Wisdom 7

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	VULGATA
1 Certainly, I myself am also a mortal man, like everyone, and the offspring of this earth, which was made beforehand; and in my mother’s womb I was fashioned with care,	1 Sum quidem et ego mortalis homo, similis omnibus, et ex genere terreni illius qui prior factus est : et in ventre matris figuratus sum caro ;
2 within the time of ten months, made of blood, from the seed of man and the delight of sleeping together.	2 decem mensium tempore coagulatus sum in sanguine : ex semine hominis, et delectamento somni conveniente.
3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and in similar fashion, I fell upon the earth, and the first voice I uttered, like everyone, was crying.	3 Et ego natus accepi communem aërem, et in similiter factam decidi terram, et primam vocem similem omnibus emisi plorans.
4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes and with great care.	4 In involumentis nutritus sum, et curis magnis :
5 For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.	5 nemo enim ex regibus aliud habuit nativitatis initium.
6 Therefore, there is only one entrance for everyone into life, and the same in leaving.	6 Unus ergo introitus est omnibus ad vitam, et similis exitus.
7 Because of this, I chose, and understanding was given to me; and I prayed, and the spirit of wisdom came to me;	7 Propter hoc optavi, et datus est mihi sensus ; et invocavi, et venit in me spiritus sapientiæ :
8 and I placed her before kingdoms and thrones, and I considered riches nothing in comparison with her.	8 et præposui illam regnis et sedibus, et divitias nihil esse duxi in comparatione illius.
9 Neither did I compare to her a precious stone, for all gold in comparison with her is like a little sand, and silver, in view of her, will be valued as if dirt.	9 Nec comparavi illi lapidem pretiosum, quoniam omne aurum in comparatione illius arena est exigua, et tamquam lutum æstimabitur argentum in conspectu illius.
10 I loved her above health and beauty, and I placed having her before light, for her light is unfailing.	10 Super salutem et speciem dilexi illam, et proposui pro luce habere illam, quoniam inextinguibile est lumen illius.
11 Yet all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable honors by her hand;	11 Venerunt autem mihi omnia bona pariter cum illa, et innumerabilis honestas per manus illius ;
12 and I rejoiced in all these, because this wisdom went before me, although I did not know that she is the mother of them all.	12 et lætatus sum in omnibus, quoniam antecedebat me ista sapientia, et ignorabam quoniam horum omnium mater est.
13 This I have learned without falsehood and communicate without envy, and her integrity I do not hide.	13 Quam sine fictione didici, et sine invidia communico, et honestatem illius non abscondo.
14 Indeed, she is an infinite treasure chest for men, and those who make use of it, become partakers in the friendship of God, because they are recommended by the gifts of instruction.	14 Infinitus enim thesaurus est hominibus ; quo qui usi sunt, participes facti sunt amicitiæ Dei, propter disciplinæ dona commendati.
15 Yet God has given to me to speak my mind, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given to me, because he is the leader of wisdom and the repairer of understanding.	15 Mihi autem dedit Deus dicere ex sententia, et præsumere digna horum quæ mihi dantur : quoniam ipse sapientiæ dux est, et sapientium emendator.
16 For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the works of science, and instruction.	16 In manu enim illius et nos et sermones nostri, et omnis sapientia, et operum scientia, et disciplina.
17 For he has given me true knowledge of these things which exist: so as to know the orderly arrangement of the world, and the powers of the elements,	17 Ipse enim dedit mihi horum quæ sunt scientiam veram, ut sciam dispositionem orbis terrarum, et virtutes elementorum,
18 the beginning and the end and the midpoint of the seasons, the characteristics of changing things, and the divisions of time,	18 initium, et consummationem, et medietatem temporum, vicissitudinum permutationes, et commutationes temporum,
19 the courses of the years, and the orderly arrangement of the stars,	19 anni cursus, et stellarum dispositiones,
20 the natures of animals, and the rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and the reasonings of men, the diversities of plants, and the benefits of roots,	20 naturas animalium, et iras bestiarum, vim ventorum, et cogitationes hominum, differentias virgultorum, et virtutes radicum.
21 and all such things as are hidden and unexpected, I have learned; for wisdom, the artisan of all things, taught me.	21 Et quæcumque sunt absconsa et improvisa didici : omnium enim artifex docuit me sapientia.
22 For in her is the spirit of understanding: holy, singular, manifold, subtle, perceptive, lively, chaste, reliable, gracious, loving, good, astute, who forbids nothing beneficial,	22 Est enim in illa spiritus intelligentiæ, sanctus, unicus, multiplex, subtilis, disertus, mobilis, incoinquinatus, certus, suavis, amans bonum, acutus, quem nihil vetat, benefaciens,
23 humane, kind, steadfast, trustworthy, secure, having all virtue, watching for all things and grasping all things with a pure and most delicate understanding of spirit.	23 humanus, benignus, stabilis, certus, securus, omnem habens virtutem, omnia prospiciens, et qui capiat omnes spiritus, intelligibilis, mundus, subtilis.
24 For wisdom is more active than all active things, yet she reaches everywhere because of her purity.	24 Omnibus enim mobilibus mobilior est sapientia : attingit autem ubique propter suam munditiam.
25 For she is a breath of the virtue of God and a genuine emanation from the purity of the almighty God, and therefore nothing unclean can invade her.	25 Vapor est enim virtutis Dei, et emanatio quædam est claritatis omnipotentis Dei sincera, et ideo nihil inquinatum in eam incurrit :
26 Indeed, she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of the majesty of God, and the image of his goodness.	26 candor est enim lucis æternæ, et speculum sine macula Dei majestatis, et imago bonitatis illius.
27 And though she is one, she can do all things; and, unchanging in herself, she renews all things, and throughout the nations she conveys herself to holy souls, establishing them as friends and prophets of God.	27 Et cum sit una, omnia potest ; et in se permanens omnia innovat : et per nationes in animas sanctas se transfert ; amicos Dei et prophetas constituit.
28 For God loves none but those who dwell with wisdom.	28 Neminem enim diligit Deus, nisi eum qui cum sapientia inhabitat.
29 For she is more spectacular than the sun, and above the array of all the stars; compared with the light, she is found to be before it.	29 Est enim hæc speciosior sole, et super omnem dispositionem stellarum : luci comparata, invenitur prior.
30 Indeed, after her comes night, but wisdom will not be overcome by malice.	30 Illi enim succedit nox ; sapientiam autem non vincit malitia.