Liber Ecclesiasticus, 43

1. altitudinis firmamentum pulchritudo est species cæli in visione gloriæ

1. The firmament on high is his beauty, the beauty of heaven with its glorious shew.

2. sol in aspectu adnuntians in exitu vas admirabile opus Excelsi

2. The sun when he appeareth shewing forth at his rising, an admirable instrument, the work of the most High.

3. in meridiano exuret terram in conspectu ardoris ejus quis poterit sustinere fornacem custodiens in operibus ardoris

3. At noon he burneth the earth, and who can abide his burning heat? As one keeping a furnace in the works of heat:

4. tripliciter sol exurens montes radios igneos exsuflans et refulgens radiis suis obcæcat oculos

4. The sun three times as much, burneth the mountains, breathing out fiery vapours, and shining with his beams, he blindeth the eyes.

5. magnus Dominus qui fecit illum et in sermonibus ejus festinavit iter

5. Great is the Lord that made him, and at his words he hath hastened his course.

6. et luna in omnibus in tempore suo ostensio temporis et signum ævi

6. And the moon in all in her season, is for a declaration of times and a sign of the world.

7. a luna signum diei festi luminare quod minuitur in consummatione

7. From the moon is the sign of the festival day, a light that decreaseth in her perfection.

8. mensis secundum nomen ejus est crescens admirabiliter in consummatione

8. The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her perfection

9. vas castrorum in excelsis in firmamento cæli resplendens

9. Being an instrument of the armies on high, shining gloriously in the Armament of heaven.

10. species cæli gloriosa stellarum mundum inluminans in excelsis Dominus

10. The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven; the Lord enlighteneth the world on high.

11. in verbis Sancti stabunt ad judicium et non exardescent in vigiliis suis

11. By the words of the holy one they shall stand in judgment, and shall never fail in their watches.

12. vide arcum et benedic qui fecit illum valde speciosus est in splendore suo

12. Look upon the rainbow, and bless him that made it: it is very beautiful in its brightness.

13. gyravit cælum in circuitu gloriæ suæ manus Excelsi aperuerunt illum

13. It encompasseth the heaven about with the circle of its glory, the hands of the most High have displayed it.

14. imperio suo adceleravit nivem et adcelerat coruscationes emittere judicii sui

14. By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth forth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment.

15. propterea aperti sunt thesauri et evolaverunt nebulæ sicut aves

15. Through this are the treasures opened, and the clouds fly out like birds.

16. in magnitudine sua posuit nubes et confracti sunt lapides grandinis

16. By his greatness he hath fixed the clouds, and the hailstones are broken.

17. in conspectu ejus commovebuntur montes et in voluntate ejus adspirabit notus

17. At his sight shall the mountains be shaken, and at his will the south wind shall blow.

18. vox tonitrui ejus exprobravit terram tempestas aquilonis et congregatio spiritus

18. The noise of his thunder shall strike the earth, so doth the northern storm, and the whirlwind:

19. sicut avis deponens ad sedendum aspargit nivem et sicut lucusta demergens descensus ejus

19. And as the birds lighting upon the earth, he scattereth snow, and the falling thereof, is as the coming down of locusts.

20. pulchritudinem coloris ejus admirabitur oculus et super imbrem ejus expavescet cor

20. The eye admireth at the beauty of the whiteness thereof, and the heart is astonished at the shower thereof.

21. gelum sicut salem effundet super terram et dum gelaverit fiet tamquam cacumina tribuli

21. He shall pour frost as salt upon the earth: and when it freezeth, it shall become like the tops of thistles.

22. frigidus ventus aquilo flabit et gelabit cristallus ab aqua super omnem congregationem aquarum requiescet et sicut lorica induet se aquis

22. The cold north wind bloweth, and the water is congealed into crystal; upon every gathering together of waters it shall rest, and shall clothe the waters as a breastplate.

23. devorabit montes et exuret desertum et extinguet viridem sicut ignem

23. And it shall devour the mountains, and burn the wilderness, and consume all that is green as with fire.

24. medicina omnium in festinationem nebulæ ros obvians ab ardore venienti humilem efficiet eum

24. A present remedy of all is the speedy coming of a cloud, and a dew that meeteth it, by the heat that cometh, shall overpower it.

25. in sermone ejus silebit ventus et plantavit illum Dominus Jesus

25. At his word the wind is still, and with his thought he appeaseth the deep, and the Lord hath planted islands therein.

26. qui navigat mare enarrat periculum ejus et audientes auribus non admirabimur

26. Let them that sail on the sea, tell the dangers thereof: and when we hear with our ears, we shall admire.

27. illic præclara et mirabilia opera varia genera bestiarum et omnium pecorum et creatura beluarum

27. There are great and wonderful works: a variety of beasts, and of all living things, and the monstrous creatures of whales.

28. propter ipsum confirmatus est itineris finis et in sermone ejus conposita sunt omnia

28. Through him is established the end of their journey, and by his word all things are regulated.

29. multa dicemus et deficiemus verbis consummatio autem sermonum ipse est in omnibus

29. We shall say much, and yet shall want words: but the sum of our words is, He is all.

30. gloriantes ad quid valebimus ipse enim Omnipotens super omnia opera sua

30. What shall we be able to do to glorify him? for the Almighty himself is above all his works.

31. terribilis Dominus et magnus vehementer

31. 31The Lord is terrible, and exceeding great, and his power is admirable.

32. quantumcumque potueritis supervalebit adhuc et admirabilis magnificentia ejus

32. Glorify the Lord as much as ever you can, for he will yet far exceed, and his magnificence is wonderful.

33. benedicentes Dominum exaltate illum quantum potestis major est enim omni laude

33. Blessing the Lord, exalt him as much as you can: for he is above all praise.

34. exaltantes eum replemini virtute ne laboretis non enim habebitis

34. When you exalt him put forth all your strength, and be not weary: for you can never go far enough.

35. quis vidit eum et enarrabit et quis magnificabit eum sicut est ab initio

35. Who shall see him, and declare him? and who shall magnify him as he is from the beginning?

36. multa abscondita sunt majora horum pauca enim vidimus operum ejus

36. There are many things hidden from us that are greater than these: for we have seen but a few of his works.

37. omnia autem Dominus fecit et pie agentibus dedit sapientiam

37. But the Lord hath made all things, and to the godly he hath given wisdom.