof.
xv Neþeles ſuffre ȝe þe ſeed of rootis þerof in erþe, and
be he boondun wiþ a boond of irun and of bras, in erbis
þat ben wiþ out forþ, and in þe deew of heuene be he
died, and his part be wiþ wielde beeſtis in þe erbe of
erþe.
xvi His herte be chaungid fro mannus herte, and þe herte
of a wielde beeſte be ȝouun to hym, and ſeuene tymes
be chaungid on hym.
xvii In þe ſentence of wakeris it is demed, and it is þe
word and axyng of ſeyntis, til lyuynge men knowe, þat
hiȝ God is Lord in þe rewme of men; and he ſchal ȝyue
it to whom euere he wole, and he ſchal ordeyne on it þe
mekeſte man.
xviii Y, Nabugodonoſor, þe kyng, ſiȝ þis dreem. Þerfor
þou, Balthaſar, telle haſtili þe interpretyng, for alle þe
wiſe men of my rewme moun not ſeie to me þe ſoilyng;
but þou maiſt, for þe ſpirit of hooli goddis is in þee.
xix Þanne Danyel, to whom þe name was Balthaſar,
began to þenke priueli wiþ ynne hym ſilf, as in oon our,
and hiſe þouȝtis diſturbliden hym. Forſoþe þe kyng
anſweride, and ſeide, Balthaſar, þe dreem and þe
interpretyng þerof diſturble not þee. Balthaſar
anſweride, and ſeide, My lord, þe dreem be to hem þat
haten þee, and þe interpretyng þerof be to þin enemyes.
xx Þe tree which þou ſiȝeſt hiȝ and ſtrong, whos heiȝþe
ſtretchiþ `til to heuene, and þe biholdyng þerof in to ech
lond,
xxi and þe faireſte braunchis þerof, and þe fruyt þerof ful
myche, and þe mete of alle in it, and beeſtis of þe feeld
dwellynge vndur it, and þe briddis of þe eir dwellynge
in þe boowis þerof,
xxii þou art, kyng, þat art magnefied, and wexidiſt
ſtrong, and þi greetneſſe encreeſſide, and cam `til to
heuene, and þi power in to þe endis of al erþe.
xxiii Soþeli þat þe kyng ſiȝ a wakere and hooli come
doun fro heuene, and ſeie, Hewe ȝe doun þe tree, and
diſtrie ȝe it, neþeles leeue ȝe þe ſeed of rootis þerof in
erþe, and be he boundun wiþ irun and bras, in erbis wiþ
out forþ, and be he biſpreynt wiþ þe deew of heuene,
and his mete be wiþ wielde beeſtis, til ſeuene tymes be
chaungid on hym;
xxiiii þis is þe interpretyng of þe ſentence of þe hiȝeſte,
which ſentence is comun on my lord, þe kyng.
xxv Þei ſchulen caſte þee out fro men, and þi dwellyng
ſchal be wiþ beeſtys and wielde beeſtis, and þou ſchalt
ete hey, as an oxe doiþ, but alſo þou ſchalt be biſched
wiþ þe dew of heuene, alſo ſeuene tymes ſchulen be
chaungid on þee, til þou knowe, þat hiȝ God is Lord `on
þe rewme of men, and ȝyueþ it to whom euer he wole.
xxvi Forſoþe þat he comaundide, þat þe ſeed of rootis
þerof, þat is, of þe tree, ſchulde be left, þi rewme ſchal
dwelle to þee, aftir þat þou knowiſt þat þe power is of
heuene.
xxvii Wherfor, kyng, my counſel pleſe þee, and aȝenbie
þi ſynnes wiþ almeſdedis, and aȝenbie þi wickidneſſis
wiþ mercies of pore men; in hap God ſchal forȝyue þi
treſpaſſis.
xxviii Alle þeſe þingis camen on Nabugodonoſor, þe
kyng.
xxix After þe ende of twelue moneþis he walkide in þe
halle of Babiloyne;
xxx and þe kyng anſweride, and ſeide, Wheþer þis is not
Babiloyne, þe greet citee, which Y bildide in to þe hous
of rewme, in þe miȝt of my ſtrengþe, and in þe glorie of
my fairneſſe?
xxxi Whanne þe word was ȝit in þe mouþ of þe kyng, a
vois felle doun fro heuene, Nabugodonoſor, kyng, it is
ſeid to þee, Þi rewme is paſſid fro þee,
xxxii and þei ſchulen caſte þee out fro men, and þi
dwellyng ſchal be wiþ beeſtis and wielde beeſtis; þou
ſchalt ete hey, as an oxe doiþ, and ſeuene tymes ſchulen
be chaungid on þee, til þou knowe, þat hiȝ God is Lord
in þe rewme of men, and ȝyueþ it to whom euere he
wole.
xxxiii In þe ſame our þe word was fillid on
Nabugodonoſor, and he was caſt out fro men, and he eet
hey, as an oxe doiþ, and his bodi was colouryd wiþ þe
deew of heuene, til hiſe heeris wexiden at þe licneſſe of
eglis, and hiſe nailis as þe nailis of briddis.
xxxiiii Þerfor after þe ende of daies, Y, Nabugodonoſor,
reiſide myn iȝen to heuene, and my wit was ȝoldun to
me; and Y bleſſide þe hiȝeſte, and Y heriede, and
glorifiede hym þat lyueþ wiþ outen ende; for whi his
power is euerlaſtynge power, and his rewme is in
generacioun and in to generacioun.
xxxv And alle þe dwelleris of erþe ben arettid in to noȝt
at hym; for bi his wille he doiþ, boþe in þe vertues of
heuene, and in þe dwelleris of erþe, and noon is, þat
aȝenſtondiþ his hond, and ſeiþ to hym, Whi didiſt þou
ſo?
xxxvi In þat tyme my wit turnede aȝen to me, and Y cam
fulli to þe onour and fairneſſe of my rewme, and my
figure turnede aȝen to me; and my beſte men and my
magiſtratis ſouȝten me, and Y was ſet in my rewme, and
my greet doyng was encreeſſid grettir to me.
xxxvii Now þerfor Y Nabugodonoſor herie, and
magnefie, and glorifie þe kyng of heuene; for alle hiſe
werkis ben trewe, and alle his weies ben domes; and he
may make meke hem þat goon in pride.
DCCLXXIII
CAP. V
i Balthaſar, þe kyng, made a greet feeſte to hiſe beſte
men a þouſynde, and ech man drank aftir his age.
ii Forſoþe þe kyng þanne drunkun comaundide, þat þe
goldun and ſiluerne veſſels ſchulden be brouȝt forþ,
whiche Nabugodonoſor, his fadir, hadde borun out of þe
temple þat was in Jeruſalem, þat þe kyng, and hiſe beſte
men, hiſe wyues, and councubyns ſchulden drynke in þo
veſſels.
iii Þanne þe goldun veſſels and ſiluerne, whiche he
hadde borun out of þe temple þat was in Jeruſalem,
weren brouȝt forþ; and þe kyng, and hiſe beſte men, and
hiſe wyues, and concubyns, drunken in þo veſſels.
iiii Þei drunken wyn, and herieden her goddis of gold,
and of ſiluer, of bras, and of irun, and of tree, and of
ſtoon.
v In þe ſame our fyngris apperiden, as of þe hond of a
man, writynge aȝens þe candilſtike, in þe pleyn part of
þe wal of þe kyngis halle; and þe kyng bihelde þe
fyngris of þe hond writynge.
vi Þanne þe face of þe kyng was chaungid, and hiſe
þouȝtis diſturbliden hym; and þe ioyncturis of hiſe
reynes weren looſid, and hiſe knees weren hurtlid to
hem ſilf togidere.
vii Þerfor þe kyng criede ſtrongli, þat þei ſchulden
brynge yn aſtronomyens, Caldeis, and dyuynouris bi
lokyng of auteris. And þe kyng ſpak, and ſeide to þe
wiſe men of Babiloyne, Who euer rediþ þis ſcripture,
and makiþ opyn þe interpretyng þerof to me, ſchal be
cloþid in purpur; and he ſchal haue a goldun bie in þe
necke, and he ſchal be þe þridde in my rewme.
viii Þanne alle þe wiſe men of þe kyng entriden, and
miȝten not rede þe ſcripture, neþer ſchewe to þe kyng þe
interpretyng þerof.
ix Wherof kyng Balthaſar was diſturblid ynow, and his
cheer was chaungid, but alſo hiſe beſte men weren
diſturblid.
x Forſoþe þe queen entride in to þe hous of feeſte, for þe
þing þat hadde bifeld to þe king, and beſte men; and
ſche ſpak, and ſeide, Kyng, lyue þou wiþouten ende. Þi
þouȝtis diſturble not þee, and þi face be not chaungid.
xi A man is in þi rewme, þat haþ þe ſpirit of hooli
goddis in hym ſilf, and in þe daies of þi fadir kunnyng
and wiſdom weren foundun in hym; for whi and
Nabugodonoſor, þi fadir, made him prince of
aſtronomyens, of enchaunteris, of Caldeis, and of
dyuynouris bi lokyng on auteris; ſoþeli þi fadir, þou
kyng, dide þis;
xii for more ſpirit, and more prudent, and
vndurſtondyng, and interpretyng of dremes, and
ſchewyng of priuytees, and aſſoilyng of boundun þingis
weren foundun in hym, þat is, in Danyel, to whom þe
kyng puttide þe name Balthaſar. Now þerfor Daniel be
clepid, and he ſchal telle þe interpretyng. Þerfor Daniel
was brouȝt in bifor þe kyng. To whom þe forſeid kyng
ſeide,
xiii Art þou Danyel, of þe ſones of caitifte of Juda,
whom my fader, þe kyng, brouȝte fro Judee?
xiiii Y haue herd of þee, þat þou haſt in þee þe ſpirit of
goddis, and more kunnyng, and vndurſtondyng, and
wiſdom be foundun in þee.
xv And now wiſe men, aſtronomyens, entriden in my
ſiȝt, to rede þis ſcripture, and to ſchewe to me þe
interpretyng þerof; and þei myȝten not ſeie to me þe
vndurſtondyng of þis word.
xvi Certis Y haue herde of þee, þat þou maiſt interprete
derk þingis, and vnbynde boundun þingis; þerfor if þou
maiſt rede þe ſcripture, and ſchewe to me þe
interpretyng þerof, þou ſchalt be cloþid in purpur, and
þou ſchalt haue a goldun bie aboute þi necke, and þou
ſchalt be þe þridde prince in my rewme.
xvii To whiche þingis Danyel anſweride, and ſeide bifore
þe kyng, Þi ȝiftis be to þee, and ȝyue þou to anoþer man
þe ȝiftis of þin hous; forſoþe, kyng, Y ſchal rede þe
ſcripture to þee, and Y ſchal ſchewe to þee þe
interpretyng þerof.
xviii O! þou kyng, hiȝeſte God ȝaf rewme, and greet
worſchipe, and glorie, and onour, to Nabugodonoſor, þi
fadir.
xix And for greet worſchip which he hadde ȝoue to þilke
Nabugodonoſor, alle puplis, lynagis, and langagis,
trembliden and dredden hym; he killide whiche he
wolde, and he ſmoot whiche he wolde, and he
enhaunſide whiche he wolde, and he made low which
he wolde.
xx Forſoþe whanne his herte was reiſid, and his ſpirit
was maad obſtynat in pride, he was put doun of þe ſeete
of his rewme;
xxi and his glorie was takun awei, and he was caſt out
fro þe ſones of men; but alſo his herte was ſet wiþ
beeſtis, and his dwellyng was wiþ wielde aſſis; alſo he
eet hei as an oxe doiþ, and his bodi was colourid wiþ þe
deew of heuene, til he knewe, þat þe hiȝeſte haþ power
in þe rewme of men, and he ſchal reiſe on it whom euer
he wole.
xxii And þou, Balthaſar, þe ſone of hym, mekideſt not
þin herte, whanne þou knewiſt alle þeſe þingis;
xxiii but þou were reiſid aȝens þe Lord of heuene, and þe
veſſels of his hous weren brouȝt bifore þee, and þou,
and þi beſte men, and þi wyues, and þi concubyns,
drunken wyn in þo veſſels; and þou heriediſt goddis of
ſiluer, and of gold, and of bras, and of irun, and of tree,
and of ſtoon, þat ſeen not, neþer heren, neþer feelen;
certis þou glorifiediſt not God, þat haþ þi blaſt, and alle
þi weies in his hond.
xxiiii Þerfor þe fyngur of þe hond was ſent of hym,
which hond wroot þis þing þat is writun.
DCCLXXIV
xxv Soþeli þis is þe ſcripture which is diſcryued, Mane,
Techel, Phares.
xxvi And þis is þe interpretyng of þe word. Mane, God
haþ noumbrid þi rewme, and haþ fillid it;
xxvii Techel, þou art weied in a balaunce, and þou art
foundun hauynge leſſe;
xxviii Phares, þi rewme is departid, and is ȝouun to
Medeis and Perſeis.
xxix Þanne, for þe kyng comaundide, Daniel was cloþid
in purpur, and a goldun bie was ȝouun aboute in his
necke; and it was prechid of hym, þat he hadde power,
and was þe þridde in þe rewme.
xxx In þe ſame niȝt Balthaſar, þe kyng of Caldeis, was
ſlayn;
xxxi and Daryus of Medei was ſucceſſour in to þe
rewme, and he was two and ſixti ȝeer eld.
CAP. VI
i It pleſide Darius, and he ordeynede ſixe ſcore duykis
ouer þe rewme, þat þei ſchulden be in al his rewme.
ii And ouer hem he ordeynede þre princes, of whiche
Danyel was oon; þat þe duykis ſchulden ȝelde reſoun to
hem, and þat þe kyng ſchulde not ſuffre ony diſeſe.
iii Þerfor Danyel ouercam alle þe princes and duikis, for
more ſpirit of God was in hym.
iiii Certis þe kyng þouȝte to ordeyne hym on al þe
rewme. Wherfor princes and duikis ſouȝten to fynde
occaſioun to Danyel, of þe ſide of þe kyng; and þei
miȝten fynde no cauſe and ſuſpicioun, for he was
feiþful, and no blame and ſuſpicioun was foundun in
hym.
v Þerfor þo men ſeiden, We ſchulen not fynde ony
occaſioun to þis Danyel, no but in hap in þe lawe of his
God.
vi Þanne þe princes and duykis maden fals ſuggeſtioun
to þe kyng, and ſpaken þus to hym, Kyng Darius, lyue
þou wiþ onten ende.
vii Alle þe princes of þi rewme, and magiſtratis, and
duykis, ſenatours, and iugis, han maad a counſel, þat a
decree and comaundement of þe emperour go out, þat
ech man þat axiþ ony axyng of what euer god and man,
til to þretti daies, no but of þee, þou kyng, he be ſent in
to þe lake of liouns.
viii Now þerfor, kyng, conferme þou þe ſentence, and
write þou þe decree, þat þis þat is ordeyned of Medeis
and Perſeis be not chaungid, neþir be it leueful to ony
man to breke.
ix Forſoþe Darius, þe kyng, ſettide forþ, and confermyde
þe decree.
x And whanne Danyel hadde founde þis þing, þat is, þe
lawe ordeyned, he entride in to his hous; and þe while
þe wyndows weren open in his ſoler aȝens Jeruſalem, in
þre tymes in þe dai he bowide hiſe knees, and
worſchipide, and knoulechide bifore his God, as he was
wont to do bifore.
xi Þerfor þo men enqueriden ful biſili, and founden
Danyel preiynge, and biſechynge his God.
xii And þei neiȝiden and ſpaken to þe kyng of þe
comaundement, Kyng, wheþer þou ordeynediſt not, þat
ech man þat axide ony of goddis and of men, til to þretti
daies, no but þee, þou kyng, he ſchulde be ſent in to þe
lake of liouns? To whiche men þe kyng anſweride, and
ſeide, Þe word is ſoþ, bi þe decree of Medeis and
Perſeis, which it is not leueful to breke.
xiii Þanne þei anſweriden, and ſeiden bifore þe kyng,
Danyel, of þe ſones of caitifte of Juda, reckide not of þi
lawe, and of þe comaundement, which þou ordeynediſt,
but þre tymes bi þe dai he preieþ in his biſechyng.
xiiii And whanne þe kyng hadde herd þis word, he was
ſori ynow, and he ſettide þe herte for Danyel, for to do
delyuere hym; and til to þe goyng doun of þe ſunne he
trauelide for to do delyuere hym.
xv But þo men vndurſtoden þe kyng, and ſeiden to hym,
Wite þou, kyng, þat it is þe lawe of Medeis and of
Perſeis, þat it is not leueful þat ony decree be chaungid,
xvi which þe kyng ordeyneþ. Þanne þe kyng
comaundide, and þei brouȝten Danyel, and ſenten hym
in to þe lake of liouns. And þe kyng ſeide to Danyel, Þi
God, whom þou worſchipiſt euere, he ſchal delyuere
þee.
xvii And o ſtoon was brouȝt, and was put on þe mouþ of
þe lake, which þe kyng aſelide wiþ his ryng, and wiþ þe
ryng of hiſe beſte men, leſt ony þing were don aȝens
Danyel.
xviii Þanne þe kyng ȝede in to his hous, and ſlepte wiþ
out ſoper, and metis weren not brouȝte bifore hym;
ferþermore and ſleep ȝede awei fro hym.
xix Þanne þe kyng roos in þe firſte morewtid, and ȝede
haſtili to þe lake of liouns;
xx and he neiȝide to þe lake, and criede on Danyel wiþ
wepynge vois, and ſpak to hym, Danyel, þe ſeruaunt of
God lyuynge, geſſiſt þou, wheþer þi God, whom þou
ſerueſt euere, miȝte delyuere þee fro liouns?
xxi And Danyel anſweride þe kyng, and ſeide, King,
lyue þou wiþ outen ende.
xxii My God ſente his aungel, and cloſide togidere þe
mouþis of liouns, and þo noieden not me, for
riȝtfulneſſe is foundun in me bifore hym; but alſo, þou
kyng, Y dide no treſpas bifore þee.
xxiii Þanne þe kyng made ioie greetli on hym, and
comaundide Danyel to be led out of þe lake. And
Danyel was led out of þe lake, and noon hirtyng was
foundun in hym, for he bileuede to his God.
xxiiii Forſoþe þe kyng comaundide, þo men, þat
accuſiden Danyel, weren brouȝt, and weren ſent in to þe
lake of liouns, þei, and þe ſones of hem, and þe wyues
of hem; and þei camen not `til to þe pawment of þe
DCCLXXV
lake, til þe liouns rauyſchiden hem, and al to-braken
alle þe boonys of hem.
xxv Þanne Darius, þe kyng, wroot to alle puplis, lynagis,
and langagis, dwellynge in al erþe, Pees be multiplied
to ȝou.
xxvi Þerfor a decree is ordeyned of me, þat in al myn
empire and rewme men tremble, and drede þe God of
Danyel; for he is God lyuynge, and euerlaſtynge in to
worldis, and his rewme ſchal not be diſtried, and his
power is `til in to wiþ outen ende.
xxvii He is delyuerer and ſauȝour, makynge myraclis and
merueils in heuene and in erþe, which delyuerede
Danyel fro þe lake of liouns.
xxviii Certis Danyel dwellide ſtabli `til to þe rewme of
Darius, and `til to þe rewme of Sirus of Perſey.
CAP. VII
i In þe firſte ȝeer of Balthaſar, kyng of Babiloyne,
Danyel ſiȝ a ſweuene. Forſoþe he wroot þe viſioun of
his hed in his bed, and þe dreem, and comprehendide in
ſchort word; and he touchide ſchortli þe ſentence,
ii and ſeide, Y ſiȝ in my viſioun in niȝt, and lo! foure
wyndis of heuene fouȝten in þe myddis of þe greet ſee.
iii And foure grete beeſtis dyuerſe bitwixe hem ſilf
ſtieden fro þe ſee.
iiii Þe firſte beeſte was as a lioneſſe, and hadde wyngis
of an egle. Y bihelde til þe wyngis þerof weren pullid
awei, and it was takun awei fro erþe, and it ſtood as a
man on þe feet, and þe herte þerof was ȝouun to it.
v And lo! anoþer beeſte, lijk a bere in parti, ſtood, and
þre ordris weren in þe mouþ þerof, and þre princes in þe
teeþ þerof. And þus þei ſeiden to it, Riſe þou, ete þou
ful many fleiſchis.
vi Aftir þeſe þingis Y bihelde, and lo! anoþir beeſte as a
pard, and it hadde on it ſilf foure wyngis of a brid, and
foure heedis weren in þe beeſte, and power was ȝouun
to it.
vii Aftir þeſe þingis Y bihelde in þe viſioun of niȝt, and
lo! þe fourþe beeſte, ferdful, and wondirful, and ful
ſtrong. It hadde grete irun teeþ, and it ete, and made
leſſe, and defoulide wiþ hiſe feet oþere þingis; forſoþe it
was vnlijk oþere beeſtis, which Y hadde ſeyn bifore it,
and it hadde ten hornes.
viii Y bihelde þe hornes, and lo! an oþer litil horn cam
forþ of þe myddis of þo, and þre of þe firſte hornes
weren drawun out fro þe face þerof; and lo! iȝen as iȝen
of a man weren in þis horn, and a mouþ ſpekynge grete
þingis.
ix Y bihelde, til þat trones weren ſet, and þe elde of
daies ſat; his cloþ was whijt as ſnow, and þe heeris of
his heed weren as cleene wolle, his trone was as
flawmes of fier, hiſe wheelis weren fier kyndlid.
x A flood of fier and rennynge faſte ȝede out fro his
face, a þouſynde þouſynde myniſtriden to hym, and ten
ſiþis a þouſynde ſiþis an hundrid þouſynde ſtoden niȝ
hym; þe dom ſat, and bookis weren opened.
xi Y bihelde for þe vois of grete wordis whiche þilke
horn ſpak; and Y ſiȝ þat þe beeſte was ſlayn, and his
bodi was periſchid, and was ȝouun to be brent in fier.
xii And Y ſiȝ þat þe power of oþere beeſtis was takun
awei, and þe tymes of lijf weren ordeyned to hem, til to
tyme and tyme.
xiii Þerfor Y bihelde in þe viſyoun of niȝt, and lo! as a
ſone of man cam wiþ þe cloudis of heuene; and he cam
fulli til to þe elde of daies, and in þe ſiȝt of hym þei
offriden hym.
xiiii And he ȝaf to hym power, and onour, and rewme,
and alle þe puplis, lynagis, and langagis ſchulen ſerue
hym; his power is euerlaſtynge power, þat ſchal not be
takun awei, and his rewme, þat ſchal not be corrupt.
xv My ſpirit hadde orrour, eþer hidouſneſſe; Y, Danyel,
was aferd in þeſe þingis, and þe ſiȝtis of myn heed
diſturbliden me.
xvi Y neiȝede to oon of þe ſtonderis niȝ, and Y axide of
hym þe treuþe of alle þeſe þingis. And he ſeide to me þe
interpretyng of wordis, and he tauȝte me.
xvii Þeſe foure grete beeſtis ben foure rewmes, þat
ſchulen riſe of erþe.
xviii Forſoþe hooli men ſchulen take þe rewme of hiȝeſte
God, and þei ſchulen holde þe rewme, til in to þe world,
and `til in to þe world of worldis.
xix Aftir þeſe þingis Y wolde lerne diligentli of þe
fourþe beeſte, þat was greetli vnlijk fro alle, and was ful
ferdful, þe teeþ and nailis þerof weren of irun; it eet,
and made leſſe, and defoulide wiþ hiſe feet oþere þingis.
xx And of ten hornes whiche it hadde in þe heed, and of
þe toþer horn, þat cam forþ, bifore which þre hornes
fellen doun, and of þat horn þat hadde iȝen, and a mouþ
ſpekynge grete þingis, and was grettere þan oþere;
xxi I bihelde, and lo! þilke horn made batel aȝens hooli
men, and hadde maiſtrie of hem,
xxii til þe elde of daies cam, and hiȝ God ȝaf doom to
hooli men; and lo! tyme cam, and hooli men goten
rewme.
xxiii And he ſeide þus, Þe fourþe beeſte ſchal be þe
fourþe rewme in erþe, þat ſchal be more þan alle
rewmes, and it ſchal deuoure al erþe, and it ſchal
defoule, and make leſſe þat erþe.
xxiiii Forſoþe ten hornes ſchulen be ten kyngis of þat
rewme; and anoþer kyng ſchal riſe after hem, and he
ſchal be miȝtiere þan þe formere, and he ſchal make low
þre kyngis.
xxv And he ſchal ſpeke wordis aȝens þe hiȝ God, and he
ſchal defoule þe ſeyntis of þe hiȝeſte; and he ſchal geſſe,
þat he mai chaunge tymes and lawis; and þei ſchulen be
ȝouun in to his hondis, til to tyme, and times, and þe
half of tyme.
DCCLXXVI
xxvi And doom ſchal ſitte, þat þe power be takun awei,
and be al to-brokun, and periſche til in to þe ende.
xxvii Soþeli þat þe rewme, and power, and þe greetneſſe
of rewme, which is vndur ech heuene, be ȝouun to þe
puple of þe ſeintis of þe hiȝeſte, whos rewme is
euerlaſtynge rewme, and alle kingis ſchulen ſerue, and
obeie to hym.
xxviii Hidur to is þe ende of þe word. Y, Danyel, was
diſturblid myche in my þouȝtis, and my face was
chaungid in me; forſoþe Y kepte þe word in myn herte.
CAP. VIII
i In þe þridde ȝeer of þe rewme of Balthaſar, þe king, a
viſioun apperide to me. Y, Danyel, after þat þing þat Y
hadde ſeyn in þe bigynnyng,
ii ſiȝ in my viſioun, whanne Y was in þe caſtel of Suſis,
which is in þe cuntrei of Helam; ſoþeli Y ſiȝ in þe
viſioun þat Y was on þe ȝate Vlay.
iii And Y reiſide myn iȝen, and Y ſiȝ; and lo! o ram ſtood
bifor þe mareis, and hadde hiȝ hornes, and oon hiȝere
þan þe toþer, and vndurwexynge.
iiii Aftirward Y ſiȝ þe ram wyndewynge wiþ hornes
aȝens þe eeſt, and aȝens þe weſt, and aȝens þe norþ, and
aȝens þe ſouþ; and alle beeſtis myȝten not aȝenſtonde it,
neþer be delyuered fro þe hondis of it. And it dide bi his
wille, and was magnefied.
v And Y vndurſtood. Lo! forſoþe a buk of geet cam fro
þe weſt on þe face of al erþe, and touchide not þe erþe;
forſoþe þe buk of geet hadde a noble horn bitwixe hiſe
iȝen;
vi and he cam til to þat horned ram, which Y hadde ſeyn
ſtondynge bifore þe ȝate, and he ran in þe ferſneſſe of
his ſtrengþe to þat ram.
vii And whanne he hadde neiȝid niȝ þe ram, he hurlide
ferſly on hym, and he ſmoot þe ram, and al to-brak
tweyne hornes of hym, and þe ram miȝte not aȝenſtonde
hym. And whanne he hadde ſent þat ram in to erþe, he
defoulide; and no man miȝte delyuere þe ram fro his
hond.
viii Forſoþe þe buk of geet was maad ful greet; and
whanne he hadde encreeſſid, þe greet horn was brokun,
and foure hornes riſiden vndur it, bi foure wyndis of
heuene.
ix Forſoþe of oon of hem ȝede out o litil horn, and it was
maad greet aȝens þe ſouþ, and aȝens þe eeſt, and aȝens
þe ſtrengþe.
x And it was magnefied til to þe ſtrengþe of heuene, and
it caſtide doun of þe ſtrengþe and of ſterris, and
defoulide þo.
xi And he was magnefied til to þe prince of ſtrengþe,
and he took awei fro hym þe contynuel ſacrifice, and
caſtide doun þe place of his halewyng.
xii Forſoþe ſtrengþe was ȝouun to hym aȝens þe
contynuel ſacrifice for ſynnes, and treuþe ſchal be caſt
doun in erþe; and he ſchal haue proſperite, and ſchal do.
xiii And Y herde oon of hooli aungels ſpekynge; and oon
hooli aungel ſeide to anoþer, Y noot to whom ſpekinge,
Hou long þe viſioun, and þe contynuel ſacrifice, and þe
ſynne of deſolacioun, which is maad, and þe ſeyntuarie,
and þe ſtrengþe ſchal be defoulid?
xiiii And he ſeide to hym, Til to þe euentid and
morewtid, two þouſynde daies and þre hundrid; and þe
ſeyntuarie ſchal be clenſid.
xv Forſoþe it was doon, whanne Y, Danyel, ſiȝ þe
viſioun, and axide þe vndurſtondyng, lo! as þe licneſſe
of a man ſtood in my ſiȝt.
xvi And Y herde þe voys of a man bitwixe Vlai, and he
criede, and ſeide, Gabriel, make þou Danyel to
vndurſtonde þis viſioun.
xvii And he cam, and ſtood biſidis where Y ſtood; and
whanne he was comun, Y dredde, and felle on my face.
And he ſeide to me, Þou, ſone of man, vndurſtonde, for
þe viſioun ſchal be fillid in þe tyme of ende.
xviii And whanne he ſpak to me, Y ſlood doun `plat to þe
erþe. And he touchide me, and ſettide me in my degree.
xix And he ſeide to me, Y ſchal ſchewe to þee what
þingis ſchulen come in þe laſte of curſing, for þe tyme
haþ his ende.
xx Þe ram, whom þou ſiȝeſt haue hornes, is þe kyng of
Medeis and of Perſeis.
xxi Forſoþe þe buc of geet is þe kyng of Grekis; and þe
greet horn þat was bitwixe hiſe iȝen, he is þe firſte kyng.
xxii Forſoþe þat whanne þat horn was brokun, foure
hornes riſiden for it, foure kyngis ſchulen riſe of þe folc
of hym, but not in þe ſtrengþe of hym.
xxiii And after þe rewme of hem, whanne `wickidneſſis
han encreeſſid, a kyng ſchal riſe vnſchamefaſt in face,
and vndurſtondyng propoſiſiouns, eþer reſouns ſet forþ;
and his ſtrengþe ſchal be maad ſtalworþe,
xxiiii but not in hiſe ſtrengþis. And more þan it mai be
bileuyd he ſchal waſte alle þingis, and he ſchal haue
proſperite, and ſchal do. And he ſchal ſle ſtronge men,
and þe puple of ſeyntis,
xxv bi his wille, and gile ſchal be dreſſid in his hond.
And he ſchal magnefie his herte, and in abundaunce of
alle þingis he ſchal ſle ful many men. And he ſchal riſe
aȝens þe prince of princes, and wiþouten hond he ſchal
be al to-brokun.
xxvi And þe viſioun, which is ſeid in þe morewtid and
euentid, is trewe. Þerfor ſeele þou þe viſioun, for it ſchal
be after many daies.
xxvii And Y, Danyel, was aſtonyed, and was ſijk bi ful
many daies; and whanne Y hadde riſe, Y dide þe werkis
of þe kyng; and Y was aſtonyed at þe viſioun, and `noon
was þat interpretide.
DCCLXXVII
CAP. IX
i In þe firſte ȝeer of Darius, þe ſone of Aſſuerus, of þe
ſeed of Medeis, þat was emperour on þe rewme of
Caldeis,
ii in þe firſte ȝeer of his rewme, Y, Danyel, vndurſtood
in bookis þe noumbre of ȝeeris, of which noumbre þe
word of þe Lord was maad to Jeremye, þe profete, þat
ſeuenti ȝeer of deſolacioun of Jeruſalem ſchulde be
fillid.
iii And Y ſettide my face to my Lord God, to preie and
to biſeche in faſtyngis, in ſak, and aiſche.
iiii And Y preiede my Lord God, and Y knoulechide,
and ſeide, Y biſeche, þou Lord God, greet and ferdful,
kepynge couenaunt and mercy to hem þat louen þee,
and kepen þi comaundementis.
v We han ſynned, we han do wickidneſſe, we diden
unfeiþfuli, and ȝeden awei, and bowiden awei fro þi
comaundementis and domes.
vi We obeieden not to þi ſeruauntis, profetis, þat ſpaken
in þi name to oure kyngis, to oure princes, and to oure
fadris, and to al þe puple of þe lond.
vii Lord, riȝtfulneſſe is to þee, forſoþe ſchenſchipe of
face is to vs, as is to dai to a man of Juda, and to þe
dwelleris of Jeruſalem, and to al Iſrael, to þeſe men þat
ben niȝ, and to þeſe men þat ben afer in alle londis, to
which þou caſtidiſt hem out for þe wickidneſſis of hem,
in whiche, Lord, þei ſynneden aȝens þee.
viii Schame of face is to vs, to oure kyngis, to oure
princes, and to oure fadris, þat ſynneden;
ix but merci and benygnytee is to þee, oure Lord God.
For we ȝeden awei fro þee,
x and herden not þe vois of oure Lord God, þat we
ſchulden go in þe lawe of hym, whiche he ſettide to vs
bi hiſe ſeruauntis, profetis.
xi And al Iſrael braken þi lawe, and bowiden awei, þat
þei herden not þi vois; and curſyng, and wlatyng, which
is writun in þe book of Moiſes, þe ſeruaunt of God,
droppide on vs, for we ſynneden to hym.
xii And he ordeynede hiſe wordis, whiche he ſpak on vs,
and on oure princes, þat demyden vs, þat þei ſchulden
brynge in on vs greet yuel, what maner yuel was neuer
vndur al heuene, bi þat þat is doon in Jeruſalem,
xiii as it is writun in þe lawe of Moiſes. Al þis yuel cam
on vs, and, oure Lord God, we preieden not þi face, þat
we ſchulden turne aȝen fro oure wickidneſſis, and
ſchulden þenke þi treuþe.
xiiii And þe Lord wakide on malice, and brouȝt it on vs;
oure Lord God is iuſt in alle his werkis whiche he made,
for we herden not his vois.
xv And now, Lord God, þat leddiſt þi puple out of þe
lond of Egipt in ſtrong hond, and madiſt to þee a name
bi þis dai, we han ſynnede,
xvi we han do wickidneſſe, Lord, aȝens þi riȝtfulneſſe. Y
biſeche, þi wraþþe and þi ſtronge veniaunce be turned
awey fro þi citee Jeruſalem, and fro þi hooli hil; for whi
for oure ſynnes, and for þe wickidneſſis of oure fadris,
Jeruſalem and þi puple ben in ſchenſchipe, to alle men
bi oure cumpas.
xvii But now, oure God, here þou þe preyer of þi
ſeruaunt, and þe biſechyngis of him, and ſchewe þi face
on þi ſeyntuarie, which is forſakun.
xviii My God, for þi ſilf boowe doun þin eere, and here;
opene þin iȝen, and ſe oure deſolacioun, and þe citee, on
which þi name is clepid to help. For not in oure
iuſtifiyngis we ſetten forþ mekeli preiers bifor þi face,
but in þi many merciful doyngis.
xix Lord, here þou; Lord, be þou pleſid, perſeyue þou,
and do; my Lord God, tarie þou not, for þi ſilf, for þi
name is clepid to help on þe citee, and on þi puple.
xx And whanne Y ſpak ȝit, and preiede, and knoulechide
my ſynnes, and þe ſynnes of my puple Iſrael, þat Y
ſchulde ſette forþ mekeli my preieris in þe ſiȝt of my
God, for þe hooli hil of my God,
xxi þe while Y ſpak ȝit in my preyer, lo! þe man Gabriel,
whom Y hadde ſeyn in viſioun at þe bigynnyng, flei
ſoone, and touchide me in þe tyme of euentid ſacrifice;
xxii and he tauȝt me, and he ſpak to me, and ſeide,
Danyel, now Y ȝede out, þat Y ſchulde teche þee, and
þou ſchuldiſt vndurſtonde.
xxiii Fro þe bigynnyng of þi preieris a word ȝede out.
Forſoþe Y cam to ſchewe to þee, for þou art a man of
deſiris; þerfor perſeyue þou þe word, and vndurſtonde
þou þe viſioun.
xxiiii Seuenti woukis of ȝeeris ben abreggid on þi puple,
and on þin hooli citee, þat treſpaſſyng be endid, and
ſynne take an ende, and þat wickidneſſe be doon awei,
and euerlaſtynge riȝtfulneſſe be brouȝt, and þat þe
viſioun, and propheſie be fillid, and þe hooli of ſeyntis
be anoyntid.
xxv Þerfor wite þou, and perſeyue; fro þe goyng out of
þe word, þat Jeruſalem be bildid eft, til to Criſt, þe
duyk, ſchulen be ſeuene woukis of ȝeeris and two and
ſixti woukis of ȝeeris; and eft þe ſtreet ſchal be bildid,
and wallis, in þe angwiſch of tymes.
xxvi And after two and ſixti woukis `of ȝeeris Criſt ſchal
be ſlayn. And it ſchal not be his puple, þat ſchal denye
hym. And þe puple wiþ þe duyk to comynge ſchal
diſtrie þe citee, and þe ſeyntuarie; and þe ende þerof
ſchal be diſtriyng, and after þe ende of batel ſchal be
ordeynede deſolacioun.
xxvii Forſoþe o wouk `of ȝeeris ſchal conferme þe
couenaunt to many men, and þe offryng and ſacrifice
ſchal faile in þe myddis of þe wouke of ȝeeris; and
abhomynacioun of deſolacioun ſchal be in þe temple,
and þe deſolacioun ſchal contynue til to þe parformyng
and ende.
DCCLXXVIII
CAP. X
i In þe þridde ȝeer of þe rewme of Sirus, kyng of
Perſeis, a word was ſchewid to Danyel, Balthaſar bi
name; and a trewe word, and greet ſtrengþe, and he
vndurſtood þe word; for whi vndurſtondyng is nedeful
in viſioun.
ii In þo daies Y, Danyel, mourenyde bi þe daies of þre
woukis;
iii Y eet not deſirable breed, and fleiſch, and wyn entride
not into my mouþ, but neþir Y was anoynted wiþ
oynement, til þe daies of þre woukis weren fillid.
iiii Forſoþe in þe foure and twentiþe dai of þe firſte
moneþe, Y was biſidis þe greet flood, which is Tigris.
v And Y reiſide myn iȝen, and Y ſiȝ, and lo! o man was
cloþid wiþ lynun cloþis, and hiſe reynes weren gird wiþ
ſchynynge gold;
vi and his bodi was as criſolitus, and his face was as þe
licneſſe of leit, and hiſe iȝen weren as a brennynge
laumpe, and hiſe armes and þo þingis þat weren byneþe
til to þe feet weren as þe licneſſe of bras beynge whijt,
and þe vois of hiſe wordis was as þe vois of multitude.
vii Forſoþe Y, Danyel, aloone ſiȝ þe viſioun; certis þe
men þat weren wiþ me, ſien not, but ful greet
ferdfulneſſe felle yn on hem, and þei fledden in to an
hid place.
viii But Y was left aloone, and Y ſiȝ þis greet viſioun,
and ſtrengþe dwellide not in me; but alſo my licneſſe
was chaungid in me, and Y was ſtark, and Y hadde not
in me ony þing of ſtrengþis.
ix And Y herde þe vois of hiſe wordis, and Y herde, and
lay aſtonyed on my face, and my face cleuyde to þe
erþe.
x And lo! an hond touchide me, and reiſide me on my
knees, and on þe toes of my feet.
xi And he ſeide to me, Þou, Danyel, a man of deſiris,
vndurſtonde þe wordis whiche Y ſpeke to þee, and
ſtonde in þi degree; for now Y am ſent to þee. And
whanne he hadde ſeid þis word to me, Y ſtood
quakynge.
xii And he ſeide to me, Danyel, nyle þou drede, for fro
þe firſte dai in which þou ſettidiſt þin herte to
vndurſtonde, þat þou ſchuldiſt turmente þee in þe ſiȝt of
þi God, þi wordis weren herd, and Y cam for þi wordis.
xiii Forſoþe þe prince of þe rewme of Perſeis aȝenſtood
me oon and twenti daies, and lo! Myȝhel, oon of þe
firſte princes, cam in to myn help, and Y dwellide ſtille
þere biſidis þe kyng of Perſeis.
xiiii Forſoþe Y am comun to teche þee, what þingis
ſchulen come to þi puple in þe laſte daies; for ȝit þe
viſioun is delaied in to daies.
xv And whanne he ſpak to me bi ſiche wordis, Y caſtide
doun my cheer to erþe, and was ſtille.
xvi And lo! as þe licneſſe of ſone of man touchide my
lippis; and Y openyde my mouþ, and ſpak, and ſeide to
hym þat ſtood bifore me, My Lord, in þi ſiȝt my ioynctis
ben vnknit, and no þing of ſtrengþis dwellide in me.
xvii And hou ſchal þe ſeruaunt of my Lord mow ſpeke
wiþ my Lord? no þing of ſtrengþis dwellide in me, but
alſo my breeþ is cloſyde bitwixe.
xviii Þerfor eft as þe ſiȝt of a man touchide me, and
coumfortide me,
xix and ſeide, Man of deſiris, nyle þou drede; pees be to
þee, be þou coumfortid, and be þou ſtrong. And whanne
he ſpak wiþ me, Y wexide ſtrong and ſeide, My Lord,
ſpeke þou, for þou haſt coumfortid me.
xx And he ſeide, Wheþer þou wooſt not, whi Y cam to
þee? And now Y ſchal turne aȝen, to fiȝte aȝens þe
prince of Perſeis. For whanne Y ȝede out, þe prince of
Grekis apperide comynge.
xxi Neþeles Y ſchal telle to þee þat, þat is expreſſid in þe
ſcripture of treuþe; and noon is myn helpere in alle þeſe
þingis, no but Myȝhel, ȝoure prynce.
CAP. XI
i Forſoþe fro þe firſte ȝeer of Darius of Medei Y ſtood,
þat he ſchulde be coumfortid, and maad ſtrong.
ii And now Y ſchal telle to þee þe treuþe. And lo! þre
kyngis ſchulen ſtonde ȝit in Perſis, and þe fourþe ſchal
be maad riche wiþ ful many richeſſis ouer alle. And
whanne he haþ woxe ſtrong bi hiſe richeſſis, he ſchal
reiſe alle men aȝens þe rewme of Greece.
iii Forſoþe a ſtrong kyng ſchal riſe, and ſhal be lord in
greet power, and ſchal do þat, þat ſchal pleſe hym.
iiii And whanne he ſchal ſtonde, his rewme ſchal be al
to-brokun, and it ſchal be departid in to foure wyndis of
heuene, but not in to hiſe eiris, neþer bi þe power of
hym in which he was lord; for his rewme ſchal be to-
rente, ȝhe, in to ſtraungeris, outakun þeſe.
v And þe kyng of þe ſouþ ſchal be coumfortid; and of þe
princes of hym oon ſchal haue power aboue hym, and
he ſchal be lord in power; for whi his lordſchipe ſchal
be myche.
vi And after þe ende of ȝeeris `þei ſchulen be knyt in
pees; and þe douȝter of þe kyng of þe ſouþ ſchal come
to þe kyng of þe norþ, to make frenſchipe. And ſche
ſchal not gete ſtrengþe of arm, neþer þe ſeed of hir ſchal
ſtonde; and ſche ſchal be bitakun, and þe ȝonglyngis of
hir þat brouȝten hir, and he þat coumfortide hir in
tymes.
vii And a plauntyng of þe ſeed of þe rootis of hir ſchal
ſtonde; and he ſchal come wiþ an ooſt, and ſchal entre in
to þe prouynce of þe kyng of þe norþ, and he ſchal
myſuſe hem, and he ſchal gete;
viii ferþir more he ſchal gete boþ þe goddis of hem, and
grauun ymagis. Alſo he ſchal lede into Egipt preciouſe
DCCLXXIX
veſſels of gold, and of ſiluer, takun in batel. He ſchal
haue þe maiſtrie aȝens þe kyng of þe norþ;
ix and þe kyng of þe ſouþ ſchal entre in to þe rewme,
and ſchal turne aȝen to his lond.
x Forſoþe þe ſones of hym ſchulen be ſtirid to wraþþe,
and þei ſchulen gadere togidere a multitude of ful many
cooſtis. And he ſchal come haſtynge and flowynge, and
he ſchal turne aȝen, and ſchal be ſtirid, and ſchal
bigynne batel wiþ his ſtrengþe.
xi And þe king of þe ſouþ ſchal be ſtirid, and ſchal go
out, and ſchal fiȝte aȝens þe kyng of þe norþ, and ſchal
make redi a ful grete multitude; and þe multitude ſchal
be ȝouun in his hond.
xii And he ſchal take þe multitude, and his herte ſchal be
enhaunſid; and he ſchal caſte doun many þouſyndis, but
he ſchal not haue þe maiſtrie.
xiii For þe kyng of þe norþ ſchal turne, and ſchal make
redi a multitude, myche more þan bifore; and in þe ende
of tymes and of ȝeeris he ſchal come haſtynge wiþ a ful
greet ooſt, and wiþ ful many richeſſis.
xiiii And in þo tymes many men ſchulen riſe togidere
aȝens þe kyng of þe ſouþ; and þe ſones of treſpaſſouris
of þi puple ſchulen be enhaunſid, þat þei fille þe viſioun,
and þei ſchulen falle doun.
xv And þe kyng of þe norþ ſchal come, and ſchal bere
togidere erþe, he ſchal take ſtrongeſte citees; and þe
armes of þe ſouþ ſchulen not ſuſteyne. And þe choſun
men þerof ſchulen riſe togidere, to aȝenſtonde, and
ſtrengþe ſchal not be.
xvi And he ſchal come on hym, and ſchal do bi his wille;
and noon ſchal be, þat ſchal ſtonde aȝens his face. And
he ſchal ſtonde in þe noble lond, and it ſchal be waſtid
in his hond.
xvii And he ſchal ſette his face, þat he come to holde al
þe rewme of him, and he ſchal do riȝtful þingis wiþ
hym. And he ſchal ȝyue to hym þe douȝter of wymmen,
to diſtrie hym; and it ſchal not ſtonde, and it ſchal not be
his.
xviii And he ſchal turne his face to ilis, and he ſchal take
many ilis. And he ſchal make ceeſſe þe prince of his
ſchenſchipe, and his ſchenſchipe ſchal turne in to hym.
xix And he ſchal turne his face to þe lordſchip of his
loond, and he ſchal ſnapere, and falle doun, and he ſchal
not be foundun.
xx And þe vileſt and vnworþi to þe kyngis onour ſchal
ſtonde in þe place of hym, and in fewe daies he ſchal be
al to-brokun, not in woodneſſe, neþer in batel.
xxi And a diſpiſid man ſchal ſtonde in þe place of hym,
and þe onour of a kyng ſchal not be ȝouun to hym; and
he ſchal come priueli, and he ſchal gete þe rewme bi
gile.
xxii And þe armes of þe fiȝtere ſchulen be ouercomun of
his face, and ſchulen be al to-brokun, ferþermore and þe
duyk of boond of pees.
xxiii And after frenſchipe wiþ hym, he ſchal do gile. And
he ſchal ſtie, and he ſchal ouercome wiþ litil puple;
xxiiii and he ſchal entre in to grete and riche citees, and
he ſchal do þingis which hiſe fadris and þe fadris of hiſe
fadris diden not. He ſchal diſtrie þe raueyns, and prei,
and richeſſis of hem, and aȝens moſt ſtidfaſt þouȝtis he
ſchal take counſel, and þis `vn to a tyme.
xxv And þe ſtrengþe of hym, and þe herte of hym ſchal
be ſtirid aȝens þe kyng of þe ſouþ wiþ a greet ooſt. And
þe king of þe ſouþ ſchal be ſtirid to batel wiþ many
helpis and ful ſtronge; and þei ſchulen not ſtonde, for
þei ſchulen take counſels aȝens hym.
xxvi And þei þat eeten breed wiþ hym ſchulen al to-
breke hym; and his ooſt ſchal be oppreſſid, and ful many
men of hiſe ſchulen be ſlayn, and falle doun.
xxvii And þe herte of twei kyngis ſchal be, þat þei do
yuel, and at o boord þei ſchulen ſpeke leeſyng, and þei
ſchulen not profite; for ȝit þe ende ſchal be in to an oþer
tyme.
xxviii And he ſchal turne aȝen in to his lond wiþ many
richeſſis, and his herte ſchal be aȝens þe hooli teſtament,
and he ſchal do, and ſchal turne aȝen in to his lond.
xxix In tyme ordeyned he ſchal turne aȝen, and ſchal
come to þe ſouþ, and þe laſte ſchal not be lijk þe
formere.
xxx And ſchippis wiþ þree ordris of ooris, and Romayns,
ſchulen come on hym, and he ſchal be ſmytun. And he
ſchal turne aȝen, and ſchal haue indignacioun aȝens þe
teſtament of ſeyntuarie, and he ſchal do. And he ſchal
turne aȝen, and he ſchal þenke aȝens hem þat forſoken
þe teſtament of ſeyntuarie.
xxxi And armes of hym ſchulen ſtonde, and ſchulen
defoule þe ſeyntuarie, and ſchulen take awei þe
contynuel ſacrifice, and ſchulen ȝyue abhomynacioun in
to deſolacioun.
xxxii And wickid men ſchulen feyne teſtament gilefuli;
but þe puple þat knowiþ her God ſchal holde, and do.
xxxiii And tauȝt men in þe puple ſchulen teche ful many
men, and ſchulen falle in ſwerd, and in flawme, and in
to caitifte, and in to raueyn of daies.
xxxiiii And whanne þei han feld doun, þei ſchulen be
reiſid bi a litil help; and ful many men ſchulen be
applied to hym gilefuli.
xxxv And of lerud men ſchulen falle, þat þei be wellid
togidere, and be choſun, and be maad whijt til to a tyme
determyned; for ȝit anoþer tyme ſchal be.
xxxvi And þe kyng ſchal do bi his wille, and he ſchal be
reiſid, and magnefied aȝens ech god, and aȝens God of
goddis he ſchal ſpeke grete þingis; and he ſchal be
dreſſid, til wraþfulneſſe be fillid. For þe determynynge
is perfitli maad.
xxxvii And he ſchal not arette þe God of hiſe fadris, and
he ſchal be in þe coueitiſis of wymmen, and he ſchal not
charge ony of goddis, for he ſchal riſe aȝens alle þingis.
DCCLXXX
xxxviii Forſoþe he ſchal onoure god of Maoſym in his
place, and he ſchal worſchipe god, whom hiſe fadris
knewen not, wiþ gold, and ſiluer, and preciouſe ſtoon,
and preciouſe þingis.
xxxix And he ſchal do þat he make ſtrong Mooſym, wiþ
þe alien god which he knew. And he ſchal multiplie
glorie, and ſchal ȝyue power to hem in many þingis, and
ſchal departe þe lond at his wille.
xl And in þe tyme determyned þe kyng of þe ſouþ ſchal
fiȝte aȝens hym, and þe kyng of þe norþ ſchal come as a
tempeſt aȝens hym, in charis, and wiþ knyȝtis, and in
greet nauei.
xli And he ſchal entre in to londis, and ſchal defoule
hem; and he ſchal paſſe, and ſchal entre in to þe
gloriouſe lond, and many ſchulen falle. Forſoþe þeſe
londis aloone ſchulen be ſauyd fro his hond, Edom, and
Moab, and princes of þe ſones of Amon.
xlii And he ſchal ſende his hond in to londis, and þe lond
of Egipt ſchal not aſcape.
xliii And he ſchal be lord of treſouris of gold, and of
ſiluer, and in alle preciouſe þingis of Egipt; alſo he ſchal
paſſe bi Libie and Ethiopie.
xliiii And fame fro þe eeſt and fro þe norþ ſchal diſturble
hym; and he ſchal come wiþ a greet multitude, to al to-
breke, and to ſle ful many men.
xlv And he ſchal ſette his tabernacle in Apheduo, bitwixe
þe ſees, on þe noble hil and hooli; and he ſchal come til
to þe heiȝþe þerof, and no man ſchal helpe hym.
CAP. XII
i Forſoþe in þat tyme Miȝhel, þe greet prince, ſchal riſe,
þat ſtondiþ for þe ſones of þi puple. And tyme ſchal
come, what maner tyme was not, fro þat tyme fro which
folkis bigunnen to be, `vn to þat tyme. And in þat tyme
þi puple ſchal be ſaued, ech þat is foundun writun in þe
book of life.
ii And many of hem þat ſlepen in þe duſt of erþe,
ſchulen awake fulli, ſumme in to euerlaſtynge lijf, and
oþere in to ſchenſchipe, þat þei ſe euere.
iii Forſoþe þei þat ben tauȝt, ſchulen ſchyne as þe
ſchynyng of þe firmament, and þei þat techen many
men to riȝtfulneſſe, ſchulen ſchyne as ſterris in to
euerlaſtynge euerlaſtyngneſſis.
iiii But þou, Danyel, cloſe þe wordis, and aſeele þe
book, til to þe tyme ordeyned; ful many men ſchulen
paſſe, and kunnyng ſchal be many fold.
v And Y, Danyel, ſiȝ, and lo! as tweyne oþere men
ſtood; oon ſtood on þis ſide, on þe brenk of þe flood,
and anoþer on þat ſide, on þe toþer part of þe flood.
vi And Y ſeide to þe man, þat was cloþid in lynnun
cloþis, þat ſtood on þe watris of þe flood, Hou long
ſchal be þe ende of þeſe merueils?
vii And Y herde þe man, þat was cloþid in lynnun
cloþis, þat ſtood on þe watris of þe flood, whanne he
hadde reiſid his riȝthond and lefthond to heuene, and
hadde ſworun by hym þat lyueþ wiþ outen ende, For in
to a tyme, and tymes, and þe half of tyme. And whanne
þe ſcateryng of þe hoond of þe hooli puple is fillid, alle
þeſe þingis ſchulen be fillid.
viii And Y herde, and vndurſtood not; and Y ſeide, My
lord, what ſchal be aftir þeſe þingis?
ix And he ſeide, Go þou, Danyel, for þe wordis ben
cloſid and aſeelid, til to þe tyme determyned.
x Many men ſchulen be choſun, and ſchulen be maad
whijt, and ſchulen be preued as fier, and wickid men
ſchulen do wickidli, neþer alle wickid men ſchulen
vndurſtonde; certis tauȝt men ſchulen vndurſtonde.
xi And fro þe tyme whanne contynuel ſacrifice is takun
awei, and abhomynacioun is ſet in to diſcoumfort,
ſchulen be a þouſynde daies two hundrid and nynti.
xii He is bleſſid, þat abideþ, and comeþ fulli, til a
þouſynde daies þre hundrid and fyue and þritti.
xiii But go þou, Danyel, to þe tyme determyned; and
þou ſchalt reſte, and ſtonde in þi part, in þe ende of
daies.
Hidir to we reden Daniel in Ebreu book; oþere
þingis þat ſuen, til to þe ende, ben tranſlatid out of
`þe tranſlacioun of Theodoſion
CAP. XIII
i A man was in Babiloyne, and his name was Joachim.
ii And he took a wijf, Suſanne bi name, þe douȝter of
Helchie, a womman ful fair, and dredynge þe Lord.
iii Forſoþe hir fadir and modir, whanne þei weren riȝtful,
tauȝten her douȝter bi þe lawe of Moiſes.
iiii Soþeli Joachim was ful riche, and he hadde a gardyn
niȝ his hous; and þe Jewis camen to hym, for he was þe
mooſt worſchipful of alle.
v And tweyne elde men weren ordeyned iugis in þat
ȝeer, of whiche þe Lord ſpak, þat wickidneſſe ȝede out
of Babiloyne, of þe eldere iugis þat ſemeden to gouerne
þe puple.
vi Þeſe iugis vſiden oft þe hous of Joachym; and alle
men þat hadden domes camen to hem.
vii Forſoþe whanne þe puple hadde turned aȝen after
myddai, Suſanne entride, and walkide in þe gardyn of
hir hoſebonde.
viii And þe eldre men ſiȝen hir entrynge ech dai, and
walkynge; and þei brenten out in to `þe couetiſe of hir.
ix And þei turneden awei her wit, and bowiden doun her
iȝen, þat þei ſiȝen not heuene, neþer biþouȝten on iuſt
domes.
x Soþeli boþe weren woundid bi þe loue of hir, and þei
ſchewiden not her ſorewe to hem ſilf togidere;
xi for þei weren aſchamed to ſchewe to hem ſilf her
coueitiſe, willynge to ligge fleiſchli bi hir.
xii And þei aſpieden ech dai more biſili to ſe hir.
DCCLXXXI
xiii And oon ſeide to þe toþir, Go we hoom, for þe our of
mete is. And þei ȝeden out, and departiden fro hem ſilf.
xiiii And whanne þei hadden turned aȝen, þei camen in
to o place; and þei axiden ech of oþere þe cauſe, and þei
knoulechiden her coueitiſe. And þanne in comyn þei
ordeyneden a tyme, whanne þei miȝten fynde hir
aloone.
xv Forſoþe it was doon, whanne þei aſpieden a
couenable dai, ſche entride ſumtyme, as ȝiſtirdai and þe
þridde dai ago, wiþ twei damyſels aloone, and wolde be
waiſchun in þe gardyn; for whi heete was.
xvi And no man was þere, outakun tweyne elde men hid,
biholdynge hir.
xvii Þerfor ſche ſaide to þe damyſels, Bringe ȝe to me
oile, and oynementis; and cloſe ȝe þe doris of þe
gardyn, þat Y be waiſchun.
xviii And þei diden as ſche `hadde comaundid; and þei
cloſiden þe doris of þe gardyn, and ȝeden out bi a
poſterne, to bringe þo þingis þat ſche hadde comaundid.
And þei wiſten not, þat þe elde men weren hid wiþ
ynne.
xix Soþeli whanne þe damyſels weren gon out, tweyne
elde men riſiden, and runnen to hir, and ſeiden, Lo!
xx þe doris of þe gardyn ben cloſid, and no man ſeeþ vs,
and we ben in `þe coueitiſe of þee. Wherfor aſſente þou
to vs, and be þou meddlid wiþ vs.
xxi Þat if þou wolt not, we ſchulen ſeie witneſſyng aȝens
þee, þat a ȝong man was wiþ þee, and for þis cauſe þou
ſentiſt out þe dameſels fro þee.
xxii And Suſanne inwardli ſorewide, and ſeide,
Angwiſchis ben to me on ech ſide; for if Y do þis, deþ is
to me; forſoþe if Y do not, Y ſchal not aſcape ȝoure
hondis.
xxiii But it is betere for me to falle in to ȝoure hondis
wiþout werk, þan to do ſynne in þe ſiȝt of þe Lord.
xxiiii And Suſanne criede `an hiȝ wiþ greet vois, but alſo
þe elde men crieden aȝens hir.
xxv Forſoþe oon ran, and openede þe door of þe gardyn.
xxvi Soþeli whanne þe ſeruauntis of þe hous hadden
herd þe cry in þe gardyn, þei fellen in bi þe poſterne, to
ſe what it was.
xxvii But after þat þe elde men ſpaken, þe ſeruauntis
weren aſchamed greetly, for neuer was ſiche a word ſeid
of Suſanne. And þe morew dai was maad.
xxviii And whanne þe puple was comyn to Joachym, hir
hoſebonde, alſo þe twei preſtis fulle of wickid þouȝte
camen aȝens Suſanne, for to ſle hir.
xxix And þei ſeiden bifor al þe puple, Sende ȝe to
Suſanne, þe douȝter of Helchie, þe wijf of Joachym.
And anoon þei ſenten.
xxx And ſche cam wiþ hir fadir, and modir, and children,
and alle kyneſmen.
xxxi Certis Suſanne was ful delicat, and fair of ſchap.
xxxii And þo wickid men comaundiden, þat ſche ſchulde
be vnhilid, for ſche was kyuered; þat nameli ſo þei
ſchuldun be fillid of hir fairneſſe.
xxxiii Þerfor hir kyneſmen wepten, and alle þat knewen
hir.
xxxiiii Forſoþe þe twei preſtis riſiden togidere in þe
myddis of þe puple, and ſettiden her hondis on þe heed
of hir.
xxxv And ſche wepte, and bihelde to heuene, and hir
herte hadde triſt in þe Lord.
xxxvi And þe preſtis ſeiden, Whanne we walkiden aloone
in þe gardyn, þis Suſanne entride wiþ twei dameſels;
and ſche cloſide þe dore of þe gardyn, and lefte þe
dameſels.
xxxvii And a ȝong man, þat was hid, cam to hir, and lai
bi hir.
xxxviii Certis whanne we weren in a corner of þe gardyn,
we ſien þe wickidneſſe, and runnen to hem, and we ſien
hem meddlid togidere.
xxxix And ſoþeli we myȝten not take hym, for he was
ſtrongere þan we; and whanne he hadde opened þe
doris, he ſkippide out.
xl But whanne we hadde take þis womman, we axiden,
who was þe ȝonge man; and ſche nolde ſchewe to vs. Of
þis þing we ben witneſſis.
xli Þe multitude bileuede to hem, as to þe eldre men and
iugis of þe puple, and condempneden hir to deþ.
xlii Forſoþe Suſanne criede loud wiþ greet vois, and
ſeide, Lord God, wiþout bigynnyng and ende, þat art
knowere of hid þingis, þat knowiſt alle þingis bifore þat
þo ben don;
xliii þou woſt, þat þei han bore fals witneſſyng aȝens me.
And lo! Y dye, whanne Y haue not do ony of þeſe
þingis, whiche þeſe men han maad maliciouſly aȝens
me.
xliiii Forſoþe þe Lord herde þe vois of hir.
xlv And whanne ſhe was led to þe deþ, þe Lord reiſide
þe hooli ſpirit of a ȝonge child, whos name was Danyel.
xlvi And he criede loude wiþ a greet vois, Y am cleene
of þe blood of þis womman.
xlvii And al þe puple turned aȝen to hym, and ſeide,
What is þis word, which þou haſt ſpoke?
xlviii And whanne he ſtood in þe myddis of hem, he
ſeide, So ȝe, fonned children of Iſrael, not demynge
neþer knowynge þat þat is trewe, condempneden þe
douȝter of Iſrael.
xlix Turne ȝe aȝen to þe dom, for þei ſpaken fals
witneſſyng aȝens hir.
l Þerfor þe puple turnede aȝen wiþ haaſte. And þe elde
men ſeiden to hym, Come þou, and ſitte in þe myddis of
vs, and ſchewe to vs; for God haþ ȝoue to þee þe onour
of eelde.
DCCLXXXII
li And Danyel ſeide to hem, Departe ȝe hem atwynny
fer, and Y ſchal deme hem.
lii Þerfor, whanne þei weren departid oon fro þe toþer,
he clepide oon of hem, and ſeide to hym, Þou elde man
of yuel daies, now þi ſynnes ben comun, whiche þou
wrouȝtiſt bifore,
liii demynge vniuſt domes, oppreſſynge innocentis, and
delyuerynge gilti men, whanne þe Lord ſeiþ, Þou ſchalt
not ſle an innocent and iuſt man.
liiii But now if þou ſieſt hir, ſeie þou, vndur what tree
þou ſieſt hem ſpekynge togidere to hem ſilf? Which
ſeide, Vndur an haw tree.
lv Forſoþe Danyel ſeide, Riȝtli þou lieſt in þin heed; for
lo! þe angel of þe Lord, bi a ſentence takun of hym,
ſchal kitte þee bi þe myddil.
lvi And whanne he was ſtirid awei, he comaundide þe
toþer to come, and ſeide to hym, Þou ſeed of Canaan,
and not of Juda, fairneſſe haþ diſſeyued þee, and
coueitiſe haþ miſturned þin herte;
lvii þus ȝe diden to þe douȝtris of Iſrael, and þei dredden,
and ſpaken to ȝou, but þe douȝter of Juda ſuffride not
ȝoure wickidneſſe.
lviii Now þerfor ſeie þou to me, vndur what tree þou ſieſt
hem ſpekynge togidere to hem ſilf?
lix Which ſeide, Vndur a blak þorn. Forſoþe Danyel
ſeide to hym, Riȝtli alſo þou lieſt in þin heed; for þe
aungel of þe Lord dwelliþ, and haþ a ſwerd, þat he kitte
þee bi þe myddil, and ſle ȝou.
lx Þerfor al þe puple criede lowde wiþ greet vois, and
bleſſiden `þe Lord, þat ſaueþ hem þat hopen in hym.
lxi And þei riſiden togidere aȝens þe twei preeſtis; for
Danyel hadde conuyctid hem bi her mouþ, þat þei
hadden bore fals witneſſyng; and þei diden to hem, as
þei hadden do yuele aȝens þe neiȝboreſſe,
lxii þat þei ſchulden do bi þe lawe of Moiſes, and þei
killiden hem. And giltles blood was ſauyd in þat dai.
lxiii Forſoþe Helchie and his wijf herieden þe Lord in
þat day, for Suſanne, her douȝter, wiþ Joachym, hir
hoſebonde, and wiþ alle hir kyneſmen, for a foul þing
was not foundun in hir.
lxiiii Forſoþe Danyel was maad greet in þe ſiȝt of þe
puple, fro þat dai and afterward.
lxv And kyng Aſtriages was put to his fadris, and Sirus
of Perſeis took his rewme.
CAP. XIIII
i Forſoþe Danyel eet wiþ þe kyng, and was onourid
aboue alle þe frendis of hym.
ii Alſo an idol, Bel bi name, was at Babiloyne, and
twelue meſuris of cleene flour, of whiche meſuris eche
conteynede þre buyſchels, and fourti ſcheep, and ſixe
meſuris of wyn, þat ben clepid amfris, weren ſpendid in
it ech day.
iii And þe kyng worſchipede þat Beel, and ȝede ech dai
to onoure hym; certis Danyel worſchipide his God. And
þe kyng ſeide to hym, Whi worſchipiſt þou not Beel?
iiii Which anſweride, and ſeide to him, For Y worſchipe
not idols maad bi hond, but God lyuynge, þat made of
nouȝt heuene and erþe, and haþ power of ech fleiſch.
v And þe kyng ſeide to hym, Wheþer it ſemeþ not to
þee, þat Bel is a lyuynge god? wheþer þou ſeeſt not, hou
grete þingis he etiþ and drynkiþ ech dai?
vi And Daniel ſeide leiȝinge, Kyng, erre þou not; for
whi þis Bel is of clei wiþ ynne, and of bras wiþoutforþ,
and etiþ not ony tyme.
vii And þe king was wroþ, and clepide þe preeſtis þerof,
and ſeide to hem, If ȝe ſeien not to me, who it is þat etiþ
þeſe coſtis, ȝe ſchulen die.
viii Forſoþe if ȝe ſchewen þat Bel etiþ þeſe þingis,
Daniel ſchal die, for he blasfemede Bel. And Daniel
ſeide to þe king, Be it don bi þi word.
ix Forſoþe þe preſtis of Bel weren ſeuenti, outakun
wyues, and litle children, eþer ſeruauntis, and ſones.
And þe kyng cam wiþ Daniel in to þe temple of Bel.
x And þe preeſtis of Bel ſeiden, Lo! we ſchulen go out,
and þou, kyng, ſette meetis, and meddle wyn, and cloſe
þou þe dore, and aſeele it wiþ þi ryng.
xi And whanne þou entriſt eerli, if þou fyndiſt not alle
þingis etun of Bel, we ſchulen die bi deþ, eþer Daniel
ſchal die, þat liede aȝens vs.
xii Soþeli þei triſtiden, for þei hadden maad a priuy
entryng vndur þe boord, and bi it þei entriden euere,
and deuouriden þo þingis.
xiii Forſoþe it was don, aftir þat þei ȝeden out, and þe
king ſettide metis bifor Bel, Daniel comaundide to hiſe
children, and þei brouȝten aiſchis, and he riddlide
þorouȝ al þe temple bifor þe kyng. And þei ȝeden out,
and cloſiden þe dore, and aſeeliden wiþ þe ryng of þe
kyng, and ȝeden forþ.
xiiii But þe preeſtis entriden in niȝt, bi her cuſtom, and
þe wyues, and children of hem, and eeten and drunken
alle þingis.
xv Forſoþe þe kyng roos mooſt eerli, and Daniel wiþ
hym.
xvi And þe kyng ſeide, Daniel, wheþer þe ſeelis ben
ſaaf? And he anſweride, King, þo ben ſaaf.
xvii And anoon whanne þei hadden openyd þe dore, þe
king biheelde þe boord, and he criede an hiȝ wiþ a greet
vois, Bel, þou art greet, and no gile is at þee.
xviii And Daniel leiȝede, and he helde þe kyng, þat he
entride not wiþ ynne. And Daniel ſeide, Lo! þe
pawment, perſeyue þou whos ſteppis þeſe ben.
xix And þe kyng ſeide, Y ſe ſteppis of men, and of
wymmen, and of ȝonge children. And þe kyng was
wrooþ.
DCCLXXXIII
xx Þanne þe kyng took þe preeſtis, and þe wyues, and
children of hem; and þei ſchewiden to hym litle priuy
doris, bi whiche þei entriden, and waſtiden þo þingis þat
weren on þe boord.
xxi Þerfor þe kyng killide hem, and bitook Bel in to þe
power of Daniel, which diſtriede þilke Bel, and his
temple.
xxii And a greet dragoun was in þat place, and
Babiloyns worſchipiden it.
xxiii And þe kyng ſeide to Daniel, Lo! now þou maiſt not
ſeie, þat þis is not a quik god; þerfor worſchipe þou
hym.
xxiiii And Daniel ſeide to þe kyng, Y worſchipe my Lord
God, for he is God lyuynge.
xxv But þou, kyng, ȝyue power to me, and Y ſchal ſle þe
dragoun, wiþ out ſwerd and ſtaf. And þe kyng ſeide, Y
ȝyue to þee.
xxvi Þerfor Daniel took pitch, and talow, and heeris, and
ſeþide togidere; and he made gobetis, and ȝaf in to þe
mouþ of þe dragun; and þe dragun was al to-brokun.
And Daniel ſeide, Lo! whom ȝe worſchipiden.
xxvii And whanne Babiloynes hadden herd þis þing, þei
hadden indignacioun greetli; and þei weren gaderid
aȝens þe king, and ſeiden, Þe king is maad a Jew; he
diſtriede Bel, and killide þe dragun, and ſlow þe
preeſtis.
xxviii And þei ſeiden, whanne þei weren comun to þe
kyng, Bitake þou to vs Daniel, þat diſtriede Bel, and
killide þe dragun; ellis we ſchulen ſle þee, and þin hous.
xxix Þerfor þe kyng ſiȝ, þat þei fellen in on hym greetli;
and he was compellid bi nede, and he bitook Daniel to
hem.
xxx Whiche ſenten hym in to þe lake of liouns, and he
was þere ſeuene daies.
xxxi Certis ſeuene liouns weren in þe lake, and twei
bodies and twei ſcheep weren ȝouun to hem ech dai.
And þanne þo weren not ȝouun to hem, þat þei ſchulden
deuoure Daniel.
xxxii Forſoþe Abacuk, þe profete, was in Judee, and he
hadde ſoden potage, and hadde ſet in looues in a litil
panyere; and he ȝede in to þe feeld, to bere to reperis.
xxxiii And þe aungel of þe Lord ſeide to Abacuk, Bere
þou þe mete, which þou haſt, in to Babiloyne, to Daniel,
which is in þe lake of liouns.
xxxiiii And Abacuk ſeide, Lord, Y ſiȝ not Babiloyne, and
Y knew not þe lake.
xxxv And þe aungel of þe Lord took hym bi his top, and
bar hym bi þe heer of his heed; and he `ſettide þilke
Abacuk in Babiloyne, on þe lake, in þe ferſneſſe of his
ſpirit.
xxxvi And Abacuk criede, and ſeide, Daniel, þe ſeruaunt
of God, take þou þe mete, þat God haþ ſent to þee.
xxxvii And Daniel ſeide, Lord God, þou haſt mynde on
me, and haſt not forſake hem þat louen þee.
xxxviii And Daniel roos, and eet; certis þe aungel of þe
Lord reſtoride Abacuk anoon in his place.
xxxix Þerfor þe kyng cam in þe ſeuenþe dai to biweile
Danyel; and he cam to þe lake, and lokide in, and lo!
Daniel ſittynge in þe myddis of liouns.
xl Þe kyng criede an hiȝ wiþ greet vois, and ſeide, Lord
God of Daniel, þou art greet; and þe kyng drow hym
out of þe lake.
xli Certis he ſente in to þe lake hem, þat weren cauſe of
his perdicioun, and þei weren deuourid in a moment
bifor him.
xlii Þanne þe kyng ſeide, Þei þat dwellen in al erþe,
drede þe God of Daniel, for he is God lyuynge in to
worldis; he is delyuerere, and ſauȝour, doynge myraclis
and meruels in heuene and in erþe, þat delyuerede
Daniel fro þe lake of liouns.
Here endiþ Danyel, and here bigynneþ Oſee.

