1 He that liveth for ever created all things in general.

1 Qui vivit in æternum creavit omnia simul.
Deus solus justificabitur,
et manet invictus rex in æternum.

2 The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,

2 Quis sufficit enarrare opera illius?

3 Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things among them from profane.

3 quis enim investigabit magnalia ejus?

4 To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?

4 virtutem autem magnitudinis ejus quis enuntiabit?
aut quis adjiciet enarrare misericordiam ejus?

5 Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?

5 Non est minuere neque adjicere,
nec est invenire magnalia Dei.

6 As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.

6 Cum consummaverit homo, tunc incipiet:
et cum quieverit, aporiabitur.

7 When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.

7 Quid est homo? et quæ est gratia illius?
et quid bonum aut quid nequam illius?

8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?

8 Numerus dierum hominum, ut multum centum anni,
quasi gutta aquæ maris deputati sunt:
et sicut calculus arenæ, sic exigui anni in die ævi.

9 The number of a man's days at the most are an hundred years.

9 Propter hoc patiens est Deus in illis,
et effundit super eos misericordiam suam.

10 As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.

10 Vidit præsumptionem cordis eorum, quoniam mala est:
et cognovit subversionem illorum, quoniam nequam est.

11 Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.

11 Ideo adimplevit propitiationem suam in illis,
et ostendit eis viam æquitatis.

12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.

12 Miseratio hominis circa proximum suum:
misericordia autem Dei super omnem carnem.

13 The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth, and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.

13 Qui misericordiam habet, docet et erudit
quasi pastor gregem suum.

14 He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.

14 Miseretur excipientis doctrinam miserationis,
et qui festinat in judiciis ejus.

15 My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.

15 ¶ Fili, in bonis non des querelam,
et in omni dato non des tristitiam verbi mali.

16 Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.

16 Nonne ardorem refrigerabit ros?
sic et verbum melius quam datum.

17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.

17 Nonne ecce verbum super datum bonum?
sed utraque cum homine justificato.

18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.

18 Stultus acriter improperabit:
et datus indisciplinati tabescere facit oculos.

19 Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.

19 Ante judicium para justitiam tibi,
et antequam loquaris, disce.

20 Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.

20 Ante languorem adhibe medicinam:
et ante judicium interroga teipsum,
et in conspectu Dei invenies propitiationem.

21 Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.

21 Ante languorem humilia te,
et in tempore infirmitatis ostende conversationem tuam.

22 Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.

22 Non impediaris orare semper,
et ne verearis usque ad mortem justificari,
quoniam merces Dei manet in æternum.

23 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.

23 Ante orationem præpara animam tuam,
et noli esse quasi homo qui tentat Deum.

24 Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.

24 Memento iræ in die consummationis,
et tempus retributionis in conversatione faciei.

25 When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.

25 Memento paupertatis in tempore abundantiæ,
et necessitatum paupertatis in die divitiarum.

26 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.

26 A mane usque ad vesperam immutabitur tempus,
et hæc omnia citata in oculis Dei.

27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.

27 Homo sapiens in omnibus metuet,
et in diebus delictorum attendet ab inertia.

28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.

28 Omnis astutus agnoscit sapientiam,
et invenienti eam dabit confessionem.

29 They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.

29 Sensati in verbis et ipsi sapienter egerunt,
et intellexerunt veritatem et justitiam,
et impluerunt proverbia et judicia.

30 Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.

30 ¶ Post concupiscentias tuas non eas,
et a voluntate tua avertere.

31 If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.

31 Si præstes animæ tuæ concupiscentias ejus,
faciet te in gaudium inimicis tuis.

32 Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof.

32 Ne oblecteris in turbis nec in modicis:
assidua enim est commissio illorum.

33 Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on.

33 Ne fueris mediocris in contentione ex fœnore,
et est tibi nihil in sacculo:
eris enim invidus vitæ tuæ.