Liber Sapientiae, 7

1. sum quidem et ego mortalis homo similis omnibus et ex genere terreno illius qui prior finctus est et in ventre matris figuratus sum caro

1. I myself also am a mortal man, like all others, and of the race of him, that was first made of the earth, and in the womb of my mother I was fashioned to be flesh.

2. decem mensuum tempore coagulatus in sanguine ex semine hominis et delectamento somni conveniente

2. In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring.

3. et ego natus accepi communem ærem et in similiter factam decidi terram primam vocem similem omnibus emisi plorans

3. And being born I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, that is made alike, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.

4. in involumentis nutritus sum et curis magnis

4. I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares.

5. nemo enim ex regibus aliud habuit nativitatis initium

5. For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.

6. unus ergo introitus est omnibus ad vitam et similis exitus

6. For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.

7. propter hoc optavi et datus est mihi sensus et invocavi et venit in me spiritus sapientiæ

7. Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:

8. et præposui illam regnis et sedibus et divitias nihil esse duxi in conparatione illius

8. And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.

9. nec conparavi illi lapidem pretiosum quoniam omne aurum in conparatione illius harena est exigua et tamquam lutum æstimabitur argentum in conspectu illius

9. Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold in comparison of her, is as a little sand, and silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay.

10. super salutem et speciem dilexi illam et proposui pro luce habere illam quoniam inextinguibile est lumen illius

10. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out.

11. venerunt autem mihi omnia bona pariter cum illa et innumerabilis honestas per manus illius

11. Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands,

12. et lætatus sum in omnibus quoniam antecedebat ista sapientia et ignorabam quoniam horum omnium mater est

12. And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all.

13. quam sine fictione didici et sine invidia communico et honestatem illius non abscondo

13. Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.

14. infinitus enim thesaurus est hominibus quod qui usi sunt participes facti sunt amicitiæ Dei propter disciplinæ dona commendati

14. For she is an infinite treasure to men! which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gift of discipline.

15. mihi autem det Deus dicere ex sententia et præsumere digna horum quæ dantur quoniam ipse et sapientiæ dux est et sapientium emendator

15. And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise:

16. in manu enim illius et nos et sermones nostri et omnis sapientia et operum scientiæ disciplina

16. For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.

17. ipse enim mihi dedit horum quæ sunt scientiam veram ut sciam dispositionem orbis terrarum et virtutes elementorum

17. For he hath given me the true knowledge of the things that are: to know the disposition of the whole world, and the virtues of the elements,

18. initium et consummationem et medietatem temporum et meditationem omnium morum mutationes et divisiones temporum

18. The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,

19. anni cursus et stellarum dispositiones

19. The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars,

20. naturas animalium et iras bestiarum vim ventorum et cogitationes hominum differentias arborum et virtutes radicum

20. The natures of living creatures, and rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and reasonings of men, the diversities of plants, and the virtues of roots,

21. et quæcumque sunt absconsa et inprovisa didici omnium enim artifex docuit me sapientia

21. And all such things as are hid and not foreseen, I have learned: for wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me.

22. est enim in illa spiritus intellectus sanctus unicus multiplex subtilis mobilis dissertus incoinquinatus certus suavis amans bonum acutus qui nihil vetat benefacere

22. For in her is the spirit of understanding: holy, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent,

23. humanus stabilis certus securus omnem habens virtutem omnia prospiciens et qui capiat omnes spiritus intellegibiles mundos subtiles

23. Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits, intelligible, pure, subtile.

24. omnibus enim mobilibus mobilior est sapientia adtingit autem ubique et capit propter suam munditiam

24. For wisdom is more active than all active things: and reacheth everywhere by reason of her purity.

25. vapor est enim virtutis Dei et emanatio quædam est claritatis omnipotentis Dei sincera et ideo nihil inquinatum in illa incurrit

25. For she is a vapour of the power of God, and a certain pure emanation of the glory of the almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her.

26. candor est enim lucis æternæ et speculum sine macula Dei majestatis et imago bonitatis illius

26. For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God's majesty, and the image of his goodness.

27. et cum sit una omnia potest et permanens in se omnia innovat et per nationes in animas sanctas se transfert amicos Dei et prophetas constituit

27. And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God and prophets.

28. neminem enim diligit Deus nisi eum qui cum sapientia inhabitat

28. For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.

29. est enim hæc speciosior sole et super omnem stellarum dispositionem luci conparata invenitur prior

29. For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of the stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.

30. illi enim succedit nox sapientiam autem non vincit malitia

30. For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom.