Ecclesiasticus 43

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Altitudinis firmamentum pulchritudo ejus est, species cæli in visione gloriæ.	1 The clear vault of the sky shines forth like heaven itself, a vision of glory.
2 Sol in aspectu annuntians in exitu, vas admirabile, opus Excelsi.	2 The orb of the sun, resplendent at its rising: what a wonderful work of the Most High!
3 In meridiano exurit terram, et in conspectu ardoris ejus quis poterit sustinere ? fornacem custodiens in operibus ardoris :	3 At noon it seethes the surface of the earth, and who can bear its fiery heat?
4 tripliciter sol exurens montes, radios igneos exsufflans, et refulgens radiis suis obcæcat oculos.	4 Like a blazing furnace of solid metal, it sets the mountains aflame with its rays; By its fiery darts the land is consumed; the eyes are dazzled by its light.
5 Magnus Dominus qui fecit illum, et in sermonibus ejus festinavit iter.	5 Great indeed is the LORD who made it, at whose orders it urges on its steeds.
6 Et luna in omnibus in tempore suo, ostensio temporis, et signum ævi.	6 The moon, too, that marks the changing times, governing the seasons, their lasting sign,
7 A luna signum diei festi : luminare quod minuitur in consummatione.	7 By which we know the feast days and fixed dates, this light-giver which wanes in its course:
8 Mensis secundum nomen ejus est, crescens mirabiliter in consummatione.	8 As its name says, each month it renews itself; how wondrous in this change!
9 Vas castrorum in excelsis, in firmamento cæli resplendens gloriose.	9 The beauty, the glory, of the heavens are the stars that adorn with their sparkling the heights of God,
10 Species cæli gloria stellarum : mundum illuminans in excelsis Dominus.	10 At whose command they keep their place and never relax in their vigils. A weapon against the flood waters stored on high, lighting up the firmament by its brilliance,
11 In verbis Sancti stabunt ad judicium, et non deficient in vigiliis suis.	11 Behold the rainbow! Then bless its Maker, for majestic indeed is its splendor;
12 Vide arcum, et benedic eum qui fecit illum : valde speciosus est in splendore suo.	12 It spans the heavens with its glory, this bow bent by the mighty hand of God.
13 Gyravit cælum in circuitu gloriæ suæ : manus Excelsi aperuerunt illum.	13 His rebuke marks out the path for the lightning, and speeds the arrows of his judgment to their goal.
14 Imperio suo acceleravit nivem, et accelerat coruscationes emittere judicii sui.	14 At it the storehouse is opened, and like vultures the clouds hurry forth.
15 Propterea aperti sunt thesauri, et evolaverunt nebulæ sicut aves.	15 In his majesty he gives the storm its power and breaks off the hailstones.
16 In magnitudine sua posuit nubes, et confracti sunt lapides grandinis.	16 The thunder of his voice makes the earth writhe; before his might the mountains quake.
17 In conspectu ejus commovebuntur montes, et in voluntate ejus aspirabit notus.	17 A word from him drives on the south wind, the angry north wind, the hurricane and the storm.
18 Vox tonitrui ejus verberavit terram, tempestas aquilonis, et congregatio spiritus :	18 He sprinkles the snow like fluttering birds; it comes to settle like swarms of locusts.
19 et sicut avis deponens ad sedendum, aspergit nivem, et sicut locusta demergens descensus ejus.	19 Its shining whiteness blinds the eyes, the mind is baffled by its steady fall.
20 Pulchritudinem candoris ejus admirabitur oculus, et super imbrem ejus expavescet cor.	20 He scatters frost like so much salt; it shines like blossoms on the thornbush.
21 Gelu sicut salem effundet super terram : et dum gelaverit, fiet tamquam cacumina tribuli.	21 Cold northern blasts he sends that turn the ponds to lumps of ice. He freezes over every body of water, and clothes each pool with a coat of mail.
22 Frigidus ventus aquilo flavit, et gelavit crystallus ab aqua : super omnem congregationem aquarum requiescet, et sicut lorica induet se aquis :	22 When the mountain growth is scorched with heat, and the flowering plains as though by flames,
23 et devorabit montes, et exuret desertum, et extinguet viride, sicut igne.	23 The dripping clouds restore them all, and the scattered dew enriches the parched land.
24 Medicina omnium in festinatione nebulæ : et ros obvians ab ardore venienti humilem efficiet eum.	24 His is the plan that calms the deep, and plants the islands in the sea.
25 In sermone ejus siluit ventus, et cogitatione sua placavit abyssum : et plantavit in illa Dominus insulas.	25 Those who go down to the sea tell part of its story, and when we hear them we are thunderstruck;
26 Qui navigant mare enarrent pericula ejus, et audientes auribus nostris admirabimur.	26 In it are his creatures, stupendous, amazing, all kinds of life, and the monsters of the deep.
27 Illic præclara opera et mirabilia, varia bestiarum genera, et omnium pecorum, et creatura belluarum.	27 For him each messenger succeeds, and at his bidding accomplishes his will.
28 Propter ipsum confirmatus est itineris finis, et in sermone ejus composita sunt omnia.	28 More than this we need not add; let the last word be, he is all in all!
29 Multa dicemus, et deficiemus in verbis : consummatio autem sermonum ipse est in omnibus.	29 Let us praise him the more, since we cannot fathom him, for greater is he than all his works;
30 Gloriantes ad quid valebimus ? ipse enim omnipotens super omnia opera sua.	30 Awful indeed is the LORD'S majesty, and wonderful is his power.
31 Terribilis Dominus, et magnus vehementer, et mirabilis potentia ipsius.	31 Lift up your voices to glorify the LORD, though he is still beyond your power to praise;
32 Glorificantes Dominum quantumcumque potueritis, supervalebit enim adhuc : et admirabilis magnificentia ejus.	32 Extol him with renewed strength, and weary not, though you cannot reach the end:
33 Benedicentes Dominum, exaltate illum quantum potestis : major enim est omni laude.	33 For who can see him and describe him? or who can praise him as he is?
34 Exaltantes eum, replemini virtute, ne laboretis, non enim comprehendetis.	34 Beyond these, many things lie hid; only a few of his works have we seen.
35 Quis videbit eum et enarrabit ? et quis magnificabit eum sicut est ab initio ?	35 It is the LORD who has made all things, and to those who fear him he gives wisdom.
36 Multa abscondita sunt majora his : pauca enim vidimus operum ejus.
37 Omnia autem Dominus fecit, et pie agentibus dedit sapientiam.