Sapienza 16

BIBBIA RICCIOTTI	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Perciò a buon diritto gli empi furon castigati con esseri siffatti e tormentati da una torma di bestie.	1 Because of this, and by means of things similar to these, they were allowed to endure fitting torments, and they were exterminated by a multitude of beasts.
2 In luogo di tali pene, tu beneficasti il tuo popolo, cui desti la delizia da esso bramata, uno straordinario sapore, preparando loro un cibo di quaglie.	2 Instead of these torments, you administered your people kindly, giving them a desire for a new taste from your delights, and preparing quails for their food,
3 Onde quelli, pur bramosi di cibo, alla vista [stomachevole] degli [animali] mandati loro, perfino l'appetito necessario perdevano; questi invece, sofferta penuria per un poco, ebber [poi] uno straordinario alimento.	3 so that, even those desiring food, because of those things which were sent and revealed to them, were now turned away from a necessary desire. Yet these, after a brief time, having become weak, tasted a new food.
4 Bisognava invero che a quelli che usavan tirannia sopravvenisse una rovina senza riparo; ma a questi fosse soltanto mostrato in qual maniera eran tormentati i loro nemici.	4 For it was necessary, though they are without excuse, for them to unexpectedly come upon the ruin of exercising tyranny, yet this was as if to show them how their enemies were being exterminated.
5 Cosi anche quando gli assalì feroce rabbia di belve, [e] perivan per i morsi di tortuosi serpenti,	5 And so, when fierce beasts overcame them in anger, they were exterminated by the bites of perverse snakes.
6 non si mantenne sino all’ultimo l'ira tua; ma a [loro] ammonimento furon per breve tempo spaventati ricevendo [presto] un segno di salvezza, a ricordo del precetto della tua legge.	6 But your anger did not continue forever, though they were troubled for a short time for their correction, they have a sign of salvation as a remembrance of the commandment of your law.
7 Chi invero si volgeva, non per il [segno] veduto era salvo, ma per opera tua, che sei il salvatore di tutti!	7 For he who turned to it was not healed by what he saw, but by you, the Savior of all.
8 E con ciò dimostrasti ai nostri nemici, che se, tu che liberi da ogni male.	8 Yet in this you revealed to our enemies that you are he who delivers from all evil.
9 Quelli infatti perirono per i morsi delle locuste e delle mosche, nè si trovò rimedio per la loro vita, poiché eran degni d’esser [puniti e] sterminati da [bestie] siffatte;	9 For they were killed by the biting of locusts and flies, and there was found no remedy for their life, because they deserved to be destroyed by such things.
10 ma i tuoi figliuoli non li vinsero neppure i denti di velenosi draghi, perchè la tua misericordia si fe' loro incontro e li sanò.	10 But not even the teeth of venomous serpents conquered your sons, for your mercy came to them and healed them.
11 Per [richiamarli] alla memoria de' tuoi oracoli erano invero straziati e prontamente poi risanati; per tema che caduti in oblio profondo [di quegli oracoli] non potessero più usufruire del tuo soccorso.	11 For, in remembrance of your words, they were examined and were quickly saved, for forgetfulness is not engraved into your altar so that they would be unable to obtain your help.
12 Non erba nè emolliente li guarì, ma la tua parolaio Signore, che tutto sana.	12 And, indeed, neither an herb, nor a poultice, healed them, but your word, O Lord, which heals all.
13 Giacché se, tu che hai potere sulla vita e sulla morte, e conduci alle porte degli inferi, e riconduci indietro.	13 For it is you, O Lord, who holds the power of life and death; you both lead to the threshold of death and you restore.
14 L'uomo può ben uccidere con la sua malvagità, non però far tornar indietro lo spirito, partito che sia, nè richiamar l’anima accolta [nel regno del morti].	14 Yet man, indeed, kills his own soul through malice, and when his spirit goes forth, it will not be returned, nor will he call back his soul when it has been received.
