Matthew(i)
5 when the almighty was wt me: when my houshold folckes stode about me:
6 when my wayes ranne ouer wt butter and when the stony rockes gaue me ryuers of oyle:
7 when I went thorow the cytye vnto the gate, and when they set me a chaire in the strete:
8 when the younge men (as sone as they sawe me) hid them selues, and when the aged arose, and stode vp vnto me:
9 when the Princes lefte of their talkinge, & layed their hande to their mouthe:
10 when the mighty kepte styll their voice, and when their tonges cleaued to the rofe of their mouthes.
11 When al they that hearde me, called me happie: & when all they that sawe me, wyshed me good.
12 For I delyuered the poore when he cried, and the fatherlesse that wanted helpe.
13 He that shoulde haue bene lost, gaue me a good worde, and the wyddowes herte praysed me.
14 And why? I put vpon me ryghteousnes, whyche couered me as a garment, and equyte was my croune.
15 I was an eye vnto the blinde, and a fote to the lame,
16 I was a father vnto the poore and when I knew not their cause, I sought it oute diligently.
17 I brake the chaftes of the vnrighteous, and plucte the spoyle oute of their tethe.
18 Therfore, I thought verely, that I should haue dyed in my nest: & that my daies should haue bene as many as the soundes of the sea.
19 For my rote was spred oute by the waterside and the dew lay vpon my corne.
20 My honour encreased more and more, and my bowe was euer the stronger in my hande.
21 Vnto me men gaue eare, me they regarded, and with silence they taryed for my counsel.
22 Yf I had spoken they woulde haue it none other wayes; my wordes were so well taken amonge them.
23 They wayted for me, as the earth doeth for the rayne: and gaped vpon me, as the ground doeth to receyue the latter shower.
24 When I laughed, they knew wel it was not earnest: and this testimony of my countenaunce pleased them nothinge at all.
25 When I agreed vnto their waye, I was the chefe, and sat as a Kynge amonge hys seruauntes: Or as one that comforteth suche as be in heauynesse.