Liber Sapientiae, 3
1. Iustorum autem animae in manu Dei sunt, et non tanget illos tormentum mortis.
1. But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them.
2. Visi sunt oculis insipientium mori, et aestimata est afflictio exitus illorum,
2. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction,
3. et, quod a nobis est iter, exterminium; illi autem sunt in pace.
3. and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace.
4. Etenim, si coram hominibus tormenta passi sunt, spes illorum immortalitate plena est;
4. For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.
5. et in paucis correpti, in multis bene disponentur, quoniam Deus tentavit eos et invenit illos dignos se.
5. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
6. Tamquam aurum in fornace probavit illos et quasi holocausti hostiam accepit illos,
6. like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
7. et in tempore visitationis illorum fulgebunt et tamquam scintillae in arundineto discurrent;
7. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble.
8. iudicabunt nationes et dominabuntur populis, et regnabit Dominus illorum in perpetuum.
8. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever.
9. Qui confidunt in illo, intellegent veritatem, et fideles in dilectione acquiescent illi, quoniam gratia et misericordia est sanctis eius, et visitatio electis eius.
9. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.
10. Impii autem, secundum quae cogitaverunt, correptionem habebunt; qui neglexerunt iustum et a Domino recesserunt.
10. But the ungodly will be punished as their reasoning deserves, who disregarded the righteous man and rebelled against the Lord;
11. Sapientiam enim et disciplinam qui despicit, infelix est, et vacua est spes illorum, et labores sine fructu, et inutilia opera eorum.
11. for whoever despises wisdom and instruction is miserable. Their hope is vain, their labors are unprofitable, and their works are useless.
12. Mulieres eorum insensatae sunt, et nequissimi filii eorum, maledicta generatio eorum.
12. Their wives are foolish, and their children evil;
13. Quoniam felix est sterilis et incoinquinata, quae nescivit torum in delicto; habebit fructum in respectione animarum.
13. their offspring are accursed. For blessed is the barren woman who is undefiled, who has not entered into a sinful union; she will have fruit when God examines souls.
14. Et spado, qui non operatus est per manus suas iniquitatem nec cogitavit adversus Dominum nequissima, dabitur enim illi fidei donum electum, et sors in templo Domini acceptissima.
14. Blessed also is the eunuch whose hands have done no lawless deed, and who has not devised wicked things against the Lord; for special favor will be shown him for his faithfulness, and a place of great delight in the temple of the Lord.
15. Bonorum enim laborum gloriosus est fructus; et, quae non concidat, radix sapientiae.
15. For the fruit of good labors is renowned, and the root of understanding does not fail.
16. Filii autem adulterorum in inconsummatione erunt, et ab iniquo toro semen exterminabitur.
16. But children of adulterers will not come to maturity, and the offspring of an unlawful union will perish.
17. Et, si quidem longae vitae erunt, in nihilum computabuntur, et sine honore erit in novissimo senectus illorum;
17. Even if they live long they will be held of no account, and finally their old age will be without honor.
18. et, si celerius defuncti fuerint, non habebunt spem nec in die agnitionis allocutionem:
18. If they die young, they will have no hope and no consolation in the day of decision.
19. generationis enim iniquae dirae sunt consummationes.
19. For the end of an unrighteous generation is grievous.
