that punisheth always the offence
of the ungodly.

Wis 15:1
But thou, O God, art gracious and true, longsuffering, and in
mercy ordering all things,

Wis 15:2
For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will
not sin, knowing that we are counted thine.

Wis 15:3
For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy
power is the root of immortality.

Wis 15:4
For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us,
nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter's
fruitless labour;

Wis 15:5
The sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so
they desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath.

Wis 15:6
Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they
that worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to
have such things to trust upon.

Wis 15:7
For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel
with much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he
maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise
also all such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of
either sort, the potter himself is the judge.

Wis 15:8
And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the
same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth
himself, and within a little while after returneth to the same,
out when his life which was lent him shall be demanded.

Wis 15:9
Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much
labour, nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel
goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the
workers in brass, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit
things.

Wis 15:10
His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his
life of less value than clay:

Wis 15:11
Forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired
into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit.

Wis 15:12
But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a
market for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way,
though it be by evil means.

Wis 15:13
For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels
and graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others.

Wis 15:14
And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in
subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very
babes.

Wis 15:15
For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods:
which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw
breath, nor ears to hea