DCCLXXXIV

OSEE
CAP. I
i Þe word of þe Lord þat was maad to Oſee, þe ſone of
Bery, in þe daies of Oſie, Joathan, Achas, Ezechie,
kingis of Juda, and in þe daies of Jeroboam, ſone of
Joas, þe kyng of Iſrael.
ii Þe bigynnyng of þe ſpekyng to þe Lord in Oſee. And
þe Lord ſeide to Oſee, Go þou, take to þee a wijf of
fornycaciouns, and make to þee ſones of fornycaciouns,
for þe lond doynge fornicacioun ſchal do fornicacioun
fro þe Lord.
iii And he ȝede, and took Gomer, þe douȝter of
Debelaym; and ſche conſeyuede, and childide a ſone to
hym.
iiii And þe Lord ſeide to hym, Clepe þou þe name of
hym Jeſrael; for ȝit a litil and Y ſchal viſite þe blood of
Jeſrael on þe hous of Hieu, and Y ſchal make to reſte þe
rewme of þe hous of Iſrael.
v And in þat dai Y ſchal al to-breke þe bowe of Iſrael in
þe valei of Jeſrael.
vi And ſche conſeyuede ȝit, and childide a douȝter. And
þe Lord ſeide to hym, Clepe þou þe name of hir Wiþ out
merci, for Y ſchal no more leye to, for to haue merci on
þe hous of Iſrael, but bi forȝetyng Y ſchal forȝete hem.
vii And Y ſchal haue merci on þe hous of Juda, and Y
ſchal ſaue hem in her Lord God; and Y ſchal not ſaue
hem in bowe, and ſwerd, and batel, and in horſis, and in
horſe men, eþer kniȝtis.
viii And he wenyde hir þat was Wiþ out merci. And ſche
conſeyuede, and childide a ſone to hym.
ix And he ſeide, Clepe þou his name Not my puple, for
ȝe ſchulen not be my puple, and Y ſchal not be ȝoure
God.
x And þe noumbre of þe ſones of Iſrael ſchal be as
grauel of þe ſee, which grauel is wiþ out meſure, and it
ſchal not be noumbrid; and it ſchal be in þe place, where
it ſchal be ſeid to hem, Ȝe ben not my puple; it ſchal be
ſeid to hem, Ȝe ben þe ſones of God lyuynge.
xi And þe ſones of Juda and þe ſones of Iſrael ſchulen be
gaderid togidere, and þei ſchulen ſette oon heed to hem
ſilf, and þei ſchulen ſtie fro erþe, for þe dai of Jeſrael is
greet.
CAP. II
i Sei ȝe to ȝoure briþeren, Þei ben my puple; and to
ȝoure ſiſter þat haþ gete merci,
ii Deme ȝe ȝoure modir, deme ȝe, for ſche is not my
wijf, and Y am not hir hoſebonde. Do ſche awey hir
fornicaciouns fro hir face, and hir auowtries fro þe
myddis of hir breſtis;
iii leſt perauenture Y ſpuyle hir nakid, and ſette hir nakid
bi þe dai of hir natyuyte. And Y ſchal ſette hir as a
wildirneſſe, and Y ſchal ordeyne hir as a lond wiþ out
weie, and Y ſchal ſle hir in þirſt.
iiii And Y ſchal not haue merci on þe ſones of hir, for þei
ben ſones of fornicaciouns;
v for þe modir of hem dide fornicacioun, ſche is ſchent
þat conſeyuede hem, for ſche ſeide, Y ſchal go after my
louyeris þat ȝeuen looues to me, and my watris, and my
wolle, and my flex, and myn oile, and my drynke.
vi For þis þing lo! Y ſchal hegge þi weie wiþ þornes,
and Y ſchal hegge it wiþ a wal, and ſche ſchal not fynde
hir paþis.
vii And ſche ſchal ſue hir louyeris, and ſchal not take
hem, and ſche ſchal ſeke hem, and ſchal not fynde; and
ſche ſchal ſeie, Y ſchal go, and turne aȝen to my formere
hoſebonde, for it was wel to me þanne more þan now.
viii And þis Jeruſalem wiſte not, þat Y ȝaf to hir wheete,
wyn, and oile; and Y multiplied ſiluer and gold to hir,
whiche þei maden to Baal.
ix Þerfor Y ſchal turne, and take my wheete in his tyme,
and my wiyn in his tyme; and Y ſchal delyuere my
wolle, and my flex, bi which þei hiliden þe ſchenſchipe
þerof.
x And now Y ſchal ſchewe þe foli of hir bifore þe iȝen
of hir louyeris, and a man ſchal not delyuere hir fro myn
hond;
xi and Y ſchal make to ceeſſe al þe ioye þerof, þe
ſolempnyte þerof, þe neomenye þerof, þe ſabat þerof,
and alle þe feeſte tymes þerof.
xii And Y ſchal diſtrie þe vyner þerof, of whiche ſche
ſeide, Þeſe ben myn hiris, whiche my louyeris ȝauen to
me; and Y ſchal ſette it in to a foreſt, and a beeſte of þe
feeld ſchal ete it.
xiii And Y ſchal viſite on it þe daies of Baalym, in
whiche it brente encenſe, and was ourned wiþ hir eere
ryng, and hir broche, and ȝede after hir louyeris, and
forȝat me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xiiii For þis þing lo! Y ſchal ȝyue mylk to it, and Y ſchal
brynge it in to wildirneſſe, and Y ſchal ſpeke to þe herte
þerof.
xv And Y ſchal ȝyue to it vyn tilieris þerof of þe ſame
place, and þe valei of Achar, þat is, of diſturblyng, for to
opene hope. And it ſchal ſynge þere bi þe daies of hir
ȝongþe, and bi þe daies of hir ſtiyng fro þe lond of
Egipt.
xvi And it ſchal be in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord, ſche ſchal
clepe me Myn hoſebonde, and ſche ſchal no more clepe
me Baalym;
xvii and Y ſchal take awei þe names of Baalym fro hir
mouþ, and ſche ſchal no more haue mynde of þe name
of þo.
xviii And Y ſchal ſmyte to hem a boond of pees in þat
dai wiþ þe beeſte of þe feeld, and wiþ þe brid of þe eir,
and wiþ þe crepynge beeſte of erþe. And Y ſchal al to-

DCCLXXXV
breke bowe, and ſwerd, and batel fro erþe; and Y ſchal
make hem to ſlepe triſtili.
xix And Y ſchal ſpouſe þee to me wiþouten ende; and Y
ſchal ſpouſe þee to me in riȝtfulneſſe, and in dom, and in
merci, and in merciful doyngis.
xx And Y ſchal ſpouſe þee to me in feiþ; and þou ſchalt
wite, þat Y am þe Lord.
xxi And it ſchal be, in þat dai Y ſchal here, ſeiþ þe Lord,
and Y ſchal here heuenes, and þo ſchulen here þe erþe;
xxii and þe erþe ſchal here wheete, and wyn, and oile,
and þeſe ſchulen here Jeſrael.
xxiii And Y ſchal ſowe it to me in to a lond, and Y ſchal
haue merci on it þat was wiþ out merci.
xxiiii And Y ſchal ſeie to þat, þat is not my puple, Þou art
my puple, and it ſchal ſeie, Þou art my God.
CAP. III
i And þe Lord ſeide to me, Ȝit go þou, and loue a
womman loued of a frend, and a womman auoutreſſe,
as þe Lord loueþ þe ſones of Iſrael; and þei biholden to
alien goddis, and louen þe draffis of grapis.
ii And Y dalf it to me bi fiftene pens, and bi a corus of
barli, and bi half a corus of barli.
iii And Y ſeide to it, Bi many daies þou ſhalt abide me;
þou ſchalt not do fornycacioun, and þou ſchalt not be
wiþ an hoſebonde, but alſo Y ſchal abide þee.
iiii For bi many daies þe ſones of Iſrael ſchulen ſitte wiþ
out kyng, wiþ out prince, and wiþ out ſacrifice, and wiþ
out auter, and wiþ out preſtis cloþ, and wiþ out terafyn,
þat is, ymagis.
v And after þeſe þingis þe ſones of Iſrael ſchulen turne
aȝen, and ſchulen ſeke her Lord God, and Dauid, her
king; and þei ſchulen drede at þe Lord, and at þe good
of him, in þe laſte of daies.
CAP. IIII
i Sones of Iſrael, here ȝe þe word of þe Lord, for whi
doom is to þe Lord wiþ þe dwelleris of erþe; for whi
trewþe is not, and merci is not, and kunnyng of þe Lord
is not in erþe.
ii Curs, and leeſyng, and manquelling, and þefte, and
auowtrie flowiden, and blood touchide blood.
iii For þis þing þe erþe ſchal mourne, and ech þat
dwelliþ in þat lond, ſchal be ſijk, in þe beeſte of þe
feeld, and in þe brid of þe eir; but alſo þe fiſchis of þe
ſee ſchulen be gaderid togidere.
iiii Neþeles ech man deme not, and a man be not
repreuyd; for þi puple is as þei þat aȝen ſeien þe preſt.
v And þou ſchalt falle to dai, and þe profete alſo ſchal
falle wiþ þee; in þe niȝt Y made þi modir to be ſtille.
vi My puple was ſtille, for it hadde not kunnyng; for þou
haſt putte awei kunnyng, Y ſchal putte þee awei, þat þou
DCCLXXXVI
vſe not preſthod to me; and for þou haſt forȝete þe lawe
of þi God, alſo Y ſchal forȝete þi ſones.
vii Bi þe multitude of hem, ſo þei ſynneden aȝens me. Y
ſchal chaunge þe glorie of hem in to ſchenſchipe.
viii Þei ſchulen ete þe ſynnes of my puple, and þei
ſchulen reiſe þe ſoulis of hem to þe wickidneſſe of hem.
ix And it ſchal be, as þe puple ſo þe preſt; and Y ſchal
viſite on hym þe weies of hym, and Y ſchal ȝelde to him
þe þouȝtis of hym.
x And þei ſchulen ete, and þei ſchulen not be fillid; þei
diden fornicacioun, and ceeſſiden not, for þei forſoken
þe Lord in not kepynge.
xi Fornycacioun, and wiyn, and drunkeneſſe doen awei
þe herte.
xii My puple axide in his tre, and þe ſtaf þerof telde to it;
for þe ſpirit of fornicacioun diſſeyuede hem, and þei
diden fornicacioun fro her God.
xiii On þe heedis of mounteyns þei maden ſacrifice, and
on þe litil hillis þei brenten encenſe vndur an ook, and a
popeler, and terebynte, for þe ſchadewe þerof was good.
Þerfor ȝoure douȝtris ſchulen do fornicacioun, and ȝoure
wyues ſchulen be auoutreſſis.
xiiii Y ſchal not viſite on ȝoure douȝtris, whanne þei don
fornicacioun, and on ȝoure wyues, whanne þei doon
auowtrie; for þei lyuyden wiþ hooris, and maden
ſacrifice wiþ men turned in to wymmens condiciouns.
And þe puple þat vndirſtondiþ not, ſchal be betun.
xv If þou, Iſrael, doiſt fornicacioun, nameli Juda treſpaſſe
not; and nyle ȝe entre in to Galgala, and ſtie ȝe not in to
Bethauen, neþer ſwere ȝe, Þe Lord lyueþ.
xvi For as a wielde cow Iſrael bowide awei; now þe
Lord ſchal fede hem as a lomb in broodneſſe.
xvii Effraym is þe partener of idols, leeue þou him;
xviii þe feeſte of hem is departid. Bi fornicacioun þei
diden fornicacioun, þe defenders þerof louyden to
brynge ſchenſchipe.
xix Þe ſpirit boond hym in hiſe wyngis, and þei ſchulen
be ſchent of her ſacrifices.
CAP. V
i Preeſtis, here ȝe þis, and þe hous of Iſrael, perſeyue ȝe,
and þe hous of þe kyng, herkne ȝe; for whi doom is to
ȝou, for ȝe ben maad a ſnare to lokyng afer, and as a net
ſpred abrood on Thabor.
ii And ȝe bowiden doun ſacrifices in to depþe; and Y am
þe lernere of alle hem.
iii Y knowe Effraym, and Iſrael is not hid fro me; for
now Effraym dide fornicacioun, Iſrael is defoulid.
iiii Þei ſchulen not ȝiue her þouȝtis, þat þei turne aȝen to
her God; for þe ſpirit of fornicacioun is in þe myddis of
hem, and þei knewen not þe Lord.
v And þe booſt of Iſrael ſchal anſwere in to þe face
þerof, and Iſrael and Effraym ſchulen falle in her
wickidneſſe; alſo Judas ſchal falle wiþ hem.
vi In her flockis, and in her droues þei ſchulen go to ſeke
þe Lord, and þei ſchulen not fynde; he is takun awei fro
hem.
vii Þei treſpaſſiden aȝens þe Lord, for þei gendriden
alien ſones; now þe moneþe ſchal deuoure hem wiþ her
partis.
viii Sowne ȝe wiþ a clarioun in Gabaa, wiþ a trumpe in
Rama; ȝelle ȝe in Bethauen, after þi bak, Beniamyn.
ix Effraym ſchal be in to deſolacioun, in þe dai of
amendyng, and in þe lynagis of Iſrael Y ſchewide feiþ.
x Þe princes of Juda ben maad as takynge terme; Y ſchal
ſchede out on hem my wraþþe as watir.
xi Effraym ſuffriþ fals chalenge, and is brokun bi doom;
for he bigan to go after filþis.
xii And Y am as a mouȝte to Effraym, and as rot to þe
hous of Juda.
xiii And Effraym ſiȝ his ſikeneſſe, and Judas ſiȝ his
boond. And Effraym ȝede to Aſſur, and ſente to þe kyng
veniere. And he mai not ſaue ȝou, neþer he mai
vnbynde þe boond fro ȝou.
xiiii For Y am as a lioneſſe to Effraym, and as a whelp of
a lioun to þe hous of Juda.
xv Y my ſilf ſchal take, and go, and take awei, and noon
is þat ſchal delyuere. I ſchal go, and turne aȝen to my
place, til ȝe failen, and ſeken my face.
CAP. VI
i In her tribulacioun þei ſchulen riſe eerli to me. Come
ȝe, and turne we aȝen to þe Lord;
ii for he took, and ſchal heele vs; he ſchal ſmyte, and
ſchal make vs hool.
iii He ſchal quykene vs after twei daies, and in þe þridde
dai he ſchal reiſe vs, and we ſchulen lyue in his ſiȝt. We
ſchulen wite, and ſue, þat we knowe þe Lord. His goyng
out is maad redi at þe morewtid, and he ſchal come as a
reyn to vs, which is timeful and lateful to þe erþe.
iiii Effraym, what ſchal Y do to þee? Juda, what ſchal Y
do to þee? Ȝoure merci is as a cloude of þe morewtid,
and as deew paſſynge forþ eerli.
v For þis þing Y hewide in profetis, Y killide hem in þe
wordis of my mouþ;
vi and þi domes ſchulen go out as lyȝt. For Y wolde
merci, and not ſacrifice, and Y wolde þe kunnyng of
God, more þan brent ſacrificis.
vii But þei as Adam braken þe couenaunt; þere þei
treſpaſſiden aȝens me.
viii Galaad þe citee of hem þat worchen idol, is
ſupplauntid wiþ blood; and
DCCLXXXVII
ix as þe chekis of men `þat ben þeues. Partener of preſtis
ſleynge in þe weie men goynge fro Sichem, for þei
wrouȝten greet treſpaſſe.
x In þe hous of Iſrael Y ſiȝ an orible þing; þere þe
fornicaciouns of Effraym.
xi Iſrael is defoulid; but alſo þou, Juda, ſette herueſt to
þee, whanne Y ſchal turne þe caitiftee of my puple.
CAP. VII
i Whanne Y wolde heele Iſrael, þe wickidneſſe of
Effraym was ſchewid, and þe malice of Samarie was
ſchewid, for þei wrouȝten a leeſyng. And a niȝt þeef
entride, and robbid; a dai þeef was wiþoutforþ.
ii And leſt þei ſeien in her hertis, þat Y haue mynde on
al þe malice of hem, now her fyndyngis han cumpaſſid
hem, þo ben maad bifor my face.
iii In her malice þei gladiden þe kyng, and in her
leeſyngys `þei gladiden þe princes.
iiii Alle þat doen auoutrie, ben as an ouene maad hoot of
a bakere. Þe citee reſtide a litil fro þe medlyng of ſour
douȝ, til al was maad ſour `of ſour douȝ.
v Þe dai of oure kyng; þe princis bigunnen to be wood
of wyn; he ſtretchide forþ his hoond wiþ ſcorneris.
vi For þei applieden her herte as an ouene, whanne he
ſettide treſoun to hem. Al þe niȝt he ſlepte bakynge hem,
in þe morewtid he was maad hoot, as þe fier of flawme.
vii Alle weren maad hoot as an ouene, and þei
deuouriden her iugis. Alle þe kyngis of hem fellen
doun, and noon is among hem þat crieþ to me.
viii Effraym hym ſilf was medlid among puplis; Effraym
was maad a loof bakun vndur aiſchis, which is not
turned aȝen.
ix Aliens eeten þe ſtrengþe of hym, and he knew not;
but alſo hoor heeris weren ſched out in hym, and he
knew not.
x And þe pride of Iſrael ſchal be maad low in þe face
þerof; þei turneden not aȝen to her Lord God, and þei
ſouȝten not hym in alle þeſe þingis.
xi And Effraym was maad as a culuer diſſeyued, not
hauynge herte. Þei clepiden Egipt to help, þei ȝeden to
Aſſiriens.
xii And whanne þei ben goen forþ, Y ſchal ſprede
abrood on hem my net, Y ſchal drawe hem doun as a
brid of þe eir. Y ſchal beete hem, bi þe heryng of þe
cumpany of hem.
xiii Wo to hem, for þei ȝeden awei fro me; þei ſchulen be
diſtried, for þei treſpaſſiden aȝens me. And Y aȝenbouȝte
hem, and þei ſpaken leeſyngis aȝenus me.
xiiii And þei crieden not to me in her herte, but ȝelliden
in her beddis. Þei chewiden code on wheete, and wyn,
and þei ȝeden awei fro me.
xv And Y tauȝte, and coumfortide þe armes of hem, and
þei þouȝten malice aȝens me.
xvi Þeiturneden aȝen, þat þei ſchulden be wiþ out ȝok;
þei ben maad as a gileful bowe. Þe princis of hem
ſchulen falle doun bi ſwerd, for þe woodneſſe of her
tunge; þis is þe ſcornyng of hem in þe lond of Egipt.
CAP. VIII
i A trumpe be in þi þrote, as an egle on þe hous of þe
Lord; for þat þat þei ȝeden ouer my boond of pees, and
braken my lawe.
ii Þei clepiden me to helpe, A! my God, we Iſrael han
knowe þee.
iii Iſrael haþ caſt awei good, þe enemye ſchal purſue
hym.
iiii Þei regnyden, and not of me; þei weren princes, and
Y knew not. Þei maden her gold and ſiluer idols to hem,
þat þei ſchulden periſche.
v A! Samarie, þi calf is caſt awei; my ſtrong veniaunce
is wrooþ aȝens hem. Hou long moun þei not be clenſid?
vi for alſo it is of Iſrael. A crafti man made it, and it is
not god; for þe calf of Samarie ſchal be in to webbis of
ireyns.
vii For þei ſchulen ſowe wynd, and þei ſchulen repe
whirlewynd. A ſtalke ſtondynge is not in hem, þe ſeed
ſchal not make mele; þat if alſo it makiþ mele, aliens
ſchulen ete it.
viii Iſrael is deuouryd; now Iſrael is maad as an vnclene
veſſel among naciouns,
ix for þei ſtieden to Aſſur. Effraym is a wielde aſſe,
ſolitarie to hym ſilf. Þei ȝauen ȝiftis to louyeris;
x but alſo wiþ meede þei hiriden naciouns. Now Y ſchal
gadere hem togidere, and þei ſchulen reſte a litil fro
birþun of þe kyng and of princes.
xi For Efraym multipliede auteris to do ſynne, auteris
weren maad to hym in to treſpas.
xii Y ſchal write to hem my many fold lawis, þat ben
arettid as alien lawis.
xiii Þei ſchulen brynge ſacrifices, þei ſhulen offre, and
ete fleiſchis; and þe Lord ſchal not reſſeyue þo. Now he
ſchal haue mynde on þe wickidneſſis of hem, and he
ſchal viſite þe ſynnes of hem; þei ſchulen turne in to
Egipt.
xiiii And Iſrael forȝat his makere, and bildide templis to
idols, and Judas multipliede ſtronge citees; and Y ſchal
ſende fier in to þe citees of hym, and it ſchal deuoure þe
houſis of hym.
CAP. IX
i Iſrael, nyle þou be glad, nyle þou make ful out ioie as
puplis; for þou haſt do fornicacioun fro þi God. Þou
louediſt meede on alle þe cornflooris of wheete.
ii Þe cornfloor and preſſour ſchal not feede hem, and
wyn ſchal lie to hem.
DCCLXXXVIII
iii Þei ſchulen not dwelle in þe lond of þe Lord. Effraym
turnede aȝen in to Egipt, and eet defoulid þing among
Aſſiriens.
iiii Þei ſchulen not offre wyn to þe Lord, and þei ſchulen
not pleſe hym. Þe ſacrificis of hem ben as breed of
mourneris; alle þat ſchulen ete it ſchulen be defoulid.
For þe breed of hem is to þe lijf of hem; þei ſchulen not
entre in to þe hous of þe Lord.
v What ſchulen ȝe do in þe ſolempne dai, in þe dai of þe
feeſte of þe Lord?
vi For lo! þei ben goon out fro diſtriyng. Egipt ſchal
gadere hem togidere, Memphis ſchal birie hem. A nettle
ſchal enherite þe deſirable ſiluer of hem, a clote ſchal be
in þe tabernaclis of hem.
vii Daies of viſitacioun ben comun, daies of ȝeldyng ben
comun. Knowe ȝe, þat Iſrael is a fool, a wood profete, a
ſpiritual man, for þe multitude of þi wickidneſſe is alſo
þe multitude of woodneſſe.
viii Þe biholdere of Effraym wiþ my God is a profete; a
ſnare of fallyng is maad now on alle þe weies of hym,
woodneſſe is in þe hous of his God.
ix Þei ſynneden deepli, as in þe daies of Gabaa. Þe Lord
ſchal haue mynde on þe wickidneſſe of hem, and ſchal
viſite þe ſynnes of hem.
x Y foond Iſrael as grapis in deſert, Y ſiȝ þe fadris of
hem as þe firſte applis of a fige tree, in þe cop þerof; but
þei entriden to Belfegor, and weren alienyd in
confuſioun, and þei weren maad abhomynable as þo
þingis whiche þei louyden.
xi Effraym as a brid fley awei; þe glorye of hem is of
childberyng, and of þe wombe, and of conſeyuyng.
xii Þat if þei nurſchen her ſones, Y ſchal make hem wiþ
out children among men. But alſo wo to hem, whanne Y
ſchal go awei fro hem.
xiii Y ſiȝ þat Effraym was as Tire, foundid in fairneſſe;
and Effraym ſchal lede out hiſe ſones to þe ſleere.
xiiii Lord, ȝyue þou to hem; what ſchalt þou ȝyue to
hem? ȝyue þou to hem a wombe wiþ out children, and
drie tetis.
xv Alle þe wickidneſſis of hem ben in Galgal, for þere Y
hadde hem hateful; for þe malice of her fyndyngis. Y
ſchal caſte hem out of myn hous; Y ſchal not leie to, þat
Y loue hem. Alle þe princes of hem goen awei.
xvi Effraym is ſmyten, þe roote of hem is dried vp; þei
ſchulen not make fruyt. Þat þouȝ þei gendren, Y ſchal
ſle þe mooſt louyd þingis of her wombe.
xvii My God ſchal caſte hem awey, for þei herden not
hym; and þei ſchulen be of vnſtable dwellyng among
naciouns.
CAP. X
i Iſrael was a vyne ful of bowis, fruyt was maad euene
to hym; bi þe multitude of his fruyt he multipliede
auteris, bi þe plente of his lond he was plenteuouſe.
ii In ſimylacris þe herte of hem is departid, now þei
ſchulen periſche. He ſchal breke þe ſimylacris of hem,
he ſchal robbe þe auteris of hem.
iii For þanne þei ſchulen ſeie, A kyng is not to vs, for we
dreden not þe Lord. And what ſchal a kyng do to vs?
iiii Speke ȝe wordis of vnprofitable viſioun, and ȝe
ſchulen ſmyte boond of pees wiþ leeſyng; and doom as
bittirneſſe ſchal burioune on þe forewis of þe feeld.
v Þe dwelleris of Samarie worſchipiden þe kien of
Bethauen. For þe puple þerof mourenyde on þat calf,
and þe keperis of þe hous þerof; þei maden ful out ioye
on it in þe glorie þerof, for it paſſide fro þat puple.
vi For alſo it was borun to Aſſur, a ȝifte to þe king
veniere. Confuſioun ſchal take Effraym, and Iſrael ſchal
be ſchent in his wille.
vii Samarie made his kyng to paſſe, as froþ on þe face of
water. And þe hiȝ þingis of idol, þe ſynne of Iſrael,
ſchulen be loſt.
viii A cloote and a brere ſchal ſtie on þe auters of hem.
And þei ſchulen ſeie to mounteyns, Hile ȝe vs, and to
litle hillis, Falle ȝe doun on vs.
ix Fro þe daies of Gabaa Iſrael ſynnede; þere þei ſtoden.
Batel ſchal not take hem in Gabaa,
x on þe ſones of wickidneſſe. Bi my deſir Y ſchal chaſtiſe
hem; puplis ſchulen be gaderid togidere on hem,
whanne þei ſchulen be chaſtiſid for her twei
wickidneſſis.
xi Effraym is a cow calf, tauȝt for to loue þreiſchyng;
and Y ȝede on þe faireneſſe of þe necke þerof. Y ſchal
ſtie on Effraym. Judas ſchal ere, and Jacob ſchal breke
forewis to hym ſilf.
xii Sowe ȝe to ȝou riȝtfulneſſe in treuþe, and repe ȝe in
þe mouþe of merci, and make ȝe newe to ȝou a feld
newli brouȝte to tilþe. Forſoþe tyme is to ſeke þe Lord,
whanne he comeþ, þat ſchal teche ȝou riȝtfulneſſe.
xiii Ȝe han erid vnfeiþfulneſſe, ȝe han rope wickidneſſe,
ȝe han ete þe corn of leeſyng. For þou triſtydiſt in þi
weles, and in þe multitude of þi ſtronge men.
xiiii Noiſe ſchal riſe in þi puple, and alle þi ſtronge holdis
ſchulen be diſtried; as Salmana was diſtried of þe hous
of hym, þat took veniaunce on Baal; in þe dai of batel,
whanne þe modir was hurlid doun on þe ſones.
xv So Bethel dide to ȝou, for þe face of malice of ȝoure
wickidneſſis.
CAP. XI
i As þe morewtid paſſiþ, þe king of Iſrael ſchal paſſe
forþ. For Iſrael was a child, and Y louyde hym; and fro
Egipt Y clepide my ſone.
DCCLXXXIX
ii Þei clepiden hem, ſo þei ȝeden awei fro þe face of
hem. Þei offriden to Baalym, and maden ſacrifice to
ſymylacris.
iii And Y as a nurſche of Effraym bare hem in myn
armes, and þei wiſten not, þat Y kepte hem.
iiii Y ſchal drawe hem in þe ropis of Adam, in þe
boondis of charite. And Y ſchal be to hem as he þat
enhaunſiþ þe ȝok on þe chekis of hem; and Y bowide
doun to hym, þat he ſchulde ete.
v He ſchal not turne aȝen in to þe lond of Egipt. And
Aſſur, he ſchal be kyng of hym, for þei nolden turne.
vi A ſwerd bigan in þe citees þerof, and it ſchal waaſte
þe choſun men þerof, and ſchal eete þe heedis of hem.
vii And my puple ſchal hange, at my comynge aȝen. But
a ȝok ſchal be put to hem togidere, þat ſchal not be
takun awei.
viii Hou ſchal Y ȝyue þee, Effraym? ſchal Y defende þee,
Iſrael? hou ſchal Y ȝyue þee? As Adama Y ſchal ſette
þee; as Seboym. Myn herte is turned in me; my
repentaunce is diſturblid togidere.
ix Y ſchal not do þe ſtrong veniaunce of my wraþþe. Y
ſchal not turne, to leeſe Effraym; for Y am God, and not
man. Y am hooli in þe myddis of þee, and Y ſchal not
entre in to a citee.
x Þei ſchulen go after þe Lord. He ſhal rore as a lioun,
for he ſhal rore, and þe ſones of þe ſee ſchulen drede.
xi And þei ſchulen fle awei as a brid fro Egipt, and as a
culuer fro þe lond of Aſſiriens. And Y ſchal ſette hem in
her houſis, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xii Effraym cumpaſſide me in denying, þe hous of Iſrael
in gile. But Judas a witneſſe ȝede doun wiþ God, and
wiþ feiþful ſeyntis.
CAP. XII
i Effraym fediþ wynd, and ſueþ heete. Al dai he
multiplieþ leeſyng, and diſtriyng; and he made boond of
pees wiþ Aſſiriens, and bar oile in to Egipt.
ii Þerfor þe doom of þe Lord is wiþ Juda, and viſityng is
on Jacob; bi þe weies of hym, and bi þe fyndyngis of
hym he ſchal ȝelde to hym.
iii In þe wombe he ſupplauntide his broþer, and in his
ſtrengþe he was dreſſid wiþ þe aungel.
iiii And he was ſtrong to þe aungel, and was coumfortid;
he wepte, and preiede hym; in Bethel he foond hym,
and þere he ſpak wiþ vs.
v And þe Lord God of ooſtis, þe Lord, is þe memorial of
hym.
vi And þou ſchalt turne to þi God. Kepe þou merci and
doom, and hope þou euere in þi God.
vii Chanaan louyde fals caleng, a gileful balaunce in his
hond.
viii And Effraym ſeide, Neþeles Y am maad riche, Y
haue founde an idol to me; alle my trauelis ſchulen not
fynde to me þe wickidneſſe, whiche Y ſynnede.
ix And Y am þi Lord God fro þe lond of Egipt; ȝit Y
ſchal make þee to ſitte in tabernaclis, as in þe daies of
feeſte.
x And Y ſpak bi profetis, and Y multiplied profeſie, and
Y was licned in þe hond of profetis.
xi If Galaad worſchipiþ an idol, þerfor þei erren in veyn
offryng to oxis in Galgal; for whi and þe auteris of hem
ſchulen be as heepis on þe forewis of þe feeld.
xii Jacob fledde in to þe cuntrei of Sirie, and Iſrael
ſeruyde for a wijf, and ſeruyde, eþer kepte, for a wijf.
xiii But bi a profete þe Lord ledde Iſrael out of Egipt,
and bi a profete he was kept.
xiiii Effraym terride me to wraþfulneſſe in hiſe
bitterneſſis, and þe blood of hym ſchal come on hym;
and his Lord ſchal reſtore to hym þe ſchenſchipe of him.
CAP. XIII
i For Effraym ſpak, hidouſneſſe aſſailide Iſrael; and he
treſpaſſide in Baal, and was deed.
ii And now þei addiden to do ſynne, and maden to hem
a ȝotun ymage of her ſiluer, as þe licneſſe of idols; al is
þe makyng of crafti men. To þeſe þei ſeien, A! ȝe men,
offre, and worſchipe caluys.
iii Þerfor þei ſchulen be as a morewtid cloude, and as þe
deew of morewtid, þat paſſiþ forþ, as duſt rauyſchide bi
whirlewynd fro þe corn floor, and as ſmoke of a
chymenei.
iiii Forſoþe Y am þi Lord God, `þat ledde þee fro þe
loond of Egipt; and þou ſchalt not knowe God, outakun
me, and no ſauȝour is, outakun me.
v Y knewe þee in þe deſert, in þe lond of wildirneſſe.
vi Bi her leſewis þei weren fillid, and hadden
abundaunce; þei reiſiden her herte, and forȝaten me.
vii And Y ſchal be as a lioneſſe to hem, as a parde in þe
weye of Aſſiriens.
viii Y as a femal bere, whanne þe whelps ben rauyſchid,
ſchal mete hem; and ſchal al to-breke þe ynnere þingis
of þe mawe of hem. And Y as a lioun ſchal waaſte hem
þere; a beeſte of þe feeld ſchal al to-rende hem.
ix Iſrael, þi perdicioun is of þee; þin help is oneli of me.
x Where is þi kyng? mooſt ſaue he þee now in alle þi
citees; and where ben þi iugis, of whiche þou ſeidiſt,
Ȝyue þou to me a kyng, and princes?
xi Y ſchal ȝyue to þee a kyng in my ſtrong veniaunce,
and Y ſchal take awei in myn indignacioun.
xii Þe wickidneſſe of Effraym is boundun togidere; his
ſynne is hid.
xiii Þe ſorewis of a womman trauelynge of child ſchulen
come to hym; he is a ſone not wijs. For now he ſchal not
ſtonde in þe defoulyng of ſones.
DCCXC
xiiii Y ſchal
delyuere hem fro þe hoond of deeþ, and Y
ſchal aȝenbie hem fro deþ. Þou deþ, Y ſchal be þi deþ;
þou helle, Y ſchal be þi muſſel.
xv Coumfort is hid fro myn iȝen, for he ſchal departe
bitwixe briþeren. Þe Lord ſchal brynge a brennynge
wynd, ſtiynge fro deſert; and it ſchal make drie þe
veynes þerof, and it ſchal make deſolat þe welle þerof;
and he ſchal rauyſche þe treſour of ech deſirable veſſel.
CAP. XIIII
i Samarie periſche, for it ſtiride his God to bittirneſſe;
periſche it bi ſwerd. Þe litle children of hem be hurtlid
doun, and þe wymmen wiþ child þerof be koruun.
ii Iſrael, be þou conuertid to þi Lord God, for þou felliſt
doun in þi wickidneſſe.
iii Take ȝe wordis wiþ ȝou, and be ȝe conuertid to þe
Lord; and ſeie ȝe to hym, Do þou awei al wickidneſſe,
and take þou good; and we ſchulen ȝelde þe caluys of
oure lippis.
iiii Aſſur ſchal not ſaue vs, we ſchulen not ſtie on hors;
and we ſchulen no more ſeie, Oure goddis ben þe
werkis of oure hondis; for þou ſchalt haue merci on þat
modirles child, which is in þee.
v Y ſchal make hool þe ſorewis of hem; Y ſchal loue
hem wilfuli, for my ſtrong veniaunce is turned awei fro
hem.
vi Y ſchal be as a dew, and Iſrael ſchal buriowne as a
lilie. And þe root þerof ſchal breke out as of þe Liban;
vii þe braunchis þerof ſchulen go. And þe glorye þerof
ſchal be as an olyue tree, and þe odour þerof ſchal be as
of þe Liban.
viii Þei ſchulen be conuertid, and ſitte in þe ſchadewe of
hym; þei ſchulen lyue bi wheete, and ſchulen buriowne
as a vyne. Þe memorial þerof ſchal be as þe wyne of
Liban.
ix Effraym, what ſchulen idols do more to me? Y ſchal
here him, and Y ſchal dreſſe him as a greene fir tree. Þi
fruit is foundun of me.
x Who is wijs, and ſchal vndurſtonde þeſe þingis? who
is vndurſtondyng, and ſchal kunne þeſe þingis? For þe
weies of þe Lord ben riȝtful, and iuſt men ſchulen go in
þo; but treſpaſſours ſchulen falle in þo.
Here endiþ Oſee, and here biginneþ Joel.