15 Ma sfuggire alla tua mano è impossibile!	15 But it is impossible to escape your hand.
16 Gli empi che dicevano di non conoscerti, furon flagellati dalla forza del tuo braccio, perseguitati da piogge nuove e grandini e acquazzoni [inesorabili] o condannati dal fuoco.	16 For the impious, having refused to know you, have been scourged by the strength of your arm, enduring persecution by unusual waters, and by hailstorms, and by rain storms, and being consumed by fire.
17 E ciò ch'era [il più] maraviglioso, nell'acqua che tutto spegne maggiormente ingagliardiva il fuoco, perchè l’universo combatte per i giusti.	17 For there was something extraordinary in water, which extinguishes all things; it has prevailed more than fire; for the world is the defender of the just.
18 Talora s'ammansiva la fiamma per non incenerir le bestie mandate contro gli empi, perchè questi a tal vista s'accorgessero che da divino giudizio erano incalzati.	18 Indeed, at a certain time, the fire was subdued, so as not to burn away the animals, which were sent against the impious; and so that, in seeing this, they might know that they are suffering persecution by the judgment of God.
19 Talora, [anche] in mezzo all’acqua, essa ardeva d’ogni parte oltre la potenza del fuoco, per distruggere il prodotto dell’iniqua terra.	19 And, at another time, fire burned, beyond its own power, in the midst of water, and it flared up from all around, so as to destroy the nations of an unjust land.
20 Invece, tu nutristi il tuo popolo col cibo degli angeli, e un pane bell’e pronto mandasti loro dal cielo, senza [lor] fatica, il quale aveva in sè ogni delizia e ogni soavità di sapore.	20 Instead of these things, you nourished your people with the food of angels, and, having prepared bread from heaven, you served them without labor that which holds within itself every delight and the sweetness of every flavor.
21 Che quella sostanza mostrava la dolcezza che hai per i figliuoli, e assecondando il desiderio di chiunque [la portava alla bocca], si mutava in ciò che ognuno voleva.	21 For your nature showed your sweetness, which you hold within your sons, and serving the will of each one, it was converted to what each one preferred.
22 La neve e il ghiaccio reggevano al fuoco e non si struggevano, affinché [i tuoi figliuoli] conoscessero come il fuoco distruggeva i frutti de’ nemici, ardendo nella grandine e scintillando nella pioggia,	22 But snow and ice held back the strength of fire, and did not melt, so that they might know that fire, burning in the hail and flashing in the rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies.
23 ma lo stesso ora, perchè si nutrissero i giusti, dimenticava persino la sua propria virtù.	23 Yet it was also the case, so that the just might be nourished, that fire had even been deprived of its own power.
24 La creazione, infatti, sottoposta a te suo fattore, s'esaspera a castigo contro gl’ingiusti e si mitiga a beneficenza verso coloro che in te confidano.	24 For the creature serving you, the Creator, grows red hot in the midst of the conflict against the unjust, and yet it subsides for the benefit of those who trust in you.
25 Perciò anche allora, trasformandosi in ogni guisa, serviva alla tua bontà, nutrice universale, secondo la volontà di chi era in bisogno.	25 Because of this, and at that time, having been transfigured in all things, your grace was diligently serving as the nursemaid of all things, according to the will of those who long for you,
26 Affinchè imparassero i tuoi figliuoli, i quali tu hai amato, o Signore, come non i frutti nauseanti nutriscono l’uomo, ma la tua parola conserva quel che credono in te.	26 so that your sons, whom you loved, O Lord, might know that it is not the fruits of nature which feed men, but your word, which preserves those who believe in you.
27 Ciò invero che non poteva esser consumato dal fuoco, si squagliava non appena riscaldato da lieve raggio di sole; perchè fosse noto a tutti che bisogna prevenire il sole per renderti grazie, e al sorger della luce adorarti.	27 For that which could not be destroyed by fire, was immediately melted when warmed by a few rays of the sun,
28 La speranza infatti dell'ingrato si scioglierà come ghiaccio invernale e scorrerà via come acqua inutile!	28 so that it might be clear to all that it is right to come before the sun to bless you, and to adore you at the dawning of the light.
	29 For the hope of the ungrateful will melt away like the winter’s ice and will disperse like overflowing water.