Liber Sapientiae, 2

1. Dixerunt enim cogitantes apud se non recte: “Exiguum et cum taedio est tempus vitae nostrae, et non est refrigerium in fine hominis, et non est agnitus, qui sit reversus ab inferis.

1. For they reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves, "Short and sorrowful is our life, and there is no remedy when a man comes to his end, and no one has been known to return from Hades.

2. Quia ex tempore nati sumus et post hoc erimus, tamquam non fuerimus, quoniam fumus flatus est in naribus nostris, et sermo scintilla in motu cordis nostri;

2. Because we were born by mere chance, and hereafter we shall be as though we had never been; because the breath in our nostrils is smoke, and reason is a spark kindled by the beating of our hearts.

3. qua exstincta, cinis fiet corpus nostrum, et spiritus diffundetur tamquam mollis aer.

3. When it is extinguished, the body will turn to ashes, and the spirit will dissolve like empty air.

4. Et nomen nostrum oblivioni tradetur per tempus, et nemo memoriam habebit operum nostrorum; et transibit vita nostra tamquam vestigium nubis, et sicut nebula dissolvetur, quae fugata est a radiis solis et a calore illius aggravata.

4. Our name will be forgotten in time and no one will remember our works; our life will pass away like the traces of a cloud, and be scattered like mist that is chased by the rays of the sun and overcome by its heat.

5. Umbrae enim transitus est tempus nostrum, et non est reversio finis nostri, quoniam consignata est, et nemo revertitur.

5. For our allotted time is the passing of a shadow, and there is no return from our death, because it is sealed up and no one turns back.

6. Venite ergo, et fruamur bonis, quae sunt, et utamur creatura tamquam in iuventute sollicite.

6. "Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that exist, and make use of the creation to the full as in youth.

7. Vino pretioso et unguentis nos impleamus, et non praetereat nos flos temporis verni;

7. Let us take our fill of costly wine and perfumes, and let no flower of spring pass by us.

8. coronemus nos calycibus rosarum, antequam marcescant,

8. Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither.

9. nullum pratum exsors sit luxuriae nostrae; ubique relinquamus signa laetitiae, quoniam haec est pars nostra, et haec est sors.

9. Let none of us fail to share in our revelry, everywhere let us leave signs of enjoyment, because this is our portion, and this our lot.

10. Opprimamus pauperem iustum et non parcamus viduae nec veterani revereamur canos multi temporis.

10. Let us oppress the righteous poor man; let us not spare the widow nor regard the gray hairs of the aged.

11. Sit autem fortitudo nostra lex iustitiae; quod enim infirmum est, inutile invenitur.

11. But let our might be our law of right, for what is weak proves itself to be useless.

12. Circumveniamus ergo iustum, quoniam inutilis est nobis et contrarius est operibus nostris et improperat nobis peccata legis et diffamat in nos peccata disciplinae nostrae.

12. "Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training.

13. Promittit se scientiam Dei habere et filium Dei se nominat.

13. He professes to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord.

14. Factus est nobis in accusationem cogitationum nostrarum; gravis est nobis etiam ad videndum,

14. He became to us a reproof of our thoughts;

15. quoniam dissimilis est aliis vita illius, et immutatae sunt viae eius.

15. the very sight of him is a burden to us, because his manner of life is unlike that of others, and his ways are strange.

16. Tamquam scoria aestimati sumus ab illo, et abstinet se a viis nostris tamquam ab immunditiis; beata dicit novissima iustorum et gloriatur patrem se habere Deum.

16. We are considered by him as something base, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the last end of the righteous happy, and boasts that God is his father.

17. Videamus ergo, si sermones illius veri sint, et tentemus, quae in exitu eius erunt:

17. Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life;

18. si enim est verus filius Dei, suscipiet illum et liberabit eum de manibus contrariorum.

18. for if the righteous man is God's son, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries.

19. Contumelia et tormento interrogemus eum, ut sciamus modestiam eius et probemus patientiam illius;

19. Let us test him with insult and torture, that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance.

20. morte turpissima condemnemus eum: erit enim ei visitatio ex sermonibus illius”.

20. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected."

21. Haec cogitaverunt et erraverunt; excaecavit enim illos malitia eorum,

21. Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray, for their wickedness blinded them,

22. et nescierunt sacramenta Dei neque mercedem speraverunt sanctitatis nec iudicaverunt honorem animarum immaculatarum.

22. and they did not know the secret purposes of God, nor hope for the wages of holiness, nor discern the prize for blameless souls;

23. Quoniam Deus creavit hominem in incorruptibilitate et imaginem similitudinis suae fecit illum;

23. for God created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity,

24. invidia autem Diaboli mors introivit in orbem terrarum; experiuntur autem illam, qui sunt ex parte illius.

24. but through the devil's envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his party experience it.