JOEL
CAP. I
i Þe word of þe Lord is þis, þat was maad to Joel, þe
ſone of Phatuel.
ii Elde men, here ȝe þis, and alle dwelleris of þe lond,
perſeyue ȝe wiþ eeris. If þis þing was don in ȝoure
daies, eþer in þe daies of ȝoure fadris.
iii Of þis þing telle ȝe to ȝour ſones, and ȝour ſones telle
to her ſones, and þe ſones of hem telle to anoþer
generacioun.
iiii A locuſte eet þe reſidue of a worte worm, and a bruke
eet þe reſidue of a locuſte, and ruſt eet þe reſidue of a
bruke.
v Drunken men, wake ȝe, and wepe; and ȝelle ȝe, alle
þat drynken wyn in ſwetneſſe; for it periſchide fro ȝoure
mouþ.
vi For whi a folc ſtrong and vnnoumbrable ſtiede on my
lond. Þe teeþ þerof ben as þe teeþ of a lioun, and þe
cheek teeþ þerof ben as of a whelp of a lioun.
vii It ſettide my vyner in to deſert, and took awei þe
riynde of my fige tre. It made nakid and ſpuylide þat
vyner, and caſtide forþ; þe braunchis þerof ben maad
white.
viii Weile þou, as a virgyn gird wiþ a ſak on þe
hoſebonde of hir tyme of mariage.
ix Sacrifice and moiſt ſacrifice periſchide fro þe hous of
þe Lord; and preeſtis, þe mynyſtris of þe Lord,
moureneden.
x Þe cuntrey is maad bare of puple. Þe erþe mourenyde;
for whete is diſtried. Wyn is ſchent, and oile was ſijk,
eþer failide.
xi Þe erþe tilieris ben ſchent, þe vyn tilieris ȝelliden on
wheete and barli; for þe ripe corn of þe feeld is
periſchid.
xii Þe vyner is ſchent; and þe fige tre was ſijk. Þe
pomgarnate tre, and þe palm tre, and þe fir tre, and alle
trees of þe feeld drieden vp; for ioie is ſchent fro þe
ſones of men.
xiii Ȝe preſtis, girde ȝou, and weile; ȝe mynyſtris of þe
auter, ȝelle. Mynyſtris of my God, entre ȝe, ligge ȝe in
ſak; for whi ſacrifice and moiſt ſacrifice periſchide fro
þe hous of ȝoure God.
xiiii Halewe ȝe faſtyng, clepe ȝe cumpeny, gadere ȝe
togidere elde men, and alle dwelleris of þe erþe in to þe
hous of ȝoure God; and crie ȝe to þe Lord, A!
xv A! A! to þe dai; for þe dai of þe Lord is niȝ, and ſchal
come as a tempeſt fro þe myȝti.
xvi Wheþer foodis periſchiden not bifore ȝoure iȝen;
gladneſſe and ful out ioie periſchide fro þe hous of
ȝoure God?
xvii Beeſtis wexen rotun in her drit. Bernes ben diſtried,
celeris ben diſtried, for wheete is ſchent.
DCCXCI
xviii Whi weilide a beeſte? whi lowiden þe flockis of
oxun and kien? for no leſewe is to hem; but alſo þe
flockis of ſcheep periſchiden.
xix Lord, Y ſchal crye to þee, for fier eet þe faire þingis
of deſert, and flawme brente all þe trees of þe cuntrei.
xx But alſo beeſtis of þe feeld, as a corn floor þirſtynge
reyn, bihelden to þee; for þe wellis of watris ben dried
vp, and fier deuouride þe faire þingis of deſert.
CAP. II
i Synge ȝe wiþ a trumpe in Sion, ȝelle ȝe in myn hooli
hil. Alle þe dwelleris of erþe be diſturblid; for þe dai of
þe Lord comeþ,
ii for þe dai of derkneſſis and of myiſt is niȝ, þe dai of
cloude and of whirlewynde. As þe morewtid ſpred
abrood on hillis, a myche puple and ſtrong. Noon was
lijk it fro þe bigynnyng, and after it ſchal not be, til in to
ȝeeris of generacioun and of generacioun.
iii Bifore þe face þerof ſchal be fier deuourynge, and
after it ſchal be brennynge flawme; as a gardyn of liking
þe lond ſchal be bifor him, and wildirneſſe of deſert
ſchal be after him, and noon is þat ſchal aſcape him.
iiii Þe lokyng of hem ſchal be as þe lokyng of horſis, and
as horſe men ſo þei ſchulen renne.
v As þe ſown of cartis on þe heedis of hillis þei ſchulen
ſkippe; as þe ſowne of þe flawme of fier deuourynge
ſtobil, as a ſtrong puple maad redi to batel.
vi Puplis ſchulen be turmentid of þe face þerof, alle facis
ſchulen be dryuun in to a pot.
vii As ſtronge men þei ſchulen renne, as men werriours
þei ſchulen ſtie on þe wal. Men ſchulen go in her weies,
and þei ſchulen not bowe awei fro her paþis.
viii Ech man ſchal not make ſtreyt his broþer, ech man
ſchal go in his paþ; but alſo þei ſchulen falle doun bi
wyndows, and ſchulen not be hirt.
ix Þei ſchulen entre in to þe citee, þei ſchulen renne on
þe wal; þei ſchulen ſtie on houſis, þei ſchulen entre as a
niȝt þeef bi wyndows.
x Þe erþe tremblide of his face, heuenys weren mouyd,
þe ſunne and þe moone weren maad derk, and ſterris
wiþdrowen her ſchynyng.
xi And þe Lord ȝaf his vois bifor þe face of his ooſt, for
hiſe ooſtis ben ful manye; for þo ben ſtronge, and doen
þe word of hym. For þe dai of þe Lord is greet, and ful
ferdful, and who ſchal ſuffre it?
xii Now þerfor ſeiþ þe Lord, Be ȝe conuertid to me in al
ȝoure herte, in faſtyng, and wepyng, and weilyng;
xiii and kerue ȝe ȝoure hertis, and not ȝoure cloþis, and
be ȝe conuertid to ȝoure Lord God, for he is benygne,
and merciful, pacient, and of myche merci, and
abidynge, eþer forȝyuynge, on malice.
xiiii Who woot, if God be conuertid, and forȝyue, and
leeue bleſſyng aftir hym? ſacrifice and moiſt ſacrifice to
oure Lord God.
xv Synge ȝe wiþ a trumpe in Sion, halewe ȝe faſtyng,
clepe ȝe cumpany; gadere ȝe togidere þe puple, halewe
ȝe þe chirche,
xvi gadere ȝe togidere elde men, gadere ȝe togidere litle
children, and ſoukynge þe breſtis; a ſpouſe go out of his
bed, and a ſpouſeſſe of hir chaumbre.
xvii Preſtis, þe mynyſtris of þe Lord, ſchulen wepe
bitwixe þe porche and þe auter, and ſchulen ſeie, Lord!
ſpare þou, ſpare þi puple, and ȝyue þou not þin eritage
in to ſchenſchipe, þat naciouns be lordis of hem. Whi
ſeien þei among puplis, Where is þe God of hem?
xviii Þe Lord louyde gelouſli his lond, and ſparide his
puple.
xix And þe Lord anſweride, and ſeide to his puple, Lo! Y
ſchal ſende to ȝou wheete, and wyn, and oile, and ȝe
ſchulen be fillid wiþ þo; and Y ſchal no more ȝyue ȝou
ſchenſchipe among heþene men.
xx And Y ſchal make hym þat is at þe norþ fer fro ȝou;
and Y ſchal caſt hym out in to a lond wiþ out weie, and
deſert; his face aȝens þe eeſt ſee, and þe laſte part þerof
at þe laſt ſee; and þe ſtynk þerof ſchal ſtie, and þe root
þerof ſchal ſtie, for he dide proudli.
xxi Erþe, nyle þou drede, make þou ful out ioye, and be
glad; for þe Lord magnefiede þat he ſchulde do.
xxii Beeſtis of þe cuntrei, nyle ȝe drede, for þe faire
þingis of deſert buriowneden; for þe tre brouȝte his
fruyt, þe fige tre and vyner ȝauen her vertu.
xxiii And þe ſones of Sion, make ȝe ful out ioie, and be
ȝe glad in ȝoure Lord God, for he ȝaf to ȝou a techere of
riȝtfulneſſe, and he ſchal make morewtid reyn and
euentid reyn to come doun to ȝou, as in þe bigynnyng.
xxiiii And cornflooris ſchulen be fillid of wheete, and
preſſours ſchulen flowe wiþ wyn, and oile.
xxv And Y ſchal ȝelde to ȝou þe ȝeris whiche þe locuſte,
bruke, and ruſt, and wort worm, my greet ſtrengþe, eet,
which Y ſente in to ȝou.
xxvi And ȝe ſchulen ete etyng, and ȝe ſchulen be fillid;
and ȝe ſchulen herie þe name of ȝoure Lord God, þat
made merueils wiþ ȝou; and my puple ſchal not be
ſchent wiþ outen ende.
xxvii And ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am in þe myddis of
Iſrael; and Y am ȝoure Lord God, and `noon is more;
and my puple ſchal not be ſchent wiþ outen ende.
xxviii And it ſchal be, aftir þeſe þingis Y ſchal ſchede out
my ſpirit on ech man, and ȝoure ſones and ȝoure
douȝtris ſchulen profeſie; ȝoure elde men ſchulen dreme
dremes, and ȝoure ȝonge men ſchulen ſe viſiouns.
xxix But alſo Y ſchal ſchede out my ſpirit on my
ſeruauntis, and handmaydis, in þo daies;
DCCXCII
xxx and Y ſchal ȝyue grete wondris in heuene, and in
erþe, blood, and fier, and þe heete of ſmoke.
xxxi Þe ſunne ſchal be turned in to derkneſſis, and þe
moone in to blood, bifor þat þe greet dai and orrible of
þe Lord come.
xxxii And it ſchal be, ech þat clepiþ to helpe þe name of
þe Lord, ſchal be ſaaf; for whi ſaluacioun ſchal be in þe
hil of Sion and in Jeruſalem, as þe Lord ſeide, and in þe
reſidue men, whiche þe Lord clepiþ.
CAP. III
i For lo! in þo daies, and in þat tyme, whanne Y ſchal
turne þe caitifte of Juda and of Jeruſalem,
ii Y ſchal gadere alle folkis, and Y ſchal lede hem in to
þe valei of Joſephat; and Y ſchal diſpute þere wiþ hem
on my puple, and myn eritage Iſrael, whiche þei
ſcateriden among naciouns; and þei departiden my lond,
and ſenten lot on my puple;
iii and þei ſettiden a knaue child in þe bordel hous, and
ſeelden a dameſel for wyn, þat þei ſchulden drynke.
iiii But what to me and to ȝou, þou Tire, and Sidon, and
ech ende of Paleſtyns? Wheþir ȝe ſchulen ȝelde vengyng
to me? and if ȝe vengen ȝou aȝens me, ſoone ſwiftli Y
ſchal ȝelde while to ȝou on ȝoure heed.
v Ȝe token awey my ſiluer and gold, and ȝe brouȝten my
deſirable þingis and faireſte þingis in to ȝoure templis of
idols.
vi And ȝe ſelden þe ſones of Juda, and þe ſones of
Jeruſalem to þe ſones of Grekis, þat ȝe ſchulden make
hem fer fro her cooſtis.
vii Lo! Y ſchal reiſe hem fro þe place in which ȝe ſeelden
hem; and Y ſchal turne ȝoure ȝeldyng in to ȝoure heed.
viii And Y ſchal ſille ȝoure ſones and ȝoure douȝtris in þe
hondis of þe ſones of Juda, and þei ſchulen ſelle hem to
Sabeis, a fer folc, for þe Lord ſpak.
ix Crye ȝe þis þing among heþene men, halewe ȝe batel,
reiſe ȝe ſtronge men; alle men werriours, neiȝ, and ſtie.
x Beete ȝe togydere ȝoure plowis in to ſwerdis, and
ȝoure mattokkis in to ſpeeris; a ſijk man ſeie, þat Y am
ſtrong.
xi Alle folkis, breke ȝe out, and come fro cumpas, and
be ȝe gaderid togidere; þere þe Lord ſchal make þi
ſtronge men to die.
xii Folkis riſe togidere, and ſtie in to þe valei of Joſofat;
for Y ſchal ſitte þere, to deme alle folkis in cumpas.
xiii Sende ȝe ſikelis, `eþer ſiþis, for ripe corn wexide;
come ȝe, and go ȝe doun, for þe preſſour is ful;
preſſouris ben plenteuouſe, for þe malice of hem is
multiplied.
xiiii Puplis, puplis in þe valei of kittyng doun; for þe dai
of þe Lord is nyȝ in þe valei of kittyng doun.
xv Þe ſunne and þe moone ben maad derk, and ſterris
wiþdrowen her ſchynyng.
xvi And þe Lord ſchal rore fro Sion, and ſchal ȝyue his
vois fro Jeruſalem, and heuenes and erþe ſchulen be
mouyd; and þe Lord is þe hope of his puple, and þe
ſtrengþe of þe ſones of Iſrael.
xvii And ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y am ȝoure Lord God,
dwellynge in Sion, in myn hooli hil; and Jeruſalem ſchal
be hooli, and aliens ſchulen no more paſſe bi it.
xviii And it ſchal be, in þat dai mounteyns ſchulen
droppe ſwetneſſe, and litle hillis ſchulen flowe wiþ
mylke, and watris ſchulen go bi alle þe ryueris of Juda;
and a welle ſchal go out of þe hous of þe Lord, and
ſchal moiſte þe ſtronde of þornes.
xix Egipt ſchal be in to deſolacioun, and Idume in to
deſert of perdicioun; for þat þat þei diden wickidli aȝens
þe ſones of Juda, and ſchedden out innocent blood in
her lond.
xx And Judee ſchal be enhabited wiþ outen ende, and
Jeruſalem in to generacioun and in to generacioun.
xxi And Y ſchal clenſe þe blood of hem, which Y hadde
not clenſid; and þe Lord ſchal dwelle in Syon.
Here endiþ Joel, and here biginniþ Amos.

DCCXCIII

AMOS
CAP. I
i Þe wordis of Amos ben þeſe, þat was in þe ſchepherdis
þingis of Thecue, whiche he ſiȝ on Iſrael, in þe daies of
Oſie, king of Juda, and in þe daies of Jeroboam, ſone of
Joas, kyng of Iſrael, bifor twei ȝeeris of þe erþe
mouynge.
ii And he ſeide, Þe Lord ſchal rore fro Sion, and ſchal
ȝyue his vois fro Jeruſalem; and þe faire þingis of
ſchepherdis mourenyden, and þe cop of Carmele was
maad drie.
iii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, On þre grete treſpaſſis of
Damaſk, and on foure, I ſhal not conuerte it, for it
þreiſchide Galaad in irun waynes.
iiii And Y ſchal ſende fier in to þe hous of Aſael, and it
ſchal deuoure þe houſis of Benadab.
v And Y ſchal al to-breke þe barre of Damaſk, and Y
ſchal leeſe a dwellere fro þe feeld of idol, and hym þat
holdiþ þe ceptre fro þe hous of luſt and of letcherie; and
þe puple of Sirie ſchal be tranſlatid to Sirenen, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
vi Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, On þre grete treſpaſſis of
Gaſa, and on foure, Y ſchal not conuerte it, for it
tranſlatide perfit caitifte, to cloſe þat togidere in Idumee.
vii And Y ſchal ſende fier in to þe wal of Gaſa, and it
ſchal deuoure þe houſis þerof.
viii And Y ſchal leeſe þe dwelleris of Azotus, and hym
þat holdiþ þe ceptre of Aſcalon; and Y ſchal turne myn
hond on Accaron, and þe remenauntis of Filiſteis
ſchulen periſche, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
ix Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, On þre grete treſpaſſis
of Tire, and on foure, Y ſchal not conuerte it, for þei
cloſiden togidere perfit caitifte in Idumee, and hadde
not mynde on þe boond of pees of briþeren.
x And Y ſchal ſende fier in to þe wal of Tire, and it ſchal
deuoure þe houſis þerof.
xi Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, On þre grete treſpaſſis of
Edom, and on foure, Y ſchal not conuerte it, for it
purſuede bi ſwerd his broþer, and defoulide þe merci of
hym, and helde ferþere his woodneſſe, and kepte his
indignacioun `til in to þe ende.
xii Y ſchal ſende fier in to Theman, and it ſchal deuoure
þe houſis of Boſra.
xiii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, On þre grete treſpaſſis of þe
ſones of Amon, and on foure, Y ſchal not conuerte hym,
for he karf þe wymmen wiþ childe of Galaad, for to
alarge his terme.
xiiii And Y ſchal kyndle fier in þe wal of Rabbe, and it
ſchal deuoure þe houſis þerof, in ȝellyng in þe dai of
batel, and in whirlwynd in þe dai of mouyng togidere.
xv And Melchon ſchal go in to caitifte, he and hiſe
princes togidere, ſeiþ þe Lord.
DCCXCIV
CAP. II
i Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, On þre grete treſpaſſis of
Moab, and on foure, Y ſchal not conuerte it, for it brente
þe boonys of þe kyng of Idumee til to aiſche.
ii And Y ſchal ſende fier in to Moab, and it ſchal
deuoure þe houſis of Carioth; and Moab ſchal die in
ſown, in þe noiſe of a trumpe.
iii And Y ſchal leeſe a iuge of þe myddis þerof, and Y
ſchal ſle wiþ it alle þe princes þerof, ſeiþ þe Lord.
iiii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, On þre grete treſpaſſis of
Juda, and on foure, Y ſchal not conuerte hym, for he
haþ caſte awei þe lawe of þe Lord, and kepte not þe
comaundementis of hym; for her idols, after whiche þe
fadris of hem ȝeden, diſſeyueden hem.
v And Y ſchal ſende fier in to Juda, and it ſchal deuoure
þe houſis of Jeruſalem.
vi Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, On þre grete treſpaſſis of
Iſrael, and on foure, Y ſchal not conuerte hym, for þat
þat he ſeelde a iuſt man for ſiluer, and a pore man for
ſchoon.
vii Whiche al to-foulen þe heedis of pore men on þe duſt
of erþe, and bowen awei þe weie of meke men; and þe
ſone and his fadir ȝeden to a dameſele, þat þei ſchulden
defoule myn hooli name.
viii And þei eeten on cloþis leid to wedde biſidis ech
auter, and drunken þe wyn of dampned men in þe hous
of her God.
ix Forſoþe Y diſtriede Ammorrei fro þe face of hem,
whos hiȝneſſe was þe hiȝneſſe of cedris, and he was
ſtrong as an ook; and Y al to-brak þe fruyt of hym
aboue, and þe rootis of hym byneþe.
x Y am, þat made ȝou to ſtie fro þe lond of Egipt, and
ledde ȝou out in deſert bi fourti ȝeer, þat ȝe ſchulden
welde þe lond of Ammorrei.
xi And Y reiſide of ȝoure ſones in to profetis, and
Nayareis of ȝoure ȝonge men. Wheþer it is not ſo, ȝe
ſones of Iſrael? ſeiþ þe Lord.
xii And ȝe birliden wyn to Nayareis, and comaundiden
to profetis, and ſeiden, Profecie ȝe not.
xiii Lo! Y ſchal charke vndur ȝou, as a wayn chargid wiþ
hei charkiþ.
xiiii And fliȝt ſchal periſche fro a ſwift man, and a ſtrong
man ſchal not holde his vertu, and a ſtalworþe man ſchal
not ſaue his lijf;
xv and he þat holdiþ a bowe ſchal not ſtonde, and a ſwift
man ſchal not be ſauyd by hiſe feet; and þe ſtiere of an
hors ſchal not ſaue his lijf,
xvi and a ſtronge man of herte ſchal fle nakid among
ſtronge men in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. III
i Sones of Iſrael, here ȝe þe word which þe Lord ſpak on
ȝou, and on al þe kynrede, which Y ledde out of þe lond
of Egipt,
ii and ſeide, Oneli Y knewe ȝou of alle þe kynredis of
erþe; þerfor Y ſchal viſite on ȝou alle ȝoure wickidneſſis.
iii Wheþer tweyne ſchulen go togidere, no but it acorde
to hem?
iiii Wheþer a lioun ſchal rore in a foreſt, no but he haue
prey? Wheþer þe whelp of a lioun ſchal ȝyue vois fro
his denne, no but he take ony þing?
v Wheþer a brid ſchal falle in to a ſnare of erþe, wiþ
outen a foulere? Wheþer a ſnare ſchal be takun awei fro
erþe, bifor þat it tak ſum þing?
vi Wheþer a trumpe ſchal ſowne in a citee, and þe puple
ſchal not drede? Wheþer yuel ſchal be in a citee, which
yuel þe Lord ſchal not make?
vii For þe Lord God ſchal not make a word, no but he
ſchewe his priuyte to hiſe ſeruauntis profetis.
viii A lioun ſchal rore, who ſchal not drede? þe Lord
God ſpak, who ſchal not profeſie?
ix Make ȝe herd in þe houſis of Azotus, and in þe houſis
of þe lond of Egipt; and ſeie ȝe, Be ȝe gaderid togidere
on þe hillis of Samarye, and ſe ȝe many woodneſſis in
þe myddis þerof, and hem þat ſuffren fals calenge in þe
priuy places þerof.
x And þei kouden not do riȝtful þing, ſeiþ þe Lord, and
treſouriden wickidneſſe and raueyn in her houſis.
xi Þerfor þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe lond ſchal be
troblid, and be cumpaſſid; and þi ſtrengþe ſchal be
drawun doun of þee, and þin houſis ſchulen be
rauyſchid.
xii Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, As if a ſchepherd
rauyſchiþ fro þe mouþ of a lioun tweyne hipis, eþer þe
laſte þing of þe eere, ſo þe children of Iſrael ſchulen be
rauyſchid, þat dwellen in Samarie, in þe cuntrei of bed,
and in þe bed of Damaſk.
xiii Here ȝe, and witneſſe ȝe in þe hous of Jacob, ſeiþ þe
Lord God of ooſtis.
xiiii For in þe dai, whanne Y ſchal bigynne to viſite þe
treſpaſſyngis of Iſrael on hym, Y ſchal viſite alſo on þe
auteris of Bethel; and þe hornes of þe auter ſchulen be
kit awei, and ſchulen falle doun in to erþe.
xv And Y ſchal ſmyte þe wynter hous wiþ þe ſomer
hous, and þe houſis of yuer ſchulen periſche, and many
houſis ſchulen be diſtried, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. IIII
i Ȝe fatte kien, þat ben in þe hil of Samarie, here þis
word; whiche maken fals caleng to nedi men, and
breken pore men; which ſeien to ȝoure lordis, Bringe ȝe,
and we ſchulen drynke.
DCCXCV
ii Þe Lord God ſwoor in his hooli, for lo! daies ſchulen
come on ȝou; and þei ſchulen reiſe ȝou in ſchaftis, and
ȝoure remenauntis in buylynge pottis.
iii And ȝe ſchulen go out bi þe openyngis, oon aȝens
anoþer, and ȝe ſchulen be caſt forþ in to Armon, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
iiii Come ȝe to Bethel, and do ȝe wickidli; to Galgala,
and multiplie ȝe treſpaſſyng; and offre ȝe eerli ȝoure
ſacrifices, in þre daies ȝoure tiþis.
v And ſacrifice ȝe heriyng of breed maad ſour, and clepe
ȝe wilful offryngis, and telle ȝe; for ȝe, ſones of Iſrael,
wolden ſo, ſeiþ þe Lord God.
vi Wherfor and Y ȝaf to ȝou aſtonying of teeþ in alle
ȝoure citees, and nedineſſe of looues in alle ȝoure
places; and ȝe turneden not aȝen to me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
vii Alſo Y forbeed reyn fro ȝou, whanne þre moneþis
weren ȝit `to comyng, til to ripe corn; and Y reynede on
o citee, and on anoþer citee Y reynede not; o part was
bireyned, and þe part driede vp on which Y reynede not.
viii And tweyne and þre citees camen to o citee, to
drynke watir, and þo weren not fillid; and ȝe camen not
aȝen to me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
ix Y ſmoot ȝou wiþ brennynge wynd, and wiþ ruſt, þe
multitude of ȝoure orcherdis, and of ȝoure vyneris; and
a wort worm eet ȝoure olyue places, and ȝoure fige
places; and ȝe camen not aȝen to me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
x Y ſente in to ȝou deþ in þe weie of Egipt, Y ſmoot wiþ
ſwerd ȝoure ȝonge men, `til to þe caitifte of ȝoure horſis,
and Y made þe ſtynk of ȝoure ooſtis to ſtie in to ȝoure
noſe þirlis; and ȝe camen not aȝen to me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xi Y diſtriede ȝou, as God diſtriede Sodom and
Gomorre, and ȝe ben maad as a brond rauyſchid of
brennyng; and ȝe turneden not aȝen to me, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xii Wherfor, þou Iſrael, Y ſchal do þeſe þingis to þee; but
aftir þat Y ſchal do to þee þeſe þingis, Iſrael, be maad
redi in to aȝen comyng of þi God.
xiii For lo! he fourmeþ hillis, and makiþ wynd, and
telliþ to man his ſpeche; and he makiþ a `morew myiſt,
and goiþ on hiȝ þingis of erþe; þe Lord God of ooſtis is
þe name of hym.
CAP. V
i Here ȝe þis word, for Y reiſe on ȝou a weilyng.
ii Þe hous of Iſrael felle doun, he ſchal not put to, þat it
riſe aȝen; þe virgyn of Iſrael is caſt doun in to hir lond,
noon is þat ſchal reiſe hir.
iii For þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þe citee of which a
þouſynde wenten out, an hundrid ſchulen be left þer
ynne; and of which an hundrid wenten out, ten ſchulen
be left þer ynne, in þe hous of Iſrael.
iiii For þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis to þe hous of Iſrael, Seke
ȝe me, and ȝe ſchulen lyue;
v and nyle ȝe ſeke Bethel, and nyle ȝe entre in to
Galgala, and ȝe ſchulen not paſſe to Berſabee; for whi
Galgal ſchal be led caitif, and Bethel ſchal be
vnprofitable.
vi Seke ȝe þe Lord, and lyue ȝe, leſt perauenture þe hous
of Joſeph be brent as fier; and it ſchal deuoure Bethel,
and þere ſchal not be, þat ſchal quenche.
vii Whiche conuerten doom in to wermod, and forſaken
riȝtwiſneſſe in þe lond,
viii and forſaken hym þat makiþ Arture and Orion, and
hym þat turneþ derkneſſis in to þe morewtid, and him
þat chaungiþ dai in to niȝt; which clepiþ watris of þe
ſee, and heldiþ out hem on þe face of erþe; þe Lord is
name of hym.
ix Which ſcorneþ diſtriyng on þe ſtronge, and bringiþ
robbyng on þe myȝti.
x Þei hatiden a man repreuynge in þe ȝate, and þei
wlatiden a man ſpekynge perfitli.
xi Þerfor for þat þat ȝe robbiden a pore man, and token
fro hym þe choſun prey, ȝe ſchulen bilde houſis wiþ
ſquare ſtoon, and ȝe ſchulen not dwelle in hem; ȝe
ſchulen plaunte mooſt louyd vyneȝerdis, and ȝe ſchulen
not drynke þe wyn of hem.
xii For Y knew ȝoure grete treſpaſſis many, and ȝoure
ſtronge ſynnes; enemyes of `þe riȝtwis man, takynge
ȝifte, and berynge doun pore men in þe ȝate.
xiii Þerfor a prudent man ſchal be ſtille in þat time, for
þe time is yuel.
xiiii Seke ȝe good, and not yuel, þat ȝe lyue, and þe Lord
God of ooſtis ſchal be wiþ ȝou, as ȝe ſeiden.
xv Hate ȝe yuel, and loue ȝe good, and ordeyne ȝe in þe
ȝate doom; if perauenture þe Lord God of ooſtis haue
merci on þe remenauntis of Joſeph.
xvi Þerfor þe Lord God of ooſtis, hauynge lordſchipe,
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Weilyng ſchal be in alle ſtretis, and in
alle þingis þat ben wiþoutforþ it ſchal be ſeid, Wo! wo!
and þei ſchulen clepe an erþe tilier to mourenyng, and
hem þat kunnen weile, to weilyng.
xvii And weilyng ſchal be in alle weies, for Y ſchal paſſe
forþ in þe myddil of `þe ſee, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xviii Wo to hem þat deſiren þe dai of þe Lord; wher to
deſiren ȝe it to ȝou? Þis dai of þe Lord ſchal be
derkneſſis, and not lyȝt.
xix As if a man renne fro þe face of a lioun, and a bere
renne to hym; and he entre in to þe hous, and lene wiþ
his hond on þe wal, and a ſerpent dwellynge in
ſchadewe bite hym.
xx Wheþer þe dai of þe Lord ſchal not be derkneſſis, and
not lyȝt; and myiſt, and not ſchynyng þer ynne?
xxi Y hatide and caſtide awei ȝoure feeſte daies, and Y
ſchal not take þe odour of ȝoure cumpenyes.
DCCXCVI
xxii Þat if ȝe offren to me ȝoure brent ſacrifices, and
ȝiftis, Y ſchal not reſſeyue, and Y ſchal not biholde
avowis of ȝoure fatte þingis.
xxiii Do þou awei fro me þe noiſe of þi ſongis, and Y
ſchal not here þe ſongis of þin harpe.
xxiiii And doom ſchal be ſchewid as watir, and
riȝtfulneſſe as a ſtrong ſtreem.
xxv Wheþer ȝe, þe hous of Iſrael, offriden to me
ſacrifices for enemyes to be ouercomun, and ſacrifice in
deſert fourti ȝeeris?
xxvi And ȝe han bore tabernaclis to Moloch, ȝoure god,
and ymage of ȝoure idols, þe ſterre of ȝoure god, which
ȝe maden to ȝou.
xxvii And Y ſchal make ȝou for to paſſe ouer Damaſk,
ſeide þe Lord; God of ooſtis is þe name of him.
CAP. VI
i Wo to ȝou, þat ben ful of richeſſis in Sion, and triſten
in þe hil of Samarie, ȝe principal men, þe heedis of
puplis, þat goen proudli in to þe hous of Iſrael.
ii Go ȝe in to Calamye, and ſe ȝe, and go ȝe fro þennus
in to Emath þe greet; and go ȝe doun in to Geth of
Paleſtyns, and to alle þe beſte rewmes of hem, if her
terme be broddere þan ȝoure terme.
iii And ȝe ben departid in to yuel dai, and neiȝen to þe
ſeete of wickidneſſe;
iiii and ȝe ſlepen in beddis of yuer, and doen letcherie in
ȝoure beddis; and ȝe eten a lomb of þe flok, and calues
of þe myddil of droue;
v and ȝe ſyngen at vois of ſautree. As Dauid þei geſſiden
hem for to haue inſtrumentis of ſong, and drynken wyn
in viols;
vi and wiþ beſte oynement þei weren anoynted; and in
no þing þei hadden compaſſioun on þe ſorewe, eþer
defoulyng, of Joſeph.
vii Wherfor now þei ſchulen paſſe in þe heed of men
paſſynge ouer, and þe doyng of men doynge letcherie
ſchal be don awei.
viii Þe Lord God ſwoor in his ſoule, ſeiþ þe Lord God of
ooſtis, Y wlate þe pride of Jacob, and Y hate þe houſis
of hym, and Y ſchal bitake þe citee wiþ hiſe dwelleris;
ix þat if ten men ben left in oon hous, and þei ſchulen
die.
x And his neiȝbore ſchal take hym, and ſchal brenne
hym, þat he bere out boonys of þe hous. And he ſchal
ſeie to hym, þat is in þe priuy places of þe hous,
xi Wheþer þer is ȝit anentis þee? And he ſchal anſwer,
An ende is. And he ſchal ſeie to hym, Be þou ſtille, and
þenke þou not on þe name of þe Lord.
xii For lo! þe Lord ſchal comaunde, and ſchal ſmyte þe
grettere hous wiþ fallyngis, and þe leſſe hous wiþ
brekyngis.
xiii Wheþer horſis moun renne in ſtoonys, eþer it mai be
eerid wiþ wielde oxun? For ȝe turneden doom in to
bitterneſſe, and þe fruyt of riȝtfulneſſe in to wermod.
xiiii And ȝe ben glad in nouȝt, and ȝe ſeien, Wheþer not
in oure ſtrengþe we token to vs hornes?
xv Lo! Y ſchal reiſe on ȝou, þe hous of Iſrael, ſeiþ þe
Lord God of ooſtis, a folc; and it ſchal al to-breke ȝou
fro entre of Emath `til to þe ſtreem of deſert.
CAP. VII
i Þe Lord God ſchewide þeſe þingis to me; and lo! a
makere of locuſt in bigynnyng of buriownynge þingis of
euentid reyn, and lo! euentid reyn after þe clippere of
þe kyng.
ii And it was don, whanne he hadde endid for to ete þe
erbe of erþe, Y ſeide, Lord God, Y biſeche, be þou
merciful; who ſchal reiſe Jacob, for he is litil?
iii Þe Lord hadde merci on þis þing; It ſchal not be, ſeide
þe Lord God.
iiii Þe Lord God ſchewide to me þeſe þingis; and lo! þe
Lord God ſchal clepe doom to fier, and it ſchal deuoure
myche depþe of watir, and it eet togidere a part.
v And Y ſeide, Lord God, Y biſeche, reſte þou; who
ſchal reiſe Jacob, for he is litil?
vi Þe Lord hadde merci on þis þing; But and þis þing
ſchal not be, ſeide þe Lord God.
vii Þe Lord God ſchewide to me þeſe þingis; and lo! þe
Lord ſtondinge on a wal plaſtrid, and in þe hond of hym
was a trulle of a maſoun.
viii And þe Lord ſeide to me, What ſeeſt þou, Amos?
And Y ſeide, A trulle of a maſoun. And þe Lord ſeide,
Lo! I ſchal putte a trulle in þe myddil of my puple
Iſrael; Y ſchal no more putte to, for to ouerlede it;
ix and þe hiȝ þingis of idol ſchulen be diſtried, and þe
halewyngis of Iſrael ſchulen be deſolat; and Y ſchal riſe
on þe hous of Jeroboam bi ſwerd.
x And Amaſie, preſt of Bethel, ſente to Jeroboam, kyng
of Iſrael, and ſeide, Amos rebellide aȝens þee, in þe
myddil of þe hous of Iſrael; þe lond mai not ſuſteyne
alle hiſe wordis.
xi For Amos ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Jeroboam ſchal die bi
ſwerd, and Iſrael caitif ſchal paſſe fro his lond.
xii And Amaſie ſeide to Amos, Þou þat ſeeſt, go; fle þou
in to þe lond of Juda, and ete þou þere þi breed; and
þere þou ſchalt profeſie.
xiii And þou ſchalt no more put to, þat þou profeſie in
Bethel, for it is þe halewyng of þe king, and is þe hous
of þe rewme.
xiiii And Amos anſweride, and ſeide to Amaſie, Y am not
a profete, and Y am not ſone of profete; but an herde of
neet Y am, drawyng vp ſicomoris.
DCCXCVII
xv And þe Lord took me, whanne Y ſuede þe floc; and
þe Lord ſeide to me, Go, and profeſie þou to my puple
Iſrael.
xvi And now here þou þe word of þe Lord. Þou ſeiſt,
Þou ſchalt not profeſie on Iſrael, and þou ſchal not
droppe on þe hous of idol.
xvii For þis þing þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þi wijf ſchal
do fornicacioun in þe citee, and þi ſones and þi douȝtris
ſchal falle bi ſwerd, and þi lond ſchal be motun wiþ a
litil coord; and þou ſchalt die in a pollutid lond, and
Iſrael caitif ſchal paſſe fro his lond.
CAP. VIII
i Þe Lord God ſchewide to me þeſe þingis; and lo! an
hook of applis.
ii And þe Lord ſeide, What ſeiſt þou, Amos? And Y
ſeide, An hook of applis. And þe Lord ſeide to me, Þe
ende is comun on my puple Iſrael; Y ſchal no more
putte to, þat Y paſſe bi hym.
iii And þe herris, eþer twiſtis, of þe temple ſchulen
greetli ſowne in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord God. Many men
ſchulen die, ſilence ſchal be caſt forþ in ech place.
iiii Here ȝe þis þing, whiche al to-breken a pore man,
and maken nedi men of þe lond for to faile;
v and ȝe ſeien, Whanne ſchal herueſt paſſe, and we
ſchulen ſille marchaundiſes? and þe ſabat, and we
ſchulen opene wheete? þat we make leſſe þe meſure,
and encreeſſe þe cicle, and `vndur put gileful balauncis;
vi þat we welde bi ſiluer nedi men and pore men for
ſchoon, and we ſille outcaſtyngis of wheete?
vii Þe Lord ſwoor aȝens þe pride of Jacob, Y ſchal not
forȝete til to þe ende alle þe werkis of hem.
viii Wheþer on þis þing þe erþe ſchal not be mouyd
togidere, and eche dwellere þerof ſchal mourene? And it
ſchal ſtie vp as al þe flood, and ſchal be caſt out, and
ſchal flete awei as þe ſtronde of Egipt.
ix And it ſchal be, ſeiþ þe Lord, in þat dai þe ſunne ſchal
go doun in myddai, and Y ſchal make þe erþe for to be
derk in þe dai of lyȝt.
x And Y ſchal conuerte ȝoure feeſte daies in to
mourenyng, and alle ȝoure ſongis in to weilyng; and Y
ſchal brynge yn on ech bac of ȝou a ſak, and on ech
heed of ȝou ballidneſſe; and Y ſchal put it as þe
mourenyng of oon bigetun ſone, and þe laſte þingis
þerof as a bittir dai.
xi Lo! þe daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y ſchal ſende
out hungur in to erþe; not hungur of breed, neþer þirſt
of watir, but of herynge þe word of God.
xii And þei ſchulen be mouyd to gidere fro þe ſee til to
þe ſee, and fro þe norþ til to þe eeſt þei ſchulen
cumpaſſe, ſekynge þe word of þe Lord, and þei ſchulen
not fynde.
xiii In þat dai faire maidens ſchulen faile, and ȝonge men man ſowynge ſeed; and mounteyns ſchulen droppe
in þirſt, whiche ſweren in treſpas of Samarie, ſwetneſſe, and alle ſmale hillis ſchulen be tilid.
xiiii and ſeien, Dan, þi god lyueþ, and þe weie of xiiii And Y ſchal conuerte þe caitifte of my puple Iſrael,

Berſabee lyueþ; and þei ſchulen falle, and þei ſchulen
no more riſe aȝen.
CAP. IX
i I ſiȝ þe Lord ſtondynge on þe auter, and he ſeide,
and þei ſchulen bilde forſakun citees, and ſchulen
dwelle; and ſchulen plaunte vyneȝerdis, and þei ſchulen
drynke wyn of hem; and ſchulen make gardyns, and
ſchulen ete fruitis of hem.
xv And Y ſchal plaunte hem on her lond, and Y ſchal no

Smyte þou þe herre, and þe ouer þreſhfoldis be mouyd more drawe out hem of her lond, which Y ȝaf to hem,
togidere; for aueryce is in þe heed of alle, and Y ſchal ſeiþ þe Lord þi God.
ſle bi ſwerd þe laſte of hem; þer ſchal no fliȝt be to hem, Here endiþ Amos, and here bigynneþ Abdias.
and he þat ſchal fle of hem, ſchal not be ſauyd.
ii If þei ſchulen go doun til to helle, fro þennus myn
hond ſchal lede out hem; and if þei ſchulen `ſtie til in to
heuene, fro þennus Y ſchal drawe hem doun.
iii And if þei ſchulen be hid in þe cop of Carmele, fro
þennus Y ſekynge ſchal do awei hem; and if þei ſchulen
hide hem ſilf fro myn iȝen in þe depneſſe of þe ſee, þere
Y ſhal comaunde to a ſerpente, and it ſchal bite hem.
iiii And if þei ſchulen go awei in to caitifte bifore her
enemyes, þere Y ſchal comaunde to ſwerd, and it ſchal
ſle hem. And Y ſchal putte myn iȝen on hem in to yuel,
and not in to good.
v And þe Lord God of ooſtis ſchal do þeſe þingis, þat
touchiþ erþe, and it ſchal faile, and alle men dwellynge
þer ynne ſchulen mourene; and it ſchal ſtie vp as ech
ſtronde, and it ſchal flete awei as flood of Egipt.
vi He þat bildiþ his ſtiyng vp in heuene, ſchal do þeſe
þingis, and foundide his birþun on erþe; which clepiþ
watris of þe ſee, and heldiþ out hem on þe face of erþe;
þe Lord is name of hym.
vii Wheþer not as ſones of Ethiopiens ȝe ben to me, þe
ſones of Iſrael? ſeiþ þe Lord God. Wheþer Y made not
Iſrael for to ſtie vp fro þe lond of Egipt, and Paleſtines
fro Capodoſie, and Siriens fro Cirenen?
viii Lo! þe iȝen of þe Lord God ben on þe rewme
ſynnynge, and Y ſchal al to-breke it fro þe face of erþe;
neþeles Y al to-brekynge ſchal not al to-breke þe hous
of Jacob, ſeiþ þe Lord.
ix For lo! Y ſchal comaunde, and ſchal ſchake þe hous of
Iſrael in alle folkis, as wheete is in a riddil, and a litil
ſtoon ſchal not falle on erþe.
x Alle ſynneris of my puple ſchulen die bi ſwerd, whiche
ſeien, Yuel ſchal not neiȝ, and ſchal not come on vs.
xi In þat dai Y ſchal reiſe þe tabernacle of Dauiþ, þat
felle doun, and Y ſchal aȝen bilde openyngis of wallis
þerof, and Y ſchal reſtore þe þingis þat fellen doun; and
Y ſchal aȝen bilde it,
xii as in olde daies, þat þei welde þe remenauntis of
Idume, and alle naciouns; for þat my name is clepun to
help on hem, ſeiþ þe Lord doynge þeſe þingis.
xiii Lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and þe erere ſchal
take þe repere, and `þe ſtampere of grape ſchal take þe

DCCXCVIII
 xvi For as ȝe drunken on myn hooli hil, alle heþene men
ABDIAS ſchulen drynke biſili, and þei ſchulen drynke, and
ſchulen ſoupe vp; and þei ſchulen be as if þei ben not.
CAP. I xvii And ſaluacioun ſchal be in þe hil of Sion, and it
i Viſioun of Abdias. Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis to
ſchal be hooli; and þe hous of Jacob ſchal welde hem
Edom. We herden an heryng of þe Lord, and he ſente a
whiche weldiden hem.
meſſanger to heþene men. Riſe ȝe, and togidere riſe we xviii And þe hous of Jacob ſchal be fier, and þe hous of
aȝens hym in to batel.
ii Lo! Y ȝaf þee litil in heþene men, þou art ful myche Joſeph ſchal be flawme, and þe hous of Eſau ſchal be
ſtobil; and `þei ſchulen be kyndlid in hem, and þei
`worþi to be diſpiſid.
iii Þe pride of þin herte enhaunſide þee, dwellynge in
ſchulen deuoure hem; and relifs ſchulen not be of þe
hous of Eſau, for þe Lord ſpak.
craſyngis of ſtoonys, areiſynge þi ſeete. Whiche ſeiſt in xix And þeſe þat ben at þe ſouþ, ſchulen enherite þe hil
þin herte, Who ſchal drawe me doun in to erþe?
iiii Þouȝ þou ſchalt be reiſid as an egle, and þouȝ þou
of Eſau; and þei þat ben in þe lowe feeldis, ſchulen
enherite Filiſtiym; and þei ſchulen welde þe cuntrei of
ſchalt putte þi neſt among ſterris, fro þennus Y ſchal Effraym, and cuntrei of Samarie; and Beniamyn ſchal
drawe þee doun, ſeiþ þe Lord. welde Galaad.
v If niȝt þeuys hadden entrid to þee, if outlawis bi niȝt, xx And ouerpaſſyng of þis ooſt of ſones of Iſrael ſchal
hou ſchuldiſt þou haue be ſtille? wheþer þei ſchulden welde alle places of Cananeis, til to Sarepta; and þe
not haue ſtole þingis ynow to hem? If gadereris of tranſmygracioun of Jeruſalem, þat is in Boſphoro, ſchal
grapis hadden entrid to þee, wheþer þei ſchulden haue welde citees of þe ſouþ.
left nameli cluſtris to þee? xxi And ſauȝours ſchulen ſtie in to þe hil of Sion, for to
vi Hou ſouȝten þei Eſau, ſerchiden þe hid þingis of him?
deme þe hil of Eſau, and a rewme ſchal be to þe Lord.
vii Til to þe termes þei ſenten out þee; and alle men of þi
Heere endiþ Abdias, and here biginneþ Jonas.
couenaunt of pees ſcorneden þee, men of þi pees
wexiden ſtronge aȝens þee; þei þat ſchulen ete wiþ þee,
ſchulen put aſpies, eþer treſouns, vndur þee; þer is no
prudence in hym.
viii Wheþer not in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord, Y ſchal leſe þe
wiſe men of Idumee, and prudence of þe mount of
Eſau?
ix And þi ſtronge men ſchulen drede of myddai, þat a
man of þe hil of Eſau periſche.
x For ſleyng and for wickidneſſe aȝens þi broþer Jacob,
confuſioun ſchal hile þee, and þou ſchalt periſche wiþ
outen ende.
xi In þe dai whanne þou ſtodiſt aȝens hym, whanne
aliens token þe ooſt of hym, and ſtraungeris entriden þe
ȝatis of hym, and ſenten lot on Jeruſalem, þou were alſo
as oon of hem.
xii And þou ſchalt not diſpiſe in þe dai of þi broþer, in þe
dai of his pilgrimage, and þou ſchalt not be glad on þe
ſones of Juda, in þe dai of perdicioun of hem; and þou
ſchalt not magnefie þi mouþ in þe dai of angwiſch,
xiii neþer ſchalt entre in to þe ȝate of my puple, in þe dai
of fallyng of hem; and þou ſchalt not diſpiſe in þe yuels
of hym, in þe dai of his diſtriyng; and þou ſchalt not be
ſent out aȝens his ooſt, in þe day of his diſtriyng;
xiiii neþer þou ſchalt ſtonde in þe goynges out, þat þou
ſle hem þat fledden; and þou ſchalt not cloſe togidere þe
reſidues, eþer left men, of hym, in þe day of
tribulacioun,
xv for þe dai of þe Lord is niȝ on alle `heþene men. As
þou haſt doon, it ſchal be doon to þee; he ſchal conuerte
þi ȝeldyng in to þin heed.

