Sapientia 4

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 O quam pulchra est casta generatio, cum claritate ! immortalis est enim 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 præsens est, imitantur illam, et desiderant eam cum se eduxerit ; et in perpetuum coronata triumphat, incoinquinatorum certaminum præmium 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 spuria vitulamina non dabunt radices altas, nec stabile firmamentum collocabunt.	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 Etsi in ramis in tempore germinaverint, infirmiter posita, a vento commovebuntur, et a nimietate ventorum eradicabuntur.	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 enim rami inconsummati ; et fructus illorum inutiles et acerbi ad manducandum, et ad nihilum apti.	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 nequitiæ 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 Justus autem si morte præoccupatus fuerit, in refrigerio erit ;	7 But the just man, though he die early, shall be at rest.
8 senectus enim venerabilis est non diuturna, neque annorum numero computata : cani autem sunt sensus hominis,	8 For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years.
9 et ætas 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 ejus, 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 concupiscentiæ 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 iniquitatum. Populi autem videntes, et non intelligentes, nec ponentes in præcordiis 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 Dei et misericordia est in sanctos ejus, et respectus in electos illius.	15
16 Condemnat autem justus mortuus vivos impios, et juventus celerius consummata longam vitam injusti.	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 intelligent 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 eum ; illos autem Dominus irridebit.	18 They see, and hold him in contempt; but the LORD laughs them to scorn.
19 Et erunt post hæc decidentes sine honore, et in contumelia inter mortuos in perpetuum : quoniam disrumpet illos inflatos sine voce, et commovebit illos a fundamentis, et usque ad supremum desolabuntur, et erunt gementes, 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 cogitatione 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.