Liber Sapientiae, 7
1. Sum quidem et ego mortalis homo similis omnibus et ex genere terreni illius, qui prior factus est, et in ventre matris figuratus sum caro;
1. I also am mortal, like all men, a descendant of the first-formed child of earth; and in the womb of a mother I was molded into flesh,
2. decem mensium tempore coagulatus in sanguine ex semine viri et delectamento somni conveniente.
2. within the period of ten months, compacted with blood, from the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage.
3. Et ego natus traxi communem aerem et decidi in terram, quae omnia similiter patitur, prima voce simili omnibus pariter plorans.
3. And when I was born, I began to breathe the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth, and my first sound was a cry, like that of all.
4. In involumentis nutritus sum et curis;
4. I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths.
5. nullus enim rex aliud habuit nativitatis initium.
5. For no king has had a different beginning of existence;
6. Unus autem introitus est omnibus ad vitam, et similis exitus.
6. there is for all mankind one entrance into life, and a common departure.
7. Propter hoc optavi, et datus est mihi sensus; et invocavi, et venit in me spiritus sapientiae.
7. Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
8. Praeposui illam regnis et sedibus et divitias nihil esse duxi in comparatione illius;
8. I preferred her to scepters and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.
9. nec comparavi illi lapidem pretiosum, quoniam omne aurum in comparatione illius arena est exigua, et tamquam lutum aestimabitur argentum in conspectu illius.
9. Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold is but a little sand in her sight, and silver will be accounted as clay before her.
10. Super salutem et speciem dilexi illam et proposui pro luce habere illam, quoniam inexstinguibile est lumen illius.
10. I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases.
11. Venerunt autem mihi omnia bona pariter cum illa, innumerabiles divitiae in manibus illius,
11. All good things came to me along with her, and in her hands uncounted wealth.
12. et laetatus sum in omnibus, quoniam sapientia antecedit ista, et ignorabam quoniam horum omnium mater est;
12. I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom leads them; but I did not know that she was their mother.
13. quam sine fictione didici et sine invidia communico; divitias illius non abscondo.
13. I learned without guile and I impart without grudging; I do not hide her wealth,
14. Infinitus enim thesaurus est hominibus; quem qui acquisierunt, ad amicitiam in Deum se paraverunt propter disciplinae dona commendati.
14. for it is an unfailing treasure for men; those who get it obtain friendship with God, commended for the gifts that come from instruction.
15. Mihi autem det Deus dicere secundum sententiam et sentire digna horum, quae mihi data sunt, quoniam ipse sapientiae dux est et sapientium emendator;
15. May God grant that I speak with judgment and have thought worthy of what I have received, for he is the guide even of wisdom and the corrector of the wise.
16. in manu enim illius et nos et sermones nostri et omnis sapientia et operum scientia.
16. For both we and our words are in his hand, as are all understanding and skill in crafts.
17. Ipse enim dedit mihi horum, quae sunt, scientiam veram, ut sciam dispositionem orbis terrarum et virtutes elementorum,
17. For it is he who gave me unerring knowledge of what exists, to know the structure of the world and the activity of the elements;
18. initium et consummationem et medietatem temporum, vicissitudinum permutationes et commutationes temporum,
18. the beginning and end and middle of times, the alternations of the solstices and the changes of the seasons,
19. anni cursus et stellarum dispositiones,
19. the cycles of the year and the constellations of the stars,
20. naturas animalium et iras bestiarum, vim spirituum et cogitationes hominum, differentias virgultorum et virtutes radicum.
20. the natures of animals and the tempers of wild beasts, the powers of spirits and the reasonings of men, the varieties of plants and the virtues of roots;
21. Et, quaecumque sunt absconsa et manifesta, didici; omnium enim artifex docuit me sapientia.
21. I learned both what is secret and what is manifest,
22. Est enim in illa spiritus intellegens, sanctus, unicus, multiplex, subtilis, mobilis, perspicuus, incoinquinatus, lucidus, innocens, amans bonum, acutus,
22. for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. For in her there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible,
23. quem nihil vetat, benefaciens, humanus, benignus, stabilis, certus, securus, omnem habens virtutem, omnia prospiciens et penetrans omnes spiritus intellegibiles, mundos, subtilissimos.
23. beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle.
24. Omni enim motu mobilior est sapientia; pertransit autem et penetrat omnia propter munditiam.
24. For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.
25. Halitus est enim virtutis Dei et emanatio claritatis Omnipotentis sincera; ideo nihil inquinatum in eam incurrit:
25. For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.
26. candor est enim lucis aeternae et speculum sine macula Dei potentiae et imago bonitatis illius.
26. For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.
27. Et, cum sit una, omnia potest; et in se permanens, omnia innovat et per generationes in animas sanctas se transferens amicos Dei et prophetas constituit.
27. Though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets;
28. Nihil enim diligit Deus, nisi eum, qui cum sapientia inhabitat.
28. for God loves nothing so much as the man who lives with wisdom.
29. Est enim haec speciosior sole et super omnem dispositionem stellarum; luci comparata invenitur splendidior:
29. For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior,
30. illi enim succedit nox, sapientiam autem non vincit malitia.
30. for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail.
