1 There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.

1 Timenti Dominum non occurrent mala:
sed in tentatione Deus illum conservabit, et liberabit a malis.

2 A wise man hateth not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.

2 Sapiens non odit mandata et justitias,
et non illidetur quasi in procella navis.

3 A man of understanding trusteth in the law; and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle.

3 Homo sensatus credit legi Dei,
et lex illi fidelis.

4 Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer.

4 ¶ Qui interrogationem manifestat parabit verbum,
et sic deprecatus exaudietur:
et conservabit disciplinam, et tunc respondebit.

5 The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree.

5 Præcordia fatui quasi rota carri,
et quasi axis versatilis cogitatus illius.

6 A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.

6 Equus emissarius, sic et amicus subsannator:
sub omni supra sedente hinnit.

7 Why doth one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?

7 ¶ Quare dies diem superat, et iterum lux lucem,
et annus annum a sole?

8 By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts.

8 A Domini scientia separati sunt,
facto sole, et præceptum custodiente.

9 Some of them hath he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them hath he made ordinary days.

9 Et immutavit tempora, et dies festos ipsorum,
et in illis dies festos celebraverunt ad horam.

10 And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth.

10 Ex ipsis exaltavit et magnificavit Deus,
et ex ipsis posuit in numerum dierum:
et omnes homines de solo et ex terra unde creatus est Adam.

11 In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverse.

11 In multitudine disciplinæ Dominus separavit eos,
et immutavit vias eorum.

12 Some of them hath he blessed and exalted, and some of them hath he sanctified, and set near himself: but some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places.

12 Ex ipsis benedixit et exaltavit,
et ex ipsis sanctificavit, et ad se applicavit,
et ex ipsis maledixit, et humiliavit,
et convertit illos a separatione ipsorum.

13 As the clay is in the potter's hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best.

13 Quasi lutum figuli in manu ipsius,
plasmare illud et disponere.

14 Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.

14 Omnes viæ ejus secundum dispositionem ejus:
sic homo in manu illius qui se fecit,
et reddet illi secundum judicium suum.

15 So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another.

15 Contra malum bonum est, et contra mortem vita:
sic et contra virum justum peccator,
et sic intuere in omnia opera Altissimi,
duo et duo, et unum contra unum.

16 I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and filled my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.

16 ¶ Et ego novissimus evigilavi,
et quasi qui colligit acinos post vindemiatores.

17 Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek learning.

17 In benedictione Dei et ipse speravi,
et quasi qui vindemiat replevi torcular.

18 Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.

18 Respicite quoniam non mihi soli laboravi,
sed omnibus exquirentibus disciplinam.

19 Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while thou livest, and give not thy goods to another: lest it repent thee, and thou intreat for the same again.

19 Audite me, magnates et omnes populi:
et rectores ecclesiæ, auribus percipite.

20 As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, give not thyself over to any.

20 ¶ Filio et mulieri, fratri et amico,
non des potestatem super te in vita tua:
et non dederis alii possessionem tuam,
ne forte pœniteat te, et depreceris pro illis.

21 For better it is that thy children should seek to thee, than that thou shouldest stand to their courtesy.

21 Dum adhuc superes et aspiras,
non immutabit te omnis caro.

22 In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; leave not a stain in thine honour.

22 Melius est enim ut filii tui te rogent,
quam te respicere in manus filiorum tuorum.

23 At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and finish thy life, distribute thine inheritance.

23 In omnibus operibus tuis præcellens esto.

24 Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and work, for a servant.

24 Ne dederis maculam in gloria tua.
In die consummationis dierum vitæ tuæ, et in tempore exitus tui,
distribue hæreditatem tuam.

25 If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.

25 ¶ Cibaria, et virga, et onus asino:
panis, et disciplina, et opus servo.

26 A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.

26 Operatur in disciplina, et quærit requiescere:
laxa manus illi, et quærit libertatem.

27 Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much evil.

27 Jugum et lorum curvant collum durum,
et servum inclinant operationes assiduæ.

28 Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.

28 Servo malevolo tortura et compedes:
mitte illum in operationem, ne vacet:

29 But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.

29 multam enim malitiam docuit otiositas.

30 If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, because thou hast bought him with a price.

30 In opera constitue eum:
sic enim condecet illum.
Quod si non obaudierit, curva illum compedibus,
et non amplifices super omnem carnem:
verum sine judicio nihil facias grave.

31 If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: if thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him?

31 Si est tibi servus fidelis, sit tibi quasi anima tua:
quasi fratrem sic eum tracta,
quoniam in sanguine animæ comparasti illum.

32 Si læseris eum injuste,
in fugam convertetur:

33 et si extollens discesserit,
quem quæras et in qua via quæras illum nescis.