DCCXCIX

JONAS
CAP. I
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Jonas,
ii ſone of Amathi, and ſeide, Riſe þou, and go in to
Nynyue, þe greet citee, and preche þou þer ynne, for þe
malice þerof ſtieþ vp bifore me.
iii And Jonas roos for to fle in to Tharſis, fro þe face of
þe Lord. And he cam doun to Joppe, and foond a ſchip
goynge in to Tharſis, and he ȝaf ſchip hire to hem; and
he wente doun in to it, for to go wiþ hem in to Tharſis,
fro þe face of þe Lord.
iiii Forſoþe þe Lord ſente a greet wynd in þe ſee, and a
greet tempeſt was maad in þe ſee, and þe ſchip was in
perel for to be al to-brokun.
v And ſchip men dredden, and men crieden to her god;
and ſenten veſſels, þat weren in þe ſchip, in to þe ſee,
þat it were maad liȝtere of hem. And Jonas wente doun
in to þe ynnere þingis of þe ſchip, and ſlepte bi a
greuouſe ſleep.
vi And þe gouernour cam to him, and ſeide to hym, Whi
art þou caſt doun in ſleep? riſe þou, clepe þi God to
help, if perauenture God aȝenþenke of vs, and we
periſche not.
vii And a man ſeide to his felowe, Come ȝe, and caſte
we lottis, and wite we, whi þis yuel is to vs. And þei
keſten lottis, and lot felle on Jonas.
viii And þei ſeiden to hym, Schewe þou to vs, for cauſe
of what þing þis yuel is to vs; what is þi werk, which is
þi lond, and whidur goiſt þou, eþer of what puple art
þou?
ix And he ſeide to hem, Y am an Ebrew, and Y drede þe
Lord God of heuene, þat made þe ſee and þe drie lond.
x And þe men dredden wiþ greet drede, and ſeiden to
him, Whi didiſt þou þis þing? for þe men knewen þat he
flei fro þe face of þe Lord, for Jonas hadde ſchewide to
hem.
xi And þei ſeiden to hym, What ſchulen we do to þee,
and þe ſee ſchal ſeeſſe fro vs? for þe ſee wente, and
wexe greet on hem.
xii And he ſeide to hem, Take ȝe me, and þrowe in to þe
ſee, and þe ſee ſchal ceeſſe fro ȝou; for Y woot, þat for
me þis greet tempeſt is on ȝou.
xiii And men rowiden, for to turne aȝen to þe drie lond,
and þei miȝten not, for þe ſee wente, and wexe greet on
hem.
xiiii And þei crieden to þe Lord, and ſeiden, Lord, we
biſechen, þat we periſche not in þe lijf of þis man, and
þat þou ȝyue not on vs innocent blood; for þou, Lord,
didiſt as þou woldiſt.
xv And þei token Jonas, and þrewen in to þe ſee; and þe
ſee ſtood of his buylyng.
DCCC
xvi And þe men dredden þe Lord wiþ greet drede, and
offriden ooſtis to þe Lord, and vowiden avowis.
CAP. II
i And þe Lord made redi a greet fiſch, þat he ſhulde
ſwolowe Jonas; and Jonas was in þe wombe of þe fiſch
þre daies and þre niȝtis.
ii And Jonas preiede to þe Lord his God fro þe fiſchis
wombe,
iii and ſeide, Y criede to God of my tribulacioun, and he
herde me; fro þe wombe of helle Y criede, and þou
herdiſt my vois.
iiii Þou caſtidiſt me doun in to depneſſe, in þe herte of þe
ſee, and þe flood cumpaſſide me; alle þi ſwolowis and þi
wawis paſſiden on me.
v And Y ſeide, Y am caſt awei fro ſiȝt of þin iȝen;
neþeles eftſoone Y ſchal ſee þin hooli temple.
vi Watris cumpaſſiden me `til to my ſoule, depneſſe
enuyrownede me, þe ſee hilide myn heed.
vii Y wente doun to þe vtmeſte places of hillis, þe barris
of erþe cloſiden me togidere, in to wiþouten ende; and
þou, my Lord God, ſchalt reiſe vp my lijf fro
corrupcioun.
viii Whanne my ſoule was angwiſched in me, Y biþouȝte
on þe Lord, þat my preier come to þee, to þin hooli
temple.
ix Þei þat kepen vanytees, forſaken his merci idili.
x But Y in vois of heriyng ſchal offre to þee; what euer
þingis Y vowide, Y ſchal ȝelde to þe Lord, for myn
helþe.
xi And þe Lord ſeide to þe fiſch, and it caſtide out Jonas
`in to þe drie lond.
CAP. III
i And þe word of þe Lord was maad þe ſecounde tyme
to Jonas, and ſeide, Riſe þou,
ii and go in to Nynyue, þe greet citee, and preche þou in
it þe prechyng which Y ſpeke to þee.
iii And Jonas roos, and wente in to Nynyue, bi þe word
of þe Lord. And Nynyue was a greet citee, of þe iurnei
of þre daies.
iiii And Jonas bigan for to entre in to þe citee, bi þe
iornei of o dai, and criede, and ſeide, Ȝit fourti daies,
and Nynyue ſchal be `turned vpſodoun.
v And men of Nynyue bileueden to þe Lord, and
prechiden faſtyng, and weren cloþid wiþ ſackis, fro þe
more `til to þe leſſe.
vi And þe word cam til to þe kyng of Nynyue; and he
roos of his ſeete, and caſtide awei his cloþing fro him,
and was cloþid wiþ a ſak, and ſat in aiſche.
vii And he criede, and ſeide in Nynyue of þe mouþ of þe
kyng and of `his princis, `and ſeide, Men, and werk
beeſtis, and oxun, and ſcheep taaſte not ony þing, neþer Here endiþ Jonas, and here bigynneþ Micheas.
be fed, neþer drynke watir.
viii And men be hilid wiþ ſackis, and werk beeſtis crie to
þe Lord in ſtrengþe; `and be a man conuertid fro his
yuel weie, and fro wickidneſſe þat is in þe hondis of
hem.
ix Who woot, if God be conuertid, and forȝyue, and be
turned aȝen fro woodneſſe of his wraþþe, and we
ſchulen not periſche?
x And God ſai þe werkis of hem, þat þei weren
conuertid fro her yuel weie; and God hadde merci on þe
malice which he ſpac, þat he ſchulde do to hem, and did
not.

CAP. IIII
i And Jonas was turmentid wiþ greet turment, and was
wrooþ.
ii And he preiede þe Lord, and ſeide, Lord, Y biſeche,
wheþer þis is not my word, whanne Y was ȝit in my
lond? For þis þing Y purpoſide, for to fle in to Tharſis;
for Y woot, þat þou, God, art meke and merciful,
pacient, and of merciful doyng, and forȝyuynge on
malice.
iii And now, Lord, Y preie, take my ſoule fro me; for
deþ is betere to me þan lijf.
iiii And þe Lord ſeide, Geſſiſt þou, wheþer þou art wel
wrooþ?
v And Jonas wente out of þe citee, and ſat aȝens þe eeſt
of þe citee, and made to hym a ſchadewyng place þere;
and ſat vndur it in ſchadewe, til he ſai what bifelle to þe
citee.
vi And þe Lord God made redy an yuy, and it ſtiede vp
on þe heed of Jonas, þat ſchadewe were on his heed,
and kyueride hym; for he hadde trauelid. And Jonas was
glad on þe yuy, wiþ greet gladneſſe.
vii And God made redi a worm, in ſtiyng up of grei dai
on þe morewe; and it ſmoot þe yuy, and it driede up.
viii And whanne þe ſunne was riſun, þe Lord
comaundide to þe hoot wynd and brennyng; and þe
ſunne ſmoot on þe heed of Jonas, and he ſwalide. And
he axide to his ſoule þat he ſchulde die, and ſeide, It is
betere to me for to die, þan for to lyue.
ix And þe Lord ſeide to Jonas, Geſſiſt þou, wheþer þou
art wel wrooþ on þe yuy? And he ſeide, Y am wel
wrooþ, til to þe deþ.
x And þe Lord ſeide, Þou art ſori on þe yuy, in which
þou trauelidiſt not, neþer madiſt þat it wexide, which
was growun vndur o nyȝt, and periſchide in o nyȝt.
xi And ſchal Y not ſpare þe grete citee Nynyue, in which
ben more þan ſixe ſcore þouſynde of men, which witen
not what is betwixe her riȝt half and left, and many
beeſtis?

DCCCI

MYCHEE
CAP. I
i Þe word of þe Lord, which was maad to `Mychee of
Moraſti, in þe daies of Joathan, Achas, Ezechie, kyngis
of Juda; which word he ſai on Samarie, and Jeruſalem.
ii Here ȝe, alle puplis, and þe erþe perſeyue, and plentee
þerof, and be þe Lord God to ȝou in to a witneſſe, þe
Lord fro his hooli temple.
iii For lo! þe Lord ſchal go out of his place, and ſchal
come doun, and ſchal trede on hiȝ þingis of erþe.
iiii And mounteyns ſchulen be waaſtid vndur hym, and
valeis ſchulen be kit, as wex fro þe face of fier, as
watirs þat rennen in to a pit.
v In þe grete treſpas of Jacob is al þis þing, and in þe
ſynnes of þe hous of Iſrael. Which is þe greet treſpas of
Jacob? wheþer not Samarie? and whiche ben þe hiȝ
þingis of Juda? wheþer not Jeruſalem?
vi And Y ſchal put Samarie as an heep of ſtoonys in þe
feeld, whanne a vynȝerd is plauntid; and Y ſchal drawe
awei þe ſtoonys þerof in to a valei, and Y ſchal ſchewe
þe foundementis þerof.
vii And alle `grauun ymagis þerof ſchulen be betun
togidere, and alle hiris þerof ſchulen be brent in fier;
and Y ſchal putte alle idols þerof in to perdicioun; for of
hiris of an hoore þo ben gaderid, and `til to hire of an
hoore þo ſchulen turne aȝen.
viii On þis þing Y ſchal weile and ȝelle, Y ſchal go
ſpuylid and nakid; Y ſchal make weilyng of dragouns,
and mournyng as of oſtrigis.
ix For wounde þerof is diſpeirid; for it cam til to Juda, it
touchide þe ȝate of my puple, til to Jeruſalem.
x In Geth nyle ȝe telle, bi teeris wepe ȝe not; in þe hous
of duſt wiþ duſt togidere ſprynge ȝou.
xi And ȝe a fair dwellyng paſſe, which is confoundid
wiþ yuel fame; it is not goon out, which dwelliþ in þe
goyng out; a niȝ hous ſchal take of ȝou weilyng, which
ſtood to it ſilf.
xii For it is maad ſijk to good, which dwelliþ in
bitterneſſis. For yuel cam doun fro þe Lord in to þe ȝate
of Jeruſalem, noiſe of foure horſid cart,
xiii of drede to þe puple dwellynge at Lachis. It is þe
bigynnyng of ſynne of þe douȝter of Sion, for þe grete
treſpaſſis of Iſrael ben foundun in þee.
xiiii Þerfor he ſchal ȝyue werriours on þe eritage of Geth,
on houſis of leeſyng in to deſeit to kyngis of Iſrael.
xv Ȝit Y ſchal brynge an eir to þee, þat dwelliſt in
Mareſa; þe glorie of Iſrael ſchal come til to Odolla.
xvi Be þou maad ballid, and be þou clippid on þe ſones
of þi delices; alarge þi ballidneſſe as an egle, for þei ben
lad caitif fro þee.
DCCCII
CAP. II
i Wo to ȝou, þat þenken vnprofitable þing, and worchen
yuele in ȝoure beddis; in þe morewtid lyȝt þei don it, for
þe hond of hem is aȝenus God.
ii Þei coueitiden feeldis, and tooken violentli; and
rauyſchiden houſis, and falſli calengiden a man and his
hous, a man and his eritage.
iii Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y þenke on þis
meynee yuel, fro which ȝe ſchulen not take awei ȝoure
neckis; and ȝe ſchulen not walke proude, for þe worſte
tyme is.
iiii In þat dai a parable ſchal be takun on ȝou, and a ſong
ſchal be ſongun wiþ ſwetneſſe of men, ſeiynge, Bi
robbyng we ben diſtried; a part of my puple is
chaungid; hou ſchal he go awei fro me, whanne he
turneþ aȝen þat ſchal departe ȝoure cuntreis?
v For þis þing `noon ſchal be to þee ſendynge a litil
corde of ſort in cumpeny of þe Lord.
vi A! þou Iſrael, ſpeke ȝe not ſpekyng; it ſchal not
droppe on þeſe men, confuſioun ſchal not catche,
vii ſeiþ þe hous of Jacob. Wheþer þe Spirit of þe Lord is
abreggid, eiþer ſiche ben þe þouȝtis of hym? Wheþer
my wordis ben not gode, wiþ hym þat goiþ riȝtli?
viii And aȝenward my puple roos togidere in to an
aduerſarie; ȝe token awei þe mantil aboue þe coote, and
ȝe turneden in to batel hem þat wenten ſympli.
ix Ȝe caſtiden þe wymmen of my puple out of þe hous
of her delices; fro þe litle children of hem ȝe token awei
myn heriyng wiþ outen ende.
x Riſe ȝe, and go, for here ȝe han not reſte; for þe
vnclenneſſe þerof it ſchal be corrupt wiþ þe worſt rot.
xi Y wolde þat Y were not a man hauynge ſpirit, and
raþere Y ſpak a leeſyng. Y ſchal droppe to þee in to
wyn, and in to drunkeneſſe; and þis puple ſchal be, on
whom it is droppid.
xii Wiþ gaderyng Y ſchal gadere Jacob; Y ſchal lede
togidere þee al in to oon, þe relifs of Iſrael. Y ſchal put
hym togidere, as a floc in folde; as ſcheep in þe myddil
of fooldis þei ſchulen make noiſe, of multitude of men.
xiii For he ſchal ſtie ſchewynge weie bifore hem; þei
ſchulen departe, and paſſe þe ȝate, and ſchulen go out
þerbi; and þe kyng of hem ſchal paſſe bifore hem, and
þe Lord in þe heed of hem.
CAP. III
i And Y ſeide, Ȝe princis of Jacob, and duykis of þe
hous of Iſrael, here. Wheþer it be not ȝoure for to
knowe doom, whiche haten good,
ii and louen yuele? Whiche violentli taken awei þe
ſkynnes of hem fro aboue hem, and þe fleiſch of hem
fro aboue þe bonys of hem.
iii Whiche eeten þe fleiſch of my puple, and hiliden þe
ſkyn of hem fro aboue; and broken togidere þe boonys
of hem, and kittiden togidere as in a cawdroun, and as
fleiſch in þe myddil of a pot.
iiii Þanne þei ſchulen crie to þe Lord, and he ſchal not
here hem; and he ſchal hide hiſe face fro hem in þat
tyme, as þei diden wickidli in her fyndingis.
v Þe Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis on þe profetis þat
diſſeyuen my puple, and biten wiþ her teeþ, and prechen
pees; and if ony man ȝyueþ not in þe mouþ of hem ony
þing, þei halewen batel on hym.
vi Þerfor niȝt ſchal be to ȝou for viſioun, or profeſie, and
derkneſſis to ȝou for dyuynacioun; and ſunne ſchal go
doun on þe profetis, and þe dai ſchal be maad derk on
hem.
vii And þei ſchulen be confoundid þat ſeen viſiouns, and
dyuynours ſchulen be confoundid, and alle ſchulen hile
her cheris, for it is not þe anſwer of God.
viii Neþeles Y am fillid wiþ ſtrengþe of Spirit of þe
Lord, and in doom and vertu, þat Y ſchewe to Jacob his
greet treſpas, and to Iſrael his ſynne.
ix Here þeſe þingis, ȝe princes of þe hous of Jacob, and
domeſmen of þe hous of Iſrael, whiche wlaten dom, and
peruerten alle riȝt þingis;
x whiche bilden Sion in bloodis, and Jeruſalem in
wickidneſſe.
xi Princes þerof demyden for ȝiftis, and preſtis þerof
tauȝten for hire, and profetis þerof dyuyneden for
money; and on þe Lord þei reſtiden, and ſeiden, Wheþer
þe Lord is not in þe myddil of us? yuelis ſchulen not
come on vs.
xii For þis þing bi cauſe of ȝou, Sion as a feeld ſchal be
erid; and Jeruſalem ſchal be as an heep of ſtoonys, and
þe hil of þe temple ſchal be in to hiȝe þingis of woodis.
CAP. IIII
i And in þe laſte of daies þe hil of þe hous of þe Lord
ſchal be maad redi in þe cop of hillis, and hiȝ ouer ſmale
hillis. And puplis ſchulen flete to him, and many puplis
ſchulen haaſte,
ii and ſhulen ſeie, Come ȝe, ſtie we til to þe hil of þe
Lord, and to þe hous of God of Jacob; and he ſchal
teche vs of hiſe weies, and we ſchulen go in hiſe paþis.
For lawe ſchal go out fro Syon, and þe word of þe Lord
fro Jeruſalem;
iii and he ſchal deme bitwixe many puplis, and ſchal
chaſtiſe ſtronge folkis til in to fer. And þei ſchulen bete
togidere her ſwerdis in to ſcharis, and her ſperis in to
picoiſis; a folc ſchal not take ſwerd aȝens folc, and þei
ſchulen no more lerne for to fiȝte.
iiii And a man ſchal ſitte vndur his vyneȝerd, and vndur
his fige tree; and þer ſchal not be þat ſchal make aferd,
for þe mouþ of þe Lord of ooſtis ſpak.
v For alle puplis ſchulen go, ech man in þe name of his
Lord God; but we ſchulen walke in þe name of oure
Lord God in to þe world, and ouer.
DCCCIII
vi In þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord, Y ſchal gadere þe haltynge,
and Y ſchal gadere hir þat Y caſtide awei, and whom Y
turmentide Y ſchal coumforte.
vii And Y ſchal putte þe haltynge in to relifs, eþer
remenauntis, and hir þat trauelide, in a ſtrong folc. And
þe Lord ſchal regne on hem in þe hil of Sion, fro þis
now and til in to wiþ outen ende.
viii And þou, `derk tour of þe floc of þe douȝter of Sion,
`til to þee he ſchal come, and þe firſt power ſchal come,
þe rewme of þe douȝtir of Jeruſalem.
ix Now whi art þou drawun togidere wiþ mournyng?
wheþer a kyng is not to þee, eþer þi counſelour
periſchide? for ſorowe haþ take þee, as a womman
trauelinge of child.
x Þou douȝter of Sion, make ſorewe, and haaſte, as a
womman trauelynge of child; for now þou ſchalt go out
of þe citee, and ſchalt dwelle in cuntree, and ſchalt
come `til to Babiloyne; þere þou ſchalt be delyuered,
þere þe Lord ſchal aȝen bie þee, fro þe hond of þin
enemyes.
xi And now many folkis ben gaderid on þee, whiche
ſeien, Be it ſtonyd, and oure iȝe biholde in to Sion.
xii Forſoþe þei knewen not þe þouȝtis of þe Lord, and
vndurſtoden not þe councel of hym, for he gaderide
hem as þe hei of feeld.
xiii Riſe þou, douȝter of Sion, and þreiſche, for Y ſchal
putte þin horn of irun, and Y ſchal putte þi nailis braſun;
and þou ſchalt make leſſe, eþer waſte, many puplis, and
ſchalt ſle to þe Lord þe raueyns of hem, and þe ſtrengþe
of hem to þe Lord of al erþe.
CAP. V
i Now þou, douȝter of a þeef, ſchalt be diſtried; þei
puttiden on vs biſegyng, in a ȝerde þei ſchulen ſmyte þe
cheke of þe iuge of Iſrael.
ii And þou, Bethleem Effrata, art litil in þe þouſyndis of
Juda; he þat is þe lordli gouernour in Iſrael, ſchal go out
of þee to me; and þe goyng out of hym is fro
bigynnyng, fro daies of euerlaſtyngneſſe.
iii For þis þing he ſhal ȝyue hem til to þe tyme in which
þe trauelinge of child ſchal bere child, and þe relifs of
hiſe briþeren ſchulen be conuertid to þe ſones of Iſrael.
iiii And he ſchal ſtonde, and ſchal fede in þe ſtrengþe of
þe Lord, in þe heiȝþe of þe name of his Lord God; and
þei ſchulen be conuertid, for now he ſchal be magnefied
til to þe endis of al erþe.
v And þis ſchal be pees, whanne Aſſirius ſchal come in
to oure lond, and whanne he ſchal trede in oure houſis;
and we ſchulen reiſe on hym ſeuene ſcheepherdis, and
eiȝte primatis men, eþer þe firſte in dignytee.
vi And þei ſchulen frete þe lond of Aſſur bi ſwerd, and
þe lond of Nembroth bi ſperis of hym; and he ſchal
delyuere vs fro Aſſur, whanne he ſchal come in to oure
lond, and whanne he ſchal trede in oure cooſtis.
vii And relifs of Jacob ſchulen be in þe myddil of many
puplis, as dew of þe Lord, and as dropis on erbe,
whiche abidiþ not man, and ſchal not abide ſones of
men.
viii And relifs of Jacob ſchulen be in heþene men, in þe
myddil of many puplis, as a lioun in beeſtis of þe
woodis, and as a whelpe of a lioun rorynge in flockis of
ſcheep; and whanne he paſſiþ, and defouliþ, and takiþ,
þere is not þat ſchal delyuere.
ix And þin hond ſchal be reiſid on þin enemyes, and alle
þin enemyes ſchulen periſche.
x And it ſchal be, in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord, Y ſchal take
awei þin horſis fro þe myddil of þee, and Y ſchal diſtrie
þi foure horſid cartis.
xi And Y ſchal leeſe þe citees of þi lond, and Y ſchal
diſtrie alle þi ſtrengþis; and Y ſchal do awei
witchecraftis fro þin hond, and dyuynaciouns ſchulen
not be in þee.
xii And Y ſchal make for to periſche þi `grauun ymagis,
and Y ſchal breke togidere fro þe myddil of þee þin
ymagis, and þou ſchalt no more worſchipe þe werkis of
þin hondis.
xiii And Y ſchal drawe out of þe middis of þee þi
woodis, and Y ſchal al to-breke þi citees.
xiiii And Y ſchal make in woodneſſe and indignacioun
veniaunce in alle folkis, whiche herden not.
CAP. VI
i Here ȝe whiche þingis þe Lord ſpekiþ. Riſe þou, ſtryue
þou bi doom aȝens mounteyns, and litle hillis here þi
vois.
ii Mounteyns, and þe ſtronge foundementis of erþe, here
þe doom of þe Lord; for þe doom of þe Lord wiþ his
puple, and he ſchal be demyd wiþ Iſrael.
iii Mi puple, what haue Y don to þee, eþer what was Y
greuouſe to þee? Anſwere þou to me.
iiii For Y ledde þee out of þe lond of Egipt, and of þe
hous of ſeruage Y delyuerede þee; and Y ſente bifore þi
face Moiſes, and Aaron, and Marye.
v My puple, biþenke, Y preie, what Balaac, kyng of
Moab, þouȝte, and what Balaam, ſone of Beor, of
Sethym, anſweride to hym til to Galgala, þat þou
ſchuldiſt knowe þe riȝtwiſneſſe of þe Lord.
vi What worþi þing ſchal Y offre to þe Lord? ſchal Y
bowe þe knee to þe hiȝe God? Wheþer Y ſchal offre to
hym brent ſacrifices, and calues of o ȝeer?
vii Wheþer God mai be paid in þouſyndis of weþeris,
eþer in many þouſyndis of fatte geet buckis? Wheþer Y
ſchal ȝyue my firſte bigetun for my greet treſpas, þe
fruyt of my wombe for ſynne of my ſoule?
viii Y ſchal ſchewe to þee, þou man, what is good, and
what þe Lord axiþ of þee; forſoþe for to do doom, and
for to loue merci, and be biſi for to walke wiþ þi God.
DCCCIV
ix Þe vois of þe Lord crieþ to þe citee, and heelþe ſchal
be to alle men dredynge þi name. Ȝe lynagis, here; and
who ſchal approue it?
x Ȝit fier is in þe hous of þe vnpitouſe man, þe treſouris
of wickidneſſe, and a leſſe meſure ful of wraþþe.
xi Wheþer Y ſchal iuſtifie þe wickid balaunce, and þe
gileful weiȝtis of litil ſak,
xii in whiche riche men þerof ben fillid wiþ
wickidneſſe? And men dwellynge þer ynne ſpaken
leeſyng, and þe tunge of hem was gileful in þe mouþ of
hem.
xiii And Y þerfor bigan for to ſmyte þee, in perdicioun
on þi ſynnes.
xiiii Þou ſchalt ete, and ſchalt not be fillid, and þi
mekyng is in þe middil of þee; and þou ſchalt take, and
ſchalt not ſaue; and which þou ſchalt ſaue, Y ſchal ȝyue
in to ſwerd.
xv Þou ſchalt ſowe, and ſchal not repe; þou ſchalt trede
þe `frut of oliue, and ſchalt not be anoyntid wiþ oile;
and muſt, and ſchalt not drynke wyn.
xvi And þou keptiſt þe heeſtis of Amry, and al þe werk
of þe hous of Acab, and haſt walkid in þe luſtis of hem,
þat Y ſchulde ȝyue þee in to perdicioun, and men
dwellynge in it in to ſcornyng, and ȝe ſchulen bere þe
ſchenſchipe of my puple.
CAP. VII
i Wo to me, for Y am maad as he þat gaderiþ in herueſt
raſyns of grapis; þere is no cluſtre for to ete; my ſoule
deſiride figis ripe bifore oþere.
ii Þe hooli periſchide fro erþe, and riȝtful is not in men;
alle aſpien, eþer ſetten treſoun, in blood, a man huntiþ
his broþer to deþ.
iii Þe yuel of her hondis þei ſeien good; þe prince axiþ,
and þe domeſman is in ȝeldyng; and a greet man ſpak þe
deſir of his ſoule, and þei ſturbliden togidere it.
iiii He þat is beſt in hem, is as a paluyre; and he þat is
riȝtful, is as a þorn of hegge. Þe dai of þi biholdyng, þi
viſityng comeþ, now ſchal be diſtriyng of hem.
v Nyle ȝe bileue to a frend, and nyle ȝe truſte in a duyk;
fro hir þat ſlepiþ in þi boſum, kepe þou cloſyngis of þi
mouþ.
vi For þe ſone doiþ wrong to þe fadir, and þe douȝter
ſchal riſe aȝens hir modir, and þe wijf of þe ſone aȝens
þe modir of hir hoſebonde; þe enemyes of a man ben þe
homeli, eþer houſhold meynee, of hym.
vii Forſoþe Y ſchal biholde to þe Lord, Y ſchal abide
God my ſauȝour; þe Lord my God ſchal here me.
viii Þou, myn enemye, be not glad on me, for Y felle
doun, Y ſchal riſe; whanne Y ſitte in derkneſſis, þe Lord
is my lyȝt.
ix Y ſchal bere wraþþe of þe Lord, for Y haue ſynned to
hym, til he deme my cauſe, and make my doom; he
ſchal lede out me in to lyȝt, Y ſchal ſe riȝtwiſneſſe of
hym.
x And myn enemye ſchal biholde me, and ſche ſchal be
hilid wiþ confuſioun, which ſeiþ to me, Where is þi
Lord God? Myn iȝen ſchulen ſe hir, now ſche ſchal be in
to defoulyng, as clei of ſtretis.
xi Dai ſchal come, þat þi wallis be bildid; in þat dai lawe
ſchal be maad afer.
xii In þat dai and Aſſur ſchal come til to þee, and `til to
ſtronge citees, and fro ſtronge citees til to flood; and to
ſee fro ſee, and to hil fro hil.
xiii And erþe ſchal be in to deſolacioun for her dwelleris,
and for fruyt of þe þouȝtis of hem.
xiiii Fede þou þi puple in þi ȝerde, þe floc of þin eritage,
þat dwellen aloone in wielde wode; in þe myddil of
Carmel þei ſchulen be fed of Baſan and of Galaad,
xv bi elde daies, bi daies of þi goyng out of þe lond of
Egipt. Y ſchal ſchewe to hym wondurful þingis;
xvi heþene men ſchulen ſe, and þei ſchulen be
confoundid on al her ſtrengþe; þei ſchulen putte hondis
on her mouþ, þe eris of hem ſchulen be deef;
xvii þei ſchulen licke duſt as a ſerpent; as crepynge
þingis of erþe þei ſchulen be diſturblid of her houſis; þei
ſchulen not deſire oure Lord God, and þei ſchulen drede
þee.
xviii God, who is lijk þee, þat doiſt awei wickidneſſe,
and beriſt ouer þe ſynne of relifs of þin eritage? He ſhal
no more ſende in his ſtronge veniaunce, for he is
willynge merci; he ſchal turne aȝen,
xix and haue merci on vs. He ſchal put doun oure
wickidneſſis, and ſchal caſte fer in to depneſſe of þe ſee
alle oure ſynnes.
xx Þou ſchalt ȝyue treuþe to Jacob, merci to Abraham,
whiche þou ſworiſt to oure fadris fro elde daies.
Here endiþ Micheas, and here biginneþ Naum.

DCCCV

NAUM
CAP. I
i Þe birþun of Nynyue; þe book of viſioun of Naum
Helceſei.
ii Þe Lord is a punyſchere, and þe Lord is vengynge; þe
Lord is venginge, and hauynge ſtrong veniaunce; þe
Lord is vengynge aȝens hiſe aduerſaries, and he is
wraþþing to hiſe enemyes.
iii Þe Lord is pacient, and greet in ſtrengþe, and he
clenſynge ſchal not make innocent. Þe Lord comeþ in
tempeſt, and þe weies of hym ben in whirlwynd, and
cloudis ben þe duſt of hiſe feet;
iiii he blameþ þe ſee, and drieþ it, and bryngiþ alle flodis
to deſert. Baſan is maad ſijk, and Carmel, and þe flour
of Liban langwiſchide.
v Mounteyns ben mouyd togidere of hym, and litil hillis
ben deſolat. And erþe tremblide togidere fro þe face of
him, and þe roundeneſſe of erþe, and alle dwellynge þer
ynne.
vi Who ſchal ſtonde bifore þe face of his indignacioun?
and who ſchal aȝenſtonde in þe wraþþe of his ſtronge
veniaunce? His indignacioun is ſched out as fier, and
ſtoonys ben brokun of hym.
vii Þe Lord is good, and coumfortynge in þe dai of
tribulacioun, and knowynge hem þat hopen in hym.
viii And in greet flood paſſynge forþ, he ſchal make ende
of his place; and derkneſſis ſchulen purſue hiſe
enemyes.
ix What þenken ȝe aȝens þe Lord? He ſchal make ende;
double tribulacioun ſchal not riſe togidere.
x For as þornes byclippen hem togidere, ſo þe feeſte of
hem drynkynge togidere ſchal be waſtyd, as ſtobul ful of
drieneſſe.
xi Of þee ſchal go out a man þenkynge malice aȝens þe
Lord, and trete treſpaſſyng in ſoule.
xii Þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, If þei ſchulen be parfit, and
ſo manye, and þus þei ſhulen be clippid, and it ſchal
paſſe bi. I turmentide þee, and Y ſchal no more turmente
þee.
xiii And now Y ſchal al to-breke þe ȝerde of hym fro þi
bak, and Y ſchal breke þi bondis.
xiiii And þe Lord ſchal comaunde on þee, it ſchal no
more be ſowun of þi name. Of þe hous of þi god Y ſchal
ſle; Y ſchal putte þi ſepulcre a `grauun ymage, and
wellid togidere, for þou art vnworſchipid.
xv Lo! on hillis þe feet of þe euangeliſynge and tellynge
pees. Juda, halewe þou þi feeſte daies, and ȝelde þi
vowis, for whi Belial ſchal no more put to, þat he paſſe
forþ in þee; al Belial periſchide.
DCCCVI
CAP. II
i He ſtiede up, þat ſchal ſcatere bifore þee, þat ſchal kepe
biſechyng; biholde þou þe weie, coumforte leendis,
ſtrengþe þou vertu greetli.
ii For as þe Lord ȝeldide þe pride of Jacob, ſo þe pride
of Iſrael; for diſtrieris ſcateriden hem, and diſtrieden þe
generaciouns of hem.
iii Þe ſcheld of ſtronge men of hym ben firi, men of þe
ooſt ben in rede cloþis; raynes of fire of chare, in þe dai
of his makyng redi; and þe leederis þerof ben aſleep.
iiii In weies þei ben troblid togidere, cartis of foure
horſis ben hurtlid togidere in ſtretis; þe ſiȝte of hem as
laumpis, as leitis rennynge aboute.
v He ſchal biþenke of his ſtronge men, þei ſchulen falle
in her weies; and ſwiftli þei ſchulen ſtie on þe wallis
þerof, and ſchadewyng place ſchal be maad redi.
vi Ȝatis of floodis ben openyd, and þe temple is brokun
doun to erþe.
vii And a knyȝt is led awei caitif, and þe handmaidis
þerof ſchulen be dryuun ſorewynge as culueris,
grutchynge in her hertis.
viii And Nynyue, as a ciſterne of watris þe watris þerof;
forſoþe þei fledden; ſtonde ȝe, ſtonde ȝe, and þere is not
þat ſchal turne aȝen.
ix Rauyſche ȝe ſiluer, rauyſche ȝe gold; and þere is noon
ende of richeſſis, of alle deſirable veſſels.
x It is diſtried, and kit, and to-rent, and herte failynge,
and vnknyttinge of ſmale knees, and failynge in alle
reynes; and þe face of alle ben as blacneſſe of a pot.
xi Where is þe dwellyng of liouns, and leſewis of
whelpis of liouns? To whiche citee þe lioun ȝede, þat þe
whelp of þe lioun ſchulde entre þidur, and þere is not
þat ſchal make aferd.
xii Þe lioun took ynow to hiſe whelpis, and ſlowȝ to his
lioneſſis; and fillide her dennes wiþ prei, and his couche
wiþ raueyn.
xiii Lo! Y to þee, ſeiþ þe Lord God of ooſtis; and Y ſchal
brenne þi cartis of foure horſis til to þe hiȝeſte, and
ſwerd ſchal ete þi ſmale liouns; and Y ſchal diſtrie þi
prei fro þe lond, and þe vois of þi meſſangeris ſchulen
no more be herd.
CAP. III
i Wo to þe citee of bloodis, al of leeſyng, ful of to-
reendyng; raueyn ſhal not go awei fro þee.
ii Vois of ſcourge, and vois of bire of wheel, and of hors
makynge noiſe, and of foure horſid carte brennynge,
and of kniȝt ſtiynge vp,
iii and of ſchynynge ſwerd, and gleſenynge ſpere, and of
ſlayn multitude, and of greuouſe fallyng, neþer þer is
eende of careyns. And þei ſchulen falle togidere in her
bodies,
iiii forþe multitude of fornicaciouns of þe hoore fair and
pleſaunt, and hauynge witchecraftis; which ſeelde folkis
in her fornicaciouns, and meynees in her
enchauntementis, eþer ſorceries.
v Lo! Y to þee, ſeiþ þe Lord God of ooſtis; and Y ſchal
ſchewe þi ſchameful þingis in þi face; and Y ſchal
ſchewe to folkis þi nakidneſſe, and to rewmes þin yuel
fame.
vi And Y ſchal caſt out on þee þin abhomynaciouns, and
Y ſchal punyſche þee wiþ diſpitis, and Y ſchal putte þee
in to enſaumple.
vii And it ſchal be, ech man þat ſchal ſe þee, ſchal ſkippe
awei fro þee, and ſchal ſeie, Nynyue is diſtried. Who
ſchal moue heed on þee? wherof ſchal Y ſeke to þee a
coumfortour?
viii Wheþer þou art betere þan Aliſaundre of puplis, þat
dwelliþ in floodis? Watris ben in cumpas þerof, whos
richeſſis is þe ſee, watris ben wallis þerof.
ix Ethiope is ſtrengþe þerof, and Egipt, and þere is noon
ende; Affrik and Libie weren in help þerof.
x But and it in `paſſyng ouer is led in to caitifte; þe litle
children þerof ben hurtlid doun in þe heed of alle weies.
And on þe noble men þerof þei keſten lot, and alle grete
men þerof ben ſet togidere in gyues.
xi And þou þerfor ſchalt be drunkun, and ſchalt be
diſpiſid, and þou ſchalt ſeke helpe of enemye.
xii Al þi ſtrengþis as a fige tree, wiþ hiſe figis vnripe; if
þei ſchulen be ſchakun, þei ſchulen falle in to þe mouþ
of þe etere.
xiii Lo! þi puple ben wymmen in þe myddil of þee; þe
ȝatis of þi lond ſchulen be ſchewid to openyng to þin
enemyes; fier ſchal deuoure þin herris.
xiiii Drawe vp to þee water for aſegyng, bilde þi
ſtrengþis; entre in fen, and trede, þou vndurgoynge
holde a tiel ſtoon.
xv Þere fier ſchal ete þee, þou ſchalt periſche bi ſwerd, it
ſchal deuoure þee, as bruke doiþ; be þou gaderid
togidere as a bruke, be þou multiplied as a locuſte.
xvi Þou madiſt þi marchaundiſes mo þan ben ſterris of
heuene; a bruke is ſpred abrood, and flei awei.
xvii Þi keperis ben as locuſtis, and þi litle children ben as
locuſtis of locuſtis, whiche ſitten togidere in heggis in
þe dai of coold; þe ſun is riſun, and þei fledden awei,
and þe place of hem is not knowun, where þei weren.
xviii Þi ſcheepherdis napten, þou kyng Aſſur, þi princes
ſchulen be biried; þi puple ofte was hid in hillis, and þer
is not þat ſchal gadere.
xix Þi ſorewe is not priuy, þi wounde is worſt; alle men
þat herden þin heryng, preſſiden togidere hond on þee,
for on whom paſſide not þi malice euermore?
Here endiþ Naum, and here biginneþ Abacuk.

