1 The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.

1 Vana spes et mendacium viro insensato:
et somnia extollunt imprudentes.

2 Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.

2 Quasi qui apprehendit umbram et persequitur ventum,
sic et qui attendit ad visa mendacia.

3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.

3 Hoc secundum hoc visio somniorum,
ante faciem hominis similitudo hominis.

4 Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?

4 Ab immundo, quid mundabitur?
et a mendace, quid verum dicetur?

5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman's heart in travail.

5 Divinatio erroris, et auguria mendacia,
et somnia malefacientium, vanitas est:

6 If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.

6 et sicut parturientis, cor tuum phantasias patitur.
Nisi ab Altissimo fuerit emissa visitatio,
ne dederis in illis cor tuum:

7 For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.

7 multos enim errare fecerunt somnia,
et exciderunt sperantes in illis.

8 The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.

8 Sine mendacio consummabitur verbum legis,
et sapientia in ore fidelis complanabitur.

9 A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.

9 ¶ Qui non est tentatus quid scit?
vir in multis expertus cogitabit multa:
et qui multa didicit enarrabit intellectum.

10 He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence.

10 Qui non est expertus pauca recognoscit:
qui autem in multis factus est, multiplicat malitiam.

11 When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.

11 Qui tentatus non est qualia scit?
qui implanatus est abundabit nequitia.

12 I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.

12 Multa vidi errando,
et plurimas verborum consuetudines.

13 The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.

13 Aliquoties usque ad mortem periclitatus sum horum causa,
et liberatus sum gratia Dei.

14 Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.

14 ¶ Spiritus timentium Deum quæritur,
et in respectu illius benedicetur.

15 Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?

15 Spes enim illorum in salvantem illos,
et oculi Dei in diligentes se.

16 For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.

16 Qui timet Dominum nihil trepidabit:
et non pavebit, quoniam ipse est spes ejus.

17 He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing.

17 Timentis Dominum, beata est anima ejus.

18 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.

18 Ad quem respicit, et quis est fortitudo ejus?

19 The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.

19 Oculi Domini super timentes eum:
protector potentiæ, firmamentum virtutis,
tegimen ardoris, et umbraculum meridiani:

20 Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father's eyes.

20 deprecatio offensionis, et adjutorium casus:
exaltans animam, et illuminans oculos,
dans sanitatem, et vitam, et benedictionem.

21 The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.

21 ¶ Immolantis ex iniquo oblatio est maculata,
et non sunt beneplacitæ subsannationes injustorum.

22 He that taketh away his neighbour's living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.

22 Dominus solus sustinentibus se
in via veritatis et justitiæ.

23 When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour?

23 Dona iniquorum non probat Altissimus,
nec respicit in oblationes iniquorum,
nec in multitudine sacrificiorum eorum propitiabitur peccatis.

24 When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?

24 Qui offert sacrificium ex substantia pauperum,
quasi qui victimat filium in conspectu patris sui.

25 He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?

25 Panis egentium vita pauperum est:
qui defraudat illum homo sanguinis est.

26 So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?

26 Qui aufert in sudore panem,
quasi qui occidit proximum suum.

27 Qui effundit sanguinem,
et qui fraudem facit mercenario, fratres sunt.

28 Unus ædificans, et unus destruens:
quid prodest illis, nisi labor?

29 Unus orans, et unus maledicens:
cujus vocem exaudiet Deus?

30 Qui baptizatur a mortuo, et iterum tangit eum,
quid proficit lavatio illius?

31 Sic homo qui jejunat in peccatis suis,
et iterum eadem faciens:
quid proficit humiliando se?
orationem illius quis exaudiet?