Sapienza 7

NOVA VULGATA	NEW JERUSALEM
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;	1 I too am mortal like everyone else, a descendant of the first man formed from the earth. I was model edin flesh inside a mother's womb,
2 decem mensium tempore coagulatus in sanguine ex semine viri et delectamento somni conveniente.	2 where, for ten months, in blood I acquired substance -- the result of virile seed and pleasure, sleep'scompanion.
3 Et ego natus traxi communem aerem et decidi in terram, quae omnia similiter patitur, prima voce simili omnibus pariter plorans.	3 I too, when I was born, drew in the common air, I fel on the same ground that bears us al , and cryingwas the first sound I made, like everyone else.
4 In involumentis nutritus sum et curis;	4 I was nurtured in swaddling clothes, with every care.
5 nullus enim rex aliud habuit nativitatis initium.	5 No king has known any other beginning of existence;
6 Unus autem introitus est omnibus ad vitam, et similis exitus.	6 for there is only one way into life, and one way out of it.
7 Propter hoc optavi, et datus est mihi sensus; et invocavi, et venit in me spiritus sapientiae.	7 And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
8 Praeposui illam regnis et sedibus et divitias nihil esse duxi in comparatione illius;	8 I esteemed her more than sceptres and thrones; compared with her, I held riches as nothing.
9 nec comparavi illi lapidem pretiosum, quoniam omne aurum in comparatione illius arena est exigua, et tamquam lutum aestimabitur argentum in conspectu illius.	9 I reckoned no precious stone to be her equal, for compared with her, al gold is a pinch of sand, andbeside her, silver ranks as mud.
10 Super salutem et speciem dilexi illam et proposui pro luce habere illam, quoniam inexstinguibile est lumen illius.	10 I loved her more than health or beauty, preferred her to the light, since her radiance never sleeps.
11 Venerunt autem mihi omnia bona pariter cum illa, innumerabiles divitiae in manibus illius,	11 In her company al good things came to me, and at her hands incalculable wealth.
12 et laetatus sum in omnibus, quoniam sapientia antecedit ista, et ignorabam quoniam horum omnium mater est;	12 All these delighted me, since Wisdom brings them, though I did not then realise that she was theirmother.
13 quam sine fictione didici et sine invidia communico; divitias illius non abscondo.	13 What I learned diligently, I shal pass on liberally, I shal not conceal how rich she is.
14 Infinitus enim thesaurus est hominibus; quem qui acquisierunt, ad amicitiam in Deum se paraverunt propter disciplinae dona commendati.	14 For she is to human beings an inexhaustible treasure, and those who acquire this win God'sfriendship, commended to him by the gifts of instruction.
15 Mihi autem det Deus dicere secundum sententiam et sentire digna horum, quae mihi data sunt, quoniam ipse sapientiae dux est et sapientium emendator;	15 May God grant me to speak as he would wish and conceive thoughts worthy of the gifts I havereceived, since he is both guide to Wisdom and director of sages;
16 in manu enim illius et nos et sermones nostri et omnis sapientia et operum scientia.	16 for we are in his hand, yes, ourselves and our sayings, and al intellectual and al practical knowledge.
17 Ipse enim dedit mihi horum, quae sunt, scientiam veram, ut sciam dispositionem orbis terrarum et virtutes elementorum,	17 He it was who gave me sure knowledge of what exists, to understand the structure of the world andthe action of the elements,
18 initium et consummationem et medietatem temporum, vicissitudinum permutationes et commutationes temporum,	18 the beginning, end and middle of the times, the alternation of the solstices and the succession of theseasons,
19 anni cursus et stellarum dispositiones,	19 the cycles of the year and the position of the stars,
20 naturas animalium et iras bestiarum, vim spirituum et cogitationes hominum, differentias virgultorum et virtutes radicum.	20 the natures of animals and the instincts of wild beasts, the powers of spirits and human mentalprocesses, the varieties of plants and the medical properties of roots.
21 Et, quaecumque sunt absconsa et manifesta, didici; omnium enim artifex docuit me sapientia.	21 And now I understand everything, hidden or visible, for Wisdom, the designer of all things, hasinstructed me.
22 Est enim in illa spiritus intellegens, sanctus, unicus, multiplex, subtilis, mobilis, perspicuus, incoinquinatus, lucidus, innocens, amans bonum, acutus,	22 For within her is a spirit intel igent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, incisive, unsul ied, lucid,invulnerable, benevolent, shrewd,
23 quem nihil vetat, benefaciens, humanus, benignus, stabilis, certus, securus, omnem habens virtutem, omnia prospiciens et penetrans omnes spiritus intellegibiles, mundos, subtilissimos.	23 irresistible, beneficent, friendly to human beings, steadfast, dependable, unperturbed, almighty, al -surveying, penetrating al intel igent, pure and most subtle spirits.
24 Omni enim motu mobilior est sapientia; pertransit autem et penetrat omnia propter munditiam.	24 For Wisdom is quicker to move than any motion; she is so pure, she pervades and permeates allthings.
25 Halitus est enim virtutis Dei et emanatio claritatis Omnipotentis sincera; ideo nihil inquinatum in eam incurrit:	25 She is a breath of the power of God, pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; so nothing impurecan find its way into her.
26 candor est enim lucis aeternae et speculum sine macula Dei potentiae et imago bonitatis illius.	26 For she is a reflection of the eternal light, untarnished mirror of God's active power, and image of hisgoodness.
27 Et, cum sit una, omnia potest; et in se permanens, omnia innovat et per generationes in animas sanctas se transferens amicos Dei et prophetas constituit.	27 Although she is alone, she can do everything; herself unchanging, she renews the world, and,generation after generation, passing into holy souls, she makes them into God's friends and prophets;
28 Nihil enim diligit Deus, nisi eum, qui cum sapientia inhabitat.	28 for God loves only those who dwel with Wisdom.
29 Est enim haec speciosior sole et super omnem dispositionem stellarum; luci comparata invenitur splendidior:	29 She is indeed more splendid than the sun, she outshines al the constel ations; compared with light,she takes first place,
30 illi enim succedit nox, sapientiam autem non vincit malitia.	30 for light must yield to night, but against Wisdom evil cannot prevail.