DCCCVII

ABACUK
CAP. I
i Þe birþun þat Abacuk, þe profete, ſai.
ii Hou longe, Lord, ſchal Y crye, and þou ſchalt not
here? Y ſuffrynge violence ſchal crie an hiȝ to þee, and
þou ſchalt not ſaue?
iii Whi ſchewidiſt þou to me wickidneſſe and trauel, for
to ſe prey and vnriȝtwiſneſſe aȝens me? Whi biholdiſt
þou diſpiſeris, and art ſtille, þe while an vnpitouſe man
defouliþ a riȝtfulere þan hym ſilf? And þou ſchalt make
men as fiſchis of þe ſee, and as crepynge þingis not
hauynge a ledere; and doom is maad, and aȝenſeiyng is
more miȝti.
iiii For þis þing lawe is `to-brokun, and doom comeþ not
til to þe ende; for þe vnpitouſe man haþ miȝt aȝens þe
iuſt, þerfor weiward doom ſchal go out.
v Biholde ȝe in heþene men, and ſe ȝe, and wondre ȝe,
and greetli drede ȝe; for a werk is doon in ȝoure daies,
which no man ſchal bileue, whanne it ſchal be teld.
vi For lo! Y ſchal reiſe Caldeis, a bittir folk and ſwift,
goynge on þe breede of erþe, þat he welde tabernaclis
not hiſe.
vii It is orible, and dredeful; þe dom and birþun þerof
ſchal go out of it ſilf.
viii His horſis ben liȝtere þan pardis, and ſwifter þan
euentyd woluys, and hiſe horſe men ſchulen be ſcaterid
abrood; for whi `horſe men ſchulen come fro fer, þei
ſchulen fle as an egle haſtynge to ete.
ix Alle men ſchulen come to preye, þe faces of hem is as
a brennynge wynd; and he ſchal gadere as grauel
caitifte,
x and he ſchal haue victorie of kyngis, and tirauntis
ſchulen be of his ſcornyng. He ſchal leiȝe on al ſtrengþe,
and ſchal bere togidere heep of erþe, and ſchal take it.
xi Þanne þe ſpirit ſchal be chaungid, and he ſchal paſſe
forþ, and falle doun; þis is þe ſtrengþe of hym, of his
god.
xii Wheþer `þou, Lord, art not my God, myn hooli, and
we ſchulen not die? Lord, in to doom þou haſt ſet hym,
and þou groundidiſt hym ſtrong, þat þou ſchuldiſt
chaſtiſe.
xiii Þin iȝen ben clene, ſe þou not yuel, and þou ſchalt
not mowe biholde to wickidneſſe. Whi biholdiſt þou not
on men doynge wickidli, and þou art ſtille, while þe
vnpitouſe man deuouriþ a more iuſt man þan hymſilf?
xiiii And þou ſchalt make men as fiſchis of þe ſee, and as
a crepynge þing not hauynge prince.
xv He ſchal lifte vp al in þe hook; he drawide it in his
greet net, and gaderide in to his net; on þis þing he ſchal
be glad, and make ioie wiþ outforþ.
DCCCVIII
xvi Þerfore he ſchal offere to his greet net, and ſchal
make ſacrifice to his net; for in hem his part is maad fat,
and his mete is choſun.
xvii Þerfor for þis þing he ſprediþ abrood his greet net,
and euere more he ceeſiþ not for to ſle folkis.
CAP. II
i On my kepyng Y ſchal ſtonde, and ſchal pitche a grees
on wardyng; and Y ſchal biholde, þat Y ſe what þing
ſchal be ſeid to me, and what Y ſchal anſwere to hym
þat repreuiþ me.
ii And þe Lord anſweride to me, and ſeide, Write þou þe
reuelacioun, and make it pleyn on tablis, þat he renne,
þat ſchal rede it.
iii For ȝit þe viſioun is fer, and it ſchal appere in to ende,
and ſchal not lie; if it ſchal make dwellyng, abide þou it,
for it comynge ſchal come, and ſchal not tarie.
iiii Lo! þe ſoule of hym, þat is vnbileueful, ſchal not be
riȝtful in hym ſilf; forſoþe þe iuſt man ſchal lyue in his
feiþ.
v And as wyn diſſeyueþ a man drynkynge, ſo ſchal þe
proude man be, and he ſchal not be maad feir; for as
helle he alargide his ſoule, and he is as deþ, and he is
not fillid; and he ſchal gadere to hym alle folkis, and he
ſhal kepe togidere to hym alle puplis.
vi Wheþer not alle þeſe puplis ſchulen take a parable on
hym, and þe ſpeking of derk ſentencis of hym? And it
ſchal be ſeid, Wo to hym þat multiplieþ þingis not his
owne; hou longe, and he aggreggiþ aȝens hym ſilf þicke
clei?
vii Wheþer not ſudeynli þei ſchulen riſe to gidere, þat
ſchulen bite þee? And þei ſchulen be reiſid to-teerynge
þee, and þou ſchalt be in to raueyn to hem; and þin
aſpieris in yuel ſchulen wake.
viii For þou robbidiſt many folkis, alle ſchulen robbe
þee, whiche ſchulen be left of puplis, for blood of man,
and for wickidneſſe of lond of þe citee, and of alle men
dwellynge in it.
ix Wo to hym þat gaderiþ yuel coueitiſe to his hous, þat
his neſt be in hiȝ, and geſſiþ hym for to be delyuered of
þe hond of yuel.
x Þou þouȝtiſt confuſioun to þin hous; þou haſt ſlayn
many puplis, and þi ſoule ſynnede.
xi For a ſtoon of þe wal ſchal crie, and a tree þat is
bitwixe ioynturis of bildyngis ſchal anſwere.
xii Wo to hym þat bildiþ a citee in bloodis, and makiþ
redi a citee in wickidneſſe.
xiii Wheþer not þeſe þingis ben of þe Lord of ooſtis? For
puplis ſchulen trauele in myche fier, and folkis in veyn,
and þei ſchulen faile.
xiiii For þe erþe ſchal be fillid, þat it knowe þe glorie of
þe Lord, as watris hilynge þe ſee.
xv Wo to hym þat ȝyueþ drynk to his frend, and ſendiþ xi Þe ſunne and moone ſtoden in her dwellyng place; in
his galle, and makiþ drunkun, þat he biholde his þe lyȝt of þin arowis þei ſchulen go, in þe ſchynyng of
nakidneſſe. þi ſpere gliſnynge.
xvi He is fillid wiþ yuel fame for glorie; and þou drynke, xii In gnaſtyng þou ſchalt defoule erþe, and in ſtrong
and be aſlept; þe cuppe of þe riȝthalf of þe Lord ſchal veniaunce þou ſchalt aſtonye folkis.
cumpaſſe þee, and `caſtynge vp of yuel fame on þi xiii Þou art gon out in to helþe of þi puple, in to helþe
glorie. wiþ þi criſt; þou haſt ſmyte þe heed of þe hous of þe
xvii For þe wickidneſſe of Liban ſchal kyuere þee, and vnpitouſe man, þou haſt maad nakid þe foundement til
diſtruccioun of beeſtis ſchal make hem aferd, of bloodis to þe necke.
of man, and of wickidneſſe of lond, and of þe citee, and xiiii Þou curſidiſt þe ceptris, eþer powers, of hym, þe
of alle men dwellynge þer ynne. heed of hiſe fiȝteris, to men comynge as whirlewynde
xviii What profitiþ þe `grauun ymage, for his makere for to ſcatere me; þe ioiyng wiþoutforþ of hem, as of
grauyde it, a wellid þing togidere and fals ymage? for hym þat deuouriþ a pore man in hidlis.
þe makere þerof hopide in makyng, þat he made xv Þou madiſt a weie in þe ſee to þin horſis, in clei of
doumbe ſymylacris. many watris.
xix Wo to hym þat ſeiþ to a tre, Wake þou; Riſe þou, to a xvi Y herde, and my wombe is troblid togidere; my
ſtoon beynge ſtille; wheþer he ſchal mow teche? Lo! þis lippis trembliden togidere of þe vois. Rot entre in my
is kyuerid wiþ gold and ſiluer, and no ſpirit is in his boonys, and ſprenge vndur me; þat Y reſte aȝen in þe
entrails. dai of tribulacioun, and Y ſchal ſtie vp to oure puple
xx Forſoþe þe Lord is in his hooli temple, al erþe be gird togidere.
ſtille fro his face. xvii For þe fige tre ſchal not floure, and buriownyng
ſchal not be in vynȝerdis; þe werk of olyue tre ſchal lie,
CAP. III and feeldis ſchulen not brynge mete; a ſcheep ſchal be
i Þe preier of Abacuk, þe profete, for vnkunnynge men. kit awei fro þe fold, and droue ſchal not be in cratchis.
ii Lord, Y herde þin heryng, and Y dredde; Lord, it is þi xviii Forſoþe Y ſchal haue ioye in þe Lord, and Y ſchal
werk, in þe myddil of ȝeeris quykene þou it. In þe make ioie wiþ outforþ in God my Jheſu.
middil of ȝeeris þou ſchalt make knowun; whanne þou xix God þe Lord is my ſtrengþe, and he ſchal putte my
ſchalt be wrooþ, þou ſchalt haue mynde of mercy. feet as of hertis; and on myn hiȝe þingis, þe ouercomere
iii God ſchal come fro þe ſouþ, and þe hooli fro þe ſchal lede forþ me, ſyngynge in ſalmes.
mount of Faran. Þe glorie of hym kyueride heuenes, Here endiþ Abacuk, and here biginneþ Sofonye.
and þe erþe is ful of his heriyng.
iiii Þe ſchynyng of hym ſchal be as lyȝt; hornes in hondis
of hym. Þere þe ſtrengþe of hym was hid,
v deþ ſchal go bifore his face; þe deuel ſchal go out
bifore hiſe feet.
vi He ſtood, and mat þe erþe; he bihelde, and vnboond
folkis, and hillis of þe world weren al to-brokun; þe litle
hillis of þe world weren bowid doun, of þe weies of his
euerlaſtyngneſſe.
vii For wickidneſſe Y ſaiȝ þe tentis of Ethiope, þe
ſkynnes of þe lond of Madian ſchulen be troblid.
viii Lord, wheþer in floodis þou art wrooþ, eþer in
floodis is þi ſtrong veniaunce, eþer in þe ſee is þin
indignacioun? Which ſhalt ſtie on þin horſis; and þi
foure horſid cartis is ſaluacioun.
ix Þou reiſynge ſchalt reiſe þi bouwe, oþis to lynagis
whiche þou haſt ſpoke; þou ſchalt departe þe floodis of
erþe.
x Watris ſaien þee, and hillis ſorewiden, þe goter of
watris paſſide; depneſſe ȝaf his vois, hiȝneſſe reiſide hiſe
hondis.

DCCCIX

SOFONYE
CAP. I
i Þe word of þe Lord, þat was maad to Sofonye, ſone of
Chuſi, ſone of Godolie, ſone of Amaſie, ſone of Ezechie,
in þe daies of Joſie, þe ſone of Amon, king of Juda.
ii Y gaderinge ſchal gadere alle þingis fro þe face of
erþe, ſeiþ þe Lord;
iii Y gaderynge man and beeſte, Y gaderynge volatils of
heuene, and fiſchis of þe ſee; and fallyngis of vnpitouſe
men ſchulen be, and Y ſchal leeſe men fro face of erþe,
ſeiþ þe Lord.
iiii And Y ſchal ſtretche out myn hond on Juda, and on
alle dwellers of Jeruſalem; and Y ſchal leſe fro þis place
þe relifs of Baal, and þe names of keperis of houſis, wiþ
preſtis;
v and hem þat worſchipen on roouȝs þe knyȝthod of
heuene, and worſchipen, and ſweren in þe Lord, and
ſweren in Melchon;
vi and whiche ben turned awei bihynde þe bak of þe
Lord, and whiche `ſouȝten not þe Lord, neþer
enſerchiden hym.
vii Be ȝe ſtille fro þe face of þe Lord God, for niȝ is þe
dai of þe Lord; for þe Lord made redi a ſacrifice,
halewide hiſe clepid men.
viii And it ſchal be, in þe dai of ſacrifice of þe Lord, Y
ſchal viſite on princes, and on ſones of þe kyng, and on
alle þat ben cloþid wiþ pilgrimys, eþer ſtraunge,
cloþing.
ix And Y ſchal viſite on ech þat proudli entriþ on þe
þreisfold in þat dai, whiche fillen þe hous of her Lord
God wiþ wickidneſſe and gile.
x And þer ſchal be in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord, a vois of cry
fro þe ȝate of fiſchis, and ȝellynge fro þe ſecounde ȝate,
and greet defoulyng fro litle hillis.
xi Ȝelle ȝe, dwelleris of Pila; al þe puple of Canaan was
ſtille togidere, alle men wlappid in ſiluer periſchiden.
xii And it ſchal be, in þat tyme Y ſchal ſeke Jeruſalem
wiþ lanternes, and Y ſchal viſite on alle men piȝt in her
darſtis, whiche ſeien in her hertis, Þe Lord ſchal not do
wel, and he ſchal not do yuele.
xiii And þe ſtrengþe of hem ſchal be in to rauyſchyng,
and þe houſis of hem in to deſert; and þei ſchulen bilde
houſis, and ſchulen not enhabite; and þei ſchulen
plaunte vyneȝerdis, and þei ſchulen not drynke þe wyn
of hem.
xiiii Nyȝ is þe greet dai of þe Lord, niȝ and ſwift ful
myche; þe vois of þe dai of þe Lord is bittir, a ſtrong
man ſchal be in tribulacioun þere.
xv `Þe ilke dai is a dai of wraþþe, dai of tribulacioun and
angwiſch, dai of nedyneſſe and wretchidneſſe, dai of
derkneſſis and myiſt, dai of cloude and whirlewynd,
DCCCX
xvi dai of trumpe and noiſe on ſtrong citees and on hiȝe
corneris.
xvii And Y ſchal troble men, and þei ſchulen walke as
blynde, for þei han ſynned aȝens þe Lord; and þe blood
of hem ſchal be ſched out as erþe, and þe bodies of hem
ſchulen be as tordis.
xviii But and þe ſiluer of hem, and gold of hem, ſchal not
mowe delyuere hem in þe dai of wraþþe of þe Lord; in
fier of his feruour al erþe ſchal be deuourid, for he ſchal
make ende wiþ haaſtyng to alle men enhabitynge þe
erþe.
CAP. II
i Come ȝe togidere, be gaderid, ȝe folc not worþi to be
loued,
ii bifore þat comaundyng brynge forþ as duſt paſſyng
dai; bifore þat wraþþe of ſtrong veniaunce of þe Lord
come on ȝou, bifor þat þe dai of his indignacioun come
on ȝou.
iii Alle myelde men of erþe, ſeke ȝe þe Lord, whiche
han wrouȝt þe doom of hym; ſeke ȝe þe iuſt, ſeke ȝe þe
mylde, if ony maner ȝe be hid in þe dai of ſtrong
veniaunce of þe Lord.
iiii For Gaſa ſchal be diſtried, and Aſcalon ſchal be in to
deſert; þei ſchulen caſte out Azotus in myddai, and
Accaron ſchal be drawun out bi þe root.
v Wo to ȝou þat dwellen in þe litil part of þe ſee, a folc
of loſte men. Þe word of þe Lord on ȝou, Canaan, þe
lond of Filiſteis, and Y ſchal diſtrie þee, ſo þat a
dwellere be not;
vi and þe litil part of þe ſee ſchal be reſte of
ſcheepherdis, and foldis of ſcheep.
vii And it ſchal be a litil part of hym, þat ſchal be left of
þe hous of Juda, þere þei ſchulen be fed in þe houſis of
Aſcalon; at euentid þei ſchulen reſte, for þe Lord God of
hem ſchal viſite hem, and ſchal turne awei þe caitifte of
hem.
viii Y herde þe ſchenſchip of Moab, and blasfemyes of
ſones of Amon, whiche þei ſeiden ſchentfuli to my
puple, and þei weren magnefied on þe termes of hem.
ix Þerfor Y lyue, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, God of Iſrael, for
Moab ſchal be as Sodom, and þe ſones of Amon as
Gomorre; dryneſſe of þornes, and hepis of ſalt, and
deſert, til in to wiþouten ende. Þe relifs of my puple
ſchulen rauyſche hem, þe reſidues of my folc ſchulen
welde hem.
x Soþeli þis þing ſchal come to hem for her pride, for
þei blasfemeden, and weren magnefied on þe puple of
þe Lord of ooſtis.
xi Þe Lord ſchal be orible on hem, and he ſchal make
feble alle goddis of erþe; and men of her place ſchulen
worſchipe hym, alle þe ilis of heþene men.
xii But and ȝe, Ethiopiens, ſchulen be ſlayn bi my ſwerd.
xiii And he ſchal ſtretche forþ his hond on þe norþ, and xii And Y ſchal leeue in þe myddil of þee a pore puple
ſchal leeſe Aſſur; and he ſchal putte þe feir citee Nynyue and nedi; and þei ſchulen hope in þe name of þe Lord.
in to wildirneſſe, and into wiþ out weie, and as deſert. xiii Þe relifs of Iſrael ſchulen not do wickidneſſe, neþer
xiiii And flockis, and alle þe beeſtis of folkis, ſchulen ſchulen ſpeke leeſyng, and a gileful tunge ſchal not be
ligge in þe myddil þerof; and onacratalus, and irchun foundun in þe mouþ of hem; for þei ſchulen be fed, and
ſchulen dwelle in þreſhfoldis þerof; vois of þe ſyngynge ſchulen reſte, and þer ſchal not be þat ſchal make aferd.
in wyndow, and crow in þe lyntil, for Y ſchal make xiiii Þeſe þingis ſeiþ þe Lord, Douȝter of Sion, herie þou
þinne þe ſtrengþe þerof. hertli, ſynge þou, Iſrael; be þou glad, and make þou ioie
xv Þis is þe gloriouſe citee dwellynge in triſt, which wiþoutforþ in al þin herte, þou douȝter of Jeruſalem.
ſeide in hir herte, Y am, and þer is noon oþer more xv Þe Lord haþ take a wei þi dom, haþ turned a wey þin
wiþouten me. Hou is it maad vnto deſert, a couche of enemyes; þe kyng of Iſrael þe Lord is in myddil of þee,
beeſte; ech man þat ſchal paſſe bi it, ſchal hiſſe, and þou ſchalt no more drede yuel.
ſchal moue his hond. xvi In þat dai it ſchal be ſeid, Jeruſalem, nyle þou drede;
Sion, þin hondis be not clumſid.
CAP. III xvii Þi Lord God is ſtrong in þe myddil of þee, he ſchal
i Wo! þou citee, terrere to wraþþe, and bouȝt aȝen a
ſaue; he ſchal make ioie on þee in gladneſſe, he ſchal be
culuer. ſtille in þi louyng, he ſchal make ioie wiþoutforþ on þee
ii It herde not þe vois of þe Lord, and reſſeyuede not
in heriyng.
techyng, eþer chaſtiſyng; it triſtenyde not in þe Lord, it xviii Y ſchal gadere þe foolis, eþer veyn men, þat wenten
neiȝide not to her God. awei fro þe lawe, for þei weren of þee, þat þou haue no
iii Princes þerof in myddil þerof weren as liouns
more ſchenſchipe on hem.
rorynge; iugis þerof weren wolues, in þe euentid þei xix Lo! Y ſchal ſle alle men þat turmentiden þee in þat
leften not in to morewe. tyme, and Y ſchal ſaue him þat haltiþ, and Y ſchal
iiii Profetis þerof weren woode, vnfeiþful men; preſtis
gadere hir þat was caſt out; and Y ſchal putte hem in to
þerof defouliden hooli þing, þei diden vniuſtli aȝens þe heriyng, and in to name in ech lond of confuſioun of
lawe. hem, in þat tyme in which Y ſchal brynge ȝou,
v Þe Lord iuſt in þe myddil þerof, ſchal not do xx and in þe tyme in which Y ſchal gadre ȝou. For Y
wickidneſſe; erli, erli he ſchal ȝyue his dom in lyȝt, and ſchal ȝyue ȝou in to name, and in to heriyng to alle
it ſchal not be hid; forſoþe þe wickid puple knew not puplis of erþe, whanne Y ſchal conuerte ȝoure caitifte
confuſioun. bifore ȝoure iȝen, ſeiþ þe Lord.
vi Y loſte folkis, and þe corneris of hem ben diſtried; Y
Here endiþ Sophonye, and here bigynneþ Aggei.
made þe weies of hem deſert, while þere is not þat ſchal
paſſe. Þe citees of hem ben deſolat, for a man is not left,
neþer ony dwellere.
vii Y ſeide, Neþeles þou ſchalt drede me, þou ſchalt
reſſeyue techyng; and þe dwellyng place þerof ſchal not
periſche, for alle þingis in whiche Y viſitide it; neþeles
ful eerli þei riſynge han corrupt alle her þouȝtis.
viii Wherfor abide þou me, ſeiþ þe Lord, in þe dai of my
ryſyng aȝen in to comynge. For my doom is, þat Y
gadere folkis, and Y ſchal gadere rewmes; and Y ſchal
ſchede out on hem myn indignacioun, and al wraþþe of
my ſtrong veniaunce; for in fier of my feruour al erþe
ſchal be deuourid.
ix For þanne Y ſchal ȝelde to puplis a choſun lippe, þat
alle clepe inwardli in þe name of þe Lord, and ſerue to
hym wiþ o ſchuldre.
x Ouer þe floodis of Ethiopie, fro þens my biſecheris, þe
ſones of my ſcaterid men, ſchulen brynge ȝifte to me.
xi In þat day þou ſchalt not be confoundid on alle þi
fyndyngis, in whiche þou treſpaſſidiſt aȝens me; for
þanne Y ſchal take awei fro þe myddil of þee grete
ſpekeris of þi pride, and þou ſchalt no more put to, for
to be enhaunſid in myn hooli hil.

DCCCXI

AGGEY
CAP. I
i In þe ſecounde ȝeer of Darius, kyng of Perſis, in þe
ſixte moneþe, in þe firſte dai of þe moneþe, þe word of
þe Lord was maad in þe hond of Aggey, profete, to
Sorobabel, ſone of Salatiel, duyk of Juda, and to Jheſu,
þe greet preeſt, ſone of Joſedech,
ii and ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, and
ſpekiþ, Þis puple ſeiþ, Ȝit comeþ not þe tyme of þe hous
of þe Lord to be bildid.
iii And þe word of þe Lord was maad in þe hond of
Aggei,
iiii profete, and ſeide, Wheþer it is tyme to ȝou, þat ȝe
dwelle in houſis couplid wiþ tymbir, and þis hous be
forſakun?
v And now þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Putte ȝe
ȝoure hertis on ȝoure weies.
vi Ȝe han ſowe myche, and brouȝte in litil; ȝe han etun,
and ben not fillid; ȝe han drunke, and ȝe ben not ful of
drynk; ȝe hiliden ȝou, and ȝe ben not maad hoote; and
he þat gaderide hiris, ſente þo in to a ſak holid, eþer
brokun.
vii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Putte ȝe ȝoure
hertis on ȝoure weies.
viii Stie ȝe vp in to þe munteyn, bere ȝe trees, and bilde
ȝe an hous; and it ſchal be acceptable to me, and Y ſchal
be glorified, ſeiþ þe Lord.
ix Ȝe bihelden to more, and lo! it is maad leſſe; and ȝe
brouȝten in to þe hous, and Y blew it out. For what
cauſe, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis? for myn hous is deſert, and
ȝe haſten ech man in to his hous.
x For þis þing heuenes ben forbedun, þat þei ſchulden
not ȝyue dew on ȝou; and þe erþe is forbodun, þat it
ſchulde not ȝyue his buriownyng.
xi And Y clepide dryneſſe on erþe, and on mounteyns,
and on wheete, and on wyn, and on oile, and what euer
þingis þe erþe bryngiþ forþ; and on men, and on beeſtis,
and on al labour of hondis.
xii And Sorobabel, þe ſone of Salatiel, and Jheſus, þe
greet preeſt, þe ſone of Joſedech, and alle relifs of þe
puple, herden þe vois of her God, and þe wordis of
Aggei, þe profete, as þe Lord God of hem ſente him to
hem; and al þe puple dredde of þe face of þe Lord.
xiii And Aggei, a meſſanger of þe Lord, of þe
meſſangeris of þe Lord, ſeide to þe puple, and ſpak, Y
am wiþ ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xiiii And þe Lord reiſide þe ſpirit of Sorobabel, þe ſone
of Salatiel, duik of Juda, and þe ſpirit of Jheſu, þe greet
preeſt, þe ſone of Joſedech, and þe ſpirit of þe relifs of al
puple; and þei entriden, and maden werk in þe hous of
þe Lord of ooſtis, her God.
DCCCXII
CAP. II
i In þe foure and twentiþe dai of þe moneþe, in þe ſixte
moneþe, in þe ſecunde ȝeer of kyng Darius.
ii In þe ſeuenþe moneþe, in þe oon and twentiþ dai of þe
moneþe, þe word of þe Lord was maad in þe hond of
Aggei, þe profete, and ſeide,
iii Speke þou to Sorobabel, þe ſone of Salatiel, þe duyk
of Juda, and to Jheſu, þe gret preeſt, þe ſone of
Joſedech, and to oþere of þe puple, and ſeie þou,
iiii Who in ȝou is left, þat ſai þis hous in his firſte glorie?
and what ſeen ȝe þis now? wheþer it is not þus, as if it
be not bifore ȝoure iȝen?
v And now, Sorobabel, be þou coumfortid, ſeiþ þe Lord,
and Jheſu, greet preeſt, ſone of Joſedech, be þou
coumfortid, and al þe puple of þe lond, be þou
coumfortid, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis; and do ȝe, for Y am
wiþ ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
vi Þe word þat Y couenauntide wiþ ȝou, whanne ȝe
wenten out of þe lond of Egipt, and my Spirit ſchal be
in þe myddil of ȝou.
vii Nyle ȝe drede, for þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
Ȝit o litil þing is, and Y ſchal moue heuene, and erþe,
and ſee, and drie lond;
viii and Y ſchal moue alle folkis, and þe deſirid to alle
folkis ſchal come; and Y ſchal fille þis hous wiþ glorie,
ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
ix Myn is ſiluer, and myn is gold, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtes.
x Þe glorie of þis laſte hous ſchal be greet, more þan þe
firſte, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis. And in þis place Y ſchal
ȝyue pees, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
xi In þe foure and twentiþe dai of þe nynþe moneþe, in
þe ſecounde ȝeer of kyng Daryus, þe word of þe Lord
was maad to Aggei, þe profete, and ſeide, Þe Lord God
of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis,
xii Axe þou preeſtis þe lawe, and ſeie þou,
xiii If a man takiþ halewyd fleiſch in þe hem of his
cloþing, and touchiþ of þe hiȝneſſe þerof breed, eþer
potage, eþer wyn, eþer oile, eþer ony mete, wheþer it
ſchal be halewid? Soþeli preeſtis anſweriden, and
ſeiden, Nai.
xiiii And Aggei ſeide, If a man defoulid in ſoule touchiþ
of alle þeſe þingis, wheþer it ſchal be defoulid? And
preſtis anſweriden, and ſeiden, It ſchal be defoulid.
xv And Aggei anſweride, and ſeide, So is þis puple, and
ſo is þis folc bifor my face, ſeiþ þe Lord, and ſo is al
werk of her hondis; and alle þingis whiche þei offren
þere, ſchulen be defoulid.
xvi And nowe putte ȝe ȝoure hertis, fro þis dai and
aboue, bifor þat a ſtoon on a ſtoon was put in temple of
þe Lord,
xvii whanne ȝe wenten to an heep of twenti buiſchels,
and þere weren maad ten; ȝe entriden to þe preſſour, þat
ȝe ſchulden preſſe out fifti galouns, and þere weren
maad twenti.
xviii Y ſmoot ȝou wiþ brennynge wynd; and wiþ
myldew, and hail, alle þe werkis of ȝoure hondis; and
þer was noon in ȝou þat turnede aȝen to me, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
xix Putte ȝe ȝoure hertis fro þis dai, and in to comynge,
fro þe foure and twentiþe dai of þe nynþe moneþe, fro
þe dai in whiche foundementis of þe temple of þe Lord
ben caſtun, putte ȝe on ȝoure herte.
xx Wheþer now ſeed is in buriownyng? and ȝit vineȝerd,
and fige tre, and pomgarnade, and þe tre of olyue
flouride not.
xxi Fro þis dai Y ſchal bleſſe. And þe word of þe Lord
was maad þe ſecounde tyme to Aggei, in þe foure and
twentiþe dai of þe moneþe,
xxii and ſeide, Spek þou to Sorobabel, duik of Juda, and
ſeie þou, Y ſhal moue heuene and erþe togidere, and Y
ſchal diſtrie þe ſeet of rewmes,
xxiii and Y ſchal al to-breke þe ſtrengþe of rewme of
heþene men, and ſchal diſtrie a foure horſid carte, and
þe ſtiere þerof; and horſis ſchulen go doun, and ſtieris of
hem, a man bi ſwerd of his broþer.
xxiiii In þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, þou Sorobabel,
ſone of Salatiel, my ſeruaunt, Y ſchal take þee, ſeiþ þe
Lord; and Y ſchal putte þee as a ſignet, for Y chees þee,
ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
Here endiþ Aggei, and here bigynneþ Sacarie.

DCCCXIII

SACARIE
CAP. I
i In þe eiȝþe moneþe, in þe ſecounde ȝeer of Darius, þe
word of þe Lord was maad to Sacarie, þe ſone of
Barachie, þe ſone of Addo,
ii profete, and ſeide, Þe Lord is wrooþ on ȝoure fadris
wiþ wraþfulneſſe.
iii And þou ſchalt ſeie to hem, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe
þingis. Be ȝe conuertid to me, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis,
and Y ſchal be conuertid to ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
iiii Be ȝe not as ȝoure fadris, to whiche þe formere
profetis crieden, ſeiynge, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Be ȝe conuertid fro ȝoure yuel weies, and ȝoure
worſte þouȝtis; and þei herden not, neþer token tent to
me, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
v Where ben ȝoure fadris and profetis? wheþer þei
ſchulen lyue wiþ outen ende?
vi Neþeles my wordis and my lawful þingis, whiche Y
comaundide to my ſeruauntis profetis, wheþer þei
tauȝten not ȝoure fadris? And þei weren conuertid, and
ſeiden, As þe Lord of ooſtys þouȝte for to do to vs bi
oure weies, and bi oure fyndingis he dide to vs.
vii In þe foure and twentiþe dai of þe enleuenþe moneþe
Sabath, in þe ſecounde ȝeer of Darius, þe word of þe
Lord was maad to Sacarie, ſone of Barachie, ſone of
Addo,
viii profete, and ſeide, Y ſaiȝ bi niȝt, and lo! a man
ſtiynge on a reed hors; and he ſtood bitwixe places
where mirtis wexen, þat weren in þe depþe, and aftir
hym weren horſis reede, dyuerſe, and white.
ix And Y ſeide, My lord, who ben þeſe? And an aungel
of þe Lord ſeide to me, þat ſpak in me, Y ſchal ſchewe
to þee what þeſe ben.
x And þe man þat ſtood bitwix places where mirtis
wexen, anſweride, and ſeide, Þeſe it ben, whiche þe
Lord ſente, þat þei walke þorouȝ erþe.
xi And þei anſweriden to þe aungel of þe Lord, þat ſtood
bitwixe places where mirtis wexen, and ſeiden, We han
walkid þorouȝ erþe, and lo! al erþe is enhabitid, and
reſtiþ.
xii And þe aungel of þe Lord anſweride, and ſeide, Lord
of ooſtis, hou long ſchalt þou not haue merci on
Jeruſalem, and citees of Juda, to whiche þou art wrooþ?
Þis now is þe ſeuentiþe ȝeer.
xiii And þe Lord anſweride to þe aungel, þat ſpak in me,
goode wordis, and wordis of coumfort.
xiiii And þe aungel þat ſpak in me, ſeide to me, Crie þou,
ſeiynge, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y louyde
Jeruſalem and Sion in greet feruour;
xv and in greet wraþþe Y ſchal be wroþ on riche folkis;
for Y was wrooþ a litil, forſoþe þei helpiden in to yuel.
DCCCXIV
xvi Þerfor þe Lord ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y ſchal turne aȝen to
Jeruſalem in mercies. Myn hous ſchal be bildid in it,
ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis; and a plomet ſchal be ſtreiȝt out
on Jeruſalem.
xvii Ȝit crie þou, ſeiynge, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe
þingis, Ȝit my citees ſchulen flete wiþ goodis, and ȝit þe
Lord ſchal coumforte Sion, and ȝit he ſchal cheſe
Jeruſalem.
xviii And Y reiſide myn iȝen, and Y ſaiȝ, and lo! foure
hornes.
xix And Y ſeide to þe aungel þat ſpak in me, What ben
þeſe? And he ſeide to me, Þeſe ben hornes, þat
wyndewiden Juda, and Iſrael, and Jeruſalem.
xx And þe Lord ſchewide to me foure ſmyþis.
xxi And Y ſeide, What comen þeſe for to do? Which
ſpak, ſeiynge, Þeſe ben þe hornes, þat wyndewiden Juda
bi alle men, and no man of hem reiſide his heed; and
þeſe camen for to make hem aferd, þat þei caſte doun þe
hornes of heþene men, which reiſiden horn on þe lond
of Juda, for to ſcatere it.
CAP. II
i And Y reiſide myn iȝen, and ſiȝ, and lo! a man, and lo!
in his hoond a litil coorde of meteris.
ii And Y ſeide, Whidir goiſt þou? And he ſeide to me,
Þat Y mete Jeruſalem, and Judee; hou myche is þe
breede þerof, and hou myche is þe lengþe þerof.
iii And lo! þe aungel þat ſpak in me, wente out, and
anoþer aungel wente out in to þe metyng of hym, and
ſeide to hym,
iiii Renne þou, ſpeke to þis child, and ſeie þou,
Jeruſalem ſhal be enhabitid wiþ out wal, for þe
multitude of men and of beeſtis in þe myddil þerof.
v And Y ſchal be to it, ſeiþ þe Lord, a wal of fier in
cumpas; and Y ſchal be in glorie in myddil þerof.
vi A! A! A! fle ȝe fro þe lond of þe norþ, ſeiþ þe Lord,
for in foure wyndis of heuene Y ſcateride ȝou, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
vii A! þou Sion, fle, þat dwelliſt at þe douȝter of
Babiloyne.
viii For þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, After glorie he
ſente me to heþene men, whiche robbiden ȝou; for he
þat ſchal touche ȝou, ſchal touche þe apple of myn iȝe.
ix For lo! Y reiſe myn hond on hem, and þei ſchulen be
preyes to þeſe þat ſeruyden hem; and ȝe ſchulen knowe,
þat þe Lord of ooſtis ſente me.
x Douȝter of Sion, herie þou, and be glad; for lo! Y
come, and Y ſchal dwelle in myddil of þee, ſeiþ þe
Lord.
xi And many folkis ſchulen be applied to þe Lord in þat
dai, and þei ſchulen be to me in to puple, and Y ſchal
dwelle in myddil of þee; and þou ſchalt wite, þat þe
Lord of ooſtis ſente me to þee.
xii And þe Lord ſchal welde Juda in to his part, in þe
loud halewid, and ſchal cheeſe ȝit Jeruſalem.
xiii Ech fleiſch be ſtil fro þe face of þe Lord, for he roos
of his hooli dwelling place.
CAP. III
i And þe Lord ſchewide to me þe greet preſt Jheſu,
ſtondynge bifore þe aungel of þe Lord; and Sathan ſtood
on his riȝthalf, þat he ſchulde be aduerſarie to hym.
ii And þe Lord ſeide to Sathan, Þe Lord blame in þee,
Sathan, and þe Lord þat chees Jeruſalem, blame in þee.
Wheþer þis is not a deed broond rauyſchid fro þe fier?
iii And Jheſus was cloþid wiþ foule cloþis, and ſtood
bifor þe face of þe aungel.
iiii Which anſweride, and ſeide to hem þat ſtoden bifor
hym, and he ſeide, Do ȝe awei foule cloþis fro him. And
he ſeide to hym, Lo! Y haue don awei fro þee þi
wickidneſſe, and Y haue cloþid þee wiþ chaungynge
cloþis.
v And he ſeide, Putte ȝe a clene mytre on his heed. And
þei puttiden a cleene mytre on his heed, and cloþide
him wiþ cloþis. And þe aungel of þe Lord ſtood,
vi and þe aungel of þe Lord witneſſide to Jheſu,
vii and ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, If þou
ſchalt go in my weies, and ſchalt kepe my kepynge, alſo
and þou ſchalt deme myn hous, and ſchalt kepe my
porchis; and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee goeris, of þeſe þat now
here ſtonden niȝ.
viii Here þou, Jheſu, greet preeſt, þou and þi frendis þat
dwellen bifore þee, for þei ben men ſignefiynge þing to
comyng. Lo! ſoþeli Y ſchal brynge my ſeruaunt
ſpryngynge up, eþer Criſt borun.
ix For lo! þe ſtoon which Y ȝaf bifor Jheſu, on o ſtoon
ben ſeuene iȝen; and lo! Y ſchal graue þe grauyng þerof,
ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, and Y ſchal do a wei þe
wickidneſſe of þat lond in o dai.
x In þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, a man ſchal clepe his
frend vndur a vyn tre, and vndur a fige tre.
CAP. IIII
i And þe aungel turnede aȝen, þat ſpak in me, and reiſide
me, as a man þat is reiſid of his ſleep.
ii And he ſeide to me, What ſeeſt þou? And Y ſeide, Y
ſaiȝ, and lo! a candilſtike al of gold, and þe laumpe
þerof on þe heed þerof, and ſeuene lanternes þerof on it,
and ſeuene veſſels for to holde oyle to þe lanternes, þat
weren on þe heed þerof.
iii And twei olyues þere onne, oon of þe riȝthalf `of þe
laumpe, and `an oþer on þe left half þerof.
iiii And Y anſweride, and ſeide to þe aungel þat ſpak in
me, and Y ſeide, What ben þeſe þingis, my lord?
DCCCXV
v And þe aungel þat ſpak in me, anſweride, and ſeide to
me, Wheþer þou woiſt not what ben þeſe þingis? And Y
ſeide, No, my lord.
vi And he anſweride, and ſeide to me, and ſpak, Þis is þe
word of þe Lord, ſeiynge to Sorobabel, Not in ooſt,
neþer in ſtrengþe, but in my ſpirit, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
vii Who art þou, greet hil, bifore Sorobabel in to pleyn?
and he ſchal lede out þe firſte ſtoon, and ſchal make
euene grace to grace þerof.
viii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
ix and ſeide, Þe hondis of Sorobabel foundiden þis hous,
and þe hondis of hym ſchulen perfourme it; and ȝe
ſchulen wite, þat þe Lord of ooſtis ſente me to ȝou.
x Who forſoþe diſpiſide litle daies? and þei ſchulen be
glad, and ſchulen ſe a ſtoon of tyn in þe hond of
Sorobabel. Þeſe ben ſeuene iȝen of þe Lord, þat rennen
aboute in to al erþe.
xi And Y anſweride, and ſeide to hym, What ben þeſe
tweyne olyues on þe riȝthalf of þe candilſtike, and at þe
lift-half þerof?
xii And Y anſweryde þe ſecounde tyme, and ſeide to
hym, What ben þe tweyne eeris, eþer ripe fruyt, of
olyues, þat ben biſidis þe twei bilis of gold, in whiche
ben oile veſſelis of gold?
xiii And he ſeide to me, and ſpak, Wheþer þou wooſt not
what ben þeſe þingis?
xiiii And Y ſeide, No, my lord. And he ſeide, Þeſe ben
twei ſones of oile of ſchynyng, whiche ſtonden nyȝ to þe
lordli gouernour of al erþe.
CAP. V
i And Y was conuertid, and reiſide myn iȝen, and ſiȝ,
and lo! a book fleynge.
ii And he ſeide to me, What ſeeſt þou? And Y ſeide, Lo!
Y ſe a book fleynge; þe lengþe þerof was of twenti
cubitis, and þe breede þerof of ten cubitis.
iii And he ſeide to me, Þis is þe curs, þat goiþ on þe face
of al erþe; for ech þeef ſchal be demed, as it is writun
þere; and ech man ſwerynge, ſchal be demyd of þis alſo.
iiii Y ſchal lede out it, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, and it ſchal
come to þe hous of a þeef, and to þe hous of hym þat
ſweriþ falſli in my name; and it ſchal dwelle in myddil
of hys hous, and ſchal waaſte hym, and hiſe trees, and
hiſe ſtoonys.
v And þe aungel wente out, þat ſpak in me, and ſeide to
me, Reyſe þin iȝen, and ſe, what þis þing is, þat goiþ
out.
vi And Y ſeide, What is it? And he ſeide, Þis is a pot
goyng out. And he ſeide, Þis is þe iȝe of hem in al erþe.
vii And lo! a talent of leed was borun; and lo! a
womman ſittynge in myddil of þe pot.
viii And he ſeide, Þis is vnpite, eþer vnfeiþfulneſſe. And
he caſtide doun hir in myddil of þe pot, and ſente a
gobet of leed in to þe mouþ þerof.
ix And Y reiſide myn iȝen, and ſiȝ, and lo! twei
wymmen goynge out, and a ſpirit in wyngis of hem; and
þei hadden wyngis as wyngis of a kite, and reiſiden þe
pot bitwixe heuene and erþe.
x And Y ſeide to þe aungel þat ſpak in me, Whidur
beren þeſe þe pot?
xi And he ſeide to me, Þat an hous be bildid þerto in þe
lond of Sennaar, and be ſtabliſchid, and ſet þere on his
foundement.
CAP. VI
i And Y was conuertid, and reiſide myn iȝen, and ſiȝ,
and lo! foure horſid cartis goynge out of þe myddil of
tweyne hillis, and þe hillis weren hillis of bras.
ii In þe firſte foure horſid carte weren reed horſis, and in
þe ſecounde foure horſid carte weren blac horſis;
iii and in þe þridde foure horſid carte weren white horſis,
and in þe fourþe foure horſid carte weren dyuerſe horſis,
and ſtronge.
iiii And Y anſweride, and ſeide to þe aungel þat ſpak in
me, What ben þeſe þingis, my lord?
v And þe aungel aunſweride, and ſeide to me, Þeſe ben
foure wyndis of heuene, whiche goen out, þat þei ſtonde
bifor þe lordſchipere of al erþe.
vi In which weren blake horſis, wenten out in to þe lond
of þe norþ; and þe white wenten out aftir hem; and þe
dyuerſe wenten out to þe lond of þe ſouþ.
vii Forſoþe þei þat weren ſtrengeſte wenten out, and
ſouȝten for to go, and renne aboute bi al erþe. And he
ſeide, Go ȝe, and walke ȝe þorouȝ þe erþe. And þei
walkiden þorouȝ erþe.
viii And he clepide me, and ſpak to me, and ſeide, Lo!
þei þat goon out in to lond of norþ, maden my ſpirit for
to reſte in þe lond of norþ.
ix And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me, and ſeide,
x Take þou of þe tranſmygracioun, eþer caitiftee, of
Oldai, and of Tobie, and of Idaye; and þou ſchalt come
in þat dai, and ſchalt entre in to þe hous of Joſie, ſone of
Sofonye, þat camen fro Babiloyne.
xi And þou ſchalt take gold and ſiluer, and ſchalt make
corouns, and putte on þe heed of Jheſu, þe greet preeſt,
ſone of Joſedech;
xii and ſchalt ſpeke to hym, and ſeie, Þe Lord of ooſtis
ſeiþ þeſe þingis, ſeiynge, Lo! a man, Comynge forþ,
eþer Borun, is his name, and vndir him it ſchal ſprynge.
And he ſchal bilde a temple to þe Lord,
xiii and he ſchal make a temple to þe Lord; and he ſchal
bere glorie, and ſchal ſitte, and ſchal be lord on his
ſeete; and þe preeſt ſchal be on his ſeete, and counſel of
pees ſchal be bitwixe hem tweyne.
DCCCXVI
xiiii And corouns ſchulen be to Helem, and to Tobie, and
to Idaie, and to Hen, ſone of Sofonye, a memorial in þe
temple of þe Lord.
xv And þei þat ben fer, ſchulen come, and bilde in þe
temple of þe Lord; and ȝe ſchulen wite, þat þe Lord of
ooſtis ſente me to ȝou. Soþeli þis þing ſchal be, if bi
heryng ȝe ſchulen here þe vois of ȝoure Lord God.
CAP. VII
i And it is maad in þe fourþe ȝeer of Darius, kyng, þe
word of þe Lord was maad to Sacarie, in þe fourþe dai
of þe nynþe moneþe, þat is Caſlew.
ii And Saraſar, and Rogumelech, and men þat weren wiþ
hem, ſenten to þe hous of þe Lord, for to preye þe face
of þe Lord;
iii þat þei ſchulden ſeie to preſtis of þe hous of þe Lord
of ooſtis, and to profetis, and ſpeke, Wheþer it is to
wepe to me in þe fyueþe moneþe, eþer Y ſchal halowe
me, as Y dide now many ȝeeris?
iiii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to me,
v and ſeide, Speke þou to al þe puple of þe lond, and to
preſtis, and ſeie þou, Whanne ȝe faſtiden, and weiliden
in þe fyueþ and ſeuenþe moneþe, bi þeſe ſeuenti ȝeeris,
wheþer ȝe faſtiden a faſt to me?
vi And whanne ȝe eeten, and drunken, wheþer ȝe eten
not to ȝou, and drunken not to ȝou ſilf?
vii Wheþer wordis of profetis ben not, whiche þe Lord
ſpak in þe hond of þe formere profetis, whanne ȝit
Jeruſalem was enhabited, and was ful of richeſſis, and it,
and citees þerof in cumpas þerof, and at þe ſouþ and in
feeldi place was enhabited?
viii And þe word of þe Lord was maad to Sacarie, and
ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſaiþ þeſe þingis, and ſpekiþ,
ix Deme ȝe trewe dom, and do ȝe merci, and doyngis of
merci, ech man wiþ his broþer.
x And nyle ȝe falſli calenge a widewe, and fadirles, eþer
modirles, and comelyng, and pore man; and a man
þenke not in his herte yuel to his broþer.
xi And þei wolden not `take heede, and þei turneden
awei þe ſchuldre, and ȝeden awei, and `maden heuy her
eeris, leſt þei herden.
xii And þei puttiden her herte as adamaunt, leſt þei
herden þe lawe, and wordis whiche þe Lord of ooſtis
ſente in his Spirit, bi þe hond of þe formere profetis;
and greet indignacioun was maad of þe Lord of ooſtis.
xiii And it is doon, as he ſpak; and as þei herden not, ſo
þei ſchulen crie, and Y ſchal not here, ſeiþ þe Lord of
ooſtis.
xiiii And Y ſcateride hem bi alle rewmes, whiche þei
knewen not, and þe lond is deſolat fro hem; for þat þere
was not a man goynge and turnynge aȝen, and þei han
put deſirable lond in to deſert.
CAP. VIII
i And þe word of þe Lord of ooſtis was maad to me,
ii and ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y hatide
Sion wiþ greet feruour, and wiþ greet indignacioun Y
hatide it.
iii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Y am turned aȝen to
Sion, and Y ſchal dwelle in þe myddil of Jeruſalem; and
Jeruſalem ſchal be clepid a citee of treuþe, and hil of þe
Lord ſchal be clepid an hil halewid.
iiii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Ȝit elde men and
elde wymmen ſchulen dwelle in þe ſtretis of Jeruſalem,
and þe ſtaf of man in his hond, for þe multitude of
ȝeeris.
v And þe ſtretis of þe cite ſchulen be fillid wiþ `ȝonge
children and maidens, pleiynge in þe ſtretis `of it.
vi Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þough it ſchal be
ſeyn hard bifor þe iȝen of relifs of þis puple in þo daies,
wheþer bifor myn iȝen it ſchal be hard, ſeiþ þe Lord of
ooſtis?
vii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Lo! Y ſchal ſaue
my puple fro þe lond of þe eeſt, and fro lond of goynge
doun of þe ſunne;
viii and Y ſchal brynge hem, and þei ſchulen dwelle in
þe myddil of Jeruſalem; and þei ſchulen be to me in to a
puple, and Y ſchal be to hem in to God, and in treuþe,
and in riȝtwiſneſſe.
ix Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Be ȝoure hondis
coumfortid, whiche heren in þeſe daies þeſe wordis bi
þe mouþ of profetis, in þe dai in which þe hous of þe
Lord of ooſtis is foundid, þat þe temple ſchulde be
bildid.
x Soþeli bifore þo daies hire of men was not, neþer hire
of werk beeſtis was, neþer to man entrynge and goynge
out was pees for tribulacioun; and Y lefte alle men, ech
aȝens his neiȝbore.
xi But now not after þe formere daies Y ſchal do to relifs
of þis puple, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis,
xii but ſeed of pees ſchal be; vyneȝerd ſchal ȝyue his
fruyt, and erþe ſchal ȝyue his buriownyng, and heuenes
ſchulen ȝyue her dew; and Y ſchal make þe relifs of þis
puple for to welde alle þeſe þingis.
xiii And it ſchal be, as þe hous of Juda and hous of Iſrael
weren curſyng in heþene men, ſo Y ſchal ſaue ȝou, and
ȝe ſchulen be bleſſyng. Nyle ȝe drede, be ȝoure hondis
coumfortid;
xiiii for þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, As Y þouȝte
for to turmente ȝou, whanne ȝoure fadris hadden terrid
me to wraþþe,
xv ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y hadde not merci, ſo Y conuertid
þouȝte in þeſe daies for to do wel to þe hous of Juda and
Jeruſalem; nyle ȝe drede.
DCCCXVII
xvi Þerfor þeſe ben þe wordis whiche ȝe ſchulen do;
ſpeke ȝe treuþe, ech man wiþ his neiȝbore; deme ȝe
treuþe and dom of pees in ȝoure ȝatis;
xvii and þenke ȝe not in ȝoure hertis, ony man yuel aȝens
his frend, and loue ȝe not a fals ooþ; for alle þes þingis
it ben, whiche Y hate, ſeiþ þe Lord.
xviii And þe word of þe Lord of ooſtis was maad to me,
xix and ſeide, Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Faſtyng
of þe fourþe moneþe, `and faſtyng of þe fyueþe, and
faſtyng of þe ſeuenþe, and faſting of þe tenþe, ſchal be
to þe hous of Juda in to ioie and gladnes, and in to
ſolempnitees ful cleer; loue ȝe oneli treuþe and pees.
xx Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Puplis ſchulen
come on ech ſide, and dwelle in many citees;
xxi and þe dwelleris ſchulen go, oon to an oþer, and ſeie,
Go we, and biſeche þe face of þe Lord, and ſeke we þe
Lord of ooſtis; alſo I ſhal go.
xxii And many puplis ſchulen come, and ſtrong folkis,
for to ſeke þe Lord of ooſtis in Jeruſalem, and for to
biſeche þe face of þe Lord.
xxiii Þe Lord of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, In þo daies, in
whiche ten men of alle langagis of heþene men ſchulen
catche, and þei ſchulen catche þe hemme of a man Jew,
and ſeye, We ſchulen go wiþ ȝou; for we han herd, þat
God is wiþ ȝou.
CAP. IX
i Þe birþun of þe word of þe Lord, in þe lond of Adrach,
and of Damaſk, þe reſte þerof; for `of þe Lord is þe iȝe
of man, and of alle lynagis of Iſrael.
ii And Emath in termes þerof, and Tirus, and Sidon; for
þei token to hem wiſdom greetli.
iii And Tirus bildide his ſtrengþing, and gaderide ſiluer
as erþe, and gold as fen of ſtretis.
iiii Lo! þe Lord ſchal welde it, and ſchal ſmyte in þe ſee
þe ſtrengþe þerof, and it ſchal be deuourid bi fier.
v Aſcalon ſchal ſee, and ſchal drede; and Gaſa, `and
ſchal ſorewe ful myche; and Accaron, for þe hope þerof
is confoundid; and þe kyng ſchal periſche fro Gaſa, and
Aſcalon ſchal not be enhabited;
vi and a departere ſchal ſitte in Aſotus, and Y ſchal diſtrie
þe pride of Filiſteis.
vii And Y ſchal take awei þe blood þerof fro þe mouþ of
him, and abhomynaciouns of hym fro þe myddil of teeþ
of hym, and he alſo ſchal be left to our God; and he
ſchal be as a duyk in Juda, and Accaron as Jebuſei.
viii And Y ſchal cumpaſſe myn hous of þeſe þat holden
kniȝthod to me, and goen, and turnen aȝen; and `an
vniuſt axere ſchal no more paſſe on hem, for now Y ſiȝ
wiþ myn iȝen.
ix Þou douȝter of Sion, make ioie wiþoutforþ ynow,
ſynge, þou douȝter of Jeruſalem; lo! þi kyng ſchal come
to þee, he iuſt, and ſauȝour; he pore, and ſtiynge on a
ſche aſſe, and on a fole, ſone of a ſche aſſe.
x And Y ſchal leeſe foure horſid carte of Effraym, and
an hors of Jeruſalem, and þe bouwe of batel ſchal be
diſtried; and he ſchal ſpeke pees to heþene men, and þe
power of him ſchal be fro ſee til to ſee, and fro floodis
til to þe endis of erþe.
xi And þou in blood of þi teſtament ſentiſt out þi
boundun men fro lake, in which is not water.
xii Ȝe boundun of hope, be conuertid to ſtrengþing; and
to dai Y ſchewynge ſchal ȝelde to þee double þingis,
xiii for Y ſchal ſtretche forþe to me Juda as a bowe, Y
fillide `þe lond of Effraym. And Y ſchal reiſe þi ſones,
þou Sion, on þi ſones, þou lond of Grekis, and Y ſchal
ſette þee as þe ſwerd of ſtronge men.
xiiii And þe Lord God ſchal be ſeyn on hem, and þe dart
of him ſchal go out as leit.
xv And þe Lord God ſchal ſynge in a trumpe, and ſchal
go in whirlwynd of þe ſouþ; þe Lord of ooſtis ſchal
defende hem, and þei ſchulen deuoure, and make ſuget
wiþ ſtoonys of a ſlynge; and þei drynkynge ſchulen be
fillid as wiþ wyn, and ſchulen be fillid as viols, and as
hornes of þe auter.
xvi And þe Lord God `of hem ſchal ſaue hem in þat dai,
as a floc of his puple, for hooli ſtoonus ſchulen be reiſid
on þe lond of hym.
xvii For what is þe good of hym, and what is þe faire of
hym, no but whete of choſun men, and wyn
buriownynge virgyns?
CAP. X
i Axe ȝe of þe Lord reyn in late tyme, and þe Lord ſchal
make ſnowis, and reyn of myȝt of cloude; and he ſchal
ȝyue to hem, to ech bi hym ſilf, erbe in þe feeld.
ii For ſymylacris ſpaken vnprofitable þing, and
diuynours ſaien leeſyng; and dremeris ſpaken veynli,
ydily þei coumfortiden; þerfor þei ben led awei as a
floc, þei ſchulen be turmentid, for a ſcheepherd is not to
hem.
iii On ſcheepherdis my ſtrong veniaunce is wrooþ, and
on buckis of geet Y ſchal viſite; for þe Lord of ooſtis
haþ viſitide his floc, þe hous of Juda, and haþ put hem
as an hors of hys glorie in batel.
iiii Of hym `ſchal be a cornere, and of hym a litil pale, of
hym a bowe of batel, and of hym ech vniuſt axere ſchal
go out togidere.
v And þei ſchulen be as ſtronge men, defoulynge clei of
weies in batel, and þei ſchulen fiȝte, for þe Lord is wiþ
hem; and ſtieris of horſis ſchulen be confoundid.
vi And Y ſchal coumforte þe hous of Juda, and Y ſchal
ſaue þe hous of Joſeph; and Y ſchal conuerte hem, for Y
ſchal haue merci on hem; and þei ſchulen be as þei
weren, whanne Y hadde not caſt awei hem; for Y ſchal
DCCCXVIII
be þe Lord God of hem, and Y ſchal graciouſli here
hem.
vii And þei ſchulen be as þe ſtronge of Effraym, and þe
herte of hem ſchal be glad, as of wyn; and ſones of hem
ſchulen ſe, and be glad, and þe herte of hem ſchal make
ioie wiþoutforþ in þe Lord.
viii Y ſchal hiſſe, `eþer ſoftli ſpeke, to hem, and Y ſchal
gadere hem, for Y aȝen bouȝte hem, and Y ſchal
multiplie hem, as þei weren multiplied bifore.
ix And Y ſchal ſowe hem in puplis, and fro fer þei
ſchulen biþenke of me; and þei ſchulen lyue wiþ her
ſones, and ſchulen turne aȝen.
x And Y ſchal `aȝen lede hem fro þe lond of Egipt, and
Y ſchal gadere hem fro Aſſiriens; and Y ſchal brynge
hem to þe lond of Galaad and of Liban, and place ſchal
not be foundun to hem.
xi And he ſchal paſſe in þe wawe of þe ſee, and ſchal
ſmyte wawis in þe ſee, and alle depneſſis of flood
ſchulen be confoundid; and þe pride of Aſſur ſchal be
mekid, and þe ceptre of Egipt ſchal go awei.
xii Y ſchal coumforte hem in þe Lord, and þei ſchulen
walke in þe name of hym, ſeiþ þe Lord.
CAP. XI
i Þou Liban, opene þi ȝatis, and fier ſchal ete þi cedris.
ii Ȝelle, þou fir tre, for þe cedre felle doun, for grete
men ben diſtried; ȝelle, ȝe okis of Baſan, for þe ſtronge
welde wode is kit doun.
iii Vois of ȝellyng of ſchepherdis, for þe greet worſchip
of hem is diſtried; vois of roryng of liouns, for þe pride
of Jordan is waſtid.
iiii My Lord God ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Fede þou beeſtis of
ſlauȝter,
v whiche þei þat weldiden ſlowen; and `ſorewiden not,
and ſelden hem, and ſeiden, Bleſſid be þe Lord, we ben
maad riche. And ſchepherdis of hem ſpariden not hem,
vi and Y ſchal no more ſpare on `men enhabitynge þe
erþe, ſeiþ þe Lord. Lo! Y ſchal bitake men, ech in hond
of his neiȝbour, and in hoond of his kyng, and þei
ſchulen to-reende togidere þe lond; and Y ſchal not
delyuere fro þe hond of hem,
vii and Y ſchal fede þe beeſte of ſleyng. For þis þing, ȝe
pore men of þe floc, here. And Y took to me twei ȝerdis;
oon Y clepide Fairneſſe, and þe toþer Y clepide Litil
Corde; and Y fedde þe floc.
viii And Y kittide doun þre ſcheepherdis in o moneþe,
and my ſoule is drawun togidere in hem; for alſo þe
ſoule of hem variede in me.
ix And Y ſeide, Y ſchal not fede ȝou; þat þat dieþ, die;
and þat þat is kit doun, be kit doun; and þe reſidues
deuoure, ech þe fleiſch of his neiȝbore.
x And Y took my ȝerde, þat was clepid Fairneſſe, and Y
kittide doun it, þat Y ſchulde make void my couenaunt,
þat Y ſmoot wiþ alle puplis.
xi And it `is led forþ voide in þat dai; and þe pore of
floc þat kepen to me, knewen þus, for it is þe word of
þe Lord.
xii And Y ſeide to hem, If it is good in ȝoure iȝen,
brynge ȝe my meede; and if nai, reſte ȝe. And þei
weieden my meede, þretti platis of ſiluer.
xiii And þe Lord ſeide to me, Caſte awei it to a makere
of ymagis, þe fair prijs, bi which Y am preiſid of hem.
And Y took þritti platis of ſiluer, and Y caſtide forþ hem
in þe hous of þe Lord, to þe makere of ymagis.
xiiii And Y kittide doun my ſecunde ȝerde, þat was
clepide Litil Corde, þat Y ſchulde departe þe broþerhed
bitwixe Juda and Iſrael.
xv And þe Lord ſeide to me, Ȝit take to þee veſſels of a
fonned ſcheepherde;
xvi for lo! Y ſchal reiſe a ſcheepherde in erþe, which
ſchal not viſite forſakun þingis, ſchal not ſeke ſcatered
þingis, and ſchal not heele `þe brokun togidere, and
ſchal not nuriſche forþ þat þat ſtondiþ. And he ſchal ete
fleiſchis of þe fat, and ſchal vnbynde þe clees of hem.
xvii A! þe ſcheepherd, and ydol, forſakynge þe floc;
ſwerd on his arm, and on his riȝt iȝe; þe arm of hym
ſchal be dried wiþ dryneſſe, and his riȝt iȝe wexynge
derk ſchal be maad derk.
CAP. XII
i Þe birþun of þe word of þe Lord on Iſrael. And þe
Lord ſeide, ſtretchynge forþ heuene, and founding erþe,
and makynge þe ſpirit of a man in hym, Lo!
ii Y ſchal putte Jeruſalem a lyntel of glotonye to alle
puplis in cumpas, but and Juda ſchal be in `a ſegyng
aȝens Jeruſalem.
iii And it ſchal be, in þat dai Y ſchal putte Jeruſalem a
ſtoon of birþun to alle puplis; alle þat ſchulen lifte it,
ſchulen be to-drawun wiþ kittyng doun, and alle
rewmes of erþe ſchulen be gaderid aȝens it.
iiii In þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord, Y ſchal ſmyte ech hors in
drede, `eþer leeſynge of mynde, and þe ſtiere `of hym in
woodneſſe; and on þe hous of Juda Y ſchal opene myn
iȝen, and ſchal ſmyte wiþ blyndneſſe ech hors of puplis.
v And duikis of Juda ſchulen ſeie in her hertis, Be þe
dwellers of Jeruſalem coumfortid to me in þe Lord of
ooſtis, þe God of hem.
vi In þat dai Y ſchal putte þe duykis of Juda as a
chymnei of fier in trees, and as a broond of fier in hei;
and þei ſchulen deuoure at þe `riȝthalf and lefthalf alle
puplis in cumpas. And Jeruſalem ſchal be enhabitid
eftſoone in his place, `in Jeruſalem.
vii And þe Lord ſchal ſaue þe tabernaclis of Juda, as in
bigynnyng, þat þe hous of Dauid `glorie not greetli, and
DCCCXIX
þe glorie of men dwellynge in Jeruſalem be not aȝens
Juda.
viii In þat dai þe Lord ſchal defende þe dwelleris of
Jeruſalem; and he þat ſchal offende of hem, ſchal be in
þat dai as Dauid, and þe hous of Dauid ſchal be as of
God, as þe aungel of þe Lord in þe ſiȝt of hym.
ix And it ſchal be, in þat dai Y ſchal ſeke for to al to-
breke alle folkis þat comen aȝens Jeruſalem.
x And Y ſchal helde out on þe hous of Dauid, and on
dwelleris of Jeruſalem, þe ſpirit of grace, and of
preieris; and þei ſchulen biholde to me, whom þei
`fitchiden togidere. And þei ſchulen biweile hym wiþ
weilyng, as on `þe oon bigetun; and þei ſchulen ſorewe
on hym, as it is wont `for to be ſorewid in þe deþ of þe
firſte bigetun.
xi In þat dai greet weilyng ſchal be in Jeruſalem, as þe
weilyng of Adremon in þe feeld of Magedon.
xii And erþe ſchal weile; meynees and meynees bi hem
ſilf; þe meynees of þe hous of Dauid bi hem ſilf, and þe
wymmen of hem bi hem ſilf;
xiii meynees of þe hous of Nathan bi hem ſilf, and þe
wymmen of hem bi hem ſilf; meynees of þe hous of
Leuy bi hem ſilf, and þe wymmen of hem bi hem ſilf;
meynees of Semei bi hem ſilf, and þe wymmen of hem
bi hem ſilf.
xiiii All oþere meynees, meynees and meynees bi hem
ſilf, and þe wymmen of hem bi hem ſilf.
CAP. XIII
i In þat dai an open welle ſchal be to þe hous of Dauid,
and to men dwellynge at Jeruſalem, in to waiſchyng a
wey of a ſynful man, and of womman defoulid in
vnclene blood.
ii And it ſchal be, in þat dai, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, Y
ſchal diſtrie names of idols fro `þe lond, and þei ſchulen
no more be `þouȝt on; and Y ſchal take awei fro erþe
falſe profetis, and an vnclene ſpirit.
iii And it ſchal be, whanne ony man ſchal profeſie ouer,
his fadir and modir þat gendriden hym, ſchulen ſeie to
hym, Þou ſchalt not lyue, for þou haſt ſpoke leeſyng in
þe name of þe Lord; and his fadir and his modir,
gendreris of hym, ſchulen `togidere fitche hym, whanne
he haþ profeſied.
iiii And it ſchal be, in þat dai profetis ſchulen be
confoundid, ech of his viſioun, whanne he ſchal
profeſie; neþer þei ſchulen be hilid wiþ mentil of ſak,
þat þei lie;
v but `þei ſchulen ſeie, Y am not a profete; Y am a man
`erþe tiliere, for Adam is myn enſaumple fro my
ȝongþe.
vi And it ſchal be ſeid to hym, What ben þeſe woundis in
þe myddil of þin hondis? And he ſchal ſeie, Wiþ þeſe Y
was woundid in þe hous of hem þat louyden me.
vii Swerd, be þou reiſid on my ſcheepherde, and on a
man cleuynge to me, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis; ſmyte þou
þe ſcheepherde, and ſcheep of þe floc ſchulen be
ſcaterid. And Y ſchal turne myn hond to þe litle.
viii And twei partis ſchulen be in ech lond, ſeiþ þe Lord,
and þei ſchulen be ſcaterid, and ſchulen faile, and þe
þridde part ſchal be left in it.
ix And Y ſchal lede þe þridde part bi fier, and Y ſchal
brenne hem, as ſiluer is brent, and Y ſchal preue hem, as
gold is preuyd. He ſchal clepe to help my name, and Y
ſchal graciouſly here him; and Y ſchal ſeie, Þou art my
puple, and he ſchal ſeie, Þou art my Lord God.
CAP. XIIII
i Lo! daies comen, ſeiþ þe Lord, and þi ſpuylis ſchulen
be departid in þe myddil of þee.
ii And Y ſchal gadere alle folkis to Jeruſalem, in to
batel; and þe citee ſchal be takun, and houſis ſchulen be
diſtried, and wymmen ſchulen be defoulid. And þe
myddil part of þe citee ſchal go out in to caitiftee, and
þe `toþer part of þe puple ſchal not be takun awei fro þe
citee.
iii And þe Lord ſchal go out, and ſchal fiȝte aȝens þo
folkis, as he fauȝte in þe dai of ſtrijf.
iiii And hiſe feet ſchulen ſtonde in þat dai on þe hil of
olyues, þat is aȝens Jeruſalem at þe eeſt. And þe hil of
olyues ſchal be coruun of þe myddil part þerof to þe eeſt
and to þe weſt, bi ful greet biforbrekyng; and þe myddil
of þe hil ſchal be departid to þe norþ, and þe myddil
þerof to þe ſouþ.
v And ȝe ſchulen fle to þe valei of myn hillis, for þe
valei of hillis ſchal be ioyned togidere til to þe nexte.
And ȝe ſchulen fle, as ȝe fledden fro þe face of erþe
mouyng in þe daies of Oſie, kyng of Juda; and my Lord
God ſchal come, and alle ſeyntis wiþ hym.
vi And it ſchal be, in þat dai lyȝt ſchal not be, but coold
and froſt.
vii And `þer ſchal be o dai, which is knowun to þe Lord,
not day, neþer niȝt, and in tyme of euentid lyȝt ſchal be.
viii And it ſchal be, in þat dai quyke watris ſchulen go
out of Jeruſalem, þe myddil of hem ſchal go out to þe
eeſt ſee, and þe myddil of hem to þe laſte ſee; in ſomer
and in wynter þei ſchulen be.
ix And þe Lord ſchal be kyng on al erþe; in þat dai þere
ſchal be o Lord, and his name ſchal be oon.
x And al erþe ſchal turne aȝen til to deſert, fro þe litil hil
Remmon to þe ſouþ of Jeruſalem. And it ſchal be reiſid,
and ſchal dwelle in his place, fro þe ȝate of Beniamyn
til to place of þe formere ȝate, and til to þe ȝate of þe
corneris, and fro þe tour of Ananyel til to þe preſſouris
of þe kyng.
xi And þei ſchulen dwelle þere ynne, and curſidneſſe
ſchal no more be, but Jeruſalem ſchal ſitte ſikir.
DCCCXX
xii And þis ſchal be þe wounde, bi which þe Lord ſchal
ſmyte alle folkis, þat fouȝten aȝens Jeruſalem; þe fleiſch
of ech man ſtondynge on hiſe feet ſchal faile, and hiſe
iȝen ſchulen faile togidere in her hoolis, and her tunge
ſchal faile togidere in her mouþ.
xiii In þat dai greet noiſe of þe Lord ſchal be in hem, and
a man ſchal catche þe hond of his neiȝbore; and his
hond ſchal be lockid togidere on hond of his neiȝbore.
xiiii But and Judas ſchal fiȝte aȝens Jeruſalem; and
richeſſis of alle folkis in cumpas ſchulen be gaderide
togidere, gold, and ſiluer, and many cloþis ynow.
xv And ſo fallyng ſchal be of hors, and mule, and camel,
and aſſe, and of alle werk beeſtis, þat weren in þo
caſtels, as þis fallyng.
xvi And alle þat ſchulen be reſidue of alle folkis, þat
camen aȝens Jeruſalem, ſchulen ſtie vp fro ȝeer in to
ȝeer, þat þei worſchipe þe kyng, Lord of ooſtis, and
halewe þe feeſte of tabernaclis.
xvii And it ſchal be, reyn ſchal not be on hem þat ſchulen
not ſtie vp of þe meyneis of erþe to Jeruſalem, `þat þei
worſchipe þe king, Lord of ooſtis.
xviii `Þat and if þe meynee of Egipt ſchal not ſtie vp, and
ſchal not come, neþer on hem ſchal be reyn; but fallyng
ſchal be, bi which þe Lord ſchal ſmyte alle folkis,
whiche ſtieden not, for to halewe þe feeſte of
tabernaclis.
xix Þis ſchal be þe ſynne of Egipt, and þis þe ſynne of
alle folkis, þat ſtieden not, for to halewe þe feeſte of
tabernaclis.
xx In þat dai, þat þat is on þe bridil of hors ſchal be hooli
to þe Lord; and caudruns ſchulen be in þe hous of þe
Lord, as cruetis bifor þe auter.
xxi And euery caudrun in Jeruſalem and Juda ſchal be
halewid to þe Lord of ooſtis. And alle men ſchulen
come offrynge, and ſchulen take of þo, and ſchulen ſeþe
in þo; and a marchaunt ſchal no more be in þe hous of
þe Lord of ooſtis in þat day.
Here endiþ Sacarie, and here bigynneþ Malachie.

