Isaiah 3

1 Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and I have meditated, and thought on these things and left them in writing, 2 All the works of the Lord are good, and he will furnish every work in due time. 3 It is not to be said: This is worse than that: for all shall be well approved in their time. 4 Now therefore with the whole heart and mouth praise ye him, and bless the name of the Lord. 6 Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam from the day of their coming out of their mother’s womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all. 7 Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end: 8 From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes: 9 From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger, and strife, 10 And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth his knowledge. 11 A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch. 12 He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle. In the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear. 13 Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold more. 14 Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges: 15 All these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood. 16 All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea. 17 All bribery, and injustice shall be blotted out, and fidelity shall stand for ever. 18 The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall pass away with a noise like a great thunder in rain. 19 While he openeth his hands he shall rejoice: but transgressors shall pine away in the end. 20 The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock. 21 The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass. 22 Grace is like a paradise in blessings, and mercy remaineth for ever. 23 The life of a laborer that is content with what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treasure. 24 Children, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both. 25 Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both. 26 The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.