Ecclesiasticus 1

VULGATA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 is from the Lord God, and has always been with him, and is before all time.
2 Arenam maris, et pluviæ guttas, et dies sæculi, quis dinumeravit ? altitudinem cæli, et latitudinem terræ, et profundum abyssi, quis dimensus est ?	2 Who has numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of the rain, and the days of the world? Who has measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?
3 sapientiam Dei præcedentem omnia, quis investigavit ?	3 Who has examined the wisdom of God, which precedes all things?
4 Prior omnium creata est sapientia, et intellectus prudentiæ ab ævo.	4 Wisdom was created before all things, and the understanding of prudence is before all time.
5 Fons sapientiæ verbum Dei in excelsis, et ingressus illius mandata æterna.	5 The Word of God on high is the source of wisdom, whose steps are eternal commandments.
6 Radix sapientiæ cui revelata est ? et astutias illius quis agnovit ?	6 To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed, and who has recognized her astuteness?
7 disciplina sapientiæ cui revelata est et manifestata ? et multiplicationem ingressus illius quis intellexit ?	7 To whom has the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? And who has understood the multiplicity of her steps?
8 Unus est altissimus, Creator omnipotens, et rex potens et metuendus nimis, sedens super thronum illius, et dominans Deus.	8 The most high omnipotent Creator is One, and he is the mighty King, and he is exceedingly to be feared, sitting upon his throne, and he is the sovereign God.
9 Ipse creavit illam in Spiritu Sancto, et vidit, et dinumeravit, et mensus est :	9 He created wisdom through the Holy Spirit, and he saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.
10 et effudit illam super omnia opera sua, et super omnem carnem, secundum datum suum, et præbuit illam diligentibus se.	10 And he poured her over all his works, and over all flesh, to the extent of his favor, and he has offered her to those who love him.
11 Timor Domini gloria, et gloriatio, et lætitia, et corona exsultationis.	11 The fear of the Lord is glory, and honor, and rejoicing, and a crown of exultation.
12 Timor Domini delectabit cor, et dabit lætitiam, et gaudium, et longitudinem dierum.	12 The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, and will give joy and gladness and length of days.
13 Timenti Dominum bene erit in extremis, et in die defunctionis suæ benedicetur.	13 It will be well, in the very end, for him who fears the Lord, and on the day that he passes away, he will be blessed.
14 Dilectio Dei honorabilis sapientia :	14 The love of God is honorable wisdom.
15 quibus autem apparuerit in visu diligunt eam in visione, et in agnitione magnalium suorum.	15 And those to whom she will appear for their consideration love her because of what they see and know of her great works.
16 Initium sapientiæ timor Domini : et cum fidelibus in vulva concreatus est : cum electis feminis graditur, et cum justis et fidelibus agnoscitur.	16 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, and walks with elect women, and is known by the just and the faithful.
17 Timor Domini scientiæ religiositas :	17 The fear of the Lord is the sanctity of knowledge.
18 religiositas custodiet et justificabit cor ; jucunditatem atque gaudium dabit.	18 Sanctity will guard and justify the heart, and will bestow happiness and joy.
19 Timenti Dominum bene erit, et in diebus consummationis illius benedicetur.	19 It will be well with him who fears the Lord, and at the consummation of his days, he will be blessed.
20 Plenitudo sapientiæ est timere Deum, et plenitudo a fructibus illius.	20 To fear God is the fullness of wisdom, and it is a fullness from its fruits.
21 Omnem domum illius implebit a generationibus, et receptacula a thesauris illius.	21 She will fill her entire house from her offspring, and storehouses from her treasures.
22 Corona sapientiæ timor Domini, replens pacem et salutis fructum :	22 The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, the completion of peace, and the fruit of salvation.
23 et vidit, et dinumeravit eam : utraque autem sunt dona Dei.	23 And the fear of the Lord has seen and numbered wisdom; but both are gifts of God.
24 Scientiam et intellectum prudentiæ sapientia compartietur, et gloriam tenentium se exaltat.	24 Wisdom will distribute knowledge and an understanding of prudence; and she lifts up the glory of those who hold to her.
25 Radix sapientiæ est timere Dominum, et rami illius longævi.	25 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and its branches are long-lived.
26 In thesauris sapientiæ intellectus et scientiæ religiositas : execratio autem peccatoribus sapientia.	26 In the treasures of wisdom is understanding and the sanctity of knowledge. But to sinners, wisdom is an abomination.
27 Timor Domini expellit peccatum :	27 The fear of the Lord expels sin.
28 nam qui sine timore est non poterit justificari : iracundia enim animositatis illius subversio illius est.	28 For he who is without fear is not able to be justified. For the disposition of his spirit is his undoing.
29 Usque in tempus sustinebit patiens, et postea redditio jucunditatis.	29 Those who are patient will suffer for a brief time, and afterwards, happiness will return.
30 Bonus sensus usque in tempus abscondet verba illius, et labia multorum enarrabunt sensum illius.	30 A noble mind will hide his words for a brief time, and then the lips of many will declare his understanding.
31 In thesauris sapientiæ significatio disciplinæ :	31 Among the treasures of wisdom is the outward sign of discipline.
32 execratio autem peccatori cultura Dei.	32 But to those who sin, the worship of God is an abomination.
33 Fili, concupiscens sapientiam, conserva justitiam, et Deus præbebit illam tibi.	33 Son, if you desire wisdom, observe justice, and then God will offer her to you.
34 Sapientia enim et disciplina timor Domini : et quod beneplacitum est illi,	34 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline.
35 fides et mansuetudo, et adimplebit thesauros illius.	35 And what pleases him is faith and meekness. And so shall he complete his treasures.
36 Ne sis incredibilis timori Domini, et ne accesseris ad illum duplici corde.	36 You should not be incredulous to the fear of the Lord. And you should not draw close to him with a duplicitous heart.
37 Ne fueris hypocrita in conspectu hominum, et non scandalizeris in labiis tuis.	37 You should not be a hypocrite in the sight of men. And you should not scandalize with your lips.
38 Attende in illis, ne forte cadas, et adducas animæ tuæ inhonorationem :	38 Attend to these things, otherwise you may fall and bring dishonor to your soul.
39 et revelet Deus absconsa tua, et in medio synagogæ elidat te :	39 And then God may uncover your secrets, and he may cast you down forcefully in the midst of the congregation.
40 quoniam accessisti maligne ad Dominum, et cor tuum plenum est dolo et fallacia.	40 For you drew near to the Lord wickedly, and your heart was filled with deceit and falseness.