MALACHIE
CAP. I
i Þe birþun of þe word of þe Lord to Iſrael, in þe hond
of Malachie, þe profete.
ii Y louyde ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord, and ȝe ſeiden, In what
þing louydiſt þou vs? Wheþer Eſau was not þe broþer of
Jacob, ſeiþ þe Lord, and Y louyde Jacob,
iii forſoþe Y hatide Eſau? And Y haue put Seir þe hillis
of hym in to wildirneſſe, and his eritage in to dragouns
of deſert.
iiii Þat if Idumee ſeiþ, We ben diſtried, but we ſchulen
turne aȝen, and bilde þo þingis þat ben diſtried; þe Lord
of ooſtis ſeiþ þeſe þingis, Þeſe ſchulen bilde, and Y ſchal
diſtrie; and þei ſchulen be clepid termes of wickidneſſe,
and a puple to whom þe Lord is wroþ, til in to wiþ
outen ende.
v And ȝoure iȝen ſchulen ſe, and ȝe ſchulen ſeie, Þe Lord
be magnefied on þe terme of Iſrael.
vi Þe ſone onouriþ þe fader, and þe ſeruaunt ſchal drede
his lord; þerfor if Y am fadir, wher is myn onour? and if
Y am lord, where is my drede? ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
A! ȝe preſtis, to ȝou þat diſpiſen my name; and ȝe
ſeiden, Wherynne han we diſpiſid þi name?
vii Ȝe offren on myn auter vncleene breed, and ȝe ſeien,
Wherynne han we defoulid þee? In þat þing þat ȝe
ſeien, Þe boord of þe Lord is diſpiſid.
viii If ȝe offren a blynd beeſt to be ſacrifiſid, wheþer it is
not yuel? And if ȝe offren a crokid and ſike beeſte,
wheþer it is not yuel? Offre þou it to þi duyk, if it ſchal
pleſe hym, eþer if he ſchal reſſeyue þi face, ſeiþ þe Lord
of ooſtis.
ix And now biſeche ȝe þe cheer of þe Lord, þat he haue
merci on ȝou; for of ȝoure hond þis þing is doon, if in
ony maner he reſſeiue ȝoure faces, ſeiþ þe Lord of
ooſtis.
x Who is `in ȝou þat cloſiþ doris, and brenneþ myn auter
`of his owne wille, eþir freli? Wille is not to me in ȝou,
ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis; and Y ſchal not reſſeyue a ȝifte of
ȝoure hond.
xi For fro ryſyng of þe ſunne til to goyng doun, my
name is greet in heþene men; and in ech place a cleene
offring is ſacrifiſid, and offrid to my name; for my name
is greet in heþene men, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
xii And ȝe han defoulid it in þat þat ȝe ſeien, Þe boord of
þe Lord is defoulid, and þat þat is put aboue is `worþi to
be diſpiſid, wiþ fier þat deuouriþ it.
xiii And ȝe ſeiden, Lo! of trauel; and ȝe han blowe it a
wei, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis. And ȝe brouȝten in of
raueyns a crokid þlng and ſijk, and brouȝten in a ȝifte;
wheþer Y ſchal reſſeyue it of ȝoure hond? ſeiþ þe Lord.
xiiii Curſid is þe gileful, þat haþ in his floc a male beeſte,
and `he makynge a vow offriþ a feble to þe Lord; for Y
DCCCXXI
am a greet kyng, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, and my name is
dredeful `in folkis.
CAP. II
i And now, A! ȝe preeſtis, þis maundement is to ȝou.
ii If ȝe wolen here, and if ȝe `wolen not putte on þe
herte, þat ȝe ȝyue glorie to my name, ſeiþ þe Lord of
ooſtis, Y ſchal ſende nedyneſſe in to ȝou, and Y ſchal
curſe to ȝoure bleſſyngis; and Y ſchal curſe hem, for ȝe
han not putte on þe herte.
iii Lo! Y ſchal caſte to ȝou þe arm, and Y ſchal ſcatere on
ȝoure cheere þe drit of ȝoure ſolempnytees, and it ſchal
take ȝou wiþ it.
iiii And ȝe ſchulen wite, þat Y ſente to ȝou þis
maundement, þat my couenaunt were wiþ Leuy, ſeiþ þe
Lord of ooſtis.
v My couenaunt was wiþ hym of lijf and pees; and Y ȝaf
to hym a drede, and he dredde me, and he dredde of
face of my name.
vi Þe lawe of trewþe was in his mouþ, and wickidneſſe
was not foundun in hiſe lippis; in pees and in equite he
walkide wiþ me, and he turnede awei many men fro
wickidneſſe.
vii For þe lippis of a preſt kepen ſcience, and þei ſchulen
aȝen ſeke þe lawe of `þe mouþ of hym, for he is an
aungel of þe Lord of ooſtes.
viii But ȝe wenten awei fro þe weie, and ſclaundren ful
many men in þe lawe; ȝe maden voide þe couenaunt of
Leuy, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
ix For which þing and Y ȝaf ȝou worþi to be diſpiſid, and
bowen to alle puplis, as ȝe kepten not my weies, and
token a face in þe lawe.
x Wheþer not o fadir is of alle ȝou? wheþer o God made
not of nouȝt ȝou? Whi þerfor ech of ȝou diſpiſiþ his
broþer, and defouliþ þe couenaunt of ȝoure fadris?
xi Judas treſpaſſide, and abhomynacioun is maad in
Iſrael, and in Jeruſalem; for Judas defoulide þe
halewyng of þe Lord, which he louyde, and he hadde þe
douȝter of an alien god.
xii Þe Lord ſchal diſtrie þe man þat dide þis þing, þe
maiſter and diſciple, fro þe tabernacle of Jacob, and him
þat offriþ a ȝifte to þe Lord of ooſtis.
xiii And eftſoone ȝe diden þis þing; ȝe hiliden wiþ teeris
þe auter of þe Lord, wiþ wepyng and mourenyng; ſo þat
Y biholde no more to ſacrifice, neþer reſſeyue ony þing
pleſaunt of ȝoure hond.
xiiii And ȝe ſeiden, For what cauſe? For þe Lord
witneſſide bitwixe þee and þe wijf of þi `puberte, þat is,
tyme of mariage, which þou diſpiſidiſt, and þis is þi
felowe, and wijf of þi couenaunt.
xv Wheþer oon made not, and reſidue of ſpirit is his?
and what ſekiþ oon, no but þe ſeed of God? Þerfore
kepe ȝe ȝoure ſpirit, and nyle þou diſpiſe þe wijf of þi
ȝongþe;
xvi whanne þou hatiſt hir, leue þou hir, ſeiþ þe Lord God
of Iſrael. Forſoþe wickidneſſe ſchal kyuere þe cloſyng of
hym, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis; kepe ȝe ȝoure ſpirit, and
nyle ȝe diſpiſe.
xvii Ȝe maden þe Lord for to trauele in ȝoure wordis,
and ȝe ſeiden, Wherynne maden we hym for to trauele?
In þat þat ȝe ſeien, Ech man þat doiþ yuel, is good in þe
ſiȝt of þe Lord, and ſiche pleſen to hym; eþer certis
where is þe God of doom?
CAP. III
i Lo! Y ſende myn aungel, and he ſchal make redi weie
bifor my face; and anoon þe lordſhipere, whom ȝe
ſeken, ſchal come to his hooli temple, and þe aungel of
teſtament, whom ȝe wolen. Lo! he comeþ, ſeiþ þe Lord
of ooſtis;
ii and who ſchal mowe þenke þe dai of his comyng? and
who ſchal ſtonde for to ſe hym? For he ſchal be as fier
wellynge togidere, and as erbe of fulleris;
iii and he ſchal ſitte wellynge togidere and clenſynge
ſiluer, and he ſchal purge þe ſones of Leuy; and he ſchal
purge hem as gold and as ſiluer, and þei ſchulen be
offrynge to þe Lord ſacrifices in riȝtfulneſſe.
iiii And þe ſacrifice of Juda and of Jeruſalem ſchal pleſe
to þe Lord, as þe daies of þe world, and as olde ȝeeris.
v And Y ſchal come to ȝou in doom, and Y ſchal be a
ſwift witneſſe to myſdoeris, `eþer enchaunteris of
deuelis craft, and to auouteris, and forſworn men, and
þat falſli calengen þe hire of þe hirid man, and widewis,
and fadirles, `eþer modirles, children, and oppreſſen a
pilgrym, `neþer dredden me, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
vi Forſoþe Y am þe Lord, and am not chaungid; and ȝe
ſones of Jacob ben not waſtid.
vii Forſoþe fro daies of ȝoure fadris ȝe wenten awei fro
my lawful þingis, and kepten not; turne ȝe aȝen to me,
and Y ſchal aȝen turne to ȝou, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
And ȝe ſeiden, In what þing ſchulen we turne aȝen?
viii If a man ſchal turmente God, for ȝe `togidere fitchen
me. And ȝe ſeiden, In what þing `togidere fitchen we
þee? In tiþis and in `firſte fruitis;
ix and ȝe ben curſid in nedyneſſe, and alle ȝe folc
diſſeyuen me, and `togidere fitchen.
x Brynge ȝe yn ech tiþe in to my berne, þat mete be in
myn hous, and preue ȝe me on þis þing, ſeiþ þe Lord, if
Y ſchal not opene to ȝou þe goteris of heuene, and ſchal
ſchede out to ȝou bleſſyng, til to aboundaunce.
xi And Y ſchal blame for ȝou þat þat deuouriþ, and he
ſchal not diſtrie þe fruit of ȝoure lond; neþer bareyn
vyneȝerd ſchal be in þe feeld,
xii ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, and alle folkis ſchulen ſeie ȝou
bleſſid; for ȝe ſchulen be a deſirable lond, ſeiþ þe Lord
of ooſtis.
xiii Ȝoure wordis wexiden ſtrong on me, ſeiþ þe Lord;
and ȝe ſeiden, What han we ſpokun aȝens þee?
DCCCXXII
xiiii Andȝe ſeiden, He is veyn, þat ſerueþ God; and what
wynnyng for we kepten hiſe heeſtis, and for we wenten
ſorewful bifore þe Lord of ooſtis?
xv Þerfor now we ſeien proude men bleſſid; for þei ben
bildid doynge vnpitee, and þei temptiden God, and ben
maad ſaaf.
xvi Þanne men dredynge God ſpaken, ech wiþ his
neiȝbore; and þe Lord perſeyuede, and herde, and a
book of mynde is writun bifor hym to `men dredynge
God, and þenkynge his name.
xvii And þei ſchulen be to me, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis, in
þe dai in which Y ſchal make, in to a ſpecial treſour; and
Y ſchal ſpare hem, as a man ſpariþ his ſone ſeruynge to
hym.
xviii And ȝe ſchulen be conuertid, and ȝe ſchulen ſe,
what is bitwixe þe iuſt man and vnpitouſe, bitwixe `þe
ſeruynge to þe Lord and `not ſeruynge to hym.
CAP. IIII
i For lo! a dai ſchal come, brennynge as a chymenei;
and alle proude men, and alle doynge vnpitee ſchulen
be ſtobul; and þe dai comynge ſchal enflaume hem, ſeiþ
þe Lord of ooſtis, which ſchal not leeue to hem rote and
buriownyng.
ii And to ȝou dredynge my name þe ſunne of riȝtwiſneſſe
ſchal riſe, and heelþe in pennys of hym; and ȝe ſchulen
go out, and ſchulen ſkippe, as a calf of þe droue.
iii And ȝe ſchulen to-trede vnpitouſe men, whanne þei
ſchulen be aiſche vndur þe ſoole of ȝoure feet, in þe dai
in which Y do, ſeiþ þe Lord of ooſtis.
iiii Biþenke ȝe on þe lawe of my ſeruaunt Moiſes, which
Y comaundide to hym in Oreb, to al Iſrael
comaundementis and domes.
v Lo! Y ſchal ſende to ȝou Elie, þe profete, bifore þat þe
greet dai and orible of þe Lord come.
vi And he ſchal conuerte þe herte of fadris to ſones, and
þe herte of ſones to fadris of hem, leſt perauenture Y
come, and ſmyte þe erþe wiþ curs.
Here endiþ Malachie, and bigynneþ þe firſte book of
Machabeis.

