1 Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.

1 Ne jucunderis in filiis impiis, si multiplicentur:
nec oblecteris super ipsos, si non est timor Dei in illis.

2 Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.

2 Non credas vitæ illorum,
et ne respexeris in labores eorum.

3 Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have them that are ungodly.

3 Melior est enim unus timens Deum,
quam mille filii impii:

4 For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.

4 et utile est mori sine filiis,
quam relinquere filios impios.

5 Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.

5 Ab uno sensato inhabitabitur patria:
tribus impiorum deseretur.

6 In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.

6 Multa talia vidit oculus meus,
et fortiora horum audivit auris mea.

7 He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.

7 In synagoga peccantium exardebit ignis,
et in gente incredibili exardescet ira.

8 Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.

8 Non exoraverunt pro peccatis suis antiqui gigantes,
qui destructi sunt confidentes suæ virtuti.

9 He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:

9 Et non pepercit peregrinationi Lot,
et execratus est eos præ superbia verbi illorum.

10 Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.

10 Non misertus est illis, gentem totam perdens,
et extollentem se in peccatis suis.

11 And if there be one stiffnecked among the people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure.

11 Et sicut sexcenta millia peditum,
qui congregati sunt in duritia cordis sui:
et si unus fuisset cervicatus,
mirum si fuisset immunis.

12 As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a man according to his works.

12 Misericordia enim et ira est cum illo:
potens exoratio, et effundens iram.

13 The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.

13 Secundum misericordiam suam,
sic correptio illius homines secundum opera sua judicat.

14 Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.

14 Non effugiet in rapina peccator,
et non retardabit sufferentia misericordiam facientis.

15 The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.

15 Omnis misericordia faciet locum unicuique,
secundum meritum operum suorum,
et secundum intellectum peregrinationis ipsius.

16 His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.

16 ¶ Non dicas: A Deo abscondar:
et ex summo, quis mei memorabitur?

17 Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord: shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?

17 in populo magno non agnoscar:
quæ est enim anima mea in tam immensa creatura?

18 Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.

18 Ecce cælum et cæli cælorum,
abyssus, et universa terra, et quæ in eis sunt,
in conspectu illius commovebuntur.

19 The mountains also and foundations of the earth shall be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them.

19 Montes simul, et colles, et fundamenta terræ,
cum conspexerit illa Deus, tremore concutientur.

20 No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?

20 Et in omnibus his insensatum est cor,
et omne cor intelligitur ab illo.

21 It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his works are hid.

21 Et vias illius quis intelligit,
et procellam quam nec oculus videbit hominis?

22 Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the end.

22 Nam plurima illius opera sunt in absconsis:
sed opera justitiæ ejus quis enuntiabit, aut quis sustinebit?
longe enim est testamentum a quibusdam,
et interrogatio omnium in consummatione est.

23 He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.

23 Qui minoratur corde cogitat inania,
et vir imprudens et errans cogitat stulta.

24 My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.

24 ¶ Audi me, fili, et disce disciplinam sensus,
et in verbis meis attende in corde tuo:

25 I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.

25 et dicam in æquitate disciplinam,
et scrutabor enarrare sapientiam:
et in verbis meis attende in corde tuo,
et dico in æquitate spiritus virtutes
quas posuit Deus in opera sua ab initio,
et in veritate enuntio scientiam ejus.

26 The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.

26 In judicio Dei opera ejus ab initio,
et ab institutione ipsorum distinxit partes illorum,
et initia eorum in gentibus suis.

27 He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of them unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.

27 Ornavit in æternum opera illorum:
nec esurierunt, nec laboraverunt,
et non destiterunt ab operibus suis.

28 None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.

28 Unusquisque proximum sibi non angustiabit in æternum:

29 After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.

29 non sis incredibilis verbo illius.

30 With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.

30 Post hæc Deus in terram respexit,
et implevit illam bonis suis:

31 anima omnis vitalis denuntiavit ante faciem ipsius,
et in ipsam iterum reversio illorum.