Liber Ecclesiasticus, 39

1. sapientiam omnium antiquorum exquiret et in prophetiis vacabit

1. The wise men will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will be occupied in the prophets.

2. narrationem virorum nominatorum conservabit et in versutias parabolarum simul introibit

2. He will keep the sayings of renowned men, and will enter withal into the subtilties of parables.

3. occulta proverbiorum exquiret et in absconditis parabolarum conversabitur

3. He will search out the hidden meanings of proverbs, and will be conversant in the secrets of parables.

4. in medio magnatorum ministrabit et in conspectu præsidis apparebit

4. He shall serve among great men, and: appear before the governor.

5. in terram alienarum gentium pertransiet bona enim et mala in hominibus temptavit

5. He shall pass into strange countries: for he shall try good and evil among men.

6. cor suum tradet ad vigilandum diluculo ad Dominum qui fecit illum et in conspectu Altissimi deprecabitur

6. He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High.

7. aperiet os suum in oratione et pro delictis suis deprecabitur

7. He will open his mouth in prayer, and will make supplication for his sins.

8. si enim Dominus magnus voluerit spiritu intellegentiæ replebit illum

8. For if it shall please the great Lord, he will fill him with the spirit of understanding:

9. et ipse tamquam imbres mittet eloquia sapientiæ suæ et in oratione confitebitur Domino

9. And he will pour forth the words of his wisdom as showers, and in his prayer he will confess to the Lord.

10. ipse diriget consilium ejus et disciplinam et in absconditis suis consiliabitur

10. And he shall direct his counsel, and his knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate.

11. ipse palam faciet disciplinam doctrinæ suæ et in lege testamenti Domini gloriabitur

11. He shall shew forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.

12. conlaudabunt multi sapientiam ejus et usque in sæculum non delebitur

12. Many shall praise his wisdom, and it shall never be forgotten.

13. non recedet memoria ejus et nomen ejus requiretur a generatione in generationem

13. The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation.

14. sapientiam ejus enarrabunt gentes et laudem ejus nuntiabit ecclesia

14. Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall shew forth his praise.

15. si inmanserit nomen derelinquet mille et si requieverit proderit illi

15. If he continue, he shall leave a name above a thousand: and if he rest, it shall be to his advantage.

16. adhuc consiliabor ut enarrem ut furore enim repletus sum

16. I will yet meditate that I may declare: for I am filled as with a holy transport.

17. in voce dicit obaudite me divini fructus et quasi rosa plantata super rivum aquarum fructificate

17. By a voice he saith: Hear me, ye divine offspring, and bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters.

18. quasi libanus odorem suavitatis habete

18. Give ye a sweet odour as frankincense.

19. florete flores quasi lilium date odorem et frondete in gratiam et conlaudate canticum et benedicite Dominum in operibus suis

19. Send forth flowers, as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works.

20. date nomini ejus magnificentiam et confitemini illi in voce labiorum vestrorum in canticis labiorum et cinyris et sic dicetis in confessione

20. Magnify his name, and give glory to him with the voice of your lips, and with the canticles of your mouths, and with harps, and in praising him, you shall say in this manner:

21. opera Domini universa bona valde

21. All the works of the Lord are exceeding good.

22. in verbo ejus stetit aqua sicut congeries et in sermone oris ejus sicut exceptoria aquarum

22. At his word the waters stood as a heap: and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters:

23. quoniam in præcepto ipsius placor fit et non est minoratio in salute illius

23. For at his commandment favour is shewn, and there is no diminishing of his salvation.

24. opera omnis carnis coram illo et non est quicquam absconditum ab oculis ejus

24. The works of all flesh are before him, and there is nothing hid from his eyes.

25. a sæculo usque in sæculum respicit et nihil est mirabile in conspectu ejus

25. He seeth from eternity to eternity, and there is nothing wonderful before him.

26. non est dicere quid est hoc aut quid est illud omnia enim in tempore suo quærentur

26. There is no saying: What is this, or what is that? for all things shall be sought in their time.

27. benedictio illius quasi fluvius inundavit

27. His blessing hath overflowed like a river.

28. et quomodo cataclysmus aridam inebriavit sic ira ipsius gentes quæ non exquisierunt eum hereditabit

28. And as a flood hath watered the earth; so shall his wrath inherit the nations, that have not sought after him:

29. quomodo convertit aquas et siccata est terra et viæ illius viis illorum directæ sunt sic peccatoribus offensiones in ira ejus

29. Even as he turned the waters into a dry land, and the earth was made dry: and his ways were made plain for their journey: so to sinners they are stumblingblocks in his wrath.

30. bona bonis creata sunt ab initio sic nequissimis bona et mala

30. Good things were created for the good from the beginning, so for the wicked, good and evil things.

31. initium necessariæ rei vitæ hominum aqua ignis et ferrum lac et panis similagineus et mel et botrus uvæ et oleum et vestimentum

31. The principal things necessary for the life of men, are water, fire, and iron, salt, milk, and bread of flour, and honey, and the cluster of the grape, and oil, and clothing.

32. hæc omnia sanctis in bona sic et impiis et peccatoribus in mala convertentur

32. All these things shall be for good to the holy, so to the sinners and the ungodly they shall be turned into evil.

33. sunt spiritus qui ad vindictam creati sunt et in furore suo confirmaverunt tormenta sua

33. There are spirits that are created for vengeance, and in their fury they lay on grievous torments.

34. in tempore consummationis effundent virtutem et furorem ejus qui fecit illos confundent

34. In the time of destruction they shall pour out their force: and they shall appease the wrath of him that made them.

35. ignis grando famis et mors omnia hæc ad vindictam creata sunt

35. Fire, hail, famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance.

36. bestiarum dentes et scorpii et serpentes et romphea vindicans in exterminium impios

36. The teeth of beasts, and scorpions, and serpents, and the sword taking vengeance upon the ungodly unto destruction.

37. in mandatis ejus epulabuntur et super terram in necessitatem præparabuntur et in temporibus suis non præterient verbum

37. In his commandments they shall feast, and they shall be ready upon earth when need is, and when their time is come they shall not transgress his word.

38. propterea ab initio confirmatus et consiliatus sum et cogitavi et in scripta dimisi

38. Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and I have meditated, and thought on these things and left them in writing.

39. omnia opera Domini bona et omne opus hora sua subministrabit

39. All the works of the Lord are good, and he will furnish every work in due time.

40. non est dicere hoc illo nequius est omnia enim in tempore suo conprobabuntur

40. It is not to be said: This is worse than that: for all shall be well approved in their time.

41. et nunc in omni corde et ore conlaudate et benedicite nomen Domini

41. Now therefore with the whole heart and mouth praise ye him, and bless the name of the Lord.