I MACHABEIES
CAP. I
i And it was don, aftir þat Aliſaundre of Filip, king of
Macedoyne, which regnede firſt in Grece, and ȝede out
of þe lond of Sethym, ſmoot Darius, king of Perſeis and
of Medeis,
ii he ordeynede many batels, and gat ſtrengþis of alle;
and he ſlow þe kingis of erþe,
iii and paſſide forþ til to endis of erþe, and took ſpuylis
of multitude of folkis; and þe erþe was ſtille in ſiȝt of
hym.
iiii And he gaderide vertu, and ooſt ful ſtrong, and þe
herte of hym was enhaunſid and lift vp.
v And he gat þe cuntreis of folkis, and tirauntis; and þei
weren maad to hym in to tribut.
vi And after þeſe þingis he felle in to bed, and knew þat
he ſchulde die.
vii And he clepide his noble children, þat weren
nurſchid wiþ hym fro ȝongþe, and departide to hem his
kingdom, whanne he lyuede ȝit.
viii And Aliſaundre regnede twelue ȝeer, and was deed.
ix And his children weldiden þe rewme,
x ech in his place, and alle puttiden to hem diademys
aftir his deþ, and þe ſones of hem after hem, many
ȝeeris; and yuels weren multiplied in erþe.
xi And þer wente out of hem a roote of ſynne, Antiok þe
noble, þe ſone of Antiok kyng, þat was at Rome in
oſtage, and regnede in þe hundrid and ſeuene and
þrittiþe ȝeer of þe rewme of Grekis.
xii In þo daies wickid ſones `of Iſrael wenten out, and
counſeiliden many, and ſeide, Go we, and ordeyne we
teſtament wiþ heþene men, þat ben aboute vs; for ſiþen
we departiden fro hem, many yuels foundun vs.
xiii And þe word was ſeyn good bifore þe iȝen of hem.
xiiii And ſumme of þe puple ſenten, and wenten to þe
kyng; and he ȝaf power to hem for to do riȝtwiſneſſe of
heþene men.
xv And þei bildiden a ſcole in Jeruſalem, bi lawis of
naciouns;
xvi and maden to hem prepucies, and wenten awei fro þe
hooli teſtament, and weren ioyned to naciouns, and
weren ſeeld for to do yuel.
xvii And þe rewme hadde proſperite in þe ſiȝt of Antiok,
and he bigan for to regne in þe lond of Egipt, þat he
ſchulde regne on twei rewmes.
xviii And he entride in to Egipt wiþ a greuouſe
multitude, in charis, and olifauntis, and horſe men, `eþer
kniȝtis, and plenteuouſe multitude of ſchippis,
xix and he ordeynede batel aȝens Tholome, kyng of
Egipt; and Tolome dredde of his face, and flei; and
many weren woundid, and fellen doun.
DCCCXXIII
xx And he took þe ſtronge citees in þe lond of Egipt, and
took þe preies of þe lond of Egipt.
xxi And Antiok turnede, after þat he ſmoot Egipt, in þe
hundrid and þre and fourtiþe ȝeer, and ſtiede to Iſrael.
xxii And he ſtiede to Jeruſalem wiþ a greuouſe
multitude,
xxiii and entride in to þe halewyng wiþ pride; and he
took þe goldun auter, and þe candilſtike of lyȝt, and alle
veſſels þerof, and þe boord of propoſicioun, and veſſels
of fletynge ſacrifices, and cruetis, and goldun morteris,
and veil, and crownes, and goldun ournement þat was
in þe face of þe temple; and he brak alle.
xxiiii And he took ſiluer and gold, and alle deſirable
veſſels, and he took þe priuy treſours, whiche he foond;
and whanne he hadde takun vp alle þingis, he wente in
to his lond.
xxv And he made ſlauȝter of men, and ſpak in greet
pride.
xxvi And greet weilyng was maad in Iſrael, and in ech
place of hem;
xxvii and princes ſorewiden inwardli, and eldere men,
and maidens, and ȝonge men weren maad ſike, and
fairneſſe of wymmen was chaungid.
xxviii Ech hoſebonde took weilyng, and þei þat ſaten in
hoſebondis bed, morenyden.
xxix And þe lond was mouyd togidere on men
dwellynge þerynne, and al þe hous of Jacob was cloþid
wiþ confuſioun.
xxx And aftir twei ȝeeris of daies, þe kyng ſente a prince
of tributis in to þe citees of Juda, and he cam to
Jeruſalem wiþ greet cumpanye.
xxxi And he ſpak to hem peſible wordis in gile, and þei
bileuyden to hym.
xxxii And ſudeynli he felle in on þe citee, and ſmoot it
wiþ a greet wounde, and loſte myche puple of Iſrael.
xxxiii And he took preies of þe citee, and brente it wiþ
fier, and diſtriede houſis þerof, and wallis þerof in
cumpas.
xxxiiii And þei ledden wymmen caitif, and children, and
weldiden beeſtis.
xxxv And þei bildiden þe citee of Dauid wiþ greet wal
and ſad, and ſadde touris; and it was maad to hem in to
an hiȝ tour.
xxxvi And þei puttiden þere a folc of ſynneris, wickid
men, and þei weren ſtrong in it; and þei puttiden
armeris, and metis, and gaderiden preies of Jeruſalem;
xxxvii and puttiden vp þere, and weren maad in to a greet
ſnare.
xxxviii And þis þing was maad to aſpiyngis in yuel, `eþer
treſouns, to halewyng, and in to an yuel deuel in Iſrael
euere more.
xxxix And þei ſchedden out innocent blood, bi cumpas of
þe halewyng, and defouliden þe halewyng.
xl And dwelleris of Jeruſalem fledden for hem, and it
was maad abitacioun of ſtraungeris, and it was maad
ſtraunge to his ſeed, and ſones þerof forſoken it.
xli Þe halewyng þerof was deſolat as wildirneſſe; feeſte
daies þerof weren turned in to mourenyng, ſabotis þerof
in to ſchenſchip, onouris þerof in to nouȝt.
xlii Bi þe glorie þerof þe yuel fame þerof was
multiplied, and hyȝneſſe þerof was turned in to
mournyng.
xliii And kyng Antiok wroot to al his rewme, þat al þe
puple ſchulde be oon. And þei forſoken ech man his
lawe;
xliiii and alle folkis conſentiden bi þe word of kyng
Antiok,
xlv and many of Iſrael conſentiden to him, and
ſacrifieden to idols, and defouliden ſabot.
xlvi And king Antiok ſente bokis bi þe hondis of
meſſangeris in to Jeruſalem, and in to alle citees of
Judee, þat þei ſchulden ſue lawis of folkis of erþe,
xlvii and ſchulden forbede brent ſacrifices, and ſacrifices,
and pleſyngis for to be don in þe temple of God,
xlviii and þat þei ſchulden forbede þe ſabot for to be
halewid, and ſolempne daies,
xlix and hooli þingis for to be defoulid, and þe hooli
puple of Iſrael.
l And he comaundide auteris for to be bildid, and
templis, and idols; and ſwynes fleiſch for to be
ſacrifiſid, and vncleene beeſtis;
li and for to leeue her ſones vncircumcidid, and þe ſoulis
of hem for to be defoulid in alle vnclenneſſis and
abhomynaciouns, ſo þat þei ſchulden forȝete þe lawe,
and ſchulen chaunge alle þe iuſtifiyngis of God.
lii And who euere dide not bi þe word of kyng Antiok,
ſchulden die.
liii Bi alle þeſe wordis he wroot to al his rewme, and
aboue ſettide princes to þe puple, whiche ſchulden
conſtreyne þeſe þingis for to be don.
liiii And þei comaundiden to citees of Juda for to make
ſacrifice.
lv And many of þe puple weren gaderid to hem, whiche
forſoken þe lawe of þe Lord, and diden yuels on erþe.
lvi And þei dryueden out þe puple of Iſrael fro priuy
places, and in hid places of fleynge men.
lvii In þe fiftenþe dai of þe moneþe Caſleu, in þe
hundrid and fyue and fourtiþe ȝeer, king Antiok bildide
abhominable idol of diſcoumfort on þe auter of God;
and bi alle citees of Judee in cumpas þei bildiden
auters.
lviii And bifore þe ȝatis of houſis and in ſtretis þei
brenten encenſis, and ſacrifieden;
lix and brenten bi fier þe bookis of þe lawe of God, and
keruyden hem.
DCCCXXIV
lx And anentis whom euere þe bookis of teſtament of þe
Lord weren foundun, and who euere kepte þe lawe of
þe Lord, bi þe maundement of þe kyng þei ſlowen hym.
lxi In her power þei diden þeſe þingis to þe puple of
Iſrael, þat was foundun in ech moneþe in citees.
lxii And in þe fyue and twentiþe dai of þe moneþe, þei
ſacrifieden on þe auter, þat was aȝens þe auter of God.
lxiii And wymmen, þat circumcididen her ſones, weren
ſtranglid, bi comaundement of kyng Antiok;
lxiiii and þei hangiden children bi þe neckis, bi alle
houſis of hem, and ſtrangliden hem þat circumcididen
hem.
lxv And many of þe puple of Iſrael determyneden
anentis hem, þat þei ſchulden not ete vnclene þingis,
and cheſiden more for to die, þan for to be defoulid wiþ
vnclene metis.
lxvi And þei wolden not breke þe hooli lawe of God, and
þei weren ſlayn;
lxvii and ful greet wraþþe was maad on þe puple.
CAP. II
i In þo daies Matatias, þe ſone of Joon, ſone of Symeon,
and he was preſt of þe ſones of Joarym, roos fro
Jeruſalem, and ſat in þe hil Modyn.
ii And he hadde fyue ſones; Joon, þat was named
Gaddis; and Symount, þat was named Thaſi;
iii and Judas, þat was clepid Machabeus;
iiii and Eleaſarus, þat was named Abaron;
v and Jonathas, þat was clepid Apphus.
vi Þeſe ſiȝen þe yuels þat weren don in þe puple of Juda
and in Jeruſalem.
vii And Matatias ſeide, Wo to me! wher to am Y borun,
for to ſe þe diſtriyng `of my puple, and þe defoulyng of
þe hooli citee, and for to ſitte þere, whanne it is ȝouun
in to þe hondis of enemyes?
viii Hooli þingis ben maad in þe hond of ſtraungeris; þe
temple þerof as a man vnnoble;
ix veſſels of glorie þerof ben led awei caitif. Elde men
þerof ben ſlayn in ſtretis, and ȝonge men þerof fellen
doun bi ſwerd of enemyes.
x What folc enheritide not þe kingdom þerof, and
weldide not preies þerof?
xi Al ournyng þerof is borun awei; ſche þat was fre, is
maad handmaidun.
xii And lo! oure hooli þing, and oure fairneſſe, and oure
clerete, is deſolat, and heþene men defouliden it.
xiii What þerfor is ȝit to vs for to lyue?
xiiii And Matatias and his ſones to-renten her cloþis, and
hiliden hem wiþ heiris, and weiliden greetli.
xv And þei þat weren ſent of kyng Antiok, camen þidur,
for to conſtreyne hem þat fledden togidere in to þe cite
of Modyn, for to offre and brenne encenſis, and for to
departe fro þe lawe of God.
xvi And many of þe puple of Iſrael conſentiden, and
camen to hem; but Matatias and his ſones ſtoden
ſtidefaſtli.
xvii And þei anſweriden, þat weren ſent of Antiok, and
ſeiden to Matatias, Þou art prince, and mooſt clere, and
greet in þis citee, and ourned wiþ ſones and briþeren.
xviii Þerfor go þou þe formere, and do þe maundement
of þe kyng, as alle folkis han don, and men of Juda, and
þei þat leften in Jeruſalem. And þou ſchalt be, and þi
ſones, among frendis of þe king, and maad large in
ſiluer and gold, and many ȝiftis.
xix And Matatias anſweride, and ſeide wiþ greet vois,
Þouȝ alle folkis obeien to kyng Antiok, þat þei go awei
ech man fro ſeruice of þe lawe of his fadris, and
conſenten to his maundementis,
xx Y, and my ſones, and my briþeren ſchulen obeie to þe
lawe of oure fadris.
xxi God be helpful to vs; it is not profitable to vs for to
forſake þe lawe and riȝtwiſneſſes of God.
xxii We ſchulen not here þe wordis of kyng Antiok,
neþer ſchulen make ſacrifice to idols, and breke þe
maundementis of oure lawe, þat we go bi anoþir weie.
xxiii And as he ceeſſide for to ſpeke þeſe wordis, ſum
Jew wente to, bifore þe iȝen of alle men, for to ſacrifice
to idols on þe auter, in þe citee Modyn, bi
comaundement of þe kyng.
xxiiii And Matatias ſiȝ, and ſorewide, and his reynes
trembliden togidere, and his woodneſſe was kyndlid bi
doom of þe lawe; and he ſkippide in, and ſlow hym on
þe auter.
xxv But and he ſlow in þat tyme þe man whom king
Antiok ſente, which compellide for to offre, and he
diſtriede þe auter.
xxvi And he louyde feruentli þe lawe, as Fynees dide to
Sambri, ſone of Salomy.
xxvii And Matatias criede wiþ greet vois in þe citee, and
ſeide, Ech man þat haþ feruent loue of þe lawe, ordeyne
a teſtament, `þat is, a couenaunt, and go out after me.
xxviii And he flei, and hiſe ſones, in to munteyns, and
leften what euere þingis þei hadden in þe citee.
xxix Þanne many ſekynge dom and riȝtwiſneſſe, wenten
doun in to deſert, þat þei ſchulden ſitte þere,
xxx þei, and þe ſones of hem, and wymmen of hem, and
beeſtis of hem, for yuels weren hard on hem.
xxxi And it was teld to men of þe kyng, and to þe ooſt,
þat weren in Jeruſalem, þe citee of Dauid, þat ſummen
wenten awei, þat diſtrieden maundement of þe kyng, in
to priuy places in deſert; and many hadden go after
hem.
xxxii And anoon þei wenten to hem, and ordeineden
aȝens hem batel, in þe dai of ſabatis;
DCCCXXV
xxxiii and ſeiden to hem, Aȝenſtonde ȝe alſo now ȝit? go
ȝe out, and do ȝe after þe word of kyng Antiok, and ȝe
ſchulen lyue.
xxxiiii And þei ſeiden, We ſchulen not go out, neþer
ſchulen do þe word of þe king, þat we defoule þe dai of
ſabatis.
xxxv And þei ſtiriden batel aȝens hem.
xxxvi And þei anſweriden not to hem, neþer þrewen
ſtoon to hem, neþer ſtoppiden priuy places,
xxxvii and ſeiden, Die we alle in oure ſimpleneſſe, and
heuene and erþe ſchulen be witneſſis on vs, þat vniuſtli
ȝe leſen vs.
xxxviii And þei ȝauen to hem batel in ſabatis, and þei
weren deed, and wyues of hem, and ſones of hem, and
beeſtis of hem, til to a þouſande perſoones of men.
xxxix And Matatias knew, and his frendis; and þei
hadden mournyng on hem greetli.
xl And a man ſeide to his neiȝbore, If we alle ſhulen do
as oure briþeren diden, and ſchulen not fiȝte aȝens
heþene men, for oure lyues, and oure iuſtifiyngis,
ſunnere þei ſchulen diſtrie vs fro erþe.
xli And þei þouȝten in þat dai, and ſeiden, Ech man who
euere comeþ to vs in batel, in dai of ſabotis, fiȝte we
aȝens hym, and die we not alle, as oure briþeren ben
deed in priuy places.
xlii Þanne þe ſynagoge of Jewis, ſtrong in myȝtis of
Iſrael, was gaderid to hem. Euery wilful man in þe
lawe,
xliii and alle þat fledden fro yuels, weren addid to hem,
and þei weren maad to hem to ſtidfaſtneſſe.
xliiii And þei gaderiden an ooſt, and ſmytiden ſynneris in
her wraþþe, and wickid men in her indignacioun; and
þe toþer fledden to naciouns, for to aſcape.
xlv And Matatias enuyrownede, and hiſe frendis, and
diſtrieden auteris,
xlvi and circumcididen children vncircumcided, hou
many euere þei founden in þe cooſtis of Iſrael, `in
ſtrengþe.
xlvii And þei purſueden þe ſones of pride, and þe werk
hadde proſperite in her hondis.
xlviii And þei gaten þe lawe fro hondis of heþene men,
and fro hondis of kyngis, and ȝauen not ſtrengþe to þe
ſynnere.
xlix And daies of Matatias of diynge neiȝiden, and he
ſeide to hiſe ſones, Now pride is coumfortid, and
chaſtiſyng, and tyme of diſtruccioun, and þe wraþþe of
indignacioun.
l Now þerfor, ſones, be ȝe ſueris, `eþer louyeris, of þe
lawe, and ȝyue ȝe ȝoure lyues for þe teſtament of fadris.
li And biþenke ȝe on werkis of fadris, whiche þei diden
in her generaciouns, and ȝe ſchulen reſſeyue greet
glorie, and euerlaſtynge name.
lii Wheþer in temptacioun Abraham was not founden
trewe, and it was arettid to hym to riȝtwiſnes?
liii Joſeph in time of his angwiſch kepte comaundement,
and was maad lord of Egipt.
liiii Fynees, oure fadir, in feruentli louynge þe feruent
loue of God, took teſtament of euerlaſtynge preeſthod.
lv Jheſus, `eþer Joſue, while he fillide þe word, was
maad duyk in Iſrael.
lvi Caleph, while he witneſſide in þe chirche, took
eritage.
lvii Dauid in his merci gat þe ſete of kyngdom, in to
worldis.
lviii Elie, while he feruentli louyde þe feruent loue of þe
lawe, was reſſeyued in to heuene.
lix Ananyas, Azarias, Miſael, bileuyden, and weren
delyuered fro flawme.
lx Danyel in his ſympleneſſe was delyuered fro þe mouþ
of liouns.
lxi And þus biþenke ȝe bi generacioun and generacioun,
for alle þat hopen in to hym ben not maad vnſtidefaſt.
lxii And drede ȝe not of þe wordis of a man ſynnere, for
þe glorie of hym is tord and worm;
lxiii to dai he is enhaunſid, and to morewe he ſchal not
be foundun, for he is turned in to his erþe, and his þouȝt
ſchal periſche.
lxiiii Þerfor, ȝe ſones, be coumfortid, and do ȝe manli in
þe lawe; for whanne ȝe ſchulen do þo þingis þat ben
bodun to ȝou in þe lawe of ȝoure Lord God, in it ȝe
ſchulen be gloriouſe.
lxv And lo! Symount, ȝoure broþer; Y woot, þat he is a
man of councel, here ȝe hym eueremore, and he ſchal be
fadir to ȝou.
lxvi And Judas Machabeus, ſtronge in miȝtis fro his
ȝongþe, be to ȝou a prince in knyȝthod, and he ſchal do
batel of þe puple.
lxvii And ȝe ſchulen brynge to ȝou alle doeris of þe lawe,
and venge ȝe þe veniaunce of ȝoure puple.
lxviii Ȝelde ȝe ȝeldyng to heþene men, and take ȝe tent to
þe heeſte of þe lawe.
lxix And he bleſſide hem, and was put to hiſe fadris.
lxx And he was deed in þe hundrid and `ſixe and fourti
ȝeer, and was biried of hiſe ſones in to ſepulcre of hiſe
fadris in Modyn; and al Iſrael weiliden hym wiþ greet
weilyng.
CAP. III
i And Judas, þat was clepid Machabeus, þe ſone of
Matatias, roos for hym.
ii And alle hiſe briþeren helpiden hym, and alle þat
ioyneden hem to his fadir, and þei fouȝten þe batel `of
Iſrael wiþ gladneſſe.
iii And he alargide glorie to his puple, and cloþide hym
wiþ an haburiowne as a giaunt, and girde hym wiþ hiſe
DCCCXXVI
armeris of batel in batels, and defendide caſtels wiþ his
ſwerd.
iiii He was maad lijk a lioun in hiſe werkis, and as a
whelp of lioun rorynge in his huntyng.
v And he purſuede wickid men, and ſouȝte hem; and he
brente hem in flawmes, þat diſturbliden his puple.
vi And hiſe enemyes weren put abac for drede of hym,
and alle worcheris of wickidneſſe weren troblid to
gidere; and heelþe was dreſſid in his hond.
vii And he wraþþide many kyngis, and gladide Jacob in
hiſe werkis, and in to world his mynde is in bleſſyng.
viii And he wente þorouȝ þe citees of Juda, and loſte
vnpitouſe men of hem, and turnede awei wraþþe fro
Iſrael.
ix And he was named til to þe vtmeſt of erþe, and he
gaderide men periſchynge.
x And Appollyne gaderide folkis, and fro Samarie
myche vertu, and greet, for to fiȝte aȝens Iſrael.
xi And Judas knew, and wente out aȝens hym, and
ſmoot, and ſlow hym. And many woundid fellen doun,
and þe oþere fledden; and he took preies of hem.
xii And Judas took awei þe ſwerd of Appollyne, and was
fiȝtynge þerwiþ in alle daies.
xiii And Seron, prince of þe ooſt of Sirie, herde, þat
Judas gaderide a gaderyng, and þe chirche of feiþful
men wiþ hym.
xiiii And he ſeide, Y ſchal make to me a name, and Y
ſchal be glorified in þe rewme, and Y ſchal ouercome
Judas, and hem þat ben wiþ hym, whiche diſpiſiden þe
kyngis word.
xv And he made redi hym; and þe caſtels of vnpitouſe
men, ſtronge helperis, ſtieden vp wiþ hym, for to do
veniaunce on þe ſones of Iſrael.
xvi And þei neiȝiden `til to Betheron; and Judas wente
out aȝens hem, wiþ fewe men.
xvii Forſoþe as þei ſiȝen þe ooſt comynge to hem in
metinge, þei ſeiden to Judas, Hou moun we fewe fiȝten
aȝens ſo greet multitude, ſo ſtrong; and we ben maad
weri bi faſtyng þis dai?
xviii And Judas ſeide, It is lyȝt, `eþer eſy, þat many be
cloſid togidere in hond of fewe; and difference is not in
ſiȝt of God `of heuene, for to delyuere in manye eþer in
fewe;
xix for not in multitude of ooſt is þe victorie of batel, but
of heuene is ſtrengþe.
xx Þei comen to vs in rebel multitude, and pride, for to
diſtrie vs, and oure wyues, and oure ſones, and for to
robbe vs.
xxi Forſoþe we ſchulen fiȝte for oure lyues, and oure
lawis;
xxii and þe Lord hym ſilf ſchal al to-breke hem bifore
oure face; forſoþe drede ȝe not hem.
xxiii Soþeli as he ceeſſide for to ſpeke, he hurlide in `in
to hem ſudenli; and Seron was al to-brokun, and his
ooſt, in þe ſiȝt of hym.
xxiiii And he purſuede hym in þe goynge doun of
Betheron, til in to þe feeld; and eiȝte hundrid men of
hem fellen doun, þe oþere forſoþe fledden in to þe lond
of Filiſtiym.
xxv And þe drede of Judas, and of his briþeren, and þe
inward ferdneſſe, felle on alle heþene men in cumpas of
hem;
xxvi and þe name of hym cam to þe kyng, and alle folkis
telden of þe bateils of Judas.
xxvii Soþeli as king Antiok herde þeſe wordis, he was
wrooþ in ſoule; and he ſente, and gaderide þe ooſt of al
his rewme, ful ſtronge caſtels.
xxviii And he openyde his treſerie, and ȝaf ſowdis to þe
ooſt, in to a ȝeer, and comaundide hem, þat þei ſchulden
be redi to alle þingis.
xxix And he ſai, þat money failide of hiſe treſouris, and
tributis of þe cuntrei weren litil, for diſſencioun and
veniaunce þat he dide in þe lond, for to do awei þe
lawful þingis þat weren of þe firſte daies.
xxx And he dredde, þat he ſchulde not haue as onys and
twies in to coſtis and ȝiftis, whiche he hadde ȝouun
bifore wiþ large hond; and he was riche ouer kingis þat
weren bifore hym.
xxxi And he was aſtonyed in ſoule greetli, and þouȝte for
to go in to Perſis, and for to take tributis of cuntreis, and
for to gadre myche ſiluer.
xxxii And he lefte Liſias, a noble man of þe kyngis kyn,
on þe kingis nedis, fro þe flood Eufrates til to þe flood
of Egipt;
xxxiii and þat he ſchulde nurſche Antiok, his ſone, til he
cam aȝen.
xxxiiii And he bitook to hym þe half of þe ooſt, and
olifauntis, and comaundide to hym of alle þeſe þingis
þat he wolde, and of men enhabitynge Judee and
Jeruſalem;
xxxv and þat he ſchulde ſende to hem an ooſt, for to al
to-breke, and to diſtrie vttirly þe vertu of Iſrael, and
relifs of Jeruſalem, and for to do awey þe mynde of hem
fro place;
xxxvi and for to ordeyne dwelleris ſones aliens in alle þe
cooſtis of hem, and bi lot for to departe þe lond of hem.
xxxvii And þe kyng took a part of þe reſidue ooſt, and
wente out of Antiochie, citee of his rewme, in þe
hundrid and ſeuene and fourti ȝeer; and paſſide ouer þe
flood Eufrates, and wente þorou þe hiȝere cuntreis.
xxxviii And Liſias chees Tholome, þe ſone of Dorym,
and Nycanore, and Gorgie, miȝti men of þe kyngis
frendis.
xxxix And he ſente wiþ hem fourti þouſynde of men, and
ſeuene þouſynde of hors men, `eþer knyȝtis, þat þei
DCCCXXVII
ſchulden come in to þe lond of Juda, and diſtrie it, bi þe
word of þe kyng.
xl And þei wenten forþ, for to go wiþ al her pouer; and
þei camen, and londiden at Ammaum, in þe feeldi lond.
xli And marchauntis of cuntreis herden þe name of hem,
and token ſiluer and gold ful miche, and children, and
camen in to caſtels, for to take þe ſones of Iſrael in to
ſeruauntis; and þe ooſtes of Sirie and þe londis of aliens
weren addid to hem.
xlii And Judas ſiȝ, and his briþeren, þat yuelis weren
multiplied, and þe ooſt appliede, `eþer londide, at þe
cooſtis of hem; and þei knewen þe wordis of þe kyng,
whiche he comaundide þe puple for to do, in to
periſchyng and endyng.
xliii And þei ſeiden, ech man to his neiȝbore, Reiſe we
þe caſtyng doun of oure puple, and fiȝte we for oure
puple, and oure hooli þingis.
xliiii And comyng togidere of ooſt was gaderid, for to be
redi in to batel, and for to preie, and axe merci, and
merciful doyngis.
xlv And Jeruſalem was not enhabitid, but was as deſert;
þer was not þat entride and wente out, of children þerof;
and þe hooli þing was defoulid, and ſones of aliens
weren in þe hiȝ tour, þer was þe dwellyng of heþene
men; and þe likyng was don awei fro Jacob, and pipe
and harpe failide þere.
xlvi And þei weren gaderid, and camen in to Maſphat
aȝens Jeruſalem; for place of preier was in Maſphat,
ſunnere þan in Jeruſalem.
xlvii And þei faſtiden in þat dai, and cloþiden hem wiþ
hairis, and puttiden aiſch in her heed, and renten her
cloþis.
xlviii And þei ſpredden abrood bookis of lawe, of þe
whiche heþene men ſouȝten licneſſe of her ſymylacris;
xlix and þei brouȝten ournementis of preſtis, and `firſte
fruytis, and tiþis; and þei reiſiden Nazareis þat hadden
fillid daies.
l And þei crieden wiþ greet vois to heuene, and ſeiden,
What ſchulen we do to þeſe, and whidur ſchulen we
lede hem?
li And þin hooli þingis ben to-trodun, and defoulid, and
þi preſtis ben maad in to mourenyng,
lii and in to diſpiſyng. And lo! naciouns camen togidere
aȝens vs, for to diſtrie vs; þou woſt what þingis þei
þenken aȝens vs.
liii Hou ſchulen we mow wiþſtonde bifore þe face of
hem, no but þou, God, helpe vs?
liiii And þei crieden in trumpis, wiþ greet vois.
lv And aftir þeſe þingis Judas ordeynede duykis of þe
puple, tribunes, and centuriouns, and pentacontrarkis,
and decuriouns.
lvi And he ſeide to þeſe þat bildiden houſis, and wediden
wyues, and plauntiden vyne ȝerdis, and to dredeful
men, þat þei ſchulden turne aȝen, eche man in to his
hous, bi þe lawe.
lvii And þei mouyden caſtels, and þei ſettiden togidere at
þe ſouþ of Ammaum.
lviii And Judas ſeide, Be ȝe gird, and be ȝe miȝti ſones,
and be ȝe redi `in þe morewnyng, and þat ȝe fiȝte aȝens
þeſe naciouns, þat camen togidere for to diſtrie vs, and
oure hooli þingis.
lix For betere is, þat we die in batel, þan for to ſe yuels
of oure folc and holi þingis.
lx Soþeli as wille ſchal be in heuene, ſo be it don.
CAP. IIII
i And Gorgias took fyue þouſynde of men, and a
þouſynde choſun horſe men; and þei mouyden tentis bi
niȝt,
ii for to applie to þe tentis of Jewis, and for to ſmyte
hem ſudenli; and ſones þat weren of þe hiȝ tour, weren
lederis to hem.
iii And Judas herde, and he roos, and miȝti men, for to
ſmyte þe pouer of ooſtis of þe kyng, þat was in
Ammaum;
iiii for ȝit þe ooſt was ſcaterid fro tentis.
v And Gorgias cam in to þe tentis of Judas bi niȝt, and
foond no man; and þei ſouȝten hem in hillis, for he
ſeide, Þeſe fleen fro vs.
vi And whanne dai was maad, Judas apperide in þe feeld
wiþ þre þouſyndis of men oneli, whiche hadden not
hilyngis and ſwerdis.
vii And þei ſiȝen þe tentis of heþene men ſtronge, and
men haburiowned, and þe multitude of horſe men in
cumpas of hem, and þeſe weren tauȝt to batel.
viii And Judas ſeide to hiſe men, þat weren wiþ hym,
Drede ȝe not þe multitude of hem, and drede ȝe not
inwardli þe ferſneſſe of hem.
ix Biþenke ȝe hou oure fadris weren maad ſaaf in þe
Reed See, whanne Farao purſuede hem wiþ mychel
ooſt.
x And now crie we to heuene, and þe Lord ſchal haue
mercy on vs, and ſchal be myndeful of þe teſtament of
oure fadris, and ſchal al to-breke þis ooſt bifore oure
face to dai.
xi And alle folkis ſchulen wite, þat it is God, þat ſchal
aȝenbie, and delyuere Iſrael.
xii And aliens reiſiden her iȝen, and ſien hem comynge
of þe contrarie part,
xiii and wenten out of tentis in to batel. And þei þat
weren wiþ Judas, ſongen in trumpe.
xiiii And þei wenten togidere, and heþene men weren al
to-brokun, and fledden in to feeld;
xv forſoþe þe laſte fellen doun bi ſwerd. And þei
purſueden hem til to Gaſeron, and til `in to feeldis of
DCCCXXVIII
Idumee, and Ayotus, and Jannye; and þere fellen doun
of hem til to þre þouſyndis of men.
xvi And Judas turnede aȝen, and his ooſt ſuynge hym.
xvii And he ſeide to þe puple, Coueite ȝe not preies, for
batel is aȝens vs,
xviii and Gorgias and his ooſt ben in þe hil niȝ vs; but
ſtonde ȝe now aȝens oure enemyes, and ouercome hem,
and after þeſe þingis ȝe ſchulen take preyes ſikirli.
xix And ȝit while Judas ſpak þeſe þingis, lo! ſum part
apperide, biholdynge forþ fro þe hil.
xx And Gorgias ſiȝ, þat hiſe helperis weren togidere
turned in to fliȝt, and tentis weren brent; for ſmoke þat
was ſeyn, declaride þat þat was don.
xxi And whanne þei bihelden þeſe þingis, þei dredden
greetli, biholdynge togidere boþe Judas and þe ooſt, redi
to batel in þe feeld.
xxii And þei fledden alle in þe feeld of aliens,
xxiii and Judas turnede aȝen to preies of þe tentis; and
þei token myche gold, and ſiluer, and iacynct, and
purpur of þe ſee, and grete richeſſis.
xxiiii And þei conuertiden, and ſongen an ympne, `eþer
heriyng, and bleſſiden God in to heuene; for he is good,
for þe merci of hym is in to þe world.
xxv And greet helþe was maad in Iſrael in þat dai.
xxvi Forſoþe who euere of aliens aſcapiden, camen, and
telden to Liſias alle þingis þat bifellen.
xxvii And whanne he herde þeſe þingis, he was aſtonyed
in ſoule, and failide; for not what maner þingis he
wolde, ſiche bifellen in Iſrael, and what maner þingis þe
kyng comaundide.
xxviii And in þe ȝeer ſuynge, Liſias `gaderide of choſun
men ſixti þouſyndis, and of horſe men fyue þouſynde,
for to ouercome hem.
xxix And þei camen in to Judee, and ſettiden tentis in
Betheron; and Judas ran to hem wiþ ten þouſynde of
men.
xxx And þei ſien ſtrong ooſt, and he preiede, and ſeide,
Bleſſid art þou, ſauȝour of Iſrael, þat haſt al to-brokun þe
feerſneſſe of þe myȝti Golias in þe hond of þi ſeruaunt
Dauid, and bitokiſt þe caſtels of aliens in to þe hondis of
Jonathas, ſone of Saul, and of his ſquyer.
xxxi Cloſe þou togidere alſo þis ooſt in þe hond of þi
puple Iſrael, and be þei confoundid in her ooſt, and
horſe men.
xxxii Ȝyue þou to hem inward drede, and make þe
hardyneſſe of her vertu to faile, and be þei mouyd
togidere in her brekyng togidere.
xxxiii Caſte doun hem bi þe ſwerd of men louynge þee,
and alle þat knowen þi name, togidere preyſe þee in
ympnys.
xxxiiii And þei ioyneden togidere batel, and fyue
þouſyndis of men fellen doun of þe ooſt of Liſias.
xxxv Liſias forſoþe ſiȝ þe fliȝt of hiſe men, and þe
hardyneſſe of Jewis; and þat þei weren redi eþer for to
lyue, eþer for to die ſtrongli. And he wente to Antioche,
and chees knyȝtis, þat þei multiplied ſchulden come
eftſoone in to Judee.
xxxvi Forſoþe Judas ſeide to hiſe briþeren, Lo! oure
enemyes ben al to-brokun; ſtie we now, for to clenſe
hooli þingis, and `make newe.
xxxvii And al þe ooſt was gaderid, and þei ſtieden in to
þe hil of Sion.
xxxviii And þei ſiȝen halewyng deſert, and þe auter
vnhalewid, and þe ȝatis brent, and in þe porche tendur
trees growun, as in wielde wode or munteyns, and litle
cellis diſtried.
xxxix And þei renten her cloþis, and weiliden wiþ greet
weilyng; and puttiden aiſche on her heed,
xl and fellen on þe face of þe erþe, and crieden in
trumpis of ſignes, and crieden in to heuene.
xli Þanne Judas ordeynede men, for to fiȝte aȝens hem
þat weren in þe hiȝ tour, as long as þei clenſiden hooli
þingis.
xlii And he chees preeſtis wiþ out wem, hauynge wille in
þe lawe of God;
xliii and þei clenſiden hooli þingis, and token awei
ſtoonys of defoulyng in to an vnclene place.
xliiii And he þouȝte on þe auter of brent ſacrifices, þat
was vnhalewid, what he ſchulde do þerof.
xlv And a good counſel felle in to him, for to diſtrie it,
leſt it were to hem in to ſchenſchip, for heþene men
defouliden it.
xlvi And þei diſtrieden it, and kepten ſtonys in þe hil of
þe hous, in couenable place, til þat a profete cam, and
anſweride of hem.
xlvii And þei token hoole ſtoonys, by þe lawe, and
bildiden a newe auter, lijk þat þat was bifore.
xlviii And þei bildiden hooli þingis, and þe þingis þat
weren wiþ ynne þe hous wiþ ynneforþ; and þei
halewiden þe hous, and porchis.
xlix And þei maden newe hooli veſſels, and brouȝten in a
candilſtike, and auter of encenſis, and a boord in to þe
temple.
l And puttide encenſe on þe auter, and tenden lanternes,
þat weren on þe candilſtike, and ȝauen lyȝt in þe temple.
li And þei puttiden looues on þe boord, and hangiden
veiles, and endiden alle werkis þat þei maden.
lii And bifore morewtid þei riſiden, in þe fyue and
twentiþe dai of þe nynþe moneþe, þis is þe moneþe
Caſleu, of þe hundrid and eiȝte and fourtiþe ȝeer.
liii And þei offriden ſacrifice bi þe lawe, on þe newe
auter of brent ſacrifices, which þei maden bi tyme.
liiii And bi þe dai in which heþene men defouliden it, in
þat it was `maad newe, in ſongis, and harpis, and
DCCCXXIX
cynaris, `þat ben inſtrumentis of muſik, eþer giternes,
and cymbalis.
lv And al þe puple felle on her face, and worſchipiden,
and bleſſiden in to heuene him þat made proſperite to
hem.
lvi And þei maden halewyng of þe auter in eiȝte daies,
and offriden brent ſacrifices wiþ gladneſſe, and helful
þing of heriyng.
lvii And þei ourneden þe face of þe temple wiþ goldun
corouns, and ſmale ſcheeldis; and halewiden ȝatis, and
litle houſis, and puttiden to hem ȝatis.
lviii And ful greet gladneſſe was maad in þe puple, and
þe ſchenſchipe of heþene men was turned awei.
lix And Judas ordeynede, and hiſe briþeren, and al þe
chirche of Iſrael, þat þe dai of halewyng of þe auter be
don in his tymes, fro ȝeer in to ȝeer, bi eiȝte daies, fro
þe fyue and twentiþe dai of þe moneþe Caſleu, wiþ
gladneſſe and ioye.
lx And þei bildiden in þat tyme þe hil of Sion, and bi
cumpas hiȝ wallis, and ſadde touris, leſt ony tyme
heþene men wolden come, and defoule it, as þei diden
before.
lxi And he ſette þere an ooſt, for to kepe it; and he
wardide it, `for to kepe Bethſura, þat þe puple ſchulde
haue ſtrengþing aȝens þe face of Ydume.
CAP. V
i And it was don, as heþene men herden in cumpas, þat
þe auter was bildid, and þe ſeyntuarie as bifore, þei
weren wroþ greetli.
ii And þei þouȝten for to do awei, `eþer diſtrie, þe kyn
of Jacob, þat was among hem; and þei bigunnen for to
ſle of þe puple, and purſue.
iii And Judas ouercam þe ſones of Eſau in Ydume, and
hem þat weren in Arabathane, for þei ſaten aboute men
of Iſrael; and he ſmoot hem wiþ a greet wounde.
iiii And he þouȝte on þe malice of ſones of Bean, þat
weren in to gnare, and in to ſclaundre to þe puple of
Iſrael, and aſpieden it, `eþer ſettiden `buyſchementis to
it, in þe weie.
v And þes weren cloſid togidere fro hym in þe touris;
and he appliede to hem, and curſide hem, and brente
wiþ fier þe touris of hem, wiþ alle men þat weren in
hem.
vi And he paſſide to þe ſones of Amon, and foond ſtrong
hond, and plenteuouſe puple, and Tymothe, duyk of
hem.
vii And he ſmoot many batels wiþ hem, and þei weren
brokun in ſiȝt of hym; and he ſmoot hem.
viii And he took þe citee Jaſer, and vilages þerof; and he
turnede aȝen in to Judee.
ix And heþene men þat weren in Galaad, weren gaderid
aȝens Iſraelitis, þat weren in cooſtis of hem, for to do
awei hem; and þei fledden in to þe ſtrengþing of
Datheman.
x And þei ſenten lettris to Judas, and hiſe briþeren, and
ſeiden, Hethene men ben gaderid aȝens vs bi cumpas,
þat þei do awei vs;
xi and þei maken redi for to come, and ocupie þe
ſtrengþing, in to which we fledden; and Tymothe is
duyk of þe ooſt of hem.
xii Now þerfor come þou, and delyuere vs fro her
hondis, for a multitude of vs felle doun;
xiii and alle oure briþeren þat weren in places of Tubyn,
euerywhere ben ſlayn; and þei ledden awei caitif þe
wyues of hem, and children, and token ſpuylis, and
killiden þere almeſte a þouſynde men.
xiiii And ȝit epiſtlis weren rad, and lo! oþere meſſangeris
camen fro Galile, wiþ cootis to-rent,
xv and telden bi þeſe wordis, and ſeiden, þat men camen
togidere aȝens hem fro Tolomaida, and Tire, and Sidon,
and al Galile is fillid wiþ aliens, for to diſtrie vs.
xvi Soþeli as Judas herde, and þe puple, þeſe wordis, a
greet chirche cam togidere, for to þenke what þei
ſchulden do to her briþeren, þat weren in tribulacioun,
and weren ouer comun of hem.
xvii And Judas ſeide to Symount, his broþer, Cheſe to
þee men, and go, and delyuere þi briþeren in Galile; Y
forſoþe and my broþer Jonathas ſchulen go in to
Galatithym.
xviii And he lefte Joſafus, ſone of Sacarie, and Azarie,
duykis of þe puple, wiþ þe reſidue ooſt in Judee to
kepyng;
xix and comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Be ȝe ſouereyns
to þis puple, and nyle ȝe ſmyte batel aȝens heþene men,
til we turnen aȝen.
xx And men weren ȝouun to Simount þre þouſyndis, for
to go in to Galile; to Judas ſoþeli eiȝte þouſynde, in to
Galatithym.
xxi And Symount wente in to Galile, and ioynede many
batels wiþ heþene men. And heþene men weren al to-
brokun fro his face, and
xxii he purſuede hem til þe ȝate of Tolomaida. And þere
fellen doun of heþene men almeſt þre þouſynde of men;
xxiii and he took þe ſpuylis of hem. And he took hem þat
weren in Galile, and in Arbathis, wiþ wyues, and
children, and alle þingis þat weren to hem; and brouȝte
in to Judee wiþ greet gladneſſe.
xxiiii And Judas Machabeis, and Jonathas, and hiſe
briþeren paſſiden Jordan, and wenten forþ þe weie of
þre daies in to deſert.
xxv And Nabutheis camen aȝens hem, and reſſeyueden
hem peſibli, and telden to hem alle þingis þat bifellen to
her briþeren in Galadithym;
DCCCXXX
xxvi and þat manye of hem weren takun in Baraſa, and
Boſor, and in Alymys, and in Caſphor, and Mathet, and
Carnaym; alle þeſe were ſtrong citees and grete.
xxvii But and in oþere citees of Galatithis þei ben holdun
cauȝt. And on þe morewe þei ordeyneden for to moue
ooſt to þo citees, and for to take, and do awei hem in o
dai.
xxviii And Judas turnede, and his ooſt, þe weie in to
deſert of Boſor ſudenli; and ocupiede þe citee, and ſlow
ech male bi þe ſcharpneſſe of ſwerd, and took alle þe
ſpuylis of hem, and brente it wiþ fier.
xxix And þei riſiden þennus in nyȝt, and wenten `til to þe
ſtrengþing.
xxx And it was maad in ſprynging of dai, whanne þei
reiſiden her iȝen, and lo! myche puple, of whom was no
noumbre, berynge laddris and engynes, for to take þe
ſtrengþing, and ouer come hem.
xxxi And Judas ſiȝ, þat batel bigan, and crie of batel
ſtiede in to heuene, as trumpe, and greet cry of citee.
xxxii And he ſeide to his ooſt, Fiȝte ȝe to dai for ȝoure
briþeren.
xxxiii And he cam, and þre ordris after hem, and þei
crieden wiþ trumpis, and crieden in preier.
xxxiiii And ooſtis of Thymothe knewen, þat it was
Machabeus, and þei fledden fro his face. And þei han
ſmytun hem wiþ greet wounde; and þere fellen doun of
hem in þat dai almeſt eiȝte þouſynde of men.
xxxv And Judas turnede awei in to Maſpha; and ouercam
and took it, and ſlow ech male þerof, and took ſpuylis of
it, and brente it wiþ fier.
xxxvi Fro þennus he wente, and took Caſbon, and
Mageth, and Boſor, and oþere citees of Galathite.
xxxvii Forſoþe after þeſe wordis Thymothe gaderide an
oþer ooſt, and puttide tentis aȝens Raphon, ouer þe
ſtreem.
xxxviii And Judas ſente for to biholde þe ooſt, and þei
telden aȝen to hym, and ſeide, Þat alle heþene men þat
ben in oure cumpas, ful myche ooſt, camen togidere to
hym.
xxxix And þei hiriden Arabiens in to help to him, and þei
han ſet tentis ouer þe ſtreem, and ben redi for to come to
þee in to batel. And Judas wente aȝens hem.
xl And Tymothe ſeide to princes of his ooſt, Whanne
Judas neiȝeþ, and his ooſt, to þe ſtreem of water, if he
paſſiþ formere to vs, we ſchulen not mowe abide hym,
for he miȝti ſchal mowe aȝens vs.
xli Soþeli if he drediþ for to paſſe, and ſettiþ tentis
biȝende þe flood, paſſe we ouer to hem, and we ſchulen
mowe aȝens hym.
xlii Forſoþe as Judas neiȝede to þe ſtreem of water, he
ordeynede ſcribis, `eþer writeris of þe puple, biſidis þe
ſtreem, and comaundide to hem, and ſeide, Leeue ȝe
noon of men, but come alle in to batel.
xliii And he þe formere paſſide ouer to hem, and al þe
puple after hym. And alle þeſe heþene men weren
brokun fro þe face of hem, and þei caſtiden awei her
armeris; and þei fledden to þe temple, þat was at
Carnaym.
xliiii And Judas ocupiede `þe ilke citee, and brente þe
temple wiþ fier, wiþ alle þat weren in it; and Carnaym
was oppreſſid, and miȝte not abide aȝens þe face of
Judas.
xlv And Judas gaderide alle Iſraelitis þat weren in
Galadithes, fro þe leeſte to þe moſte, and wyues of hem,
and children, and ful greet ooſt, þat þei ſchulden come
in to þe lond of Judee.
xlvi And þei camen til to Efron, and þis greet citee put in
þe entre was ful ſtrong; and þer was not for to bowe
awei fro it, in riȝt half or left, but þe weie was þorou þe
myddil.
xlvii And þei þat weren in þe citee cloſiden in hem, and
ſtoppiden þe ȝatis wiþ ſtoonys. And Judas ſente to hem
wiþ peſible wordis, and ſeide,
xlviii Paſſe we bi ȝoure lond, for to go in to oure lond,
and no man ſchal anoie ȝou, oneli on feet we ſchulen
go.
xlix And þei wolden not opene to hem. And Judas
comaundide for to preche in tentis, `eþer ooſt, þat ech
man ſchulde applie, `þat is, aſaile þe citee, in what place
he was.
l And men of vertu applieden hem, and he fauȝt aȝens
þat citee al dai and al niȝt, and þe citee was bitakun in
his hond.
li And þei ſlowen ech `knaue child bi þe ſcharpneſſe of
ſwerd, and drow vp bi þe rootis it, and took þe ſpuylis
þerof, and paſſide bi al þe citee on þe ſlayn men.
lii And þei paſſiden ouer Jordan, in þe greet feeld aȝens
þe face of Bethſan.
liii And Judas was gaderynge þe laſte men, and
moneſtide þe puple bi al þe weie, til þei camen in to þe
lond of Juda.
liiii And þei ſtieden in to þe hil of Sion wiþ gladneſſe
and ioie, and offriden brent ſacrifices, þat no man of
hem `was deed, til þei turneden aȝen in pees.
lv And in þe daies in whiche Judas was, and Jonathas, in
þe lond of Galaad, and Symount, his broþer, in Galilee,
aȝens þe face of Tholomaida,
lvi Joſofus, ſone of Zacarie, herde, and Azarias, prince of
vertu, þe þingis doon wel, and batels þat weren maad.
lvii And he ſeide, Make we alſo a name to vs, and go we
for to fiȝte aȝens heþene men, þat ben in oure cumpas.
lviii And he comaundide to þeſe þat weren in his ooſt,
and þei wenten forþ to Jamnyan.
lix And Gorgias wente out of þe citee, and hiſe men,
aȝens hem, in to fiȝt.
DCCCXXXI
lx And Joſofus and Azarias weren dryuun `til to þe endis
of Judee; and þer fellen doun in þat dai of þe puple of
Iſrael, men to twei þouſyndis. And a greet wounde was
maad in þe puple;
lxi for þei herden not Judas and hiſe briþeren, and
geſſiden hem to do ſtrongli.
lxii Forſoþe þei weren not of þe ſeed of þo men, bi
whiche helþe was maad in Iſrael.
lxiii And men of Juda weren magnefied greetli in þe ſiȝt
of al Iſrael, and of alle heþene men, where þe name of
hem was herd.
lxiiii And þei camen togidere, criynge to hem
`proſperite, eþer preiſyngis.
lxv And Judas wente out, and his briþeren, and
ouercamen þe ſones of Eſau, in þe lond þat is at þe ſouþ;
and he ſmoot Chebron, and vilagis þerof, and diſtriede
`þe wardyngis þerof, and wallis þerof, and brente in fier
touris þerof in cumpas.
lxvi And he mouede tentis, for to go in to þe lond of
aliens; and wente þorou Samarie.
lxvii In þat dai preſtis fellen doun in batel, while þei
wolden do ſtrongli, while wiþ out counſel þei wenten
out in to batel.
lxviii And Judas bowide awei in to Aſotus, in þe lond of
aliens, and diſtriede auteris of hem, and brenten in fier
þe ſpuylis of her goddis, and took preies of citees; and
turnede aȝen in to þe lond of Juda.
CAP. VI
i And kyng Antiok walkide þorouȝ þe hiȝere cuntreis,
and herde þat a citee, Elymaides, was in Perſis, þe
nobleſte and plenteuouſe in ſiluer and gold;
ii and a temple in it was ful riche, and þere weren
goldun veilis, and haburiowns, and ſcheldis, whiche
Aliſaundre of Filip, kyng of Macedo, lefte, þat regnede
þe firſte in Greece.
iii And he cam, and ſouȝte for to take þe citee, and robbe
it; and miȝte not, for þe word was knowun to hem þat
weren in þe citee.
iiii And þei riſiden vp in to batel, and he flei fro þennus,
and wente awei wiþ greet heuyneſſe, and turnede aȝen
to Babyloyne.
v And þer cam, þat telde to hym in Perſis, þat þe ooſtis
þat weren in þe lond `of Juda weren dryuun,
vi and þat Liſias wente wiþ ſtrong vertu in þe beſte men,
and was dryuun fro þe face of Jewis, and þei wexiden
ſtronge in armeris, and ſtrengþis, and many preies,
whiche þei token of tentis, `eþer ooſtis, þat þei ſlowen;
vii and þat þei diſtrieden þe abhomynacioun, which he
bildide on þe auter þat was in Jeruſalem, and þei
cumpaſſiden wiþ hiȝe wallis þe halewyng, as bifore, but
and Betſura, his citee.
viii And it was don, as þe kyng herde þeſe wordis, he
dredde, and was mouyd greetli, and felle doun in to a
bed, and felle in to a greet ſikeneſſe for heuyneſſe, for it
was not don as he þouȝte.
ix And he was þere many daies, for greet heuyneſſe was
renulid in him, and he demide hym ſilf for to die.
x And he clepide alle hiſe frendis, and ſeide to hem,
Sleep paſſide awei fro myn iȝen, and Y failide `in herte,
and felle doun for biſyneſſe;
xi and ſeide in myn herte, In to hou greet tribulacioun
bicam Y, and in to what wawis of heuyneſſe in which Y
am now, þat was myrie, and `bolnyde, eþer delicat in
my power?
xii Now forſoþe Y biþenke on þe yuels þat Y dide to
Jeruſalem, fro whennus and Y took alle goldun ſpuylis,
and ſiluerne, þat weren þer ynne; and Y ſente wiþ out
cauſe, þat men dwellynge in Judee be don awei.
xiii Þerfor Y knew þat þeſe yuels founden me þerfor, and
lo! Y periſche bi greet heuyneſſe in alien lond.
xiiii And he clepid Filip, oon of his frendis, and made
him ſouereyn on al his rewme;
xv and ȝaf to hym diademe, and his ſtole, and ryng, for
to lede Antiok, his ſone, and nuriſche hym, and þat he
ſchulde regne.
xvi And kyng Antiok diede þere, in þe hundrid and nyne
and fourti ȝeer.
xvii And Liſias knew, þat þe kyng was deed, and
ordeynede Antiok, þe ſone of hym, for to regne, whom
he nurſchide ȝong; and clepide his name Eupator.
xviii And þei þat weren in þe hiȝ tour, cloſiden togidere
Iſrael in cumpas of hooli þingis, and ſouȝten to hem
yuels euer more, to ſtrengþing of heþene men.
xix And Judas þouȝte for to diſtrie hem, and clepide
togidere al þe puple, for to biſege hem.
xx And þei camen togidere, and biſegiden hem, in þe
hundrid and fiftiþe ȝeer; and þei maden arblaſtis, `eþer
trepeiettis, þat is, an inſtrument for to caſte ſchaftis, and
ſtoonys, and engynes.
xxi And ſumme of hem þat weren biſegid, wenten out;
and ſumme of vnfeiþful men of Iſrael ioyneden hem ſilf
to hem,
xxii and wenten to þe kyng, and ſeiden, Hou long doiſt
þou not dom, and vengiſt not oure briþeren?
xxiii And we demyden for to ſerue þi fadir, and for to
walke in hiſe heeſtis, and obeiſche to hiſe
comaundementis.
xxiiii And þe ſones of oure puple alienyden hem fro vs
for þis þing; and whiche euere weren foundun of vs,
weren ſlayn, and oure eritagis weren rauyſchid awei.
xxv And not oneli to vs þei ſtretchiden out þe hond, but
and in to alle oure cooſtis.
DCCCXXXII
xxvi And lo! þei applieden to day to þe hiȝ tour in
Jeruſalem, for to ocupie it, and þei ſtrengþiden a
ſtrengþing in Bethſura.
xxvii And if þou ſchalt not bifore come hem more ſwiftli,
þei ſchulen do grettere þingis þan þes, and þou ſchalt
not mowe welde hem.
xxviii And þe kyng was wroþ, as he herde þis þing, and
clepide togidere alle hiſe frendis, and princes of his
ooſt, and hem þat weren ouer horſemen;
xxix but alſo an hirid ooſt fro oþere rewmes, and ilis, and
ſee cooſtis camen to hym.
xxx And þe noumbre of his ooſt was an hundrid
þouſynde of foot men, and twenti þouſynde of horſe
men, and two and þritti olifauntis tauȝt to batel.
xxxi And þei camen bi Idumee, and þei applieden to
Bethſura, and fouȝten many daies; and þei maden
engynes, and þei wenten out, and brenten hem in fier,
and fouȝten manli.
xxxii And Judas wente fro þe hiȝ tour, and mouede tentis
to Bethſacharan, aȝens tentis of þe kyng.
xxxiii And þe kyng roos bifore þe lyȝt, and ſtiride þe ooſt
in to feerſneſſe, aȝens þe weie of Bethſacharan; and þe
ooſtis maden redi hem togidere in to batel, and ſongen
in trumpis.
xxxiiii And to olifauntis þei ſchewiden blood of grape,
and morus, `or mulberie trees, for to whette hem in to
batel.
xxxv And þei departiden þe beeſtis bi legyouns; and to
ech olifaunt a þouſynde men ſtoden niȝ in haburiownes
mailid togidere, and braſun helmes in her heedis, and
fyue hundrid horſe men choſun weren ordeyned to ech
beeſte.
xxxvi Þeſe weren þere bifore þe tyme, where euere þe
beeſte was; and whidur euere it wente, þei wente, and
departiden not þer fro.
xxxvii But and ſadde touris of tre weren on hem,
defendinge bi alle þe beeſtis, and on hem weren
engynes, and on ech bi hem ſilf men of vertu two and
þritti, whiche fouȝten fro aboue, and wiþ ynne was þe
maiſter of þe beeſte.
xxxviii And he ordeinede þe reſidue multitude of horſe
men on þis half and þat half, `in to twei partis, for to
moue togidere þe ooſt wiþ trumpis, and for to
conſtreyne þe men maad þicke in her legiouns.
xxxix And as þe ſunne ſchynede in to þe goldun ſcheldis,
and braſun, þe hillis ſchyneden aȝen of hem, and
ſchyneden aȝen, as laumpis of fier.
xl And a part of þe kyngis ooſt was departid bi hiȝ hillis,
and oþer bi lowe places; and þei wenten warli, and
ordynatli.
xli And alle men dwellynge in þe lond weren mouyd
togidere of þe vois of multitude of hem, and ingoyng of
cumpeny, and hurtlyng togidere of armeris; for þe ooſt
was ful grete and ſtrong.
xlii And Judas and his ooſt neiȝide in to batel; and þere
fellen doun of þe kyngis ooſt ſixe hundrid men.
xliii And Eleaſar, þe ſone of Saura, ſiȝ oon of þe beeſtis
haburiowned wiþ haburiownes of þe kyng, and it was
hiȝ ſtondynge ouer oþere beeſtis; and it was ſeyn to
hym, þat þe kyng was on it.
xliiii And he ȝaf hym ſilf for to delyuere his puple, and
for to gete to hym a name euerlaſtynge.
xlv And he ran þer to hardili, in to þe myddil of legioun,
and killide on þe riȝt half and left; and þei fellen doun
fro hym hidur and þidur.
xlvi And he wente vndur þe feet of þe olifaunt, and
vndur puttide hym ſilf þer to, and ſlow it; and it felle
doun in to erþe on hym, and he was deed þere.
xlvii And þei ſiȝen þe vertu of þe kyng, and ferſneſſe of
his ooſt, and turneden awei hem ſilf fro hem.
xlviii Forſoþe tentis of þe kyng ſtieden vp aȝens hem, in
to Jeruſalem; and tentis of þe king applieden to Judee,
and to þe hil of Syon;
xlix and he made pees wiþ þeſe þat weren in Bethſura.
And þei wenten out of þe citee, for foodis weren not to
hem cloſid togidere þere, for þe ſabatis of erþe weren.
l And þe kyng took Bethſura, and ordeynede þere
kepyng, for to kepe it.
li And he turnede þe tentis to þe place of halewyng
many daies; and ordeynede þere arblaſtis, and engynes,
and dartis of fier, and turmentis for to caſte ſtoonys and
dartis, and ſcorpiens for to ſchete arows, and ſlyngis.
lii Forſoþe and þei maden engynes aȝens þe engynes of
hem, and fouȝten many daies.
liii Forſoþe metis weren not in þe citee, for þat it was þe
ſeuenþe ȝeer; and þei þat leften of heþene men in Judee,
hadden waſtid þe relifs of þo þingis þat weren kept.
liiii And fewe men leften in hooli þingis, for hungur
hadde take hem; and þei weren ſcaterid, ech man in to
his place.
lv And Liſias herde, þat Filip, whom kyng Antiok
ordeynede, whanne he lyuyde ȝit, þat he ſchulde
nurſche Antiok, his ſone, þat he ſchulde regne,
lvi turnede aȝen fro Perſe and Medei, and þe ooſt þat
wente wiþ hym. And þat he ſekiþ for to take þe cauſis of
þe rewme,
lvii Liſias haſtide for to go, and ſeie to þe kyng, and
duykis of þe ooſt, We failen ech dai, and litil mete is to
vs, and þe place which we biſegen, is ſtrong, and it
falliþ to vs for to ordeyne of þe rewme.
lviii Þerfor now ȝyue we riȝthondis to þeſe men, and
make we pees wiþ hem, and wiþ al þe folc of hem;
lix and ordeyne we to hem, þat þei go in lawful þingis as
bifore; for whi for þe lawful þingis of hem whiche we
diſpiſiden, þei ben wrooþ, and han don alle þeſe þingis.
DCCCXXXIII
lx And þe word pleſid in þe ſiȝt of þe kyng, and of
princes; and he ſente to hem for to make pees, and þei
reſſeyueden it.
lxi And þe kyng ſwoor to hem, and princes; and þei
wenten out of þe ſtrengþing.
lxii And þe kyng entride in to þe mount Sion, and he ſiȝ
þe ſtrengþing of þe place; and he brak ful ſoone þe ooþ
þat he ſwoor, and comaundide for to diſtrie þe wal in
cumpas.
lxiii And he departide awei haſtili, and turnede aȝen to
Antiochie, and foond Filip regnynge in þe citee; and he
fauȝt aȝens hym, and ocupiede þe cyte bi ſtrengþe.
CAP. VII
i In þe hundrid ȝeer and oon and fifti Demetrie, ſone of
Sileuce, wente out fro þe cite of Rome, and ſtiede wiþ
fewe men in to a citee niȝ þe ſee, and regnede þere.
ii And it was don, as he entride in to þe hous of þe
rewme of his fadris, þe ooſt cauȝte Antiok, and Liſias,
for to brynge hem to hym.
iii And þe þing was knowun to hym, and he ſeide, Nyle
ȝe ſchewe to me þe face of hem.
iiii And þe ooſt ſlow hem. And Demetrie ſat on þe ſeete
of his rewme;
v and wickid men and vnfeiþful of Iſrael camen to hym,
and Alchymus, duyk of hem, þat wolde be maad preſt;
vi and accuſiden þe puple anentis þe kyng, and ſeiden,
Judas and hiſe briþeren loſte þi frendis, and dyuerſeli
loſte vs fro oure lond.
vii Now þerfor ſende þou a man, to whom þou bileueſt,
þat he go, and ſe al þe diſtriyng þat he haþ don to vs,
and to cuntreis of þe kyng; and he punyſchide alle
frendis of hym, and helperis of hem.
viii And þe kyng chees of his frendis Bachides, þat was
lord ouer þe greet flood in þe rewme, and trewe to þe
kyng, and ſente hym,
ix for to ſee þe diſtriyng þat Judas dide; and he
ordeynede vnfeiþful Alchymus in to preſthod, and bad
hym do veniaunce on þe ſones of Iſrael.
x And þei riſiden, and camen wiþ greet ooſt in to þe
lond of Juda; and þei ſenten meſſangeris, and ſpaken to
Judas and his briþeren, wiþ peſible wordis in gile.
xi And þei ȝauen not tent to her wordis; for þei ſiȝen, þat
þei camen wiþ greet ooſt.
xii And þe congregacioun of ſcribis camen togidere to
Alchymus and Bachides, for to axe þo þingis þat ben
iuſt;
xiii and þe firſte Aſſideis, þat weren among þe ſones of
Iſrael, and þei axiden of hem pees.
xiiii For þei ſeiden, A man, preiſt of þe ſeed of Aaron,
comeþ, he ſchal not diſſeyue vs.
xv And he ſpak wiþ hem peſible wordis, and ſwoor to
hem, and ſeide, We ſchulen not brynge in to ȝou yuels,
neþer to ȝoure frendis.
xvi And þei bileuyden to hym. And he cauȝte of hem
ſixti men, and ſlow hem in o dai, bi þe word þat is
writun,
xvii Þei ſhedden out þe fleiſchis of þi ſeyntis, and blood
of hem in cumpas of Jeruſalem, and þere was not þat
biriede.
xviii And drede and tremblyng felle in to al þe puple, for
þei ſeiden, Þer is not treuþe and dom in hem; for þei
han brokun þe ordynaunce, and þe ooþ þat þei ſworen.
xix And Bachides mouyde tentis fro Jeruſalem, and
appliede in to Bethſeca; and ſente, and cauȝte many of
hem þat fledden fro hym; and he killide ſumme of þe
puple, and caſtide in to a greet pitte.
xx And he bitook þe regioun to Alchymus, and left wiþ
hym help, in to helpyng of hym. And Bachides wente to
þe kyng, and Alchymus dide ynow,
xxi for þe princehod of his preſthod.
xxii And alle camen togidere to hym, whiche
diſturbliden her puple, and weldiden þe lond of Juda;
and diden greet veniaunce in Iſrael.
xxiii And Judas ſiȝ alle yuels, þat Alchymus dide, and
þei þat weren wiþ hym, to þe ſones of Iſrael, myche
more þan heþene men.
xxiiii And he wente oute in to alle cooſtis of Judee in
cumpas, and dide veniaunce on men forſakeris, and þei
ceeſiden for to go out ferþere in to þe cuntrei.
xxv Forſoþe Alchimus ſiȝ, þat Judas hadde victorie, and
þei þat weren wiþ hym; and he knew þat he mai not
abide hem, and he wente aȝen to þe kyng, and accuſiden
hem in many ſynnes.
xxvi And þe kyng ſente Nicanor, oon of his noblere
princes, þat was hauntynge enemytees aȝens Iſrael, and
comaundide hym for to diſtrie þe puple.
xxvii And Nycanor cam in to Jeruſalem, wiþ greet ooſt,
and he ſente to Judas and his briþeren wiþ gile, bi
peſible wordis,
xxviii ſeiynge, Fiȝte be not bitwixe me and ȝou; Y ſchal
come wiþ fewe men, for to ſe ȝoure faces wiþ pees.
xxix And he cam to Judas, and þei gretten hem togidere
peſibli; and enemyes weren redi for to rauyſche Judas.
xxx And þe word was knowun to Judas, þat wiþ gile he
cam to hym; and he was aferd of hym, and he wolde no
more ſe his face.
xxxi And Nicanor knew, þat his councel was knowun,
and he wente out aȝens Judas in to fiȝt, biſidis
Cafarſalama.
xxxii And þer fellen doun of Nicanoris ooſt almeſt fyue
þouſynde men, and þei fledden in to þe citee of Dauid.
xxxiii And after þeſe wordis Nicanor ſtiede in to þe hil of
Sion, and þer wenten out of preſtis of þe puple, for to
DCCCXXXIV
grete hym in pees, and for to ſchewe to hym brent
ſacrifices, þat weren offrid for þe kyng.
xxxiiii And he ſcornyde and diſpiſide hem, and defoulide,
and ſpak proudli,
xxxv and ſwoor wiþ wraþþe, ſeiynge, If Judas ſchal not
be takun, and his ooſt, in to myn hondis, anoon whanne
Y ſchal turne aȝen in pees, Y ſchal brenne þis hous. And
he wente out wiþ greet wraþþe.
xxxvi And preſtis entriden, and ſtoden bifore þe face of
þe auter and temple,
xxxvii and wepynge ſeiden, Þou, Lord, haſt choſun þis
hous, for to clepe to helpe þi name in it, þat it ſchulde
be an hous of preier and biſeching to þi puple; do þou
veniaunce in þis man,
xxxviii and his ooſt, and falle þei bi ſwerd; haue mynde
on her blasfemyes, and ȝyue not to hem þat þei abide.
xxxix And Nicanor wente out fro Jeruſalem, and
appliede tentis to Betheron; and þe ooſt of Sirie cam to
him.
xl And Judas appliede in Adarſa, wiþ þre þouſynde men.
xli And Judas preiede, and ſeide, Lord, an aungel wente
out, and ſmoot an hundrid þouſynde foure ſcore and
fyue þouſyndis of hem, þat weren ſent fro þe kyng
Senacherib, for þei blasfemiden þee;
xlii ſo al to-breke þis ooſt in oure ſiȝt to dai, and oþere
men wite, þat he ſpak yuel on þin hooli þingis; and
deme þou hym by þe malice of hym.
xliii And þe ooſtis ioyneden batel in þe þrittenþe dai of
þe moneþe Adar; and tentis of Nicanor weren al to-
brokun, and he felle doun þe firſte in batel.
xliiii Soþely as his ooſt ſiȝ, þat Nicanor felle doun, þei
caſtiden awei her armeris, and fledden.
xlv And þei purſueden hem þe weie of o dai, fro Adaſor
til me come in to Gaſara; and þei ſungen in trumpis
after hem wiþ ſignefiyngis.
xlvi And þei wenten out of alle caſtels of Judee in
cumpas, and wyndewiden hem wiþ hornes, and eftſoone
weren conuertid to hem; and alle falliden bi ſwerd, and
þer was not left of hem not oon.
xlvii And þei token þe ſpuylis of hem to prey; and þei
girdiden of þe heed of Nicanor, and his riȝt hond which
he ſtretchide forþ proudli, and þei brouȝten, and
hangiden aȝens Jeruſalem.
xlviii And þe puple was glad greetli, and diden þat dai in
greet gladneſſe;
xlix and ordeyneden þis dai for to be doon in alle ȝeeris,
in þe þritteneþ day of þe moneþe Adar.
l And þe lond of Juda was ſtille a fewe dais.
CAP. VIII
i And Judas herde þe name of Romayns, þat þei ben
miȝti in ſtrengþis, and acorden to alle þingis þat ben
axid of hem; and who euere wente to hem, þei
ordeineden wiþ hem frendſchipis; and þat þei ben miȝti
in ſtrengþis.
ii And þei herden batels of hem, and goode vertues, þat
þei diden in Galacie, for þei weldiden hem, and ledden
vndur tribute;
iii and hou many þingis þei diden in þe cuntre of
Spayne, and þat þei brouȝten in to power metals of
ſiluer and gold þat ben þere; and weldiden ech place
wiþ her councel and pacience, `or wiſdom, places þat
weren ful fer fro hem;
iiii and þei al to-braken kyngis þat camen on hem fro þe
vtmeſte places of erþe, and þei ſmytiden hem wiþ greet
wounde; forſoþe oþere ȝyuen to hem tribute bi alle
ȝeeris.
v And þei al to-braken in batel Filip, and Perſen, kyngis
of Cethis, and oþere þat baren armeris aȝens hem, and
weldiden hem.
vi And þei weldiden Antiok, þe greet king of Aſie, þat
ȝaf batel to hem, and hadde an hundrid and twenti
olifauntis, and multitude of horſe men and charis, and
ful greet ooſt al to brokun of hem;
vii and þei token hym quyk, and ordeyneden to hym, þat
he ſchulde ȝyue greet tribut, and þei þat regnede after
hym; and þat he ſchulde ȝyue pleggis and ordynaunce,
in þe cuntre of Yndis;
viii and þei puttiden out men of Medei, and of Lidde, fro
þe beſte cuntreis of hem, and þei ȝauen þo cuntreis
takun of hem to kyng Eumeny;
ix and þat þei þat weren anentis Elada, wolden go, and
take awei hem; and þe word was knowun to þeſe
Romayns,
x and þei ſenten to hem o duyk, and þei fouȝten aȝens
hem; and many of hem fellen, and þei ledden her wyues
caitifs, and ſones, and robbiden hem; and weldiden þe
lond of hem, and diſtrieden þe wallis of hem, and
brouȝten hem in to ſeruage, til in to þis dai.
xi And þei diſtrieden oþere rewmes and ilis, þat ſum
tyme aȝenſtoden hem, and brouȝten in to power.
xii Forſoþe wiþ her frendis, and þat hadden reſte in hem,
þei kepten frenſchip, and þei weldiden rewmes þat
weren next, and þat weren fer; for who euere herden þe
name of hem, dredden hem.
xiii For þei regnyden, to whiche þei wolden be in help
for to regne; forſoþe whiche þei wolden, þei
diſturbliden fro rewme; and þei weren greetli enhaunſid.
xiiii In alle þeſe Romayns no man bar diademe, neþer
was cloþid in purpur, for to be magnefied þer ynne.
xv And þei þat maden to hem a court, and ech dai þei
counſeliden þre hundrid and twenti, doynge counſel
euere more of multitude, þat þei do what þingis ben
worþi.
xvi And þei bitaken to o man her maiſtrie, `eþer cheef
gouernaunce, bi ech ȝeer, for to be lord of al her lond;
DCCCXXXV
and alle obeſchen to oon, and enuye is not, `neþer
wraþþe among hem.
xvii And Judas chees Eupolemus, þe ſone of Joon, ſone
of Jacob, and Jaſon, þe ſone of Eleaſarus, and ſente hem
to Rome, for to ordeyne wiþ hem frenſchip and
felouſchip;
xviii and þat þei ſchulden take awei fro hem þe ȝok of
Grekis, for þei ſien þat þei oppreſſiden þe rewme of
Iſrael in to ſeruage.
xix And þei wenten to Rome, a ful greet weie, and þei
entriden in to þe court,
xx and ſeiden, Judas Machabeus, and hiſe briþeren, and
þe puple of Jewis ſenten vs to ȝou, for to ordeyne wiþ
ȝou felouſchip and pees, and for to write togidere vs
ȝoure felowis and freendis.
xxi And þe word pleſide in þe ſiȝt of hem.
xxii And þis is þe aȝen writyng, which þei aȝen writiden
in braſun tablis, and ſenten in to Jeruſalem, þat it were
þere a memorial, `eþer a þing of mynde, of pees and
felouſchip.
xxiii Be it wel to Romayns, and to þe folc of Jewis, in
ſee and lond, wiþ outen ende; and ſwerd and enemy be
fer fro hem.
xxiiii Þat if batel bifalliþ to Romayns bifore, eþer to alle
felowis of hem in al þe lordſchip `of hem,
xxv þe folc of Jewis ſchal bere help, as time axiþ, wiþ
ful herte; and þe Romayns ſchulen not ȝyue,
xxvi neþer priuyli miniſtre to þe Jewis fiȝtynge, wheete,
armeris, monei, ſchippis, as it pleſide to Romayns; and
þei ſchulen kepe þe maundementis of hem, and take no
þing of hem.
xxvii Forſoþe in lijk maner and if batel falliþ bifore to þe
folc of Jewis, Romayns ſchulen helpe of herte, as tyme
ſuffriþ hem;
xxviii and to Romayns helpynge wheete ſchal not be
ȝouun, neþer armeris, monei, neþer ſchippis, as it
pleſide to Romayns; and þei ſchulen kepe þe
maundementis of hem wiþ out gile.
xxix Bi þeſe wordis Romayns ordeyneden to þe puple of
Jewis,
xxx Þat if after þeſe wordis, þeſe eþer þei wolen put ony
þing to, eþer do awei, þei ſchulen do of her `comyn
aſſent; and what euere þingis þei ſchulen put to, eþer do
awei, þei ſchulen be ſtidfaſt.
xxxi But alſo of yuels whiche kyng Demetrie haþ don
aȝens hem, we han writun to hym, and we ſeiden, Whi
haſt þou greuyd þi ȝok on oure frendis and felowis, þe
Jewis?
xxxii Þerfor if eftſoone þei ſchulen come to vs aȝens þee,
we ſchulen do doom to hem, and ſchulen fiȝte wiþ þee
bi lond and ſee.
CAP. IX
i In þe mene tyme, where Demetrie herde þat Nicanor
felle, and his ooſt, in batel, he puttide to eftſoone for to
ſende Bachides and Alchymus in to Judee, and þe riȝt
half ſchiltrun wiþ hem.
ii And þei wenten þe weie þat lediþ in to Galgala, and
þei ſettiden tentis in Maſoloth, þat is in Arbellis; and þei
ocupieden it, and ſlowen many perſoones of men.
iii In þe firſte moneþe of þe hundrid and two and fifti
ȝeer, þei applieden þe ooſt to Jeruſalem.
iiii And twenti þouſynde of men, and twei þouſynde of
horſe men, han riſun, and wenten in to Berea.
v And Judas ſettide tentis in Laiſa, and þre þouſynde
men choſun wiþ hym.
vi And þei ſiȝen þe multitude of ooſt, þat þei ben manye,
and þei dredden greetli; and many wiþdrowen hem fro
tentis, and þere left not of hem no but eiȝte hundrid
men.
vii And Judas ſiȝ þat his ooſt fleet awei, and batel
conſtreynede hym, he was brokun togidere in herte, for
he hadde not tyme to gadere hem, and he was
diſcoumfortid.
viii And he ſeide to þeſe þat weren reſidue, Riſe we, and
go we to oure aduerſaries, if we ſchulen mow fiȝte aȝens
hem.
ix And þei turneden awei hym, and ſeiden, We ſchulen
not moun, but delyuere we oure lyues, and turne aȝen
we to oure briþeren, and þanne we ſchulen fiȝte aȝens
hem; forſoþe we ben fewe.
x And Judas ſeide, Fer be it for to do þis þing, þat we fle
fro hem; and if oure tyme haþ neiȝed, die we in vertu
for oure briþeren, and ȝyue we not cryme to oure glorie.
xi And þe ooſt mouyde fro tentis, and þei ſtoden aȝens
hem. And horſe men weren departid in to twei partis,
and ſlyngeris and archeris wenten bifore þe ooſt, and þe
firſte men of batel alle miȝti.
xii Forſoþe Bachides was in þe riȝt ſchiltrun. And þe
legioun of twei partis cam nyȝ, and crieden wiþ
trumpis.
xiii Forſoþe and þeſe þat weren on þe part of Judas,
crieden alſo, and þe erþe was mouyd togidere of þe vois
of ooſtis, and batel was ioyned fro þe morewtid til to
euentid.
xiiii And Judas ſiȝ, þat þe part of Bachides ooſt was
ſaddere in þe riȝt half, and alle ſtidfaſt in herte camen
togidere wiþ hym.
xv And þe riȝt part was al to-brokun of hem; and he
purſuede hem `til to þe hil of Aſotus.
xvi And þei þat weren in þe left ſcheltrun, ſiȝen, þat þe
riȝt ſcheltrun was al to-brokun, and þei ſueden at þe bac
aftir Judas, and hem þat weren wiþ hym.
xvii And þe batel was maad greuouſe, and þere fellen
many woundid of þeſe and of hem.
DCCCXXXVI
xviii And Judas felle, and þe oþere fledden.
xix And Jonathas and Symount token her broþer Judas,
and birieden hym in ſepulcre of his fadris, in þe citee of
Modyn.
xx And al Iſrael biwepten him wiþ greet weilyng, and
mourneden many daies,
xxi and ſeiden, Hou felle þe myȝti, þat made Iſrael ſaaf.
xxii And oþere wordis of batels of Judas, and of vertues
þat he dide, and of his greetneſſis, ben not writun; for
þo weren ful many.
xxiii And it was don, after þe deþ of Judas, alle wickid
men in alle cooſtis of Iſrael riſiden out, and alle þat
wrouȝten wickidneſſe camen forþ.
xxiiii In þo daies ful greet hungur was maad, and al þe
cuntrey of hem bitook hem ſilf to Bachides wiþ hem.
xxv And Bachides chees vnpitouſe men, and ordeynede
hem lordis of þe cuntrei.
xxvi And þei axiden out, and ſouȝten þe frendis of Judas,
and brouȝten hem to Bachides; and he vengide on hem,
and ſcornede.
xxvii And greet tribulacioun was maad in Iſrael, what
maner was not fro þe dai in which a profete was not
ſeyn in Iſrael.
xxviii And alle þe frendis of Judas weren gaderid, and
ſeiden to Jonatas, Siþen þi broþer Judas is deed,
xxix þer is no man lijk hym, þat ſchal go out aȝens
enemyes, Bachides and hem þat ben enemyes of oure
folc.
xxx Þerfor now we cheſen þee to dai for to be prince and
duyk to vs for hym, for to fiȝte oure batel.
xxxi And Jonatas reſſeyuede in þat tyme þe prinſhod, and
roos in þe place of Judas, his broþer.
xxxii And Bachides knew, and ſouȝte for to ſle him.
xxxiii And Jonatas knew, and Symount, his broþer, and
alle þat weren wiþ hym, and fledden in to deſert of
Thecue, and ſaten togidere at þe water of þe lake
Aſphar.
xxxiiii And Bachides knew, and in þe dai of ſabatis he
cam, and al his ooſt, ouer Jordan.
xxxv And Jonathas ſente his broþer ledere of þat puple,
and preiede Nabutheis, his frendis, þat he ſchulde bitake
to hem his apparel, þat was plenteuouſe.
xxxvi And ſones of Jambri wenten out of Madaba, and
cauȝten Joon, and alle þingis þat he hadde, and wenten
awei, hauynge þo þingis.
xxxvii After þes wordis it was teld aȝen to Jonathas, and
Symount, his broþer, þat þe ſones of Jambri maken
grete weddyngis, and wedden a wijf of Madaba, þe
douȝter of oon of þe grete princis of Canaan, wiþ greet
pride and apparel.
xxxviii And þei biþouȝten on þe blood of Joon, her
broþer, and ſtieden vp, and hidden hem ſilf vndur
kyueryng of þe hil.
xxxix And þei reiſiden her iȝen, and ſiȝen, and lo! noiſe,
and greet apparel; and a hoſebonde cam forþ, and hiſe
frendis, and hiſe briþeren, aȝens hem, wiþ tympans, and
muſikis, and many armeris.
xl And þei riſiden to hem fro buyſchementis, and ſlowen
hem, and many woundid fellen doun, and þe reſidues
fledden in to hil, and þei token alle þe ſpuylis of hem;
xli and weddyngis weren conuertid in to mourenyng,
and vois of her muſikis in to weilyng.
xlii And þei vengiden þe veniaunce of her broþeris
blood, and turnyden aȝen to þe brynk of Jordan.
xliii And Bachides herde, and cam in þe dai of ſabatis til
to þe vtmeſte part of Jordan, in greet ſtrengþe.
xliiii And Jonathas ſeide to hiſe, Riſe we, and fiȝte aȝens
oure enemyes; for it is not to dai as ȝiſtirdai and þe
þridde dai agoon.
xlv For lo! batel is euene aȝens; ſoþeli watir of Jordan is
on þis half and on þat half, and ryuers, and mareis, and
foreſtis, and þer is not place of turnyng awei.
xlvi Now þerfor crie ȝe in to heuene, þat ȝe be
delyuerede fro hond of ȝoure enemyes.
xlvii And batel was ioyned. And Jonathas ſtrauȝt out his
hond, for to ſmyte Bachides, and he turnede awei fro
him bihynde.
xlviii And Jonathas ſkipte doun, and þei þat weren wiþ
hym, in to Jordan, and ſwommen ouer Jordan to hem.
xlix And þere fellen of Bachides part in þat dai a
þouſande men, and þei turneden aȝen in to Jeruſalem;
l and bildiden ſtrong citees in Judee, þe ſtrengþe þat was
in Jerico, and in Ammaum, and in Betheron, and
Bethel, and Thamathan, and Phara, and Copho, wiþ hiȝe
wallis, and ȝatis, and lockis.
li And he ſettide kepyng in hem, þat þei ſchulden haunte
enemytees in Iſrael;
lii and he ſtrengþide þe citee Bethſura, and Gazaram,
and þe hiȝ tour, and puttide in hem helpis and apparel of
metis.
liii And he took þe ſones of princes of þe cuntrei in
oſtage, and puttide hem in þe hiȝ tour in Jeruſalem, in
kepyng.
liiii And in þe hundrid ȝeer and þre and fifti, in þe
ſecounde moneþe, Alchymus comaundide þe wallis of
þe hooli ynnere hous for to be diſtried, and þe werkis of
profetis for to be diſtried, and he bigan for to diſtrie.
lv In þat tyme Alchymus was ſmytun, and þe werkis of
hym weren lettid. And his mouþ was cloſid, and he was
diſſoluyd, `eþer maad feble, bi paleſie, neþer he miȝte
ſpeke more a word, and comaunde of his hous.
lvi And Alchymus was deed in þat tyme, wiþ greet
turment.
lvii And Bachides ſiȝ, þat Alchymus was deed, and he
turnede aȝen to þe kyng, and þe lond was ſtille twei
ȝeeris.
DCCCXXXVII
lviii And alle wickid men þouȝten, ſeiynge, Lo!
Jonathas, and þei þat ben wiþ hym, dwellen in ſilence,
and triſten; now þerfor brynge we Bachides, and he
ſchal take hem alle in o niȝt.
lix And þei wenten forþ, and ȝauen councel to hym.
lx And he roos, for to come wiþ myche ooſt. And he
ſente epiſtlis priuyli to his felowis, þat weren in Judee,
þat þei ſchulden catche Jonathas, and hem þat weren
wiþ hym; but þei miȝten not, for her councel was
knowun to hem.
lxi And Jonathas cauȝte of men of þe cuntre, þat weren
princis of knytyhod, fifti men, and ſlow hem.
lxii And Jonathas and Symount wenten, and þei þat
weren wiþ hym, in to Bethbeſſe, `þat is in deſert, and
bildiden þe diſtried þingis þerof, and maden it ſtrong.
lxiii And Bachides knew, and gaderide al his multitude,
and denounſide to hem þat weren of Judee.
lxiiii And he cam, and ſettide tentis aboue Bethbeſſe, and
fauȝte aȝens it many daies, and made engynes.
lxv And Jonathas lefte Symount, his broþer, in þe citee,
and wente oute in to cuntre, and cam wiþ noumbre;
lxvi and ſmoot Odaren, and hiſe briþeren, and ſones of
Faſeron, in þe tabernaclis of hem, and bigan for to
ſmyte, and wexe in vertues.
lxvii Symount ſoþeli, and þei þat weren wiþ hym,
wenten out of þe citee, and brenten engynes.
lxviii And þei fouȝten aȝens Bachides, and he was al to-
brokun of hem; and þei turmentiden hym gretli, for his
councel and his aſſailyng was voide.
lxix And he was wrooþ aȝens wickid men, þat ȝauen
councel to hym for to come in to her cuntre, and ſlow
many of hem; forſoþe he þouȝte wiþ oþere for to go in
to his cuntre.
lxx And Jonathas knew, and ſente legatis to hym, for to
make pees wiþ hym, and to ȝelde to him priſoneris.
lxxi And wilfuli he took, and dide bi his wordis, and
ſwoor þat he ſchulde not do to him ony yuel in alle
daies of his lijf.
lxxii And he ȝeldide to him caitifte, which he took bi
prey bifore of þe lond of Juda. And he turnede, and
wente in to his lond, and puttide no more for to come in
to his cooſtis.
lxxiii And ſwerd ceeſſide fro Iſrael. And Jonatas dwellide
in Machynas, and þere Jonathas bigan for to deme þe
puple, and he diſtriede þe vnfeiþful men of Iſrael.
CAP. X
i And in þe hundrid and ſixtiþe ȝeer Aliſaundre, þe ſone
of Antiok, ſtiede up, þat is named noble, and ocupiede
Tolomaide; and þei reſſeyueden hym, and he regnede
þere.
ii And kyng Demetrie herde, and gaderide an ooſt ful
copiouſe, and wente out aȝens hym in to batel.
iii And Demetrie ſente epiſtle to Jonathas wiþ peſible
wordis, for to magnefie hym.
iiii For he ſeide, Bifore take we for to make pees wiþ
hym, bifore þat he make wiþ Aliſaundre aȝens vs;
v for he ſchal haue mynde of alle yuels, þat we han don
`aȝens him, and aȝens his broþer, and aȝens his folc.
vi And he ȝaf to hym power to gadere ooſt, and for to
make armeris, and hym for to be his felowe. And he
comaundide oſtagis, `eþer pleggis, þat weren in þe hiȝ
tour, for to be ȝouun to hym.
vii And Jonathas cam in to Jeruſalem, and radde epiſtlis,
in heryng of al þe puple, and of hem þat weren in þe hiȝ
tour.
viii And þei dredden wiþ greet drede, for þei herden, þat
þe kyng ȝaf to hym power to gadere an ooſt.
ix And oſtagis weren takun to Jonathas, and he ȝeldide
hem to her fadris and modris.
x And Jonathas dwelte in Jeruſalem, and bigan for to
bilde and renule þe citee.
xi And he ſeide to men doynge werkis, þat þei ſchulden
make up þe wallis, and þe hil of Sion in cumpas, wiþ
ſquare ſtonys to ſtrengþing; and þei diden ſo.
xii And aliens fledden, þat weren in þe ſtrengþis, whiche
Bachides hadde bildid;
xiii and ech man lefte his place, and wente in to his lond.
xiiii Oneli in Bethſura dwelten ſum of hem, þat forſoken
þe lawe and heeſtis of God; for whi þis was to hem to
refuyte.
xv And Aliſaundre þe kyng herde biheeſtis, þat Demetrie
bihiȝte to Jonathas, and þei telden to hym þe batels and
vertues whiche he dide, and his briþeren, and þe trauelis
whiche þei traueliden.
xvi And he ſeide, Wheþer we ſchulen fynde ony ſuch
man? And now make we hym our frende and felowe.
xvii And he wroot epiſtle, and ſente bi þeſe wordis,
xviii ſeiynge, Kyng Aliſaundre to Jonathas, broþer,
helþe.
xix We han herde of þee, þat þou art a miȝti man in
ſtrengþis, and art able þat þou be oure frend.
xx And now we ordeynen þee to dai hiȝeſt preſt of þi
folc, and þat þou be clepid frend of þe kyng. And he
ſente to hym purpur, and a goldun coroun, þat þou feele
wiþ vs what þingis ben oure, and kepe frenſchipis to vs.
xxi And Jonathas cloþide hym wiþ hooly ſtoole, in þe
ſeuenþe moneþe, in þe hundrid and ſixtiþe ȝeer, in þe
ſolempne dai of Senofegie. And he gaderide an ooſte,
and made copiouſe armeris.
xxii And Demetrie herde þeſe wordis, and was maad ful
ſorewful, and ſeide, What han we do þis þing,
xxiii þat Aliſaundre bifor ocupiede vs, for to catche
frenſchip of Jewis to his ſtrengþing?
xxiiii And Y ſchal write to hym preiynge wordis, and
dignitees, and ȝiftis, þat he be wiþ me in help.
DCCCXXXVIII
xxv And he wroot to hym by þeſe wordis, Kyng
Demetrie to þe folc of Jewis, helþe.
xxvi For ȝe kepten to vs couenaunt, and dwelten in oure
frenſchip, and wenten not to oure enemyes, we herden,
and ioieden.
xxvii And now laſte ȝe ȝit for to kepe to vs feiþ;
xxviii and we ſchulen quyte to ȝou good þingis, for þeſe
þingis þat ȝe diden wiþ vs, and we ſchulen forȝyue to
ȝou many rentis, and we ſchulen ȝyue ȝiftis to ȝou.
xxix And now Y aſoile ȝou, and alle Jewis, of tributis,
and Y forȝyue to ȝou þe prices of ſalt, and forȝyue
corouns, and þe þridde part of ſeed;
xxx and Y leeue to ȝou fro þis dai and afterward þe half
part of fruyt of tre, þat is of my porcioun, þat it be not
takun of þe lond of Juda, and of þre citees þat ben addid
þerto, of Samarie and Galile, fro þis dai and in to al
tyme.
xxxi And Jeruſalem be hooli, and fre, wiþ hiſe cooſtis;
and tiþis and tributis be of it.
xxxii Alſo Y forȝiue þe power of þe hiȝ tour, þat is in
Jeruſalem; and Y ȝyue it to þe hiȝeſt preſt, þat he
ordeyne þerynne men, whiche euere he ſchal cheſe, þat
ſchulen kepe it.
xxxiii And ech perſoone of Jewis, þat is caitif of þe lond
of Juda, in al my rewme, Y delyuer fre wilfuli, þat alle
be ſoilid of her tributis, ȝhe, of her beeſtis.
xxxiiii And alle ſolempne daies, and ſabatis, and
neomenyes, and alle daies ordeyned, and þre daies bifor
þe ſolempne dai, and þre daies after þe ſolempne dai,
alle þeſe be daies of fraunchiſe, and of remiſſioun, to
alle Jewis þat ben in my rewme.
xxxv And no man ſchal haue power for to do ony þing,
and moue cauſis aȝens ony of hem in ony cauſe.
xxxvi And þat þer be writun of Jewis in þe kingis ooſt, to
þritti þouſyndis of men; and plentees ſchulen be ȝouun
to hem, as it bihoueþ to alle ooſtis of þe kyng.
xxxvii And of hem ſchulen be ordeyned, þat be in þe
greet ſtrengþis of þe kyng;
xxxviii of hem ſchulen be ordeyned ouer nedis of þe
rewme, þat ben don of feiþ, and princes be of hem; and
walke þei in her lawis, as þe kyng comaundide in þe
lond of Juda. And þre citees, þat ben addid to Judee of
þe cuntre of Samarie, be demyd wiþ Judee; þat þei be
vndur oon, and obeie not to oþer power, no but to þe
hiȝeſte preſt;
xxxix Tolomaida, and cooſtis þerof, whiche Y haue
ȝouun a ȝifte to hooli men þat ben in Jeruſalem, to
nedeful coſtis of ſeyntis.
xl And Y ſchal ȝyue in ech ȝeer fiftene þouſynde of ſiclis
of ſiluer, of þe kyngis reſouns, þat perteynen to me;
xli and al þat is reſidue, which þei þat weren ouer nedis
ȝeldiden not in formere ȝeeris, fro þis tyme þei ſchulen
ȝyue in to werkis of þe hous.
xlii And ouer þis fyue þouſynde ſiclis of ſiluer, whiche
þei token of reſoun of hooli þingis bi ech ȝeer; and þeſe
þingis ſchulen perteyne to preſtis, þat vſen mynyſterie.
xliii And who euere ſchulen fle to þe temple þat is in
Jeruſalem, and in alle cooſtis þerof, and ben gilti to þe
king in ony cauſe, be releeſid; and haue þei fre alle
þingis, þat ben to hem in my rewme.
xliiii And to bilde werkis of hooli þingis, coſtis ſchulen
be ȝouun of þe kyngis rent,
xlv and for to bilde out þe wallis of Jeruſalem; and for to
make ſtrong in cumpas, ſpenſis ſchulen be ȝouun of þe
kyngis rent, for to make out wallis in Judee.
xlvi As Jonathas and þe puple herde þeſe wordis, þei
bileueden not to hem, neþer reſſeyueden hem; for þei
hadden mynde of þe greet malice þat he hadde don in
Iſrael, and hadde troblid hem greetli.
xlvii And it pleſide togidere to hem in to Aliſaundre, for
he was to hem prince of wordis of pees, and to hym þei
baren help in alle daies.
xlviii And kyng Aliſaundre gaderide a greet ooſt, and
mouyde tentis aȝens Demetrie.
xlix And þe kyngis ioyneden batel, and þe ooſt of
Demetrie fledde; and Aliſaundre purſuede him, and lai
on hem;
l and þe batel was ful ſtrong, til þe ſunne wente doun,
and Demetrie felle in þat dai.
li And Aliſaundre ſente to Tolome, king of Egipt, legatis
bi þeſe wordis,
lii and ſeide, For Y cam aȝen in to my rewme, and ſat in
þe ſeete of my fadris; and Y haue weldid princehod, and
Y haue al to-brokun Demetrie, and haue weldid oure
cuntrei;
liii and Y haue ioyned fiȝt wiþ hym, and he and his
ooſtis ben al to-foulid of vs, and we ſaten in ſeete of his
rewme.
liiii And now ordeyne we togidere frenſchip, and ȝyue þi
douȝter a wijf to me, and Y ſchal be þi douȝter
hoſebonde; and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee ȝiftis, and to hir
dignytee.
lv And `Tolome, kyng, anſweride, ſeiynge, Bleſſid is þe
dai in which þou turnediſt aȝen to þe lond of þi fadris,
and haſt ſotun in þe ſeete of rewme of hem.
lvi And now Y ſchal do to þee whiche þingis þou haſt
writun; but come þou aȝens me to Tolomaida, þat we ſe
vs togidere, and Y biheete to þee, as þou ſeidiſt.
lvii And Tolome wente out of Egipt, he, and Cleopatra,
his douȝter; and he cam to Tolomaida, in þe hundrid and
two and ſixtiþe ȝeer.
lviii And Aliſaundre, þe king, came to hym; and he ȝaf to
hym Cleopatra, his douȝtir, and made his weddingis at
Tolomaida, as kyngis in greet glorie.
lix And kyng Aliſaundre wroot to Jonathas, þat he
ſchulde come aȝens hym.
DCCCXXXIX
lx And he wente wiþ glorie to Tolomaida, and mette
þere twei kyngis, and ȝaue to hem myche ſiluer, and
gold, and ȝiftis; and foond grace in þe ſiȝte of hem.
lxi And men of Iſrael, ful of venym, camen togidere
aȝens hym, wickid men, axynge aȝens hym, and þe
kyng took no tent to hem;
lxii and comaundide Jonathas for to be maad nakid of
his cloþis, and hym for to be cloþid in purpur; and þei
diden ſo. And þe king ſettide hym for to ſitte wiþ hym,
lxiii and ſeide to hiſe princis, Go ȝe out wiþ hym in to þe
myddil of þe citee, and preche ȝe, þat no man axe aȝens
hym of ony cauſe, neþer ony man be heuy to hym of
ony reſoun.
lxiiii And it was don, as þei þat axiden ſien his glorie þat
was prechid, and hym kyuered wiþ purpur, alle fledden.
lxv And þe kyng magnefiede hym, and wroot hym
among þe firſte frendis, and puttide hym duyk, and
felow of prinſhod.
lxvi And Jonathas turnede aȝen in to Jeruſalem, wiþ pees
and gladneſſe.
lxvii In þe hundrid ȝeer and fyue and ſixtiþe, Demetrie,
þe ſone of Demetrie, cam fro Crete in to þe lond of his
fadris.
lxviii And kyng Aliſaundre herde, and was maad ful
ſoreuful, and turnede aȝen to Antiochie.
lxix And Demetrie ordeynede Appolyne duyk, þat was
ſouereyn of Celeſirie; and he gaderide his greet ooſt,
and cam to Jamnam; and ſente to Jonathas, hiȝeſte preſt,
and ſeide, Þou aloone aȝenſtondiſt vs;
lxx Y am maad in to ſcorn and ſchenſchip þerfor, for þou
hauntiſt power in hillis aȝens vs.
lxxi Now þerfor if þou triſtiſt in þi vertues, come doun to
vs in to þe feeld; and þere aſemble we togidere, for wiþ
me is vertu of batels.
lxxii Axe þou, and lerne who Y am, and oþere þat ben in
help to me, and whiche ſeien, þat ȝoure foot may not
ſtonde aȝens oure face, for þi fadris weren conuertid in
to fliȝt twies in to her lond.
lxxiii And now hou ſchalt þou mow ſuſteyne multitude of
horſe men, and ſo greet ooſt in þe feeld, where is no
ſtoon, ne rocke, neþer place of fleynge?
lxxiiii Soþeli as Jonathas herde þeſe wordis of
Appollonye, he was mouyd in herte; and he chees ten
þouſynde of men, and wente out fro Jeruſalem, and
Symount, his broþer, cam to hym in to help.
lxxv And þei applieden tentis in Joppe, and it ſchittide
out hym fro þe citee, for Joppe was þe keping of
Appolyne; and he fouȝte aȝens it.
lxxvi And þei weren agaſt, þat weren wiþ ynne þe citee,
and openyden to hym; and Jonathas weldide Joppe.
lxxvii And Appolyne herde, and mouyde þre þouſynde of
horſe men, and myche ooſt;
lxxviii andwente to Aſotus, as makynge weie. And
anoon he wente out in to þe feeld, for þat he hadde
multitude of horſe men, and triſtnyde in hem; and
Jonathas ſuede hym in to Aſotus, and þei ioyneden
batel.
lxxix And Appoloyne lefte in tentis a þouſynde horſe
men bihynde hem priueli.
lxxx And Jonathas knewe þat buſchementis weren
bihynde hym, and þei enuirowneden his tentis, and
caſtiden dartis in to þe puple, fro morew til to euentid.
lxxxi Forſoþe þe puple ſtood, as Jonathas comaundide,
and þe horſis of hem traueliden out.
lxxxii And Symount ledde his ooſt, and ioynede aȝens þe
legioun; forſoþe horſe men weren maad weri, and weren
al to-brokun of hym, and fledden.
lxxxiii And þei þat weren ſcaterid in to þe feeld, fledden
in to Aſotus; and entriden in to þe hous of Dagon, her
idol, þat þere þei ſchulden delyuere hem ſilf.
lxxxiiii And Jonathas brente Aſotus, and citees þat weren
in cumpas þerof, and took ſpuylis of hem; and he brente
in fier þe temple of Dagon, and hem þat fledden in to it.
lxxxv And þer weren þat fellen bi ſwerd wiþ hem þat
weren brent, almeſte eiȝte þouſynde of men.
lxxxvi And fro þennus Jonathas mouyde tentis, and
appliede hem to Aſcalon; and þei wenten out of þe citee
aȝens hym in greet glorie.
lxxxvii And Jonathas turnede aȝen in to Jeruſalem wiþ
hiſe men, hauynge many ſpuylis.
lxxxviii And it was don, as king Aliſaundre herde þeſe
wordis, he puttide to ȝit for to glorifie Jonathas.
lxxxix And he ſente to hym a goldun lace, `eþer nouche,
as cuſtom is for to be ȝouun to coffyns of kingis; and he
ȝaf to him Accoron, and alle cooſtis þerof in to
poſſeſſioun.
CAP. XI
i And þe kyng of Egipt gaderide an ooſt, as grauel þat is
aboute þe brynke of þe ſee, and many ſchippis; and
ſouȝte for to welde þe rewme of Aliſaundre in gile, and
adde it to his rewme.
ii And he wente out in to Sirie wiþ peſible wordis, and
þei openyden to hym citees, and camen to hym; for whi
kyng Aliſaundre comaundide for to go out aȝens him,
for he was fadir of þe kyngis wijf.
iii Soþeli whanne Tolome entride in to a citee, he puttide
kepyngis of kniȝtis in ech citee. And as he neiȝede to
Azotus, þei ſchewiden to hym þe temple of Dagon brent
in fier, and Azotus, and oþere þingis þerof diſtried, and
bodies caſt forþ, and þe biriels of hem þat weren ſlayn
in batel, whiche þei maden biſidis þe weie.
v And þei telden to þe kyng, þat Jonathas dide þeſe
þingis, for to make enuye to hym; and þe kyng was
ſtille.
DCCCXL
vi And Jonathas cam to þe kyng wiþ glorie in to Joppen,
and þei gretten hem togidere; and þei ſlepten þere.
vii And Jonathas wente wiþ þe king til to þe flood þat is
clepid Eleutherus, and turnede aȝen in to Jeruſalem.
viii Soþeli kyng Tolome weldide þe lordſchip of citees
til to Seleuce, bi þe eeſt cooſt, and þouȝte aȝens
Aliſaundre yuel counſels;
ix and ſente legatis to Demetrie, and ſeide, Come þou,
make we bitwixe vs couenaunt, and Y ſchal ȝyue to þee
my douȝter, whom Aliſaundre haþ, and þou ſchalt regne
in rewme of þi fadir.
x For it rewiþ me, þat Y ȝaf to hym my douȝter; for he
ſouȝte for to ſle me.
xi And he diſpiſide him þerfor, for he coueitide þe
rewme of hym.
xii And he took a wey his douȝter, and ȝaf hir to
Demetrie, and alienyde hym fro Aliſaundre; and hiſe
enemytees weren maad knowun.
xiii And Tolome entride in to Antiochie, and puttide twei
diademys to his heed, of Egipt and of Aſie.
xiiii Forſoþe Aliſaundre, þe kyng, was in Cilice in þo
tymes, for þei rebelliden, þat weren in þo places.
xv And Aliſaundre herde, and cam to hym in to batel;
and Tolome, kyng, brouȝt forþ ooſt, and cam to hym in
ſtrong hond, and droof hym.
xvi And Aliſaundre flei in to Arabie, for to be defendid
þere; ſoþeli kyng Tolome was enhaunſid.
xvii And Gadiel of Arabie took awei Aliſaundris heed,
and ſente to Tolome.
xviii And kyng Tolome was deed in þe þridde dai; and
þei þat weren in ſtrengþis periſchiden, of hem þat weren
wiþ ynne þe caſtels.
xix And Demetrie regnede in þe hundrid ȝeer and ſeuene
and ſixtiþe.
xx In þo daies Jonathas gaderide hem þat weren in
Judee, for to ouercome þe hiȝ tour, þat is in Jeruſalem;
and þei maden aȝens it many engynes.
xxi And ſumme wickid men, þat hatiden her folc,
wenten to þe kyng Demetrie, and telden to hym, þat
Jonathas biſegide þe hiȝ tour.
xxii And as he herde, he was wroþ, and anoon he cam to
Tolomaida, and wroot to Jonathas, þat he ſchulde not
biſege þe hiȝ tour, but ſchulde come to hym in haaſte, to
ſpeke togidere.
xxiii Soþeli as Jonathas herde, he comaundide for to
biſege; and he chees of þe eldere men of Iſrael, and of
preſtis, and ȝaf hym to perel.
xxiiii And he took gold, and ſiluer, and cloþ, and many
oþer preſentis; and wente to þe kyng, to Tolomaida, and
foond grace in þe ſiȝt of hym.
xxv And ſumme wickid men of his folc axiden aȝens
hym;
xxvi `and þe kyng dide to him, as þei þat weren bifore
hym, diden to hym; and he enhaunſide him in ſiȝt of alle
his frendis,
xxvii and ordeynede to hym prinſehod of preſthod, and
what euere oþere preciouſe þingis he hadde bifore; and
made hym prince of hiſe frendis.
xxviii And Jonatas axide of þe kyng, þat he ſchulde make
Judee fre, and þre prinſhedis of þre places, and Samarie
and niȝ cooſtis þerof; and he bihiȝte to hym þre hundrid
talentis.
xxix And þe kyng conſentide, and wroot to Jonatas
epiſtles of alle þeſe þingis, conteynynge þis maner.
xxx Kyng Demetrie to Jonathas, broþer, heelþe, and to
þe folc of Jewis.
xxxi Þe enſaumple of epiſtle, which we han writun to
Laſcheny, oure fadir, of ȝou, we ſenten to ȝou, þat ȝe
ſchulden wite.
xxxii Kyng Demetrie to Laſcheny, fadur, heelþe.
xxxiii To þe puple of Jewis, oure frendis, and kepynge
whiche þingis ben iuſt anentis vs, we demyden for to do
wel, for benygnyte of hem þat þei han anentis vs.
xxxiiii Þerfor we ordeynen to hem, alle þe cooſtis of
Judee, and þre citees of offryngis, Liddea, and
Ramatha, and Faſeron, þat ben addid to Judee, and
Samarie, and alle þe niȝ cooſtis of hem, for to be
departid to alle men doynge ſacrifice in Jeruſalem, for
þeſe þingis þat þe kyng took bifore of hem bi alle
ȝeeris, and for fruytis of þe erþe, and of applis.
xxxv And oþer þingis þat perteyneden to vs, of tiþis, and
tributis, fro þis tyme we forȝyuen to hem; and þe pleyn
places of ſalt makyng, and þe corouns þat weren borun
to vs, alle þingis we graunten to hem;
xxxvi and no þing of þeſe ſchal be voide, fro þis and in to
al tyme.
xxxvii Now þerfor biſie ȝe for to make enſaumple of þeſe
þingis, and be it ȝouun to Jonathas, and be put in þe holi
mount, and in þe ſolempne place.
xxxviii And kyng Demetrie ſiȝ, þat þe lond was ſtille in
his ſiȝt, and þat no þing aȝenſtood hym, and lefte al his
ooſt, ech man in to his place, outakun þe ſtraunge ooſt,
þat he drow fro ilis of heþene men; and alle þe ooſtis of
his fadris wcren enemyes to hym.
xxxix Forſoþe oon Trifon was of þe partis of Aliſaundre
bifore, and he ſiȝ þat al þe ooſt grutchide aȝens
Demetrie; and he wente to Machuel Arabian, þat
nurſchide Antiok, þe ſone of Aliſaundre.
xl And he maad greet inſtaunce to hym, þat he ſchulde
bitake him to hym, for to regne in ſtide of his fadir; and
telde out to hym, hou grete þingis Demetrie hadde don,
and þe enemytees of his ooſtis aȝens hym; and he
dwelte þere many daies.
DCCCXLI
xli And Jonathas ſente to kyng Demetrie, þat he ſchulde
caſte out hem, þat weren in þe hiȝ tour in Jeruſalem, and
whiche weren in ſtrengþis, for þei inpugnyden Iſrael.
xlii And Demetrie ſente to Jonatas, and ſeide, Not oneli
þis Y ſchal do to þee, and þi folc, but Y ſchal make þee
noble bi glorie, and þi folc, whanne it ſchal be
couenable.
xliii Now þerfor riȝtli þou ſchalt do, if þou ſchalt ſende
men in to help to me, for al myn ooſt wente awei.
xliiii And Jonathas ſente to hym þre þouſynde of ſtronge
men, to Antiochie; and þei camen to þe kyng, and þe
kyng delitide in þe comyng of hem.
xlv And þere camen togidere þat weren of þe citee ſixe
ſcore þouſynde of men, and wolden ſle þe kyng.
xlvi And þe kyng fledde in to þe halle. And þei þat
weren of þe citee ocupieden þe weies of þe citee, and
bigunnen for to fiȝte.
xlvii And þe kyng clepide Jewis in to help, and alle
camen togidere to hym, and alle weren ſcaterid bi þe
citee;
xlviii and ſlowen in þat dai an hundrid þouſynde of men,
and brenten þe citee, and token many ſpuylis in þat dai,
and delyueriden þe kyng.
xlix And þei ſiȝen, þat weren of þe citee, þat Jewis
hadden take þe citee as þei wolden; and þei weren maad
vnſtidefaſt in her ſoule, and crieden to þe king wiþ
preieris, and ſeiden,
l Ȝyue to vs riȝthondis, and ceeſſe þe Jewis for to fiȝte
aȝens vs and þe citee.
li And þei caſtiden awei her armeris, and maden pees.
And Jewis weren glorified in þe ſiȝt of þe kyng, and in
þe ſiȝt of alle men þat weren in his rewme, and weren
named in þe rewme. And þei wenten aȝen in to
Jeruſalem, hauynge many ſpuylis.
lii And kyng Demetrie ſat in ſeete of his rewme, and þe
lond was ſtille in his ſiȝt.
liii And he liede alle þingis, what euere he ſeide, and
alienyde hym fro Jonathas, and ȝeldide not to hym bi
beneficis, whiche he hadde ȝouun to hym; and Demetrie
trauelide hym greetli.
liiii Aftir þeſe þingis Trifon turnede aȝen, and Antiok, a
ȝong child, wiþ hym; and regnede, and puttide on hym
a diademe.
lv And alle ooſtis weren gaderid to him, whiche kyng
Demetrie ſcateride; and þei fouȝten aȝens hym, and he
flei, and turnyde backis.
lvi And Trifon took beeſtis, and weldide Antiochie.
lvii And Antiok þe ȝonge wroot to Jonatas, and ſeide, Y
ordeyne to þee preſthod, and Y ordeyne þee on foure
citees, þat þou be of þe kyngis frendis.
lviii And he ſente to hym goldun veſſels, in to
mynyſterie, and ȝaf to hym power to drynk in gold, and
for to be in purpur, and for to haue a goldun lace, `eþer
nouche.
lix And he ordeynede Symount, his broþer, duyk fro þe
endis of Tirie til to þe endis of Egipt.
lx And Jonathas wente out, and walkide ouer þe flood bi
citees; and al þe ooſt of Sirie was gaderid to hym in to
help. And he cam to Aſcalon, and þei of þe citee camen
aȝens hym worſchipfuli.
lxi And fro þennus he wente `in to Gaſa, and þei þat
weren at Gaſa cloſiden hem togidere, and he biſegide it.
And he brente what þingis weren in cumpas of þe citee,
and ſpuylide it bi prey.
lxii And men of Gaſa preȝeden Jonatas, and he ȝaf to
hem riȝt hond, `eþer pees. And he took þe ſones of hem
in oſtage, and he ſente hem in to Jeruſalem, and walkide
þorou þe cuntre til to Damaſk.
lxiii And Jonathas herde, þat þe princes of Demetrie
treſpaſſiden in Cades, þat is in Galilee, wiþ myche ooſt,
willynge for to remoue him fro nede of þe rewme; and
he cam aȝens hem.
lxiiii Forſoþe he lefte Symount, his broþer, wiþynne þe
prouynce.
lxv And Symount appliede to Bethſura, and fauȝt aȝens
it many daies, and cloſide togidere hem.
lxvi And þei axiden of hym for to take riȝthondis, and he
ȝaf to hem. And he caſtide out hem fro þennus, and took
þe citee, and puttide þer ynne ſtrengþe.
lxvii And Jonathas and his tentis, `eþer ooſt, applieden to
þe water of Genaſar, and bifor þe lyȝt þei walkiden in
þe lyȝt of Aſor.
lxviii And lo! þe tentis, `eþer ooſtis, of aliens camen
aȝens in þe feeld, and ſettiden to him aſpies in þe hillis.
Soþeli he cam aȝens of þe contrarie part.
lxix Soþeli þe aſpies riſiden vp of her places, and
ioyneden batel.
lxx And alle þat weren of Jonathas part fledden, and no
man of hem was left, no but Matathias, ſone of
Abſalomy, and Judas, ſone of Calphi, prince of
knyȝthod and ooſt.
lxxi And Jonathas torente hiſe cloþingis, and puttide erþe
in his heed, and preiede.
lxxii And Jonathas turnede aȝen to hem in to batel, and
togidere turnyde hem in to fliȝt, and fouȝten.
lxxiii And þei of his part þat fledden ſayn, and þei
turnyden aȝen to hym, and purſueden wiþ hym til to
Cades, to her tentis, and fulli camen til þidur.
lxxiiii And þer felden doun in þat dai of aliens þre
þouſynde of men, and Jonathas turnede aȝen in to
Jeruſalem.
DCCCXLII
CAP. XII
i And Jonatas ſiȝ þat þe tyme helpiþ hym; and he chees
men, and ſente hem to Rome for to ordeyne and renule
frendſchip wiþ hem.
ii And to Sparciates, and to oþer places, he ſente epiſtlis
bi þe ſame forme.
iii And þei wenten to Rome, and entriden in to þe court,
and ſeiden, Jonathas, hiȝeſte preſt, and þe folc of Jewis,
ſente vs, for to renule frendſchip and felouſchip, bi þe
formere.
iiii And þei ȝauen to hem epiſtlis to hem bi placis, þat
þei ſchulden lede forþ hem in to þe lond of Juda wiþ
pees.
v And þis is þe enſaumple of piſtlis, whiche Jonathas
wroot to Sparciatis.
vi Jonathas, hiȝeſte preeſt, and þe eldere men of þe folc,
and preſtis, and oþere puple of Jewis, to Sparciatis,
briþeren, helþe.
vii Now bifore epiſtlis weren ſent to Onyas, hiȝeſte preſt,
fro Darius, þat regnede anentis ȝou; for ȝe ben oure
briþeren, as þe reſcrite conteyneþ, þat is vndur put.
viii And Onyas reſſeyuede þe man, þat was ſent, wiþ
onour, and took epiſtlis, in whiche he was ſignefied of
felouſchip and frendſchip.
ix Whanne we hadden no nede of þeſe, and hadden in
coumfort hooli bookis þat ben in oure hondis,
x we hadden leuere for to ſende to ȝou, for to renule
briþerhod and frenſchip, leſt perauenture we be maad
aliens fro ȝou; forwhi many tymes paſſiden, ſiþen ȝe
ſenten to vs.
xi We þerfor in al tyme wiþ out ceeſſyng, in to ſolempne
daies, and oþere, in whiche it bihoueþ, ben myndeful of
ȝou in ſacrifices þat we offren, and in obſeruaunces, as
leueful is, and biſemeþ, for to haue hadde mynde of
briþeren.
xii Þerfore we ben glad of ȝoure glorie.
xiii Forſoþe many tribulaciouns and many batels
enuyrownden vs; and kyngis, þat ben in oure cumpas,
`fouȝten aȝens vs.
xiiii Þerfore we wolden not be greuouſe to ȝou, neþer to
oþere felowis, and oure frendis, in þeſe batels.
xv For we hadden help of heuene, and ben delyuered,
and oure enemyes ben maad lowe.
xvi Þerfor we han choſun Newmenyus, þe ſone of
Antiok, and Antipatre, ſone of Jaſoun, and ſenten to
Romayns, for to renule wiþ hem boþ frendſchip and
formere felouſchipe.
xvii Þerfor we comaundiden to hem, þat þei come alſo to
ȝou, and grete ȝou, and ȝelde to ȝou oure piſtlis of
renulyng of oure briþerhod.
xviii And nowe ȝe ſchulen do wel, anſwerynge to vs to
þeſe þingis.
xix And þis is þe aȝenwrityng of epiſtlis, þat Onyas, þe
kyng of Sparciatis, ſente.
xx Onyas to Jonathas, greet preeſt, heelþe.
xxi It is foundyn in writyng of Sparciatis, and of Jewis,
þat þei ben briþeren, and þat þei ben of þe kyn of
Abraham.
xxii And now ſiþen we knowen þeſe þingis, ȝe don wel,
writynge to vs of ȝoure pees.
xxiii But and we han aȝen writun to ȝou. Oure beeſtis
and oure poſſeſſiouns ben ȝoure, and ȝoure oure. Þerfor
we comaundiden, for to telle þeſe þingis to ȝou.
xxiiii And Jonathas herde, þat þe princes of Demetrie
wenten out wiþ myche ooſt, ouer þat bifore, for to fiȝte
aȝens hym.
xxv And he wente out fro Jeruſalem, and ran aȝens hem
in þe cuntre of Amathitha; for he ȝaf not ſpace to hem,
for to entre in to his cuntree.
xxvi And he ſente aſpies in þe tentis of hem, and þei
turneden aȝen, and telden, þat þei ordeyneden for to
come ouer þidur in niȝt.
xxvii Whanne þe ſunne hadde go doun, Jonathas badde
his men wake, and be redi in armeris to batel al nyȝt.
And he ſettide keperis bi cumpas of tentis;
xxviii and aduerſaries herden, þat Jonathas was redi wiþ
hiſe men in batel, and þei dredden, and inwardli weren
agaſt in her herte, and tendiden fieris in her tentis.
xxix Forſoþe Jonathas, and þei þat weren wiþ hym,
xxxviii And Symount bildide Adiada in Sephela, and
ſtrengþide it, and puttide on ȝatis and lockis.
xxxix And whanne Trifon þouȝte for to regne at Aſie, and
take a diademe, and ſtretche out hond in to Antiok kyng,
xl he dredde, leſt perauenture Jonathas ſchulde not ſuffre
hym, but fiȝte aȝens hym; and he ſouȝte for to catche
hym, and ſle.
xli And he roos vp, and wente in to Bethſan. And
Jonathas wente out aȝens hym, wiþ fourti þouſynde of
choſun men in to batel, and cam to Bethſan.
xlii And Trifon ſiȝ, þat Jonathas cam wiþ myche ooſt, for
to ſtretche out hondis in to hym.
xliii And he dredde, and reſſeyuede hym wiþ onour, and
comendide hym to alle his frendis; and ȝaf to hym ȝiftis,
and comaundide to his ooſtis, for to obeie to hym as to
hym ſilf.
xliiii And he ſeide to Jonathas, Wherto haſt þou trauelid
al þe puple, whanne batel is not to vs?
xlv And now ſende aȝen hem in to her houſis. But cheſe
þou to þee a fewe men, þat ben wiþ þee, and come þou
wiþ me to Tolomayda, and Y ſchal ȝyue it to þee, and
oþer ſtrengþis, and ooſt, and alle ſouereyns of offices;
and Y ſchal turne, and Y ſchal go awei. For whi þerfor Y
cam.
xlvi And he bileuyde to hym, and dide as he ſeide, and
lefte þe ooſt; and þei wente awei in to þe lond of Juda.