Ecclesiasticus 1

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 (Prologus)Multorum nobis et magnorum per legem, et prophetas, aliosque qui secuti sunt illos, sapientia demonstrata est, in quibus oportet laudare Israël doctrinæ et sapientiæ causa, quia non solum ipsos loquentes necesse est esse peritos, sed etiam extraneos posse et dicentes et scribentes doctissimos fieri. Avus meus Jesus, postquam se amplius dedit ad diligentiam lectionis legis, et prophetarum, et aliorum librorum qui nobis a parentibus nostris traditi sunt, voluit et ipse scribere aliquid horum quæ ad doctrinam et sapientiam pertinent, ut desiderantes discere, et illorum periti facti, magis magisque attendant animo, et confirmentur ad legitimam vitam. Hortor itaque venire vos cum benevolentia, et attentiori studio lectionem facere, et veniam habere in illis, in quibus videmur, sequentes imaginem sapientiæ, deficere in verborum compositione. Nam deficiunt verba hebraica, quando fuerint translata ad alteram linguam : non autem solum hæc, sed et ipsa lex, et prophetæ, ceteraque aliorum librorum non parvam habent differentiam quando inter se dicuntur. Nam in octavo et trigesimo anno temporibus Ptolemæi Evergetis regis, postquam perveni in Ægyptum, et cum multum temporis ibi fuissem, inveni ibi libros relictos, non parvæ neque contemnendæ doctrinæ. Itaque bonum et necessarium putavi et ipse aliquam addere diligentiam et laborem interpretandi librum istum : et multa vigilia attuli doctrinam in spatio temporis, ad illa quæ ad finem ducunt, librum istum dare, et illis qui volunt animum intendere, et discere quemadmodum oporteat instituere mores, qui secundum legem Domini proposuerint vitam agere. Omnis sapientia a Domino Deo est : et cum illo fuit semper, et est ante ævum.	1 All wisdom comes from the LORD and with him it remains forever.
2 Arenam maris, et pluviæ guttas, et dies sæculi, quis dinumeravit ? altitudinem cæli, et latitudinem terræ, et profundum abyssi, quis dimensus est ?	2 The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these?
3 sapientiam Dei præcedentem omnia, quis investigavit ?	3 Heaven's height, earth's breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?
4 Prior omnium creata est sapientia, et intellectus prudentiæ ab ævo.	4 Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity.
5 Fons sapientiæ verbum Dei in excelsis, et ingressus illius mandata æterna.	5 To whom has wisdom's root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties?
6 Radix sapientiæ cui revelata est ? et astutias illius quis agnovit ?	6 There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne:
7 disciplina sapientiæ cui revelata est et manifestata ? et multiplicationem ingressus illius quis intellexit ?	7 It is the LORD; he created her, has seen her and taken note of her.
8 Unus est altissimus, Creator omnipotens, et rex potens et metuendus nimis, sedens super thronum illius, et dominans Deus.	8 He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends.
9 Ipse creavit illam in Spiritu Sancto, et vidit, et dinumeravit, et mensus est :	9 Fear of the LORD is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown.
10 et effudit illam super omnia opera sua, et super omnem carnem, secundum datum suum, et præbuit illam diligentibus se.	10 Fear of the LORD warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days.
11 Timor Domini gloria, et gloriatio, et lætitia, et corona exsultationis.	11 He who fears the LORD will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed.
12 Timor Domini delectabit cor, et dabit lætitiam, et gaudium, et longitudinem dierum.	12 The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD, which is formed with the faithful in the womb.
13 Timenti Dominum bene erit in extremis, et in die defunctionis suæ benedicetur.	13 With devoted men was she created from of old, and with their children her beneficence abides.
14 Dilectio Dei honorabilis sapientia :	14 Fullness of wisdom is fear of the LORD; she inebriates men with her fruits.
15 quibus autem apparuerit in visu diligunt eam in visione, et in agnitione magnalium suorum.	15 Her entire house she fills with choice foods, her granaries with her harvest.
16 Initium sapientiæ timor Domini : et cum fidelibus in vulva concreatus est : cum electis feminis graditur, et cum justis et fidelibus agnoscitur.	16 Wisdom's garland is fear of the LORD, with blossoms of peace and perfect health.
17 Timor Domini scientiæ religiositas :	17 Knowledge and full understanding she showers down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her.
18 religiositas custodiet et justificabit cor ; jucunditatem atque gaudium dabit.	18 The root of wisdom is fear of the LORD; her branches are length of days.
19 Timenti Dominum bene erit, et in diebus consummationis illius benedicetur.	19 One cannot justify unjust anger; anger plunges a man to his downfall.
20 Plenitudo sapientiæ est timere Deum, et plenitudo a fructibus illius.	20 A patient man need stand firm but for a time, and then contentment comes back to him.
21 Omnem domum illius implebit a generationibus, et receptacula a thesauris illius.	21 For a while he holds back his words, then the lips of many herald his wisdom.
22 Corona sapientiæ timor Domini, replens pacem et salutis fructum :	22 Among wisdom's treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the LORD is an abomination to the sinner.
23 et vidit, et dinumeravit eam : utraque autem sunt dona Dei.	23 If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the LORD will bestow her upon you;
24 Scientiam et intellectum prudentiæ sapientia compartietur, et gloriam tenentium se exaltat.	24 For fear of the LORD is wisdom and culture; loyal humility is his delight.
25 Radix sapientiæ est timere Dominum, et rami illius longævi.	25 Be not faithless to the fear of the LORD, nor approach it with duplicity of heart.
26 In thesauris sapientiæ intellectus et scientiæ religiositas : execratio autem peccatoribus sapientia.	26 Play not the hypocrite before men; over your lips keep watch.
27 Timor Domini expellit peccatum :	27 Exalt not yourself lest you fall and bring upon you dishonor;
28 nam qui sine timore est non poterit justificari : iracundia enim animositatis illius subversio illius est.	28 For then the LORD will reveal your secrets and publicly cast you down,
29 Usque in tempus sustinebit patiens, et postea redditio jucunditatis.	29 Because you approached the fear of the LORD with your heart full of guile.
30 Bonus sensus usque in tempus abscondet verba illius, et labia multorum enarrabunt sensum illius.
31 In thesauris sapientiæ significatio disciplinæ :
32 execratio autem peccatori cultura Dei.
33 Fili, concupiscens sapientiam, conserva justitiam, et Deus præbebit illam tibi.
34 Sapientia enim et disciplina timor Domini : et quod beneplacitum est illi,
35 fides et mansuetudo, et adimplebit thesauros illius.
36 Ne sis incredibilis timori Domini, et ne accesseris ad illum duplici corde.
37 Ne fueris hypocrita in conspectu hominum, et non scandalizeris in labiis tuis.
38 Attende in illis, ne forte cadas, et adducas animæ tuæ inhonorationem :
39 et revelet Deus absconsa tua, et in medio synagogæ elidat te :
40 quoniam accessisti maligne ad Dominum, et cor tuum plenum est dolo et fallacia.