Liber Sapientiae, 11

1. direxit opera illorum in manibus prophetæ sancti

1. She prospered their works in the hands of the holy prophet.

2. iter fecerunt per deserta quæ non inhabitabantur et in locis secretis fixerunt casas

2. They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited, and in desert places they pitched their tents.

3. steterunt contra hostes et de inimicis se vindicaverunt

3. They stood against their enemies, and revenged themselves of their adversaries.

4. sitierunt et invocaverunt te et data est illis de petra altissima aqua et requies sitis de lapide duro

4. They were thirsty, and they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the high rock, and a refreshment of their thirst out of the hard stone.

5. per quæ enim pœnas passi sunt inimici illorum

5. For by what things their enemies were punished, when their drink failed them, while the children of Israel abounded therewith and rejoiced:

6. per hæc cum illis deesset bene cum illis actum est

6. By the same things they in their need were benefited.

7. nam pro fonte quidem sempiterni fluminis humanum sanguinem dedisti iniustis

7. For instead of a fountain of an ever running river, thou gavest human blood to the unjust.

8. qui comminuerentur in traductione infantum occisorum dedisti illis abundantem aquam insperate

8. And whilst they were diminished for a manifest reproof of their murdering the infants, thou gavest to thine abundant water unlooked for:

9. ostendens per sitim quæ tunc fuit quemadmodum tuos exaltares et adversarios illorum necares

9. Shewing by the thirst that was then, how thou didst exalt thine, and didst kill their adversaries.

10. cum enim temptati sunt et quidem cum misericordia disciplinam accipientes scierunt quemadmodum cum ira judicati impii tormenta paterentur

10. For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they knew how the wicked were judged with wrath and tormented.

11. hos quidem tamquam pater monens probasti illos autem tamquam durus rex interrogans condemnasti

11. For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn.

12. absentes enim et præsentes similiter torquebantur

12. For whether absent or present, they were tormented alike.

13. duplex enim illos acceperat tædium et gemitus cum memoria præteritorum

13. For a double affliction came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past.

14. cum enim audirent per sua tormenta bene secum agi commemorati sunt Dominum

14. For when they heard that by their punishments the others were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the end of what was come to pass.

15. quem enim in expositione prava projectum deriserunt in finem eventus mirati sunt non similiter justis faciens

15. For whom they scorned before, when he was thrown out at the time of his being wickedly exposed to perish, him they admired in the end, when they saw the event: their thirsting being unlike to that of the just.

16. pro cogitationibus autem insensatis iniquitates illorum quod quidam errantes colebant mutos serpentes et bestias supervacuas inmisisti illis multitudinem mutorum animalium in vindictam

16. But for the foolish devices of their iniquity, because some being deceived worshipped dumb serpents and worthless beasts, thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb beasts for vengeance.

17. ut scirent quia per quæ peccat quis per hæc et torquetur

17. That they might know that by what things a man sinneth, by the same also he is tormented.

18. non enim inpossibilis erat omnipotens manus tua quæ creavit orbem terrarum ex materia invisa inmittere illis multitudinem ursorum aut audaces leones

18. For thy almighty hand, which made the world of matter without form, was not unable to send upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,

19. aut novi generis ira plenas et ignotas bestias aut vaporem igneum spirantes aut odorem fumi proferentes aut horrendas ab oculis scintillas emittentes

19. Or unknown beasts of a new kind, full of rage: either breathing out a fiery vapour, or sending forth a stinking smoke, or shooting horrible sparks out of their eyes:

20. quarum non solum læsura poterat illos exterminare sed et aspectus per timorem occidere

20. Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.

21. sed et sine his uno spiritu occidi poterant persecutionem passi ab ipsis factis suis et dispersi per spiritum virtutis tuæ sed omnia mensura et numero et pondere disposuisti

21. Yea and without these, they might have been slain with one blast, persecuted by their own deeds, and scattered by the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure, and number, and weight.

22. multum enim valere tibi soli superat semper et virtuti brachii tui quis resistet

22. For great power always belonged to thee alone: and who shall resist the strength of thy arm?

23. quoniam tamquam momentum stateræ sic ante te est orbis terrarum et tamquam gutta roris antelucani quæ descendit in terram

23. For the whole world before thee is as the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew, that falleth down upon the earth:

24. sed misereris omnium quoniam omnia potes et dissimulas peccata hominum propter pænitentiam

24. But thou hast mercy upon all, because thou canst do all things, and overlookest the sins of men for the sake of repentance.

25. diligis enim omnia quæ sunt et nihil odisti horum quæ fecisti nec enim odiens aliquid constituisti

25. For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made: for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it.

26. quomodo autem posset aliquid permanere nisi tu voluisses aut quod a te vocatum non esset conservaretur

26. And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee.

27. parcis autem omnibus quoniam tua sunt Domine qui animas amas

27. But thou sparest all: because they are thine, O Lord, who lovest souls.