1 Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him.

1 Diligite justitiam, qui judicatis terram.
Sentite de Domino in bonitate,
et in simplicitate cordis quærite illum:

2 For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him.

2 quoniam invenitur ab his qui non tentant illum,
apparet autem eis qui fidem habent in illum.

3 For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise.

3 Perversæ enim cogitationes separant a Deo;
probata autem virtus corripit insipientes.

4 For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin.

4 Quoniam in malevolam animam non introibit sapientia,
nec habitabit in corpore subdito peccatis.

5 For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.

5 Spiritus enim sanctus disciplinæ effugiet fictum,
et auferet se a cogitationibus quæ sunt sine intellectu,
et corripietur a superveniente iniquitate.

6 For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.

6 Benignus est enim spiritus sapientiæ,
et non liberabit maledicum a labiis suis:
quoniam renum illius testis est Deus,
et cordis illius scrutator est verus,
et linguæ ejus auditor.

7 For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice.

7 Quoniam spiritus Domini replevit orbem terrarum,
et hoc quod continet omnia, scientiam habet vocis.

8 Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him.

8 Propter hoc qui loquitur iniqua non potest latere,
nec præteriet illum corripiens judicium.

9 For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds.

9 In cogitationibus enim impii interrogatio erit;
sermonum autem illius auditio ad Deum veniet,
ad correptionem iniquitatum illius.

10 For the ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid.

10 Quoniam auris zeli audit omnia,
et tumultus murmurationum non abscondetur.

11 Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth slayeth the soul.

11 Custodite ergo vos a murmuratione quæ nihil prodest,
et a detractione parcite linguæ:
quoniam sermo obscurus in vacuum non ibit,
os autem quod mentitur occidit animam.

12 Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands.

12 ¶ Nolite zelare mortem in errore vitæ vestræ,
neque acquiratis perditionem in operibus manuum vestrarum.

13 For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living.

13 Quoniam Deus mortem non fecit,
nec lætatur in perditione vivorum.

14 For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth:

14 Creavit enim ut essent omnia,
et sanabiles fecit nationes orbis terrarum:
et non est in illis medicamentum exterminii,
nec inferorum regnum in terra.

15 For righteousness is immortal:

15 Justitia enim perpetua est, et immortalis.

16 But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to nought, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it.

16 Impii autem manibus et verbis accersierunt illam,
et æstimantes illam amicam, defluxerunt;
et sponsiones posuerunt ad illam,
quoniam digni sunt qui sint ex parte illius.