Liber Sapientiae, 15

1. tu autem Deus noster suavis et verus es patiens et misericordia disponens omnia

1. But thou, our God, art gracious and true, patient, and ordering all things in mercy.

2. etenim si peccaverimus tui sumus scientes magnitudinem tuam et si non peccaverimus scimus quoniam apud te sumus conputati

2. For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy greatness: and if we sin not, we know that we are counted with thee.

3. nosse enim te consummata justitia est et scire justitiam et virtutem tuam radix est inmortalitatis

3. For to know thee is perfect justice: and to know thy justice, and thy power, is the root of immortality.

4. non enim in errorem induxit nos hominum malæ artis excogitatio nec umbra picturæ labor sine fructu effigies sculpta per varios colores

4. For the invention of mischievous men hath not deceived us, nor the shadow of a picture, a fruitless labour, a graven figure with divers colours,

5. cujus aspectus insensato dat concupiscentiam et diligit mortuæ imaginis effigiem sine anima

5. The sight whereof enticeth the fool to lust after it, and he loveth the lifeless figure of a dead image.

6. malorum amatores digni qui spem in talibus habent et qui faciunt illos et qui diligunt et qui colunt

6. The lovers of evil things deserve to have no better things to trust in, both they that make them, and they that love them,and they that worship them.

7. sed et figulus mollem terram premens laboriose fingit ad usus nostros unumquodque vas et de eodem luto fingit quæ munda sunt in usum vasa similiter et quæ his sunt contraria horum autem vasorum qui sit usus judex est figulus

7. The potter also tempering soft earth, with labour fashioneth every vessel for our service, and of the same clay he maketh both vessels that are for clean uses, and likewise such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of these vessels, the potter is the judge.

8. et cum labore vanum deum de eodem fingit luto ille qui paulo ante de terra factus fuerat et post pusillum se ducit unde acceptus est repetitus debitum animæ quem habebat

8. And of the same clay by a vain labour he maketh a god: he who a little before was made of earth himself, and a little after returneth to the same out of which he was taken, when his life which was lent him shall be called for again.

9. sed est illi cura non quia laboraturus est nec quoniam brevis illi vita est sed concertatur aurificibus et argentariis sed et ærarios imitatur et gloriam præfert quoniam res supervacuas fingit

9. But his care is, not that he shall labour, nor that his life is short, but he striveth with the goldsmiths and silversmiths: and he endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it a glory to make vain things.

10. cinis est cor ejus et terra supervacua spes illius et luto vilior vita illius

10. For his heart is ashes, and his hope vain earth, and his life more base than clay:

11. quoniam ignoravit qui se finxit et qui inspiravit illi animam quæ operatur et qui insuflavit spiritum vitalem

11. Forasmuch as he knew not his maker and him that inspired into him the soul that worketh, and that breathed into him a living spirit.

12. sed æstimaverunt ludum esse vitam nostram et conversationem vitæ conpositam ad lucrum et oportere undecumque etiam ex malo adquirere

12. Yea and they have counted our life a pastime, and the business of life to be gain, and that we must be getting every way, even out of evil.

13. hic enim super omnes scit se delinquere qui ex terræ materia fragilia vasa et sculptilia fingit

13. For that man knoweth that he offendeth above all others, who of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels, and graven gods.

14. omnes enim insipientes et infelices supra modum animæ superbi sunt inimici populi tui et imperantes illi

14. But all the enemies of thy people that hold them in subjection, are foolish, and unhappy, and proud beyond measure:

15. quoniam omnia idola nationum æstimaverunt deos quibus neque oculorum visus est ad videndum neque nares ad percipiendum spiritum neque aures ad audiendum nec digiti manuum ad tractandum sed et pedes eorum pigri ad ambulandum

15. For they have esteemed all the idols of the heathens for gods, which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle, and as for their feet, they are slow to walk.

16. homo enim fecit illos et qui spiritum mutuatus est is finxit illos nemo enim sibi similem homo poterit deum fingere

16. For man made them: and he that borroweth his own breath, fashioned them. For no man can make a god like to himself.

17. cum sit enim mortalis mortuum fingit manibus iniquis melior est enim ipse his quos colit quia ipse quidem vixit cum esset mortalis illi autem numquam

17. For being mortal himself, he formeth a dead thing with his wicked hands. For he is better than they whom he worshippeth, because he indeed hath lived, though he were mortal, but they never.

18. sed et animalia miserrima colunt insensate enim conparata his aliis sunt deteriora

18. Moreover they worship also the vilest creatures: but things without sense compared to these, are worse than they.

19. sed nec aspectu aliquis ex his animalibus bona potest conspicere effugit autem Dei laudem et benedictionem ejus

19. Yea, neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts. But they have fled from the praise of God, and from his blessing.