Sapienza 4

NOVA VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Melius est absque liberis esse cum virtute; immortalitas est enim in memoria illius, quoniam et apud Deum nota est et apud homines.	1 Better is childlessness with virtue; for immortal is its memory: because both by God is it acknowledged, and by men.
2 Cum praesens est, imitantur illam; et desiderant eam, cum se eduxerit; et in perpetuum coronata triumphat, incoinquinatorum certaminum praemium vincens.	2 When it is present men imitate it, and they long for it when it is gone; And forever it marches crowned in triumph, victorious in unsullied deeds of valor.
3 Multigena autem impiorum multitudo non erit utilis et spuriis vitulaminibus non dabit radicem in profundum altam nec stabile firmamentum collocabit.	3 But the numerous progeny of the wicked shall be of no avail; their spurious offshoots shall not strike deep root nor take firm hold.
4 Etenim, si in ramis ad tempus germinaverit, infirmiter posita a vento commovebitur et a nimietate ventorum eradicabitur.	4 For even though their branches flourish for a time, they are unsteady and shall be rocked by the wind and, by the violence of the winds, uprooted;
5 Confringentur rami inconsummati, et fructus illorum inutilis et acerbus ad manducandum et ad nihilum aptus.	5 Their twigs shall be broken off untimely, and their fruit be useless, unripe for eating, and fit for nothing.
6 Ex iniquis enim somnis filii, qui nascuntur, testes sunt nequitiae adversus parentes in interrogatione sua.	6 For children born of lawless unions give evidence of the wickedness of their parents, when they are examined.
7 Iustus autem, si morte praeoccupatus fuerit, in refrigerio erit.	7 But the just man, though he die early, shall be at rest.
8 Senectus enim venerabilis, non quae est diuturna, neque annorum numero computatur;	8 For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years.
9 cani autem sunt sensus hominis, et aetas senectutis vita immaculata.	9 Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
10 Placens Deo factus est dilectus et vivens inter peccatores translatus est;	10 He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported--
11 raptus est, ne malitia mutaret intellectum eius, aut ne fictio deciperet animam illius.	11 Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul;
12 Fascinatio enim nugacitatis obscurat bona, et inconstantia concupiscentiae transvertit sensum sine malitia.	12 For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind.
13 Consummatus in brevi explevit tempora multa;	13 Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career;
14 placita enim erat Deo anima illius, propter hoc properavit educere illum de medio iniquitatis. Populi autem videntes et non intellegentes nec ponentes in praecordiis talia,	14 for his soul was pleasing to the LORD, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account.
15 quoniam gratia et misericordia est in electis eius, et visitatio in sanctis illius.	15
16 Condemnat autem iustus mortuus vivos impios, et iuventus celerius consummata longaevam senectutem iniusti.	16 Yes, the just man dead condemns the sinful who live, and youth swiftly completed condemns the many years of the wicked man grown old.
17 Videbunt enim finem sapientis et non intellegent quid cogitaverit de illo Deus, et quare munierit illum Dominus.	17 For they see the death of the wise man and do not understand what the LORD intended for him, or why he made him secure.
18 Videbunt et contemnent; illos autem Dominus irridebit.	18 They see, and hold him in contempt; but the LORD laughs them to scorn.
19 Et erunt post haec tamquam corpus sine honore et in contumeliam inter mortuos in perpetuum, quoniam disrumpet illos praecipites sine voce et commovebit illos a fundamentis, et usque ad supremum desolabuntur et erunt in dolore, et memoria illorum peribit.	19 And they shall afterward become dishonored corpses and an unceasing mockery among the dead. For he shall strike them down speechless and prostrate and rock them to their foundations; They shall be utterly laid waste and shall be in grief and their memory shall perish.
20 Venient in computatione peccatorum suorum timidi, et traducent illos ex adverso iniquitates ipsorum.	20 Fearful shall they come, at the counting up of their sins, and their lawless deeds shall convict them to their face.