Liber Ecclesiasticus, 18

1. Qui vivit in aeternum, creavit omnia simul. Deus solus iustificabitur et manet invictus rex in aeternum.

1. The Lord created man out of earth, and turned him back to it again.

2. Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius?

2. He gave to men few days, a limited time, but granted them authority over the things upon the earth.

3. Et quis investigabit magnalia eius?

3. He endowed them with strength like his own, and made them in his own image.

4. Virtutem autem magnitudinis eius quis enuntiabit? Aut quis adiciet enarrare misericordiam eius?

4. He placed the fear of them in all living beings, and granted them dominion over beasts and birds.

5. Non est minuere neque adicere nec est invenire magnalia Dei;

5.

6. cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet et, cum quieverit, aporiabitur.

6. He made for them tongue and eyes; he gave them ears and a mind for thinking.

7. Quid est homo, quis defectus, et quae est utilitas illius? Et quid est bonum, aut quid nequam illius?

7. He filled them with knowledge and understanding, and showed them good and evil.

8. Numerus dierum hominum ut multum centum anni, quasi gutta aquae maris deputati sunt, et sicut calculus arenae, sic exigui anni in die aevi.

8. He set his eye upon their hearts to show them the majesty of his works.

9. Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.

9.

10. Vidit praesumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est; et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.

10. And they will praise his holy name, to proclaim the grandeur of his works.

11. Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis et ostendit eis viam aequitatis.

11. He bestowed knowledge upon them, and allotted to them the law of life.

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

12. He established with them an eternal covenant, and showed them his judgments.

13. Qui reprehendit, docet et erudit quasi pastor dirigens gregem suum.

13. Their eyes saw his glorious majesty, and their ears heard the glory of his voice.

14. Miseretur excipientibus doctrinam miserationis et festinantibus in iudiciis eius.

14. And he said to them, "Beware of all unrighteousness." And he gave commandment to each of them concerning his neighbor.

15. Fili, in bonis non des querelam et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.

15. Their ways are always before him, they will not be hid from his eyes.

16. Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros? Sic et verbum melius quam datum.

16.

17. Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum? Sed utraque cum homine gratioso.

17. He appointed a ruler for every nation, but Israel is the Lord's own portion.

18. Stultus acriter improperabit, et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.

18.

19. Ante iudicium para advocatum tibi et, antequam loquaris, disce.

19. All their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.

20. Ante languorem adhibe medicinam et ante iudicium interroga teipsum et in hora visitationis invenies propitiationem.

20. Their iniquities are not hidden from him, and all their sins are before the Lord.

21. Ante languorem humilia te et in tempore peccati ostende conversionem tuam.

21.

22. Non sinas te impediri reddere votum tempore opportuno et ne tardes usque ad mortem iustificari, quoniam merces Dei manet in aeternum.

22. A man's almsgiving is like a signet with the Lord and he will keep a person's kindness like the apple of his eye.

23. Ante votum praepara animam tuam et noli esse quasi homo, qui tentat Dominum.

23. Afterward he will arise and requite them, and he will bring their recompense on their heads.

24. Memento irae in die consummationis et, suo tempore, retributionis in conversione faciei.

24. Yet to those who repent he grants a return, and he encourages those whose endurance is failing.

25. Memento famis in tempore abundantiae et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.

25. Turn to the Lord and forsake your sins; pray in his presence and lessen your offenses.

26. A mane usque ad vesperam mutatur tempus, et haec omnia citata in oculis Dei.

26. Return to the Most High and turn away from iniquity, and hate abominations intensely.

27. Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet et in diebus delictorum cavebit a malitia.

27. Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades, as do those who are alive and give thanks?

28. Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.

28. From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has ceased; he who is alive and well sings the Lord's praises.

29. Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt et intellexerunt veritatem et iustitiam et effuderunt tamquam pluviam proverbia et iudicia.

29. How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness for those who turn to him!

30. De continentia animae. Post concupiscentias tuas non eas et a voluptatibus tuis te contine;

30. For all things cannot be in men, since a son of man is not immortal.

31. si praestes animae tuae beneplacitum concupiscentiae, faciet te in gaudium inimicis tuis.

31. What is brighter than the sun? Yet its light fails. So flesh and blood devise evil.

32. Ne oblecteris in multa epulatione; duplex enim portio est paupertas illius.

32. He marshals the host of the height of heaven; but all men are dust and ashes.

33. Ne fueris ganeo et potator, cum nihil tibi est in sacculo: eris enim invidus vitae tuae.

33.