The King James Version Bible

Wisdom of Solomon 17:6-13

  1. Only there appeared unto them a fire kindled of itself, very dreadful: for being much terrified, they thought the things which they saw to be worse than the sight they saw not.

  2. As for the illusions of art magick, they were put down, and their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace.

  3. For they, that promised to drive away terrors and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of fear, worthy to be laughed at.

  4. For though no terrible thing did fear them; yet being scared with beasts that passed by, and hissing of serpents,

  5. They died for fear, denying that they saw the air, which could of no side be avoided.

  6. For wickedness, condemned by her own witness, is very timorous, and being pressed with conscience, always forecasteth grievous things.

  7. For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth.

  8. And the expectation from within, being less, counteth the ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment.