Liber Ecclesiasticus, 18

1. qui vivit in æternum creavit omnia simul Deus solus justificabitur et manet invictus rex in æternum

1. He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.

2. quis sufficit enarrare opera illius

2. Who is able to declare his works?

3. quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus

3. For who shall search out his glorious acts?

4. virtutem autem magnitudinis ejus quis enuntiabit et quis adiciet enarrare misericordiam ejus

4. And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?

5. non est minuere neque adicere nec est invenire magnalia Dei

5. Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:

6. cum consummaverit homo tunc incipit et cum quieverit operabitur

6. When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.

7. quid homo et quæ gratia illius et quid bonum aut quid nequam illius

7. What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?

8. numerus dierum hominum multum centum anni quasi guttæ aquæ a mare et sicut calculus harenæ sic exigui anni in die ævi

8. The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.

9. propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis et effudit super eos misericordiam suam

9. Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.

10. vidit præsumptionem cordis illorum quoniam mala est et cognovit subversionem illorum quoniam nequa est

10. He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.

11. ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis et ostendit illis viam æquitatis

11. Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.

12. miseratio hominis circa proximum suum misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem

12. The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.

13. qui misericordiam habet et docet erudit quasi pastor gregem suum

13. He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.

14. misereatur excipiens doctrinam miserationis et qui festinant in judiciis ejus

14. He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.

15. fili in bonis non des querellam et omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali

15. My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.

16. nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros sic et verbum melius quam datus

16. Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.

17. nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum et utraque cum homine justificato

17. Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.

18. stultus achariter inproperabit et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos

18. A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.

19. ante judicium para justitiam tibi et antequam loquaris disce

19. Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.

20. ante languorem adhibe medicinam et ante judicium interroga te ipsum et in conspectu Dei invenies propitiationem

20. Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.

21. ante languorem humilia te et in tempore infirmitatum ostende conversationem tuam

21. Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.

22. non inpediaris operari semper et non veteris usque ad mortem justificari quoniam merces Dei manet in æternum

22. Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.

23. ante orationem præpara animam tuam et noli esse quasi homo qui temptat Deum

23. Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.

24. memento iræ in die consummationis et tempus retributionis in conversatione facies

24. Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.

25. memento paupertatis in tempore abundantiæ et necessitatem paupertatis in die divitiarum

25. Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.

26. a mane usque ad vesperam mutatur tempus et hæc omnia citata in oculis Dei

26. From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.

27. homo sapiens in omnibus metuet et in diebus delictorum adtendet ab inertia

27. A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sine will beware of sloth.

28. omnis astutus agnovit sapientiam et invenienti eam dabit confessionem

28. Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.

29. sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt et intellexerunt veritatem et justitiam et inploraverunt proverbia et judicia

29. They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth pro- verbs and judgments.

30. de continentia animæ post concupiscentias tuas non eas et a voluntate tua avertere

30. Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.

31. si præstes animæ tuæ concupiscentiam ejus faciet te in gaudium inimicis

31. If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.

32. ne oblecteris in turbis nec in modicis ad duas est enim commissio illorum

32. Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.

33. ne fueris mediocris in contentione ex fenore et non est tibi nihil in sacculo eris enim invidus tuæ vitæ

33. Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse : for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.