Liber Ecclesiasticus, 1

1. omnis sapientia a Deo Domino est et cum illo fuit semper et est ante ævum

1. All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time.

2. harenam maris et pluviæ guttas et dies sæculi quis dinumeravit altitudinem cæli et latitudinem terræ et profundum abyssi quis mensus est

2. Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?

3. sapientiam Dei præcedentem omnia quis investigavit

3. Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things?

4. prior omnium creata est sapientia et intellectus prudentiæ ab ævo

4. Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

5. fons sapientiæ verbum Dei in excelsis et ingressus illius mandata æterna

5. The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.

6. radix sapientiæ cui revelata est et astutias illius quis agnovit

6. To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels?

7. disciplina sapientiæ cui revelata est et manifestata et multiplicationem ingressus illius quis intellexit

7. To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?

8. unus est Altissimus creator omnipotens rex potens et metuendus nimis sedens super thronum illius et dominans Deus

8. There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion.

9. ipse creavit illam spiritu sancto et vidit et dinumeravit et mensus est

9. He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.

10. et effudit illam super omnia opera sua et super omnem carnem secundum datum suum et præbuit illam diligentibus se

10. And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.

11. timor Domini gloria et gloriatio et lætitia et corona exultationis

11. The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy.

12. timor Domini delectabit cor et dabit lætitiam et gaudium in longitudine dierum

12. The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.

13. timenti Dominum bene erit in extremis et in die defunctionis suæ benedicetur

13. With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.

14. dilectio Dei honorabilis sapientia

14. The love of God is honourable wisdom.

15. quibus autem apparuerit in visu diligunt eam in visione et in agnitione magnalium suorum

15. Ana they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.

16. initium sapientiæ timor Domini et cum fidelibus in vulva concreatus est et cum electis seminis creditur et cum justis et fidelibus agnoscitur

16. The fear of the Lord Is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.

17. timor Domini scientiæ religiositas

17. The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.

18. religiositas custodiet et justificabit cor jucunditatem atque gaudium dabit

18. Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give joy and gladness.

19. timenti Deum bene erit et in diebus consummationis illius benedicetur

19. It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days of his end he shall be blessed.

20. plenitudo sapientiæ timere Deum et plenitudo a fructibus illius

20. To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the fruits thereof.

21. omnem domum illius implebit a generationibus et receptacula a thesauris illius

21. She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the storehouses with her treasures.

22. corona sapientiæ timor Domini repollens pacem et salutis fructum

22. The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:

23. et vidit et dinumeravit eam utraque autem sunt dona Dei

23. And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God.

24. scientiam et intellectum prudentiæ sapientia conpartietur et gloriam tenentium se inaltat

24. Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.

25. radix sapientiæ est timere Dominum rami enim illius longevi

25. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof are longlived.

26. in thesauris sapientiæ intellectus et scientiæ religiositas execratio autem peccatoribus sapientia

26. In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.

27. timor Dei expellit peccatum

27. The fear of the Lord driveth out sin:

28. nam qui sine timore est non poterit justificari iracundia enim animositatis illius subversio illius est

28. For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin.

29. usque in tempus sustinebit patiens et postea redditio jucunditatis

29. A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him.

30. bonus sensus usque in tempus abscondebit verba illius et labia multorum enarrabunt sensum illius

30. A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

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31. In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline:

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32. But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner.

33. concupiscens sapientiam conserva justitiam et Deus præbebit illam tibi

33. Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to thee.

34. sapientia enim et disciplina timor Domini et quod beneplacitum est illi

34. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which is agreeable to him,

35. fides et mansuetudo et adimplebit thesauros illius

35. Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures.

36. non sis incredibilis timori Domini et ne accesseris ad illum duplici corde

36. Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him with a double heart.

37. ne fueris hypocrita in conspectu hominum et non scandalizeris labiis tuis

37. Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumblingblock to thee.

38. adtende in illis ne forte cadas et adducas animæ tuæ inhonorationem

38. Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul,

39. et revelet Deus absconsa tua et in medio synagogæ elidat te

39. And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation.

40. quoniam accessisti maligne ad Dominum et cor tuum plenum est dolo et fallacia

40. Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit.