Liber Sapientiae, 4

1. Melius est absque liberis esse cum virtute; immortalitas est enim in memoria illius, quoniam et apud Deum nota est et apud homines.

1. Better than this is childlessness with virtue, for in the memory of virtue is immortality, because it is known both by God and by men.

2. Cum praesens est, imitantur illam; et desiderant eam, cum se eduxerit; et in perpetuum coronata triumphat, incoinquinatorum certaminum praemium vincens.

2. When it is present, men imitate it, and they long for it when it has gone; and throughout all time it marches crowned in triumph, victor in the contest for prizes that are undefiled.

3. Multigena autem impiorum multitudo non erit utilis et spuriis vitulaminibus non dabit radicem in profundum altam nec stabile firmamentum collocabit.

3. But the prolific brood of the ungodly will be of no use, and none of their illegitimate seedlings will strike a deep root or take a firm hold.

4. Etenim, si in ramis ad tempus germinaverit, infirmiter posita a vento commovebitur et a nimietate ventorum eradicabitur.

4. For even if they put forth boughs for a while, standing insecurely they will be shaken by the wind, and by the violence of the winds they will be uprooted.

5. Confringentur rami inconsummati, et fructus illorum inutilis et acerbus ad manducandum et ad nihilum aptus.

5. The branches will be broken off before they come to maturity, and their fruit will be useless, not ripe enough to eat, and good for nothing.

6. Ex iniquis enim somnis filii, qui nascuntur, testes sunt nequitiae adversus parentes in interrogatione sua.

6. For children born of unlawful unions are witnesses of evil against their parents when God examines them.

7. Iustus autem, si morte praeoccupatus fuerit, in refrigerio erit.

7. But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest.

8. Senectus enim venerabilis, non quae est diuturna, neque annorum numero computatur;

8. For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by number of years;

9. cani autem sunt sensus hominis, et aetas senectutis vita immaculata.

9. but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe old age.

10. Placens Deo factus est dilectus et vivens inter peccatores translatus est;

10. There was one who pleased God and was loved by him, and while living among sinners he was taken up.

11. raptus est, ne malitia mutaret intellectum eius, aut ne fictio deciperet animam illius.

11. He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile deceive his soul.

12. Fascinatio enim nugacitatis obscurat bona, et inconstantia concupiscentiae transvertit sensum sine malitia.

12. For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.

13. Consummatus in brevi explevit tempora multa;

13. Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years;

14. placita enim erat Deo anima illius, propter hoc properavit educere illum de medio iniquitatis. Populi autem videntes et non intellegentes nec ponentes in praecordiis talia,

14. for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness.

15. quoniam gratia et misericordia est in electis eius, et visitatio in sanctis illius.

15. Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that God's grace and mercy are with his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.

16. Condemnat autem iustus mortuus vivos impios, et iuventus celerius consummata longaevam senectutem iniusti.

16. The righteous man who had died will condemn the ungodly who are living, and youth that is quickly perfected will condemn the prolonged old age of the unrighteous man.

17. Videbunt enim finem sapientis et non intellegent quid cogitaverit de illo Deus, et quare munierit illum Dominus.

17. For they will see the end of the wise man, and will not understand what the Lord purposed for him, and for what he kept him safe.

18. Videbunt et contemnent; illos autem Dominus irridebit.

18. They will see, and will have contempt for him, but the Lord will laugh them to scorn. After this they will become dishonored corpses, and an outrage among the dead for ever;

19. Et erunt post haec tamquam corpus sine honore et in contumeliam inter mortuos in perpetuum, quoniam disrumpet illos praecipites sine voce et commovebit illos a fundamentis, et usque ad supremum desolabuntur et erunt in dolore, et memoria illorum peribit.

19. because he will dash them speechless to the ground, and shake them from the foundations; they will be left utterly dry and barren, and they will suffer anguish, and the memory of them will perish.

20. Venient in computatione peccatorum suorum timidi, et traducent illos ex adverso iniquitates ipsorum.

20. They will come with dread when their sins are reckoned up, and their lawless deeds will convict them to their face.