Liber Ecclesiasticus, 40

1. Occupatio magna creata est omnibus hominibus, et iugum grave super filios Adam a die exitus de ventre matris eorum usque in diem reditus in matrem omnium:

1. On the other hand he who devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will be concerned with prophecies;

2. cogitationes eorum et timores cordis, adinventio exspectationis, dies finitionis.

2. he will preserve the discourse of notable men and penetrate the subtleties of parables;

3. A residente super sedem gloriosam, usque ad humiliatum in terra et cinere;

3. he will seek out the hidden meanings of proverbs and be at home with the obscurities of parables.

4. ab eo, qui portat hyacinthum et coronam, usque ad eum, qui operitur lino crudo: furor, zelus, tumultus, fluctuatio et timor mortis et iracundia perseverans et contentio.

4. He will serve among great men and appear before rulers; he will travel through the lands of foreign nations, for he tests the good and the evil among men.

5. Et in tempore requiei in cubili somnus noctis immutat scientiam eius.

5. He will set his heart to rise early to seek the Lord who made him, and will make supplication before the Most High; he will open his mouth in prayer and make supplication for his sins.

6. Modicum tamquam nihil in requie, et ab eo in somnis quasi in die laborat

6. If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth words of wisdom and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.

7. conturbatus in visu cordis sui tamquam qui evaserit a facie belli; in tempore somni necessarii exsurrexit et admirans ad nullum timorem.

7. He will direct his counsel and knowledge aright, and meditate on his secrets.

8. Cum omni carne ab homine usque ad pecus; et super peccatores septuplum amplius:

8. He will reveal instruction in his teaching, and will glory in the law of the Lord's covenant.

9. ad haec mors, sanguis, contentio et romphaea, oppressiones, fames et contritio et flagella.

9. Many will praise his understanding, and it will never be blotted out; his memory will not disappear, and his name will live through all generations.

10. Super iniquos creata sunt haec omnia, et propter illos factus est cataclysmus.

10. Nations will declare his wisdom, and the congregation will proclaim his praise;

11. Omnia, quae de terra sunt, in terram convertentur, et omnia, quae de aquis sunt, in mare revertentur.

11. if he lives long, he will leave a name greater than a thousand, and if he goes to rest, it is enough for him.

12. Omne munus corruptionis et iniquitas delebitur, et fides in saeculum stabit.

12. I have yet more to say, which I have thought upon, and I am filled, like the moon at the full.

13. Substantiae iniustorum sicut fluvius siccabuntur et sicut tonitruum magnum in pluvia evanescent.

13. Listen to me, O you holy sons, and bud like a rose growing by a stream of water;

14. In aperiendo manus suas laetabitur, sic praevaricatores in consummationem deficient.

14. send forth fragrance like frankincense, and put forth blossoms like a lily. Scatter the fragrance, and sing a hymn of praise; bless the Lord for all his works;

15. Nepotes impiorum non multiplicabunt ramos, et radices immundae super cacumen petrae.

15. ascribe majesty to his name and give thanks to him with praise, with songs on your lips, and with lyres; and this you shall say in thanksgiving:

16. Viriditas super omnem aquam et ad oram fluminis ante omne fenum evelletur.

16. "All things are the works of the Lord, for they are very good, and whatever he commands will be done in his time."

17. Gratia sicut paradisus in benedictionibus, et eleemosyna in saeculum permanet.

17. No one can say, "What is this?" "Why is that?" for in God's time all things will be sought after. At his word the waters stood in a heap, and the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth.

18. Vita sibi sufficientis et operarii condulcabitur, et super utrumque, eius qui inveniet thesaurum.

18. At his command whatever pleases him is done, and none can limit his saving power.

19. Filii et aedificatio civitatis confirmant nomen, et super haec mulier immaculata computabitur.

19. The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes.

20. Vinum et musica laetificant cor, et super utraque dilectio sapientiae.

20. From everlasting to everlasting he beholds them, and nothing is marvelous to him.

21. Tibiae et psalterium suavem faciunt melodiam, et super utraque lingua suavis.

21. No one can say, "What is this?" "Why is that?" for everything has been created for its use.

22. Gratiam et speciem desiderabit oculus, et super haec virides sationes.

22. His blessing covers the dry land like a river, and drenches it like a flood.

23. Amicus et sodalis in tempore convenientes, et super utrosque mulier cum viro.

23. The nations will incur his wrath, just as he turns fresh water into salt.

24. Fratres et adiutorium in tempore tribulationis, et super utraque eleemosyna liberabit.

24. To the holy his ways are straight, just as they are obstacles to the wicked.

25. Aurum et argentum firmant pedem, et super utrumque consilium acceptum habetur.

25. From the beginning good things were created for good people, just as evil things for sinners.

26. Facultates et virtutes exaltant cor, et super haec timor Domini.

26. Basic to all the needs of man's life are water and fire and iron and salt and wheat flour and milk and honey, the blood of the grape, and oil and clothing.

27. Non est in timore Domini minoratio, et non est super eo inquirere adiutorium.

27. All these are for good to the godly, just as they turn into evils for sinners.

28. Timor Domini sicut paradisus benedictionis, et super omnem gloriam obumbratio eius.

28. There are winds that have been created for vengeance, and in their anger they scourge heavily; in the time of consummation they will pour out their strength and calm the anger of their Maker.

29. Fili, in tempore vitae tuae ne indigeas; melius est enim mori quam indigere.

29. Fire and hail and famine and pestilence, all these have been created for vengeance;

30. Vir respiciens in mensam alienam, non est vita eius in computatione vitae. Contaminat enim animam suam cibis alienis;

30. the teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions and vipers, and the sword that punishes the ungodly with destruction;

31. vir autem disciplinatus et eruditus custodiet se.

31. they will rejoice in his commands, and be made ready on earth for their service, and when their times come they will not transgress his word.

32. In ore impudentis condulcabitur mendicatio, et in ventre eius ignis ardebit.

32. Therefore from the beginning I have been convinced, and have thought this out and left it in writing:

33.

33. The works of the Lord are all good, and he will supply every need in its hour.

34.

34. And no one can say, "This is worse than that," for all things will prove good in their season.

35.

35. So now sing praise with all your heart and voice, and bless the name of the Lord.