Sirach 1

NEW JERUSALEM	NOVA VULGATA
1 [The Law, the Prophets,and the other writers succeeding them have passed on to us great lessons,inconsequence of which Israel must be commended for learning and wisdom. Furthermore, it is a duty, not only toacquire learning by reading,but also, once having acquired it, to make oneself of use to people outsideby whatone can say or write. My grandfather Jesus, having long devoted himself to the readingof the Law,theProphetsand other books of the Fathersand having become very learned in them,himself decided to writesomething on the subjects of learning and wisdom,so that people who wanted to learn might, by themselvesaccepting these disciplines,learn how better to live according to the Law.You are therefore askedto read thisbookwith good wil and attentionand to show indulgencein those places where, notwithstanding our efforts atinterpretation, we may seemto have failed to give an adequate rendering of this or that expression;the fact is thatthere is no equivalentfor things original y written in Hebrew when it is a question of translating them into anotherlanguage;what is more,the Law itself, the Prophetsand the other booksdiffer considerably in translation fromwhat appears in the original text. It was in the thirty-eighth year of the late King Euergetesthat, coming to Egyptand spending some time here,and finding life here consistent with a high degree of wisdom,I became convincedof an immediate duty to apply myself in my turn with pains and diligence to the translation of the book thatfol ows;and I spent much time and learning on itin the course of this period,to complete the work and to publishthe bookfor the benefit of those too who, domiciled abroad, wish to study,to reform their behaviour, and to live asthe Law requires.] All wisdom comes from the Lord, she is with him for ever.	1 Omnis sapientia a Domino Deo est et cum illo fuit semper et est ante aevum.
2 The sands of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of eternity -- who can count them?	2 Arenam maris et pluviae guttas et dies saeculi quis dinumeravit? Altitudinem caeli et latitudinem terrae et profundum abyssi quis mensus est?
3 The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth, the depth of the abyss -- who can explore them?	3 Sapientiam Dei praecedentem omnia quis investigavit?
4 Wisdom was created before everything, prudent understanding subsists from remotest ages.	4 Prior omnium creata est sapientia, et intellectus prudentiae ab aevo.
5	5 Fons sapientiae verbum Dei in excelsis, et ingressus illius mandata aeterna.
6 For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them?	6 Radix sapientiae cui revelata est? Et astutias illius quis agnovit?
7	7 Disciplina sapientiae cui revelata est et manifestata? Et multiplicem peritiam illius quis intellexit?
8 One only is wise, terrible indeed,	8 Unus est Altissimus, creator omnipotens et rex potens et metuendus nimis, sedens super thronum suum et dominans, Deus.
9 seated on his throne, the Lord. It was he who created, inspected and weighed her up, and then pouredher out on al his works-	9 Ipse creavit illam in spiritu sancto et vidit et dinumeravit et mensus est;
10 as much to each living creature as he chose -- bestowing her on those who love him.	10 et effudit illam super omnia opera sua et super omnem carnem secundum largitatem suam et praebuit illam diligentibus se.
11 The fear of the Lord is glory and pride, happiness and a crown of joyfulness.	11 Timor Domini gloria et gloriatio et laetitia et corona exsultationis.
12 The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart, giving happiness, joy and long life.	12 Timor Domini delectabit cor et dabit laetitiam et gaudium et longitudinem dierum.
13 For those who fear the Lord, all wil end wel : on their dying day they wil be blessed.	13 Timenti Dominum bene erit in extremis, et in die defunctionis suae benedicetur.
14 The basis of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she was created with the faithful in their mothers' womb;	14 Dilectio Dei honorabilis sapientia;
15 she has made a home in the human race, an age -- old foundation, and to their descendants wil shefaithful y cling.	15 quibus autem apparuerit, dispertit eam in visionem sui ipsius et in agnitione magnalium suorum.
16 The ful ness of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she intoxicates them with her fruits;	16 Initium sapientiae timor Domini, et cum fidelibus in vulva concreata est; cum hominibus veritatis ab aevo fundata est et semini eorum se credet.
17 she fil s their entire house with treasures and their storerooms with her produce.	17 Timor Domini scientiae religiositas;
18 The crown of wisdom is to fear the Lord: she makes peace and health flourish.	18 religiositas custodiet et iustificabit cor, iucunditatem atque gaudium dabit.
19 The Lord has seen and assessed her, he has showered down knowledge and intelligence, he hasexalted the renown of those who possess her.	19
20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and her branches are long life.	20 Plenitudo sapientiae est timere Deum; et inebriat eos fructibus suis.
21	21 Omnem domum illius implebit rebus pretiosis et receptacula thesauris illius.
22 The rage of the wicked cannot put him in the right, for the weight of his rage is his downfal .	22 Corona sapientiae timor Domini, repollens pacem et salutis fructum:
23 A patient person puts up with things until the right time comes: but his joy wil break out in the end.	23 utraque autem sunt dona Dei.
24 Til the time comes he keeps his thoughts to himself, and many a lip will affirm how wise he is.	24 Scientiam et intellectum prudentiae sapientia effundit quasi pluviam; et gloriam tenentium se exaltat.
25 Wisdom's treasuries contain the maxims of knowledge, the sinner, however, holds piety in abhorrence.	25 Radix sapientiae est timere Dominum, et rami illius longaevi.
26 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow it on you.	26 In thesauris sapientiae intellectus et scientiae religiositas; exsecratio autem peccatoribus sapientia.
27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction, and what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness.	27 Timor Domini expellit peccatum; cum autem adsit, omnem avertit iram.
28 Do not stand out against fear of the Lord, do not practise it with a double heart.	28 Nam, qui sine timore est, non poterit iustificari; iracundia enim animositatis illius subversio illi erit.
29 Do not act a part in public, keep watch over your lips.	29 Usque in tempus sustinebit patiens, et postea erit redditio iucunditatis.
30 Do not grow too high and mighty, for fear you fal and cover yourself in disgrace; for the Lord wouldthen reveal your secrets and overthrow you before the whole community for not having practised fear of the Lordand for having a heart ful of deceit.	30 Bonus sensus usque in tempus abscondet verba illius, et labia multorum enarrabunt sensum illius.
	31 In thesauris sapientiae parabola disciplinae;
	32 exsecratio autem peccatori cultura Dei.
	33 Fili, concupiscens sapientiam conserva iustitiam, et Deus praebebit illam tibi.
	34 Sapientia enim et disciplina timor Domini, et quod beneplacitum est illi,
	35 fides et mansuetudo.
	36 Ne sis incredibilis timori Domini et ne accesseris ad illum duplici corde.
	37 Ne fueris hypocrita in conspectu hominum et cave a labiis tuis.
	38 Ne extollas teipsum, ne forte cadas et adducas animae tuae inhonorationem,
	39 et revelet Deus absconsa tua et in medio synagogae elidat te;
	40 quoniam accessisti maligne ad timorem Domini, et cor tuum plenum est dolo et fallacia.