1 Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother's womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things.

1 Occupatio magna creata est omnibus hominibus,
et jugum grave super filios Adam,
a die exitus de ventre matris eorum
usque in diem sepulturæ in matrem omnium.

2 Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear of heart;

2 Cogitationes eorum, et timores cordis,
adinventio exspectationis, et dies finitionis,

3 From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;

3 a residente super sedem gloriosam,
usque ad humiliatum in terra et cinere:

4 From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock.

4 ab eo qui utitur hyacintho et portat coronam,
usque ad eum qui operitur lino crudo:
furor, zelus, tumultus, fluctuatio, et timor mortis,
iracundia perseverans, et contentio:

5 Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of death, and anger, and strife, and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge.

5 et in tempore refectionis in cubili,
somnus noctis immutat scientiam ejus.

6 A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle.

6 Modicum tamquam nihil in requie,
et ab eo in somnis, quasi in die respectus.

7 When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing.

7 Conturbatus est in visu cordis sui,
tamquam qui evaserit in die belli:
in tempore salutis suæ exsurrexit,
et admirans ad nullum timorem:

8 Such things happen unto all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners.

8 cum omni carne, ab homine usque ad pecus,
et super peccatores septuplum.

9 Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;

9 Ad hæc mors, sanguis, contentio, et rhomphæa,
oppressiones, fames, et contritio, et flagella:

10 These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.

10 super iniquos creata sunt hæc omnia:
et propter illos factus est cataclysmus.

11 All things that are of the earth shall turn to the earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea.

11 ¶ Omnia quæ de terra sunt in terram convertentur,
et omnes aquæ in mare revertentur.

12 All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever.

12 Omne munus et iniquitas delebitur,
et fides in sæculum stabit.

13 The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.

13 Substantiæ injustorum sicut fluvius siccabuntur,
et sicut tonitruum magnum in pluvia personabunt.

14 While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought.

14 In aperiendo manus suas lætabitur:
sic prævaricatores in consummatione tabescent.

15 The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.

15 Nepotes impiorum non multiplicabunt ramos:
et radices immundæ super cacumen petræ sonant.

16 The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass.

16 Super omnem aquam viriditas,
et ad oram fluminis ante omne fœnum evelletur.

17 Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever.

17 ¶ Gratia sicut paradisus in benedictionibus,
et misericordia in sæculum permanet.

18 To labour, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them both.

18 Vita sibi sufficientis operarii condulcabitur,
et in ea invenies thesaurum.

19 Children and the building of a city continue a man's name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both.

19 Filii et ædificatio civitatis confirmabit nomen:
et super hæc mulier immaculata computabitur.

20 Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both.

20 Vinum et musica lætificant cor:
et super utraque dilectio sapientiæ.

21 The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both.

21 Tibiæ et psalterium suavem faciunt melodiam:
et super utraque lingua suavis.

22 Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn while it is green.

22 Gratiam et speciem desiderabit oculus tuus:
et super hæc virides sationes.

23 A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband.

23 Amicus et sodalis in tempore convenientes,
et super utrosque mulier cum viro.

24 Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both.

24 Fratres in adjutorium in tempore tribulationis:
et super eos misericordia liberabit.

25 Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both.

25 Aurum et argentum est constitutio pedum:
et super utrumque consilium beneplacitum.

26 Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help.

26 Facultates et virtutes exaltant cor,
et super hæc timor Domini.

27 The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.

27 Non est in timore Domini minoratio:
et non est in eo inquirere adjutorium.

28 My son, lead not a beggar's life; for better it is to die than to beg.

28 Timor Domini sicut paradisus benedictionis,
et super omnem gloriam operuerunt illum.

29 The life of him that dependeth on another man's table is not to be counted for a life; for he polluteth himself with other men's meat: but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof.

29 ¶ Fili, in tempore vitæ tuæ ne indigeas:
melius est enim mori quam indigere.

30 Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.

30 Vir respiciens in mensam alienam,
non est vita ejus in cogitatione victus:
alit enim animam suam cibis alienis:

31 vir autem disciplinatus et eruditus custodiet se.

32 In ore imprudentis condulcabitur inopia,
et in ventre ejus ignis ardebit.